Objective To explore the optimal electrophysiologieal approach for detecting Riehe-Cannieu anastomosis(RCA),an anomalous anastomosis between the deep branch of ulnar nerve and the recurrent branch of the medial nerve in the palm of the hand,and to estimate its incidence. Methods One hundred subjects(56 male,44 female,mean age 37.8 years)without any hand motor or sensory dysfunction were selected randomly.The ulnar nerve was stimulated at both the elbow and wrist,and recordings were made from the abductor pollicis brevis,which is normally innervated by the medial nerve,to document any compound muscle action potentials(CMAP).CMAP recorded from both points during stimulation is an accepted indicator of RCA.Group A comprised 40 hands of 20 subjects,while group B included 160 hands of 80 subjects.Surface electrode stimulation was used in both groups.Surface and needle electrode recording was used in group A,while only needle electrode recording was used in group B.Results In group A,31 hands of 16 subjects were found to have RCA by means of surface electrode recording,but only 6 hands of 3 subjects were found to have RCA by means of concentric needle electrode recording.There was a difference of up t0 80.6% between results obtained by the 2 recording methods.In group B,35 hands of 20 subjects were found to have RCA.A total of 41 hands of 23 subjects among the 100 were found to have RCA when concentric needle electrode recording was used(20.5%incidence). Conclusion The type of recording electrode influences the accuracy of RCA examination.An accurate and reliable result can be obtained by using a concentric needle electrode.The abductor pollicis brevis can be anomalously innervated by the ulnar nerve because of RCA.When both the medial and ulnar nerve have been injured.RCA might result in anomalous clinical symptoms and electrophysiological findings.Thoroughly understanding this anomaly is of crucial importance in the clinical evaluation and diagnosis of medial or ulnar nerve injury,as well as to avoid mistakenly interpreting the electrophysiological data when Riche-Cannieu anastomosis is present.

