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Copyright of Rechtsmedizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Context: Trunk flexion and extension in normal participants using the Biodex and a LIDO-Back isokinetic trunk dynamometer. Objective: Assessment of interreproducibility of the isokinetic LIDO-Back system. Design and Setting: Intertester reproducibility study in a tertiary-care center (outpatient rehabilitation). Participants: 10 healthy individuals (4 women and 6 men) with a mean age of 29 years. Main Outcome Measures: Intertester reproducibility correlations of the isokinetic LIDO-Back. Measurements of 2 therapists were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC[1,1]). Results: For the flexion parameters the ICCs were between .86 and .98, and for extension, between .63 and .78. Conclusions: A high intertester reproducibility relating to measurements of the LIDO-Back isokinetic trunk dynamometer was demonstrated. Intertester-reproducibility studies should become a routine method in the rehabilitation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperosmotic stress may result in osmotic volume loss from the body to the environment in animals which cannot control the water permeability of their integument. Euryhaline (having a wide tolerance range of environmental salinities) animals have generally evolved the ability to counteract cell volume shrinkage by accumulating inorganic and organic osmolytes within their cells to balance internal and external osmolalities. Molluscs use very different combinations of amino acids and amino acid derivatives to achieve this goal. Theodoxus fluviatilis (Linneaus, 1758) is a neritid gastropod that is distributed not only in limnic habitats in Europe but also in brackish waters (e.g. along the shore line of the Baltic Sea). Animals from brackish sites survive better in high salinities than animals from freshwater locations. The results of this study indicate that these differences in salinity tolerance cannot be explained by differences in the general ability to accumulate amino acids as organic osmolytes. Although there may be differences in the metabolic pathways involved in osmolyte accumulation in foot muscle tissue, both groups of animals accumulate amino acid mixtures equally well when stepwise acclimated to their respective maximum tolerable salinity for extended periods. Among these amino acids, alanine, proline as well as the osmolyte urea hold a special importance for cell volume preservation in Theodoxus under hyperosmotic stress. It is possible that the accumulation of various amino acids during hyperosmotic stress occurs via hydrolysis of storage proteins, while alanine and proline are most likely newly synthesised under conditions of hyperosmotic stress in the animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widely distributed snail species Theodoxus fluviatilis (Linneaus, 1758) is rather diverse in shell size and patterning. It has formed regional subgroups in northern Germany that appear separate in either fresh- or brackish water, yet, according to literature, are indistinguishable by morphology, anatomy or mtRNA markers. Tolerance towards challenging salinities, however, is distinct. The question as to whether the observed difference in salinity tolerance is a result of local adaptation or of phenotypic plasticity remains. In this study, physiological limits to salinity stress and tolerance shift abilities were compared between individuals from both subgroups in a salinity transfer experiment and acclimation regime followed by a survival analysis. Brackish water animals struggled in freshwater but performed much better than freshwater individuals when directly transferred into higher salinities. With acclimation to their challenging salinities, individuals of both subgroups achieved shifts in the slopes of their reaction norms and were able to survive salinity levels otherwise lethal to them. Even with this shift freshwater animals were not able reach the tolerance levels of brackish water individuals. The results indicate that phenotypic plasticity as well as genetic adaptation may determine osmotolerance in regional subgroups of T. fluviatilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heligmosomoides americanus is shown by molecular phylogenetic analysis of 3 nuclear (28S, ITS1, and ITS2) and 2 mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase 1 and cytochrome b) loci to be a distinct species of heligmosomid nematode with a long-independent evolutionary history, and not a subspecies of Heligmosomoides polygyrus . Rather than being a recent arrival in North America, the species probably originated as a Beringian immigrant with the host vole Phenacomys, approximately 2 million years ago (MYA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) known to induce inositol phosphate generation and calcium signals as well as rearrangements of the cytoskeleton and mitogenic responses in fibroblasts, for its ability to activate phospholipase C in an exocrine cell system, the salt-secreting cells from the avian nasal salt gland. LPA (> 10 nmol/l) caused the generation of inositol phosphates from membrane-bound phosphatidylinositides. The resulting calcium signals