Figure-Ground Segregation at Contours: a Neural Mechanism in the Visual Cortex of the Alert Monkey

An important task of vision is the segregation of figure and ground in situations of spatial occlusion. Psychophysical evidence suggests that the depth order at contours is defined early in visual processing. We have analysed this process in the visual cortex of the alert monkey. The animals were trained on a visual fixation task which reinforced foveal viewing. During periods of active visual fixation, we recorded the responses of single neurons in striate and prestriate cortex (areas V1, V2, and V3/V3A). The stimuli mimicked situations of spatial occlusion, usually a uniform light (or dark) rectangle overlaying a grating texture of opposite contrast. The direction of figure and ground at the borders of these rectangles was defined by the direction of the terminating grating lines (occlusion cues). Neuronal responses were analysed with respect to figure-ground direction and contrast polarity at such contours. Striate neurons often failed to respond to such stimuli, or were selective for contrast polarity; others were non-selective. Some neurons preferred a certain combination of figure-ground direction and contrast polarity. These neurons were rare both in striate and prestriate cortex. The majority of neurons signalled figure-ground direction independent of contrast polarity. These neurons were only found in prestriate cortex. We explain these responses in terms of a model which also explains neuronal signals of illusory contours. These results suggest that occlusion cues are used at an early level of processing to segregate figure and ground at contours.     

A clinical and radiological two‐year follow‐up study of maxillary overdentures on osseointegrated implants

In order to satisfy the need to restore the aesthetics, phonetics and comfort and to facilitate optimal hygiene procedures, 20 edentulous patients were treated with a new concept of overdenture therapy on implants ad modum Brånemark. After 24±3.5 months the patients were re‐examined. They were asked to answer a questionnaire and use a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to give their opinion on the prosthetic treatment. The results indicate that an implant‐retained overdenture in the maxilla with this design can satisfy the patients needs in aesthetics, phonetics and comfort and can 1 facilitate oral hygiene measures.     

Dorsal and ventral dopaminergic innervation of the spinal cord: Functional implications

Several studies have demonstrated that a descending dopaminergic pathway innervates the dorsal and the intermediate gray matter of the spinal cord and have suggested that this pathway is involved in pain modulation and in the control of autonomie functions. Other studies have also demonstrated the presence of dopamine (DA) and DA metabolites as well as of DA receptors in the ventral cord. There is also evidence for the implication of DA in the control of motor functions at the spinal level. The occurrence of a dopaminergic innervation in the ventral horn has been, however, disputed until recently. But recent work has demonstrated that the motoneural cell groups in the ventral horn (lamina IX) are a target for descending dopaminergic fibers. In addition, the possibility that DA is a mediator of primary afferent fibers has also been postulated. Finally, the occurrence of dopaminergic cell bodies has been suggested in the spinal cord. This indicates that DA is probably implicated in a complex manner in spinal functions. In the present paper the possible involvement of DA in sensory and in motor functions at spinal level will be discussed in view of neurochemical observations made in polyarthritic rats, in which pain-related behavior and reduction of locomotor activity associated with a marked decrease in mobility, are observed.     

尼罗罗非鱼肉营养成分分析

<正> 尼罗罗非鱼(Tilapia nilotica)是我国从非洲引进的热带鱼类,具有刺少肉味鲜嫩、食性广、生长快、繁殖力强、养殖周期短等特点。已快速地养殖到全国各地。作者对利用地热资源人工喂养条件下的尼罗罗非鱼肉的氨基酸和肉内的粗蛋白、脂肪、维生素等成分进行分析,评估尼罗罗非鱼肉的营养价值,从营养学的角度为人们提供科学依据。     

数字疼痛量表和描述疼痛量表的相关性研究和改进

目的探讨"长海痛尺"的科学性和可行性.方法研究证明数字疼痛量表(NRS)和描述疼痛量表(VRS)的相关性,并设计"长海痛尺".结果 NRS和VRS之间相关性良好,相关系数r为0.8241.结论 "长海痛尺"的设计具有一定的科学依据,且具有简便、易理解、结果相对准确的特点,可以满足临床一线工作的需要.     

Early neonatal inflammation affects adult pain reactivity and anxiety related traits in mice: genetic background counts

Protracted or recurrent pain and inflammation in the early neonatal period may cause long-lasting changes in central neural function. However, more research is necessary to better characterize the long-term behavioral sequelae of such exposure in the neonatal period. Objectives: (1) to study whether timing of postnatal exposure to persistent inflammation alters responsiveness to thermal pain in the adult animal; (2) to assess whether animals experiencing early postnatal chronic inflammation display altered anxiety related behavior; (3) to study the importance of genetic background. Newborn mice (outbred strain, CD1 and F1 hybrid strain, B6C3F1) received an injection of Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) or saline on either postnatal day 1 or 14 (PND1; PND14) into the left hind paw. Pain to radiant heat and anxiety were examined in 12-week-old adult animals. Adult baseline PWL was significantly decreased in CD1 mice exposed to CFA on PND 1 and 14 as compared to their saline treated counterparts. B6C3F1 mice exposed to CFA on PND14 showed markedly reduced baseline PWL compared to the PND14 saline group. Persistent inflammation experienced by B6C3F1 mice on PND1 failed to affect baseline adult thermal responsiveness. Adult mice, CD1 and B6C3F1, displayed low anxiety traits only if they had been exposed to persistent inflammation on PND1 and not on PND14. Our research suggests a role for genetic background in modulating long-term behavioral consequences of neonatal persistent inflammation: the data support the hypothesis that pain experienced very early in life differentially affects adult behavioral and emotional responsiveness in outbred (CD1) and hybrid mice (B6C3F1).     

人胎视网膜发生的光镜和电镜观察

本文在光镜下观察40例人胎视网膜的发生,在电镜下观察15例人胎视网膜视细胞、双极细胞、节细胞的发育。结果表明:胚胎第9周时神经上皮可分内、外成神经细胞层。第10周时内、外成神经细胞层之间的Chievitz带消失;第11周时节细胞从内成神经细胞层内迁;第13周节细胞与内成神经细胞之间出现内网层;第16周始双极细胞从外成神经细胞层中内迁形成外网层和内核层。第20周后视网膜各层形成。而视细胞、双极细胞、节细胞的超微结构于胎儿8个月后才发育完善。其结构与成人基本相同。     

脊柱复合性损伤的救治风险与早期治疗

目的评估脊柱复合性损伤的特点和救治风险,探讨风险控制与最佳治疗的方法。方法采用AIS、ISS、TRISS及APACHEⅡ等评分方法对273例脊柱复合性损伤患者进行定量评价与救治分类,并依据伤后的损伤分级、参数评定及计量评分等指标进行量化分析和统计处理。结果颈椎合并伤115例,胸椎合并伤141例,胸腰椎合并伤294例,腰骶椎合并伤181例;患者的救治风险和脊椎伤的治疗选择或手术时机与其合并伤的解剖伤势及由此所构成的整体伤情密切相关(P<0.01或<0.05);高风险性伤员往往综合伤势严重,生存概率(Ps)趋低,并发症和死亡率高(P<0.01或<0.05)。结论脊柱脊髓损伤常合并有严重的多发伤,高危伤情不仅可增加其救治风险和脊柱伤的处理难度,且还易于丧失手术最佳时机。分类救治对伤员的风险控制和脊柱伤的专科治疗是有益的。