Constriction Research Articles

Fatal attack on black-tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) by a Boa constrictor: a simultaneous assault on two juvenile monkeys.

Here we report the first witnessed attack on a marmoset by a constrictor snake. The incident occurred mid-morning in a gallery forest within an altered landscape of the Cerrado region of central Brazil and refers to a fatal attack by a Boa constrictor on two juvenile black-tufted-ear marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) simultaneously. The snake captured both individuals at a height of ~ 4 m while a group of eight marmosets traveled through the subcanopy. The actual strike was not seen. After 2 min, the boa fell to the ground with both marmosets in its coils and proceeded to kill one animal at a time through constriction. Two adult marmosets immediately descended to where the snake held its victims on the ground and attacked it. The snake showed no apparent reaction, and after ~ 1-2 min, the adults rejoined the remaining group members that were mobbing and vocalizing from 5 to 6 m above. The group left the scene ~ 7 min after the onset of the attack and was not seen again. The snake loosened its coils 10 min after its initial strike, left the two carcasses on the ground and stayed behind a nearby tree. Thus, we are not sure if the victims were in fact ingested. This report confirms that marmosets are vulnerable to boid snakes and capable of highly organized and cooperative antipredation behavior. It also suggests that snakes pose a greater threat to callitrichids than previously thought.

Anti-hyperalgesic effects of diclofenac and gabapentin in neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injured

Anti-hyperalgesic effects of diclofenac and gabapentin in neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injured

Effect of intrathecal ropivacaine on spinal HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression in rats with neuropathic pain

Objective To evaluate the effect of intrathecal ropivacaine on spinal histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 expression in the rats with neuropathic pain (NP). Methods Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, in which intrathecal catheters were successfully placed, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table: sham operation group (group S), group NP, and NP + ropivacaine group (group R). NP was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in anesthetized rats.Sciatic nerve was exposed and 4 loose ligatures were placed on the left sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals with 4-0 chromic catgut.Starting from 7th day after CCI, 0.25% ropivacaine 20 μl was injected intrathecally in group R, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead of ropivacaine in S and CCI groups once a day for 7 consecutive days.At 1 day before CCI (T0), and 3, 7, 10, 14, 17 and 21 days after CCI (T1-6), the mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured.After the pain threshold was measured at T4, 3 rats from each group were sacrificed, and their lumbar enlargements were harvested for determination of the expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 by Western blot. Results Compared with group S, the MWT was significantly decreased, and the TWL was shortened at T2-6, and the expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 was up-regulated at T4 in NP and R groups (P<0.05). Compared with group NP, the MWT was significantly increased at T4, and the TWL was prolonged at T3, 4, and the expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 was down-regulated at T4 in group R (P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which intrathecal ropivacaine alleviates NP may be related to inhibited up-regulation of spinal HDAC1 and HDAC2 expression in rats. Key words: Histone deacetylases; Spinal cord; Amides; Injection, spinal; Neuralgia

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen on expression of fractalkine in nerve tissues of rats with neuropathic pain

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperbaric oxygen on the expression of fractalkine (FKN) in the nerve tissues of rats with neuropathic pain (NP). Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 250-280 g, aged 10-12 weeks, were divided into 4 groups (n= 8 each) using the random number table: control group (group C), sham operation group (group S), group NP, and hyperbaric oxygen group (group H). NP was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) in anesthetized rats. The left sciatic nerve was exposed, and 4 loose ligatures were placed on the sciatic nerve at 1 mm intervals with 4-0 silk thread. Group H received hyperbaric oxygen therapy once a day for 5 consecutive days starting from day 1 after CCI. The rats were placed into the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which was pressurised to 2 atmosphere absolute at a rate of 10 kPa/min, and maintained at this level for 60 min. The pressure was then decreased to the normal pressure at a rate of 10 kPa/min. The mechanical paw withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal paw withdrawal latency (TWL) were measured at 1 day before CCI, and 3, 5, 7 and 14 days after CCI. After measurement of pain threshold at 3 and 7 days after CCI, 4 rats were selected and sacrificed. The sciatic nerve and lumbar segment of the spinal cord were removed for determination of the expression of FKN by Western blot. Results Compared with group C, the MWT was significantly decreased, and TWL was shortened at each time point after CCI, the expression of FKN in the sciatic nerve at 3 days after CCI, and in the sciatic nerve and spinal cord at 3 and 7 days after CCI was up-regulated in group NP (P 0.05). Compared with group NP, the MWT was significantly increased, and TWL was prolonged at each time point after CCI, and the expression of FKN in the sciatic nerve at 3 days after CCI, and in the sciatic nerve and spinal cord at 3 and 7 days after CCI was down-regulated in group H (P<0.05). Conclusion The mechanism by which hyperbaric oxygen mitigates NP is related to inhibition of over-expression of FKN in the nerve tissues of rats. Key words: Hyperbaric oxygenation; Neuralgia; Chemotactic factors

