Value of DSA in the Diagnostic Workup of Pulsatile Tinnitus

ObjectivesPulsatile tinnitus (PT) is a rare complaint, but can be a symptom of life-threatening disease. It is often caused by vascular pathologies, e.g. dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF), arteriovenous malformation (AVM) or vascularized tumors. The current diagnostic pathway includes clinical examination, cranial MRI and additional DSA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic impact of DSA in the diagnostic workup of patients with PT in comparison to MRI alone.MethodsRetrospectively, 54 consecutive patients with pulsatile tinnitus were evaluated. All patients had a diagnostic workup including cranial MRI and DSA. MRI examinations were blinded to the results of DSA and retrospectively analyzed in consensus by two experienced neuroradiologists. The MR-examinations were evaluated for each performed sequence separately: time-of-flight-angiography, ce-MRA, T2, ce-T1-sequence and ce-T1-sequence with fat saturation.Results37 of the 54 patients revealed a pathology explaining PT on MRI, which was detected by the readers in 100% and proofed by means of DSA. 24 dAVF, four paraganglioma, two AVM and seven more pathologies were described. All patients without pathology on MRI did also not show any pathology in DSA.ConclusionsMR imaging is sufficient to exclude pathology in patients with pulsatile tinnitus.     

Coexistence of intradural spinal arteriovenous malformation and associated developmental anomalies - report of two cases

Spinal arteriovenous malformations (AVM) have been devided into dural (Type I), intramedullary glomus (Type II), juvenile (Type III), and perimedullary direct arteriovenous fistulae (Type IV). AVMs are usually associated with subacute myelopathy in what has been known as Foix-Alajouanine syndrome. We presented two patients with two intradural spinal arteriovenous malformations associated in what we call Foix-Alajouanine syndrome. The both patient developed acute back pain and paresthesias, followed by paraplegia and incontinence. The clinical status of one patient has been improved after particle embolization for a 17 years when he deteriorated up to paraplegia after spinal angiography for follow up. Clinical status in another patient deteriorated, because particle emoblisation cannot be performed due to very descrete presentation of the feeding artery. Extensive neuroradiological examination in both patients revealed coexistence of numerous associated developmental anomalies in both patients. We conclude that arteriovenous malformations occasionally are associated with other vascular and nonvascular developmental anomalies elsewhere in the body. These findings rise attention about keep in mind the suspicion of mutual etiopathogenesis and congenital origin of these anomalies. Early timing of the diagnostic and therapeutic interventiosn are stressed to prevent or delay irreversible ishaemic myellopathy or haemorrhage. For the definitive diagnosis of spinal arteriovenous malformations and evaluation of its occlusion grade after the therapy spinal angiography is needed     

The role of upper limb somatosensory evoked potentials in the management of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: preliminary data

We studied upper limb somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in 11 patients with MRI and clinical evidence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), before and after cervical open-door laminoplasty. SEP studies before surgery revealed two main types of abnormality, the first characterized by the isolated loss of the spinal N13 response, reflecting the dysfunction of dorsal horn cervical cells in 4 patients. The second combined abnormalities of both spinal N13 and scalp far-field P14 potential, suggesting the involvement of both dorsal horn cells and dorsal columns at the cervical level in 7 patients. After surgery, N13 recovered in 9 patients, while P14 abnormalities remained unchanged. Clinical recovery, evaluated by means of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) disability scale, was accompanied by SEP improvement. Moreover, this improvement was more pronounced in patients with isolated loss of the N13 than in patients with combined abnormalities of the N13 and scalp P14 response. Our data strongly suggest that upper limb SEPs can be useful in monitoring the effectiveness of surgery, as well as in selecting before surgery patients who are likely to have a better postsurgical outcome.     

Efficacy of the epidural blood patch for the treatment of post lumbar puncture headache BLOPP: A randomised,observer-blind,controlled clinical trial [ISRCTN 71598245]

Background  

Post dural punction headache (PDPH) occurs in 10% to 40% of the patients who had a lumbar puncture. Its symptoms can be severe and incapacitating. The epidural blood patch is widely accepted as the treatment of choice for postdural puncture headache. Uncontrolled studies report rapid recovery after patching in 90% to 100% of treated patients. However, sufficient evidence from randomised, controlled clinical trials is lacking.     

