Estimation of the kinetic-optimized stimulus intensity envelope for drop foot gait rehabilitation.

The purpose of present study is to estimate the optimal stimulus intensity envelope for drop foot rehabilitation based on a kinetic perspective. The voluntary and electric-stimulated elicited dorsiflexion torque responses of 11 healthy subjects were measured. During dorsiflexion, we recorded the tibialis anterior (TA) electromyography (EMG) or the stimulation intensity at four angles of the ankle joint. From these measurements, we derived two approximate equations that estimate dorsiflexion produced by either voluntary contraction or by electrical stimulation using a sigmoid function and a stepwise-regression analysis. We then tested the predictive capability of the model using Pearson correlation. Both equations indicated high correlation coefficients. Finally, we derived a relation between the TA EMG amplitude and stimulation intensity. From the obtained equation, we determined the optimal stimulus amplitude. We assume that the derived stimulus intensity envelope, calculated from EMG amplitude and angle of ankle joint, satisfies kinetic demand.

Neurodegenerative influence of oxidative stress in the retina of a murine model of diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, but the underlying mechanism is still obscure. Here, we focused on oxidative stress in the retina, and analysed its influence on retinal neurodegeneration, using an antioxidant, lutein. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were constantly fed either a lutein-supplemented diet or a control diet from the onset of diabetes, and their metabolic data were recorded. In 1-month-diabetic mice, reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the retina were measured using dihydroethidium and visual function was evaluated by electroretinograms. Levels of activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), synaptophysin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were also measured by immunoblotting in the retina of 1-month-diabetic mice. In the retinal sections of 4-month-diabetic mice, histological changes, cleaved caspase-3 and TUNEL staining were analysed. RESULTS: Lutein did not affect the metabolic status of the diabetic mice, but it prevented ROS generation in the retina and the visual impairment induced by diabetes. ERK activation, the subsequent synaptophysin reduction, and the BDNF depletion in the diabetic retina were all prevented by lutein. Later, in 4-month-diabetic mice, a decrease in the thickness of the inner plexiform and nuclear layers, and ganglion cell number, together with increase in cleaved caspase-3- and TUNEL-positive cells, were avoided in the retina of lutein-fed mice. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The results indicated that local oxidative stress that has a neurodegenerative influence in the diabetic retina is prevented by constant intake of a lutein-supplemented diet. The antioxidant, lutein may be a potential therapeutic approach to protect visual function in diabetes.

Aerodynamic advantages of upside down take-off for aerial dispersal in Tetranychus spider mites.

Aerial dispersal may be important for redistribution of spider mites into new habitats. Evidence for behavioral control of aerial take-off has been well documented for Tetranychus urticae Koch. Before aerial dispersal they exhibit the aerial take-off posture that involves lifting the forelegs upright and raising the forebody. However, whether the aerial take-off posture functions to increase drag has remained unclear. The objectives of this study were to clarify: (i) aerodynamic effects of the aerial take-off posture; and (ii) actual aerial take-off behavior in T. urticae. To evaluate the aerodynamic forces experienced by grounded spider mites in different postures, we constructed three-dimensional models of T. urticae, exhibiting the aerial take-off posture and the normal posture, using computer graphics. We found that the aerial take-off posture was effective in receiving greater rearward forces from wind rather than upward forces. As a result, aerial take-off from a horizontal platform is unlikely. Instead, inverted departure surfaces, e.g., lower leaf surfaces, with inclines are likely to be effective sites for take-off. Laboratory experiments and field observations indicated that the mites preferentially adopted such a position for orientation and take-off. Our findings provided a rationale for the take-off behavior of Tetranychus spider mites.

Left ventricular epicardial outflow tract tachycardia: a new distinct subgroup of outflow tract tachycardia.

