Modulation of fear-potentiated startle and vocalizations in juvenile rhesus monkeys by morphine, diazepam, and buspirone.

BACKGROUND: Modulation of the acoustic startle response by aversive sensory stimulation is a simple and objective indicator of emotionality in rodents and human beings that has been extremely valuable for the analysis of neural systems associated with fear and anxiety. We have described a paradigm for measuring fear-potentiated, whole-body acoustic startle in nonhuman primates and have developed a protocol for maintaining fear-potentiated startle over repeated sessions with minimal extinction to allow measurement of pharmacological effects on fear-potentiated startle by using within-subjects designs in relatively small groups of monkeys. METHODS: A novel, within-subjects testing protocol was used to examine the effects of three compounds in rhesus monkeys that have anxiolytic effects in rodents on fear-potentiated startle but that differ in their mechanism of action. Spontaneous vocalizations during testing also were recorded. Juvenile monkeys that were trained to associate a visual stimulus with a fear-inducing air blast to the face were tested after acute administration of different doses of buspirone diazepam, morphine, or vehicle. RESULTS: Monkeys rapidly developed a robust and persistent elevation of startle response in the presence of the CS during repeated testing sessions. Diazepam and morphine produced dose-related reductions of fear-potentiated startle. Buspirone did not significantly reduce fear-potentiated startle at the doses tested, although a trend was evident at the highest dose. All drugs reduced rates of coo vocalizations during startle testing. CONCLUSIONS: These fear-potentiated startle results suggest that rhesus monkeys have a pharmacological profile with respect to these compounds that is closer to humans than to rats. This demonstrates the value of examining the effects of drugs on fear-potentiated startle in nonhuman primates.     

肱骨近端记忆接骨器的设计与临床应用

目的 探索肱骨头解剖颈至外科颈及肱骨近端干段骨折、骨不连的内固定新技术。方法 根据生物记忆材料镍钛合金性能与肱骨近端解剖生理特征，研制肱骨近端记忆接骨器（proximal humerus memory connector，PHMC），并临床治疗肱骨近端粉碎性骨折、畸形愈合、骨不连共22例。患者平均年龄41．7岁，平均随访18．5个月。结果 骨折骨性愈合时间平均3．6个月；骨不连骨性愈合时间平均4．5个月。骨愈合形式均呈骨板样骨替代，未见无序骨痂出现。PHMC术后弃用外固定，创伤反应期（7～12d）后，进行主动渐进性功能锻炼。肩关节功能按Michael Reese评分，平均88．5分。结论 PHMC能有效治疗肱骨解剖颈始至肱骨近端的各类型骨折与骨不连，亦为减少该部的假体关节置换探索出了新路。     

The Effect of Desensitization Protocols on Human Splenic B-Cell Populations In Vivo

Rituximab, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) all have been suggested to have an effect on antibody producing cells, however, supporting data are lacking. To assess the impact of these agents on splenic B‐cell populations in vivo, we retrospectively examined 25 spleens removed from patients treated with these agents as part of desensitization protocols in either ABO incompatible or positive crossmatch living donor kidney transplantation. These were compared to control (CTL) spleens removed for trauma. CTLs and spleens removed at transplant after multiple pretransplant plasmaphereses (PP) plus low‐dose IVIG showed similar large numbers of naïve B cells (CD20⁺ and CD79⁺), plasma cells (CD138⁺) and memory B cells (CD27⁺ cells). Adding rituximab to this PP/IVIG regimen reduced the number naïve B cells, but had no effect on memory or plasma cells. Combination treatment (PP/IVIG, rituximab and rATG) showed a trend toward the reduction of CD27⁺ cells, but again plasma cells were unchanged. We conclude that none of these protocols reduces splenic plasma cells in vivo. PP/low‐dose IVIG does not alter splenic B cells, but the addition of rituximab decreases mature B cells. Memory B cells may be affected by combination therapy including rATG and requires further study.     

