Interrogating interneurone function using threshold tracking of the H reflex in healthy subjects and patients with motor neurone disease

ObjectiveThe excitability of the lower motoneurone pool is traditionally tested using the H reflex and a constant-stimulus paradigm, which measures changes in the amplitude of the reflex response. This technique has limitations because reflex responses of different size must involve the recruitment or inhibition of different motoneurones. The threshold-tracking technique ensures that the changes in excitability occur for an identical population of motoneurones. We aimed to assess this technique and then apply it in patients with motor neurone disease (MND).MethodsThe threshold-tracking approach was assessed in 17 healthy subjects and 11 patients with MND. The soleus H reflex was conditioned by deep peroneal nerve stimulation producing reciprocal Ia and so-called D1 and D2 inhibitions, which are believed to reflect presynaptic inhibition of soleus Ia afferents.ResultsThreshold tracking was quicker than the constant-stimulus technique and reliable, properties that may be advantageous for clinical studies. D1 inhibition was significantly reduced in patients with MND.ConclusionsThreshold tracking is useful and may be preferable under some conditions for studying the excitability of the motoneurone pool. The decreased D1 inhibition in the patients suggests that presynaptic inhibition may be reduced in MND.SignificanceReduced presynaptic inhibition could be evidence of an interneuronopathy in MND. It is possible that the hyperreflexia is a spinal pre-motoneuronal disorder, and not definitive evidence of corticospinal involvement in MND.     

Infectious occupational exposures in dermatology--a review of risks and prevention measures. II. The pregnant dermatologist

The number of women of childbearing age (i.e. physicians, registered nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical assistants) working in the field of dermatology is increasing steadily. In part II of our review of the occupational infectious risks in dermatology, we address the special concerns for pregnant health care workers.     

Defining early mycosis fungoides

This editorial review summarizes the results of 5 meetings sponsored by the International Society for Cutaneous Lymphoma at which the clinicopathologic and ancillary features of early mycosis fungoides were critically examined. Based on this analysis, an algorithm was developed for the diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides involving a holistic integration of clinical, histopathologic, immunopathologic, and molecular biological characteristics. A novel aspect of this algorithm is that it relies on multiple types of criteria rather than just one, for example, histopathology. Before its finalization, the proposed diagnostic algorithm will require validation and possibly further refinement at multiple centers during the next several years. It is anticipated that a more standardized approach to the diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides will have a beneficial impact on the epidemiology, prognostication, treatment, and analysis of clinical trials pertaining to this most common type of cutaneous lymphoma.     

调血方配合化疗治疗急性白血病临床研究

用调血方配合化疗治疗急性白血病７０例，在化疗药物用药剂量相当于常规剂量１／２～２／３的情况下，能够获得较好的临床疗效。表明调血方有增敏作用。其增敏机制与调血方能够逆转、预防白血病细胞多药耐药性有一定的关系。     

辉越牌DW-灭菌器灭菌效果的试验观察

灭菌器以强光照射产生高温（≥３００℃）进行灭菌。试验表明，对染有枯草杆菌黑色变种芽胞的止血钳、注射针头与注射器分别照射５０ｓ、４０ｓ与６０ｓ，均再无菌生长。     

Functional and effective brain connectivity for discrimination between Alzheimer’s patients and healthy individuals: A study on resting state EEG rhythms

Objective

This exploratory study provided a proof of concept of a new procedure using multivariate electroencephalographic (EEG) topographic markers of cortical connectivity to discriminate normal elderly (Nold) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) individuals.