Vision is of paramount importance in regulating adaptive gait. Using three-dimensional motion analysis, the current study investigated how central visual field loss (CFL) affects step ascent. Ten patients with chronic CFL (77 ± 10 years) and 13 visual normal participants (72 ± 6 years) walked up to and ascended a single step (of varying height). Movement kinematics assessed the period immediately prior to and during step ascent. Compared to visual normal participants, patients with CFL exhibited a lower lead foot horizontal crossing velocity, increased lead limb swing time and increased head flexion (looking down at more immediate areas of the ground/step). They also took longer to initiate the step up, transfer weight to the lead foot upon landing on the upper level and increased trail limb swing time when negotiating the medium and high step height. Increased variability was also shown in a number of dependent measures. Data indicate that during step ascent, patients with CFL exhibit a cautious stepping strategy when compared to visual normal participants. This cautious strategy becomes increasingly evident when negotiating higher step heights, as shown by an increased planning time prior to entering the relatively unstable period of single support during the step up. The increased variability among CFL patients increases their likelihood of experiencing dynamic instability and falling during step ascent.

When blood flows near a wall, red blood cells (RBCs) drift away from the wall and a cell-free layer (CFL) is formed adjacent to the wall. Controlling the CFL thickness is important for preventing adhesion of cells in the design of biomedical devices. In this study, a novel wall configuration with stenoses and bypass channels is proposed to increase the CFL thickness. We found that the presence of bypass channels modified the spatial distribution of cells and substantially increased the CFL downstream of the stenosis. A single-bypass geometry with 5% hematocrit (Hct) blood flow showed a 1.7μm increase in CFL thickness compared to without the bypass. In the case of three bypass channels, a 3μm increase in CFL thickness was observed. The CFL enhancement was observed up to 10% Hct, but no significant enhancement of CFL was indicated for 20% Hct blood flow. The mechanism of the CFL enhancement was investigated using a numerical simulation of the flow field. The results showed that the distance between each streamline and the corner of the stenosis compared with size of RBC was important parameter in regulating CFL thickness. These results show the potential of the proposed mechanism to prevent adhesion of cells to biomedical devices.

BACKGROUND

Assessment of ankle laxity can be both subjective and difficult, especially in less-experienced hands. The commonly-practiced anterior drawer test can mislead practitioners in the diagnosis of ankle instability due to subtalar joint motion. A manual stress test, focusing on tibiotalar translation, may be required.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the validity, reliability, and diagnostic accuracy of the modified manual stress test--the anterolateral drawer test (ALDT)--compared with the original anterior drawer test (ADT) in two groups of examiners with different levels of experience.

METHODS

A cadaveric study was performed at University Research Laboratory. Nine below the- knee specimens were randomized into three groups to simulate different degrees of lateral ligament injury. Two groups of examiners (Group A was four athletic training students; Group O was four senior orthopaedic trainees) performed ADT and ALDT while direct anatomical measurement (DAM) of tibiotalar translation was used as a reference under controlled load (Telos device). Ankle translation from DAM, ADT, and ALDT was recorded in millimeters. Measurements were compared using a paired t-test. Pearson correlation was used to determine linear relationship between groups. Inter- and intra-rater reliability was identified using ICC (intraclass correlation coefficient). The diagnostic threshold was determined by a receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

Both groups of examiners demonstrated excellent intra-observer reliability (0.94 for ADT and 0.80 for ALDT) and fair-to-good inter-observer reliability (0.52 for ADT and ALDT). There was no difference in the mean of measurement between group A and group O except for the ALDT on intact specimens (P = 0.01) and the ADT on the ATFL+CFL cut specimens (P = 0.02). Correlation with the DAM was superior in the ALDT (r = 0.73) compared to the ADT (r = 0.57). When using 4 mm or more as a diagnostic threshold, sensitivity and specificity (respectively) were found to be 100% and 66.67% for the ADT and 100% and 66.67% for the ALDT.

CONCLUSIONS

For diagnosis of ankle ligament injuries, this cadaveric study demonstrated high sensitivity, reliability and correlation with the gold standard using ADLT, regardless of the examiner's experience.

