Anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome

We have reviewed 10 patients treated for anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome produced by compression of the deep peroneal nerve or its branches, and we have studied the anatomy of the tunnel in 25 adult feet. The causes of onset of the syndrome included contusion of the dorsum of the foot, tight shoe laces, talonavicular osteophytosis, ganglion, and pes cavus. The clinical signs were often diagnostic but electromyography was helpful. Operative decompression in nine feet of eight patients gave successful results at 1.5 to 4 years follow-up.

Intrathalamic injections of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid increase genetic absence seizures in rats

The effects of intrathalamic injections of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and of NCS 382 85, a specific antagonist of GHB receptors, were evaluated in rats with spontaneous generalized absence epilepsy. Bilateral injections of GHB (25 and 50 micrograms/side) into the mediolateral thalamus increased spontaneous spike and wave discharges (SWD) in a dose-dependent fashion. This effect was suppressed by administration of NCS 382 85 (50 micrograms/side). Bilateral injection of NCS 382 85 alone (50 and 100 micrograms/side) into the same sites had no effect on SWD duration. Injection of GHB or NCS 382 85 into the midline thalamus and the area of reticular nuclei did not modify the SWD. These data suggest that GHB receptors in the mediolateral thalamus may be involved in the control of spontaneous SWD in this rat model of petit mal epilepsy.

Evidence for a critical role of GABAergic transmission within the thalamus in the genesis and control of absence seizures in the rat

The involvement of GABAergic transmission within the thalamus in the generation and control of spike and wave discharges (SWD) in generalized non-convulsive or absence epilepsy was studied in rats with spontaneous SWD and in non-epileptic rats. In epileptic rats, bilateral injections of gamma-vinyl GABA (GVG, 10 micrograms/side) or muscimol (10 ng/side) into the medial part of the ventral lateral thalamus, i.e. the specific relay nuclei, significantly increased spontaneous cortical SWD whereas similar injections into the most lateral part of the thalamus, i.e. the area of the reticular nuclei, significantly suppressed these seizures. Injections of GVG (20 micrograms) or muscimol (20 ng) into the midline thalamus had no direct effect on the spontaneous SWD. In non-epileptic rats, injections of GVG (25 micrograms/side) or muscimol (100 ng/side) into the thalamic relay nuclei produced short SWD on the cortical EEG. These results suggest that GABAergic neurons in the reticular nuclei and their projections to the specific relay nuclei of the thalamus are involved in the elicitation and control of generalized non-convulsive seizures.

[Pulmonary artery pressure estimated by Doppler echocardiography in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]

Doppler echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed in 18 patients with COPD. The pulmonary blood flow pattern were analysed by the pulsed doppler flowmeter. The pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAT) showed significant inverse correlation with pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP) (r = -0.84, P less than 0.001) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure (sPAP) (r = -0.89, P less than 0.001). In fifteen of 18 patients, continuous wave doppler could be used to measure the maximal velocity of the regurgitant jet through the tricuspid valve (Vmax), and the right ventricle to the right atrium pressure gradient (PG) was calculated by means of simplified bernoulli equation (PG = 4V2max). PG correlated well with sPAP (r = 0.89, P less than 0.001) and mPAP (r = 0.92, P less than 0.001). We considered that doppler echocardiography was useful for noninvasive estimation of pulmonary artery pressure in patients with COPD.

Changes of glomerular fixed anionic charge sites in adriamycin nephrosis in rats

A single intravenous injection of adriamycin (5 mg/kg) into rats induced nephrotic syndrome. In the various stages of the model, alterations of glomerular fixed anionic charge sites stained with colloidal iron were analyzed quantitatively by image analyzer, which is reported here for the first time. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in glomerular fixed anionic charge sites at 3 hours after administration of adriamycin as compared with the control animals (P less than 0.01). Marked loss of the anionic charge sites preceded the onset of proteinuria and steadily increased along with the progress of the disease. The results suggest that the loss of glomerular fixed anionic charge sites may play an important role in the development of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome.

