The gross anatomy of the forearm flexors, particularly that of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) muscle, has been described and graphically illustrated in several anatomical books and atlases starting in the middle of the century before last. However, in anatomical dissection studies as well as in clinical-anatomical courses training muscle-specific targeted injections due to movement disorders such as dystonia or spasticity, it has become apparent that there is a need for a closer investigation of the complex construction of the FDS muscle. To this end, we studied the structure of the muscle bellies and tendons of FDS on 46 human body donates that have been used either in our dissection or clinical-anatomical training courses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevious data provided evidence for a critical role of desmosomes to stabilize intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) function. These studies suggest that desmosomes not only contribute to intercellular adhesion but also play a role as signaling hubs. The contribution of desmosomal plaque proteins plakophilins (PKP) in the intestinal epithelium remains unexplored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRegional changes to the intestinal microenvironment brought about by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery may contribute to some of its potent systemic metabolic benefits through favorably regulating various local cellular processes. Here, we show that the intestinal contents of RYGB-operated compared with sham-operated rats region-dependently confer superior glycemic control to recipient germ-free mice in association with suppression of endotoxemia. Correspondingly, they had direct barrier-stabilizing effects on an intestinal epithelial cell line which, bile-exposed intestinal contents, were partly farnesoid X receptor (FXR)-dependent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVisual experiences increase our ability to discriminate environmentally relevant stimuli (native stimuli, e.g., human faces) at the cost of a reduced sensitivity to irrelevant or infrequent stimuli (non-native stimuli, e.
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