Neuronal regeneration after application of radiofrequency energy to collagenous tissue is affected by limb immobilization: an in vivo animal study.

Despite widespread use of radiofrequency (RF)-shrinkage, there have been no studies on the influence of RF-energy on neural elements of collagenous tissue. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of RF-shrinkage on neural structures of capsuloligamentous tissue and the recovery of neural elements under different postoperative treatment protocols. One patellar tendon of 46 New-Zealand-White rabbits was shrunk. Six rabbits were sacrificed immediately postoperative. Twenty rabbits were not immobilized, 10 were immobilized for 3 and 10 were immobilized for 6 weeks. A monoclonal antibody, specific against a neurofilament protein, was used to detect nerves and neural structures. Staining pattern of nerve fibres was significantly altered immediately postoperative. After 3 weeks the number of nerve fibres and bundles decreased significantly in immobilized and non-immobilized limbs. The loss of nerve fibres was significantly less in immobilized limbs. At 6 weeks the number of neural elements in immobilized limbs increased to the level of untreated control tissue. In non-immobilized limbs we found no recovery of neural elements 9 weeks postoperatively. At this time the number of nerve fibres and bundles was still significantly less compared to the untreated control limbs. RF-shrinkage causes significant alteration of neural elements. Under immobilization nerve fibres and bundles reach the level of normal untreated tissue. Careful rehabilitation is important after RF-shrinkage. Not only for biomechanical reasons, but also to allow the neural elements to recover, thermally modified tissue should be protected from normal physiologic loads.     

Effects of horizontal cell network architecture on signal spread in the turtle outer retina. experiments and simulations

In thePseudemys turtle retina five functionally distinct, electrically coupled networks of horizontal cells distribute signals in the outer plexiform layer. These networks differ significantly in their architecture, as determined by intracellular labeling with Neurobiotin after physiological recording and identification. The density of H1 horizontal cells is highest, ranging around 1800 cells/mm² at approximately 2.3 mm eccentricity. H1 horizontal cell somata are connected via 6–10 thin, short dendrites. The H1 horizontal cell axon terminal network is composed of thick axon terminals, forming a three-dimensional, sheath-like structure. Networks of coupled H2 and H3 horizontal cells have cell densities of around 210 cells/mm² and 350 cells/mm² respectively, at the same eccentricity of 2.3 mm. Cell bodies are connected with 6–12 long, thin dendrites. Here we report for the first time H4 horizontal cell networks. Cell density is approximately 970 cells/mm² at 2 mm eccentricity, and cell bodies are connected with 6–10 thin, short dendrites. General properties of passive voltage spread were compared for three of these horizontal cell networks using NeuronC. Realistic network architectures were obtained by digitizing the intracellularly labeled networks, respectively. One network obtained from coupled H1 horizontal cell bodies, one from coupled H1 horizontal cell axon terminals, and one from H2 horizontal cells were simulated. These three realistic networks were compared with an artificial, electrically coupled regular triangular network. Passive signal spread in these networks strongly depended on the exact network architecture using otherwise identical parameters. Changes in coupling strength affected signal spread in these networks differently. As in the experimental situation, changes in synaptic conductance influenced signal spread. Some principal effects of extensively coupled horizontal cells on photoreceptor signal processing were simulated with one type of photoreceptor connected by telodendria, synapsing onto an underlying triangular network and receiving feedback synapses. Under certain conditions, spatial information is coded in single photoreceptors. This was also the case in the experimental situation. In the simulation, spatial filter adjustment for optimal spatial coding in photoreceptors can be achieved by changing coupling strength in the horizontal cell network.     

人工神经网络在避孕研究中的应用

人工神经网络作为一门新兴的边缘学科,已开始在许多领域应用.本文将神经网络的方法应用于避孕方法选择方面,并通过ROC曲线比较了神经网络方法与传统的多元LO-gistic回归分析方法对训练样本和检验样本的表现.结果提示,神经网络方法有望在统计学、医学领域得到进一步应用和发展.     

Neuro-toxic interaction in alcohol-treated,thiamine-deficient mice

Summary Groups of adult male mice were either fed a thiamine-deficient diet for 10 weeks and thereafter treated with ethanol by making them inhale vapourized cane spirit for 10 weeks, or given both treatments simultaneously. The brains of these mice were then searched for degeneration using both light and electron microscopy. No degenerating nerve cells were observed in any animal in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, olfactory bulbs, midbrain or hindbrain. However, axon terminal degeneration was seen in the olfactory bulbs and deep cerebellar nuclei in mice given the combined treatment. No cerebellar degeneration was found and only little degeneration was present in the olfactory bulbs of mice given the two treatments at different times. Thus, the combined treatment of alcohol and thiamine deficiency produced more brain damage than the sum of that produced by the two treatments given separately. This represents the first experimental in vivo demonstration of a biochemical interaction between these two factors in alcohol-related brain damage. The findings of long-term animal treatment with models using thiamine antagonists are compared.Supported by the special Research Fund Programme of Monash University (Post-Doctoral Fellowship)     

Sphingolipid metabolites in neural signalling and function

Sphingolipid metabolites, such as ceramide, sphingosine, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and complex sphingolipids (gangliosides), are recognized as molecules capable of regulating a variety of cellular processes. The role of sphingolipid metabolites has been studied mainly in non-neuronal tissues. These studies have underscored their importance as signals transducers, involved in control of proliferation, survival, differentiation and apoptosis. In this review, we will focus on studies performed over the last years in the nervous system, discussing the recent developments and the current perspectives in sphingolipid metabolism and functions.     

