Parasympathetic rebound following EMG biofeedback training: a case study

The self-regulation literature contains very few reports of negative side-effects stemming from biofeedback training. Nevertheless, the case reported here is unique in that immediately following each of several early EMG feedback sessions, an otherwise headache-free patient reported an acute attack of headache and nausea. These attacks, the conditions under which they appeared, and the conditions leading to their remission will be described. Discussion will focus on the possible physiological mechanisms involved.     

Inorganic polyphosphate as an integral part of alkaline phosphatase preparations.

Alkaline phosphatase (from chicken intestinal sources) was shown to contain a considerable amount of polyanionic phosphorus which was released by basic digestion. The polyanionic phosphorus of alkaline phosphatase is not associated with protein or polyalcohols and does not exhibit a visible or ultraviolet absorption spectrum. Alkaline phosphatase and abiogenic inorganic polyphosphate were found to incorporate 32P-orthophosphate under similar experimental conditions. It has been previously reported that this enzyme will incorporate 32P-orthophosphate into its protein phosphoserine without the apparent concomitant utilization of an energy source. This reported phosphorylation was immediately reversible upon dilution of the phosphorylated enzyme with unlabelled orthophosphate, which indicates that the initial phosphorylation was an exchange reaction. These observations suggest that this polyanionic phosphorus from alkaline phosphatase may be inorganic polyphosphate.     

Climatic changes can drive the loss of genetic diversity in a Neotropical savanna tree species

The high rates of future climatic changes, compared with the rates reported for past changes, may hamper species adaptation to new climates or the tracking of suitable conditions, resulting in significant loss of genetic diversity. Trees are dominant species in many biomes and because they are long‐lived, they may not be able to cope with ongoing climatic changes. Here, we coupled ecological niche modelling (ENM) and genetic simulations to forecast the effects of climatic changes on the genetic diversity and the structure of genetic clusters. Genetic simulations were conditioned to climatic variables and restricted to plant dispersal and establishment. We used a Neotropical savanna tree as species model that shows a preference for hot and drier climates, but with low temperature seasonality. The ENM predicts a decreasing range size along the more severe future climatic scenario. Additionally, genetic diversity and allelic richness also decrease with range retraction and climatic genetic clusters are lost for both future scenarios, which will lead genetic variability to homogenize throughout the landscape. Besides, climatic genetic clusters will spatially reconfigure on the landscape following displacements of climatic conditions. Our findings indicate that climate change effects will challenge population adaptation to new environmental conditions because of the displacement of genetic ancestry clusters from their optimal conditions.     

Non-linear ordination in several dimensions

A method is described for fitting a model in which site characteristics are represented by a set of orthogonal axes, while the probability that a particular species will be present, and its quantity if it is present, are each related to the axes of the system by symmetrical hypersurfaces with an optimum, decreasing asymptotically to zero as conditions depart from the optimum. The method needs initial estimates of the positions of the sample sites within the axis system. Given these starting points, they can be progressively improved by an iterative procedure. Results are reported of an extensive series of tests using artificial data, and of an analysis of field data from brigalow woodland in Queensland.     

Alternative 5'' splice site selection induced by heat shock.

The mouse HSP47 gene consists of six exons separated by five introns. Three HSP47 cDNAs differing only in their 5' noncoding regions have been reported. One of these alternatively spliced mRNAs was detected only after heat shock, which caused an alternative 5' splice donor site selection. Other stress inducers, including an amino acid analog and sodium arsenite, had no effect on the alternative splicing. The alternatively spliced mRNA, which was 169 nucleotides longer in the 5' noncoding region compared to mRNA transcribed in non-heat shock conditions, was efficiently translated under heat shock conditions. This novel finding that alternative splicing is caused by artificial treatment like heat shock will provide a useful in vivo model for understanding the exon-intron recognition mechanism as well as heat shock-induced alterations in gene expression.     

