Determinants of cell shape and orientation: a comparative Golgi analysis of cell-axon interrelationships in the developing neocortex of normal and reeler mice.

Patterns of dendritic development in the neocortex of normal and reeler E15-17 mouse embryos are studied in Golgi impregnations. Interactions between dendrites and axon-rich strata appear to be critical determinants of dendritic morphology in both genotypes. Firstly, axon-dendrite proximity appears to stimulate dendritic sprouting, elongation and branching. Secondly, the position of the axon-rich strata with respect to the differentiating cell appears to determine the direction of dendritic growth and thereby the ultimate configuration of the dendritic arbor. With regard to specific cell configurations, a multipolar form is generated when the cell is embedded in an axon-rich zone. A monopolar or bipolar configuration is achieved when the cell lies in the axon-poor cortical plate and addresses and axon-rich stratum with one or both radially extended migratory processes. Such variations in the configuration of neurons with polar dendritic systems may be observed uniquely in the mutant cortex because axon-rich zones are stratified anomalously at multiple levels in the cortical plate. As a consequence, polar dendritic systems develop from either the superior, the inferior or both somatic poles of postmigratory cells. Pyramidal cells may, therefore, develop a normal upright or an abnormal "upside-down" disposition. Regardless of the orientation of the polar dendritic system, the axon emerges from the inferior aspect of the cell suggesting that there has been no rotation of the original migratory axis of the cell.     

Trends analysis of rhBMP utilization in single-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) in the United States

Purpose

A retrospective database review was carried out to evaluate the trends and demographics of rhBMP utilization in single-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF) in the United States.

Methods

Patients who underwent single-level PLF from 2005 to 2011 were identified by searching ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes in the PearlDiver Patient Records Database (PearlDiver Technologies, Fort Wayne, IN, USA), a national database of orthopaedic insurance records. The year of procedure, age, gender, and region of the United States were recorded for each patient. Results were reported for each variable as the incidence of procedures identified per 100,000 patients searched in the database.

Results

Totally 5158 patients had single-level PLF in this study. The average rate of single-level PLF with rhBMP utilization maintained at a relatively stable level (19.1–23.5 %) from 2005 to 2009, but sharply decreased to 6.8 % in 2010 and 6.9 % in 2011. The overall incidence of single-level PLF without rhBMP (1.37 cases per 100,000 patients) was more than five times of the incidence of single-level PLF with rhBMP (0.27 cases per 100,000 patients) (P < 0.01). The average rate of single-level PLF with rhBMP utilization is highest in Midwest (18.7 %), followed by West (18.4 %), South (16.4 %) and Northeast (11.5 %). The highest incidence of single-level PLF with rhBMP was observed in the group aged 70–74 years with an incidence of 0.33 per 100,000 patients.

Conclusions

The incidence of rhBMP utilization in single-level PLF increased from 2006 to 2009, but dropped to a low level in 2010 and 2011. The Northeast region had the lowest incidence of rhBMP utilization. The group aged 70–74 years trended to have the higher incidence of single-level PLF with rhBMP utilization.

     

Radiofrequency in female external genital cosmetics and sexual function: a randomized clinical trial

Introduction and hypothesis

Female sexual behavior goes through cultural changes constantly, and recently, some women have shown the desire the ideal genitalia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate clinical responses to nonablative radiofrequency (RF) in terms of its cosmetic outcome in the female external genitalia and its effect on sexual function.

Methods

A single-masking randomized controlled trial was conducted in 43 women (29 sexually active) who were unsatisfied with the appearance of their external genitalia. The women were divided into an RF group (n?=?21, 14 sexually active) and a control group (n?=?22, 15 sexually active). Eight sessions of RF were performed once a week. Photographs (taken before the first session and 8 days after the last session) were evaluated by the women and three blinded health professionals by using two 3-point Likert scales (unsatisfied, unchanged, and satisfied; and worst, unchanged, and improved). Sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and analyzed using the Student t test. Women’s satisfaction and health professional evaluation were analyzed using the chi-square test and inter- and intragroup binomial comparisons.

Results

Satisfaction response rates were 76 and 27 % for the RF and control groups, respectively (p?=?0.001). All professionals found a clinical improvement association in the treated group with RF in comparison with the control group (p?<?0.01). The overall FSFI sexual function score increased by 3.51 points in the RF group vs 0.1 points in the control group (p?=?0.003).

Conclusions

RF is an alternative for attaining a cosmetic outcome for the female external genitalia, with positives changes in patients’ satisfaction and FSFI scores.

     

Yeast UCS proteins promote actomyosin interactions and limit myosin turnover in cells

Two functions are proposed for the conserved family of UCS proteins: helping to fold myosin motor proteins and stimulating the motor function of folded myosins. We examined both functions in yeast. The fission yeast UCS protein (Rng3p) concentrates in nodes containing myosin-II (Myo2) and other proteins that condense into the cytokinetic contractile ring. Both the N-terminal (central) and C-terminal (UCS) domains of Rng3p can concentrate independently in contractile rings, but only full-length Rng3p supports contractile ring function in vivo. The presence of Rng3p in ATPase assays doubles the apparent affinity (K(ATPase)) of both native Myo2 and recombinant heads of Myo2 for actin filaments. Rng3p promotes gliding of actin filaments by full-length Myo2 molecules, but not Myo2 heads alone. Myo2 isolated from mutant strains defective for Rng3p function is soluble and supports actin filament gliding. In budding yeast the single UCS protein (She4p) acts on both myosin-I isoforms (Myo3p and Myo5p) and one of two myosin-V isoforms (Myo4p). Myo5p turns over approximately 10 times faster in she4Delta cells than wild-type cells, reducing the level of Myo5p in cells 10-fold and in cortical actin patches approximately 4-fold. Nevertheless, Myo5p isolated from she4Delta cells has wild-type ATPase and motility activities. Thus, a fraction of this yeast myosin can fold de novo in the absence of UCS proteins, but UCS proteins promote myosin stability and interactions with actin.     

Otago home-based strength and balance retraining improves executive functioning in older fallers: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVES: To primarily ascertain the effect of the Otago Exercise Program (OEP) on physiological falls risk, functional mobility, and executive functioning after 6 months in older adults with a recent history of falls and to ascertain the effect of the OEP on falls during a 1‐year follow‐up period. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Dedicated falls clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy‐four adults aged 70 and older who presented to a healthcare professional after a fall. INTERVENTION: The OEP, a home‐based program that consists of resistance training and balance training exercises. MEASUREMENTS: Physiological falls risk was assessed using the Physiological Profile Assessment. Functional mobility was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test. Three central executive functions were assessed: set shifting, using the Trail Making Test Part B; updating, using the verbal digits backward test; and response inhibition, using the Stroop Color‐Word Test. Falls were prospectively monitored using daily calendars. RESULTS: At 6 months, there was no significant between‐group difference in physiological falls risk or functional mobility (P≥ .33). There was a significant between‐group difference in response inhibition (P=.05). A falls histogram revealed two outliers. With these cases removed, using negative binomial regression, the unadjusted incidence rate ratio of falls in the OEP group compared with the control group was 0.56. The adjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.47. CONCLUSION: The OEP may reduce falls by improving cognitive performance.