Understanding Qi Running in the Meridians as Interstitial Fluid Flowing via Interstitial Space of Low Hydraulic Resistance / 中国结合医学杂志

Qi, blood and the meridians are fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine (CM), which are components of the human body and maintain physiological function. Pathological changes of qi, blood and meridians may lead to discomfort and disease. Treatment with acupuncture or herbal medicine aims to regulate qi and blood so as to recover normal function of the meridians. This paper explores the nature of qi as well as compares and correlates them with the structures of the human body. We propose a conceptualization of qi as being similar to the interstitial fluid, and the meridians as being similar to interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance in the body. Hence, qi running in the meridians can be understood as interstitial fluid flowing via interstitial space of low hydraulic resistance.

Entre o público e o privado: o espaço intersticial / Among public and private: the interstitial space / Entre lo público y lo privado: El espacio intersticial

A autora tece breves considerações sobre o espaço intersticial nas instituições, espaço de sustentação entre o público e o privado. Fundamentada nas formulações de Roussillon (1988) e no conceito de interstício utilizado na arquitetura. Discute-se funções e formas do espaço intersticial na instituição psicanalítica.

The author provides brief considerations about institutions interstitial space, as a space of maintenance among public and private ambits. Based on Roussillon formulations (1988) and on the concept of interstice used in architecture, functions and forms of the interstitial space in the psychoanalytical institution are discussed.

La autora hace breves consideraciones sobre el espacio intersticial en las instituciones, espacio de sustentación entre lo público y lo privado. Fundamentada en las formulaciones de Roussillon (1988) y en el concepto de intersticio utilizado en arquitectura, discute funciones y formas del espacio intersticial en la institución psicoanalítica.

Ultrastructural investigation in esophageal mucosa of non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease / 中华消化杂志

Objective To explore the changes of ultrastructural characteristics including interstitial space dilation(ISD) and the number of desmosome in non-erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease(NERD)with abnormal and normal oesophageal acid exposure.Methods Nineteen patients with(abnormal) oesophageal acid exposure,20 with normal oesophageal acid exposure,10 with reflux(esophagitis)(RE) and 10 asymptomatic controls,classified on the basis of pH-metry,underwent(endoscopy.) Three biopsies were taken from the normal mucosa for light microscopy and transmission(electron microscopy) evaluation.ISD was measured and the number of desmosome in the intercellular spaces was calculated by using a digital scanner from photomicrographs of the specimens.The above two markers were compared with each other among the above groups.Results There was no significant difference in the mean score of the interstitial space between NERD and RE patients [(2.21?0.68)?m versus(2.39?0.42)?m,P0.05)].The mean score of the interstitial space of the control was(0.63(?0.21))?m,much lower than those of NERD and RE patients(P0.01).There was a significant(difference) in ISD between NERD with abnormal oesophageal acid exposure and normal oesophageal acid(exposure) [(2.45?0.67)?m versus(1.91?0.67)?m,P0.05].The mean numbers of desmosome in the intercellular space of the NERD and RE patients were(0.141?0.043) entries/?m~2 and(0.124(?0.044)) entries/?m~2,respectively,significantly lower than those of the controls [(0.221?0.031)(entries/?m~2].) But no significant differences were observed between the RE and the NERD patients(P0.05).Conclusions The interstitial space of esophageal mucosa in the NERD patients is dilated as in the RE.In NERD patients,the dilation of interstitial space is associated with abnormal acid exposure.The numbers of desmosome may also be a marker of esophageal mucosal injury of NERD.