Kv7 channels are upregulated during striatal neuron development and promote maturation of human iPSC-derived neurons.

Kv7 channels determine the resting membrane potential of neurons and regulate their excitability. Even though dysfunction of Kv7 channels has been linked to several debilitating childhood neuronal disorders, the ontogeny of the constituent genes, which encode Kv7 channels (KNCQ), and expression of their subunits have been largely unexplored. Here, we show that developmentally regulated expression of specific KCNQ mRNA and Kv7 channel subunits in mouse and human striatum is crucial to the functional maturation of mouse striatal neurons and human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. This demonstrates their pivotal role in normal development and maturation, the knowledge of which can now be harnessed to synchronise and accelerate neuronal differentiation of stem cell-derived neurons, enhancing their utility for disease modelling and drug discovery.

Forced cell cycle exit and modulation of GABAA, CREB, and GSK3ß signaling promote functional maturation of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons.

Although numerous protocols have been developed for differentiation of neurons from a variety of pluripotent stem cells, most have concentrated on being able to specify effectively appropriate neuronal subtypes and few have been designed to enhance or accelerate functional maturity. Of those that have, most employ time courses of functional maturation that are rather protracted, and none have fully characterized all aspects of neuronal function, from spontaneous action potential generation through to postsynaptic receptor maturation. Here, we describe a simple protocol that employs the sequential addition of just two supplemented media that have been formulated to separate the two key phases of neural differentiation, the neurogenesis and synaptogenesis, each characterized by different signaling requirements. Employing these media, this new protocol synchronized neurogenesis and enhanced the rate of maturation of pluripotent stem cell-derived neural precursors. Neurons differentiated using this protocol exhibited large cell capacitance with relatively hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials; moreover, they exhibited augmented: 1) spontaneous electrical activity; 2) regenerative induced action potential train activity; 3) Na(+) current availability, and 4) synaptic currents. This was accomplished by rapid and uniform development of a mature, inhibitory GABAAreceptor phenotype that was demonstrated by Ca(2+) imaging and the ability of GABAAreceptor blockers to evoke seizurogenic network activity in multielectrode array recordings. Furthermore, since this protocol can exploit expanded and frozen prepatterned neural progenitors to deliver mature neurons within 21 days, it is both scalable and transferable to high-throughput platforms for the use in functional screens.

Evaluation of Reflexology by "BIOCERAMIC Resonance" Operation producing Weak Force Field during Simultaneous Acupoint Stimulation of Urinary Bladder Point on Subject's Ear Resulting in Electric Current Change on Urinary Bladder reflex Point on Subject's Hands, and Related New Research Finding.

OBJECTIVE: It was postulated in our previous publications that the meridian channels as conceived in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are various standing waves arising from harmonic rhythmic sound frequencies originating from the human heart beat. BIOCERAMIC is an artificial material able to produce a weak force field causing different biophysical and systemic health benefits, with the key characteristics of hydrogen bonds weakening and microcirculation enhancement. Since discovering that the effects of a BIOCERAMIC field can be transmitted via sound waves propagation, we then also developed a BIOCERAMIC Resonance device to produce weak force field throughout the body, and achieve resonance with the body's meridian channels to reinforce microcirculation. METHODS: Since our previous research proved BIOCERAMIC can produces changes in ectodermal current levels, the present evaluation on reflexology is done by the application of Electric Current Detection (ECD) to the palmar surface of the hands matching correlative organs and glands loci to reflex points according to standard reflexology. The procedure will compare changes in the electrical current observed before and after a session of BIOCERAMIC Resonance treatment on the soles of the subjects' feet. We also conducted a procedure using corona discharge (Kirlian) photography of the hands to examine whether the coronal intensities could be affected by application of the BIOCERAMIC patch. Intensities are shown on the screen of a computer using special software that categorizes intensities into five zones. RESULTS: Under the continuous treatment of BIOCERAMIC Resonance on soles of the feet and simultaneous stimulation on the specific point on the surface of the ear representing the urinary bladder. The electrical current (Aji ampere) on the areas in the hands are decreased from the beginning of the experiment, but only the specific area on the surface of the ear representing the urinary bladder was exhibited increased of the electrical current (Aji ampere), with statistically significant difference (p<0.05). To the other study we evaluated the validity of reflexology and corona discharge (Kirlian) photography by applying BIOCERAMIC Resonance and small adhesive patches made from the BIOCERAMIC material. Significant differences were evident on four out of five different zones of the computerized images. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the existence of presupposed virtual channels or reflex points on the skin surface of the feet, hands, and ears that connect or somehow reflect back to specific internal organs, as mapped out on standard charts found in reflexology. Furthermore, the depicted corona intensities from five zones shown on a computer screen of corona discharge photography seem to indicate that the volunteer subjects are affected by the BIOCERAMIC patches. This study demonstrates the operation of the BIOCERAMIC Resonance device is able to produce weak force field through the body, which is objectively measurable and thereby scientifically integrating the concepts of reflexology, meridian channels and biofield therapy.

