Double-membrane arrays in type II fibers of mouse extraocular muscle

Double-membrane arrays were observed in singly innervated type II fibers of the global region of mouse superior rectus. These arrays were selectively confined to the endplate region of such cells. Close associations and continuities between the cisternae of the arrays with those of the intermyofibrillar sarcoplasmic reticulum suggest derivation of the former from the latter. These proliferations of the cellular smooth membranes might be related to the specialized functional requirements of the innervation site.     

Structure-function correlations in the human medial rectus extraocular muscle pulleys

PURPOSE: Fibroelastic pulleys function like the trochlea to fix the position and pulling direction of the recti extraocular muscles within the orbit. This study characterized the fine structure of the human medial rectus muscle pulley. METHODS: Human medial rectus muscle pulley tissue was dissected at autopsy, immersed in aldehyde fixative solution, and processed for and examined with light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Pulley structure were located within posterior Tenon's fascia, closely surrounding the medial rectus muscle. Pulleys were comprised of a dense collagen matrix with alternating bands of collagen fibers precisely arranged at right angles to one another. This three-dimensional organization most likely confers high tensile strength to the pulley. Elastin fibrils were interspersed in the collagen matrix. Fibroblasts and mast cells were scattered throughout the relatively acellular and avascular collagen latticework. Connective tissue and smooth muscle bundles suspended the pulley from the periorbita. Smooth muscle was distributed in small, discrete bundles attached deeply into the dense pulley tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Fine structural observations confirm the existence and substantial structure of a pulley system in association with the medial rectus extraocular muscle. The presence of pulleys must be considered in models of the oculomotor plant. The cytoarchitecture and placement of pulleys suggest that they are internally rigid structures and are consistent with the idea that they determine functional origins for the extraocular muscles. However, the nature of the connective tissue-smooth muscle struts suspending the pulley system to the orbit supports the notion that the pulley position, and thus the vector force of the eye muscles, may be adjustable.     

Quantitative analysis of smooth muscle fibers in corpus cavernosum of human fetuses

PURPOSE: Quantify objectively the normative distribution and the percentage of smooth muscle fibers in the corpus cavernosum of human fetuses with 24 weeks post-conception (WPC) of gestational age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 7 penises taken from 7 fresh human fetuses. We analyzed 5 randomized sections from each penis and in every section we analyzed 3 fields, totaling 15 fields per penis and 105 fields for the final results. Immunohistological staining for the smooth muscle fibers was used to accentuate the differences between the intracavernous structures (smooth muscle fibers and collagen fibers). The fields studied were digitized with a final magnification of 450X and a computerized analysis of the smooth muscle fibers was performed with image analyzer software. The percentage of smooth muscle fibers per standard square area was estimated and the mean value was used for each penis. RESULTS: The distribution of smooth muscle fibers in the corpus cavernosum of human fetuses with 24 WPC of gestational age ranged from 17.52% to 27.76% of the total area. The mean value was 22.72% and the standard deviation was 3.56. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the percentage of smooth muscle cells in corpus cavernosum of human fetuses with 24 WPC of gestational age is significantly smaller when compared with the data available for adult cadavers.     

Quantitative analysis for histochemical grouping of muscle fibers after skeletal muscle transplantation by microneurovascular anastomoses

A poly-histochemical quantitative assay was carried out on fibers of grafted rectus femoris muscles of rabbit which had undergone simulated free muscle transplantation by microneurovascular anastomoses in speciments at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively. At the same time, the same assay was done for two experimental control groups: either the motor nerve or the patella tendon was simply severed and immediately sutured. It was found that the contractile characteristics of whole muscle were depended on relative number of different muscle fibers. That meant it was depended on the relative number of different motor fibers which had run through the anastomosed site. The caliber change among different types of muscle fibers mainly represented there was cross reneurotization during nerve regeneration.     

