甲状腺乳头状癌CT及MRI影像征象及其与雌激素受体、孕激素受体、C-myc表达的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨甲状腺乳头状癌（PTC）计算机断层扫描（CT）、磁共振成像（MRI）影像征象及其与雌激素受体（ER）、孕激素受体（PR）、C-myc表达的相关性。方法：回顾性分析2019年6月-2020年12月于我院74例诊断为PTC患者的计算机断层扫描CT、MRI影像资料,以手术病理结果作为金标准。分析患者的CT、MRI影像学特征。采用免疫组织化学染色分析ER、PR、C-myc的表达情况。采用Spearman秩相关分析评价CT、MRI影像学特征及其与ER、PR、C-myc表达水平的相关性。结果：PTC患者CT、MRI主要表现为混杂密度/信号,多数病灶形态不规则,病灶突破甲状腺被膜外缘呈咬饼征改变、侵犯周围组织及病灶内见细颗粒状钙化时提示恶性程度较高,患者早期出现颈部淋巴结转移较多。ER、PR、C-myc阳性表达者分别为51例（68.92%）、44例（59.46%）、64例（86.49%）。C-myc阳性表达与PTC肿瘤直径有关,组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;ER、PR、C-myc阳性表达与PTC形态、咬饼征及淋巴结转移有关,组间差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.0）;ER、C-myc阳性表达与PTC边界有关,组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;ER阳性表达与PTC增强后病灶范围缩小/模糊有关,组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;ER、PR、C-myc阳性表达与其余CT、MRI影像学表现特征无关,组间差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。咬饼征与PR、C-myc表达水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,淋巴结转移状态与ER、PR、C-myc表达水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,其余影像学表现特征与ER、PR、C-myc表达水平无明显相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：CT、MRI影像征象可在一定程度上评估PTC患者肿瘤细胞的生物学行为,可间接反映肿瘤分化程度、浸润程度等情况,对指导临床综合治疗及评估患者预后可提供客观依据。     

侵袭性前列腺癌的CT、MRI表现与生物因子表达及淋巴结转移的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨侵袭性前列腺癌的电子计算机断层扫描（CT）、磁共振成像（MRI）表现与生物因子表达及淋巴结转移的相关性研究。方法：收集2016年2月-2021年2月于我院确诊前列腺癌患者117例,所以患者均行前列腺根治切除+盆腔淋巴结清扫术,术前均完善CT、MRI影像学检查,根据术后病理结果、Gleason评分分为侵袭性前列腺癌组（63例）和非侵袭性前列腺癌组（54例）,分析患者CT、MRI表现特征。采用免疫组织化学染色分析前列腺特异抗原（PSA）、增殖细胞核抗原（PCNA）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）、细胞核增殖相关抗原 (Ki-67)及肿瘤抑制蛋白（P53）的阳性表达情况。分析侵袭性前列腺癌的CT、MRI表现与生物因子表达及淋巴结转移之间的关系。结果：侵袭性前列腺癌患者CT、MRI均可见不同程度的前列腺异常改变,主要表现为结节状、波浪状突起,边缘模糊、毛糙,前列腺癌突破包膜并累及邻近精囊腺、膀胱、直肠及周围脂肪组织,可见盆腔肿大淋巴结转移,测量表观扩散系数（ADC）值及动态增强MRI定量参数可大致区分病灶良恶性及恶性程度分级情况。侵袭性前列腺癌组PSA的表达低于非侵袭性前列腺癌组,而PCNA、VEGF、Ki-67、P53的表达及淋巴结转移高于非侵袭性前列腺癌组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。侵袭性前列腺癌患者肿瘤边缘表现为模糊、清晰时PSA、PCNA阳性表达率及淋巴结转移率组间差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;肿瘤直径≤2 cm、＞2 cm时的淋巴结转移率组间差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。侵袭性前列腺癌组ADC值低于非侵袭性前列腺癌组,而Kep和Ktrans高于非侵袭性前列腺癌组患者,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。侵袭性前列腺癌患者ADC值与PSA阳性表达呈正相关性（P＜0.05）,与PCNA、Ki-67、P53阳性表达及淋巴结转移呈负相关（P＜0.05）。侵袭性前列腺癌患者Kep、Ktrans与PSA阳性表达呈负相关性（P＜0.05）,与PCNA、Ki-67、P53阳性表达及淋巴结转移呈正相关（P＜0.05）。结论：侵袭性前列腺癌CT、MRI形态学具有一定特征性,通过测量ADC值及动态增强MRI定量参数可大致区分病灶恶性程度情况,初步评估前列腺癌的生物学行为,为指导临床综合治疗及预后情况提供客观依据。     

