ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Every dental provider needs to be educated about medical emergencies to provide safe dental care. Simulation training is available with simulators such as advanced life support manikins and robot patients. However, the purchase and development costs of these simulators are high. We have developed a simulation training course on medical emergencies using an inexpensive software application. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the educational effectiveness of this course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one dental providers participated in this study from December 2014 to March 2015. Medical simulation software was used to simulate a patient's vital signs. We evaluated participants' ability to diagnose and treat vasovagal syncope or anaphylaxis with an evaluation sheet and conducted a questionnaire before and after the scenario-based simulation training. RESULTS: The median evaluation sheet score for vasovagal syncope increased significantly from 7/9 before to 9/9 after simulation training. The median score for anaphylaxis also increased significantly from 8/12 to 12/12 (P < .01). For the item "I can treat vasovagal syncope/anaphylaxis adequately," the percentage responding "Strongly agree" or "Agree" increased from 14% to 56% for vasovagal syncope and from 6% to 42% for anaphylaxis with simulation training. CONCLUSIONS: This simulation course improved participants' ability to diagnose and treat medical emergencies and improved their confidence. This course can be offered inexpensively using a software application.
Subject(s)
Computer Simulation , Education, Dental , Emergency Medicine/education , Simulation Training , Software , Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Anaphylaxis/therapy , Clinical Competence , Education, Dental/economics , Education, Dental/methods , Emergency Treatment , Female , Humans , Japan , Male , Software/economics , Surveys and Questionnaires , Syncope, Vasovagal/diagnosis , Syncope, Vasovagal/therapyABSTRACT
Background: Anucleate platelets can undergo apoptosis in response to various stimuli, as do nucleated cells. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes platelet dysfunction and can also activate platelet apoptotic pathways. We therefore evaluated time-dependent changes in blood platelet Bax (a pro-apoptotic molecule) levels and platelet dysfunction after cardiac surgery. Methods: We assessed blood samples obtained from subjects having on-pump or off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery ( n =20 each). We also evaluated the in vitro effects of platelet Bax increase in eight healthy volunteers. Results: Thrombin-induced platelet calcium mobilisation and platelet-surface glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) expression were lowest at weaning from CPB and did not recover on postoperative day one. On-pump surgery increased platelet expression of Bax, especially the oligomerised form, along with translocation of Bax from the cytosol to mitochondria and platelet-surface tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-converting enzyme (TACE) expression. In contrast, mitochondrial cytochrome c expression was reduced. While similar in direction, the magnitude of the observed changes was smaller in patients having off-pump surgery. In vitro , a cell-permeable Bax peptide increased platelet Bax expression to the same extent seen during bypass and produced similar platelet changes. These apoptotic-like changes were largely reversed by Bcl-xL pre-administration, and were completely reversed by combined application of inhibitors that stabilise outer mitochondrial membrane permeability and TACE. Conclusions: CPB increases platelet Bax expression, which contributes to reduced platelet-surface GPIb expression and thrombin-induced platelet calcium changes. These changes in platelet apoptotic signalling might contribute to platelet dysfunction after CPB. Clinical trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (number UMIN000006033).
Subject(s)
Blood Platelets/pathology , Cardiopulmonary Bypass , Postoperative Complications/blood , Thrombin/pharmacology , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/blood , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Apoptosis , Blotting, Western , Female , Flow Cytometry , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet Activation , Platelet Aggregation , Postoperative Complications/pathology , Prospective Studies , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/geneticsABSTRACT
We aimed to clarify the effects of cold stimulation at various temperatures on mitochondrial activity and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in vitro. Human fibroblast, human mesenchymal stem cell, and rat skeletal muscle myoblast cell lines were used. For each cell type, cells were divided into 4 groups and stimulated in various cold temperatures (0, 4, 17 and 25°C) 3 times for 15 min each by placement on crushed ice or floating on cold water set at each temperature. Control cells were subjected to warm water at 37°C. Factors related to mitochondrial activity, mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, and VEGF expression were analyzed 24 h after the last cold stimulation. In all cell types, significant increases of factors related to mitochondrial activity and mitochondrial DNA copy numbers were seen in the 4°C and 17°C-stimulated cells compared with control cells. In rat skeletal muscle cells stimulated at 4°C, VEGF expression significantly increased compared to the control cells. Our data suggest that cold stimulation at certain temperatures promotes mitochondrial activity, biogenesis and VEGF expression.
