Waist Area Research Articles

Specific bioelectrical impedance vector reference values for assessing body composition in the Italian elderly

ObjectiveTo obtain specific bioelectrical impedance vector reference values for the healthy elderly Italian population, and to study age- and sex-related differences in body composition. DesignThe study group consisted of 560 healthy individuals (265 men and 295 women) aged 65 to 100y, whose anthropometric (height, weight, and calf, arm and waist circumferences) and bioelectrical measurements (resistance [R] and reactance [Xc], at 50kHz and 800μA) were recorded. R (Ω) and Xc (Ω) values were standardized for stature (H, m) to obtain the classic bioelectrical values. Specific values (resistivity [Rsp] and reactivity [Xcsp], Ω·cm) were obtained by multiplying R and Xc by a correction factor (A/L) that includes an estimate of the cross-sectional area of the body (A=0.45 arm area+0.10 waist area+0.45 calf area), where L=1.1H. ResultsDescriptive statistics were: Rsp (391.8±57.9), Xcsp (42.6±9.9), Zsp (394.2±58.2), phase angle (6.2°±1.2) in men; Rsp (462.0±80.1), Xcsp (47.9±11.2), Zsp (464.6±80.5), phase angle (5.9°±1.0) in women. The Xcsp and phase angle values showed a significant age-related decrease in both sexes, but especially in men, possibly relating to a gradual loss of muscle mass. Women's Rsp and Zsp values tended to drop, attributable to their declining proportion of fat mass. A declining sexual dimorphism was also apparent. ConclusionsSpecific tolerance ellipses can be used for reference purposes for the Italian population when assessing body composition in gerontological practice and for epidemiological purposes.

Myosteatosis and myofibrosis: Relationship with aging, inflammation and insulin resistance

The mechanisms impairing muscle quality and leading to myofibrosis (MF) and myosteatosis (MS) are incompletely known. In biopsies of paraspinous muscle (PM) of 16 elderly men undergoing elective vertebral surgery, we histologically determined the area of MF and MS expressed as muscle quality index (MQI), in order to investigate the relation between them, as well as the main predictors of muscle quality. Total PM area and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) were evaluated by MRI and body composition by DXA. Circulating fasting glucose, insulin, hs-CRP, leptin, adiponectin and IL-6 were measured and HOMA index calculated. Quantification of gene expression in PM and in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) overlying the muscle was performed by rt-PCR. The degree of MS and MF was significantly and positively related to each other and positively associated with BMI, waist, FM and FM% as well as with IMAT. The area of PM was negatively related with MF even after adjustment for weight. Leptin was positively associated with MF and MS, whereas hs-CRP to MF. In backward regression analyses, larger waist and smaller PM area explained 90% of MF variance, whereas leptin about 80% of MS variance. IL-6 expression in SAT was significantly higher in participants with higher MQI values. In PM biopsies we found significantly higher expression of SOCS-3 and a trend toward higher expression of myostatin with greater degrees of MQI. MS and MF are related phenomena that concur to alter muscle quality and both should be considered in further studies on the evolution of sarcopenia.

Caracterização epidemiológica dos microrganismos presentes em jalecos dos profissionais de saúde

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the microorganisms present on the white coats of the health workers of a university hospital. The study was performed with health professionals, by means of a questionnaire applied to obtain information regarding the sociodemographic profile and behavior of a hospitalization unit’s workers regarding their care with their white coat. Next, the pocket and waist regions of the coats were swabbed for testing. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most workers (76%) reported using their white coat only in the working area, 60% informed they change their coats every two days. The pockets were more contaminated than the waist area of the coats. The predominant yield was multiresistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, including oxacillin-resistant strains. In conclusion, the workers’ white coats were contaminated with microorganisms, which contributes with the dissemination of pathogens among different patients. Descriptors: Cross Infection; Clothing; Health Personnel.

Various Clinical Presentations of Eosinophilic Enteritis

Purpose: Eosinophilic enteritis is part of a broad spectrum of eosinophilic inflammatory diseases characterized by the infiltration of eosinophils to different degrees anywhere from the esophagus to the rectum. Eosinophilic esophagitis is currently the most well recognized and characterized eosinophilic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. However, eosinophilic enteritis remains an uncommon disease with a paucity of published data. We will present three cases of eosinophilic enteritis with various clinical presentations and courses. The first case is a 47 year old gentleman presenting with right upper quadrant abdominal pain, emesis, and watery diarrhea of 4 days duration. His past medical history was significant for seizure disorder that was controlled with medications and a history of alcoholism. Laboratory studies were significant for peripheral eosinophilia. Extensive infectious work-up was negative; however, Charcot Leyden crystals were seen on stool. EGD revealed mild esophagitis, gastritis, and duodenitis. Biopsies of the duodenum were consistent with eosinophilic enteritis. Random biopsies of the normal appearing colon and terminal ileum also revealed more than 25 eosinophils per high power field. The patient was treated with a course of prednisone while as inpatient, with transition to budesonide as outpatient with resolution. The second case is a 30 year old gentleman with chronic intermittent periumbilical abdominal pain and diarrhea which had worsened over the week prior to presentation. He noted 5 bowel movements daily with occasional bright red blood in the stool with a 15 lb weight loss over the last year. CT scan revealed significant thickening of the distal ileum as well as stranding in the pelvic mesentery. Endoscopy was significant for gastric ulceration and stenosis of the terminal ileum. The patient eventually underwent laparoscopic ileocecectomy for presumed partial small bowel obstruction suspected to be secondary to fibrostenotic Crohn's disease. Review of the surgical specimens showed increased eosinophils with no signs of chronicity or architectural evidence of Crohn's disease. And finally, 26 year old female presented with 4 week history of bilateral lower extremity edema with recent extension to her waist and periorbital area. She denied abdominal pain, diarrhea, change in her bowel habits or GI blood loss. She denies a history of liver, kidney, or cardiac problems. Initial labs revealed a peripheral eosinophilia of 22% and an albumin of 1.5 without proteinuria. EGD was notable for ulcerative duodenitis. Biopsies revealed a significant portion of eosinophils. She underwent allergy testing with elimination diet resulting in the resolution of her symptoms.

Vestuário de profissionais de saúde como potenciais reservatórios de microrganismos: uma revisão integrativa

Objetivou-se identificar na literatura, artigos sobre a ocorrência de contaminação por microrganismos, em jalecos, aventais e uniformes dos profissionais de saúde, e a similaridade com aqueles associados às Infecções Relacionadas à Assistência à Saúde, considerando o perfil de resistência aos antimicrobianos. Realizou-se busca por artigos nas seguintes bases de dados: MEDLINE, LILACS e SCOPUS, publicados entre 2000 e 2010. Foram selecionados nove artigos. Os estudos evidenciaram a contaminação dos jalecos, aventais e uniformes. Nos estudos analisados, verificou-se a presença de bactérias, principalmente, nos bolsos, punhos e região abdominal. Quanto ao perfil de sensibilidade, verificou-se recuperação de Staphylococcus aureus meticilina resistente, seguidos dos Gram negativos resistentes aos antimicrobianos. Identificou-se semelhança entre as cepas isoladas no vestuário dos profissionais de saúde e aquelas relacionadas à ocorrência de infecções. Assim, jalecos, aventais e uniformes devem ser considerados na cadeia de disseminação de microrganismos resistentes.

Entrenando la parte inferior del cuerpo para mejorar las posturas, desplazamientos y patadas

The purpose of this article is to present various training methods for the lower body thereby making them immediately available to the readers to further their own training. The lower body will be defined generally as the region of the body from the waist (area between short rib and hip bone) downward. The training methods presented will work along two major lines of reference—that of time or history i.e. modern methods verses traditional methods, and that of geography and culture or “East verses West.” For reading ease, the presentation will follow a sequence going from ideas more common to martial arts practitioners to less common ideas. In this way a reader can bridge familiar and unfamiliar concepts without losing orientation to the main theme.

Size-Dependent Surface Enhanced Fluorescence of Gold Nanorod: Enhancement or Quenching

The size-dependent surface enhanced fluorescence (SEF) of a gold nanorod (GNR) on a vicinal molecule is studied systematically by using the multiple multipole method. The enhancement factors (EFs) of GNRs of different sizes (radius: a = 7 or 10 nm) with the same aspect ratio (AR), e.g., 3 or 3.43, on the fluorescence of a molecule at different locations with various orientations excited at the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of a GNR are discussed in detail. The numerical results show that the EF of a GNR is sensitive not only to the molecular location and orientation but also to the size. The effective EF (EEF), the average of the EF over all possible orientations at a specific location, is further calculated. According to the EEF, the proximity of the end-cap of a GNR is a strong enhancing zone, while the waist area of the GNR is a relatively weak zone. Moreover, for the same AR, the EEF of a bigger GNR (a ≥ 10 nm) is larger than that of a smaller one. Hence, the SEF performance of a bigger GNR on the fluorescence can be a very strong enhancement if the molecule is close to the end-cup excited at the longitudinal SPR. On the contrary, the performance of a smaller GNR could be a quenching if the molecule is near the waist. In addition, the Stokes-shift effect of fluorescence on the EF is also discussed.

공기주입형 쿠션 베스트 개발

Abstract The development of modern transportation technology has required many people in spaces (such asvehicle seats, airports, and train stations) for long periods. The public seats provided in these places aremanufactured in a standard size; however, fatigue sets in if the seats are unsuitable for the person's physicalsize. For this reason, this study developed an air cushion vest that would enhance the comfort of vehicleseats. Passengers in vehicles, trains, airplanes, and buses were observed and surveyed to understand thedemand for seat comfort. Our analysis found that the greatest source of discomfort was involuntary noddingof the head while asleep and discomfort around the waist area. For this reason, the air cushion vest wasdesigned to support the head and the waist. The neck cushion of this vest was designed to strengthen headsupport to counter forward nodding because existing commercial neck cushions had no support for forwardnodding. For the waist cushion, at lumbar and below-lumbar parts were chosen as the key parts to besupported, the cushion was designed to contain air at those parts. To cover the embedded waist cushion, thevest was designed to be long. The closure was constructed with zippers from the neck to waistline, and withinvisible snaps from the waistline to the hemline so that the wearer could open them easily while seated. Asubjective comfort evaluation was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the developed vest. In the test,the developed cushions received a better evaluation than cushions currently available on the market. Thevolume of the vest could be adjusted by the inflow and outflow of air. It was proven that the vest waseffective in terms of comfort and portability. This shows that the developed vest could enhance passengercomfort while sitting on vehicle seats.Key words: Air cushion, Comfort, Neck support, Waist support; 공기주입 쿠션, 안락감, 머리 지지, 허리지지

