Theoretical analysis of surface EMG in voluntary isometric contraction

Summary A new stochastic model of the surface EMG is suggested and the spectral density of the surface EMG is studied theoretically and experimentally to confirm the validity of this model.Theoretical results show that while the contraction level is not so high, the shape of the spectral density (distribution) does not change and its amplitude is directly proportional to the motor unit firing frequency and recruitment.To illustrate the theoretical results, experiments were carried out for rectus femoris and biceps brachii. The surface EMG was lead off by bipolar surface electrodes. And the spectral density of the surface EMG was calculated using FFT algorithm.From these experimental results, it was confirmed that our theoretical results were almost valid.     

钴60放射法制备免疫功能抑制大鼠模型

目的通过系统的钴60放射计划,对大鼠免疫功能抑制的合适剂量进行评估,为干细胞移植研究提供合适的的动物模型。方法SD大鼠随机分为12.5Gy、10Gy、7.5Gy、5Gy4个剂量组,10只/组。计算放射后2个月的死亡率。检测白细胞数量,评价各剂量组动物的白细胞参考值范围。结合死亡率和白细胞参考值范围,确定合适的放射剂量。通过对外周血中性粒细胞(PMN)吞噬实验和外周血白细胞移行抑制实验(MIT),对细胞免疫功能进行检测。结果行12.5Gy照射的大鼠,3d内全部死亡;10Gy放射后的大鼠在1个月内全部死亡;7.5Gy照射的大鼠2个月内死亡1只;5Gy照射的大鼠没有死亡情况发生。设定95%作为可信区间,计算白细胞数量参考值范围(109个/L),未放疗组:16.978+1.96×6.46;5Gy放疗组:4.93+1.96×0.72;7.5Gy放疗组:2.313+1.96×0.782;10Gy放疗组:1.03+1.96×0.507。t检验表明,随着放疗剂量的增加,各实验组的白细胞数量显著减少。对于细胞免疫功能的检测,外周血中性粒细胞(PMN)吞噬实验结果表明,机体全身免疫功能降低;外周血白细胞移行抑制实验(MIT)表明,机体T细胞免疫功能降低。结论7.5Gy可以一定程度上抑制大鼠的免疫功能,为合适的放疗剂量。     

Unidirectional block in a computer model of partially coupled segments of cardiac Purkinje tissue

The initiation of a reentrant circuit requires a zone of slow conduction and a zone of unidirectional block. This study used computer model conditions under which partial coupling between segments of cardiac Purkinje tissue resulted in unidirectional block. The structure used was one-dimensional and divided into three segments: a middle segment of variable length coupled to two long (semi-infinite in concept) segments. The DiFrancesco-Noble equations represented the ionic currents of the membrane. The results show that the possibility of unidirectional block depends on the size of the middle segment and the coupling resistances between the segments. No combination of coupling resistances allowed unidirectional block for middle segments with a length of two space constants (4 mm) or longer. Unidirectional block occurred for many combinations of coupling resistances as the length of the middle segment decreased to around half a space constant (1 mm). The number of length combinations that caused unidirectional block decreased again as segment length further decreased. These results provide a possible mechanism of unidirectional block for situations where islands of viable tissue are connected through nonviable tissue, such as in a healed myocardial infarction.     

Latent variable discovery in classification models

The naive Bayes model makes the often unrealistic assumption that the feature variables are mutually independent given the class variable. We interpret a violation of this assumption as an indication of the presence of latent variables, and we show how latent variables can be detected. Latent variable discovery is interesting, especially for medical applications, because it can lead to a better understanding of application domains. It can also improve classification accuracy and boost user confidence in classification models.     

Noninvasive method for measuring the electrical properties of deep tissues using an open-ended coaxial probe

A new noninvasive method of measuring the structure and the electrical properties of bilayered biological tissues was evaluated as a potentially useful diagnostic means for detecting changes in subcutaneous tissues. First, the input impedance of an open-ended coaxial probe radiating into a bilayered model was calculated using a full-wave method, the results showed that the evanescen higher order modes do not have a significant influence on the reflection coefficient of muscle layer surface. Then, it was clearly proven that the phase shift and the modulus of the reflection coefficient of muscle layer surface depending on the frequency are useful to estimate the thickness of fat layer and the electrical properties of muscle respectively. The experimental results showed an excellent agreement with the theoretical relationship between the phase shift and the thickness. The sensitivity of estimation of the electrical properties of muscle was shown to be not enough for differentiating between normal and diseased deep tissue because of noises from the experimental systems.     