Expression of the transient receptor potential channels TRPV1, TRPA1 and TRPM8 in mouse trigeminal primary afferent neurons innervating the dura

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Migraine and other headache disorders affect a large percentage of the population and cause debilitating pain. Activation and sensitization of the trigeminal primary afferent neurons innervating the dura and cerebral vessels is a crucial step in the "headache circuit". Many dural afferent neurons respond to algesic and inflammatory agents. Given the clear role of the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of channels in both sensing chemical stimulants and mediating inflammatory pain, we investigated the expression of TRP channels in dural afferent neurons. METHODS: We used two fluorescent tracers to retrogradely label dural afferent neurons in adult mice and quantified the abundance of peptidergic and non-peptidergic neuron populations using calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) and isolectin B4 (IB4) binding as markers, respectively. Using immunohistochemistry, we compared the expression of TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels in dural afferent neurons with the expression in total trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons. To examine the distribution of TRPM8 channels, we labeled dural afferent neurons in mice expressing farnesylated enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFPf) from a TRPM8 locus. We used nearest-neighbor measurement to predict the spatial association between dural afferent neurons and neurons expressing TRPA1 or TRPM8 channels in the TG.Results and conclusionsWe report that the size of dural afferent neurons is significantly larger than that of total TG neurons and facial skin afferents. Approximately 40% of dural afferent neurons exhibit IB4 binding. Surprisingly, the percentage of dural afferent neurons containing CGRP-ir is significantly lower than those of total TG neurons and facial skin afferents. Both TRPV1 and TRPA1 channels are expressed in dural afferent neurons. Furthermore, nearest-neighbor measurement indicates that TRPA1-expressing neurons are clustered around a subset of dural afferent neurons. Interestingly, TRPM8-expressing neurons are virtually absent in the dural afferent population, nor do these neurons cluster around dural afferent neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that TRPV1 and TRPA1 but not TRPM8 channels likely contribute to the excitation of dural afferent neurons and the subsequent activation of the headache circuit. These results provide an anatomical basis for understanding further the functional significance of TRP channels in headache pathophysiology.     

Efficancy of decompressive craniectomy in treatment of severe brain injury at the Rijeka University Hospital Centre

Decompressive Craniectomy (DC) is a treatment option for severe brain injury (SBI). This method is applied when the growth of intracranial pressure (ICP) can no longer be controlled with conservative methods. DC belongs to class III "Guidelines"--"option" which has not clear clinical certainty. They do not correspond to "Standards" (class I) in treatment protocol for SBI, which is common in most neurotraumatological centers. We have analyzed retrospectively 95 patients with SBI who were admitted to the Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka. All patients were managed based on a protocol of current Brain Trauma Foundations (BTF) Guidelines. 39 patients underwent DC while 34 patients underwent standard craniotomy. 22 patients did not undergo any surgical procedures. In each patient we analyzed ICP changes within the first 11 days and in that way we correlated them statistically with the initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and then with Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), after the end of the treatment. We particularly analyzed the outcome with reference to the time of the operation and the size of DC. The standard measurement of ICP shows statistical significance in recovery in the group without DC after 5 days of intensive treatment, when the pressure is stabilized between 20-25 mm Hg. The stabilization of ICP in the DC group is observed already after 3 days of intensive treatment. Furthermore, better functional recovery according to GOS, which is statistically significant, was observed in patients who underwent DC where the area of craniectomy was larger than 25 cm2, within the first 24 hours from the time of injury. The use of DC considerably reduces the need for CT check-ups. Increase in the number of encephalocele was noted, which is to be expected considering that dural decompression is used in DC procedure. The results of our study indicate that the utilization of DC is characterized with lower mortality and better functional recovery if it is applied at an early stage of treatment and if the size of DC is satisfactory.     

颅内动脉瘤和动静脉畸形患者VEGF的表达及与临床特征的关系

目的:探究颅内动脉瘤和动静脉畸形(AVM)患者血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的表达与临床特征的关系。方法:选取2011年2月至2015年11月期间因颅内动脉瘤和AVM入院接受治疗的64例患者作为研究对象,AVM和动静脉畸形患者各32例。将样本切片进行VEGF免疫组化染色,记录染色位置、染色强度,计算阳性指数。分析颅内动脉瘤患者在不同年龄段和HuntHess分级中VEGF表达水平差异,分析AVM患者在不同直径、年龄段、Spetzler分级中VEGF表达的情况。结果:不同年龄段颅内动脉瘤患者VEGF表达差异无统计学意义(P0.05),不同HuntHess分级颅内动脉瘤患者VEGF表达差异显著(P0.05)。AVM中动脉VEGF的阳性率显著低于静脉中的阳性率,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。AVM患者在不同Spetzler分级、不同直径及不同年龄段中VEGF表达差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:VEGF表达在AVM患者的静脉和动脉中存在差异,与颅内动脉瘤年龄及AVM大小、年龄无相关性,VEGF不能作为颅内动脉瘤和AVM患者临床预后的预测指标。     

