人发角蛋白与几丁糖材料及产品在运动损伤领域的应用

目的：介绍生物材料在运动损伤中的运用情况。 方法：应用计算机检索Science Direct 数据库、Ei数据库1960-01/2009-10期间的相关文章,检索词为“Biological materials,Sports Injuries”。同时检索中国期刊全文数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库等1994-01/2009-10期间的相关文章,检索词为“运动损伤,生物材料,应用前景”。 结果：临床常用的生物材料主要有医用高分子生物材料,包括硅橡胶、聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯、聚四氟乙烯、高密度聚乙烯、聚脂和聚酰胺等;医用生物复合材料包括羟基磷灰石、钙磷陶瓷、碳、硅酸盐等;医用金属类材料包括纯钛及钛合金、不锈钢、钴-铬合金等,以及处于起步阶段的生物衍生材料。生物材料在运动创伤中主要应用于下面3个方面：人工关节的使用,人工肌腱与韧带在重建肌腱与韧带中的应用,关节软骨损伤的修复。与国外相比,中国人工材料仍有较大的差距,国产人工关节、可吸收螺丝钉等的质量与国外相距甚远。 结论：随着新材料与生物技术的发展,人工生物材料临床领域里将发挥其越来越重要的作用与价值。     

4000/静脉-骨骼肌复合移植修复面神经缺损的比较研究

背景：静脉移植和骨骼肌移植作为自体神经移植的替代材料用于修复周围神经缺损已有多年。 目的：比较自体翻转静脉－骨骼肌复合移植与常规静脉－骨骼肌复合移植修复面神经缺损的效果。 设计：随机比较观察实验。 单位：首都医科大学宣武医院和北京协和医院动物实验中心及实验室。 材料：健康雄性新西兰大白兔,体重2－2.5公斤。 方法：10只动物随机分为两组,每组5只。将每只动物的右侧面神经颊支制作成2cm缺损模型,分别用翻转静脉－骨骼肌复合移植材料（翻转静脉－骨骼肌复合移植组）和常规静脉－骨骼肌复合移植材料（常规静脉－骨骼肌复合移植组）进行修复。6个月后用电生理和组织病理学方法对两组的结果进行比较。 主要观察指标：记录每只动物双侧面神经诱发的最大复合肌肉动作电位。再生神经有髓神经纤维计数。对两组间的双侧复合肌肉动作电位振幅比、潜伏期比以及有髓神经纤维数进行比较。 结果：两组间再生神经在功能恢复和组织形态恢复这两方面的差别无显著性意义。 结论：与常规静脉相比,翻转静脉移植不能确保有更好的神经再生,在修复神经缺损时不必应用翻转静脉,尤其不必应用于静脉－骨骼肌复合移植中。     

人胚神经干细胞移植治疗大鼠脑缺血的实验研究

目的　研究人胚神经干细胞(hNSCs)移植治疗脑缺血大鼠的效果及其在缺血大鼠脑内的状况。方法　从自然流产的孕10~13周的人胚脑组织中分离、培养神经干细胞。采用线栓法制作大鼠脑缺血模型,1d后经尾静脉移植未分化的hNSCs入脑缺血大鼠体内,对移植后大鼠进行神经损害严重程度评分(NSS),用免疫组化方法观察移植后hNSCs的存活、迁徙、分化状况。结果　从人胎脑中成功培养出hNSCs,培养条件下呈悬浮状态生长,形成神经球,绝大多数的细胞表达神经干细胞的标记物神经巢蛋白(nestin)。hNSCs移植组大鼠自移植后3周末起其NSS显著低于对照组(P<0 .05);移植后2、3、4、5周脑组织切片中均可见5 溴脱氧嘧啶尿苷(Brdu)染色阳性细胞,缺血侧明显多于对侧(P<0 .05),移植后3、4、5周末明显多于移植后2周(均P<0 .05);移植组各时间点脑组织切片中均可见nestin染色阳性细胞;在Brdu阳性细胞群中, 73 8%为胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)染色阳性的星形胶质细胞, 16 7%为2, 3 环核苷酸磷酸二脂酶(CNPase)染色阳性的少突胶质细胞, 9 5%为神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)染色阳性的神经元。结论　经静脉移植hNSCs能有效改善脑梗死动物的神经功能,hNSCs体内体外均具有多向分化潜能,受缺血部位微环境信号的影响分化成3种主要类型的神经细胞。     

