SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Meanders”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

PubMed1999

[The efficiency of magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in the diagnosis and vertigo--prediction of vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI) and atherosclerosis].

Major causes of vertigo in patients who attend Otolaryngology clinics are peripheral vestibular disorders (PVD) and vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). The purpose of this study was to see whether MRA findings can distinguish VBI from PVD to evaluate the efficiency of MRA in the diagnosis of vertigo. A total of 185 vertigo patients were examined by MRA with the 3D-Phase Contrast method. Three kinds of abnormalities of vessels, that is, (a) disappearance, (b) meandering, and (c) stoppage were found in MRA imaging. Therefore, we classified the MRA patterns into four types with two subtypes: type I; normal, type II-R; right hypoform of the vertebral artery, II-L; left hypoform of the vertebral artery, III; meandering form of the vertebrobasilar artery, IV-1; stoppage form of the basilar artery, IV-2; hypoform of the bilateral vertebral and basilar arteries. Diagnosis of the MRA patterns in each patient was camed out by a radiologist and neurosurgeon with the cooperation of an otolaryngologist. In 185 vertigo patients, 139 patients were clinically diagnosed as having PVD, 41 patients as having VBI, and 5 patients as having cerebellar and brainstem infarctions. The numbers of patients in MRA patterns I, II-R, II-L, III and IV were 140, 17, 12, 8, and 8 cases, respectively. The total number of VBI patients who demonstrated type III or IV patterns in MRA was significantly higher than that of type I, II-R and II-L (P < 0.005). All of the 8 cases with cerebellar and brainstem infarction belonged to type IV. Cerebral angiography was performed in nine cases with type II-R, II-L, III or IV-1, and the number of patients in each group was 3, 3, 1 and 2 cases, respectively. All of the type II-R and II-L cases revealed hypoform of the vertebral artery. The appearance of type III was restricted to type III's view was only meandering and type IV-1 showed severe stenotic changes in the union area. These data show that MRA findings in the diagnosis of vertigo patients are very effective in distinguishing VBI and cerebellar and brainstem infarction from PVD and that some pattern of MRA may correspond to atherosclerosis of the vertebrobasilar artery. We think MRA examination of vertigo patients is useful not only to assist in the diagnosis of the etiology but also to predict the stage of atherosclerosis in each patient.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Novel receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPrho) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) transcripts delineate a rostrocaudal boundary in the granule cell layer of the murine cerebellar cortex.

We have identified a novel receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatase (RPTPrho) transcript whose expression in the cerebellar cortex is restricted to the granule cell layer of lobules 1-6. Acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) mRNA follows a similar cerebellar expression pattern. Together, the two markers define a sharp boundary in lobule 6, slightly caudal to the primary fissure. Anterior and posterior compartments became discernible only during postnatal weeks two and six, for RPTPrho and FGF-1, respectively. A rostrocaudal boundary in lobule 6 of the murine cerebellar cortex has also been identified morphologically by the effects of the meander tail mutation. The position of the RPTPrho and FGF-1 boundary on the rostrocaudal axis of the cerebellar cortex was close to, but not coincident with, the caudal extent of the disorganized anterior lobe of meander tail and the rostral extent of Otx-2 expression. The restricted pattern of FGF-1 and RPTPrho implies that these molecules may have specific signaling roles in the tyrosine phosphorylation/dephosphorylation pathway in the anterior compartment of the adult cerebellar cortex.

Animals↗

PubMed1992

Can we really walk straight?

Twenty healthy men were asked to walk as straight as possible to a target 60 m away at normal speed. A series of footprints was recorded for each subject by having him wear socks soaked with red ink and walk on white paper fixed flat to the floor. Fourier analysis was applied to determine whether the subjects actually were able to walk straight, and the results revealed that all walked in a sinuous line rather than a straight line. Periodicity and amplitude of the meandering differed from subject to subject. These facts suggest that none of us can walk in a strictly straight line; rather, we meander, primarily due to a slight structural or functional imbalance of our limbs, which produces a gait asymmetry, and secondarily due to feedback from our sense of sight, which acts to correct the shifted walking course.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Renal tubule of dogfish, Scyliorhinus caniculus: a comprehensive study of structure with emphasis on intramembrane particles and immunoreactivity for H(+)-K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase.