The diagnostic value of integrated growth hormone secretion studies shorter than 24 hours in normal- and short-growing children.

Spontaneous growth hormone (GH) secretion is evaluated by measurement of the 24-hour integrated concentration of GH (24-hour IC-GH), a major diagnostic procedure, or by shorter protocols such as monitoring 6 h during sleep. We have evaluated several possibilities for shortening the procedure by comparing the results of an abbreviated procedure to the 24-hour IC-GH studies. The study population consisted of 50 children with classic GH deficiency (group GHD), determined by provocative testing, and 45 children who had a subnormal secretion of GH (group N), determined by low 24-hour IC-GH but normal GH provocative tests. Twenty-two children of normal height and stature served as a control group. All the children were prepubertal, while there was no overlap between the lower 5th percentile of the 24-hour IC-GH of the control subjects (3.3 micrograms/l) and the upper 97th percentile of the 24-hour IC-GHs of the N and GHD groups (2.9 and 2.7 micrograms/l, respectively), there was a considerable overlap between the IC-GH of control subjects and that of the GHD and N groups measured in all the abbreviated blood withdrawal protocols, except for the 10-hour daytime and the 12-hour nighttime protocols of the GHD patients. It should be noted that there was only a small overlap between the control and the GHD groups during the 12-hour daytime protocol. We have found that the longer the blood collection period the greater the sensitivity and the specificity. We conclude that the 24-hour IC-GH test is the best diagnostic tool for identifying children with subnormal GH secretion.     

T‐cell receptor diversity as a prognostic biomarker in melanoma patients

There is increasing evidence that T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity can be a predictive biomarker of immune responses in cancer patients. However, the characteristics of the T‐cell repertoire together with its prognostic significance in melanoma patients and impact on disease progression remain unknown. We investigated the combinatorial TCR repertoire diversity by semi‐quantitative multi‐N‐plex PCR in peripheral blood samples from 44 melanoma patients together with seven matched metastatic lymph nodes and explored its potential predictive value on clinical prognosis. The diversity was quantified by calculating both richness (number of different specificities) and evenness (relative abundance of the different specificities). Our results revealed that a higher TCR repertoire diversity in blood of patients was associated with a longer PFS, while divpenia (low repertoire diversity) was linked with poor prognosis. The diversity was significantly higher in patients undergoing late relapse and long survival compared to patients who progressed rapidly. Interestingly, the TCR repertoire diversity in tumor may have a potential prognostic value. Thus, our study highlights that the TCR repertoire diversity is a prognostic indicator of clinical outcome in patients with melanoma.     

Vasodilator tone in the llama fetus: the role of nitric oxide during normoxemia and hypoxemia

The fetal llama responds to hypoxemia, with a marked peripheral vasoconstriction but, unlike the sheep, with little or no increase in cerebral blood flow. We tested the hypothesis that the role of nitric oxide (NO) may be increased during hypoxemia in this species, to counterbalance a strong vasoconstrictor effect. Ten fetal llamas were operated under general anesthesia. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, cardiac output, total vascular resistance, blood flows, and vascular resistances in cerebral, carotid and femoral vascular beds were determined. Two groups were studied, one with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blocker N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and the other with 0.9% NaCl (control group), during normoxemia, hypoxemia, and recovery. During normoxemia, L-NAME produced an increase in fetal MAP and a rapid bradycardia. Cerebral, carotid, and femoral vascular resistance increased and blood flow decreased to carotid and femoral beds, while cerebral blood flow did not change significantly. However, during hypoxemia cerebral and carotid vascular resistance fell by 44% from its value in normoxemia after L-NAME, although femoral vascular resistance progressively increased and remained high during recovery. We conclude that in the llama fetus: 1) NO has an important role in maintaining a vasodilator tone during both normoxemia and hypoxemia in cerebral and femoral vascular beds and 2) during hypoxemia, NOS blockade unmasked the action of other vasodilator agents that contribute, with nitric oxide, to preserving blood flow and oxygen delivery to the tissues.     