Preliminary evaluation of the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery in 300 cases

To evaluate the clinical outcome of the femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in our first 300 cases. In this retrospective study, the study group comprised 300 cases (300 eyes) in which FLACS was done. The control group comprised 300 cases (300 eyes) in which phacoemulsification was performed. The steps of the FLACS included capsulotomy, lens fragmentation, corneal incisions, and creation of incisions within the peripheral cornea to aid the correction of pre-existing astigmatism. After the FLACS, 2.2-mm coaxial micro-incision phacoemulsification and implantation of an intraocular lens were operated. The preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), the cumulative dissipated energy (CDE) of the phacoemulsification, and the parameters of the FLACS, including the docking time, the suction time and the laser time, were recorded. The complications of the FLACS were analyzed. The FLACS was successfully completed in 99.33% of the cases. The docking time was (24.6 ± 16.8) sec, the suction time was (101.27 ± 20.09) sec, and the laser time was (23.3 ± 5.5) sec. The most common complications of the FLACS included suction break (7/300, 2.33%), subconjunctival hemorrhage (58/300, 19.33%), pupillary constriction (47/300, 15.67%), incision at a wrong site (13/300, 4.33%), anterior capsular tag (17/300, 5.67%), decentration of the capsulorhexis (11/300, 3.67%), failure to split the lens nucleus (5/300, 1.67%), and posterior capsular ruptures (1/300, 0.33%). The CDE was 5.52 ± 5.18 in the FLACS group and 8.37 ± 7.91 in the traditional phaco group (P < 0.05). The UCVA was 0.12 ± 0.08 and 0.13 ± 0.11 at 1 month after the FLACS and traditional phaco, respectively (P > 0.05). Compared with the conventional phacoemulsification surgery, the FLACS can achieve less CDE and better early postoperative visual acuity. Long-term effects remain to be investigated.

Assessing pharyngeal function for brainstem stroke survivors with dysphagia using videofluoroscopy digital analysis

Objective To evaluate the effect of the modified balloon dilatation intervention on the pharyngeal constriction function of the brainstem stroke survivors with dysphagia using videofluoroscopy-based digital analysis. Methods Thirty brainstem stroke survivors with pharyngeal dysphagia were recruited and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group, with 15 in each. The treatment group was treated with the modified balloon dilatation in addition to the routine treatment of 30min, respectively, once a daily, 3 days a week, whiled a control group was treated with routine treatment of 30min twice a day, 3 days a week. Before and after the treatment, the rate and duration of pharyngeal constriction were measured in both groups. Results After the treatment, the rate of pharyngeal constriction in the treatment group was (0.20±0.030), (0.14±0.05) and (0.15±0.04) when swallowing thin liquid, thick liquid and pasty food, significantly better than before the treatment. The duration of the pharyngeal constriction was (990.34±96.14), (1010.47±133.64) and (1180.10±121.27) ms, respectively, also significantly better than before the treatment. In the control group, significant differences were also observed in the rate and duration of pharyngeal constriction before and after the treatment. Conclusions Digital analysis based on videofluoroscopy can be used to quantify swallowing function effectively, and the rate and duration of pharyngeal constriction can be used to evaluate the pharyngeal function before and after treatment. Key words: Stroke; Deglutition disorders; Videofluoroscopy; Balloon dilatation

The essential oil from Vanillosmopsis arborea Baker (Asteraceae) presents antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory, and sedative effects