Brief report: human pluripotent stem cell models of fanconi anemia deficiency reveal an important role for fanconi anemia proteins in cellular reprogramming and survival of hematopoietic progenitors.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is a genomic instability disorder caused by mutations in genes involved in replication-dependant-repair and removal of DNA cross-links. Mouse models with targeted deletions of FA genes have been developed; however, none of these exhibit the human bone marrow aplasia. Human embryonic stem cell (hESC) differentiation recapitulates many steps of embryonic hematopoietic development and is a useful model system to investigate the early events of hematopoietic progenitor specification. It is now possible to derive patient-specific human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC); however, this approach has been rather difficult to achieve in FA cells due to a requirement for activation of FA pathway during reprogramming process which can be bypassed either by genetic complementation or reprogramming under hypoxic conditions. In this study, we report that FA-C patient-specific hiPSC lines can be derived under normoxic conditions, albeit at much reduced efficiency. These disease-specific hiPSC lines and hESC with stable knockdown of FANCC display all the in vitro hallmarks of pluripotency. Nevertheless, the disease-specific hiPSCs show a much higher frequency of chromosomal abnormalities compared to parent fibroblasts and are unable to generate teratoma composed of all three germ layers in vivo, likely due to increased genomic instability. Both FANCC-deficient hESC and hiPSC lines are capable of undergoing hematopoietic differentiation, but the hematopoietic progenitors display an increased apoptosis in culture and reduced clonogenic potential. Together these data highlight the critical requirement for FA proteins in survival of hematopoietic progenitors, cellular reprogramming, and maintenance of genomic stability.

Large-scale transcriptional profiling and functional assays reveal important roles for Rho-GTPase signalling and SCL during haematopoietic differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.

Understanding the transcriptional cues that direct differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human-induced pluripotent stem cells to defined and functional cell types is essential for future clinical applications. In this study, we have compared transcriptional profiles of haematopoietic progenitors derived from hESCs at various developmental stages of a feeder- and serum-free differentiation method and show that the largest transcriptional changes occur during the first 4 days of differentiation. Data mining on the basis of molecular function revealed Rho-GTPase signalling as a key regulator of differentiation. Inhibition of this pathway resulted in a significant reduction in the numbers of emerging haematopoietic progenitors throughout the differentiation window, thereby uncovering a previously unappreciated role for Rho-GTPase signalling during human haematopoietic development. Our analysis indicated that SCL was the 11th most upregulated transcript during the first 4 days of the hESC differentiation process. Overexpression of SCL in hESCs promoted differentiation to meso-endodermal lineages, the emergence of haematopoietic and erythro-megakaryocytic progenitors and accelerated erythroid differentiation. Importantly, intrasplenic transplantation of SCL-overexpressing hESC-derived haematopoietic cells enhanced recovery from induced acute anaemia without significant cell engraftment, suggesting a paracrine-mediated effect.

Expression of GFP under the control of the RNA helicase VASA permits fluorescence-activated cell sorting isolation of human primordial germ cells.

