Trapping-induced changes in expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in the hippocampus of snowshoe hares

To examine the neural mechanism underlying illusory-contour perception, we measured the magnetic responses of the human visual cortex to an abutting-line grating inducing illusory contours (test stimulus) and a non-abutting-line grating (control stimulus) using the technique of magnetoencephalography (MEG). In the initial latency period of 60-80 ms, the MEG response to the test stimulus was nearly identical with that to the control stimulus, but in the subsequent period of 80-150 ms, the former was larger than the latter. The origin of the peak MEG response to the test stimulus was estimated to be in the vicinity of striate cortex/extrastriate visual cortex for two of the four subjects. These results suggest that, in accord with those of the previous electrophysiological and functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, illusory-contour signals are generated in the very early stage(s) of processing in the primate visual cortex.     

Emergence of fluoroquinolone‐resistant clonal group A: clonal analysis of Norwegian and Russian E. coli isolates

Strand L, Jenkins A, Grude N, Allum A‐G, Mykland H‐C, Nowrouzian FL, Kristiansen B‐E. Emergence of fluoroquinolone‐resistant clonal group A: clonal analysis of Norwegian and Russian E. coli isolates. APMIS 2010; 118: 571–77. We describe a study of urinary tract and intestinal isolates of Escherichia coli from Norway and Russia using automated ribotyping, single nucleotide polymorphism analysis for clonal group A (CgA) supplemented with phylogrouping, virulence gene profiling and resistance profiling. CgA comprised 19% of the Norwegian UTI isolates from 2001. Two highly multiresistant fluoroquinolone‐resistant CgA isolates were found. Ribotypes clustered into four major and six minor groups (ribogroups). Fluoroquinolone‐resistant isolates and phylogroups A and B1 were associated with ribogroup ^RA. Ribogroup ^RB predominated among Russian UTI isolates and was predominantly phylogroup A and depleted in P‐fimbriae. Ribogroup ^RC predominated among Norwegian UTI isolates and was rich in virulence factors (S‐fimbriae, haemagglutinin and haemolysin) and predominantly phylogroup B2 and D. Ribogroup ^RG was associated with CgA and predominantly phylogroup D. Ribogroups ^RD, ^RE and ^RF had too few members for statistical analysis. The correlation between ribotype and phylogenetic group was not as strong as reported in other studies.     

Effect of tadalafil on blood flow,pain, and function in chronic cold Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

Background  

This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial investigated the effect of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor tadalafil on the microcirculation in patients with cold Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in one lower extremity.     

Osteosarcoma: use of MR imaging and MR spectroscopy in clinical decision making

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 14 patients with histologically proved osteosarcoma (mean age, 14.4 years). There was excellent correlation of intramedullary tumor extent as determined with MR imaging and pathologic examination (r = 99%). This was facilitated by the presence of a chemical shift artifact at the tumor-marrow interface on the T1-weighted images. The correlation between CT and pathologic findings was not as good (r = 84%). In a single patient, however, a 10-cm length of sclerotic bone was incorrectly interpreted as being tumor. If this case is excluded, the correlation between CT and pathologic findings improves significantly (r = 96%). T2-weighted images were optimal in demonstrating soft-tissue bulk and breach of the epiphysis or cortex. Vascular involvement was also readily defined. The T2 value of the tumor soft-tissue component decreased in patients who were deemed to have responded well to therapy. Two patients with very high T2 values after chemotherapy developed wide-spread metastatic disease and died. Phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy of five patients with osteosarcoma showed elevated levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and phosphodiesters (PDEs). PME and PDE peak areas decreased in three patients after chemotherapy, while Pi peak areas increased.