Transverse abdominal flaps and the deep epigastric arcade.

Further experience with the transverse abdominal flap, based on the deep epigastric arcade, is described. This flap is a logical extension of the concept of the deltopectoral flap (based on the internal mammary). The transverse abdominal flap derives its blood supply from the perforating branches of the deep epigastric arcade, and it can be used without a delay procedure when so constructed.     

Erosion of the foramen transversarium of the axis. Anatomical observations

Six hundred foramina transversaria (FT) of the axis vertebrae of 4 population groups were examined for the presence of erosion of the lateral articular mass. Of these, 127 (21%) and 72 (12%) presented with moderate and marked erosion, respectively. Evidence is presented incriminating the tortuosity of the vertebral artery as well as congenital factors in the etiology of the erosion of the FT. Attention is drawn to the possible correlation between angulation of the transverse process of the axis and erosion of the FT.     

Phosphorylation of stathmin and other proteins related to nerve growth factor-induced regulation of PC12 cells

We previously identified a set of soluble proteins whose phosphorylation could be originally related to the multihormonal regulations of anterior pituitary cells. Among these proteins, stathmin (proteins 7 and 8) was found to be ubiquitous and mostly abundant in neurons. Interestingly, stathmin and some other phosphoproteins of the same set could be identified also in PC12 cells in culture. Their phosphorylation was stimulated in these cells by nerve growth factor (NGF) in a way associated with its short term actions, probably corresponding to the early steps of its neuronal differentiating activity. In addition, the same proteins had their phosphorylation stimulated in the presence of fibroblast growth factor, known to stimulate PC12 cell differentiation in a way similar to NGF. A pharmacological analysis allowed us to distinguish three characteristic subsets of phosphoproteins, respectively, affected by cAMP-dependent agents, by cAMP-independent ones, or by both types of agents. Moreover, phosphorylation of stathmin and some other proteins was additive in the presence of NGF and of the cAMP-promoting agent forskolin. Altogether, the present results unravel some intracellular mechanisms related to the regulation of PC12 cells by extracellular effectors. They extend to the regulation of cell differentiation in our recent model for stathmin (Sobel, A., Boutterin, M-C., Beretta, L., Chneiweiss, H., Doye, V., and Peyro-Saint-Paul, H. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 3765-3772) as an ubiquitous intracellular relay possibly integrating the actions of diverse second messenger pathways involved in cell regulations.     

Neurophysiological study to assess the severity of each site through the motor neuron fiber in entrapment neuropathy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate prospectively the sensitivities of conventional and new electrophysiological techniques and to investigate their relationship with the body mass index (BMI) in a population of patients suspected of having carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In this study, 165 hands of 92 consecutive patients (81 female, 11 male) with clinical diagnosis of CTS were compared to reference population of 60 hands of 30 healthy subjects (26 female and 4 male). Extensive sensory and motor nerve conduction studies (NCSs) were performed in the diagnosis of subtle CTS patients. Also, the patients were divided into subgroups and sensitivities were determined according to BMI. The mean BMI was found to be significantly higher in the CTS than in the control group (p < 0.001). The sensitivity of the median sensory nerve latency (mSDL) and median motor distal latency (mMDL) were 75.8% and 68.5%, respectively. The most sensitive parameters of sensory and motor NCSs were the difference between median and ulnar sensory distal latencies to the fourth digit [(D4M-D4U), (77%)] and the median motor terminal latency index [(mTLI), (70.3%)], while the median-to-ulnar sensory action potential amplitude ratio (27%) and the median-thenar to ulnar-hypothenar motor action potential amplitude ratio (15%) were least sensitive tests. Sensory tests were more sensitive than motor NCSs. Combining mSDL with D4M-D4U, and mMDL with mTLI allowed for the detection of abnormalities in 150 (91%) and 132 (80%) hands, respectively. Measurements of all NCSs parameters were abnormal in obese than in non-obese patients when compared to the BMI. The newer nerve conduction techniques and combining different NCSs tests are more sensitive than single conventional NCS test for the diagnosis of suspected CTS. Meanwhile, CTS is associated with increasing BMI.     

Ependymal foldings and other related ependymal structures in the cerebral aqueduct and fourth ventricle of man

The ependymal lining of the cerebral aqueduct and fourth ventricle of 100 normal humans was studied with the light microscope. Ependymal foldings with normal morphology and a constant distribution pattern were detected in all. The most common sites were the median sulcus and sulcus limitans in the fourth ventricle, and the ventral and lateral walls in the cerebral aqueduct. Rows, islands and rosettes of ependymal cells embedded in normal subependyma were present in 25/82 adults (30%) and in 3/18 children (16%) in a similar distribution pattern as that of the ependymal foldings. We illustrate these normal structures which probably result from fusion between the walls of the ependymal foldings and distinguish them from granular ependymitis and postmortem artifact.     

Pragmatic data and observations related to the epidemiology of Chagas disease

Chagas' disease or American trypanosomiasis is a parasitic zoonosis which constitutes and important public health problem in most of the Latin American countries. According to the development of socio-political events in the world, it is possible at present to speak of rural-periurban Chagas' disease and urban Chagas' disease. Rural-periurban Chagas' disease. In its endemo-enzootic condition it is distributed in vast areas from Mexico in the north and Argentina and Chile in the south. It is calculated that the population at risk is about 90 million persons, not less than 16-18 million are Trypanosoma cruzi infected and approximately 38% of these present or have presented pathology caused by the parasite. Organs most frequently affected: heart, esophagus and colon. The corresponding biological vectors are hematophagus triatomid bugs, with greater than 100 species synantropic (st) or sylvatic (sv), existing between parallels 41 N. and 46 S., but only about 36, which have been found infected, have some relationship with man because their adaptation to human dwelling. The human parasitose is less extended due to the fact that the vectors of the region are predominantly sv. The known reservoirs are more than 180 species of terrestrial mammals: domestic, st and sv. Man is possibly the most important. Some available relevant epidemiological information is summarized as follows: Additionally, some autochthonous cases of T. cruzi human infection have been registered in the United States, Trinidad-Tobago, Guyana and Belize. Moreover, infected vectors and/or sv reservoirs have been observed in almost a dozen of Caribbean countries. Urban Chagas' disease. As a consequence of possible better salaries and many other motivations, in the last decades there have been significant and constant migrations from rural to urban areas in many Latin American countries. This situation has facilitated the dissemination of T. cruzi infection through infected reservoirs--mostly humans--and/or passively transported infected vectors. In most of the cases these rural-urban migrations occur in chagasic endemic areas within a same country or in neighbouring ones; in others, the migration can involve countries where Chagas' disease does not exist, transmission being via blood transfusion or placental. According to some estimates, with a mean rate of 1.5% chagasic infected blood donors the minimum risk of T. cruzi transmission is nearly 12.5-25.0% when the volumen of transfused blood is 500 ml.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Anatomical studies of branchlet abscission related to crown modification in Quercus cerris L.

The basic anatomy of lateral twig insertion onto the main branch in both healthy and damaged Quercus cerris L. trees was studied. An abscission zone is always present: in healthy trees it is formed by a smaller number of cell layers than in damaged ones, where it is more evident with many layers of cells. Cells of the abscission zone are roundish, with many intercellular spaces between them; cell walls are thin, non-lignified and without secondary walls. No starch was found in cells of the abscission zone, where, instead, a few scattered calcium oxalate druses are seen.