Inversion sprains of the lateral ligaments of the ankle are one of the most common of all sporting injuries. While the strains in the anterior talofibular (ATFL) and calcaneofibular (CFL) ligaments have been measured in quasi-static conditions, the dynamic strains during an actual traumatic event have not been determined. The present investigation determined the strains and strain rates in the ATFL and CFL during an in vitro inversion sprain. The ATFL tended to have higher strain and strain rate values than the CFL, which may explain why it is more often injured than the CFL.

Patients with photosensitive dermatologic and systemic diseases often question the ultraviolet light (UVL) output of household lighting sources. Such individuals have increasing concern about potential UVL exposure from energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), as little data have been presented concerning their UVL output. The objective was to compare, via pilot study, the levels of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) leak between residential lighting sources. Equivalent wattage CFL, incandescent and halogen bulbs were purchased from local retailers in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. The UVA and UVB outputs of these sources were measured under controlled conditions at 10, 25, 50, 100 and 150 cm away from the light source using an IL-1700 research radiometer equipped with UVA and UVB detectors. Negligible UVB and UVA was detected at 100 and 150 cm. Therefore, data were analysed from measurements at 10, 25 and 50 cm only. The results demonstrated UVA leak highest from incandescent and halogen bulbs, and UVB leak highest from CFL. The overall UVA/UVB leak was lowest from CFL shielded during the manufacturing process. In conclusion, patients with photosensitivity have choices depending on their relative risk from different UVL wavelength spectra. UVB exposure risk may be reduced the greatest by utilising CFL with manufacturer-provided shields.

Higher light wavelengths have been shown to stimulate extra-retinal photoreceptors more efficiently than lower wavelengths to promote reproduction in poultry. We developed a light emitting diode (LED) bulb that emits 60% of its light in the red spectrum (LED-R), and evaluated the effects of different light sources on growth and reproduction in commercial layer hens. Three rooms equipped with either 100W incandescent, 15W compact fluorescent (CFL), or 10W LED-R bulbs were populated with 96 Lohmann LSL-Lite layers housed in individual cages from 14 to 69 weeks of age (woa). Pullets were initially maintained on a 10-h photoperiod, then photostimulated at 18 woa. Surprisingly, regardless of the light source, plasma levels of estradiol peaked at 16 woa, 2 weeks before photostimulation, and egg-laying was initiated at 19 woa. As a direct correlation between age at first egg and body weight was identified, metabolic cues most likely served as a primary trigger to initiate sexual maturation prior to photostimulation. Overall egg production and cumulative egg numbers were similar among treatments. Interestingly, a second increase in estradiol was observed at 52 woa under all treatments, suggesting an additional ovarian stimulation, possibly associated with an additional follicular recruitment at that age. Overall, changes in estradiol concentrations were more pronounced in hens maintained under LED-R light than in hens exposed to incandescent and CFL, especially for the second increase, suggesting that a higher amount of red light leads to stronger ovarian activity. Maintaining hens under LED-R bulbs also resulted in lower feed consumption, which combined with the lower energy consumption of LED-bulbs (LED-R: 306 kW; incandescent: 2,514 kW; CFL: 422 kW) could reduce the production cost.

The objective of this study was to assess the incidence of motor impairment in former professional Canadian Football League (ex-CFL) players with multiple concussions. We investigated motor symptoms and signs in 45 ex-CFL players with multiple concussions and 25 age- and education-matched healthy controls with no history of concussion. Neurological assessment included items from the SCAT3 (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3) and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-Part III). A performance-based measurement of manual motor function was undertaken using the Grooved Pegboard test. Cognition was measured with patient-reported outcomes for memory, executive and behavioral symptoms as well as performance-based measures of memory and executive function. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured using the Personality Assessment Inventory. There was no significant difference between the ex-CFL players and controls on the UPDRS-Part III scores, and neither group reported clinically significant motor complaints. Ex-CFL players did not perform differently from control subjects on the Grooved Pegboard test. In contrast, with regard to cognitive and mood testing, players were more symptomatic: The ex-CFL players reported significantly more memory (77.8% vs. 16%, respectively, p < 0.001), executive (53.3% vs. 8%, respectively, p < 0.001), and behavioral symptoms (66.7% vs. 20%, respectively, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found when comparing ex-CFL players and controls in performance on memory and executive tests. In summary, in a group of retired CFL players who self-reported declines in memory, executive and behavioral symptoms, no motor symptoms were reported and no motor signs were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

