Electron microscopic study of synaptogenesis and myelination of the olfactory centers in developing rats

Development of the central olfactory system was studied in the rat with an electron microscope at three main structures: the olfactory bulb, the lateral olfactory tract, and the primary olfactory cortex (the piriform cortex). As a parameter of development, the synaptic density was examined quantitatively in the bulbar glomerulus and layer Ia (termination of bulbofugal fibers) of the piriform cortex, which are the key stations of the olfactory pathway. The synaptic densities in the glomerulus and those in layer Ia were 5.7% and 4.6% on embryonic day 19, 15.8% and 12.5% on postnatal day (P) 0, and 57.3% and 37.2% on P10, as compared with the adult (100%). As another parameter of development, the density of myelinated axons in the lateral olfactory tract was examined quantitatively. The densities of myelinated axons in the tract were 0% on P5, 15.1% on P10, and 73.5% on P21 of the adult density. Maturation in the tract was still progressing, even at P21, in terms of bundle formation and the thickness of myelin sheaths. The results show that synaptogenesis in the bulbar glomerulus is followed by synaptogenesis in layer Ia of the piriform cortex, and that myelination in the lateral olfactory tract occurs over a prolonged period, even in the stages after P21.     

The treatment of sexually dysfunctional women without partners: A controlled study of three behavioural group approaches

Background. In the absence of models of therapy for sexual dysfunction in single women, this study drew on approaches that have been shown to be useful with men. This controlled study compared three approaches to the treatment of sexually dysfunctional single women. Method. Forty‐nine sexually dysfunctional women were randomly assigned to treatments focusing on either their sexual dysfunction, their interpersonal problems, a combination of both or a waiting list; 47 completed treatment, and 45 a 1 year follow‐up. Treatment was administered in small groups in 15 weekly sessions and four 6 weekly sessions during the first 6 months of a 1 year follow‐up. Results. No clinically meaningful change was observed during the waiting period. In contrast, a significant and equivalent improvement was observed in all treatment conditions by the end of treatment and was maintained at 6 and 12 month follow‐ups. No significant differences between the treatment conditions were found at any point. Conclusions. Sexual dysfunction in single women responded to treatment by various behavioural group approaches. Clinically, results fell short of the improvements observed in sexually dysfunctional men treated similarly. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maggot debridement therapy in chronic wound care.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current evidence on the mechanism of actions and clinical applications of maggot debridement therapy. DATA SOURCES: Literature search of PubMed and Medline was performed up to January 2007. STUDY SELECTION: Original and major review articles related to maggot debridement therapy were reviewed. Key words used in the literature search were 'maggot debridement therapy', 'wound healing', and 'chronic wound management'. DATA EXTRACTION: All relevant English and Chinese articles. DATA SYNTHESIS: The mechanism of such maggot therapy was shown to be due to the debridement, disinfection, and wound healing enhancement actions of maggot excretions/secretions. The efficacy of maggot debridement therapy in chronic wound management has been demonstrated in chronic venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, and diabetic ulcers. There is also a new delivery system for the excretions/secretions, which has been shown to be as effective as using live maggots. CONCLUSIONS: Maggot debridement therapy has been shown to be a safe and effective means of chronic wound management. However, there are a number of limitations when considering its local applicability. Future development of the delivery system may help to overcome some of these limitations and improve its acceptability.     

Systemic sclerosis mortality in the United States: 1999-2002 implications for patient care.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the systemic sclerosis mortality rates in the United States between 1999 and 2002, a time period in which a new coding system was used to record deaths, and to describe its implications in patient care. METHODS: We used the mortality database from the National Center of Health Statistics and with the use of ICD-10 codes for systemic sclerosis calculated death rates by gender, race, age, state, and region for the United States. Death rates are expressed as per million population. RESULTS: Age-adjusted death rates for systemic sclerosis were 6.8 cases per million in women, 2.1 cases per million in men, and 4.7 cases per million for the whole population. Death rates peaked a decade earlier in the African American population when compared with those in the white population (65-74 vs. 75-84 years of age). Age-adjusted mortality was highest in African American women at 9.5 cases per million. CONCLUSION: Mortality rates for systemic sclerosis are slightly higher since the implementation of the new disease-specific ICD-10 coding system for recording deaths. Death rates related to systemic sclerosis among the African American population are remarkably higher than those among the white population; this is believed to be related to the more aggressive disease seen in the African American patients and to the disparity of healthcare resources. These findings suggest that earlier and more aggressive treatment is warranted in the African American population, with more frequent follow-up and preventive care.     

