Near-infrared (NIR) light constitutes an integrated part of solar radiation. The principal ability to sense NIR under laboratory conditions has previously been demonstrated in fish. The availability of NIR in aquatic habitats, and thus its potential use as a cue for distinct behaviors such as orientation and detection of prey, however, depends on physical and environmental parameters. In clear water, blue and green light represents the dominating part of the illumination. In turbid waters, in contrast, the relative content of red and NIR radiation is enhanced, due to increased scattering and absorption of short and middle range wavelengths by suspended particles and dissolved colored materials. We have studied NIR detection thresholds using a phototactic swimming assay in five fish species, which are exposed to different NIR conditions in their natural habitats. Nile and Mozambique tilapia, which inhabit waters with increased turbidity, displayed the highest spectral sensitivity, with thresholds at wavelengths above 930 nm. Zebrafish, guppy and green swordtail, which prefer clearer waters, revealed significantly lower thresholds of spectral sensitivity with 825–845 nm for green swordtail and 845–910 nm for zebrafish and guppy. The present study revealed a clear correlation between NIR sensation thresholds and availability of NIR in the natural habitats, suggesting that NIR vision, as an integral part of the whole spectrum of visual abilities, can serve as an evolutionarily adaptable trait in fish.
Study design: A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre design was used. Objective: To analyse bowel management in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) especially the occurrence of unplanned bowel evacuations and duration of planned bowel evacuation. Setting: In total, 29 rehabilitation facilities for SCI patients in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, with a total of 837 hospitalized SCI patients. Method: Data were collected by nurses within 1 week in November 2001 using a quantitative questionnaire containing 14 questions. For data analysis, a w 2 -test was used for differences in the outcome of bowel evacuation procedures associated with different interventions. Stepwise multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the relationship between the outcome of bowel management and the interventions as well as intervening factors. Results: More unplanned bowel evacuations were associated with usage of oral laxatives (n ¼ 444, Po0.001) as well as bowel evacuation every day (n ¼ 270, Po0.05) or every second day (n ¼ 368, Po0.05). The outcome of less unplanned bowel evacuations was associated with manual removal of stool combined with digital stimulation (n ¼ 35, Po0.05) and spontaneous bowel evacuations (n ¼ 104, Po0.001). Short duration of bowel evacuation (o60 min) was associated with manual removal of stool (n ¼ 64, Po0.05), the sitting position at defecation (n ¼ 494, Po0.001) and low frequency of bowel evacuation (X3 days) (n ¼ 638, Po0.05). Duration 460 min was associated with the use of oral laxatives (n ¼ 444, Po0.001) and complete loss of sensory function (n ¼ 349, Po0.05). Stool of hard consistency was associated with the manual removal of stool (n ¼ 64, Po0.001), the manual removal of stool in combination with digital stimulation (n ¼ 53, Po0.001) and the sitting position at defecation (n ¼ 494, Po0.05). Stool of soft consistency (n ¼ 341) was associated with the complete motor lesion (n ¼ 443, Po0.05). Conclusion: Manual removal of stool was combined with low risk of unplanned bowel evacuations and short duration of evacuation time. These results are useful to improve the outcomes of bowel management in SCI patients.Spinal Cord (2005) 43, 724-730.
The activity and immunocytochemical localization of cathepsin D in the frontal cortex were investigated in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and two groups of nondemented subjects; individuals with critical coronary artery disease (cCAD; > 75% stenosis) and non-heart disease controls (non-HD). The cathepsin D activity significantly increased with age in the non-HD population. No such age-related increase was observed in either AD or cCAD. Enzymatic activity was significantly increased in only the midaged, but not the older AD and cCAD subjects compared to controls. Immunocytochemical reactivity paralleled cathepsin D enzymatic activity. Frontal cortex neurons displayed an increased accumulation of cathepsin D immunoreactivity in aging (non-HD controls) with a further increase in cCAD, especially in the midaged group. Such immunoreactivity was markedly increased in AD. There was also an apparent age-related increase in the number of cathepsin D immunoreactive neurons in the non-HD population and a disease-related increase in only the mid-aged AD and cCAD subjects compared to controls. Senile plaques (SP) occurred in all AD patients, many cCAD, and a few of the oldest non-HD subjects, and they were immunoreactive to cathepsin D in each group. The data suggest a possible relationship between activation of cathepsin D and SP formation in AD, cCAD, and aging.
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