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Isothermal microcalorimetry has been previously used to determine the relative contribution of parasitic heat flow between cells varying in electrolyte composition. However, the absolute magnitude of the voltage-dependent parasitic heat flow for individual cells has not previously been determined. Here, by varying the current over narrow voltage ranges, the relative contributions of each of the heat flow sources (polarization, entropy and parasitic reactions) as a function of state of charge is isolated. The measured heat flow data is fit using a model where each contribution is a function of state of charge (typically linear over a narrow voltage range), allowing for the extraction of the voltage dependency of the parasitic heat flow for an individual cell. The parasitic heat flow as a function of voltage is determined for LiCoO2/graphite and Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2(NMC)/graphite pouch cells. The effect of the addition of 2% VC to the electrolyte in NMC/graphite cells is also shown, where a significant reduction in parasitic heat flow is observed. The absolute parasitic heat flow for individual cells also allows for cross-chemistry comparisons, where it is observed that at high potentials, the parasitic heat flow for the LiCoO2/graphite cells is reduced compared to NMC/graphite cells.

Motor systems must be responsive to the environment in which the organism moves. Accordingly, there are many sensory systems that affect intrinsic motor programs. In this mini review, we will discuss the effects that inputs from cutaneous low-threshold mechanoreceptors have on motor function, focusing on locomotion and hand grasp. A mathematical analysis of grip strength is provided to quantify the regulation of the forces required in maintaining the grip of a moving object. These two behaviours were selected because the neural control of locomotion has been primarily studied for hind-limbs in cats and rodents, whereas hand grasp has been primarily studied in fore-limbs in human and non-human primates. When taken together, insight can be gleaned on the cutaneous regulation of movement as well as the role these afferents may play in mediating functional recovery following injury. We conclude that low-threshold mechanoreceptors are critical for normal motor function and for inducing plasticity in motor microcircuits following injury.

Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are encountered throughout the world and are responsible for the majority of cholecystectomies performed. Treatment has traditionally consisted of open cholecystectomy, but laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently a popular alternative. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers several benefits over the open procedure, but it also has its own set of complications. Complications include those of laparoscopy (abdominal wall bleeding, omental bleeding, abdominal vessel injury, retroperitoneal vessel injury, gastrointestinal perforation, bladder perforation, solid visceral injury, and infection) and those of cholecystectomy (gallbladder fossa bleeding, bile duct injury, bile leakage, and infection). The literature suggests that the total complication rate for the laparoscopic procedure compares favorably with that of the open procedure, but this may apply only to surgeons who have accomplished numerous laparoscopic procedures and not to those who have just completed a training course and are performing their first few procedures. With the growing success of the laparoscopic procedure, it is essential that the radiologist be knowledgeable about the radiographic manifestations and interventional radiologic management of potential complications, since the radiologist can significantly affect patient care.

In an effort to develop a molecular classification scheme for Crohn's disease (CD), mucosal biopsies from 69 CD patients and 28 normal controls were analyzed for expression of the RelA subunit of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, A20 (a negative regulator of NF-kappaB), polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL)-8. Principal component analysis was used to classify individuals into three subsets based on patterns of biomarker expression. Set 1 included normal subjects and CD patients with mild disease and good responses to therapy, thus defining "normal" biomarker expression. CD patients in set 2, characterized by low expression of all five biomarkers, had moderate to severe disease and poor responses to immunosuppressive and anti-TNF therapy. Patients in set 3, characterized by low expression of RelA, A20, and pIgR, normal TNF and elevated IL-8, had acute inflammation that responded well to therapy. Classification of CD patients by these biomarkers may predict disease behavior and responses to therapy.