Lithostratigraphy of the Triassic in Jordan

The Triassic sequence of Jordan east of the Rift-valley consists of an over 1000 m thick sequence of sedimentary rocks. These sediments were deposited near the shore, either under terrestrial conditions within the intertidal range just offshore, or under saline conditions in a sabkha lagoonal environment. Nine formations are described: Um Irna (80 m), Ma'in (40 m), Dardun (60 m), Ain Musa (80 m), Hisban (35 m), Mukheiris (90 m), Iraq al Amir (170 m), Um Tina (260 m), Abu Ruweis (200 m). With the exception of large parts of the Um Tina and the Abu Ruweis Formations all other formations are exposed along the NE coast of the Dead Sea and the deep wadis just E and NE of it. Each formation is defined by a type section. The sedimentary rocks are intruded by dykes and sills composed of diabase and gabbro of uniform composition and older than Upper Jurassic in age. Comparison of Triassic rocks from the west side of the Rift (DRUCKMAN 1974, 1977) indicates that the facies and thickness of Jordanian Triassic rocks as well as the northernmost limit of intrusive rocks can only be fitted with those of the central Negev. A relative movement of the Abrabian block against Palestine-Sinai of at least 100 km along the Rift is probable (BANDEL 1981).     

Muscle glycogen accumulation after a marathon: roles of fiber type and pro- and macroglycogen

Muscle glycogen remains subnormal several days after muscledamaging exercise. The aims of this study were toinvestigate how muscle acid-soluble macroglycogen (MG) andacid-insoluble proglycogen (PG) pools are restored after a competitivemarathon and also to determine whether glycogen accumulates differently in the various muscle fiber types. Six well-trained marathon runners participated in the study, and muscle biopsies were obtained from thevastus lateralis of the quadriceps muscle before, immediately after,and 1, 2, and 7 days (days 1, 2, and7, respectively) after the marathon.During the race, 56 ± 3.8% of muscle glycogen was utilized, and agreater fraction of MG (72 ± 3.7%) was utilized compared with PG(34 ± 6.5%). On day 2, muscleglycogen and MG values remained lower than preracevalues, despite a carbohydrate-rich diet, but they hadboth returned to prerace levels on day7. The PG concentration was lower onday 1 compared with before the race, whereas there were no significant differences between the prerace PGconcentration and the concentrations on days2 and 7. Onday 2 the glycogen concentration wasparticularly low in the type I fibers, indicating that local processesare important for the accumulation pattern. We conclude that a greaterfraction of human muscle MG than of PG is utilized during a marathonand that accumulation of MG is particularly delayed after the prolongedexercise bout. Furthermore, factors produced locally appear importantfor the glycogen accumulation pattern.     

The effect of orally administered viable probiotic and dairy lactobacilli on mouse lymphocyte proliferation

Four common Lactobacillus strains were screened for their effects on proliferation of mouse splenic lymphocytes. Mice received perorally 10(9) viable bacteria kg(-1) body weight for 7 days. Lactobacillus acidophilus treatment enhanced ex vivo basal proliferation (by 43%) and B-cell response at suboptimal and optimal concentrations of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (by 27-28%). Conversely, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus inhibited both basal proliferation (by 14-51%) and mitogen-stimulated lymphoproliferation, particularly at supra-optimal concentrations of concanavalin A (by 43-68%) and LPS (by 23-62%). Therefore, these Lactobacillus strains demonstrate strain-specific effects on B- and T-cells and may also alter the splenocyte sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of mitogens.     

Test of a new technique for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Several new techniques for carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis have been developed in the last few years. This work tests a technique that compares the distal motor latency of the median nerve to the second lumbrical muscle (2L) with the distal motor latency of the ulnar nerve to the interossei muscle (INT). Results from 40 normal hands give the superior limit of the normal difference (2L-INT) as 0. 26 ms (&xmacr;+3 SD). In 55 hands with different levels of carpal tunnel syndrome, this new technique was more sensitive and accurate than the conventional test which uses the distal motor latency of the median nerve to the abductor pollicis brevis muscle (APB), especially in the less severe cases. With the absence of the compound muscle action potentials of the APB muscle caused by severe thenar atrophy, it is much easier to obtain the potential from the 2L muscle. We concluded that this is a sensitive, simple, rapid, and non-invasive new technique, and therefore, it should be incorporated as part of the routine ENMG procedures for carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis.