Slower respiration rate is associated with higher self-reported well-being after wellness training.

Mind-body interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may improve well-being by increasing awareness and regulation of physiological and cognitive states. However, it is unclear how practice may alter long-term, baseline physiological processes, and whether these changes reflect improved well-being. Using respiration rate (RR), which can be sensitive to effects of meditation, and 3 aspects of self-reported well-being (psychological well-being [PWB], distress, and medical symptoms), we tested pre-registered hypotheses that: (1) Lower baseline RR (in a resting, non-meditative state) would be a physiological marker associated with well-being, (2) MBSR would decrease RR, and (3) Training-related decreases in RR would be associated with improved well-being.

The surface immobilization of the neural adhesion molecule L1 on neural probes and its effect on neuronal density and gliosis at the probe/tissue interface.

Brain tissue inflammatory responses, including neuronal loss and gliosis at the neural electrode/tissue interface, limit the recording stability and longevity of neural probes. The neural adhesion molecule L1 specifically promotes neurite outgrowth and neuronal survival. In this study, we covalently immobilized L1 on the surface of silicon-based neural probes and compared the tissue response between L1 modified and non-modified probes implanted in the rat cortex after 1, 4, and 8 weeks.

Seeding neural progenitor cells on silicon-based neural probes.

Object: Chronically implanted neural electrode arrays have the potential to be used as neural prostheses in patients with various neurological disorders. While these electrodes perform well in acute recordings, they often fail to function reliably in clinically relevant chronic settings because of glial encapsulation and the loss of neurons. Surface modification of these implants may provide a means of improving their biocompatibility and integration within host brain tissue.

Surface immobilization of neural adhesion molecule L1 for improving the biocompatibility of chronic neural probes: In vitro characterization.

Silicon-based implantable neural electrode arrays are known to experience failure during long-term recording, partially due to host tissue responses. Surface modification and immobilization of biomolecules may provide a means to improve their biocompatibility and integration within the host brain tissue. Previously, the laminin biomolecule or laminin fragments have been used to modify the neural probe's silicon surface to promote neuronal attachment and growth.

Biomechanical properties of the superficial fascial system.

Background: Surgical repair of the superficial fascial system (SFS) has been claimed to both increase wound strength and enhance surgical outcome through anchoring of deeper tissues.

Objective: The authors assessed the biomechanical properties of the SFS to determine whether repair of the SFS layer improved early and long-term postoperative wound strength.

Methods: Four complementary studies were conducted to study the dermis and SFS junctional architecture and connective tissue content: gross dissection using a dehydrating agent (Pen-Fix; Richard-Allan Scientific, Kalamazoo, MI), a histologic study with hemotoxylin and eosin staining, soft tissue radiography, and immunofluorescence staining.

Bi-directional mechanical properties of the posterior region of the glenohumeral capsule.

The objective of this study was to determine the mechanical properties of the posterior region of the glenohumeral capsule in the directions perpendicular (transverse) and parallel (longitudinal) to the longitudinal axis of the posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament. A punch was used to excise one transverse and one longitudinal tissue sample from the posterior capsule of 11 cadaveric shoulders. All tissue samples exhibited the typical nonlinear behavior reported for ligaments and tendons.