The isolation of significant numbers of human primordial germ cells at several developmental stages is important for investigations of the mechanisms by which they are able to undergo epigenetic reprogramming. Only small numbers of these cells can be obtained from embryos of appropriate developmental stages, so the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells is essential to obtain sufficient numbers of primordial germ cells to permit epigenetic examination. Despite progress in the enrichment of human primordial germ cells using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS), there is still no definitive marker of the germ cell phenotype. Expression of the widely conserved RNA helicase VASA is restricted to germline cells, but in contrast to species such as Mus musculus in which reporter constructs expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of a Vasa promoter have been developed, such reporter systems are lacking in human in vitro models. We report here the generation and characterization of human embryonic stem cell lines stably carrying a VASA-pEGFP-1 reporter construct that expresses GFP in a population of differentiating human embryonic stem cells that show expression of characteristic markers of primordial germ cells. This population shows a different pattern of chromatin modifications to those obtained by FACS enrichment of Stage Specific Antigen one expressing cells in our previous publication.

Acupuncture for functional recovery after stroke: a systematic review of sham-controlled randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture is frequently advocated as an adjunct treatment during stroke rehabilitation. The aim of this review was to assess its effectiveness in this setting. METHODS: We searched 25 databases and 12 major Korean traditional medicine journals from their inception to October 2009. We included randomized controlled trials, with no language restrictions, that compared the effects of acupuncture (with or without electrical stimulation) with sham acupuncture. We assessed the methodologic quality of the trials using the Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria and the PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) scale. RESULTS: Ten of 664 potentially relevant studies met our inclusion criteria. For acute and subacute stages after stroke, we included seven trials. A meta-analysis of the five studies that assessed functionality did not show a significant difference in favour of acupuncture, with high heterogeneity. A post-hoc sensitivity analysis of three trials with low risk of bias did not show beneficial effects of acupuncture on activities of daily living at the end of the intervention period (n = 244; standard mean difference 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.18 to 0.32; I(2) = 0%) or after follow-up (n = 244; standard mean difference 0.10, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.35; I(2) = 0%). For the chronic stage after stroke, three trials tested effects of acupuncture on function according to the Modified Ashworth Scale; all failed to show favourable effects. INTERPRETATION: Our meta-analyses of data from rigorous randomized sham-controlled trials did not show a positive effect of acupuncture as a treatment for functional recovery after stroke.

Bee Venom Acupuncture for Shoulder Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

OBJECTIVES: Our review aimed to summarize and evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) in the treatment of shoulder pain. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of BVA on shoulder pain were searched up to October 2019 in 11 electronic databases (Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CiNii, CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Kmbase, NDSL, RISS, OASIS). The methodological quality of the included RCTs were evaluated using Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and a meta-analysis was performed. RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the review, and four studies were included in the meta-analysis. Comparing BVA plus conventional therapy (CT) with saline injection plus CT, it showed an effect in favor of BVA plus CT in visual analog scale (VAS) and pain rating scale (PRS) (p = 0.02, p = 0.009, respectively). Comparing BVA plus physiotherapy (PT) with saline injection plus PT, it showed that there was no significant difference in VAS and verbal rating scale (VRS) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that BVA could be beneficial as an adjuvant treatment for shoulder pain.

Cytogenetic investigation of chromosomal aberrations in cells treated with plantamajoside from Plantago asiatica.

Plantago asiatica is a member of the Plantaginaceae family, and is widely distributed in East Asia. In our previous work, a single active compound, plantamajoside was isolated and confirmed to have glycation inhibitory activity, and did not possess toxicity during a 90 day repeated oral toxicity test in rats. In the present study, a chromosomal aberration test was performed to investigate the genotoxicity of plantamajoside. From the results of the cytotoxicity test, plantamajoside proved to be less toxic when it was treated combined with S9 cell fractions. However, there was a significant increase in structural aberrations during the short-term treatment of plantamajoside at its highest dose (5000 microg/mL) even when combined with S9. This seems to have been a natural phenomenon due to the very high dose of plantamajoside that was used. However, to confirm the safety of plantamajoside for its potential use as a phytochemical agent in health products, additional mutagenicity tests are necessary.