[The effect of heat shock on mRNA expression in human T lymphocytes]

Total mRNA was extracted from activated T lymphocytes and Jurkat cells with and without heat shock, and then used for alpha-32P-labeled 1st strand cDNA synthesis with reverse transcriptase. DNA restriction fragments or cloned vectors of five oncogenes (abl, myc, myb, fos, Ki-ras) and of IL-2, IL-2 receptor, T-cell receptor beta-chain and transferrin receptor were dotted onto nitrocellulose filters. Hybridization results showed that the expression of c-myc and TfR mRNA was much lower in heat-shocked cells than in their normal counterparts. However IL-2 and Ki-ras mRNA increased after heat shock. Possible explanations for the results are discussed.

Influence of hypothyroidism and the reversal of hypothyroidism on hemodynamics and cell size in the adult rat heart

Hypothyroid-induced atrophy of cardiac myocytes was examined in adult female rats in an effort to correlate hemodynamic and cellular changes associated with this disorder. Additional rats were studied 6 weeks after discontinuing antithyroid treatment to determine if structural and functional changes were completely reversible. To induce hypothyroidism, rats were injected daily with propylthiouracil (PTU) for 4 weeks. Control animals were injected similarly with Tris buffer. At the end of the treatment period, hemodynamic measurements were made prior to obtaining isolated myocytes. Cell volume, length, and cross-sectional area were obtained from the septum, and left and right ventricles of treated and untreated rats. After four weeks treatment with PTU, body weight was unchanged but heart weight was significantly reduced by 24%. Characteristic hemodynamic changes associated with hypothyroidism in the rat were noted (eg. reduced heart rate, cardiac output, dP/dtmax, and ventricular pressure). Cell volume was significantly smaller in hypothyroid rats primarily due to a reduction in myocyte cross-sectional area. The hemodynamic and cellular response to hypothyroidism was similar in the right and left ventricle. Six weeks after discontinuing PTU treatment, cellular and hemodynamics changes had returned to normal. It was concluded that hypothyroidism caused a true cardiac atrophy which was reversible. Reduced myocyte cross-sectional area was responsible for most of the myocyte atrophy.

Myelin formation following transplantation of normal fetal glia into myelin-deficient rat spinal cord

Structurally normal myelin sheaths develop in the spinal cord of juvenile myelin-deficient rats (mdr) 11 days after transplantation of normal fetal spinal cord fragments or cultured cells that do not yet express galactocerebroside. Cultures result in more extensive myelin formation, and in both cases the myelin that forms is located primarily at or near the site of transplantation. Myelin formation also occurs after transplantation of postnatal donor tissue, but the extent diminishes with donor age, and none was seen after transplantation of adult donor tissue over the two-week period studied. Injection of killed tissue, tissue derived from mouse donors or an extract of myelin also did not lead to myelin formation. The results imply that myelin formed in the host following transplantation was generated by oligodendrocytes newly differentiated from donor precursor cells rather than by donor oligodendrocytes that were already mature at the time of transplantation or by host oligodendrocytes that took up components of the injected material. We conclude that exogenous fetal glial cell precursors are able to survive, differentiate and form myelin in the environment of the juvenile mdr spinal cord.

[Hemilaryngectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx with fixed cord]

This retrospective clinicopathologic study is to determine whether true vocal cord fixation produced by epidermoid carcinoma of larynx is an absolute contraindication of treatment by hemilaryngectomy. Serial sections of 19 hemilaryngectomy specimens were re-examined and clinical records of each patient reviewed. The microscopic view revealed that true vocal cord fixation was caused by the vocalis muscle invasion in 16 of the 19 patients. "Positive margins" concerned with recurrences were present in 4 cases. There were 3 local recurrences. The five-year survival rate in the series demonstrates a 68 percent (13/19) determinant survival rate and a 76 percent (13/17) actual survival rate. The results suggest that careful attention to the exact anatomical extent of the tumor should determine its surgical resectability. True vocal cord fixation itself should not exclude the possibility for total laryngectomy.