Circadian variations of catecholamines and blood pressure in patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism and hypertension

The relationship between 24-h recumbent blood pressure levels and secretory patterns of catecholamines was investigated in 4 patients with pseudohypoparathyroidism (PsHP) and hypertension and in 9 patients with essential hypertension. A clear circadian rhythm of blood pressure and catecholamines was documented in both groups with lowest levels of blood pressures and catecholamines occurring during sleep. During the 24-h period of recumbency mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was correlated (r = 0.63, p less than or equal to 0.01) with plasma norepinephrine (N) in the patients with essential hypertension, but this correlation was weaker in patients with PsHP (r = 0.38, p less than or equal to 0.05). MAP was more closely related to plasma epinephrine (E) (r = 0.62, p less than or equal to 0.01) than to plasma NE in patients with PsHP. Plasma NE and E levels were considerably lower in patients with PsHP than in patients with essential hypertension throughout the 24-h recumbent period. The sleep-related decline in blood pressure and NE was less than in patients with essential hypertension. These results suggest that while the sympathetic nervous system may have a role in hour-to-hour maintenance of blood pressure in patients with PsHP and hypertension, it does not appear to be responsible for the elevated arterial pressure in these patients. Factors other than those investigated, such as obesity, alterations in sodium homeostasis of refractoriness of the vascular smooth muscle to the vasodilatory effect of PTH may be involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension in PsHP.     

Experience of proton stereotactic therapy for cerebral arteriovenous malformations in children

The authors present the results of proton stereotactic therapy (using continuous double-axis pendulum irradiation) in 27 children with cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). At the moment of therapy, the children's age was 6 to 15 years. The volume of AVM was 0.2 to 31.2 cm3. The absorbed doses in the maximum of a dose field were 40 to 80 Gy. Complete AVM obliteration (the mean volume in the group was 3.03 cm3) was obtained in 11 (41%) patients. A 50% or more reduction in AVM volume (mean volume, 10.6 cm3) was seen in 8 (30%) patients. There was a less than 50% reduction in AVM volumes (mean volume 9.6 cm3) in 2 (7%) patients and no effect could be achieved in 6 (22%) (mean AMV volume 19.7 cm3).     

Attempts to identify the source of avian vacuolar myelinopathy for waterbirds

Attempts were made to reproduce avian vacuolar myelinopathy (AVM) in a number of test animals in order to determine the source of the causative agent for birds and to find a suitable animal model for future studies. Submerged vegetation, plankton, invertebrates, forage fish, and sediments were collected from three lakes with ongoing outbreaks of AVM and fed to American coots (Fulica americana), mallard ducks and ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos), quail (Coturnix japonica), and laboratory mice either via gavage or ad libitum. Tissues from AVM-affected coots with brain lesions were fed to ducklings, kestrels (Falco sparverius), and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos). Two mallards that ingested one sample of Hydrilla verticillata along with any biotic or abiotic material associated with its external surface developed brain lesions consistent with AVM, although neither of the ducks had clinical signs of disease. Ingestion of numerous other samples of Hydrilla from the AVM affected lakes and a lake with no prior history of AVM, other materials (sediments, algae, fish, invertebrates, and water from affected lakes), or tissues from AVM-affected birds did not produce either clinical signs or brain lesions in any of the other test animals in our studies. These results suggest that waterbirds are most likely exposed to the causative agent of AVM while feeding on aquatic vegetation, but we do not believe the vegetation itself is the agent. We hypothesize that the causative agent of AVM might either be accumulated by aquatic vegetation, such as Hydrilla, or associated with biotic or abiotic material on its external surfaces. In support of that hypothesis, two coots that ingested Hydrilla sampled from a lake with an ongoing AVM outbreak in wild birds developed neurologic signs within 9 days (ataxia, limb weakness, and incoordination), and one of two coots that ingested Hydrilla collected from the same site 13 days later became sick and died within 38 days. None of these three sick coots had definitive brain lesions consistent with AVM by light microscopy, but they had no gross or histologic lesions in other tissues. It is unclear if these birds died of AVM. Perhaps they did not ingest a dose sufficient to produce brain lesions or the lesions were ultrastructural. Alternatively, it is possible that a separate neurotoxic agent is responsible for the morbidity and mortality observed in these coots.     