Background: The essential oil from Vanillosmopsis arborea (EOVA) Baker is rich in (‐)‐α‐bisabolol. Investigations demonstrated its gastroprotective, larvicidal, and visceral antinociceptive activities. Aims: The present study aimed to elucidate the antinociceptive, anti‐inflammatory and sedative properties of the EOVA Baker in mice. Materials and Methods: The antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory activities were assessed using the abdominal constriction, formalin and carrageenan‐induced paw edema models,respectively. The sedative property was detected by the open‐field and sleeping time tests. Results were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by Student‐Newman–Keuls test. Results: EOVA, after intraperitoneal administration, produced an inhibition of the acetic acid‐induced writhing in mice. In addition, the same doses were able to inhibit both the early and late phases of the formalin‐induced nociception. EOVA produced inhibition in the carrageenan‐induced edema model, reduced the spontaneous motor activity and prolonged the sleeping time induced by pentobarbital. Conclusion: The experimental data demonstrated that EOVA showed antinociceptive,anti‐inflammatory, and sedative activities. Key words: Anti-inflammatory agents, antinociceptive agents, essential oils, sedative effect

Imaging characteristics of computed tomography examination in colon cancer combined with obstruction

Objective To summarize the imaging characteristics and clinical diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) examination in colon cancer combined with obstruction. Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with colon cancer combined with obstruction who were admitted to the Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital from June 2012 to March 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received abdomianl plain scan and dualphase enhanced scan of CT, and the imaging data were summarized. Results Of 33 patients with colon cancer combined with obstruction, obstruction was located at the ascending colon in 9 patients, hepatic flexure of the colon in 2 patients, colon transverse in 7 patients, splenic flexure of the colon in 3 patients, descending colon in 3 patients, sigmoid colon in 7 patients and proctosigmoid in 2 patients. Thirty-three patients had irregular and thickened colonic wall at the obstructive segment and irregular constriction of colonic lumen, with a mean coloric wall thickness of 1. 9 cm (range, 0. 6-3. 2 cm) . The length of constriction was 2. 0-3.0 cm in 3 patients, 3.1– 4.0 cm in 3 patients, 4.1-5. 0 cm in 11 patients, 5.1-8. 0 cm in 12 patients and more than 8. 0 cm in 4 patients. The mean length, diameter and mean diameter of the constriction of 33 patients were 5.8 cm, 0-0.5 cm and 0.2 cm. The performance at the junction of the normal wall and the stenosis was scuff syndrome in 7 patients and shoulder symptoms in 5 patients. Colonic dilatation above the obstructive segment was detected in 26 patients with multiple gasfluid levels and in 7 patients with mainly gas. Twenty-nine patients had colonic dilatation at the proximal end of obstruction with the diameter of right colonic dilatation of 6.0 cm, diameter of left colonic dilatation of 4.0 cm and colonic collapse at the distal end of obstruction. Thirty-three patients had different grades of cecal dilatation with a mean diameter of 6.9 cm. Three patients had ischemic colitis including 1 patient with colonic perforation and free underarm gas. The serosal invasion or organ involvement of colon cancer was detected in 25 patients with unclear boundary and cable-strip or nodular opacities. Fourteen patients had lymph node metastases, with surrounding tumor or retroperitoneal heterogeneous enhancement, sacvariable necrosis area, short-tempered edge of lymph node, bar-type exudation surrounding some of lymph node. There was 3 patients with hepatic metastases and 1 with pulmonary metastasis. Conclusion Irregular and thickened colonic wall , irregular constriction of colonic lumen, scuff syndrome and shoulder symptoms at the junction of the normal wall, colonic dilatation above the obstructive segment and multiple gas-fluid levels are mainly characterics of CT examination for colon cancer combined with obstruction. Key words: Colonic neoplasms; Intestinal obstruction; Computed tomography, X-ray

Clinical efficacy of correction of inverted nipples with an improved periductal dermofibrous flap of twisting and locking principles

Objective To explore effect of modified surgical method for correcting inverted nipple. Methods Eight patients with 15 sides of inverted nipple were collected. Three dermal flaps were designed in the position of 2, 6 and 10 o'clock of the areola, respectively. Subcutaneous tunnels were created among the flaps. The distal parts of dermal flaps were incised and transferred into basal part of another flap in a clockwise direction or counterclockwise direction. The secondary wounds were closed and the neck of nipple was constricted. In the surgical procedure, the mammary duct was kept intact. Results Eight cases of patients with 15 sides of inverted nipples received the modified surgical treatment were followed up for 12-36 months postoperatively. The results of six cases of patients with 11 sides were satisfied and two cases of patients with 4 sides recurred. In all cases the incisions were healed primarily, no nipple necrosis and infection, no blood supply and sensory disorders. Conclusions This surgical procedure not only provides a double support for eversion of nipple but keeps the breast duct intact as well. It is an ideal method for taking account of the nipple shape and function correction. Key words: Inverted nipple; Breast duct; Areola; Dermofibrous flaps

