An investigation of ecological correlates with hand and foot morphology in callitrichid primates

Studies of primate taxonomy and phylogeny often depend on comparisons of limb dimensions, yet there is little information on how morphology correlates and contributes to foraging strategies and ecology. Callitrichid primates are ideal for comparative studies as they exhibit a range of body size, limb proportions and diet. Many callitrichid species exhibit a high degree of exudativory, and to efficiently exploit these resources, they are assumed to have evolved morphologies that reflect a level of dependence on these resources. We tested assumptions by considering measurements of limb proportion and frictional features of the volar surfaces in preserved specimens of 25 species with relation to published life history and ecological data. The degree of exudativory and utilization of vertical substrates during foraging were found to correlate both with size and with size‐corrected foot and hand dimensions. Smaller species, which engage in greater degrees of exudativory, had proportionally longer hands and feet and more curved claw‐like tegulae (nails) on their digits to facilitate climbing on vertical substrates. The density of patterned ridges (dermatoglyphs) on the volar surfaces of the hands and feet is higher in more exudativorous genera, suggesting a role in climbing on vertical tree trunks during foraging. Dermatoglyph comparisons suggest that ridges on the soles and palms may facilitate food procurement by enhancing frictional grip during exudate feeding. Volar pad features corroborate taxonomic relationships described from dental morphology. Am J Phys Anthropol 152:447–458, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Characterization of the mouse ClC-K1/Barttin chloride channel

Several Cl⁻ channels have been described in the native renal tubule, but their correspondence with ClC-K1 and ClC-K2 channels (orthologs of human ClC-Ka and ClC-Kb), which play a major role in transcellular Cl⁻ absorption in the kidney, has yet to be established. This is partly because investigation of heterologous expression has involved rat or human ClC-K models, whereas characterization of the native renal tubule has been done in mice. Here, we investigate the electrophysiological properties of mouse ClC-K1 channels heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in HEK293 cells with or without their accessory Barttin subunit. Current amplitudes and plasma membrane insertion of mouse ClC-K1 were enhanced by Barttin. External basic pH or elevated calcium stimulated currents followed the anion permeability sequence Cl⁻ > Br⁻ > NO₃⁻ > I⁻. Single-channel recordings revealed a unit conductance of ~ 40 pS. Channel activity in cell-attached patches increased with membrane depolarization (voltage for half-maximal activation: ~ − 65 mV). Insertion of the V166E mutation, which introduces a glutamate in mouse ClC-K1, which is crucial for channel gating, reduced the unit conductance to ~ 20 pS. This mutation shifted the depolarizing voltage for half-maximal channel activation to ~ + 25 mV. The unit conductance and voltage dependence of wild-type and V166E ClC-K1 were not affected by Barttin. Owing to their strikingly similar properties, we propose that the ClC-K1/Barttin complex is the molecular substrate of a chloride channel previously detected in the mouse thick ascending limb (Paulais et al., J Membr. Biol, 1990, 113:253–260).     

Intérêt de l’imagerie hybride TEMP/TDM dans la localisation des glandes parathyroïdes ectopiques : à propos de 3 cas

The presence of a parathyroid gland in ectopic position constitutes one of the leading causes of surgery failure. For this purpose, scintigraphy takes a major place in the anatomical localization of pathological parathyroid and so facilitates its treatment. The advent of hybrid cameras combining single photon emission tomography to CT (SPECT/CT) has further strengthened the contribution of this imaging modality in the precise localization of ectopic parathyroid and its anatomical relationships. The objective of our work is to illustrate the interest of hybrid imaging SPECT/CT, compared to planar scintigraphy and ultrasounds within the framework of primary hyperparathyroidism, particularly ectopic situation through three cases.     

Apport de la scintigraphie au Tc99 m dans l’ectopique thyroïdienne. À propos d’un cas

Thyroid ectopia is a rare disease (1/4000 to 1/8000 patients with hypothyroidism) whose pathogenesis is poorly understood. It may be asymptomatic or present with clinical or biological hypothyroidism. We report the observation of ectopic thyroid diagnosed in a 42-year-old patient. On physical examination, there was no signs of hypothyroidism and thyroid was not palpable. In thyroid scintigraphy, this training is an ectopic thyroid tracheal pre-position. The SPECT/CT cervical examination confirmed the presence of lobed hyoid in training and examination of the thyroid empty lodge. We discuss in this article the clinical and radiological features of this pathology and we insist on the necessity to consider this diagnosis before any hypothyroidism associated with the absence of palpation of thyroid gland in normal position even in adults.     

在320排螺旋CT双下肢动脉成像中的护理配合效应

目的：探讨320排螺旋CT血管成像（CTA）在行双下肢动脉血管成像过程中,护理配合对的图像质量的影响。方法：将138例患者分为护理组（82例）及对照组（56例）,分别进行320排螺旋CT双下肢血管造影检查,经高压团注造影剂欧乃派克,进行三维重组,获取容积再观（VR）、曲面重组（CPR）和最大密度投影（MIP）图像。对照组的患者只进行口头的训练,没有其他的护理干预措施;实验组进行一系列的护理干预以提高患者的配合,减低在成像过程中的非生理性运动。用工作站进行图像后处理,显示双下肢动脉图像,对其图像质量和影响因素进行分析,并在检查过程中的护理干预加以总结。结果：对照组有2例患者穿刺部位不合理而影响图像质量,对双下肢的病变显示具有一定的影响,3例患者注射压力过高引起外渗,流速在2.5-3.5 ml/s,影响了图像的清晰度,其余均获得满意效果。结论：良好的护理配合有利于320排CT双下肢成像的顺利进行,精心的护理操作是取得检查成功的动脉成像保证。     