Diaphragmatic electromyogram and respiratory pattern after unilateral and bilateral partial denervation of the diaphragm in the cat

In the present study we investigated the mechanism of early respiratory compensation of partial paralysis of the sternal and lateral diaphragm due to an unilateral or bilateral section of the C5 rootlet of the phrenic nerves in anesthetized cats. Compensatory effects were evaluated from the recordings of the bilateral diaphragmatic EMGs, neural respiratory pattern and ventilation. The results of the study demonstrate that successive C5 denervation of the diaphragm caused a decrease in the ipsilateral diaphragmatic EMG. Bilateral C5 section evoked an up to 10 percent decrease in minute ventilation. The compensation of the unilateral and then bilateral partial impairment of the muscle function was achieved always by an increase in the neuromuscular projection to the currently contralateral diaphragm. Neural mechanisms of compensation involve a general increase in the respiratory drive, expressed mostly as an increase in the frequency of breathing. The contribution of afferent respiratory muscles to these mechanisms is likely.     

Reproducibility and validity of the quadriceps muscle integrated electromyogram threshold during incremental cycle ergometry

The principle aims of this research were, firstly, to determine if the relationship between integrated electromyography (iEMG) and exercise intensity was linear or threshold-like, and secondly, to determine if the relationship between iEMG and exercise intensity was repeatable on different test occasions. A group of 20 trained male subjects participated in the study. Each subject completed two incremental exercise tests on a Monark cycle ergometer. The tests were identical and separated from each other by a mean period of 42 (SD 12) h. The EMG signals were recorded from the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris and vastus medialis muscles at each intensity using surface electrodes. The relationship between iEMG and intensity was shown to be linear (r = 0.95 to r = 0.98) with no obvious iEMG thresholds present. The gradients of simple regression lines fitted to the iEMG compared to intensity were not significantly different on the retest occasion (CV 9%-12%). In summary, the findings of this study indicated that, during incremental exercise, the relationship between iEMG of the quadriceps musculature and exercise intensity was linear and not threshold-like. Furthermore, the linear relationship between iEMG and workload was repeatable on different test occasions.     

An 8-year longitudinal study of muscle strength, muscle fiber size, and dynamic electromyogram in individuals with late polio

Twenty-one subjects with polio 24 to 51 years prior to the first examination were studied on three occasions, each 4 years apart with measurements of muscle strength and endurance for knee extension, macro EMG, and muscle biopsy from vastus lateralis. On average the muscle strength decreased during the 8-year follow-up by 9-15%. Endurance decreased during the observation period. The muscle fiber area was markedly increased in most subjects. There was a decrease in the capillarization during the follow-up. Macro EMG was increased in all subjects (range 3-42 times control) and increased in 20 legs during the 8-year follow-up, but showed a decrease in 8 of 9 legs with an approximative breakpoint when macro MUPs were around 20 times the normal size. Thus, evidence of on-going denervation/reinnervation as well as of failing capacity to maintain large motor units was demonstrated. SFEMG showed a moderate degree of disturbed neuromuscular transmission.     

Reducing retroactive interference: An interference analysis.

In 4 experiments on retroactive interference (RI), the authors varied paired-associate learning lists that produced either appreciable or negligible forgetting. When the category of the stimulus word predicted its response word category, and the response was relatively unique within its category, learning was extremely rapid, and negative transfer and RI were negligible. The more the competing primed items in the predicted response category, the slower the learning and the greater the RI. If cues and responses were unrelated, learning was very slow, and RI was appreciable. Thus, predictive relations that help stimuli retrieve unique responses greatly alter forgetting in RI paradigms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The pattern of residual muscle paralysis in poliomyelitis

Rural schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 18 years were screened for residual paralysis following poliomyelitis; 503 (0.85%) out of a total of 58,592 were victims. Of these, only 16 (3.8%) had received poliomyelitis vaccine, while the remainder had not been immunised. The disease had occurred before the age of 4 years in nearly 90%, the lower limbs being affected (98%) more often than the upper (2%). In the lower limbs, the quadriceps, hip adductors and tibialis anterior were frequently affected. The muscles supplied by the L4 and L5 spinal segments were most commonly involved, while those supplied by L1 and S3 were least. Some order does exist in the apparently irregular distribution of paralysis after poliomyelitis.     