Objective To analyze the electrophysiological characteristics of Hirayama disease and explore their significance for its diagnosis.MethodsElectrophysiological tests were performed on 18 patients who fulfilled the clinical criteria for Hirayama disease. Sixteen were males and 2 were females. The mean age was 24.9years old ( 19-58 years), and the mean case history was 5.2 years ( 1-40 years). The Hirayama disease was clearly unilateral in 10 patients and bilateral in 3, with 5 cases suspected of being bilateral. Motor neuron conduction velocity (MCV) and sensory neuron conduction velocity (SCV) were measured in the median and ulnar nerves.Electromyograms (EMGs) of the abductor digiti minimi, abductor pollicis brevis, extensor digitorum communis,brachioradialis muscle, biceps brachii and sternocleidomastoid were recorded in all cases. The MCV and SCV of the common peroneal nerve and an EMG of the tibialis anterior muscle were examined in one leg. The MCV and SCV of the ulnar nerve and EMGs of the abductor digiti minimi, extensor digitorum communis and brachioradialis muscles were inspected on the contralateral sides of 8 cases, including the patients suspected of suffering bilateral Hirayama disease. The MCVs of the median and ulnar nerves were examined segmentally by stimulating the nerves distally as well as proximally, and recording the amplitude, duration and area of compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) and changes in wave form, then determining whether there was a nerve conduction block.Results (1) No conduction block was detected in any median nerve or ulnar nerve among the 18 cases. (2) All the SCVs and sensory nerve action potentials of the median and ulnar nerves were normal. ( 3 ) All the MCVs and SCVs of the common peroneal nerve and the EMGs of the anterior tibialis muscles were normal. (4) MCV slowing in the upper limbs accounted for 41.3％ (19/44) of the examined nerves. The rates of MCV decrease were 72.2％ (13/18)in the ulnar nerve on the affected sides, 33.3％ (6/18) in the median nerve on the affected sides and 0％ (0/8)in the ulnar nerve on the contralateral sides. (5) Amplitude reduction in the CMAP in the upper limbs accounted for 81.8％ (36/44) of the examined nerves. The rates of amplitude decrease were 100％ (18/18) in the ulnar nerves of the affected sides, 77.8％(14/18) of median nerves on the affected side and 50％(4/8) of ulnar nerves on the contralateral side. ( 6 ) Upper limb EMGs revealed a rate of neurogenic damage of 47.0％ ( 62/132). The EMGs decreased in 100％ (18/18) of the abductor digiti minimi and abductor pollicis brevis on the affected side, 88.9％ (16/18) of extensor digitorum communis on the affected side, 62.5％ (5/8) of the abductor digiti minimi on the contralateral side, 37.5％ (3/8) of the extensor digitorum communis on the contralateral side,5.6％ ( 1/18 ) of the brachioradialis and biceps brachii muscles on the affected sides. There was no neurogenic damage of the contralateral brachioradialis muscle or the sternocleidomastoid on the affected side.Conclusions The electrophysiological features of Hirayama disease include unilateral or bilateral neurogenic damage in the upper limbs. According to the abnormal EMGs, spinal anterior horn cells on the affected sides were injured at C7-T1. C6and above C6 were rarely involved. The electrophysiological characteristics of Hirayama disease could provide a clear basis for localization and differentiation in Hirayama disease diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane at the same dose on expression of Caspase-3 of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) and expression of micmmbule associated protein 1B (MAP1B)in cortical neuronsin neonatal SD rats.Methods Fifty-five neonatal SD rats at postnatal day 7 (eleven rats each litter,altogether 5 litters)were assigned randomly into control group(C group),isoflurane group (I group)and sevoflursne group(S group)in average.The rats in I group,S group or C group were exposed to 1.1% isoflurane or 1.8% sevoflurane (equivalent to 0.5MAC)or air 4h.The brain of neonatal rats were perfused and embedded by paraffin,Caspase-3 positive expression in the SI cortex of brain was detected by immunohistochemistry staining.Besides,the fresh cortex was dissected at O h in C group and at 2h,4h in I group and S group,microtubule associated protein 1 B expression was detected by West blot staining.Results Caspase-3 positive cells in the SI cortex were increased by 561.23%in I group(t=4.45,P<0.01)and 194.46% in S group(t=5.17,P<0.01)when compared with C group,and increased by 124.45% in I group(P<0.05)when compared with S group.The MAP1B protein was increased by 557.15%at 2h(t=16.54 P<0.01)and 475.21% at 4h(t=32.97,P<0.01)in I group while increased by 693.11%at 2h(t=9.45,P<0.001)and 268.15% at 4h(t=2.79,P=0.049) in S group when compared with C group.In S group,MAP1B protein at 4h reduced by 53.65%(P<0.01) when compared with that at 2h.Conclusion 0.5 MAC isoflurane can induce more apoptosis in the cortex in the neonatal rats'brain at postnatal day 7 than sevoflurane.They can both significantly promote the expression of MAP1B in the cortex to start the self-reparation.

Objective To evaluate the effects of sevoflurane on proteome in the cortices of neonatal rats.Methods Thirty neonatal rats at postnatal day 7 (6 rats each litter,5 litters in total) were randomly assigned into 2 groups (n =15 each):control group (C group) and sevoflurane group (S group).The rats were exposed to air and 1.8 ％ sevoflurane for 4 h in C and S groups,respectively.One rat from each litter was chosen in each group at the end of anesthesia and the puncture needle was inserted into the left ventricle via the chest wall.Arterial blood samples were then collected for blood gas analysis and for determination of blood glucose.One rat from each litter was sacrificed in each group at 3 and 72 h after the end of anesthesia,and their cortices were then dissected.Two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2-D DIGE) was used to identify patterns of protein expression in cortices cross-labeled with different CyDyes.The differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by using matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).Results Acid-base imbalance,anoxia or lycopenia were not found at 3 h after the end of anesthesia in both groups.The analysis showed there were 6 differentially expressed proteins at 3 h after the end of anesthesia in S group compared with C group.Among the 6 proteins,the expression of 4 proteins (class 2 c beta-tubulin,neuron-specific class Ⅲ beta-tubulin,CRMP-1 and CRMP-4) which belonged to cytoskeleton/neuronal growth proteins was down-regulated,the expression of 1 protein (ATP synthase beta subunit) which belonged to hydrolyses and transferases was down-regulated,and the expression of 1 protein (guanine nucleotide binding protein beta1) which belonged to signal transduction proteins was up-regulated (P ＜ 0.05).No significant changes in protein expression were identified at 72 h after 1.8％ sevoflurane anesthesia (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion 1.8％ sevoflurane-induced 4 h anesthesia can induce short-time changes in the expression of proteins which are related to neuronal migration,differentiation,energy metabolism and signal transduction in cortices of neonatal rats,which may contribute to its neurodegenerative effects in brains of rats during the development period.