Subject(s)
Cold Temperature , DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism , Mitochondria/metabolism , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics , Animals , Cell Line , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Myoblasts, Skeletal/metabolism , Rats , TemperatureABSTRACT
AIMS: Early studies have shown that magnesium intake decreases the risk of Type 2 diabetes, but the results are still inconsistent. We prospectively examined the association between magnesium intake and incidence of Type 2 diabetes in a general Japanese population. METHODS: A total of 1999 subjects without diabetes aged 40-79 years who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were followed up prospectively for a mean of 15.6 years. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 417 subjects developed Type 2 diabetes. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of Type 2 diabetes significantly decreased with increasing magnesium intake quartile levels (≤ 148.5, 148.6-171.5, 171.6-195.5 and ≥ 195.6 mg/day, P for trend = 0.01). In multivariate analyses, after adjusting for comprehensive risk factors and other dietary factors, the hazard ratio of Type 2 diabetes was 0.67 (95% CI 0.49-0.92; P = 0.01) in the third quartile and 0.63 (95% CI 0.44-0.90; P = 0.01) in the highest quartile compared with the first quartile. In addition, the risk of Type 2 diabetes was 14% lower (P = 0.04) for a 1-sd increment of log-transformed magnesium intake in the multivariate-adjusted model. In stratified analysis, there were statistically significant interactions between magnesium intake and levels of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or alcohol intake on the risk of Type 2 diabetes (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that increased magnesium intake was a significant protective factor for the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in the general Japanese population, especially among subjects with insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and a drinking habit.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/prevention & control , Inflammation/metabolism , Insulin Resistance , Magnesium Deficiency/drug therapy , Magnesium/therapeutic use , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glucose Tolerance Test , Humans , Incidence , Inflammation/blood , Japan , Magnesium/blood , Magnesium Deficiency/blood , Magnesium Deficiency/complications , Male , Middle Aged , Nutrition Surveys , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Medical nutrition therapy plays a critical role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, appropriate measures of eating behaviours, such as eating rate, have not yet been clearly established. The aim of the present study was to examine the associations among eating rate, obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: A total of 7,275 Japanese individuals aged ≥40 years who had normal fasting glucose levels, impaired fasting glucose or diabetes were divided into four groups according to self-reported eating rate: slow, medium, relatively fast and very fast. The associations between eating rate and various cardiovascular risk factors were investigated cross-sectionally. RESULTS: The proportions of participants who were obese or who had elevated waist circumference levels increased progressively with increases in eating rate (p for trend <0.001), regardless of glucose tolerance status. These associations remained significant after adjustment for potential confounders, namely, age, sex, total energy intake, dietary fibre intake, current smoking, current drinking and regular exercise (p for trend <0.001). Blood pressure and lipid levels also tended to increase in association with eating rate. HbA(1c) rose significantly as eating rate increased, even after multivariate adjustment, including BMI, in diabetic patients on insulin therapy (p = 0.02), whereas fasting plasma glucose did not increase significantly. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that eating rate is associated with obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors and therefore may be a modifiable risk factor in the management of cardiovascular risk factors and diabetes.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Diabetes Mellitus/etiology , Feeding Behavior , Glucose Intolerance/etiology , Obesity/etiology , Prediabetic State/etiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Diabetes Mellitus/drug therapy , Diabetes Mellitus/prevention & control , Female , Glucose Intolerance/drug therapy , Glucose Intolerance/prevention & control , Glycated Hemoglobin/analysis , Humans , Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use , Insulin/therapeutic use , Japan/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/blood , Obesity/epidemiology , Obesity/physiopathology , Prediabetic State/prevention & control , Prospective Studies , Registries , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
