Does ultrasound guidance add accuracy to continuous caudal-epidural catheter placements in neonates and infants?

Summary

Background

Caudo-lumbar and caudo-thoracic epidural anesthesia is an established technique that carries a low risk of dural puncture or spinal cord trauma in infants. Traditionally catheter advancement is based on external measurements. However, malpositioning of catheters are known to occur. We hypothesized that caudal-epidural catheters inserted under real-time ultrasound guidance may be more accurate than the accuracy of the measurements traditionally used for their placement.

Methods

We studied 25 patients, aged 2 days to 5 months, posted for abdominal or thoracic surgery, receiving general anesthesia followed by caudo-epidural continuous block. External measurement defined as the distance from the caudal space and the surgically congruent vertebral level was measured in centimeters with the back gently flexed. Subsequently, a caudo-epidural block was performed in the same position. The epidural catheter insertion was followed under real-time ultrasound guidance till the predetermined vertebral level was reached. The actual length placed under real-time ultrasound scan was defined as the actual length. The high-frequency probe was placed longitudinal and paramedian to the spine. The vertebral level was determined by identifying the lumbosacral junction in longitudinal saggital view and counting the vertebrae up from L5. The catheter length at the skin was compared with the length recorded by external measurement.

Results

The actual length placed under real-time ultrasound scan were consistently longer than the external distance between the caudal space and selected vertebral level. The mean values of ultrasound were higher than the mean values of external measurement with a difference of 4.28 cm. Accuracy was not affected by age or affected by the selected vertebral level in the age group we studied.

Conclusions

We conclude that catheters placed under ultrasound guidance are more accurate than the traditional method developed before the advent of ultrasound in young infants.

from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uqVSBr
via IFTTT

A limited evaluation of the association of race and anesthetic medication administration: A single-center experience with appendectomies

Summary

Background

Although it is known that a patient's race may influence their medical care, racial patterns of medication administration in pediatric anesthesia have not been well-studied. The aim of this study was to determine if differences exist between Black and White children with regard to administration of anesthetic and analgesic medications for a single procedure at our institution.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of medications administered to patients for emergency appendectomies at a large academic children's hospital from 2010 to 2015. We examined the association between patient race and administration of preoperative midazolam and intraoperative ondansetron, lidocaine, ketorolac, and weight-based doses of fentanyl and morphine.

Results

During the study period, 1680 patients (1329 White, 351 Black) underwent emergency appendectomy. There were no significant racial differences in administration of intraoperative anesthetic medications between Black and White children. In unadjusted analysis, Black children were less likely to receive preoperative midazolam than White children (OR=0.74 [95% CI, 0.58-0.94], P=.012). After adjusting for confounders, there was no evidence of racial differences in administration of preoperative or intraoperative medications.

Conclusions

We did not find a significant difference in preoperative or intraoperative medication administration based on race when we adjusted for age, gender, and attending anesthesiologist practice patterns. We encourage all institutions to monitor their own practice patterns with regard to race.

from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uIK48R
via IFTTT

Colorectal Cancer Screening in Asia

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing in Asia, especially in regions with higher levels of economic development. Several Asian countries have launched population CRC screening programs to combat this devastating disease because previous studies have demonstrated that either fecal occult blood test or lower gastrointestinal endoscopy can effectively reduce CRC mortality.

Recent Findings

Screening includes engaging the population, testing, administering a confirmation examination, and treating screening-detected neoplasms; thus, monitoring the whole process using measurable indicators over time is of utmost importance. Only when the quality of every step is secured can the effectiveness of CRC screening be maximized. Screening and verification examination rates remain low in Asian countries, and important infrastructure, including cancer or death registry systems, colonoscopy capacity, and reasonable subsidization for screening, is lacking or insufficient.

Summary

Future research should identify potential local barriers to screening. Good communication and dialog among screening organizers, clinicians, professional societies, and public health workers are indispensible for successful screening programs.

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2urztQp
via IFTTT

Pancreatic Sphincter Precutting using a Dual Knife to Relieve Acute Pancreatic Duct Obstruction

A 47-year-old woman diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) revealed main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation with multiple calcifications (Fig. 1a). Pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) was performed for stone disintegration starting from the pancreatic head (Fig. 1c). After P-ESWL, the patient complained of intense abdominal pain. Intramuscular injection of pethidine was repeatedly applied but did not relieve the pain. Repeated CT revealed that the diameter of the MDP had increased from 8.11mm to 17.99mm (Fig.

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uIs1zH
via IFTTT

The contribution of long non-coding RNAs in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) are multifactorial autoimmune diseases with growing prevalence but the interaction between genetic, environmental and immunologic factors in their development is complex and remains obscure. There is great need to understand their pathogenetic mechanisms and evolve diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that are known to interfere in gene regulation but their roles and functions have not yet been fully understood.

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2urdQ6s
via IFTTT

Pancreatic Sphincter Precutting using a Dual Knife to Relieve Acute Pancreatic Duct Obstruction

A 47-year-old woman diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis was admitted to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) revealed main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation with multiple calcifications (Fig. 1a). Pancreatic extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (P-ESWL) was performed for stone disintegration starting from the pancreatic head (Fig. 1c). After P-ESWL, the patient complained of intense abdominal pain. Intramuscular injection of pethidine was repeatedly applied but did not relieve the pain. Repeated CT revealed that the diameter of the MDP had increased from 8.11mm to 17.99mm (Fig.

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uIs1zH
via IFTTT

The contribution of long non-coding RNAs in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) are multifactorial autoimmune diseases with growing prevalence but the interaction between genetic, environmental and immunologic factors in their development is complex and remains obscure. There is great need to understand their pathogenetic mechanisms and evolve diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules longer than 200 nucleotides that are known to interfere in gene regulation but their roles and functions have not yet been fully understood.

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2urdQ6s
via IFTTT

Standardized Computer-based Organized Reporting of EEG: SCORE – second version

The combination of clinically relevant signal features in an EEG recording is huge. This wide variety is typically described in free text EEG-reports. Although the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (IFCN) published a glossary of terms for describing EEGs, the free-text format allows deviations from the standardized terminology. In practice, a wide variety of local terminologies flourish, where the same term is used with different meanings in different centers, and the same feature is described by different terms in different centers.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vPQXJx
via IFTTT

Comparison of Visual Evoked Potential Monitoring During Spine Surgeries under Total Intravenous Anesthesia versus Balanced General Anesthesia

Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) is the illustration of electrical activity recorded from sensors placed on the subject's scalp overlying the visual cortex in response to visual stimuli. Changes in this electroencephalographic signal are characterized by a waveform, where changes in latency, amplitude, and morphology could be associated with specific pathologies (Holy et al., 2009; Ota et al., 2010; Andersson et al., 2012; Chung et al., 2012; Kamio et al., 2014; Luo et al., 2015). There exists a variety of stimuli that can be used in awake subjects, the most common being checkboard pattern-reversal VEP (Andersson et al., 2012).

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2urEWGS
via IFTTT

Parkinsonian rest tremor can be detected accurately based on neuronal oscillations recorded from the subthalamic nucleus

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a widely used treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (Perlmutter and Mink 2006). While its efficacy is well established, its efficiency can potentially be optimized. Conventional DBS is applied continuously although motor symptoms are usually fluctuating. Moreover, the benefit of DBS is often compromised by side-effects, which can usually be alleviated by reducing stimulation power, i.e. the energy applied per unit of time. Suggested approaches to reduce power include electric field steering (Contarino et al.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vQnFdJ
via IFTTT

Electroencephalogram dynamics in children during different levels of anaesthetic depth

Loss of consciousness induced by general anaesthetic agents has been proposed to be related to disruptions of connectivity between neuronal networks of the thalamus and the cerebral cortex (Alkire et al., 2000). Accordingly, the electroencephalogram (EEG), as a tool to measure synchronicity of network connectivity, has gained a position as the de-facto standard to monitor the depth of anaesthesia. However, EEG signatures used to identify different levels of anaesthesia are not well characterized in children, and still need to be properly described before implementation in clinical practice.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2urkNR5
via IFTTT

The Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Roundup(R) Does Not Elevate Genome-Wide Mutagenesis of Escherichia coli

