Neuroprosthesis consumers' forum: consumer priorities for research directions.

The purpose of this forum was to discuss with consumers having spinal cord injury what their research priorities would be for the field of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and to explore the impact of technology in the lives of people with disabilities. Both FES users and nonusers were included on the panel. The format for the discussion was primarily question and answer, with each participant giving his or her personal response to the moderator's question. Consumer research priorities depended on the individual and his or her personal priorities, preferences, background, history, and level of injury. Common themes that emerged were independence, ease of movement, ease of control, and spontaneity. From the consumers' perspective, the focus of research to restore function ought to be based on the needs and desires of the consumer, not just on the scientifically intriguing aspects of a particular technology.

Neutrophil granulocyte function in patients with pulmonary infection.

Neutrophil granulocyte function was evaluated in patients with pulmonary disease to determine if a change in function occurred during active pulmonary infections. Twenty-five patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas were studied. Ten patients were asymptomatic and 15 patients had symptoms and signs of active pulmonary infection. Leukotaxis, random migration, and nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction by neutrophils were compared in the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. The leukotactic activity of circulating neutrophils was markedly increased in all of the patients with active pulmonary infection and spontaneous nitroblue tetrazolium dye reduction by neutrophils was increased in 13 of 15 patients. Bacterial infection confined to the respiratory tract is capable of stimulating circulating neutrophils making them more responsive to chemotactic factors as well as increasing nitroblue tetrazolium reduction.