MRI与CT检查对卵巢癌病理分期及复发转移的诊断价值对比研究

摘要 目的：对比磁共振成像（MRI）与计算机断层扫描（CT）检查对卵巢癌病理分期及复发转移的诊断价值。方法：纳入2017年1月～2019年1月于我院接受诊治的卵巢癌患者100例进行研究。所有患者术前均进行MRI与CT检查,并以术后病理组织活检结果为金标准,对比MRI与CT诊断卵巢癌与卵巢癌病理分期的准确率。所有患者均于首次检查6个月后进行复诊,对比MRI与CT诊断卵巢癌复发转移的准确率。结果：MRI诊断卵巢癌的确诊率为94.00%（94/100）,高于CT诊断的81.00%（81/100）;漏诊率为2.00%（2/100）,低于CT诊断的10.00%（10/100）（均P＜0.05）。MRI诊断卵巢癌Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期、Ⅲ期的准确率分别为93.33%（14/15）、95.00%（19/20）、93.33%（28/30）,高于CT诊断的60.00%（9/15）、65.00%（13/20）、73.33%（22/30）（均P＜0.05）。MRI诊断肠管及周围、盆腔淋巴结、腹膜后淋巴结、肝脏等远处侵袭和转移中的准确率分别为100.00%（26/26）、88.89%（24/27）、75.00%（18/24）、95.00%（19/20）,高于CT诊断的76.92%（20/26）、48.15%（13/27）、41.67%（10/24）、45.00%（9/20）（均P＜0.05）。结论：相较于CT检查,MRI检查诊断卵巢癌的准确率更高,漏诊率更低,且在卵巢癌病理分期以及复发转移的诊断准确率更高,具有较好的临床应用价值。     

腹腔镜下经腹腹膜前疝修补术与李金斯坦疝无张力修补术治疗老年腹股沟疝患者的疗效对比分析

摘要 目的：对比腹腔镜下经腹腹膜前疝修补术（TAPP）和李金斯坦（Lichtenstein）疝无张力修补术两种手术方式治疗老年腹股沟疝患者的疗效。方法：收集2018年8月-2020年7月于上海中医药大学附属岳阳中西医结合医院甲疝外科治疗的118例老年(≥60岁)腹股沟疝患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据不同的手术方法分组,68例患者行TAPP作为TAPP组,50例患者行Lichtenstein疝无张力修补术作为Lichtenstein组。比较两组患者手术时间、术中出血量、术后切口视觉模拟量表（VAS）评分、排气时间、住院时间及术后近远期并发症发生率。结果：两组患者手术时间比较无显著差异（P＞0.05）;TAPP组患者术中出血量、排气时间和住院时间均显著低于Lichtenstein组（P＜0.05）;TAPP组患者术后不同时点切口VAS评分均显著低于Lichtenstein组（P＜0.05）;TAPP组患者近期并发症发生率显著低于Lichtenstein组（P＜0.05）;两组患者远期并发症发生率比较无显著差异（P＞0.05）。结论：与Lichtenstein疝无张力修补术比较,TAPP是治疗老年腹股沟疝患者安全有效的手术方法,可减轻患者术后疼痛感,患者恢复更快,并发症发生率更低,值得推广及应用。     

对比增强高分辨率MRI评价大脑中动脉斑块与脑脊液炎性因子水平的相关性

摘要 目的：研究对比增强高分辨磁共振成像（MRI）评价的大脑动脉斑块与脑脊液中炎症因子水平的相关性。方法：选择2017年1月到2021年6月在我院接受治疗的脑梗死患者70例,根据其病情分为急性脑梗死组（ACI）（n=30）和非急性脑梗死组（No-ACI）（n=40）,所有患者均行颅脑磁共振检测,比较两组患者T1加权成像（T1WI）、T2加权成像（T2WI）以及T1加权成像增强（T1WI+E）斑块信号和强化程度,并比较两组患者或不同MRI表现患者脑脊液人肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和人白介素-6（IL-6）水平。结果：ACI组和No-ACI组脑梗死患者在T1WI和T2WI上低信号、等信号和高信号比例无显著差异（P>0.05）;而ACI组患者在T2WI+E上大脑动脉斑块无强化和轻度强化患者比例显著低于No-ACI组患者（P<0.05）,明显强化患者比例显著高于No-ACI组患者（P<0.05）。ACI组患者脑脊液TNF-α和IL-6水平显著高于No-ACI组患者。在T2WI+E上,轻度强化脑梗死患者TNF-α和IL-6含量显著高于无强化脑梗死患者（P<0.05）,而显著低于明显强化组脑梗死患者（P<0.05）。结论：对比增强高分辨率MRI可有效评估大脑动脉斑块特征,并且大脑动脉斑块强化程度与脑积液炎症因子水平密切相关。     

上皮性卵巢癌患者CT、MRI影像学特征及与血清标志物CEA、CA199、CA125水平的相关性研究

摘要 目的：探讨上皮性卵巢癌患者电子计算机断层扫描（CT）、磁共振成像（MRI）影像学特征及与血清标志物癌胚抗原（CEA）、糖类抗原199（CA199）、糖类抗原125（CA125）水平的相关性。方法：回顾性分析2014年4月-2020年2月于我院83例诊断为上皮性卵巢癌患者的CT、MRI影像学资料,以手术病理结果作为金标准。分析患者的CT、MRI影像学特征,检测患者血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平,评价患者CT、MRI影像学特征与血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平的相关性。结果：上皮性卵巢癌肿瘤横截面最大径为14.2mm-121.7mm,平均（18.6±4.3）mm,上皮性卵巢癌以混杂密度/信号为主,形态不规则,病灶多为囊实性,可见壁结节及分隔改变,增强后可见分隔或壁结节明显强化,可伴有腹水、腹膜转移、淋巴结转移。血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平分别为（66.35±7.52）ng/mL、（183.59±22.62）U/mL、（225.27±25.34）U/mL。上皮性卵巢癌边界清晰、不清晰的血清CA199、CA125水平组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;上皮性卵巢癌形态圆形/类圆形/椭圆形、分叶状、形态不规则的血清CA199、CA125水平组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;上皮性卵巢癌患者有壁结节、腹膜转移、淋巴结转移的血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;其余CT、MRI影像学表现特征组间血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。上皮性卵巢癌边界与血清CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,上皮性卵巢癌形态与血清CA199、CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,壁结节与血清CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,腹膜转移、淋巴结转移与血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平呈正相关（P＜0.05）,其余指标之间无明显相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：上皮性卵巢癌CT、MRI影像表现具有特征性,血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平的检测有助于对早期上皮性卵巢癌的诊断以及不同病理类型的判断,CT、MRI影像学特征与血清CEA、CA199、CA125水平具有相关性,可判断疾病的进展及患者预后情况,对指导临床综合治疗及评估患者预后可提供客观依据。     

磁共振成像弥散张量成像参数联合血清NSE、Lp-PLA2在脑梗死患者的诊断和预后不良风险评估中的应用价值

摘要 目的：探讨磁共振成像（MRI）弥散张量成像（DTI）参数联合血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2（Lp-PLA2）在脑梗死患者的诊断和预后不良风险评估中的应用价值。方法：选择2021年3月至2022年9月吉林大学中日联谊医院收治的106例脑梗死患者作为脑梗死组，另选同期62例体检健康志愿者作为对照组，比较两组DTI参数，血清NSE和Lp-PLA2水平。脑梗死组出院90d后，采用改良Rankin量表（mRS）进行预后评估，分为预后良好组与预后不良组，并比较两组上述指标水平。受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析DTI参数联合血清NSE、Lp-PLA2诊断脑梗死和预测脑梗死患者预后的价值。结果：脑梗死组表观弥散系数（ADC）值、部分各向异性指数（FA）值低于对照组（P＜0.05），血清NSE、Lp-PLA2水平高于对照组（P＜0.05）。预后不良组FA值、ADC值低于预后良好组（P＜0.05），血清NSE、Lp-PLA2水平高于预后良好组（P＜0.05）。联合FA值、ADC值、NSE和Lp-PLA2诊断脑梗死以及预测脑梗死患者预后不良的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.852、0.874，均高于各因素单独诊断和预测。结论：脑梗死DTI参数FA值、ADC值降低，血清NSE、Lp-PLA2水平增高，联合DTI参数和血清NSE、Lp-PLA2检测在脑梗死诊断和预后预测中具有较高价值。     