Mutations induced by pollutants may promote pathogen evolution for example by accelerating mutations conferring antibiotic resistance. Generally, evaluating the genome-wide mutagenic effects of long-term sublethal pollutant exposure at single-nucleotide resolution is extremely difficult. To overcome this technical barrier, we use the mutation accumulation/whole genome sequencing (MA/WGS) method as a mutagenicity test, to quantitatively evaluate genome-wide mutagenesis of Escherichia coli after long-term exposure to a wide gradient of the glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) Roundup® Concentrate Plus. The genome-wide mutation rate decreases as GBH concentration increases, suggesting that even long-term GBH exposure does not compromise the genome stability of bacteria.

from Genetics via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fuGsVM
via IFTTT

High-Quality de Novo Genome Assembly of the Dekkera bruxellensis Yeast Isolate Using Nanopore MinION Sequencing

Genetic variation in natural populations represents the raw material for phenotypic diversity. Species-wide characterization of genetic variants is crucial to have a deeper insight into the genotype-phenotype relationship. With the advent of new sequencing strategies and more recently the release of long-read sequencing platforms, it is now possible to explore the genetic diversity of any non-model organisms, representing a fundamental resource for biological research. In the frame of population genomic surveys, a first step is to obtain the complete sequence and high quality assembly of a reference genome. Here, we sequenced and assembled a reference genome of the non-conventional Dekkera bruxellensis yeast. While this species is a major cause of wine spoilage, it paradoxically contributes to the specific flavor profile of some Belgium beers. In addition, an extreme karyotype variability is observed across natural isolates, highlighting that D. bruxellensis genome is very dynamic. The whole genome of the D. bruxellensis UMY321 isolate was sequenced using a combination of Nanopore long-read and Illumina short-read sequencing data. We generated the most complete and contiguous de novo assembly of D. bruxellensis to date and obtained a first glimpse into the genomic variability within this species by comparing the sequences of several isolates. This genome sequence is therefore of high value for population genomic surveys and represents a reference to study genome dynamic in this yeast species.

from Genetics via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hLUxir
via IFTTT

The absence or temporal offset of visual feedback does not influence adaptation to novel movement dynamics

Delays in transmitting and processing sensory information require correctly associating delayed feedback to issued motor commands for accurate error compensation. The flexibility of this alignment between motor signals and feedback has been demonstrated for movement recalibration to visual manipulations, but the alignment dependence for adapting movement dynamics is largely unknown. Here we examined the effect of visual feedback manipulations on force-field adaptation. Three subject groups used a manipulandum while experiencing a lag in the corresponding cursor motion (0, 75 or 150 ms). When the offset was applied at the start of the session (continuous condition) adaptation was not significantly different between groups. However, these similarities may be due to acclimation to the offset prior to motor adaptation. We tested additional subjects that experienced the same delays concurrent with the introduction of the perturbation (abrupt condition). In this case adaptation was statistically indistinguishable from the continuous condition, indicating that acclimation to feedback delay was not a factor. In addition, endpoint errors were not significantly different across the delay or onset conditions, but endpoint correction (e.g., deceleration duration) was influenced by the temporal offset. As an additional control, we tested a group of subjects that performed without visual feedback and found comparable movement adaptation results. These results suggest that visual feedback manipulations (the absence or temporal misalignment) does not affect adaptation to novel dynamics, independent of both acclimation and perceptual awareness. These findings could have implications for modeling how the motor system adjusts to errors despite concurrent delays in sensory feedback information.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wKfe0K
via IFTTT

Sequential hemifield gating of alpha and beta behavioral performance oscillations after microsaccades

Microsaccades are tiny saccades that occur during gaze fixation. Even though visual processing has been shown to be strongly modulated close to the time of microsaccades, both at central and peripheral eccentricities, it is not clear how these eye movements might influence longer-term fluctuations in brain activity and behavior. Here we found that visual processing is significantly affected, and in a rhythmic manner, even several hundreds of milliseconds after a microsaccade. Human visual detection efficiency, as measured by reaction time, exhibited coherent rhythmic oscillations in the α and β frequency bands for up to ~650-700 ms after a microsaccade. Surprisingly, the oscillations were sequentially pulsed across visual hemifields relative to microsaccade direction, first occurring in the same hemifield as the movement vector for ~400 ms and then the opposite. Such pulsing also affected perceptual detection performance. Our results suggest that visual processing is subject to long-lasting oscillations that are phase-locked to microsaccade generation, and that these oscillations are dependent on microsaccade direction.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vRczpZ
via IFTTT

Neural correlates for task switching in the macaque superior colliculus

Successful task switching requires a network of brain areas to select, maintain, implement, and execute the appropriate task. Although frontoparietal brain areas are thought to play a critical role in task switching by selecting and encoding task rules and exerting top-down control, how brain areas closer to the execution of tasks participate in task switching is unclear. The superior colliculus (SC) integrates information from various brain areas to generate saccades and is likely influenced by task switching. Here, we investigated switch costs in non-human primates and their neural correlates in the activity of SC saccade-related neurons in monkeys performing cued, randomly interleaved pro- and anti-saccade trials. We predicted that behavioral switch costs would be associated with differential modulations of SC activity in trials on which the task was switched versus repeated, with activity on the current trial resembling that associated with the task-set of the previous trial when a switch occurred. We observed both error rate and reaction time switch costs and changes in the discharge rate and timing of activity in SC neurons between switch and repeat trials. These changes were present later in the task, only after fixation on the cue stimuli, but prior to saccade onset. These results further establish switch costs in macaque monkeys and suggest that SC activity is modulated by task switching processes in a manner inconsistent with the concept of task-set inertia.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wKkRwa
via IFTTT

Object comparison in the lateral intraparietal area

We can search for and locate specific objects in our environment by looking for objects with similar features. Object recognition involves stimulus similarity responses in ventral visual areas and task related responses in prefrontal cortex. We tested whether neurons in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) of posterior parietal cortex could form an intermediary representation, collating information from object specific similarity map representations to allow general decisions about whether a stimulus matches the object being looked for. We hypothesized that responses to stimuli would correlate with how similar they are to a sample stimulus. When animals compared two peripheral stimuli to a sample at their fovea, the response to the matching stimulus was similar, independent of the sample identity, but the response to the non-match depended on how similar it was to the sample: the more similar, the greater the response to the non-match stimulus. These results could not be explained by task difficulty or confidence. We propose that LIP uses its known mechanistic properties to integrate incoming visual information, including that from the ventral stream about object identity, to create a dynamic representation that is concise, low dimensional and task relevant, and which signifies the choice priorities in mental matching behavior.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vQG3UV
via IFTTT

Hyperalgesia and sensitization of dorsal horn neurons following activation of NK-1 receptors in the rostral ventromedial medulla

Neurons in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) project to the spinal cord and are involved in descending modulation of pain. Several studies have shown that activation of neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptors in the RVM produces hyperalgesia, although underlying mechanisms are not clear. In parallel studies, we compared behavioral measures of hyperalgesia to electrophysiological responses of nociceptive dorsal horn neurons produced by activation of NK-1 receptors in the RVM. Injection of the selective NK-1 receptor agonist, Sar9,Met(O₂)¹¹-Substance P (SSP) into the RVM produced dose-dependent mechanical and heat hyperalgesia that was blocked by co-administration of the selective NK-1 receptor antagonist, L-733,060. In electrophysiological studies, responses evoked by mechanical and heat stimuli were obtained from identified high threshold (HT) and wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons. Injection of SSP into the RVM enhanced responses of WDR neurons, including identified neurons that project to the parabrachial area, to mechanical and heat stimuli. Since intraplantar injection of capsaicin produces robust hyperalgesia and sensitization of nociceptive spinal neurons, we examined whether this sensitization was dependent on NK-1 receptors in the RVM. Pretreatment with L-733,060 into the RVM blocked the sensitization of dorsal horn neurons produced by capsaicin. C-Fos labeling was used to determine the spatial distribution of dorsal horn neurons that were sensitized by NK-1 receptor activation in the RVM. Consistent with our electrophysiological results, administration of SSP into the RVM increased pinch-evoked c-Fos expression in the dorsal horn. It is suggested that targeting this descending pathway may be effective in reducing persistent pain.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wK1cfI
via IFTTT