Finite element model of subsynovial connective tissue deformation due to tendon excursion in the human carpal tunnel

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a nerve entrapment disease, which has been extensively studied by the engineering and medical community. Although the direct cause is unknown, in vivo and in vitro medical research has shown that tendon excursion creates microtears in the subsynovial connective tissue (SSCT) surrounding the tendon in the carpal tunnel. One proposed mechanism for the SSCT injury is shearing, which is believed to cause fibrosis of the SSCT. Few studies have reported quantitative observations of SSCT response to mechanical loading. Our proposed model is a 2-D section that consists of an FDS tendon, interstitial SSCT and adjacent stationary tendons. We believe that developing this model will allow the most complete quantitative observations of SSCT response to mechanical loading reported thus far. Boundary conditions were applied to the FEA model to simulate single finger flexion. A velocity was applied to the FDS tendon in the model to match loading conditions of the documented cadaver wrist kinematics studies. The cadaveric and FEA displacement results were compared to investigate the magnitude of stiffness required for the SSCT section of the model. The relative motions between the model and cadavers matched more closely than the absolute displacements. Since cadaveric models do not allow identification of the SSCT layers, an FEA model will help determine the displacement and stress experienced by each SSCT layer. Thus, we believe this conceptual model is a first step in understanding how the SSCT layers are recruited during tendon excursion.     

新的肌肉因子——鸢尾素

鸢尾素(irisin)是近年发现的由Ⅲ型纤连蛋白组件包含蛋白5（FNDC5）剪切、分泌到血液中的多肽片段。鸢尾素促进褐色脂肪组织及产热基因的活化,提高机体能量消耗,从而减轻体重。更有研究表明,鸢尾素在肥胖、糖尿病等代谢性疾病、骨生成、骨代谢及慢性肾病方面发挥功能。因此,鸢尾素是很具前景的代谢性疾病防治靶点。本文将深入探讨鸢尾素相关争论与质疑,尝试找到现阶段研究中存在的不足,旨在为下一步研究提供方向及新视角。     

Study of the dynamic behavior of the chemostat system

This paper deals with a theoretical study on the dynamic, character of the chemostat system. It. is primarily based on the Monod model for growth limitation, although certain more complex models are considered. Since the Monod model is described in terms of two variables, an analysis by use of a phase plane plot will show the various possible types of behavior theoretically expected for transient conditions of the system. In this paper it will be shown that the chemostat system might show an overshoot (or an underswing) with respect to changes in cell and substrate concentrations, depending on the extent to which the system might be disturbed from steady-slate conditions. Other types of transient behavior ran also be expected when one of the system parameters such as dilution rate or input substrate concentration is disturbed in a stepwise manner. The simple Monod chemostat model was found never to oscillate in either a damped or a sustained manner as has been experimentally reported. Discussion is included about the transient behavior of other chemostat models such as that involving a variable yield coefficient, i.e., including the effect of cell maintenance requirements.     

Cyclopia associated with triploidy and hydatidiform mole: a case report.

A live 22-week-old cyclops fetus with a 69 XYY chromosome pattern and partial hydatidiform mole of the placenta is reported. Although cyclopia and chromosomal triploidy have certain features in common they appear to be two quite distinct entities. As no other 69 XYY fetus has survived to 22 weeks gestation and no other case of cyclopia has been reported with a triploid set of chromosomes, the assumption that the two conditions occurred coincidently in this fetus will have to await the accumulation of additional case reports.     

Lifetime of Organic Photovoltaics: Status and Predictions

The results of a meta‐analysis conducted on organic photovoltaics (OPV) lifetime data reported in the literature is presented through the compilation of an extensive OPV lifetime database based on a large number of articles, followed by analysis of the large body of data. We fully reveal the progress of reported OPV lifetimes. Furthermore, a generic lifetime marker has been defined, which helps with gauging and comparing the performance of different architectures and materials from the perspective of device stability. Based on the analysis, conclusions are drawn on the bottlenecks for stability of device configurations and packaging techniques, as well as the current level of OPV lifetimes reported under different aging conditions. The work is summarized by discussing the development of a tool for OPV lifetime prediction and the development of more stable technologies. An online platform is introduced that will aid the process of generating statistical data on OPV lifetimes and further refinement of the lifetime prediction tool.     

Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria: technology and potential applications

In the recent past, there has been an explosion of probiotic health-based products. Many reports indicated that there is poor survival of probiotic bacteria in these products. Further, the survival of these bacteria in the human gastro-intestinal system is questionable. Providing probiotic living cells with a physical barrier against adverse environmental conditions is therefore an approach currently receiving considerable interest. The technology of micro-encapsulation of probiotic bacterial cells evolved from the immobilised cell culture technology used in the biotechnological industry. Several methods of micro-encapsulation of probiotic bacteria have been reported and include spray drying, extrusion, emulsion and phase separation. None of these reported methods however, has resulted in the large numbers of shelf-stable, viable probiotic bacterial cells necessary for use in industry for development of new probiotic products. The most commonly reported micro-encapsulation procedure is based on the calcium-alginate gel capsule formation. Kappa-carrageenan, gellan gum, gelatin and starch are also used as excipients for the micro-encapsulation of probiotic bacteria. The currently available equipment for micro-encapsulation is not able to generate large quantities of uniform sized micro or nano capsules. There is a need to design and develop equipment that will be able to generate precise and uniform micro or nano capsules in large quantities for industrial applications. The reported food vehicles for delivery of encapsulated probiotic bacteria are yoghurt, cheese, ice cream and mayonnaise. Studies need to be done on the application of micro-encapsulation of probiotic bacteria in other food systems. The number of probiotic supplements will increase in the future. More studies, however, need to be conducted on the efficacy of micro-encapsulation to deliver probiotic bacteria and their controlled or targeted release in the gastrointestinal tract.     

A newHLA-DRB1 * 13 allele (DRB1 * 1318) with a shortDRB1*08 sequence

The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the EMBL/GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned the accession number Z48631. The name listed for this sequence was officially assigned by the WHO Nomenclature Committee in November 1994. This follows the agreed policy that, subject to the conditions stated in the most recent Nomenclature Report (Bodmer et al. 1994), names will be assigned to new sequences as they are identified. Lists of such new names will be published in the following WHO Nomenclature Report     

Triggering of the cell cycle of an organized tissue in vitro

The rabbit lens can be maintained in culture under conditions which retain the block to proliferation characteristic of many of the cells in the normal tissue in vivo. Proliferation and cell migration subsequently can be triggered at will by the addition of serum to the medium. Serum is not required throughout the whole period of culture in order to elicit this response but only during an initial period which ends prior to the onset of both DNA synthesis and mitosis. The duration of this period of serum-dependency is specifically related to the location (and hence the state of organization) of the cells within the epithelial layer. Some of the characteristics of the serum factors which promote these reactions and the conditions of culture which affect their activity are reported.     

A new DRB1 * 1202 allele (DRB1 * 12022) found in association with DQA1 * 0102 and DQB1 * 0602 in two Black narcoleptic subjects

The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank nucleotide sequence database and have been assigned the accession number L34353. The name listed for this sequence has been officially assigned by the WHO Nomenclature Committee in August 1994. This follows the agreed policy that subject to the conditions stated in the most recent Nomenclature Report (Bodmer et al 1994), names will be assigned to new sequences as they are identified. Lists of such new names will be published in the following WHO Nomenclature Report     