Effectiveness of combining manual therapy and acupuncture on temporomandibular joint dysfunction: a retrospective study.

This retrospective study investigated the effects of combining manual therapy and acupuncture on the pain and maximal mouth opening (MMO), which were associated with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). The 49 TMD patients (15 men, 34 women; mean age = 30.47 years, SD = 13.52 years) were treated with a combination of acupuncture and manual therapy two or three times a week at the hospital. The pain and maximal mouth opening were assessed before and after 1 and 4 weeks of treatment. The combination therapy produced significant changes in pain levels (p < 0.001) and mouth opening (p < 0.001). All pairwise non-parametric comparison showed a significant improvement in pain (p < 0.05 for all pairs) and MMO (p < 0.05 for all pairs). These findings suggest that combining manual therapy and acupuncture decreases the pain level and increases the MMO of TMD patients. However, future studies should further investigate the efficacy of combined treatment on TMD with more rigorous randomized clinical trials.

Differential Evolution With Event-Triggered Impulsive Control.

Differential evolution (DE) is a simple but powerful evolutionary algorithm, which has been widely and successfully used in various areas. In this paper, an event-triggered impulsive (ETI) control scheme is introduced to improve the performance of DE. Impulsive control (IPC), the concept of which derives from control theory, aims at regulating the states of a network by instantly adjusting the states of a fraction of nodes at certain instants, and these instants are determined by event-triggered mechanism (ETM). By introducing IPC and ETM into DE, we hope to change the search performance of the population in a positive way after revising the positions of some individuals at certain moments. At the end of each generation, the IPC operation is triggered when the update rate of the population declines or equals to zero. In detail, inspired by the concepts of IPC, two types of impulses are presented within the framework of DE in this paper: 1) stabilizing impulses and 2) destabilizing impulses. Stabilizing impulses help the individuals with lower rankings instantly move to a desired state determined by the individuals with better fitness values. Destabilizing impulses randomly alter the positions of inferior individuals within the range of the current population. By means of intelligently modifying the positions of a part of individuals with these two kinds of impulses, both exploitation and exploration abilities of the whole population can be meliorated. In addition, the proposed ETI is flexible to be incorporated into several state-of-the-art DE variants. Experimental results over the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) 2014 benchmark functions exhibit that the developed scheme is simple yet effective, which significantly improves the performance of the considered DE algorithms.

Araliasaponin II isolated from leaves of Acanthopanax henryi (Oliv.) Harms inhibits inflammation by modulating the expression of inflammatory markers in murine macrophages.

Araliasaponin II (AS II) is a bioactive compound isolated from Acanthopanax henryi (Oliv.) Harms, a plant widely used in traditional oriental medicine. The present study investigated the anti­inflammatory effects of AS II using murine macrophages. The effects of AS II on inflammatory mediator and cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)­stimulated RAW 264.7 cells was evaluated. Nitric oxide (NO) and cytokine production were determined using the Griess reagent and an ELISA kit. The expression levels of cytokines, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase­2 (COX­2) mRNA were examined by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of iNOS, COX­2 and toll­like receptor (TLR)­4 protein were examined by western blotting. Translocation of nuclear factor­κB (NF­κB) and TLR­4 expression were visualized by immunofluorescence staining. AS II markedly inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin E2, and reduced iNOS and COX­2 expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. AS II downregulated the expression of interleukin­6 and tumor necrosis factor­α at the protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, pre­treatment with AS II significantly suppressed the TLR­4­NF­κB signaling pathway; this effect may be cause by AS II competing with LPS for binding to TLR­4 and subsequently inhibiting translocation of the NF­κB/p65 protein to the nucleus. The results suggested that the anti­inflammatory properties of AS II may result from inhibiting pro­inflammatory mediators by suppressing the initiation of the inflammatory response and inhibiting TLR-4-NF-κB signaling pathways.

Cheongyeolsaseuptang inhibits production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-8 as well as NF-kappa B activation in human mast cells.

