Effects of Outdoor Thermal Environment upon the Human Responses

In a summer outdoor space, the influence of short-wave length solar radiation on the human body is strongly apparent, heat is retained in the body, and the risk of heat disorders such as heat stroke increases. To avoid this, it is essential to seek shade to avoid the influence of short-wave length solar radiation. In addition, natural ground surfaces such as green spaces and water surfaces are useful in reducing the air temperature. It is indispensable to consider climate mitigation effect of outdoor space. The purpose of this study is to clarify the influence of the thermal environment of an outdoor space on the human body in rural and suburban regions where paddy fields remain. Subject experiments were conducted to examine the relationship between the thermal environment evaluation index enhanced conduction-corrected modified effective temperature (ETFe) in an outdoor space and the physiological and psychological responses of the human body. Experiment sites were selected with consideration for the natural ground surface such as bare ground where the surface is gravel or soil;paved ground such as concrete, asphalt or blocks;green areas covered in plants;and water surfaces, as well as the sky factor due to buildings or trees etc. and the proportion of the solid angle of components of greenery and water etc. comprising the solid angle of the total celestial sphere. A ground surface feature with a high heat capacity may promote sensation of hot and deteriorate the thermal sensation. A landscape of thick vegetation with a high green factor may have a strong feeling of confinement, which can make it somewhat hot and somewhat uncomfortable thermal environment due to the sense of stagnation. Compared with the urban environment, it is conceivable that the difference in the perceptual environment, whereby it is subconsciously assumed to be a comfortable thermal environment, had an effect in the rural and suburban regional environment, resulting in an ETFe lower than the upper limit of comfort in a summer urban environment.

Effects of amyloid precursor protein peptide APP96-110,alone or with human mesenchymal stromal cells,on recovery after spinal cord injury

Delivery of a peptide(APP96-110),derived from amyloid precursor protein(APP),has been shown to elicit neuroprotective effects following cerebral stroke and traumatic brain injury.In this study,the effect of APP96-110 or a mutant version of this peptide(mAPP96-110)was assessed following moderate(200 kdyn,(2 N))thoracic contusive spinal cord injury(SCI)in adult Nude rats.Animals received a single tail vein injection of APP96-110 or mAPP96-110 at 30 minutes post-SCI and were then assessed for functional improvements over the next 8 weeks.A cohort of animals also received transplants of either viable or non-viable human mesenchymal stromal cells(hMSCs)into the SC lesion site at one week post-injury to assess the effect of combining intravenous APP96-110 delivery with hMSC treatment.Rats were perfused 8 weeks post-SCI and longitudinal sections of spinal cord analyzed for a number of factors including hMSC viability,cyst size,axonal regrowth,glial reactivity and macrophage activation.Analysis of sensorimotor function revealed occasional significant differences between groups using Ladderwalk or Ratwalk tests,however there were no consistent improvements in functional outcome after any of the treatments.mAPP96-110 alone,and APP96-110 in combination with both viable and non-viable hMSCs significantly reduced cyst size compared to SCI alone.Combined treatments with donor hMSCs also significantly increased βIII tubulin^(+),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP^(+))and laminin+expression,and decreased ED1^(+)expression in tissues.This preliminary study demonstrates that intravenous delivery of APP96-110 peptide has selective,modest neuroprotective effects following SCI,which may be enhanced when combined with hMSC transplantation.However,the effects are less pronounced and less consistent compared to the protective morphological and cognitive impact that this same peptide has on neuronal survival and behaviour after stroke and traumatic brain injury.Thus while the efficacy of a particular therapeutic approach in one CNS injury model may provide justification for its use in other neurotrauma models,similar outcomes may not necessarily occur and more targeted approaches suited to location and severity are required.All animal experiments were approved by The University of Western Australia Animal Ethics Committee(RA3/100/1460)on April 12,2016.

