SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “functional”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

The discriminative power of the Wolf motor function test in assessing upper extremity functions in persons with stroke.

The Wolf motor function test is a new time-based method to evaluate upper extremity function both on a joint-specific level and on total limb movements, while performing some functional tasks. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the discriminating power of the Wolf motor function test in classifying individuals with stroke into different levels according to Brunnstrom's stages of recovery. Discriminant analysis was used and the results showed that the Wolf motor function test can classify 86.7% of original grouped cases into the correct groupings. A high correlation was found between the Wolf motor function test, the Brunnstrom stages of recovery and the Fugl-Meyer Assessment. The Wolf motor function test is found to be an instrument capable of discriminating the upper extremity motor function of the individuals with stroke into different functional groups.

Disability Evaluation↗

PubMed2005

Functional-task exercise versus resistance strength exercise to improve daily function in older women: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a functional-task exercise program and a resistance exercise program have different effects on the ability of community-living older people to perform daily tasks. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial. SETTING: Community leisure center in Utrecht, the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-eight healthy women aged 70 and older were randomly assigned to the functional-task exercise program (function group, n=33), a resistance exercise program (resistance group, n=34), or a control group (n=31). Participants attended exercise classes three times a week for 12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: Functional task performance (Assessment of Daily Activity Performance (ADAP)), isometric knee extensor strength (IKES), handgrip strength, isometric elbow flexor strength (IEFS), and leg extension power were measured at baseline, at the end of training (at 3 months), and 6 months after the end of training (at 9 months). RESULTS: The ADAP total score of the function group (mean change 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=5.2-8.4) increased significantly more than that of the resistance group (3.2, 95% CI=1.3-5.0; P=.007) or the control group (0.3, 95% CI=-1.3-1.9; P<.001). Moreover, the ADAP total score of the resistance group did not change significantly compared with that of the control group. In contrast, IKES and IEFS increased significantly in the resistance group (12.5%, 95% CI=3.8-21.3 and 8.6%, 95% CI=3.1-14.1, respectively) compared with the function group (-2.1%, 95% CI=-5.4-1.3; P=.003 and 0.3%, 95% CI=-3.6-4.2; P=.03, respectively) and the control group (-2.7%, 95% CI=-8.6-3.2, P=.003 and 0.6%, 95% CI=-3.4-4.6; P=.04, respectively). Six months after the end of training, the increase in ADAP scores was sustained in the function group (P=.002). CONCLUSION: Functional-task exercises are more effective than resistance exercises at improving functional task performance in healthy elderly women and may have an important role in helping them maintain an independent lifestyle.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2006

Performance-based measures of physical function for high-function populations.

OBJECTIVES: To improve and broaden the applicability of performance-based measures of function for use in clinical and research settings. DESIGN: Cross-sectional repeated-measures study. SETTING: Research clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of Japanese Americans without significant functional impairments aged 35 to 55 and 56 to 71 (N=203). MEASUREMENTS: Performance-based measures of physical function, including range of standard tests, newer automated measures of balance and strength and data on cognitive function, lifestyle, medical history, and physical activity. RESULTS: Of the nonplatform balance measures, only the one-leg stand was reliable (reliability coefficient (rc) =0.69) and able to discriminate between functional levels. Combining the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey protocol of folded arm position while standing on a foam pad with the more-sophisticated balance platform test had the highest reliability and discrimination. With the strength chair, high rcs (0.88-0.96) were found for upper and lower extremity tests. Timed chair stands, a test of lower extremity and central strength were reliable. The 6-minute walk had a high rc (0.90). CONCLUSION: Many performance tests used today are not reliable. Only a few discriminate between the most highly functioning individuals and individuals with good function. Thus, a new recommended battery includes unassisted single-leg stand, balance platform "foam pad, eyes closed," elbow flexion and knee extension strength (strength chair), grip strength, timed chair stands, and the 6-minute walk. These simple performance-based tests have good reliability and discrimination across the range of function and can be used in most clinical and research settings to quickly assess global functional level.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Technique for "tuning" vocal tract area functions based on acoustic sensitivity functions.