[Effects of Ligusticum wallichii on the plasma levels of beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in rabbits under acute experimental cerebral ischemia]

By occluding the bilateral carotid arteries of rabbits to produce bilateral partial cerebral ischemia, and by using RIA and ELISA to measure the levels of Beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), platelet factor 4 (PF4), thromboxane B2 (TXB2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha) in plasma, the authors found that the levels of beta-TG, PF4 and TXB2 in plasma had significantly increased (P less than 0.01), but the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in plasma showed no change (P greater than 0.05) after cerebral ischemia appeared. The results of the Ligusticum wallichii (Ligusticum) pre-treatment to the test-group showed that the levels of beta-TG, PF4 and TXB2 in plasma had significantly decreased (P less than 0.01), and the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in plasma had significantly increased (P less than 0.05). This suggested that the Ligusticum treatment could effectively inhibit the platelet activation in vivo and correct the TXA2-PGI2 imbalance in blood after cerebral ischemia. In this study, some new approaches were explored to explain the mechanisms of Ligusticum for preventing and treating cerebral ischemia.

[Experiment study of adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats]

A single intravenous injection of adriamycin (5 mg/kg) into rats caused the full expression of nephrotic syndrome characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, thoracic and ascitic fluid; swelling and fusion of foot processes of epithelial cells could be observed under electron microscope; histologic examination by light microscopy did not reveal any significant changes. The features of the model in clinic and pathology were very similar to those described humans with minimal change nephrotic syndrome. The observation in the various periods of the model indicated that the ultrastructure changes in epithelial cells occurred prior to the onset of proteinuria. The present study, combined with the results of quantitative analysis with image analyzer for alteration of glomerular polyanions, suggests that both morphologic changes and proteinuria may be the consequence of a common primary event that is the loss of glomerular polyanions. The model has the advantages of being rather simple and convenient; providing lasting proteinuria and pathological changes in stable condition; and having high reproducibility and a sufficient supply of the drug used.

[A new serotype of Shigella boydii]

Two strains which belong to the same serotype of Shigella were isolated from the bloody-pus stool of two patients (in 1986) and is reported in this paper. The results were identical both showing agglutination in low titer with serotype 8 of S. dysenteriae and serotype 4 of S. boydii when the two strains were checked well with all kinds of diagnostic antisera and vice versa, ie the antisera produced by the two strains were also checked well with sera prepared with the representative strains of all Shigella spp. No cross agglutination with O6, O7, and O150 of E. coli were found. Consequently, It appears to be a new serotype of Shigella. These two strains possess the ability of causing keratitis in guinea-pigs as well as invading epithelial cells, the DNA of both strains in agarose-electrophoresis showed a large plasmid, indicating that they are virulent strains possessing invasive ability. It was concluded that these two strains belonged to Shigella boydii as they fermented mannitol and non-related antigenically with Shigella flexneri. Since serotype 1-18 of S. boydii have been reported recently, we propose that this new serotype should be serotype 19 of Shigella boydii.

Potentiation of gamma-vinyl GABA (vigabatrin) effects by glycine

Vigabatrin, because of its ability to increase brain GABA concentration, acts as an anticonvulsant on convulsive epileptic seizures and increases seizures in generalized non-convulsive epilepsy. Next to GABA, glycine is one of the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter amino acids. We studied the influence of glycine on the effects of treatment with vigabatrin in two rat models of generalized convulsive seizures and a rat model of spontaneous generalized non-convulsive seizures. Glycine (750 mg/kg i.p.) or vigabatrin (200 mg/kg i.p.), when given alone, provided partial protection against convulsive seizures, while combined treatment with the two drugs significantly suppressed the convulsive seizures in both the mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-induced seizures and audiogenic seizures. In contrast to the response to treatment with each individual drug, the drug combination nearly abolished the appearance of isolated spikes on the EEG in MPA seizures. On the other hand, glycine also enhanced the aggravating effect of vigabatrin on spontaneous spike and wave discharges in a rat model of genetic absence epilepsy, whereas glycine or vigabatrin alone, at the above doses, produced only a slight, non-significant increase in spontaneous spike and wave discharges. The GABA-glycine interaction is the first example of a synergistic action of two inhibitory neurotransmitters on seizure-related pathological discharges.

[A comparative experimental study of side-to-side and end-to-side mesocaval shunt]

In this study, the side-to-side (MCS-SS) and end-to-side (MCS-ES) mesocaval shunt were performed in two groups of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced cirrhosis of rats. The anastomotic stoma was made equal to the calibre of mesenteric veins. It was found that the portal vein pressure after MCS-SS was lower than that after MCS-ES owing to the more effective drainage of both extra- and intrahepatic portal blood flow. It was also found that with MCS-SS, some inflow from the superior mesenteric vein was reserved to irrigate the liver and the content of insulin in the portal vein was not affected. The authors came to the conclusion that MCS-SS was superior to MCS-ES for less likely causing post-shunt encephalopathy and the deterioration of hepatic function.