Recovery function of somatosensory evoked potentials in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy*

Abstract

Objective: We analysed the recovery function of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) patients. We hypothesized that there may be disinhibition in the recovery of SEPs at 20–100?ms intervals in JME patients.

Methods: We recorded SEPs and SEP recovery in 19 consecutive patients with JME admitted for a routine follow-up examination, and in a control group composed of 13 healthy subjects who were similar to the patient group regarding age and sex. The recovery function of SEPs was examined using paired stimuli at 30, 40, 60, and 100?ms intervals.

Results: The amplitudes of N20-P25 and P25-N33 components were higher in patients with JME. Ten patients had high-amplitude SEPs. By paired stimulation, there was inhibition of SEPs in both groups. The mean recovery percentages of N20-P25 and P25-N33 components at 30, 40, 60, and 100?ms were not different between healthy subjects and patients with JME.

Conclusions: The recovery function of SEP is normal in JME even in the presence of high-amplitude SEPs.     

致炎剂联合降钙素基因相关肽对大鼠硬脑膜神经源性炎症的影响

目的：探讨致炎剂联合降钙素基因相关肽对大鼠硬脑膜神经源性炎症的影响,寻求最佳慢性偏头痛的实验模型。方法：24只SD雄性大鼠。随机分为生理盐水组（NS）、降钙素基因相关肽组1（CGRe1,10-3M）、降钙素基因相关肽组2（CGRP2,10-4M）,以及IS（20μL）＋CGRP（10μL,10-4M）组,每组各6只,通过甲苯胺蓝染色法,观察肥大细胞脱颗粒,采用伊文氏蓝荧光显像法,观察大鼠硬脑膜血管渗出,采用多普勒激光血流仪检测法,观察各组硬脑膜动脉血流量变化。结果：与NS组相比,CGRPl、CGRP2、IS＋CGRP组肥大细胞脱颗粒数和比率、脑血流量均明显升高,P〈0．05,并且硬脑膜荧光红斑明显增多;与CGRPl、CGRP2组相比,IS＋CGRP组肥大细胞脱颗粒数和比率、脑血流量均明显升高,P〈0．05,并且硬脑膜荧光红斑明显增多。CGRP两组相比,上述指标比较,差异没有统计学意义,P〉0．05。结论：IS＋CGRP能够明显刺激大鼠硬脑膜发生神经源性炎症反应,可以作为慢性偏头痛动物实验模型。     

Influence of avilamycin administration and its subsequent withdrawal on emergence and disappearance of antimicrobial resistance in enterococci in the intestine of broiler chickens

AIMS: To investigate the influence of avilamycin (AVM) administration and its subsequent withdrawal on the emergence and disappearance of AVM-resistant enterococci in the intestine of broiler chickens. METHODS AND RESULTS: Five chicks each of C, L and H groups were given the basal diet, the basal diet supplemented with 5 g AVM/ton and the basal diet supplemented with 50 g AVM/ton, respectively. The AVM-resistant Enterococcus faecalis population did not emerge during 30 days of the AVM administration period, whereas the AVM-resistant Enterococcus faecium with a minimum inhibitory concentration of >512 microg ml(-1) in the faeces of chicks of the L and H groups emerged on 3 and 1 days after the AVM administration, respectively. Thereafter, the AVM-resistant Ent. faecium population density in both L and H groups maintained high levels during the AVM administration period. Twenty days after the AVM withdrawal, the AVM-resistant Ent. faecium population disappeared from the intestines of both four of five chicks of L group and three of five chicks of H group. The AVM-resistant Ent. faecium population density in one chick from each of the groups, L and H, did not change before and after the AVM removal. CONCLUSIONS: The AVM-resistant Ent. faecium emerged during the AVM administration, and disappeared from the intestine of most chicks after the AVM withdrawal. However, the AVM-resistant Ent. faecium persisted in some chicks 20 days after AVM withdrawal. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Our results suggest that introducing an AVM withdrawal period could minimize the risk of AVM-resistant Ent. faecium becoming carcass contaminants, and that prudent antibiotic use alone is not sufficient to stem emergence of the AVM-resistant Ent. faecium.     