Traditional Korean medicine, Cheongyeolsaseuptang (CYSST) has been widely applied as a treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Korea. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown. Recent reports suggest that in patients with RA, synovial mast cells increase in number and show signs of activation and production of cytokines. In this study, we investigated the effect of CYSST on production of cytokines by activated human mast cell line, HMC-1. When CYSST (1mg/ml) was added, the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 was significantly inhibited about 37, 33.6, and 48%, respectively on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. In addition, CYSST inhibited PMA plus A23187-induced activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. These findings may help understanding the mechanism of action of this medicine leading to control activated mast cells on inflammatory condition like RA.

Quantitative high-throughput gene expression profiling of human striatal development to screen stem cell-derived medium spiny neurons.

A systematic characterization of the spatio-temporal gene expression during human neurodevelopment is essential to understand brain function in both physiological and pathological conditions. In recent years, stem cell technology has provided an in vitro tool to recapitulate human development, permitting also the generation of human models for many diseases. The correct differentiation of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) into specific cell types should be evaluated by comparison with specific cells/tissue profiles from the equivalent adult in vivo organ. Here, we define by a quantitative high-throughput gene expression analysis the subset of specific genes of the whole ganglionic eminence (WGE) and adult human striatum. Our results demonstrate that not only the number of specific genes is crucial but also their relative expression levels between brain areas. We next used these gene profiles to characterize the differentiation of hPSCs. Our findings demonstrate a temporal progression of gene expression during striatal differentiation of hPSCs from a WGE toward an adult striatum identity. Present results establish a gene expression profile to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the telencephalic hPSC-derived progenitors eventually used for transplantation and mature striatal neurons for disease modeling and drug-screening.

Calcium-sensing receptor antagonists abrogate airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in allergic asthma.

Airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation are fundamental hallmarks of allergic asthma that are accompanied by increases in certain polycations, such as eosinophil cationic protein. Levels of these cations in body fluids correlate with asthma severity. We show that polycations and elevated extracellular calcium activate the human recombinant and native calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), leading to intracellular calcium mobilization, cyclic adenosine monophosphate breakdown, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. These effects can be prevented by CaSR antagonists, termed calcilytics. Moreover, asthmatic patients and allergen-sensitized mice expressed more CaSR in ASMs than did their healthy counterparts. Indeed, polycations induced hyperreactivity in mouse bronchi, and this effect was prevented by calcilytics and absent in mice with CaSR ablation from ASM. Calcilytics also reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation in allergen-sensitized mice in vivo. These data show that a functional CaSR is up-regulated in asthmatic ASM and targeted by locally produced polycations to induce hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Thus, calcilytics may represent effective asthma therapeutics.

Sophorae radix extract inhibits high glucose-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 up-regulation on endothelial cell line.

BACKGROUND: Sophorae radix (SR) has been used for various diseases including atherosclerosis and arrhythmias. Atherosclerosis induced by hyperglycemia is an important factor in the promotion of diabetic complications. An early event in atherosclerosis is the adhesion of monocytes to endothelium via adhesion molecules. Among them, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression mediates the binding of monocytes and lymphocytes to vascular endothelial cells. METHODS: The study was performed on vascular endothelial cells (ECV304 cells) that were pretreated with various concentrations of SR extract for 3 h before exposure with high glucose (55.5 mmol/l) for 48 h. The protein expression of VCAM-1 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and its mRNA expression was by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: SR extract significantly inhibited high glucose-induced expression of VCAM-1 in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the level of VCAM-1 mRNA through interfering with translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Decreased VCAM-1 expression by SR extract was associated reduction of adherence between high glucose-stimulated ECV304 cells and human monocyte-like HL-60 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that SR extract inhibits high glucose-mediated monocytes-endothelial cells adhesions and expression of VCAM-1 via inhibition of NF-kappaB translocation.

CancerB increases production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in peritoneal macrophages.