放散式体外冲击波穴位治疗联合中药熏洗治疗老年膝骨关节炎的疗效分析

摘要 目的：评价放散式体外冲击波（rESW）穴位治疗联合中药熏洗在老年膝骨关节炎（KOA）中的应用效果。方法：选入2021年2月~2022年8月我院收治的老年KOA患者76例,根据治疗方法不同分为对照组和观察组,各38例,两组均予以中药熏洗,观察组加用rESW穴位治疗。评价两组的治疗效果、膝关节功能、疼痛程度等指标,并进行统计比较。结果：与治疗前相比,两组治疗2周、治疗4周时的VAS评分明显下降（P＜0.05）,而观察组下降幅度更大,与对照组差异显著（P＜0.05）;两组治疗前Lysholm评分无明显差异（P＞0.05）,而观察组治疗2周、治疗4周时的Lysholm评分显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组治疗显效率和有效率均显著高于对照组（P＜0.05）;观察组治疗2周、4周时的血清IL-1β、TNF-α和MMP-13水平较对照组低（P＜0.05）。结论：rESW穴位联合中药熏洗治疗老年KOA患者疗效显著,可缓解疼痛症状,改善膝关节功能,控制炎症反应,且操作简单,值得推荐。     

钼靶、多模态MRI对乳腺癌及肿块型浆细胞性乳腺炎的鉴别诊断价值研究

摘要 目的：探讨钼靶、多模态MRI对乳腺癌及肿块型浆细胞性乳腺炎（PCM）的鉴别诊断价值。方法：回顾性分析2017年4月-2021年2月我院经病理证实的98例乳腺癌患者及31例肿块型PCM患者的钼靶和MRI资料,比较乳腺癌和肿块型PCM的钼靶及MRI形态学表现、ADC值、时间-信号强度曲线（TIC）的差异。采用受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析钼靶、多模态MRI鉴别诊断乳腺癌及肿块型PCM的效能。结果：钼靶形态学显示：乳腺癌、肿块型PCM在病灶形态及边缘表现上差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;乳腺癌、肿块型PCM在密度、伴随征象以及是否有斑点、泥沙样钙化表现上差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。多模态MRI形态学显示：乳腺癌、肿块型PCM在形态、边缘、导管扩张、强化方式、TIC曲线类型及ADC信号表现上差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;乳腺癌、肿块型PCM在T2WI信号及伴随征象表现上差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。ROC曲线分析结果显示：多模态MRI成像检查对乳腺癌及肿块型PCM的鉴别诊断价值明显优于钼靶检查,其曲线下面积（AUC）、准确度、敏感度、特异度及Youden指数分别为0.921、90.63%、100%、89.37%、0.89。结论：钼靶主要通过形态学表现鉴别诊断乳腺癌和肿块型PCM,多模态MRI则可通过病灶形态学表现、ADC值、动态增强表现及TIC客观性判断病灶性质,因此其鉴别诊断价值优于钼靶检查。     

NLR、RDW和PCT评估老年社区获得性肺炎患者病情严重程度及预后的临床价值

摘要 目的：探讨中性粒细胞/淋巴细胞比值（NLR）、红细胞分布宽度（RDW）及降钙素原（PCT）在老年社区获得性肺炎（CAP）患者病情严重程度及预后评估中的临床价值。方法：回顾性分析2018年1月～2020年11月期间我院收治的127例老年CAP患者的临床资料,根据英国胸科协会改良肺炎评分(CURB-65)分为低危组（CURB-65评分＜3分,n=69例）和高危组（CURB-65评分≥3分,n=58例）;根据患者转归分为存活组（n=114例）和死亡组（n=13例）,比较各组患者的基线资料、NLR、RDW、PCT及其他实验室检查指标,并分析NLR、RDW、PCT与CURB-65评分的相关性以及预后的影响因素。结果：高危组NLR、RDW和 PCT水平均显著高于低危组,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。经Pearson相关性分析可得：NLR、RDW、PCT与CURB-65评分均呈正相关关系（P＜0.05）。生存组患者白细胞计数（WBC）、中性粒细胞（NEU）、NLR、RDW、PCT和D-二聚体（D-Dimer）水平均低于死亡组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,经多因素Logistic回归分析可得：NLR、RDW、PCT均是老年CAP患者预后的影响因素（均OR＞1,P＜0.05）。结论：NLR、RDW和PCT与CURB-65评分相关,且均是老年CAP患者预后的影响因素,NLR、RDW和PCT对老年CAP患者病情严重程度及预后具有一定的评估价值。     

