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PubMed2004

Normal MR imaging anatomy of the elbow.

The functional complexity achieved at the elbow is a reflection of the sophisticated architecture that embodies this articulation. In addition to challenging anatomic relationships to conceptualize, there are many anatomic variations that exist in the osseous, capsular, and muscular structures. This article offers a detailed description of the structural and imaging anatomy of the elbow, information that establishes the foundation of imaging interpretation of internal derangements.

Collateral Ligaments↗

PubMed2006

Normal MR imaging anatomy of the elbow.

Elbow Joint↗

PubMed2000

Observations in ecology: you can't make progress on processes without understanding the patterns.

Coastal marine ecology is, quite properly, increasingly focussed on experimental tests of hypotheses about processes. These are, however, done to explain observations and patterns. It is therefore appropriate to be able to publish quantitative observations to provide the context and basis for studying mechanisms and processes. Ecologists are concerned about very different types of observations. Some areas of study are still totally dependent on observational, descriptive evidence; some depend on mensurative tests of hypotheses about patterns. Tests of hypotheses about patterns are also needed to validate casual or qualitative observations. Guide-lines for what constitutes appropriate or publishable ecological descriptions are discussed here. These recognize the experimental, hypothesis-testing nature of many descriptive studies and consider the relevance of sound logic and experimental design in the planning, collection and interpretation of observations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1997

Quality of life in patients with prostatic cancer: results from a Swedish population study.

PURPOSE: We evaluated a prostate cancer-specific module in an unselected patient population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A population study design was used to confirm the psychometric properties and clinical relevance of a prostate cancer-specific module, supplementing the standardized EORTC QLQ-C30 in Sweden. The study sample comprised 1,138 patients (81% response rate) examined by a mailout/mailback procedure 1.5 to 3.5 years after diagnosis. The standardized multitrait analysis method estimated the internal consistency and convergent and discriminant validity of 3 multi-item scales on sexuality, urinary symptoms and bowel symptoms. Confirmation of prostate-specific scales by disease stage and treatment used principal components analysis. The clinical relevance was tested by correlation analysis including disease and treatment-related parameters. RESULTS: Convergent and discriminant validity of all 3 prostate-specific scales was confirmed. The internal consistency was satisfactory for the sexuality and urinary scales (alpha 0.92 and 0.76, respectively), while the bowel scale failed to reach the alpha level of 0.70 required for group comparisons. The former scales showed invariance over all principal components analyses of subgroups (disease stage and treatment). The latter scale comprised differing numbers of items in the subgroup analyses, suggesting the use of single items at present. Descriptive data of the core and module questionnaires by disease and treatment-related parameters confirmed their interpretability and thus their clinical usefulness. CONCLUSIONS: The presented self-report questionnaire technique has great potential to inform clinicians about the quality of life in patients suffering from prostate cancer.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

[Assessment of thoracic X-ray readings by emergency room physicians at a university hospital].

BACKGROUND: We aimed to find out whether systematic reading of chest radiography (CRx) by radiologists in the emergency unit might lead to a higher diagnostic efficiency and improve health care. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Descriptive study of consecutive admissions during 3 months in an internal medicine department. We registered the CRx interpretation by the emergency unit physician first, and a radiologist the next day. In cases with different interpretations, we assessed whether these differences would have modified the treatment. RESULTS: The overall disagreement between the emergency room physician and the radiologist was 13.7%. In 19 of 29 cases with different readings, the radiologist interpretation was in agreement with the final diagnosis. In 7 of these 19 cases, the radiologist reading of CRx would have led to a positive change of treatment. However, differences between both physicians were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: There seems to be a higher diagnostic efficiency when the emergency room physician interpretation of CRx is complemented by a radiologist.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Dynamic spectral analysis of event-related potentials.

This paper presents a new method for the identification of individual event related potential (ERP) components in both frequency and time domains. Using the similar basis function (SBF) algorithm the method provides a time to frequency transform, representing a frequency domain equivalent of the component waveform. Notable features of the SBF algorithm are that it allows for unevenly spaced sampled functions in both the time and frequency domains, and estimates of spectral densities are obtained by numerical computation of finite Fourier integrals. Application of this method to ERP data from 20 normal subjects demonstrated a similar shape of component amplitude frequency characteristics for traditional late component waveforms (N1, P2, N2 and P3). On this basis, a low-frequency band was found where the component amplitude frequency characteristic was described by a Gaussian function, while the component phase frequency characteristic was a linear function of frequency. These relationships are interpreted as frequency domain equivalents of the component. Transformed to the time domain, they provided an analytical description of the ERP as the sum of positive- and negative-going monopolar waves. The study points to similar mechanisms underlying these component waveforms, and analytically defines dynamic properties for the components both in the frequency and time domains.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

An international survey of cancer pain characteristics and syndromes. IASP Task Force on Cancer Pain. International Association for the Study of Pain.

