The effects of external stimuli on the emotional-aversive response evoked by intrahypothalamic carbachol injections

The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of threatening (the sight and barking of the dog) or ‘neutral’ (flash and tone) stimuli on the emotional-aversive response evoked by direct intracerebral application of carbachol in cats. Unilateral microinjections of carbachol in 10 μg doses and 2 μl volume into anterior hypothalamic/preoptic area caused a full-blown emotional response with marked vocalization. All stimuli which might be threatening for cats caused a significant increase of vocalization. ‘Neutral’ stimuli of comparable intensity were without effect. To investigate the effects of stimulation intensity two clicks: low and loud (difference of 27 dB), were used. The loud click significantly increased vocalization level while the low click of the same intensity as a dog's barking had no significant influence on the carbachol-induced response. Cholinergic stimulation of the anterior hypothalamic/preoptic area seems to be specifically responsible for the obtained change of perception towards increased sensitivity to any potentially threatening alteration of the environment.     

Differential decerebrate control of depolarization in the central terminals of cutaneous afferents in the sacral cord

Presynaptic depolarization of cutaneous afferents has been investigated in the sacral cord of decerebrate cats before and after spinal cord transection. In the decerebrate state the central terminals of caudal femoral cutaneous nerve are depolarized by ipsilateral volleys entering the cord via sacral and lumbar dorsal roots. A significant increase of depolarization occurring after severing the cord indicates that there is tonic decerebrate inhibition of presynaptic depolarization in terminals of caudal femoral cutaneous nerve. In contrast to this finding, presynaptic depolarization evoked in the central terminals of the pudendal nerve by ipsilateral volleys entering the cord through sacral and lumbar dorsal roots is not subjected to decerebrate inhibitory control. It is suggested that differential inhibitory control of depolarization in the central terminals of cutaneous nerves in the sacral cord is related to the intraspinal course of their fibres, to differences in the receptor types involved, and to the location of their innervation fields. In more than half of the decerebrate preparations stimulation of the central terminals of cutaneous afferents through microelectrodes evokes antidromic spikes appearing simultaneously in ipsi- and contralateral nerves. The time course of bilateral excitability changes is similar on both sides of the cord. It is assumed that presynaptic effects are transmitted to the contralateral side by collaterals of ipsilateral cutaneous afferents.     

Results of Kirschner wire osteosynthesis and intramedullary bone peg in toe-transfers]

During 1995-2002 in General and Hand Surgery Department 21 digits were reconstructed by toe to hand transplantation performed in 16 patients. There were 10 cases thumb was reconstruction with 4 great toe and 6 second toe transfers. Rest 11 fingers there were index, middle and ring were restored by II and III toe. Twelve osteosynthesis were performed by Kirschner wire and nine by bone peg. All fixations were sufficient stable to start early rehabilitation. In one case after Kirschner fixation occurred ostitis and malunion. This patient was cured by autovaccine. After bone peg we do not recorded any complication.     

Scanning electron microscopy of vascular casts of the human scleral lamina cribrosa

Vascular casts of the human lamina cribrosa region were studied in three autopsy specimens utilizing scanning electron microscopy (S.E.M.) in own modified technique. The lamina cribrosa is supplied from two major sources, the short posterior ciliary artery within the sclera and the distal optic nerve sheath pial vasculature. Recurrent choroidal arteries supplied a small number of centripetal branches to the lamina cribrosa. The central retinal artery did not give off centrifugal branches as it coursed through the lamina. The findings in these three human cases in three-dimensial visualization support other recent studies using serial histologic sectioning techniques. The photomicrographs are presented as a first successful images in S.E.M. for additional appreciation of the topographic morphology of radial arterioles.     

Complexation between quaternary ammonium salts and high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide)

Complexation between tetrabutylammonium bromide, or oligomeric tetramethyl-2,6-ionene bromide ( 1 ), and high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) was studied viscometrically, using the following media as solvents: water; 0,1 M aq. KCl; 2 M aq. KCl and 0,1 M aq. HCl. It was found that tetrabutylammonium bromide as well as the ionene 1 convert the initially linear η_red vs. c_POE relationships into bent and hunchbacked curves, thus suggesting the formation of water soluble complexes. In aqueous KCl and HCl solutions these complexes behave as typical polyelectrolytes. Contrary to cations of alkali metals, however, protons do not influence the linear η_red vs. c_POE relation, so that it is possible to determine intrinsic viscosities by use of 0,1 M aq. HCl as solvent. These viscosities are rising if the complexation between POE and ammonium salt is accomplished by the polyfunctional ionene. The increase of [η] depends on the unit mole ratio (u.m.r.) of the ionene to POE. With increasing unit mole ratio from 0 to 7 [η] increases from 9 up to 21 dl · g^?1. In water the complexation between one unit mole of POE and two unit moles of ionene 1 causes an increase of the reduced viscosity η_red from 11,2 up to 80,2 dl · g^?1.     

Some aspects of spine biomechanics and their clinical implications in idiopathic scoliosis]

The spine with it's physiological curves is designed to transfer loads to the pelvis and the lower limbs. The complex interplay of forces in the spine can be described by breaking down these forces into their basic components. These forces have a direction and can therefore treated as vectors in three axis, related to the anatomic planes: frontal, sagittal and transverse the static spine forces responsible for a correct posture create tension. Tension is defined as the relation of the vector force to the surface area to which the force is applied. Tension, depending an the direction of the force applied can be normal or tangent. Gravitational force is transferred by the vertebral bodies. Posterior elements of the spine (the lamina, the processes and ligaments) are stabilizing elements. The articular processes bear loads only when lateral bending of the spine. The complex nature of the scoliotic deformity usually leads toa decompensated spine even prior to surgery. Although considerable correction of the curve can be achieved using modern instrumentation systems, the spine can be restored. Lach of decompensation or decompensation of the spine is a major problem among many patients treated surgically with systems based on hooks and rods. Such decompensation in the frontal plane can be a result of correction beyond the compensatory possibilities of the lumbar spine, inadequate placing of hooks and incorrectly applied distraction forces. Overlooking the proximal junctional kyphosis (between the two proximal thoracic curves or overlooking the distal junctional kyphosis (between the lumbar and thoracic curve) can also lead to decompensation of the spine in the sagittal plane.