resembled those generated upon activation of muscarinic receptors, the physiological stimulus triggering salt secretion in these cells. However, close examination of the LPA-mediated calcium signals revealed that the initial calcium spike induced by high concentrations of LPA (> 10 mumol/l) may contain a component that is not dependent upon generation of inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and may result from calcium influx from the extracellular medium induced by LPA in a direct manner. Low concentrations of LPA (< 10 mumol/l), however, induce inositol phosphate generation, Ins(1,4,5)P3-mediated release of calcium from intracellular pools and calcium entry. These effects seem to be mediated by a specific plasma membrane receptor and a G protein transducing the signal to phospholipase C in a pertussis-toxin-insensitive manner. Signaling pathways of the muscarinic receptor and the putative LPA-receptor seem to merge at the G-protein level as indicated by the fact that carbachol and LPA trigger hydrolysis of the same pool of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2) and mobilize calcium from the same intracellular stores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP). The use of diagnostic triage and the assessment of prognostic factors are suggested. Psychosocial distress, depressive mood, and prior episodes of LBP should be considered in the assessment of patients with nonspecific CLBP. Cognitive behavioural therapy, supervised exercise therapy and brief educational interventions are recommended to treat nonspecific CLBP.

Within the past few years, the phylogenetic tree is discussed controversially regarding the position of the different bilaterian groups. There are two varying views of evolution: the classical one based on morphological structures where the annelids and arthropods are combined in the group of Articulata, and a new hypothesis based on molecular data sets, which divides the protostomian groups in Ecdysozoa (e.g. arthropods, and nematodes) and Lophotrochozoa (e.g. annelids, molluscs, and platyhelminthes). The Na+/K+-ATPase is a highly conserved protein and fulfils a very important role in physiology and maintaining the homeostasis of cells and can be found in almost all eukaryotic animals. Due to its similar molecular structure throughout the animal kingdom the Na+/K+-ATPase is an excellent marker for phylogenetic studies. Here we report the molecular cloning, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of Na+/K+-ATPase complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) of the medical leech Hirudo medicinalis. The cloned cDNA codes for a polypeptide of 1022 amino acids and possesses a predicted molecular mass of 113.33 kDa. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete Na+/K+-ATPase α-subunit of H. medicinalis and sequence data from other Na+/K+-ATPases supports the previously developed ‘Ecdysozoa concept’ with high posterior probabilities. A common clade comprising annelids and platyhelminthes can be defined, whereas nematodes are in a basal position at the arthropod stem line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many bird species, the nasal glands secrete excess salt ingested with drinking water or food. In ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), osmotic stress results in adaptive cell proliferation and differentiation in the gland. Using ‘naive’ nasal gland cells isolated from animals that had never ingested excess salt or ‘differentiated’ cells from animals fed with a 1% NaCl solution for 48 h, we investigated the allocation of metabolic energy to salt excretory processes and to other cellular activities. Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (carbachol) or β-adrenergic receptors (isoproterenol) in nasal gland cells resulted in a transient peak in metabolic rate followed by an elevated plateau level that was maintained throughout the activation period. Activation of cells using vasoactive intestinal peptide, however, had only marginal effects on metabolic rate. In differentiated cells, sequential stimulation with carbachol and isoproterenol resulted in additive changes in metabolic rate during the plateau phase. Naive cells, however, developed supra-additive plateau levels in metabolic rates indicating cross-talk of both signaling pathways. Using bumetanide, TEA or barium ions to block different components of the ion transport machinery necessary for salt secretion, the relative proportion of energy needed for processes related to ion transport or other cellular processes was determined. While differentiated cells in the activated state allocated virtually all metabolic energy to processes related to salt secretion, naive cells reserved a significant amount of energy for other processes, possibly sustaining cellular signaling and regulating biosynthetic mechanisms related to adaptive growth and differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Manuelle Medizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anaesthesist is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Der Schmerz is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archiv für Orthopädische und Unfall-Chirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)