Distributed and diverse hindbrain neuronal activity contributes to sensory processing and motor control in the Xenopus laevis tadpole

Locomotion is a key feature of healthy animals, which depends on their ability to move -or not to move- for their survival. The hatchling Xenopus laevis tadpole responds to trunk skin stimulation by swimming away, and its developing nervous system is simple enough to make it an ideal model organism to study the control of locomotion. This vertebrate embryo relies on excitatory cells in the skin to detect the sensory stimulus, which is quickly sent to the brain via ascending sensory pathway neurons. When the stimulation is strong enough, descending reticulospinal neurons are activated in the hindbrain and the spinal cord, after a long and variable delay. The activation of reticulospinal neurons indicates the initiation of swimming and sustains the rhythmic firing of CPG (central pattern generator) neurons, among which are motor neurons. The tadpole is then able to rhythmically contract trunk muscles, allowing the undulatory movement of swimming. However, how the tadpole developing brain exerts descending control over reticulospinal neurons, and thus over the spinal CPG centers, is not fully understood yet. In this work, we recorded extracellular activity in the hindbrain of the tadpole to identify firing units that are involved in the long and variable delay to swim initiation following trunk skin stimulation. We isolated firing units that mediate distinct motor output. We subsequently grouped them in populations based on their firing patterns in response to skin stimulation and motor output. We propose a novel neural circuitry for sensory processing and descending motor control exerted by the hindbrain of the hatchling tadpole, which could account for the long and variable delay to reticulospinal neuron activation, and thus swim initiation.

Erythema in local and trunk skin caused by intramuscular injection of vitamin K1: A case report and literature review

A 52-year-old woman presented with erythema, papules, pain, and itching on the buttocks and trunk that had persisted for 1 week. Twenty-two days before admission, the patient received three intramuscular injections of vitamin K1 in the gluteal muscles. Two weeks after the last intramuscular injection edematous hard erythema developed bilaterally on the gluteal muscles, accompanied by itching, pain, and a burning sensation. Afterward, the erythema and papules gradually spread to the trunk, with notable itching. Dermatological examination revealed a large area of well-defined edematous hard erythema, and blisters around the injection sites on both hips. The skin temperature was high, with mild tenderness. Dense distributions of edematous erythema and papules were observed on the trunk, some of which were fused into pieces. The patient received a diagnosis of a skin reaction induced by intramuscular injections of vitamin K1. Therefore, she was administered glycyrrhizin, calcium, vitamin C, antihistamines, topical polysulfonic mucopolysaccharide cream, and glucocorticoid cream, and the lesions subsided after 2 weeks.

Propeller Flaps for the Anterior Trunk

Various types of propeller flaps from multiple donor sites can be used to reconstruct anterior trunk skin defects. The actual selection depends on the condition and location of the recipient site, especially if it is to be the chest or abdomen that requires attention. Before surgery commences, it is always important to use an imaging analyses such as computed tomography angiography to examine and identify perforators that could perfuse a perforator-pedicled propeller flap (PPPF), as it is the most multifaceted imaging technique. Clusters of perforators that can be commonly used for the “workhorse” PPPFs for the thoracic and abdominal regions are the internal mammary artery perforator, the musculophrenic artery perforator, and the deep inferior epigastric perforator. These perforators are reliable and large enough to support long and large propeller flaps that will cover most defects in this region, while still allowing primary donor-site closure.

PECULIARITIES OF TRUNK SKIN AND FAT FLEXURES CHANGES OF RURAL AND CITY YOUTH IN THE CONDITIONS OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS

The aim: Determination of the peculiarities of annual changes in the thickness of trunk skin and fat flexures of rural and urban youth during educational process. Materials and methods: Were examined 200 healthy youths (100 residents of the village, 100 residents of the city) at their 1st, 2nd and 3rd courses of study at the University of Life Safety using Shephard R. method. Results: Based on the data obtained, the annual reduction of all trunk fat index values of rural and urban youth during their studies at the University of Life Safety were established. Comparing intra-group annual changes, they were drastically smaller in the first year of study, both in the rural group and in the locals’ group. Conclusions: During the course of the study, we found a decrease in all the supervised indicators in both groups. However, intergroup changes during the first year of study were significantly ostent.

