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Research on intelligent environments, such as smart homes, concerns the mechanisms that intelligently orchestrate the pervasive technical infrastructure in the environment. However, significant challenges are to build, configure, use and maintain these systems. Providing personalized services while preserving the privacy of the occupants is also difficult. As an approach to facilitate research in this area, this paper presents the Halmstad Intelligent Home and a novel approach for multi-occupancy detection utilizing the presented environment. This paper also presents initial results and ongoing work.

El conocimiento de la anatomia normal de las vias biliares extrahepaticas y sus variaciones es fundamental para los cirujanos digestivos debido a la frecuencia con que se actua en esa region. El trigono hepato-cistico o de Calot es delimitado por el ducto cistico, ducto hepatico comun y el margen del higado. De este modo, su area depende de la conformacion de esos ductos y esta intimamente relacionada a procedimientos quirurgicos efectuados en esa zona. Se ha senalado que la longitud y la disposicion de esos ductos estarian involucradas en la formacion de calculos biliares, sindrome de Mirizzi y neoplasias de vias biliares. Asi, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar la configuracion de las vias biliares extrahepaticas y sus posibles variaciones, ademas de registrar parametros metricos de los componentes del sistema biliar que integran el trigono hepato-cistico. Para el estudio se utilizaron 41 muestras de cadaveres formolizados de individuos adultos, siendo 25 piezas anatomicas (de higado y vias biliares) y 16 in situ. Las vias biliares fueron disecadas, esquematizadas y fotografiadas, se registro la longitud del ducto hepatico comun y cistico con un caliper digital. La longitud promedio del ducto hepatico comun fue de 21,76 ± 9,51 mm, variando de 4,18 mm a 50,64 mm; la longitud promedio del ducto cistico fue de 19,11 ± 6,77 mm, variando de 7,28 a 38,88 mm. Se observaron variaciones en 3 muestras (7,3%), en una de ellas, el ducto cistico se unio al ducto hepatico izquierdo, en otra, el ducto cistico se unio al ducto hepatico derecho y en la otra muestra, se presento una confluencia triple de ductos hepaticos, dos derechos y uno izquierdo. Los resultados obtenidos son un aporte a la anatomia clinica y quirurgica de la region.

The porosity of plasma sprayed coatings (which were either conductive when Co was incorporated in a WC matrix or insulating with Al2O3) was tested by impedance techniques in a NaCl aqueous medium. Models of active pores (conductive coating) based on transmission lines or inactive pores (insulating coating) based on lumped parameter circuits were proposed. A good agreement was found between the impedance predicted by the models and the impedances measured in a wide frequency range on both conductive and insulating coatings. In particular, the coatings can be compared on the basis of their porosity. For WC–Co coatings, it was found that the porosity decreases when the Co content increases.

The rate limiting steps of the charge transfer between the solution and a conducting polymer during the switching between oxidation states are investigated by means of ac electrogravimetry. It is shown that the polymer requires anion entry and cation and solvent expulsion to compensate for the positive charges formed during the polymer oxidation. The insertion/expulsion laws, the diffusion coefficients of the species, and the atomic weights of the inserted/expelled species are determined.

The Raman spectra of the three varieties of hydrated calcium carbonate, monohydrate, hexahydrate and ‘amorphous,’ are reported for the first time and discussed according to the already known crystal structures. The transformation by dehydration of these hydrated phases into the usual anhydrous forms was followed by in situ micro-Raman spectroscopy. It is shown that the dehydration of the hexahydrate proceeds through the formation of the ‘amorphous’ phase. The latter is better described as microcrystalline monohydrate. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The origin, relationships and innervation of the abductor digiti minimi muscle were determined in 145 human feet, from formaldehyde-fixed cadavers. The muscle arises from both processes of the calcaneal tuberosity, from the plantar aponeurosis and from the septum which separates it from the flexor digitorum brevis muscle. The nerve to the abductor digiti minimi muscle arises next to the origin of the lateral plantar nerve, close to the abductor hallucis muscle, and descends becoming closely related to the medial face of the calcaneus and the deep face of the abductor hallucis muscle. Then, it passes inferiorly through the origin of the quadratus plantae muscle and later divides into two branches for the two heads of the muscle.

The integrity of the various structures within the feet depends on their blood supply. Lesions of the feet often require revascularization, which if successful avoids the need for amputation. To provide greater anatomical detail to aid vascular surgery and imaging, the anatomy and constitution of the deep plantar arch was studied in 50 adult cadaveric feet. The arteries of the foot were injected with red neoprene latex and dissected under magnification. The deep plantar arch, present in all feet, was the result of anastomosis between the deep plantar artery and the deep branch of the lateral plantar artery. The deep plantar artery was predominant in 72% of specimens (Type I arches) and the lateral plantar artery in 22% (Type II), with the contribution being equal in 6% (Type III). The medial plantar artery contributed to the medial segment of the deep plantar arch by its deep branch in 12% of specimens. The distance between the deep plantar arch and each interdigital commissure was generally constant, averaging 29% of total foot length. The deep plantar arch was located in the middle third of the foot in all specimens, being in the distal part of this third in 90%. The deep plantar arch is, therefore formed mainly by the deep plantar artery, a branch of the dorsal artery of foot its location can be estimated if foot length is known.

Biodetection is one of the most important challenges for the twenty-first century: many fields are concerned, mainly environmental and medical. The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) may offer great possibilities for this purpose: a direct response signal, which characterizes the binding event between a sensitive layer, immobilized onto the surface transducer, and the analyte to be detected, can be obtained. However, for the detection of small biomolecules such as antigens, it is quite difficult to obtain an observable signal that corresponds directly to the binding event. In general, this is owing to the lack of mass sensitivity of the commonly used QCM, with 5-to 10-MHz quartz crystals. For improving this mass sensitivity, a 27-MHz quartz resonator was developed and incorporated in a flow-through microcell. Two biospecies, IgG rabbit and peroxidase enzyme, were studied with this ultrasensitive QCM in terms of specificity, detection limit, and calibration curve.

In this paper, basic principles of piezoelectric transducers are presented. Various systems are devised and a concrete example is exposed for direct biodetection with a 27 MHz QCM. Endly, recent and typical applications, using classical QCM for biosensing, are summarized.

Resume Le developpement des biocapteurs en general a ete stimule par le besoin d'analyse en temps reel, sans traitement prealable de l'echantillon et sans manipulation de produits dangereux. Parmi les systemes disponibles, la microbalance a quartz electrochimique est un dispositif prometteur car il permet l'analyse simultanee de deux parametres. La variation de masse est directement mesuree via la frequence de resonance du cristal et l'etat de surface du transducteur peut etre evalue, in situ, grâce a la mesure de l'impedance electrochimique. Le dispositif elabore peut etre utilise, d'une part, pour etudier les phenomenes d'adsorption ainsi que les interactions biomoleculaires et, d'autre part, comme un outil de detection quand la surface du transducteur est revetue d'anticorps.

Fluctuation analysis in electrochemical systems appears to be a suitable method for obtaining information on the system dynamic behaviour, especially when the voltage or current fluctuations are due to elementary events on the electrode at a semi-macroscopic scale, for example growth and detachment of bubbles on a gas-evolving electrode or contacts between charged particles in a fluidized or circulating bed reactor, or pits in localized corrosion. Therefore this situation is largely encountered in electrochemical engineering processes with two phase flows. By analysing the current (voltage) fluctuations at constant potential (current) and/or the electrolyte resistance fluctuations, this technique provides quantitative parameters which are often inaccessible by traditional deterministic techniques, steady state or not, which deal with time-averaged signals. The technique also leads to a better understanding of the elementary processes on the electrode. Two examples are given: the first concerning a gas-evolving electrode and the second a circulating bed electrode.

