Validation of an innovative method,based on tilt sensing,for the assessment of activity and body position

Since there is less movement during sleep than during wake, the recording of body movements by actigraphy has been used to indirectly evaluate the sleep–wake cycle. In general, most actigraphic devices are placed on the wrist and their measures are based on acceleration detection. Here, we propose an alternative way of measuring actigraphy at the level of the arm for joint evaluation of activity and body position. This method analyzes the tilt of three axes, scoring activity as the cumulative change of degrees per minute with respect to the previous sampling, and measuring arm tilt for the body position inference. In this study, subjects (N?=?13) went about their daily routine for 7 days, kept daily sleep logs, wore three ambulatory monitoring devices and collected sequential saliva samples during evenings for the measurement of dim light melatonin onset (DLMO). These devices measured motor activity (arm activity, AA) and body position (P) using the tilt sensing of the arm, with acceleration (wrist acceleration, WA) and skin temperature at wrist level (WT). Cosinor, Fourier and non-parametric rhythmic analyses were performed for the different variables, and the results were compared by the ANOVA test. Linear correlations were also performed between actimetry methods (AA and WA) and WT. The AA and WA suitability for circadian phase prediction and for evaluating the sleep–wake cycle was assessed by comparison with the DLMO and sleep logs, respectively. All correlations between rhythmic parameters obtained from AA and WA were highly significant. Only parameters related to activity levels, such as mesor, RA (relative amplitude), VL5 and VM10 (value for the 5 and 10 consecutive hours of minimum and maximum activity, respectively) showed significant differences between AA and WA records. However, when a correlation analysis was performed on the phase markers acrophase, mid-time for the 10 consecutive hours of highest (M10) and mid-time for the five consecutive hours of lowest activity (L5) with DLMO, all of them showed a significant correlation for AA (R?=?0.607, p?=?0.028; R?=?0.582, p?=?0.037; R?=?0.620, p?=?0.031, respectively), while for WA, only acrophase did (R?=?0.621, p?=?0.031). Regarding sleep detection, WA showed higher specificity than AA (0.95?±?0.01 versus 0.86?±?0.02), while the agreement rate and sensitivity were higher for AA (0.76?±?0.02 versus 0.66?±?0.02 and 0.71?±?0.03 versus 0.53?±?0.03, respectively). Cohen’s kappa coefficient also presented the highest values for AA (0.49?±?0.04) and AP (0.64?±?0.04), followed by WT (0.45?±?0.06) and WA (0.37?±?0.04). The findings demonstrate that this alternative actigraphy method (AA), based on tilt sensing of the arm, can be used to reliably evaluate the activity and sleep–wake rhythm, since it presents a higher agreement rate and sensitivity for detecting sleep, at the same time allows the detection of body position and improves circadian phase assessment compared to the classical actigraphic method based on wrist acceleration.     

Surface EMG: The issue of electrode location

This paper contributes to clarifying the conditions under which electrode position for surface EMG detection is critical and leads to estimates of EMG variables that are different from those obtained in other nearby locations. Whereas a number of previous works outline the need to avoid the innervation zone (or the muscle belly), many authors place electrodes in the central part or bulge of the muscle of interest where the innervation zone is likely to be. Computer simulations are presented to explain the effect of the innervation zone on amplitude, frequency and conduction velocity estimates from the signal and the need to avoid placing electrodes near it. Experimental signals recorded from some superficial muscles of the limbs and trunk (abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, biceps, upper trapezius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis) were processed providing support for the findings obtained from simulations. The use of multichannel techniques is recommended to estimate the location of the innervation zone and to properly choose the optimal position of the detection point(s) allowing meaningful estimates of EMG variables during movement analysis.     

Significance of Na<Superscript>+</Superscript> and K<Superscript>+</Superscript> for Sustained Hydration of Organ Tissues in Ecologically Distinct Halophytes of the Family Chenopodiaceae

The contents of Na⁺, K⁺, water, and dry matter were measured in leaves and roots of euhalophytes Salicornia europaea L. and Climacoptera lanata (Pall.) Botsch featuring succulent and xeromorphic cell structures, respectively, as well as in saltbush Atriplex micrantha C.A. Mey, a halophyte having bladder-like salt glands on their leaves. All three species were able to accumulate Na⁺ in their tissues. The Na⁺ content in organs increased with elevation of NaCl concentration in the substrate, the concentrations of Na⁺ being higher in leaves than in roots. When these halophytes were grown on a NaCl-free substrate, a trend toward K⁺ accumulation was observed and was better pronounced in leaves than in roots. Particularly high K⁺ concentrations were accumulated in Salicornia leaves. There were no principal differences in the partitioning of Na⁺ and K⁺ between organs of three halophyte species representing different ecological groups. At all substrate concentrations of NaCl, the total content of Na⁺ and K⁺ in leaves was higher than in roots. This distribution pattern persisted in Atriplex possessing salt glands, as well as in euhalophytes Salicornia and Climacoptera. The physiological significance of such universal pattern of ion accumulation and distribution among organs in halophytes is related to the necessity of water absorption by roots, its transport to shoots, and maintenance of sufficient cell water content in all organs under high soil salinity.     