A technique for modifying vocal tract area functions is developed by using sum and difference combinations of acoustic sensitivity functions to perturb an initial vocal tract configuration. First, sensitivity functions [e.g., Fant and Pauli, Proc. Speech Comm. Sem. 74, 1975] are calculated for a given area function, at its specific formant frequencies. The sensitivity functions are then multiplied by scaling coefficients that are determined from the difference between a desired set of formant frequencies and those supported by the current area function. The scaled sensitivity functions are then summed together to generate a perturbation of the area function. This produces a new area function whose associated formant frequencies are closer to the desired values than the previous one. This process is repeated iteratively until the coefficients are equal to zero or are below a threshold value.

Glottis↗

PubMed2004

Agonist-induced internalization of leukotriene B(4) receptor 1 requires G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 but not arrestins.

The leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) receptor (BLT1) becomes desensitized upon repeated agonist stimulation. Little is known, however, about BLT1 internalization, which follows desensitization in most G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). In the current study, transiently expressed BLT1 readily internalized, after LTB(4) stimulation, in RBL-2H3 cells that express high levels of endogenous GPCR kinase 2 (GRK2) but did not in COS-7 or human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, which do not overexpress GRK. The internalization of BLT1 could be blocked in RBL-2H3 cells by coexpressing dominant-negative (DN) GRK2 K220R and could be promoted in HEK293 cells by coexpressing wild-type (WT) GRK2. Coexpression of WT or DN nonvisual arrestins had no effect on BLT1 internalization. Moreover, upon stimulation with LTB(4), BLT1 did not induce arrestin-green fluorescence protein redistribution in either cell type, even in the presence of overexpressed GRK2. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments confirmed that BLT1 could associate with GRK2 but not with arrestins. A C-tail-truncated mutant of BLT1 lost the capacity to internalize and associate with GRK2 upon exposure to LTB(4), suggesting that the C-tail was required for receptor internalization and association with GRK2. Taken together, our results indicate that the C terminus of BLT1 plays a pivotal role in receptor internalization and GRK2 association. Moreover, ligand-induced BLT1 internalization is dependent on GRK2 but independent of arrestins. This may allow differential, cell-type-specific signaling in response to LTB(4), depending on GRK expression levels.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Cross sectional study on lung function of coke oven workers: a lung function surveillance system from 1978 to 1990.

AIMS: To determine the association between lung function of coke oven workers and exposure to coke oven emissions. METHODS: Lung function data and detailed work histories for workers in recovery coke ovens of a steelworks were extracted from a lung function surveillance system. Multiple regressions were employed to determine significant predictors for lung function indices. The first sets of lung function tests for 613 new starters were pooled to assess the selection bias. The last sets of lung function tests for 834 subjects with one or more year of coke oven history were pooled to assess determinants of lung function. RESULTS: Selection bias associated with the recruitment process was not observed among the exposure groups. For subjects with a history of one or more years of coke oven work, each year of working in the most exposed "operation" position was associated with reductions in FEV(1) of around 9 ml (p = 0.006, 95% CI: 3 ml to 16 ml) and in FVC of around 12 ml (p = 0.002, 95% CI: 4 ml to 19 ml). Negative effects of smoking on lung function were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to coke oven emissions was found to be associated with lower FEV(1) and FVC. Effects of work exposure on lung function are similar to those found in other studies.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Executive function in patients with remitted bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and its relationship with functional outcome.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported that differences in cognitive performance between schizophrenic and bipolar patients seem to be smaller than expected. Patients with schizophrenia have consistently shown frontal executive dysfunctions, but studies regarding executive abilities in bipolar patients are scarce and discrepant. As executive function has been associated with psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia, we wanted to investigate if such a relationship is also present in bipolar disorder and the differences between the two groups. METHODS: Executive function was assessed in 49 euthymic (at least 6 months in remission, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale < or = 8 and Young Mania Rating Scale < or = 6) bipolar and in 49 schizophrenic, residual-type (with at least 1 year without acute exacerbation and predominant negative symptomatology) patients, by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), FAS Test (COWAT) and Trail Making Test. Baseline clinical and psychosocial variables were controlled and psychopathology evaluated by means of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: The two groups showed a similar pattern of cognitive deficits in tests of executive function, except for the number of categories achieved in the WCST, which was significantly lower in the schizophrenic group (F = 7.26; p = 0.009). Functional outcome was predicted by the negative syndrome (PANSSN) and perseverative errors (WCST) in schizophrenic patients, and general psychopathology (PANSSG) was the best predictor of functional outcome in the bipolar group. CONCLUSION: Executive function was a good predictor of functional outcome in the schizophrenic group, whereas clinical variables were more predictive of the bipolar one. Patterns of cognitive disturbances in tasks of executive function are similar in both groups but quantitatively more marked in schizophrenia.

