Objective To explore the role of somatosensory evoked potentials elicited by paraspinal stimulation in the detection of spinal cord lesions.Methods Patients with clinically suspected spinal cord lesions underwent somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs)and spinal cord conduction velocity(SCCV)test using paraspinal stimulating method.96 patients aged 15 to 75 years old with suspected spinal cord lesions of various aetiologies were tested.36 patients had demyelinating disease of the spinal cord,26 had sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord,19 had myelopathy,10 had acute myelitis,5 had spinal cord corhpression.Results Paraspinal stimulation elicited somatosensory evoked potentials were Performed on all 96 patients,68 of whom underwent spinal MRI as well.SEPs and SCCV were found abnormal in a high ratio in all kinds of spinal cord lesions ; in general,78 among the 96 patients had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 81.25%.27 out of 36 with demyelinating disease of the spine had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 75.00%,23 out of 26 with subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord had abnormal SEPs with a sensitivity of 88.46%,8 out of 10 with acute myelitis had abnormal SEPs,15 patients with myelopathy having abnormal findings,all 5 patients with spinal cord compression had abnormal SEPs.42 of 68 patients undergoing MRI revealed to be abnormal,in which 35 patients also had abnormal SEPs.The other 26 patients had normal spinal MRI,in which 21 patients had abnormal SEPs.Conclusions Paraspinal stimulation somatosensory evoked potentials and spinal cord conduction velocity may objectively document the abnormalities of electrophysiology,which occurs earlier than those of anatomy and radiological finds, therefore it may detect the dysfunction of spinal cord at an early stage.It is even more useful in the detecting of the metabolic myelopathy,which can hardly be detected by MRI.This technique is simple,inexpensive, and maybe useful in the diagnosis for patients with suspected spinal cord lesions.

The growth changes of glutathione (GSH) and ergosterol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (CICC1447 and CICC1339) were detected under 0.5Mpa pressure with compressed high-pure air (O-2∶N-2=21∶79). The results showed that logarithmic phases of the two strains were delayed; their biomass and special growth rate were lower than those of control sample (0.1MPa) and the double time were prolonged under 0.5MPa. High-pressure could increase the content of GSH obviously, compared to ambient atmosphere control samples. When the holding time was 3h, the content of GSH and ergosterol in CICC1447 increased 42.6% and 20.1%, respectively. However, the content of GSH in CICC1339 increased 58.7% when the holding time was 6h, while ergosterol content reduced. The results indicated that different yeast strains have different stress-response mechanism to copy with high-pressure shock.

Hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is referred to a common type of cerebral damage, which is caused by injury, leading to shallow bleeding in the cortex with intact cerebral pia mater. In recent years, studies show that a various kinds of immune cells and immune cellular factors are involved in the occurrence of HIBD. CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) is a representative of CC chemokine receptor, and is widely distributed in cerebral neuron, astrocyte, and microglial cells, and is the main chemo-tactic factor receptor in brain tissue. CC chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) is a kind of basophilic protein and the ligand of CCR2, and plays an important role in inflammation. In order to provide evidence for correlational studies in HIBD, this review will introduce the biological characteristics of CCR2 and CCL2, and illustrate the relationship between the immunoreactivity and HIBD.
Animals ; Brain Injuries/pathology* ; Cerebral Cortex/physiopathology* ; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism* ; Chemokines, CC/metabolism* ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/metabolism* ; Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, CCR2/metabolism*

BACKGROUNDCubital tunnel syndrome is a well-recognized clinical condition and is the second most common peripheral compression neuropathy. This study was designed to investigate the causes of cubital tunnel syndrome by surgical means and to assess the clinical value of the neurophysiological diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.

METHODSTwenty-one patients (involving a total of 22 limbs from 16 men and 5 women, aged 22 to 63, with a mean age of 49 years) with clinical symptoms and signs indicating a problem with their ulnar nerve underwent motor conduction velocity examinations at different sites along the ulnar nerve and examinations of sensory conduction velocity in the hand, before undergoing anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve.

RESULTSElectromyographic abnormalities were seen in 21 of 22 limbs [motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) range (15.9 - 47.5) m/s, mean 32.7 m/s] who underwent motor conduction velocity examinations across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve. Reduced velocity was observed in 13 of 22 limbs [MCV (15.7 - 59.6) m/s, mean 40.4 m/s] undergoing MCV tests in the forearms. An absent or abnormal sensory nerve action potential following stimulation was detected in the little finger of 14 of 22 limbs. The factors responsible for ulnar compression based on observations made during surgery were as follows: 15 cases involved compression by arcuate ligaments, muscle tendons, or bone hyperplasia; 2 involved fibrous adhesion; 3 involved compression by the venous plexus or a concurrent thick vein; 2 involved compression by cysts.

CONCLUSIONSFactors inducing cubital tunnel syndrome include both common factors that have been reported and rare factors, involving the venous plexus, thick veins, and cysts. Tests of motor conduction velocity at different sites along the ulnar nerve should be helpful in diagnosis cubital tunnel syndrome, especially MCV tests indicating decreased velocity across the elbow segment of the ulnar nerve.

Adult ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; etiology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Electromyography ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) is a member of cyclin-dependent kinase family, which does not directly regulate cell cycle. Through phosphorylation of target protein, CDK5 plays an irreplaceable role in the development, reparation and degeneration of neurons. Brain injury refers to the organic injury of brain tissue caused by external force hit on the head. Owing to the stress and repair system activated by our body itself after injury, various proteins and enzymes of the brain tissues are changed quantitatively, which can be used as indicators for estimating the time of injury. This review summarizes the progress on the distribution, the activity mechanism and the physiological effects of CDK5 after brain injury and its corresponding potential served as a marker for brain injury determination.
Brain/physiopathology* ; Brain Injuries/physiopathology* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology* ; Phosphorylation/drug effects* ; Time Factors

INTRODUCTIONProblem-based learning (PBL), a pedagogic concept using a student-centred approach and problem-solving through small group discussions, has been adopted in varying degrees for years at all 11 medical institutes in Taiwan. Much evidence has shown that a number of factors can seriously affect student performance in PBL courses, such as the design of PBL scenarios, the tutors' character and students' attitudes and efforts.

MATERIALS AND METHODSThe aim of this study was to examine how the personal characters or knowledge base of Taiwanese medical students influence their performance in a hybrid-PBL curriculum. A total of 309 (234 male, 75 female) high-school entry undergraduate medical students participated in this survey. Self-assessed personal traits were presented in a 44-item questionnaire with a Big Five factor structure. Knowledge base was assessed by students' score point average (SPA) based on their previous 4-year education in medical school. Peer-assessed performance of students in the PBL curriculum was carried out using a well-developed, reliable and validated evaluation form.

RESULTSEach student's peer-evaluated PBL performance can be divided into 5 principal components, which included control-lead, assist-coordinate, written organisation and compromise- comply (Eigen value >1). The consistency and reliability of the Big Five questionnaire on personal traits was analysed and discordant items were deleted (Cronbach's alpha = 0.72 to 0.86 after deletion). The relationship between the personal traits, knowledge base and PBL performance, as analysed by simple regression, showed that "extraversion" and "openness to experience" were positively related to the "assist-coordinate" characteristic in PBL performance, and "conscientiousness" was positively related to the "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. The SPA was positively related to the "assist-coordinate" or "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. The "agreeableness" was negatively correlated with the "control-lead" characteristic in PBL performance. After stepwise regression between the Big Five and each component of PBL performance, only the correlation between conscientiousness and control/lead, and between extraversion and assist/coordinate remained significant.

CONCLUSIONKnowledge and personality characteristics appear to be associated with student performance in a hybrid-PBL curriculum. The implications of this study on the future development and application of this assessment tool in medical schools are presented.

Educational Measurement ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Competency ; psychology ; Problem-Based Learning ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Taiwan

BACKGROUNDDiabetic neuropathy is common in diabetes mellitus. The early stage of diabetic neuropathy is often symptomless and difficult to be treated. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the results of the sympathetic skin response (SSR) test and the development of diabetic neuropathy, and explore the use of SSR as an objective basis for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

METHODSThe latencies and amplitudes of initiation and of the N and P waves were determined by SSR testing of the extremities of 80 diabetic patients and 30 healthy controls.

