BACKGROUND: Hippocampus is one of an important brain areas related with memory,and plays a critical role in associative memory function.Hippocampal CA3 is one of the most important regions to form associative memory.CA3 is functionally divided into autoassociative and heteroassociative memories,and memory formation and retrieval require the development of detailed models of hippocampal function.OBJECTIVE: To establish a detailed model of hippocampal CA3 function according to CA3 structure.METHODS: The model was a three-layered Hopfield-like neural network and was constituted by 280 Izhikevich artificial neurons,and is modulated by Hebbian rules.The model was simulated using MATLAB under the condition of adding the Gaussian white noise to its input.In the simulation,memories were represented by synchronous firing sequences.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The simulating results show that the third layer of model had heteroassociative memory function;the first and the second layer of the model could implement autoassociative memory.The model implemented well the memory functions of three subregions of hippecampal CA3.But it is impossible to understand the functions and dynamics of a real biological neural network by constructing a simple model.The model proposed has 280 neurons,which are far less than the real number of neurons.It suggests that there is a big gap between the properties of the model and a real biological neural network of CA3.

Objective A spiking Hopfield-like neural network was proposed and used to simulate the disorder of hippocampal associative memory disorder caused by synaptic deletion.Methods A three-layered Hopfield-like spiking neural network model with auto-associative memory function and hetero-associative memory function was proposed according to anatomical structure of hippocampal CA3,and both associative memories of the models were simulated under Matlab platform.Disorder of hippocampal associative memory was also simulated according to Ruppin's 'synaptic deletion' theory.Results With the increasing of synaptic deletion level,both associative memory functions impaired gradually.Conclusion Synaptic deletion of hippocampal CA3 region can lead to the disorder of autoassociative memory as well as heteroassociative memory.

Animals ; Brain Chemistry ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Dementia ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Microdialysis ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; physiopathology

Objective To analyze the related factors of carotid atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus pa-tients complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease .Methods 288 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were divided into carotid atherosclerosis group (group A) and non-carotid athero-sclerosis group ( group B ) , according to whether they had carotid atherosclerosis .The related factors of these two groups,such as BMI,blood pressure,blood glucose,blood lipid,liver function were analyzed.Results The two groups had no significant differences in systolic pressure and diastolic pressure (P>0.05).ALT,BMI,HbA1c,FPG,TG,TC, AST of group A were significantly higher than group B [ALT (55.12 ±9.13)mmol/L vs (36.22 ±8.76)mmol/L, BMI (28.48 ±4.69)kg/m2 vs (23.96 ±3.73)kg/m2,HbA1c (8.57 ±1.69)mmol/L vs (7.62 ±1.28)mmol/L, FPG (9.36 ±2.24)mmol/L vs (8.67 ±1.98)mmol/L,TG (2.12 ±0.38)mmol/L vs (1.23 ±0.17)mmol/L,TC (5.56 ±1.25)mmol/L vs (4.31 ±1.09)mmol/L,AST (25.34 ±5.23)mmol/L vs (21.19 ±4.71)mmol/L](t=17.564,8.726,5.163,2.694,8.788,6.894,all P<0.01).The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between ALT and BMI (r=0.132,P<0.01),a negative correlation between ALT and AST(r=-0.091,P<0.01).Conclusion The level of ALT could be used as a risk index to judge whether the type 2 diabetes mellitus patients complicated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease had carotid atherosclerosis .

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of synchronous perfusion of specific respiratory chain complex IV inhibitor sodium azide (NaN3) in brain on rat ventromedial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and acetylcholine (ACh) and choline (Ch) contents in hippocampal extra-cellular fluid, and establish the AD rat model induced by mitochondrial acute injury.

METHODThe synchronous dual-probe dual-channel brain microdialysis sampling technology was applied to synchronously perfuse modified Ringer's solution containing NaN3 (50 micro mol L-1) and neostigmine (2 micro mol L-1) into mPFC and hippocampus of conscious, freely moving normal rats, and continuously collect dialysates from different encephalic areas. Dynamic contents of ACh and Ch were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-post-column immobilized enzyme reactor-electrochemical process.

RESULTACh and Ch contents in mPFC extracellular fluid of normal rats were higher than that in hippocampus. During the process of perfusion, NaN3 could significantly reduce ACh in mPFC/hippocampal extra-cellular fluid, but remarkably increase Ch, and constantly inhibit the recovery of ACh and Ch contents in mPFC/hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONThe synchronous perfusion of NaN3in rat mPFC and hippocampus can injure functions of the cholinergic nerve projection area, and cause the acute AD model with ACh and Ch metabolic disorders. This model can be used in pathogenetic and pharmacological studies.

