Medullary locomotor strip and column in the cat

Responses of lateral medullary neurons to microstimulation of two points in the locomotor strip—rostral and caudal to the obex—were recorded intracellularly in mesencephalic decerebellated uncurarized cats. Excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials and orthodromic action potentials occurred up to 20 ms after a single stimulus. A number of cells responded to stimulation of a locomotor point by a repetitive discharge, and in some cells synaptic responses were evoked by contralateral stimulation. The responsive neurons were scattered among other cells in the lateral medullary tegmentum. At least one-third of neurons with synaptic responses to stimulation of the rostral locomotor point were antidromically invaded from the caudal one. The characteristic length of these descending axons was between 4 and 9 mm, although there were longer axons too.The lateral medullary cells which give synaptic responses to stimulation of the locomotor strip form the locomotor column located medial to the strip, and a portion of these cells send their axons to the strip. It is suggested that the activity is propagated polysynaptically along the column through axonal collaterals of its neurons. One can assume that when repetitive stimulation achieves a threshold for locomotion such a propagation occurs without decrement. As a result, spinal stepping generators are activated.     

Organ specific apoptosis following polymicrobial intraperitoneal infection

Background Leukocyte apoptosis allows safe removal of potentially harmful cells and facilitates resolution of inflammation. We hypothesized that the number of apoptotic cells changes in a disproportionate fashion in parenchymal organs in response to intra-abdominal infection. Materials and methods The percentage of apoptotic cells in the liver, spleen, lung, and peripheral blood was evaluated following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were measured as an index of neutrophil extravasation. Results Liver & spleen MPO continually increased, while lung MPO remained low after CLP. In parallel to the increase in MPO, liver & spleen apoptosis continually increased throughout the 9-day follow-up period, whereas lung apoptosis remained unchanged. Conclusions The distribution of apoptotic cells during intraperitoneal infection occurs in an organ specific manner, with significant increases in the spleen and liver. This distribution likely reflected the clearance of apoptotic cells as the inflammatory focus became contained. Supported by the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma, John H. Davis Research Scholarship, and by the Veterans Administration Merit Review Project 0005. Received 7 October 2005; returned for revision 22 November 2005; accepted by G. Wallace 23 December 2005     

养胃解毒合剂对脓毒症模型大鼠作用的实验研究

目的观察养胃解毒合剂对脓毒症模型大鼠的治疗作用,探索养胃解毒合剂治疗脓毒症的部分作用机制。方法60只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、脓毒症模型组、养胃解毒合剂组、阿莫西林组。采用盲肠结扎穿孔法对大鼠进行脓毒症模型的复制。假手术组大鼠不进行穿孔。灌胃相应药物干预．连续给药6次。采用酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）法对各组大鼠血清中内毒素、肿瘤坏死因子-γ（TNF-γ）、干扰素-γ（INF-γ）的含量进行检测。结果模型组大鼠血清中内毒素、TNF—α、IFN-γ的含量显著高于假手术组（P〈0．01）;养胃解毒合剂组大鼠血清中内毒素、TNF—α、IFN-γ的含量明显低于脓毒症模型组（P〈0．01）。结论养胃解毒合剂能够明显降低脓毒症模型大鼠血清中内毒素、TNF-α及IFN-γ的含量。     

New legal requirements for submission of product information to poisons centres in EU member states

Introduction: In the past eight years, the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists (EAPCCT) has been intensively involved in a European Commission led process to develop EU legislation on the information of hazardous products that companies have to notify to EU Poisons Centres (or equivalent “appointed bodies”). As a result of this process, the Commission adopted Regulation (EU) No 2017/542, amending the CLP Regulation by adding an Annex on harmonised product submission requirements.

Harmonised mixture information requirements: Detailed and consistent information on the composition of the hazardous product will become available to EU Poisons Centres (PC). The information will be submitted by companies to PCs (or equivalent “appointed bodies”) using a web-based software application or in-house software. Two new important features are introduced. Firstly, to be able to rapidly identify the product formula, a Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) on the product label links to the submitted information. Secondly, for better comparability of reports on poisonings between EU member states, a harmonised Product Categorisation System will specify the intended use of a product. Rapid product identification and availability of detailed composition information will lead to timely and adequate medical intervention. This may lead to considerable reduction in healthcare costs.

