Ophthalmopathology in rats with MBP-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Purpose  

Multiple studies indicate that T-cells play a major role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model of multiple sclerosis, but recently an involvement of antibodies has also been discussed. The aim of our study was to examine the effects of myelin basic protein (MBP) immunization on survival of neurons, alteration of antibody reactivity, and microglia in the retinal ganglion cell layer.     

Intrathecal baclofen in hereditary spastic paraparesis: benefits and limitations]

BACKGROUND: Chronic intrathecal delivery of baclofen has been introduced for treatment of severe spinal spasticity. Very little is known about this treatment in hereditary spastic paraparesis. Here we review the benefits and limitations of pump implantation for baclofen delivery in this population. METHODS: Consecutive patients presenting with hereditary spastic paraparesis were assessed for spasticity (Ashworth and Penn scores), muscular strength and walking (speed, comfort and perimeter length). The effect of intrathecal delivery of baclofen was judged after progressive bolus injections or chronic administration by electrical syringe. The pump implantation was proposed when spasticity scores decreased by 2 or more points, with muscular strength preserved and walking area increased. RESULTS: We investigated 6 patients (3 males; mean age 48 years) with hereditary spastic paraparesis. The mean follow-up was 19 years; for 4 patients who received pump implantation, the mean follow-up was 6.2 years. The mean baclofen daily dose was 75 mug. Satisfaction was high for patients who received implantation early instead of waiting for the natural course of the disease. DISCUSSION: Some patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis have good functional improvement with chronic intrathecal delivery of baclofen if walking is still possible. Despite the natural history of the disease, functional results are stable during the first 5 years of treatment. The data indicate a possible compromise between decreased spasticity and muscular strengthening with the treatment.     

The Telegraph nail for proximal humeral fractures: a prospective four-year study

Proximal humeral fractures in 67 patients older than 50 years treated with the Telegraph nail (FH Orthopedics, Heimsbrunn, France) were monitored for 4 years to assess the fracture pattern (weighted Constant score), ranges of motion, and patient satisfaction. The outcome was best in patients with extraarticular surgical neck fractures (mean weighted Constant score, 93.5%); scores were 85% and 77.5%, respectively, for valgus impacted fractures and intraarticular displaced or dislocated fractures. Some or all of the hardware was removed in 21 patients (31%). Two required implant removed for mechanical problems related to screw positioning or migration; 8 were revised because proximal migration of the implant resulted in subacromial impingement. Avascular necrosis occurred in 18% of valgus impacted fractures and in 37.5% of displaced articular or dislocated fractures. Secondary migration of the tuberosities occurred in 6 (all 4-part fractures). The Telegraph nail provides a reproducible and satisfactory outcome for surgical neck and valgus impacted fractures in older patients. The outcome was less satisfactory for unstable articular or dislocated fractures.     

无支架异种生物瓣膜主动脉瓣替换术后左室功能变化

评价无支架异种生物瓣膜主动脉瓣替换术后２年左室功能的变化。将８０例同期施行主动脉瓣替换病人分为２组，５０例（年龄６９．３±９．３岁）应用ＴｏｒｏｎｔｏＳＰＶＴＭ瓣；３０例（年龄７１．６±７．７岁）作为对照组接受支架人工瓣膜替换。术前、术后１、６、１２及２４个月间记录Ｍ型及Ｄｏｐｐｌｅｒ超声心动图，采用计算机图像数字分析，定量测定左室功能的变化。随访期间，Ｔｏｒｏｎｔｏ组主动脉瓣跨瓣压差为０．８±０．６ｋＰａ（６．０±４．５ｍｍＨｇ），明显低于对照组２．３±０．９ｋＰａ（１７．３±６．８ｍｍＨｇ）；术后１个月，左室心肌质量下降２５％，左室＋Ｖｃｆ及－Ｖｃｆ明显增加（２．０±０．８／１．４±０．３ｓ－１，Ｐ＜０．０１；２．８±１．２／１．８±０．７ｓ－１，Ｐ＜０．０１）。术后６个月，左室功能进一步改善，心室肥厚的消退更趋完全，该变化在其后的随访期间保持稳定。结论：与支架瓣膜相比，无支架异种生物瓣膜具有较大瓣口开放面积及低跨瓣压差，这促进了术后左室功能的恢复及病理性肥厚的逆转     

Brain dopaminergic modulation associated with executive function in Parkinson's disease

The progressive development of deficits in executive functions, including action planning, is a well‐known complication of Parkinson's disease. A dysfunction of the prefrontal lobe, which is known to be involved in the control of inhibitory processes, could explain the difficulties in initiating behavior or inhibiting ongoing actions in patients with PD. The strong dopaminergic innervation of the prefrontal cortex raises questions about the putative effects of dopa therapy on this cognitive impairment. In the present study, we used fMRI to examine the functional influence of dopa therapy on neural activity during a go/no‐go task in nine patients with and without levodopa treatment and in matched controls. Whereas the patient and control subjects exhibited the same performance during the go/no‐go task, different patterns of brain activation were observed depending on the dopaminergic status. The drug‐off state was characterized by more widely distributed brain activity, mainly in the bilateral caudate. Levodopa did not fully restore normal brain activation and induced changes in the pattern of cingulate cortex activity, which was more pronounced in the rostral part in the drug‐off state and in the caudal part after levodopa intake. These results support the idea of a critical role for dopamine in the control of executive functions in patients with PD. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society