Heatmapper: web-enabled heat mapping for all.

Heatmapper is a freely available web server that allows users to interactively visualize their data in the form of heat maps through an easy-to-use graphical interface. Unlike existing non-commercial heat map packages, which either lack graphical interfaces or are specialized for only one or two kinds of heat maps, Heatmapper is a versatile tool that allows users to easily create a wide variety of heat maps for many different data types and applications. More specifically, Heatmapper allows users to generate, cluster and visualize: (i) expression-based heat maps from transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic experiments; (ii) pairwise distance maps; (iii) correlation maps; (iv) image overlay heat maps; (v) latitude and longitude heat maps and (vi) geopolitical (choropleth) heat maps. Heatmapper offers a number of simple and intuitive customization options for facile adjustments to each heat map's appearance and plotting parameters. Heatmapper also allows users to interactively explore their numeric data values by hovering their cursor over each heat map cell, or by using a searchable/sortable data table view. Heat map data can be easily uploaded to Heatmapper in text, Excel or tab delimited formatted tables and the resulting heat map images can be easily downloaded in common formats including PNG, JPG and PDF. Heatmapper is designed to appeal to a wide range of users, including molecular biologists, structural biologists, microbiologists, epidemiologists, environmental scientists, agriculture/forestry scientists, fish and wildlife biologists, climatologists, geologists, educators and students. Heatmapper is available at http://www.heatmapper.ca.

Double free gracilis muscle transfer after complete brachial plexus injury: First Canadian experience.

Traumatic brachial plexus root avulsions are devastating injuries, and are complex and challenging to reconstruct. Double free muscle transfer using the gracilis muscles is a potentially effective method of restoring upper extremity function. The authors report on the first two patients treated using this technique in Canada. Both sustained traumatic brachial plexus root avulsion injuries resulting in a flail arm. In the first step of this two-stage procedure, a gracilis muscle was transferred to restore elbow flexion, and wrist and digit extension. Months later, the transfer of the second gracilis muscle was performed to enhance elbow flexion and to enable wrist and digit flexion. Postoperatively, both patients achieved Medical Research Council grade 4 elbow flexion, functional handgrip and were able to return to gainful employment. Patient satisfaction was high and active range of motion improved substantially. The authors' experience supports the use of this technique following severe brachial plexus injury.

Les avulsions traumatiques de la racine du plexus brachial sont des blessures dévastatrices, complexes et difficiles à reconstruire. Un double transfert de lambeaux libres du muscle gracile peut être une méthode efficace pour rétablir la fonction des membres supérieurs. Les auteurs rendent compte des deux premiers patients traités à l'aide de cette technique au Canada. Tous deux avaient subi une avulsion de la racine du plexus brachial rendant leur bras ballant. Pendant la première partie de cette intervention en deux étapes, un lambeau du muscle gracile a été transféré pour rétablir la flexion du coude et l'extension du poignet et des doigts. Plusieurs mois plus tard, le deuxième lambeau a été transféré pour améliorer la flexion du coude et permettre la flexion du poignet et des doigts. Après l'opération, les deux patients ont obtenu une flexion du coude et une poignée de main fonctionnelle de grade 4 selon le Conseil de recherche médicale et étaient en mesure de reprendre un travail rémunéré. Les patients étaient très satisfaits, et leur amplitude de mouvements s'était considérablement améliorée. L'expérience des auteurs soutient l'utilisation de cette technique après une grave blessure du plexus brachial.