Parallel involvement of perirhinal and lateral entorhinal cortex in the polysynaptic activation of hippocampus by olfactory inputs

It has previously been shown that olfactory input to the hippocampus (HPC) is mediated polysynaptically via the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), the site of origin of the lateral perforant pathway (LPP). Because previous anatomical studies have shown that olfactory projections also terminate in perirhinal cortex and that this latter region projects directly to the hippocampus, we investigated the role of perirhinal cortex (PRC) in the mediation of the olfactory-hippocampal potential in the rat. Single-pulse stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract (LOT) resulted in a long onset latency (12–20 ms) evoked response in the dentate gyrus of the ipsilateral hippocampal formation. LOT-HPC potentials were rapidly and completely abolished following the microinfusion of procaine into the LPP, suggesting that they are ultimately mediated via this pathway. In support of this finding, a current source density analysis indicated that the LOT-HPC response was generated by a current sink at the outer molecular layer of both dorsal and ventral blades of the dentate gurus. Electrolytic and ibotenic acid lesions of PRC produced a significant decrease in the amplitude of LOT-HPC potentials when testing was conducted 4–7 days postlesion. Lesions of LEC produced similar effects and combined lesions of LEC and PRC resulted in an almost complete eradication of the potential, suggesting that parallel entorhinal-hippocampal and perirhinal-hippocampal pathways are involved. These data suggest, therefore, that a portion of the olfactory input to the hippocampus is mediated via polysynaptic connections routed through perirhinal cortex. Because recent research has suggested that PRC plays an important role within the temporal lobe memory system, this connectivity may be important for olfactory memory processes. Hippocampus 7:296–306, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

红藤颗粒剂对子宫内膜异位症大鼠异位内膜黏附分子相关基因表达及血管内皮生长因子mRNA表达的影响

目的:探讨中药红藤颗粒剂对正常大鼠与子宫内膜异位症(EMs)大鼠异位内膜黏附分子与细胞外基质蛋白差异表达基因的干预作用和对内膜血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)mRNA表达的影响。方法:将采用手术自体移植法成功建立的EMs模型大鼠随机分为6组:模型对照组(A组)、去势组(B组)、米非司酮组(5 mg/kg,C组)、红藤颗粒剂低剂量组(20 g生药/kg,D组)、中剂量组(40 g生药/kg,E组)和高剂量组(80 g生药/kg,F组)。连续灌胃给药21 d后,采用基因芯片法检测异位内膜黏附分子与细胞外基质蛋白基因的表达,实时定量PCR法(Real-time PCR)法检测红藤颗粒剂对异位内膜VEGFmRNA表达的影响。结果:①基因芯片检测结果显示模型大鼠与正常大鼠之间有27个基因差异表达,其中7个基因下调,20个基因上调,主要分为3类:黏附分子、细胞外基质蛋白、蛋白酶以及蛋白酶抑制剂。F组显示可改善EMs大鼠的差异基因表达,降低细胞间黏附分子的表达,降低蛋白酶的表达,使其趋于正常化。②B、C、E、F组均显著降低VEGFmRNA在大鼠异位子宫内膜细胞中的表达(P<0.01)。结论:中药红藤颗粒剂可能通过影响细胞外基质蛋白以及黏附分子基因的表达,抑制异位内膜VEGF的表达,从而抑制异位内膜黏附、侵袭、血管生成,抑制异位内膜的生长,使异位内膜萎缩。     

Kraniomandibuläre Dysfunktion Eine Standortbestimmung

Evaluating the current understanding of craniomandibular disorders means attempting to discern structures among the dysfunctions of this functional disturbance rather than recording the multitude of different forms. Most dentists understand the functioning and dysfunctions of the craniomandibular system (CMS) while most orthopedists have knowledge in the functioning and dysfunctions of the craniocervical systems (CCS), and some are well trained in the disturbances of the craniosacral system (CSS). In clinical practice, however, the specific data and the structural and functional connections are not provided by associative connections. Therefore the figure at the end of the article will help those lacking substantial experience to keep in view the variety of disorders, recognize the inner structure of the dysfunction, consult with colleagues, and begin effective therapeutic procedures.     