방사선사의 근골격계 질환 현황 조사

본 연구는 병의원에서 근무하고 있는 방사선들을 대상으로 근골격계 질환 현황 조사를 통해 추후 방사선사의 체계적이고 효율적인 자원 관리를 위한 기초자료로 이용하고자 한다. 본 연구를 위하여 2011년 7월 10일부터 31일까지 약 20일에 걸쳐 전국의 의원, 병원, 종합병원, 대학병원의 방사선사를 대상으로 설문조사를 하였다. 본 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 신체 부위별로 근골격계 증상 여부에 대하여 빈도분석을 한 결과, 목 부위는 22.5%, 어깨 부위는 33.1%, 팔/팔꿈치 부위는 8.3%, 손/손목/손가락 부위는 15.5%, 허리 부위는 32.4%, 다리/발부위는 전체의 16.9%로 나왔다(p<0.05). 둘째 직무스트레스, 사회심리스트레스, 피로도의 기술통계를 정리한 결과 직무스트레스 전체는 Likert 4점 척도에서 평균 2.48, 사회심리스트레스는 Likert 4점 척도에서 평균 2.27로 직무스트레스가 사회심리스트레스보다 약간 높게 나왔다. 피로도의 경우 Likert 7점 척도에서 평균 4.57로 '보통이다'보다 약간 높은 것으로 나왔다 (p<0.05). 결론적으로 본 연구는 향후 방사선사의 근골격계질환에 대해 예방활동을 전개하고자 할 때 체계적이고 효율적인 자원 관리를 위한 기초 자료로 도움이 되길 기대한다. This study was conducted to survey of the musculoskeletal disorders of radiological technologists and prevalence rate survey tool of musculoskeletal symptoms targeting the radiological technologists working currently in hospitals or clinics. For this study, survey was conducted from July 10th, 2011 to July 31st, 2011 for about 20 days with subject of radiological technologists in private clinics, hospitals, general hospitals and University hospitals. The main results of this study are as follows : First, frequency analysis on presence of musculoskeletal symptoms in each part of body showed that neck area was 22.5 %, shoulder area was 33.1 %, arm / elbow area was 8.3 %, hand / wrist / finger area was 15.5 %, waist area was 32.4 %, leg / foot area was 16.9% (p<0.05). Second, the results from summarizing the descriptive statistics of job stress, psychosocial stress and fatigue showed that the average of job stress was 2.48 out of Likert 4 points scale, the average of psychosocial stress was 2.27 out of Likert 4 points scale. Job stress was a little bit higher than the psychosocial stress. In case of fatigue, the average was 4.57 out of Likert 7 points scale and it was a slightly higher than 'normal' (p<0.05). In conclusion, we hope this study will be helpful to systematically and efficiently manage the resources as the basic material upon deploying the preventive measures about the musculoskeletal disorders of radiological technologists in the future.

Theoretical investigation of plasmonic enhancement of silica-coated gold nanorod on molecular fluorescence

The plasmonic enhancement or quenching effects of a silica-coated gold nanorod (GNR@SiO2) on the fluorescence of a molecule doped in the silica layer are studied using the multiple multipole method. The enhancement factors (EF) of a GNR with a typical aspect ratio of 3 coated by a 13nm silica layer upon the fluorescence of a molecule embedded at different locations with various orientations irradiated by a plane wave are analyzed, particularly at the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of GNR. The numerical results show that the EF of a GNR@SiO2 on the fluorescence is sensitive to the molecular location and orientation. Furthermore, an effective EF (EEF), which is an average of EF over all possible orientations at a specific location, is calculated. According to EEF, the proximities of the end-caps of a GNR are strong enhancing zones. In contrast, the waist area is the weak zone. Moreover, a bigger GNR (a=10nm) possesses a higher EEF than a smaller one (a=7nm) for the same aspect ratio and the molecular relative location. Hence, a strong enhancement on the fluorescence is obtained using bigger GNR, if the molecule is near the end-cup and the dipole orientation is along the long axis. On the contrary, the consequence could be quenching, if the molecule is near the waist of a small GNR. The Stokes shift of fluorescence can also affect the EF, except the excitation wavelength.