The role of interleukin-17 in bone metabolism and inflammatory skeletal diseases

The balance between osteoblast-dependent bone formation and osteoclast-dependent bone resorption maintains bone homeostasis. In inflammatory conditions, this balance shifts toward bone resorption, causing osteolytic bone lesions observed in rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. A recently discovered family of cytokine IL-17 is widely reported to mediate diverse inflammatory processes. During the last decade, novel roles for IL-17 in skeletal homeostasis have been discovered indicating the potential importance of this cytokine in bone metabolism. This review will summarize and discuss the involvement of IL-17 during bone homeostasis in both physiologic and pathologic conditions. A better understanding of the role of IL-17 in skeletal systems warrants an advance in bone biology, as well as development of therapeutic strategies against bone-lytic diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. [BMB Reports 2013; 46(10): 479-483]     

Effect of small reservoirs on leaf litter decomposition in Mediterranean headwater streams

Leaf litter decomposition is a crucial process providing matter and energy to communities inhabiting headwater streams. This process could be affected by many man-made landscape transformations and its response can vary depending on the climate setting. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the presence of small headwater reservoirs decreases litter decomposition downstream, as reported for temperate Oceanic climatic regions, and that this effect is more accentuated in the Mediterranean. The effect of small dams on the decomposition of alder (Alnus glutinosa) leaves was studied in four headwater streams in Catalonia (NE Spain). The presence of a dam affected litter decomposition rates in three of the four streams studied, and this depended on reservoir typology. In those with seasonal surface release, decomposition rates were slower downstream from the dams, but in the case of a continuous hypolimnetic release, it was faster, with higher DIN and temperature and abundance of shredders. Alder litter decomposition rates were twice those reported for Oceanic climatic conditions. In Mediterranean headwaters, the effect of small dams will even be more evident at an annual scale due to the diminished flow rates in summer and this effect will be more pronounced than in the more Oceanic.     

A new DRB1 allele (DRB1 * 0811) identified in Native Americans

The nucleotide sequence data reported here have been submitted to the Genome Sequence Database and have been assigned the accession number L32810. The name DRB1 ^*0811 was officially assigned by the WHO Nomenclature Committee in March 1994. This follows the policy that, subject to the conditions stated in the most recent Nomenclature Report (Bodmer et al. 1992), names will be assigned to new sequences as they are identified. Lists of such new names will be published in the following WHO Nomenclature Report     

Cw * 1505: a novel HLA-C allele isolated from a B * 7301 haplotype

The nucleotide sequence data reported in this paper have been submitted to the EMBL database and have been assigned the accession number X78343. The name Cw ^*1505 was officially assigned by the WHO Nomenclature Committee in May 1994. This follows the agreed policy that, subject to the conditions stated in the most recent Nomenclature Report (The WHO Nomenclature Committee 1992), names will be assigned to new sequences as they are identified. Lists of such new names will be published in he following WHO Nomenclature Report     

Electric field effects on human spinal injury: Is there a basis in the in vitro studies?

An important basis for the clinical application of small DC electric current to mammalian spinal injury is the responses of neurons in culture to applied electric fields. Our recent finding that zebrafish neurons were unresponsive to applied fields prompted us to critically examine previous results. We conclude that compelling evidence for neuronal guidance and directional stimulation of growth toward either the cathode or anode in an electric field exists only for cultured Xenopus neurons, and not for any mammalian neurons. No basis for the reported success in treating spinal injury exists in the in vitro studies, and considerable research will be required if the conditions of field application in mammalian spinal injury are to be optimized.     

Animal cells in turbulent fluids: details of the physical stimulus and the biological response

Animal cells in large scale bioreactors are subjected to a variety of fluid forces for which they are not adapted by evolution. In severe cases the result is cell death, but under more modest agitation conditions an increasing number of nonlethal responses affecting growth rate, metabolism, and product formation have been reported. The forces causing these responses have not been characterized because particle-turbulence interactions are extremely complex. The current understanding of the microscopic structure of turbulence in an infinite liquid and in boundary layers shows that an average shear stress alone is not likely to be adequate to describe the bioreactor environment. Combining knowledge of the physical stimuli and the biological responses will lead to better ways of limiting cell damage and possibly to using physical stresses as a means of specifically modifying cell behavior.