Additionally, for companies trading across the EU, costs of submission of this information will be reduced significantly.

Next steps: From 2017, an implementation period has started, consisting of a three-year period for stakeholders to implement the new requirements, followed by a gradual applicability for consumer products (2020), professional products (2021) and industrial use-only products (2024). Technical tools to generate the electronic format and the UFI together with guidance documents are expected to be made available by the end of 2017 by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Guidance on interpretation of legal text and ECHA helpdesk support are planned to be ready at the end of 2018.     

The prevalence of specific dental anomalies in a group of Saudi cleft lip and palate patients

Objective

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and distribution of dental anomalies in a group of Saudi subjects with cleft lip and palate (CLP), to examine potential sex-based associations of these anomalies, and to compare dental anomalies in Saudi subjects with CLP with published data from other population groups.

Design

This retrospective study involved the examination of pre-treatment records obtained from three CLP centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in February and March 2010. The pre-treatment records of 184 subjects with cleft lip and palate were identified and included in this study. Pre-treatment maxillary occlusal radiographs of the cleft region, panoramic radiographs, and orthodontic study models of subjects with CLP were analyzed for dental anomalies.

Results

Orthopantomographs and occlusal radiographs may not be reliable for the accurate evaluation of root malformation anomalies. A total of 265 dental anomalies were observed in the 184 study subjects. Hypodontia was observed most commonly (66.8%), followed by microdontia (45.6%), intra-oral ectopic eruption (12.5%), supernumerary teeth (12.5%), intra-nasal ectopic eruption (3.2), and macrodontia (3.2%). No gender difference in the prevalence of these anomalies was observed.

Conclusions

Dental anomalies were common in Saudi subjects with CLP type. This will complicate the health care required for the CL/P subjects. This study was conducted to epidemiologically explore the prevalence of dental anomalies among Saudi Arabian subjects with CLP.     

Effect of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition and Saline Administration on Blood Pressure and Renal Sodium Handling During Experimental Sepsis in Rats

Much effort has been made in recent years to clarify metabolic and renal function changes in sepsis. A number of studies performed in different models of sepsis have been described. One such model that is frequently used is cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. This model resembles human sepsis in several important aspects, such as an early phase of hyperdynamic, hypermetabolic sepsis followed by a late hypodynamic, hypometabolic phase. The present study evaluated the blood pressure (n = 5) and renal function changes during development of CLP renal failure and to determine the effects of NOS inhibition (L-NAME) and 0.15 M NaCl administration on tail blood pressure and renal function in randomly assigned five groups (n = 10 each): (1) Sham-operated, (2) Sham-operated L-NAME-treated, (3) CLP rats, (4) CLP L-NAME-treated, and (5) CLP 0.15 M NaCl-treated rats. The basal tail blood pressure was not significantly different among the four groups. One week later, arterial pressure was significantly increased in sham-operated L-NAME-treated rats (159 ± 12 mmHg) compared with the other groups (118 ± 9.0 mmHg in nontreated rats, p<0.05). Blood pressure shows a slightly and not significant decrease up to 12 h in L-NAME and 0.15 M NaCl treated rats, which in turn was followed by a significant reduced arterial pressure 18 h after CLP in both groups (L-NAME: 96.0 ± 3.6 mmHg, p<0.05) and NaCl: 82.3 ± 2.4 mmHg, p<0.05) compared to sham-operated groups. The glomerular filtration rate estimated by C_Cr decreases significantly in the CLP untreated group (p<0.001) and did not significantly differ from the sham-operated and L-NAME-treated groups (p = 0.4) during the studies of renal tubule sodium handling. On the other hand, subcutaneous 0.15 M NaCl administration prevented C_Cr decreases in CLP rats (p = 0.25). CLP increased the FE_Na in the sham-operated from: 857.2 ± 85.1 Δ% min^?1 to CLP: 1197.8 ± 119.0 Δ% min^?1. The high FE_Na to CLP was blunted and significantly reduced by previous systemic treatment of animals with L-NAME from sham-operated + L-NAME: 1368.0 ± 72.0 Δ% min^?1 to CLP+L-NAME: 1148.0 ± 60.4 Δ% min^?1 (p<0.01). The enhanced FE_Na in the CLP group were accompanied by a significant increase in proximal sodium reabsorption rejection. The salient findings of the present study suggest that a decrease in the blood pressure and creatinine clearance caused by CLP may benefit from L-NAME and fluid resuscitation during initial bacteremia (first 12 h) by promoting an additional increase of tubule sodium reabsorption in the post-proximal segments of nephrons, but these therapies could not prevent acute renal failure after established endotoxemia.     