[Clinical aspects and immunology of facial neuritis]

A clinical and immunological study was carried out in 75 patients with facial neuritis. It was found that the concentration of serum IgG and IgA were increased. The frequency of CIC in blood was higher than normal. In comparison with the controls, the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). However, IgM, Ch50 and C3 levels were not deviated from normals. It was suggested that immune functions of patients with facial neuritis were abnormal. The data presented might set a clue in exploring the pathogenesis of this disease. Of these 75 cases, 2 were bilateral simultaneous Bell's palsy, 11 unilateral recurrent and bilateral alternating Bell's palsy. They might be considered as special types of Bell's palsy.

[Significance of IgM deposition in IgA nephropathy: an appraisal based on renal re-biopsy]

Repeated renal biopsies were performed in 30 patients with primary IgA nephropathy at intervals of 6-55 months during 1983-1988. Histological and immunopathological studies were conducted for each patient and comparisons were made between the 1st and 2nd biopsy. It was found that the frequency of IgM deposition in the renal glomeruli increased significantly during the course of illness from 11/30 to 21/30, while the IgA, IgG and complement (C3, C4, C1q) deposition remained rather stationary. Comparing the group of patients who were deficient in IgM deposits with those who procured this particular Ig during the illness, there were striking differences in the frequency of occurrence of nephrosis, glomerulosclerosis, severe tubular-interstitial lesion and renal insufficiency. The frequency was much higher in the IgM deposited patients In conclusion: (1) Deposition of IgM might happen during the course of IgA nephropathy as a secondary phenomenon. (2) Presence of IgM in the glomeruli immune deposits denote a poor prognosis for patients of IgA nephropathy.

The GABAergic nigro-collicular pathway is not involved in the inhibitory control of audiogenic seizures in the rat

Involvement of the GABAergic nigro-collicular pathway in the control of audiogenic seizures was examined in genetically sensitive rats by studying the effects of bilateral injections into the substantia nigra of muscimol, a gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist, and those of bilateral injections into the superior colliculus of picrotoxin, a GABA antagonist, and of muscimol. Microinjections of muscimol (20-80 ng/side) into the substantia nigra and microinjections into the superior colliculus of picrotoxin (20 and 40 ng/side) both failed to suppress audiogenic seizures. Following injections into the superior colliculus, audiogenic seizures were in fact facilitated by picrotoxin and suppressed by muscimol. These results suggest that the nigro-collicular GABAergic pathway is not involved in the inhibitory control over audiogenic seizures. Conversely, a different GABAergic mechanisms may be involved in the superior colliculus in the control of this form of epilepsy.

[A case-control study of lung cancer risk factors in Xuanwei]

In Xuanwei County, Yunnan Province, lung cancer mortality is the highest in China. The former studies showed that indoor burning of "smokey" coal was an important cause for high incidence of Xuanwei lung cancer. The 1:Mi matched case-control study was undertaken to examine the association with other risk factors such as smoking. 110 cases of primary lung cancer newly diagnosed and 426 controls individually matched were interviewed. Conditional logistic regression was employed to examine the effect modification and to control confounding. The analytic results showed that smoking was one of the risk factors of Xuanwei male lung cancer. No relation was found between passive smoking and female lung cancer. The association was observed for familial history of lung cancer.

[Glucocorticoid receptors on human peripheral mononuclear and polymorphonuclear leucocytes: changes in patients with yang-deficiency]

It was found that, in former works, the glucocorticoid receptors (GCR) on peripheral mixed leucocytes in patients with Yang-deficiency were decreased. In this work, the mixed leucocytes were further separated into mononuclear (MNL) and polymorphonuclear (PML) leucocytes, and GCR were determined in each part of leucocytes. GCR on MNL and PML in 6 Yang deficient patients were 3473 +/- 413 and 4433 +/- 651 sites/cell respectively, statistically significant from the normal control group (4462 +/- 962 and 5622 +/- 782 sites/cell respectively, P less than 0.05). GCR on MNL, PML and mixed leucocytes in 5 patients were determined simultaneously, and all lowered from the control group. The results were 3369 +/- 370, 4986 +/- 419 and 4524 +/- 852 sites/cell respectively, with the lowest GCR on MNL and highest on PML.

