Shake and stew: a non-destructive PCR-ready DNA isolation method from a single preserved fish larva.

A rapid non-destructive alternative to isolate DNA from an individual fish larva is presented, based on the suspension of epithelial cells through vortex forces, and the release of DNA in a heated alkaline solution. DNA from >6056 fish larvae isolated using this protocol has yielded a high PCR amplification success rate (>93%), suggesting its applicability to other taxonomic groups or sources when tissue amount is the limiting factor.

The sacroiliac spine - computer simulation of motion and modeling of the ligaments.

Using an interactive, 3D, kinematic simulation of the human skeleton, the motion of the sacro-iliac (SI) joint is modeled based upon descriptions available in the literature. The major ligaments are added to the simulation data structure using deformable cubic B-spline curve paths. Ligament strains were generated and studied in response to the motion simulations. Results improve our understanding of sacro-iliac kinematics and highlight the importance of further studies to elucidate pathological as well as normal SI joint and ligament function.