The optimal assessment of cancer pain includes a detailed description of pain characteristics and classification by both syndrome and likely mechanisms. In the clinical setting, the interpretation of this information is aided by knowledge of the available clinical experiences on these aspects of the pain. Unfortunately, existing data are limited. There have been few large surveys of cancer pain characteristics and syndromes, and comparative data from patients in different parts of the world are entirely lacking. To better define the characteristics of cancer pain syndromes the Task Force on Cancer Pain of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) conducted a prospective, cross-sectional, international, multicenter survey of pain specialists and their patients. From a total of 100 clinicians who described themselves as cancer pain practitioners in the IASP membership directory, 51 agreed to participate in the survey and a total of 58 provided data. These clinicians resided in 24 countries and evaluated a total of 1095 patients with severe cancer pain mostly requiring opioid medication, using a combination of patient-rated and observer-rated measures. The patient-rated scales comprised a pain intensity measure chosen from the brief pain inventory. The observer-rated information included demographic and tumor-related data, and responses on checklists of pain syndromes and pathophysiologies. Patients were heterogeneous in terms of demographics and tumor-related information. More than 76% had a Kamofsky performance status score < or = 70. Almost one-quarter of the patients experienced two or more pains. A large majority of the patients (92.5%) had one or more pains caused directly by the cancer; 20.8% of patients had one or more pains caused by cancer therapies. The average (SD) duration of pain was 5.9 (10.5) months. Approximately two-thirds of patients (66.7%) reported that the worst pain intensity during the day prior to the survey was > or = 7 on a 10-point numeric scale. The factors that were univariately associated with higher pain intensity included the presence of breakthrough pain, somatic pain or neuropathic pain, age younger than 60 years, and lower performance status score. A multivariate model suggested that the presence of breakthrough pain, somatic pain, and lower performance status were the most important predictors of intense pain. Pains that were inferred by the treating clinician to be nociceptive and due to somatic injury occurred in 71.6% of the patients. Pains labeled nociceptive visceral were noted in 34.7% and pains inferred to have neuropathic mechanisms occurred in 39.7%. In a broad classification, the major pain syndromes comprised bone or joint lesions (41.7% of patients), visceral lesions (28.1%), soft tissue infiltration (28.3%), and peripheral nerve injuries (27.8%). Twenty-two types of pain syndromes were most prevalent. Large differences in the diagnosis of breakthrough pain by clinicians of different countries suggest that this phenomenon is either defined or recognized differently across countries. These data confirm, in segment of the cancer population experiencing severe pain, in different parts of the world, that cancer pain characteristics, syndromes and pathophysiologies are very heterogeneous. Predictors of worsening pain can be identified. The data provide a useful context for the interpretation of pain-related information acquired in both clinical and research settings. They suggest the need for future studies and the potential usefulness of a written checklist for cancer pain syndromes and pathophysiologies.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

PubMed2005

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of polyelectrolyte multilayer modified gold electrodes: influence of supporting electrolyte and temperature.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry are employed to characterize poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(allylamine hydrochloride) multilayers assembled onto cysteamine-modified gold surfaces. The influence of the supporting electrolyte and temperature on the impedance response is studied because of both its practical interest and the need to test further the capillary membrane model recently developed by Barreira et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 17973]. The results obtained are interpreted quite satisfactorily in terms of this model, thus providing additional support to its usefulness for the description of ionic transport through polyelectrolyte multilayers. It is observed that the nature of the supporting electrolyte affects the film resistance and the electrode coverage. The temperature dependence of the diffusion coefficient is shown to follow the Arrhenius law, and the activation energy is estimated as 61 kJ/mol. Experiments with a large number of layers are also included to show that the impedance response of the multilayer then resembles that of a homogeneous membrane.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2001

History of post-traumatic syringomyelia: post traumatic syringomyelia prior to 1920.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of five cases of post-traumatic syringomyelia originally described between 1898-1920. OBJECTIVES: To describe the earliest presentation of post-traumatic syringomyelia and to compare to modern day views of this condition. SETTING: Historical review. RESULTS: Pathogenesis and interpretation of the findings are discussed in the light of current knowledge. CONCLUSION: Credit for the first description of post-traumatic syringomyelia (in 1898) should go to W Wagner and P Stolper.

