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At least 1,189 records · Page 66Linked to original sources
PubMed1974

Histological studies on the vestibular organ of frog embryos and larvae after simulated weightlessness.

The ontology of gravity receptors is discussed. As well as phylogenetic aspects of the question, we may ask whether the different gravity receptors in plants and animals derive from the same source; did they evolve from a general sensitivity of the living cell or do they represent parallel inventions. One may also ask whether during ontogeny of the receptor it receives information from gravity or whether the development of function of the organ is an autonomous process. In many cases ontogeny shows traces of phylogeny. Statoliths, e.g. the differentiating statolith membranes of the frog embryo, look somewhat like sedimentational structures. Furthermore the amphibian embryo in its relatively early stages takes up a special position in relation to the direction of gravity. Which mechanism is involved here? The materials studied were frog embryos and larvae which developed within a fast rotating clinostat. The results may help to answer the question as to whether the differentiation of the frog statolith membrane is an autonomous process.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Stated preferences for the removal of physical pain resulting from permanently disabling occupational injuries. A contingent valuation study of Taiwan.

Within the process of calculating the true costs of illness, physical pain is a component of intangible, or human, costs. One method of estimating the monetary value of such costs is the 'contingent valuation method' (CVM), a stated preference method based upon the elicitation of levels of willingness to pay (WTP) facilitated through surveys. This study is amongst the first of its kind to apply CVM to the estimation of the cost of the removal of physical pain resulting from permanently disabling occupational injuries. We assume that a painkilling drug has been invented to mitigate physical pain with the advantages of validity and instantaneity, and without any side effects. The WTP of each of the respondents is determined by a two-step sequential-bidding process. The maximum WTP under log normal distribution was NT 1791 US dollars/day (65.1 US dollars), whilst under Weibull distribution it was NT 1913 US dollars/day (69.6 US dollars). Older respondents, those with higher household income, fall injuries, longer periods of hospitalization, or with a perceived demand for the painkilling drug in excess of one day, displayed a positive independent effect on the eliciting of their WTP. In addition, respondents with higher 'out-of-pocket' expenses, or where the interview took place 2 years or more after the injury occurred, responded with a lower WTP.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A longitudinal 3-dimensional size and shape comparison of untreated Class I and Class II subjects.

BACKGROUND: The invention of the Broadbent-Bolton cephalometer in 1925 made possible the collection of 3-dimensional data from biorthogonal plain film head radiographs. The objective of this study was to compare longitudinal changes in the shape and size of craniofacial structures between 16 untreated Class II Division 1 girls and 16 untreated Class I Bolton girls. METHODS: Procrustes analyses were used to compare differences in 30 cephalometric landmarks that were 3-dimensional. The same methods were also used to analyze changes of 4 subsets of landmarks (maxilla, mandible, midface, and cranial vault). Comparisons included shape and size differences between adjacent age groups at ages 6, 11, and 15 in the Class II sample as well as between the Class I and Class II samples at each age. RESULTS: Overall, the craniofacial complex underwent continuous shape change from ages 6 to 15 in both samples. In the Class II sample, the smallest contribution to craniofacial shape change was seen for the mandibular landmarks between ages 6 and 11. Compared with the Class I sample, the Class II sample had (1) a longer facial pattern, (2) the smallest mandibular shape difference at age 6 and the largest at age 15, and (3) more protrusive maxillary landmarks at all ages compared with the Class I sample. The Class II sample also had the largest change in size from ages 11 to 15 (6.5%), whereas the Class I sample showed the greatest size change (10.5%) from ages 6 to 11. CONCLUSIONS: Clinically significant size and shape differences were observed during growth and development between Class II and Class I subjects in this sample.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Orthodontics in 3 millennia. Chapter 5: the American Board of Orthodontics, Albert Ketcham, and early 20th-century appliances.

Early in the last century, 3 events put Colorado in the orthodontic spotlight: the discovery-by an orthodontist-of the caries-preventive powers of fluoridated water, the formation of dentistry's first specialty board, and the founding of a supply company by and for orthodontists. Meanwhile, inventive practitioners were giving the profession more choices of treatment modalities, and stainless steel was making its feeble debut.

Fluoridation↗
PubMed2006

Orthodontics in 3 millennia. Chapter 7: Facial analysis before the advent of the cephalometer.

The cephalometer was not invented in a vacuum. It was the culmination of centuries of efforts on the part of artists, anthropologists, and scientists to fathom nature's vicissitudes. Whereas Renaissance investigators "caged" the human face in a series of grids in an effort to find proportional relations, 20th-century orthodontists were more interested in knowing how the teeth and jaws related to the face and cranial base. Primarily a research tool, the cephalometer became a means of unmasking a patient's whole developmental pattern, becoming our most important diagnostic tool since study models.

