Articles: adult.
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Restor Neurol Neuros · Jan 1997
Cervical spinal cord injury in the adult rat: assessment of forelimb dysfunction.
Traumatic injury to the adult human spinal cord most frequently occurs at the mid-to-low cervical segments and produces tetraplegia. To investigate treatments for improving upper extremity function after cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), three behavioral tests were examined for their potential usefulness in evaluating forelimb function in an adult rat model that mimics human low cervical SCI. Testing was conducted pre- and up to 4 weeks post-operation in adult female rats subjected to either contusion injury at the C7 spinal cord segment or sham-surgery. ⋯ The Forelimb Grip Strength Test showed a significant decrease in forelimb grip strength of lesion rats throughout the 4 weeks post-cervical SCI. Significant deficits in reach and pellet retrieval by lesion rats were measured at l-to-4 weeks post-cervical SCI with the conditioned pellet retrieval Staircase Test. The results demonstrate that these qualitative and quantitative forelimb behavioral tests can be used to evaluate forelimb function following low cervical SCI and may be useful to investigate treatments for improving forelimb function in these lesions.
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Bull. World Health Organ. · Jan 1997
Health expectancy calculations: a novel approach to studying population health in Bulgaria.
The measurement of life expectancy in terms of either good or poor health is a novel approach to studying the health of the population in Bulgaria. The pilot study reported here-carried out among people aged > or = 60 years in a middle-sized Bulgarian town-was designed to obtain information on the years of functional restrictions expected among the elderly. In accordance with the answers to a series of questions (recommended by WHO), subjects were categorized as disabled, handicapped, or having different states of perceived health. ⋯ At all ages, the proportion of life in a condition free of disability, free of handicap, or in perceived good health is substantially lower for women than for men. Women may expect to live longer, but a greater proportion of their life will be spent in poor health. The approach presented here for measuring the health status of the elderly may be helpful as an aid to planning medical and social care and for the development of public health policies.
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Journal of anesthesia · Sep 1996
Clinical evaluation of a new continuous intraarterial blood gas monitoring system in the intensive care setting.
The present study was designed to evaluate a new continuous intraarterial blood gas monitoring system under routine clinical intensive care conditions. Nine mechanically ventilated adult patients were enrolled in this study. A multiparameter intravascular sensor was inserted into the radial or dorsalis pedis artery through a 20-gauge cannula in each patient. ⋯ In clinically important ranges of Po2, less than 200 mmHg in particular, the bias and precision values were -2.25±6.48 mmHg in the range of less than 100mmHg, and 0.98±14.38 mmHg in the range of 100-200 mmHg. Variations of sensor accuracy as a function of elapsed time were within the clinically acceptable range throughout the study period. These findings suggest that this new device is sufficiently useful for routine clinical settings.
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Clinical biomechanics · Apr 1996
Quantitative intramuscular myoelectric activity of quadratus lumborum during a wide variety of tasks.
Intramuscular fine-wire electrodes monitored the electromyographic activity of quadratus lumborum in four young adults. A wide variety of tasks were performed including flexion tasks, lateral bending, twisting, extension, and lifting tasks. Heavy lifts of barbell weights up to 70 kg activated the quadratus lumborum 74% of their maximum on average while surface recording of erector spinae (L(3)) were only 62% of their maximum activation. ⋯ Furthermore, it increased activation in response to increasing compression in static upright standing postures. RELEVANCE:--Electromyographic evidence, together with architectural features make the quadratus lumborum a better stabilizer of the spine than psoas. Use of horizontal 'side support' exercise to train this muscle would appear to be a wise choice.