Time-lapse videography reveals different morphokinetic profiles of human embryos displaying direct or reverse cleavage at different stages of development: A retrospective sibling embryo study

Objective:To investigate morphokinetic characteristics of embryos displaying either reverse cleavage or direct cleavage during the first,second or third cleavage cycle.Methods:A total of 167 in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles undertaken by 167 women[aged(35.0±4.6)years]were included for reverse cleavage analysis,and a total of 167 in vitro fertilization and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection treatment cycles undertaken by 167 women[aged(33.8±4.3)years]were included for direct cleavage analysis in this study.Using a sibling-embryo design,morphokinetic profiles(both before and after the onset of abnormal event)of embryos displaying reverse cleavage(n=241)or direct cleavage(n=244)were compared with their unaffected siblings(the controls)in the first,second and third cell cycles(n=32,n=142,n=562;n=195,n=412,n=205,respectively),at different developmental stages up to day 3.Results:Direct cleavage embryos demonstrated significantly delayed cleavage rates prior to the event regardless of developmental stage of the occurrence,while reverse cleavage embryos showed similar cleavage rates to their unaffected siblings.Post event,direct cleavage embryos sped up cleavage rates while reverse cleavage embryos slowed down.Conclusions:Altered morphokinetic profiles are displayed by direct cleavage embryos both before and after their occurrence and reverse cleavage embryos after the occurrence,which could potentially confound morphokinetic comparisons if not separated from their unaffected sibling embryos.Further study is warranted in order to fully understand the biological mechanisms of such events.

Effect of Visual Stimuli of Indoor Floor Plants upon the Human Responses

The biophilia hypothesis maintains that animals, which bring benefits for human survival, evolve adaptively to cause a positive emotional response or actions in the human evolution process. When connected in an advantageous environment for survival, effective relaxation and recovery from fatigue are brought about as further physiological functions, rather than a simple stress-free situation. The aim of this study is to clarify the significance of the visual stimulation of indoor floor plants placed in an office floor space. We examined how the green covering factor and gaze distance to indoor floor plants placed on the floor influenced thermal sensation. The thermal environment conditions were set at 3 levels, 25°C, 28°C, and 31°C and the floor and air temperature were homogenous. We set up 8 office floor plans that had no visual stimulation and used indoor floor plants including pachira, monstera, butterfly palm, yucca elephantipes, weeping fig, umbellate, and snake plant for a visual stimulation. The gaze distance, measured from the center of the subject presented with a visual stimulation and the center of the plant, was set at 3 distances: 2.0, 4.5 and 8.0 m. When the conduction-corrected modified effective temperature (ETF) was below 26°C, the visual stimulation of the indoor floor plants umbellata and monstera, which have a silhouette with low leaf density and rounded leaves, were shown to mitigate the sensation of being cool. The visual stimulation of indoor floor plants with rounded leaves, such as, pachira, monstera, weeping fig, and umbellata, were shown to decrease the feeling of discomfort. For a gaze distance below 4.5 m, a green covering accounting for less than 5% was shown to be necessary for mitigating the sensation of being cool and improving the feeling of discomfort.

Isolation and characterization of human polyreactive pneumococcal polysaccharide antibodies

Natural antibodies serve as the body’s first line of defense against pneumococcal challenge. Polyreactive human pneumococcal polysaccharide IgG antibodies have not been extensively studied. We analyzed human polyreactive antibodies that bind multiple pneumococcal polysaccharides, including PPS14 and PPS23F. These antibodies were isolated from single pneumococcal polysaccharide specific B cells allowing for the analysis of human immunoglobulins with natively paired variable regions. Although isolated individually, these antibodies demonstrated similar characteristics. Most antibodies possessed a variable light chain with a CDR3 length made up of nine amino acids and relatively high number of flexible amino acids in combined VH/VL. While these antibodies were polyreactive and structurally alike, kinetic analysis revealed unique KD values. Variable chains are responsible for antigen recognition whereas antibody fine specificity is affected by isotype structure. To investigate the contribution of the constant region of these isotypes and their effect on antibody avidity to pneumococcal polysaccharide, the polyreactive variable regions were expressed as IgG1 or IgG2 and subjected to kinetic analysis. The IgG1 antibodies uniformly had a stronger avidity to PPS14 and PPS23F compared to IgG2. To further document the importance of the constant region in antibody avidity and fine specificity, analysis of antibody F(ab)’2 fragment binding to PPS14 and PPS23F resulted in similar KD values. These studies suggest that antigen recognition by polyreactive antibodies is determined by a conserved variable light chain CDR3 length and longer, more flexible variable heavy CDR3s when compared to pneumococcal polysaccha-ride-specific sequences while differences in specific avidities are modulated by antibody isotype.

