Kinematic and dynamic analysis of running under conditions of variable gravity

A new training system was designed and realised by the engineer G. Scuderi: a centrifugal track for runners. The principal advantage of this track is to increase the forces on athlete during the run with an effect very similar to that of an "artificial gravity", so the athlete can develop more muscle power. A multibody numerical model of a runner was developed to analyse the behaviour of the athlete on the centrifugal track. The multibody model was calibrated by experimental analysis; in fact, the joint angles were measured by a digital image processing system and introduced as input in the numerical simulation. The numerical results obtained are the values of many kinematic and dynamic variables, in particular the ground reaction force and the moments in the hip, knee, and ankle joints. A comparison between the normal running and that on the centrifugal track was carried out, demonstrating the validity of training on the latter. The results of the numerical simulation confirm that the power developed during running on the track, and the corresponding work performed by the joints, is considerably greater than that found during normal running.     

Effect of the Addition of Vancomycin on the Performance of an Automated Nonradioactive System for Detection of Mycobacteria

 A recently developed automated, nonradioactive system for the detection of mycobacteria (MB/BacT; Organon Teknika, Belgium) has provided good results, but the contamination rate was found to be higher than that obtained with the radiometric Bactec 460 system (Becton Dickinson, USA). In the present study, the effects of adding vancomycin (1 μg/ml) to the antibiotic mixture of the nonradioactive system were evaluated, and the performance of the system with versus without vancomycin was compared. Three hundred sputum samples were tested, using the radiometric system as the reference method. Mycobacteria were isolated from 47 (15.7%) samples. The nonradioactive system with and without vancomycin detected 42 and 43 strains, respectively; the time to detection was 1 day shorter with the medium without vancomycin (15.7 days vs. 14.3 days). The radiometric system detected 42 strains of mycobacteria in a mean detection time of 13.6 days. Contamination rates with the nonradioactive system were 6.7% in the medium without vancomycin and 2.7% in the medium with vancomycin. The latter figure was approximately the same as the contamination rate found with the radiometric system (2.3%). Our data suggest that the addition of vancomycin considerably reduces the number of contaminants in the MB/BacT medium without affecting the performance of the system.     

Changes in bone turnover during tibolone treatment

OBJECTIVES: An open study was carried out to evaluate changes in bone remodeling markers such as N-telopeptide (NTx), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), total alkaline phosphatase (TAP), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) during a 1-year continuous tibolone treatment in postmenopausal women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-six postmenopausal women were recruited for receiving tibolone 2.5 mg per day for 1 year. Densitometry and determination of biochemical markers of bone metabolism in serum and urine were performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Comparing baseline with 12 month's values, BAP and all resorption markers decreased significantly. NTx began to decrease since the initiation of the treatment (baseline: 74.4 +/- 5.3; 1 month: 57.5 +/- 4.2; 12 months: 36.6 +/- 2.8). BAP increased at the first month (baseline: 37.3 +/- 2.1; 1 month: 42.6 +/- 3.0) but diminished in the following months (12 months: 23.1 +/- 1.5). TAP started to decrease significantly only after 6 months of treatment (baseline: 37.3 +/- 2.1; 12 months: 31.4 +/- 2.3) and TRAP after 3 months (baseline: 9.8 +/- 0.4; 6 months: 9.1 +/- 0.5; 12 months: 8.2 +/- 0.4). Normal bone mineral density at distal and ultradistal forearm was maintained during the 1-year treatment (baseline: 0.42 +/- 0.01; 12 months: 0.42 +/- 0.01 and baseline: 0.33 +/- 0.01; 12 months: 0.33 +/- 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: The use of tibolone 2.5 mg per day diminished progressively and significantly bone resorption and formation markers during 1-year treatment period.     

