Popliteal-based filleted lower leg musculocutaneous free-flap coverage of a hemipelvectomy defect.

A 33-year-old man suffered from locally recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma of his left thigh unresponsive to previous excision, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and hyperthermic treatment. He underwent radical hemipelvectomy for cure. Because of extensive tumor involvement, a free flap consisting of his distal left leg based on the popliteal artery was utilized to close the defect. Both the tibia and fibula were removed from their periosteal sheaths, and the foot was excised from the flap. The popliteal artery and vein were anastomosed to the iliac vessels. The flap survived, and the patient was discharged home after physical rehabilitation. We suggest that uninvolved portions of the distal leg may be utilized as a free flap to successfully close hemipelvectomy defects in selected patients when conventional pedicle flaps are unavailable.     

Lack of species specificity in the action of immunosuppressive factors of tumor cells and absence of competition between them and recombinant interleukin-2 and phytohemagglutinin for lymphocyte membrane receptors

We studied some possible mechanisms of action of immunosuppressor factors (ISF) produced by tumor cells on lymphocyte proliferation. ISF of murine tumor cell lines inhibited the mitogen induced proliferation of murine splenocytes as well as human mononuclear blood cells. Normal human mononuclear blood cells or concanavalin A-activated murine spleen cells preincubated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or interleukin 2 (IL-2) respectively, were strongly suppressed by ISF in response to these activators. When preincubated with splenocytes or blood cells for 2 h at 4 degrees C following washing, ISF suppressed the lymphocyte proliferation as effectively as when being with cells during all period of cultivation. ISF inhibited mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation at low dilutions. There was no competition for lymphocyte membrane receptors between these functionally heterogenic kinds of ISF. Collectively, these results show that ISF acted when being attached to some lymphocyte membrane receptors.     

Relationships within theRugopharynx delta species complex (Nematoda: Strongyloidea) from Australian marsupials inferred from allozyme electrophoretic data

Relationships between the strongyloid nematodesRugopharynx delta, R. zeta, R. omega, R. longibursaris, R. mawsonae andR. sigma, all from macropodid marsupials, were investigated using allozyme data. The phylogenetic trees derived from the electrophoretic data set were congruent with those of the hosts and were consistent with the hypothesis that the species complex originated in pademelons of the genusThylogale and diversified in rock-wallabies (Petrogale spp.) and scrub wallabies of the subgenusNotamacropus. Host switching is evident only between closely related macropodid taxa.     

Allometry of the leg muscles of birds

The musculoskeletal components of the hindlimbs of 20 species of birds, considered non-runners, were examined. Allometry was used to compare these data with previously published information on the limbs of running birds. In non-runners the digital flexor muscle and tendon areas scaled approximately isometrically, in contrast to running birds where tendon areas had a lower exponent. Non-running birds had muscle fibre areas approximately half that of runners of equal mass. In both groups, the muscle:tendon area ratio for m. gastrocnemius increased as M^0.13, suggesting factors other than elastic energy storage are important. Runners exhibited relatively longer tibiotarsi and tarsometatarsi and shorter toes. With very few exceptions, the linear dimensions of bones, tendon cross-sectional areas, and muscle masses and fibre areas in the legs of the non-running birds scaled closely according to the requirements for geometric similarity, but the confidence limits are often wide. Deviations from geometric similarity in birds reflect differences in locomotor behaviours and abilities.     

Diel vertical migration ofEudiaptomus gracilis during a short summer period

Several aspects of a diel vertical migration (DVM) of adultEudiaptomus gracilis in Lake Maarsseveen (The Netherlands) are described. The period of DVM lasted from the end of May until the middle of August. On May 21, 1989, the population was found divided into a deep dwelling part and a part in the upper five meter. Large shoals of juvenile perch were observed in the open water for the first time. On June 7, the whole population was down below 10 m and concentrated in a zone of high chlorphyll-a concentrations. One week later, a regular DVM was performed. The amplitude of this migration gradually decreased towards the end of the migration period. The ascent in the evening and the descent in the morning took place after sunset and before sunrise, respectively. The movements coincided with high relative changes in light intensity. Population size increased rapidly during the period of DVM but decreased again before the end of this period.     

Interferon-gamma induces cell surface expression for both types of tumor necrosis factor receptors.

Interferons are known to potentiate various biological effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Recently, two different types of TNF receptors with molecular masses of 60 kDa (p60) and 80 kDa (p80), primarily expressed by epithelial cells and myeloid cells, respectively, have been identified. In the present report, we examined the effect of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) on each type of TNF receptor. Our results indicate that IFN-gamma induces TNF receptors on both myeloid (e.g. HL-60) and epithelial cells (e.g. HeLa). Furthermore, by using antibodies specific to each type of receptor, we demonstrate that both TNF receptors are equally inducible by IFN-alpha, IFN-beta and IFN-gamma. Thus, the increase in TNF receptors by interferons may play a role in their synergistic cellular response.     

Passive drag is still a good evaluator of swimming aptitude

The passive drag (Dp) of 218 competitive swimmers was studied and related to their performance level. To study this relationship, specific attention was given to anthropometric and joint laxity (JL) variations. The Dp was measured at 1.40 m.s-1, using a mechanical winch and a strain gauge with a load cell connected to a strain bridge. Swimmers were towed in a prone position holding their breath after a maximal inspiration. Buoyancy was evaluated by the hydrostatic lift (HL), i.e., the maximal weight just necessary to maintain the swimmer in a balanced position under the water after a maximal inspiration. The JL was assessed by a standard scoring system. The Dp was related mainly to the surface area (SA) (r = 0.73 and 0.53; P less than 0.01, for males and females, respectively). For a given SA, Dp was inversely related to the performance level. The JL explained 7% of the variability of Dp. On average, Dp measured after a maximal expiration, increases of about 22% SD 3% (P less than 0.01). This increase was related to individual vital capacities (r = 0.86, P less than 0.01). As Dp was mainly related to SA and HL, it is suggested that the body exerts a large pressure effect on the water. The contribution to performance might be related to the gliding phase of swimming.