Isotonic and isoelectric endurance tests for the upper trapezius muscle

As an alternative to a conventional endurance electromyogram (EMG) test for assessment of muscle capacity in the upper trapezius muscle (isotonic test, IT), an isoelectric test (IE) has been investigated. Nine subjects performed the two endurance tests. The tests were performed with a straight horizontal arm in the plane of the scapula. In IE, EMG amplitude was fed back to the subject and the subject was instructed to maintain a constant EMG activity equal to the level with the arm unsupported. Subjective ratings of local fatigue were obtained during the experiments. The EMG recordings from both tests were analysed for the root mean square value as well as according to the mean power frequency (MPF) technique. All the subjects endured maximal 15 min IE while in IT the median endurance was 11.9 min. Average subjective ratings of perceived fatigue increased more in IT compared to IE. The average normalised MPF curve from IT increased while that from IE was unaffected. There was a significant difference between the MPF results at 6 and 8 min. It is noteworthy that the MPF was higher in IT in spite of a higher accumulated biomechanical load. It was concluded from these studies that the interpretation of decreased MPF as an indicator of increased local muscle fatigue is doubtful at low contraction levels. It is suggested that an IE is a more appropriate method for the functional evaluation of low threshold motor units of the upper trapezius muscle in research into occupational disorders. Accepted: 15 October 1996     

Inhibition of Lipid Peroxidation by S -nitrosoglutathione and Copper

The antioxidant properties of S -nitrosoglutathione, a nitric oxide-derived product were studied in different experimental systems. By using the crocin bleaching test, S -nitrosoglutathione, in the presence of copper ions, shows an antioxidant capacity about six times higher than that of Trolox c and referable to the interception of peroxyl radicals by nitric oxide. Copper alone shows a modest inhibitory action, which is about seven times lower than that of Trolox c. S -nitrosoglutathione prevents lipid peroxidation induced by the well-known Fe 2+ /ascorbate system (IC 50 =450 &#119 M) and the inhibitory effect is strongly reinforced by the presence of copper ions (IC 50 =6.5 &#119 M). In addition, cumene hydroperoxide-induced lipid peroxidation is markedly decreased by S -nitrosoglutathione, provided that copper ions, maintained reduced by ascorbate, are present. Decomposition of S -nitrosoglutathione through metal catalysis and/or the presence of reducing agents and the consequent release of nitric oxide are of crucial importance for eliciting the antioxidant power. In this way, copper ions and/or reducing species with low antioxidant potency are able to promote the formation of an extremely strong antioxidant species such as nitric oxide.     

Acute bone response to whole body vibration in healthy pre-pubertal boys

The skeleton responds to mechanical stimulation. We wished to ascertain the magnitude and speed of the growing skeleton’s response to a standardised form of mechanical stimulation, vibration. 36 prepubertal boys stood for 10 minutes in total on one of two vibrating platforms (high (>2 g) or low (<1 g) magnitude vibration) on either 1, 3 or 5 successive days (n=12 for each duration); 15 control subjects stood on an inactive platform. Blood samples were taken at intervals before and after vibration to measure bone formation (P1NP, osteocalcin) and resorption (CTx) markers as well as osteoprotegerin and sclerostin. There were no significant differences between platform and control groups in bone turnover markers immediately after vibration on days 1, 3 and 5. Combining platform groups, at day 8 P1NP increased by 25.1% (CI 12.3 to 38.0; paired t-test p=0.005) and bone resorption increased by 10.9% (CI 3.6 to 18.2; paired t-test p=0.009) compared to baseline. Osteocalcin, osteoprotogerin and sclerostin did not change significantly. The growing skeleton can respond quickly to vibration of either high or low magnitude. Further work is needed to determine the utility of such “stimulation-testing” in clinical practice.     

