Testing Multiple Coordination Constraints with a Novel Bimanual Visuomotor Task

The acquisition of a new bimanual skill depends on several motor coordination constraints. To date, coordination constraints have often been tested relatively independently of one another, particularly with respect to isofrequency and multifrequency rhythms. Here, we used a new paradigm to test the interaction of multiple coordination constraints. Coordination constraints that were tested included temporal complexity, directionality, muscle grouping, and hand dominance. Twenty-two healthy young adults performed a bimanual dial rotation task that required left and right hand coordination to track a moving target on a computer monitor. Two groups were compared, either with or without four days of practice with augmented visual feedback. Four directional patterns were tested such that both hands moved either rightward (clockwise), leftward (counterclockwise), inward or outward relative to each other. Seven frequency ratios (3∶1, 2∶1, 3∶2, 1∶1, 2∶3. 1∶2, 1∶3) between the left and right hand were introduced. As expected, isofrequency patterns (1∶1) were performed more successfully than multifrequency patterns (non 1∶1). In addition, performance was more accurate when participants were required to move faster with the dominant right hand (1∶3, 1∶2 and 2∶3) than with the non-dominant left hand (3∶1, 2∶1, 3∶2). Interestingly, performance deteriorated as the relative angular velocity between the two hands increased, regardless of whether the required frequency ratio was an integer or non-integer. This contrasted with previous finger tapping research where the integer ratios generally led to less error than the non-integer ratios. We suggest that this is due to the different movement topologies that are required of each paradigm. Overall, we found that this visuomotor task was useful for testing the interaction of multiple coordination constraints as well as the release from these constraints with practice in the presence of augmented visual feedback

Administration of nasal Buserelin as compared with subcutaneous Buserelin implant for endometriosis.

One hundred infertile patients with laparoscopically confirmed ovarian endometriosis were treated with either intranasal (IN) Buserelin (Hoechst, AG, Frankfurt am Main, West Germany) (300 micrograms three times a day) or subcutaneous (SC) Buserelin implant (6.6 mg Buserelin). Serum estradiol was suppressed in the menopausal range in both groups, but the inhibition of the pituitary ovarian axis appeared more profound and consistent in the SC group than in the IN group. Laparoscopic findings proved that the SC Buserelin emerged superior to the IN Buserelin. Indeed, the score of endometriotic lesions and the ovarian cyst diameter were more reduced in the SC group than in the IN group. Moreover, the histologic study showed a lower incidence of active endometriosis and a lower mitotic index of ovarian endometrial epithelium in the SC group than in the IN group. In conclusion, the release of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist by a biodegradable implant achieved better efficacy in reducing endometriotic lesions than the IN mode of administration

Neodymium: YAG laser hysteroscopy in large submucous fibroids.

The preoperative use of a potent, subcutaneously injected gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) was evaluated in a series of 60 women with large submucosal fibroids. Myomectomy by hysteroscopy and Nd:YAG laser was easily performed. In 12 cases, the largest portion of the myoma was not inside the uterine cavity and myomectomy was carried by a two-step hysteroscopy. In women who wished to become pregnant, a pregnancy rate of 66% was achieved. Advantages of preoperative use of a GnRH-a are (1) the significant decrease of the fibroid size, (2) a lower fluid absorption, and (3) the restoration of a normal hemoglobin concentration

Treatment of uterine fibroids with implants of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist: assessment by hysterography.

The effect of a potent, subcutaneously injected gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH analog) (Buserelin, Hoechst, Frankfurt/Main West Germany) on the size of uterine leiomyomas and the uterine cavity area was studied in a group of 20 women. In all patients except 1, the uterine cavity area calculated by hysterosalpingography was decreased, with an average decrease of 35% (from 12.0 +/- 5.4 cm2 to 7.8 +/- 3.3 cm2) by 8 weeks of therapy. Significant decrease was observed in the group of women with initial uterine cavity area greater than 10 cm2. In patients with very large submucous fibroids, myomectomy by hysteroscopy and neodymium:YAG laser was easily performed. Rapid relief of symptoms such as menometrorrhagia permits the restoration of a normal hemoglobin concentration. In conclusion, use of GnRH analog represents an adjunct for preoperative reduction of tumor size and may permit surgical treatment by hysteroscopy

Administration of nasal Buserelin as compared with subcutaneous Buserelin implant for endometriosis.

One hundred infertile patients with laparoscopically confirmed ovarian endometriosis were treated with either intranasal (IN) Buserelin (Hoechst, AG, Frankfurt am Main, West Germany) (300 micrograms three times a day) or subcutaneous (SC) Buserelin implant (6.6 mg Buserelin). Serum estradiol was suppressed in the menopausal range in both groups, but the inhibition of the pituitary ovarian axis appeared more profound and consistent in the SC group than in the IN group. Laparoscopic findings proved that the SC Buserelin emerged superior to the IN Buserelin. Indeed, the score of endometriotic lesions and the ovarian cyst diameter were more reduced in the SC group than in the IN group. Moreover, the histologic study showed a lower incidence of active endometriosis and a lower mitotic index of ovarian endometrial epithelium in the SC group than in the IN group. In conclusion, the release of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist by a biodegradable implant achieved better efficacy in reducing endometriotic lesions than the IN mode of administration

La place des agonistes de la GnRH dans le traitement par voies endoscopiques de l'endométriose et des fibromyomes.

Uterine myomas and endometriosis are benign pathologies frequently encountered in women. Myomas are often associated with infertility and/or menorrhagia particularly if they are sub-mucosal. Endometriosis is diagnosed in more than 35% of infertile patients. These two common pathologies are oestrogen-dependent and the administration of a GnRH agonist has been proposed as a non-surgical approach to the treatment of myomas and endometriosis. GnRH agonists cannot, however, be considered as definitive medical therapy because most myomas and endometriotic cysts return to their initial size within 4 months following the cessation of treatment. Moreover, because of the menopausal-like state that they induce, GnRH agonists provoke bone demineralization and for this reason, their long-term use is not recommended. These agents should, therefore, be considered as an adjuvant preoperative therapy. The aim is, above all, to achieve a preoperative reduction of tumour size, thus facilitating the endoscopic surgery: either hysteroscopic resection in the case of sub-mucosal myomas, or vaporization of ovarian cysts in the case of cystic endometriotic lesions