Ontogenetic development of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-immunoreactive structures in the brain of the mallard embryo

Summary Developmental changes of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-immunoreactive structures in the brain of mallard embryos were studied by means of immunocytochemistry (PAP technique). The primary antibody was generated against synthetic TRH. Immunoreactive neurons were first detected in the hypothalamus of 14-day-old embryos. By day 20, increasing numbers of immunoreactive perikarya were observed in the paraventricular nucleus, anterior preoptic region and supraoptic region. Immunoreactive fiber projections were seen in the median eminence as early as embryonic day 20; they occurred also in some extrahypothalamic regions (lateral septum, accumbens nucleus). The number and staining intensity of the cell bodies increased up to hatching, and continued to increase during the first week after hatching.     

Computational and Experimental Study of Performance of an Artificial Ligament: DacronTM yarn

Abstract

The success rate of reconstructing the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) with prosthetic ligaments is currently low both in humans and animals. The stress distribution in prosthetic ligaments that causes failure is very complex and not yet understood. Therefore, we have begun to develop a Finite Element Model of a prosthetic ACL. Here we describe the normal and contact stresses in Dacron^TM yarn (a multi-fibrillar structure) using input data based on experimental measurements of the load and strain of six designed yarns.

The results show that the normal and contact stresses in the fibres of the ACL yarn are directly proportional to the yam strains. Increasing the twisting length (transverse deformation) of the yarn increases the normal stress in the fibres and the yarn modulus, but decreases the contact stresses between the fibres. The structural properties of a yarn are dependent on the specific arrangement of various filament types. Increasing the distance between the longitudinal (symmetry) axes of the filaments and the axis of symmetry of the yarn decreases the stresses.     

Inter-session reliability and sex-related differences in hamstrings total reaction time,pre-motor time and motor time during eccentric isokinetic contractions in recreational athlete

The purposes were twofold: (a) to ascertain the inter-session reliability of hamstrings total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time; and (b) to examine sex-related differences in the hamstrings reaction times profile. Twenty-four men and 24 women completed the study. Biceps femoris and semitendinosus total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time measured during eccentric isokinetic contractions were recorded on three different occasions. Inter-session reliability was examined through typical percentage error (CV_TE), percentage change in the mean (CM) and intraclass correlations (ICC). For both biceps femoris and semitendinosus, total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time measures demonstrated moderate inter-session reliability (CV_TE < 10%; CM < 3%; ICC > 0.7). The results also indicated that, although not statistically significant, women reported consistently longer hamstrings total reaction time (23.5 ms), pre-motor time (12.7 ms) and motor time (7.5 ms) values than men. Therefore, an observed change larger than 5%, 9% and 8% for total reaction time, pre-motor time and motor time respectively from baseline scores after performing a training program would indicate that a real change was likely. Furthermore, while not statistically significant, sex differences were noted in the hamstrings reaction time profile which may play a role in the greater incidence of ACL injuries in women.     

The facets of olfactory learning

Volatile chemicals in the environment provide ethologically important information to many animals. However, how animals learn to use this information is only beginning to be understood. This review highlights recent experimental advances elucidating olfactory learning in rodents, ranging from adaptations to the environment to task-dependent refinement and multisensory associations. The broad range of phenomena, mechanisms, and brain areas involved demonstrate the complex and multifaceted nature of olfactory learning.     

Altered lower extremity joint mechanics occur during the star excursion balance test and single leg hop after ACL-reconstruction in a collegiate athlete

The effects of ACL-reconstruction on lower extremity joint mechanics during performance of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Single Leg Hop (SLH) are limited. The purpose of this study was to determine if altered lower extremity mechanics occur during the SEBT and SLH after ACL-reconstruction. One female Division I collegiate athlete performed the SEBT and SLH tasks, bilaterally, both before ACL injury and 27 months after ACL-reconstruction. Maximal reach, hop distances, lower extremity joint kinematics and moments were compared between both time points. Musculoskeletal simulations were used to assess muscle force production during the SEBT and SLH at both time points. Compared to the pre-injury time point, SEBT reach distances were similar in both limbs after ACL-reconstruction except for the max anterior reach distance in the ipsilateral limb. The athlete demonstrated similar hop distances, bilaterally, after ACL-reconstruction compared to the pre-injury time point. Despite normal functional performance during the SEBT and SLH, the athlete exhibited altered lower extremity joint mechanics during both of these tasks. These results suggest that measuring the maximal reach and hop distances for these tasks, in combination with an analysis of the lower extremity joint mechanics that occur after ACL-reconstruction, may help clinicians and researchers to better understand the effects of ACL-reconstruction on the neuromuscular system during the SEBT and SLH.     

