Sensorimotor coordination and the structure of space

Embedded in neural and behavioral organization is a structure of sensorimotor space. Both this embedded spatial structure and the structure of physical space inform sensorimotor control. This paper reviews studies in which the gravitational vertical and horizontal are crucial. The mathematical expressions of spatial geometry in these studies indicate methods for investigating sensorimotor control in freefall. In freefall, the spatial structure introduced by gravitation - the distinction between vertical and horizontal - does not exist. However, an astronaut arriving in space carries the physiologically-embedded distinction between horizontal and vertical learned on earth. The physiological organization based on this distinction collapses when the strong otolith activity and other gravitational cues for sensorimotor behavior become unavailable. The mathematical methods in this review are applicable in understanding the changes in physiological organization as an astronaut adapts to sensorimotor control in freefall. Many mathematical languages are available for characterizing the logical structures in physiological organization. Here, group theory is used to characterize basic structure of physical and physiological spaces. Dynamics and topology allow the grouping of trajectory ranges according to the outcomes or attractors. The mathematics of ordered structures express complex orderings, such as in multiphase movements in which different parts of the body are moving in different phase sequences. Conditional dynamics, which combines dynamics with the mathematics of ordered structures, accommodates the parsing of movement sequences into trajectories and transitions. Studies reviewed include those of the sit-to-stand movement and early locomotion, because of the salience of gravitation in those behaviors. Sensorimotor transitions and the conditions leading to them are characterized in conditional dynamic control structures that do not require thinking of an organism as an input-output device. Conditions leading to sensorimotor transitions on earth assume the presence of a gravitational vertical which is lacking in space. Thus, conditions used on earth for sensorimotor transitions may become ambiguous in space. A platform study in which sensorimotor transition conditions are ambiguous and are related to motion sickness is reviewed.     

Latex allergy literature review: evidence for making military treatment facilities latex safe

Latex allergy has become the epidemic of the 1990s for health care workers, as indicated by a remarkable increase in its prevalence. This literature review provides a brief background to the latex problem, strategies for prevention and management, a cost analysis of glove substitution in a clinical setting, and the implications for the military environment. Primary care providers must recognize the financial, medico-legal, occupational, and personal ramifications of latex allergy. Risk managers should realize that moving to a latex-free environment will reduce liability.     

Autologous Versus Allogeneic Transfusion in Aortic Surgery: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) and intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) in blood-conservation strategies for infrarenal aortic surgery. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Recent concerns over the risks of transfusion-related infection have resulted in sharp rises in the cost of blood preparations. Autologous transfusion may be a safe alternative to allogeneic transfusion, which has been associated with immune modulation and postoperative infection. METHODS: This multicenter prospective randomized trial compared standard transfusion practice with autologous transfusion combining ANH with ICS in 145 patients undergoing elective aortic surgery. The primary outcome measures were the proportion of patients requiring allogeneic blood and the volume of allogeneic transfusion. The secondary outcome measures were the frequency of complications, including postoperative infection, and postoperative hospital stay. RESULTS: The combination of ANH and ICS reduced the volume of allogeneic blood transfused from a median of two units to zero units. The proportion of patients transfused was 56% in allogeneic and 43% in autologous. There were no significant differences in complications or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Both ANH and ICS were safe and reduced the allogeneic blood requirement in patients undergoing elective infrarenal aortic surgery.     

A yew in Israel, new taxane derivatives

Five new taxanes, 5alpha,9alpha,10beta,13alpha-tetraacetoxy-14beta-O-(beta-d-glucopyranosyl)taxa-4(20),11-diene (1), 1beta,2alpha,9alpha,10beta-tetrahydroxy-5alpha-cinnamoyoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-13-one (2), 2alpha,9alpha,10beta-trihydroxy-5alpha-cinnamoyoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-13-one (3), 9alpha-acetoxy-2alpha,10beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-cinnamoyoxytaxa-4(20),11-dien-13-one (4), and 2alpha,10beta-diacetoxy-1beta,9alpha-dihydroxy-5alpha-cinnamoyoxy-3,11-cyclotaxa-4(20)-dien-13-one (5), have been identified in a Taxus baccata yew grown in Israel from seeds imported from the United States. We have also characterized 40 previously known taxanes from this plant material. The structures of the new taxanes (1-5) were rigorously established with 1D and 2D NMR data and confirmed by high-resolution FAB-mass spectrometry.     

受体介导的凝血酶对成骨细胞增殖及分化的作用

目的 通过凝血酶对成骨细胞的增殖及分化作用的研究来探讨受体介导的凝血酶的功能.方法 原代成骨细胞分别取自于蛋白酶激活受体(protease-activated receptor,PAR)-1敲除鼠和野生对照鼠的头颅骨.并利用凝血酶,人工合成的PAR-1或PAR-4特异性激活短肽对细胞进行处理,通过对5.溴-2-脱氧尿嘧啶的嵌入及细胞碱性磷酸酶活性的测定探讨PAR-1或PAR-4激活对细胞增殖和分化的影响.结果 在野生鼠成骨细胞,凝血酶及PAR-1激活肽均能促进的细胞增殖和降低碱性磷酸酶的活性,但PAR-4激活肽却无这些作用.然而在PAR-1 敲除鼠的成骨细胞无论是凝血酶还是PAR-4激活肽均不能改变细胞的增殖及碱性磷酸酶的活性.结论 本研究结果 表明凝血酶促进成骨细胞增殖及抑制其分化是通过PAR-1介导的.其他凝血酶受体并不具有此作用.