Anthropology and genetics of the caucasus peoples and the problem of the origin of the caucasoids

The electrophoretical polymorphisms of some blood proteins were studied in the Talysh population of Pirasora situated in South-East Azerbaidjan. We calculated the gene frequencies of these polymorphisms and determined the genetic distances between the Talyshes and some Iranian populations of North, Central and South Iran, Afghans, and three populations of Azerbaijan. The Talyshes are very close to Iranians of Shiraz, whereas they are distant from the Azerbaijanians. Anthropological investigations showed that the Caucasoids and Mongoloids lived in the Aragvi Basin since the Eneolithic period. This was stated by Alexeev (1974), who emphasized the mixture of the Caucasus populations from ancient times on. We calculated the genetic distances between the Caucasus populations and numerous populations of other geographic regions, considering 28 alleles of 12 loci of blood group, serum protein and red cell enzyme polymorphisms and constructed the dendrogram of these populations. The position of the Caucasus populations in the dendrogram corresponds on principle to the earlier anthropological observations. The clustering of the Caucasoid populations corresponds completely with anthropological and historical data, and supports our earlier hypothesis (Nazarova 1999) concerning the differentiation of Caucasoids, Northern Mongoloids and Amerinds from the populations, which inhabitated Asia in palaeolithic times.     

人类基因组及后基因组研究进展及其应用与开发研究现状

人类对自身基因组的研究,随着人类基因组工作草图的绘制完成和对基因功能研究的深入已加快进入了实质性、关键性的开发利用阶段。本文概述了人类基因组及后基因组的研究进展及依此开展基因治疗及基因（组）药物研制等应用开发研究的现状。     

Serology and systematics of the Ebenales and the Theales

The systematic position ofthe Ebenaceae, Sapotaceae, Styracaceae, Ochnaceae, Stachyuraceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Clusiaceae and Hypericaceae has been investigated using serological comparisons of sets of antigenic determinants. The results show that the Sytracaceae and Sapotaceae are undoubtedly more closely associated with the Actinidiaeceae and Theaceae, respectively, than with each other. We found no corresponding determinants betnween antigen systems from the Ebenaceae and systems from any other family whose relations to this family have been proposed. As discovered previously, investigations of antigen systems from the Ochnaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Stachyuraceae, Clusiaceae and Hypericaceae are against the idea of a natural order “Theales” in which these families, or at least some of them, are combined with the Theaceae and Actinidiaceae. This paper completes our previous investigations which largely support a superorder Ericanae sensu Ehrendorfer and Takhtajan. We propose to include the Actinidiaceae and Theaceae in this superorder, assigning them a central position laong with the Sapotaceae and Sytracaeae on one side and the Primulales and Ericales on the other. Another most interesting finding is that there are corresponding determinants between antigen systems from the members of the Ericanae and representatives of the Polemoniaceae and Loasaceae.     

Kinematics and dynamics of the temporomandibular joint and of the movements of the mandible

In order to analyze the complicated movements of the mandible as the open-closing movement and the protrusio are, it is useful to evaluate the basic kinematic principles and reduce them to simple technical constructions. Both the open-closing movement and the protrusio could be reduced to 4-bar links, which were used to simulate the movements with help of a computer. Besides, the polodes and the curves of points in the muscular attachments could be constructed. The 2 entirely different 4-bar links have 3 things in common: The resting system - cranium, the moving system - mandibula, and 1 of the 2 arms connecting these 2 systems - the ligamentum laterale. As this ligament is taut during movements it can be considered a "guiding ligament" representing 1 of the 3 determining components of the mandibular movements. The other of the 2 arms has no anatomical equivalent; this arm, however, is "replaced" by the 2 other determining components of the mandibular movements: the joint and the muscles. The curves, which the Caput mandibulae describes, are practically identical for the open-closing movement and the protrusio despite of the different 4-bar links and these curves exactly correspond to the Discus articularis, taut by the upper part of the M. pterygoideus lateralis. The muscles do not only just move the mandibula, but they are also the component, which can choose between the different mandibular movements. By means of the curves, which points in the muscular attachments describe, the function of the masticatory muscles could be analyzed exactly.     

On the structure and dynamics of the complex of the nucleosome and the linker histone

Several different models of the linker histone (LH)–nucleosome complex have been proposed, but none of them has unambiguously revealed the position and binding sites of the LH on the nucleosome. Using Brownian dynamics-based docking together with normal mode analysis of the nucleosome to account for the flexibility of two flanking 10 bp long linker DNAs (L-DNA), we identified binding modes of the H5-LH globular domain (GH5) to the nucleosome. For a wide range of nucleosomal conformations with the L-DNA ends less than 65 Å apart, one dominant binding mode was identified for GH5 and found to be consistent with fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments. GH5 binds asymmetrically with respect to the nucleosomal dyad axis, fitting between the nucleosomal DNA and one of the L-DNAs. For greater distances between L-DNA ends, docking of GH5 to the L-DNA that is more restrained and less open becomes favored. These results suggest a selection mechanism by which GH5 preferentially binds one of the L-DNAs and thereby affects DNA dynamics and accessibility and contributes to formation of a particular chromatin fiber structure. The two binding modes identified would, respectively, favor a tight zigzag chromatin structure or a loose solenoid chromatin fiber.     

Biophysics and Structure of the Patch and the Gigaseal

Interpreting channel behavior in patches requires an understanding of patch structure and dynamics, especially in studies of mechanosensitive channels. High resolution optical studies show that patch formation occurs via blebbing that disrupts normal membrane structure and redistributes in situ components including ion channels. There is a 1-2 μm region of the seal below the patch where proteins are excluded and this may consist of extracted lipids that form the gigaseal. Patch domes often have complex geometries with inhomogeneous stresses due to the membrane-glass adhesion energy (E_a), cytoskeletal forces, and possible lipid subdomains. The resting tension in the patch dome ranges from 1-4 mN/m, a significant fraction of the lytic tension of a bilayer (∼10 mN/m). Thus, all patch experiments are conducted under substantial, and uneven, resting tension that may alter the kinetics of many channels. E_a seems dominated by van der Waals attraction overlaid with a normally repulsive Coulombic force. High ionic strength pipette saline increased E_a and, surprisingly, increased cytoskeletal rigidity in cell-attached patches. Low pH pipette saline also increased E_a and reduced the seal selectivity for cations, presumably by neutralizing the membrane surface charge. The seal is a negatively charged, cation selective, space with a resistance of ∼7 gigohm/μm in 100 mM KCl, and the high resistivity of the space may result from the presence of high viscosity glycoproteins. Patches creep up the pipette over time with voltage independent and voltage dependent components. Voltage-independent creep is expected from the capillary attraction of E_a and the flow of fresh lipids from the cell. Voltage-dependent creep seems to arise from electroosmosis in the seal. Neutralization of negative charges on the seal membrane with low pH decreased the creep rate and reversed the direction of creep at positive pipette potentials.     

Comparison of the Effects of Flexion and Extension of the Thumb and Fingers on the Position and Cross-Sectional Area of the Median Nerve

Objective

To assess the separate effects of thumb and finger extension/flexion on median nerve position and cross-sectional area.

Methods

Ultrasonography was used to assess median nerve transverse position and cross-sectional area within the carpal tunnel at rest and its movement during volitional flexion of the individual digits of the hand. Both wrists of 165 normal subjects (11 men, 4 women, mean age, 28.6, range, 22 to 38) were studied.

Results

Thumb flexion resulted in transverse movement of the median nerve in radial direction (1.2±0.6 mm), whereas flexion of the fingers produced transverse movement in ulnar direction, which was most pronounced during flexion of the index and middle fingers (3.2±0.9 and 3.1±1.0 mm, respectively). Lesser but still statistically significant movements were noted with flexion of the ring finger (2.0±0.8 mm) and little finger (1.2±0.5 mm). Flexion of the thumb or individual fingers did not change median nerve cross-sectional area (8.5±1.1 mm²).

Conclusions

Volitional flexion of the thumb and individual fingers, particularly the index and middle fingers, produced significant transverse movement of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel but did not alter the cross-sectional area of the nerve. The importance of these findings on the understanding of the pathogenesis of the carpal tunnel syndrome and its treatment remains to be investigated.