Induced oscillations in turtle cortex are coherent at the mesoscale of population activity, but not at the microscale of the membrane potential of neurons

Bursts of oscillatory neural activity have been hypothesized to be a core mechanism by which remote brain regions can communicate. Such hypothesis raises the question to what extent oscillations are coherent across spatially distant neural populations. To address this question, we obtained local field potential (LFP) and membrane potential recordings from the visual cortex of turtle in response to visual stimulation of the retina. The time-frequency analysis of these recordings revealed pronounced bursts of oscillatory neural activity and a large trial-to-trial variability in the spectral and temporal properties of the observed oscillations. First, local bursts of oscillations varied from trial-to-trial in both burst durations and peak frequencies. Second, oscillations of a given recording site were not autocoherent, i.e., the phase did not progress linearly in time. Third, local field potential oscillations at spatially separate locations within the visual cortex were more phase coherent in the presence of visual stimulation than during ongoing activity. In contrast, the membrane potential oscillations from pairs of simultaneously recorded pyramidal neurons showed smaller phase coherence, which did not change when switching from black screen to visual stimulation. In conclusion, neuronal oscillations at distant locations in visual cortex are coherent at the mesoscale of population activity, but coherence is largely absent at the microscale of the membrane potential of neurons.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vQW4dw
via IFTTT

Limbic-motor integration by neural excitations and inhibitions in the nucleus accumbens

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) has often been described as a "limbic-motor interface," implying that the NAc integrates the value of expected rewards with the motor planning required to obtain them. However, there is little direct evidence that the signaling of individual NAc neurons combines information about predicted reward and behavioral response. Here, we report that cue-evoked neural responses in the NAc form a likely physiological substrate for its limbic-motor integration function. Across task contexts, individual NAc neurons in behaving rats robustly encode the reward-predictive qualities of a cue, as well as the probability of behavioral response to the cue, as coexisting components of the neural signal. In addition, cue-evoked activity encodes spatial and locomotor aspects of the behavioral response, including proximity to a reward-associated target and the latency and speed of approach to the target. Notably, there are important limits to the ability of NAc neurons to integrate motivational information into behavior: in particular, updating of predicted reward value appears to occur on a relatively long time scale, as NAc neurons fail to discriminate between cues with reward associations that change frequently. Overall, these findings suggest that NAc cue-evoked signals - including inhibition of firing (as noted here for the first time) - provide a mechanism for linking reward prediction and other motivationally relevant factors, such as spatial proximity, to the probability and vigor of a reward-seeking behavioral response.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wKp6YG
via IFTTT

Characterization of decision commitment rule alterations during an auditory change detection task

A critical component of decision making is determining when to commit to a choice. This involves stopping rules that specify the requirements for decision commitment. Flexibility of decision stopping rules provides an important means of control over decision making processes. In many situations, these stopping rules establish a balance between premature decisions and late decisions. Here we use a novel change detection paradigm to examine how subjects control this balance when invoking different decision stopping rules. The task design allows us to estimate the temporal weighting of sensory information for the decisions, and we find that different stopping rules did not result in systematic differences in that weighting. We also find bidirectional post-error alterations of decision strategy that depend on the type of error and effectively reduce the probability of making consecutive mistakes of the same type. This is a generalization to change detection tasks of the widespread observation of unidirectional post-error slowing in forced-choice tasks. Based on these results, we suggest change detection tasks as a promising paradigm to study the neural mechanisms that support flexible control of decision rules.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vR6zxi
via IFTTT

Firing Rate Estimation Using Infinite Mixture Models and Its Application to Neural Decoding

Neural decoding is a framework for reconstructing external stimuli from spike trains recorded in brains. Kloosterman et al. (2014) proposed a new decoding method using marked point processes. This method does not require spike sorting and thereby improves decoding accuracy dramatically. In this method, they used kernel density estimation to estimate intensity functions of marked point processes. However, using kernel density estimation causes problems. To overcome these problems, we propose a new decoding method using infinite mixture models to estimate intensity. The proposed method improves decoding performance in terms of accuracy and computation speed. We apply the proposed method to simulation and experimental data to verify its performance.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vQVYma
via IFTTT

Model of rhythmic ball bouncing using a visually controlled neural oscillator

The present paper investigates the sensory-driven modulations of Central Pattern Generators dynamics that can be expected to reproduce human behavior during rhythmic hybrid tasks. We propose a theoretical model of human sensorimotor behavior able to account for the observed data from the ball-bouncing task. The novel control architecture is composed of a Matsuoka neural oscillator parametrically controlled by a sensorimotor controller and coupled with the environment through visual sensory feedback. The architecture's ability to reproduce human-like performance during the ball-bouncing task in the presence of perturbations is quantified by comparison of simulated and recorded trials. The results suggest that human visual control of the task is achieved on-line. The adaptive behavior is made possible by a parametric and state control of the limit cycle emerging from the interaction of the rhythmic pattern generator, the musculoskeletal system and the environment.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wKfaOy
via IFTTT

Time of day influences on respiratory sequelae following maximal electroshock induced seizures in mice

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading cause of death in refractory epilepsy patients. While specific mechanisms underlying SUDEP are not well understood, evidence suggests most SUDEP occurs due to seizure-induced respiratory arrest. SUDEP also tends to happen at night. While this may be due to circumstances humans find themselves in at night, such as being alone without supervision or sleeping prone, or due to independent influences of sleep state, there are a number of reasons why the night (i.e. circadian influences) could be an independent risk factor for SUDEP. We explored this possibility here. Adult male WT mice were instrumented for EEG, EMG and EKG recording and subjected to maximal electroshock (MES) seizures during wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep during the nighttime/dark phase. These data were compared to data collected following seizures induced during the daytime/light phase. Seizures induced during the nighttime were similar in severity and duration compared to those induced during the daytime; however, seizures induced during the nighttime were associated with a lesser degree of respiratory dysregulation and post ictal EEG suppression. Seizures induced during REM sleep during the nighttime were universally fatal, as is seen when seizures are induced during REM during the daytime. Taken together these data implicate a role for time of day in influencing the physiological consequences of seizures that may contribute to seizure-induced death.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vR3H3j
via IFTTT

Reactions of Microglial Cells in the Sensorimotor Cortex of Rats after Transient Ischemia

Blood supply disturbances in the cortex after carotid ligation or microembolization of the vessels of the hemisphere by adipocytes result in an increase in the number of Iba-1+ microgliocytes in the hemisphere; the intensity of such increase depends on the degree of ischemic damage. The reaction of microglia to this damage shows a systemic character, since it is also manifested in cortical parts that did not directly undergo destructive (necrotic) changes and were beyond the zones of ischemization. An immunomodulator, Immunofan, increased the number of Iba-1+ microgliocytes within the acute period after transitory ischemia; within the recovery period, their number significantly decreased. This coincided with the more favorable time course of the postischemic process as a whole. The latter phenomenon can be considered a manifestation of the neuroprotective properties of Immunofan.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fuYQhA
via IFTTT

Effects of Doxorubicin on Behavior of Rats and Distribution of NCAM in their Brain

It was found that considerable structure-dependent changes in the distribution of neuronal cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) are observed in the brain of rats under conditions of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. This is accompanied by decreases in the intensity of locomotor and orientational/ research activity of the animals and changes in the stress-related indices in the "Open field" test.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hMv4Wk
via IFTTT

Effects of the α-Adrenergic, Kisspeptinergic, and Melatonin Systems on the Morphofunctional State of Cells of the Adrenal Cortex in Mature Rats

In experiments on young mature (three-month-old) albino rats, we examined the effects of the α-adrenergic, kisspeptinergic, and melatonin systems on the morphofunctional state of the adrenal cortex. Manifestations of the effects of these regulatory factors in the three zones of the adrenal cortex were dissimilar. For the glomerular zone, the state of the α-adrenergic system and high levels of melatonin played a crucial role, while the role of the kisspeptinergic system was secondary. Kisspeptinergic regulation played a major role in the modulation of the state of cells in the fascicular zone. Simultaneously, spongyocytes of this zone were inactivated upon blocking of both the kisspeptinergic and α-adrenergic systems. Adequate levels of the activity of the α-adrenergic and kisperpinergic systems were simultaneously necessary to maintain the sufficient state of spongyocytes in the reticular zone of the adrenal cortex, while effects of melatonin were not decisively important.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fuYKXg
via IFTTT

Peculiarities of Activation of the Upper Limb Muscles in Humans during Realization of Two-Joint Movements

Coordination of the activity of flexors and extensors of the shoulder and elbow joints during realization of slow cyclic two-joint movements by the upper limb of the tested subjects was examined; the above movements were performed within the horizontal plane. The subject tracked the trajectory of the command signal shown on a monitor. Test movements corresponded to circular shifts of a handle; there were initiated in either clockwise (L_cw) or counterclockwise (L_ccw) directions. An external loading could be also applied in the above directions (M_cw and M_ccw, respectively). Surface (integral) EEGs were recorded from eight muscles of the upper limb and shoulder belt. As was found, the EMG amplitudes at opposite directions of tracking the target trajectory were dissimilar. At the clockwise direction of the external loading, the EMG amplitudes of most examined muscles during the counterclockwise movement were higher than those shown during the clockwise movement. Parameters of EMGs depended on the mechanical parameters of the movement. Under M_ccw conditions, shorter loading waves act upon flexors of both joints, while longer waves act upon extensors. The situation is opposite under M_cw conditions (longer waves influence the flexors, while shorter waves act on the extensors).

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hLExwV
via IFTTT

Ethical Responsibilities of the Authors

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2furNtP
via IFTTT

Expansion of Visual Receptive Fields in the Extrastriate Visual Cortex: Dependence on the Trajectory of a Moving Stimulus

Regularities of spatial expansion of receptive fields (RFs) of visually sensitive neurons upon application of moving visual images were investigated in the cat extrastriate visual cortex (area 21a). The RF size and their spatial infrastructure were first defined by presentation of stationary flashing stimuli, and horizontal and vertical axes (HA and VA, respectively) of classical RFs were determined. Then the lengths of the above axes were carefully measured by spatial scanning of the RFs with moving visual stimuli. It was found that dynamic expansion of the RF sizes was, as a rule, linked to the trajectory of a moving stimulus across the RF. Stimulus motion along the RF HA resulted in significant extension of this axis but not of the VA, while the its motion along the RF VA usually caused extension of only this axis, while another axis underwent negligible changes. These results demonstrate that spatial expansion of the RFs correlates mainly with the trajectory of stimulus motion across the RF. Such an effect probably results from excitation of the neuron under study by the influences coming from adjacent cortical neural networks. Thus, neural circuits localized outside the RF play a decisive role in modulation of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of classical RFs, hence ensuring precise central processing of incoming visual information.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hLEuRL
via IFTTT

Structural/Functional Characteristics of Organotypic Spinal Cord Slices under Conditions of Long-Lasting Culturing

Organotypic cultures of the spinal cord possess significant advantages, as compared with routine cell systems in vitro; the cytoarchitectonics, cytospecificity of the cells, cell-to-cell connections, and other characteristics of spinal cord tissues are preserved to a considerable extent. We analyzed structural/functional characteristics of organotypic spinal cord slices of mice under conditions of long-lasting (one to three weeks) culturing. Immunohistochemical staining and patch-clamp recordings from cells of the substantia gelatinosa showed that the morphology of different cell types and cell-to-cell connections typical of normal spinal nerve tissue are clearly manifested in such organotypic spinal cord cultures. This is why that such a technique of spinal cord culturing can be successfully used in subsequent experimental studies, in particular, in the examination of different-type damages of the spinal cord.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2furKOF
via IFTTT

Effects of Blockers of Large-Conductance Cation Channels of the Nuclear Membrane

Currents through large-conductance cation channels (LCC channels) in the nuclear membrane of cerebellar Purkinje neurons and hippocampal pyramidal neurons of the CA1 area were recorded using the patch-clamp technique. Later on, LCC channels were also found in the nuclear membrane of cardiomyocytes and other cells. In our study, we tried to find blockers of LCC channels, which is important for determining the physiological functions of these channels. It was found that a few N-cholinoblockers, in particular dithylinum and atracurium, are capable of blocking the above channels. Agonists of N-cholinoreceptors (acetylcholine and carbacholine) do not affect the activity of these channels.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hMuSq4
via IFTTT

Effects of Cadmium on the Activity of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Metallothionein Level in the Rat Brain

We studied the effects of long-lasting treating with cadmium in two different doses (0.1 and 1.0 μg/kg) on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP2 and MMP9) and metallothionein level in the rat brain. Cadmium in a higher dose (1 μg/kg) caused a decrease in MMP2 activity but increased that of proMMP9 in the brain. The level of MT in the hippocampus and cerebellum dropped with both Cd doses. Thus, even small Cd doses exert specific effects on the MMP activity and MT level in the brain.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2furIGx
via IFTTT

The Effect of RGD/NGR Peptide Modification of Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene-7/Interleukin-24 on Its Receptor Attachment, an In Silico Analysis

Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals , Vol. 0, No. 0.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vnZK30
via IFTTT

The Effect of RGD/NGR Peptide Modification of Melanoma Differentiation-Associated Gene-7/Interleukin-24 on Its Receptor Attachment, an In Silico Analysis

Cancer Biotherapy & Radiopharmaceuticals , Vol. 0, No. 0.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vnDkip
via IFTTT

Facing the facts: The Runx2 gene is associated with variation in facial morphology in primates

Publication date: October 2017
Source:Journal of Human Evolution, Volume 111
Author(s): Terrence B. Ritzman, Nicholas Banovich, Kaitlin P. Buss, Jennifer Guida, Meagan A. Rubel, Jennifer Pinney, Bao Khang, Matthew J. Ravosa, Anne C. Stone
The phylogenetic and adaptive factors that cause variation in primate facial form—including differences among the major primate clades and variation related to feeding and/or social behavior—are relatively well understood. However, comparatively little is known about the genetic mechanisms that underlie diversity in facial form in primates. Because it is essential for osteoblastic differentiation and skeletal development, the runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is one gene that may play a role in these genetic mechanisms. Specifically, polymorphisms in the QA ratio (determined by the ratio of the number of polyglutamines to polyalanines in one functional domain of Runx2) have been shown to be correlated with variation in facial length and orientation in other mammal groups. However, to date, the relationship between variation in this gene and variation in facial form in primates has not been explicitly tested. To test the hypothesis that the QA ratio is correlated with facial form in primates, the current study quantified the QA ratio, facial length, and facial angle in a sample of 33 primate species and tested for correlation using phylogenetic generalized least squares. The results indicate that the QA ratio of the Runx2 gene is positively correlated with variation in relative facial length in anthropoid primates. However, no correlation was found in strepsirrhines, and there was no correlation between facial angle and the QA ratio in any groups. These results suggest that, in primates, the QA ratio of the Runx2 gene may play a role in modulating facial size, but not facial orientation. This study therefore provides important clues about the genetic and developmental mechanisms that may underlie variation in facial form in primates.



from Genetics via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wJJzMS
via IFTTT

Site formation processes of the early Acheulean assemblage at EF-HR (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania)

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Journal of Human Evolution
Author(s): Ignacio de la Torre, Karol Wehr
This paper investigates the formation history of the early Acheulean site of EF-HR (Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania). Our study focuses on the main site (T2-Main Trench) and adjacent trenches (T12 and T9), which constitute the bulk of the archaeological assemblage recently excavated in the EF-HR area (de la Torre et al., submitted). Site formation processes are investigated through taphonomic proxies and spatial analysis, and consider artifact features, orientation patterns, and topographic data retrieved during archaeological excavation. This enables an assessment of the impact of natural agents on the assemblage and a discussion of the relevance of water disturbance in shaping the structure of the EF-HR archaeological record. Our results indicate that fluvial action over the assemblage was significant, although it is likely that EF-HR still preserves areas marginally affected by water sorting and rearrangement. In summary, by applying a novel approach that combines a systematic analysis of artifact attributes with GIS spatial analysis of archaeological remains and topographic features, our study aims to provide a fresh look at the interaction of human and natural agents in the formation of Early Stone Age assemblages at Olduvai Gorge.



from Genetics via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vQwqFr
via IFTTT

What I wish the public knew about EMS

By EMS1 Staff Why did you become an EMS provider" Chances are you wanted to help people. And along the way, you've probably run your fair share of calls. Some may end in a good outcome, while others can linger and haunt you. We asked our Facebook fans what they wish the general public knew about EMS. Some said they wish the public knew the difference between an EMT and a paramedic, while others ...

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uqEvwb
via IFTTT

What I wish my EMS supervisor knew about me

By EMS1 Staff Respect and trust is vital for any type of successful relationship. The same stands true for those in EMS. When you're on scene, you want to trust that the guy or girl behind you has your back in case of an emergency. You also want to trust that your EMS supervisor has your (and your crews') best interests in mind. In return, any superior, including an EMS supervisor, deserves ...

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vGdmcP
via IFTTT

Young adults' internet addiction: Prediction by the interaction of parental marital conflict and respiratory sinus arrhythmia

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:International Journal of Psychophysiology
Author(s): Hui Zhang, Tracy L. Spinrad, Nancy Eisenberg, Yun Luo, Zhenhong Wang
The aim of the current study was to address the potential moderating roles of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; baseline and suppression) and participant sex in the relation between parents' marital conflict and young adults' internet addiction. Participants included 105 (65 men) Chinese young adults who reported on their internet addiction and their parents' marital conflict. Marital conflict interacted with RSA suppression to predict internet addiction. Specifically, high RSA suppression was associated with low internet addiction, regardless of parental marital conflict; however, for participants with low RSA suppression, a positive relation between marital conflict and internet addiction was found. Internet addiction also was predicted by a significant three-way interaction among baseline RSA, marital conflict, and participant sex. Specifically, for men, marital conflict positively predicted internet addiction under conditions of low (but not high) baseline RSA. For women, marital conflict positively predicted internet addiction under conditions of high (but not low) baseline RSA. Findings highlight the importance of simultaneous consideration of physiological factors, in conjunction with family factors, in the prediction of young adults' internet addiction.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uqEwV1
via IFTTT

EMS Lieutenant / Lead - University of Colorado Hospital

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hKwzEi
via IFTTT

Higher TSH and Lower FT4 Levels in Pregnant Women Are Associated with Higher Pregestational BMI and Greater Gestational Weight Gain

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 310-311.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vnsR6R
via IFTTT

Parathyroid Lesions Can Be Distinguished from Thyroid Lesions on FNA but May Require Ancillary Studies and Molecular Analysis

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 291-293.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vFXo29
via IFTTT

Older Age and Advanced Disease Are Risk Factors for Complications after Thyroid Cancer Surgery

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 294-296.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vn5URb
via IFTTT

How Does the Thyroid Hormone Level Affect the Level of the Apoptosis Regulator TRAIL?

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 315-317.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vEV0Je
via IFTTT

The Merits of Ultrasound Screening for Familial Nonmedullary Thyroid Cancer Are Strongly Dependent on the Number of Affected Family Members

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 297-300.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vmPacJ
via IFTTT

TSH-Based Levothyroxine Dosage Adjustment Is Superior to Fixed Dosage Adjustments in Pregnant Women with Preexisting Hypothyroidism

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 307-309.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vFHyo8
via IFTTT

18F-FDOPA-PET Is More Sensitive than F-18-FDG-PET in Persistent or Recurrent Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 301-304.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vnPcRM
via IFTTT

Thyroid Dysfunction Was Associated with Dyslipidemia, but Not Incident Myocardial Infarction or Stroke in a Large U.S. General Population–Based Cohort

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 312-314.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vFRE8F
via IFTTT

Fatal Nonanaplastic Thyroid Cancers Harbor Multiple Oncogenic Mutations

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 305-306.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vnP3xA
via IFTTT

CASE REPORT: Two Cases of Impaired Sensitivity to Thyroid Hormone with Wild-Type THRβ Gene

Clinical Thyroidology Aug 2017, Vol. 29, No. 8: 318-321.


from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. publishers via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vEUWJu
via IFTTT

Noninvasive brain stimulation improves hemispatial neglect after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Ana Paula S. Salazar, Patrícia G. Vaz, Ritchele R. Marchese, Cinara Stein, Camila Pinto, Aline S. Pagnussat
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) – repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) - on hemispatial neglect and performance in activities of daily living (ADL) after stroke.Data sourcesMEDLINE (Pubmed), Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, SCOPUS, Scielo and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched from database inception to December 2016.Data SelectionRandomized controlled trials or crossover trials focused on determining the effects of tDCS or rTMS combined or not combined with other therapies for hemispatial neglect after stroke.Data ExtractionMethodological characteristics of the studies, number of participants, comparison groups, interventions and outcomes were extracted.Data SynthesisTen trials comprising 226 participants had data that were suitable for the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that NIBS combined with another therapy significantly improves hemispatial neglect [SMD -1.91 (95% CI, -2.57 to -1.25; I² 71%)]. A sensitivity analysis showed that rTMS [SMD -2.16 (95% CI, -3.00 to -1.33; I² 76%)] and tDCS [SMD -1.07 (95% CI, -1.76 to -0.37; I² 0%)] had positive effects on hemispatial neglect. Furthermore, both excitatory [SMD -2.34 (95% CI, -3.56 to -1.12; I² 65%)] and inhibitory [SMD -1.69 (95% CI, -2.49 to -0.88; I² 75%)] stimulations were effective.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis revels a moderate-quality of evidence for the effectiveness of NIBS protocols combined with other therapies on hemispatial neglect and performance in ADL after stroke.



from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uHG6NG
via IFTTT

Effects of Respiratory Training on Heart Rate Variability and Baroreflex Sensitivity in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Bonnie E. Legg Ditterline, Sevda C. Aslan, David C. Randall, Susan J. Harkema, Camilo Castillo, Alexander V. Ovechkin
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of pressure threshold respiratory training (RT) on heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in persons with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignBefore-after intervention case-controlled clinical study.SettingSCI research center and outpatient rehabilitation unit.ParticipantsPersons with chronic SCI ranging from C2 to T11 that participated in RT (n=24) and untrained chronic SCI controls ranging from C2 to T9 (n=20).InterventionA total of 21 ± 2 of RT sessions performed 5 days a week during a four-week period using a combination of pressure threshold inspiratory and expiratory devices.Main Outcome MeasuresForced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and beat-to-beat arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) changes during 5-second long maximum expiratory pressure maneuver (5s MEP) and sit-up orthostatic stress test acquired before and after the RT program.ResultsIn contrast to the untrained controls, individuals in RT group experienced significantly increased FVC and FEV1 (both p < .01) in association with improved quality of sleep, cough, and speech. Sympathetically (phase II) and parasympathetically (phase IV) mediated baroreflex sensitivity both significantly (p < .05) increased during 5s MEP. During orthostatic stress test, improved autonomic control over HR was associated with significantly increased sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation (low- and high-frequency change, p < .01 and p < .05, respectively).ConclusionThe results indicate that inspiratory-expiratory pressure threshold RT is a promising technique to positively impact both respiratory and cardiovascular dysregulation observed in persons with chronic SCI.



from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2upLYQr
via IFTTT

Evaluating Hospital Readmission Rates after Discharge from Inpatient Rehabilitation

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): Laura Coots Daras, Melvin J. Ingber, Jessica Carichner, Daniel Barch, Anne Deutsch, Laura M. Smith, Alan Levitt, Joel Andress
ObjectiveTo examine facility-level rates of all-cause, unplanned hospital readmissions for 30 days following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs).DesignUsing an observational design, we analyzed Medicare claims in order to develop an all-cause, risk-adjusted hospital readmission measure.SettingWe used national Medicare inpatient claims and enrollment data for Medicare beneficiaries who were discharged from IRFs in 2013–2014 and met specific inclusion criteria (1,166 IRFs).ParticipantsMedicare fee-for-service beneficiaries (n = 567,850 patient-stays).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasureThe outcome is all-cause, unplanned hospital readmission rates for IRFs. We adapted previous risk-adjustment and statistical approaches used for acute care hospitals to develop a hierarchical logistic regression model that estimates a risk-standardized readmission rate for each IRF. The IRF risk-adjustment model takes into account patient demographics, hospital diagnoses and procedure codes, function at IRF admission, comorbidities, and prior hospital utilization. We produced distributions of observed and risk-standardized readmission rates and estimated confidence intervals to make statistical comparisons relative to the national average. We also analyzed the number of days from IRF discharge until hospital readmission.ResultsThe national observed hospital readmission rate by 30 days post-IRF discharge was 13.1%. The mean IRF unadjusted readmission rate was 12.4% (SD = 3.5%) and the mean risk-standardized rate was 13.1% (SD = 0.8%). The C-statistic for our risk-adjustment model was 0.70. Nearly three-quarters (73.4%) of IRFs had readmission rates that were significantly different from average. The mean number of days to readmission was 13.0 (SD = 8.6) days and varied by rehabilitation diagnosis.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the ability to assess IRFs' post-discharge hospital readmission rates and the ability to discriminate between IRFs with higher- and lower-than-average hospital readmission rates.



from Rehabilitation via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uHoyRz
via IFTTT

Emotion processing in female youth: Testing the stability of the late positive potential

Abstract

The Emotional Interrupt Task (EIT) has been used to probe emotion processing in healthy and clinical samples; however, research exploring the stability and reliability of behavioral measures and ERPs elicited from this task is limited. Establishing the psychometric properties of the EIT is critical, particularly as phenotypes and biological indicators may represent traitlike characteristics that underlie psychiatric illness. To address this gap, test-retest stability and internal consistency of behavioral indices and ERPs resulting from the EIT in healthy, female youth (n = 28) were examined. At baseline, participants were administered the EIT while high-density 128-channel EEG data were recorded to probe the late positive potential (LPP). One month later, participants were readministered the EIT. Four principal findings emerged. First, there is evidence of an interference effect at baseline, as participants showed a slower reaction time for unpleasant and pleasant images relative to neutral images, and test-retest of behavioral measures was relatively stable over time. Second, participants showed a potentiated LPP to unpleasant and pleasant images compared to neutral images, and these effects were stable over time. Moreover, in a test of the difference waves (unpleasant-neutral vs. pleasant-neutral), there was sustained positivity for unpleasant images. Third, behavioral measures and LPP demonstrated excellent internal consistency (odd/even correlations) across conditions. Fourth, highlighting important age-related differences in LPP activity, younger age was associated with larger LPP amplitudes across conditions. Overall, these findings suggest that the LPP following emotional images is a stable and reliable marker of emotion processing in healthy youth.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wI6gRJ
via IFTTT

Why EMS is important to the patient's experience

BOCA RATON, Fla. — EMS providers have a unique opportunity to obtain information and advocate for patients as they move through the health care system. Pinnacle EMS conference attendees learned about how each patient and their family experiences transitions of care and the role of EMS providers in patient-centered care from Martha Hayward, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement lead for Public ...

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uplka4
via IFTTT

Electroencephalogram dynamics in children during different levels of anaesthetic depth

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): S. Koch, A.M. Stegherr, R. Mörgeli, S. Kramer, E. Toubekis, G. Lichtner, F. von Dincklage, C. Spies
ObjectiveAnaesthesia-induced dynamics in EEG are dependent on age and level of anaesthesia, but distinct characterisation in children is incomplete. Here we analyse EEG dynamics in children related to age and level of anaesthesia.MethodsFrontal EEG recordings were obtained from 93 children (0 - 19 years) during routine clinical anaesthesia. EEG segments were selected at four different levels of anaesthesia: emergence, light anaesthesia, deep anaesthesia, and very deep anaesthesia.ResultsTotal power differed significantly over age at deep (R²=0.314; p<0.0001) and very deep anaesthesia (R²=0.403; p<0.0001). Relative beta band power at light anaesthesia increased linearly with age (R²=0.239; p<0.0001).Level of anaesthesia caused significant differences for relative delta band power (increasing with anaesthetic depth), for relative beta band power and for spectral edge frequency (decreasing with anaesthetic depth) for all children (p<0.0001).ConclusionsEEG parameterin children were primary dependent onanaesthetic depth, where beta band power, delta band power and spectral edge frequency showed a linear relation. Age-dependencyduring anaesthesia procedure were only seen for single EEG parameters.SignificanceDifferent levels of anaesthesia can be identified by relative beta band power, relative delta band power and spectral edge frequency irrespective of the children's age.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vPgJyu
via IFTTT

Evaluating Brain-Computer Interface Performance Using Color in the P300 Checkerboard Speller

Publication date: Available online 8 August 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): D.B. Ryan, G. Townsend, N.A. Gates, K. Colwell, E.W. Sellers
ObjectiveCurrent Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) systems typically flash an array of items from grey to white (GW). The objective of this study was to evaluate BCI performance using uniquely colored stimuli.MethodsIn addition to the GW stimuli, the current study tested two types of color stimuli (grey to color [GC] and color intensification [CI]). The main hypotheses were that in a checkboard paradigm, unique color stimuli will: (1) increase BCI performance over the standard GW paradigm; (2) elicit larger event-related potentials (ERPs); and, (3) improve offline performance with an electrode selection algorithm (i.e., Jumpwise).ResultsOnline results (n=36) showed that GC provides higher accuracy and information transfer rate than the CI and GW conditions. Waveform analysis showed that GC produced higher amplitude ERPs than CI and GW. Information transfer rate was improved by the Jumpwise-selected channel locations in all conditions.ConclusionsUnique color stimuli (GC) improved BCI performance and enhanced ERPs. Jumpwise-selected electrode locations improved offline performance.SignificanceThese results show that in a checkerboard paradigm, unique color stimuli increase BCI performance, are preferred by participants, and are important to the design of end-user applications; thus, could lead to an increase in end-user performance and acceptance of BCI technology.



from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wHZUBX
via IFTTT

Resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia in suicide attempters

Abstract

Although suicide attempts (SA) occur across a broad range of diagnoses as well as in the absence of a diagnosable disorder, most studies to date have focused on them within a single, specific disorder. Consistent with the NIMH RDoC initiative to identify biobehavioral vulnerabilities that cut across diagnoses, the goal of the present study was to examine potential differences in resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) levels in a large, diagnostically heterogeneous sample of women with and without a history of SA who were matched on a broad range of demographic and clinical variables. Participants were 112 women with (n = 56) and without (n = 56) a history of SA recruited from the community. The two groups were equated on approximate age, race, household income, and lifetime histories of psychiatric diagnoses. Resting electrocardiogram was recorded during a 2-min rest period. RSA was calculated via spectral power analyses with a fast Fourier transform. We found that women with a history of SA exhibited significantly lower resting RSA levels than women with no history of SA, and this difference was maintained even after statistically controlling for the potential influence of women's history of psychiatric diagnoses and their current symptoms of depression and anxiety. These findings suggest the presence of a link between resting RSA and SA history.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wtSQK2
via IFTTT

A sigh of relief or a sigh of expected relief: Sigh rate in response to dyspnea relief

Abstract

Research has suggested that sighs may serve a regulatory function during stress and emotions by facilitating relief. Evidence supports the hypotheses that sighs both express and induce relief from stress. To explore the potential role of sighs in the regulation of symptoms, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between sighs and relief of symptoms, and relief of dyspnea, specifically. Healthy volunteers participated in two studies (N = 44, N = 47) in which dyspnea was induced by mild (10 cmH₂O/l/s) or high (20 cmH₂0/l/s) inspiratory resistances. Dyspnea relief was induced by the offset of the inspiratory resistances (transitions from high and mild inspiratory resistance to no resistance). Control comparisons included dyspnea increases (transitions from no or mild inspiratory resistance to high inspiratory resistance) and dyspnea continuations (continuations of either no resistance or a high resistance). In Experiment 1, dyspnea levels were cued. In Experiment 2, no cues were provided. Sigh rate during dyspnea relief was significantly higher compared to control conditions, and sigh rate increased as self-reported dyspnea decreased. Additionally, sigh rate was higher during cued dyspnea relief compared to noncued dyspnea relief. These results suggest that sighs are important markers of dyspnea relief. Moreover, sighs may importantly express dyspnea relief, as they are related to experiential dyspnea decreases and occur more frequently during expected dyspnea relief. These findings suggest that sighs may not only be important in the regulation of stress and emotions, but also may be functional in the regulation of dyspnea.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vjhy0X
via IFTTT

