Log-linear allometry of fetal craniofacial growth in Down's syndrome

Trisomy 21 develops as a result of nondisjunction of two homologous chromosomes during either the first or second meiotic division. One of the more important consequences of these genetic alterations is the predictable, although variable disturbance in the architecture of the craniofacial region [1]. Postnatal craniofacial morphology has been extensively studied in Down's syndrome (DS). However, little information is available on human prenatal development of the head and face in such patients. The time at which changes in craniofacial phenotype first emerge in Down's syndrome fetuses and at which physical growth begins to diverge from normal is unknown. To explore these questions, we compared prenatal craniofacial growth in 50 Down's syndrome fetuses with that of 555 fetuses judged to be "typical for body weight and age" using the method of log-linear allometry [2].     

Sleep-induced breathing instability. University of Wisconsin-Madison Sleep and respiration Research Group

We present a view of the neuromechanical regulation of breathing and causes of breathing instability during sleep. First, we would expect transient increases in upper airway resistance to be a major cause of transient hypopnea. This occurs in sleep because a hypotonic upper airway is more susceptible to narrowing and because the immediate excitatory increase in respiratory motor output in response to increased loads is absent in non-REM sleep. Secondly, sleep predisposes to an increased occurrence of ventilatory "overshoots", in part because abruptly changing sleep states cause transient changes in upper airway resistance and in the gain of the respiratory controller. Following these ventilatory overshoots, breathing stability will be maintained if excitatory short-term potentiation is the prevailing influence. On the other hand, apnea and hypopnea will occur if inhibitory mechanisms dominate following the ventilatory overshoot. These inhibitory mechanisms include: a) hypocapnia-if transient, will inhibit carotid chemoreceptors and cause hypopnea, but if prolonged will inhibit medullary chemoreceptors and cause apnea; b) a persistent inhibitory effect from lung stretch; c) baroreceptor stimulation, from a transient rise in systemic blood pressure immediately following termination of apnea or hypopnea may partially suppress the accompanying hyperpnea; d) depression of central respiratory motor output via prolonged brain hypoxia. Once apneas are initiated, reinitiation of inspiration is delayed even though excitatory stimuli have risen well above their apneic thresholds, and these prolonged apneas are commonly accompanied by tonic EMG activation of expiratory muscles of the chest wall and upper airway.     

Detection by a solid phase independent enzyme immunoassay of monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies against monoclonal antibodies neutralizing Semliki Forest virus and encephalomyocarditis virus

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.1.34) is the rate limiting step in the mevalonate pathway that produces isoprenoids and cholesterol. Inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase are teratogenic in vivo and induce neural tube defects in rat embryo culture, effects which appear unrelated to cholesterol deficiency. This study is the first to localize HMG-CoA reductase mRNA by in situ hybridization (ISH). Expression of reductase mRNA was examined in post-implantation rat embryos, and for control purposes in rat liver and UT-1 cells, using a digoxigenin-11 (dig-11) labelled cRNA probe. Eighteen-day fetal liver showed heavy but patchy hybridization, and adult rat liver showed strong hybridization only on some periportal hepatocytes, which was absent in livers of fasted animals. UT-1 cells stimulated to overexpress HMG-CoA reductase mRNA were strongly positive with the same probe. Control hybridizations with sense strand RNA probe, or with cRNA probe on pre-RNased tissue were negative. Strong hybridization signal for HMG-CoA reductase mRNA was observed in all tissues of the post-implantation rat embryo, from egg cylinder to 30 somite stages (7 to 12 days). Heavy signal was noted in primitive ectoderm and neural tube. The wide embryonic and extraembryonic distribution and abundance of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA may reflect developmental requirements for products of the mevalonate pathway, e.g., isoprenoids for post-translational farnesylation of p21ras.     