AIMS: We examined the optimal cut-off values of fasting plasma glucose, 2-h post-load glucose and HbA(1c) for predicting Type 2 diabetes in community-dwelling Japanese subjects. METHODS: A total of 1982 subjects without diabetes aged 40-79 years who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test were followed prospectively for 14 years by annual health examination. RESULTS: During the follow-up, 295 subjects developed Type 2 diabetes. Compared with the first decile, the crude hazard ratio for incident Type 2 diabetes was significantly higher in the fifth fasting plasma glucose decile [5.4-5.4 mmol/l (97-98 mg/dl)] or higher, in the seventh 2-h post-load glucose decile [6.9-7.2 mmol/l (124-131 mg/dl)] or higher, and in the fifth HbA(1c) decile [34-36 mmol/mol (5.3-5.4%)] or higher. These associations remained substantially unchanged even after adjustment for confounding factors. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off values for predicting Type 2 diabetes were 5.6 mmol/l (101 mg/dl) for fasting plasma glucose, 6.9 mmol/l (124 mg/dl) for 2-h post-load glucose and 37 mmol/mol (5.5%) for HbA(1c). In a stratified analysis, the cut-off values were approximately 5.6 mmol/l (101 mg/dl) for fasting plasma glucose and 37 mmol/mol (5.5%) for HbA(1c), and these values were unchanged over BMI quartile levels, whereas the 2-h post-load glucose cut-off values declined with decreasing BMI levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the cut-off value for predicting Type 2 diabetes in the Japanese population is 5.6 mmol/l (101 mg/dl) for fasting plasma glucose and 37 mmol/mol (5.5%) for HbA(1c), while the 2-h post-load glucose cut-off value is lower than the diagnostic criterion for impaired glucose tolerance.
Subject(s)
Asian People , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Asian People/statistics & numerical data , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Fasting/blood , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Glucose Tolerance Test , Humans , Incidence , Japan/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Prospective Studies , ROC Curve , Residence Characteristics , Risk Factors , Sensitivity and SpecificityABSTRACT
AIMS: Risk scoring methods are effective for identifying persons at high risk of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, but such approaches have not yet been established in Japan. METHODS: A total of 1935 subjects of a derivation cohort were followed up for 14 years from 1988 and 1147 subjects of a validation cohort independent of the derivation cohort were followed up for 5 years from 2002. Risk scores were estimated based on the coefficients (ß) of Cox proportional hazards model in the derivation cohort and were verified in the validation cohort. RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, the non-invasive risk model was established using significant risk factors; namely, age, sex, family history of diabetes, abdominal circumference, body mass index, hypertension, regular exercise and current smoking. We also created another scoring risk model by adding fasting plasma glucose levels to the non-invasive model (plus-fasting plasma glucose model). The area under the curve of the non-invasive model was 0.700 and it increased significantly to 0.772 (P < 0.001) in the plus-fasting plasma glucose model. The ability of the non-invasive model to predict Type 2 diabetes was comparable with that of impaired glucose tolerance, and the plus-fasting plasma glucose model was superior to it. The cumulative incidence of Type 2 diabetes was significantly increased with elevating quintiles of the sum scores of both models in the validation cohort (P for trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We developed two practical risk score models for easily identifying individuals at high risk of incident Type 2 diabetes without an oral glucose tolerance test in the Japanese population.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Fasting/blood , Glucose Intolerance/epidemiology , Adult , Aged , Area Under Curve , Cohort Studies , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood , Female , Glucose Intolerance/blood , Glucose Tolerance Test , Humans , Incidence , Japan/epidemiology , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Proportional Hazards Models , Prospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