Suppression of spontaneous generalized non-convulsive seizures in the rat by microinjection of GABA antagonists into the superior colliculus

Intranigral injections of GABA agonists suppress spontaneous and chemically induced generalized non-convulsive seizures in the rat. In order to examine whether the GABAergic nigrotectal pathway could be involved in this suppression, bilateral injections of GABA antagonists were performed in the superior colliculus of rats with spontaneous generalized non-convulsive seizures. Bilateral microinjections into this structure of the GABA antagonists picrotoxin (20 and 40 ng/side) and bicuculline methiodide (5 ng/side) suppressed spike-and-wave discharges for 40 min and 20 min post injection, respectively. Unilateral injections of picrotoxin (40 ng) into the superior colliculus as well as bilateral injections of a GABA agonist (muscimol; 80 ng) did not induce significant modifications. These results show that blockade of the GABAergic transmission at the level of the superior colliculus results in a suppression of generalized non-convulsive seizures. These data support the hypothesis that the suppressive effect of intranigral injections of GABA agonists over generalized non-convulsive seizures involves, at least in part, the nigrotectal GABAergic pathway.

TCM treatment of male infertility due to seminal abnormality--a clinical observation of 82 cases

82 male patients of infertility due to seminal abnormality were treated by Ju Jing Powder with a total effective rate of 85.4%. The sperm density in seminal fluid, the total sperm number in a single ejaculation and the activity rate of sperms markedly improved as compared with those before treatment (P less than 0.01), especially the grading of sperm motility.

[Effects of Ligusticum wallichii on the plasma and CSF levels of dynorphin A1-13 in rabbits under acute experimental cerebral ischemia]

By occluding the bilateral carotid arteries of rabbits to produce bilateral partial cerebral ischemia, and by using radioimmunoassays to measure the levels of dynorphin A1-13 like immunoreactivity (ir-Dyn A1-13) in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the authors find that the levels of ir-Dyn A1-13 in plasma and CSF have significantly increased (P less than 0.01) after cerebral ischemia appears. The result of the Ligusticum wallichii Franch (Ligusticum) pretreatment to the test-group shows a definite improvement of the changes of ir-Dyn A1-13 levels in plasma and CSF. The severity of brain ischemic damage and neurologic dysfunction in Ligusticum-treated animals is lighter than that of saline-treated group, too. In this study, some new approaches are explored to explain the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia and the mechanisms by which Ligusticum prevents and treats cerebral ischemia.

[Determination of traces of gallium in air by oscillographic polarography]

Gallium and its compounds in air collected by millipore filter membrane are leached by 10% HNO3 at room temperature. After being adjusted with ammonia solution to pH8-9, the leachate is filtered and the filtrate is evaporated to dryness on a water bath. The residue is dissolved with 2 ml of 10% HNO3 and then into the solution are added 0.5 ml of 5% hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution, 0.20 ml of 5% sulfosalicyclic acid solution, 0.5 ml of NaF solution (1mg F/ml) and 1 drop of methyl red solution. Let it stand for 5 min after the color of the solution turns orange by addition of 1:1 NH4OH solution. Add 0.20ml of 0.20% cupferron solution, 0.20ml of 0.5% diphenyl-guanidine solution (prepared in 95% ethanol) and 0.5ml of acetic acid-ammonium acetate buffer (pH 7.0). Then add water to make the final volume of the test solution to be 10ml and measure the height of the second derivative polarographic wave at -1.08V (vs.SCE). The sensitivity of the method is 0.005-0.10 microgram/ml, the coefficient of variation 6.8%, recovery 97.8%. Within 0.005-0.10 microgram/ml, the wave height is linear with the concentration of gallium.