人胚神经干细胞及人脐血干细胞移植治疗大鼠脑缺血的实验研究

目的 研究人胚神经干细胞（hNSCs）、人脐血干细胞（hUCBCs）移植治疗脑缺血大鼠的效果及其在缺血大鼠脑内的增殖、分化状况,并对两种干细胞移植的效果进行比较。方法 从自然流产的孕10～13周的人胚脑组织中分离、培养hNSCs;采集足月新生儿脐带血60～100ml,分离出其中的单个核细胞;移植前hNSCs、hUCBCs均经5–溴脱氧嘧啶尿苷（Brdu）标记48h。采用线栓法制作大鼠脑缺血模型,1d后经尾静脉移植未分化的hNSCs、hUCBCs入脑缺血大鼠体内,对移植后大鼠进行神经损害严重程度评分（NSS）,用免疫组化方法观察移植后hNSCs、hUCBCs的存活、迁移、分化状况。结果 从人胚脑中成功培养出hNSCs,培养条件下呈悬浮状态生长,形成神经球;hUCBCs在体外具有增殖能力。两移植组大鼠均自移植后21d起其NSS显著低于对照组（P<0.05）,两移植组移植前及移植后各时间点NSS分别比较未发现显著性差异（P>0.05）;移植后14、21、28、35d脑组织切片中均可见Brdu染色阳性细胞,缺血侧明显多于对侧（P<0.05）,移植后21、28、35d明显多于移植后14d（P<0.05）;hNSCs组Brdu染色阳性细胞数多于hUCBCs组（P<0.05）;移植组各时间点脑组织切片中均可见nestin染色阳性细胞;在Brdu阳性细胞群中,hNSCs组73.8%为胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）染色阳性细胞,16.7%为2,3–环核苷酸磷酸二脂酶（CNPase）染色阳性 细胞,9.5%为神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）染色阳性细胞;hUCBCs移植组74.5%为GFAP染色阳性细胞,15.4%为CNPase染色阳性细胞,10.1%为NSE染色阳性细胞;两组比较差异无显著性（P>0.05）。结论 hNSCs、hUCBCs均具有多分化潜能,受缺血部位微环境信号的影响分化成3种主要类型的神经细胞;静脉移植hNSCs、hUCBCs能有效改善脑梗死动物的神经功能;除了hNSCs外,hUCBCs移植也是治疗缺血性脑血管病的一种可能手段。     

4002/骨髓基质细胞源性软骨细胞修复兔关节软骨缺损的实验研究（英文自译）

目的：在体外将MSC扩增、诱导为软骨细胞后,探讨以PLGA为载体修复兔关节软骨缺损的可行性。方法：选取2月龄新西兰兔36只,自双侧股骨粗隆处抽取骨髓4－6ml,行原代及传代培养,传代培养时培养液中含BMP-2（100ng/ml）, 培养瓶底预涂高分子透明质酸,细胞爬片经组织化学染色、免疫组织化学染色证实诱导为软骨细胞。调整第3代细胞密度为2.0×107/ml,与PLGA共培养24小时,即制成PLGA-细胞复合物。 在兔髌股关节股骨髁部造成直径4mm,深达髓腔的缺损,在右侧36个膝关节植入PLGA-细胞复合物,为实验组,左侧18膝植入PLGA,为单纯载体组,另18膝造成缺损后留作空白对照。术后4w、8w、12w、24w取材,行大体及组织学观察,组织学评分。结果：1.体外实验。传代细胞甲苯胺兰染色、S-100蛋白染色、Ⅱ型胶原染色均阳性,碱性磷酸酶染色阴性,培养液中未测到骨钙素。2.动物实验。24W时细胞组缺损内充填白色半透明新生软骨组织,色泽与正常软骨相似,质韧,表面平整,与正常软骨界限消失,表面细胞平行于关节面,深层细胞排列紊乱,有柱状排列的趋势,基质异染广泛,软骨下骨形成及潮线恢复正常,与周围正常软骨连接良好。对照组缺损边缘细胞呈团块状增生,底部为纤维组织。组织学评分经统计学分析,24W、12W分别与8W、4W时比较具有显著差异（P<0.01）,各时间点实验组与对照组具有显著差异（P<0.01）。结论：用BMP-2和高分子透明质酸成功地在体外将骨髓基质细胞诱导为软骨细胞,骨髓基质细胞源性软骨细胞是修复关节软骨缺损较理想的种子细胞; PLGA在新生软骨形成的同时,逐渐降解吸收,是组织工程修复关节软骨缺损的适宜的支架材料,具有良好的应用前景。     