Light and electron microscopic serial analysis of mouse extraocular muscle: morphology, innervation and topographical organization of component fiber populations

Mouse superior rectus extraocular muscle was examined in serial section by light and electron microscopy. By such analysis, it was possible to discriminate single versus multiple innervation, characteristics of internal cell morphology, and topographical distribution of the respective fiber populations within the muscle. Singly innervated (SIF) and multiply innervated fibers (MIF) were observed, both in an orbital surface layer and in the underlying global region of the muscle. Five morphologically distinct fiber types (three SIF and two MIF) were discriminable in terms of fiber diameter, mitochondrial richness, development of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and myofibrillar size. Many fibers both SIF and MIF, terminated variously along the length of the muscle. The diameter of orbital MIF typically varied from one end of the fiber to the other by a factor of about three; the global MIF were of essentially constant diameter. The junctional complexity varied among the respective types of SIF. The MIF of both the global and orbital regions exhibited comparable ranges of complexity in their neuromuscular junctions.     

Outcome of 5 mm resection of one medial rectus extraocular muscle for recurrent exotropia

Linking natural and social sciences is required in engineering to communicate and solve problems. However, this linkage can be difficult to achieve in engineering education and difficult to reflect on in professional practice. Due to the difficulties, methods to bring social sciences into the engineering curriculum should be presented. This paper describes a project to construct a bridge in rural Guatemala. Engineers, students, and others volunteered to construct the bridge while learning about the culture. The study goal was to determine how the service activity supported social science and engineering education. Data including participant responses to written, free-response, and Likert scale questions were collected after project completion. The project was a positive experience for North American engineering participants in that they gained an increased understanding of professional and ethical responsibility. The experience enhanced the engineering profession, increased nonengineer’s appreciation of engineering, and supported educational items, such as increased understanding in engineering solutions in a societal context and the ability to function on a multidisciplinary team. Socioeconomic differences, food and diet, and the importance of infrastructure, for not only developing but also developed countries, is described. The bridge project also provides information regarding the positive, ethical work of engineers and serves as a pilot for developing new international engineering projects.     

The oculocardiac reflex as a surgical aid in identifying a slipped or 'lost' extraocular muscle

The oculocardiac reflex during strabismus surgery has generally been regarded as a hazard capable of causing death. Six cases are presented which show a beneficial use of the oculocardiac reflex. Isolation of a previously slipped or 'lost' extraocular muscle can be difficult. In this series identification of the tissue as muscle was substantiated by observing a positive oculocardiac reflex when traction was placed on the suspected tissue. Each of the 6 dislodged extraocular muscles was the medial rectus muscle. Three of the muscles had been resected and 3 either recessed or tenotomised. In one patient, despite 6 previous strabismus operations, including 2 strabotomies on a muscle that slipped, and in another patient, who had a lapse of 6 years since the last strabotomy, when the slipped muscle was isolated, the oculocardiac reflex could still be elicited. To avoid abolishing the oculocardiac reflex during surgery the anaesthetist should be instructed to avoid the use of an intravenous parasympatholytic agent, such as atropine, at the time of induction and during the operation.     

Commentary: extraocular muscle sparing in muscular dystrophy: a critical evaluation of potential protective mechanisms

Muscles or muscle groups exhibiting responses to neuromuscular disease that are unlike those of other skeletal muscles may provide novel information about pathogenesis leading to improved treatment strategies. The author's laboratory studies the relationship between the unique phenotype of the extraocular muscles and their selective sparing or targeting in neuromuscular disease. This commentary evaluates the evidence for and against four hypotheses for the selective protection of extraocular muscle in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD).     

