Lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis is not always unstable: clinicobiomechanical evidence.

Study Design: A clinicobiomechanical study.

Objective: To clarify the clinicobiomechanical characteristics of a segment with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis (LDS) using an original intraoperative measurement system.

Summary Of Background Data: Although radiographical evaluation of LDS is extensively performed, the diagnosis of segmental instability remains controversial.

Can recumbent magnetic resonance imaging replace myelography or computed tomography myelography for detecting lumbar spinal stenosis?

Objective: To compare the diagnostic efficacy of recumbent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography myelography (CTM), and myelography, with regard to indications for surgery for lumbar stenosis.

Background Data: In patients with lumbar spinal stenosis-like disorders, small compressions are sometimes observed in magnetic resonance images acquired in the recumbent position, leading to potential misdiagnosis. Few prospective studies have compared the diagnostic accuracy of MRI, myelography, and CTM.

Selective gene transfer into neurons via Na,K-ATPase beta1. Targeting gene transfer with monoclonal antibody and adenovirus vector.

Background: Neuron-selective gene transfer is an attractive therapeutic strategy for neurological disorders. However, optimal targets and gene delivery systems remain to be determined.

Methods: Following immunization of mice with PC12 cells, hybridomas were screened by beta-Gal reporter gene assay using FZ33 fiber-modified adenovirus vectors.

Bcl-xL gene transfer inhibits Bax translocation and prolongs cardiac cold preservation time in rats.

Background: Apoptosis is an important cause of early graft loss after heart transplantation. Bcl-xL was reported to protect the heart against normothermic ischemia and reperfusion injury. In this study, we determined whether overexpression of Bcl-xL could inhibit tissue injury resulting from prolonged cold preservation followed by warm reperfusion of heart transplants.

Mesenchymal stem cells that produce neurotrophic factors reduce ischemic damage in the rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were reported to ameliorate functional deficits after stroke in rats, with some of this improvement possibly resulting from the action of cytokines secreted by these cells. To enhance such cytokine effects, we previously transfected the telomerized human MSC with the BDNF gene using a fiber-mutant adenovirus vector and reported that such treatment contributed to improved ischemic recovery in a rat transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model. In the present study, we investigated whether other cytokines in addition to BDNF, i.

Role of the autonomic nervous system in emetic and cardiovascular responses in Suncus murinus.

To clarify the role of the autonomic nervous system in cardiovascular and emetic responses, we studied the influence of drugs that act on autonomic nervous function on emetic and cardiovascular responses induced by chemical or mechanical stimulation to the stomach in two strains of Suncus murinus, Jic:SUN-Her and Jic:SUN-Ler. Latency to the first retching in Jic:SUN-Her was significantly shorter than that in Jic:SUN-Ler to both mechanical and chemical stimulation. This result indicated that there are different sensitivities to mechanical and chemical stimulation to the stomach in these two strains of suncus.

The daily pattern of cardiovascular parameters in Kurosawa and Kusanagi-Hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits.

We studied characteristics of the daily pattern of heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), body temperature (BT), and locomotor activity (LA) in conscious and unrestrained Kurosawa and Kusanagi-Hypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits and age-matched normal Japanese white (JW) rabbits, using a telemetry system. In all JW rabbits, nocturnal patterns were observed in HR, BT and LA. In the 5 months group of KHC rabbits, however, diurnal rhythm was observed in HR, and in the 10 months group of KHC rabbits, it was also shown in LA.

Diurnal fluctuations of heart rate, body temperature and locomotor activity in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus).

Diurnal fluctuations of heart rate (HR), body temperature (BT) and locomotor activity (LA) in the unanaesthetized and unrestrained house musk shrew (Suncus murinus) were studied using a telemetry system. Six adult male shrews (Jic:SUN) weighing 60-70 g were used in the present study. They were housed under conditions of 24 C and a 12/12-hr light-dark cycle.

Diurnal variation of heart rate, locomotor activity, and body temperature in interleukin-1 alpha/beta doubly deficient mice.

This study was investigated the roles of interleukin-1 (IL-1) on diurnal rhythms of heart rate (HR), locomotor activity (LA), and body temperature (BT). For this purpose, HR, LA, and BT were recorded from conscious and unrestrained IL-1 alpha/beta doubly deficient (KO) and normal C57BL/6J mice using a telemetry system. These parameters were continuously recorded from just after to 2 weeks after transmitter implantation, because we thought that the surgical stress-induced IL-1 might affect the biobehavioral activities of the animals.

Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability for assessment of diurnal variation of autonomic nervous activity in guinea pigs.

We established characteristics of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, and assessed the diurnal variations of autonomic nervous function in guinea pigs. For this purpose, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was recorded for 24 hr from conscious and unrestrained guinea pigs using a telemetry system. There were two major spectral components, at low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) bands, in the power spectrum of HR variability.