There was no difference between the Quill technique and retromuscular mesh in the effect on abdominal wall stability, with a similar complication rate 1 year after operation. An operation improves functional ability and quality of life. Training strengthens the abdominal muscles, but patients still experience discomfort and pain.

Monosomy 7 (؊7) and deletion 7q [del(7q)]are rare in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We retrospectively collected data on 258 children with AML or refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-T) and ؊7 or del(7q) with or without other cytogenetic aberrations [؎ other]. Karyotypes included ؊7 (n ‫؍‬ 90), ؊7 other (n ‫؍‬ 82), del(7q) (n ‫؍‬ 21), and del(7q) other (n ‫؍‬ 65). Complete remission (CR) was achieved in fewer patients with ؊7 ؎ other compared with del(7q) ؎ other (61% versus 89%, P < .001). Overall, the 5-year survival rate was 39% (SE, 3%). Survival was superior in del(7q) ؎ other compared with ؊7 ؎ other (51% versus 30%, P < .01). Cytogenetic aberrations considered favorable in AML [t(8;21)(q22;q22), inv(16)(p13q22), t(15;17)(q22;q21), t(9;11)(p22;q23)] (n ‫؍‬ 24) were strongly associated with del(7q) and a higher 5-year survival rate compared with del(7q) without favorable cytogenetics (75% versus 46%, P ‫؍‬ .03). Patients with ؊7 and inv(3),؊5/del(5q), or ؉21 had a 5-year survival rate of 5%. Stem cell transplantation analyzed as a time-dependent variable had no impact on overall survival. However, patients not achieving CR had a 31% survival rate after stem cell transplantation. Childhood AML with chromosome 7 aberrations represents a heterogeneous group of disorders with additional cytogenetic aberrations having a major prognostic impact which should be reflected in future riskgroup stratification. (Blood. 2007;109: [4641][4642][4643][4644][4645][4646][4647]

The subcutaneous distribution and number of Pacinian corpuscles were studied in ten fresh cadaver hands. They were found to cluster close to nerves and vessels at the metacarpophalangeal joints and the proximal phalanx. The total mean number in the hand was 300 (192-424). The percentage of the total was 44 to 60% in the fingers, 23 to 48% in the metacarpophalangeal area and 8 to 18% in the thenar and hypothenar regions. Corpuscles in palmar skin overlying the distal phalanx were smaller than receptors in the metacarpophalangeal area. The lowest density of corpuscles was along the nerves and vessels of the middle phalanx.

During nerve growth, axons are dependent upon contact with matrix components, such as laminins, for elongation, guidance, and trophic support. Semiquantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to identify laminin chains in normal peripheral nerves, during postnatal development, after sciatic nerve transection (SNT), and after sciatic nerve crush (SNC). Laminin alpha2, alpha4, beta1, beta2, and gamma1 chain mRNAs were all expressed at high levels in newborn rat sciatic nerves with declining levels during later developmental stages. At the adult stage, no laminin chain mRNA was detectable. Of interest, the mRNA levels for alpha4 chain declined faster than those for alpha2. After SNT, laminin alpha2, alpha4, beta1, and gamma1 mRNA levels were up-regulated at the site of the injury, with the most profound reaction in the proximal nerve stump. Laminin alpha2 and alpha4 chains differed in that the mRNA levels of alpha4 were up-regulated earlier and declined quicker, whereas alpha2 had a later onset, with high levels remaining even after 6 weeks. After SNC, there was an initial up-regulation of the same laminin chain mRNAs as after SNT in the nerve, however, less intense, and at 6 weeks after SNC, all laminin mRNA levels studied had returned to normal. IHC of adult human normal and transected peripheral nerves stained positive for laminin alpha2, alpha4, beta1, and gamma1 chains in close relation to neurofilament labeled axons. Laminin alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, beta1, beta2, and gamma1 chains were found in blood vessel-like structures and alpha3, alpha4, alpha5, beta2, and gamma1 in the perineurium. These results and a previously published description of integrin regulation in spinal motoneurons suggest that both laminin-2 (alpha2beta1gamma1) and laminin-8 (alpha4beta1gamma1) are important for the postnatal nerve development and axonal regeneration after injury and that laminin-8 may have important functions especially early postnatally and early after adult nerve lesion.

Seventy-five women, of whom 30 had received postoperative radiotherapy, were tested for range of motion (ROM) and shoulder strength with a goniometer and an isokinetic device (Orthotron II), respectively. On the individual level, irradiated patients exhibited significantly reduced range of motion (varying from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) for all movements compared with the non-operated side. In contrast, in the non-irradiated patients only flexion was significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The same individual pattern was evident for shoulder strength where all movements except external rotation were significantly reduced in irradiated patients (varying from p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Non-irradiated patients exhibited a significant reduction in shoulder strength for flexion and abduction (p < 0.05), whereas other movements were less affected. The observed differences in ROM and strength were less pronounced when analyzed on a group level, but were still significant for ROM (p < 0.001) for flexion and abduction. Group level analysis also showed reduced shoulder strength for all movements but only rotation was significantly (p < 0.01) impaired.