Modulation of the eyeblink and cardiac startle reflexes by genuine eye contact

Abstract

Is another person's direct gaze an inherently positive or negative stimulus? The present study employed the startle reflex methodology to investigate individuals' automatic reactions to another person's direct and averted gaze. In the study, participants' eyeblink startle and cardiac reflexes elicited by a high-intensity acoustic noise stimulus were measured in the context of viewing a live model's direct and downward gaze. Both the eyeblink electromyographic and electrocardiographic data revealed that the startle reflex was modulated by gaze direction. Direct gaze attenuated the eyeblink startle and cardiac reflexes to the acoustic probes compared to those elicited in the context of a downward gaze. These results indicate that the defense reflex is weaker when presented in the context of direct versus downward gaze, and thus suggest that another individual's direct gaze, compared to averted gaze, automatically elicits more positive affective responses in the viewer.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wtsfg1
via IFTTT

Theta- and alpha-power enhancements in the electroencephalogram as an auditory delayed match-to-sample task becomes impossibly difficult

Abstract

Recent studies have related enhancements of theta- (∼4–8 Hz) and alpha-power (∼8–13 Hz) to listening effort based on parallels between enhancement and task difficulty. In contrast, nonauditory works demonstrate that, although increases in difficulty are initially accompanied by increases in effort, effort decreases when a task becomes so difficult as to exceed one's ability. Given the latter, we examined whether theta- and alpha-power enhancements thought to reflect effortful listening show a quadratic trend across levels of listening difficulty from impossible to easy. Listeners (n = 14) performed an auditory delayed match-to-sample task with frequency-modulated tonal sweeps under impossible, difficult (at ∼70.7% correct threshold), and easy (well above threshold) conditions. Frontal midline theta-power and posterior alpha-power enhancements were observed during the retention interval, with greatest enhancement in the difficult condition. Independent component-based analyses of data suggest that theta-power enhancements stemmed from medial frontal sources at or near the anterior cingulate cortex, whereas alpha-power effects stemmed from occipital cortices. Results support the notion that theta- and alpha-power enhancements reflect effortful cognitive processes during listening, related to auditory working memory and the inhibition of task-irrelevant cortical processing regions, respectively. Theta- and alpha-power dynamics can be used to characterize the cognitive processes that make up effortful listening, including qualitatively different types of listening effort.

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vj6y3R
via IFTTT

Acute traumatic coagulopathy: pathophysiology and resuscitation

British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2016; 117(S3): iii31–iii43, DOI 10.1093/bja/aew328

from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2up4tR1
via IFTTT

Role of nerve-muscle interactions and ROS in regulation of muscle proteostasis with aging

Abstract

Skeletal muscle aging is characterised by atrophy, a deficit in specific force generation, increased susceptibility to injury, and incomplete recovery after severe damage. The hypothesis that increased generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in vivo plays a key role in the aging process has been extensively studied, but remains controversial. Skeletal muscle generates ROS at rest and during exercise. ROS can cause oxidative damage particularly to proteins. Indeed, products of oxidative damage accumulate in skeletal muscle during aging and the ability of muscle cells to respond to increased ROS becomes defective. The aim of this review is to examine the evidence that ROS manipulation in peripheral nerves and/or muscle modifies proteostasis mechanisms in skeletal muscle and plays a key role in initiating sarcopenia.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2fsJ9r4
via IFTTT

Transition clinic attendance is associated with improved beliefs and attitudes toward medicine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

World Journal of Gastroenterology

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uo7wbZ
via IFTTT

CVS ordered to cooperate in Medicare claims, pricing investigations

Reuters Health News

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vMZnl5
via IFTTT

Allogenic blood transfusion is an independent predictor of poorer peri-operative outcomes and reduced long-term survival after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: A review of 936 cases

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uoJOfG
via IFTTT

Appalachia’s gap with rest of US in life expectancy is growing

Reuters Health News

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vN8rGn
via IFTTT

Daclatasvir–sofosbuvir combination therapy with or without ribavirin for hepatitis C virus infection: From the clinical trials to real life

Hepatic Medicine: Evidence and Research

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uoJNIE
via IFTTT

Kangfuxinye enema combined with mesalamine for ulcerative colitis: A systematic review and grade approach

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vMYIQy
via IFTTT

Skeletal muscle mass to visceral fat area ratio is an important determinant affecting hepatic conditions of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Journal of Gastroenterology

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uoHntN
via IFTTT

The impact of nutrition on quality of life of patients with hepatitis C

Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vMYHfs
via IFTTT

Value of the portal venous phase in evaluation of treated hepatocellular carcinoma following transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation

Clinical Radiology

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uoHo0P
via IFTTT

Combination of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir in the treatment of genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C virus infection in patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vN5VA7
via IFTTT

Short-term outcomes of single-incision versus conventional laparoscopic surgery for colorectal diseases: Meta-analysis of randomized and prospective evidence

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uo6XyS
via IFTTT

Patterns of chemotherapy use in a U.S.-based cohort of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer

The Oncologist

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vMDxxV
via IFTTT

Disrupting sleep and circadian rhythms alters bone metabolism

Reuters Health News

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uonfrq
via IFTTT

Diagnostic performance of the combination of pepsinogen, gastrin-17 and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies serum assays for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vN3EVm
via IFTTT

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy identifies patients at risk of faster cirrhosis progression

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uoHjKz
via IFTTT

Musculoskeletal health in newly diagnosed children with Crohn’s disease

Osteoporosis International

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vMYA3w
via IFTTT

TERT promoter hypermethylation in gastrointestinal cancer: A potential stool biomarker

The Oncologist

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uoR23o
via IFTTT

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of second-line chemotherapy in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer

Clinical and Translational Oncology

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vN4qlk
via IFTTT

A national survey on peri-interventional management of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uooA1r
via IFTTT

Oral soft tissue disorders are associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease: Retrospective study

BMC Gastroenterology

from Gastroenterology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vN7UnW
via IFTTT

Perioperative Patient Beliefs Regarding Potential Effectiveness of Marijuana (Cannabinoids) for Treatment of Pain: A Prospective Population Survey.

Background and Objectives: Cannabinoids have an expanding presence in medicine. Perioperative patients' perceptions of the effectiveness of these compounds, and acceptance if prescribed for pain, have not been previously described. Our primary objective was to describe patients' beliefs regarding the potential effectiveness of cannabinoids for the treatment of acute and chronic pain, as well as gauge patient acceptance of these compounds if prescribed by a physician. In addition, demographic and pain history data were collected to elucidate the predictors of the aforementioned patient attitudes. Secondarily, we sought to characterize the subgroup of patients who reported marijuana use. Predictors of marijuana use, effectiveness, and adverse effects were also reported for this subgroup. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 501 patients in the preoperative registration area at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York. The questionnaire was designed to collect data on patient demographics, presence of pain, pain severity, use of pain medication, history of illicit-drug use, tobacco use, cannabis use, patient beliefs about the potential effectiveness of marijuana for acute and chronic pain and their willingness to use cannabis for pain, if prescribed by a physician. Normality of distributions for continuous variables was assessed with skewness and kurtosis measures. A logistic regression model was used to assess the demographic and medical characteristics of marijuana users compared with nonusers. The effectiveness of marijuana in dealing with pain and adverse effects associated with its use were examined using exploratory principal component analysis. Results: More than 80% of this cohort of preoperative patients believed that marijuana could be at least somewhat effective for the treatment of pain after surgery and would be willing to use cannabinoid compounds if prescribed by their physician. Predictors of positive attitudes toward marijuana included history of marijuana use, pain history, and being a marijuana nonuser of white race. Approximately 27% of the respondents reported a history of marijuana use. Younger patients, those with higher levels of pain in the last 24 hours, and those who found standard therapies to be less effective for their pain were more likely to use marijuana. Conclusions: Patients generally believe that marijuana could be at least somewhat effective for the management of pain and are willing to use cannabinoid compounds for this indication, if prescribed by a physician. Copyright (C) 2017 by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine.

from Anaesthesiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2hI5r8S
via IFTTT

Cardiac progenitor cells: old is not always gold

Abstract

Aging causes progressive structural and functional deteriorations of the heart and is a predisposing risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

from Physiology via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2unYvQp
via IFTTT

Nini Stoltenberg ● A Simple Tribute

From National Overdose Strategy 2014-2017 "Sure you can quit drugs – but first you have to survive" ... ""In order to facilitate emergency overdose reversal it is necessary to give the lay community (users and next of kin) the equipment and confidence needed for taking emergency action at the scene. Non-fatal overdoses can cause serious harm to health. Studies show that an individual who has survived an overdose is at greater risk of a subsequent fatal overdose. It is therefore logical to aim not only to reduce the number of deaths, but also the number of overdoses. An overdose survivor is to be regarded as an individual in extreme crisis and must be given the necessary assistance in order to prevent subsequent repeat overdose."" Full document here: National-overdose-strategy-2014-2017-IS-0418EN.pdf ExEMTNor

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vhUCyZ
via IFTTT

Nini Stoltenberg ● A Simple Tribute

From National Overdose Strategy 2014-2017 "Sure you can quit drugs – but first you have to survive" ... ""In order to facilitate emergency overdose reversal it is necessary to give the lay community (users and next of kin) the equipment and confidence needed for taking emergency action at the scene. Non-fatal overdoses can cause serious harm to health. Studies show that an individual who has survived an overdose is at greater risk of a subsequent fatal overdose. It is therefore logical to aim not only to reduce the number of deaths, but also the number of overdoses. An overdose survivor is to be regarded as an individual in extreme crisis and must be given the necessary assistance in order to prevent subsequent repeat overdose."" Full document here: National-overdose-strategy-2014-2017-IS-0418EN.pdf ExEMTNor

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vhUCyZ
via IFTTT

Nini Stoltenberg ● A Simple Tribute

From National Overdose Strategy 2014-2017 "Sure you can quit drugs – but first you have to survive" ... ""In order to facilitate emergency overdose reversal it is necessary to give the lay community (users and next of kin) the equipment and confidence needed for taking emergency action at the scene. Non-fatal overdoses can cause serious harm to health. Studies show that an individual who has survived an overdose is at greater risk of a subsequent fatal overdose. It is therefore logical to aim not only to reduce the number of deaths, but also the number of overdoses. An overdose survivor is to be regarded as an individual in extreme crisis and must be given the necessary assistance in order to prevent subsequent repeat overdose."" Full document here: National-overdose-strategy-2014-2017-IS-0418EN.pdf ExEMTNor

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vhUCyZ
via IFTTT

Nini Stoltenberg ● A Simple Tribute

From National Overdose Strategy 2014-2017 "Sure you can quit drugs – but first you have to survive" ... ""In order to facilitate emergency overdose reversal it is necessary to give the lay community (users and next of kin) the equipment and confidence needed for taking emergency action at the scene. Non-fatal overdoses can cause serious harm to health. Studies show that an individual who has survived an overdose is at greater risk of a subsequent fatal overdose. It is therefore logical to aim not only to reduce the number of deaths, but also the number of overdoses. An overdose survivor is to be regarded as an individual in extreme crisis and must be given the necessary assistance in order to prevent subsequent repeat overdose."" Full document here: National-overdose-strategy-2014-2017-IS-0418EN.pdf ExEMTNor

from EMS via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vhUCyZ
via IFTTT

Effects of Childhood Gymnastics Program on Spatial Working Memory.

PURPOSE: A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the positive effects of physical exercise on cognition in children, and recent studies have specifically investigated the cognitive benefits of exercises involving cognitive-motor interactions, such as gymnastics. This study examined the effect of 8 weeks of gymnastics training on behavioral and neurophysiological measures of spatial working memory in children. METHODS: Forty-four children aged 7 to 10 yrs were recruited. The experimental group (n = 24; age: 8.7 +/- 1.1 yrs) were recruited from Yilan County in Taiwan, while the control group (n = 20; age: 8.6 +/- 1.1 yrs) resided in Taipei City. The experimental group undertook 8 weeks of after-school gymnastics training (2 sessions/week, 90 minutes/session), while the control group received no intervention, and were instructed to maintain their routine daily activities. Working memory was assessed by performance on a modified delayed match-to-sample test, and by event-related potential including the P3 component. Data was collected pre and post treatment for the experimental group, and at the same time interval for the control group. RESULTS: Response accuracy improved following the experimental intervention regardless of working memory demands. Likewise, the P3 amplitude was larger at the parietal site after gymnastics training regardless of the task difficulty. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a short period of gymnastics training had a general facilitative effect on spatial working memory at both a behavioral and neurophysiological level in children. These finding highlight the potential importance of exercise programs involving cognitive-motor interactions in stimulating development of spatial cognition during childhood. (C) 2017 American College of Sports Medicine

from Sports Medicine via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vifmqG
via IFTTT

Erratum to: Socio-demographic Moderators of Associations Between Psychological Factors and Latinas’ Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors

from Health via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2wGSrTO
via IFTTT

The Rise of Female Sterilization: A Closer Look at Colombia

Abstract

Objective In the 1970s, OCPs and IUDs were the most popular contraceptive methods in Colombia. According to data from the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), sterilization has become the most common form of birth control in Colombia. This study aims to examine the characteristics of Colombian women desiring long-acting contraception. Methods This study uses the 2005 and 2010 Colombian DHS dataset. Women who choose long-acting contraception were divided into those using female sterilization and those using long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). A multivariate logistic regression model was used to compare demographic and social determinants of contraceptive choice among reproductive age women seeking long-acting contraception between the years 2005 and 2010. Results Among women using a long-acting contraceptive method in 2010, compared to 2005, women were significantly more likely to be sterilized (1.14 OR, 95% CI 1.09–1.18) and less likely to use LARC (0.88 OR, 95% CI 0.85–0.92). Of women seeking long-acting contraception, those exposed to a family planning provider were less likely to undergo sterilization (0.54 OR, 95% CI 0.51–0.58) and more likely to use LARC (1.84 OR, 95% CI 1.73–1.96). When compared to all contraceptive users, younger women and women with less than two children were more likely to use LARC than sterilization. Conclusion Between 2005 and 2010, an increase in the proportion of contracepting women being sterilized in Colombia occurred. Our findings suggest that exposure to a family planning provider and appropriate contraceptive counseling appears to be key determinants of long-acting contraceptive choice. To improve use of long-acting, effective contraception, efforts should be made to increase access to family planning providers.

from Health via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2uFfTPG
via IFTTT

Spatio-temporal expression patterns of Wnt signaling pathway during the development of temporomandibular condylar cartilage

Publication date: Available online 8 August 2017
Source:Gene Expression Patterns
Author(s): Kan Chen, Huixin Quan, Gang Chen, Di Xiao
There is a growing body of evidence supporting the involvement of the Wnt signaling pathway in various aspects of skeletal and joint development; however, it is unclear whether it is involved in the process of temporomandibular joint development. In order to clarify this issue, we examined the spatio-temporal distribution of mRNAs and proteins of the Wnt family during the formation of the mandibular condylar cartilage at the prenatal and postnatal stages. An in situ hybridization test revealed no mRNAs of β-catenin and Axin2 during early mesenchymal condensation; the ligands surveyed in this study (including Wnt-4, 5a, and 9a) were clearly detected at various ranges of expression, mainly in the condylar blastema and later distinct cartilaginous layers. Apart from β-catenin and Axin2, the Wnt family members surveyed in this study, including Lef-1, were found to be immunopositive during early chondrogenesis in the condylar cartilage at E14.5. After distinct chondrocyte layers were identified within the cartilage at E16.5, the expression of the Wnt signaling members was different and mainly restricted to proliferating cells and mineralized hypertrophic chondrocytes. In the adult mandibular condylar cartilage, the Wnt-4 mRNA, as well as the Wnt-4 and Wnt-9a proteins, was not observed. Our findings demonstrated that the Wnt signaling pathway was associated with the development of mandibular condylar cartilage.



from Genetics via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2vNK9Ne
via IFTTT