The selection of the ideal root drought adaptive traits should take into account the production and maintenance of root tissues alongside the capacity to capture soil resources. Ten old and modern Spanish durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) genotypes were grown in lysimeters under two contrasting water and nitrogen regimes to study the effect of such growth conditions on: (1) the aerial biomass, (2) the growth and structure of the roots and (3) the relationships of the root structure with aerial biomass, photosynthetic and transpirative characteristics and water use efficiency. Both high water and nitrogen regimes significantly increased aerial biomass. Root dry biomass and root length increased and decreased in response to improved water supply and nitrogen regimes, respectively. No significant correlations were detected between aerial biomass and any root trait under well-watered conditions. Under water stress aerial biomass was negatively correlated with root dry biomass, root length and root weight density and positively correlated with the specific root length, particularly for the subset of old genotypes. The high nitrogen regime significantly enriched the carbon isotope composition of the flag leaf (δ (13)CFL) and hindered the effect of the high water regime on decreasing δ (13)CFL enrichment. Thus, positive correlations of aerial biomass with δ (13)CFL were detected regardless of the water regime. The study revealed: (1) the importance of root traits for higher aerial biomass under the low water regime; (2) that the interaction between nitrogen and the water regime may affect the predictive nature of the δ (13)C in drought breeding programs; and (3) the selection of the ideal root system structure should take into account the metabolic costs of the production and maintenance of root tissues alongside the capacity of capturing resources.

Susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (Cfl) and nalidixic acid (Nal) was tested in vitro by means of the population analysis technique against six strains of Staphylococcus, one strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and seven strains from five genera of Enterobacteriaceae. All strains of Staphylococcus were uniformly resistant to Nal as was the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain, all bacteria being resistant to 250- less than 500 micrograms/ml. The Enterobacteriaceae were heterogeneous as regards susceptibility to Nal. With some strains minority populations of highly-resistant bacteria could be detected with frequencies of about 10(-6.3). The MIC for Cfl for the staphylococci varied between 0.25 and 0.50 microgram/ml. There were no differences in MIC of penicillinase-producing and penicillin-susceptible strains, either in Staphylococcus aureus or in Staphylococcus epidermidis. The MIC for Cfl in the enterobacteria varied between 0.004 and 0.03 microgram/ml. The MIC for Cfl in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 0.25 microgram/ml. MIC for Cfl increased in all strains when the parental strains were compared to bacteria selected from the plates with the highest concentration permitting growth, indicating heterogeneity against Cfl. But while the MIC of the selected enterobacteria were lower than one fourth of the level obtainable in serum, the MIC of the selected staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were either exceeding the level obtainable in serum or were only a little lower than this level. While Cfl thus seems to be a promising antimicrobial agent in the treatment of infections caused by enterobacteria, the suitability for infections caused by staphylococci and Pseudomonas aeruginosa should be further explored.

The combination of microstimulation and anterograde tracing techniques reveals that different regions of the sensorimotor cortex project to different sectors of the red nucleus (NR). V-FEF projects to the dorsolateral sector, JLT to the dorsal sector, RFL and CFL to the dorsomedial and medial sectors, respectively, and HL to the ventral and ventrolateral sectors. Moreover, the NR receives fibers from the 2 somatosensory cortical areas examined in this study. The vibrissae area projects to the dorsolateral sector and the hand area to the dorsomedial sector.

OBJECTIVE

The incandescent electric light bulb has been in widespread use since the early part of the 20th century. There is now a strong move underway to improve lighting efficiency to cut carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, many countries have introduced legislation to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs, and these are largely being replaced with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). The rate at which CFLs are replacing the traditional bulbs has caused alarm among patients with light-sensitive skin disorders as there has been very little informed discussion regarding the safety of these new lamps for this group of patients. The purpose of the present paper is to review the available literature to assess the likely impact of CFLs on the skin of normal and photosensitive individuals.

METHODS

All data sources were identified through searches of MEDLINE and a manual literature search.