History, 19th Century↗

PubMed1994

Relevance of endogenous ascorbate and tocopherol for brain cell vitality indicated by photon emission.

In vitro lipid peroxidation of brain cell membranes was recorded directly by monitoring the concomitant photon emission. Chemiluminescence appeared spontaneously after disintegration of vital brain cells (pig brain cell homogenate, isolated oligodendrocytes), decreasing the high intracellular ascorbate concentration in the vital glial cell (1 mmol/L) to a lower overall concentration (< 100 mumol/L). This had a prooxidant effect in the homogenate. Intracellular high antioxidant ascorbate concentrations were also efficient at protecting membrane lipids of vital oligodendrocytes against extracellular low prooxidant ascorbate concentrations (50 mumol/L). The intramembranous alpha-tocopherol content limited the antioxidant efficiency of ascorbate. With physiological concentrations (0.4 nmol of iron to 0.1 nmol of tocopherol per milliter of membrane suspension), a 50% inhibition of lipid peroxidation was obtained with 410 nmol/ml ascorbate; this was reduced to 90 nmol/ml in the case of fivefold increased tocopherol content. So in vivo ascorbate concentrations were sufficient to protect against lipid peroxidation. Only when endogenous tocopherol was decreased to 20% was the in vivo intracellular ascorbate concentration too small for antioxidative protection of lipids. The product of tocopherol concentration and ascorbate concentration, effective for 50% inhibition of lipid peroxidation, remained constant. When iron concentrations were increased 10(4)-fold, maximal chemiluminescence and malondialdehyde formation were increased twofold and less than 50%, respectively. This quantitative description of the interactions between vitamin E, vitamin C, and iron are relevant to the modification of interpretations of pathological conditions in parkinsonian brains.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1974

The three-state model: a minimal allosteric description of homotropic and heterotropic effects in the binding of ligands to hemoglobin.

The effect of hydrogen ion, chloride, and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate upon the oxygen binding of hemoglobin may be satisfactorily described by an allosteric model employing three affinity states. The allosteric two-state model does not provide even an approximate description except under defined extreme conditions. In particular, the two-state model cannot provide a correct interpretation of recently reported electron spin resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance data.

Binding Sites↗

PubMed1990

Cognitive, behavioral, and affective correlates of the Cook and Medley Hostility Scale.

The Cook and Medley Hostility (Ho) Scale is an increasingly important measure in studies examining health consequences of hostility. The two studies discussed herein provide further evidence of the construct validity of this measure. In Study 1, high Ho scores were associated with a greater level of aroused anger and disparaging appraisals of subjects' partners in a competitive reaction-time game as well as marginally more frequent antagonistic behavior. In Study 2, high Ho scores were associated with greater levels of angry and suspicious thoughts and feelings in response to hypothetical interpersonal conflicts and the tendency to attribute hostile intent to actors' displays of negative social behaviors. These findings are consistent with previous conceptual descriptions of the cognitive, behavioral, and affective correlates of hostility. The results are discussed in terms of interpretation of studies using the Ho scale and possible refinements of the measure.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Category-specific form-knowledge deficit in a patient with herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

In-depth case study of a herpes simplex virus encephalitis patient who presents with a relatively clear knowledge disorder and anterograde amnesia in the absence of any other major cognitive deficit. The main neuropsychological feature is a category-specific impairment restricted to living things. The patient misnamed pictures of animals and vegetables, could not accurately draw animals from memory or verbally describe their visual appearance, and was not accurate in sorting pictures of real animals from pictures of unreal animals; conversely, in the same tasks her performance with artifactual objects was either errorless or superior to that with animals. We interpret the patient's category-specific deficit as due to a selective disturbance within the structural description system, rather than a deficit in low-level visual processing or semantic memory. From this case study and a review of other reported cases we claim that such deficit of form-knowledge is a consequence of the extensive lesions that affect bilaterally the inferior parts of the temporal lobes. The patient here described thus offers further empirical evidence for the crucial role of the inferotemporal cortex in processing visual knowledge about concepts.

Acyclovir↗

PubMed1981

The ideal physical therapist as perceived by the elderly patient.

