The Extent of the Dendritic Tree and the Number of Synapses in the Frog Motoneuron

Frog motoneurons were intracellularly labelled with cobaltic lysine in the brachial and the lumbar segments of the spinal cord, and the material was processed for light microscopy in serial sections. With the aid of the neuron reconstruction system NEUTRACE, the dendritic tree of neurons was reconstructed and the length and surface area of dendrites measured. The surface of somata was determined with the prolate - oblate average ellipsoid calculation. Corrections were made for shrinkage and for optical distortion. The mean surface area of somata was 6710 microm2; lumbar motoneurons were slightly larger than brachial motoneurons. The mean length of the combined dendritic tree of brachial neurons was 29 408 microm and that of lumbar neurons 46 806 microm. The mean surface area was 127 335 microm2 in brachial neurons, and 168 063 microm2 in lumbar neurons. The soma - dendrite surface area ratio was 3 - 5% in most cases. Dendrites with a diameter of 600 microm from the soma. This suggests that about two-thirds of the synapses impinged upon distant dendrites >600 microm from the soma. The efficacy of synapses at these large distances is investigated on model neurons in the accompanying paper (Wolf et al., Eur. J. Neurosci., 4 1013 - 1021, 1992).     

Comparative assessment of bone mineral density of the forearm using single photon and dual X-ray absorptiometry

Summary Forearm bone mineral density (BMD) was measured at proximal and distal sites by ¹²⁵I single photon absorptiometry (SPA) and by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in 67 consecutive subjects, aged 18–75 years. Correlations and regression equations between these two techniques were determined. All forearm measurements were significantly correlated with each other (r=0.599–0.926; P0.0001). Although SPA and DXA correct for fat in different ways, we found similar correlation and regression equations in women with body mass index measurements above and below the mean. In addition, forearm measurements by both techniques were moderately correlated with vertebral spine and hip BMD. We conclude that overall, SPA forearm measurements in a population can be calibrated to DXA measurements if necessary, and that DXA forearm measurements are as predictive of the remainder of the skeleton as SPA measurements.     

A new method for evaluation of the acrosome reaction in viable human spermatozoa

The acrosome reaction of human spermatozoa was induced by changes of temperature. Spermatozoa were collected from fertile donors and a patient group, and selected by the "swim-up" method. The spermatozoa were treated in two different ways: Protocol I: 24 hours at room temperature followed by additional incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hours (control), and protocol II: 24 hours at 4 degrees C followed by additional incubation at 37 degrees C for 3 hours. The acrosome reaction of the viable spermatozoa was evaluated by a new method utilizing indirect immunofluorescence with anti-outer acrosomal membrane antibodies and exposure to a hypo-osmotic medium. In fertile donors as well as in the patient group, significant induction of the acrosome reaction (20%) was evident after exposure to low temperature (4 degrees C). The spontaneous rate of acrosome reaction in the control group was below 7%.     

Auditory toxicity effects of long-term cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum II therapy in genitourinary cancer patients

To determine the auditory toxicity effects of long-term cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum II therapy, pure tone hearing thresholds were measured prior to therapy and repeated before each subsequent treatment. CDDP was given by a slow intravenous drip method at a low dose of 1 mg/kg body weight, with 37.5 gm mannitol, once a week for six treatments and every 3 weeks thereafter. From a group of 173 genitourinary cancer patients treated, 50 male patients were selected who received at least 12 months of CDDP with no active conductive ear pathology, and whose audiograms obtained at baseline, 6th weeks, 26th weeks, and 52nd weeks of treatment were all available for comparison. Pure tone threshold levels deteriorated across time particularly by the 52nd week and at the higher frequencies. Threshold differences across time were statistically significant and within a linear trend. Of the 50 cases, 30% showed suspect or no ototoxicity, 26% mild, 32% moderate, 2% marked, and 4% showed severe ototoxic changes. Of the two cases who developed severe ototoxicity, one showed complete recovery. There was partial recovery in 26% and no recovery in 54%. Individual variability in susceptibility to and recovery from ototoxicity necessitates systematic audiometric monitoring throughout the therapy.     

降纤酶低分子肝素治疗短暂性脑缺血发作的研究

目的 观察降纤酶与低分子肝素治疗短暂性脑缺血发作的效果及副作用。方法 选择本院神经内科住院患者36例应用降纤酶10U加入加入250ml生理盐水中静脉滴注，隔日1次，共3次；低分子肝素0．5ml脐旁皮下注射，12h 1次，连用7—10d,同时常规给予复方丹参滴注，口服尼莫地平，维生素E，维生素C，停用低分了肝素后给予肠溶阿斯匹林75mg，每日1次口服。结果 治疗开始后TLA发作相继减少，停止发作时间分别为1d内9例，3d内15例，5d内12例。随访6个月—1年，1例2个月后复发，重新应用上药治愈。结论 降纤酶与低分子肝素治疗TLA安全有效、无明显副作用、不易复发。     

The effect of combined spinal‐epidural (CSE) anaesthesia and size of spinal needle on postoperative hearing loss after elective caesarean section

The effect of combined spinal epidural (CSE) anaesthesia and size of spinal needle on postoperative hearing loss after elective caesarean section The exact aetiology of vestibulocochlear dysfunction after spinal anaesthesia is unknown. Low‐frequency hearing loss occurs after spinal anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of combined spinal–epidural (CSE) anaesthesia and size of spinal needle on vestibulocochlear dysfunction, using pure tone audiometry performed pre‐ and on the first and the second day postoperatively. Forty‐five patients who were to undergo elective caesarean section were evaluated. In group I, CSE anaesthesia (18 G Tuohy, 25 G Whitacre pencil‐point‐design spinal needles) was performed in 15 patients. In group II, spinal anaesthesia was performed in 15 patients with 25 G Whitacre pencil‐point‐design spinal needles and, in group III, spinal anaesthesia was performed in 15 patients with 22 G Whitacre pencil‐point‐design spinal needles. In the pre‐ and on the first and the second day postoperatively, the pure tone audiogram was performed in the audiology laboratory of our hospital, using a calibrated Kamplex Diagnostic Audiometer AC 40 in a noise‐free room. When the CSE anaesthesia group and 22 G spinal group were compared for change in hearing between the pre‐ and postoperative periods, a statistically significant difference was observed at R‐right ear 125 Hz (P < 0.025) and at L‐left ear 125 Hz (P < 0.023), and at L‐left ear 1000 Hz (P < 0.036) and at R‐right ear 1500 Hz (P < 0.006), and at L‐left ear 1500 Hz (P < 0.022). At other frequencies, the difference was insignificant. When the CSE anaesthesia group and 25 G spinal group were compared for change in hearing between the pre‐ and postoperative periods, no statistically significant difference was detected at any frequency tested. When 22 G spinal group and 25 G spinal group were compared for change in hearing between the pre‐ and postoperative periods, there was some hearing loss at low frequency, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. The positive correlation of low‐frequency hearing loss and increased pressure in the epidural space (which decrease the risk of cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the dura) suggests that cerebrospinal fluid leakage via the spinal puncture hole is not the only factor involved. Perioperative fluid replacement alone may not prevent hearing loss but CSF loss through the dural puncture site should also be prevented.     

VEGF,PDGF和MVD在喉癌中的表达及临床意义

目的 探讨血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF),血小板来源的内皮生长因子(platelet-derived endothelial growth factor,PDGF),Ⅷ因子测定的微血管密度(microvessel density,MVD)与喉癌微血管生成、临床分期和病理分级的关系。方法 应用免疫组织化学LASB法检测1998～1999年40例喉鳞状细胞癌和11例喉正常粘膜VEGF、PDGF、微血管密度的表达情况,结合临床相关因素进行统计分析。结果 喉鳞状细胞癌中VEGF表达在肿瘤T分级、临床分期、淋巴结转移和病理分级中有统计学意义(P<0.05)。PDGF计数标识指数与病人肿瘤T分级、临床分期中差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。MVD测定均数在早、晚期分组中有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 喉癌的发展、侵袭需要持续的新生血管,本实验提示肿瘤增殖与理论相符,VEGF、PDGF和MVD可作为临床预测重要参考指标。     

