Regional Targeting of Bladder and Urethra Afferents in the Lumbosacral Spinal Cord of Male and Female Rats: A Multiscale Analysis.

Sensorimotor circuits of the lumbosacral spinal cord are required for lower urinary tract (LUT) regulation as well as being engaged in pelvic pain states. To date, no molecular markers have been identified to enable specific visualization of LUT afferents, which are embedded within spinal cord segments that also subserve somatic functions. Moreover, previous studies have not fully investigated the patterning within or across spinal segments, compared afferent innervation of the bladder and urethra, or explored possible structural sex differences in these pathways. We have addressed these questions in adult Sprague Dawley rats, using intramural microinjection of the tract tracer, B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB). Afferent distribution was analyzed within individual sections and 3D reconstructions from sections across four spinal cord segments (L5-S2), and in cleared intact spinal cord viewed with light sheet microscopy. Simultaneous mapping of preganglionic neurons showed their location throughout S1 but restricted to the caudal half of L6. Afferents from both LUT regions extended from L5 to S2, even where preganglionic motor pathways were absent. In L6 and S1, most afferents were associated with the sacral preganglionic nucleus (SPN) and sacral dorsal commissural nucleus (SDCom), with very few in the superficial laminae of the dorsal horn. Spinal innervation patterns by bladder and urethra afferents were remarkably similar, likewise the patterning in male and female rats. In conclusion, microscale to macroscale mapping has identified distinct features of LUT afferent projections to the lumbosacral cord and provided a new anatomic approach for future studies on plasticity, injury responses, and modeling of these pathways.

CmC(A/T)GG DNA methylation in mature B cell lymphoma gene silencing.

DNA methylation has been linked to gene silencing in cancer. Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) and myeloma are lymphoid malignancies that arise from terminally differentiated B cells. Interestingly, PEL do not express immunoglobulins or most B lineage-specific genes. The B cell-specific B29 (Igbeta/CD79b) gene is silenced in PEL and some myelomas but is expressed in other normal and malignant B cells. B29 expression was reactivated in PEL by demethylating and histone deacetylase inhibiting treatments. Bisulfite sequencing revealed two types of DNA methylation in silenced B29 promoters: at conventional CpG and at CC(A/T)GG B29 promoter sites. The pattern of methylated CpG ((m)CpG) and C(m)C(A/T)GG B29 promoter methylation observed was similar to that recently reported for epigenetic silencing of an integrated retrovirus. Methylation of C(m)C(A/T)GG sites in the B29 promoter significantly repressed in vivo transcriptional activity. Also, methylation of a central conserved C(m)CTGG B29 promoter site blocked the binding of early B cell factor. This methylated motif formed DNA-protein complexes with nuclear extracts from all cell types examined. Therefore, C(m)C(A/T)GG methylation may represent an important type of epigenetic marker on mammalian DNA that impacts transcription by altering DNA-protein complex formation.

Requirement of CHROMOMETHYLASE3 for maintenance of CpXpG methylation.

Epigenetic silenced alleles of the Arabidopsis SUPERMAN locus (the clark kent alleles) are associated with dense hypermethylation at noncanonical cytosines (CpXpG and asymmetric sites, where X = A, T, C, or G). A genetic screen for suppressors of a hypermethylated clark kent mutant identified nine loss-of-function alleles of CHROMOMETHYLASE3 (CMT3), a novel cytosine methyltransferase homolog. These cmt3 mutants display a wild-type morphology but exhibit decreased CpXpG methylation of the SUP gene and of other sequences throughout the genome. They also show reactivated expression of endogenous retrotransposon sequences. These results show that a non-CpG DNA methyltransferase is responsible for maintaining epigenetic gene silencing.

