Myelinated fiber regeneration after crush injury is retarded in sciatic nerves of aging mice

To compare nerve regeneration in young adult and aging mice, the right sciatic nerves of 6- and 24-month-old mice were crushed at the sciatic notch. Two weeks later, both groups of mice were perfused with an aldehyde solution, and, after additional fixation, the sciatic nerves were processed so that the transverse sections of each nerve subsequently studied by light and electron microscopy included the entire posterior tibial fascicle 5 mm distal to the crush site. The same level was sectioned in unoperated contralateral nerves; these nerves served as controls. Electron micrographs and the Bioquant Image Analysis System IV were used to measure areas of posterior tibial fascicles and count the number of myelinated axons, the number of unmyelinated axons, and their frequency in Schwann cell units. In aging mice, the total number of regenerating myelinated axons was significantly reduced, but totals of regenerating unmyelinated axons in aging and young adults did not differ significantly. In aging mice, the frequency of Schwann cells that contained a single unmyelinated axon was greater, suggesting that before myelination began, Schwann cell ensheathment of axons also was slowed. After axotomy by a crush injury, the area of the posterior tibial fascicle was less than that in young adults and the distal disintegration of myelin sheath remnants also appeared to be retarded. The results indicate that responses of neurons, axons, and Schwann cells could be important in slowing the regeneration of myelinated fibers found in sciatic nerves from aging mice.     

Lower limb blocks for children

Femoral and lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh blocks have been performed in a group of 50 children; the method has not previously been described in paediatric practice. The technique was judged to have been successful in 48 (96%) of the children. There were no early or late complications. It is concluded that these blocks are easy to perform, even in small children and infants, and that they can produce reliable postoperative analgesia for a variety of orthopaedic and plastic procedures.     

The pattern evoked response in disorders of the optic nerve

The pattern evoked electroretinogram (PERG) was investigated in 11 patients with unilateral optic nerve disease and in a series of age-matched controls. The visually evoked potential (VEP) was also measured. The PERG showed a similar reduction to the VEP in optic nerve disease. Serial studies indicate that the PERG may not be affected immediately in some instances but may show a gradual decline over several months.     

Developing Organ Offer and Acceptance Measures: When 'Good' Organs Are Turned Down

Turndowns of offers of deceased donor kidneys for transplantation can contribute to inefficiencies in the organ distribution system and inequality in access to donated organs. Match run data were obtained for 4967 'good' kidneys placed and transplanted in 2005 after fewer than 50 offers. These kidneys were not recovered from donation after cardiac death or expanded criteria donors, or from donors with a history of substance abuse. On average, these good kidneys were not accepted until after seven offers to candidates and after offers to 2.4 programs. Models for the likelihood of acceptance found several donor and candidate characteristics to be significantly related to acceptance rates (p < 0.05). After accounting for these variables, there remained 2- to 3-fold differences among transplant programs in acceptance rates. These models could be used to identify kidney transplant centers with exceptional acceptance practices. Several strategies might be employed to increase acceptance rates for good organs.     

兔内听动脉阻断与听觉改变的关系

目的 探讨实验性内听动脉阻断与术后听力改变的关系及术中听觉监控的方法。方法 实验兔乙状窦后进路暴露小脑桥脑角，下压小脑暴露内听道及第Ⅷ神经复合体，分辨出内听动脉，予阻断不同时间，分别行蜗神经直接复合动作电位(DCAP)和畸变产物耳声发射记录(DPOAE)。结果对照组DCAPN1波潜伏期值无明显改变。内耳血供阻断10s和30s组在压迫开始后3min，DCAPN1波潜伏期值均恢复为初始值。内耳血供阻断1min组在压迫开始后3h，DCAPN1波潜伏期值未恢复为初始值假手术组DPOAE幅值无明显改变，内耳血供阻断10s、30s对DPOAE幅值无影响，内耳血供阻断1min使得DPOAE幅值下降结论兔内耳血供阻断1min可能造成兔听觉不可逆损伤。DCAP、DPOAE能有效、持续地监控内耳血供阻断，是耳神经外科手术中实用的听觉监测手段。     