一种新型的复合生物敷料――人发角蛋白－胶原海绵－聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯对大鼠烧伤创面治疗作用的实验研究

背景：作者在对人发角蛋白的机制研究和临床应用中提出了一个全新的组织工程学概念--在体/原位组织工程。在该理论的指导下,拟以人发角蛋白-胶原海绵为支架,复合一种可作为药物缓释载体的聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯,探讨其在体内原位诱导周围组织细胞构建真皮的可行性。 目的：以人发角蛋白-胶原海绵为敷料内层,复合包裹药物虎杖的聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯载体,制备一种双层复合生物材料,观察其对烧伤创面的促愈合作用。 设计、时间及地点: 随机对照动物实验,于2005-03/12在南方医科大学组胚教研室完成。 材料：选用雄性SD大鼠15只制备烧伤动物模型,将模型鼠完全随机分为3组：实验组,阳性对照组及阴性对照组。 方法: ①将在体内具有慢、中、快3种吸收速度的人发角蛋白组分材料编织成网孔为 1 mm×1 mm的网格,与从牛跟腱中抽提Ⅰ型胶原溶液混合后放入模具,经真空冷冻干燥后制成海绵状膜（作复合内层敷料）。②用聚合法制备聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯,再与药物虎杖一同成膜,制备药物缓释载体膜（作复合外层敷料）。③用SD大鼠制备深Ⅱ度烧伤动物模型,烧伤后3 d做清创处理,清创后实验组用与创面相同大小的人发角蛋白-胶原海绵-聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯复合敷料覆盖创面,阳性对照组用戊二醛猪皮覆盖创面,阴性对照组为单纯无菌纱布覆盖。 主要观察指标:①术后以创面完全上皮化为标准,记录创面愈合时间并分别计算7,14,21 d愈合率。②于覆敷料后1,2,4,6,8周切取整个创面及其周围组织,光学显微镜观察肉牙组织生长情况和免疫组织化学染色观察新生组织中的胶原纤维和弹性纤维形态。 结果：①实验组创面覆盖后渗出明显减少且保持一定湿度,而阳性对照组创面较干燥;实验组及阳性对照组的创面愈合时间较阴性对照组提前（P＝0.000）;创面在7,14,21 d的愈合率均较阴性对照组高（P＝0.000）,且实验组在14 d的愈合率较阳性对照组高（P < 0.05）。②覆敷料后2周,光镜下观察可见创面肉芽组织中有较细小的胶原纤维填充创面。实验组较其他2组明显。胶原蛋白及弹性蛋白的免疫组织化学染色显示：第2周,实验组创面真皮基质中,Ⅰ型胶原呈棕黄色细密条带状;且有少量被染成棕黄色细丝状的弹性纤维,阳性对照组不明显,而阴性对照组中弹性蛋白无阳性表达。第8周,3组创面均愈合良好。实验组及阳性对照组胶原纤维束改造塑形,无瘢痕形成趋势。阴性对照组真皮层组织排列紊乱。 结论: 人发角蛋白-胶原海绵-聚甲基丙烯酸羟乙酯/虎杖复合生物敷料可促进深Ⅱ度烧伤实验大鼠创面的愈合。     

4000/激活骨髓加自体移植联用rIL-2治疗T细胞淋巴瘤长期生存超过10年1例（英文他译）

患者,男,33岁,发现腰部肿物2个月,行肿物切除病理提示为非霍奇金淋巴瘤,T细胞,免疫母细胞,血象大致正常,骨髓可见2%肉瘤细胞,诊断：非霍奇金淋巴瘤T细胞,Ⅳ期。予CHOP(环磷酰胺、阿霉素、长春新碱、强的松)等方案化疗4个月后,于1998-04行激活骨髓加自体外周血干细胞移植并联用重组白细胞介素2治疗。预处理方案为MACC方案(马法兰、阿糖胞苷,环磷酰胺,环己亚硝脲),移植+10 d,中性粒细胞> 0.5×109 L-1,移植+16 d,血小板> 50×109 L-1。移植+6 d出现发热,血培养为大肠埃希秆菌,经抗生素治疗体温正常,症状消失。随访至今已10年10个月,仍无病生存,工作及生活正常。     

