Cortical brain mapping of peripheral nerves using functional magnetic resonance imaging in a rodent model

The regions of the body have cortical and subcortical representation in proportion to their degree of innervation. The rat forepaw has been studied extensively in recent years using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), typically by stimulation using electrodes directly inserted into the skin of the forepaw. Here we stimulate the nerve directly using surgically implanted electrodes. A major distinction is that stimulation of the skin of the forepaw is mostly sensory, whereas direct nerve stimulation reveals not only the sensory system but also deep brain structures associated with motor activity. In this article, we seek to define both the motor and sensory cortical and subcortical representations associated with the four major nerves of the rodent upper extremity. We electrically stimulated each nerve (median, ulnar, radial, and musculocutaneous) during fMRI acquisition using a 9.4-T Bruker scanner (Bruker BioSpin, Billerica, MA). A current level of 0.5 to 1.0 mA and a frequency of 5 Hz were used while keeping the duration constant. A distinct pattern of cortical activation was found for each nerve that can be correlated with known sensorimotor afferent and efferent pathways to the rat forepaw. This direct nerve stimulation rat model can provide insight into peripheral nerve injury.     

The effectiveness of school educating program for betel quid chewing: A pilot study in Papua New Guinea

Background

To investigate the effectiveness of educating program among primary and secondary school students in Papua New Guinea, where has the highest incidence of oral cancer all over the world.

Smartphone transmission of electrocardiography images to reduce time of cardiac catheterization laboratory activation

Background

This retrospective study evaluated the use of a smartphone application to facilitate communication between the emergency physician (EP) and the interventional cardiologist in order to minimize the time to cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) activation and time to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

广州市某戒毒所戒毒人员HIV、HBV、HCV豚梅毒感染状况的调查分析

目的：了解吸毒人群HIV、HBV、HCV及梅毒的感染状况。方法：对广州市某戒毒所436名戒毒人员进行HIV、HBV、HCV及梅毒血清学检测。结果：HIV抗体阳性检出22例,检出率为5．0％,HBsAg阳性检出70例,检出率为16．1％,HCV抗体阳性检出371例,检出率为85．1％,梅毒抗体阳性检出30例,检出率为6．9％。双重感染中HBV＋HCV检出率为13．3％,其次为HCV＋梅毒,为5．3％,HIV＋HCV为3．4％;三重感染中HIV＋HBV＋HCV检出率为0．9％,其次为HBV＋HCV＋梅毒,为0．5％。结论：广州市吸毒的HIV、HCV和梅毒感染情况日趋严重。     

Evidence that the retroviral DNA integration process triggers an ATR-dependent DNA damage response

Caffeine is an efficient inhibitor of cellular DNA repair, likely through its effects on ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and ATR (ATM and Rad3-related) kinases. Here, we show that caffeine treatment causes a dose-dependent reduction in the total amount of HIV-1 and avian sarcoma virus retroviral vector DNA that is joined to host DNA in the population of infected cells and also in the number of transduced cells. These changes were observed at caffeine concentrations that had little or no effect on overall cell growth, synthesis, and nuclear import of the viral DNA, or the activities of the viral integrase in vitro. Substantial reductions in the amount of host-viral-joined DNA in the infected population, and in the number of transductants, were also observed in the presence of a dominant-negative form of the ATR protein, ATRkd. After infection, a significant fraction of these cells undergoes cell death. In contrast, retroviral transduction is not impeded in ATM-deficient cells, and addition of caffeine leads to the same reduction that was observed in ATM-proficient cells. These results suggest that activity of the ATR kinase, but not the ATM kinase, is required for successful completion of the viral DNA integration process and/or survival of transduced cells. Components of the cellular DNA damage repair response may represent potential targets for antiretroviral drug development.     

Thoracic aortic aneurysm with aortobronchial fistula: a thirteen-year experience

PURPOSE: This study investigated the causes of aortobronchial fistula, clinical features, diagnostic modalities, and prognostic factors. PARTICIPANTS: A retrospective analysis of 17 patients with aortobronchial fistula secondary to thoracic aortic aneurysm was studied. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was used. RESULTS: Atherosclerosis (47.1%), infection (23.5%), and previous thoracic vascular surgery (17.6%) accounted for most causes. Most patients (94.1%) experienced at least 1 episode of hemoptysis. Chest computer tomography is the most useful tool and revealed hematoma or consolidation around the aneurysm in more than half of our patients. Bronchoscopy and aortoangiogram frequently did not demonstrate an aortobronchial fistula. The 6 patients in the surgery group all survived, in contrast to 100% mortality in the non-surgery group. The average interval between initial presentation of hemoptysis and surgical intervention in the surgery group is 68 days, in contrast to 170 days between initial presentation of hemoptysis and death in the non-surgery group. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion will decrease delayed diagnosis. Early diagnosis and emergent surgery are 2 prognostic factors for survival.     

Genetics of Somatic Mammalian Cells: Lethal Antigens as Genetic Markers for Study of Human Linkage Groups

The antigen that causes killing of at least 98% of a human cell population treated with a 1% solution of a specific rabbit antiserum in the presence of complement is a sensitive genetic marker. The rapid loss of human chromosomes in human-Chinese hamster cell hybrids makes possible a convenient test of linkage relationships with this marker. Hybrid clones with and without the lethal antigen were isolated and analyzed. In 76 clones and subclones studied, 41 carried both the lethal antigen and the lactic dehydrogenase-A marker, 35 carried neither, and no clones contained only one of the two markers. In contrast to this clear demonstration of linkage, absence of linkage was found between the lethal antigen and the following markers: Lactic dehydrogenase B, NAD-dependent malic dehydrogenase, NADP-dependent malic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, phosphoglucomutase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, indophenol oxidase, glucose phosphate isomerase, proline, inositol, hypoxanthine B, and glycine A. This lethal antigen appears to be carried on a single human autosome.     

A Placebo-Controlled Trial of Dextromethorphan as an Adjunct in Opioid-Dependent Patients Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment

Background:

Low-dose dextromethorphan (DM) might have anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects mechanistically remote from an NMDA receptor. In a randomized, double-blind, controlled 12 week study, we investigated whether add-on dextromethorphan reduced cytokine levels and benefitted opioid-dependent patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy (MMT).

Methods:

Patients were randomly assigned to a group: DM60 (60mg/day dextromethorphan; n = 65), DM120 (120mg/day dextromethorphan; n = 65), or placebo (n = 66). Primary outcomes were the methadone dose required, plasma morphine level, and retention in treatment. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, transforming growth factor–β1, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were examined during weeks 0, 1, 4, 8, and 12. Multiple linear regressions with generalized estimating equation methods were used to examine the therapeutic effect.

Results:

After 12 weeks, the DM60 group had significantly longer treatment retention and lower plasma morphine levels than did the placebo group. Plasma TNF-α was significantly decreased in the DM60 group compared to the placebo group. However, changes in plasma cytokine levels, BDNF levels, and the methadone dose required in the three groups were not significantly different.

Conclusions:

We provide evidence—decreased concomitant heroin use—of low-dose add-on DM’s efficacy for treating opioid-dependent patients undergoing MMT.     

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins: a rare mimic of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease

Idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV) is a rare and poorly understood disease that occurs in the rectosigmoid colon of predominantly young, previously healthy male patients. IMHMV typically requires segmental resection due to complications after a relatively protracted clinical course. This disease presents a challenging diagnostic dilemma for the clinician because it is initially often confused with chronic idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. We report a case of IMHMV, illustrate endoscopic and histopathologic features, and review key characteristics of this rare entity.