Are people adapted to their own glasses?

Negative lenses, either in the form of glasses or contact lenses, can correct nearsightedness. Unlike contact lenses, glasses do not only correct, but also induce optic distortions. In the scientific literature, it has often been assumed that people who wear corrective glasses instantaneously account for these distortions when they put their glasses on. We tested this assumption and found that, when people switched between their contact lenses and their glasses, they made the errors that one would predict based on the optics.This shows that people are not immediately adapted to their own glasses when they put them on

Cell length measurements in longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the pig urinary bladder

In this study the length of smooth muscle cells in muscle bundles of pig urinary bladder wall was determined after dissection in Tyrode buffers with different calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]). Previous studies have shown that the length of isolated smooth muscle cells decreases with an increase in [Ca2+] in the buffer. Unlike the results in isolated cells, no significant differences in length were found between cells in strips subjected to different [Ca2+]. Cells in bundles dissected from filled bladders were significantly larger than those dissected from emptied bladders. Cells in strips from emptied bladders dissected in 1.8 mM Ca(2+)-Tyrode buffer were shorter than those obtained in Ca(2+)-free buffer. From the measurements it was concluded that: (1) Cell length in intact tissue is directly related to tissue length; series elastic structures external to the cells do not allow significant shortening of the cells. (2) Passive parallel elasticity outside the cells accounts for passive shortening when bladders are emptied manually. (3) Cell length is not related to empty bladder weight. (4) A positive relation exists between empty bladder weight and bladder capacity

A method for isolating smooth muscle cells from pig urinary bladder with low concentrations of collagenase and papain: the relation between calcium concentration and isolated cell length.

The present study describes a method for isolating single smooth muscle cells from pig urinary bladder using a continuous resuspension device. Low concentrations of collagenase and papain were sufficient to obtain a high yield of viable smooth muscle cells, which remained viable for about 3-4 h as tested with fluorescein diacetate. Addition of fetal calf serum increased the lifespan of the isolated cells and the percentage of contractile smooth muscle cells, but caused spontaneous shortening of the cells. The length and volume of the isolated smooth muscle cells depended on the calcium concentration used in the isolation buffer solution. The isolated muscle cells were apparently relaxed if a calcium concentration less than 1.0 mmol/l was used in the isolation medium. In higher calcium concentrations the isolated cells were significantly shorter, probably as a result of a contraction caused by mechanical stimulation of the cells during the isolation procedure

Cell length measurements in longitudinal smooth muscle strips of the pig urinary bladder

In this study the length of smooth muscle cells in muscle bundles of pig urinary bladder wall was determined after dissection in Tyrode buffers with different calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]). Previous studies have shown that the length of isolated smooth muscle cells decreases with an increase in [Ca2+] in the buffer. Unlike the results in isolated cells, no significant differences in length were found between cells in strips subjected to different [Ca2+]. Cells in bundles dissected from filled bladders were significantly larger than those dissected from emptied bladders. Cells in strips from emptied bladders dissected in 1.8 mM Ca2+-Tyrode buffer were shorter than those obtained in Ca2+-free buffer. From the measurements it was concluded that: (1) Cell length in intact tissue is directly related to tissue length; series elastic structures external to the cells do not allow significant shortening of the cells. (2) Passive parallel elasticity outside the cells accounts for passive shortening when bladders are emptied manually. (3) Cell length is not related to empty bladder weight. (4) A positive relation exists between empty bladder weight and bladder capacity

Biallelic DAB1 Variants Are Associated With Mild Lissencephaly and Cerebellar Hypoplasia

Objective: We aimed to identify pathogenic variants in a girl with epilepsy, developmental delay, cerebellar ataxia, oral motor difficulty, and structural brain abnormalities with the use of whole-exome sequencing.Methods: Whole-exome trio analysis and molecular functional studies were performed in addition to the clinical findings and neuroimaging studies.Results: Brain MRI showed mild pachygyria, hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis, and abnormal foliation of the cerebellar vermis, suspected for a variant in one of the genes of the Reelin pathway. Trio whole-exome sequencing and additional functional studies were performed to identify the pathogenic variants. Trio whole-exome sequencing revealed compound heterozygous splice variants in DAB1, both affecting the highly conserved functional phosphotyrosine-binding domain. Expression studies in patient-derived cells showed loss of normal transcripts, confirming pathogenicity.Conclusions: We conclude that these variants are very likely causally related to the cerebral phenotype and propose to consider loss-of-function DAB1 variants in patients with RELN-like cortical malformations

Transformative investment: New rules for investing in sustainability transitions

Closing the financial gap for promoting systemic socio-economic transformations to achieve sustainability requires both a substantial increase in investment levels and a qualitative change in investment strategies. In this Perspective, we elaborate on this claim and discuss why existing investment approaches that aim to make positive contributions to sustainability are unlikely to foster the systemic transformations needed for sustainability. Qualitative change means changing the current rules that guide investment practices and we outline a new set of rules that should guide transformative investment. These rules are based on the well-established socio-technical sustainability transition theory and the recent development of a theory of deep transitions. We explain why these transformative investment rules offer a promising alternative base for assessing investment opportunities and monitoring progress toward the multi-system changes required to achieve a socially just deep transition to sustainability

Re-imagining Navan Fort : new light on the evolution of a major ceremonial centre in Northern Europe

Peer reviewedPublisher PD