Assessment of Human Skeletal Muscle Contraction and Force by Diffusion Tensor Imaging

We aimed to investigate the association between mobility and skeletal muscle strength by using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This study included 20 healthy male volunteers (mean age, 21.8 ± 1.1 years). The maximum voluntary strength (MVC) of each participant was measured with the ankle joint in plantar and dorsal flexion using an instrument for measuring muscle strength. Moreover, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with the ankle joint at rest, in plantar flexion, and in dorsal flexion. For imaging, a 1.5-T MRI device was used, and a diffusion-weighted stimulated echo-planar imaging pulse sequence. Tensor eigenvalues (λ), fractional anisotropy (FA), and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated from data obtained by DTI. The resulting MRI data were compared to the data on muscle mobility or strength and statistically analyzed. Regarding changes in DTI indices during muscle movements, anisotropy of the tibialis anterior was significantly increased from rest to plantar flexion (P < 0.01), whereas no significant change was observed in dorsal flexion (n.s.). In contrast, the extent of significant changes in anisotropy of the medial gastrocnemius (mGC) and soleus (SOL) was small at plantar flexion (mGC, P < 0.01;SOL, n.s.), whereas the indices were significantly increased at dorsal flexion (P < 0.01). Regarding the correlation between MVC of each skeletal muscle and the DTI indices, FA and λ3 were significantly correlated in movements involving the muscles, whereas no significant correlation was observed in movements not involving them. Changes in intramuscular water molecules by elongation and contraction of the skeletal muscle fibers could be assumed to affect changes in diffusional anisotropy. When muscles contract, the space between myocytes was reduced and they might become increasingly dense. Moreover, diffusional anisotropy increased with increasing MVC, whereas ADC remained unchanged. DTI was suggested to produce measurements similar to the degree of muscle strength.

Finding biomarkers of experience in animals

At a time when there is a growing public interest in animal welfare,it is critical to have objective means to assess the way that an animal experiences a situation.Objectivity is critical to ensure appropriate animal welfare outcomes.Existing behavioural,physiological,and neurobiological indicators that are used to assess animal welfare can verify the absence of extremely negative outcomes.But welfare is more than an absence of negative outcomes and an appropriate indicator should reflect the full spectrum of experience of an animal,from negative to positive.In this review,we draw from the knowledge of human biomedical science to propose a list of candidate biological markers(biomarkers)that should reflect the experiential state of non-human animals.The proposed biomarkers can be classified on their main function as endocrine,oxidative stress,non-coding molecular,and thermobiological markers.We also discuss practical challenges that must be addressed before any of these biomarkers can become useful to assess the experience of an animal in real-life.

Achievements and challenges of primate conservation in China

The dual impact of climate change and human activities has precipitated a sharp decline in primate biodiversity globally.China is home to the most diverse primate species in the Northern hemisphere,which face severe ecological threats due to the expansion of modern agriculture,extensive exploitation and consumption of natural resources,and excessive land development during its transition from an agricultural to a modern society.In response,China has implemented various ecological conservation measures,including habitat restoration and protection.These efforts have made substantial strides in biodiversity conservation,with certain regions witnessing an increase in primate populations.In the current study,we conducted a systematic review of historical documents and field research data related to Chinese primates,evaluating the endangered status of primate species in China.Despite improvements in the habitats of most primate species and some population growth,many species still face severe threats,including declining and small populations.Species such as the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey(Rhinopithecus strykeri),eastern black crested gibbon(Nomascus nasutus),and Hainan gibbon(N.hainanus)remain particularly vulnerable due to their limited distribution ranges and extremely small populations.Insufficient scientific data,fragmented information,and not enough studies in conservation biology further compound the challenges.Moreover,there is a notable lack of detailed population monitoring data for species such as the Bengal slow loris(Nycticebus bengalensis),pygmy slow loris(N.pygmaeus),Indochinese gray langur(Trachypithecus crepusculus),Shortridge’s langur(T.shortridgei),and capped langur(T.pileatus),which hinders the development of practical and targeted conservation management strategies.Therefore,for national biodiversity conservation,there is an urgent need for specialized primate surveys,enhancing habitat protection and restoration,and increasing focus on cross-border conservation strategies and regional cooperation.There is also a need to establish a comprehensive and systematic research database platform,conduct continuous and in-depth research in primate biology,and actively engage in the scientific assessment of ecotourism.Additionally,strengthening public awareness and education on wildlife conservation remains essential.Such integrated and systematic efforts will provide scientific support for the current and future conservation and management of primate species in China.