The electrochemical interface is treated here as a multi-input/multi-output system. This approach allows application of new measurement techniques based on the sinusoidal perturbation or the sinusoidal response of nonelectrical quantities in addition to the usual electrochemical parameters (i.e., potential or current). Used in conjunction with the usual electrochemical impedance, these new transfer functions allow extra information to be obtained on the interface. Some examples are given corresponding to input perturbation related to light, magnetic field, temperature, and angular velocity of the electrode and output responses related to mass, optical reflection, and the currents in a ring-disk system

Conférence présentée à la Journée Cefracor d'Information et d' Echanges : "L'électrochimie : des outils contre la corrosion. Pratiques actuelles. Succès. Limites", 25 novembre 1992, Montrouge (92); International audience; Les techniques électrochimiques qui sont utilisées en corrosion visent non seulementà la mise au point de méthodes d'essai d'évaluation et de contrôle de cephénomène mais également au développement de moyens de lutte contrecelui-ci : inhibition, protections anodique et cathodique, revêtements. Ces objectifspassent souvent par l'élaboration d'un modèle cinétique exprimant l'enchaînementspatio-temporel des différentes étapes qui constituent le processus global.La connaissance des processus élémentaires intervenant en corrosion (transport dematière, réactions chimiques et électrochimiques) nécessite l'utilisation de techniquesde régulation et d'analyse dynamique des grandeurs fixant l'état de l'interface entre lemétal et le milieu agressif. L'étude du régime stationnaire est d'abord effectuée. Sidans le cas de processus simples cette approche suffit parfois, elle se révèle nettementinsuffisante quand le degré de complexité des processus mis en j eu et des couplagesentre ces processus s'accroît. On a alors recours à des techniques non stationnairesdites de relaxation. Ainsi deux études s'effectuent successivement :- établissement du bilan des transformations chimiques et des échanges de charge aumoyen des techniques stationnaires ;- identification des espèces adsorbées et estimation de leur concentration superficielled'une part et évaluation de la vitesse des transformations entre ces différentes espècesd'autre part par des techniques non-stationnaires.Pour mettre en oeuvre les techniques électrochimiques, l'expérimentateur dispose detoute une instrumentation qui a beaucoup profité ces dernières années des progrès del'électronique.Cette instrumentation passe d'abord par la régulation de la polarisation de l'interface.Cette fonction est essentielle de deux points de vue, d'abord elle est nécessaire pourtracer la courbe courant-tension stationnaire, ensuite on doit également l'utiliser enconjonction avec toute technique de relaxation, d'une part, pour polariser l'interfaceau point autour duquel on effectue l'analyse et, d'autre part, pour imposer la perturbation.Aussi les principes régissant l'élaboration des deux types fondamentaux de régulation,potentiostatique et galvanostatique, seront d'abord examinés puis illustrés pardes exemples basés sur l'utilisation d'amplificateurs opérationnels.Le principe de base des techniques de relaxation repose sur le fait que l'état stationnairedépend d'un certain nombre de grandeurs (potentiel, pression, température...).Une perturbation de ces grandeurs par l'expérimentateur altère l'état du système. Lavitesse avec laquelle il tend vers un nouvel état stationnaire dépend de ses paramètrescaractéristiques, par exemple, constantes de vitesse des réactions, coefficients de diffusion...L'analyse du régime transitoire apportera donc des informations sur ces paramètreset sur les équations phénoménologiques qui les relient.Pour résumer, les diverses techniques électrochimiques peuvent être présentées sousla forme schématique décrite sur la figure 1, où l'instrumentation se classe en troisfonctions principales.

El nervio pudendo distribuye ramos motores y sensitivos para la region perineal y organos genitales externos. Tiene importancia funcional en la miccion, defecacion, ereccion y parto. Desde el punto de vista clinico, se realiza bloqueo anestesico del mismo en la practica obstetrica, se electroestimula en casos de incontinencia fecal o urinaria, entre otros procedimientos. Investigaciones anatomicas han senalado que puede presentar variaciones en su conformacion y topografia. Con el proposito de complementar el conocimiento sobre este nervio en su trayecto por la region glutea, se estudio su conformacion, biometria y relaciones con los vasos pudendos internos y ligamentos adyacentes. Se disecaron 30 regiones gluteas de 15 cadaveres formolizados de individuos brasilenos, adultos, de ambos sexos, observando la conformacion del nervio, numero de ramos, disposicion respecto a los vasos pudendos internos y ligamentos sacrotuberoso y sacroespinoso, registrando tambien su ancho en el trayecto entre los foramenes isquiatico mayor y menor. El nervio pudendo se presento como tronco unico en 53,3% de los casos y dividido en ramos en 46,7% (dos ramos en 36,7%, tres en 6,7% y cuatro en 3,3%). Cuando estaba dividido, en 36,7 % los ramos permanecieron separados y en 10% se unieron antes de ingresar en el foramen isquiatico menor. El nervio (unico o dividido) fue medial a los vasos pudendo internos en 70% y lateral a ellos en 3,3%. En el 26,7% restante, estaba dividido en dos o tres ramos, que se situaban medial y lateralmente a los vasos o los cruzaban posteriormente. Su posicion fue anterior al ligamento sacrotuberoso en 93,3%. El nervio pudendo presenta interesantes variaciones en su conformacion y topografia, que deben ser consideradas durante los procedimientos clinicos y quirurgicos que lo involucren.

A model of the stochastic behavior of the electrochemical interface is presented when electrochemical reactions limited by diffusion of the reacting species occur on the electrode surface. The random fluctuations of the state variables (concentrations and voltage) are supposed to come from Poisson elementary noise sources which are directly acting on the elementary fluxes, either reactive or diffusive, of the particles. The evolution of the state variables is governed by Langevin equations obtained from the linearization of the nonlinear electrochemical equations deduced from the heterogeneous electrochemical kinetics. The Langevin noise sources are derived from the Poisson elementary noise sources. Their first and second order moments are calculated and appear to be coherent with the master equation approach. Finally, the control and observation variables are defined for the electrochemical interface and the power spectral density of the observable quantity (current or potential) are derived from the Poi...

A model of the stochastic behavior of the electrochemical interface is presented when a redox reaction limited by the diffusion of the reacting species occurs on the electrode surface. As shown in the first paper [J. Chem. Phys. 99, 7232 (1993)] it leads to the current–voltage curve, the electrochemical impedance and the power spectral density (PSD) of the electrochemical noise (current fluctuations in potentiostatic control or potential fluctuations in galvanostatic control). A comparison with experiment is performed for the potassium ferri‐ferrocyanide reaction on platinum. The noise generated by reaction‐diffusion is measured after eliminating the parasitic noise sources. At equilibrium the Nyquist theorem is experimentally checked, whereas far from equilibrium the measured excess noise is found to be in good agreement with the theory.

The time variations of the double layer capacitance and of the oscillation frequency of an electrochemical quartz microbalance are simultaneously recorded to determine the kinetics of adsorption of bovine serum albumin on a gold electrode. Both variations which can be fitted by a sum of exponential functions corroborate a consecutive irreversible step model already proposed. It is established that for the steps associated with a mass change both methods provide the same values for the time constants. This result validates the double-layer capacitance measurement method (which is indirect) as a tool for determining in situ the kinetics of protein adsorption. In addition to the information common to the two methods, these methods provide complementary information: number of adsorbed monolayers for the quartz microbalance; change of the layer structure at constant thickness for the double layer capacitance. Thus, according to the sign of the electrical charge of the interface, two or three monolayers are adsorbed end-on during the adsorption process. Finally, it is established that in our conditions the quartz oscillation modifies with respect to the non-oscillating quartz, the kinetics of adsorption and the structure of the adsorbed layer.

RESUMEN : La inervacion del musculo biceps braquial se torna importante debido a su constitucion y a la accion que ejerce anivel del codo, sobretodo cuando existen lesiones en nervios espinales o medula espinal alta. Con el objetivo de conocer con de talles ladisposicion de sus nervios y localizar desde el punto de vista biometrico sus puntos motores, se estudiaron 46 miembros superio res de23 cadaveres formolizados de individuos brasilenos, adultos, en los cuales se considero el numero de ramos, longitud, nivel de origeny puntos de penetracion en el vientre muscular respecto a una linea trazada entre los epicondilos humerales (LBE). El nervio mu sculocutaneoenvia un ramo para el musculo en estudio como un ramo comun que luego se dividio para sus dos cabezas en 19 casos (41,3%); ramosindependientes para cada cabeza se encontraron en las muestras restantes (58,7 %). Con respecto al numero de ramos, la cabeza largarecibio un ramo (R1) en 35 casos (76,1%), dos ramos (R1 y R2)en 9 casos (19,6%) y tres (R1,R2 y R3) en 2 casos (4,3%); para la cabezacorta se observo un ramo en 39 casos (84,7 %), dos en 5 casos (10,9%) y tres en 2 casos (4,3%). Cada uno de los ramos dirigidos a lascabezas del musculo biceps se dividio en ramos secundarios (RS). Para la cabeza corta, el ramo principal se dividio en 2 RS en 20 casos;en 3 RS en13 casos; en 4 RS en 4 casos, siendo directo sin dividirse en 2 casos. Para la cabeza larga el ramo principal se divi dio en 2 RSen 16 casos; en 3 RS en 13; en 4 RS en 3; en 5 RS en un caso y en 6 RS en 1 caso y en una muestra, el ramo principal penetro en el vientremuscular sin dividirse. Los RS penetraron a niveles variables en el vientre muscular. Los resultados obtenidos pueden servir de referenciapara procedimientos de puncion en los puntos motores o en estudios electromiograficos.

El proposito de esta investigacion fue estudiar la ramificacion cutanea del nervio fibular superficial (NFS), con enfoques topografico y biometrico, para proveer mayores detalles anatomicos a las cirugias del pie y tobillo. Fueron analizados 30 miembros inferiores, derechos e izquierdos, de 15 cadaveres de individuos brasilenos adultos, de sexo masculino. La ramificacion cutanea del nervio fue disecada y las medidas fueron tomadas con cinta metrica y paquimetro digital. El nervio se observo en la superficie como tronco unico en 66,7% de los casos y dividido en dos ramos en 33,3%. Cuando se presento como tronco unico, emergio a nivel del tercio distal de la pierna en 75%, en el limite entre los tercios medio y distal en 20%, y, en el tercio medio en 5%. Cuando se presento dividido, los dos ramos tuvieron la misma topografia en 60% de los casos, en general, el tercio distal de la pierna. Al salir a la superficie, el promedio del diametro externo del nervio, cuando era unico, fue de 3,1 ± 0,8 mm, y cuando estaba dividido, uno de sus ramos, el nervio cutaneo dorsal medial (nCDM) del pie, midio 2,4 ± 0,9 mm, y el otro, el nervio cutaneo dorsal intermedio (nCDI) del pie, 2,1 ± 0,6 mm. El nCDM se comunico con el nervio fibular profundo en 53,3% y el nCDI con el nervio sural en 33,3%. En su distribucion en el dorso del pie, el nCDM estuvo relacionado principalmente con el 1er hueso metatarsiano y los dos primeros espacios interoseos, mientras que el nCDI, se relaciono en general, con el cuarto hueso metatarsiano y el tercero y cuarto espacios interoseos. La emergencia y ramificacion cutanea del NFS presentan importantes variaciones que deben ser conocidas para evitar lesiones iatrogenicas durante procedimientos quirurgicos el en pie y tobillo

The quartz-crystal microbalance appears as an attractive tool for sensor applications. Indeed, a different response signal can be obtained: frequency variations occurring after various interactions are in general attributed to a mass variation. In fact, many factors can affect this response: viscosity, density, visco-elasticity, etc. Therefore, an impedance analysis of such piezoelectric transducers seems necessary in order to validate this tool. Preliminary results demonstrate the necessity of using a network analyser, in particular for viscosity interferences.

The foot is indispensable for man's daily activities and the integrity of its structure depends on its irrigation. The number of bypass operations for its arteries therefore increases as well as the use of vascularised flaps to cover defects in its dorsal region. To find out more details about the irrigation of the dorsum of foot, the formation of dorsal metatarsal arteries (DMA) was examined in 50 feet of 25 fixed cadavers of Brazilian adults of both sexes. The feet arteries were injected with neoprene latex dyed red, and then dissected. The first DMA originated from the dorsalis pedis artery in 86%, from the plantar network in 10% and the origin was mixed in 4%. The second DMA originated from the arcuate artery exclusively in 10%, the third DMA in 6%, and the fourth DMA in 10%. In its absence (48%), the lateral tarsal arteries and the proximal perforating branches were responsible for the formation of the second DMA in 52%, of the third DMA in 54%, and of the fourth DMA in 72%. The proximal perforating branches made an important contribution to the formation of such arteries, contributing partially or totally to the second DMA in 90%, to the third DMA in 92%, and to the fourth DMA in 86%.

RESUMEN: Los puntos motores son el lugar de penetración de las fibras motoras en el músculo a través del epimisio por lo que su conocimiento es de importancia, sobretodo cuando se quiere electroestimular un músculo atrofiado. En relación a este tema, estudiamos la inervación del músculo braquial, describiendo con detalles los ramos que proceden del nervio musculocutáneo, considerando el nivel en que se originan, su distribución terminal y nivel de penetración en el tejido muscular. Para ello, estudiamos 46 miembros superiores de 23 cadáveres formolizados de individuos adultos, brasileños, de ambos sexos. Para determinar el punto de origen y el punto de penetración de los ramos musculares mencionados se consideró como referencia a la línea biepicondilar (LBE). El músculo braquial recibió ramos procedentes del nervio musculocutáneo en todos los casos (100%); un ramo fue encontrado en 15 casos (65,2%) en el lado derecho y en 18 casos (78,3%) en el izquierdo; con dos ramos se observaron 6 casos (26,1%) en el lado derecho y 2 casos (8,7%) en el izquierdo. También se presentaron 3 y 4 ramos. Cuando se presentó 1 ramo, su nivel de origen en el lado derecho fue en promedio de 130,1 ± 13,3 mm respecto de LBE y de 127,8 ± 12,0 mm en el izquierdo. Cuando se presentaron dos ramos, el nivel de origen de éstos, en el lado derecho fue en promedio de 126,2 ± 14,5 mm para el proximal y de100,2 ± 37,1 mm para el distal, siempre respecto de LBE. En el lado izquierdo, por tratarse de solo dos casos, no se calculó el promedio. Con respecto al punto de ingreso en el vientre muscular, la mayor parte de ellos lo hicieron por la parte medial del músculo, encontrando que cuando fue ramo único, 13 de ellos tuvieron esta característica en el lado derecho y 15 en el izquierdo. La casi totalidad de estos nervios se subdividieron en ramos menores (secundarios), encontrando 2, 3, 4 y 5 de ellos, los que penetraron en el tejido muscular a distintos niveles. Estos datos pueden servir de referencia a las cirugías de reinervación, bloqueo selectivo de puntos motores y tratamientos fisioterapéuticos en el brazo SUMMARY: The motor points are the penetration place of the motor fibers in the muscle through the epimisio, that is why its knowledge is of great importance, mainly when an atrophied muscle require to be electro-stimulated. In relation to this subject, we studied the innervation of the brachial muscle, describing in detail the branches coming from the musculocutaneous nerve, taking into account the levels where they originate, their final distribution and the penetration level in the muscular tissue. For this purpose, we have studied 46 upper limbs of 23 formolized corpses of Brazilian adult individuals of both sexes.In order to determine the origin and the penetration points of the mentioned muscular branches the biepicondilar line (LBE) was considered as reference. The brachial muscle received branches coming from the musculocutaneous nerve in all cases (100%); 1 branch was found in 15 cases (65.2%) at the right side and in 18 cases (78.3%) at the left side. With 2 branches, 6 cases (26.1%) were observed at the right side and 2 cases (8.7%) at the left side. There were also 3 and 4 branches. When there was only 1 branch, its origin level at the right side was of 130.1 ± 13.3 mm on average in respect to LBE and of 127.88 ± 12.0 mm at the left side. When there were 2 branches, their origin level was 126.2 ± 14.5 mm on average for the proximal and of 100.2 ± 37.1 mm for the distal, always in respect to LBE. At the left side, as there were only 2 cases, the average was not calculated. In relation to the entrance point in the muscular vientre, most of then did it through the medial portion of the muscle, finding that, when there was a single branch, 13 of then had this characteristic at the right side and 15 at the left side. Almost all these nerves subdivided in smaller branches (secondary) finding 2, 3, 4 and 5 of them, which penetrated in the muscular tissue at different levels. These data may serve as reference for reinnervation surgeries, selective blocking on motor points and physiotherapeutic treatments in the arm