Exact Test Procedures for Generalized Kendall Correlation Coefficients

An exact test of KENDALL'S tau is presented, useful in small samples when the asymptotic test may not be adequate. The procedure is proposed especially for situations when ties and/or censored observations are present in the variables to be analyzed by KENDALL'S tau. The paper describes generalizations of the procedure, presents calculated examples and offers a computer program, which facilitates the usage of the proposed procedure.     

New mastitis phenotypes suitable for genomic selection in meat sheep and their genetic relationships with udder conformation and lamb live weights

Mastitis can prove expensive in sheep reared for meat production due to costs associated with treatment methods, poor lamb growth and premature culling of ewes. The most commonly used method to detect mastitis, in dairy systems, is somatic cell counts. However, in many meat-producing sheep flocks ewes are not routinely handled, thus regular milk sampling is not always possible. It is, therefore, worthwhile to investigate alternative phenotypes, such as those associated with udder conformation and methods of evaluating somatic cell counts in the milk, such as the California Mastitis Test. The main objectives of this study were therefore: (a) to estimate genetic parameters of traits relating to mastitis and udder conformation in a meat sheep breed; (b) estimate the level of association between somatic cell counts and the California Mastitis Test and (c) assess the relationships between mastitis and both udder conformation and lamb live weights. Data were collected from Texel ewes based on 29 flocks, throughout the UK, during 2015 and 2016. The ewes were scored twice each year, at mid- and late-lactation. Eight different conformation traits, relating to udder and teat characteristics, and milk samples were recorded. The data set comprised of data available for 2957 ewes. The pedigree file used contained sire and dam information for 31 775 individuals. The animal models used fitted relevant fixed and random effects. Heritability estimates for traits relating to mastitis (somatic cell score and the California Mastitis Test), ranged from 0.08 to 0.11 and 0.07 to 0.11, respectively. High genetic correlations were observed between somatic cell score and the California Mastitis Test (0.76 to 0.98), indicating the California Mastitis Test to be worthwhile for assessing infection levels, particularly at mid-lactation. The strongest correlations observed between the mastitis traits and the udder conformation traits were associated with udder depth (0.61 to 0.75) also at mid-lactation. Negative phenotypic correlations were estimated between mastitis and the weight of lamb reared by the ewe (−0.15 to −0.23), suggesting that lamb weights fell as infection levels rose. Genetic correlations were not significantly different from zero. Reducing mastitis will lead to improvements in flock productivity and the health and welfare of the animals. It will also improve the efficiency of production and the resilience to disease challenge. The economic benefits, therefore, of these results combined could be substantial not only in this breed but also in the overall meat sheep industry.     

前哨淋巴结检测方法及其在肿瘤中的研究进展

前哨淋巴结(sentinel lymph node,SLN)是肿瘤淋巴结转移的第一站,SLN活检肿瘤阳性的患者需要做系统性淋巴结清扫;SLN活检阴性的患者,不需要做系统性淋巴结清扫,可以缩短手术时间,降低手术费用,减少手术并发症;目前识别SLN的方法包括生物活性染料示踪法,放射性核素示踪法,联合示踪法,纳米炭(carbon nanoparticles,CNP)标记前哨淋巴结活检技术以及吲哚菁绿(Indocyanine Green,ICG)荧光标记法。SLN活检技术在乳腺癌、甲状腺癌、胃癌、恶性黑色素瘤、宫颈癌、子宫内膜癌等肿瘤中皆有不同程度的研究。本文通过复习文献,对前哨淋巴结检测方法予以归纳及其在常见肿瘤中的研究进展予以综述,旨在为恶性肿瘤临床治疗提供参考。     

Unconditional Exact Tests for Equivalence or Noninferiority for Paired Binary Endpoints