维拉帕米对急性前壁心肌梗死行急诊PCI术患者再灌注室性心律失常的影响

目的:探讨经指引导管早期应用维拉帕米对急性前壁心肌梗死行急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术(Percutaneous Coronary Intervention,PCI)患者再灌注室性心律失常的影响。方法:采用单中心、随机对照、前瞻性研究方法。选取2014年5月-2016年11月诊断为急性前壁心肌梗死并于我院行急诊PCI的患者,共纳入162例患者,按随机方法(随机数字表)分成2组,其中治疗组82例,对照组80例。治疗组患者在首次球囊扩张后早期经指引导管内给予维拉帕米(200μg),对照组患者则给予生理盐水。观察再灌注后室性心律失常发生率,PCI术后冠脉血流情况,心肌梗死相关血清指标(CK-MB,cTn I)的峰值,住院期间发生的主要不良心血管事件(MACE)。结果:维拉帕米治疗组患者再灌注心律室性失常及无复流的发生率显著低于生理盐水对照组(P0.05);维拉帕米治疗组患者cTnI和CK-MB峰值分别为(46.63±13.77)μg/L和(139.87±35.45)U/L,生理盐水组cTnI和CK-MB峰值为(54.36±12.59)μg/L和(158.34±40.18)U/L,两组比较,P均0.01。MACE事件两组间未见有统计学差异。结论:急性前壁心肌梗死患者急诊PCI术前经导管早期给予维拉帕米不但可显著减少无复流现象,还可显著减少再灌注后室性心律失常的发生,住院期间MACE事件的发生率无显著性差异。     

腹腔镜膀胱癌根治术的治疗效果及对血清前梯度蛋白-2的影响及其意义

目的:探讨腹腔镜膀胱癌根治术的治疗效果及对血清前梯度蛋白-2(AGR2)的影响及其意义。方法:选取2013年3月～2016年5月我院收治的80例膀胱癌患者为研究对象,同时选取同期体检健康的志愿者30例作对照组。膀胱癌患者择期行腹腔镜根治术,观察手术时间、术中出血量、术后肠道排气时间、住院时间和术后并发症。采用ELISA法检测膀胱癌患者术前和术后4周血清AGR2水平的变化。术后随访至2017年12月25日,分析血清AGR2水平与患者总生存期(OS)和无进展生存期(PFS)的关系。结果:80例患者顺利完成腹腔镜根治术,无中转开放手术,无死亡,手术时间(359.8±45.7)min,术中出血量(423.8±109.4)mL,术后肠道排气时间(3.2±1.4)d,术后住院时间(12.9±2.4)d。膀胱癌患者术前血清AGR2水平显著高于对照组[(33.5±9.4) vs.(8.5±2.1)ng/m L,P0.05],术后4周血清AGR2较术前显著降低[(17.8±4.1) vs.(33.5±9.4) ng/mL,P0.05]。术后4周血清AGR2低水平患者PFS(23vs14月,P0.05)和OS (36vs23月,P0.05)均显著大于高水平患者(P0.05)。结论:腹腔镜膀胱癌根治术治疗效果满意,可显著降低患者血清AGR2水平。血清AGR2水平的变化有助于腹腔镜根治术的治疗效果和预后预测。     

A comparative study of the adrenergic nerves to the anterior eye segment of some primates

Summary The distribution of adrenergic terminals to the anterior eye segment of humans, Cynomolgue monkeys, squirrel monkeys, owl monkeys, Cebus monkeys, vervets, tamarins, and baboons has been investigated. The cornea is normally devoid of adrenergic terminals, except in a plexus near the limbus. The trabecular meshwork contains varying numbers of adrenergic terminals: usually none in Cynomolgus monkeys, patas monkeys, vervets, and humans, although fibres have very rarely been observed in Cynomolgus monkeys, vervets, and humans; a few in owl monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and tamarins; and moderate numbers in Cebus monkeys and baboons. From the evidence, however, it seems premature to presume an adrenergic innervation of the trabecular mechanism regulating the outflow resistance. The dilatator pupillae is regularly supplied with numerous adrenergic terminals and in the iris stroma there is probably an adrenergic innervation of the melanophores. The sphincter pupillae regularly contains adrenergic terminals with notable species differences; most fibres occur in baboons and fewest in humans, with the remaining species forming a middle class. The ciliary processes in all species contain a moderate number of adrenergic terminals, presumably primarily associated with the epithelium. Intraepithelial adrenergic terminals have been observed on the pars plana of the ciliary body of humans, Cebus monkeys, vervets, baboons, and patas monkeys. The ciliary muscle of baboons and Cynomolgus monkeys contains numerous adrenergic terminals. Moderate numbers occur in Cebus monkeys and vervets, and still less in (in falling order) tamarins, squirrel monkeys, humans, and patas monkeys.