The present study investigated the incidence and ECG characteristics of ventricular tachycardias (VTs) originating from the left ventricular (LV) epicardium. Thirty-one consecutive patients with VT or premature ventricular contraction originating from the outflow tract (OT-VT) underwent catheter ablation. Twenty-one OT-VTs were ablated from the endocardium in the right ventricular (RV) OT and 3 were ablated from the endocardium in the LVOT. In the remaining 7 patients, 4 (13%) OT-VTs were LV epicardial in origin, and 1 of these was ablated from the left sinus of Valsalva. The ECG characteristics of OT-VT of epicardial origin included prominent tall R-waves in the inferior leads, an R-wave in V1 and an S-wave in V2, precordial R-wave transition in V2-4, a deep QS-wave in aVL, and no S-wave in V6. In addition, there was an atypical left bundle branch block morphology with an inferior axis. These findings were observed during pacing from several sites in the LV epicardium. Furthermore, pacing from the left sinus of Valsalva caused a relatively tall R in V1, deep S-wave in V2 and a tall R-wave with a shallow S-wave in V3, as well as tall R-waves in the inferior leads, which represented intermediate characteristics between RV endocardial OT-VT and LV endocardial OT-VT. In conclusion, OT-VT originating from the LV epicardium is not uncommon and has characteristic ECG findings. Some of them can be ablated from the left sinus of Valsalva.

Frontal lobe dementia with abnormal cholesterol metabolism and heterozygous mutation in sterol 27-hydroxylase gene (CYP27).

Of the primary dementing disorders that cause frontotemporal dementia, the best-known is Pick disease. We report on a 44-year-old woman with progressive frontal lobe dementia and spastic paraplegia. Examination revealed increased serum levels of cholestanol with abnormal cholesterol metabolism and a heterozygous mutation of the sterol 27-hydroxylase gene (CYP27). Biochemical findings were compatible with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX); however, the clinical manifestations were very dissimilar. To our knowledge, a symptomatic carrier of this mutation among CTX patients has not been reported. We speculate that the present patient has a previously undescribed neurodegenerative disease related to abnormal cholesterol metabolism with this heterozygous mutation.

Optically active N-acetyldopamine dimer of the crude drug "Zentai," the cast-off shell of the Cicada, Cryptotympana sp.

Two optically active N-acetyldopamine dimers together with four phenolic monomers were isolated from the crude drug "Zentai," a cast-off shell of the cicada of Cryptotympana sp. (Cicadidae). The former two were 2-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,4-benzodioxane derivatives carrying substituents at the 3 and 6 (or 7) positions, which are known to be components of sclerotized insect cuticles. Their structures including absolute configurations were determined on the basis of NMR and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic data.

Psychophysiological correlates of relaxation induced by standard autogenic training.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to determine the psychophysiological changes induced in subjects by standard autogenic training (AT). Physiological measurements were taken under strict experimental conditions. METHODS: Thirty-one healthy students were divided randomly into two groups: the AT group and the control group. In the first session, the physiological variables were measured for all students before and after all were asked to relax in their own way. The AT group were then taught AT for 3 months, after which time the measurements were repeated. In the second session, the AT group practised the standard AT exercise, while the control group repeated their own form of simple relaxation. Electrocardiogram, plethysmogram (PTG) and blood pressure (BP) were measured while the students carried out a breathing rate of 15 cycles/min. The R-R intervals and BP were analysed by an autoregressive model for spectral analysis, and the data were compared by repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The AT group had a significant increase in the mean R-R interval and a significant decrease in the baseline deflection of the PTG in the second session. There were no significant changes in sympathetic activity except for the change in the PTG, although low frequency amplitude of systolic BP decreased slightly. CONCLUSIONS: AT was found to induce significant changes that were independent of respiration in healthy students, although paced breathing might have operated as a mental stress. The increase in mean R-R interval and the decrease in baseline deflection of the PTG were the most robust correlates of AT.

A novel Arg362Ser mutation in the sterol 27-hydroxylase gene (CYP27): its effects on pre-mRNA splicing and enzyme activity.

A novel C to A mutation in the sterol 27-hydroxylase gene (CYP27) was identified by sequencing amplified CYP27 gene products from a patient with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). The mutation changed the adrenodoxin cofactor binding residue 362Arg to 362Ser (CGT 362Arg to AGT 362Ser), and was responsible for deficiency in the sterol 27-hydroxylase activity, as confirmed by expression of mutant cDNA into COS-1 cells. Quantitative analysis showed that the expression of CYP27 gene mRNA in the patient represented 52.5% of the normal level. As the mutation occurred at the penultimate nucleotide of exon 6 (-2 position of exon 6-intron 6 splice site) of the gene, we hypothesized that the mutation may partially affect the normal splicing efficiency in exon 6 and cause alternative splicing elsewhere, which resulted in decreased transcript in the patient. Transfection of constructed minigenes, with or without the mutation, into COS-1 cells confirmed that the mutant minigene was responsible for a mRNA species alternatively spliced at an activated cryptic 5' splice site 88 bp upstream from the 3' end of exon 6. Our data suggest that the C to A mutation at the penultimate nucleotide of exon 6 of the CYP27 gene not only causes the deficiency in the sterol 27-hydroxylase activity, but also partially leads to alternative pre-mRNA splicing of the gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding effects on pre-mRNA splicing of a mutation at the -2 position of a 5' splice site.

Ornithine decarboxylase overexpression in mouse 10T1/2 fibroblasts: cellular transformation and invasion.

BACKGROUND: Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) plays a pivotal role in the synthesis of polyamines, a group of chemical compounds that are essential for cell growth. Recent reports have shown that ODC overexpression may be involved in malignant transformation of immortalized NIH 3T3 cells. We have demonstrated that ODC-overproducing mouse breast cancer cells are more invasive in vitro than control cells. However, little information is available concerning the relationship between ODC overexpression, tumor invasion, and metastasis and the signal transduction pathways involved in ODC-induced transformation and invasion. PURPOSE: Our purpose was twofold: 1) to determine whether ODC overexpression is directly involved in tumor cell invasion and 2) to determine whether ODC overexpression induces mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activities that are associated with cell growth and transformation. METHODS: We transfected C3H clone 8 mouse 10T1/2 fibroblasts with an expression vector that carries a complementary DNA encoding rat ODC. Neomycin-resistant cells that overproduced ODC (4-6.5 times the control levels) were isolated. The transformed phenotype of these cells was determined by assessing colony formation and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. The invasiveness of the cells was studied by means of an invasion assay that used Matrigel-coated filters in Boyden chambers. The MAP kinase activity of the cells was assayed by an in-gel kinase assay, using myelin basic protein as the substrate. RESULTS: Overexpression of ODC induced not only cell transformation and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar but also invasiveness through a Matrigel-coated filter. The ODC-overproducing transfectants showed enhanced MAP kinase activity that paralleled the magnitude of cell invasiveness. CONCLUSIONS: ODC plays a pivotal role not only in cell transformation but also in cancer cell invasion. ODC overexpression enhanced MAP kinase activity. IMPLICATIONS: Our results demonstrate a connection between the polyamine/ODC and the MAP kinase signal transduction pathways and suggest that MAP kinase may play a pivotal role in ODC-induced cell transformation and invasion.

