Technology for mobility in SCI 10 years from now

OBJECTIVES

To identify technological advances and that are likely to have a great impact on the quality of life and participation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHODS

In this paper we use the International Classification of Function to frame a discussion on how technology is likely to impact SCI in 10 years. In addition, we discuss the implication of technological advances on future research.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

Although technology advances are exciting, a large challenge for the research community will be how to effectively apply and deploy this technology. Advances occurring in the next 10 years that reduce cost of technology may be more important to the population with SCI than brand new technologies. Social context is everything. As a research community we must advocate for better systems of care. Advocating now for better care will lead to a world in 2020 that is ready to adopt new technologies that are truly transformative.

Phylogeography of microbial phototrophs in the dry valleys of the high Himalayas and Antarctica

High-elevation valleys in dry areas of the Himalayas are among the most extreme, yet least explored environments on Earth. These barren, rocky valleys are subjected to year-round temperature fluctuations across the freezing point and very low availability of water and nutrients, causing previous workers to hypothesize that no photoautotrophic life (primary producers) exists in these locations. However, there has been no work using modern biogeochemical or culture-independent molecular methods to test the hypothesis that photoautotrophs are absent from high Himalayan soil systems. Here, we show that although microbial biomass levels are as low as those of the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, there are abundant microbial photoautotrophs, displaying unexpected phylogenetic diversity, in barren soils from just below the permanent ice line of the central Himalayas. Furthermore, we discovered that one of the dominant algal clades from the high Himalayas also contains the dominant algae in culture-independent surveys of both soil and ice samples from the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, revealing an unexpected link between these environmentally similar but geographically very distant systems. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses demonstrated that although this algal clade is globally distributed to other high-altitude and high-latitude soils, it shows significant genetic isolation by geographical distance patterns, indicating local adaptation and perhaps speciation in each region. Our results are the first to demonstrate the remarkable similarities of microbial life of arid soils of Antarctica and the high Himalayas. Our findings are a starting point for future comparative studies of the dry valleys of the Himalayas and Antarctica that will yield new insights into the cold and dry limits to life on Earth.

A morphological approach to the simulation of forearm motion

Computer-based simulations support surgeons in preoperative planning of osteotomy and assessing the improvement of the forearm motion. To this end, an in-silico model of patient-specific forearm kinematics is required. In this paper we introduce a motion model of the forearm which is based on a patient's joint morphology, the form and shape of the joints. The morphology of the articulations is represented by 3-dimensional splines. In this way the gliding motion of the articulations is expressed analytically in a closed-form. Our algorithm was designed to work with available clinical planning data and requires minimal user interaction. This allows an integration in computer-aided planning systems that are operated by surgeons. The accuracy of the simulation results is verified via cadaver experiments.

Cellular mechanisms of beta-carotene-induced gastric cytoprotection in indomethacin-treated rats

Indomethacin (IND) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent which is widely used in the treatment of various inflammatory disorders. The drug causes gastrointestinal injury in humans and experimental animals. The aim of these studies was to examine the time course correlation between the macroscopic appearance of mucosal damage, tissue level of PGE(2) and adenosine nucleotide metabolism during the development of indomethacin (IND)-induced mucosal damage and its prevention by beta-carotene.The observations were carried out on both sexes of CFY-strain rats, weighing 180-200 g. Gastric mucosal damage was produced by subcutaneous administration of IND (20 mg/kg). beta-Carotene (Hoffman-La Roche, Switzerland) was given intragastrically at the time of IND administration at doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg. The animals were sacrificed at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 h after IND administration when the number and severity of mucosal lesions were noted and the tissue levels of ATP, ADP, AMP, cAMP, lactate and PGE(2) were measured from the total homogenate of gastric mucosa. The ratio of ADP/ATP, the values of the adenylate pool (ATP+ADP+AMP), and 'energy charge' [(ATP+0.5ADP)/(ATP+ADP+AMP)] were calculated.It was found that: (a) gastric mucosal lesions appear macroscopically 2 h after IND administration; (b) the tissue level of ATP decreased, while ADP was increased 1 h after administration; (c) the most significant decrease in cAMP was found 1 h after IND administration, and thereafter its level returned to baseline; (d) beta-carotene dose-dependently prevented the IND-induced mucosal damage and elevated the cAMP level, but it did not alter the mucosal PGE(2) level 3 or 4 h after IND administration; (e) beta-carotene produced an elevation in ATP and a decrease in ADP level; (f) no significant changes were found in 'energy charge' of the gastric mucosa in IND-treated animals.The development of gastric mucosal damage due to IND was associated with increased energy liberation, i.e. transformation of ATP into ADP, and decreased ATP-cAMP transformation. The significant decrease in cAMP preceded the macroscopic appearance of mucosal damage. The increase in ATP-cAMP transformation is involved in the development of beta-carotene-induced gastric cytoprotection.