The influence of changes in hand temperature on the indirectly evoked electromyogram of the first dorsal interosseous muscle

The evoked EMG response commonly decreases in amplitude during the first few minutes of anaesthesia. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between changes in hand temperature, which are known to occur with induction of anaesthesia, and drift in the EMG signal. The indirectly evoked response of the 1st dorsal interosseous muscle was measured using a Datex Relaxograph in 15 patients undergoing elective surgery. The test arm was wrapped in towels in order to minimize heat loss. Core body temperature, hand temperature, and T1 were recorded at two minute intervals for the next 30 min. Patients then received a bolus of mivacurium 0.08 mg.kg-1 and additional doses were given as needed. Complete recovery was defined as a TOF ratio > 0.90. Regression analysis plotting delta temperature against delta T1 was performed for each individual. The slope of the regression line for the relationship between delta degree C and delta T1 was then used to calculate a correction factor (CF) which might be used to "fine tune" the last measured T1. The initial hand temperature averaged 30.8 +/- 1.4 degrees C and this increased by 4.1 +/- 1.2 degrees C over the next 30 min. During this period T1 decreased by 24.8 +/- 5.9% or -6.05%/degrees C. The final mean T1 value at the end of anaesthesia (uncorrected) was 70.6 +/- 7% of control. The average corrected T1 value was 94.7 +/- 8.5% (range, 83-111%). It is concluded that there was a correlation between delta degree C and delta T1 during the first 30 min of anaesthesia (r2 = 0.77, P < 0.0001). However, in 5 of 15 individuals it was not possible to "temperature correct" the final T1 value to within +/- 10% of control. Hence, while changes in muscle temperature probably play a major role in the T1 drift seen with the Datex monitor, other factors remain to be identified.     

Lateral rectus whole muscle and motor unit contractile measures with the extraocular muscles intact

Both extracellular and intracellular stimulation of single motoneurons were shown to be similarly effective and consistent in eliciting contractile responses in single lateral rectus muscle motor units. The whole muscle was activated by stimulating the sixth nerve in the brain stem. Both whole muscle and motor unit contractile characteristics, under isometric conditions, were found to remain consistent regardless of whether this extraocular muscle was detached or left attached to the globe. In addition, whole muscle twitch and maximum tetanic tension evoked by sixth nerve stimulation was significantly less than would be predicted by the linear summation of individual motor unit twitch and maximum tetanic tensions.     

Myofibril size variation along the length of extraocular muscle in rabbit and rat. I: orbital layer

We have identified two members of a novel class of genes in Drosophila that encode putative transmembrane proteins with six leucine-rich repeats and a single immunoglobulin loop. These two molecules, Kek1 and Kek2, show striking conservation in their extracellular domains and have large and more divergent intracellular regions. Both genes are expressed in neurons as they differentiate in the embryonic central nervous system (CNS). kek1 is also expressed in other patterned epithelia, such as the follicle cells of the developing egg chamber, where it is found in a dorsal-ventral gradient around the oocyte. The homology of the kek genes to other known adhesion and signaling molecules, together with their expression patterns, suggests that both genes are involved in interactions at the cell surface. Genetic analysis reveals that deletion of the kek1 gene causes no obvious developmental defects. The coexpression of kek2 in the CNS leads us to suggest that Kek1 is part of a family of cell surface proteins with redundant function.     

Quantitative histochemical evaluation of normal human skeletal muscle

Skeletal muscle tissue was obtained by open biopsy from the vastus lateralis and peroneus brevis muscles from 12 and 16 healthy paid volunteers, respectively. Frozen sections were examined with standard histochemical methods. Central nuclei, small and large angular fibers, and small round fibers were the most common "abnormalities" present. The number of fibers of these types were quantified, along with other more rare deviations from normal morphology. Several of the abnormalities were more common in the peroneus brevis than in the vastus lateralis.