Involvement of catecholamines in kindled amygdaloid convulsions in the rat.

The seizure state induced by amygdaloid kindling in the rat was accompanied by a significant depletion of norepinephrine (NE) in the hippocampus, midbrain, limbic lobes and frontal cortex. In contrast, there was no change in NE levels of the hypothalamus, brain stem or basal ganglia, nor were the levels of dopamine affected in any of these brain regions. Drugs which impair central noradrenergic mechanisms, including α-methyl-p-tyrosine, disulfiram and propranolol, enhanced the rate of development of kindled seizures; disulfiram and propranolol also increased the duration of after discharges accompanying the seizures. In contrast, drugs affecting dopaminergic mechanisms, including pimozide and apomorphine, as well as drugs acting on α-adrenergic receptors, phenoxybenzamine and clonidine, had no influence on the seizure state. It appears that central noradrenergic mechanisms, particularly those involving β-adrenergic receptors, may be involved in the pathogenesis of amygdaloid kindled seizures.     

Molekulargenetische Identifizierung von Leichen

The identification of unidentified bodies is an integral part of forensic medicine and is usually carried out using fingerprints, dental status and/or molecular genetic methods as suggested by Interpol using DNA analysis. In this study 61 human identification cases solved by genetic analysis were evaluated retrospectively and it could be shown that reference samples brought by the police frequently gave genetic profiles of two or more individuals. Even items typically used by only one person (e.g. toothbrush and razor) often revealed more than one STR profile which complicates the establishment of certain identity. Thus, in cases of unidentified deceased persons identity should preferably be established based on profiles from relatives. The investigation of personal belongings should be restricted to cases in which no blood relatives are available.     

Determination of surface morphology of diblock copolymers of styrene and butadiene by atomic force microscopy

A detailed study by atomic force microscopy of the surfaces of diblock copolymers which exhibit lamellar and spherical microphase domains in the bulk is presented. The surface morphology of the lamellar samples consists of corrugations. Transmission electron microscopy of cross sections which include the surface and near surface demonstrate the connection between the corrugations and the bulk lamellae. The surface of a sample with spherical bulk domains was found to consist of a series of pits that can be linked with centers on the faces of the cubic cell arrangement of the bulk. Disclinations and intersections of lamellae could be found. The latter result in lamellar break-up in the contact area of the two lamellar orientations. Lamellar tilt can lead to variation in periodicity and depth of the surface morphology. Damage due to scanning was observed, but only for the sample with spherical morphology.     

Numbers and proportions of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in different areas of monkey cerebral cortex

The number and proportion of neurons displaying GABA immunoreactivity were determined for 50-micron-wide columns through the thickness of 10 areas of monkey cerebral cortex, including the precentral motor area (area 4), 3 cytoarchitectonic fields of the first somatic sensory area (areas 3b, 1, and 2), 2 areas of parietal association cortex (areas 5 and 7), the first and second visual areas (areas 17 and 18), area 21 of the temporal lobe, and areas of the orbital and lateral frontal cortex. Methods of fixation and immunocytochemical processing were designed to maximize the number of stained cells in 15-micron-thick frozen sections and 1-micron-thick plastic sections. In 8 of the 10 areas the number and proportion of GABA-immunoreactive neurons per 50-micron-wide column were found to be the same (34-43 cells/column; 25% of the total neuronal population). Areas 17 and 3b differed. Area 17 contained 50% more GABA-immunoreactive neurons (52-66 cells/column) but more than twice the total number of neurons, so that the GABA cells made up less than 20% of the total. In 3 monkeys, the number and proportion of GABA-positive neurons per 50-micron-wide column in area 3b were smaller than in adjacent areas of sensorimotor cortex (26-42 cells/column; 19-22%). In 2 other monkeys, the number and proportion (34-43 cells/column; 24-26%) were the same as in adjacent areas. Despite the similarity among most areas of monkey cortex, within some areas, the number of GABA-positive neurons per 50-micron-wide column varied as much as 30%. These variations form a significant, repeating pattern only in area 18, where narrow bands (150-200 micron wide) of relatively few stained cells alternated with either narrow or wide bands (600-700 micron wide) in which columns contained more cells. The GABA-immunoreactive neurons were unevenly distributed across layers, with every area containing large numbers and proportions of stained cells in layer II, and every area but area 4 displaying a second concentration in the principal thalamocortical recipient layers. In area 4, the number of GABA-positive neurons declined sharply from layer II to layer III and remained low through layer VI. For areas displaying the greatest intra-areal variability, only 1 or 2 layers contributed significantly to that variability (layer IV in area 3b, layers III and V in area 18, and layers II and III in area 17).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Phenoxymethyl penicillin in the horse: an alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin

This preliminary study evaluated phenoxymethyl penicillin (Penicillin V) as an alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin in horses. Penicillin V was administered orally to five horses at two different doses and plasma levels of the drug were determined at timed intervals. The results were evaluated by regression analysis. Following the administration of penicillin V at a dose of 66,000 IU/kg or 110,000 IU/kg, the mean peak plasma levels obtained were 1.55 micrograms/mL and 2.34 micrograms/mL respectively. A plasma level two to four times above the minimal inhibitory concentration level of Streptococcus equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus was maintained for 325 minutes at 66,000 IU/kg and 349 minutes at 110,000 IU/kg. Penicillin V given orally was thus shown to be an acceptable alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin in the horse.     

Pharmacological modification of amygdaloid-kindled seizures

The acute effect of several antiepileptic drugs on amygdaloid-kindled seizures was investigated in rats. Phenobarbital, diazepam and trimethadione produced a dose-dependent decrease in severity and amygdaloid afterdischarge duration (ADD) of full kindled seizures. In contrast, phenytoin did not suppress kindled seizures but appeared to increase seizure severity and ADD, suggesting that its action is fundamentally different from that of the other antiepileptic agents. The general anesthetic, ketamine, was weakly effective in abolishing established kindled seizures but had a marked ability to prevent kindling when given prophylactically from the outset of amygdaloid stimulation. The anti-kindling action of ketamine may be related to its ability to enhance central noradrenergic mechanisms.     

„Mission (im)possible“

Background

Specialized neurological treatment decreases the mortality and morbidity of stroke patients. In many regions of the world an extensive coverage is not available. The cooperation between the Krankenhaus Nordwest (KHNW, Frankfurt, Germany) and the Government of Brunei Darussalam describes the set-up process of a specialized neurological center, including stroke unit, science and rehabilitation center.

Aim

The aim of this project called to teach to treat – to treat to teach was to set up a center of excellence in neurology in Brunei Darussalam over a distance of 12,000?km. Treatment options were elucidated by teaching and taught by case examples.

Material and methods

The construction of the Brunei Neuroscience Stroke and Rehabilitation Center (BNSRC) began in July 2010. To overcome the large distance between the department of neurology and neuroradiology at the KHNW and the BNSRC, a telemedical network was established. We provided daily teleteaching for all professions involved in patient care as well as 24/7 availability of teleneurological services from Germany to support the local team on site.

Results

In the BNSRC unit over 1000 patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and all the various acute neurological conditions were treated from July 2010 until July 2016 as inpatients and over 5000 were treated as outpatients. Since 2010, a total of 52 patients with stroke were treated by thrombolysis within the thrombolytic window and 81 hemicraniectomies were performed.

Conclusion

The project has shown that it is possible to convey specialized neurological knowledge over large distances to provide significant benefits for patients and caregivers.