Although MK-0677 treatment increased serum IGF-I, it is uncertain whether clinically significant effects on physical function were achieved. Measuring function in clinical trials in hip-fracture patients is difficult because of the lack of validated outcome measures, high variability, and the lack of a baseline assessment. Present functional performance measures may not be sufficiently responsive for use as the primary endpoint of small intervention studies; alternatively, stimulation of GH may not result in significant functional improvement.

No abstract

Summary:The myoelectric activity of selected trunk muscles at the L3 level was studied during the development of a controlled isometric axial torque. Muscle activity was recorded with surface electrodes bilaterally over the erector spinae muscles, the rectus abdominus, the obliques externus, and the obliques internus. Subjects applied graded isometric axial torque efforts with the addition of a Valsalva. The largest myoelectric activities were recorded over the obliques externus and internus. The side of the muscle developing the torque did show the greatest myoelectric activity, but considerable antagonistic activity was also present. Neither the rectus abdominus nor the internal oblique muscles showed any difference from side to side. The calculated forces in the rectus abdominus and the erectores spinae were high, suggesting that a considerable amount of the muscle contraction was used to control the posture. A Valsalva did not decrease myoelectric activity, but did increase the torque developed.

No abstract

Several epidemiological studies in northern Europe have shown that fractures in the elderly exceed the expected increase in the aging populations. We have compared the incidence of hip fracture in the rural county of Skaraborg and the city of Göteborg in Sweden. After adjustment for age changes in the population, the incidence of hip fracture in Skaraborg County was lower than in Göteborg during the period 1974-1984. The non-age-related increase in the incidence of fractures found in the city was not confirmed in the rural area.