A movable microelectrode array for chronic basal ganglia single-unit electrocorticogram co-recording in freely behaving rats

The basal ganglia–cortical circuits are important for information process to brain function. However, chronic recording of single-unit activities in the basal ganglia nucleus has not yet been well established. We present a movable bundled microwire array for chronic subthalamic nucleus (STN) single-unit electrocorticogram co-recording. The electrode assembly contains a screw-advanced microdrive and a microwire array. The array consists of a steel guide tube, five recording wires and one referenced wire which form the shape of a guiding hand, and one screw electrode for cortico-recording. The electrode can acquire stable cortex oscillation-driven STN firing units in rats under different behaving conditions for 8 weeks. We achieved satisfying signal-to-noise ratio, portions of cells retaining viability, and spike waveform similarities across the recording sections. Using this method, we investigated neural correlations of the basal ganglia–cortical circuits in different behaving conditions. This method will become a powerful tool for multi-region recording to study normal statements or movement disorders.     

Acrylamide exposure impairs blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier function

Previous studies show that chronic acrylamide exposure leads to central and peripheral neu- ropathy. However, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. In this study, we examined the permeability of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, and its ability to secrete transthyretin and transport leptin of rats exposed to acrylamide for 7, 14, 21 or 28 days. Transthyretin levels in cerebrospinal fluid began to decline on day 7 after acrylamide exposure. The sodium fluorescein level in cerebrospinal fluid was increased on day 14 after exposure. Evans blue concentration in cerebrospinal fluid was increased and the cerebrospinal fluid/serum leptin ratio was decreased on days 21 and 28 after exposure. In comparison, the cerebrospinal fluid/serum albumin ratio was increased on day 28 after exposure. Our findings show that acrylamide exposure damages the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and impairs secretory and transport functions. These changes may underlie acrylamide-induced neurotoxicity.     

Microsatellite primer development for the king ratsnakes Elaphe carinata (Colubridae)

The king ratsnakes (Elaphe carinata) is widespread in south-eastern China, North Vietnam, and Japan (Ryukyu Islands). The snake is listed as a vulnerable species according to the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals. To develop effective conservation strategies for the snake, we need a better understanding of gene flow, population structure and evolutionary history of this species by using kinds of molecular markers such as mitochondrial DNA and microsatellite loci. Here, we characterize 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci isolated from E. carinata genomic libraries. One hundred and thirty-one individuals were collected from three geographically distant populations: Ji’an (Jiangxi, N26°59′30″, E114°58′58″), Quanzhou (Guangxi, N25°44′20″, E111°6′48″), Zhijiang (Hunan, N27°20′36″, E109°8′46″). These markers revealed a high degree of genetic diversity (6–20 alleles per locus) and heterozygosity (H _O ranged from 0.326 to 0.894, and H _E ranged from 0.542 to 0.918). No locus exhibited significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. There was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium among pairs of loci. These microsatellite markers will be useful for the study of gene flow, population structure and evolutionary history of E. carinata.     

Validity of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for Measuring Changes in Body Water and Percent Fat After Bariatric Surgery

Background

Few studies have validated bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) following bariatric surgery.

Methods

We examined agreement of BIA (Tanita 310) measures of total body water (TBW) and percent body fat (%fat) before (T0) and 12 months (T12) after bariatric surgery, and change between T0 and T12 with reference measures: deuterium oxide dilution for TBW and three-compartment model (3C) for %fat in a subset of participants (n?=?50) of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-2.

Results

T0 to T12 median (IQR) change in deuterium TBW and 3C %fat was ?6.4 L (6.4 L) and ?14.8 % (13.4 %), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between deuterium and BIA determined TBW [median (IQR) difference: T0 ?0.1 L (7.1 L), p?=?0.75; T12 0.2 L (5.7 L), p?=?0.35; Δ 0.35 L(6.3 L), p?=?1.0]. Compared with 3C, BIA underestimated %fat at T0 and T12 [T0 ?3.3 (5.6), p?<?0.001; T12 ?1.7 (5.2), p?=?0.04] but not change [0.7 (8.2), p?=?0.38]. Except for %fat change, Bland-Altman plots indicated no proportional bias. However, 95 % limits of agreement were wide (TBW 15–22 L, %fat 19–20 %).

Conclusions

BIA may be appropriate for evaluating group level response among severely obese adults. However, clinically meaningful differences in the accuracy of BIA between individuals exist.     

Removal of forearm plate leads to a high risk of refracture: decision regarding implant removal after fixation of the forearm and analysis of risk factors of refracture

Introduction

Plate fixation is the gold standard for the treatment of forearm fractures at present, and whether or not to remove the implant after bone union remains controversial. This study demonstrated some cases of refracture in adult forearm fractures after bone union and discussed the risk factors for decision-making regarding implant removal.

