Decreased striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple system atrophy (MSA): D2 receptor down-regulation versus striatal cell degeneration

Recently, decreased striatal dopamine D2-receptor binding was demonstrated in vivo in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To further elucidate the pathogenetic mechanism underlying this D2-receptor deficit, a multi-level comparison was made between 30 sporadic ALS subjects and 24 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), a disorder clinically characterized by bradykinesia, neuroradiologically by severe D2-receptor loss, and neuropathologically by degenerating striatal cells. The extent of D2-deficit in ALS and MSA were within the same range, but extrapyramidal signs and symptoms were virtually absent in our ALS patients. Striatal cell loss in general or competitive D2-receptor occupancy could be considered unlikely in ALS. The striatum receives massive glutamatergic input and the pathogenesis of ALS may be related to increased glutamatergic excitotoxicity. As other mechanisms (cell loss, receptor occupancy) could be ruled out, and as animal studies suggest that (excess of) glutamate decreases striatal D2-receptor synthesis, the striatal D2-receptor deficit in ALS is most likely to be caused by a receptor down-regulation.     

Reduction of stress-induced analgesia but not of exogenous opioid effects in mice lacking CB1 receptors

CB1 cannabinoid receptors are widely distributed in the central nervous system where they mediate most of the cannabinoid-induced responses. Here we have evaluated the interactions between the CB1 cannabinoid receptors and the endogenous opioid system by assaying a number of well-characterized opioid responses, e.g. antinociception and stress-mediated effects, on mutant mice in which the CB1 receptor gene was invalidated. The spontaneous responses to various nociceptive stimuli (thermal, mechanical and visceral pain) were not changed in mutant CB1 mice. Furthermore, the absence of the CB1 cannabinoid receptor did not modify the antinociceptive effects induced by different opioid agonists: morphine (preferential mu opioid agonist), D-Pen2-D-Pen5-enkephalin (DPDPE) and deltorphin II (selective delta opioid agonists), and U-50,488H (selective kappa opioid agonist) in the hot-plate and tail-immersion tests. In contrast, the stress-induced opioid mediated responses were modified in CB1 mutants. Indeed, these mutants did not exhibit antinociception following a forced swim in water at 34 degrees C and presented a decrease in the immobility induced by the previous exposure to electric footshock. However, the antinociception induced by a forced swim in water at 10 degrees C was preserved in CB1 mutants. These results indicate that CB1 receptors are not involved in the antinociceptive responses to exogenous opioids, but that a physiological interaction between the opioid and cannabinoid systems is necessary to allow the development of opioid-mediated responses to stress.     

Comparative study of quality of life between the Chinese and Japanese adolescent populations

Researchers from Japan, China and Singapore have initiated a collaborative project, with the aim of comparing adolescent quality of life (QOL) internationally. This study presents the primary results of the investigation conducted in Beijing, China, and Kobe, Japan. The 70-item Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents (QOLQA) was developed and evaluated in Japan and China. In total, 1114 Japanese and 613 Chinese junior high school students, aged 12-15 years, completed the questionnaire. Chinese students scored significantly higher than the Japanese students in overall QOL scores and in most domains. For both groups, subjects had highest score in the independence domain and lowest in psychological domain. In terms of overall QOL score, Chinese male students ranked first, followed by Chinese girls, Japanese boys, and Japanese girls. In the Japanese group, a continuing decrease of QOL scores with age was observed without exception, but no such tendency was present in their Chinese counterparts. No parallel relationship was observed between the higher level of economic development and better quality of life. The results also suggest that mental health promotion should be a priority in improving overall quality of life of adolescents both in Japan and China.     

A new periodogram using one-way analysis of variance for circadian rhythms

A new periodogram was proposed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), termed ANOVA periodogram, in order to reveal a precise significant periodicity. Thirty 3-day complex computer-simulated time series with known periodicity (24 h) and three 2-h data-missing occurring periodically (23 h, 20 min) were used to compare the ANOVA periodogram with Enright's one. In results, the ANOVA periodogram was superior to Enright's periodogram in the accuracy of assessing the major periodicity.     

