Quantitative anatomy of the growing supraspinatus muscle in the human fetus.

BACKGROUND: The supraspinatus muscle, one of the four rotator cuff muscles, initiates abduction of the arm, simultaneously stretching the articular capsule at the glenohumeral joint, and also contributes to exorotation of the arm. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the age-specific normative values for morphometric parameters of the supraspinatus muscle in human fetuses at varying ages and to elaborate their growth models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using anatomical dissection, digital image analysis (NIS Elements AR 3.0) and statistics (Student's t-test, regression analysis), the length, width, circumference and projection surface area of the supraspinatus muscle were measured in 34 human fetuses of both sexes (16 males, 18 females) aged 18-30 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Neither sex nor laterality differences were found in numerical data of the supraspinatus muscle. In the supraspinatus muscle its length and projection surface area increased logarithmically, while its width and circumference grew proportionately to gestational age. The following growth models of the supraspinatus muscle were established: y = -71.382 + 30.972 × ln(Age) ± 0.565 for length, y = -2.988 + 0.386 × Age ± 0.168 for greatest width (perpendicular to superior angle of scapula), y = -1.899 + 0.240 × Age ± 0.078 for width perpendicular to the scapular notch, y = -19.7016 + 3.381 × Age ± 2.036 for circumference, and y = -721.769 + 266.141 × ln(Age) ± 6.170 for projection surface area. CONCLUSIONS: The supraspinatus muscle reveals neither sex nor laterality differences in its size. The supraspinatus muscle grows logarithmically with reference to its length and projection surface area, and proportionately with respect to its width and circumference.

[Quality management in the hospital environment: ISO 9002 certification: our experience]. / Démarche qualité dans le milieu hospitalier: la certification ISO 9002: notre expérience.

The nephrology-dialysis department of the Havre's hospital has launched a project of certification ISO 9002 in 1996, based on reflections from the centers of dialysis Upper Normandy. The problems encountered were mainly the lack of ways, a bad documentary structure, false ideas on the quality and a bad perception from the client. With the help of a quality manager, il has enable the project to advance and finalized, obtaining the certification of activity. In june 2000 "Procedure of taking in charge all the patient's medical and para-medical cost in the center of the Nephrology-Dialysis service" of the GHH (Hospital Group of the Havre) has brought not only the certificate but notable improvements on the level of documentary management, the errors, relationship clients-suppliers and projects of collaboration with the other services of nephrology dialysis of France.

Quantitative Response of Cucumis melo Inoculated with Root Rot Pathogens.

This experiment quantified the effects of three root rot pathogens on muskmelon (Cucumis melo L., var. cantalupensis) growth traits using computerized image analysis. Plants were grown from seed in sand infested with the soilborne pathogen Monosporascus cannonballus, Acremonium cucurbitacearum, or Rhizopycnis vagum. After 28 days in the growth chamber, images of plants were analyzed to quantify their response. Compared to noninoculated muskmelons, inoculated plants had significantly increased mean root diameter (45%), decreased root length (26%, primarily in roots of <0.5 mm diameter), decreased number of root tips (27%), decreased rhizosphere volume (40%), and decreased cumulative and mean surface area of leaves (24%). Effects of M. cannonballus on muskmelon growth were significantly different compared to A. cucurbitacearum and R. vagum. Isolate effects manifested a greater magnitude of difference on muskmelon traits than those observed at the species level. Multivariate analyses of plant responses were more powerful than univariate analyses to differentiate among effects of pathogen species and pathogen isolates. Discriminant analysis were useful to identify groups of plant traits modified by each fungal species or isolate at low disease levels. Digital image analyses proved to be a useful technique in quantitative assessment of plant damage caused by soilborne root rot pathogens.

Vallisneria americana (Hydrocharitaceae) as a biomonitor of aquatic ecosystems: comparison of cloned genotypes.

We assessed the effects of local environment on survival, growth, and development in six clones (genotypes) of Vallisneria americana grown at five sites in the Huron-Erie Corridor. Detrimental effects of local environment on plant performance (rate of clonal growth, leaf and root production, surface area of leaves and roots, plant biomass, rate of flowering, and turion production) were correlated with sediment toxicity and levels of organic contamination determined in independent studies, and differed among plant genotypes. All surviving clones used in the study ranked environmental quality of the five sites in the same order. Two genotypes, which were tolerant of contaminants, survived the 2 yr of exposure at all sites, while other nontolerant clones died within the 1st yr of study, at the two most contaminated sites. The leaf-to-root surface area ratio was highly indicative of site quality, and was not affected either by year-to-year variation, or by differences between genotypes. The use of cloned plants in this biomonitoring study reduced variance, and increased precision and accuracy of site assessment compared to biomonitoring with genetically variable plants. Clones of V. americana tolerant of contaminants were particularly useful in assessing the most contaminated sites. An approach that uses an array of both tolerant and nontolerant clones is recommended.