Learning and sexual deficiencies in transgenic mice carrying a chimeric vasoactive intestinal peptide gene

The molecular mechanisms responsible for behavior are largely unknown. A state of the art model, paving the path from genes to behavior, is offered by transgenic animals. Candidate molecules are classic neuropeptides, such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). Transgenic mice harboring a chimeric VIP gene driven by the polyoma promoter were produced. Behavioral studies revealed learning impairment and prolonged retardation in memory acquisition in the genetically altered animals. Furthermore, reduced performance was observed when the male transgenic mice were tested for sexual activity in the presence of receptive females. Surprisingly, radioimmunoassays showed an approx 20% decrease in the VIP content of the transgenic mice brains. To directly assess genetically reduced VIP content as a cause for learning impairment, transgenic mice carrying diphtheria toxia-encoding sequences driven by the rat VIP promoter were created. These animals had reduced brain VIP and exhibited deficiencies in learning abilities, strongly supporting an important neurobiological function for VIP in vivo.     

Optical Manipulation of Objects and Biological Cells in Microfluidic Devices

In this paper, we review optical techniques used for micro-manipulation of small particles and cells in microfluidic devices. These techniques are based on the object's interaction with focused laser light (consequential forces of scattering and gradient). Inorganic objects including polystyrene spheres and organic objects including biological cells were manipulated and switched in and between fluidic channels using these forces that can typically be generated by vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays, with only a few mW optical powers. T-, Y-, and multi-layered X fluidic channel devices were fabricated by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer molding of channel structures over photolithographically defined patterns using a thick negative photoresist. We have also shown that this optical manipulation technique can be extended to smaller multiple objects by using an optically trapped particle as a handle, or an optical handle. Ultimately, optical manipulation of small particles and biological cells could have applications in biomedical devices for drug discovery, cytometry and cell biology research.     

关于中医推拿手法摆动类法施力的频域分析

依据中医推拿手法测力分析仪ＦＺ－Ⅰ型上所测得的施力数据，对各向作用力进行频域分析，并对各频段成分在综合推拿效用中所起的作用以及与其它因素的相互关系作了比较与分析。     

Extrinsic risk factors for compromised blood flow in the vertebral artery: anatomical observations of the transverse foramina from C3 to C7

The vertebral artery (VA) is often involved in the occurrence of complications after spinal manipulative therapy. Due to osteophytes compressing the VA anteriorly from the uncinate process or posteriorly from the facet complex, the VAs are susceptible to trauma in the transverse foramina. Such altered anatomical configurations are of major clinical significance, as spinal manipulations may result in dissection of the VA with serious consequences for the blood supply to the vertebrobasilar region. The purpose of this study is to describe numerous structural features of the third to seventh cervical vertebrae in order to contribute to the understanding of pathological conditions related to the VA. The minimal and maximal diameter of 111 transverse foramina in dry cervical vertebrae were studied. The presence of osteophytes and their influence on the VA were evaluated at the vertebral body and at the superior and inferior articular facets. The diameter of the transverse foramina increased from C3 to C6, while the transverse foramina of C7 had the smallest diameter. At all levels the mean dimensions of the left foramina were greater than those of the right side. Osteophytes from the uncinate process of C5 and C6 vertebrae were found in over 60% of dry vertebrae. Osteophytes from the zygapophyseal joints were more frequent at C3 and C4 vertebrae. About half of the osteophytes of the uncinate and of the superior articular process partially covered the transverse foramina. This was less common with those of the inferior articular facets. Osteophytes covering the transverse foramen force the VAs to meander around these obstructions, causing narrowing through external compression and are potential sites of trauma to the VAs potentially even leading to dissection. We strongly advocate that screening protocols for vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) be used prior to any manipulation of the cervical spine and should include not only extension and rotation but any starting position from which the planned manipulation will be performed.     

Construction and characterization of centric circular and acentric linear chromosomes in fission yeast

Summary Gene disruption and gap repair of chromosomal DNA have been frequently employed techniques in yeast genetics. To extend the possibility of using these gene manipulations for larger genomic regions, we have examined the maximal sizes of chromosomal DNA disrupted or repaired in vivo. Here we report a simple, potentially general, method for selectively deleting a 150 kb region, or gap-filling a 100 kb region, in the fission yeast genome. This enables the generation of acentric linear chromosomes by deletion, or the cloning of large functional centromeric DNAs into circular minichromosomes by gap-filling. The fidelity of the resulting gap-filling is high, judging from partial-digestion mapping of gap-repaired DNAs. By analysing a series of such circular minichromosomes, we conclude that only a part of the repetitive centromeric region, including the central domain, is essential for mitotic and meiotic chromosome segregation. Acentric linear chromosomes, although unstable, could be maintained, indicating that it may be possible to construct an acentric vector for large DNA fragments in this organism.     

