Soleus H‐reflex operant conditioning changes the H‐reflex recruitment curve

Introduction: Operant conditioning can gradually change the human soleus H‐reflex. The protocol conditions the reflex near M‐wave threshold. In this study we examine its impact on the reflexes at other stimulus strengths. Methods: H‐reflex recruitment curves were obtained before and after a 24‐session exposure to an up‐conditioning (HRup) or a down‐conditioning (HRdown) protocol and were compared. Results: In both HRup and HRdown subjects, conditioning affected the entire H‐reflex recruitment curve. In 5 of 6 HRup and 3 of 6 HRdown subjects, conditioning elevated (HRup) or depressed (HRdown), respectively, the entire curve. In the other HRup subject or the other 3 HRdown subjects, the curve was shifted to the left or to the right, respectively. Conclusions: H‐reflex conditioning does not simply change the H‐reflex to a stimulus of particular strength; it also changes the H‐reflexes to stimuli of different strengths. Thus, it is likely to affect many actions in which this pathway participates. Muscle Nerve 47: [?show $1534v]–[?show $1535v], 2013     

Association of circulating blood HMGB1 levels with ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Inflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis and progression of ischemic stroke (IS). The high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) nucleoprotein is involved in the amplification of inflammatory responses during acute ischemic injury. HMGB1 levels in patients with active disease are higher than those in healthy controls. We performed a meta-analysis to assess currently published data pertaining to circulating blood HMGB1 levels in IS and the relationship with stroke severity.

Methods: We systematically searched for studies investigating the circulating blood HMGB1 levels in patients with IS in PubMed/Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Two independent researchers used the Cochrane Collaboration tools for data extraction and quality assessment. Extracted data were analyzed by Review Manager version 5.3.

Results: A total of 28 studies were included with a total of 4497 participants, including 2671 IS patients and 1826 matched controls. The meta-analysis revealed that compared with control, IS patients had higher circulating blood HMGB1 levels (n = 4497, standardized mean difference (SMD) = 5.70, 95%confidence interval (CI) = 4.79 to 6.62, Z = 12.23, P < 0.00001), and the HMGB1 level was positively correlated with severity (n = 507, SMD = ?2.12, 95%CI = ?3.41 to ?0.82, Z = 3.20, P < 0.00001) and infarct volume (n = 582, 95%CI = ?4.06 to ?1.70, Z = 4.79, P < 0.00001).

Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that circulating blood HMGB1 levels elevate in IS and higher HMGB1 levels may indicate a more serious condition.     

Associations of self-esteem,dysfunctional beliefs and coping style with depression in patients with schizophrenia: A preliminary survey

Psychological models of depression in schizophrenia have proposed that cognitive structures (e.g., self-esteem, dysfunctional beliefs) may have a role in the development and maintenance of depression. However, it has not been clear what the characteristics of these cognitive structures were in people with schizophrenia and whether they have an independent association with depression, especially in those from a Chinese cultural background. The present investigation examined 133 people with schizophrenia and 50 healthy controls and indicated that compared to the controls people with schizophrenia showed lower self-esteem, higher levels of dysfunctional beliefs and negative coping styles. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only low frustration tolerance, problem solving and self-blame were found to be the independent correlates of depression in schizophrenia. Results are discussed with the view of clinical implications of cognitive formulation and therapy for schizophrenia in China.     

Returning to work with aphasia: A case study

Background: For some people with aphasia, returning to work will be their eventual goal. While there are reports in the literature of incidence of return to work, and general discussion of success, there are few documented in depth studies of what this might entail for the individual with aphasia.

Aims: This paper explores returning to work with aphasia, and examines the complex relationship between the person, the aphasia and the demands of employment.

Methods & Procedures: This is a detailed case report, describing and reflecting on the experiences of GD, who returned to work following his stroke and aphasia. Therapy focused specifically on work requirements is described and the factors affecting GD's return to work explored. An interview was used to elicit GD's reflections on his experiences.

Outcome & Results: GD's language skills improved over time and with therapy, and he developed several strategies that facilitated his communication. He was able to return to work (part-time) in a modified role and this was successful initially. After an extended period (～19 months) his employment was terminated and GD explored other options. He moved on to a volunteering and charity trustee role.

Conclusions: The success (or not) of returning to work with aphasia is multi-faceted and does not rest solely with the person with aphasia. The nature of the work may have a strong bearing on success, as will the ability and willingness of the employer to engage in the process. Partnership with the person and constant review of goals and management is of overwhelming importance. We need to consider what “success” may mean in this context and the need to consider therapeutic and rehabilitation needs over a longer time frame.     

Nanoparticles for targeted delivery of antioxidant enzymes to the brain after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury

Stroke is one of the major causes of death and disability in the United States. After cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species may contribute to the disease process through alterations in the structure of DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids. We generated various nanoparticles (liposomes, polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA), or poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)) that contained active superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme (4,000 to 20,000 U/kg) in the mouse model of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury to determine the impact of these molecules. In addition, the nanoparticles were untagged or tagged with nonselective antibodies or antibodies directed against the N-methyl-𝒟-aspartate (NMDA) receptor 1. The nanoparticles containing SOD protected primary neurons in vitro from oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and limited the extent of apoptosis. The nanoparticles showed protection against ischemia and reperfusion injury when applied after injury with a 50% to 60% reduction in infarct volume, reduced inflammatory markers, and improved behavior in vivo. The targeted nanoparticles not only showed enhanced protection but also showed localization to the CA regions of the hippocampus. Nanoparticles alone were not effective in reducing infarct volume. These studies show that targeted nanoparticles containing protective factors may be viable candidates for the treatment of stroke.     

抑郁症患者治疗前后血浆皮质醇水平的变化

目的:探讨抑郁症患者治疗前后血浆皮质醇水平的变化。方法:对160例抑郁症患者给予抗抑郁药治疗6周,分别于治疗前及治疗后进行汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评估及血浆皮质醇水平检测。结果:本组治疗前后HAMD总分分别为(24.98±5.10)和(7.57±5.61);HAMA总分分别为(20.62±6.90)和(6.21±5.17);血浆皮质醇水平分别为(407.34±144.29)nmol/L和(354.64±137.13)nmol/L。治疗后HAMD总分、HAMA总分及血浆皮质醇水平较治疗前明显下降(P均<0.001);不同性别间血浆皮质醇水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);血浆皮质醇变化值与HAMD、HAMA减分率不相关(r=0.084,r=0.049;P均>0.05)。结论:抗抑郁药物治疗可显著降低抑郁症患者血浆皮质醇水平。     

脑梗死后认知功能障碍的相关因素分析

目的 探讨脑梗死后认知功能障碍的相关因素.方法 选取入住我院的127例脑梗死患者作为脑梗死组,83例正常人群为对照组,简易精神状态评分测定认知功能,分析脑梗死后影响认知功能障碍的相关因素.结果 对照组中,认知功能障碍者12例,发生率为14.5%.脑梗死组中,认知功能障碍者97例,发生率达76.3%,2组比较,差异有统计学意义.本研究中年龄、性别、高血压和冠心病与脑梗死后认知功能障碍无显著相关性.文化程度、运动与否、交流沟通与脑梗死后认知功能障碍呈负相关,而发病次数和并发糖尿病与脑梗死后认知功能障碍呈正相关性.结论 脑梗死后认知功能障碍与文化程度、运动、交流、发病次数和并发糖尿病密切相关.     

Ki-67 overexpression in WHO grade II gliomas is associated with poor postoperative seizure control

PurposeSeizures are the most common initial symptom in patients with low-grade gliomas, and approximately 30% of these patients still suffer from epilepsy after gross-total resection of the tumour. We examined the relationship between the overexpression of ki-67 in WHO grade II gliomas and seizure control.MethodsA series of 93 histologically confirmed WHO grade II glioma tissues were analysed through immunohistochemical staining for ki-67 expression. Follow-up visits regarding seizure control were scheduled at 12 months. The Engel classification was used to categorise patients’ seizure status.ResultsOf the 93 patients analysed, 65 (66.3%) patients initially presented with seizures. A total of 36 patients were diagnosed with WHO grade II oligodendrogliomas, 29 patients had oligoastrocytomas and 28 patients had astrocytomas. Ki-67 was over-expressed in 15 patients. One year after surgery poor seizure control was observed in 11 of these patients. In contrast, low ki-67 expression (<10%) was found in 78 patients. Poor seizure control was observed in 36 patients (difference between ki-67 over- and low expression groups P = 0.002). Logistic regression analysis revealed that patients with gross-total resection achieved better seizure control while ki-67 overexpression and age below 38 years were poor seizure control factors explained of the variance of seizure outcome (OR: 0.382, 4.354 and 1.822, respectively).ConclusionsIn WHO grade II gliomas, Ki-67 is a molecular marker which predicts poor seizure control of glioma patients after the resection of the tumour. Gross-total resection, ki-67 overexpression and age below 38 years significantly affect seizure prognosis.     

Electrophysiological and behavioral effects of group III metabotropic glutamate receptors on pallidal neurons in normal and parkinsonian rats

The globus pallidus plays a critical role in movement regulation. Glutamate being an important excitatory neurotransmitter modulates the activity of pallidal neurons through both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Morphological studies have shown that group III mGluRs are generally located presynaptically in the globus pallidus. Up to now, little is known about the in vivo electrophysiological effects of group III mGluRs on the pallidal neurons. This study investigated the electrophysiological and behavioral effects of group III mGluRs on pallidal neurons in both normal and 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesioned parkinsonian rats. Micropressure ejection of group III mGluR agonist, l ‐2‐amino‐4‐phosphonobutyrate (l ‐AP4), increased or decreased the firing rate of pallidal neurons in both normal and parkinsonian rats. The l ‐AP4‐induced excitatory effects on the lesioned side of parkinsonian rats (117.4 ± 17.2%) were stronger than that in normal rats (64.3 ± 10.1%). While the proportion of neurons that were unresponsive to l ‐AP4 on the lesioned side of parkinsonian rats (50%) was more than that of normal rats (13%). Unilateral microinjection of l ‐AP4 into the globus pallidus induced a contralateral dystonic posturing in the presence of systemic haloperidol administration. The selective group III mGluRs antagonist, (RS)‐α‐cyclopropyl‐4‐phosphonophenylglycine, had no effect on pallidal neurons when used alone and could block both l ‐AP4‐induced electrophysiological and behavioral effects. Combining electrophysiological and behavioral findings, we concluded that activation of group III mGluRs modulate the activity of pallidal neurons under both normal and parkinsonian state. Synapse 67:831–838, 2013 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.