BACKGROUND: CancerB (CCB, IMSF-5), herbal combination, may be able to stimulate potential toxic mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages. METHODS: NO production was determined by Griess method, and TNF-alpha production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Amounts of proteins were observed by Western blotting. RESULTS: CCB had no effect on NO production by itself, but CCB alone did stimulate the production of TNF-alpha. When CCB was used in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production, TNF-alpha production and NF-kappa B activation. The increase in NO synthesis was reflected as an increased amount of inducible NO synthase protein. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus CCB-stimulated peritoneal macrophages was decreased by the treatment with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine or N(alpha)-Tosyl-Phe Chloromethyl Ketone. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was able to completely inhibit the production of NO and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that CCB increases the production of NO and TNF-alpha by rIFN-gamma-primed peritoneal macrophages and suggest that NF-kappa B plays a critical role in mediating these effects of CCB.

Polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene and BMI in obese Korean women.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. This system was recently found to be completely expressed in human adipose tissue. Especially angiotensin II, the active component of RAS, may affect adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism. We examined whether obese and non-obese subjects differ from angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotype distribution, and whether the ACE genotypes affect the anthropometric parameters or the degrees of body mass index (BMI). METHODS: The study included 155 obese healthy women (BMI > or = 25 kg/m(2), range 25-54.7, age range 15-40 years), 82 non-obese women (BMI < 25 kg/m(2), range 15-40 years), and 613 random controls. Total fat mass and percent body fat (PBF) were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Genomic DNA was extracted and used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based genotyping of ACE. RESULTS: Age, percent body fat, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), body mass index, and cholesterol concentrations did not differ from ACE genotype. No differences were observed for allelic and genotype frequencies between obese women (BMI > or = 25) and 82 non-obese women or 613 random controls. In addition, no association of ACE polymorphism was observed with BMI for genotype in obese women. CONCLUSIONS: ACE polymorphism is not a significant factor for BMI and does not contribute to the odds of obesity in obese healthy women from Korea.

Relation between average daily metabolic rate and resting metabolic rate of the mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus).

Some early reports have claimed that the Mongolian gerbil is a diurnal rodent, but we found it to be active both night and day, being more active at night. A circadian rhythm was found both in locomotory activity under laboratory conditions and in average daily metabolic rate (ADMR).The ADMR of the Mongolian gerbil observed at 20° C in our study was 2.921 ml O2/g·h which was near the value expected from Grodzinski's equation (ADMR=19.94 W-0.50).Both ADMR and RMR were found to be negatively correlated with ambient temperature, with the slope of the regression line for ADMR being less than that for RMR. These two lines intersected at 20° C, lower below 20° C.According to Grodzinski, the ADMR is usually lower than RMR, but in our study the ADMR was found to be lower than the RMR only below 20° C, which suggests that the ambient temperature acts differently on ADMR and RMR. The temperature-dependent variation of both ADMR and RMR as well as their differences should be taken into account in the estimation of the productivity of animal population.

The perception of lexical tone contrasts in Cantonese children with and without specific language impairment (SLI).

PURPOSE: This study examined the perception of fundamental frequency (f0) patterns by Cantonese children with and without specific language impairment (SLI). METHOD: Participants were 14 five-year-old children with SLI, and 14 age-matched (AM) and 13 four-year-old vocabulary-matched (VM) controls. The children identified a word from familiar word pairs that illustrated the 8 minimally contrastive pairs of the 6 lexical tones. They discriminated the f0 patterns within contrastive tonal pairs in speech and nonspeech stimuli. RESULTS: In tone identification, the SLI group performed worse than the AM group but not the VM group. In tone discrimination, the SLI group did worse than the AM group on 2 contrasts and showed a nonsignificant trend of poorer performance on all contrasts combined. The VM group generally did worse than the AM group. There were no group differences in discrimination performance between speech and nonspeech stimuli. No correlation was found between identification and discrimination performance. Only the normal controls showed a moderate correlation between vocabulary scores and performance in the 2 perception tasks. CONCLUSION: The SLI group's poor tone identification cannot be accounted for by vocabulary knowledge alone. The group's tone discrimination performance suggests that some children with SLI have a deficit in f0 processing.