The Effect of Reduced Somatosensation on Standing Balance: A Systematic Review

The objective of this review is to identify and review publications describing the impact of reduced somatosensation on balance. Based on knowledge of the association between specific somatosensory loss and deterioration of balance, conclusions can be made about role of somatosensation in standing balance.A systematic literature review is presented in which publications from the years 1993 through 2007 were searched in Medline and Embase. Medical Subject Headings (MESH) terms and free text words (related to balance, somatosensory loss, and lower limb) were used to perform the searches. Fifteen articles were selected for detailed review based on predetermined inclusion criteria, and three of the included articles described the effect of experimentally reduced somatosensation on balance in healthy subjects. Ten of the articles described balance in diabetic neuropathy (DN). The last two included articles described balance in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 1A (CMT1A) or type 2 (CMT2).The literature indicates that the tactile sensation is reduced in DN, CMT1A, and CMT2 and when the plantar surface of the feet was hypothermically anesthetized. Joint motion sensation seems to be impaired in patients with DN, and passive joint position sensation appears to be reduced in healthy subjects with anesthesia of ankle and foot from prolonged ischemia. This reduced somatosensation seems to have a negative effect on balance in patients with DN and CMT2; however, this appeared not to be the case in patients with CMT1A and in healthy subjects.     

Needle electromyography

Physiologic assessment of diseases of the motor unit from the anterior horn cells to the muscles relies on a combination of needle electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Both require a unique combination of knowledge of peripheral nervous system anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diseases, techniques, and electricity is necessary. Successful, high‐quality, reproducible EMG depends on the skills of a clinician in patient interaction during the physical insertion and movement of the needle while recording the electrical signals. These must be combined with the skill of analyzing electric signals recorded from muscle by auditory pattern recognition and semiquantitation. 10 , 52 This monograph reviews the techniques of needle EMG and waveform analysis and describes the types of EMG waveforms recorded during needle EMG. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 244–270, 2009     

Involvement of ADAM10 in axonal outgrowth and myelination of the peripheral nerve

The disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) is a membrane‐anchored metalloproteinase with both proteolytic and disintegrin characteristics. Here, we investigate the expression, regulation, and functional role of ADAM10 in axonal outgrowth and myelination of the peripheral nerve. Expression pattern analysis of 11 ADAM family members in co‐cultures of rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons and Schwann cells (SCs) demonstrated the most pronounced mRNA expression for ADAM10. In further studies, ADAM10 was found to be consistently upregulated in DRG‐SC co‐cultures before the induction of myelination. Neurons as well as SCs widely expressed ADAM10 at the protein level. In neurons, the expression of ADAM10 was exclusively limited to the axons before the induction of myelination. Inhibition of ADAM10 activity by the hydroxamate‐based inhibitors GI254023X and GW280264X resulted in a significant decrease in the mean axonal length. These data suggest that ADAM10 represents a prerequisite for myelination, although its activity is not required during the process of myelination itself as demonstrated by expression analysis of myelin protein zero (P0) and Sudan black staining. Hence, during the process of myelin formation, ADAM10 is highly upregulated and appears to be critically involved in axonal outgrowth that is a requirement for myelination in the peripheral nerve. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

多模式临床支持系统的研究进展

目的探讨多模式临床支持系统的研究进展。方法通过了解国际多模式临床支持系统发展和运作情况,并与传统的临床支持系统进行对比,探讨多模式临床支持系统的国际研究进展情况。结果在多模式临床支持系统概念、目的及特点认识的基础上,了解了多模式临床支持系统的国际进展情况。结论临床支持系统模式的发展和演变,为多学科协作诊治模式提供了新的临床辅助,加强了循证医学的临床实践和相应的提升体系,但临床支持系统项目在目前我国医院的应用还需要进一步探讨和研究。     

经前后路联合手术治疗L5S1椎体结核

目的 探讨一期经前路病灶清除后路植骨内固定治疗L5S1椎体结核的临床疗效.方法 对40例L5S1椎体结核患者,采用一期经前路病灶清除椎体间植骨加后路椎弓根螺钉内固定植骨融合治疗.结果 所有患者随访6～24个月,35例植骨融合良好,5例融合欠佳;有1例出现尿路感染.结论 一期经前路病灶清除椎体间植骨加后路椎弓根螺钉内固定椎板植骨治疗L5S1椎体结核能在彻底清除病灶的前提下保证脊柱的稳定性,提高植骨块的融合率和缩短患者卧床时间.     