Occupational Adaptation model versus biomechanical-rehabilitation model in the treatment of patients with hip fractures.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the effectiveness of the Occupational Adaptation frame of reference with the biomechanical-rehabilitation model in the treatment of two groups of 20 patients post-hip fracture. METHOD: Using a quasi-experimental design, groups were compared on changes in scores on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), a satisfaction questionnaire developed for this study and discharge environment. RESULTS: No group differences in FIM changes for the total stay were found. However, average FIM score change per day of hospitalization and overall patient satisfaction were higher in the OccupationalAdaptation group. No significant differences in the discharge environment were present. CONCLUSION: Both groups benefited from occupational therapy intervention. Occupational Adaptation was associated with a more efficient outcome and greater patient satisfaction.

The late flowering phenotype of fwa mutants is caused by gain-of-function epigenetic alleles of a homeodomain gene.

The transition to flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana is delayed in fwa mutant plants. FWA was identified by loss-of-function mutations in normally flowering revertants of the fwa mutant, and it encodes a homeodomain-containing transcription factor. The DNA sequence of wild-type and fwa mutant alleles was identical in the genomic region of FWA. Furthermore, the FWA gene is ectopically expressed in fwa mutants and silenced in mature wild-type plants. This silencing is associated with extensive methylation of two direct repeats in the 5' region of the gene. The late flowering phenotype, ectopic FWA expression, and hypomethylation of the repeats were also induced in the ddm1 hypomethylated background. Mechanisms for establishment and maintenance of the epigenetic mark on FWA are discussed.

The triumph of the segregationists? A historiographical inquiry into psychology and the Brown litigation.

Psychologists testified at the trials of Brown v. Board of Education and helped write briefs that were submitted to the Supreme Court on appeal. Psychologists were once proud of what they did in Brown but are now seen as liberal reformers who masked their political wishes in the guise of social science. The argument that psychologists involved with Brown were social reformers rather than objective scientists dates to the segregationist critique of Brown. The author traces the history of the critique of the Brown psychologists from its segregationist origins to its acceptance by mainstream social scientific and historical scholars. The author concludes that the critique is based on a misreading of what the Brown psychologists did during the litigation.

MR imaging of ulnar nerve entrapment secondary to an anomalous wrist muscle.

MR imaging of an anomalous hypothenar adductor muscle causing isolated deep ulnar nerve branch compression and producing a purely motor neuropathy is presented. The muscle appears to represent a type 1 variant of the intrinsic anomalous hypothenar adductor muscle.

Bridle transfer for paresis of the anterior and lateral compartment musculature.

In the Riordan (bridle) transfer, the posterior tibialis muscle as motor is routed through the interosseous membrane and anastomosed into a "bridle" formed by the distal tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles. In theory, the bridle provides inversion/eversion balance even if the transfer effects only tenodesis. However, the procedure has been criticized because its insertion is not into bone. This review analyzes the use of bridle transfer in flaccid paresis involving musculature innervated by the peroneal nerve. Surgery was performed 1 to 3 years after injury for patients with traumatic etiology. Ten patients are reviewed at 61 months' mean follow-up. Eight patients had traumatic peroneal nerve loss. Two had neuromuscular etiology. Evaluation included review of records, telephone interviews, and physical examinations. Data on functional status included walking barefoot running, need for bracing, return to duty, and patient satisfaction. Physical examination recorded ankle position and motions, gait findings, and results of static electromyograms. All patients were able to walk barefoot, but 6 of 10 had a mild to moderate limp. Five patients returned to running initially; only two were able to keep running. Nine patients were brace-free initially (polio sequela required bracing initially), and four others returned to bracing. Of these, two experienced an acute "tearing" and dorsiflexion loss, one sustained a prolonged gradual loss of dorsiflexion, and one sustained a contralateral cerebrovascular accident. Only three of seven patients returned to active duty, and one is on jump status. All patients were satisfied with their initial result. Only two patients had no detectable swing phase problems (both returned to active duty). Five patients had peroneal nerve exploration with repair or neurolysis; two of them sustained complete transections. Postoperative electromyograms showed insignificant, if any, nerve return. The Riordan transfer works well for neuromuscular flaccid paresis and in patients with peroneal nerve injuries with low demands. It may stretch out over time to the point of acute failure in patients with high demands. Concurrent peroneal nerve exploration and repair did not seem to be beneficial in this small study.