妊高征患者脂蛋白酯酶基因变异(Ser447-Thr)的研究

目的　研究妊高征患者体内脂蛋白酯酶 (LPL)的一个基因变异 (Ser4 4 7-Thr)的发生率 ,探讨该基因改变与妊高征发病的关系。方法　测定 5 4例重度妊高征患者与 4 8例健康孕妇对照组的血脂水平 ,并提取其外周血白细胞中的DNA ,通过PCR扩增LPL第 9外显子 ,利用限制性内切酶片段长度多态法及DNA测序分析结果。结果　重度妊高征组的TG、VLDL和Apo -Ⅱ水平明显高于对照组 ,重度妊高征组和对照组的Ser4 4 7-Thr等位基因变异频率 (分别为 9 2 6 %和 5 2 1 % )无显著差异 (χ2 =1 2 2 ,P >0 0 5 )。结论　LPL第 9外显子的Ser4 4 7-Thr等位基因变异可能只是一种基因多态性 ,而与妊高征的发生无关联     

汉族女性峰值骨密度和维生素D受体基因多态性及环境因素的相关性研究

目的　研究汉族女性峰值骨密度 (peakbonemineraldensity ,PBMD)与某些环境及遗传因素的关系。方法　选择健康的志愿者 1 5 9人 ,①通过饮食回顾法计算每日钙及蛋白入量 ;②通过 7d运动评估法计算运动强度 ;③使用DEXA骨密度仪 (HologicQDR 4 5 0 0 )测量志愿者腰椎和髋部骨密度 (BMD) ;④应用PCR -限制性片段长度多态性对维生素D受体 (VDR)基因进行多态性分析。结果　①腰椎BMD结果参照日本人标准 ,低骨量或骨质疏松共有 35人 (2 2 % ) ,正常骨量者为 1 2 4人 (78% )。两组间体重及体重指数 (BMI)间有显著差异 ;②腰椎及髋部股骨颈BMD与体重呈正相关 ,髋部其余位点BMD值和BMI呈正相关 ;③VDR基因BsmI酶切多态性组间BMD无显著性差异。结论　本研究显示 :体重及或BMI是汉族女性PBMD重要保护因素之一。汉族女性PBMD和当前营养状态、运动强度、VDRBsmI酶切位点基因多态性未见有相关性     

Calcaneus Bone Mineral Density is Lower Among Men and Women with Lower Physical Performance

Fracture risk is influenced by both bone strength and by falls. Measures of physical function and performance are predictors of falls. However, the interrelationships among bone mineral density (BMD), regular physical activity, and measures of physical performance are not well known. We studied 447 community-dwelling Japanese people aged 40 years and over (96 men and 351 women) to examine the association of calcaneus BMD with measures of physical performance (grip strength, walking speed, chair stand, and functional reach) and regular physical activity. Calcaneus BMD decreased with age by approximately 25% in men and 42% in women. Measures of physical performance decreased with age by approximately 30% in both genders, however, performance on the chair stand test declined by approximately 60%. There were only minimal differences in performance measures and calcaneus BMD between people with and those without regular physical activity in both genders, and most differences were not significant. However, there were significant BMD increases of 3–6% per standard deviation (SD) increase in all performance measures for women and a 7% increase in BMD per SD increase in grip strength for men, after adjusting for age. These associations remained after additional adjustment for body mass index and regular physical activity. These findings suggest that bone density and physical function decline markedly in both men and women with age, and that low BMD and poor function tend to occur together, which would increase fracture risk more than either risk factor alone. Received: 9 August 1999 / Accepted: 4 February 2000