Analysis of ankle kinetics during walking in individuals with Down syndrome.

The biomechanical characteristics of the ankle during gait of 17 participants with Down syndrome, ages 8 to 36 years, were investigated. Ten volunteers without disabilities of comparable anthropometric parameters were the control group. A 3-dimensional gait analysis was performed using an optoelectronic system equipped with a force platform. Participants with Down syndrome showed significant decreases of plantar-flexor moments and of A1 and A2 joint powers. Furthermore, correlation between kinetic and temporal spatial parameters was markedly reduced or weak in comparison to the control group. These results point out a hypofunctioning of ankle, probably due to hypotonia and ligament laxity.

Strength deficit of knee extensor muscles of individuals with Down syndrome from childhood to adolescence.

The isokinetic strength of the knee extensor muscles of both limbs, at the speed of 30 degrees/second, was evaluated in 25 children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Comparison with two control groups of 40 intellectually average individuals and 30 individuals with mental retardation of unknown origin showed that both children and adolescents with Down syndrome were weaker than were the control subjects. Moreover, by the age of 14 years, adolescents with Down syndrome failed to show the muscle strength increase that physiologically occurs by this age. Interlimb comparison of knee extensor muscles showed a strength dominance in the 44% of individuals with Down syndrome, with a prevalence for the left leg. In conclusion, our data suggest the presence of a dysfunction of the neuromuscular system both at the level of the pyramidal system and/or of the neuromuscular junction, possibly as an expression of premature ageing.

Gait patterns of a patient with myoclonus of a lower limb, when OFF and ON treatment with antiepileptic drugs.

We describe kinematics, kinetics and electromyographic patterns of a patient with spinal myoclonus of the left lower limb, during walking. Gait analysis was performed when the patient was OFF and ON his treatment with antiepileptic drugs. When OFF, we mainly observed clonic bursts and out-of-phase activations of m. tibialis anterior and m. rectus femoris, with increased hip flexion, reduction of knee flexion during swing and excessive ankle dorsal flexion. Furthermore, large oscillations of knee moment of force and power during stance phase were also observed. These abnormal patterns markedly recovered when ON drugs.

Colored light therapy: overview of its history, theory, recent developments and clinical applications combined with acupuncture.

Light therapy has a long history, dating from ancient Egypt to the contemporary treatment of seasonal affective disorder. In the early half of this century, Dinshah Ghadiali, MD PhD, refined a sophisticated system of color therapy. Influenced by a strong background in mathematics and physics, he determined specific "attributes" of the colors of the spectrum, i.e., their specific effects on human physiology. Later research has confirmed many of his concepts and spawned evolution of new systems for application of light therapy including irradiation of acupuncture points. According to the author, his system dovetails nicely with traditional Oriental medicine theory, relating colors to the internal organs and meridian system. Of particular note is recent Russian research which has shown that light is conducted within the body along the acupuncture meridians leading the authors to ponder: Do acupuncture meridians function as a light (photon) transferal system within the body, not unlike optical fiber? Case studies provide support for the clinical benefits of light therapy. The emerging contemporary color therapy systems of Mandel (Colorpuncture) and McWilliams (Chromo-pressure) are discussed, and a newly patented device is introduced.

Preparation of immobilized NAD glycohydrolase from Neurospora crassa conidia by hydrophobic interaction--characteristics of the enzyme derivative.

NAD glycohydrolase from Neurospora crassa conidia has been immobilized by hydrophobic interaction on Sepharose 4B beads coated with propyl residues through CNBr activation. The bond resulted stable under a wide range of conditions (ionic strength, temperature, pH). As a result of immobilization the pH optimum for catalytic activity shifted by about 0.2 pH unit in the acidic direction, to lie between 7.5 and 7.3. The stability of the enzymatic activity was largely enhanced by effect of immobilization but the Km value towards NAD+ was increased compared with that of the free enzyme (1 X 10(-3) and 2 X 10(-4) M respectively).

Value of the dorsal cutaneous guinea pig model in selecting topical antiviral formulations for the treatment of recurrent herpes simplex type 1 disease.

Recurrent herpes simplex labialis represents a disease still difficult to treat, despite the availability of many established antiviral drugs used in clinical research since 30 years ago. Although differences between the human disease and that obtained in experimental animal suggest caution in predicting an effective clinical response from the experimental results, some of the animal models seem to be useful in optimising the topical formulation of single antiviral drugs. In the present work the dorsal cutaneous guinea pig model was used to compare 5 different topical antiviral formulations with clinical promise (active molecule: 5% w/w micronized aciclovir, CAS 59277-89-3), using both roll-on and lipstick application systems. The aim being to evaluate which vehicle (water, oil, low melting and high melting fatty base) and application system (roll-on, lipstick) enhances the skin penetration and the antiviral activity of the drug, after an experimental intradermal infection with Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). As reference, a commercial formulation (5% aciclovir ointment) was used. The cumulative results of this study showed that the formulation A, containing 5% aciclovir in an aqueous base in a roll-on application system, has the better antiviral efficacy in reducing the severity of cutaneous lesions and the viral titer; among the lipsticks preparations, the formulation D, containing 5% aciclovir in a low melting fatty base, demonstrates a very strong antiviral activity, though slightly less than formulation A. This experimental work confirms the validity of the dorsal cutaneous guinea pig model as a rapid and efficient method to compare the antiviral efficacy of new formulations, with clinical promise, to optimise the topical formulation of the active antiviral drugs.