Effect of starch malabsorption on fecal bile acids and neutral sterols in humans: possible implications for colonic carcinogenesis

Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate a strong association between an elevated colon cancer risk and increased fecal excretion of secondary bile acids, neutral sterols, and prolonged gastrointestinal transit time. Starch malabsorption, on the other hand, has been reported to be a possible protective factor in colon carcinogenesis. To study the impact of starch malabsorption on these parameters, 12 healthy volunteers consumed a diet rich in starch for two 4-week periods. During a double-blind crossover trial they received the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose (BAY g 5421) in one of the study periods and placebo in the other. During acarbose treatment stool wet weight increased by 68%, stool dry weight by 57%, and gastrointestinal mean transit time by 30%. Fecal concentrations (mg/g dry weight) of the neutral sterols coprostanol, coprostanone, campesterol, 4-cholesten-3-one, and beta-sitosterol decreased by 36.8, 48.7, 42.1, 34.6, and 39.4%, respectively, under acarbose. Concentrations of the major secondary bile acids, deoxycholic and lithocholic acid, decreased by 59.9 and 52.2%, respectively. In spite of an increased stool weight, also daily excretion (mg/day) of these two bile acids was lower under acarbose (47.9 and 36.6%, respectively) compared to placebo, whereas excretion of the main primary bile acid, cholic acid, rose from 22.58 mg/day to 379.80 mg/day during the acarbose period. The changes in fecal bile acid and neutral sterol excretion found during acarbose treatment may explain a protective effect of starch malabsorption on colon cancer development.     

Ro15-4513 antagonizes depression of open-field horizontal activity by ethanol in rats

The imidazobenzodiazepine, Ro15-4513, has been shown to antagonize some of the behavioral effects of ethanol (ETOH). In rats having relatively little experience in the open field, the actions of ETOH (0.75 g/kg IP), Ro15-4513 (1.25 mg/kg and 2.5 mg/kg, IP), and Ro15-4513 in combination with ETOH were measured on horizontal activity. Rats receiving ETOH showed a significant depression in horizontal activity. Doses of Ro15-4513 given alone produced no significant differences in activity from baseline levels. Rats pretreated with Ro15-4513 prior to receiving ETOH, however, showed a significant attenuation of the ETOH induced depression of activity. These results indicate that Ro15-4513 is effective in attenuating the depressive effects of ETOH in the open field in rats having little experience in the apparatus.     

Trauma center imaging problems: Proposed solution with picture archiving communication systems

Radiologic support for trauma center activities presents special problems that are discussed. This article proposed the use of a picture archiving communication system (PACS) as a potential solution. A sample PACS for this purpose is described to illustrate this approach.     

A Novel Enhancer for Fe~(2 )-Catalyzed Light Emission Reaction of Luminol and Dissolved Oxygen

用ＥＤＴＡ可增强Ｆｅ２＋催化鲁米诺与溶解氧的发光反应，将ＥＤＴＡ加入鲁米诺溶液中可使流动注射分析测亚铁的检出限降低约１６０倍。在流动注射分析的试样分流路中使用新型的锌镀铜微还原柱，可同时测定Ｆｅ２＋和Ｆｅ３＋。该微还原柱可至少测定３０００个试样。测定Ｆｅ２＋和Ｆｅ３＋的线性范围是１×１０９～１×１０５ｍｏｌ·Ｌ１，检出限分别为２．７×１０１０和３．５×１０１０ｍｏｌ·Ｌ１，测定试样的速率为６０ｈ１。Ｃｒ３＋和Ｃｏ２＋有干扰。测定混合物中的Ｆｅ２＋和Ｆｅ３＋获得满意结果，测试样的结果同标准的分光光度法结果一致。实验表明，ＥＤＴＡ起增强剂的作用，Ｆｅ２＋是催化剂，而溶解氧是氧化剂。对反应机理进行了讨论。