Role of the cell recognition molecule, cognin, in GABAergic differentiation in chick retina

Previous work showed that GABAergic differentiation in developing chick retina depends on insulin and cell interactions. Here, we investigated whether it depended on cell signaling mediated by retina cognin, a 50 kDa cell recognition molecule. Cognin mediates cell adhesion in vitro and occurs on retinal neurons that become both GABAergic and cholinergic. We investigated two markers of GABAergic differentiation: glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity and high-affinity GABA uptake. Both increase during differentiation of retinal neurons in culture and can be easily measured. We blocked cognin-mediated cell signaling with cognin antibody and found a reduction of the developmental increase in GAD activity in cultures of retinal neurons from 7 and 11 day chick embryos. There was no reduction of high-affinity GABA uptake. This suggested that cognin-mediated signaling was necessary for the normal developmental increase in GAD but not for high-affinity GABA uptake. These results contrasted with our previous observations on cholinergic differentiation in cultured retinal neurons. We found that cognin antibody blocked the normal developmental increase in choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) only if the cells were exposed before embryonic day 7. Thus, while both GAD and ChAT activity appear to be controlled by cell signaling involving cognin, the periods of developmental sensitivity for the two differentiation markers are different. Antibodies to other adhesion molecules, Ng-CAM, and N-cadherin, did not similarly affect GAD activity. Antibodies to laminin at a 10-fold higher concentration inhibited GAD activity only in early embryonic retina. Tests for protein synthesis and “housekeeping” enzyme activity demonstrated that the cognin antibody effect was selective for neuronal differentiation pathways. Thus, GABAergic differentiation in developing retina is sensitive to cell signaling mediated in part by cognin.     

Experience with the International League Against Epilepsy Classifications of Epileptic Seizures (1981) and Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndrome (1989) in Epileptic Children in a Developing Country

Four hundred eighty-three epileptic children attending the Pediatric Epilepsy Clinic at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Bombay, India were classified according to the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification of epileptic seizures (1981) and epilepsies and epileptic syndromes (1989). The predominant seizures were partial (53.6), generalized (40.3%), and unclassifiable (6%). In epilepsies and epileptic syndromes, 55.3% were partial, 27% were generalized, 13.5% were undetermined, and 4.1% were special syndromes. Although our results were similar in many respects to those of other reported series, some differences were observed in the incidence of partial and generalized seizures, and partial and generalized epileptic syndromes and their subgroups, such as idiopathic, symptomatic, and cryptogenic partial syndromes, idiopathic generalized syndromes, and symptomatic specific syndromes. These differences are probably due to different age limits, methods of case ascertainment and inclusion criteria, different genetic and environmental factors, variable interpretation of clinical and EEG features, and lack of facilities for investigation in developing countries. Despite various limitations, we were able to classify most cases; the ILAE classification can be used in developing countries so that comparison can be made with other studies.     

Giant right atrial diverticulum: an unusual cause of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome

A case of a giant right atrial diverticulum associated with neonatal supraventricular tachycardia is reported. The electrocardiogram in sinus rhythm showed pre-excitation that may have been caused by the right atrial diverticulum adhering to the right ventricle.     

The problem of neck relapse in early stage supraglottic larynx cancer

We reviewed the records of 104 patients with Stage T1NO or Stage T2NO epidermoid carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx treated between 1965 and 1979. In 79 patients, surgery was the only type of initial treatment. These 79 patients are the subjects of this report. Forty-eight (61%) of these patients were treated by total laryngectomy, whereas 31 (39%) had a partial laryngectomy. An elective unilateral radical neck dissection was performed on 31 patients considered at high risk, but metastatic disease was found in the dissected side of the neck histologically in only 32% (ten of 31) of these patients. The minimum follow-up period was 5 years and the maximum was 20 years. Twenty-nine percent of the patients (23 of 79) experienced a neck relapse. The neck relapse rate was the same whether the patients did or did not have an elective radical neck dissection. Among the patients who experienced a neck relapse, 65% (15 of 32) have died of the cancer. Among those who did not experience a neck relapse, none (zero of 56) have died of the cancer (P less than 0.01). These results indicate that in surgically treated patients with early stage supraglottic larynx cancer, neck relapse was the major cause of failure associated with death from cancer. Strategies for decreasing the relapse rate are discussed.     

壳聚糖作为中枢神经系统支架材料的可行性研究

目的探索壳聚糖作为中枢神经系统组织工程支架材料的可行性。方法选择孕14～16dWistar大鼠剖宫取胎鼠脑进行分离、培养,经巢蛋白、胶原纤维酸性蛋白、特异性烯醇化酶和半乳糖脑苷酯免疫细胞化学染色鉴定获得神经干细胞,种植于壳聚糖膜和明胶膜表面培养,然后行巢蛋白免疫细胞化学染色,观察神经干细胞在壳聚糖膜和明胶膜表面的贴附、生长和分化状态,以及壳聚糖、明胶的降解速度。结果从胎鼠大脑分离获得的神经干细胞,巢蛋白染色呈阳性反应,可分化形成神经元和胶质细胞,分化细胞分别呈胶原纤维酸性蛋白、特异性烯醇化酶和半乳糖脑苷酯染色阳性反应。神经干细胞接种后12h即贴附于壳聚糖膜表面,24h壳聚糖膜和明胶膜均贴附牢固;48h明胶膜表面神经球周围首先出现带突起的分化细胞,壳聚糖膜迟至生长第3天才出现。神经干细胞接种生长后第3天,壳聚糖膜部分降解,明胶膜完全降解;第4天膜表面长满分化细胞;第5、6天壳聚糖膜大部分降解,分化细胞部分死亡。结论壳聚糖与神经干细胞生物相容,具有促细胞贴附和分化作用,由于机械性能差,不宜作为中枢神经组织工程的结构性生物支架材料,但可以单独或者联合促贴附物明胶作为促神经干细胞贴附和分化的支架表面修饰剂。     

TIA对后继脑梗死神经保护作用的临床研究

目的探讨预先短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)是否对后继脑梗死具有神经保护作用。方法根据脑梗死患者是否预先发生同侧的TIA分为TIA组和无TIA组,分别从TIA持续时间、发作次数、与脑梗死间隔时间及梗死部位几方面同无TIA组比较,采用ADL评分标准,评定患者预后恢复情况。结果Ⅰ级预后预先有TIA的占72%,无TIA的占63%,二者相比差异无显著性(X~2=3．31,P＞0．05)。但脑梗死前有TIA且持续时间在5～20min、发作次数2～3次,与脑梗死间隔不超过1周者,其Ⅰ级预后较多,同无TIA组相比较差异有显著性(P＜0．05)。结论脑梗死前发生的TIA有可能对人脑产生缺血耐受作用。TIA的神经保护性与其发作持续时间、发作次数及与脑梗死间隔时间有一定关系。