The ultrastructure of renal tubule cells was studied in the European lesser spotted dogfish by the evaluation of thin sections and freeze fracture replicas. Computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstruction of entire nephrons was performed. The distinction of nephron segments and collecting tubule was made using results of previous histological work. The first proximal tubule segment (PI) consists of two subsequent portions, PIa and PIb. PIa is a component of the lateral countercurrent bundle, and PIb, which displays an apical tubulovesicular apparatus and an extended lysosomal compartment, is located in the vicinity of the glomeruli. Rod-shaped intramembrane particles were detected in PIa. The second proximal tubule segment (PII) is a special segment in elasmobranch and teleost fish. PII differs largely from PI in cell morphology and function. The apical cytoplasm was filled with small clear vesicles, and an apical endocytic apparatus was lacking. In the apical cell membrane, rod-shaped particles were revealed by freeze fracture. The apical tight junctions of PI and PII consisted of seven to ten meandering strands. The distal nephron was subdivided into two major segments: early distal tubule (EDT) in the lateral countercurrent bundles and late distal tubule (LDT) in the mesial tissue. The EDT showed marked amplification of basolateral cell membranes. The tight junctions displayed a low number of continuous parallel strands, which is also characteristically found in the diluting segments of other vertebrates. LDT cells showed cytoplasmic studs and rod-shaped intramembraneous particles at the apical cell membrane, thereby resembling type A intercalated cells of collecting duct. The collecting tubule (CT) emerged from the LDT and was part of the countercurrent arrangement inside the lateral bundles. Tight junctions of LDT and CT consisted of many meandering strands in a honeycomb pattern. With immunohistochemistry, binding sites of a polyclonal antibody against an extraplasmic portion of rat gastric H(+)-K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) were observed at the apical cell membrane of PIa, PII, and LDT. From the colocalization of binding sites for the antibody against the transport enzyme with rod-shaped intramembrane particles, we assume that these might be the morphological correlate of gastric H(+)-K(+)-ATPase-like enzyme in the renal tubule.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

What determines growth direction in fungal hyphae?

We used high-resolution video microscopy and image analysis to map the trajectory of the Spitzenkörper in growing hyphae of Neurospora crassa and to correlate it with growth directionality. The Spitzenkörper followed a tortuous trajectory produced by a dominant forward motion accompanied by frequent, transverse oscillations. In hyphae with a fixed growth direction, the regression line of the Spitzenkörper trajectory corresponded to the longitudinal axis of the hypha. A permanent change in growth direction, i.e., the establishment of a new growth axis, was correlated with a sustained shift in Spitzenkörper trajectory away from the existing cell axis. In meandering hyphae, changes in growth directionality occurred somewhat erratically but there was a strong compensatory tendency reversing directional shifts and maintaining an overall fixed direction of growth. Although external factors greatly affect hyphal growth direction (tropisms), they are probably not the primary determinants of growth directionality. Inhibitors of microtubules, but not of actin microfilaments, caused hyphae to lose their growth directionality-providing support for the idea that Spitzenkörper trajectory is determined internally by a growing scaffolding of cytoplasmic microtubules. The meandering morphology of N. crassa hyphae was duplicated by computer simulation in support of the idea that hyphal morphogenesis is controlled by the position of the Spitzenkörper functioning as a vesicle supply center.

Computer Simulation↗

PubMed2001

Design and performance of a channel reconstruction project in a coastal California gravel-bed stream.

A 0.9 km-reach of Uvas Creek, California, was reconstructed as a sinuous, meandering channel in November 1995. In February 1996, this new channel washed out. We reviewed project documents to determine the basis for the project design and conducted our own historical geomorphological study to understand the processes operating in the catchment and project reach. The project was designed using a popular stream classification system, based on which the designers assumed that a "C4" channel (a meandering gravel-bed channel) would be stable at the site. Our historical geomorphological analysis showed that the reach had been braided historically, typical of streams draining the Franciscan Formation in the California Coast Ranges, with episodic flows and high sand and gravel transport. After the project washed out, Uvas Creek reestablished an irregular, braided sand-and-gravel channel, although the channel here was narrower than it had been historically, probably due to such factors as incision caused by gravel mining. Our study casts doubt on several assumptions common in many stream restoration projects: that channel stability is always an appropriate goal; that channel forms are determined by flows with return periods of about 1.5 years; that a channel classification system is an easy, appropriate basis for channel design; and that a new channel form can be imposed without addressing the processes that determine channel form.