Direct Correlation among Telomere Length, Cellular Aging, and Rejuvenation Effects of Honey Child Powder

Purpose: Telomere length (TL) is an indicator of age;however, hormonal influences complicate individual aging. It remains unclear whether TL shortening is a direct factor in both individual and cellular aging. Therefore, we examined the direct relationship between TL and cellular senescence at the cellular level. Methods: Telomerase activity, TL, and gene expression were measured in cultured human lung-, fetal-, and skin-derived fibroblasts, human skin keratinocytes, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene-immortalized cells using detection kits, Cawthon’s method, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Novel substances that elongate telomeres were screened to confirm cell rejuvenation effects. Results: Long-term cell culture of TIG-1-20 normal human fibroblasts resulted in TL shortening, decreased division rate, and senescence progression, whereas in OUMS-36T-2 cells, TL elongation via TERT gene transfer increased the division rate, reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress, and upregulated genes associated with young individuals, indicating that cellular rejuvenation occurs via TL elongation. In addition, a honey child powder (HCP) extract was found through screening, and the HCP extract strongly suppressed the menin gene, resulting in increased telomerase activity and extended cell lifespan. Upon addition of the HCP extract to skin fibroblasts, gene expression of moisturizing components, including collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin, increased, and exhibited a rejuvenating effect with an increase in elastin amount. Conclusions: TL elongation or shortening is involved in cell proliferation rate and cellular aging, and TL elongation rejuvenates cells. In addition, HCP extract has a rejuvenating effect on cells and is expected to be a rejuvenating compound.

Impacts of different pancreatic resection ranges on endocrine function in Suncus murinus

BACKGROUND Surgical intervention involving the pancreas can lead to impaired glucose tolerance and other types of endocrine dysfunction.The scope of pancreatectomy and whether it includes the ventral pancreas are the key factors in the development of postoperative diabetes.The ventral and dorsal pancreases are almost separated in Suncus murinus(S.murinus).AIM To investigate the effects of different extents of pancreatic resection on endocrine function in S.murinus.METHODS Eight-week-old male S.murinus shrews were randomly divided into three experimental groups according to different pancreatic resection ranges as follows:ventral pancreatectomy(VPx)group;partial pancreatectomy(PPx)group;subtotal pancreatectomy(SPx)group;and a sham-operated group.Postprandial serum insulin,glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1),pancreatic polypeptide(PP),and somatostatin(SST)levels,as well as food intake,weight,blood glucose,and glucose tolerance were regularly measured for each animal.RESULTS S.murinus treated with PPx and SPx suffered from varying degrees of impaired glucose tolerance,but only a small proportion of the SPx group developed diabetes.Only S.murinus in the SPx group showed a significant decrease in food intake accompanied by severe weight loss,as well as a significant increase in postprandial serum GLP-1 levels.Postprandial serum PP levels decreased in both the VPx and PPx groups,but not in the SPx group.Postprandial serum SST levels decreased in both VPx and PPx groups,but the decrease was marginal.CONCLUSION Severe weight loss after pancreatectomy may be related to loss of appetite caused by compensatory elevation of GLP-1.PP and GLP-1 may play a role in resisting blood glucose imbalance.

Functional Confirmation Using a Medical X-Ray System of a Semiconductor Survey Meter

In recent years, semiconductor survey meters have been developed and are in increasing demand worldwide. This study determined if it is possible to use the X-ray system installed in each medical facility to calculate the time constant of a semiconductor survey meter and confirm the meter’s function. An additional filter was attached to the medical X-ray system to satisfy the standards of N-60 to N-120, more copper plates were added as needed, and the first and second half-value layers were calculated to enable comparisons of the facility’s X-ray system quality with the N-60 to N-120 quality values. Next, we used a medical X-ray system to measure the leakage dose and calculate the time constant of the survey meter. The functionality of the meter was then checked and compared with the energy characteristics of the meter. The experimental results showed that it was possible to use a medical X-ray system to reproduce the N-60 to N-120 radiation quality values and to calculate the time constant from the measured results, assuming actual leakage dosimetry for that radiation quality. We also found that the calibration factor was equivalent to that of the energy characteristics of the survey meter.