Los pies son partes importantes del cuerpo que están relacionados con descarga del peso, postura bípeda, locomoción y equilibrio. Con el propósito de evitar amputaciones, han sido frecuentes las tentativas de su revascularización a través de puentes arteriales. Debido a que la arteria dorsal del pie (AD) es utilizada como receptora de flujo, fueron estudiadas sus características anatómicas y biométricas. Se utilizaron 30 pies de 15 cadáveres de individuos brasileños adultos, de ambos sexos, en su mayoría blancos, pertenecientes al Departamento de Ciencias Morfológicas de la Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Las arterias fueron inyectadas con látex neoprene (Artifix L-14) teñido de rojo, disecando el dorso del pie bajo lupa. La AD estuvo presente en 100%; el calibre promedio en su origen fue de 3,16 ± 0,67 mm y a nivel de su terminación de 2,19 ± 0,71 mm. Su longitud promedio fue de 78, 32 ± 13,58 mm. En el 90% de los casos la AD se localizó entre los tendones de los músculos extensores largos del hálux y de los dedos. Su relación con el ramo cutáneo del nervio fibular profundo fue variable, en el 33,3% el ramo fue medial; en el 13,3% el ramo fue lateral y en el 26,7% el ramo cruzó a la arteria, generalmente de medial hacia lateral. En el 10% el ramo no presentó relación con la AD, ya que fue reemplazado por ramos del nervio fibular superficial. En el 16,7% restante fueron observados otros padrones de relación, como la sobreposición del ramo a la arteria. En relación a las ramas colaterales de la AD, dos fue el número más frecuente de arterias tarsales mediales (56,6%), así como también el de las arterias tarsales laterales (60%); la arteria arqueada estuvo presente sólo en 26,7%. La AD tiene características anatómicas compatibles con la realización de puentes arteriales, pero se debe tener cuidado en aquellos casos donde el nervio cruza o se sobrepone a la arteria, para evitar su lesión durante procedimientos quirúrgicos The feet are important in the weight support, biped posture, locomotion and equilibrium. The attempts of its revascularization are frequent, through the arterial bypasses, with the purpose of avoid amputations. Due to the dorsalis pedis artery (DP) is used as flow receptor vessel, we study its anatomical and biometrics characteristics. We used (utilized) 30 feet from 15 Brazilian adult cadavers, of both sexes, from the Department of Morphological Sciences of the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Brazil. The arteries were injected with neoprene latex (Artifix L14) stained red and the dorsum of foot was dissected under magnification. The DP was present in 100%; the average diameter in its origin was 3.16 ± 0.67 mm and at level of its termination was 2.19 ± 0.71 mm. The DP length was 78.32 ± 13.58 mm. The DP placed between the extensor hallucis longus and extensor digitorum longus tendons in 90% of the cases. Its relationship with the cutaneous branch of the deep fibular nerve was variable: the branch was medial to DP in 33.3%; it was lateral in 13.3% and it crossed superiorly the artery (usually from medial to lateral) in 26.7%. The branch did not related with the DP in 10%, because it was replaced by endings of the superficial fibular nerve. In the remaining 16.7% we observed other relationship patterns, as the overlaying of the branch on the DP. In respect to the DP collateral branches, the most frequent number of medial tarsal arteries was two (56.6%), equal to the lateral tarsal arteries (60%); the arcuate artery was present in only 26.7%. The DP has compatible anatomical characteristics with the arterial bypasses construction, but it must have care in those cases which the nerve crosses the artery or superposes it, to avoid its lesion during of surgical procedures

El principal elemento arterial del pie es el arco plantar profundo (APP), del cual se originan entre otras, las aa. metatarsianas plantares (AMP), responsables por la irrigación de parte de la región plantar profunda y de los dedos. Con el objetivo de aportar detalles anatómicos y biométricos a la cirugía e imagenología del pie, estudiamos el número de AMP, origen, trayecto y calibre de las mismas. El estudio fue realizado en 50 pies de 25 cadáveres de individuos adultos, brasileños, de ambos sexos. Las arterias fueron inyectadas con látex neoprene (Artifix L14) teñido de rojo, para luego disecar la región plantar por planos. Observamos 3 AMP en 5 casos (10%), de las cuales, 2 no tenían la 2ª AMP (4% del total) y 3 la 4ª AMP (6%). La presencia de 4 AMP fue encontrada en 43 pies (86%) y sólo en 2 (4%) se encontraron 5 AMP. Las 1ª y 2ª AMP se originaron del APP o de la arteria dorsal del pie, mientras que las 3ª y 4ª AMP siempre provinieron del APP. Cuando las arterias fueron otorgadas por el APP, en 6% de los casos las 1ª y 2ª AMP se originaron de un tronco común, situación que también ocurrió con las 2ª y 3ª AMP (10%) y con las 3ª y 4ª AMP (8%). La 1ª AMP transcurrió por el primer espacio interóseo en 92% de los casos y las 2ª, 3ª y 4ª AMP lo hicieron por el espacio correspondiente en 100%. El calibre promedio de la 1ª AMP fue de 1,73 mm, el de la 2ª de 1,43 mm, el de la 3ª de 1,54 mm y el de la 4ª de 1,52 mm. La 1ª AMP fue más calibrosa que la 2ª AMP en ambos lados. Estas cuatro arterias alcanzan las comisuras interdigitales y son fundamentales para la irrigación de los dedos del pie The principal arterial formation of the foot is the deep plantar arch (DPA) which give off the plantar metatarsal arteries (PMA), responsibles by the blood supply of part of the plantar deep region and the fingers. With the purpose to give anatomical and biometric details to the surgery and images techniques of the foot, the number, origin, course and calibers of the PMA were studied. We injected latex neoprene (Artifix L 14) in 50 feet of 25 adult cadavers of both sexs and brasilian origin. Then, we dissected the plantar region and we found 3 PMA in 5 cases (10%), in two of these cases the 2nd PMA was absent (4% of total cases) and in 3 the 4th PMA no was present (6 %). We observed 4 PMA in 43 cases (86%) and in only 2 cases (4 %) we found 5 PMA. The first and second PMA originated from DPA or from the dorsal artery of the foot and the 3rd and 4th PMA always originated from DPA. When the arteries originated from the DPA, in 6 % of the cases the first and second PMA originated from the common trunk, similar disposition ocurred with the 2nd and 3rd (10%) and with the 3rd and 4th PMA (8%). The first PMA coursed by the first interosseous space in 92% of the cases and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th PMA coursed by the corresponding space in 100%. The averages calibers of the PMA were the followings: first PMA= 1.73 mm; 2nd PMA= 1.43 mm; 3rd PMA= 1.54 mm and 4th PMA= 1.52 mm. The caliber of the first PMA was greater of the 2nd PMA in both sides. The PMA reach the interdigital commissures and are of fundamental importance for the blood supply of the foot fingers