Reassessing the out-of-phase phenomenon in shake flasks by evaluating the angle-dependent liquid distribution relative to the direction of the centrifugal acceleration

Shake flasks are still the most relevant experimental tool in the development of viscous fermentation processes. The phase number, which defines the onset of the unfavorable out-of-phase (OP) phenomenon in shake flasks, was previously defined via specific power input measurements. In the OP state, the bulk liquid no longer follows the orbital movement of the imposed centrifugal force, which is for example, detrimental to oxygen transfer. In this study, an optical fluorescence technique was used to measure the three-dimensional liquid distribution in shake flasks. Four new optically derived evaluation criteria for the phase transition between the in-phase and OP condition were established: (a) thickness of the liquid film left on the glass wall by the rotating bulk liquid, (b) relative slope of the leading edge of bulk liquid (LB) lines, (c) trend of the angular position of LB, and (d) very high angular position of the leading edge. In contrast to the previously applied power input measurements, the new optical evaluation criteria describe the phase transition in greater detailed. Instead of Ph = 1.26, a less conservative value of Ph = 0.91 is now suggested for the phase transfer, which implies a broader operating window for shake flask cultivations with higher viscosities.     

The management of episiotomy technique and its effect on pelvic floor muscles during a malposition childbirth

Vaginal childbirth is the leading cause of pelvic floor muscles injury, which contributes to pelvic floor dysfunction, being enhanced by fetal malposition. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to verify the influence of mediolateral episiotomies in the mechanics of the pelvic floor with the fetus in occiput posterior position when compared to the occiput anterior position. Numerical simulations of vaginal deliveries, with and without episiotomy, are performed based on the Finite Element Method. The biomechanical model includes the pelvic floor muscles, a surface to delimit the anterior region of the birth canal and a fetus. Fetal malposition induces greater extension of the muscle compared to the normal position, leading to increases of stretch. The faster enlargement may be responsible for a prolonged second stage of labor. Regarding the force required to achieve delivery, the difference between the analyzed cases are 35 N, which might justify the increased need of surgical interventions. Furthermore, episiotomy is essential in reducing the damage to values near the ones obtained with normal position, making the fetal position irrelevant. These biomechanical models have become extremely useful tools to provide some understanding of pelvic floor function during delivery helping in the development of preventative strategies.     

岩蕨科、球盖蕨科的系统位置：叶绿体DNAtrnL-F区序列证据

岩蕨科(Woodsiaceae)和球盖蕨科(Peranemaceae)历来被多数学者认为是亲缘关系密切的两个科,它们的系统位置一直存在争议,两科曾被放入三叉蕨科(Aspidiaceae)、碗蕨科(Dennstaedtiaceae)、鳞毛蕨亚科(Dryopteridoidaae)及鳞毛蕨科(Dryopteriaceae)蹄盖蕨亚科(Athyrioideae)中。根据岩蕨科1种、球盖蕨科3种、蹄盖蕨科8种、鳞毛蕨科2种及1种外类群假大羽铁角蕨(Asplenium pseudolaserpitiifolium)的cpDNA基因trnL-F区序列建立的系统树,结果显示,岩蕨科和球盖蕨科的亲缘关系较远,岩蕨科与蹄盖蕨科有密切的亲缘关系,球盖蕨科与鳞毛蕨科亲缘关系较近,岩蕨科和球盖蕨科是处于不同进化线上的植物。秦仁昌（1978）和Pichi-Sermolii（1977）的系统将二者分别作为独立的科是合适的。     

Photosynthetic and morphological characters of Caragana microphylla in different slope aspects and positions