RESULTSThe latencies of initiation and of the N and P waves were significantly (P <0.001) longer in diabetic patients than in the controls, while there was no significant difference in the amplitudes (P >0.05). All but two patients (97.5%) demonstrated abnormal SSR in at least one limb.

CONCLUSIONSSSR can detect early dysfunction of the small sympathetic fibers in people affected by diabetes mellitus, and may be a useful electrophysiological test for the early diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reaction Time ; Skin ; innervation ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; physiology

OBJECTIVEThis study investigated the 8003 base pair (bp) fragmentation damage of brain mitochondrial DNA in newborn piglets at different times after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) so as to explore the biomolecular foundation of neonatal neuronal metabolic disorders.

METHODSFifty 3-day-old piglets were randomly assigned into Control and HIBD groups. The HIBD group was subdivided into groups sacrificed at 0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs post-HIBD (n=10). HIBD was induced by left carotid ligation and exposure to 8% oxygen for 2 hours. The Control group was exposed to air and was sham-operated. The left hippocampal cortexes of all subjects were obtained to amplify the fragments of 200 bp and 8003 bp by the LX-PCR method. The PCR products were electrophoresed on agaros gels to obtain the integral optical density (IOD).

RESULTSThe IOD of 8003 bp fragment was markedly reduced in the HIBD 0 hr group (22.616 +/- 2.276) when compared with that of the Control group (56.995 +/- 0.317) (P < 0.05). The IOD value remained lower at 24 hrs (27.719 +/- 0.309) and 48 hrs post-HIBD (49.491 +/- 3.233) (P < 0.05). Until 72 hrs post-HIBD, the IOD (55.972 +/- 2.236) restored to the control value.

CONCLUSIONSThe brain mitochondrial DNA was fragmented in newborn piglets following brain hypoxia-ischemia. It did not recover to normal until 72 hrs post-HIBD. The fragmentation damage of mitochondrial DNA may be related to the depression of mitochondrial respiratory enzymes activity and neuron apoptosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; DNA Damage ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Nitric Oxide ; physiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Swine

OBJECTIVETo provide scientific basis for natural cultivation of Fritillaria cirrhosa.

METHODThe cluster analysis to the Bray--Curtis distance coefficient of community plot was carried out to divide the community types of F. cirrhosa.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe community of F. cirrhosa's natural cultivation can be divided into six types: Sibiraea angustata community, Rhododendron litangense community, Salix sclerophylla community, Dasiphora fruticosa + Spiraea alpina + S. myrtilloides community, Sabina pingii var. wilsonii community, Polygonum viviparum + P. sphaerostachyum community, and the ecological characteristics such as the composition of community and ecological distribution have been showed.

Altitude ; China ; Climate ; Cluster Analysis ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; methods ; Ecosystem ; Fritillaria ; growth & development ; Pharmacognosy ; Plants, Medicinal ; growth & development ; Temperature

OBJECTIVETo explore the pathogenesis of tumors by blocking the normal differentiation process of stem cells.

METHODSBone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from rats were isolated, cultured and purified by whole bone marrow adherence method. The rat BMSCs were induced to differentiate into adipocytes with dexamethasone, insulin and indomethacin. Blockage of the differentiation process was induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC).

RESULTSThe differentiation experiment showed that at 30 days after the induction, oil red O staining-positive cells occurred with increased intracytolasmic lipid droplets, characteristic for adipocytes. The differentiation blockage experiment showed that at 30 days after induction, the deposits of oil red O staining-cytoplasmic lipid droplets was significantly reduced, indicating that the blocked cells were adipocytes, but not fully differentiated. Morphological identification showed that cell contact inhibition disappeared, abnormal cell nuclei, increased number of micronucleus aberration and karyotype abnormalities, indicating that malignant transformation of the stem cells occurred after the differentiation blockage.

CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study show a blockage of the differentiation of that stem cells at the intermediate phase, and a tendency of malignant transformation of the stem cells. The results of our study provide new evidence that cancer stem cells may be originated by suppression of stem cell differentiation.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; Cells, Cultured ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Drug Combinations ; Female ; Indomethacin ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Methylcholanthrene ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar