A new subdivision,the marginal division,in the neostriatum of the human brain

<正> A new subetemtory was discovered byas at the caudal most edge of the neostriatum(St) and surrounding the rostral berder of the globus pallidus(GP) in the rat btain with neuroanato-my and immunohistochemistry methods.This area was named marginal division(MrD)based on its location.     

On the antigenic variation of the influenza A virus“*”

Summary A sensitive micro antibody absorption test has been developed for use in studies on the antigenic structure of the influenza virus. The antigenic structure of the A-prime strains isolated in Hungary in the period 1949–54, as determined in tests against strain-specific sera, suggested that these strains originated or developed from the strains which had been isolated in Hungary at earlier dates.The experimental evidence obtained permits one to draw the conclusion that the variation of the antigen of the influenza A virus takes place not by a rearrangement of already present antigenic parts, but by an appearance of new and disappearance of old antigens. Changes in the viral antigen were demonstrable also within a single epidemic.The strains of influenza A virus can be classified by the use of strainspecific sera prepared with due regard to the origin of antigens within single strains.     

Calcitonin — A Drug of the Past or for the Future?

Postmenopausal osteoporosis results from a continuous imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, favoring bone resorption. An increasing number of treatments for osteoporosis are in development and on the market. A range of differences and similarities are found between these treatment options, and these need to be carefully evaluated before the initiation of treatment. This article summarizes data from in vitro and animal studies, as well as clinical trials, on the effect of calcitonin on bone turnover.Calcitonin was found to exert its antiresorptive effects via directly reducing osteoclastic resorption, and thus leads to an increase in bone mineral density and bone strength. Furthermore, calcitonin appears to mainly target the most active osteoclasts, and in contrast to most other antiresorptive agents it does not reduce the number of osteoclasts. Finally, in humans, while attenuating resorption, calcitonin treatment does not interfere markedly with bone formation, in contrast to other currently available antiresorptive agents. Thus, we speculate that calcitonin treatment will lead to a continuously positive bone balance in contrast with other antiresorptive agents currently on the market and thereby, in a physiologic manner, result in improved bone quality.Calcitonin is currently only available in injectable and nasal formulations. An oral formulation may, however, improve patient acceptance and compliance. Currently, several different routes are being pursued to identify an optimal oral formulation, of which the technology based on 5-CNAC is the most advanced. There are promising clinical data available for this formulation from both osteoarthritis and osteoporosis clinical trials, although the antifracture efficacy is not yet known.     

Adenosine A2A Receptor and TNF-α Regulate the Circadian Machinery of the Human Monocytic THP-1 Cells

Morning stiffness and increased symptoms of inflammatory arthritis are among the most common manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α), an important mediator of inflammation in RA, regulates the circadian expression of clock proteins, and adenosine A_2A receptors (A_2AR) mediate many of the anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic actions of methotrexate, the cornerstone drug in the treatment of RA. We found that A_2AR activation and TNF-α activated the clock core loop of the human monocytic THP-1 cell line. We further observed that interleukin (IL)-10, but not IL-12, mRNA expression fluctuates in a circadian fashion and that TNF-α and A_2AR stimulation combined increased IL-10 expression. Interestingly, TNF-α, but not CGS21680, dramatically inhibited IL-12 mRNA expression. The demonstration that A_2AR and TNF-α regulate the intrinsic circadian clock in immune cells provides an explanation for both the pathologic changes in circadian rhythms in RA and for the adverse circadian effects of methotrexate, such as fatigue.     

A bug’s life in the granuloma

The granuloma is the defining feature of the host response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Despite knowing of its existence for centuries, much remains unclear regarding the host and bacterial factors that contribute to granuloma formation, heterogeneity of presentation, and the forces at play within. Mtb is highly adapted to life within the granuloma and employs many unique strategies to both create a niche within the host as well as survive the stresses imposed upon it. Adding to the complexity of the granuloma is the vast range of pathology observed, often within the same individual. Here, we explore some of the many ways in which Mtb crafts the immune response to its liking and builds a variety of granuloma features that contribute to its survival. We also consider the multitude of ways that Mtb is adapted to life in the granuloma and how variability in the deployment of these strategies may result in different fates for both the bacterium and the host. It is through better understanding of these complex interactions that we may begin to strategize novel approaches for tuberculosis treatments.     

Evidence for the Use of Intravenous Immunoglobulins—A Review of the Literature

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) were first introduced in the middle of the twentieth century for the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies. In 1981, Paul Imbach noticed an improvement of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, in patients receiving IVIg for immunodeficiencies. This opened a new era for the treatment of autoimmune conditions with IVIg. Since then, IVIg has become an important treatment option in a wide spectrum of diseases, including autoimmune and acute inflammatory conditions, most of them off-label (not included in the US Food and Drug Administration recommendation). A panel of immunologists and internists with experience in IVIg therapy reviewed the medical literature for published data concerning treatment with IVIg. The quality of evidence was assessed, and a summary of the available relevant literature in each disease was given. To our knowledge, this is the first all-inclusive comprehensive review, developed to assist the clinician when considering the use of IVIg in autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and other conditions.     

Is the posterior belly of the digastric muscle palpable? A qualitative systematic review of the literature

Palpation of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle in the postmandibular region is included in many study protocols and examination schemes of the masticatory system. The aim of the present investigation was to systematically search the dental/medical literature to find evidence for the palpability of this muscle. In August 2004, a systematic search was carried out using different electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Japana Centra Revuo Medicina, MedPilot, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences, and three on-line databases of dental journals not listed currently in Medline), supplemented by manual search in the Austrian journal Stomatologie. Additional manual searches were carried out in the Journal of Orofacial Pain and Journal of Dental Research to identify pertinent abstracts of scientific congresses. One relevant hit was found in the Japanese database. The manual search showed one pertinent congress abstract. In both publications, the authors concluded that due to anatomical reasons the posterior belly of the digastric muscle was not palpable. Hence, evidence is lacking that the posterior digastric muscle is accessible to palpation. Because the postmandibular region is usually tender upon palpation, a high incidence of positive findings can be expected even among healthy subjects. This may lead to wrong clinical judgments, possibly provoking unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic measures.     

A moratorium on research using the Jenkins Activity Survey for type A behavior?

This article presents a brief review of literature which indicates that it may be premature to abandon the use of the Jenkins Activity Survey (JAS) for assessing Type A behavior. In particular, the literature suggests that the time urgency/irritability subcomponent of the JAS may represent a nonspecific susceptibility factor for general ill health. Moreover, studies demonstrate that the time urgency/irritability facet of the JAS is associated with a negative health-risk profile which consists of the presence of vulnerability factors and the absence of protective factors. Finally, results of this brief review are consistent with previous research with paper and pencil measures of Type A behavior showing that subcomponent measures are superior to global measures. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 53: 905–907, 1997     

Retinal Prosthesis： A Potential Benefit for the Blind

Retinal degenerative diseases may induce the degeneration of outer retina and in turn, blindness. Nevertheless, due to the maintenance of inner retina, the coding and processing of visual neurons responses are still able to be executed naturally. Therefore, an effective retinal prosthesis device may be developed by mimicking the function of outer retina： transferring the visual light into artificial stimulus and delivering the stimulus to the retina aiming to evoke the neural responses. As two main developing directions for current retinal prosthesis,epiretinal （ER） and subretinal （SR） prosthesis are both undergoing experimental stage and possessing advantages and limitations. Further investigations in power supply, biocompatibility, etc. are still required. Additionally, suprachoroidal transretinal stimulation （STS） and neurotransmitter-induced stimulation as some other alternatives in retinal prosthesis are also considered as promising research directions, although they are not mature enough to be applied commercially, either.     

A EPC Approach to the Residual Water in Erythrocytes

A novel approach has been developed to determine the amount of residual water in human erythrocyte at room temperature by electronic particle counter. Nacl solutions of 13 osmolalities were prepared and the equilibrium cell volumes in which were measured one by one. The isotonic volume, Vo, was obtained under the isotonic condition. The mean RBC volumes of 5 donors at each osmolality were fitted according to Boyle van‘t Hoff relationship, and the osmotically inactive volume, Vb, of erythrocyte was then determined. The results show that Vb＝50% Vo. More importantly, the final cell volume with regard to the solution of the highest concentration found to be kept at about 0. 5 V0. The difference between these two volumes is unconspicuous. According to the published data that non-water volume of human erythrocyte is about 28.3% of its isotonic volume, residual water of human erythrocyte can be gained by subtracting Vdry from Vf, that is Vrw----21.7% Vo Then it was concluded that the residual water of human lays in 2 states, one is bound water, and the other is free water.     

Can the gracilis be used to replace the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee? A cadaver study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a four-strand gracilis-only graft can be used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Study designCadaver study.MethodsThis study involved 16 cadaver knees. The length and diameter of the native ACL were measured in each one. The same measurements were performed on a four-strand graft of the gracilis only, the semitendinosus only and both tendons. Student's t-test was used to compare the various conditions.ResultsThe average diameter of the G4 construct was 0.07 mm greater (1%) than the native ACL (p = 0.044). The average cross-sectional area of the G4 construct was 1.2 mm² greater (3.9%) than the native ACL (p = 0.049). The G4 was on average 38.9 mm longer than the intra-articular portion of the ACL (p < 0.001).ConclusionA four-strand gracilis construct meets the anatomical specifications for use as an ACL reconstruction graft. By using the gracilis only, the morbidity associated with harvesting the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons should be reduced. Further studies must be performed to compare the biomechanical properties of this graft with other graft types and also to evaluate how this four-strand gracilis graft behaves in a clinical setting.     

Morphology of the olfactory fossa – A new look

IntroductionThe olfactory fossa is a depression in the anterior cranial cavity whose floor is the cribriform plate of the ethmoid bone. This delicate bony plate separates the anterior cranial fossa from the nasal cavity.MethodsWe studied the morphology of the olfactory fossa in 32 dry skulls, derived from North India, of undetermined sex, using a hydroxyphilicsiloxane based gel. Molds of the olfactory fossa and adjacent cranial fossa were made and measurements of length, width, depth and angle of embankment (angle between the lateral wall of the olfactory fossa and the medial part of the anterior cranial fossa) were done on them and their coronal sections.ResultsThe average length of the olfactory fossa was 2.11 cm. The average width was 0.39 cm and the mean angle of embankment was 130.5°. According to the measured depth, the incidence of Keros’ type I (1–3mm) was 23.44%, type II (4–7mm) – 70.83% and type III (8–16mm) – 5.73%. Type III was more frequent on the left side. The fossa in north India is deeper in the middle than its anterior and posterior ends. It had a narrow anterior and broad posterior end (54.69%). There were no overall significant differences between the right and left side for the various morphometric parameters.DiscussionThis study provides baseline morphometric data of the olfactory fossa in the North Indian population and this knowledge may help the radiologists to analyze scans of this region and minimize complications associated with surgeries in this delicate area.