Clinical outcomes in patients diagnosed with extra-nodal Hodgkin lymphoma: a 20-year retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database

Background:Hodgkin lymphoma refers to a malignancy of the lymphatic tissue.Extra-nodal Hodgkin lymphoma(ENHL)is a rare variant consisting of Hodgkin lymphoma occurring outside the lymphatic system.Studies investigating the epidemiology associated with ENHL are rare.Methods:618 ENHL cases were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance,Epidemiology,and End Results(SEER)database(2000–2020).Demographics including sex,race/ethnicity,rural-urban continuum,age group(categorized as adolescent and young adult(AYA)if between years of 15 and 39,and adult if over the age of 40),and living status(alive/deceased)were examined,with survival status as the main outcome.Results:This study included 335 males(54.2%)and 283 females(45.8%).Of this total,47.9%were in the AYA group.In terms of ethnicity the distribution was 12.5%non-Hispanic Black,67.5%non-Hispanic White,5.2%non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islander,and 14.9%Hispanic.Bivariate analyses evidenced significant differences in survival by age group with 91.6%in AYA vs.72.4%in adults(P<0.001)alive by the end of the study period.Multivariable analyses identified age as a key predictor of survival,as the AYA patients had a lower odds ratio for death(odds ratio=0.25,P<0.001).In addition,survival outcomes were also impacted by race,with non-Hispanic Blacks showing higher survival probabilities.Regarding treatment,27.0%of patients underwent surgery,with 10.2%receiving post-surgery radiation,reducing odds of mortality(odds ratio=0.32,P=0.046).Conclusion:The background research as such,tends to affirm that these two factors–age and race are quite crucial in the prognosis as well as management of ENHL.Compared to adults,AYA patients had significantly lower odds of death,while non-Hispanic Black individuals exhibited reduced survival probabilities.It should be noted that 27.0%of patients underwent surgery with 10.2%receiving post-operative radiation which led to decrease in mortality rates.Thus,these results reiterate the necessity for tailor-made treatment methods according to demographic characteristics to boost patient outcomes effectively.For better ENHL care,future studies could shed light on these disparities and improve treatment regimens as needed.

Nurses' and students' perception of risk from medical practices

Objectives: To determine the risk perceptions of a series of medical practices in non-expert (un-dergraduates) and expert (nurses) samples.Methods: Four hundred and forty-seven nurses and 246 undergraduate students participated in this study. They all answered questionnaires about the risk dimensions and acceptance for medical practices. Results: An exploratory factor analysis on participants' answers to various dimensions of risk yielded a two-factor structure for risk perception in both samples: for nurses, the factors were"Unknown"and"Dread,"while for students, they were"Dread"and"Lack of Independence."For both nurses and stu-dents, the factor scores of Dread negatively related to individual risk acceptance of medical practices. Furthermore, nurses tended to be more accepting of practices that they knew well (i.e., low Unknown scale scores). For students, the subscale scores of the Lack of Independence factor negatively related to individual risk acceptance only for health examination practices. Nurses conceived risks more correctly and concretely compared to students. This was especially pronounced for practices related to medication use. Conclusions: Although both nurses and students conceived various risk contents from medical practices, their conceptions still differed. Knowledge of these differences in the structure of risk perception and conceived risk contents of various medical practices between nurses and students could be utilized to improve risk communication in clinical practice.

The Influence of Foliage Plants on Psychological and Physiological Responses

This research aims to clarify the significance of incorporating visual stimulation, in the form of foliage plants, into office desktop spaces. The experiments were conducted in a thermal environment with a temperature range that was slightly uncomfortable. The indoor thermal environment evaluation index ETF was used to measure the effects that brain stimulation of foliage plants have on comprehensive thermal senses. We focus on visual stimulation with foliage plants, and quantitatively measure shifts in thermal senses that affect the body. Thermal environment conditions were established with air temperature in three stages (25℃, 28℃ and 31℃) and the atmosphere was kept homogeneous with wall surface temperature equal to air temperature. The visual stimulations consisted of seven types of office desk image: benjamin, pothos, oxycardium, baby tears, moss ball, cacti, and no plant. At around 27℃ to 29℃ ETF, improvements in thermal sensation, as measured by thermal sensation statements, were shown to have resulted from visual stimulation benefits. Also, at around 26℃ to 29℃ ETF, improvements in comfort were shown, due to visual stimulation benefits as well, in subjects’ comfortable-sensation statements. This benefit was significant when a foliage plant’s green coverage ratio came between 0.75% and 4.67%, the range which does not create an overwhelming feeling from the foliage plant.