Guiding role of ultrasonography on the operation of spontaneous constriction of radial nerve

Objective To study the guiding role of ultrasonography to the operation of spontaneous constriction of radial nerve. Methods Six patients with spontaneous constriction of radial nerve were checked by ultrasound before operation to identify the number, position and morphological change of the constriction lesions of the radial nerve. The result was compared with the operation result. Results According to the ultrasonography results, 2 to 3 constriction lesions were found on the radial nerve of all the 6 patients. The ultrasonography description of the number, position and morphological change of the lesions was consistent with the operation result. After the operation, the radial nerve function of all the patients got recovered. Conclusions Ultrasonography examination before operation can identify the number, position and morphological change of the constriction lesions of the radial nerve, which has great value when planning the operation. Key words: Ultrasonography; Radial nerve; Constriction

Contribution and interaction of kinin receptors and dynorphin A in a model of trigeminal neuropathic pain in mice

Infraorbital nerve constriction (CION) causes hypersensitivity to facial mechanical, heat and cold stimulation in rats and mice and is a reliable model to study trigeminal neuropathic pain. In this model there is evidence that mechanisms operated by kinin B1 and B2 receptors contribute to heat hyperalgesia in both rats and mice. Herein we further explored this issue and assessed the role of kinin receptors in mechanical hyperalgesia after CION. Swiss and C57Bl/6 mice that underwent CION or sham surgery or dynorphin A (1–17) administration were repeatedly submitted to application of either heat stimuli to the snout or mechanical stimuli to the forehead. Treatment of the animals on the fifth day after CION surgery with DALBK (B1 receptor antagonist) or HOE-140 (B2 receptor antagonist), both at 0.01–1μmol/kg (i.p.), effectively reduced CION-induced mechanical hyperalgesia. Knockout mice for kinin B1, B2 or B1/B2 receptors did not develop heat or mechanical hyperalgesia in response to CION. Subarachnoid dynorphin A (1–17) delivery (15nmol/5μL) also resulted in orofacial heat hyperalgesia, which was attenuated by post-treatment with DALBK (1 and 3μmol/kg, i.p.), but was not affected by HOE-140. Additionally, treatment with an anti-dynorphin A antiserum (200μg/5μL, s.a.) reduced CION-induced heat hyperalgesia for up to 2h. These results suggest that both kinin B1 and B2 receptors are relevant in orofacial sensory nociceptive changes induced by CION. Furthermore, they also indicate that dynorphin A could stimulate kinin receptors and this effect seems to contribute to the maintenance of trigeminal neuropathic pain.

Congenital constriction ring of limbs in subjects with history of maternal substance use.

Congenital Constriction Ring (CCR) is a rare malformation which manifests itself in the form of ring-like constrictive bands. Due to its heterogeneous nature, its etiology remains unclear. Here, we present a series of seven independent individuals afflicted with CCR, which primarily involved the digits. The phenotypic manifestations included terminal phalangeal reduction, anonychia, digit hypoplasia, and acrosyndactyly. Mesoaxial digits in hands and preaxial digits in feet were most frequently affected. Camptodactyly and clubfoot were witnessed in four and one subject, respectively. Curiously, mothers of six of these subjects revealed that they consumed copious amounts of Multani mitti(Fuller's clay) and/or Naswar(nonsmoke-tobacco), during their respective pregnancies. Maternal substance use during pregnancy is not an unusual practice, however, its relationship with CCR as pregnancy outcome remains unexplored. Case-control studies are warranted to elucidate the relationship between the exposure to these substances and the etiology of CCR and/or other limb defects in the offspring.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling improves occurrence and detection estimates of invasive burmese pythons.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are used to detect DNA that is shed into the aquatic environment by cryptic or low density species. Applied in eDNA studies, occupancy models can be used to estimate occurrence and detection probabilities and thereby account for imperfect detection. However, occupancy terminology has been applied inconsistently in eDNA studies, and many have calculated occurrence probabilities while not considering the effects of imperfect detection. Low detection of invasive giant constrictors using visual surveys and traps has hampered the estimation of occupancy and detection estimates needed for population management in southern Florida, USA. Giant constrictor snakes pose a threat to native species and the ecological restoration of the Florida Everglades. To assist with detection, we developed species-specific eDNA assays using quantitative PCR (qPCR) for the Burmese python (Python molurus bivittatus), Northern African python (P. sebae), boa constrictor (Boa constrictor), and the green (Eunectes murinus) and yellow anaconda (E. notaeus). Burmese pythons, Northern African pythons, and boa constrictors are established and reproducing, while the green and yellow anaconda have the potential to become established. We validated the python and boa constrictor assays using laboratory trials and tested all species in 21 field locations distributed in eight southern Florida regions. Burmese python eDNA was detected in 37 of 63 field sampling events; however, the other species were not detected. Although eDNA was heterogeneously distributed in the environment, occupancy models were able to provide the first estimates of detection probabilities, which were greater than 91%. Burmese python eDNA was detected along the leading northern edge of the known population boundary. The development of informative detection tools and eDNA occupancy models can improve conservation efforts in southern Florida and support more extensive studies of invasive constrictors. Generic sampling design and terminology are proposed to standardize and clarify interpretations of eDNA-based occupancy models.

Becoming Bach, Blaspheming Bach: Kinesthetic Knowledge and Embodied Music Theory in Ysaye's "Obsession" for Solo Violin

This essay explores kinesthetic musical knowledge: what can it tell us about the music, the performer, or the composer? In discussing my own experience of performing "Obsession," the first movement of violinist-composer Eugene Ysaye's Sonata No. 2 for Solo Violin, op. 27 (1923), I'll articulate some of the observations I made while learning to play it. These insights in turn inflect and clarify my relationship with Bach, whose violin music is the object of Ysaye's obsession. In the course of practicing and performing "Obsession," I have developed a reading of this piece as depicting not only Ysaye's purported obsession with Bach, but also his possession by (a demonic) Bach. Some aspects of my interpretation are readily audible, while others stem from my physical knowledge of the music. An embodied analysis such as I undertake here may uncover musical meanings apparent only to the performer, demonstrating that "the score is not the work to a performer; nor is the score-made-sound the work: the work includes the performer's mobilizing of previously studied skills so as to embody, to make real, to make sounding, a set of relationships that are only partly relationships among sounds" (Cusick 1994:18). Many feminist scholars have observed that the body is too often written out of the academic study of music. For instance, Philip Bohlman sees this erasure writ large in musicology's disinclination to study dance (1993:431). Suzanne Cusick's critique of mainstream musicological practice aims to rehabilitate "the inextricable presence of the body in music--a presence both musicology's and music theory's focus on the intentions and the texts of the composers scrupulously denies" (1994:15). Feeling that she is not meant to speak as a performer when teaching musicology, she has written of her efforts to resolve this apparent disjunction: "as a performer, I act on and with what we ordinarily call music with my body; as a musicologist I have been formed to act on (and with?) what we ordinarily call music with my mind, and only with my mind" (9). Recognizing in the act of music-making a resolution of this apparent mind/body split, Cusick argues for a more embodied analytical practice, calling for a "theory of musical bodies" (18). Elisabeth Le Guin has demonstrated the historical and interpretive insights that can be gained from such an embodied analytical practice, using her own performing body to explore the music and life of Boccherini (2002; 2006). Her methodology, which she calls "carnal musicology," links her experience as a performer to the eighteenth-century notion of sensibilite and shows how knowledge originating in her sensate body can motivate an interpretation of a piece. In the past two decades music scholars using feminist and queer theories have focused attention on musical bodies in their analysis and criticism. Relating performative knowledge of a piece to aspects of the music's structure is one such approach. A more common feminist methodology seeks connections between personal identity (the composer's or the performer's), and musical structures and/or performance. We can fuse these approaches by thinking about how subjectivity might be inscribed upon a music-making body. For instance, in studying vocal performativity, Cusick (1999) considers how our voices embody (perform) our gender, sex, ethnicity, etc. She hears in the timbre of Eddie Vedder's singing an assertion of his heterosexual male American subjectivity. His characteristic snarl, suggesting tightly constricted throat muscles, demonstrates his resistance to the discipline of song by physically limiting culture's penetration into the innermost spaces of his body; context for this analysis includes her observation that singing is a normative behavior in our culture for women but not for men. In another example of work that connects music and identity through the music-making body, Philip Brett relates Schubert's presumed homosexuality to the composer's four-hand piano music. …

Renal sympathetic nerve activity associated with the severity of heart failure in dogs with chronic heart failure

Objective To investigate the relationship between renal sympathetic nerve activity and the severity of heart failure in dogs with chronic heart failure (CHF). Methods CHF were induced by abdominal aorta constriction. Plasma renin activity (PRA), adrenaline (E), and noradrenaline (NE) were determined in 9 dogs with CHF (CHF group) and 3 sham-operated dogs (control group). Results E, NE, PRA, and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) were significantly higher in CHF group than those in control group (all P<0.01). Compared to 10-week post-operation, PRA [(2.08±0.08)ng/(ml·h) vs (2.26±0.16)ng/(ml·h)], NE [(184.01± 11.76)pg/ml vs (202.99±16.54)pg/ml] and BNP [(85.87±11.41)μg/ml vs (100.41±9.24)μg/ml] were significantly increased in the 12-week post-operation (all P<0.01). PRA [10 weeks post-operation: (2.13±0.08)ng/(ml·h) vs (2.02±0.05)ng/(ml·h); 12 weeks post-operation: (2.38±0.09)ng/(ml·h) vs (2.11±0.07)ng/(ml·h)] and NE [10 weeks post-operation: (191.75±8.40)pg/ml vs (174.33±7.08)pg/ml; 12 weeks post-operation: (215.69±6.26)pg/ml vs (186.36±7.98)pg/ml] were higher in high BNP group than those in low BNP group both in 10 and 12 weeks post-operation (P=0.013, P=0.013, P=0.002, respectively). Conclusions PRA was increased in dogs with CHF and associated with the severity of CHF. Key words: Heart failure/PP; Sympathetic nervous system/PP; Kidney/IR

Endothelial repairing function in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral arterial stenosis after stent implantation

Objective To investigate the relation between endothelial repairing function and in-stent restenosis in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral arterial (MCA) stenosis after stent implantation. Method Sixty-six patients with symptomatic MCA stenosis underwent percutaneous stent implantation. Cranial CTA revealed that 23 patients had MCA restenosis (restenosis group) 1 year after stenting, including 14 cases with >50% stenosis and 1 case with MCA occlusion, and 43 patients had no restenosis (non-restenosis group). The number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) was examined by flow cytometry, the adhesion function of EPC was tested by adhesion assay, the migration ability of EPC was tested by Transwell method and serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) levels were measured by ELISA. The relationship of endothelial repairing function with restenosis was analyzed. Results The MCA stent implantations were successfully performed in all patients. The EPC number (33.7±4.6 vs. 61.6± 6.4), adhesion activities (26.1±7.5 vs. 56.3±9.6), migration activities (12.0±3.9 vs. 21.4±6.5) and serum VEGF level [(56.7±14.6) vs. (89.6±17.32) ng/L] in restenosis group were significantly lower than those in non-restenosis group (t=18.48, 13.09, 6.34 and 7.73, all P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with MCA stenosis after percutaneous stent implantation the increased risk of in-stent restenosis is associated with low level of EPCs and their migration ability, and low serum VEGF level. Key words: Middle cerebral artery; Stent; Stem cells, endothelial cells; Vascular endothelial growth factors; Constriction, pathologic

Decreased Hyperintense Cerebral Arteries on Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by reversible constriction of the intracranial arteries with a thunderclap headache and is associated with a number of clinical settings, including pregnancy and puerperium, exposure to drugs and blood products, and miscellaneous conditions. On magnetic resonance fluidattenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images, hyperintense vessels (HVs) have been reported in cases of RCVS, enabling early diagnosis. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a high-resolution, three-dimensional, gradient-echo T2 MR technique that features flow-related arterial enhancement and a high sensitivity to altered concentrations of deoxyhemoglobin. Here, we report a 25-year-old female with puerperium RCVS with decreased hyperintense cerebral arteries on SWI in the absence of HVs on FLAIR images.