California↗

PubMed1997

Morphology of a Wetland Stream

/ Little attention has been paid to wetland stream morphology in the geomorphological and environmental literature, and in the recently expanding wetland reconstruction field, stream design has been based primarily on stream morphologies typical of nonwetland alluvial environments. Field investigation of a wetland reach of Roaring Brook, Stafford, Connecticut, USA, revealed several significant differences between the morphology of this stream and the typical morphology of nonwetland alluvial streams. Six morphological features of the study reach were examined: bankfull flow, meanders, pools and riffles, thalweg location, straight reaches, and cross-sectional shape. It was found that bankfull flow definitions originating from streams in nonwetland environments did not apply. Unusual features observed in the wetland reach include tight bends and a large axial wavelength to width ratio. A lengthy straight reach exists that exceeds what is typically found in nonwetland alluvial streams. The lack of convex bank point bars in the bends, a greater channel width at riffle locations, an unusual thalweg location, and small form ratios (a deep and narrow channel) were also differences identified. Further study is needed on wetland streams of various regions to determine if differences in morphology between alluvial and wetland environments can be applied in order to improve future designs of wetland channels.KEY WORDS: Stream morphology; Wetland restoration; Wetland creation; Bankfull; Pools and riffles; Meanders; Thalweg

Journal Article↗

PubMed1985

Afferent innervation of extraocular muscles in the rat studied by retrograde and anterograde horseradish peroxidase transport.

After injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into extraocular muscles of rat perikarya were labeled mainly along the medial edge of the ophthalmic subdivision of the trigeminal ganglion but not in the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. Injections of HRP into the trigeminal ganglion labeled simple as well as branching and meandering free fiber endings in extraocular muscles. No evidence for muscle spindles was found, but the meandering endings may be considered as candidates for stretch receptors.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Self-assembly of acridine orange dye at a mica/solution interface: formation of nanostripe supramolecular architectures.

Optical waveguide spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) have been used to characterize the supramolecular architectures of acridine orange (AO) dye self-assembled at a mica/aqueous solution interface. Under the saturated adsorption conditions, optical waveguide spectroscopy revealed that the dye formed H-type aggregates at the interface. In situ AFM visualized interesting morphology of the dye aggregates showing nanosized meandering stripes with the width of approximately 1.5 nm (or brightness periodicity of approximately 3 nm). Electrostatic adsorption of the dye cations onto a mica surface as well as the intermolecular pi-pi stacking brought about the ordered nanostructures. We propose an interfacial aggregation model that shows a meandering staircase structure with the intermolecular slip angle of 60 degrees. According to the model, the AO molecule occupies a surface area of about 1.0 nm2.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Experiments on vertical transverse mixing in a large-scale heterogeneous model aquifer.

Vertical transverse mixing is known to be a controlling factor in natural attenuation of extended biodegradable plumes originating from continuously emitting sources. We perform conservative and reactive tracer tests in a quasi two-dimensional 14 m long sand box in order to quantify vertical mixing in heterogeneous media. The filling mimics natural sediments including a distribution of different hydro-facies, made of different sand mixtures, and micro-structures within the sand lenses. We quantify the concentration distribution of the conservative tracer by the analysis of digital images taken at steady state during the tracer-dye experiment. Heterogeneity causes plume meandering, leading to distorted concentration profiles. Without knowledge about the velocity distribution, it is not possible to determine meaningful vertical dispersion coefficients from the concentration profiles. Using the stream-line pattern resulting from an inverse model of previous experiments in the sand box, we can correct for the plume meandering. The resulting vertical dispersion coefficient is approximately approximately 4 x 10(-)(9) m(2)/s. We observe no distinct increase in the vertical dispersion coefficient with increasing travel distance, indicating that heterogeneity has hardly any impact on vertical transverse mixing. In the reactive tracer test, we continuously inject an alkaline solution over a certain height into the domain that is occupied otherwise by an acidic solution. The outline of the alkaline plume is visualized by adding a pH indicator into both solutions. From the height and length of the reactive plume, we estimate a transverse dispersion coefficient of approximately 3 x 10(-)(9) m(2)/s. Overall, the vertical transverse dispersion coefficients are less than an order of magnitude larger than pore diffusion coefficients and hardly increase due to heterogeneity. Thus, we conclude for the assessment of natural attenuation that reactive plumes might become very large if they are controlled by vertical dispersive mixing.

Coloring Agents↗

PubMed2006

Effects of repeated praziquantel treatment on schistosomiasis mekongi morbidity as detected by ultrasonography.