Art↗
PubMed2004

Methods of assessment of the arterial pulse wave in normal human pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: The study was undertaken to obtain normal values for characteristics of the peripheral arterial pulse wave, in nonpregnant women and in pregnant women at three different stages of gestation, with two devices, to describe cardiovascular hemodynamic variables induced by pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty pregnant women were enrolled in the study at three stages of pregnancy, 17 to 20 weeks, 25 to 28 weeks, and 33 to 36 weeks gestation. Results are presented for 53 of these subjects who remained normotensive throughout pregnancy. The values measured were compared with those from 10 nonpregnant women. The two devices used were the SphygmoCor and a monitor invented and developed by Professor Edward Hon, not yet commercially available, referred to in this article as the "Hon" monitor. RESULTS: An increase in heart rate was observed in all pregnant women. Blood pressure values were lower in pregnancy than in normal nonpregnant women. With respect to the SphygmoCor, the time from the start of the arterial waveform to the second peak/shoulder, was significantly shorter, and augmentation pressure and augmentation index were significantly lower in pregnancy. Data obtained from the "Hon" monitor showed no significant differences in pulse wave arrival time, but rapid ejection time was significantly shortened in pregnancy. CONCLUSION: The clinical findings confirm the known cardiovascular changes of pregnancy associated with vasodilatation of peripheral vessels and expansion of blood volume. The fall in augmentation pressure and index are consistent with these changes. Rapid ejection time and the time from the start of the arterial waveform to the second peak/shoulder, which should reflect similar cardiovascular physiologic events, were weakly correlated.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Fixation of a talar osteochondral fracture with cyanoacrylate glue.

Cyanoacrylate glue was invented by Ardis in 1949 and was first used in surgery in 1959 by Coover. By further modifications, a nonhistotoxic form, butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, which had strong tissue binding properties even in nondry environments, was developed. Its use in the fixation of fractures and osteotomies is still under investigation and has had promising results in treatment of craniofacial and mandibular injuries. We fixed a talar osteochondral fracture with cyanoacrylate. After 3 months, magnetic resonance imaging showed an anatomically reduced and intact chondral surface. The clinical result was excellent. We believe cyanoacrylate glue may form an alternative means of fixation for osteochondral and, possibly, for chondral fractures.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Development and application of an inside-to-out drill bit for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

We report a novel drilling device for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction that has been developed. We invented a special inside-to-out drill bit that can make a bone socket in an inside-to-out fashion. A blade at the tip of a 4.5-mm diameter drill bit closes when the drill bit is in orthograde rotation, but the blade opens when the drill bit is in reverse rotation. The special drill bit is introduced into the joint through a 4.5-mm diameter bone tunnel rotating the bit in the orthograde direction. Then the drill bit is switched to reverse rotation and is pulled backward so that it bores the bone from the inside out. We have used this special drill bit in treating 31 ACL-injured knees and have experienced no problems or complications with the procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Advances in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Initial pioneering efforts of direct coronary artery bypass were all performed on a beating heart. Although originally introduced into cardiac surgery for the repair of intracardiac defects, the ability of John Gibbon's heart-lung machine to create a motionless, bloodless operative field catalyzed coronary artery bypass surgery. During the ensuing decades tens of millions of patients benefited from coronary revascularization on cardiopulmonary bypass. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the invention of the heart-lung machine the landscape of interventional treatment of coronary artery disease has shifted dramatically. Although instrumental in the genesis of the field of coronary revascularization, the role of the heart-lung machine has now diminished. Two thirds of all coronary revascularization is now performed by percutaneous approaches and one fourth of all coronary artery bypass grafting procedures are performed without the heart-lung machine. However owing to the complexity of patients now requiring revascularization as well as recently introduced incremental improvements to cardiopulmonary bypass including coated, low prime circuits, closed integrated systems, and pharmacologic adjuncts Gibbon's heart-lung machine will continue to play an integral role in this field.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed2004

The evolutionary development of the protein complement of photosystem 2.

During the transition from anoxygenic to oxygenic photosynthesis, the Type 2 reaction center underwent many changes, none so dramatic as the remarkable increase in complexity at the protein level, from only three or four subunits in the anoxygenic reaction center to possibly more than 25 in Photosystem 2 (PS2). The evolutionary source of most of these proteins is enigmatic, as they have no apparent homology to any other proteins in existing databases. However, some of the proteins in PS2 have apparent homologies to each other, suggesting ancient gene duplications have played an important role in the development of the complex. These homologies include the well-known examples of the D1 and D2 reaction center core proteins and the CP43 and CP47 core antenna proteins. In addition, PsbE and PsbF, the two subunits comprising cytochrome b-559, show homology to each other, suggesting that a homodimeric cytochrome preceded the heterodimeric one. Other potential homologies that appear to be statistically significant include PsbV with the N-terminal part of D1 and PsbT with PsbI. Most of the proteins that make up the photosynthetic apparatus bear no relation to any other proteins from any source. This suggests that a period of remarkable evolutionary innovation took place when the ability to make oxygen was invented. This was probably a response to the production of highly toxic oxygen and these new proteins served to protect and repair the photosynthetic apparatus from the harmful effects of oxygen.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed2006

Simultaneous measurement of superoxide generation and intracellular Ca2+ concentration reveals the effect of extracellular Ca2+ on rapid and transient contents of superoxide generation in differentiated THP-1 cells.

We invented a simultaneous measuring instrument of fluorescence and chemiluminescence, realizing the analysis of chronological correlation between change in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and superoxide generation. A human monocytic cell line, THP-1, differentiated to be neutrophil-like cells generated superoxide with increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration when stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) whereas PMA, phorbol ester-stimulated superoxide response occurred without change in [Ca2+]i. The cells treated with TMB-8, an intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, generated superoxide rapidly as well as transiently with transient [Ca2+]i elevation after stimulation with fMLP, whereas EGTA-treated cells generated superoxide slowly as well as persistently with transient [Ca2+]i elevation after the stimulation. These results suggest that the rapid and transient contents of superoxide generation are specific for Ca2+ influx from the extracellular domain. Verapamil, voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel blocker, dose-dependently inhibited fMLP-stimulated extracellular Ca2+ influx and superoxide generation without affecting PMA-stimulated superoxide generation. Other channel blockers tested, nifedipine and diltiazem, similarly inhibited these fMLP-stimulated responses. Numerical analysis of the values of the response curves elucidated that TMB-8 or the channel blocker reveals or eliminates the same contents of superoxide generation by the antagonism of intracellular Ca2+ release or extracellular Ca2+ influx, respectively. Taking these results together, the characteristic extracellular Ca2+ influx essential for superoxide generation was first revealed by the simultaneous measurement of superoxide generation and change in [Ca2+]i.

Calcium↗
PubMed2006

Quantum-like brain: "Interference of minds".

We present a contextualist statistical realistic model for quantum-like representations in physics, cognitive science, and psychology. We apply this model to describe cognitive experiments to check quantum-like structures of mental processes. The crucial role is played by interference of probabilities for mental observables. Recently one such experiment based on recognition of images was performed. This experiment confirmed our prediction on the quantum-like behavior of mind. In our approach "quantumness of mind" has no direct relation to the fact that the brain (as any physical body) is composed of quantum particles. We invented a new terminology "quantum-like (QL) mind." Cognitive QL-behavior is characterized by a nonzero coefficient of interference lambda. This coefficient can be found on the basis of statistical data. There are predicted not only cos theta-interference of probabilities, but also hyperbolic cosh theta-interference. This interference was never observed for physical systems, but we could not exclude this possibility for cognitive systems. We propose a model of brain functioning as a QL-computer (there is a discussion on the difference between quantum and QL computers).

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Analysis of 109 Japanese children's lip and nose shapes using 3-dimensional digitizer.

We assessed lip and nose shapes, which played an important role in performance evaluations, before and after cleft lip and nose surgery. We used a noncontact-type semiconductor laser 3-dimensional measurement system on normal Japanese children to obtain 3-dimensional images of noses and lips, which were accurate enough to measure facial shapes. We could rotate these images on the computer, therefore we measured the following points: the distance between the peaks of the Cupid's bow and the width of the labial fissure (frontal view), and the width of the nose and the nasal tip protrusion (basal view). Lip and nose shapes were evaluated for each gender. Additionally, nasolabial angles (NLA) were measured on the lateral views of faces. We classified the morphology of the philtral columns into four types; (1) triangular type, (2) parallel type, (3) concave type, and (4) flat type. We also classified nostril shapes into four types: (1) teardrop type, (2) heart shaped type, (3) round type, and (4) triangular type. We calculated the average of the 3-dimensional coordinate values for each landmark, and created standard facial models of normal Japanese children. Moreover, we invented a new morphological evaluation method before and after cleft lip and nose surgery, using the 3-dimensional data converting and editing software. The method was more feasible to evaluate the assessment cleft lip and nose surgery, by quantifying the surface areas of right and left nostrils and the surface areas of upper and lower vermilions, even now by measuring with the eyes and comparing them.

Anthropometry↗
PubMed2006

An easy preparation of 'monolithic type' hydrophilic solid phase: capability for affinity resin to isolate target proteins.

An easy preparation method of monolithic type hydrophilic solid phase was discussed. Newly invented functional monomer with a hydrophilic cross-linking agent was co-polymerized to realize well-controlled monolithic co-continuous structure by use of diethylene glycol as porogenic solvent. We were able to control the content of the functional monomer up to 40 vol% without loss of monolithic structure. Those prepared were utilized as affinity resins after immobilization of FK506, an immunosuppressive drug as a ligand. It was found that the affinity resins prepared were hydrophilic enough to eliminate non-specific adsorption of proteins, while two of the target proteins of FK506 tested were successfully captured.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2004

An overview of the biophysical applications of atomic force microscopy.

The potentialities of the atomic force microscopy (AFM) make it a tool of undeniable value for the study of biologically relevant samples. AFM is progressively becoming a usual benchtop technique. In average, more than one paper is published every day on AFM biological applications. This figure overcomes materials science applications, showing that 17 years after its invention, AFM has completely crossed the limits of its traditional areas of application. Its potential to image the structure of biomolecules or bio-surfaces with molecular or even sub-molecular resolution, study samples under physiological conditions (which allows to follow in situ the real time dynamics of some biological events), measure local chemical, physical and mechanical properties of a sample and manipulate single molecules should be emphasized.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Properties of the proton-evoked currents and their modulation by Ca2+ and Zn2+ in the acutely dissociated hippocampus CA1 neurons.

The characterization of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC)-like currents has been reported in hippocampal neurons in primary culture. However, it is suggested that the profile of expression of ASICs changes in culture. In this study, we investigated the properties of proton-activated current and its modulation by extracellular Ca(2+) and Zn(2+) in neurons acutely dissociated from the rat hippocampal CA1 using conventional whole-cell patch-clamp recording. A rapidly decaying inward current and membrane depolarization was induced by exogenous application of acidic solution. The current was sensitive to the extracellular proton with a response threshold of pH 7.0-6.8 and the pH(50) of 6.1, the reversal potential close to the Na(+) equilibrium potential. It had a characteristic of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) as demonstrated by its sensitivity to amiloride (IC(50)=19.6+/-2.1 microM). Either low [Ca(2+)](o) or high [Zn(2+)](o) increased the amplitude of the current. All these characteristics are consistent with a current mediated through a mixture of homomeric ASIC1a and heteromeric ASIC1a+2a channels and closely replicate many of the characteristics that have been previously reported for hippocampal neurons cultured for a week or more, indicating that culture artifacts do not necessarily flaw the properties of ASICs. Interestingly, we found that high [Zn(2+)](o) (>10(-4) M) slowed the decay time constant of the ASIC-like current significantly in both acutely dissociated and cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, the facilitating effects of low [Ca(2+)](o) and high [Zn(2+)](o) on the ASIC-like current were not additive. Since tissue acidosis, extracellular Zn(2+) elevation and/or Ca(2+) reduction occur concurrently under some physiological and/or pathological conditions, the present observations suggest that hippocampal ASICs may offer a novel pharmacological target for therapeutic invention.

Acid Sensing Ion Channels↗
PubMed2005

Outlining the nascent nervous system of Branchiostoma floridae (amphioxus) by the pan-neural marker AmphiElav.

The cephalochordate amphioxus is the closest living relative of the vertebrates. The anatomy and development of the amphioxus nervous system is giving insights into the basic chordate neural organisation, prior to the increase in neural complexity that characterised the origin of vertebrates. We have analysed the expression of the pan-neural marker AmphiElav in the Florida lancelet (Branchiostoma floridae) through development and up to larval stages. AmphiElav is expressed in the developing neural tube with particular temporal and spatial dynamics that correlate with neuronal differentiation. In addition, AmphiElav is expressed in isolated epidermal cells from mid-neurula embryos. This epidermal expression probably corresponds to precursors of sensory neurons. Together with data from other neural markers, we discuss the evolutionary relevance of these neural precursors to the origin of some of the most dramatic vertebrate inventions, neural crests and placodes.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Managing resistance to change: the social worker's role in case management.

From time to time in my responsibilities as a medical social worker, I become involved with a "complicated" case. Translation: a case was referred to the social worker to intervene and "fix" the problem because no one else knew what to do with the client or the issues surrounding the client. Necessity is the mother of invention, so when all else failed, that was my cue to be creative.

Adaptation, Psychological↗