Controlled motion rehabilitation after flexor tendon repair and grafting. A multi-centre study.

We present a system for treatment by controlled motion after repair of flexor tendons in the hand. This Washington regimen incorporates both controlled active extension against passive flexion by rubber band and the use of controlled passive extension and flexion. We utilise the Brooke Army Hospital modification of the rubber band passive flexion splint; this provides for maximal excursion of the tendon with full passive flexion of the finger. The 66 patients (78 fingers) who form the basis of this study all sustained complete laceration of the flexor profundus and superficialis tendons in "no man's land". Results were evaluated by the Strickland formula of total active motion (TAM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Sixty-two fingers (80%) were rated "excellent", 14 fingers (18%) were "good", two fingers (2%) were "fair", none was rated "poor". Our regimen of controlled motion rehabilitation has also been applied with equal success to cases of flexor tendon grafting.

Infrared laser heating for studies of cellulose degradation.

We describe a new technique for studying thermally induced chemical transformations in cellulose. The apparatus consists of a carbon dioxide laser for heating, an IR thermometer, and an optical reflectance spectrometer for tracking the progressive discoloration of the sample. To illustrate the technique, we present measurements from a single piece of sample linen along five isotherms in the 200-290 degrees C range. We derive an algebraic expression for the reflectivity of the sample as a function of the areal concentrations of the chromophoric states produced at temperature. The results are then explained in terms of first-order chemical rate theory and a four-step model. From the measurements we derive the activation energies, Arrhenius constants, and reflectivities of the chromophoric states.

Cast-brace treatment of ankle sprains.

Forty-two severely sprained ankles treated by a cast-brace have been reviewed. This method was devised to avoid the disadvantages of immobilization. Diagnosis was based on the history and clinical signs. Strain films were taken in 31 patients but it is submitted that this investigation may be misleading unless general anaesthesia is used. The results of the treatment by cast-brace compare favourably with those by other methods and it is considered that patients were able to return to sport in a shorter time.

Injuries to the lateral ligament of the ankle: assessment and treatment.

Initial assessment of severity of injury to the lateral ligament of the ankle is by clinical examination. If it is thought that there is a possibility of either lateral or anterior instability, patients are investigated radiologically by anterior and inversion stress films. If instability is demonstrated a peroneal tenogram is carried out to exclude damage to the calcaneo-fibular ligament. Treatment is by means of a cast brace if instability is present. The advantages of this are preservation of calf power and improved joint function. The early results are reported in relation to the improvement in stability and early return to sporting activity.

Tibial intercondylar fractures in children: a review of the classification and the treatment of mal-union.

Forced flexion with internal rotation of the knee in a child can result in an avulsion fracture of the tibial intercondylar area by the anterior cruciate ligament. Accurate radiological assessment of the size of the fragment is difficult. Conservative treatment with plaster immobilization in 30-50 degrees of flexion is recommended for Type I fractures. Operative reduction is suggested for all Type III and some Type II fractures. Correction of mal-union can be achieved by excision of a wedge of tibial bone and reattachment of the origin of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Investigation of shoulder disability by arthrography.

Fifty patients with pain and limitation of movement at the shoulder joint were investigated by arthrography. Normal findings using a double contrast technique are described. The main arthrographic patterns encountered were found in complete and incomplete tears of the rotator cuff, and capsulitis. Abnormalities of the bicipital tendon sheath were non-filling and leakage of contrast medium from the sheath. Extravasation of contrast medium from the bicipital tendon sheath and subscapularis bursa was considered to be due to over-distension of a joint with a reduced capacity. The accuracy of the procedure and the reasons for false negative arthrograms and surgical exploration are discussed.