Schistosomiasis mekongi is endemic in the Mekong River basin; about 80,000 people are at risk of infection in Cambodia. We conducted ultrasonographic studies of patients with schistosomiasis mekongi in Kratie province, Cambodia, focusing especially on the relationship between the frequency of praziquantel treatment and findings of ultrasonographic imaging. The frequency of praziquantel treatment in the period from 1995 to 2002 was classified into four groups: 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 times. Ultrasonographic images were examined to determine the presence of thickening of the portal vein wall and formation of meandering collateral circulation of the splenic vein. We selected these parameters because they are unaffected by interobserver bias. The results showed that thickening of the portal vein wall may have potential to improve with frequent praziquantel treatment. On the other hand, established hard splenomegaly and meandering collateral circulation of the splenic vein, improved very little with praziquantel treatment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Structure of Aspergillus niger epoxide hydrolase at 1.8 A resolution: implications for the structure and function of the mammalian microsomal class of epoxide hydrolases.

BACKGROUND: Epoxide hydrolases have important roles in the defense of cells against potentially harmful epoxides. Conversion of epoxides into less toxic and more easily excreted diols is a universally successful strategy. A number of microorganisms employ the same chemistry to process epoxides for use as carbon sources. RESULTS: The X-ray structure of the epoxide hydrolase from Aspergillus niger was determined at 3.5 A resolution using the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) method, and then refined at 1.8 A resolution. There is a dimer consisting of two 44 kDa subunits in the asymmetric unit. Each subunit consists of an alpha/beta hydrolase fold, and a primarily helical lid over the active site. The dimer interface includes lid-lid interactions as well as contributions from an N-terminal meander. The active site contains a classical catalytic triad, and two tyrosines and a glutamic acid residue that are likely to assist in catalysis. CONCLUSIONS: The Aspergillus enzyme provides the first structure of an epoxide hydrolase with strong relationships to the most important enzyme of human epoxide metabolism, the microsomal epoxide hydrolase. Differences in active-site residues, especially in components that assist in epoxide ring opening and hydrolysis of the enzyme-substrate intermediate, might explain why the fungal enzyme attains the greater speeds necessary for an effective metabolic enzyme. The N-terminal domain that is characteristic of microsomal epoxide hydrolases corresponds to a meander that is critical for dimer formation in the Aspergillus enzyme.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

The equilibrium folding pathway of staphylococcal nuclease: identification of the most stable chain-chain interactions by NMR and CD spectroscopy.

In a previous report [Alexandrescu, A. T., Abeygunawardana, C., & Shortle, D. (1994) Biochemistry 33, 1063-1072], NMR methods were used to characterize the residual structure in delta 131 delta, a large fragment of staphylococcal nuclease that serves as a model denatured state under nondenaturing conditions. On the basis of a large number of missing amide protons for the residues that form a three-strand antiparallel beta sheet in the native state, it was concluded that this beta meander may be highly populated in delta 131 delta, with severe line broadening due to relatively slow exchange between different conformational states. In the present report, results from circular dichroism spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy indicate strands beta 2-beta 3 form a beta hairpin at urea concentrations below 6 M. Amide proton resonances from several hydrophobic residues adjacent to this beta hairpin disappear in concert with all of the beta 2-beta 3 residues, suggesting a local, non-native hydrophobic interaction may help stabilize the beta hairpin. At concentrations below 3 M, all amide resonances from strand beta 1 in delta 131 delta also disappear, suggesting that beta 1 may combine with the beta 2-beta 3 hairpin to form a native-like beta meander. In addition, the hydrophobic helix alpha 2 decreases from approximately 30% population in 0 M urea to approximately 10%-15% at 6 M urea, whereas helix alpha 1 goes from 10%-15% populated in 0 M urea to undetectable in 6 M urea. Characterization of a second, distinctly different denatured state, WT nuclease at pH 3.0 and low salt, reveals that this low-density acid-denatured state is structurally similar to delta 131 delta at low concentrations of urea. From these and previously published data, a tenative equilibrium folding pathway can be constructed for staphylococcal nuclease which describes the relative strengths and interdependencies of the chain-chain interactions involved in forming the native state.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2004

Transport and reaction in microscale segmented gas-liquid flow.

We use micro particle image velocimetry (microPIV) and fluorescence microscopy techniques to characterize microscale segmented gas-liquid flow at low superficial velocities relevant for chemical reactions with residence times of up to several minutes. Different gas-liquid microfluidic channel networks of rectangular cross section are fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques. The recirculation motion in the liquid segments associated with gas-liquid flows as well as the symmetry characteristics of the recirculations are quantified for straight and meandering channel networks. Even minor surface roughness effects and the compressibility of the gas phase induce loss of symmetry and enhance mixing across the centerline in straight channels. Mixing is further accelerated in meandering channels by the periodic switching of recirculation patterns across the channel center. We demonstrate a new, piezoelectrically activated flow injection technique for determining residence time distributions (RTDs) of fluid elements in multiphase microfluidic systems. The results confirm a narrowed liquid phase RTD in segmented flows in comparison to their single-phase counterparts. The enhanced mixing and narrow RTD characteristics of segmented gas-liquid flows are applied to liquid mixing and in sol-gel synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles.