Acetylcholine ; metabolism ; Animals ; Choline ; metabolism ; Extracellular Fluid ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; metabolism ; Perfusion ; Prefrontal Cortex ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Azide ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the classification and surgical management of patients with palpebral bags. Methods A total of 200 cases with palpebral bags who underwent surgical treatment between May 2003 to August 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. The palpebral bags were classified according to skin flaccidness, bulging of excessive orbital septum fat and tarsus relaxation. The postoperative cosmetic results were also assessed. Results Of the 200 treated cases, the postoperative cosmetic results were assessed as very satisfactory in 178 (89 % ) cases, as satisfactory in 18 (9 % ) cases, and as dissatisfactory in4 (2 % ) cases. Conclusion Patients with palpebral bags should be treated with different surgical methods according to their different types.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of low dose of oral desmopressin in elderly women with nocturia. Methods Eligible female patients with nocturia older than 60 years were included in this study.A total of 97 patients were randomly divided into 2 groups.Care was taken to match the patients of the two groups by age and clinical criteria.Control group (n=48 ) received liquid restriction during nighttime.Experimental group (n=49) received 0.1 mg desmopressin at bedtime and liquid restriction for 8 weeks.Patients were required to visit the outpatient clinic from the first visit,and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment.Patients maintained flow volume charts and used diaries to record voiding data throughout the study.At each visit,all patients were evaluated by blood biochemical routine test,mean nocturnal urine volume,mean number of nocturia,mean duration of the first sleep period and sleep quality.At baseline,all the patient's blood sodium,liver and kidney function were normal. Results After 4 weeks of treatment with desmopressin,28 patients (57.1％) had less than 2 voids.15 patients (31.3％) in the control group had less than 2 voids.After 8 weeks,35 patients (71.4％) with desmopressin had less than 2 voids.16 patients (33.3％) in the control group had less than 2 voids.Compared with control group,nocturia cure rate in experimental group was significantly higher after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (P ＜ 0.05).After 8weeks,desmopressin significantly decreased mean nocturnal urine output from 590 ± 70 ml to 376 ± 50 ml (P ＜ 0.05).Mean nocturnal urine output in the control group was not significantly decreased from 600 ± 90 ml to 550 ± 60ml (P ＞0.05) ; Mean number of nocturia before and after receiving desmopressin were 2.9 and 1.6 respectively which differed significantly (P ＜ 0.05).Mean number of nocturia before and after in control group were 2.8 and 2.3 respectively with no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The mean duration of the first sleep period increased by 73％ (from 2.2 to 3.8 h) in the desmopressin group,compared with an increase of 19％ (from 2.1 to 2.5 h) in the control group (P ＜ 0.05).39 (79.6％) patients in demopressin group were satisfied with sleep quality compared with only 15 (31.3％) patients in control group were satisfied (P ＜ 0.05).No serious complications were found during the medication.All the patient's blood sodium,liver and kidney function remained normal during treatment. Conclusions Low does oral administration of desmopressin could be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for nocturnal polyuria in elderly women.

Objective To study the role of B-mode ultrasound found bladder trabeculation in evaluating the degree of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and the bladder function in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.Methods Conducted prospective research to determine differences in clinical data and urodynamic parameters between BPH patients with and without bladder trabeculation diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound.Results Thirty-six BPH patients with bladder trabeculation were compared with 68 BPH patients without bladder trabeculation.The mean age was (73.7 ± 10.1 ) years for the patients with bladder trabeculation and ( 69.6 ± 6.2 ) years without bladder trabeculation, IPSS was 24.4 ± 6.6 and 22.8 ± 8.3 respectively, in which no significant differences were found ( P ＞ 0.05 ).The detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate was ( 131.7 ± 57.3 ) cm H20 and (92.1 ± 47.8 )cm H2O ) respectively.The linearized passive urethral resistance relation was 4.6 :± 1.1 and 3.5 ± 1.5 respectively, showing a significant difference ( P ＜.05 ) between the two groups.Seventy-two point two percent (26/36) of the patients with bladder trabeculation had a low compliance bladder, among whom 23.1% (6/26) of the patients had bilateral hydronephrosis with renal insufficiency.The percentage for the control group was 42.6% (29/68) and 10.3% (3/29) respectively (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The bladder trabeculation found by B-ultrasound in BPH patients suggests the existence of BOO and a high risk of bilateral hydronephrosis.Bladder trabeculation in patients without urinary retention suggests they are in compensation status.Relief of the obstruction is helpful to recovery of bladder function and the reduction of complications.

A 42-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for an 11-month history of pustular lesions of the mouth and lips as well as a 5-month history of pustules,ulcer,proliferative plaques on the head,neck and trunk.She had suffered from 8 years of ulcerative colitis.Dermatological examination revealed mild erosion of eyelids,swelling of buccal mucosa and oral lips,as well as typical snail track lesions formed by pustules,exudates and mucilage.There was a large pitchy proliferative plaque sized 20 cm × 10 cm with an elevated margin in the neck as well as palm-to persian walnut-sized proliferative plaques in the prothorax,armpit,periumbilical area and left inguinal area.Histopathology revealed epitheliomatous hyperplasia of the epidermis with the formation of eosinophilic microabscesses,and superficial dermal infiltrate with numerous neutrophils and eosinophils.Direct immunofluorescence tests for IgA,IgG,and C3 were negative.A diagnosis of pyodermatitis-pyostomatitis vegetans was made.The patient was given intravenous methylprednisolone 40 mg/day and symptomatic treatment,which leaded to a gradual subsidence of skin lesions.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; enzymology ; prevention & control ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Selenium ; pharmacology ; Telomerase ; metabolism ; Yeast, Dried ; pharmacology