组织工程化表皮膜片构建及其在供皮区的应用研究

目的构建组织工程化表皮细胞膜片并应用于供皮区创面治疗。方法利用患者少量自体或同种异体正常皮肤分离、培养、扩增的表皮细胞,接种于壳聚糖明胶膜构建成表皮细胞膜片;将膜片移植于治疗组供皮区创面、适度加压,同时设立对照组:空白材料对照以及传统油纱布对照覆盖创面。于术后5～10d、30d、90d行大体观察、组织学检查、广谱角蛋白、外皮蛋白、层粘连蛋白、免疫组织化学检测以及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原比值测定(偏光显微镜、RTPCR)。结果利用自体及异体表皮细胞和壳聚糖明胶膜能够构建出人表皮细胞膜片,应用于临床供皮区创面治疗15例,经过3个月随访,疗效肯定。移植膜片创面愈合时间(8.1±1.3)d,空白材料对照区为(16.2±3.8)d,空白油纱布对照区为(23.0±5.8)d。移植膜片存活良好,结构较完整、术后30d及90d观察:12例无明显增生,3例有轻度增生(20.0%),而空白油纱布对照区11例遗留增生性瘢痕(74.4%,χ2=8.127,P<0.01)。结论表皮细胞-壳聚糖明胶膜片能促进供皮区创面早期愈合并减少后期瘢痕增生,具有良好治疗效果。     

周围神经端侧动脉套接后神经再生的研究

目的研究周围神经端侧动脉套接后神经再生的可能性及其特点. 方法取SD大鼠75只,在股骨中下段切断腓神经,将近断端逆转90度包埋于肌肉中.随机分为5组.A组:将截取的左颈总动脉套接于右侧正常胫神经侧方与腓总神经远端2 mm距离之间,缝合部胫神经外膜不予切除;B组:在胫神经套接部外膜开窗1.0 mm;C组:腓总神经切断14天后再予动脉套接,余同B组;D组:同B组,且于动脉套接部注入神经生长因子(neural growth factor, NGF)1 ml;E组:将腓总神经远端以端侧缝合形式直接缝合于胫神经的一侧,外膜开窗1.0 mm.术后4、8和12周分别行组织学、电镜和神经纤维计数等检查. 结果 4周时C、D及E组周边区域有神经纤维轴突和髓鞘再生,A组则无神经纤维生长; 8周时C、D及E组再生神经纤维较B组多,E组神经纤维较C、D组多,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05); 12周时C、D及E组神经纤维多于B组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);C组及D组有较丰富的神经再生,与神经端侧直接吻合的E组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论神经端侧2 mm距离动脉套接可作为修复周围神经损伤的一种可行方法.     

Body Mass Index and Glomerular Hyperfiltration in Renal Transplant Recipients: Cross-Sectional Analysis and Long-Term Impact

Obesity is a risk factor for renal graft loss. Higher body mass index (BMI) in native kidneys is associated with glomerular hyperfiltration. Whether higher BMI in renal transplants is associated with hyperfiltration is unknown. We investigated the impact of BMI on renal hemodynamics 1 year post-transplant. We analyzed glomerular filtration rate (GFR, (125)I-iothalamate) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF, (131)I-hippurate) in 838 kidney transplants. Data were analyzed for all patients and for the subpopulation without diabetes. Long-term impact of BMI and renal hemodynamics were explored by Cox-regression. With higher BMI GFR and filtration fraction (FF) increased significantly. Multivariate analysis supported impact of BMI on GFR (adjusted r(2) of the model 0.275) and FF (adjusted r(2) of the model 0.158). This association was not explained by diabetes mellitus. On Cox-regression analysis, lower GFR and higher FF were independent determinants of overall graft loss and graft loss by patient mortality. Lower GFR and higher BMI were determinants of death-censored graft loss, with borderline contribution of higher FF. In renal transplants higher BMI is independently associated with higher GFR and FF one year posttransplant, suggesting glomerular hyperfiltration with altered afferent-efferent balance. Mechanisms underlying the long-term prognostic impact of hyperfiltration deserve further exploration.     

Anatomical Course of the Superficial Branch of the Radial Nerve and Clinical Significance for Surgical Approaches in the Distal Forearm

Abstract 10 embalmed cadaver forearms and wrists were dissected to determine the anatomical course of the superficial branch of the radial nerve in the distal forearm. The superficial radial nerve bifurcated in two branches at a mean of 54,7 mm proximal to the radial styloid. From the styloid process of the radius, the mean distance to the closest dorsal branch of the superficial radial nerve was 3,5 mm and the mean distance to the closest volar branch was 9,8 mm. The mean distance between the closest branch of the superficial radial nerve and Lister?s tubercle was 16,4 mm. The crossing point between the nerve and the cephalic vein was located at a mean of 54,3 mm proximal to the styloid process. At the level of styloid process the mean distance between the closest dorsal branch of the superficial radial nerve and the first dorsal compartment was 15,2 mm and between the closest volar branch and the first dorsal compartment 4,4 mm. Detailed knowledge of anatomic characteristics of the superficial branch of the radial nerve may help prevent injury during operations and treat traumatic lesions of the nerve. Because of great variations in the course of the superficial radial nerve we could not define an absolute safe zone for surgical procedures on the distal forearm. Iatrogenic lesions of the superficial radial nerve are described complications of percutaneous procedures. Therefore open surgical approaches are recommended. Daniela Klitscher and Lars Peter Müller contributed equally to this work.