Effects of simulated environmental conditions on glucocorticoid metabolite measurements in white-tailed deer feces

Environmental conditions may influence fecal glucocorticoid metabolite measurements if feces cannot be collected immediately after deposition. To evaluate the influence of environmental conditions on fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations, we exposed fresh fecal samples to 1 of 5 simulated conditions: (1) room temperature (22 degrees C), (2) high heat (38 degrees C), (3) alternating high heat and room temperature cycle, (4) alternating freezing (-20 degrees C) and room temperature cycle, and (5) simulated rainfall (0.85 cm every other day at 22 degrees C) for 7 days. We collected fresh white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) feces at various times pre- and post-adrenocorticotropin injection to provide samples with initially low (n=5), medium (n=5), and high (n=5) glucocorticoid concentrations. Feces were mixed thoroughly and then allocated into five 10-g samples. Also, a 5-g sub-sample was taken from each fecal mass prior to treatment and stored at -20 degrees C until assayed. We subsampled from all treatments once every 24-h for 7 days. Fecal samples were assayed using [125I]corticosterone radioimmunoassay kits. Fecal glucocorticoid metabolites in all three groups in the simulated rainfall treatment and the low group in the alternating freezing and room temperature treatment increased significantly over the 7-day period. We believe increased microbial metabolism of fecal glucocorticoids may partly explain these results. Other biochemical processes (e.g., cleavage of conjugate side groups from hormone metabolites by non-microbial action or release of glucocorticoids from lipid micelles) may also have increased fecal glucocorticoid measurements. Our findings suggest that fecal samples exposed to rainfall for one week may artificially inflate fecal glucocorticoid measurements. Thus, researchers should recognize the potential bias when collecting fecal samples exposed to rainfall. Non-fresh samples may prove useful when care is taken to address the elevation in immunoreactive glucocorticoid concentrations.     

Anatomy and function of the subdeltoid bursa

An anatomical study was undertaken on 40 non-embalmed normal cadaver shoulders to determine the attachments, boundaries and macroscopic nerve supply of the subdeltoid bursa. Two areas of attachment were observed, one (proximal and superficial) along the free border of the coracoacromial ligament and adjacent deep surface of deltoid, the other (distal and deep) to the humerus distal to the supraspinatus tendon there were no posterior or anterior attachments. In addition, two blind pouches were observed, one proximal under the coracoacromial ligament and the other beyond the distal attachment. The continuity observed between the lateral border of the coracoacromial ligament and the subdeltoid bursa provides a smooth surface, thereby casting doubt on the aggressive action of the ligament on the rotator cuff.     

生理学双语教学的实践与心得

为适应现代医学教育的发展,内蒙古医学院生理学专业开展了双语教学,根据学生的英语水平,因材施教,循序渐进,采用多媒体教学手段,生动直观。实践表明,不断总结经验,将会取得良好的教学效果。     

Redistribution of cardiac output and oxygen delivery in the hypoxemic fetal lamb

In hypoxia, fetal cardiac output and the product arterial O2 content x blood flow to the fetal heart and central nervous system (CNS) tend to remain constant. As a consequence the percentage of cardiac output directed to the heart and CNS increases hyperbolically in inverse relation to the oxygen content of the fetal ascending aorta, [O2]as. The fetal lamb maintains [O2]as approximately 0.45 mM (0.45 +/- 0.02 SEM) higher than the O2 content in the abdominal aorta, [O2]ab, over a wide range of oxygenation. When [O2]as decreases below the 2 mM level, the [O2]as--[O2]ab difference (delta O2) decreases also. A mathematical model of the fetal circulation shows that delta O2 is a function of the ratio oxygen consumption of fetal upper body/abdominal aorta blood flow (VU/FA). The behavior of delta O2 in hypoxia can be explained by assuming that the VU/FA ratio is maintained in moderate hypoxia and decreases in sever hypoxia.     

Involvement of insulin in the acute thermogenic responses to food and nonmetabolizable substances

Gastric intubation with 40 kJ of a carbohydrate slurry (4 mL) produced increases in resting oxygen consumption (VO2) of 15% to 22% in control, cold-adapted, and hyperthyroid rats, but the absolute rise in metabolic rate after food was greater in the latter group. Tube-feeding methyl cellulose (4 mL, 7% wt/vol) evoked similar increases in VO2 to carbohydrate (15% to 23%), but all of these responses were inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. In cold-adapted animals, fat (40 kJ, 1.2 mL) produced a greater thermic effect than carbohydrate or methyl cellulose, and water (4 mL) also induced a small (8%), significant increase in VO2. Treatment with diazoxide shortly before the meal, to inhibit insulin release, almost completely inhibited the thermic responses to carbohydrate and methyl cellulose in all groups, but did not alter the effects of fat or water. Ingestion of a nonmetabolizable substance (methyl cellulose), would appear to stimulate metabolic rate to a similar extent to carbohydrate, possibly by causing gastric distention. Thermic effects of both these substances appear to involve insulin release and activation of the sympathetic nervous system. The thermic response to fat can also be inhibited by beta-adrenergic blockade, but apparently does not involve insulin release.     

磁共振成像在盆腔器官脱垂诊治中的价值

盆腔器官脱垂（pelvic organ prolapse,POP）疾病发生、发展的研究多基于大体解剖和体格检查,对患者的研究不够深入,在疾病诊疗及手术方案的制定和实施过程中过分依赖术者经验及其主观判断结果,缺乏客观数据作为支撑。磁共振成像（magnetic resonance imaging,MRI）具有对盆底结构高分辨率的独特优势,可以分辨出盆底器官各个支持结构并且对其进行定量分析,根据其测量结果研究POP患者阴道不同水平的支持结构,判断盆底力量的薄弱部位,进而针对薄弱部位制定个体化手术方案,对提高盆底重建手术的指向性及降低术后复发率有深刻的意义,从而有助于实现盆底重建手术微创、解剖复位及功能恢复,显著减少手术并发症的发生。此外,行盆底重建手术术前、术后完善MRI,可以评估手术质量,预测手术后复发。     

PBL教学法在生理学教学中的应用与探讨

目的探讨PBL教学法在生理学部分章节教学中的应用,为其推广和应用提供依据。方法选取2010级中药专业4个教学班分别作为实验组和对照组。实验组实施PBL教学模式,对照组采用传统讲授法。课程结束后,对2组学生的考试成绩进行统计学分析,并对PBL教学方法通过问卷调查方式进行评价。结果实验组学生的考试成绩和及格率均优于对照班(P<0.01和P<0.05),且学生对该教学方法有较好的评价。结论 PBL教学模式在生理学教学中的应用效果良好,能提高教学质量,值得推广。     

高职护理专业生理学课程教学探索

本文从高职护理专业生理学课程的教学内容、教学方法、教学手段、评价体系等方面就如何突出护理学专业特色,提高学生的综合素质,培养应用型护理人才进行了探索。     

临床医学成教专升本生理学教学的探索

在临床医学成教专升本生理学教学中,开展系列生理学专题讲座及学生读书报告会的教学改革,有效地调动了学生的学习主动性,促进了学生能力的培养和综合素质的提高.