Methods

We reviewed patients with forearm diaphyseal fractures (including the radius, ulna, or both bones) who received open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) from January 2008 to May 2011 in our institute. Fracture type was classified according to the AO/OTA system. All patients were fixed with a 3.5-mm dynamic compression plate. The patients were divided into two main groups: group A received implant removal after bone union, and group B retained the implant.

Results

There were 122 patients (170 bones) included in this study (40 females and 82 males). In group A, 7/51 patients (8/62 bones; 12.9 %) had refracture. As classified by the AO/OTA classification, one patient was classified as type A1, one patient as type A2, two patients as type A3, and three patients as type B3. All patients suffered refracture without high-energy trauma. In group B, the refracture rate was 2.77 %, and all were caused by high-energy trauma. Patients with refracture had a shorter time interval between ORIF and implant removal. The possible risk factors of refracture in this study included a wedge bone defect on plain film, implant removal performed after less than 18 months, and AO/OTA type B fracture.

Conclusion

The incidence of refracture was significantly lower in the group that retained the implant. Routine implant removal after bone union in adult forearm fractures is not recommended due to the higher refracture rate.     

Clinical cohort study on renal pathological features and prognosis of type 2 diabetic kidney disease patients

Objective To analyze the relationship between renal pathological characteristics and clinical prognosis in type 2 diabetic kidney disease patients, and discuss predictive value of pathological type and indexes for renal function declining rate and related outcome events. Methods Ninety-two type 2 diabetes patients from PUMC Hospital (with macroalbuminuria and followed up no less than 6 months, excluding patients with non-diabetic renal disease) were divided into typical diabetic glomerulopathy group (DG, n=51) and atypical diabetes-related renal disease group(ADRD, n=41) according to renal pathological findings. A retrospective cohort study was performed to investigate renal pathological features and prognosis. Results Total of 29 renal outcome events and 12 death events occurred in DG group and none in ADRD group; the survival rate and kidney survival rate are different between two groups (P＜0.05); DG group, thick GBM, severe vascular and tubular lesion are predicative indicators for renal outcome event; mesangial volume fraction is predicative indicator for renal outcome events independent of age and serum creatinine. Conclusions DG and ADRD patients have different prognosis and might undergo different pathophysiological mechanisms; renal pathological type and mesangial volume fraction could help predicting outcomes of type 2 diabetic nephropathy patients.     

夹脊穴按摩联合中药内服治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛的疗效观察

目的观察穴位按摩联合中药内服治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛的疗效。方法将88例带状疱疹后遗神经痛患者随机分为两组各44例,对照组服用卡马西平200mg、3次／d,泼尼松5mg、2次／d;观察组服用和营通气片,同时给予夹脊穴穴位按摩治疗。结果治疗4周后观察组治疗总有效率显著优于对照组（P〈0．05）;治疗后60d内观察组疼痛复发率9．09％,对照组22．73％。结论夹脊穴穴位按摩配合中成药口服治疗带状疱疹后遗神经痛疗效确切,且复发率低。     

Characters and influential factors of vascular remolding after native arteriovenous fistula

Objective To finding out the characters of vascular remolding after the establishment of native arteriovenous fistula on the wrist, and exploring the influential factors.MethodsDoppler ultrasound was used to monitor the diameter of cephalic vein, brachial artery, radial artery and ulnar artery at the time before the surgery and one day, one week, two weeks, four weeks and eight weeks after the surgery respectively. The tendency of the diameter change was analyzed. ResultsTwenty eight patients completed the whole monitor session, in which eleven were female. The average age of those patients was (53.68 ± 2.61) years old. Twelve of them were diabetic nephropathy. The diameters of all vessel were increased more rapidly at the first day than any other days after surgery(all P＜0.01). The patients were divided into two groups depending on whether diabetic nephropathy. No significant difference was found between the two groups on the tendency of diameter change in cephalic vein and brachial artery (all P ﹥ 0.05). However, the tendency of diameter change in radial artery and ulnar artery was statistically significant difference between the two groups (all P＜0.05). ConclusionsCephalic vein, brachial artery, radial artery and ulnar artery are all apparently dilated on the first day after the surgery. The vascular dilation and diameter increasing become much slower after the period, the diameter tend to be stable. The primary diseases may affect the tendency of the diameter change in radial artery as well as ulnar artery.     

29例肾病病人医院感染因素分析及护理对策

目的 :了解肾病住院病人发生医院内感染的特点和危险因素 ,制订有效监控措施和护理对策。方法 :采用回顾性调查方法对 5 96份病历逐一筛查 ,把符合医院感染诊断标准的 2 9份病历 ,用预先设计的统一表格逐份查阅登记。结果 :年龄大于 60岁的住院病人、医院环境、住院时间过长、原发病重、并发症多、抗生素不恰当使用是导致医院内感染的主要因素。结论 :保证病员有良好的环境 ;提高医院医疗护理质量 ,积极治疗原发病 ,预防并发症发生 ;缩短病人住院时间 ;加强基础护理和消毒隔离措施 ;合理使用抗生素是及时防治医院内感染发生的重要手段