[Sampling survey of mentally deficient people in Sichuan]

From first April to 15th May 1987, 145,201 people were investigated by using the ways of layer, equal probability and mass sampling. Two thousand three hundred and forty two of them were confirmed to be mentally deficient. The incidence was 16.13%. It was estimated that 1,665,000 people have mental deficiency in Sichuan. The estimated range of reliability of 95% was 1,528,000-1,801,000. One million and three hundred ninety three thousand of them only had mental deficiency, while 272,000 had other organic deficiency. Male:female ratio was 101.4:100. The incidence of 6-14 year-old was 38.14%, which was 3 times higher than that of other age groups. Mild mental deficiency was 16.4 times more than severe mental deficiency. The most common causes were hereditary diseases, encephalitis, malnutrition, cerebral trauma, pregnant diseases, etc. All of the causes belonged to preventable diseases.

[A study on pathogen antigen and serodiagnosis of Malleus and Melioidosis with McAbs]

A study on pathogen antigen and serodiagnosis of Malleus and Mlioidosis was made with McAbs which are against Ps. mallei or Ps. pseudomallei. The results showed that (1) Ps. mallei and Ps. pseudomallei express different surface antigen types respectively, and there are antigen overlapping in some degree between them; (2) Epitope 2D4 is common to Ps. mallei and Ps. pseudomallei; (3) The antibody which is similar to McAbs 4D4 or 1A9 might be a common serum antibody of Malleus and Melioidosis; and (4) McAb 3A1 is a high specific one which reacts with Ps. pseudomallei only, and with it, it is possible to resolve the immunological problem of distinguishing diagnosis between Malleus and Melioidosis.

Nonlinear dynamic behavior of cardiac oscillators

By studying a mathematical model of the effects of brief current impulses on the oscillation of cardiac cells, we have simulated the phase transition curves of the oscillators. This has permitted discussions of the interactions of two coupled sinus oscillators and the periodic stimulation of one ventricular oscillator. The results have been compared with findings from the normal electrocardiogram and applied to explain the mechanisms of some arrhythmias.

Prevalence survey of cytomegalovirus infection in children in Chengdu

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common worldwide perinatal infection. Although usually asymptomatic, it may cause deafness in up to 15% of these infants. A cross-sectional study was performed to determine the age-specific prevalence of CMV seropositivity in Chinese children and to determine if any risk factors for infection could be identified. In a two-stage sampling procedure, nine districts were randomly selected from 70 citizenship districts in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China. Then, 1,950 households were randomly selected from 11,886 households and interviewed. Blood was obtained from all children aged less than seven years and assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. A subgroup of sera was retested at the research laboratory and also sent to the National Reference Laboratory in Beijing. Kappa values for the test agreement with the reference laboratory and retesting within the study laboratory were 0.94 and 0.86, respectively. Seropositivity averaged 52% in those aged less than one year and 60% in those between four and seven years. A higher rate of seropositivity was observed in urban versus rural children (odds ratio (OR) = 2.55), breast feeding in urban areas only (OR = 1.87), and day care versus home care setting (OR = 1.59). High CMV seroprevalence, even in the first year of life, was observed in this population of well children in Chengdu, China. An association was observed between seroprevalence and residence, method of feeding, and day care attendance.

On the relationships between rural labor productivity, family investment in education, and population quality

The authors consider "the relationships between labor productivity and population quality in order to demonstrate the importance of economic development, and of improving population quality in rural areas. This study is made on the basis of surveys conducted in 1979 and 1986 on the age-specific VP and VC [volume of production and volume of consumption] in certain areas of Jiangsu Province [China]." Population quality is defined primarily in terms of the educational status of the labor force.

Involvement of the nigral output pathways in the inhibitory control of the substantia nigra over generalized non-convulsive seizures in the rat

