Search

Our goal was to analyze the anatomical parameters of the lumbar spine spinous process for an interspinous stabilization device designed for the Chinese population and to offer an anatomical basis for its clinical application. The posterior lumbar spines (T12-S1) of 52 adult cadavers were used for measuring the following: distance between two adjacent spinous processes (DB), distance across two adjacent spinous processes (DA), thickness of the central spinous processes (TC), thickness of the superior margin of the spinous processes (TS), thickness of the inferior margin of the spinous processes (TI), and height of the spinous processes (H). Variance and correlation analyses were conducted for these data, and the data met the normal distribution and homogeneity of variance. DB decreased gradually from L1-2 to L5-S1. DA increased from T12-L1 to L2-3 and then decreased from L2-3 to L4-5. The largest H in males was noted at L3 (25.45±5.96 mm), whereas for females the largest H was noted at L4 (18.71±4.50 mm). Usually, TS of the adjacent spinous process was lower than TI. Based on the anatomical parameters of the lumbar spinous processes obtained in this study, an “H”-shaped coronal plane (posterior view) was proposed as an interspinous stabilization device for the Chinese population. This study reports morphometric data of the lumbar spinous processes in the Chinese population, which provides an anatomical basis for future clinical applications.

Our goal was to analyze the anatomical parameters of the lumbar spine spinous process for an interspinous stabilization device designed for the Chinese population and to offer an anatomical basis for its clinical application. The posterior lumbar spines (T12-S1) of 52 adult cadavers were used for measuring the following: distance between two adjacent spinous processes (DB), distance across two adjacent spinous processes (DA), thickness of the central spinous processes (TC), thickness of the superior margin of the spinous processes (TS), thickness of the inferior margin of the spinous processes (TI), and height of the spinous processes (H). Variance and correlation analyses were conducted for these data, and the data met the normal distribution and homogeneity of variance. DB decreased gradually from L1-2 to L5-S1. DA increased from T12-L1 to L2-3 and then decreased from L2-3 to L4-5. The largest H in males was noted at L3 (25.45±5.96 mm), whereas for females the largest H was noted at L4 (18.71±4.50 mm). Usually, TS of the adjacent spinous process was lower than TI. Based on the anatomical parameters of the lumbar spinous processes obtained in this study, an “H”-shaped coronal plane (posterior view) was proposed as an interspinous stabilization device for the Chinese population. This study reports morphometric data of the lumbar spinous processes in the Chinese population, which provides an anatomical basis for future clinical applications.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of soy isoflavones on changes in body and tissue weight and on insulin-like factor I (IGF-I) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) gene and protein expression in muscle and adipose tissues in Chinese Guangxi minipig, as a model for studying human nutrition. A total of 72 male Chinese Guangxi minipigs were fed basal diet (control, Con), low dose of soy isoflavones and high dose of soy isoflavones (HSI). The results showed that HSI increased the body weight (BW) gain and fat percentage of minipigs (P < 0.05). In addition, the serum concentrations of IGF-I and interleukin-6 were increased by high levels of soy isoflavones (P < 0.05). Furthermore, a diet containing soy isoflavones enhanced IGF-I mRNA expression levels in longissimus muscle, but decreased these levels in perirenal fat. However, the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARγ in longissimus muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue were both increased when compared with the Con. The data indicated that soy isoflavones regulated the BW gain and fat percentage of Chinese Guangxi minipigs, which also showed changes in IGF-I system and PPARγ. However, further research is required to clarify the causative relationship.

The geomorphological analysis of the erosion potential of 52 sublatitudinal and 39 submeridional river basins within the boundaries of the Belgorod region has been performed. The asymmetry of each of them has been determined. A typology of paradynamical areas has been elaborated with the help of the digital elevation model, based on the objectively detected differences of exposure, vertical dissection, and joint influence of the length and steepness of slopes (relief function). The paradynamical areas comprise the geomorphological stages on the macroslope of the river basin. It has been shown that the most significant factors of integration of the paradynamical areas into the geomorphologically homogenous units are the relief function and vertical dissection. The effect of exposure differences occurs at a lower level of integration. The spatial orientation and order of the basin determine the features of asymmetry of its macroslopes. The asymmetry of submeridional basins appears only for the watercourses of V–VII orders, thereby indicating the scale limits of this regularity.