基于PSOS的TM1300应用系统中的BSP研究

通过在应用软件与板级支持包BSP之间加一层库函数的方法较好地解决了应用程序与板级支持包函数间的通信问题，减少了板级支持包函数的维护复杂度，从而为嵌入式系统板级支持包的实现提供了一个有价值的思路。     

In vitro induction of F1 hybrid anti-parent cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Spleen cells from normal (C57BL/6 X DBA/2)F1 mice were sensitized in vitro for 5 days with irradiated C57BL/6 or DBA/2 parental stimulating cells. Effector cells were generated which specifically lysed 51Cr-labeled targets (leukemia or mitogen-stimulated lymphoid cells) H-2-matched with the parental genotype used for sensitization. The response of F1 spleen cells to the C57BL/6 parent was stronger and more reproducible than that to the DBA/2 parent. The kinetics of generation of effector cells were similar for the F1 anti-parent and an F1 anti-allogeneic response. However, the magnitude of the F1 anti-C57BL/6 cytotoxic response was considerably lower than the F1 response to allogeneic cells. The ratio of responder to stimulator cells in the cultures was more critical for the former than for the latter response. Several lots of fetal bovine serum were found to be adequate for supplementing the medium in the induction of J1 hybrid anti-parent and anti-allogeneic cytotoxic effector cells. Based on these and other studies, it would appear that the F1 hybrid anti-parent cytotoxic response provides an in vitro model of murine hemopoietic graft rejection in vivo. This response may be elicited by a mechanism distinct from T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and involve different subpopulations of spleen cells.     

The radiologic manifestations of idiopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction

Six patients with idopathic intestinal pseudoobstruction underwent extensive radiographic evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. Propulsive motor activity was consistently absent. All had smooth muscle dysfunction of the esophagus, small bowel, and colon, and two had abnormal gastric emptying. Two forms of the syndrome were observed, characterized by either hyper- or hypoactive smooth muscle. In the hyperactive form chaotic, spontaneous contractions of the esophagus and small intestine occurred and extensive diverticular disease of the colon was present. In the hypoactive form the esophagus was atonic and there was marked widening and hypomotility of the small intestine and colon. The presence of two forms of smooth muscle dysfunction suggests that the syndrome has a heterogeneous pathology and pathophysiology.     

The menstrual cycle and response to erotic literature

133 undergraduate females responded to a pre-experimental questionnaire assessing their contraceptive use (28% on contraceptive pills), sexual experience (71% had had sexual intercourse), and present phase of menstrual cycle. Ss then read an erotic story intended to induce sexual arousal. Results of a self-report postexperimental questionnaire assessing sexual arousal and genital stimulation show no significant response differences based on menstrual cycle phases for Ss not using contraceptive pills. Greatest degree of arousal and sensation was experienced by Ss on contraceptive pills who were in the menstrual phase of the cycle; least arousal and sensation was experienced by Ss on contraceptive pills who were in the premenstrual phase of the cycle. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The wick catheter technique for measurement of intramuscular pressure. A new research and clinical tool

The wick catheter technique was developed in 1968 for measurement of subcutaneous pressure and has been modified for easy intramuscular insertion and continuous recording of interstitial fluid pressure in animals and humans. Studies in dogs of the anterolateral compartment of the leg in simulation of the compartment syndrome showed the technique to be accurate and reproducible. The wick catheter technique is capable of important clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic compartment syndromes.     

Erythrocyte basophilic stippling in the Mongolian gerbil

Basophilic stippling of the circulating erythrocytes is characteristic of the Mongolian gerbil. Its enzymatic digestion along with the concomitant removal of diffuse erythrocytic polychromasia by the action of ribonuclease demonstrates that it represents microscopically visible aggregates of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein, presumably of ribosomal origin. Up to 40% of the total circulating erythrocytes may be stippled in foetal and newborn animals. There is then a progressive decline in incidence until adult levels are attained at least by 20 weeks of age. The bone marrow of the adult gerbil contains a higher proportion of stippled red cells than the circulating blood. The stippling can be either coarse or fine and observable in both polychromatophilic and orthochromic cells. It is suggested that erythrocytes with basophilic stippling are relatively immature red cells still demonstrating remnants of cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein.