Effect of simvastatin on chronic temporal epilepsy in rats / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To examine the effect of administration of simvastatin on pathological changes of brain tissues from rats with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and epileptic seizure of these rats. Methods Seventy-two adult male healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,saline treatment group and Simvastatin (Sim) treatment group (n=24).Rats of the control group were only received oral administration of saline into unilateral ventricle; status epilepticus (SE) in rats of saline treatment group and Sim treatment group were induced by kanic acid (KA) injection into unilateral ventricle; 0.5 h after SE,rats of the saline treatment group were treated with oral administration of saline once daily for 14 consecutive days; rats of the Sim treatment group were subjected to oral administration of simvastatin once daily for 14 consecutive days.Rats were sacrificed 3 d, 4,5 and 6 months after simvastatin or saline administration.Timm's staining,Nissl staining,and GFAP staining were employed to observe the pathological changes of these rat brain tissues; and the seizures were observed and scored according to Racine's grading. Results Pathological changes showed that loss of neurons in the CA3and the dentate gyrus was obviously restrained,speed of mossy fiber sprouting was significantly slowed down,and the grade of SE was significantly decreased in rats of the Sim treatment group as compared with those in rats of saline treatment group (P＜0.05). Conclusion Simvastatin may have long-term neuroprotective effect on process of chronic TLE.

Construction of a digital anatomic atlas of the human globus pallidus internus in the standard stereotactic space / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To construct a digital atlas of the globus pallidus internus (Gpi) in the standard stereotactic space using the sectional images of the male cadaver from "Atlas of Chinese Visible Human (Male and Female)". Methods Identification and segmentation of the Gpi,and anterior and posterior commissures from the sectional images were performed. We established the stereotactic coordinate system and reconstructed 3D models of the Gpi. Results Gpi looks like a bean according to the reconstructed models; Putamen and globus pallidus lateral (Gpe) were also constructed; and the location of the Gpi and the relation of Gpi with both Putamen and Gpe were shown in the stereotactic space. The lenticular nucleus could rotate and stretch at any angles in the standard stereotactic space.Conclusion It is feasible to reconstruct the 3D models of the subnucleus in the stereotactic space from the sectional image of the cadaver.

Stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of spontaneous intracerebellar hemorrhage / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Spontaneous intracerebellar hemorrhage (SCH) accounts for 10% of intracerebral hemorrhages. Up to now stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of SCH was less reported. The aim of this study was to assess the effect and feasibility of the method, and to refine the clinical protocol.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen patients with SCH were treated by stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis and reviewed in this report. The 3-mm axial stereotactic computed tomography slices throughout the hematoma were obtained. Those images were then transferred to the workstation. The trajectory of catheter was designed to go through the main axis of the hematoma. Under local anesthesia a catheter was directed stereotactically into the hematoma through a burr hole. Hematoma thrombolysis and clot drainage was followed by instillation of urokinase (10,000 U) every 12 hours. The catheter was removed when the majority of hematoma was evacuated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Initial SCH volume was reduced by an average of 86% and the average final hematoma volume was 2.8 ml. At 3-month follow-up, 13 patients (72%) had achieved good recovery. At 6-month follow-up, 12 patients (67%) had achieved good recovery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Stereotactic aspiration and thrombolysis of SCH was a simple, feasible and effective method to treat moderate and some benign SCH that less respond to medical treatment.</p>

Prospective study on associations between levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore associations between levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in populations.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Baseline investigations on stroke-related risk factors and physical examinations were performed in 10 093 (> 35 years) stroke-free urban community residents from 5 cities in China during May to July in 1987, follow-up investigations on stroke events were made during 1998 to 2000. The hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes in middle, high tertiles of baseline TC or TG levels were compared with low baseline tertile residents using the Cox regression model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 491 first strokes during the 8-years cohort follow-up. Compared with the low tertile, risk of ischemic stroke in the middle and high tertiles of TC level was increased by 61% (HR: 1.61, 95%CI: 1.14-2.27) and 58% (HR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.12-2.22) after adjustments for DBP, age, sex and other variables in the Cox proportional hazards model. Compared with the low tertile, risk of ischemic stroke in the high tertile of TG level was increased by 43% (HR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.02-2.00). However, risk of hemorrhagic stroke in the middle and high tertiles of TC level decreased by 12% (HR: 0.88, 95%CI: 0.64-1.22) and 33% (HR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48-0.95) compared with the low tertile.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elevated serum TC and TG are independent risk factors for risk of ischemic stroke. However, low TC was related with increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.</p>

Effect of suspended cells from epileptic rats on differentiation of hippocampal stem cells / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the effect of suspended cells from the hippocampus of epileptic rats on the differentiation of hippocampal stem cells.Methods Eight groups, including control group,glutamic acid groups (5 and 25 μmol/mL groups),normal hippocampal cells and epileptic cells groups (20 and 40 μmol/mL groups,respectively) were chosen in the experiment.The suspended cells were extracted from the hippocampus of epileptic rats and normal rats,and corresponding dose of them were added into the epileptic cells groups and normal hippocampal cells groups,respectively.Five μmol/mL and 25 μmol/mL glutamic acid were added into the glutamic acid groups,respectively.The vitality of differentiated stem cells was detected and compared with MTT method.Results MTT value (the vitality of differentiated stem cells) was increased following the increased differentiation time.Cell viability in the glutamic acid groups and normal hippocampal cells groups was slightly decreased as compared with that in the control group (P>0.05).The cell viability in the epileptic cells groups was slightly increased as compared with that in the control group (P>0.05).The MTT value in the epileptic cells group and the normal hippocampal cells group was not obviously different (P>0.05).Conclusion The suspended cells from the hippocampus of epileptic rats do not affect the differentiation of the hippocampal stem cells.

