Pain-related somatosensory evoked potentials following CO2 laser stimulation in peripheral neuropathies

Pain-related somatosensory evoked potentials (pain SEPs) following CO2 laser stimulation were examined in 30 patients with peripheral neuropathies, and the results were compared with clinical sensory findings. Pain SEP findings showed a significant correlation with the clinical impairment of pain sensation, but not with the impairment of deep sensations. In contrast, conventional electrically-stimulated SEPs (electric SEPs) showed a significant correlation with deep sensations, but not with the impairment of pain sensation. Examinations of both pain SEPs and electric SEPs, therefore, are considered to be very useful to evaluate physiological functions of sensory nerves in patients with peripheral neuropathies.     

Demonstration of dilatation of peripheral airways

Summary. To investigate the ability of various lung-function tests to demonstrate dilatation of peripheral airways, ten asthmatics inhaled increasing doses of a f2-agonist by two different and controlled techniques. Low inspiratory flow with a long post-inspi-ratory pause favoured peripheral deposition, and a high inspiratory flow with a short post-inspiratory pause favoured central deposition of drug in the airways. Ordinary spirometry, maximum expiratory flow rates after breathing air as well as a helium-oxygen mixture, a single breath N₂-test and resistance of the respiratory system were obtained before and after each of five terbutaline doses with both inhalation techniques. By using a double-dummy technique, the study could be performed double blinded. Effects were compared at doses giving equal effects on PEF, assumed to represent equal deposition of bronchodilator and effects on central airways. At such ‘iso A PEF doses’, particularly FVC and the slope of phase III of the N₂-test improved more following the slow inhalation technique. It is concluded that changes in those tests reflect dilatation in peripheral airways in asthmatics.,     

Induction of type II collagen-specific antibody production in blood lymphocyte cultures of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with collagen-induced arthritis using the immobilized native antigen.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from Rhesus monkeys previously immunized with bovine type II collagen to induce arthritis were cultured with the same antigen. Because the native protein is poorly soluble in culture medium a heating step is often used. The antigen in this form induced PBMC proliferation, but epitopes for the induction of antibody production and arthritis were lost. To keep the native protein intact it was coated on affigel beads. With the immobilized antigen specific antibody production could be induced.     

SCHWANN CELLS AND THE REGROWTH OF AXONS IN THE MAMMALIAN CNS: A REVIEW OF TRANSPLANTATION STUDIES IN THE RAT VISUAL SYSTEM

1. We have used peripheral nerve transplants or cultured Schwann cells grafted in association with different types of polymer to study axonal regrowth in the rat visual system. In some instances the glia were co-grafted with fetal tectal tissue. 2. The studies have two main aims: (i) to determine whether retinal axons can be induced to regrow at a site distant from their cell soma, that is, after damage to the brachial region of the optic tract; (ii) to determine whether retinal axons exposed to Schwann cells retain the ability to recognize their appropriate target neurons in CNS tissue. 3. In brachial lesion studies, Schwann cells were placed in the lesion site in association with nitrocellulose papers, within polycarbonate tubes in the presence or absence of a supporting extracellular matrix (ECM), or within polymer hydrogel scaffolds. Autologous sciatic nerve grafts were also used. Immuno-histochemical studies revealed the presence of regenerating axons within all polymer bridges. Regrowth of retinal axons was also seen, however, growth was not extensive and was limited to the proximal 1–1.5 mm of the implants. 4. In target innervation experiments, two surgical paradigms were developed. In one experiment, a segment of sciatic nerve was autografted onto the transected optic nerve in adult rats and the distal end of each graft was placed adjacent to fetal tectal (target) tissue implanted into the frontal cortex. To date, we have not been able to demonstrate selective recognition of target regions within tectal transplants by retinal axons exiting the sciatic nerve implants. 5. In the second experiment, Schwann cells were mixed with fetal tectal cells and co-grafted to the midbrain of newborn host rats. Schwann cells altered the characteristic pattern of host retinal growth into tectal grafts; in some cases axons were induced to grow away from appropriate target areas by nearby co-grafted Schwann cells. 6. In summary, Schwann cell/polymer scaffolds may provide a useful way of promoting the regrowth of damaged axons in the CNS, however: (i) in adults, at least, their effectiveness is reduced if they are located at a distance from the cell bodies giving rise to regenerating axons; (ii) in some circumstances exposure to a peripheral glial environment may affect the capacity of regenerating axons to recognize appropriate target cells in the CNS neuropil.     

4℃保存外周血造血干细胞动态观察

本文对4℃条件下不同时间保存后的外周血造血干细胞(peripheral bloodhematopoietic stem cells,PBHSC)数进行了动态观察。在本实验中以定向造血祖细胞(CFU-GM)作为观察PBHSC的指标。结果表明:随着保存时间的延长,PBHSC集落数逐渐下降;0小时与24小时保存后的干细胞数无显著差异;24小时与48、72、96、120小时保存后的干细胞数有高度显著差异;48小时与72、96、120小时保存后的干细胞数无显著差异。同时发现,红细胞的存在有利于PBHSC的4℃保存。     

Assessment of exposure to arsenic among smelter workers: A five-year follow-up

In a group of 43 smelter workers exposed to inorganic arsenic dust for 13-45 years, nerve conduction velocities (NCVs) were significantly lower in two peripheral nerves as compared with matching referents. With multivariate data analysis, a significant negative correlation was found between cumulative absorption of arsenic and NCV in four examined nerves and the sural amplitude. Clinical symptoms of neuropathy and other symptoms related to arsenic exposure were moderate, though the difference between the groups was significant. The mean total absorption of arsenic was calculated to be less than 5 g, and the maximal absorption about 20 g. These data indicate that the adverse effect of arsenic on the peripheral nerves is dependent on long-term exposure rather than on short-term fluctuations in exposure levels. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

多平面重建对支气管血管连接引起肿瘤切迹的检出

目的　从病理角度认识支气管血管切迹征 ,探讨多平面重建 (MPR)对该征检出的作用。方法　①观察病理证实的周围型小肺癌 91例 ,良性结节 5 5例。以及 9例周围型小肺癌 ,2例良性结节术后改良Heitzman法充气固定肺叶制成病理大切片 ,对良恶性支气管血管连接进行对比分析。②对恶性支气管血管连接 2 0例 ,良性 13例行MPR ,考察MPR显示切迹征的作用。结果　①支气管血管切迹征对恶性者特异性为 95 .2 %。②恶性支气管血管连接在MPR的切迹征检出率为 70 % ,与横断扫描之间有显著差异。结论　切迹征对于恶性支气管血管连接有高特异性诊断价值。MPR配合多层螺旋CT能提高此征检出率     

Craniosynostosis,ectopia lentis,and congenital heart defects: Further delineation of an autosomal dominant syndrome with incomplete penetrance

The association of craniosynostosis with ectopia lentis is extremely rare. This was recently reported in monozygotic twin sisters, supporting a genetic etiology for this syndromic association. We report on female first cousins once removed who were born with unilateral coronal synostosis. One cousin also had peripheral pulmonic branch stenosis at birth and was later found to have ectopia lentis and severe myopia. The other cousin had an atrial septal defect, mitral valve prolapse, and only mild myopia. Their intelligence is normal. The inheritance is likely autosomal dominant with variable expression and incomplete penetrance and further defines this syndrome to include congenital heart defects. These findings will have important implications for genetic counseling. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Guillain–Barré syndrome with marked pleocytosis or a significant proportion of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in the cerebrospinal fluid: neuropathological investigation of five cases and review of differential diagnoses

In cases with otherwise clinically typical Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), pronounced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis or the mere presence of CSF-polymorphonuclear granulocytes should alert the physician to consider alternative diagnoses. Therefore, we retrospectively studied the neuropathology of central and peripheral nervous system in two cases with a CSF cell count of more than 50/microl and in three cases with a significant proportion of polymorphonuclear granulocytes in the CSF sediment. All cases fulfilled the required criteria for the diagnosis of GBS, the duration from onset to death ranged from 4 to 100 days. Neuropathological investigations included routine staining procedures and immunohistochemistry for antigens of glial and haematopoetic cells as well as for products of relevant neurotropic viruses. Demyelinating polyradiculitis was present in four cases, in one patient with a survival time of 4 days the type of damage to myelinated fibres was unclassifiable. In the central nervous system a consistent finding was diffuse activation of microglia, only one case showed mild meningeal and lower brainstem inflammation. Viral products were generally absent. In summary, the neuropathological findings confirm that marked CSF pleocytosis or the presence of polymorphonuclear granulocytes does not rule out the diagnosis of GBS.     

米利酮对豚鼠心乳头肌及主动脉条的作用

米利酮是非洋地黄，非儿茶酚胺类强心药，具有明显的正性肌力和扩血管作用。国外用于治疗难治性心衰及洋地黄中毒的心衰病人。本文用豚鼠乳头肌及主动脉条进行实验，结果表明合成与进口米利酮的正性肌力作用效价相同，对抗去甲肾上腺素缩血管的作用也等同。