前交叉韧带重建移植材料的研究与进展

背景：膝关节前交叉韧带重建效果受多种因素影响,包括移植物的选择。 目的：对用于前交叉韧带重建的移植材料的种类、材料性质、相关实验、临床应用等方面的研究进行回顾分析。 方法：由第一作者检索1985/2009 PubMed数据及万方数据库有关前交叉韧带重建的移植材料如自体韧带、同种异体韧带、人工韧带、组织工程韧带、异种韧带等方面的文献。 结果与结论：目前国内外修复前交叉韧带损伤可供选择的移植物有自体组织替代物、同种异体韧带、人工韧带、生物组织工程韧带等。此外还有一些其他生物材料如异种韧带等,目前还处于实验探索及研究阶段。人工合成材料与组织工程韧带近几年研究较多,但其制作工艺复杂,价格昂贵,很难满足临床移植的需要。随着越来越多去抗原处理技术的出现,有效去除异种韧带的免疫原性,提高其组织相容性已不是没有可能,在此基础上异种韧带来源广泛,获取方便、价格低廉、适用性广等优势得以凸显。     

40001/胶原-壳聚糖支架材料与间充质干细胞的组织相容性研究

目的： 研究兔骨髓间充质干细胞（MSC）在“胶原蛋白-壳聚糖”复合支架材料表面生长及分化情况,为察修复神经损伤提供组织相容性数据。方法：分离培养兔MSC,无血清培养液培养,流式细胞仪检查细胞表型;然后,将其接种到凝胶支架材料表面（实验组）及多聚赖氨酸包被的盖玻片表面（对照组）,神经诱导培养基内培养,倒置相差显微镜观察干细胞的生长及分化情况。结果：细胞表型为CD29 、CD44 、CD166 。倒置相差显微镜观察：实验组中,接种的MSC生长良好,7d后可见有突起神经细胞。生长情况与对照组未见有明显差别。结论：“胶原蛋白-壳聚糖”复合支架材料对MSC有良好细胞相容性,可作为神经组织工程支架材料。     

5000/3－羟基丁酸与3－羟基己酸共聚酯在心血管组织工程中应用的试验研究（英文自译）

背景：可降解聚合材料3-羟基丁酸与3-羟基己酸共聚酯(3-hydroxybutyrate-co- 3-hydroxyhexanoate, PHBHHx)具有良好的机械性能和生物可降解性。 目的：在体研究PHBHHx的血管内生物相容性。 方法：采用脱细胞羊肺动脉为支架,以PHBHHx涂层,构建复合补片,植入新西兰兔腹主动脉内,以脱细胞未涂层羊肺动脉片作为对照。分别于植入后第1,4,12周取出移植补片进行组织学、免疫荧光染色、扫描电镜和钙含量测定。 结果与结论：复合补片管腔面光滑无血栓,内膜增生适度,再细胞化完全;免疫荧光染色可见新生内膜组织中类内皮细胞呈CD31阳性反应,单层连续排列,间质细胞呈平滑肌肌动蛋白阳性反应;复合补片的钙含量明显低于未涂层羊肺动脉片。说明PHBHHx的血管内生物相容性满意,是心血管组织工程较为理想的腔内涂层材料。     

周围神经松解术在糖尿病足治疗中的应用

目的探讨糖尿病周围神经松解术（decompressionofperipheralnerves,DOP）治疗糖尿病周围神经病（diabeticperipheralneuropathy,DPN）的原理和疗效。方法对DPN患者通过切开韧带或纤维组织松解神经通路上的受压部位,去除神经受压的压迫,改善神经的血供,并使神经可以随邻近关节的运动而滑动。结果实施周围神经松解术可有效帮助DPN患者恢复感觉,缓解疼痛,提高生活质量。结论DOP为DPN的治疗提供了一个新的治疗方法。     

Microsurgical decompression of the median nerves for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the upper limbs： A 21-month follow-up