Adult↗

PubMed1984

Quantification of C1-inhibitor functional activities by immunodiffusion assay in plasma of patients with hereditary angioedema--evidence of a functionally critical level of C1-inhibitor concentration.

The relationship of C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) concentration and apparent functional activity was investigated in 111 plasma samples from 21 patients with the common form of hereditary angioedema (HAE). Functional C1-INH was analyzed by means of a modified version of immunodiffusion assay. Down to a C1-INH level of approximately 0.075 g/l (38% of normal) apparent C1-INH functions were found within the normal range, while below this level functional adequacy of C1-INH could no longer be ascertained. When C4 concentrations, considered to reflect approximately functional C1-INH, were related to C1-INH antigen levels of individual samples, a relationship emerged which was identical to that between C1-INH concentration and apparent function. No attacks of edema could be associated with C1-INH concentrations above 0.075 g/l, while it was possible to associate attacks with concentrations below this level. In experiments where patient plasma and normal plasma were mixed in various ratios or where HAE plasma was replaced by purified C1-INH, an increase in C1-INH antigen to concentrations of 0.06-0.08 g/l was followed by a sharp rise in apparent functions to normal values. The rise of functional C1-INH became moderate when C1-INH antigen further increased. The results supported the idea of a functionally critical level of C1-INH in the common form of HAE.

Angioedema↗

PubMed2002

Interhemispheric reorganization of motor hand function to the primary motor cortex predicted with functional magnetic resonance imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation.

The objective of this study was presurgical assessment of reorganization of motor hand function in an 11-year-old girl with intractable epilepsy and a right-sided hemiplegia resulting from an extensive perinatal left hemispheric stroke. Prior to a left functional hemispherectomy, functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that both nonparetic and paretic motor hand function predominantly activated the right primary motor cortex, whereas no activation was found in the left hemisphere. Transcranial magnetic stimulation of the right central area yielded responses in both the nonparetic and the paretic hand, whereas no responses were obtained after stimulation of the affected hemisphere. Both techniques indicated that motor function was mediated by corticospinal fibers originating from the undamaged (primary) motor cortex and predicted no further loss of motor hand function after surgery. Indeed, subsequent functional hemispherectomy induced no new sensorimotor deficits. Functional MRI was repeated 22 months after surgery and matched preoperative sensorimotor functional MRI findings, confirming reorganization of the primary motor cortex. No additional reorganization was introduced by surgery.

Brain Infarction↗

PubMed2006

Survival motor neuron function in motor axons is independent of functions required for small nuclear ribonucleoprotein biogenesis.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron degenerative disease caused by low levels of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein and is linked to mutations or loss of SMN1 and retention of SMN2. How low levels of SMN cause SMA is unclear. SMN functions in small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) biogenesis, but recent studies indicate that SMN may also function in axons. We showed previously that decreasing Smn levels in zebrafish using morpholinos (MO) results in motor axon defects. To determine how Smn functions in motor axon outgrowth, we coinjected smn MO with various human SMN RNAs and assayed the effect on motor axons. Wild-type SMN rescues motor axon defects caused by Smn reduction in zebrafish. Consistent with these defects playing a role in SMA, SMN lacking exon 7, the predominant form from the SMN2 gene, and human SMA mutations do not rescue defective motor axons. Moreover, the severity of the motor axon defects correlates with decreased longevity. We also show that a conserved region in SMN exon 7, QNQKE, is critical for motor axon outgrowth. To address the function of SMN important for motor axon outgrowth, we determined the ability of different SMN forms to oligomerization and bind Sm protein, functions required for snRNP biogenesis. We identified mutations that failed to rescue motor axon defects but retained snRNP function. Thus, we have dissociated the snRNP function of SMN from its function in motor axons. These data indicate that SMN has a novel function in motor axons that is relevant to SMA and is independent of snRNP biosynthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1999

