Winter 2009 - Issue Number 77 Archives - The Physiological Society

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Physiology News Magazine

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Winter 2009 - Issue Number 77

Winter 2009 - Issue Number 77

Below are the feature articles from Physiology News Issue 77, Winter 2009.

To read additional articles please download the issue.

Features

Neuromuscular interaction during human walking: how do changes in muscle–tendon mechanics affect the motor control of walking?

Prolonged walking can increase the compliance of soleus tendinous tissues, which could ultimately impair the ability to recover from a sudden balance disturbance

Features

Neuromuscular interaction during human walking: how do changes in muscle–tendon mechanics affect the motor control of walking?

Prolonged walking can increase the compliance of soleus tendinous tissues, which could ultimately impair the ability to recover from a sudden balance disturbance

Features

The placebo response: how words and rituals change brain circuitry

The study of the placebo response is basically the study of the effects of the psychosocial context and the ritual of the therapeutic act on the patient’s brain. Recent research in Parkinsonian patients indicates that the therapist’s words and rituals may induce molecular and cellular changes in the patient’s brain, thus placing the doctor–patient relationship and psychotherapy into the neurobiological domain

Features

The placebo response: how words and rituals change brain circuitry

The study of the placebo response is basically the study of the effects of the psychosocial context and the ritual of the therapeutic act on the patient’s brain. Recent research in Parkinsonian patients indicates that the therapist’s words and rituals may induce molecular and cellular changes in the patient’s brain, thus placing the doctor–patient relationship and psychotherapy into the neurobiological domain

Features

Sheet-like tendons are stiffened by bulging muscles

The common shape changes of a contracting muscle can load aponeuroses along multiple axes. The close interaction of these sheet-like tendons with the muscle belly dynamically modulates stiffness and allows aponeuroses to function as variable stiffness springs

Features

Sheet-like tendons are stiffened by bulging muscles

The common shape changes of a contracting muscle can load aponeuroses along multiple axes. The close interaction of these sheet-like tendons with the muscle belly dynamically modulates stiffness and allows aponeuroses to function as variable stiffness springs

Features

Fractals in human physiology revisited

Although the idea of applying fractals to cardiovascular signals was first suggested over two decades ago, the actual existence of fractal patterns and their relation to the physiology of cardiac control remains largely unexplored. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the theory behind fractals, and discuss implications for application of fractal statistics to physiological patterns

Features

Fractals in human physiology revisited

Although the idea of applying fractals to cardiovascular signals was first suggested over two decades ago, the actual existence of fractal patterns and their relation to the physiology of cardiac control remains largely unexplored. In this article, we provide a brief overview of the theory behind fractals, and discuss implications for application of fractal statistics to physiological patterns

Features

Regulation of extracellular pH by purinergic signalling

Little is known about extracellular pH regulation, despite its importance for proper organ functioning. We present data supporting a hypothesis that alkaline phosphatase, through pH-dependent ATP hydrolysis, serves as an extracellular pH sensor. Dysregulation of extracellular pH regulation may help explain the tissue dysfunction characteristic of diseases such as cystic fibrosis

Features

Excitation-dependent Ca2+ influx in vertebrate skeletal muscle is in, again

An influx of extracellular Ca2+ into skeletal muscle excited by action potentials was originally reported in the 1950s. At least three distinct Ca2+ entry pathways across the transverse tubular system of working skeletal muscle have since been identified. The recently discovered action potential-activated current appears to be the pathway responsible for the excitation-dependent Ca2+ influx but its specific physiological roles remain speculative

Features

Excitation-dependent Ca2+ influx in vertebrate skeletal muscle is in, again

An influx of extracellular Ca2+ into skeletal muscle excited by action potentials was originally reported in the 1950s. At least three distinct Ca2+ entry pathways across the transverse tubular system of working skeletal muscle have since been identified. The recently discovered action potential-activated current appears to be the pathway responsible for the excitation-dependent Ca2+ influx but its specific physiological roles remain speculative