Differences in Human Group Mean SEP between Sexes: with Reference to the Rohrer's Index*

Abstract: With 200 SEPs of normal subjects, the differences in the Group Mean SEP between sexes were defined eliminating the differences attributable to another peripheral factor relating to the nutritional condition represented by the Rohrer's index. The differences in the baseline amplitude of the Group Mean SEP between males vs. females in the sections between roughly 23–111 msec, around 330 msec, and behind 389 msec in latency were verified, subtracting the differences between the groups with a high vs. low value of the Rohrer's index, not attributable to the different nutritional condition, and might be the central origin. Applying the Amplitude Scaling, the differences in the sections 23–104 msec in latency were verified similarly, being more a significant indication of the sex difference per se.     

Correlation p53 expression and human papilloma virus deoxyribonucleic acid with clinical outcome in early uterine cervical carcinoma

BACKGROUND: In the present study we assessed whether expression of p53 protein or HPV DNA correlates with recurrence as well as several known prognostic factors in uterine cervical carcinoma. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with FIGO stage IA-IIB who underwent hysterectomy between 1998 and 2002 were retrospectively studied. All 49 cancer tissue samples were used for immunohistochemical study. Twenty-five of 49 cases were also examined by PCR-RFLP for detection and typing of HPV DNA. RESULTS: Twenty of 49 (40.8%) specimens demonstrated nuclear staining for p53. A significant association between p53 overexpression and age, hormonal status, FIGO stage, or recurrence was observed (p=0.02, 0.01, 0.03, 0.01). However, no significant association was found between p53 overexpression and lymph node metastases, parametrium involvement, or risk of death (p=0.18, 0.06, 0.14). Nineteen of 25 (76%) were HPV DNA-positive and 6 (24%) were negative. Discussion: There was no relation between HPV DNA positivity and age, FIGO stage, lymph node metastases, parametrium involvement, recurrence, or risk of death. CONCLUSION: p53 overexpression is associated with age, hormonal status, FIGO stage, and recurrence in uterine cervical carcinoma.     

Psychological and physiological effects of 24-style taijiquan

This study was conducted to determine whether 24-style Taijiquan (24TJQ) exhibits measurable psychological and physiological effects. Twenty-two middle-aged female subjects performed 24TJQ and cycle ergometry exercises at the same intensity determined by the same heart rate during 2 exercises. Electroencephalography and Profile of Mood State (POMS) were monitored before and after 2 exercises. The responses to 24TJQ exercise were different from those to cycle ergometry exercise when the heart rate returned to the resting level: (1) alpha increased and theta decreased significantly in the frontal region, while theta decreased significantly in the central and occipital regions; (2) in the POMS test, an improved positive mood was found following 2 exercises, while negative mood was suppressed following 24TJQ exercise; (3) significant correlations were found between the increased alpha in the frontal region, the decreased theta in the central or occipital region and the vigor of the POMS test. These results suggest that 24TJQ exercise induced a resting awakening state and exhibited a relaxing effect on both mind and body.     

Interposed autologous nerve segment stimulates nerve regeneration in peripheral nerve allografts in a rat model

The ability of autologous nerve segments interposed between allografts, to increase the total nerve-gap distance, was studied. Sciatic nerve allografts were carried out in a rat model. A 15-mm nerve gap was repaired with a 25-mm nerve graft (interposed group: allo-auto-allograft; control group: allo-allo-allograft). Cyclosporin was given for 12 weeks. Nerve regeneration was evaluated using the weight of the anterior tibial muscle and histologic, morphometric and immunohistochemical analyses at 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, and 24 weeks. Nerve regeneration in the interposed group was statistically significantly better than that in the control group. The authors concluded that a nerve allograft with interposed autograft may enhance nerve regeneration in this model, because of the migration of host-derived Schwann cells into the graft from not only the proximal and distal host nerve stumps, but also the interposed autograft.