RESULTS

The spectrum of light emitted by CFLs is different from incandescent light. In particular, some CFLs emit short wavelength UV radiation at 253.7 nm. Most published reports show that the short wavelengths can be eliminated by the use of a double envelope. There are very little data examining directly the risk to photosensitive individuals. In one study, a patient with chronic actinic dermatitis had a severe erythematous reaction from an exposure of only 2.5min' duration.

CONCLUSIONS

CFLs present a low level of risk to individuals of normal sensitivity but they are potentially harmful to photosensitive patients. We recommend the use of double envelope lamps, and consideration given to the adoption of a 'UV-safe' classification scheme.

A 96-member chelator fragment library (CFL-1.1) was screened to identify inhibitors of the lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase in the absence and presence of zinc acetate. Fragments that inhibit LYP activity more potently in the presence of zinc, fragments that rescue LYP activity in the presence of inhibitory concentrations of zinc, and fragments that inhibit LYP activity independent of zinc concentration were identified. Of these, 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene was the most potent inhibitor with an IC50 value of 2.52±0.06 μM after 2 h of incubation. LYP inhibition by 1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene was very similar to inhibition by 1,2-naphthoquinone (IC50=1.10±0.03 µM), indicating that the oxidized quinone species is likely the active inhibitor. The inhibition was time-dependent, consistent with covalent modification of the enzyme.

A highly efficient metal-free catalytic system for the aerobic photocyanation of tertiary amines with visible light is reported. The use of air as terminal oxidant offers an improved safety profile compared with pure oxygen, the used compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) light sources are highly economical, and no halogenated solvents are required. This system not only proves to be effective for a wide variety of trialkylamines, pharmaceuticals, and alkaloids but remarkably also allows the lowest catalyst loading (0.00001 mol% or 0.1 ppm) ever reported for an organic dye. Bruylants reactions and C-alkylation/decyanations were performed on the obtained α-aminonitriles to demonstrate the postfunctionalization of complex molecules. The catalytic system is furthermore applied in the short and effective syntheses of the alkaloids (±)-crispine A and the tetraponerines T7 and T8.

Antimicrobial resistance of bacteria is a worldwide problem affecting wild life by living with resistant bacteria in the environment. This study presents a discussion of outside factors environment on microflora of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) from Brazilian Pantanal. Animals had samples collected from six different body sites coming from two separated geographic areas, Nhecolandia and Rio Negro regions. With routine biochemical tests and commercial kits 516 bacteria were identified, with 240 Gram-positive, predominantly staphylococci (36) and enterococci (186) strains. Among Gram-negative (GN) bacteria the predominant specimens of Enterobacteriaceae (247) mainly represented by Serratia spp. (105), Escherichia coli (50), and Enterobacter spp. (40) and specimens not identified (7). Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested against 17 drugs by agar diffusion method. Staphylococci were negative to production of enterotoxins and TSST-1, with all strains sensitive towards four drugs and highest resistance toward ampicillin (17%). Enterococci presented the highest sensitivity against vancomycin (98%), ampicillin (94%) and tetracycline (90%), and highest resistance pattern toward oxacillin (99%), clindamycin (83%), and cotrimoxazole (54%). In GN the highest resistance was observed with Serratia marcescens against CFL (98%), AMC (66%) and AMP (60%) and all drugs was most effective against E. coli SUT, TET (100%), AMP, TOB (98%), GEN, CLO (95%), CFO, CIP (93%). The results show a new profile of oxacillin-resistant enterococci from Brazilian feral pigs and suggest a limited residue and spreading of antimicrobials in the environment, possibly because of low anthropogenic impact reflected by the drug susceptibility profile of bacteria isolated.

