Brief sacral neuromodulation induces profound changes in anal canal representation on the primary somatosensory cortex, providing a plausible hypothesis concerning the mechanism of action of neuromodulation in the treatment of faecal incontinence.

Subtidal columnar stromatolites up to 2.5 m high near Lee Stocking Island in the Exuma Cays, Bahamas, have surface mats approximately equally composed of algae and cyanobacteria. The stromatolites are composed of fine–medium oöid and peloid sand. This sediment is supplied to the growing stromatolite surfaces by strong tidal currents which lift grains into suspension and sweep migrating dunes over the columns. The algae include an unidentified filamentous chlorophyte, and numerous diatom species mostly belonging to Mastogloia, Nitzschia and Navicula. The dominant cyanobacteria are two oscillatoriacean species, both probably belonging to Schizothrix. Trapping of sediment is mainly effected by the unidentified chlorophyte which is veneered by epiphytic diatoms. Grains are bound into a mucilaginous mat composed of diatoms and cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria alone would not be able to trap and bind coarse sediment so effectively in this environment. In being coarse-grained and having a significant eualgal component to their mats, these stromatolites are similar to subtidal columnar stromatolites at Shark Bay, Western Australia. The Lee Stocking stromatolites are physically stressed by high velocity tidal currents and mobile sediment. The Shark Bay stromatolites are stressed by hypersalinity. In both cases stress deters grazers, encrusters and bioeroders. These coarse-grained eualgal stromatolites contrast with micritic and predominantly prokaryotic stromatolites of most Recent marine environments, and are not analogues for most pre-Phanerozoic stromatolites. They appear to be a response to changing stromatolitic mat components in the Cenozoic.

Long-term in-vivo electrochemistry (LIVE) enables real-time monitoring and measurement of brain metabolites. In this study we have simultaneously obtained blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI and amperometric tissue O 2 data from rat cerebral cortex, during both increases and decreases in inspired O 2 content. BOLD and tissue O 2 measurements demonstrated close correlation (r = 0.7898) during complete (0%) O 2 removal, with marked negative responses occurring ca. 30 s after the onset of O 2 removal. Conversely, when the inspired O 2 was increased (50, 70 and 100% O 2 for 1 min) similar positive rapid changes (ca. 15 s) in both the BOLD and tissue O 2 signals were observed. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the practical feasibility of obtaining real-time metabolite information during fMRI acquisition, and that tissue O 2 concentration monitored using an O 2 sensor can serve as an index of changes in the magnitude of the BOLD response. As LIVE O 2 sensors can be used in awake animals performing specific behavioural tasks the technique provides a viable animal surrogate of human fMRI experimentation.

Context:With the evolution of hip arthroscopy has come an increased recognition of intra-articular hip pathologies and improved techniques for their management. Whereas mechanical problems can often be corrected through surgery, functional deficits must be corrected through the rehabilitation process. Therefore, the evolution of hip arthroscopy has necessitated a progression in hip rehabilitation to ensure optimal postsurgical results.Evidence Acquisition:Literature review was conducted with PubMed, EMBASE, and PEDro (1992 to 2009) with the terms hip, rehabilitation, and physical therapy.Results:Although it is generally accepted that rehabilitation after hip arthroscopy is important, there is limited evidence-based research to support the rehabilitative guidelines.Conclusion:The common goal of hip rehabilitation should remain focused on the return to pain-free function of the hip joint. Outcome data indicate that this goal is being met; however, further data are required to completely validate the long-term success of hip rehabilitation after arthroscopy.

Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is the most widely used method for mapping neural activity in the brain. The interpretation of altered BOLD signals is problematic when cerebral blood flow (CBF) or cerebral blood volume change because of aging and/or neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, a recently developed quantitative arterial spin labeling (ASL) approach, bolus-tracking ASL (btASL), was applied to an fMRI experiment in the rat brain. The mean transit time (MTT), capillary transit time (CTT), relative cerebral blood volume of labeled water (rCBV(lw)), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and perfusion coefficient in the forelimb region of the somatosensory cortex were quantified during neuronal activation and in the resting state. The average MTT and CTT were 1.939+/-0.175 and 1.606+/-0.106 secs, respectively, in the resting state. Both times decreased significantly to 1.616+/-0.207 and 1.305+/-0.201 secs, respectively, during activation. The rCBV(lw), rCBF, and perfusion coefficient increased on average by a factor of 1.123+/-0.006, 1.353+/-0.078, and 1.479+/-0.148, respectively, during activation. In contrast to BOLD techniques, btASL yields physiologically relevant indices of the functional hyperemia that accompanies neuronal activation.

M., Propofol allows precise quantitative arterial spin labelling functional magnetic resonance imaging in the rat, NeuroImage (2010), doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage. 2010.03.024 This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.A C C E P T E D M A N U S C R I P T ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT

No abstract

Objective:To explain the basic fundamentals of patient assessment after hip arthroscopy, formulation of a treatment plan, and detailed essentials of postoperative rehabilitation.Data Sources:Established literature and the evolution of a protocol developed in treating over 150 hip-arthroscopy patients and numerous patients with symptomatic hip disease.Data Synthesis:Although the pathological process being addressed and the surgical technique employed in its management influence the protocol, the common goals of rehabilitation are to reduce discomfort and improve function. These common goals, first realized in the postoperative rehabilitation process, have been found to have similar application in the conservative management of patients with symptomatic hip disease.Conclusions:Arthroscopy has necessitated the development of a postoperative rehabilitation protocol. Principles previously employed in other joints are now finding application in the hip.