Extensor-mechanism-reconstruction of the knee joint after traumatic loss of the entire extensor apparatus.

Injuries to the extensor apparatus of the knee joint have an incidence of 0.5% to 6%. Although previous studies have described the advantages and disadvantages of operative treatment in cases of patellar tendon rupture, patella fracture or quadriceps tendon lesions, a report on the reconstruction of the extensor apparatus after traumatic loss of the patella, the patellar tendon, the tibial tuberosity and parts of the lateral quadriceps muscle is absent from the literature. We present the case of a young motorcyclist who underwent a reconstruction of the extensor apparatus using autologous tendon grafts. At a 24-month follow-up, the patient has a nearly physiological range of motion of the knee joint and is able to cope well with everyday life.

Rapid monitoring of cell size, vitality and lipid droplet development in the oleaginous yeast Waltomyces lipofer.

The aim of this work was the development of rapid methods suitable for monitoring the growth of the oleaginous yeast Waltomyces lipofer by means of cell size, vitality and the development of internal lipid droplets throughout different growth phases. Oleaginous yeasts are of interest for the industrial production of lipids and therefore precise monitoring of growth characteristics is needed. This paper provides information about both the method development as well as about examples for their use in monitoring applications. Cell size and shape were determined using FPIA (Flow Particle Image Analysis). Vitality and internal lipid droplets were measured using two independent staining methods for Flow Cytometry. Double staining with cFDA & PI was used for the distinction between "vital", "sublethal" and "dead" subpopulations, whereas Nile Red allowed the monitoring of lipid accumulation. In this approach the method for vitality measurement was optimized focussing on the staining buffer. An addition of 25 mM citric acid and pH 4.8 revealed to be optimal. The cells in the growth experiment showed a constantly high vitality, which was always above 90%, but slowly decreasing over time. In the course of lipid droplet development it could be seen that the cell size and the Nile Red fluorescence intensity increased. It was demonstrated that the tested method combination provides a powerful tool for rapid fermentation monitoring of the oleaginous yeast W. lipofer, which allows gaining information about the desired growth characteristics in less than 45 min. Further applications for the two methods will be discussed in this article.

Effects of using a photographic cueing package during routine school transitions with a child who has autism.

Making successful transitions from one activity to another is difficult for many children, particularly those who have cognitive, language, or behavioral disabilities. Appropriately terminating one activity and initiating another in a timely fashion is a skill important for young children to learn prior to entering kindergarten. The efficacy of teaching a young child labeled as having autism to make successful transitions in daily routines in three different school settings through the use of photographic cue package was examined. A multiple baseline across-settings design was used to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. Implications for the use of photographic cue packages in teaching a variety of activities to young children are discussed.

[Hemangioma of the middle ear]. / Das Hämangiom des Mittelohres.

Haemangioma is an extremely rare tumour of the middle ear. A case of a 60-year old woman patient who complained of a hearing loss for about a year, is reported. Microotoscopy showed a blue pulsating mass behind the tympanic membrane. Angiographic and computer-tomographic investigations led to the suspicion of a glomus tympanicum tumour that was removed bitemporally. The histological preparation showed a capillary haemangioma. Only few cases have been reported in the literature of the last few decades. The symptoms may be loss of hearing, pulsating tinnitus, bleeding, pain and, in extreme cases, paralysis of cranial nerves. Besides treatment by surgery the therapeutic aim should be to preserve the function of the middle ear.

The effects of a preoperational puppet show on anxiety levels of hospitalized children.

This study investigated effects of a preoperative puppet show on anxiety levels of hospitalized children as measured by the Palmar Sweat Index (PSI). Subjects were 28 children, ages 2-7 years inclusive, randomly assigned to treatment and nontreatment groups. Treatment consisted of a puppet show designed to familiarize patients with hospital routines and operational procedures. Two PSI measures were collected for each subject. Analyses of variance were used to test mean differences with data categorized by treatment, by sex, and by interaction of sex and treatment. No interaction was found between treatment and sex. Treatment was associated with a significant reduction in anxiety from the time of admission to the period immediately following the puppet show.