Estimaram-se o valor energético das forrageiras e o consumo de matéria seca por novilhas, em função do ganho de peso, criadas em pastagens de capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Napier) e capim-mombaça (Panicum maximum, cv. Mombaça), manejadas sob sistema rotacionado, mediante amostras tomadas via extrusa esofágica. As amostras relativas ao terceiro, segundo e primeiro dias de ocupação foram utilizadas para determinar os teores matéria seca, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido, lignina e cinzas para calcular os nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT). Os valores do NDT preditos pelo sistema americano (NRC) e os estimados a partir do ganho de peso foram comparados com ajustamento de modelo de regressão linear simples. Os ganhos médios de peso diário foram de 0,649kg e de 0,590kg, respectivamente, para o capim-elefante e para o capim-mombaça, o que resultou na rejeição da hipótese de nulidade, ou seja, resultou em ausência de equivalência entre os valores preditos pelo sistema e os observados. A incorporação do fator empírico de correção (0,85) em substituição ao valor (0,667) proposto pelo NRC minimizou a ocorrência deste comportamento viesado.Elephantgrass (Pennisetum purpureum, Schum. cv. Napier) and mombaçagrass (Panicum maximum, cv. Mombaça) pastures were evaluated under rotational grazing with samplings taken by esophageal extrusa. The energy value of grasses and the dry matter intake of heifers as a function of the weight gains were estimated. Samples relating to the third, second, and first days of the occupation period were used to determine the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) to calculate the total digestible nutrients (TDN). The TDN values predicted by the American System (NRC) and those estimated from heifers weight gains were compared with adjustment of simple linear regression. The average weight gains were 0.649 and 0.590kg, respectively, for elephantgrass and mombaçagrass, that resulted in the rejection of nullity hypothesis, which means, it resulted in absence of similarity among values predicted by the system and those observed. The incorporation of the empirical factor (0.85) replacing the value (0.667) proposed by NRC resulted in better estimation.

Estimou-se a fração protéica não degradável no rúmen obtida a partir dos compostos nitrogenados insolúveis em detergente ácido (PIDA). Foram utilizadas 96 amostras obtidas por simulação manual de pastejo e extrusa esofágica em dois sistemas de pastejo rotacionado com capim-elefante (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Napier) e com capim-mombaça (Pannicum maximum cv. Mombaça). A fração protéica não degradável no rúmen observada ou real foi obtida por intermédio de incubação ruminal das amostras por 240 horas, seguida de tratamento com detergente neutro, denominada proteína não degradável insolúvel em detergente neutro (PIIDN). A comparação entre valores preditos e observados foi feita por intermédio do ajustamento de equação de regressão linear simples de valores preditos sobre valores observados (PIIDN). Os resultados permitiram evidenciar a não-equivalência (P0,28) entre os valores preditos e observados da fração protéica não degradável. Sugere-se que a PIDA não seja adotada como estimador da fração protéica não degradável, a qual deve ser estimada por intermédio de métodos biológicos, dentre os quais sugerem-se os protocolos adotados para obtenção das concentrações de PIIDN.

The central revelation in the Old Testament and the Christian foundation of the Potchefstoom University. The PU for CHE acknowledges the revelation of God in creation and his Word as its foundation. The issue concerning the focus of the revelation in Scripture is answered in different ways. Looking at the Old Testament from a revelatory-cognitive approach, the LORD’S own disclosure as “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14) may be a meaningful response. The concept “I am who I am” has a incomprehensible as well as a comprehensible meaning which reveals our knowledge of the LORD in a great diversity (He is God, the Creator, the Saviour, the Holy One, etc.). In addition, Christ proclaimed Himself in the New Testament as "I am ... ”. This central concept opens up the opportunity for a Christian university to do scientific work with the full reality of creation as its object.

In this article the meaning of Deutoronomy is described from the perspective of a revelation-cognitive viewpoint, and attention is directed to the prescriptive character of the book. Deuteronomy has its origin with Moses, but in the course of many years it has been supplemented and actualized. The revelational content testi­ fies amongst others that Moses is speaking in the name of Vahweh; what the relationship is between Vahweh and the nation; Who He is and what is demanded of each member of the nation; and there is a consideration of the special time-bound determinations which are yet constructed on the basis of firm principles. In the New Testament the power of the Word, as actualized in the teachings of Jesus, can be found again.