The compositions of glycolipids in the following seven strains of green photosynthetic bacteria were investigated at the molecular level using LC-MS coupled with an evaporative light scattering detector: Chlorobium (Chl.) limicola strains Larsen (30 °C as the optimal cultivation temperature) and DSM245 (30 °C), Chlorobaculum (Cba.) tepidum strain ATCC49652 (45 °C), Cba. parvum strain NCIB8327 (30 °C), Cba. limnaeum strain 1549 (30 °C), Chl. phaeovibrioides DSM269 (30 °C), and Chloroflexus (Cfl.) aurantiacus strain J-10-fl (55 °C). Dependence of the molecular structures of glycolipids including the chain-length of their acyl groups upon bacterial cultivation temperatures was clearly observed. The organisms with their optimal temperatures of 30, 45, and 55 °C dominantly accumulated glycolipids possessing the acyl chains in the range of C(15)-C(16), C(16)-C(17), and C(18)-C(20), respectively. Cba. tepidum with an optimal temperature of 45 °C preferred the insertion of a methylene group to produce finally a C(17)-cyclopropane chain. Cfl. aurantiacus cultured optimally at 55 °C caused a drastic increase in the chain-length. Notably, the length of such acyl groups corresponded to that of the esterifying chain in the 17-propionate residues of self-aggregative bacteriochlorophylls-c/d/e, indicating stabilization of their supramolecular structures through hydrophobic interactions among those hydrocarbon chains. Based on the detailed compositions of glycolipids, a survival strategy of green photosynthetic bacteria grown in the wide range of temperatures is discussed.

The purpose was retrospectively to investigate functional and clinical outcomes after anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) reconstruction using a single allograft.

Patients with severe chronic lateral instability of the ankle underwent surgery after conservative treatment failed. Ultrasounds of the ankle were performed, and if the AFTL and CFL were completely torn without enough soft tissue for repair, the ligaments were reconstructed using allograft tendon. Outcomes were assessed by clinical examination, stress radiography, ultrasound, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society score (AOFAS), and Karlsson Ankle Functional score (KAFS) before surgery and at final follow-up.

Nineteen patients, ten men and nine women with mean age of 27.9 years (range, 19-41 years), underwent reconstruction. Mean follow-up was 30 months (range, 24-40 months). At final follow-up, all patients had returned to activity without instability, pain, or limited range of motion. On stress radiography, mean talar tilt angle decreased from 17.32° ± 3.58° before surgery to 4.16° ± 1.12° at follow-up (p < 0.001). Mean anterior drawer test (ADT) distance decreased from 9.79 ± 1.01 mm before surgery to 3.97 ± 0.99 mm at follow-up (p < 0.05). Mean AOFAS improved from 64.00 ± 18.43 to 90.32 ± 5.17 points (p < 0.001), and mean KAFS improved from 50.84 ± 16.73 to 90.89 ± 5.08 points (p < 0.001). Ultrasound showed the reconstructed ligaments maintained good continuity and excellent tension. No case of infection and immunological rejection was reported.

This novel reconstruction technique takes into account the anatomical specialty of AFTL and CFL. This case series showed increased stability of the ankle in clinical and functional outcomes.

The trial registration number (TRN) and date of registration: ChiCTR-ORC-17010796 , Mar 6th 2017. Retrospectively registered.

Purpose: The lateral ligament complex of the ankle has been extensively studied. Recently an anatomical study described a connection between anterior talofibular ligament inferior fascicle (ATFLif) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). The applicability and the mechanical role of these connections have not yet been studied and need to be clarified. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the connection between ATFLif and CFL through a dynamic measurement analysis.

Methods: An anatomical study was performed in 13 fresh-frozen below-the-knee ankle specimens. Each specimen was dissected in a protocolized manner until the lateral ligaments were exposed. A complete injury to both ATFL's fascicles was created in the proximal third of the ligament. A displacement transducer specifically design was inserted in the CFL and in the lateral part of the calcaneus to test its lengthening. A traction of 1 kg weight (9.8 N) was applied to ATFLif while the transducer measured the lengthening that this force created in the CFL.

Results: A total of 13 ankle specimens were carefully dissected. One specimen with signals of a prior traumatic injury of the ATFLif was excluded. A total of 12 specimens were included, 7 females and 5 males with an average age of 74 years (52-88 years). The right ankle was dissected in 6 specimens. ATFL was identified as a two-fascicled ligament in all cases. The fibers connecting the ATFLif and CFL were observed in all specimens. The displacement transducer showed lengthening in the CFL in all measurements with a median of 0.59 mm (SD ± 0.34).

Conclusion: Connecting fibers between ATFLif and CFL are robust enough to transmit tension from one structure to the other. In the case of associated proximal lesions of the ATFLif and CFL, ligaments repair with a single suture may be considered. This can be applied in surgical procedures in patients with lateral ankle instability.

