Although whisker motion (whisking) has been extensively studied, less is known about how rodents orient their vibrissal system to investigate unexpected stimuli. We describe two studies that address this question. In the first we seek to characterize how adult rats orient toward unexpected macrovibrissal contacts with objects and examine the microvibrissal exploration behavior following such contacts. We show that rats orient to the nearest macrovibrissal contact on an unexpected object, progressively homing in on the nearest contact point

on the object in each subsequent whisk. Following contact, ON-01910 in vitro rats “dab” against the object with their microvibrissae at an average rate of approximately 8 Hz, which suggests synchronization of microvibrissal dabbing with macrovibrissal motion, and an amplitude of 5 mm. In study two, we examine the role of orienting to tactile contacts

in developing rat pups for maintaining aggregations (huddles). We show that young pups are able to orient to contacts with nearby conspecifics before their eyes open implying an important role for the macrovibrissae, which are present from birth, in maintaining AZD8186 contact with conspecifics. Overall, these data suggest that orienting to tactile cues, detected by the vibrissal system, plays a crucial role throughout the life of a rat.”
“Definitive repair of recurrent ventral hernias using abdominal wall reconstruction techniques is an essential tool in the armentarium for general and plastic surgeons. Despite the great morbidity associated with incisional hernia, no consensus exists on the best means for treatment (Korenkov et al, Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2001; 386: 65-73). Ramirez et al (Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990; 83: 519-526) describes the “component separation” technique to mobilize the rectus-abdominus internal oblique and external oblique flap to correct the defect. This retrospective institutional study reviewed 10 years

of myofascial flap reconstruction from 1996 to 2006 at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and revealed an 18.3% recurrence rate in 545 component separations. We identified obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m(2)), age >65 years old, male gender, postoperative AMN-107 mw seroma, and preoperative infection as risk factors for hernia recurrence.”
“Lung and spigelian hernia are both extremely rare diseases, and their combined and simultaneous appearance in the same patient, causing the small bowel to shift from the abdomen towards the thorax external to the ribcage is even more unusual. Here, we report such a case, supported by comprehensive iconography and a detailed discussion of the hypothetical pathogenesis.”
“Objective: To investigate the levels of plasma CD146 and P-selectin in patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy at different stages.\n\nMethods: A total of 80 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were enrolled in the present study.