The impact of lithium prophylaxis on the course of bipolar disorder: a review of the research evidence

A critical review is provided of the available research evidence concerning the efficacy and effectiveness of lithium prophylaxis in bipolar disorder. It is emphasized that, in spite of the limitations of available placebo-controlled trials and naturalistic studies, lithium is the only drug whose prophylactic activity in bipolar disorder is convincingly proved, and remains the first-choice medication in the long-term treatment of bipolar patients. The impact of lithium prophylaxis is likely to be less significant on atypical and comorbid cases of bipolar disorder than in typical manic–depressive illness, but the superiority of other medications over lithium in the long-term treatment of those cases is at present not convincingly proved by research. Currently available research evidence does not seem to support the idea that lithium exerts its prophylactic effect on relapses but not on recurrences of bipolar disorder. Clinicians should be aware of the fact that the drop-out rate in bipolar patients receiving long-term lithium prophylaxis is high even if treatment surveillance is accurate, and that complete suppression of recurrences is a relatively rare outcome of prophylaxis.     

One-year prevalence and incidence of depression among first-year university students in Japan: a preliminary study

A structured interview was used to examine the 1-year incidence and prevalence of depression among 116 first-year university students. While 24 of the subjects (20.7%) met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th ed. (DSM-IV) criteria for Major Depressive Episode (MDE), 62 (53.4%) met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 3rd ed. Revised (DSM-III-R) criteria for MDE, and 27 (23.3%) also met the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) for the 12 months prior to the interview. Moreover, 23 of the subjects (19.8%) had onset of the DSM-IV criteria for MDE, 54 (46.6%) had onset of the DSM-III-R criteria for MDE, 24 (20.7%) had onset of the RDC for MDD, during the same time period. These high rates of depression may be explained by the students' difficulties in and by their readjustment after entering university.     

腰痹舒治疗腰椎间盘突出症临床疗效分析

用中药腰痹舒治疗腰椎间盘突出症 3 1例 ,治愈 2 8例 ,有效 3例。治疗后随访 6～ 1 8个月 ,无 1例复发。与牵引、按摩、秋水仙碱内服对照组比较 ,中药疗效显著优于对照组 (P<0 .0 5 )。经 CT检查 ,腰痹舒治愈后椎间盘的后突压迫、粘连均有不同程度的解除。提出可根据症状、体征将腰椎间盘出症的腰腿痛分为 1 0级。作为判断病情和疗程的主要指标。其治疗宜通经、化瘀散寒为主。     

中西医结合治疗宫颈糜烂50例观察

目的：观察恒和坤净栓联合波姆红外光治疗宫项糜烂的疗效。方法：中西医结合组50例用恒和坤净检与波姆红外光治力仪联合治疗；对照组50例，单用波姆红外光治疗仪治疗。结果：中西医结合组痊愈率82％，对照组痊愈率40％。结论：中西医结合疗效较好，优于单用西医治疗。     

骨科下肢侧卧位手术牵引架的研制及临床应用

目的研制并临床验证一种简便、实用、灵活、科学的骨科下肢侧卧位手术牵引架.方法1999年1月～2003年1月采用本手术设备共进行了51例均在侧卧位状态下进行的手术;其中股骨粗隆间骨折23例、股骨粗隆下骨折4例,行DHS22例、Gamma钉5例;股骨中下段骨折24例,行股骨交锁钉3例、梅花钉3例、LCDCP18例.结果采用本手术设备的手术情况是DHS、Gamma钉组的平均手术时间为51±19min、出血量为100士57ml,交锁钉组的手术时间为70±19min、出血量为312±94ml;与常规的仰卧位手术比较P＜0.01,同时方便C-臂X光机透视,尤其是侧位透视.此外,还可运用本手术设备进行股骨中下段骨折的其他各种内固定手术,牵引效能好,方便术区皮肤消毒及术中骨折复位.结论本骨科下肢侧卧位手术牵引架结构简单、零部件少、装卸容易、适应症广、操作方便、利于C-臂X光机透视,术中出血量少、损伤小、手术时间短,具有较好的实用型、先进性、科学性,值得临床推广应用.     

"树皮年轮"质疑

目的：评述“树皮年轮”的概念及其应用于判断树龄的科学性。方法：在广泛查阅相关文献资料的基础上，对“树皮年轮”的概念及其在判断树龄方面应用的科学性问题进行了综合分析。结果：虽然韧皮部纤维存在分层排列的现象，但是不能称其为“年轮”。因为呈带状排列的纤维束的数目，在每个生长季节不总是固定的，有的甚至缺乏韧皮部纤维；并且次生韧皮部在次生生长过程中的数量有限，还会随着树皮逐渐剥落。结论：因此，认为“树皮年轮”的提法缺乏科学性，也不能作为判断树龄的依据。