[A single session of transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of a new method of transurethral balloon laser thermotherapy (TUBAL-T) using prostalase in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. METHODS: From September 1993 to March 1994, 21 men were treated with a single session of TUBAL-T for the relief of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Thirteen of them had hormonal therapy before TUBAL-T and have no mediation after treatment (group A). Eight men had no hormonal therapy before and after TUBAL-T (group B). The clinical efficacy of this modality was evaluated by analysing the subjective and objective responses following the treatment. The laser balloon, equipped with a cooling system for preservation of urethral mucosa, delivers a Nd:YAG laser into the prostate. Treatment was performed by using a laser powder of 30 to 50 watts for 40 minutes. At 3 months after treatment, the clinical efficacy was evaluated by subjective symptom score, and residual urine volume, uroflowmetry and prostatic volume by transrectal ultrasound as objective data. RESULTS: In group A, subjective symptom scores decreased by an average of 72.8%, the average uroflow rates and the peak uroflow rates increased by an average of 44% and 45.9%, the post-void residual urine volume rates decreased by an average of 58.4% and ultrasonography showed that the prostatic volume decreased in 8 men but increased in 5 men. In group B, symptom score decreased by an average of 85.1%, the average uroflow rates and the peak uroflow rates increased by an average of 46.2%, the post-void residual urine volume rates decreased by average of 83.4% and ultrasonography showed that the prostatic volume decreased by an average of 35.6%. CONCLUSION: During the treatment and follow-up period, no adverse effect was detected. These results suggest that TUBAL-T for the relief of bladder outlet obstruction secondary to BPH is a useful therapy.

Treatment with hachimijiogan, a non-ergot Chinese herbal medicine, in two hyperprolactinemic infertile women.

Two hyperprolactinemic infertile women, one with and one without a pituitary adenoma, who were resistant to bromocriptine treatment, were treated orally with Hachimijiogan, a Chinese herbal medicine. This treatment reduced the serum prolactin level, resulting in a normal ovulatory cycle and pregnancy, without side effects.

Effect of hydrocortisone on the synthesis of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in human erythrocytes.

Studies were carried out on the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids on erythrocyte glycolysis. Inosine increased the levels of 2,3-DPG, lactate, and ATP in red blood cell samples with very low glucose concentrations in which the glycolytic system was unable to utilize glucose. With inosine and hydrocortisone added to red blood cells, 2,3-DPG and lactate increased more than in red blood cells supplemented with inosine alone. There was no significant increase in the level of ATP when glucose and inosine were added compared to the addition of inosine only. There were no changes in the activity of enzymes such as PFK and PGK. From these findings, it is suggested that glucocorticoids increase the level of red blood cell 2,3-DPG, by activating the conversion of 1,3-DPG to 2,3-DPG during glycolysis, probably by stimulating 2,3-DPG mutase.

[Effects of solcoseryl on the cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure, systemic blood pressure and EEG in acute intracranial hypertensive cats (author's transl)].

The experiment was performed on 86 cases under intraperitoneal pentobarbital anesthesia. One balloon was placed in the extradural space of right frontal region, and the other balloon was placed in the left extradural space and the intracranial pressure was measured. A needle was stereotaxically inserted into the subcortical area in order to measure the cerebral blood flow. Systemic blood pressure was recorded by inserting a catheter into the femoral artery, and electrocorticogram was also recorded. An expanding intracranial lesion was made by inflating the extradural balloon with physiological saline. The animals were arbitrarily divided into two groups.: 1) light or moderate groups which intracranial pressure before the injection of drug was below 400 mmH2O. 2) severe groups above 400 mmH2O. After the maintenance of the pressure, Solcoseryl was infused intravenously. The investigation was focused to observe whether Solcoseryl reveales any potent effect on cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure, systemic blood pressure and on electroencephalogram in acute intracranial hypertension. Results 1) Intravenous injection of Solcoseryl had the effect of lowering intracranial pressure in the light or moderate and severe groups. Particularly, dose of 80 mg/kg showed the marked effect, though with a rebound phenomenon in the light or moderate groups. Furthermore, the effect was more marked and lasting by drip infusion of Solcoseryl and also by intravenous injection of Solcoseryl after pretreatment with hydrocortisone, and at this time no rebound phenomenon was recognized. 2) Solcoseryl had the effect of increasing the cerebral blood flow accompained with the lowering of intracranial pressure. 3) Systemic blood pressure was transiently lowered by the injection of Solcoseryl 20 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg and recovered immediately. 4) Solcoseryl had no effect on electroencephalogram in the severe groups. Conclusion On the basis of these results, it is rational to conclude that Solcoseryl could be superior agent render to lower intracranial pressure and to improve cerebral blood flow in acute intracranial hypertension.