腰椎间盘突出症合并椎管狭窄23 例治疗分析

目的探讨经后路椎间盘镜手术治疗合并腰椎管狭窄症的椎间盘突出症的临床应用。方法采用后路椎间盘镜进行单侧开窗减压术。通过术前标记腰椎正侧位片定位，于定位棘突间隙后正中偏患侧作长约1.5 cm小切口，逐级扩张后置入工作通道管，钻除部分椎板，置入内窥镜，于电视监视器下显露椎板、增生内聚的关节突、肥厚的黄韧带及突出的椎间盘髓核组织，彻底解除其对硬脊膜、神经根的压迫。结果本组共治疗合并腰椎管狭窄症的腰椎间盘突出症23例，平均随访7个月，按Prolo标准评定，治愈20例，有效2例，无效1例。结论本术式在严格掌握适应证前提下对合并腰椎管狭窄症的腰椎间盘突出症患者效果明显。     

核磁共振法测定非离子表面活性剂 HLB 值的研究 2.几种混合体系 HLB 值的测定与计算

本文应用核磁共振法(NMR)测定了几种混合体系的 HLB 值与混合体系中各组分的 HLB 值。实验结果表明,混合体系中各组分在核磁共振图谱中的积分曲线高度也具有加和性。混合体系的 HLB 值是体系中各组分 HLB 值的加权平均值。因此,对混合体系的 HLB 值可以应用 NMR 法直接测定,也可应用 NMR 法测定各组分的 HLB值,通过计算求得,计算值与实测值完全一致。     

MRI evaluation of bulky tumor masses in the mesentery and bladder involvement in peritoneal carcinomatosis

AIM: Peritonectomy procedures with intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia are an effective but costly treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC). Consequently a proper selection of patients is necessary. We evaluated the benefit of MRI prior to surgery, in the detection of two of the main surgery contraindications: bulky mesenteric tumors and bladder implants. METHODS: Three experts retrospectively reviewed abdominal and pelvic MRI from 19 cases of surgically proved PC (ovary: 7; colorectal: 7; gastric: 2; pseudomyxoma peritonei: 2; appendix: 1). RESULTS: Mesenteric tumors were always identified as hypersignal masses on axial and coronal fat suppression gadolinium-enhanced T1 images (n=3). Three out of five bladder implants were detected. The two cases of bladder implants that were not detected on MRI were missed because the bladder was not filled. The best sequence for the detection of bladder involvement was axial T2-weighted images with bladder filling. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating the preoperative resectability of PC is crucial for patient management. MRI seems to reliably detect bulky mesenteric tumors and bladder implants on condition the bladder is filled and appropriate sequences are used.     

Bacterial ghosts (BGs)—Advanced antigen and drug delivery system

Bacterial ghosts (BGs) are empty bacterial envelopes of Gram-negative bacteria produced by controlled expression of cloned gene E, forming a lysis tunnel structure within the envelope of the living bacteria. BGs are devoid of cytoplasmic content and possess all bacterial bio-adhesive surface properties in their original state while not posing any infectious threat. BGs are ideally suited as an advanced drug delivery system (ADDS) for toxic substances in tumor therapy. The inner space of BGs can be loaded with either single components or combinations of peptides, drugs or DNA which provides an opportunity to design new types of (polyvalent) drug delivery vehicles. Uptake of BGs loaded with Doxorubicin (Dox) by CaCo2 cells led to effective Dox release from endo-lysosomal compartments and accumulation in the nucleus. Viability and proliferative capacity of the cells were significantly decreased (2–3 orders of magnitude) after internalization of Dox loaded BGs as compared to cells incubated with free Dox. The same effect was observed with leukemia cells. Melanoma cells also revealed a high capability to internalize BGs. These results indicate that BGs are able to target a range of types of cancer. BGs have also been investigated as DNA delivery vectors. Studies show DNA loaded BGs are efficiently phagocytosed and internalized by both professional APCs and tumor cells with up to 82% of cells expressing the plasmid-encoded reporter gene. Our studies with BGs as an ADDS system contribute (i) to optimize drug delivery for the treatment of cancer; (ii) define specific conditions for selection and preparation of BG formulations; (iii) and provide a background for the clinical application of BGs in cancer therapy.