Interpersonal neural synchrony when predicting others' actions during a game of rock-paper-scissors.

As members of a social species, we spend most of our time interacting with others. In interactions, we tend to mutually align our behavior and brain responses to communicate more effectively. In a semi-computerized version of the Rock-Paper-Scissors game, we investigated whether people show enhanced interpersonal neural synchronization when making explicit predictions about others' actions. Across four experimental conditions, we measured the dynamic brain activity using the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning method. Results showed that interpersonal neural synchrony was enhanced when participants played the game together as they would do in real life in comparison to when they played the game on their own. We found no evidence of increased neural synchrony when participants made explicit predictions about others' actions. Hence, neural synchrony may depend on mutual natural interaction rather than an explicit prediction strategy. This study is important, as it examines one of the presumed functions of neural synchronization namely facilitating predictions.

Clonable progenitors committed to the T lymphocyte lineage in the mouse bone marrow; use of an extrathymic pathway.

We searched for clonable committed T cell progenitors in the adult mouse bone marrow and isolated rare (approximately 0.05%) cells with the Thy-1hiCD2-CD16+CD44hiCD25-Lin- phenotype. In vivo experiments showed that these cells were progenitors committed only to reconstituting the T cell lineage of irradiated Ly5 congenic hosts. Reconstitution of the thymus was minimal compared with that of the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. At limiting dilutions, donor T cell reconstitution of the spleen frequently occurred without detectable donor cells in the thymus. Progenitors were capable of rapidly reconstituting athymic hosts. In conclusion, the clonable bone marrow progenitors were capable of T cell reconstitution predominantly by means of an extrathymic pathway.

Semaphorin II can function as a selective inhibitor of specific synaptic arborizations.

Previous studies showed that grasshopper semaphorin I, a transmembrane semaphorin, functions in vivo to steer a pair of growth cones, prevent defasciculation, and inhibit branching; and that chick collapsin, a secreted semaphorin, can function in vitro to cause growth cone collapse. Semaphorin II, a secreted semaphorin in Drosophila, is transiently expressed by a single large muscle during motoneuron outgrowth and synapse formation. To test the in vivo function of semaphorin II, we created transgenic Drosophila that generate ectopic semaphorin II expression by muscles that normally do not express it. The results show that semaphorin II can function in vivo as a selective target-derived signal that inhibits the formation of specific synaptic terminal arbors.

The semaphorin genes encode a family of transmembrane and secreted growth cone guidance molecules.

In addition to its expression on subsets of axons, grasshopper Semaphorin I (Sema I, previously called Fasciclin [Fas] IV) is expressed on an epithelial stripe in the limb bud, where it functions in the guidance of two sensory growth cones as they abruptly turn upon encountering this sema I boundary. We report here on the cloning and characterization of two sema genes in Drosophila, one in human, and the identification of two related viral sequences, all of which encode proteins with conserved Semaphorin domains. Drosophila sema (D-Sema) I is a transmembrane protein, while D-Sema II and human Sema III are putative secreted proteins that are similar to the recently reported chick collapsin. D-Sema I and D-Sema II are expressed by subsets of neurons and muscles. Genetic analysis in Drosophila reveals that semall is an essential gene that is required for both proper adult behavior and survival.

Fasciclin IV: sequence, expression, and function during growth cone guidance in the grasshopper embryo.

Monoclonal antibody 6F8 was used to characterize and clone fasciclin IV, a new axonal glycoprotein in the grasshopper, and to study its function during growth cone guidance. Fasciclin IV is dynamically expressed on a subset of axon pathways in the developing CNS and on circumferential bands of epithelial cells in developing limb buds. One of these bands corresponds to the location where the growth cones of the Ti1 pioneer neurons make a characteristic turn while extending toward the CNS. Embryos cultured in the 6F8 antibody or Fab exhibit aberrant formation of this axon pathway. cDNA sequence analysis suggests that fasciclin IV has a signal sequence; long extracellular, transmembrane, and short cytoplasmic domains; and shows no homology with any protein in the available data bases. Thus, fasciclin IV appears to be a novel integral membrane protein that functions in growth cone guidance.

[Diagnosis of peripheral arterial occlusive disease: clinical, haemodynamic and metabolic investigation (author's transl)]. / Diagnostik der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit. Klinische, hämodynamische und metabolische Untersuchungen.

The value of quantitative (venous-occlusion plethysmography), semiquantitative (ultrasound-Doppler method; walking distance; duration of bicycle ergometry) and metabolic (lactate, pyruvate) tests was assessed in 41 patients with arterial occlusive disease of the upper leg type. It was demonstrated that blood pressure measurement using the Doppler method is of great importance. Significant differentiation between normal and impaired blood flow was obtained with venous-occulsion plethysmography for both "first flow" and "peak flow". The diagnostic value as to the degree of peripheral arterial disease was similar for plethysmography and Doppler methods. Duration of bicycle ergometry provided an important pointer to the degree of functional impairment of the affected extremity. The level of lactate and pyruvate in femoral venous blood is suitable more for serial controls and assessment of treatment in patients in whom haemodynamic studies have already clarified the diagnosis of impaired blood flow.

[Coronary-angiographic demonstration of the dilating effect of dipyridamole on coronary arteries and its inhibition by caffeine (author's transl)]. / Koronarangiographischer Nachweis der Dilatation der Koronararterien durch Dipyridamol und ihre Hemmung durch Coffein

Selective coronary cineangiographies are performed repeatedly in 13 mongrel dogs. The contrast medium itself has no demonstrable dilating effect upon the vessels. After the first injection of 0.2 mg/kg of dipyridamole the left anterior coronary artery is significantly (p less than 0.001) dilated, which is in contrast to some results described in literature. Immediately after an injection of high doses of caffeine (10 mg/kg) the previously enlarged coronary diameter decreases significantly (p less than 0.001). During the action of caffeine subsequent infections of dipyridamole result in a very small, or no change in coronary diameter. The coronary-dilating effect of dipyridamole can be inhibited by high doses of caffeine (10 mg/kg).

Spiroergometric and telemetric investigations during the XXI International Stoke Mandeville Games 1972 in Heidelberg.

Spiroergometric and telemetric investigations were carried out on 100 paralysed athletes during the XXI International Stoke Mandeville Games in Heidelberg, 1972. The technical and organisational difficulties in carrying out these measurements were engendered by the disabilities of subjects. The maximum oxygen uptake observed and the oxygen pulse were lower than in non-disabled persons. There were no differences in the peak heart rates (180-200 beats/min.) as compared with non-disabled athletes during particular competition situations. Sports characterised by quickness, dexterity and strength are not able to train the cardiopulomnary system substantially. Swimming is recommended as beneficial. Psychological and training physiological considerations suggest that long-distance wheelchair races should be adopted as a Stoke Mandeville event.