Keywords: Anatomy; Ankle; Ankle lateral ligaments; Anterior talofibular ligament; Calcaneofibular ligament; Lateral ligament repair.

Emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is an invasive species from Asia that was discovered in North America Canada, in 2002. Herein, we describe studies to develop an autocontamination trapping system to disseminate Beauveria bassiana to control beetle populations. The standard trap for emerald ash borer in Canada is a light green prism trap covered in an insect adhesive and baited with (Z)-3-hexenol. We compared of green multifunnel traps, green intercept panel traps (both with and without fluon coating) and green prism traps for capturing emerald ash borer in a green ash plantation. The coated green multifunnel traps captured significantly more males and more females than any other trap design. We examined the efficacy of two native B. bassiana isolates, INRS-CFL and L49-1AA. In a field experiment the INRS-CFL isolate attached to multifunnel traps in autocontamination chambers retained its pathogenicity to emerald ash borer adults for up to 43 d of outdoor exposure. Conidia germination of the INRS-CFL isolate was >69% after outdoor exposure in the traps for up to 57 d. The L49-1AA isolate was not pathogenic in simulated trap exposures and the germination rate was extremely low (<5.3%). Mean (+/- SEM) conidia loads on ash borer adults after being autocontaminated in the laboratory using pouches that had been exposed in traps out of doors for 29 d were 579,200 (+/- 86,181) and 2,400 (+/- 681) for the INRS-CFL and the LA9-1AA isolates, respectively. We also examined the fungal dissemination process under field conditions using the L49-1AA isolate in a green ash plantation. Beetles were lured to baited green multifunnel traps with attached autocontamination chambers. Beetles acquired fungal conidia from cultures growing on pouches in the chambers and were recaptured on Pestick-coated traps. In total, 2,532 beetles were captured of which 165 (6.5%) had fungal growth that resembled B. bassiana. Of these 25 beetles were positive for the L49-1AA isolate.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of abnormal MRI findings associated with lateral ankle trauma in injured and contralateral ankles to identify lesions that may be pre-existent.

METHODS

The study was approved by the institutional review board and informed consent was obtained from all subjects. 195 patients (mean age 37.5+14.7 years; 43% male) who visited their general practitioner 6-12 months earlier with an ankle sprain were selected. All patients completed a standardized questionnaire and underwent MRI (1.5T) of both ankles. Structural MRI abnormalities in the injured and contralateral ankle were compared using the McNemar test (for paired samples).

RESULTS

Bone marrow edema was frequently seen in the injured and contralateral ankle at the talocrural joint (25.1% versus 14.8%) and subtalar joint (24.6% versus 8.7%), but significantly more frequently in the injured ankle. Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) lesions were frequently found in both ankles, in 55.9% and 37.4% of injured ankles respectively and in 17.9% and 5.6% of contralateral ankles respectively. Fractures, anterior and posterior tibiofibular ligament lesions, deltoid ligament lesions and signs of talonavicular osteoarthritis were almost exclusively found in injured ankles. Peroneal ligament lesions were not frequently found in both ankles.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of structural MRI abnormalities in patients presenting with a previous ankle sprain in primary care is very high. However, especially bone marrow edema and lateral ligament lesions can also be found in a substantial percentage of contralateral ankles and may be either pre-existent or due to increased stress on the contralateral ankle after an ankle injury Correlation with clinical findings is essential.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to clarify the morphological characteristics of the lateral talocalcaneal ligament (LTCL).

METHODS

This study examined 100 legs from 54 Japanese cadavers. The LTCL was classified into three types: Type I, the LTCL branches from the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL); Type II, the LTCL is independent of the CFL and runs parallel to the calcaneus; and Type III, the LTCL is absent. The morphological features measured were fiber bundle length, fiber bundle width, and fiber bundle thickness.

RESULTS

The LTCL was classified as Type I in 18 feet (18%), Type II in 24 feet (24%), and Type III in 58 feet (58%). All LTCLs were associated with the anterior talofibular ligament at the talus. There was no significant difference in morphological characteristics by Type for each ligament.

