Neuromaturation of human locomotion revealed by non-dimensional scaling.

Item does not contain fulltextWhen two fundamental gait parameters--step length and step frequency--are scaled non-dimensionally, thereby accounting for increases in a child's physical size, ontogenetic changes in the locomotor control strategy are revealed. We believe dimensionless velocity beta, the product of dimensionless step length and frequency, serves as a measure of neural development. It increases from the age of 18 months and reaches a plateau between 50 and 90 months, attaining the adult value of 0.45. Based on a study of 200 children, our findings lend support to a theory that posits a neuromaturation growth curve with the form: beta (t)=0.45 (1-e(-0.05t)) where t is the age in months and 0.05 is the growth coefficient

Gait status 17-26 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy

The purpose of this study was to use three-dimensional gait analysis to describe the gait status of adults with spastic diplegia who underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in childhood. Outcome measures were the gait deviation index (GDI), non-dimensional temporal-distance parameters, and kinematics of the lower limbs.A total of 31 adults with spastic diplegia who had previously undergone SDR were eligible and participated in current study (SDR group). These participants had a median age of 26.8 years (range 21-44 years) with a mean time between surgery and assessment of 21.2±2.9 years (range 17-26 years). For comparison purposes, 43 typically developed adults also participated (CONTROL group), with a median age of 28.3 years (range 21-45 years). More than 17 years after SDR 58% of the SDR group showed improved GMFCS levels, while none of them deteriorated. The participants in the SDR group walked with a mild crouch gait, although there was a loading response, adequate swing-phase knee flexion, adequate swing-phase plantarflexion, reasonable speed and cadence. The gait status of the SDR group more than 17 years after SDR was similar to what has been reported in short-term follow-up studies, as well as our earlier 20 year follow-up study that did not include 3D gait analysis. Appropriate orthopaedic intervention was required in 61% of the study cohort. Whether the types and numbers of orthopaedic interventions are positively affected by SDR remains an open question. Further studies examining this question are warranted. In addition, long-term follow-up studies focused on other interventions would also be of clinical relevance. © 2011 Elsevier B.V

Level of activity and participation in adults with Spastic Diplegia 17-26 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy

Objective: To evaluate the activity and participation levels of adults with spastic diplegia 17-26 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy; to investigate relationships between subjects'functioning and age, socio-economic-status, level of satisfaction and their perceptions of the post-operative outcomes. Design: Observational follow-up study.Patients: Thirty-one subjects with spastic diplegia, age range 21-44 years, who underwent selective dorsal rhizotomy between 1981 and 1991. Methods: A semi-structured interview was used to gather data on patients' characteristics and long-term experiences after the operation. The Functional Mobility Scale and Life-Habit questionnaire were completed.Results: Based on the Functional Mobility Scale 84% of subjects were reported as independent for a distance of 5 m, and 61% for 50 and 500 m. Eighty percent were independent in accomplishing all life habits, with most problems found for Mobility and Recreation. This was in agreement with the subjects' perception, with strong correlations between Life-Habit questionnaire accomplishment and satisfaction levels. No significant associations were found between functioning and age at selective dorsal rhizotomy, current age and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: More than 15 years after selective dorsal rhizotomy, adults with spastic diplegia showed high levels of functioning, and similar levels of satisfaction with life habits. The majority had positive feelings about the neurosurgical procedure, although there is a need for better follow-up after subjects leave school

Application of food irradiation processes to developing countries

Sprouting of- and fungal attack on tuber, bulb and foot products is a common problem to most countries. Sprouting can be delayed by storage at low temperature, and partly prevented by a proper use of chemical sprout inhibitors. Cooling is, however, energy consuming, expensive and not practicabie everywhere. Chemicals are cheaper, but their application is not always reliable, especially at temperatures higher than 15'C. Moreover in some countries the application of chemical inhibitors is prohibited. From research it has been proven that sprout inhibition can also be achieved by an irradiation treatment. However, this treatment can induce rot during storage, especially in (semi)tropical countries. The appearance of rot in potatoes depends of different factors like irradiation dose, postharvest irradiation time, wound healing, dormancy period, storage temperature etc. To solve this rot problem these factors have to be studied. In relation to this probem the following research was set up with the aim: study the effect of a postharvest and postponed irradiation treatment with different doses on sprouting, rot incidence, wound healing, chemical and sensory properties of potatoes. In the framework of this project two experiments were started in September 1985 with the potato cultivar "Bintje". One experiment was focussed on the sprout inhibition and the other on the control of rot. These experiments have been finished at July 1986

SIMILAR N-TERMINAL TRUNCATING RAG1 MUTATIONS GIVE RISE TO A BROAD SPECTRUM OF CLINICAL PHENOTYPES

Transplantation and immunomodulatio