A 28-item Q sort was constructed and used to determine 1) the characteristics considered most descriptive of the ideal physical therapist by the elderly patient, 2) those considered most descriptive of the ideal physical therapist by the therapist, and 3) the relationship between the two ideals. Each of the 28 statements selected was descriptive of the therapist in one of four roles as a therapist, teacher, worker, or person. The results suggest a moderate degree of similarity between the ideal physical therapist as viewed by the elderly and by the practitioner. Both patients and therapists selected the role of the therapist as a therapist as most descriptive and the role as a worker as least descriptive. Although the elderly ranked teaching qualities higher than personal characteristics, therapists reversed this order. Limitations in interpreting these differences are discussed.

Aged↗

PubMed1984

Techniques for clinical assessment of human movement.

Conventional, clinically available techniques used in the measurement and analysis of human movement are overviewed in the first part of the article. I examine the data produced by these techniques in terms of information content and potential usefulness in assessing human movement. Consideration is given to the observation process and to specific techniques for determining temporal and spatial, kinematic, and kinetic variables. The techniques examined document the end result of the movement process, which limits the information content to a descriptive level. Of these descriptive variables, the temporal and spatial variables have the advantage of being much easier to obtain and interpret. In the last part of the paper, I review more complex methods of analysis. These methods enable the determination of mechanical energy levels and joint moments, which exposes the underlying biomechanics of the movement. Such information can be related to the causes of the movement disorder and can help to diagnose the abnormal movement pattern.

Acceleration↗

PubMed1995

Triangulation reveals theoretical linkages and outcomes in a nursing intervention study.

CNSs ROUTINELY GIVE psychosocial support to patients dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Yet few studies discuss theoretical aspects of psychosocial support. The purpose of this paper is to report results of a study using an efficacy-enhancing intervention given to 49 patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Analysis of qualitative data revealed (1) linkages of a supportive psychosocial intervention with the theoretical basis of the study and (2) outcomes not apparent in statistical analysis of the hypothesis-testing study. Interventions were based on Orem's self-care framework and Bandura's description of sources of efficacy expectations. Data triangulation to identify areas where previous findings had not revealed interpretations provided a different perspective on the same phenomena and led to revisions in further study. Implications for CNS practice and research are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Digital spectral analysis of the drill-bone acoustic interface during temporal bone dissection: a qualitative cadaveric pilot study.

HYPOTHESIS: To qualitatively assess the different acoustic signatures of an otologic drill burr-bone interface during temporal bone dissection on full thickness calvarial and thin tegmen bone. BACKGROUND: An appreciable change in the sound generated by drilling occurs with progressive thinning of the bone during temporal bone dissection. To date, descriptions of this phenomenon are limited to a handful of subjective characterizations. Using digital power spectral analysis, interpretation of complex functions of time such as acoustic signals can be interpreted. METHODS: Acoustic data recorded from five cadaveric temporal bone dissections were studied using digital spectral analysis. RESULTS: The energy bandwidth concentration was between 5.0 and 7.9 kHz for full thickness bone using the cutting burr. Thin tegmen bone bandwidth concentration was lower, between 3.7 and 7.4 kHz and 3.9 and 6.0 kHz, using cutting and diamond burrs, respectively. Harmonic frequencies for thin tegmen bone-burr signals were 630 Hz. CONCLUSION: There is a consistent, reproducible qualitative difference in the spectral domain of the acoustic signature from the drill burr-bone interface between thick calvarial bone and thin tegmen bone caused by a higher harmonic peak interval and lower energy bandwidth concentration in the thinned tegmen bone-burr interface signal thus concentrating the acoustic signal within a more optimal frequency range for human perception. These results allow for a better understanding of the perceived change in sound with progressive thinning of bone with drilling. In addition, these data may allow the development of more realistic acoustic interfaces in virtual reality temporal bone dissection simulators.

Acoustics↗

PubMed2006

Gas adsorption and desorption in silica aerogels: a theoretical study of scattering properties.

We present a numerical study of the structural correlations associated with gas adsorption and desorption in silica aerogels in order to provide a theoretical interpretation of scattering experiments. Following our earlier work, we use a coarse-grained lattice-gas description and determine the nonequilibrium behavior of the adsorbed gas within a local mean-field analysis. We focus on the differences between the adsorption and desorption mechanisms and their signature in the fluid-fluid and gel-fluid structure factors as a function of temperature. At low temperature, but still in the regime where the isotherms are continuous, we find that the adsorbed fluid density, during both filling and draining, is correlated over distances that may be much larger than the gel correlation length. In particular, extended fractal correlations may occur during desorption, indicating the existence of a ramified cluster of vapor filled cavities. This also induces an important increase of the scattering intensity at small wave vectors. The similarity and differences with the scattering of fluids in other porous solids such as Vycor are discussed.

Journal Article↗