Problems of establishing equivalence or noninferiority between two medical diagnostic procedures involve comparisons of the response rates between correlated proportions. When the sample size is small, the asymptotic tests may not be reliable. This article proposes an unconditional exact test procedure to assess equivalence or noninferiority. Two statistics, a sample-based test statistic and a restricted maximum likelihood estimation (RMLE)-based test statistic, to define the rejection region of the exact test are considered. We show the p-value of the proposed unconditional exact tests can be attained at the boundary point of the null hypothesis. Assessment of equivalence is often based on a comparison of the confidence limits with the equivalence limits. We also derive the unconditional exact confidence intervals on the difference of the two proportion means for the two test statistics. A typical data set of comparing two diagnostic procedures is analyzed using the proposed unconditional exact and asymptotic methods. The p-value from the unconditional exact tests is generally larger than the p-value from the asymptotic tests. In other words, an exact confidence interval is generally wider than the confidence interval obtained from an asymptotic test.     

Die Schalenbildung bei Difflugia oviformis (Rhizopoda,Testacea)

Zusammenfassung Die Schale von Difflugia oviformis ist aus Idiosomen zusammengefügt, d.h. kieseligen Elementen, die in verschiedener Anzahl, Gestalt und Größe in der Zelle vorgefertigt werden. Xenosomen, etwa Quarzkörnchen oder Glassplitter, werden nur gelegentlich in die Idiosomenschicht eingebaut. Die Zellteilung beginnt mit der Morphogenese einer neuen Schale für einen der beiden Abkömmlinge. Eine cytoplasmatische Knospe quillt aus der Öffnung des alten Gehäuses. Die Idiosomen für die neue Schalenwand tauchen nach und nach aus dieser Knospe auf. Die Oberfläche der jungen Anlage erscheint zunächst wellig — die Bauelemente sind in mehreren diskontinuierlichen Lagen gestaffelt, wird jedoch gegen Ende der Morphogenese glatt, wenn die Idiosomen auf eine einzige, kontinuierliche Lage verteilt und in einem Zufalls-Mosaik miteinander verkittet sind.

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Test formation in Difflugia oviformis (rhizopoda, testacea)

Summary The test of Difflugia oviformis is composed of idiosomes, i.e. silicious elements, prefabricated within the cell in various shapes and sizes. Xenosomes, such as grains of quartz, are only occasionally incorporated into the mono-layer of idiosomes. Cell division begins with the morphogenesis of a new test for one of the two offsprings. A cytoplasmic bud protrudes from the aperture of the shell. The elements for the construction of the thecal wall emerge successively from this anlage. The surface of the early anlage first appears to be wrinkled or undulated—the elements being distributed in several discontinuous layers—but becomes smooth towards the end of morphogenesis, as soon as the idiosomes are arranged and glued together in a random mosaic pattern to form a single, continuous stratum.

Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; gefördert durch den Sonderforschungsbereich 53 Paläontologie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Palökologie, Tübingen. Technische Assistenz: Gudrun Monnier, Rosemarie Freund, Barbara Grunewald.     

Loss of test cells leads to the formation of new tunic surface cells and abnormal metamorphosis in larvae of Ciona intestinalis (Chordata, Ascidiacea)

The larvae of the ascidian Ciona intestinalis from which the chorion with the test cells and follicle cells were removed developed normally without the test cells until the early tailbud stage. A number of round-shaped cells morphologically similar to the test cells but with different lectin affinities and autofluorescence, then appeared on the neck region of the demembranated embryos. The new cells had three different types: round, particulate, and granular, and these cells increased in number after the late tailbud stage. The morphology of the adhesive papillae, tunic layers and epidermis of the demembranated larvae was similar to that of control larvae; however, the affinity to lectins was different in the swimming period. Control larvae attached to the substratum after the swimming period, resorbed the tail completely and underwent rotation of the visceral organs. Conversely, rotation occurred before completion of tail resorption in the demembranated larvae. Furthermore, the metamorphic events progressed more slowly in the demembranated larvae. These results suggest that the test cells play important roles in normal development and morphogenesis of ascidian larvae. Received: 4 December 1998 / Accepted: 9 April 1999