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SUMMARYThe effect of unilateral Achilles' tendon section on the soleus muscle of rabbits was examined after 2 and 4 weeks of unsutured recovery. Immobilization of the limb during recovery was also investigated. Following tendon section the limb was immobilized with an ankle angle of 90 deg, and final experiments were performed either after 2 weeks, or after the splints were removed and a further 2 weeks recovery allowed. Remobilized recovery was either allowed to occur naturally or with chronic low-frequency electrical stimulation of the soleus nerve. Achilles' tendon section resulted in very little change in the morphological profile of the soleus, but a marked decrease in tension production. Two weeks following tenotomy, tetanic tension was reduced to 50 % of normal; this reduction persisted for the following 2 weeks of recovery. Imposition of immobilization after tendon section produced gross degeneration of the soleus. The fibres that remained had a mean fibre area of 20 % of control values and displayed an immature staining pattern. This was accompanied by a reduction in tension production to less than 5 % of normal and a marked speeding of contraction. Two weeks of passive recovery following splint removal slowed contraction and improved both the morphological profile and tension production of the soleus. Application of stimulation during this time restored contraction times to normal, reflecting the return to normal fibre-type proportions of this group, and improved the morphological profile and tension production beyond that of the unstimulated group. Thus immobilization worsened considerably the alterations occurring in the morphological and physiological properties of the soleus following Achilles' tendon section. Upon remobilization, chronic stimulation accelerated recovery of both parameters.

Introduction: Vasopressin is a novel vasopressor agent used for intractable hypotension. There is little published data available on its use in the poisoned patient. We performed a randomized, controlled, blinded trial in a porcine model to study the effects of vasopressin infusion on mean arterial pressure after verapamil poisoning.Methods: Eighteen anesthetized monitored swine received a verapamil infusion of 1 mg/kg/hr until the mean arterial pressure (MAP) had decreased to 70% of baseline. At this time, a continuous infusion of either vasopressin (0.01 U/kg/min) or an equal volume of normal saline was initiated. The swine were monitored for 60 minutes after initiation of the study infusion. The primary outcome was MAP.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in MAP, cardiac output or systemic vascular resistance. One half (four of eight) of the animals in the vasopressin group died, compared with 20% (two of ten) of those in the saline group.Conclusions: Vasopressin infusion decreased the survival of verapamil-poisoned swine when compared to those treated with saline alone in this experimental model.

Around 75% of suicides are male, yet men seek therapy less than women do. Is talking about feelings unappealing to men? Our interviews with 20 experienced therapists identified ways in which therapy might be made more male-friendly.