AIM: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various therapeutic measures on the shoulder range of motion (ROM) and muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) of rotator cuff muscles after baseball pitching. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: a mode of therapeutic measures was classified in 4 groups; the control (CON), ice treatment (IT), light shoulder exercise (LSE) and ice treatment with LSE (ILSE) groups. Each therapeutic measure was performed after pitching. PARTICIPANTS: 7 healthy, skilled baseball pitchers. MEASURES: ROM and mCSA were measured before pitching, immediately after pitching, at the time of the therapeutic measure, and 24 hours after pitching. Shoulder ROM at 90 inverted exclamation mark of abduction included internal rotation (IROM), maximum internal rotation (IMROM), external rotation (EROM) and maximum external rotation (EMROM). RESULTS: In all groups, both IROM and IMROM were significantly decreased after pitching compared with the pre-exercise values and conversely both EROM and EMROM were significantly increased. The mCSA of all rotator cuff muscles were increased significantly after pitching. For IMROM, ILSE showed a significant recovery at the post-therapeutic measure compared with the others and at 24 hours after pitching compared with IT, respectively. For IROM, both LSE and ILSE showed significant recovery compared with CON at the post-therapeutic measure. For the mCSA of external muscles, ILSE showed a greater decrease at the post-therapeutic measure than the others, and at 24 hours after pitching than CON. CONCLUSION: This study suggested the possibility that ILSE was more effective to recover ROM and decrease mCSA than the other methods.
Subject(s)
Baseball/physiology , Range of Motion, Articular/physiology , Rotator Cuff/physiology , Shoulder/physiology , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Athletic Injuries/prevention & control , Baseball/injuries , Cryotherapy , Humans , Ice , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Rotator Cuff/anatomy & histology , Shoulder/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
AIM: This study was intended as an investigation of the effects of various therapeutic measures on the shoulder strength and muscle soreness after baseball pitching. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: participants threw 98 pitches in a simulated single game. The mode of the therapeutic measures after pitching were classified into 4 groups; the control group (CON), the ice treatment group (IT), the light shoulder exercise group (LSE) and the ice treatment with LSE group (ILSE). Each therapeutic measure was applied to the dominant shoulder immediately after pitching. PARTICIPANTS: 7 healthy, skilled baseball pitchers. MEASURES: both shoulder strength and muscle soreness were measured before pitching, immediately after pitching (Post-P), at the time of the therapeutic measure (Post-TM), and 24 hours after pitching (Post-24 h). RESULTS: All 4 groups showed shoulder strength losses in shoulder abduction, internal/external rotation with no shoulder abduction or with the shoulder abducted to 90 degrees immediately after pitching. ILSE had greater recovery from Post-P values at Post-TM or Post-24 h than the other methods in all 5 shoulder strengths. On the other hand, the soreness in shoulder internal rotation was increased significantly from Post-P and continued by Post-24 h. Both IT and ILSE had beneficial effects on reducing the shoulder muscle soreness at Post-TM or Post-24 h. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggested that ILSE was the optimal therapeutic measure against decreased shoulder strength or increased shoulder muscle soreness resulting from the repetitive baseball pitching.
Subject(s)
Baseball/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiopathology , Shoulder Joint/physiopathology , Shoulder Pain/physiopathology , Shoulder Pain/therapy , Adult , Cryotherapy , Exercise Therapy/methods , Humans , Ice , Range of Motion, Articular/physiologyABSTRACT
High-end graphics workstations (GWS) have been used for surgical simulators utilizing Computer Graphics (CG) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies. This is because the simulators need lots of computing power, mainly for collision detection among objects modeled as a set of polygons. In this paper, we propose to use mathematical functions to model objects for collision detection. However, for graphic display we continue to use polygonal representation. Using the new model, we have developed a PC based ocular surgery simulator, which creates realistic surgery image in real-time. The computation time was found to be much lower than that in the conventional method.