干细胞经脑脊液移植后在损伤脊髓的早期变化观察

目的观察神经干细胞经脑室注射后在损伤脊髓的早期动态变化。方法取转录有绿色荧光蛋白（GFP）基因的孕16天SD鼠胚脑海马组织，培养成神经干细胞球，注射到损伤脊髓鼠第四脑室（实验组），观察其在脊髓的存活、分化状况。结果移植细胞在脊髓表面形成细胞团。分布于损伤区头侧。细胞团的面积背侧小于腹侧；数目背侧多于腹侧。这种分布和增殖形式见于损伤脊髓正常部分和无损伤脊髓（对照组）。1周时细胞侵入损伤区，GFAP表达呈阳性。2～3周时与宿主细胞良好整合。结论移植细胞通过脑脊液能广泛分布于脊髓表面。保持黏附、增殖和分化能力。并可迁移、整合到损伤脊髓组织中。     

菲立磁标记兔BMSCs自体移植脊髓后的核磁共振活体示踪及形态学研究

目的通过观察菲立磁标记兔骨髓源性神经干细胞(BMSCs)自体移植脊髓后的核磁共振活体示踪及形态,期待找到一种应用非侵袭性方法来识别、跟踪BMSCs的存活状态及与宿主组织整合情况的方法。方法无菌条件下股骨取骨髓,梯度密度离心法分离获取兔骨髓基质细胞;使用“Feridex-多聚赖氨酸复合物(FE-PLL)”标记骨髓基质细胞,采用普鲁士兰染色和台盼蓝排除实验等方法鉴定FE-PLL标记兔骨髓基质细胞的效率和细胞的活力;体外标记的细胞自体脊髓移植,磁共振、免疫组织化学染色和透射电镜检查。结果普鲁士蓝染色显示FE-PLL标记骨髓基质细胞胞质内出现细小的蓝色铁颗粒;与正常未标记的细胞相比较,FE-PLL标记对骨髓基质细胞的活力、增殖和分化等能力没有明显的影响;经菲立磁标记的兔BMSCs自体脊髓移植后,可在核磁共振上活体示踪。结论菲立磁与核磁共振联合可无创性活体标记检测移植的神经干细胞基本的存在部位、存在方式及其一些生物学特性,可以用来活体示踪移植的BMSCs。     

遗传性压力易感性周围神经病临床神经电生理检测的意义

目的探讨遗传性压力易感性周围神经病（hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies，HNPP）的临床神经电生理改变。方法对1个HNPP家系的先证者及5例家系患者进行神经传导速度检测，并对先证者进行病理组织学检查。结果先证者正中神经、尺神经、腓肠神经感觉神经传导速度（SCV）均减慢；正中神经、尺神经、腓总神经运动神经传导速度（MCV）均减慢。病理结果提示腊肠样结构改变（部分有髓神经纤维的髓鞘出现显著增厚，符合髓鞘肥厚性周围神经病的病理改变，提示HNPP）。共检查家系中5例患者的36条神经。感觉神经传导检测结果：30条神经SCV异常。其中正中神经异常率12／12；尺神经异常率10／12；腓肠神经异常率8／12。感觉纤维最易累及的神经为正中神经，其次为尺神经、腓肠神经。正中神经SCV平均减慢35．1％，平均37．7m／s；尺神经SCV平均减慢31．6％，平均39．7m／s；腓肠神经SCV平均减慢19．4％，平均38.6m／s。受损程度以正中神经最重，其次为尺神经、腓肠神经。运动神经传导检测结果：运动神经诱发电位潜伏期延长者21条。所查神经远端MCV异常率24／36，其中尺神经异常8条。正中神经异常7条，腓总神经异常9条。减慢的尺神经沟下至腕部MCV平均39．7m／s，减慢31．6％；减慢的正中神经平均50，0m／s，减慢11，3％；减慢的腓总神经平均39．3m／s，减慢21．2％；尺神经沟上至沟下异常率75．0％，平均40m／s，平均减慢34，4％；腓骨小头上下异常率33．3％。减慢的MCV平均35，3m／s，平均减慢31％。运动纤维最易累及的神经为腓总神经，其次为尺神经、正中神经。结论HNPP患者可伴有大部分神经传导障碍，可靠的神经电生理检查是诊断HNPP的重要依据，在无症状的HNPP患者及其家属也可出现神经传导障碍。在HNPP患者，嵌压处神经更易受损。     

艺术嗓音歌声客观评价初探

目的探讨客观评价艺术嗓音歌声的方法。方法对48名声乐专业青年大学生录制专业训练歌声信号,提取歌声平均能量、频率误差、音域误差作为评价参数,使用神经网络方法和多元线性回归方法客观评价歌声质量,并与资深专业教师的主观评价进行比较。结果客观评价歌声质量的方法中,神经网络方法误差在4%之内,而线性回归方法误差在6%之内,前者较优。结论神经网络方法利用评价参数能正确客观评价歌声质量,有助于科学地指导选拔和训练艺术嗓音人才。     

天然细胞生长调控因子对原代培养神经细胞生长影响的实验研究

目的：观察天然细胞生长调控因子（NCGCF）对原代培养的神经细胞生长的影响，探讨其作用机理。方法：取Wistar大鼠乳鼠的大脑皮层神经细胞作原代细胞培养，将培养皿编号后分别在奇数孔加入NCGCF，偶 孔加入对照剂，倒置相差显微镜下观察两组神经细胞的生长情况。结果：加入NCGCF的实验组的神经细胞其突起长度较对照组长，生存时间也较对照组延长，差别均有显著性意义（均P＜0．01）。结论：NCGCF具有促进神经细胞突起的生长并延长神经细胞生存时间的作用。