The objective of this study was to define the biomechanical properties of the human digital flexor tendons and to compare these biomechanical properties to other muscle-tendon units in the forearm. Mechanical measurements were performed on fresh-frozen tendons under physiological load and temperature conditions. Loads were determined by first measuring the physiological cross-sectional area of ...

The first step in the conversion of the isoprenoid intermediate, farnesyl diphosphate (FDP), to sesquiterpene phytoalexins in cotton (Gossypium barbadense) plants is catalyzed by delta-cadinene (CDN) synthase. CDN is the precursor of desoxyhemigossypol and hemigossypol defense sesquiterpenes. In this paper we have studied the mechanism for the cyclization of FDP and the putative intermediate, n...

Evaluation methods are required for non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) kidneys to ensure the success of transplantation. In this study, the microdialysis technique was employed for the ex-vivo assessment of hypothermically preserved NHBD kidney function. Microdialysis probes were placed in the renal cortex of 2 h warm ischaemic porcine kidneys to monitor interstitial pyruvate dynamics during hypoth...

Valproic acid has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects and promote neurite outgrowth in several peripheral nerve injury models. However, whether valproic acid can exert its beneficial effect on neurons after brachial plexus avulsion injury is currently unknown. In this study, brachial plexus root avulsion models, established in Wistar rats, were administered daily with valproic acid diss...

A useful paradigm for multiple testing is to control error rates derived from the false discovery proportion (FDP). The false discovery rate (FDR) is the expectation of the FDP, which is defined to be zero if no rejection is made. However, since follow-up studies are based on hypotheses that are actually rejected, it is important to control the positive FDR (pFDR) or the positive false discover...

Phytoplasmas are a group mollicute plant pathogens transmitted by insect vectors in the Hemiptera. Although vector species have been identified for many of plant diseases associated with phytoplasmas, little is known about the specificity of vector transmission. Some phytoplasma strains seem to be specifically transmitted, for example phytoplasmas in the Elm yellow group seem to be transmitted ...

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of visual evoked potentials (VEPs), frequency-doubling perimetry (FDP), standard achromatic perimetry (SAP), contrast sensitivity (CS) test, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), isolated or in combination, in detecting subclinical impairment of visual function in multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS Twenty-two eyes of 11 patients affected by clinically defin...

The aim was to investigate differences of the kinetics of the crimp and the slope grip used in rock climbing. Nine cadaver fingers were prepared and fixated with the proximal phalanx in a frame. The superficial (FDS) and deep (FDP) flexor tendons were loaded selectively and together with 40 N in the crimp grip (PIP joint flexed 90°/DIP joint hyperextended) and the slope grip position (<25° flex...

The control of whole hand grasping relies on complex coordination of multiple forces. While many studies have characterized the coordination of finger forces and torques, the control of hand muscle activity underlying multi-digit grasping has not been studied to the same extent. Motor unit synchrony across finger muscles or muscle compartments might be one of the factors underlying the limited ...

RATIONALE For localized type Volkmann's contracture, in which degeneration of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) muscle to one or two fingers and restriction of finger extension occur, dissection or excision of the affected muscle is usually recommended. However, these surgical procedures need relatively wide exposure of the muscle, because the FDP muscle is in the deep portion of the forearm...