Anetoderma Schweninger-Buzzi: Two Case Reports

BACKGROUND: Anetodermas are rare disorders of connective tissue with a focal loss of elastic fibres in the upper and mid dermis. Two types are separated, inflammatory and non-inflammatory. CASE REPORTS: We report two cases of acquired anetoderma Schweniger-Buzzi type. This non-inflammatory subtype is characterised by skin-coloured or whitish atrophic sac-like protrusions of trunk skin in adult males. Chronic infections and autoimmune disorders have been excluded. The diagnosis had been confirmed by characteristic histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Anetodermas are symptomless disorders. They can be easily overlooked. The knowledge of such conditions is of importance to identify patients with a risk of thromboembolic events and underlying infections or autoimmune connective tissue diseases.

Effects of pen location on thermoregulation and growth performance in grow-finish pigs during late summer1

The effects of pen location on swine thermoregulation and growth performance were determined over 6 weeks during late summer. A total of 128 mixed sex pigs [Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire)] were randomly assigned to 16 pens in two grow-finish barns (n = 8 pens/barn; 57.43 ± 1.33 kg initial body weight (BW)). Pen locations were determined based on orientation to ventilation fans and air inlets. Internal pens (IP; n = 4/barn) were in direct line of sight between the fans and air inlets while peripheral pens (PP; n = 4/barn) were located 0.70 ± 0.29 m to either side of a fan. Two sentinel gilts per pen were selected and vaginal temperature (TV) was measured in 10-min intervals using TV data loggers. Additionally, trunk skin temperature (TS) was measured with an infrared camera and respiration rate (RR) was measured by counting flank movements of the sentinel gilts twice daily (0800 and 1500 hours). Pen airspeed was measured twice daily (0800 and 1500 hours) at pig level with an anemometer. Individual pen ambient temperature (TA) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded daily in 10-min intervals. Feed consumption and BW were determined every 2 weeks. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4. Although airspeed was reduced overall (P = 0.01; 11%) in PP compared with IP, no differences (P > 0.10) in TA (27.53 ± 1.73 °C) or RH (68.47 ± 5.92%) were detected. An overall increase (P ≤ 0.02) in TV (0.23 °C), minimum TV (0.18 °C), and maximum TV (0.29 °C) was detected in PP versus IP housed pigs. Similarly, from 0800 to 1900 hours and 2000 to 0700 hours, TV was greater overall (P ≤ 0.01; 0.22 and 0.25 °C, respectively) in PP compared with IP housed pigs. An overall decrease in TS (P = 0.04) was observed in PP (37.39 ± 0.14 °C) compared with IP (37.61 ± 0.14 °C) housed pigs. No RR differences (P > 0.10; 76 ± 4 breaths per minute) were detected with any comparison. While no average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) differences were detected (P > 0.10; 0.74 ± 0.03 kg/d and 2.26 ± 0.08 kg/d, respectively), gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) was decreased (P = 0.02; 6%) in PP compared with IP housed pigs. In summary, pigs located in PP had greater body temperature and reduced G:F despite similarities in TA and RH between all pens.

Effects of Cooling During Exercise on Thermoregulatory Responses of Men With Paraplegia

Background People with spinal cord injury (SCI) have an altered afferent input to the thermoregulatory center, resulting in a reduced efferent response (vasomotor control and sweating capacity) below the level of the lesion. Consequently, core body temperature rises more rapidly during exercise in individuals with SCI compared with people who are able-bodied. Cooling strategies may reduce the thermophysiological strain in SCI. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a cooling vest on the core body temperature response of people with a thoracic SCI during submaximal exercise. Methods Ten men (mean age=44 years, SD=11) with a thoracic lesion (T4–T5 or below) participated in this randomized crossover study. Participants performed two 45-minute exercise bouts at 50% maximal workload (ambient temperature 25°C), with participants randomized to a group wearing a cooling vest or a group wearing no vest (separate days). Core body temperature and skin temperature were continuously measured, and thermal sensation was assessed every 3 minutes. Results Exercise resulted in an increased core body temperature, skin temperature, and thermal sensation, whereas cooling did not affect core body temperature. The cooling vest effectively decreased skin temperature, increased the core-to-trunk skin temperature gradient, and tended to lower thermal sensation compared with the control condition. Limitations The lack of differences in core body temperature among conditions may be a result of the relative moderate ambient temperature in which the exercise was performed. Conclusions Despite effectively lowering skin temperature and increasing the core-to-trunk skin temperature gradient, there was no impact of the cooling vest on the exercise-induced increase in core body temperature in men with low thoracic SCI.