Specific immunoglobulin measurements related to exposure and resistance to Schistosoma mansoni infection in Sudanese canal cleaners

The present work comprises a longitudinal study of Schistosoma mansoni infection in occupationally hyper-exposed canal cleaners in the Sudan and the influence of chemotherapy on humoral immune parameters. The study groups included chronically infected canal cleaners (n = 19), newly recruited canal cleaners (n = 17), normally exposed adults (n = 31), school children (n = 46) and Sudanese negative controls (n = 48). Previous studies of the same canal cleaners have demonstrated that chronically infected canal cleaners were more resistant to reinfection than newly recruited canal cleaners. ELISA was used to detect specific IgE and IgG subclasses in response to whole worm antigen (WWH) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) before and 3 months after praziquantel treatment in the groups of canal cleaners and before and 1 year after treatment in normally exposed adults. When intensity of infection was correlated with IgE antibody response, the resistant group of canal cleaners (those who stopped passing ova after treatment) showed a significant positive correlation between intensity of infection and specific IgE to WWH (Spearman''s correlation coefficient = 0·49, P < 0·05) compared with a highly significant negative correlation in the susceptible group (acquired new infection after treatment, Spearman''s correlation coefficient = 0·94, P < 0·01). Normally exposed adults and school children had significantly less specific IgE to WWH than canal cleaners, while chronically infected canal cleaners had significantly higher levels of specific IgG1 to WWH than newly recruited canal cleaners and school children, and significantly higher levels of specific IgG4 to WWH than school children. There was a significant increase in specific IgG1 and IgG4 to WWH, 3 months after treatment, in newly recruited canal cleaners and a significant decrease, 1 year after treatment, in normally exposed adults. None of the groups studied after treatment showed a significant change in their specific IgE to WWH. Normally exposed adults had significantly lower levels of specific IgE to SEA than newly recruited canal cleaners, and significantly lower levels of specific IgG1 to SEA than other infected groups. Both newly recruited canal cleaners and school children had significantly higher levels of specific IgG2 to SEA than persons in other groups. Only small differences between groups were observed with regard to specific IgG3 and IgM to SEA. Specific IgG4 to WWH and SEA showed different patterns after treatment between the resistant and susceptible groups of canal cleaners. The resistant group maintained the same level of IgG4 to WWH after treatment compared with a significant increase in the susceptible group. On the other hand, levels of specific IgG4 to SEA showed a highly significant decrease after treatment in the resistant group. In contrast, the same antibody subclass increased after treatment in the susceptible group. Generally, results show an association between IgE and IgG1 responses to WWH and resistance to reinfection. In contrast, an association was observed between IgG2 and IgM responses to SEA and susceptibility to reinfection.     

The ophthalmic artery and its branches,measurements and clinical importance

Summary Seventy-one Caucasian orbits (36 right, 35 left) were studied by dissection. The diameter of the ophthalmic a. (2 mm from the origin) was 1.54 ± 0.04 mm (male) and 1.31 ± 0.05 mm (female). In individual cases, there were no significant differences in vessel diameter between the right and left sides but, differences in vessel diameter between males and females were more commonly observed in the arteries which leave the orbit (extraorbital group), the individual vessels having a larger diameter in males. The incidence of the ophthalmic a. passing in the orbit medially under the optic n. was 18.6%. The lacrimal a. was observed to arise from the ophthalmic a. in only 82.5% of the cases examined, 15.9% of the cases showed the origin to be at the anastomotic branch of the middle meningealThis article is dedicated to Pr Dr Hoepke on occasion of his 100th birthday     

面神经锥体段的解剖学及其临床意义

在80侧成人颞骨干标本上,对面神经锥体段的埋藏位置及深度,面神经与面神经隐窝、鼓室窦三者之间的关系及其变异类型进行了应用解剖学研究。提出了耳科后鼓室进手术路中对面神经锥体段的予测方法。经90例手术验证有实用价值。     

Properties and localization of the anterior semicircular canal-activated vestibulocollic neurons in the cat

Summary Unit activites of secondary vestibular neurons that selectively responded to stimulation of the anterior semicircular canal nerve (ACN) were recorded extracellularly in the anesthetized cat. Axonal pathways and projections in the spinal cord of the ACN-activated neurons were examined by recording their antidromic responses to stimulation of the lateral and medial vestibulospinal tracts (LVST and MVST), and the bilateral neck extensor motoneuron pools in the C₁segment (C₁dorsal rami [DR] motoneuron pools). In order to determine whether the neurons had ascending axon collaterals to the extraocular motoneurons, the contralateral (c-) inferior oblique (IO) motoneuron pool was also stimulated. Twenty-seven neurons sent their axons to the ipsilateral (i-) C₁DR motoneuron pool via the LVST without any projection to the extraocular motoneuron pool. All the cells except one were located in the ventral part of the lateral vestibular nucleus. This pathway produced monosynaptic EPSPs with short time-to-peak and short half-width in C₁DR motoneurons (16/16 motoneurons). Eight neurons sent axons to the i-C₁DR motoneuron pool via the MVST without any to the extraocular motoneuron pool. Cell somata were located in the descending nucleus or in the ventral part of the lateral nucleus. These neurons did not produce postsynaptic potentials (PSPs) in any C₁DR motoneurons. All thirty-five neurons sending axons to the c-C₁DR motoneuron pool have ascending axon collaterals to the c-IO motoneuron pool.     