Recognition forces in ligand-protein complexes: blending information from different sources

A variety of ligands interact with proteins in many biological processes; shape complementarity, electrostatic forces and hydrophobicity are the main factors governing these interactions. Although this is accepted by the scientific community, confusion about the significance of certain terms (e.g. hydrophobicity, salt bridge) and the difficulty of discussing the balance of acting forces rather than their single contributions, are two of the main problems encountered by researchers working in the field. These difficulties are sometimes enhanced by the unskilled use of informatics tools, which give great help in understanding the topic (especially from the visual standpoint), but only if used critically. After explaining some general chemical concepts, the commentary discusses the main forces governing ligand-protein interactions, focusing on those generating confusion among scientists with different backgrounds. Three examples of ligand-protein interactions are then discussed to illustrate the advantages and drawbacks of some in silico tools, highlighting the main interactions responsible for complex formation. The same examples are used to point out the limits in separating forces that are mandatory for occurrence of a given interaction and additional forces.     

Low prevalence of Bartonella henselae infections in Norwegian domestic and feral cats

Bartonella henselae is the causative agent of cat scratch disease (CSD). This clinical entity is very rarely encountered in human medical practice in Norway. B. henselae infections including bacteraemia in cats have been frequently reported. The objective of the present study was to investigate the seroprevalence rate and the degree of B. henselae bacteraemia in Norwegian domestic and feral cats. One hundred cats investigated at a small animal veterinary practice in the middle of Norway were included in the study. Blood collected in Isolator blood-lysis tubes and lysates of erythrocytes after freezing and thawing were cultured. PCR analysis of whole blood was also performed. Serology was performed by indirect fluorescence assay (IFA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using immobilised B. henselae Houston-1 strain as antigen. None of the 100 cats investigated was found to be bacteraemic. All 100 cats were seronegative when analysed by IFA; one cat was positive by EIA. The discrepancy between IFA and EIA of this particular cat is probably due to cross-reactive antibodies. Contrary to findings reported from several geographic regions, B. henselae infections in Norwegian cats appear to be virtually absent. This in turn may explain why CSD has not been reported in human medical practice in Norway.     

养血清脑颗粒对典型偏头痛患者MEP和SPECT的影响及临床意义

目的 :观察养血清脑颗粒对典型偏头痛患者经颅磁刺激 (MEP)和脑血流成像(SPECT)的影响及临床意义。方法 :各15例典型偏头痛患者口服养血清脑颗粒和安慰剂 ,共20天。分别于治疗前、后做MEP ,并与15例健康志愿者作对照 ;养血清脑颗粒组中的5例患者于治疗前、后做SPECT。结果 :治疗前MEP的刺激阈值低于治疗后 ,且皮层至小指展肌传导时间 (CMCT)较治疗后长 ,而安慰剂组无改变 ;5例SPECT的定性分析显示均有不同程度的低灌注区 ,治疗后其灌注缺损显著改善。结论 :养血清脑颗粒能够有效治疗典型偏头痛 ,控制其发作     

Recurrence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis after seven years of remission

A staging system has been presented previously to assist in the evaluation and management of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). One of these stages is a remission stage in which patients are free from pulmonary infiltrates. It had been uncertain whether patients with ABPA in remission were at risk for recurrences. We now present a patient in whom recurrence of ABPA developed after 7 yr of remission that demonstrates that patients with ABPA are at risk for recurrences for a prolonged period of time.     

Visual P3a in male alcoholics and controls

The goal of this study was to assess the P3a component of event-related potentials in a population of abstinent, chronic alcoholics. A three-stimulus visual oddball paradigm was used to elicit robust P3a components in a large group of well-characterized male alcoholics (n = 44) and controls (n = 28). The task required subjects to make a difficult perceptual discrimination between randomly presented, frequently occurring vertical lines (.80) and infrequent target lines that were tilted 2 degrees to the right of vertical (.10) by only responding with a button press to the target stimuli. A nontarget infrequent horizontal line occurred (.10) randomly to which no response was made. The target stimulus elicited robust late P3b components with a parietal maximum amplitude, and the nontarget stimulus elicited reliable P3a components with a fronto-central maximum amplitude distribution. Group differences in P3a were assessed using repeated measures ANCOVA analyses in five scalp regions. Alcoholic subjects produced smaller P3a amplitudes over the central, parietal, temporal, and occipital areas compared with controls. Current source density analyses supported these findings with extension of the differences between the groups to the frontal region. The results suggest that the P3a may be important in the evaluation of alcoholism and its heritability. Theoretical implications are discussed.