妇科针对性护理对保守治疗、开腹手术治疗、腹腔镜微创手术治疗宫外孕患者机体恢复的影响

目的:目前宫外孕的发病率日趋增多,发病年龄也趋向年轻化,为减轻患者痛苦,促进其早日康复,本文旨在回顾性分析妇科护理工作在三种方式治疗宫外孕治疗中的作用.方法:选取2010年10月至2011年9月间,于我院妇科进行宫外孕手术的患者172例,针对172例患者所采取的保守治疗、开腹手术治疗、腹腔镜微创手术三种不同治疗方法,根据不同情况,实施多种妇科针对性护理措施,并对结果进行回顾性分析和总结.结果:172例宫外孕患者经腹腔镜微创手术治疗治愈126例,经过针对性妇科护理,平均住院6.56天;开腹手术治愈26例,经过针对性妇科护理,平均住院9.85天;保守治疗20例,保守治疗失败转为手术治疗3例,平均住院17.87天.经过对所有患者采取有效的针对性精心护理,护理效果较为满意,预后情况良好.结论:腹腔镜微创手术治疗因其创伤小、恢复快,且兼具明确诊断和治疗的作用,是目前临床治疗宫外孕的主要方法;对选择不同治疗方式的患者采取有效的针对性护理,可以提高护理质量和治疗效果,减轻患者痛苦、减少并发症的发生,确保患者早日康复出院.     

Strength of forelimb lateralization predicts motor errors in an insect

Lateralized behaviours are widespread in both vertebrates and invertebrates, suggesting that lateralization is advantageous. Yet evidence demonstrating proximate or ultimate advantages remains scarce, particularly in invertebrates or in species with individual-level lateralization. Desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) are biased in the forelimb they use to perform targeted reaching across a gap. The forelimb and strength of this bias differed among individuals, indicative of individual-level lateralization. Here we show that strongly biased locusts perform better during gap-crossing, making fewer errors with their preferred forelimb. The number of targeting errors locusts make negatively correlates with the strength of forelimb lateralization. This provides evidence that stronger lateralization confers an advantage in terms of improved motor control in an invertebrate with individual-level lateralization.     

血清妊娠相关血浆蛋白A在诊断异常妊娠中的临床意义

目的:探讨血清妊娠相关血浆蛋白A(PAPP-A)在诊断异常妊娠中的临床意义,分析其与异常妊振的关系。方法:选取299例5~13周的正常早孕妇为正常早孕组,同期选取稽留流产86例,先兆流产54例,异位妊娠76例为异常妊娠组,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELASA)测定两组受试者的血清PAPP-A水平,分析两组受试者各个孕周内的血清PAPP-A水平的差异。结果:稽留流产孕妇在各个孕周内(9~13周)的血清PAPP-A水平显著低于同孕周内正常早孕孕妇(t值分别为9.500,8.113,3.511,9.538,8.504,P值均0.05);稽留流产孕妇总的平均血清PAPP-A水平亦低于常早孕孕妇(t=3.651,P值均0.05);异位妊娠孕妇在各个孕周内(9~13周)的血清PAPP-A水平显著低于同孕周内正常早孕孕妇(t值分别为7.976,9.030,9.941,11.625,14.079,12.569,P值均0.05),异位妊娠孕妇总的平均血清PAPP-A水平亦低于常早孕孕妇(t=28.168,P值均0.05);先兆流产孕妇(除孕8周)与正常早孕妊娠血清PAPP-A水平比较无显著统计学意义。结论:血清PAPP-A水平在异常妊娠如异位妊娠、稽留流产中显著降低,可作为诊断异位妊娠、稽留流产及先兆流产辅助诊断的生物学指标。     

Cortical motor representation of the rectus femoris does not differ between the left and right hemisphere

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) involves non-invasive magnetic stimulation of the brain, and can be used to explore the corticomotor excitability and motor representations of skeletal muscles. However there is a lack of motor mapping studies in the lower limb and few conducted in healthy cohorts. The cortical motor representations of muscles can vary between individuals in terms of center position and area despite having a general localized region within the motor cortex. It is important to characterize the normal range for these variables in healthy cohorts to be able to evaluate changes in clinical populations. TMS was used in this cross-sectional study to assess the active motor threshold (AMT) and cortical representation area for rectus femoris in 15 healthy individuals (11 M/4F 27.3 ± 5.9 years). No differences were found between hemispheres (Left vs. Right P = 0.130) for AMT. In terms of y-axis center position no differences were found between hemispheres (Left vs. Right P = 0.539), or for the x-axis center position (Left vs. Right P = 0.076). Similarly, no differences in calculated area of the motor representation were found (Left vs. Right P = 0.699) indicating symmetry between hemispheres.     

Comparison of Biomechanical Characteristics during the Second Landing Phase in Female Latin Dancers: Evaluation of the Bounce and Side Chasse Step

Research on dance lower extremity joint motion has been limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb biomechanics differences between the side chasse step (SCS) and the bounce step (BS) of the second landing phase in Jive. Thirteen female recreational Latin dancers (Age: 22 ± 2.5 years; Height: 1.65 ± 0.05 m; Weight: 50 ± 4.5 kg; Dance experience: 4 ± 2 years) were involved in the experiment. The same music was used throughout the data collection period. We intended to determine whether these two steps generate different kinematic and kinetic data. The ankle, hip, and knee joint angle, moment, velocity, and ground reaction force were calculated for each step. Results demonstrated that the lower limb biomechanics of the two different steps showed significant differences. As a result, strengthening the lower limb muscles (gastrocnemius, Tibialis muscle, and quadriceps) is significantly important to balance the joint strength and prevent foot injury. According to the training time reasonably increasing the heel height should be recognized as important. The current study could provide new insights into reducing lower extremity injuries and improving dance performance.