Role of intracortical mechanisms in the late part of the silent period to transcranial stimulation of the human motor cortex

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) of the human motor cortex produce a silent period (SP) following motor evoked potentials (MEPs). The early part of the SP can be explained by decreased alpha motor neuron excitability, whereas the late part is presumably due to suprasegmental mechanisms. In order to determine the level of the suprasegmental contribution to the generation of SPs, we recorded excitatory and inhibitory responses to TMS, TES, and percutaneous electrical brainstem stimulation (PBS) in the voluntarily activated first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand. Stimulus intensities were set so that PBS and TES induced MEPs with areas equal to or larger than those of MEPs obtained with TMS. This procedure revealed that SPs were 49% and 83% shorter with TES and PBS, respectively, than with TMS. As TMS is more effective than TES or PBS in activating cortical interneurons, these findings support the idea that a significant component of the SP arises from intracortical mechanisms.     

Proposed new bladder volume monitoring device based on impedance measurement

A new implantable bladder volume-monitoring device based on the impedance measurement of the detrusor muscle is described. The system is completely autonomous and forms a mixed-signal (analogue/digital) feedback loop with a neuro-stimulator to rectify bladder dysfunctions (incontinence and retention) through neuromuscular stimulation techniques. A programmable instrumentation amplifier and a signal processing block, to eliminate the artefacts caused by the patient’s movements, have been designed and tested. The layout for the signal processing block has been realised in 0.8 μm BiCMOS technology.     

Ultrastructural reversible changes in fish neuromuscular junctions after chronic exercise

Neuromuscular junctions (NJs) of fin muscles of teleostean fishes, Lebistes reticulatus, were ultrastructurally analyzed during 60 min of chronic exercise and a subsequent period of 90 min of induced recovery. NJs from 30-min-exercised fishes showed an almost complete depletion of synaptic vesicles (SVs), corresponding to 83% of SV consumption; 76% of axon terminals were branched at the end of this period. During the recovery period, it was possible to observe the reversibility of the changes induced by the exercise and the transitory events that lead to the reacquirement of the normal NJ morphology. After 15 min of rest, SV population increased to a value of 54.6 SVs/micron2 and the percentage of branched axons was 66.5%. At 60 min of recovery the number of SVs reached a value of 84.6 SVs/micron2. The SV population was fully reestablished at 80 min of rest, while the percentage of branched axons was found within normal ranges after 90 min of recovery. These results demonstrate that chronic exercise induced physiological depletion of NJ SVs and other axon terminal morphological changes, as well as that postexercise rest induces the reestablishment of the normal NJ morphology.     

Percutaneous management of lymphatic fluid collections

Eight lymphatic fluid collections were drained percutaneously. There were no immediate or late complications. Seven patients had follow-up; 1 required surgical drainage of a residual or recurrent lymphocele, and another had reaccumulated fluid in a lymphocele which was detected on autopsy. The remaining lymphatic collections responded to percutaneous drainage. Percutaneous drainage is safe and can be an effective tool in the management of lymphatic collections.     

URL结合微创PCNL治疗严重输尿管石街

目的：总结输尿管镜取石术（URL）结合微创经皮肾穿刺取石术（mini-PCNL)治疗严重输尿管石街的经验。方法：对45列严重输尿管石街（平均长14.3cm)采用输尿管镜下用气压弹道碎石器将结石上推到肾盂后再结合mini-PCNL顺行取石。结果：所有病例均一次性取尽输尿管内结石，且无输尿管穿孔，狭窄及大出血等并发症发生。结论：URL结合微创PCNL治疗严重输尿管石街，不仅显著缩短了手术时间，降低输尿管损伤的风险性，也可同时处理肾内结石，是一较佳手术方法。     