In order to find out how small scale topographical factors affect growth and physiological characters of Caragana microphylla, which is a widely distributed shrub species and has an important role in restoring degraded grassland in natural ecosystem, a natural population of C. microphylla was chosen in a typical steppe community in June, 2009. The population was 34 km to the southeast of Xilinhot City, China, and a total of 54 shrubs were selected from different slope aspects and positions. We investigated the photosynthetic and morphological characters of these shrubs and analyzed the relationship between plant traits of C. microphylla and soil nitrogen and phosphorus availability. Moreover, the relationship between plant traits of C. microphylla and herbaceous aboveground biomass was studied. (1) The maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pn_max) was significantly lower on shady slopes than that on sunny slopes and higher on upper slopes than that on lower slopes. Stomatal conductance (Gs), net photosynthetic rate/intercellular CO₂ concentration (Pn/Ci) and intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) under saturated irradiance showed similar trends with slope aspect and position. Likewise, the maximum photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm), PSII potential activity (Fv/Fo) and the first-year shoot morphological characters of C. microphylla were also correlated with slope aspect and position. (2) Soil nitrogen availability showed no significant effect on photosynthetic or morphological traits of C. microphylla, however, there were several significant relationships between soil phosphorus availability and plant traits. Dry weight, shoot length, compound leaf size, and leaflet length of first-year shoots of C. microphylla were significantly negatively correlated with soil C:P ratio. Though not significant, photosynthetic parameters under saturated light and other morphological characters of first-year shoots were negatively correlated with soil C:P ratio, i.e., these traits increased with increasing soil phosphorus availability. These suggested that the difference of soil phosphorus availability played an important role in making C. microphylla having different photosynthetic and morphological characters on different slope aspects and positions. The individuals grown in relatively P-rich site had longer shoots and larger leaves and grew better. Low phosphorus content was thought to limit photosynthetic activity through several different mechanisms, including both stomatal and non-stomatal limitations, the latter being more likely in the present study. (3) Photosynthetic and morphological characters of C. microphylla were all negatively correlated with herbaceous aboveground biomass, though only Pn/Ci and length of first-year shoot were significantly correlated with it. This indicated that the difference in plant community was a factor making C. microphylla have different growth and physiological characters on different aspects and positions of slope. A number of studies showed that grazing of the herbaceous layer promoted the establishment and proliferation of woody species, and then led to grassland deterioration; but in arid and semi-arid ecosystems, some widely distributed shrub species like C. microphylla created resource islands and provide favorable microhabitat for grass species. In the present study, we found negative correlations between traits of C. microphylla and herbaceous aboveground biomass. We suggested that the removal of livestock grazing result in the decrease of the distribution C. microphylla and increase of grass coverage, and lead to the restoration of the typical steppe.     

黑果枸杞不同组织内生细菌群落多样性

【目的】黑果枸杞是我国荒漠区特有的药用盐生植物,本研究分析了黑果枸杞不同组织中内生细菌群落多样性特征及分布规律。【方法】应用Illumina MiSeq高通量测序技术对黑果枸杞内生细菌的16S rRNAV5-V7区域序列进行测定,并分析群落组成、多样性及功能等生物学信息。【结果】黑果枸杞不同组织内生细菌群落多样性及功能均有较大的差异。花、叶、果、茎和根产生的OTUs分别是182、173、119、187和254,群落多样性表现为根花果、茎叶。从门水平上看,变形菌门是优势菌门,在不同组织中均有分布,花、叶、果、茎和根中的相对丰度分别为87.66%、41.51%、81.76%、97.67%和61.85%。在属水平上显示内生细菌的分布表现出器官差异性。花部能够准确分类的优势菌属为沙雷氏菌属和不动杆菌属,相对丰度分别为11.57%和8.55%。叶部为红球菌属和慢生根瘤菌属,相对丰度分别为29.68%和5.53%。果实中为泛菌属、红球菌属和沙雷氏菌属,相对丰度分别为23.12%、5.52%和4.29%。茎部为沙雷氏菌属和假单胞菌属,相对丰度分别为12.03%和17.71%。根部为盐单胞菌属、Fodinicurvata和Lipingzhangella,相对丰度分别为24.18%、5.16%和4.86%。在不同组织中分布较广的盐单胞菌、沙雷氏菌、不动杆菌、红球菌、泛菌等菌属均具有较高耐盐性和促生、生防、降解有机污染物及抗氧化等功能。PICRUSt功能预测分析显示,黑果枸杞组织中内生细菌功能中涉及丰富的多糖、萜类和酮类、酶及维他命等次生代谢产物的生物合成。【结论】黑果枸杞内生细菌具有丰富的群落和功能多样性,拥有多种益生功能性状,也含有多个与人和植物体代谢相关的功能信息。不同组织优势菌属和功能信息各有不同,其中根部的内生细菌物种最丰富,花部和茎部参与各种代谢调控的细菌丰度最高。此外,不同组织中还含有大量未知种属的微生物类群,这些都为内生细菌功能利用和挖掘新的有益微生物资源提供广阔的发展空间。