Versatile digital data logger: storage of gastrointestinal motility data.

An inexpensive four-channel data logger for recording gastrointestinal potentials is described. A 512 K bytes memory and a sampling speed of 1.25 Hz per channel is adequate for these potentials and permits recordings for up to 27 hours. The small size and light weight allow the device to be carried in a pocket so that recordings can be made while the subject is freely ambulatory. A separate replay unit allows the data stored in the data logger to be presented to a chart recorder or to an interface card in a PC AT. This interface, a Microsoft C vers 5.0 program and the computer display the data as single frames or scrolled, expanded or condensed on either the time or amplitude axis. From the computer the data can be written to a printer and displayed as a chart or to an ASCII format file which can be used for analysis with statistical packages. Examples of recordings from both man and dog are illustrated and the analogue recorded data are compared with data digitally recorded. It is suggested that the data logger has many applications where long-term slow potential changes must be recorded under specially difficult conditions.

Preliminary assessment of three new designs of prosthetic prehensors for upper limb amputees.

At present, upper-limb amputees have a basic choice of a hook or a hand for the prosthetic prehensor. In the USA about two-thirds of upper-limb amputees wear hooks and about one-third wear hands. Either of these options represents a compromise. The hook is more functional and the hand is more cosmetic. Some amputees solve the dilemma by having one of each and interchanging them as work and social situations dictate. However, they would prefer to have one acceptable prehensor, and they want one which is functional, is attractive, and does not necessarily have to look like a hand. In an attempt to meet the desires of upper-limb amputees, three prosthetic prehensors or "terminal devices" have been designed and developed into models. This article describes the preliminary assessment of these new designs.

Development and evaluation of a universal contoured cushion.

A new wheelchair seat cushion has been developed which reduces the ischaemia producing forces and redistributes them to the more tolerant areas of the posterior thighs and lateral gluteal muscles. The cushion is fabricated of foam materials and designed to stabilise the pelvis and promote proper spinal-pelvic alignment. Pressure measurements were recorded at the skin cushion interface for 66 subjects while seated on the cushion in their own wheelchair. The cushion was considered effective if maximum interface pressures recorded were: coccyx: less than 20 mmHg, ischii: less than 65 mmHg, trochanters: less than 70 mmHg, and posterior thighs: less than 80 mmHg. The cushion was considered ineffective if the interface pressure at any one location exceeded these criteria. The cushion was found effective for 52 of the subjects. The cushion was more effective (90 per cent versus 58 per cent) for subjects without certain skeletal deformities (pelvic obliquity, bony resections). Eighty-three per cent of the respondents who were followed on the cushion reported that they preferred the cushion to their previous cushions with improved posture, balance and comfort being the most commonly cited reasons. This study has shown the cushion to be a preferred alternative to other commercially available wheelchair cushions for those who are paraplegic.

Identification of a defence mechanism in vivo against the leakage of enterokinase into the blood.

1. The serum proteinase inhibitors alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and C1-esterase inhibitor were found not to affect the catalytic activity of human enterokinase, whereas bovine trypsin activity was modified essentially as expected. Enterokinase was also not inhibited by Trasylol (trypsin inhibitor from bovine lung) or bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. No other component in human or mouse serum complexing with enterokinase was identified. 2. Human enterokinase administered intravenously into mice was rapidly cleared from the circulation with a half-life of 2.5 min. This removal was not the result of the difference in species, since partially purified mouse enterokinase was cleared at the same rate as the human enzyme. Clearance was mediated by recognition of the carbohydrate portion of enterokinase and not through specific recognition of its catalytic site. Immunofluorescent staining showed that the enzyme accumulated in the liver. Attempts to block the clearance by the simultaneous infusion of competing glycoproteins suggested that enterokinase was taken up by hepatocytes. Of the glycoproteins tested only two, human lactoferrin (terminal fucosyl alpha 1 leads to 3 N-acetylglucosamine) and bovine asialo-fetuin (terminal galactosyl beta 1 leads to 4 N-acetylglucosamine) were weakly competitive. Two inhibitors of endocytosis, Intralipid and Triton WR1339, failed to delay the removal of enterokinase. It is proposed that enterokinase is cleared from the circulation by an as yet uncharacterized hepatocyte receptor.