镍钛形状记忆合金内固定器治疗四肢骨折失败原因与对策分析

[目的]探讨镍钛形状记忆合金内固定器治疗四肢骨折的失败原因与对策.[方法]回顾分析镍钛形状记忆合金内固定器治疗四肢骨折259例中,8例术后出现内固定器松动、松脱、断裂的原因及处理方法.[结果]259例骨折患者中内固定失败8例,发生率3.1%;其中尺骨骨折1例、股骨骨折2例术后内固定器断裂,二次手术达骨性愈合;锁骨骨折2例,肱骨及股骨骨折各1例术后出现内固定器松动翘起,骨折畸形愈合;1例髌骨骨折骨折愈合后髌骨爪松脱.[结论]镍钛形状记忆合金内固定器治疗四肢骨折只有严格掌握手术指征,根据不同部位选择最佳的型号及长度,术中规范操作,术后进行安全的康复锻炼,才能避免内固定失败的发生.     

Maturation of executive function in autism.

BACKGROUND: Executive dysfunction has been reported at different ages in autism. It is not clear however, when this impairment emerges or how its expression is affected by development. METHODS: 61 non-mentally retarded autism participants (AUT) and 61 age, gender, and IQ matched typically developing participants (CON) were assessed with two oculomotor executive function tasks, the oculomotor delayed response task (ODR) and the antisaccade task (AS), as well as a visually-guided saccade sensorimotor task (VGS). RESULTS: The AUT group demonstrated impairments in response inhibition and spatial working memory at all ages tested. Developmental improvements in speed of sensorimotor processing and voluntary response inhibition were similar in both groups indicating sparing of some attentional control of behavior. Developmental progression in the speed of initiating a cognitive plan and maintaining information on line over time, however, was impaired in the AUT group indicating abnormal development of working memory. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that while executive dysfunction is present throughout development, there is evidence for both typical and atypical developmental progression of executive functions in autism. The plasticity suggested by the developmental improvements may have implications regarding appropriate developmental epochs and types of interventions aimed at enhancing cognitive capacities in individuals with autism.     

三种内固定治疗上肢长骨干骨折的临床比较研究

目的观察天鹅记忆接骨器(swan-likememoryconnector,SMC)治疗上肢长骨干骨折的疗效,并与加压接骨板(dynamiccompressiveplate,DCP)和带锁髓内针(lockedintramedullarynail,LIN)进行临床对比研究。方法随机选择1997年8月～2001年8月入院的新鲜上肢长骨干骨折148例,分别采用SMC(49例)与DCP(50例)、LIN(49例)进行内固定治疗,术后常规抗炎治疗1周,定期拍片并随访患肢功能恢复情况。结果SMC组的手术时间明显低于LIN组与DCP组(P<0.05),三组伤口感染率无差异。SMC组骨愈合时间和骨不连发生率显著短于DCP组和LIN组(P<0.05),而术后功能优良率高于DCP组和LIN组。在SMC固定下,骨折愈合直接由解剖型或类解剖型的骨样骨板状直接替代连接,固定段无应力遮挡和骨质疏松。结论SMC是治疗上肢长骨干骨折的有效方法,优于DCP和LIN。SMC的几何构形和力学特性有利于骨折愈合。在本器固定下,可能存在一种新的尚未被认知的骨折愈合方式。     

认知矫正治疗前后慢性精神分裂症患者功能磁共振成像的对照研究

目的 探讨认知矫正治疗对精神分裂症患者工作记忆相关脑区活动的影响.方法 对10例病情稳定的慢性精神分裂症患者进行为期6个月的认知矫正治疗,分别于治疗前后进行韦克斯勒记忆量表(WMS)测查及功能磁共振成像(fMRI)测量.结果 (1)WMS测查:治疗后再认[(8.11±4.34)分]和再生[(10.22±3.35)分]以及Benton错误[(3.75±2.92)分]均较治疗前[分别为(5.78±2.95)分、(8.56±3.21)分和(8.00±6.28)分]改善,均P＜0.05.(2)fMRI:治疗前后的反应时和正确率比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).治疗后在高负荷条件下,背侧前额叶皮质(DLPFC)区域(Brodmann46区)的激活范围(x,y,z=-51,36,15;k=40,t=7.21)小于治疗前的激活范围(x,y,z=-48,24,24,k=154,t=12.72),治疗前后DLPFC区域激活(x,y,z=-24,36,18,k=12,t=3.75)的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.005);在低负荷条件下,治疗前后DLPFC区域激活的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 认知矫正治疗能改善精神分裂症患者工作记忆相关脑区的活动.     

Functional Anatomy of Visuomotor Skill Learning in Human Subjects Examined with Positron Emission Tomography

The present study was designed to examine patterns of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) associated with the learning of a repeated visuomotor sequence both in the early and late phases of the acquisition process. In addition, changes in blood flow related to the implicit versus explicit aspects of learning such a skill were investigated. Fourteen normal control subjects were scanned while performing the task (i) in both early and advanced learning stages of the visuomotor sequence; (ii) after having acquired explicit knowledge of the sequences; and (iii) in two control conditions (perceptual and random sequence). Subtraction of the random condition from the highly learned condition revealed specific areas of activity in the right ventral striatum and dentate nucleus of the cerebellum. Blood flow changes in the right hemisphere were also seen in the medial posterior parietal and prestriate regions, as well as in the anterior cingulate cortex. Finally, once the subjects had acquired explicit knowledge of the embedded sequence that was presented in the highly learned condition, increased CBF activity was observed only in the mid-ventrolateral frontal area in the right hemisphere. These findings confirm that both the striatum and the cerebellum are involved in the implicit acquisition of a visuomotor skill, especially in the advanced stages of the learning process, and furthermore that the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex contributes preferentially to the declarative aspect of this task.     

Sequential Role of Hippocampus and Amygdala, Entorhinal Cortex and Parietal Cortex in Formation and Retrieval of Memory for Inhibitory Avoidance in Rats

The hippocampus and amygdala, the entorhinal cortex and the parietal cortex participate, in that sequence, both in the formation and in the expression of memory for a step-down inhibitory avoidance task in rats. Bilateral infusion of AP5 or muscimol caused retrograde amnesia when given O min after training into both hippocampus and amygdala, when given or 180 min after training into the entorhinal cortex, or when given 180 min after training into the parietal cortex. Therefore, memory formation requires the sequential and integrated activity of all these areas mediated by glutamate NMDA receptors in each case. Pre-test administration of CNQX 1 day after training into hippocampus and amygdala, 1 or 31 days after training in entorhinal cortex, or 1, 31 or 60 days after training in the parietal cortex temporarily blocked retention test performance. Therefore, 1 day after training, all these brain structures are necessary for retrieval; 1 month later, the hippocampus and amygdala are no longer necessary for retrieval but the entorhinal and parietal cortex still are; and 60 days after training only the parietal cortex is needed. In all cases the mechanisms of retrieval require intact glutamate AMPA receptors.     

Mood state and cerebral metabolism in persons with age-associated memory impairment

People undergoing medical procedures sometimes experience feelings that may influence the results. In this study, we explore the relationship between changes in mood state self-ratings and cerebral glucose metabolism during positron emission tomography (PET) in persons with age-associated memory impairment (mean age 59.4±9.8 years). Brain regions of interest involved in both mood and memory were examined. Mood ratings of increased boredom correlated significantly with mesial temporal and parietal asymmetry and decreased parietal metabolism. Mood ratings of increased fatigue correlated with basal ganglia asymmetry and the right basal ganglia and left mesial temporal metabolism. These findings suggest that subjective mood state changes during PET may influence metabolism in brain regions implicated in emotion and memory function in people with age-related memory complaints.