ObjectiveTo study whether the abductor pollicis brevis been effected by the reinnervation of the Riche-Cannieu anastomosis in the median nerve injury cases.MethodsCollect 43 cases (29male,14 female,mean age 32.6)corresponds with the study needs: (1)The traumatic median nerve injury (proved by the results of electrophysiological examine and the clinic diagnose)on or below the forearm.(2)The existence of RCA was verified by the electrophysiological examine results,and the amplitude of electric potential was under 1mv.(3) Rule out the cases with the other injure of nerve or nervous system disease and cervical vertebra disease,diabetes patient.The analysis base on the results of 43 case's periodical examine,the periodical criteria as following: within 2-4th week,within the 2-4thmonth and 1 year after the injury.Results Forty-three cases had not obvious recovery indication of the median nerve under the clinical and electrophysiological aspect,eight cases of abductor pollicis brevis function improved quickly in 3 months,the relevant CMAP amplitude of Riche-Cannieu anastomosis increased apparently,the EMG (Electromyography)results of abductor pollicis brevis ameliorated accordingly.ConclusionIn the case of RCA combined with the median nerve injury,the abductor pollicis brevis fibra might be dominated by RCA reinnervation when losing domination of median nerve,the reinnervation process will much faster than the regeneration process of the broken nerve.

Objective To investigate the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane at the equivalent depth of subanesthesia on neuronal proliferation and phosphorylation of extraceullar signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)protein in the hippocampi of neonatal rats.Methods Seventy-two neonatal rats at postnatal day 7 were involved in this study and they were assigned randomly into isoflurane group (Iso group),sevoflurane group (Sev group) and control group (Con group).The rats in I group,S group or C group were separately exposed to 0.75％ isoflurane or 1.2％ sevoflurane (equivalent to 0.3 MAC for neonatal rats) or air for 6 h.Some rats in each group were injected intraperitoneally BrdU 100 mg/kg immediately (D0) (n =6) or 3 days after exposure (D3) (n =6),and their brains were perfusion and embedded by paraffin 24 h after BrdU injection.BrdU positive expressions in the in dentate gyrus (DG) area of hippocampus were detected by IHC staining.Besides,the fresh hippocampi of some rats each group were dissected at the end of anesthesia,caspase-3 and phospho-ERK1/2,ERK1/2 proteins expression were detected by Western blot (n =6).The other rats in each group were used to measure changes of pH and blood glucose (n =6).One way ANOVA test was used for data analysis among groups.Results BrdU-positive cells had no significant difference among group IsoD0 ((1332.43 ± 192.70)/mm2),group SevD0 ((1207.33 ±139.50)/mm2),and group ConDO ((1362.40 ± 227.90)/mm2) at D0,while which had significantly decreased by 32.6％ (P＜ 0.05) in group IsoD3 ((604.56 ± 65.77)/mm2) when compared with those in group ConD3 ((896.90 ± 78.77)/mm2) at D3.There was no significant difference between groups of SevD3 ((808.73 ± 41.27)/mm2) and ConD3.The expression of caspase-3 protein was increased by 195％ (P＜ 0.01) in Iso group while which only increased by 74％ (P ＜ 0.05) in Sev group when compared with Con group.The expression of P44 and P42 of phospho-ERK1/2 protein in the hippocami decreased by 53％ (P ＜ 0.01) and 47％ (P ＜ 0.01))seperately in Iso group when compared with Con group,while there were no significant differences between Sev group and Con group.Conclusion 0.3 MAC isoflurane,not sevoflurane inhibits neuronal proliferation in DG of hippocampi in the neonatal rats.Inhibiting ERK1/2 phosphorylation may involve in the mechanisms of that isoflurane inhibits neuronal proliferation.