Nuclear receptors, transcription factors linking lipid metabolism and immunity: the case of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma

Exposure to lipids has a major effect on mammalian cells. Naturally, it has a profound impact on their metabolism, but it can also significantly alter their cellular and molecular phenotypes and responses. This latter is via specific signalling pathways leading to alterations in the expression of genes and gene networks. Multicellular organisms utilize a specialized group of proteins to detect and transduce lipid signals to the level of the expression of the genome. These proteins, termed nuclear hormone receptors, are lipid-activated transcription factors regulating gene expression upon binding of small fatty ligands. In this review, we discuss the role and contribution of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) to macrophage and dendritic cell biology and also to gut epithelial cell function. We discuss how using different experimental systems and approaches the pathways activating the receptor and its target genes can be identified and complex biological processes unravelled. It appears that PPAR gamma is part of the macrophage's response to pathogenic lipoproteins and it coordinately regulates lipid uptake and efflux. Intriguingly, in another cell type of the immune system, dendritic cells, the receptor has overlapping, but distinct functions. In these cells, activation of PPAR gamma leads to altered immune phenotype characterized by increased phagocytic capacity, antigen processing and lipid antigen presenting capacity. This nuclear hormone receptor links lipid metabolism and immune cell function and these links provide unique insights into the regulatory logic of normal physiological responses and certain pathologies, such as atherosclerosis, chronic inflammatory diseases and autoimmunity.

Comparison of body measurements of beef cows of different breeds

Abstract. Body measurements of 110 beef cows of 9 breeds (Hungarian Simmental, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus, Red Angus, Lincoln Red, Shaver, Charolais, Limousin and Blonde d’Aquitaine) were taken in December 2004. The absolute, relative measurements and measurement indices moreover correlations between age, live weight and measurements were evaluated and compared for the mentioned breeds. Animals in study were born between 1989 and 2002, kept on the same condition on peat-bog soil pasture at Keszthely. Significant differences (P<0.05) were found among breeds in most of the body measurements. Blonde d’ Aquitaine was the heaviest in live weight (638 kg), highest as for the height at withers (142.5 cm), height at rump (146.6 cm) and length of the body (151.5 cm). Limousin had longest measurements as for the length of the rump (47.4 cm) and width of the rump (58.3 cm). Shaver had the longest width between shoulders (52.9 cm) and width of the head (25.1 cm) while Lincoln Red the longest length of the head (52.8 cm). The correlations between live weight and measurements were medium or strong positive (r = 0.40–0.83), between age and measurements slight positive (r = 0.01–0.46), among the different measurements medium or strong positive (r = 0.22–0.81).

Filtering and contrast enhancement on subtracted direct digital angiograms

This work presents the results of a research related to medical image subtraction algorithms. The selected area is of direct digital X-ray angiography, where subtraction algorithms are the basis of most acquisition and reviewing protocols. The goal of this research is to analyze the currently existing image subtraction algorithms and to propose a new approach based on the experienced limitations, respectively to develop a new imaging technique that allows both contrast agent and radiation dose reduction. The enhancement of the subtraction algorithms is targeted by two means: a) noise reduction on image frames, b) identification of contrast agent injected regions. Both aspects will be studied based on the analysis of the spatio-temporal signal variation that image pixel intensities represent, therefore the resulting algorithm can not be used real time during image acquisition, but as a post processing technique during review. The temporal variation of pixel intensities was then analyzed and a patter check was followed to identify pixels being part of a contrast agent injected region. This information was used to highlight regions of interest and to increase the contrast in poorly injected areas.

Periodically interrupted amperometry. A way of improving analytical performance of membrane coated electrodes

Amperometry is a powerful voltammetric measuring method. Its application is specially advantageous when used in combination with a separation step or with some other sample treatment method providing selectivity. The selectivity is often achieved by coating the amperometric working electrode surface with a membrane of special character. Size exclusion membrane, immobilized enzyme containing reaction layer, protecting dialysis membrane, perm selective ion exchange film etc can be mentioned here. In conventional amperometry the measuring potential is continuously applied, therefore in case of membrane coated electrodes the electrode process depletes the diffusion layer. In this work the performance of a new periodically interrupted amperometric (PIA) measuring program has been investigated in case of glucose enzyme sensor. The measuring program allowing time for reloading the diffusion layer provided higher current and therefore improved sensitivity and lower limit of detection.

Characterization of complexes formed between [Me2Sn(IV)]2+ and carboxymethylcelluloses

Complexes formed between carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and the [Me(2)Sn(IV)]2+ cation have been prepared in the solid state and characterized by FTIR and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The complexes contained CMC with varying molar weight and degree of carboxylation, and the complexes were isolated both from acidic and from neutral solutions at varying metal-to-ligand ratios. The characteristic vibration bands of the ligands were identified from their pH-dependent FTIR spectra. In the organotin(IV) complexes obtained at pH approximately 2, the -COO- moieties were found to be coordinated in a monodentate manner, and the band characteristic of the protonated (unbound) -COO- group(s) was also identified. The broad -OH band can be interpreted as the sum of the contributions of the alcoholic -OH groups of the anhydroglucose units and the mixed organotin aqua complexes. In complexes obtained at pH approximately 7, the broad -OH band significantly sharpens, which is probably due to the metal-ion induced deprotonation and subsequent coordination of the alcoholic -OH groups. At the same time, -COO- groups are also involved in the coordination of the metal ions, resulting in a complicated network that forms through inter- and intramolecular bridges. Quadrupole splitting (/Delta(exp)/) values observed by Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that the valence state of tin is four in all of the complexes. The /Delta(exp)/ values were compared with the calculated ones, obtained from the pqs theory. From these data, trigonal bipyramidal (Tbp) and octahedral (Oh) geometries have been suggested for the complexes obtained. It has also been concluded that the structure of the complexes prepared depends mainly on the pH of the solution, and it is relatively insensitive to the other parameters, like molar mass or degree of carboxylation of the ligand, or the metal-to-ligand ratio in the reaction mixture.

Selective modulators of PPAR activity as new therapeutic tools in metabolic diseases

Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors (PPARs) are regulators of metabolic pathways mainly of lipid metabolism and energy balance. Their medical importance is given by the fact that they have been implicated in development of insulin resistance, obesity and atherosclerosis. In recent years, major progress has been made in understanding the molecular basis of the function of these receptors. As a result of structural studies and identification of putative natural as well as synthetic ligands and activators of PPARs a new concept emerged and new drugs are on their ways to the clinic. The concept of Selective PPAR Modulators (SPPARM) was suggested by analogy to Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERM). SPPARMs activate the receptors in distinct ways leading to differential gene expression and biological response. The key features in understanding their action is most likely at the molecular details of ligand binding and the subsequently induced conformational changes as well as cofactor binding. A key aspect of this is that unlike classical steroid hormone receptors such as the retinoic acid receptor, the PPAR receptors have a rather large ligand-binding pocket which is not filled with the ligand entirely and the ligand also stabilizes the receptor's structure. The liganded receptor can have distinct conformations and this leads to different binding affinities for the various cofactors (coactivators and corepressors). In this review, we will introduce this concept, review the literature that supports it and present an overview of the receptor selective ligands including data about their mechanism of action and biological effects.