Loss of miR-24-3p promotes epithelial cell apoptosis and impairs the recovery from intestinal inflammation

While apoptosis plays a significant role in intestinal homeostasis, it can also be pathogenic if overactive during recovery from inflammation. We recently reported that microRNA-24-3p (miR-24-3p) is elevated in the colonic epithelium of ulcerative colitis patients during active inflammation, and that it reduced apoptosis in vitro. However, its function during intestinal restitution following inflammation had not been examined. In this study, we tested the influence of miR-24-3p on mucosal repair by studying recovery from colitis in both novel miR-24-3p knockout and miR-24-3p-inhibited mice. We observed that knockout mice and mice treated with a miR-24-3p inhibitor had significantly worsened recovery based on weight loss, colon length, and double-blinded histological scoring. In vivo and in vitro analysis of miR-24-3p inhibition in colonic epithelial cells revealed that inhibition promotes apoptosis and increases levels of the pro-apoptotic protein BIM. Further experiments determined that silencing of BIM reversed the pro-apoptotic effects of miR-24-3p inhibition. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-24-3p restrains intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis by targeting BIM, and its loss of function is detrimental to epithelial restitution following intestinal inflammation.Subject terms: Apoptosis, Drug delivery     

Survival of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HIV-infected lymphocytes, and poliovirus in water.

The potential for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to enter domestic sewers via contaminated body fluids such as blood has spurred interest in the survival of this virus in water and wastewater. This study focused on establishing the inactivation of HIV and productively infected lymphocytes in dechlorinated tap water. In addition, HIV survival was compared with that of poliovirus. Results indicated that either free HIV or cell-associated HIV was rapidly inactivated, with a 90% loss of infectivity within 1 to 2 h at 25 degrees C and a 99.9% loss by 8 h. In comparison, poliovirus showed no loss of infectivity over 24 h. The presence of human serum in tap water slowed the rate of HIV inactivation through 8 h but did not stabilize the virus through 24 h. In addition, blood from stage IV AIDS patients was introduced into tap water, and the recovery of HIV was monitored by using both an infectivity assay and polymerase chain reaction amplification of viral sequences. Virally infected cells were no longer detectable after 5 min in dechlorinated tap water, while little diminution in amplifiable sequences was observed over 2 h. Thus, detection of viral sequences by polymerase chain reaction technology should not be equated with risk of exposure to infectious HIV.     

Development of a stable and efficient zein based nanopesticides through green and simple way for improving utilization efficiency

Nanopesticides represent one of the effective ways of reducing the use of pesticides and the environmental pollution. Natural zein as a potential carrier for nanoencapsulation of pesticides has the disadvantages of large amount of organic solvents and poor dispersibility. In this study, a water soluble of zein peptides was obtained by hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions with heated and stability of nanopesticides were prepared through crosslinked after self-assemble. As the results, the zein peptides spontaneously assembled into spherical particles in an aqueous solution, the nanopesticides (avermectin, AVM), with uniform size distribution and size can be adjusted by the glutaraldehyde, have a great stability, and redispersed in water after freeze-drying. Moreover, nanoencapsulation protects avermectin from UV light, with 24% of the encapsulated AVM remaining intact after exposure to UV for 60 min, compared to less than 6% for the bare AVM. In addition, the nanoformulation had similar insecticidal activity to commercial EC and the cross-linking of particles slowed down the release rate and the curves were consistent with Higuchi model different from the abnormal diffusion in the uncross linked state. In short, this study provides a simple method to obtain stabilizable nanopesticides based on natural polymer on a green way.     

Somatosensory evoked potential recovery (SEP-R) in various neurological disorders

Recovery functions of somatosensory evoked potentials were studied by the paired stimulation technique in 61 patients with various neurological disorders. A less suppressive or hyperexcitable phase at short intervals, which had been shown in myoclonic patients, was seen in 22 patients. This abnormality was observed even in patients without myoclonus or involuntary movements, which suggests that this phenomenon is not mainly due to some dysfunction causing myoclonus or movement disorders. Less suppression at short intervals was observed for both N20-P25 and P25-N33 components in most of them. Less suppressive recovery of the N20-P25 component with normal recovery of the P25-N33 component was shown only in 3 patients with subcortical lesions with relative sparing of the cortical elements (Binswanger's subcortical encephalopathy). We conclude that less suppressive recovery of only the N20-P25 component suggests the presence of subcortical lesions.