BACKGROUND： Peripheral nerve injured by abnormal glucose metabolism is compressed, which is an important etiological factor of diabetic peripheral neuropathy （DPN）. Microsurgical decompression of peripheral nerve maybe effectively releases the symptoms of DPN. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the curative effects of microsurgical decompression of median nerves for treatment of DPN in upper limbs. DESIGN： Case-follow up observation. SETTING： Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ministry of Health. PARTICIPANTS： Twelve patients with DPN in upper limbs （19 hands） who received treatment in the Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ministry of Public Health between March 2004 and July 2006 were involved in this experiment. The involved patients, 5 male and 7 female, were aged 44 to 77 years, with DPN course of 6 months to 16 years. They all met 1999 WHO diabetic diagnosis criteria. Both two hands had symptom in 7 patients, and only one hand had symptom in 5 patients. Informed consents of detected items were obtained from all the patients, who also received 21 months of follow-up treatment. METHODS： （1）Operation was carried out under the anesthetic status of brachial plexus. Under an operating microscope, transverse carpal ligament was exposed. Subsequently, transverse carpal ligament, forearm superficial fascia and palmar aponeurosis were fully liberated, and then part of them was cut off. Connective tissue around median nerve, superficial flexor muscle of fingers, radial flexor, palmaris longus and other flexor tendons were completely loosened. Finally, epineurium was opened with microinstrument for neurolysis. After tourniquet was loosened, and bipolar coagulator was used to stop bleeding, and the incision was closed. （2） In postoperative 21 months, the subjective symptom, two-point discrimination （The smallest distance of two normal points was 3 to 6 mm）, nerve conduction velocity and action potential amplitude （short abductor muscle of thumb end Lat 〈 4.5 ms; Motor nerve conduction velocity of forearm 〉 50 m/s）, etc. of all the patients were followed up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES＂ The objective evaluation and long-term follow up of curative effect of microsurgical decompression of median nerves for treatment of DPN in upper limbs. RESULTS： Twelve patients with DPN in upper limbs participated in the final analysis. （1） After operation, numbness and pain symptom releasing 100% were found in 19 hands of 12 patients with DPN. During follow up, numbness and recrudescent pain symptom were found in one hand （5%, 1/19）. （2）Postoperatively, index finger two point discrimination in 15 （94%, 15/16） hands recovered to normal. （3） nerve conduction velocity and action potential amplitude improved completely. （4） Two hands （2/19, 10% ）had poor healing at incision, and they late healed at postoperative 1 and 1.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION： Long-term follow-up results show that microsurgical decompression is an effective method to treat DPN in upper limbs.     

Microsurgical decompression of the median nerves for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the upper limbs: A 21-month follow-up

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injured by abnormal glucose metabolism is compressed, which is an important etiological factor of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Microsurgical decompression of peripheral nerve maybe effectively releases the symptoms of DPN. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the curative effects of microsurgical decompression of median nerves for treatment of DPN in upper limbs. DESIGN: Case-follow up observation. SETTING: Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ministry of Health. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve patients with DPN in upper limbs (19 hands) who received treatment in the Department of Orthopaedics, Department of Neurosurgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Ministry of Public Health between March 2004 and July 2006 were involved in this experiment. The involved patients, 5 male and 7 female, were aged 44 to 77 years, with DPN course of 6 months to 16 years. They all met 1999 WHO diabetic diagnosis criteria. Both two hands had symptom in 7 patients, and only one hand had symptom in 5 patients. Informed consents of detected items were obtained from all the patients, who also received 21 months of follow-up treatment. METHODS: ①Operation was carried out under the anesthetic status of brachial plexus. Under an operating microscope, transverse carpal ligament was exposed. Subsequently, transverse carpal ligament, forearm superficial fascia and palmar aponeurosis were fully liberated, and then part of them was cut off. Connective tissue around median nerve, superficial flexor muscle of fingers, radial flexor, palmaris longus and other flexor tendons were completely loosened. Finally, epineurium was opened with microinstrument for neurolysis. After tourniquet was loosened, and bipolar coagulator was used to stop bleeding, and the incision was closed. ② In postoperative 21 months, the subjective symptom, two-point discrimination (The smallest distance of two normal points was 3 to 6 mm), nerve conduction velocity and action potential amplitude (short abductor muscle of thumb end Lat < 4.5 ms; Motor nerve conduction velocity of forearm > 50 m/s), etc. of all the patients were followed up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The objective evaluation and long-term follow up of curative effect of microsurgical decompression of median nerves for treatment of DPN in upper limbs. RESULTS: Twelve patients with DPN in upper limbs participated in the final analysis. ① After operation, numbness and pain symptom releasing 100% were found in 19 hands of 12 patients with DPN. During follow up, numbness and recrudescent pain symptom were found in one hand （5%，1/19）. ②Postoperatively, index finger two point discrimination in 15 （94%，15/16）hands recovered to normal. ③ nerve conduction velocity and action potential amplitude improved completely . ④ Two hands （2/19，10%）had poor healing at incision, and they late healed at postoperative 1 and 1.5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Long-term follow-up results show that microsurgical decompression is an effective method to treat DPN in upper limbs.     