BACKGROUND:The cross-linking reagent is the main unit to support the skeleton of molecularly imprinted polymers, which is closely related to the bio-friendly adaption of polymers. The biocompatible and biodegradable capacities of common crosslinking agents are unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare a novel biodegradable molecularly imprinted polymer and to evaluate the adsorption and biodegradability properties of the polymer.
METHODS:The biodegradable molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized with the acrylated polyε-caprolactone as the cross-linking reagent under the UV polymerization. The adsorption of the polymer was evaluated by adsorption isotherm, Scatchard analysis and kinetic curves. The biodegradation of the polymer was observed in the simulated physiological environment system in vitro.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both the molecularly imprinted polymer and non-molecularly imprinted polymer showed an adsorption effect on theophyl ine, the template. But the adsorption amount of the molecularly imprinted polymer was significantly more than that of the non-molecularly imprinted polymer. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of the molecularly imprinted polymer were 1.54%and 12.48%, respectively. The degradation rates of molecularly imprinted polymer and poly(ε-caprolactone) diol were 6.60%and 1.33%, respectively, within the observation time in vitro. The obtained molecularly imprinted polymer not only exhibited specific adsorption to certain molecules but also showed good biodegradable properties in the simulated physiological environment system, which is necessary to be a potent drug carrier.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on urine superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in rats.

METHODSAccording to 2×2 factorial analysis, 60 adult male SD rats were randomized into 10 groups (n=6), including a control group (fed with sesame oil), 3 DBP groups (fed with DBP at the doses of 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg), 3 DEHP groups (with DEHP at 50, 150, and 450 mg/kg), and 3 DBP+DEHP groups (with 30 mg/kg DBP+50 mg/kg DEHP, 100 mg/kg DBP+150 mg/kg DEHP, and 300 mg/kg DBP +450 mg/kg DEHP). The agents were administered in a single dose through gavage in a volume of 2 ml. After the treatments, the 24, 48, 72, and 96 h urine samples were collected to determine the SOD activity and MDA content.

RESULTSDBP and DEHP, either alone or in combination, significantly decreased SOD activity and increased MDA content in the urine collected at 24 h but not at the other time points. Such changes were gradually reversed with time.

CONCLUSIONDBP or DEHP treatment alone can result in significant oxidative damage in the kidney of rats, and the toxic effect of the combined exposure is even more obvious.

Animals ; Dibutyl Phthalate ; toxicity ; Diethylhexyl Phthalate ; toxicity ; Environmental Pollutants ; toxicity ; Kidney ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; urine ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; urine

Objective To investigate the extracellular polysaccharide distribution and components of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu) after biofilm having been developed in.Methods The standard serotype 3 and serotype 14 belong to biovar Parvo,and the standard serotype 4 and serotype 8 belong to biovar T960 were employed to form biofilrns in vitro.Scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope were used to analysis the biofilms and extracellular polysaccharide.We used combination of two different labeled lectins,Canavalia ensiformis(FITC-ConA) and Erythrina cristagalli(ECA) which bind to specific polysaccharide residues to visualize extracellular polysaccharide in biofilms,and average uorescence intensity was evaluated Results All the strains can form the biofilmsin vitro.The biofilm was honeycomb-Like structures mainly,and extracellular polymeric substances accounts for majority of proportions.All the extracellular polysaccharide could be combined with FITC-ConA and ECA,and the total average fluorescence intensity of FITC-ConA was higher than ECA( P＜0.001 ).Conclusion Ureaplasma urealyticum biofilm is honeycomb-like structures mainly.The extracellular polysaccharide contains,galactose,and N-acetyl glucan residual,and the glucose,mannose residual are the main components.

Objective To investigate the neuroimaging and pathological features of epithelioid glioblastoma (EGBM) to improve the diagnosis.Methods The clinical and pathological features of 4 E-GBM cases were analyzed retrospectively.Results E-GBMs occurred predominantly in young adults.MRI examination showed irregular solidcystic lesion with heterogeneous or ring enhancement in 4 cases.Histological examination revealed uniform population of epithelioid or rhabdoid cells with prominent nucleoli and mitotic activity as well as geographic necrosis..Immunohistochemical staining showed various positive signals of Vimentin and S-100 protein in 4 cases,positive signal of BRAF (VE1) in 3 cases and focal positive signal of GFAP in 1 case.However,IDH-1 was negative and 1p/19q codeletion was lack.All patients were followed-up for 2-6 months.One patient had tumor recurrence 3 months and one patient died of disease 6 months after surgical excision.Conclusion E-GBM has a poor outcome and is closely associated with pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.MRI and epithelioid histological features are very important for the differential diagnosis.