Force distribution of a cylindrical grip differs between dominant and nondominant hand in healthy subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Grip strength and load distribution of the hand are important parameters for evaluating hand function. The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare grip force and load distribution of dominant and nondominant hands in right-handed healthy subjects. METHODS: Gripping measurements were performed on 40 healthy right-handed subjects using a cylindrical gripping device. Two different cylinders with circumferences of 150 mm (small cylinder) and 200 mm (large cylinder), respectively, were used for the measurements. Subjects were assigned to either the small or the large cylinder with respect to their hand size. Maximum and mean force applied during three intervals of gripping as well as the percent contribution of each digit, thenar, and hypothenar in relation to the total load applied were acquired. Values of dominant and nondominant hands were compared. RESULTS: Percent contribution of mean grip strength differed for the thumb (p = 0.007), ring finger (p < 0.001), little finger (p = 0.047), and palm (p < 0.001). Comparing the dominant and nondominant side, the dominant hand showed a lower contribution of the thumb, ring finger, and little finger, but a higher contribution of the palm. When analyzing maximum grip, percent contribution of the small fingers was equal between dominant and nondominant side (p = 0.1). Differences between dominant and nondominant thumb, ring finger, and palm persisted (p = 0.007, p = 0.001, p = 0.005, respectively). No differences could be shown for the index finger, middle finger, thenar, and hypothenar when analyzing both mean and maximum force. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Percent contribution of the thumb and the fingers to total grip strength differed between dominant and nondominant hands with a change in distribution when assessing maximum grip force. In right-handed subjects, thumb and ring finger have important roles during gripping.

Co-localized overexpression of GRO-alpha and IL-8 mRNA is restricted to the suprapapillary layers of psoriatic lesions.

Epidermal infiltration by polymorphonuclear cells is a prominent feature in psoriatic lesions. Expression of neutrophil-specific chemoattractants by lesional keratinocytes could play an important role in the regulation of this infiltration process. We therefore examined the mRNA expression of GRO-alpha, a well-characterized peptide with neutrophil-specific activation profile in psoriatic lesions by in situ hybridization. Clusters of clearly detectable and in some cases highly abundant GRO-alpha hybridization signals could be demonstrated in the differentiated layers of psoriatic epidermis. The signals were clearly associated with keratinocytes, with no nearby neutrophils detectable by microscopic examination. When additional tissue sections of GRO-alpha-expressing lesions were examined with an interleukin-8/neutrophil-activating peptide-8 (IL-8)-specific anti-sense probe, IL-8 expression was detectable and confined to areas also expressing GRO-alpha. Expression of both GRO-alpha and IL-8 is focally upregulated by an as yet unknown mechanism in lesional psoriatic keratinocytes, ultimately leading to neutrophil tissue infiltration. We suggest that the focal expression of GRO-alpha and IL-8 in the epidermal layers above the dermal papillae may be involved in the "squirting papilla" reaction described as a characteristic feature of psoriatic plaque-type lesions.

A rare case of aortic coarctation and ventricular septal defect combined with alveolar capillary dysplasia.

We report a rare case of alveolar capillary dysplasia (ACD) associated with severe aortic coarctation, hypoplastic aortic arch, and mild hypoplasia of the left ventricle. After successful coarctation repair, pulmonary hypertension persisted, and despite only minor anomalies on the x-ray, chest computed tomography (CT) revealed the presence of primary lung disease. Review of the literature suggests that ACD may be associated with left heart obstructions. Chest CT is applicable to diagnose ACD precociously.

[Deliberate hypotension during rhinosurgery using labetalol, a combined alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist (author's transl)]. / Blutdrucksenkung mit dem kombinierten Alpha-Beta-Rezeptorenblocker Labetalol in der Rhinochirurgie.

In 70 patients undergoing rhinosurgical operations, the applicability of labetalol, a drug that blocks both alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors, to intraoperative deliberate hypotension was studied. Anaesthesia was induced with diazepam/fentanyl or thiopental/fentanyl and maintained with N2O/O2 (2:1) and enflurane. Additionally, in combination with 0.3-0.5 mg/kg labetalol intravenously, enflurane was used for lowering arterial blood pressure. The average concentrations of enflurane needed to decrease the systolic pressure to values between 75 and 90 mm Hg in normotensive patients, ranged from 0.6 to 1.2 vol. % (mean 0.92 +/- 0.28). The heart rate was virtually stable throughout the operating procedure. After discontinuation of enflurane and administration of 0.01 mg/kg atropine, the blood pressure promptly returned to its preanaesthetic level and then remained constant during the postoperative period. From the results of this study it may be concluded that, combined with small amounts of inhalational anaesthetics, e.g. enflurane, labetalol (0.5 mg/kg) can safely be used for achieving hypotensive blood pressure levels during operations lasting 90 minutes maximum. Impending major blood losses and contraindications for the use of beta-blockers have to be excluded.

[Effect of single impulses on cochlear microphone potentials of the guinea-pig cochlea]. / Die Wirkung von Einzelimpulsen auf das Mikropotential der Meerschweinchenocochlea.

The influence of highly intensive single impulses on the cochlea of guinea pig was studied in an acute experiment. Very short impulses of less than or equal to 0.1 ms duration were produced by a sparknoise generator. The cochlear microphonics (CM) to a test stimulus (sinus tone, 3150 Hz) were recorded from the round window and measured prior to, during, and following impulse treatment. During the impulse treatment, the greatest amplitude reduction of CM occurred after the first impulse, while the further impulses caused a decreasing reduction. At first the number of impulses was varied: 1, 3, and 5 impulses were applied at intervals of 15 s each, at an impulse sound level of 164 dB sound pressure level re. 0.002 mubar (SPL). After these impulse treatments, in all cases a continual decrease of CM amplitudes up to a constant end value without recovery was found within a 2-hrs period of observation. The height of the end value depends on the number of impulses applied. Subsequently, at an exposure to 5 impluses the impulse sound level was stepwise reduced (164, 153, 144, 139 and 133 dB SPL). Again, a characteristic decrease of CM amplitudes was observed during the 2-hrs period of observation. The height of the end value is now dependent on the impluse sound level. Impulses of 164, 153 and 144 dB SPL cause a strong decrease of CM while the effect of impulses of 139 and 133 dB SPL is distinctly lower.