Comparative Assessment of Virtual Garments using Direct and Manual Avatars

The purpose of this paper is to compare two avatars made using direct and manual methods and to evaluate the fit and appearance of two virtual garments on the direct and manual avatars. In this study, two subjects were measured by (TC) 2 body scanner and the avatars and virtual garments were created by OptiTex software. The direct avatar was made by the direct importation of 3D body scan data and the manual avatar was made by manual input from extracted body measurement. Two virtual garments in a tank-top were evaluated by distance, transparency, and stretch maps. In the results of comparing difference of the direct and manual avatars, the bust and back of the manual avatar are protruded slightly more than that of the direct avatar and the manual avatar is slightly larger dimensions at the bust, waist, abdomen, and hip area in the side view in case of subject 1 and 2. In the results of comparing difference of the fit and appearance of two virtual garments on the direct and manual avatars, in case of subject 1 and 2, the back of the virtual garment on the manual avatar are protruded more than that of the direct avatar. Also, the ease in the bust area of the virtual garment on the manual avatar with a projected bust area was smaller than that of the virtual garment on the direct avatar and the stretch of that of the manual avatar was also high in the bust area. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic information in the apparel industry using virtual try-on technology.

Evaluation of the Performance of Small Diode Pumped UV Solid State (DPSS) Nd:YAG Lasers as New Radiation Sources for Atmospheric Pressure Laser Ionization Mass Spectrometry (APLI-MS)

The performance of a KrF* bench top excimer laser and a compact diode pumped UV solid state (DPSS) Nd:YAG laser as photo-ionizing source in LC-APLI MS is compared. The commonly applied bench-top excimer laser, operating at 248 nm, provides power densities of the order of low MW/cm(2) on an illuminated area of 0.5 cm(2) (8 mJ/pulse, 5 ns pulse duration, beam waist area 0.5 cm(2), 3 MW/cm(2)). The DPSS laser, operating at 266 nm, provides higher power densities, however, on a two orders of magnitude smaller illuminated area (60 μJ/pulse, 1 ns pulse duration, beam waist area 2 × 10(-3) cm(2), 30 MW/cm(2)). In a common LC-APLI MS setup with direct infusion of a 10 nM pyrene solution, the DPSS laser yields a significantly smaller ion signal (0.9%) and signal to noise ratio (1.4%) compared with the excimer laser. With respect to the determined low detection limits (LODs) for PAHs of 0.1 fmol using an excimer laser, LODs in DPSS laser LC-APLI MS in the low pmol regime are expected. The advantages of the DPSS laser with respect to applicability (size, cost, simplicity) may render this light source the preferred one for APLI applications not focusing on ultimately high sensitivities. Furthermore, the impact of adjustable ion source parameters on the performance of both laser systems is discussed in terms of the spatial sensitivity distribution described by the distribution of ion acceptance (DIA) measurements. Perspectives concerning the impact on future APLI-MS applications are given.

Fat accumulation in adipose tissues as a risk factor for the development of endometrial cancer

Fat accumulation in adipose tissues is a risk factor for the development of human cancers. However, there are no studies describing the fat accumulation in adipose tissue or its distribution in human endometrial cancer. We first examined fat accumulation in adipose tissues separately on CT images of 122 patients with endometrial cancer, and investigated the correlation of these findings with various histological types of endometrial cancers. Fat accumulation in adipose tissues [subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and/or visceral fat areas (VFA)] was strongly correlated with the group of obesity-related biological parameters (weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and body surface area (BSA)) in endometrial cancer. The incidence of type I endometrial cancer was more closely correlated with an increase in obesity-related parameters such as weight (p=0.011), BMI (p=0.006), waist circumference (p=0.038), BSA (p=0.016), SFA (p=0.005), total fat area (TFA) (p=0.006) and total cholesterol (T.Cho) (P=0.010) than type II endometrial cancer. In particular, the SFA was most strongly correlated with obesity-related biological parameters of type I endometrial cancer. The present findings indicate that type I endometrial cancer has a statistically significant increase in obesity-related biological parameters than type II endometrial cancer. We propose that the subcutaneous fat accumulation in adipose tissue is a strong risk factor for developing type I endometrial cancer.