舌下神经管及其毗邻结构的显微解剖和临床意义

目的:研究舌下神经管及其毗邻结构的显微解剖,为舌下神经管疾病的影像学诊断和手术入路的选择提供形态学数据。方法:肉眼和手术显微镜下观测30例(60侧)成人头颅干骨标本的舌下神经管及其毗邻结构。结果:舌下神经管位于枕骨髁的前上方,为一对卵圆形或圆形孔道,内口至外口的长度(8.51±0.91)mm。舌下神经管内口呈双管者5侧(8%);内口后缘与枕骨髁后缘的距离(10.07±0.75)mm,外口后缘至枕骨髁后缘(14.22±1.18)mm。左、右侧枕骨髁的前后径分别为(23.10±1.57)mm、(22.38±2.28)mm。结论:熟悉舌下神经管及其毗邻结构的解剖有利于相关疾病的影像诊断和手术入路的选择。     

Anatomical basis of inguinal surgery in children

Summary This paper begins with a review of the embryology of the inguinal region. The authors then point out the special morphological and topographical features of the inguinal canal in male children. These observations were based on the study of 50 inguinal canals from male children. From the anatomical observations described in this study guidelines are proposed for the surgical approach and dissection of the spermatic cord used in the treatment of congenital hernias or abnormal descent of the testis.

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Bases anatomiques de la chirurgie inguinale de l'enfant

Résumé Après une étude embryologique de la région inguinale, les auteurs décrivent les particularités morphologiques et topographiques du canal inguinal en croissance de l'enfant de sexe masculin, se basant sur l'étude de 50 cas. De ces notions anatomiques découlent des règles chirurgicales sur la voie d'abord et la dissection du cordon spermatique lors des cures de hernies congénitales ou d'anomalies de migration testiculaire.

     

Clinical, parasitological and immunological features of canal cleaners hyper-exposed to Schistosoma mansoni in the Sudan

The present work was a longitudinal study on Schistosoma mansoni infection in occupationally hyperexposed canal cleaners in the Sudan and the influence of therapy on the parasitological and humoral immune parameters. Chronically infected canal cleaners (n = 28) were more resistant to reinfection (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.05) than newly recruited canal cleaners (n = 17). Chronically infected canal cleaners had a significantly higher degree of Symmers' fibrosis (χ² = 19.1, P < 0.0001), significantly larger portal vein diameter (P < 0.05) and enlarged spleen (χ² = 4.2, P < 0.05) than recently infected, newly recruited canal cleaners. ELISA was used to detect IgG, IgA and IgM in response to whole worm homogenate (WWH) and cercarial homogenate (CH). Chronically infected canal cleaners had significantly higher IgG to WWH antigen than newly recruited canal cleaners and normally exposed individuals (P < 0.05), while both chronically infected and newly recruited canal cleaners had higher IgG levels to CH antigen than normally exposed individuals (P < 0.05). The newly recruited canal cleaners had a significantly higher IgM level to CH antigen than chronically infected canal cleaners (P < 0.05). The IgG level to WWH antigen increased significantly after treatment in newly recruited canal cleaners and normally exposed individuals (P < 0.05). The IgA level to CH antigen increased significantly after treatment in the chronically infected group (P < 0.05). Comparison of the serological parameters between the different study groups with regards to infection and treatment is discussed.     

马尾神经根松弛症诊断及治疗研究

目的 :探讨马尾神经根松弛症的诊断及治疗。方法 :对我院开展椎管造影以来 ,发现马尾神经根松弛症9例患者的临床表现、椎管造影及治疗结果进行分析。结果 :9例患者除具有腰椎管狭窄症的一般临床表现之外 ,椎管造影结果显示狭窄节段上方马尾神经根呈波浪状蛇形卷曲 ,甚至“环状”改变 ,9例患者均行手术治疗。经随访 ,除1例患者症状无明显改善外 ,均完全恢复。结论 :椎管造影是诊断马尾神经根松弛症的有效手段 ,手术外围减压及神经根粘连松解是治疗的有效方法     

腰椎间盘突出症并神经根管狭窄的治疗

目的：探讨腰椎间盘突出症合并神经根管狭窄的临床诊断和手术治疗。方法：对1996-1999年间,因腰椎间盘突出症合并神经根管狭窄38例行手术治疗,术中均行神经根管探查并彻底松解受压神经根。结果：术后随访38例,优20例,良15例,一般2例,差1例,优良率92.11%。结论：神经根管扩大和神经根探查彻底减压是手术成功的关键。