Biodetection is one of the most important challenges for the twenty-first century: many fields are concerned, mainly environmental and medical. The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) may offer great possibilities for this purpose: a direct response signal, which characterizes the binding event between a sensitive layer, immobilized onto the surface transducer, and the analyte to be detected, can be obtained. However, for the detection of small biomolecules such as antigens, it is quite difficult to obtain an observable signal that corresponds directly to the binding event. In general, this is owing to the lack of mass sensitivity of the commonly used QCM, with 5- to 10-MHz quartz crystals. For improving this mass sensitivity, a 27-MHz quartz resonator was developed and incorporated in a flow-through microcell. Two biospecies, IgG rabbit and peroxidase enzyme, were studied with this ultra-sensitive QCM in terms of specificity, detection limit, and calibration curve.

Objective - To develop criteria for disease activity in systemic sclerosis (SSc) that are valid, reliable, and easy to use. Methods - Investigators from 19 European centres completed a standardised clinical chart for a consecutive number of patients with SSc. Three protocol management members blindly evaluated each chart and assigned a disease activity score on a semiquantitative scale of 0-10. Two of them, in addition, gave a blinded, qualitative evaluation of disease activity ("inactive to moderately active" or "active to very active" disease). Both these evaluations were found to be reliable. A final disease activity score and qualitative evaluation of disease activity were arrived at by consensus for each patient; the former represented the gold standard for subsequent analyses. The correlations between individual items in the chart and this gold standard were then analysed. Results - A total of 290 patients with SSc (117 with diffuse SSc (dSSc) and 173 with limited SSc (lSSc)) were enrolled in the study. The items (including Δ-factors that is, worsening according to the patient report) that were found to correlate with the gold standard on multiple regression were used to construct three separate 10-point indices of disease activity: (a) Δ-cardiopulmonary (4.0), Δ-skin (3.0), Δ-vascular (2.0), and Δ-articular/muscular (1.0) for patients with dSSc; (b) Δ-skin (2.5), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) >30 mm/1st h (2.5), Δ-cardiopulmonary (1.5), Δ-vascular (1.0), arthritis (1.0), hypocomplementaemia (1.0), and scleredema (0.5) for lSSc; (c) Δ-cardiopulmonary (2.0), Δ-skin (2.0), ESR >30 mm/1st h (1.5), total skin score >20 (1.0), hypocomplementaemia (1.0), scleredema (0.5), digital necrosis (0.5), Δ-vascular (0.5), arthritis (0.5), TLCO

The human foot irrigation is different of the simian which presents frequently two plantar networks, superficial and deep. Generally, in man there is not a very developed superficial arch. This fact lead us to think in a functional adaptation undergone by the foot through the times. In order to verify the presence and anatomical characteristics of the human superficial plantar arch, we studied 50 feet from 25 adult cadavers, of both sexes, all Brazilians. The arch was present in only 7 cases (14.0%), ever unilateral and located in the distal part of the middle third of the foot. The diameter of this arch did not exceed 1.0 mm. The branches originated from this arterial formation were between 2 and 4, which bound to the plantar superficial structures following the common plantar digital nerves. Due to the presented characteristics we believe that the superficial plantar arch would be beyond of an anatomical variation, a vestige of our evolution

El nervio musculocutáneo es responsable de la inervación motora de los músculos anteriores del brazo, pudiendo transportar por una determinada distancia fibras del nervio mediano. Esas fibras componen un ramo comunicante entre ambos, el que puede o no estar presente. Con el propósito de determinar su frecuencia y nivel de localización en el brazo, disecamos 32 miembros superiores de 16 cadáveres formolizados de individuos adultos, brasileiros, de ambos sexos. El ramo comunicante fue encontrado en 10 casos (31,3%), 9 de ellos en el sexo masculino, 4 en el lado derecho y 6 en el lado izquierdo, siendo bilateral en dos individuos. Se constató macroscópicamente que el ramo comunicante se dispuso desde el nervio musculocutáneo hacia el nervio mediano en 9 casos (90% de los casos encontrados), observándose una disposición contraria en el caso restante. En un caso se presentó doble. El ramo se localizó totalmente dentro del tercio proximal del brazo en 2 casos (20%), dentro del tercio medio en 4 (40%) y entre el tercio proximal y medio en los 4 restantes (40%). El caso que presentó una disposición contraria se encontró totalmente en el tercio medio. La presencia de este ramo tiene una explicación embriológica y en lesiones del nervio musculocutáneo pueden ser afectadas estructuras inervadas por el nervio mediano. The musculocutaneous nerve is responsible for the motor innervation of the anterior arm muscles and sometimes it carryes by a short distance fibers of the median nerve. This fibers are part of a communicating branch between both, which may be ocurrent or not. With the object to detect their frequence of ocurrence and their localization level in the arm, 32 upper limbs from 16 formolized cadavers of brazilian individuals, from both sexes were dissected. The communicating branch was found in 10 cases (31.3 %), 9 of them on males with 4 cases in the right and 6 in the left side; in two individues it was bilateral. This investigation confirmed the macroscopical disposition of the communicating branch from the musculocutaneous nerve to the median nerve in 9 cases (90% of the total cases found) and at the contrary disposition in only one case. One of them was a double disposition. The branch was totally localized at the proximal third of the arm in two cases (20 %), inside the median third in 4 cases (40%) and between the proximal third an the median in the remaining 4 (40% of cases). The case with a contrary disposition was only found in the median third. The presence of this branch has an embriologic explanation and in cases of musculocutaneous nerve lessions can be to affected structures innervated by the median nerve

Las variaciones de los huesos del cráneo son de interés para la anatomía, antropología física, imagenología y medicina legal. Con el propósito de aportar mayores detalles sobre los huesos suturales que se presentan en el pterion, fueron analizados 205 cráneos secos de individuos brasileños, adultos, de ambos sexos, blancos y no blancos. El hueso sutural fue observado en 31 cráneos (15,1%), localizándose 19 en el lado derecho (61,3%), 8 en el izquierdo (25,8%) y 4 en ambos lados (12,9%). Con relación al sexo, 14 estuvieron presentes en cráneos masculinos (45,2%) y 17 en femeninos (54,8%). En relación al grupo étnico, 20 eran del grupo blancos (64,5%) y 11 de no blancos (35,5%). Las articulaciones de este hueso sutural con los huesos vecinos fueron clasificados en 4 tipos: Tipo I, donde se articuló con los huesos frontal, parietal, ala mayor del esfenoides y temporal, disposición encontrada en 17 cráneos (54,8%); Tipo II, donde se articuló con el parietal, temporal y ala mayor del esfenoides, encontrado en 11 cráneos (35,5%); Tipo III, donde se articuló con el temporal, frontal y ala mayor del esfenoides, observado en 2 cráneos (6,5 %) y Tipo IV, donde se articuló con el parietal, frontal y ala mayor del esfenoides, encontrado en 1 cráneo (3,2%). Correlacionando las variables lado, sexo, grupo étnico y hueso sutural, el análisis estadístico reveló que la presencia de estos huesos es significativa en los individuos blancos y en el lado derecho Cranium bones variations have been an object of interest for Anatomy, Physical Anthropology, X-Rays and Tomographic Images and Forensic Medicine. The aim of this article is to increase the knowledge of anatomical details about a sutural bone localized in the pterion. We observed 205 cranium of adult cadavers from Brazilian origin, of both sexs, white and non white ethnic group. The sutural bone was found in 31 cranium (15.1%), 19 in the right side (61.3%), 8 in the left side (25.5%) and 4 in both sides (12.9%). In respect of the sex, 14 were observed in male cranium (45.2%) and 17 in female cranium (54.8%). With respect to the ethnic group, 20 cases (64.5%) corresponded to white individuals and 11 (35.5%) to non white. Sutural bone joints with the next bones, were classified in four groups: Type I, the sutural bone joined with the frontal, parietal, greater wing of the sphenoid and temporal bones, this type was observed in 17 cranium (54.8%); Type II, it joined with the greater wing of the sphenoid, parietal and temporal bones, this type was observed in 11 cranium (35.5%); Type III, the sutural bone joined with the greater wing of the sphenoid, temporal and frontal bones, this type was observed in only 2 cranium (6.5%) and Type IV, it joined with the greater wing of the sphenoid, parietal and frontal bones, this type was observed in only 1 cranium (3.2%). The statistical analysis of the different variables considered in this article showed that the presence of these bones is significative in white individuals and also in the right side in respect of all specimens

El músculo cuadrado plantar puede presentar, ocasionalmente, un fascículo supernumerario, el cual puede producir, dependiendo de su desarrollo, alteraciones en la mecánica articular del pie. Disecamos 150 miembros inferiores de cadáveres de individuos adultos, de ambos sexos y diferentes grupos étnicos. Observamos tres casos de músculos supernumerarios en relación al músculo cuadrado plantar, siendo bilateral en uno de ellos. En el caso 1, el músculo se originaba por medio de dos cabezas, una tibial y otra fibular. En el caso 2, el músculo presentaba dos cabezas, una originada en la cara anterior del músculo sóleo y la otra en la fíbula. En el caso 3, el músculo tenía su origen en la tibia y en la fascia que recubre los músculos tibial posterior y flexor largo de los dedos. En los tres casos, estos músculos se continuaban por medio de un tendón, relacionado con la cara medial del calcáneo y envueltos por una vaina sinovial propia, encontrándose cubiertos por el retináculo de los músculos flexores y acompañando al nervio plantar lateral. Finalmente, se relacionan con el margen medial del músculo cuadrado plantar, cuyas fibras musculares se insertan en la parte lateral del tendón del músculo en estudio. La presencia de este músculo puede producir un síndrome de compresión nerviosa o síndrome del túnel tarsiano.

El conocimiento de la circulación colateral abdominal es importante en las cirugías de la región. Con la finalidad de esclarecer la capacidad de flujo de la anastomosis recto-sigmoídea, su localización y las eventuales variaciones anatómicas, estudiamos las arterias componentes de ella en 43 cadáveres de individuos adultos, brasileños, a los que se inyectó una mezcla de alginato con agua y teñida de tal manera de visualizar su recorrido. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la anastomosis recto-sigmoídea está presente en 86,1% del total de casos; se observó permeable en 70,3% y se presentó sin permeabilidad en 29,7%. Estos datos permiten asegurar que esta anastomosis está presente y es funcional en más de la mitad de los casos An achieved knowledge on the abdominal colateral circulation it is necessary to perform any surgery on this region.With this object in mind the arteries of 43 corpses belonging to male brazilian adults, were studied to stablish flow capacity at the sigmoideal - rectum anastomosis, their localization and the eventual anatomical variations presented here. An injection of an aqueous mixture of alginate and a stain were employed to visualize their path. Our results detected the presence of a sigmoideal-rectum anastomosis in 86.1% of total cases. In 70.3% of them was permeable and without permeability in the 29.7% of the total cases. This fact allow us to assume the presence of a functional anastomosis in more than a half of the total cases examined.

The topographical localisation of the palmar arches is important in hand surgery. The aim of this study was to contribute with biometric data on their positions and to correlate this with the size od the palm. We studied 60 hands of 30 adult fixed cadavers, of Brazilian origin, from both sexes and between the ages of 21 and 70 years. The arteries of 54 hands were injected with latex Neoprene. Before dissection the distance between distal wrist crease (DWC) and the proximal palmar digital crease of the middle finger (PDMC) was measured. Also, we recorded the distance between the DWC and the proximal and distal palmar creases (PPC, DPC). After dissecting the superficial palmar region, the distance between the superficial palmar arch (SPA) and the DWC was recorder. We then dissected the deep palmar arch (DPA). The average distance between the DPA and DWC was always measured in the midline of the palm. The average distance DWC-DPA was 33.7 +/- 2.6 mm in the female and 36 +/- 4.0 mm in the male. The difference was statistically significant. The average distance between DPA and the PPC was 24.2 +/- 3.0 mm in the female and 27.1 +/- 4.1 mm in the male; this difference was significant. In 83% of cases the DPA was proximal to the SPA and in 14.9% was distal to it. The linear regression test for the relation between DWC-PDMC and DWC-DPA was significant in the male and this fact allowed us to obtain the linear equation to predict the distance DWC-DPA. Other parameters were also considered. The results may be useful as a reference to radiologists as well as to surgeons.

The thumb is very important for the hand function mainly by its oposition capacity. Their arteries are branches of two important antebrachial arteries, radial and ulnar. With the purpose to know more details over the formation of the proper palmar digital arteries of the thumb, we studied 60 hands from adult cadavers of both sexes, all of brazilian origin. Their arteries were injected with latex neoprene. The princeps pollicis artery was found in 59 cases (98.3%) and it originated from the radial artery or one of its branches after this one have passed through the first interosseous space in 54 (90%); this artery arose before the radial artery or one of its branches have passed through the mentioned space above in 5 (8.3 %), in these cases the princeps pollicis artery ran dorsal and superficially. The radial proper palmar digital artery of the thumb was formed by: one branch of the princeps pollicis artery in 25 cases (44.6%); by one branch of the last mentioned artery plus a branch from the superficial palmar arch in 14 (25%); by one branch from the princeps pollicis artery plus one branch from the median artery in 8 (14.3%). The ulnar proper palmar digital artery of the thumb was formed by: one branch from the princeps pollicis artery plus one branch from the superficial palmar arch in 40 cases (71.4%); by one branch of the princeps pollicis artery plus one branch from the median artery in 6 (10.7%); by one branch from the princeps pollicis artery plus one branch from the superficial palmar branch of the radial artery in 4 (7.1%). Thumb irrigation is mainly subject to the princeps pollicis artery which receive frequently branches from the superficial palmar arteries

RESUMEN: Con el propósito de aportar mayores detalles anatómicos de las arterias metacarpianas palmares (AMP), ramas del arco palmar profundo, estudiamos estos vasos a través de inyección de látex y posterior disección en 60 manos de 30 cadáveres formolizados de individuos adultos, brasileños. Esta investigación fue realizada en los laboratorios de la Disciplina de Anatomia de la Universidad Federal de São Paulo, Brasil. Con respecto a su número encontramos que 38 casos (63,3%) tenían 4 AMP, que 12 (20%) tenían 3, que 7 (11,7%) tenían 5. El 38,5% de las AMP observadas se anastomosaron con las arterias digitales palmares comunes o propias. La 2a AMP formó parte de las arterias digitales palmares 42 veces (45,7% o 17,6 % del total de arterias). Esta AMP correspondió a la arteria radial del indicador en 16 casos (26,7% de las manos estudiadas). En el 83,3% de las manos, una o varias AMP participaron en la complementación de las arterias digitales palmares. Las AMP están destinadas fundamentalmente a la irrigación de estructuras palmares profundas, pero también son importantes para formar o complementar a las arterias digitales palmares. SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was contribute with more anatomical details about the palmar metacarpal arteries (PMA), which are originated in the deep palmar arch. We studied these arteries in 60 hands from 30 cadavers of adult brazilian individuals, of both sexes. The cadavers belong to the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil. The hand arteries were injected with red stained latex neoprene. We found 4 PMA in 38 cases (63.3%), 3 PMA in 12 (20%), 5 PMA in 7 (11.7%). The PMA anastomosed with the common or proper palmar digital arteries in 38.5%. The second PMA formed partial or totally to the palmar digital arteries in 42 cases (45.7 % or 17.6% of the total arteries). This PMA corresponded to the radialis indicis artery in 16 cases (26.7% of the studied hands). In 83.3% of the hands, one or various PMA participated in the formation of the palmar digital arteries. The PMA supply mainly the deep palmar region but also they are very important in the formation of the palmar digital arteries, which irrigate the superficial region.

The clinical physicians insist in the necessity of an anatomical precise knowledge, for the success in neurochirurgical interventions during the approaching to the posterior cranial fossa. Based in previous reports, we have made an anatomical revision of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery focused to its anterior pontine and lateral pontine segments with data that may contribute to their better knowledge. This research was done by the study of 70 human brains from both sexes, collected at Sâo Paulo Medical School/ UNIFESP, Brazil, and to which them , we registred some anthropological data. The brains were inyected in its vascular system with red collored neopren latex and fixed using established anatomical techniques. The range of 1.0-1.5 mm for the external diameter of the AICA is more frecuently at right side in both sexes; in 47.4% of the Brachycephalics (BH) and in 53.1% of the Dolicho-mesocephalics (DM). At the left side and masculine sex, was observed in 45.3% and in 64.3% of feminine sex ; in 52.7% of the BH and in 53.1% of the DM. The course of the AICA at right side is ventral to abducent nerve (AN) in 68.0% in DM groups and in 69.0% in BH groups; at the left side this course was observed in 74.0% in DM and 77.0% in BH groups. The authors insist in the variability observed in the arterial patterns, when taking in consideration besides side and sex, other parameters like the cephalic index

The development of immunosensors based on piezoelectric transducers is widely investigated due to their attractive potentialities. The quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) may give a direct response signal which characterizes the binding event between a sensitive layer, immobilized onto the surface transducer, and the analyte to be detected. However, for small biomolecules, such as some antigens, it is quite difficult to obtain an observable signal. This is mainly due to the lack of sensitivity of the commonly used QCM (5 to 10 MHz quartz crystal). Moreover, the mass estimated with the QCM response through the Sauerbrey equation and the mass which can be measured thanks to other analytical techniques, in our case an enzymatic assay, are different: the deposited mass is generally overestimated by the QCM. To validate QCM mass measurements and, therefore antigens recognition, the interactions of acoustic shear waves with a biolayer were investigated during enzyme adsorption onto the microbalance gold electrode or during the antibody/antigen binding. Electroacoustic admittance was measured around the resonance frequency of a 27 MHz quartz resonator in parallel with microbalance measurements. The parameters which characterize the quartz microbalance equivalent circuit were compared with the classical microbalance frequency. The mass overestimation, given by the microbalance, could be explained either by modification of the rheological properties of the sensitive layers and/or by an inadequacy of the assay performed.

Since 1990, 41 patients with rectal carcinoma have been submitted to preoperative radiotherapy, which induced a shrinkage of the tumor, favouring its surgical resection. Besides, in 3 cases the operative specimens were tumor free, and a higher incidence of A and B 1 categories was found. Surgical results have been compared with an analogous group of 20 patients, where surgery was performed as a first procedure, then followed by radiotherapy in 9. No increase of postoperative complications was observed. While analysis of follow-up results demonstrates a decrease of tumour recurrence in patients with preoperative radiotherapy, no difference in survival was registered, because of the development of extra-pelvic metastases.

Numerous studies on the hand arterial supply have contributed important data for the reconstructive surgery of it. With the aim of contribute to the knowledge of their arteries, we performed a biometric study of the deep palmar branch of the ulnar artery (DPB) in 60 hands from 30 cadavers of brazilian adult individuals of both sexs. The arteries were injected with latex neoprene. The DPB arose from a common branch with the hipothenar muscles branch in 46.7% of the cases; independently from the ulnar artey in 11.7%; from the ulnar proper palmar digital artery of the little finger in 15 % and from the common palmar digital artery of the fourth interosseous space in 6.7 %. In the first disposition, the common branch arose 10.6 ± 4.7 mm distal to the distal wrist crease (DWC) in female and 12.2 ± 4.1 mm in male; in second disposition the DPB origin was 33.6 ± 4.1 mm distal to the DWC in male; in third disposition it originated 35.8 ± 2.88 mm distal to the DWC in male and in last, it originated 41.0 ± 3.54 mm distal to the DWC. In 18.3% of the all cases we observed two DPB and in 1.7% it was no present. The caliber of these vessels were registrated. The DPB is important in hand arterial supply due to form a part of the deep palmar arch and sometimes, in presence of the thrombosis of the radial artery, it can carry the necessary blood to the deep palmar and dorsal regions

