one hundred and five Wistar rats were randomized into 3 groups and heterogenous decalcified bone matrix (HDBM) + CaCl_2+Na_2HPO_4+KH_2PO_4, HDBM + CaSO_4+Na_2HPO_4+KH_2PO_4, and HDBM + NaCl were implanted into the quadriceps muscle of both thighs of the animals respectively. They were monitored with ~3H-TdR and ~(45)Ca tracing to evaluate the efficacy of the 3 delivery systems to enhance osteogenesis. It was found that coadministration of CaSo_4, Na_2HPO_4, and KH_2PO_4 could significantly enhance the osteogenesis induced by HDBM. It is concluded that HDBM and the coadministration of Na_2HPO_4, KH_2-PO_4, and CaS0-4/CaCl_2 together will be much more effective to induce osteogenesis than HDBM is used singly.

We present fi ve cases of severe brainstem-spinal encephalomyelopathy suggestive of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorders treated with or without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). The result shows that early IVIG is probably effective in preserving neurological function in cases with severe brainstem-spinal encephalomyelopathy suggestive of NMO spectrum disorders.