Gases↗

PubMed2005

Defibrillation depends on conductivity fluctuations and the degree of disorganization in reentry patterns.

UNLABELLED: Defibrillation depends on conductivity and disorganization. INTRODUCTION: Cardiac fibrillation is the deterioration of the heart's normally well-organized activity into one or more meandering spiral waves, which subsequently break up into many meandering wave fronts. Delivery of an electric shock (defibrillation) is the only effective way of restoring the normal rhythm. This study focuses on examining whether higher degrees of disorganization requires higher shock strengths to defibrillate and whether microscopic conductivity fluctuations favor shock success. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed a three-dimensional computer bidomain model of a block of cardiac tissue with straight fibers immersed in a conductive bath. The membrane behavior was described by the Courtemanche human atrial action potential model incorporating electroporation and an acetylcholine- (ACh) dependent potassium current. Intracellular conductivities were varied stochastically around nominal values with variations of up to 50%. A single rotor reentry was initiated and, by adjusting the spatial ACh variation, the level of organization could be controlled. The single rotor could be stabilized or spiral wave breakup could be provoked leading to fibrillatory-like activity. For each level of organization, multiple shock timings and strengths were applied to compute the probability of shock success as a function of shock strength. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the level of the small-scale conductivity fluctuations is a very important factor in defibrillation. A higher variation significantly lowers the required shock strength. Further, we demonstrated that success also heavily depends on the level of organization of the fibrillatory episode. In general, higher levels of disorganization require higher shock strengths to defibrillate.

Acetylcholine↗

PubMed2001

Spiral wave drift induced by stimulating wave trains.

We investigate the drift of a spiral wave core in a homogeneous excitable medium under the influence of a periodic stimulation by wave trains close to the core. Two important results were found. First, as opposed to existing theories of spiral wave drift, we observe drift induced by wave trains with periods larger than the period of the freely rotating spiral wave. Second, when investigating the drift of meandering spirals we found that the property of meandering of spirals is not robust against periodic stimulations. Simple phenomenological arguments are provided to explain these observations. (c) 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1994

External forcing of spiral waves.

The effect of an external rhythm on rotating spiral waves in excitable media is investigated. Parameters of the unperturbed medium were chosen, such that the organizing spiral tip describes meandering (hypocyclic) trajectories, which are the most general shape for the experimentally observed systems. Periodical modulation of excitability in a model of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction forces meandering spiral tips to describe trajectories that are not found at corresponding stationary conditions. For different modulation periods, two types of resonance drift, phase-locked tip motion, a spectrum of hypocyclic trajectories, and complex multifrequency patterns were computed. The computational results are complemented by experimental data obtained for periodically changing illumination of the photosensitive BZ reaction. The observed drastic deformation of the tip trajectory is considered as an efficient means to study and to control wave processes in excitable media.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1991

Metabolic heterogeneity in human calf muscle during maximal exercise.

Human skeletal muscle is composed of various muscle fiber types. We hypothesized that differences in metabolism between fiber types could be detected noninvasively with 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy during maximal exercise. This assumes that during maximal exercise all fiber types are recruited and all vary in the amount of acidosis. The calf muscles of seven subjects were studied. Two different coils were applied: an 11-cm-diameter surface coil and a five-segment meander coil. The meander coil was used to localize the 31P signal to either the medial or the lateral gastrocnemius. Maximal exercise, consisting of rapid plantar flexions, resulted in an 83.7% +/- 7.8% decrease of the phosphocreatine pool and an 8-fold increase of the inorganic phosphate (Pi) pool. At rest the Pi pool was observed as a single resonance (pH 7.0). Toward the end of the first minute of exercise, three subjects showed three distinct Pi peaks. During the second minute of exercise the pH values stabilized at 7.12 +/- 0.12, 6.63 +/- 0.15, and 6.27 +/- 0.23. The same pattern was seen when the signal was collected from the medial or lateral gastrocnemius. In four subjects only two distinct Pi peaks were observed. The Pi peaks had differing relative areas in different subjects, but they were reproducible in each individual. This method allowed us to study the appearance and disappearance of the different Pi peaks, together with the changes in pH. Because multiple Pi peaks were seen in single muscles they most likely identify different muscle fiber types.

Adenine Nucleotides↗