CONCLUSIONS

The LTCL was similar to the CFL in terms of fiber bundle width and fiber bundle thickness.

Mechanical forces regulate cell behavior and tissue morphogenesis. During cardiac development, mechanical stimuli from the heartbeat are required for cardiomyocyte maturation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we first show that the forces of the contracting heart regulate the localization and activation of the cytoskeletal protein vinculin (VCL), which we find to be essential for myofilament maturation. To further analyze the role of VCL in this process, we examined its interactome in contracting versus non-contracting cardiomyocytes and, in addition to several known interactors, including actin regulators, identified the slingshot protein phosphatase SSH1. We show how VCL recruits SSH1 and its effector, the actin depolymerizing factor cofilin (CFL), to regulate F-actin rearrangement and promote cardiomyocyte myofilament maturation. Overall, our results reveal that mechanical forces generated by cardiac contractility regulate cardiomyocyte maturation through the VCL-SSH1-CFL axis, providing further insight into how mechanical forces are transmitted intracellularly to regulate myofilament maturation.

Mid-infrared spectral changes associated with the photoreduction of the bacteriopheophytin electron acceptor H(A) in reaction centers (RCs) of the filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium Chloroflexus (Cfl.) aurantiacus are examined by light-induced Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The light-induced H(A)(-)/H(A) FTIR (1800-1200cm(-1)) difference spectrum of Cfl. aurantiacus RCs is compared to that of the previously well characterized purple bacterium Rhodobacter (Rba.) sphaeroides RCs. The most notable feature is that the large negative IR band at 1674cm(-1) in Rba. sphaeroides R-26, attributable to the loss of the absorption of the 13(1)-keto carbonyl of H(A) upon the radical anion H(A)(-) formation, exhibits only a very minor upshift to 1675cm(-1) in Cfl. aurantiacus. In contrast, the absorption band of the 13¹-keto C=O of H(A)(-) is strongly upshifted in the spectrum of Cfl. aurantiacus compared to that of Rba. sphaeroides (from 1588 to 1623cm(-1)). The data are discussed in terms of: (i) replacing the glutamic acid at L104 in Rba. sphaeroides R-26 RCs by a weaker hydrogen bond donor, a glutamine, at the equivalent position L143 in Cfl. aurantiacus RCs; (ii) a strengthening of the hydrogen-bonding interaction of the 13¹-keto C=O of H(A) with Glu L104 and Gln L143 upon H(A)(-) formation and (iii) a possible influence of the protein dielectric environment on the 13¹-keto C=O stretching frequency of neutral H(A). A conformational heterogeneity of the 13³-ester C=O group of H(A) is detected for Cfl. aurantiacus RCs similar to what has been previously described for purple bacterial RCs.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility of point-of-care ankle ultrasound compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosing major ligaments and Achilles tendon injuries in patients with recurrent ankle sprain and chronic instability, and to evaluate inter-observer reliability between an emergency physician and a musculoskeletal radiology fellow.

METHODS

A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in an emergency department. Patients with recurrent ankle sprain and chronic instability were recruited. An emergency physician and a musculoskeletal radiology fellow independently evaluated the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), distal anterior tibiofibular ligament (ATiFL), deltoid ligament, and Achilles tendon using point-of-care ankle ultrasound. Findings were classified normal, partial tear, and complete tear. MRI was used as the reference standard. We calculated diagnostic values for point-of-care ankle ultrasound for both reviewers and compared them using DeLong's test. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for agreement between each reviewer and the reference standard, and between the two reviewers.

RESULTS

Eighty-five patients were enrolled. Point-of-care ankle ultrasound showed acceptable sensitivity (96.4-100%), specificity (95.0-100%), and accuracy (96.5-100%); these performance markers did not differ significantly between reviewers. Agreement between each reviewer and the reference standard was excellent (emergency physician, ICC=0.846-1.000; musculoskeletal radiology fellow, ICC=0.930-1.000), as was inter-observer agreement (ICC=0.873-1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

Point-of-care ankle ultrasound is as precise as MRI for detecting major ankle ligament and Achilles tendon injuries; it could be used for immediate diagnosis and further pre-operative imaging. Moreover, it may reduce the interval from emergency department admission to admission for surgical intervention, and may save costs.