Ecological correlates of sport and exercise participation among Thai adolescents:A hierarchical examination of a cross-sectional population survey

Background:Understanding factors influencing adolescents’ sport/exercise participation(S/EP) is vital to developing effective interventions,but currently,evidence from less developed countries is limited.The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of S/EP across individual,interpersonal,and environmental levels in a nationally representative sample of Thai adolescents.Methods:Data from 4617 Thai adolescents aged 14-17 years old were obtained from recruited schools across Thailand.Data on S/EP(outcome variable),and psychosocial,home,and community environment covariates were collected from individual adolescents using the Thailand Physical Activity Children Survey,Student Questionnaire.School environmental data were collected at the school level using a School Built Environment Audit.Hierarchical regressions taking into account school clustering effects were applied for data analysis.Results:At the individual level,age and body mass index were independently and strongly correlated with S/EP.Adolescents with high preference for physical activity(PA)(odd ratio(OR)=1.71,p <0.001) and at least a moderate level of self-efficacy(OR=1.33,p=0.001) were more likely to have high S/EP.At the interpersonal level,adolescents whose parents joined their sports/exercise at least 1-2 times/week(OR=1.36,p=0.003) received>3 types of parental support(OR=1.43,p=0.005) and who received siblings’(OR=1.26,p=0.004) and friends’(OR=1.99,p <0.001) support had a greater chance of high S/EP.At the environmental level,adolescents’ S/EP was greater when there were at least 3-4 pieces of home sport/exercise equipment(OR=2.77,p=0.003),grass areas at school(OR=1.56,p <0.001),and at least 1-2 PA facilities in the community(OR=1.30,p=0.009).Conclusion:Multiple factors at different levels within an ecological framework influencing Thai adolescents’ S/EP were generally similar to those found in developed countries,despite some differences.For those interested in promoting and supporting Thai adolescents’ engagement in sports/exercise,further exploration of the influence of self-efficacy and attitude toward PA is required at the individual level;parental and peer support at the interpersonal level;and home sport equipment,school grass areas,and neighborhood PA facilities at the environment level.

Vocal repertoire of the critically endangered whiteheaded langur(Trachypithecus leucocephalus): Call types, acoustic structures, and related social-ecological contexts

DEAR EDITOR,We examined the vocal repertoire of the critically endangered white-headed langur(Trachypithecus leucocephalus)inhabiting karst limestone forests in China.We identified 17 call types across all age/sex classes based on human auditory perception,spectrogram assessment,and quantitative analysis of 25 acoustic parameters extracted from 409 high-quality calls.In total,11 types of calls produced by adults corresponded to the simple one-male multi-female social groups of white-headed langurs.

Short-term effectiveness of high-and low-intensity percutaneous electrolysis in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome:A pilot study

BACKGROUND Unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome(PFPS)is the most frequently diagnosed knee condition in populations aged<50 years old.Although the treatment of myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)is a common and effective tool for reducing pain,previous studies showed no additional benefits compared with placebo in populations with PFPS.Percutaneous electrolysis is a minimally invasive approach frequently used in musculotendinous pathologies which consists of the application of a galvanic current through dry needling(DN).AIM To evaluate changes in sensitivity,knee pain perception and perceived pain during the application of these three invasive techniques.METHODS A triple-blinded,pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted on fifteen patients with unilateral PFPS who were randomized to the high-intensity percutaneous electrolysis(HIPE)experimental group,low-intensity percutaneous electrolysis(LIPE)experimental group or DN active control group.All interventions were conducted in the most active MTrP,in the rectus femoris muscle.The HIPE group received a 660 mA galvanic current for 10 s,the LIPE group 220 mA×30 s and the DN group received no galvanic current.The MTrP and patellar tendon pain pressure thresholds(PPTs)and subjective anterior knee pain perception(SAKPP)were assessed before,after and 7 d after the single intervention.In addition,perceived pain during the intervention was also assessed.RESULTS Both groups were comparable at baseline as no significant differences were found for age,height,weight,body mass index,PPTs or SAKPP.No adverse events were reported during or after the interventions.A significant decrease in SAKPP(both HIPE and LIPE,P<0.01)and increased patellar tendon PPT(all,P<0.001)were found,with no differences between the groups(VAS:F=0.30;η2=0.05;P>0.05;tendon PPT immediate effects:F=0.15;η2=0.02;P>0.05 and tendon PPT 7-d effects:F=0.67;η2=0.10;P>0.05).A significant PPT increase in rectus femoris MTrP was found at follow-up in both the HIPE and LIPE groups(both,P<0.001)with no differences between the groups(immediate effects:F=1.55;η2=0.20;P>0.05 and 7-d effects:F=0.71;η2=0.10;P>0.05).Both HIPE and LIPE interventions were considered less painful compared with DN(F=8.52;η2=0.587;P<0.01).CONCLUSION HIPE and LIPE induce PPT changes in MTrPs and patellar tendon and improvements in SAKPP,and seem to produce less pain during the intervention compared with DN.

