Selective protection of neuropeptide containing dentate hilar interneurons by non-NMDA receptor blockade in an animal model of status epilepticus

We used a 24 h perforant path stimulation model of status epilepticus to study the role of non-NMDA receptors in the loss of hilar interneurons and paired pulse inhibition associated with the model. In one experiment, NBQX administered i.v. at 1.0 mg/kg/h significantly reduced the loss of hematoxylin and eosin-stained hilar neurons from 360.2 to 125.3 but failed to protect against the loss of paired pulse inhibition. In a second experiment, i.v. NBQX at 1.5 mg/kg/h significantly protected against loss of SS- and NPY-positive hilar interneurons but also failed to protect against loss of paired pulse nhibition. These results demonstrate that the neuronal loss associated with sustained stimulation of this excitatory pathway is mediated in part through non-NMDA receptors. The lack of protection against loss of paired pulse inhibition suggests that SS- and NPY-immunoreactive interneurons may not be responsible for frequency-dependent paired-pulse inhibition of dentate granule cells.     

False-positive radionuclide venography caused by distended urinary bladder

A 60-year-old man with a history of prostatic carcinoma presented with left lower extremity swelling. A massively distended urinary bladder produced a false-positive radionuclide venogram.     

Optic neuropathy from the use of intracranial muslin

Following repair of an anterior communicating artery aneurysm with McFadden clips and muslin, a 32-year-old woman developed a steroid-responsive optic neuropathy. When she was explored, a sterile abscess with surrounding fibrotic tissue involving the muslin was found adjacent to the right optic nerve. The patient's vision improved following removal of the abscess.     

A clean-air incubator for the cultivation and manipulation of cells at a constant temperature

Summary An incubator is described in which heated air is circulated through a high efficiency particulate air filter. The incubator is intended for the long term cultivation of cells and tissues, with culture manipulations performed in a microbe-free environment and without changes in temperature.     

Comparison of the effects of bicuculline and strychnine on brain stem auditory evoked potentials in the cat

1 Experiments were performed to determine the effects of intravenously applied bicuculline and strychnine on the click-evoked brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) of cats. 2 The BAEP was not affected by bicuculline (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) administration. Strychnine (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.) administration caused a significant increase in the amplitude of peak 4, which is thought to be produced by potentials in the superior olive, lateral lemniscus and inferior colliculus. 3 These results suggest that strychnine blocks glycinergic inhibitory inputs to these auditory structures.     

Soft-tissue repair of myelomeningocele defects using bilateral latissimus dorsi and trapezius musculocutaneous flaps

An urgent closure of myelomeningocele defects was carried out in 82 newborns using latissimus and/or trapezius musculocutaneous advancement flaps. A three-layer closure of skin, muscle, and fascia was achieved in a single stage without a flank skin graft. All of the wounds healed within a two-week period and no late breakdown of the wound occurred during the eight-year period of study. The urgent closure maximized the neurological salvage and facilitated early cerebrospinal fluid shunting by preventing both infection and neural desiccation. This report represents the largest number of sequentially treated myelomeningocele defects without a major wound healing problem or death. The advancement musculocutaneous flap closure is safe, simple, and effective and is recommended as the preferred method for closure of the myelomeningocele defect.