Medical engineering & physics
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Recording surface electromyogram (EMG) signals from sphincter muscles has become of increasing interest due to potential applications in diagnosis or investigation of the mechanisms of incontinence. Recently developed probes allow high-resolution detection of EMG signal from the external anal sphincter. One of the main issues in the interpretation of experimental signals is the detection volume of the recording electrodes. ⋯ The detection volume of EMG recording systems from sphincter muscles extends more in the axial than in the depth direction and is affected by many parameters that cannot be estimated in practical situations, thus introducing a rather large variability in the muscle portion investigated among subjects. More selective information can be obtained using the recently developed multi-channel probe with respect to classical probes. Selectivity is increased with small electrodes and double differential recordings.
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Bisphosphonates are commonly used for the treatment of osteoporosis and have recently been shown to increase bone mineral parameters and strength in endochondral fracture repair. There is concern, however, that BPs may negatively affect bone material properties. ⋯ The results from this preliminary data suggest that single dose zoledronic acid treatment in fracture healing may not adversely affect the intrinsic properties of callus bone tissue. Single dose bisphosphonate may be a viable treatment for augmenting fracture repair without negatively affecting the material properties.