[Effect of aging and diseases on male sexual function assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function].

PURPOSE: Many epidemiological factors contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED). The objective of the present research was to investigate the risk factors of ED and the influence of aging on male sexual function, to obtain some insight into prevention of ED. METHODS: The study sample consisted of employees, aged from 22 to 59 years old of ten companies in Japan, who responded to the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire and a survey of health status and related variables. The IIEF sexual activity questionnaire includes 15 items related to male sexual activity organized into five domains (that is erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall satisfaction) to which 967 of the 1,020 subjects (94.8%) provided complete responses. These 967 men constitute the present study sample. For statistical analysis, ANOVA with Scheffe's (post hoc) test was conducted, and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Presence of hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and hyperlipidemia was associated with a significantly decreased score for erectile function in subjects in their fifties (p < 0.05), however, it was not significant in the other age groups. In subjects, who were free from risk factors for sexual function, there was significant correlation between age and the scores for erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire and intercourse satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Aging and chronic disorders that have been considered to be putative risk factors for ED, therefore affect male sexual function in the elderly. The IIEF was suggested to be suited for use in studies assessing epidemiology of ED.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Evaluation of the hemostatic function of stored platelet concentrates using the platelet function analyzer (PFA-100 ).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Progressive functional impairment is known to occur in platelet concentrates through the storage period. Standardized methods providing direct measurement of residual platelet function in stored platelets are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a new platelet function analyzer (PFA-100 ) could provide standardized methods for assessing the hemostatic capacity of stored platelets. DESIGN AND METHODS: The PFA-100 was used to evaluate platelet function in stored platelets. The instrument can process citrated whole blood but it is unable to process platelet suspensions. Accordingly, the function of platelet concentrates should be measured following reconstitution of pseudo-whole blood. The analysis of the results included the closure time (sec) and a predictive index, an arithmetical index computed on the basis of the instrument's output data: the flow rate, the flow volume, the closure time. RESULTS: A final hematocrit of 58+/-2 and a final platelet concentration of 230+/-20x10(9)/L were used as standardized operative conditions to measure the function of stored platelet concentrates. The closure time (PFA-CT) and the predictive index (PFA-PI) both resulted to be capable of discriminating platelet concentrates with maintained or impaired function. PFA-PI was more informative than PFA-CT in terms of description of the residual platelet function. Of the two agonists used, epinephrine (EPI) resulted to be particularly sensitive for the detection of initial platelet hyporeactivity, whereas adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) was particularly useful for measuring the residual platelet reactivity. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS: PFA-CT and PFA-PI can be standardized; they provide new information about the hemostatic function of stored platelet concentrates and can be used to assess the quality of platelet concentrates.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed2002

The mean transit time and functional image in asialoglycoprotein receptor scintigraphy: a novel modality for evaluating the regional dynamic function of hepatocytes.