Stereotactic localization and visualization of the subthalamic nucleus / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is widely recognized as one of the most important and commonly targeted nuclei in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery. The success of STN surgery depends on accuracy in target determination. Construction of a digitalized atlas of STN based on stereotactic MRI will play an instrumental role in the accuracy of anatomical localization. The aim of this study was to investigate the three-dimensional (3D) target location of STN in stereotactic space and construct a digitalized atlas of STN to accomplish the visualization of the STN on stereotactic MRI, thus providing clinical guidance on the precise anatomical localization of STN.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty healthy people volunteered to be scanned by 1.5 Tesla MRI scanning with 1-mm-thick slice in the standard stereotactic space between 2005 and 2006. One adult male was selected for 3D reconstruction of STN. The process of 3D reconstruction included identification, manual segmentation, extraction, conservation and reconstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant correlation between the coordinates and age (P < 0.05). The volume of left STN was significantly larger than the right STN, and there was a significant negative correlation between volume and age (P < 0.05). The surface of the STN nucleus after 3D reconstruction appeared smooth, natural and realistic. The morphological feature of STN on the individual brain could be visualized directly in 3D. The 3D reconstructed STN could be rotated, zoomed and displayed at any direction in the stereotactic space. The anteroposterior diameter of the STN nucleus was longer than the vertical and transverse diameters in 3D space. The 3D reconstruction of STN manifested typical structure of the "dual lens".</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The visualization of individual brain atlas based on stereotactic MRI is feasible. However, software for automated segmentation, extraction and registration of MR images need to be further developed.</p>

Magnetic resonance imaging-bused anatomical characterization of the corpus eallosum in healthy adults / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To investigate the age- and gender-related differences in the anatomical dimensions in healthy Chinese adults based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and provide reference data on normal corpus callosum for diagnosis of related diseases. Methods Sixty male and 60 female healthy Chinese volunteers were recruited in this study. Tl-weighted MR images of the head were acquired using a 1.5-Tesla Siemens scanner. In the median sagittal image, the width of the genu, splenium and body of the corpus callosum were measured, and the length and the height of corpus callosum were also estimated. Results The average width of the genu, splenium, and body of the corpus callosum and the length and height of the corpus callosum in these 120 volunteers were 11.35±2.16 mm, 9.97±2.09 mm, 5.93±1.32 mm, 73.33±3.77 mm and 25.34±3.01 mm, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated that the measured values of each part of the corpus callosum decreased with age whereus the length and height of the corpus callsum increased with age. The arch of the corpus callosum also tended to increase with age. Conclusion The anatomical dimensions and shape of the corpus canosum undergo alterations in close relation with age.

Research on stereotactic MRI of AC and PC and its clinical significance / 中华神经医学杂志

Objective To provide fundamental information and data for stereotacfic and functional neurosurgery through studying the characteristic anterior commissure (AC) and posterior commissure (PC) of stereotaxy for healthy Chinese brains. Methods Brain MR images of 120 healthy Chinese adult volunteers were acquired; half of them were males. The respective width of AC and PC and the length of AC-PC (LI) were measured in the medial sagittal plane; the gender difference of LI and its correlation with age were analyzed; the cranial length was also included for comparison. LI was analyzed between males and females and t-test was applied to assess the widths of AC and PC. Results LI was between 19.70 and 25.65 mm, with the mean value of (22.92±1.13) mm; the width of AC and PC was respectively (2.30±0.37) mm and (1.60±0.31) mm. There was no correlation between LI and age among age groups of Chinese adults; LI of males were longer than that of females, but the difference vanished after the cranial length was included for comparison. There was no correlation between the widths of AC and PC and age; the AC width of females was longer than that of males, but there was no gender difference in the width of PC. Conclusion AC-PC line is a stable reference line for the measurement of intracranial structures in stereotactic and functional neurosurgery.

Microstructural observation of epileptic neurons in vitro by atomic force microscopy / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the microstructure of the cell membrane of epileptic neurons using atomic force microscopy (AFM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Model of epileptic neurons was established by subjecting the neurons culture for 14 days in vitro to magnesium-free media treatment for 3 h. Patch clamp technique was applied to record the electrophysiological activity of the epileptic neurons. AFM was performed to observe and measure the microstructure of the cell membrane of the epileptic neuron.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After a 3-hour treatment with magnesium-free media, the epileptic neurons displayed sustained epileptiform discharge, which continued after the neurons were returned to normal medium culture on day 14. Under AFM scanning size of 80 microm x 80 microm and 2 microm x 2 microm, no obvious difference in the morphology of the cell membrane was noted between epileptic and normal neurons; under the scanning size of 500 nm x 500 nm, small pits occurred in the cell membrane in both groups, but no significant difference was found in the dimension of the pits between the two groups (the diameter and depth of the pits was 114.86-/+9.33 nm and 5.71-/+0.69 nm in epileptic neurons, and 116.4-/+9.13 nm and 5.69-/+0.71 nm in the control neurons, respectively, P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>AFM provides a new method for observing neuronal membrane microstructure at nanometer resolutions. No significant alterations occur in the membrane of the neurons after a 3-hour magnesium-free media treatment.</p>