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The hindlimb muscles of chloralose-anesthetized sheep were analyzed during electrically induced contractions (CIC) to determine the role of muscular afferent fiber stimulation on the duration of laryngeal reflex apnea. Reflex apnea induced by laryngeal stimulation (LS) with distilled water in anesthetized sheep was reduced during and after rhythmic EIC of the hindlimb muscles. Furthermore, breathing affected the duration of laryngeal reflex apnea indicating the role of ventilatory stimuli in the inhibition of laryngeal reflex stimulation during skeletal contractions.

The difficulties confronted by amputees during overground walking are rarely investigated. In this study, we evaluated, in real-world situations, the influence of ground surface on walking in young, active amputees by measuring temporal and spatial gait parameters (free walking speed [FWS], step length [SL], step rate), energy expenditure (EE) (e.g., oxygen uptake, oxygen cost [O(2)C]), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE). Ten active transtibial amputees and ten nondisabled control subjects walked at self-selected speeds on three types of ground surface (asphalt, mown lawn, and high grass). No significant differences were observed between the two groups on asphalt and mown lawn. Differences between nondisabled subjects and amputees occurred for FWS (p = 0.03) and O(2)C (p = 0.04) on asphalt and mown lawn and for all variables in high grass. When amputees (even though very active) were exposed to a particularly difficult environment, their FWS decreased (p = 0.008) and their EE and RPE increased (p = 0.005) compared with nondisabled subjects. In high grass, both groups reduced their self-selected speeds (-15% for control subjects and -16% for amputees). Control subjects reduced their velocity by reducing both SL (-8.7%) and cadence (-7.1%), whereas amputees reduced their velocity by reducing SL (-17%) only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. – Functional assessments of hand replantation after traumatic amputation are considered as good although frequent deficits of long fingers mobility and hand sensitiveness occur.Aims. – To evaluate the capability of handling and the compensatory mechanisms involved in handling.Methods. – Prospective study in eight right-handed males who had distal amputation of the left upper limb with hand replantation for more than two years. Eight males with paired age and handedness served as control. Skin sensitiveness (thread test), mobility (TAM), functional capability (Box and Blocks test, 400 points test) and occupational outcome were assessed. Three-dimensional analysis (opto-electronic device) of the motion of the trunk and the upper limbs (arm, forearm, hand) was made during a pointing and gripping–shifting maneuver and the time of the related phases was measured (dynamometric cube device). Correlation between clinical assessments and three-dimensional analysis were tested.Results. – Patients with replantation had a remarkable recovery of the absolute and relative times of the various phases of the handling maneuver. Only the gripping phase was significantly prolonged in patients, this result was correlated with the deficit in motor function and sensitiveness of the replanted hand. The visual control was higher because of the lack of superficial and deep sensitiveness. Compensatory mechanisms involved a lateral shift of the replanted limb segments, probably attributed to the lateral shift of the trunk.Conclusion. – Patient with a replanted hand develops a homogenesis displacement of the trunk and the pectoral girdle to compensate the shortening and the reduction in active mobility of the hand. This compensatory mechanism, observed in a small scale in healthy too, is efficient with respect to the handling phases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

La legitimidad de la justicia en Colombia pasa por uno de los momentos más desfavorables en la historia del país, debido a los altos niveles de corrupción y la falta de imparcialidad y credibilidad de las instituciones y actores llamados a preservarla. Una opción primordial para su restablecimiento está en la Academia, debido a su vocación de investigar objetivamente, con base en métodos y teorías con fundamento científico que no obedecen a poderes particulares. En este artículo se presenta un estudio de la producción de la academia en Colombia sobre la justicia, a partir del uso de herramientas bibliométricas, en contraste con los ocho factores determinados por el Proyecto de Justicia Mundial, para identificar el valor de sus aportes, su pertinencia y las dificultades a superar.

Cytology and the rapid urease test on gastric biopsies may diagnose Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection within an hour. We evaluated the sensitivity and reproducibility of touch cytology (imprints from biopsies). In 19 patients with duodenal ulcer, biopsies were obtained from the antrum, fundus, and bulb. H. pylori was diagnosed in 42 sites on smears: 28 by culture and 23 by histology. H. pylori was present in the antrum and fundus in 16 and in the bulb in 11. Assessment of paired antral biopsies in 29 additional patients with or without touch cytology (imprints) before specimens were sent for histology or culture revealed no difference for the presence of H. pylori. A second reading of the 58 smears by a second observer revealed agreement on the presence or absence of H. pylori in 53 (91%). In conclusion, touch cytology is a simple rapid, sensitive, and reproducible diagnostic method for H. pylori that does not alter the quality of biopsies for subsequent culture or histologic examination. For the first time, diagnostic methods have been compared on the same biopsies, eliminating sampling variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]