UNLABELLED: In this study, we attempted to evaluate the regional dynamic function of hepatocytes by introducing unique parameters in (99m)Tc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-galactosyl-human serum albumin (99m)Tc-GSA) scintigraphy. (99m)Tc-GSA scintigraphy provides valuable information for the receptor population density. However, the conventional indices are the results of the analyses of 2 fixed points and, as a result, it is not possible to accurately estimate the regional dynamic function. METHODS: We performed (99m)Tc-GSA scintigraphy 100 times on a total of 54 pediatric patients. The average age at examination was 7.4 +/- 5.8 y. Ninety-one of the 100 scintigraphy cases were available for this study. We converted the time-activity curve for the liver of (99m)Tc-GSA to a horizontal mirror image curve, and, on the basis of the height-over-area method, calculated the mean transit time (MTT) in each pixel and depicted the functional image as unique parameters, which were thus compared with the conventional indices. For these parameters, we used the time-activity curve for only the liver. RESULTS: The whole liver MTT showed a significant correlation with both the clearance (y = 590.3x + 10.3; r = 0.51; P < 0.0001) and the receptor (y = -1,836.2x + 2,038.8; r = -0.66; P < 0.0001) indices. On the basis of the MTT in each pixel, we could depict the functional image of the liver. In actual clinical situations, the functional image was quite useful for making a visual evaluation of the dynamic distribution of (99m)Tc-GSA. The functional image indicated that, even at an extremely early stage of biliary atresia, the hepatic functional reserve might be exacerbated earlier in the right lobe than in the left lobe. CONCLUSION: The MTT and the functional image enable us to elucidate the regional dynamic function of hepatocytes both quantitatively and visually. In addition, this diagnostic modality can be used at virtually all medical institutions using a modified analytic program already in public use.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Hippocampal adequacy versus functional reserve: predicting memory functions following temporal lobectomy.

While decrements in memory following temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy remain a major neurocognitive complication of surgical intervention, it has been difficult to identify patients who are most at risk for developing decrements in their memory functions following surgery. Two different models of hippocampal functioning have been posited to account for postsurgical memory losses: hippocampal reserve versus functional adequacy. This article briefly examines the basis of the traditional model of hippocampal reserve, which suggests that it is the reserve or capacity of the contralateral hippocampus to support memory after surgery that determines whether changes in memory function will be observed. A more in-depth review of emerging data from studies of function (baseline neuropsychological testing and intracarotid amytal procedure) and structure (histologic cell densities and MRI volumetrics) supporting a functional adequacy model of hippocampal functioning is then presented. Data from these latter studies provide strong convergent support for the view that the risk for memory decrements following mesial temporal lobe epilepsy surgery is inversely related to the functional adequacy of the tissue to be resected. Data reviewed here have broad implications for the field of neuropsychology. Not only do the data reported in this article challenge some of the basic tenets of our understanding of the role of the hippocampus in memory functioning, but they illustrate the importance of ongoing research, critical reevaluation of basic concepts, and the importance of self-scrutiny in light of new technologies.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Importance of correlations of gross motoric functions data and functional independence for management of children with motoric disabilities.

The aim of the rehabilitation therapy is to improve the level of functional independence and decrease degree of disability. The optimization of programs of rehabilitation means functional improvement of the person, and this approach is a basis of effective management. To evaluate the correlation of Gross Motoric Function Data and Functional Independence Measure for children with cerebral palsy. A total of 397 children with cerebral palsy aged 1 to 12 years at the onset of study were observed for up to 3.5 years during the period from 2002 to 2005. Children were assessed by GMFM-88 (Gross Motor Function Measure), by WeeFIM (Functional Independence Measure for Children). Over the course of the study 397 children had a total of 6875 GMFM assessments, or an average of 17.3 observations per child and 1518 -- WeeFIM, or an average of 3.8 observations per child. The values of GMFM-88 and WeeFIM are well correlated (p<0.01). At certain stage of rehabilitation treatment the rate of improvement of gross motoric function slows down and then practically stops. In patients with gross motoric function level IV-V its value remains especially low, and accordingly there is no improvement of functional abilities. This is the main reason of ineffectiveness of rehabilitation treatment and necessity of tertiary care preventive measures.

Cerebral Palsy↗

PubMed2026

The metastatic spectrum in functional and non-functional NENs: mechanistic insights from multi-omics.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are biologically heterogeneous tumors in which differentiation/grade and hormonal functionality are intersecting but non-equivalent axes. This review focuses on functional and non-functional well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), principally gastroenteropancreatic and pancreatic NETs, and critically evaluates how site, lineage, stage, tumor burden, genomic and epigenetic alterations, immune-stromal remodeling, metabolic adaptation, microbiome-associated signals, and treatment pressure converge on metastasis and recurrence. Apparent outcome differences by functionality are inconsistent after clinicopathological adjustment: non-functional presentation is often enriched for delayed diagnosis and adverse features, whereas functional subtypes range from typically indolent insulinomas to clinically aggressive hormone-producing tumors. We reconcile these observations through a layered model in which lineage-defining alterations and chromatin/telomere programs establish cellular state; signaling and metabolic plasticity enable stress adaptation; and hypoxia, angiogenesis, immune cells, fibroblasts, extracellular matrix, and therapy create selective niches for dissemination and relapse. We also define computational strategies for heterogeneous multi-omics integration and a staged biomarker-validation pathway. Evidence remains dominated by pancreatic NETs, and causal support is weakest for microbiome-functionality relationships and several proposed cross-omic links. A spectrum-based framework is therefore most useful when it generates testable, site- and grade-specific hypotheses rather than treating functionality as an isolated prognostic variable.

Humans↗

PubMed1993

Left ventricular functional reserve in patients with syndrome X: evaluation by continuous ventricular function monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate cardiac functional reserve in patients with syndrome X. BACKGROUND: Syndrome X is characterized by stress-induced anginal pain and ST segment depression, normal findings on coronary angiography and normal left ventricular function at rest. Reduced coronary vasodilative reserve and abnormal myocardial lactate metabolism have been described in such patients. METHODS: To assess left ventricular functional reserve in patients with syndrome X, continuous radionuclide monitoring of left ventricular end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume and ejection fraction was performed in 12 patients and 13 normal control subjects during supine bicycle ergometer exercise. RESULTS: In control subjects, end-diastolic volume increased at peak exercise from 100% to 106.5% (p < 0.01), end-systolic volume decreased from 39.1% to 22.6% (p < 0.01) and ejection fraction increased from 60.9% to 78.6% (p < 0.01). In patients with syndrome X, end-diastolic volume increased at peak exercise from 100% to 106% (p < 0.01), and end-systolic volume decreased at ST segment depression < or = 0.5 mm (the ST point) from 37% to 28.8% (p < 0.01) but increased at peak exercise to 44.7% (p < 0.01 vs. the ST point). Thus, ejection fraction increased at the ST point from 63% to 72.7% (p < 0.01) but decreased at peak exercise to 57.7% (p < 0.01 vs. the ST point and control subjects) in proportion to the degree of ST segment depression. In nine patients (75%), ejection fraction at peak exercise was lower than baseline values. All patients and control subjects showed a rapid ejection fraction increase just after exercise during the recovery period. The degree of ejection fraction "overshoot" in patients was similar to that in control subjects, but the interval from the end of exercise to the overshoot in patients was significantly longer than that in control subjects (118 vs. 65 s, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with syndrome X subjected to exercise stress, left ventricular function remained normal before the onset of ST segment depression. Once ST segment depression appeared, left ventricular function deteriorated in proportion to the degree of depression, and reduced left ventricular function persisted into the recovery period. Continuous ventricular function monitoring is thus a useful predictor of reduced left ventricular functional reserve in patients with syndrome X.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Split flexor carpi ulnaris transfer: a new functioning free muscle transfer with independent dual function.

BACKGROUND: A functioning free muscle transfer is a well-established modality of restoring upper limb function in patients with significant functional deficits. Splitting the neuromuscular compartments of the free muscle based on its intramuscular neural anatomy and using each compartment for a different function would allow for restoration of two functions instead of one at the new distant site. METHODS: The authors previously reported on the clinical use of a pedicled split flexor carpi ulnaris muscle transfer. They now report the use of this muscle as a functioning free split muscle transfer to restore independent thumb and finger extension in a patient with total extensor compartment muscle loss in the forearm and a concomitant high radial nerve avulsion injury. RESULTS: Nine months postoperatively, the patient was able to extend his thumb and fingers independent of each other. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a functioning free split muscle transfer demonstrating two independent functions in the upper limb.

Accidents, Occupational↗