Mental health of mothers and their premature infants for the prevention of child abuse and maltreatment

Birth of preterm infants is a stressful event for their parents, particularly for mothers. The mothers of preterm infants often feel hard to relate their infants because they have separated since their first days after delivery. Long term separation and less attractive, less responsive appearance of preterm infants also make it difficult to build mother-child relationships. In addition, the mothers of preterm infants are likely to have mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. The mothers’ psychiatric illnesses affect the psychosocial development of preterm infants and are often regarded as a risk factor for child abuse and maltreatment in later life. Child abuse and maltreatment are also prevalent among preterm infants than the full term infants. Intervention from the early period of preterm birth is an important issue for both preterm infants and their mothers. Medical and co-medical professionals should pay attention to developmental outcome of preterm as well as psychosocial conditions of their mothers for the improvement of their mental health.

A 100% Water Mobile Phase HPLC-PDA Analysis of Meamine and Related Analogues

This paper describes a reserved-phase high performance liquid chromatographic method for detecting melamine (MEL) and related analogues, cyanuric acid (CYA), ammeline (AML), and ammelide (AMD), using a 100% water mobile phase. Chromatographic separation was performed an Inertsil? ODS-4 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with a water mobile phase and a photodiode-array detector. The monitoring wavelength was adjusted to 210 nm which represents an average maximum for all the analytes. The total run time was < 8 min. The method shows high stability, significant linearity and satisfactory sensitivity. The detection limits were established in the range 23 - 46 ng.mL–1. An inexpensive and harmless method for the simultaneous detection of MEL, CYA, AML, and AMD was developed and may be further applied to the quantification in foods.

Differentiation and functional connectivity of fetal tectal transplants

Data from studies analyzing the differentiation and functional connectivity of embryo nic neural tissue grafted into the mammalian nervous system has led to the clinical testing of the fetal graft approach in patients with neurodegenerative disease.While some success has been achieved,ethical concerns have led to a search for alternative therapeutic strategies,mostly exploring the use of neural precursors or neurons derived from pluripotent stem cells to replace damaged host neurons and restore lost circuitries.These more recent studies address questions of graft viability,differentiation,and connectivity similar to those posed by researchers in earlier fetal transplant work,thus reviews of the fetal graft literature may inform and help guide ongoing research in the stem cell/organoid field.This brief review describes some key observations from research into the transplantation of neural tissue into the rat visual syste m,focusing on grafts of the fetal supe rior colliculus(tectal grafts) into neonatal or adult hosts.In neonate hosts,grafts quickly develop connections with the underlying host mid b rain and attain a morphology typical of mature grafts by about 2 weeks.G rafts consistently contain numerous localized regions which,based on neurofibrillar staining,neuronal morphology(Golgi),neurochemistry,receptor expression,and glial architecture,are homologous to the stratum griseum supe rficiale of normal superior colliculus.These localized "patches" are also seen after explant culture and when donor tectal tissue is dissociated and reaggregated prior to transplantation.In almost all circumstances,host retinal innervation is restricted to these localized patches,but only those that are located adjacent to the graft surfa ce.Synapses are formed and there is evidence of functional drive.The only exception occurs when Schwann cells are added to dissociated tecta prior to reaggregation.In these co-grafts,the peripheral glia appear to compete with local target fa ctors and host retinal ingrowth is more widespread.Other afferent systems(e.g.,host co rtex,serotonin) show different patterns of innervation.The host cortical input originates more from extrastriate regions and establishes functional excitato ry synapses with grafted neurons.Finally,when grafted into optic tra ct lesions in adult rat hosts,spontaneously regrowing host retinal axons retain the capacity to selectively innervate the localized patches in embryonic tectal grafts,showing that the specific affinities between adult retinal axons and their targets are not lost during regeneration.While the research described here provides some pertinent information about development and plasticity in visual pathways,a more general aim is to highlight how the review of the extensive fetal graft lite rature may aid in an appreciation of the positive(and negative) fa ctors that influence survival,differentiation,connectivity and functionality of engineered cells and organoids transplanted into the central nervous system.