LARGE ASTRORHIZID FORAMINIFERA FROM OLIGOCENE - LOWER MIOCENE DEEP-SEA SEDIMENTS, NORTHERN APENNINES, ITALY: A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON THE GENUS ASTRORHIZINOIDES STSCHEDRINA, 1969

Nulliporites bombicoides Sacco, 1888 and Nulliporites stellaris Sacco, 1888 from the Oligocene - Lower Miocene deep-sea turbiditic sediments of Liguria and Piedmont (Monastero and Rocchetta formations) appear to belarge, agglutinated astrorhizid foraminiferids both assigned in this study tothe genus Astrorhizinoides Stschedrina, 1969 under a single species, Astrorhizinoides bombicoides (Sacco, 1888). This foraminiferis characterized by a simple, straight to slightly curved or rarely branched test, which displays a thick, smooth, finely agglutinated wall, with constrictions, and a very thin chamber lumen, whose apertures are observed at least at one of the terminal ends of the test. The tests, partly crushed, are preserved mostly on the soles of thin turbiditic sandstones, where they may be aligned. Probably, the foraminifer was originally a semi-infaunal, free-standing form, the test of which was partly flexible.

Impacts and mechanisms of kruppel like factor 15 in pressure overload induced cardiac remodeling and angiogenesis in rats

To explore the impact of kruppel like factor 15 (KLF15) on cardiac fibroblasts on angiogenesis in a pressure overload rat model. Pressure overload was induced in female rats by aortic constriction for 3 and 6 weeks. After 6 weeks aortic banding, rats underwent aortic debanding for 3 or 6 weeks. Sham rats were observed for 3 and 6 weeks (n = 10 each). Cardiac function, myocardial pathological changes, interstitial angiogenesis and KLF15 expression during rat myocardial overloading-unloading process were determined. Cardiac fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells were cultured in vitro in the absence or presence of KLF15-shRNA recombinant adenovirus and the regulation effect of KLF15 on vascular endothelial cells and angiogenesis was observed on a three-dimensional angiogenesis in vitro model. The ascending aorta diameter, ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic pressure and the KLF15 protein expression level were significantly lower but the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was significantly higher in pressure overloaded rats than in Sham rats (all P < 0.01) after 6 weeks. At the same time, increased myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis as well as reduced angiogenesis density were observed in pressure overloaded rats. These changes were significantly attenuated post aortic debanding. In vitro, KLF15-shRNA recombinant adenovirus transfection into cardiac fibroblasts significantly downregulated the protein expression of KLF15 compared with the control group (4 922 ± 430 vs. 7 034 ± 178, P < 0.01). The formation of tubular structure of vascular endothelial cells was shorter after KLF15-shRNA recombinant adenovirus transfection and the structure was incomplete when compared with the control group. Our results suggest that upregulation of KLF15 expression in myocardial fibroblasts might promote vascular generation, alleviate the myocardial interstitial fibrosis and improve cardiac function in this pressure overload rat model.

Application of soft computing techniques for multi source deregulated power system

In this paper, an interconnected power system is proposed for Automatic Generation Control (AGC) in restructured power environment. The customized AGC scheme is projected in deregulated environment for multi-source combination of hydro, reheat thermal and gas generating units in entire area. Proportional integral derivative controller is offered for AGC scheme and the gains are optimised through soft computing techniques such as Hybrid Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization (HCPSO) algorithm, Real Coded Genetic Algorithm (RCGA) and also with Artificial Neural Network (ANN). The PSO chosen here carves out the AGC problem through the addition of adaptive inertia weight factor and adaptive constriction factors. The intense trend in deregulated system leads to the aggressiveness in frequency and tie line power deviations. It is observed that the chaos mapping of PSO enhance the rate of convergence using logistics map sequence. The proposed algorithms are tested on three area power system for different electricity contracted scenarios under various operating conditions with Generation Rate Constraint (GRC). Analysis reveals that proposed HCPSO improves significantly the dynamical performances of system such as settling time and overshoot. The comparative results show the robust performance of HCPSO against parametric uncertainties for a wide range of load demands and disturbances. Key words: Automatic generation control (AGC), hybrid chaotic particle swarm optimisation (HCPSO), proportional integral derivative (PID), restructured power system.