Electroneurography index: A standardized neurophysiological method to assess peripheral nerve function in patients with polyneuropathy

An index based on 12 electrophysiological parameters (conduction velocities, F-latencies, and amplitudes) was constructed to obtain an overall estimation of peripheral nerve conduction. The index was expressed as the meandeviation (in SD) compared to controls standardized for age or height. The stability of the index was tested by repeated examinations during intervalsof several months in healthy subjects. The use of a compound index enabled detection of slight impairments of nerve conduction. The relatively low interrecording variability of the index makes it suitable to follow the progression of a polyneuropathy. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A DOUBLE BLIND STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF DIPROPYLACETATE ON BEHAVIOUR

The influence of dipropylacetate (D.P.A.) on behaviour was studied in 20 patients using a double blind cross over trial. 5 patients were rated as improved on D.P.A., 6 on placebo, 3 as deteriorated on D.P.A., 3 on placebo, 12 as unchanged on D.P.A. and 11 on placebo.
This study gives us no reason to believe that D.P.A. exerts a psychotropic action within 3 weeks which is better than a placebo effect.     

Spindle-shaped,cross-banded structures in human peripheral nerves

Summary Fusiform, cross-banded structures (fibrous long-spacing collagen, or Luse bodies) were found in a nerve contained in the perivascular connective tissue of the short saphenous vein and in the sural nerve in man. The periodicity of cross-bandings was 140–170 nm and there was no intraperiod striation. The banded structures were found either isolated in the endoneurial spaces or contiguous with the surface of Schwann cells or fibroblasts. The nature, origin, and pathological significance of structures of this type in peripheral nerve are briefly discussed.     

A POLYGRAPHIC STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF ATROPINE ON HUMAN NOCTURNAL SLEEP

1) The effects of atropine on the human nocturnal sleep were studied polygraphically on nine male adults. 2) No specific EEG changes were observed during nocturnal sleep and at awakening with administration of atropine in the doses ranging from 0.25 to 10.0 mg per person. 3) A slight decrease in the amount of paradoxical stage in the first two hour segment of sleep was observed with atropine. Amount of stage increased slightly with smaller doses of atropine (0.25–0.5 mg). But these changes did not increase in parallel to the increase in the dose of the drug. 4) In the following hours of sleep the percentage of the spindle-stage showed an increase. As a whole the percentage of each sleep stage throughout a night under atropine in the doses experimented (0.25–10.0 mg) was almost the same as in the control sleeps with placebo. 5) Pulse rate in the sleep with atropine of smaller doses (0.25–0.5 mg) showed no significant difference from that in the control sleep. With medium doses (1.0–2.5 mg) marked tachycardia was induced. With larger doses (5–10 mg) significant bradycardia preceding persistent tachycardia of marked degree was observed. 6) GSR was not significantly influenced by smaller doses of the drug. With medium doses GSR on volar side of the hand was suppressed. With larger doses, GSR on both volar and dorsal sides of the hand was suppressed. 7) These results were discussed with reference to the data reported in animal experiments, and also in relation to the effects of imipramine on sleep polygram.     

Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography of distal peripheral nerves at 3 T.

OBJECTIVE: We studied whether distal peripheral nerves could be imaged using quantitative diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with a 3-T MRI scanner, and visualized using tractography. METHODS: Altogether 6 healthy subjects were studied. The diffusion was quantified with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) maps, and the direction of main diffusivity was visualized with color-coded orientation maps and tractography. RESULTS: We present the first DTI and tractography results of human distal peripheral nerves. The courses of median, ulnar, and radial nerves in the upper limb and of tibial and peroneal nerves in the lower limb were first analyzed quantifying ADC and FA, and then visualized in 3D with tractography. Tractography illustrated nicely the 3D courses of both upper and lower limb nerves which were reliably distinguished from the surrounding muscle tissue and ligaments. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative DTI and tractography can be used to image and visualize distal peripheral nerves. SIGNIFICANCE: DTI is a quantitative method that could provide useful information for the diagnosis and follow-up of nerve lesions, entrapments, and regeneration. Peripheral nerves as well-delineated structures also containing abundant branching into bundles of different diameters, could be used as 'living phantoms' for testing and validating different tractography methods.