RESUMEN: Los nervios mediano y ulnar son responsables de la inervación motora de la mano, además de otorgar ramos para la inervación sensitiva de ella, principalmente de su región palmar. En la región palmar y en estrecha relación con el retináculo de los músculos flexores (RF), el ramo comunicante (RC) une los nervios digitales palmares comunes de los III y IV espacios interóseos (NDPC3 y NDPC4). Lesiones de este ramo pueden ocurrir durante la liberación quirúrgica del canal del carpo ( MAY & ROSEN, 1981). Debido a su importancia anátomo-clínica y con el propósito de contribuir con datos anatómicos y biométricos sobre su disposición, disecamos 50 manos de cadáveres de individuos formolizados, brasileños, de ambos sexos, correspondientes al Departamento de Morfologia de la Universidad Federal de São Paulo, Brasil. Registramos su posición, su relación con el arco palmar superficial (APS) y con el RF. Además, las distancias entre el margen distal del RF y el ramo mencionado, como también entre éste y el pliegue distal de la muñeca (PDM). El ramo comunicante fue encontrado en 48 casos (96,0 %); su posición fue totalmente proximal al APS o a la arteria ulnar (cuando no se presentó el referido arco) en 20 casos (41,7 %), distal en 5 (10,4 %) y dorsal al mismo en 4 (8,3 %). El RC emergió desde el NDPC4 (n. ulnar) y se dirigió distalmente para unirse al NDPC3 (n. mediano) en 39 casos (81,3 %) y emergió desde el segundo dirigiéndose distalmente hasta el primero en 8 (16,7 %). Cuando el RC emergió del NDPC4 la distancia entre este punto y el PDM fue en promedio de 33,4 mm (DS: 5,3) en el lado derecho y de 30,7 mm (DS: 4,0) en el izquierdo. La distancia entre el PDM y el punto donde se unió al NDPC3 fue de 43,5 mm (DS: 5,7) en el lado derecho y de 39,3 mm (DS:5,8) en el izquierdo. La distancia entre el margen distal del RF y el RC a nivel del IV hueso metacarpiano fue de 6,1 mm (DS: 3,6) en el lado derecho y de 4,9 mm (DS: 2,5) en el izquierdo. A nivel del III espacio interóseo esta distancia fue de 9,7 mm (DS: 4,3) y de 8,6 mm (DS: 4,7) en el izquierdo. Estos datos biométricos pueden servir de referencia para determinar la posición del RC durante los procedimientos quirúrgicos efectuados en la región. SUMMARY: The ulnar and median nerves are responsible for motor innervation of the hand and also send other branches involved in the sensitive innervation of the palmar region mainly. In the palmar region and in close relationship to the flexor retinaculum (FR), the communicating branch (CB) join to common palmar digital nerves of the 4th from the ulnar nerve and 3rd interosseous spaces from the median nerve (CPDN4 and CPDN3, respectively). Reports showing lessions on this branch during endoscopic carpal tunnel release (May & Rosen, 1981). Because of its anatomical-clinical importance the purpose of this article was contribute with anatomical and biometric knowledge of such branch disposition. We dissected 50 formalized hands of brazilian individuals from both sexs in the Morphology Department of the Universidad Federal de São Paulo, Brazil. The position of the communicating branch respect to the superficial palmar arch (SPA) and the flexor retinaculum was determined. Furthermore, the distances between the distal margin of the FR and the above mentioned branch were also registrated, as well as between this one and the distal wrist crease (DWC). The CB was found in 48 cases (96.0 %). In 20 cases (41.7 %) the CB was totally proximal to the SPA or ulnar artery (when the SPA was not present). It was found distal to the SPA in 5 cases (10.4 %) and dorsal to it in 4 (8.3 %). In 39 cases (81.3 %) the CB emerged from the CPDN4 and distally it connects with the CPDN3 and in other 8 cases (16.7 %) emerged from the last nerve to distally connect to the CPDN4. The distance between the place of the CB emerged from the CPDN4 and the DWC was in average 33.4 mm (SD: 5.3) in the right side and 30.7 (SD: 4.0) in the left side. The distance between the DWC and the point where it connected to the CPDN3 was 43.5 mm (SD: 5.7) in the right side and 39.3 (SD: 5.8) in the left side. The distance of the distal margin between the FR and CB at the axis ofthe IV metacarpal bone level was 6.1 mm (SD: 3.6) in the right side and 4.9 mm (SD: 2.5) in the left side. At level of the III interosseous space, this distance was 9.7 mm (SD: 4.3 ) in the right side and 8.6 mm (SD: 4.7) in the left side. These biometric data may help to characterize the CB position and be used as reference for the surgical procedures on this region.

Considerando la importancia clínica y quirúrgica de las comunicaciones linfáticovenosas, poco descritas en la región cervical, presentamos y analizamos variaciones de estas comunicaciones, las que fueron observadas después de la disección de la fosa supraclavicular izquierda de 34 cadáveres en la Disciplina de Anatomía Descriptiva y Topográfica de la Universidade Federal de São Paulo-Escola Paulista de Medicina, Brasil. Encontramos dos casos (5,9 %) de vasos linfáticos que desembocaban en la vena subclavia izquierda, próximo del ángulo yúgulo-subclavio. En ambos casos, estaba presente el conducto torácico desembocando en el lugar habitual. Los estudios anatómicos de estas variaciones son importantes, ya que su conocimiento ayuda a evitar secuelas después de la realización de procedimientos quirúrgicos en la región cervical permitiendo, además, aportar detalles sobre las vías linfáticas de esa región Considering the clinical and surgical importance of lymphaticovenous communications, little described in cervical region, we presented and discussed the variations of these communications observed after the left supraclavicular fossa dissection of 34 adult cadavers used in the Descriptive and Topographic Anatomy of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, Brazil. We found two cases (5,9%) of lymphatic vessels that reach the left subclavian vein, near of the jugulosubclavian angle. In both cases, the thoracic duct was present and reach the usual local. Anatomical studies of these variations are important due to it knowledge help to avoid consequences after chirurgical proceedings in the cervical region. Besides, the findings of these studies contribute with more details on the lymphatic ways in this region

The relationship between the deep palmar arch (DPA) and the deep branch of the ulnar nerve (dbUN) was analysed in 60 hands from 30 formaldehyde treated cadavers of adult individuals, of both sexes, with age ranging from 21 to 70 years, in the Division of Descriptive and Topographic Anatomy of the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP). The arteries were injected with neoprene latex and dissections were performed under a magnifying glass. DPA was ventral to dbUN in 50% of the cases (type I) and dorsal in 45% (type). In type I dbUN crossed the arterial arch at the following levels: in the 4th interosseous space in 17.9% of the cases, in the 3rd interosseous space in 21.4% and in the 3rd metacarpal bone in 39.3%. In type II dbUN crossed the arterial arch in the 4th metacarpal bone in 25.9% and in the 3rd intersseous space in 37%. The relationship between the nerve and the palmar metacarpal arteries was also studied. The data obtained may be of practical use in the surgery of the palmar region.

Summary Recent studies suggest that the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (HCVAb) among sexual partners of those who are HCVAb positive is higher than in the general population. Moreover some studies seem to indicate that transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs more readily when there is HIV infection in the couple. We studied the prevalence of HCVAb seropositivity among the regular sexual partners of 84 HCVAb positive intravenous drug users (IVDUs), by means of ELISA confirmed by radio immuno-adsorbent assay, II generation (RIBA II). The couples were subdivided into three groups: group 1: 30 HIV negative IVDUs and their HIV negative partners (HIV−/HIV−); group 2: 47 HIV positive IVDUs and their HIV negative partners (HIV+/HIV−); group 3: seven HIV positive IVDUs and their HIV positive partners (HIV+/HIV+). The seroprevalence of HCVAb among the partners of IVDUs was 28.6% in the couples of group 3, 12.8% in the couples of group 2 and no partner was positive among the couples of group 1. There was no statistically significant difference in HCV transmission between the couples who never used a condom and those who always used one. The couples of group 1 never used a condom. We found HCVAb seropositivity only in the partners who were in couples in whom HIV was present. We did not demonstrate that sexual intercourse is a means of HCV transmission because none of the HIV−/HIV− couples of group 1 used a condom and no partner was HCVAb positive. However, our data suggests that sexual transmission of HCV is frequent in the presence of HIV infection in one or both members of a couple.

The most frequent disposition of the structures within the ulnar tunnel is for the ulnar nerve to be located medial or posteromedial to the ulnar artery. The structures within the ulnar tunnel are closely related to the medial part of the flexor retinaculum. Lesions of the ulnar nerve and artery during endoscopic decompression of the carpal tunnel have been reported (Agee et al. 1992; Lee et al. 1992; Nath et al. 1993; De Smets & Fabry, 1995). An adequate anatomical knowledge of such structures and their variations is therefore important. During a study of the palmar region, we found that a special branch originated from the ulnar nerve in relation to the flexor retinaculum. Documentation of this variation will contribute to the knowledge of the anatomy of the ulnar nerve and its distal branches.