Activation of GABAergic transmission within the substantia nigra has been shown to suppress several forms of generalized seizures in experimental models of epilepsy. More especially, such pharmacological manipulations suppress spontaneous and chemically-induced generalized non-convulsive seizures in the rat. The aim of the present study was to examine the role of the dopaminergic and GABAergic thalamic and collicular nigral outputs in this antiepileptic effect. For this purpose, we examined the effects of output destruction on the antiepileptic effect of intranigral injections of a GABA agonist or pharmacological blockade of the neurotransmission at the nerve terminal level in rats with spontaneous absence seizures. After selective destruction of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra with 6-hydroxydopamine (5 micrograms/side) or hemisection of the ascending nigral output, bilateral intranigral injection of muscimol (2 ng/side) still significantly suppressed generalized non-convulsive seizures. Bilateral lesioning of the ventromedial nucleus of the thalamus did not abolish the antiepileptic effects of intranigral muscimol (2 ng/side) and the GABA antagonist, picrotoxin, when given into this thalamic nucleus (10 ng/side) also failed to induce suppression of spike and wave discharges. The antiepileptic effects of intranigral injection of muscimol (2 ng/side) was reversed by bilateral electrolytic lesions of the superior colliculus. Blockade of the GABAergic transmission at this level with picrotoxin (40 ng/side) significantly suppressed generalized non-convulsive seizures. Finally, excitation of collicular cell bodies with low doses of kainic acid (4 and 8 ng/side) also resulted in a suppression of spike and wave discharges. These results demonstrate that the GABAergic nigrocollicular pathway is critical for the inhibitory control of the substantia nigra over generalized non-convulsive seizures. The data further suggest that antiepileptic effects observed following potentiation of GABAergic transmission in the substantia nigra result from a disinhibition of collicular cell bodies.

[Affective disturbances in patients with breast cancer]

40 cases of breast tumor (cancer group 20 cases, benign tumor group 20 cases) hospitalized from October, 1986 to April, 1987 were investigated by interview, HAMD, SCL-90 and so on. Results showed that 10 cases met diagnostic criteria of organic affective syndrome defined by DSM-III. The morbidity of depression among all cases was 25 per cent, but the morbidity of depression in breast cancer group was higher than in benign tumor group. Causes of depression in breast cancer were analysed. Authors consider that causes of depression are not relating to operation on breast, but probably relating to biological and psychosocial factors.

[Changes of glomerular fixed anionic charge sites in adriamycin nephrosis in rats]

A single intravenous injection of adriamycin (5mg per kg.) into rats induced nephrosis. In the various periods of the model, alterations of glomerular anionic sites stained with colloidal iron were analyzed quantitatively by image analyzer for the first time at home and abroad. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in glomerular anionic charge sites at 3 hours after administration of adriamycin as compared with that of the control animals (P less than 0.01). Marked loss of the anionic charge sites preceded the onset of proteinuria and was steadily increasing along with progress of the disease. The results suggest that loss of glomerular anionic charge sites may play an important role in the development of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome.

Environmental factors and Parkinson's disease: a case-control study in China

We studied the role of environment in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) in China, where industrialization is relatively recent and the population geographically stable. Using a case-control method, we investigated the relationship between PD and exposure to the following factors before disease onset: place of residence, source of drinking water, environmental and occupational exposure to various agricultural and industrial processes. Occupational or residential exposure to industrial chemicals, printing plants, or quarries was associated with an increased risk of developing PD. In contrast, living in villages and exposure to the common accompaniments of village life, wheat growing and pig raising, were associated with a decreased risk for PD. PD cases and controls did not differ with respect to other factors investigated. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that environmental exposure to certain industrial chemicals may be related to the development of PD.

Computer simulations of figure-ground discrimination in the visual system of the fly

Figure-ground discrimination and pattern discrimination represent one of the most important problems in computer vision. Based on computational neuronal network model proposed by Reichardt et al. for figure-ground discrimination in the visual system of the fly, entire systematic computer simulations were carried out under nonstationary conditions. Results show that the model network and simulations have predictive power for behavioural experimental results. This paper proposes that motion perception and elementary pattern discrimination in human visual system may be mediated by some kind of figure-ground system with movement detectors as input layer.

Urban-rural and educational differentials in marital status in China

Since 1950, laws aimed at delaying marriage have been 1 of the major means of slowing population growth in China, where marriage is nearly universal. Age at marriage has risen in recent decades, but not to the same extent in all localities. This article uses cross-tabulated data from China's 1982 census to assess the effects of urban-rural residence and educational level on the ages at which men and women have been marrying. The data also reveal the effects of residence and education on widowhood, divorce, and current marital status. As expected, exposure to development, indicated by urban residence and higher education, is associated with later marriage, but it also increases the likelihood of ever marrying, especially for men. Women's tendency to seek social mobility by marrying men from economically more developed areas results in bachelorhood for a substantial percentage of rural men, especially those who are illiterate.