Subject(s)
Computer Graphics , Computer Simulation , Epiretinal Membrane/surgery , Microcomputers , User-Computer Interface , Humans , Mathematical ComputingABSTRACT
Beer brewing using a fusant between a sake yeast (a lysine auxotrophic mutant of sake yeast K-14) and a brewer's yeast (a respiratory-deficient mutant of the top fermentation yeast NCYC1333) was performed to take advantage of the beneficial characteristics of sake yeasts, i.e., the high productivity of esters, high tolerance to ethanol, and high osmotolerance. The fusant (F-32) obtained was different from the parental yeasts regarding, for example, the assimilation of carbon sources and tolerance to ethanol. A brewing trial with the fusant was carried out using a 100-l pilot-scale plant. The fusant fermented wort more rapidly than the parental brewer's yeast. However, the sedimentation capacity of the fusant was relatively low. The beer brewed using the fusant contained more ethanol and esters compared to that brewed using the parental brewer's yeast. The fusant also obtained osmotolerance in the fermentation of maltose and fermented high-gravity wort well.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To reduce the surgical risks to patients and expose surgeons to surgical experience and complications, we have developed a practical system of vitreous surgery using virtual-reality technology. METHODS: The system is composed of high-resolution color stereo binoculars, haptic devices, foot switches, and a high-speed graphics computer. To simulate vitreous surgery, we created several virtual patient eyes with retinal diseases such as preretinal membranes and subretinal neovascular tissue at the fovea. RESULTS: The simulator provided the trainees with an operating environment similar to an actual one, and allowed them to learn to maneuver surgical instruments and remove proliferative tissue on the retina, under the retina, or both. This system allowed surgeons to avoid iatrogenic complications through visual signs such as retinal hemorrhage when the instrument contacted the retinal surface. CONCLUSIONS: This simulator may not only be suitable for residents to learn ocular surgical techniques but may also allow veteran surgeons to develop new surgical methods and skills.
Subject(s)
Computer Simulation , Computer-Assisted Instruction/methods , Ophthalmology/education , User-Computer Interface , Vitrectomy , Computer-Assisted Instruction/trends , Humans , Internship and ResidencyABSTRACT
Many polymer gels undergo reversible, discontinuous volume changes in response to changes in the balance between repulsive intermolecular forces that act to expand the polymer network and attractive forces that act to shrink it. Repulsive forces are usually electrostatic or hydrophobic in nature, whereas attraction is mediated by hydrogen bonding or van der Waals interactions. The competition between these counteracting forces, and hence the gel volume, can thus be controlled by subtle changes in parameters such as pH (ref. 4), temperature, solvent composition or gel composition. Here we describe a more direct influence on this balance of forces, by showing that the radiation force generated by a focused laser beam induces reversible shrinkage in polymer gels. Control experiments confirm that the laser-induced volume phase transitions are due to radiation forces, rather than local heating, modifying the weak interactions in the gels, in agreement with previous observations of light-induced chain association in polymer solutions. We find that, owing to shear-relaxation processes, gel shrinkage occurs up to several tens of micrometres away from the irradiation spot, raising the prospect that the combination of stimuli-responsive polymer gels and laser light might lead to new gel-based systems for applications such as actuating or sensing.
ABSTRACT
Two cases of carcinoma developed in vesical diverticulum were encountered. Both these males, the first, 66-year-old and the second case, 68-year-old gentleman, visited our clinic with a complaint of asymptomatic gross hematuria. Total cystectomy was performed, and an ileal neobladder was constructed for total bladder replacement in both two cases. Pathological examination of the first case revealed transitional cell carcinoma, and the second case showed adenocarcinoma mixed with transitional cell carcinoma. Although primary carcinoma developed in vesical diverticulum was initially reported by Williams in 1883, adenocarcinoma is very rare. The diagnosis is often challenging and the prognosis is dire. Both our cases were successfully treated with total cystectomy and an ileal neobladder was constructed for total bladder replacement. Careful management and aggressive therapy for such patients may make even cure possible.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/complications , Carcinoma, Transitional Cell/complications , Diverticulum/surgery , Neoplasms, Multiple Primary , Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods , Urinary Bladder Diseases/surgery , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/complications , Urinary Bladder/surgery , Urologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Aged , Diverticulum/etiology , Humans , Ileum/transplantation , Male , Urinary Bladder Diseases/etiologyABSTRACT
Pulmonary sequestration involves an abnormal pulmonary tissue separated from the normal pulmonary parenchyma, not connected to the tracheobronchial tree and supplied by a systemic artery. A case of intralobar pulmonary sequestration is presented. Case; a 49-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of fever, cough and sputum production. Sputum culture resulted in a large growth of Aspergillus niger. Angiography showed an abnormal blood supply from the abdominal aorta to the right lower lobe. Right lower lobectomy was performed. The postoperative courses are uneventful.
Subject(s)
Aspergillosis/complications , Aspergillus niger , Bronchopulmonary Sequestration/etiology , Lung Diseases, Fungal/complications , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
We report a case of a rare inflammatory disease, granulomatous lobular mastitis. Two weeks prior to admission the patient, a 43 year-old woman, (gravida 1, para 1) had noticed a left breast mass associated with tenderness. Palpation, gross inspection, and clinical examination, as well as the rapid growth of the mass lesion led us to believe that it was highly suspicious of malignant neoplasm. Mammography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography did not differentiate it from a malignant neoplasm. Aspiration cytology revealed an inflammatory lesion with a few clusters of epithelial cells it was diagnosed as borderline malignancy(class III) by a prudent pathologist, and thus mastectomy was performed. However, the final histologi-cal diagnosis was granulomatous lobular mastitis with no evidence of malignancy. As the clinical manifestations of granulomatous mastitis are similar to those of mammary carcinoma and, as it is an inflammatory lesion of uncertain etiology and pathogenesis, it has often been mistaken clinically for carcinoma and treated as such. Our review of the literature indicated that granulomatous mastitis most often occurs in young patients with a history of childbirth or oral contraceptive usage. Recurrence was documented in 38% of patients, and, accordingly long-term follow-up by aspiration cytology, complete resection, and adequate drug treatment with corticosteroids are recommended.
ABSTRACT
We describe herein the case of a 68-year-old man with malignant mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis testis. The pathological diagnosis was based upon the clinical findings, gross and microscopic morphology, and special stains. Malignant mesothelioma is a rare tumor associated with asbestos exposure that can be effectively treated with orchidectomy via an inguinal approach.
Subject(s)
Mesothelioma/pathology , Testicular Neoplasms/pathology , Aged , Asbestos/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Mesothelioma/epidemiology , Mesothelioma/surgery , Testicular Neoplasms/epidemiology , Testicular Neoplasms/surgery , Testis/pathologyABSTRACT
Little is known about physiology and morphology of motoneurons and spindle afferents innervating the temporalis and on synaptic connections made between the two. The present study was aimed at investigating the above issues at the light microscopic level by using the intracellular recording and horseradish peroxidase or biotinamide labeling techniques and by the use of succinylcholine (SCh) for the classification of spindle afferents in the cat. Temporalis motoneurons had dendritic trees that ranged from a spherical form to an egg-shaped form. The shape deformation was more prominent for the dendritic trees made by motoneurons located closer to the nuclear border. No axon collaterals of the motoneurons were detected. On the basis of the values for the dynamic index after SCh infusion, temporalis spindle afferents were classified into two populations: presumptive groups Ia and II. The spindle afferents terminated mainly in the supratrigeminal nucleus (Vsup), region h, and the dorsolateral subdivision (Vmo.dl) of the trigeminal motor nucleus (Vmo). The proportion of group Ia afferent terminals was lower in the Vsup than that of group II afferents. In the Vmo.dl, the proportion of group Ia afferent terminals was nearly even throughout the nucleus, but that of group II afferent terminals increased in the more outlying regions. The proportion of terminal distribution in the central region of Vmo.dl was higher for group Ia than group II. The frequency of contacts (presumptive synapses) made by a single spindle afferent on a motoneuron was higher for group Ia than group II. The present study provided evidence that the central organization of spindle afferent neurons is different between groups Ia and II.
Subject(s)
Cats/anatomy & histology , Cats/physiology , Motor Neurons/physiology , Motor Neurons/ultrastructure , Muscle Spindles/cytology , Muscle Spindles/physiology , Temporal Muscle/innervation , Animals , Cell Communication/physiology , Neurons, Afferent/physiology , Neurons, Afferent/ultrastructureABSTRACT
Although it has been reported that the rate of weight gain and linear growth increases markedly during puberty in rats, little is known about the relationship between endocrine changes and bone mineral density (BMD) changes upon sexual maturation in these animals. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, sex steroids and osteocalcin, and the changes in BMD in normal aging male and female rats. Male rats exhibited increases in serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 concentrations before increases in serum testosterone levels. IGF-I and testosterone peaked at 9 weeks of age, and thereafter remained in a steady state, whereas IGFBP-3 reached a peak at 7 weeks of age, and then gradually declined. A strong correlation between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels was found in subjects 3-9 weeks old. A highly significant correlation between serum IGF-I and testosterone levels was also found. In females, serum 17 beta-estradiol, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels increased gradually from 3 to 5 weeks old, peaked at 9 weeks, and then decreased slowly thereafter. The correlation coefficient between serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 was highly significant. The correlation coefficient between serum IGF-I and 17 beta-estradiol levels was weak, although it was strongest when the subjects were 3-9 weeks old. Serum osteocalcin is a marker of bone formation; its level remained relatively high from 3 to 9 and from 3 to 7 weeks of age in males and females, respectively, although osteocalcin in both sexes declined gradually with age. As for bone mass, sharp increases in BMD in the tibia, femur and lumbar vertebrae appeared earlier in female than in male rats, and the BMD in females tended to be higher than in males between 5 and 9 weeks old. After 9 weeks of age, BMD in males was higher than that in females, as BMD in males continued to increase whereas females tended to remain in a steady state after this stage. The correlation coefficients between tibial BMD and serum IGF-I or IGFBP-3 levels were highly significant when the subjects were from 3 to 9 weeks old. Taken together, these results suggest that BMD development occurs earlier in female than in male rats. This sex-related difference in changes in the BMD pattern may result from the earlier onset of puberty in females, and from sex-specific differences in concentrations of IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and sex steroids during maturation.
Subject(s)
Bone Density , Estradiol/blood , Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3/metabolism , Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism , Osteocalcin/blood , Testosterone/blood , Age Factors , Aging/physiology , Animals , Body Weight , Endocrine System/growth & development , Female , Femur/growth & development , Femur/physiology , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/physiology , Male , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Sex Factors , Sexual Maturation/physiology , Tibia/growth & development , Tibia/physiologyABSTRACT
We studied the effects of high intensity resistance exercise training on bone metabolism in 17 young adult Oriental males (23-31 years) by measuring sensitive biomarkers of bone formation and resorption. The subjects were assigned to a training group and a sedentary group. The training group followed a weight training program three times per week for 4 months. In the training group, serum osteocalcin concentration and serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased within the first month after the beginning of resistance exercise training, and the elevated levels remained throughout the training period, while there was no significant change in plasma procollagen type-I C-terminal concentration. Urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion was transiently suppressed and returned to the initial value but was never stimulated during the 4 months. These results suggest that the resistance exercise training enhanced bone formation without prior bone resorption. In the sedentary group, there was no significant difference in bone metabolic markers except plasma procollagen type-I C-terminal, which continuously decreased during the experimental period. There were no significant changes in total and regional bone mineral density in either group. In conclusion, (1) resistance exercise training increased markers of bone formation, while it transiently suppressed a marker of bone resorption, and (2) such adaptive changes of bone metabolism to resistance exercise training occurred during the early period of the training, before changes in bone density were observable through densitometry.