Effect of probiotics on respiratory,gastrointestinal and nutritional outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review

Background

An increasing body of research investigating the use of probiotics to improve health outcomes in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) prompted the need to systematically assess and summarise the relevant literature.

牙槽嵴裂隙间固定对腭裂上颌复合体内置式牵引成骨生物力学的影响

目的 探讨裂隙间固定对唇腭裂上颌复合体牵引成骨生物力学的影响.方法 采用三维有限元方法,建立唇腭裂上颌复合体LeFort Ⅰ型截骨骨块及相应软组织有限元模型,在保留牙槽嵴裂隙与裂隙两侧钛板固定两种情况下,模拟临床上内置式牵引方式,使截骨块上牵引器固位点沿牵引方向前移10 mm,比较分析其生物力学变化.结果 唇腭裂上颌复合体LeFort Ⅰ型截骨内置式牵引下,腭部出现压缩现象,而裂隙两侧钛板固定腭部压缩现象不明显.矢向位移与垂直向位移在两种工况下比较,位移方向及大小与保留裂隙的前牵引无明显差异.结论 裂隙间固定后唇腭裂上颌复合体内置式牵引成骨,可以避免腭部出现压缩现象,有生物力学指导意义.     

Protective effects of asiaticoside on septic lung injury in mice

Asiaticoside (AS), a major triterpenoid saponin component isolated from Centella asiatica, has been described to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study aimed to determine the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of AS on septic lung injury induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Mice were pretreated with the AS (45 mg/kg) or AS as well as GW9662 at 1 h before CLP, the survival, lung injury, inflammatory mediators and signaling molecules, and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) were determined 24 h after CLP. The results showed that AS significantly decreased CLP-induced the mortality, lung pathological damage, the infiltration of mononuclear, polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes and total proteins. Moreover, AS inhibited CLP-induced the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein in lung tissues, and the production of serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Interestingly, the expression of PPAR-γ protein in lung tissue was up-regulated by AS. Furthermore, GW9662 (the inhibitor of PPAR-γ) significantly reversed these beneficial effects of AS in septic mice. These findings suggest that AS could effectively protect from septic lung injury induced by CLP and the underlying mechanisms might be related to up-regulation of PPAR-γ expression to some extent, which inhibits MAPKs and NF-κB pathway.     

δ阿片受体激动剂对脓毒症大鼠Th1/Th2平衡漂移的影响

目的 探讨δ阿片受体激动剂,D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin,对脓毒症大鼠Th1/Th2平衡漂移的影响.方法 SD大鼠90只,分为假手术组（SO组）、脓毒症组（SEP组）和DADLE（5mg/kg）,每组30只.采用改良盲肠结扎穿孔方法（CLP）建立大鼠脓毒症模型,假手术组除不结扎刺穿盲肠外,其余操作同SEP组,DADLE组模型建立后立即按5ml/kg剂量腹腔注射浓度为0.5mg/ml的DALDE.制模后4、8、12h每组取10只大鼠处死,取脾脏T细胞.采用流式细胞仪检测大鼠Th1/Th2比值.结果 与SO组比较,SEP组制模后各时段Th1/Th2显著升高（P＜0.01）,DADLE组制模后8、12h时Th1/Th2显著升高（P＜0.01或0.05）、4h时/Th2差异均无统计学意义;与SEP组比较,DADLE组各时段Th1/Th2显著降低（P＜0.01或0.05）.结论 DADLE对脓毒症大鼠具有明显的免疫调理作用,使Th1/Th2处于低水平的平衡状态.