Premenstrual tension,expectancy, and mother-child relations

The role of expectancy in enhancing or mitigating premenstrual symptoms was examined in 51 mothers of preschoolers. Expectancy was manipulated by providing information either in support of a biological cause for genuine universal mood changes or in support of a psychological cause arising out of negative societal myths. A third group was given no information. Mood, cognitive function, and mother-child interaction were assessed both at midcycle and premenstrually, and the results suggested that expectancy enhances symptoms. The Psychological group lowered their symptom expectations and reported less negative mood premenstrually as well as fewer symptoms at the end of the test month. The other groups reported no change in symptoms and greater premenstrual negative mood than the Psychological group. All groups demonstrated greater task persistence and more positive motherchild interaction during the premenstrual phase.This study is based upon the doctoral dissertation completed in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. degree from the University of Ottawa.     

Acquired Idiopathic Stiffness After Contemporary Total Knee Arthroplasty: Incidence,Risk Factors,and Results Over 25 Years

BackgroundAcquired idiopathic stiffness (AIS) remains a common failure mode of contemporary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). The present study investigated the incidence of AIS and manipulation under anesthesia (MUA) at a single institution over time, determined outcomes of MUAs, and identified risk factors associated with AIS and MUA.MethodsWe identified 9771 patients (12,735 knees) who underwent primary TKAs with cemented, modular metal-backed, posterior-stabilized implants from 2000 to 2016 using our institutional total joint registry. Mean age was 68 years, 57% were female, and mean body mass index was 33 kg/m². Demographic, surgical, and comorbidity data were investigated via univariate Cox proportional hazard models and fit to an adjusted multivariate model to access risk for AIS and MUA. Mean follow-up was 7 years.ResultsDuring the study period, 456 knees (3.6%) developed AIS and 336 knees (2.6%) underwent MUA. Range of motion (ROM) increased a mean of 34° after the MUA; however, ROM for patients treated with MUA was inferior to patients without AIS at final follow-up (102° vs 116°, P < .0001). Significant risk factors included younger age (HR 2.3, P < .001), increased tourniquet time (HR 1.01, P < .001), general anesthesia (HR 1.3, P = .007), and diabetes (HR 1.5, P = .001).ConclusionAcquired idiopathic stiffness has continued to have an important adverse impact on the outcomes of a subset of patients undergoing primary TKAs. When utilized, MUA improved mean ROM by 34°, but patients treated with MUA still had decreased ROM compared to patients without AIS. Importantly, we identified several significant risk factors associated with AIS and subsequent MUA.Level of EvidenceLevel III, retrospective comparative study.     

拔戳揉捻手法治疗肱骨外上髁炎生物力学分析及影响因素研究

目的:量化拔戳揉捻手法治疗肱骨外上髁炎的生物力学参数,探讨患者个体特征对手法操作的影响。方法:选取2019年7月至2020年2月就诊的肱骨外上髁炎患者40例,男18例,女22例,年龄20~50(34.37±8.41)岁,病程1~11(6.05±2.71)个月,采用生物力学传感器测量同一手法术者对患者患侧肘关节实施拔戳揉捻手法的生物力学参数,量化生物力学参数并研究参数间可能存在的相关性,同时采集患者个体特征学参数,分析不同患者个体特征对生物力学参数的影响。结果:拔戳揉捻手法各阶段生物力学参数量化结果,旋后揉捻力(31.17±2.99) N,屈曲拔按力(44.99±2.38) N,旋前揉捻力(31.03±2.75) N,拔直戳按力(48.75±2.09) N,参数相关性分析显示旋后揉捻力与旋前揉捻力参数间存在显著正相关,屈曲拔按力与拔直戳按力参数间存在显著正相关。对患者个体特征参数与手法生物力学参数进行多元线性回归分析显示,患者的体重与旋后揉捻力间呈显著相关,患者肘部压痛值与屈曲拔按力存在显著相关,患者病程与拔直戳按力呈显著相关。结论:拔戳揉捻手法治疗肱骨外上髁炎在体操作力大小具有一定的标准,手法各阶段术者操作的作用力趋势具有系统性,患者的体重、患肘压痛情况与病程是影响拔戳揉捻手法操作的重要因素。     

综合法治疗肩周炎的临床疗效

目的　探讨肩周炎有效的治疗方法。方法　综合疗法组 80例采用手法、理疗、肩关节操序贯治疗。理体疗组 72例采用理疗加常规体疗。结果　综合疗法组治愈率 2 3.75 % ,显效率 45 .0 0 % ;理体疗组治愈率6 .94% ,显效率 2 7.78% ,秩和检验综合疗法组疗效优于理体疗组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　手法、理疗、肩关节操综合治疗疗效优于理疗加常规体疗 ,证明综合法可明显改善肩关节活动度 ,是治疗肩周炎的一种较为理想、有效的方法。     

综合4步法治疗肩周炎208例报告

采用局部注射 ,针刀松解 ,手法剥离 ,中药调理 4步法有机结合治疗肩周炎 2 0 8例 ,结果治愈 187例 ,显效 13例 ,优良率 96.3 %。认为针对局部病变及肩部整体功能调理 ,是获得较好疗效的关键。