An Exploratory Study of the Validity of Visual Fit Assessment From Three-Dimensional Scans

3D scans are considered to be potentially useful visual analysis tool, but there have been few studies regarding the validity of 3D scans as a tool for visual analysis. We investigated this by comparing results from fit analyses using live models with those using 3D scans of the same models. Professionals from the apparel industry provided feedback on the process of 3D scan fit analyses and suggested ways to improve the process. Results from different areas of the body showed different levels of reliability. In the bust area, misfit and estimates on alteration amounts were the most reliable, while the waist area showed the least consistency in fit interpretation overall. The hip area was not reliable for identification of misfit, but was relatively reliable for estimates of alteration amounts. This study suggested how future studies could improve the process in terms of data organization, display and the navigation interface.

Subnuclear organization of parabrachial efferents to the thalamus, amygdala and lateral hypothalamus in C57BL/6J mice: a quantitative retrograde double labeling study

The present study investigated the subnuclear organization of collateralized efferent projection patterns from the mouse parabrachial nucleus (PbN), the second taste relay in rodents, to higher gustatory centers, including the ventroposteromedial nucleus of the thalamus (VPMpc), central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and lateral hypothalamus (LH). We made injections of the retrograde tracer red and green latex microspheres into the VMPpc and CeA (VPMpc–CeA group), VMPpc and LH (VPMpc–LH group) or CeA and LH (CeA–LH group, n=6 for each group). Injections into these areas preferentially resulted in retrograde labeling in the ipsilateral PbN in all groups. Cells projecting to the VPMpc, CeA, and LH were generally found in all subnuclei, but were differentially distributed. VPMpc-projecting cells predominated in gustatory-related subnuclei, CeA-projecting neurons predominated in the external lateral (el) subnucleus, and concentrated labeling was observed in the dorsal lateral subnucleus (dl) following LH injection. Double-labeled neurons were found for all groups, almost entirely ipsilaterally and primarily in the medial (m), waist area (wa), ventral lateral (vl) and el subnuclei. These results suggest that PbN neurons in different subdivisions have different projection and collateralization patterns to the VPMpc, CeA and LH. Functional implications of these projections are discussed with an emphasis on their roles in taste.

How Well Does Radiological Measurements Correlate With Cosmetic Indices in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis With Lenke 5, 6 Curve Types?

An association study between radiologic measurements and cosmetic appearance in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with Lenke 5 and 6 curve types. The present study aimed at investigating the correlation between radiologic measurements and clinical cosmetic assessment indices in AIS with Lenke 5 and 6 curve types. Cosmetic truncal and pelvic distortions are of important concern to patients with AIS. In the clinical assessment of AIS, over reliance on radiologic evaluations without corresponding objective assessment of the external physical appearance is commonly practiced. Patients having the same radiologic findings could be quite different in their physical appearance and the reverse could also happen. These observations imply that discrepancies could well exist in the cosmetic versus radiologic evaluation in AIS. A total of 52 AIS patients with dominant lumbar/thoracolumbar curve including 36 Lenke type 5 and 16 Lenke type 6 were recruited. Cobb angles, coronal balance, thoracic containment, apical vertebral translation (AVT), pelvic oblique, apical vertebral rotation were measured in the standard long-standing posteroanterior radiographs. Waistline Height Index, Waistline Depth Index, Waistline Area Index, Waist Area Index, and hump index (α) were measured clinically and the 5 parameters combined into a composite cosmetic Index (CCI). Pearson rank correlation coefficient was used to assess measurement reliability for the cosmetic indices; correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were made between the radiologic measurements and CCI. The correlation coefficients between radiologic measurements and CCI ranged from -0.29 to 0.57, among which AVT was found to have the highest correlation coefficient, but not the Cobb angle. AVT, Cobb angle, coronal balance, thoracic containment were found to be significantly correlated with CCI (P < 0.05) with all correlation coefficients below 0.6. From linear regression analysis, CCI could be predicted by the equation (CCI = 98.0-1.18 x AVT-0.29 x Cobb angle) with adjusted R2 of 0.33 (implying that 33% of CCI variation could be accounted for by Cobb angle and AVT). The present study showed that a number of radiologic indices could only partially reflect the objective cosmetic appearances in Lenke type 5 and 6 curves in AIS. Spine surgeons should put more emphasis in the clinical cosmetic evaluations and not relying solely on the radiologic assessment in AIS.

Orosensory deprivation alters taste-elicited c-Fos expression in the parabrachial nucleus of neonatal rats

In the present study we examined the effects of neonatal orosensory deprivation on taste-elicited gustatory activity in the rat parabrachial nucleus (PBN) using the functional anatomical marker c-Fos. Animals in three groups (GG, GO and GM) received gastric cannula implantation surgery on postnatal day 9 (P9). Animals in the fourth group (MR) did not receive any surgery. GG rats were fed by infusion of artificial milk directly into the stomach. GO rats were fed by intraoral infusion of artificial milk. GM and MR rats were reared by their mother with free access to mother's milk, water and rat chow. Rats from all groups were similar in body weight and length by P21. On P21 rats in all groups were intraorally presented with 0.5 M sucrose solution and the brains were extracted and processed for c-Fos immunohistochemistry. Taste-elicited c-Fos expression in both the gustatory waist area, and the external lateral subnucleus of the PBN in rats in the GG group was significantly more robust than in the other three groups. These findings suggest a substantial alteration in orosensory-evoked neuronal response in this nucleus, due to sensory or motor deprivation during a critical developmental stage.

ECHOES OF THE DAGGER PERIOD IN LITHUANIA, 2350–1500 CAL BC; pp. 3–21

Introduction The term is most common when dealing with the archaeology of south Scandinavia. In Denmark it synchronizes Late Neolithic and Period I of the Bronze Age, i.e. 2350-1500 cal BC (Lomborg 1973; Apel 2001). In the main, the Dagger Period in south Scandinavia coincides with the Early Bronze Age in western and central Europe. Flint daggers, the first metal artefacts and bell beakers are significant archaeological markers of this period. This paper analyses one of them--the production and distribution of large bifacial points, i.e. flint daggers and spearheads. The inspiration for this article came from the book by the Polish archaeologist Jerzy Libera in which he describes bifacial artefacts found in Poland and west Ukraine (Libera 2001). This monograph contains the map of distribution of bifacial forms in Europe, in which the Upper Nemunas has been left not hatched--like the area with no distribution of the bifacial artefacts (Fig. 1). In a sense Libera was right--large flint daggers and spearheads are seldom found in the Upper Nemunas if compared to south Scandinavia, Volhynia or the Upper Volga. However, the experience in excavations of Stone Age sites in south Lithuania and the finds observed in museum collections suggest that large bifaces were produced in the Upper Nemunas basin and imported daggers were used in the rest of Lithuania (Fig. 2). [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] The aim of this article is to analyse large bifacial points, both tools and find places, as well as to answer the question why the large-scale production of flint daggers never began in the flint-bearing Upper Nemunas basin. A short survey of find places of large bifacial points and discussion on their probable origins should be done first. [FIGURE 2 OMITTED] Daggers and spearheads in Lithuania. Find places and origins Flint points longer than 10 cm, processed bifacially by the soft hammer technique and having at least one sharp point, are discussed in this paper. Large bifacial artefacts have been used as daggers, spearheads or knives. Sometimes the function of weapons is confirmed by archaeological research. For example, flint dagger (spearhead?) from the male grave in Stare Gorozheno burial-mounds (Yamnaya culture, Ukraine) had its sharp point broken and left in the abdominal region of the dead man (Klochko 2001, fig. 29: 6, 8). The majority of daggers found in Scandinavian graves had been placed in the waist area of the dead, evidently the way the daggers used to be worn (Wojciechowski 1976, 38). Applying the above description of large bifacial points, about 13 artefacts from Lithuania could be related to this category of prehistoric finds. During archaeological excavations in the Barzdis 1 (Varena district) Stone Age site, a dagger was found. It was 10 cm long and 3 cm wide. The tool was made of a thick blade (Rimantiene 1999, fig. 17: 2). The raw material is of local origin, i.e. grey erratic flint demonstrating black transparent and lighter opaque zones. It is very common to Upper Nemunas basin. No ceramics typical of the Corded Ware Culture (henceforth--the CWC) were found in this sandy site and the dagger should be related to the post-CWC pottery which used to be decorated with imprints, incisions and lines (e.g. Rimantiene 1999, fig. 10). In 1998-1999 excavations of a flint knapping site took place in Karaviskes 6 Stone Age settlement (Varena district, Piliciauskas 2004). Bifaces used to be knapped in this flint knapping place, approx. 6 m in diameter, and the produced flakes were mostly used in making knives and arrowheads. A fragment of a large biface broken during the production process was found alongside plenty of biface thinning and pressure flakes (Fig. 3). Most likely it was supposed to become a dagger, but an unsuccessful stroke damaged the preform. Length: 7.7 cm, width: 5 cm, thickness: 1.2 cm. The thickness/width ratio of the artefact is 1/4-1/5. …