Early stage of human adenovirus type 12-inoculated retinal tissue of F344 newborn rat

To elucidate the pathogenesis of adenovlrus type 12 (Ad12)-induced rat retinal tumor, an experimental animal model of human retinobiastoma (RB), DNA analysis, in situ hybridizatlon and immunohistochemlstry were performed. The adenovirus oncogene EIA was detected in the host genome by Southern blot hybridization. Examined retinal tlssues did not show any histological changes, but the number of retinal cells lmmunoreactive with an antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) increased with the course of study. In in situ hybridization, E1A gene expression was recognized at the Inner granular layer of the retina at an early stage arer virus inoculation, and subsequently, N-myc gene expression was recognized at the same region. No alteration was found in the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene ( Rb gene) expression. The product of the virus oncogene integrated into the host genome could induce an Increase in N-myc expression, without any abnormality of the Rb gene itself. Results from the present study could be useful in clarifying the tumorige-nesis of this experimental model.     

Summation of fibre potentials and the e.m.g.-force relationship during the voluntary movement of a forearm

A linear mathematical model of the electromyogram (e.m.g.) has been developed for the biceps muscle. The number of motor units (and therefore muscle fibres) contributing to the resultant e.m.g. at any stage of movement has been found from the force analysis of elbow flexion. The depths of various motor units and the phase difference between the recruitment of any two motor units have been formulated using a spiral spread of recruitment sequence. The attenuation of individual motor-unit action potentials due to varying depths has been taken into consideration, and due regard has been taken of the length-tension diagram of a muscle while performing the force analysis. Attention has been focused on the flexion of the elbow joint, in which a method of finding the individual contribution of the biceps and brachialis muscles has been developed and applied. The results predicted by the model have been verified by experiments. The model can also be extended to the e.m.g. of other fast skeletal muscles. The conditions and limitations for such generalisations have been stated and discussed.     

Treatment of Specific Phobia in Children: Are All the Components of the Phobic Response of Equal Importance?

Davis and Ollendick provide a review on the efficacy of treatments for childhood specific phobias, thereby analyzing to what extent various treatments are effective in altering the three components of the pathological fear response (i.e., subjective, behavioral, physiological). In this commentary, it is noted that there are marked differences in the reactivity of the three response systems among various types of specific phobias and among individuals suffering from this anxiety disorder, suggesting that it is important to tailor the intervention to the individual response pattern of the phobic patient. However, because outcome research indicates that effective treatments for phobias should include exposure-based exercises, a reduction of the behavioral fear response seems to be the primary target of intervention. Furthermore, it is largely unknown to what extent the three-systems model is applicable to childhood phobias. In the meantime, there is emerging evidence demonstrating that developmental processes have a clear impact on children's perception of fear-related symptoms.     

Computer-controlled mechanical lung model for application in pulmonary function studies

A computer controlled mechanical lung model has been developed for testing lung function equipment, validation of computer programs and simulation of impaired pulmonary mechanics. The construction, function and some applications are described. The physical model is constructed from two bellows and a pipe system representing the alveolar lung compartments of both lungs and airways, respectively. The bellows are surrounded by water simulating pleural and interstitial space. Volume changes of the bellows are accomplished via the fluid by a piston. The piston is driven by a servo-controlled electrical motor whose input is generated by a microcomputer. A wide range of breathing patterns can be simulated. The pipe system representing the trachea connects both bellows to the ambient air and is provided with exchangeable parts with known resistance. A compressible element (CE) can be inserted into the pipe system. The fluid-filled space around the CE is connected with the water compartment around the bellows; The CE is made from a stretched Penrose drain. The outlet of the pipe system can be interrupted at the command of an external microcomputer system. An automatic sequence of measurements can be programmed and is executed without the interaction of a technician.     

Role of group A streptococcal IgG-binding proteins in triggering experimental glomerulonephritis in the rabbit

Our previous studies have indicated that the IgG-binding M-family proteins (IgGBP) of group A streptococci may be involved in eliciting experimental acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) in the rabbit. These surface proteins were also found to trigger production of anti-IgG, which might conceivably act to enhance renal deposition of immune complexes (IC). In the present study, a clinical isolate of serotype M22 (strain AL168), an isogenic double mutant deficient for both the IgGBPs Mrp and Emm, as well as mutants deficient in only one of the proteins were tested for capacity to induce glomerulonephritis. Streptococci to be used for injecting rabbits were heat-killed. Surface-bound IgG was removed by 1 M KSCN and cells were then repeatedly washed in PBS before use. Rabbits were injected intravenously with 109 cells three times a week for 8 weeks and, following one month of rest, for another 6 weeks. Deposits of IgG and C3 as well as induced chemokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 were traced in cryostat sections using specific antibodies and appropriate peroxidase-labelled anti-antibodies. In four rabbits immunized with the double mutant strain, no deposits were found, and as examined by TEM, only subtle and transient renal changes were observed. In contrast, the original strain AL168 induced pronounced inflammatory and degenerative glomerular changes in all four rabbits injected, and deposits of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 were found in mesangial and endothelial cells. Similar deposits and glomerular changes were seen in all eight rabbits injected with the mrp-emm+ mutant and in four out of seven animals receiving the mrp+emm- mutant. There was a highly significant correlation between high levels of circulating anti-IgG and development of APSGN. These results confirm an important role of streptococcal IgGBP in triggering experimental APSGN as earlier proposed by our group.