Identification, characterization and biological activity of oxytocin receptor in the developing human penis

Although abnormalities of the male external genitalia (MEG) are a relatively common problem, little is known concerning the molecular mechanisms that finely regulate penile development. We report here the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OTR) gene by real-time RT-PCR in human fetal tissues (11th-12th week of gestation), including the MEG. The developing penis expressed a very high level of OTR mRNA, only a half log(10) unit lower than fetal central nervous system, used as a positive control. The OTR protein is also highly expressed (western, immunohistochemistry and binding studies) and immunolocalized both in the mesenchymal body and in the surrounding blood capillaries, which will later constitute penile trabeculae and sinusoids. Binding studies using [125I]oxytocin antagonist ([125I]OTA) in cultured human fetal penile smooth muscle cells (hfPSMC) revealed the presence of specific OTR with a high capacity and affinity for oxytocin (OT) and for OTA. Increasing concentrations of OT dose-dependently induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. Furthermore, OTR mediated an increase in the proliferation and the migration of hfPSMC. In conclusion, we demonstrate that in the developing human MEG, OTR is highly expressed and might be involved in coordinating timely and appropriate proliferation and migration of the penile cells. Thus, OTR might represent an additional target for investigating human fetal MEG organogenesis.     

Morphogenesis of the frontal organ in Bufo bufo during development

Morphogenesis of the frontal organ in Bufo bufo was examined under transmission electron microscope. Many remarkable similarities to the frontal organ of other Amphibia Anura are observed. It originates from a diverticulum in the dorsal region of the neural tube. It is egg-shaped, has an eccentric lumen, and is made up of three kinds of cells: 1) photoreceptors, which protrude into the lumen; 2) supportive cells; and 3) ganglion cells, which make synaptic contact with the photoreceptors. Peculiar to Bufo bufo is the melanin-like pigments around the light-sensitive part of the photoreceptors. These pigments may prevent light dispersion. The frontal organ in Bufo bufo starts degenerating during the early premetamorphic stages.     

Familial adenomatous polyposis coli: five novel mutations in exon 15 of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene in Italian patients. Mutations in brief no. 225. Online

Germline mutations within the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, a tumor suppressor gene, are responsible for most cases of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an autosomal dominantly inherited predisposition to colorectal cancer. To date, more than 300 germ-line causative mutations within this gene have been described (Beroud and Soussi, 1996). Of these, about 95% are chain-terminating mutations, and more than 60% have been localized within exon 15 (Nagase and Nakamura, 1993, Beroud and Soussi, 1996). Using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism, protein truncation test (PTT) and DNA sequencing we have identified five new frameshift mutations (2523insCTTA, 2638delA, 2803insA, 3185delAA, 4145delTCATGT), all occurring within exon 15 and giving rise to truncated protein products. Two of these new mutations are of particular interest because of the unusual phenotypic features shown by probands. The phenotype of the proband bearing the 2523insCTTA mutation at codon 842 was very aggressive with onset of the symptoms at 12 years, while the patient bearing the 3185delAA mutation at codon 1062 exhibited features of an attenuated form of FAP (AAPC). Our data reiterate the great heterogeneity of the mutational spectrum in FAP that gives rise to an extreme variability of the clinical expression.     

Heterogeneous Subcellular Morphology of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells: Identification of Different Cytotypes on Cytological Material

We performed an electron microscopic study of cytologic material from 20 cases of primary lung adenocarcinoma (pleural effusion, 13 cases; fine needle aspiration biopsy, 7 cases). Ultrastructural characteristics related to secretory and storing activity of adenocarcinoma cells were evaluated semi-quantitatively. Data analysis identified three basic cell types (secretory, well or poorly differentiated; storing; and indifferent). We could classify our cases in five groups of pure or mixed cytotypes. Our results demonstrated a subcellular morphological heterogeneity manifested by the presence of different basic cell types: secretory, storing or indifferent features (or both); and different secretory and storage products in the same cell. This heterogeneity of lung adenocarcinoma cells suggests that the neoplasm could arise from a single cell type capable of differentiating along different lines. Cases lacking secretory differentiation seemed to be characterized by more aggressive biologic behavior. A clear correlation between the ultrastructural cytotypes identified and the clinical and prognostic data on the patients was not observed. This may be due to the fact that 75% of the patients were in clinical stage III at the time of diagnosis; also, in this series only five cases did not have characteristics that indicated secretory activity.