Lateral back pain identifies prevalent vertebral fractures in post-menopausal women: cross-sectional analysis of a primary care-based cohort

Vertebral fractures (VFs) are frequently under-recognized, reflecting their lack of diagnostic clinical features. For example, although VFs are associated with back pain, this is also common in the general population. To establish whether back pain can be used to recognize patients with VF, we investigated the site of pain in people with and without VFs using a simple tool. A cohort of 504 post-menopausal women was recruited from primary care in South West UK. Back pain was assessed by self-completion of the Margolis pain diagram, and analysis was modified to assess whether pain was mid-line or lateral. VFs were diagnosed by the algorithm-based qualitative method on radiographs. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out to assess the association between back pain and VFs. Three hundred and twenty-two women (64.1%) reported back pain over the last 12 months. Thirty seven (7.3%) had one or more VFs. In women with back pain, the presence of lateral waist area pain was associated with a 4.5-fold increased risk of VFs [odds ratio (OR) 4.48; 95% CI 2.02, 9.94; P < 0.001]. In post-menopausal women with back pain, the presence of lateral waist pain, as shown on the Margolis pain diagram, may identify women at higher risk of prevalent VF.

Spatial differences in molecular characteristics of the pontine parabrachial nucleus

Neurons in the pontine parabrachial nucleus (PBN) transduce signals for the general visceral sensory, somatic sensory, gustatory, and autonomic nervous systems, and the various PBN neurons that perform these functions are intermingled. In this study, we analyzed PBN gene expression profiles in male Wistar rats and obtained data on gene expression in the PBN and the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (Pr5). Using these data in combination with in situ hybridization analyses, we identified genes that showed higher expression in the PBN than in Pr5. Our findings indicate that expression patterns in the PBN were different for different genes: Fxyd6, syt5, and plxnc1 were expressed in many neuron populations in the PBN, while the expression patterns of calcr and asb4 were restricted to the central lateral subnucleus and waist area. Furthermore, calcr and asb4 expression patterns were distinct from those of neurotransmitters/neuropeptides such as neurotensin and calcitonin gene-related peptides. Satb2 was specifically expressed in the waist area, which is essential for gustation. In-depth analysis of spatial distribution in the PBN enabled classification of the genes into seven characteristic spatial expression patterns. Expression signatures differed significantly in the subnuclei of the rostral half, mediodorsal half, and ventrolateral third of the PBN, indicating a correlation between the spatial arrangement of the subnuclei and the molecular characteristics of the corresponding neurons. Thus, our results provide valuable information regarding the molecular features and neurotransmission mechanisms of PBN neurons that transmit specific types of information.