全反式维甲酸对防治经皮冠脉介入治疗后再狭窄的临床疗效观察

目的观察不同剂量全反式维甲酸（ATRA）对防治经皮冠脉介入治疗（PCI）后再狭窄（Rs）的疗效。方法2004年7月至2005年9月连续入院行PCI的冠心病300例。随机分为全反式维甲酸正常剂量组（10mgt．i．d p．o，甲组）、强化剂量组（20mgt．i．d p．o，乙组）、对照组（丙组）。6个月后分别比较甲乙丙三组的再狭窄率、心脏事件发生率和心功能。结果300例患者中男性228例、女性72例。住院期间甲乙丙三组比较：心绞痛9％VS8％VS9％；再次急性心肌梗死（AMI）O％VS2％VS1％；再次缺血性血运重建（TVR）3％VS2％VS3％；心源性死亡4％VS6％VS4％，P〉0．05，无显著统计学差异。随访期间三组比较：心绞痛12％VS9％VS20％；再次AMII％VSO％VS1％；心源性死亡2％VS4％VS4％，P〉0．05，无显著统计学差异；再狭窄率3／33（9．1％）VS2／30（6．7％）VS12／32（37．5％）；TVR3％VS2％VS11％，P〈0．05，有显著统计学差异。结论常规剂量ATRA防治再狭窄安全有效。     

针刺穴位后超声监测胆囊收缩功能诊断胆囊炎探讨

目的:超声监测胆囊在针刺穴位后的收缩功能,借此对胆囊炎进行诊断。方法:对临床上已经确诊的51例胆囊炎病例进行超声检查,并测量相关径线,然后运用针刺相关穴位,使胆囊收缩,在针刺后10 min2、0 min、30 min分别进行超声检查,测量相关径线,然后运用胆囊容积计算公式计算出收缩前后胆囊容积,计算胆囊收缩功能。随机抽取与病例组年龄范围相同的25例健康成年人,在针刺穴位胆囊收缩前后进行超声检查,计算胆囊收缩功能,以进行正常对照。将病例组与正常对照组作两样本均数比较的t检验。结果:病例组针刺穴位后的胆囊收缩功能明显低于正常组(t<0.01)。结论:超声监测胆囊在针刺穴位后的收缩功能,可以对胆囊炎进行诊断,并且具有无损伤、痛苦小、病人易接受、可重复等优点,是一种很有发展潜力的中西医结合诊断方法。     

Biophysical foundations underlying TMS: Setting the stage for an effective use of neurostimulation in the cognitive neurosciences

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) induces electrical currents in the brain to stimulate neural tissue. This article reviews our present understanding of TMS methodology, focusing on its biophysical foundations. We concentrate on how the laws of electromagnetic induction apply to TMS; addressing issues such as the location, area (i.e., focality), depth, and mechanism of TMS. We also present a review of the present limitations and future potential of the technique.     

Stimulation by mitogens and neuronal membranes of lymphocytes from patients with motor neurone disease

Stimulation of lymphocytes from motor neurone disease patients by either concanavalin A or PHA was shown to be significantly depressed relative to that from normal controls, as assayed by incorporation of [3H]thymidine or [3H]leucine or by glucose uptake. Corresponding significant differences were not shown by assays based upon incorporation of [3H]uridine or of lactate release. Lymphocytes from 4 out of 14 motor neurone disease patients showed a blastogenic response to membranes from rat spinal cord cells, compared with those from 0 out of 9 normal controls. These results not only suggest the possibility of an impaired cellular immune control in MND patients but also indicate the presence of lymphocytes sensitised specifically to neuronal membrane components.     

经皮肾镜超声弹道碎石术治疗复杂性肾结石

目的：探讨经皮肾镜超声弹道碎石术治疗复杂性肾结石的疗效。方法：采用经皮肾镜联合EMS Ⅲ代超声弹道碎石清石系统治疗48例复杂性肾结石患者，完全性鹿角状结石12例，部分鹿角状结石30例，多发性结石6例。结石直径2．0～6．5cm，平均2．8cm。结果：48例患者中，43例Ⅰ期取净结石；5例完全性鹿角状结石者术后2个月仍有结石残留，结石直径均小于1．0cm，辅助施行ESWL后排净。结石粉碎率100％，结石清除率89．6％（43／48）。手术时间50～120min，平均70min，平均出血量50ml。无严重并发症发生。术后随访3～6个月，肾功能均有不同程度改善。结论：经皮肾镜下使用EMSⅢ代碎石清石系统治疗复杂性肾结石，具有高效、可靠、安全、损伤小、出血少及恢复快等优点，可以作为目前治疗复杂性肾结石的首选方法。