Noise enhances subthreshold oscillations in injured primary sensory neurons.

Noise can play a constructive role in the detection of weak signals in various kinds of peripheral receptors and neurons. What the mechanism underlying the effect of noise is remains unclear. Here, the perforated patch-clamp technique was used on isolated cells from chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) model.

Iron-deficiency anemia in infancy and social emotional development in preschool-aged Chinese children.

Objective: We aimed to compare affect and behavior of 3 groups of nonanemic 4-year-old children: children with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infancy whose anemia was not corrected before 24 months (chronic IDA) (n = 27); children with IDA in infancy whose anemia was corrected before 24 months (corrected IDA) (n = 70); and children who were nonanemic in infancy and at 24 months (n = 64).

Method: Mother and child dyads were invited to a local clinic room. Children's social referencing, wariness, frustration-tolerance behavior, and affect were observed during a set of situations encountered in the laboratory, including free play, stranger approach, novel toy, and delay of gratification.

[The nutrition status of children aged 6-23 months after three months of Wenchuan Earthquake in Beichuan and Lixian, Sichuan Province].

Objective: This project aims to investigate the nutrition status of children aged from 6 to 23 months living in Beichuan and Lixian where were seriously affected by the earthquake in 2008.

Methods: The height, body weight and hemoglobin concentration were measured for 478 children from Leigu township, Qushan township in Beichuan county and Zagunao township, Xuecheng township and Putou township in Lixian county; the number of group 6 - 11, 12 - 17, 18 - 23 months were 190, 144, 144 respectively. The height for age (HAZ), the body weight for age (WAZ) and the weight for height (WHZ) were calculated respectively.

A functional genomic screen in planarians identifies novel regulators of germ cell development.

Germ cells serve as intriguing examples of differentiated cells that retain the capacity to generate all cell types of an organism. Here we used functional genomic approaches in planarians to identify genes required for proper germ cell development. We conducted microarray analyses and in situ hybridization to discover and validate germ cell-enriched transcripts, and then used RNAi to screen for genes required for discrete stages of germ cell development.

Clinical observation on the treatment of chronic urticaria with total glucosides of paeony capsule combined with citirizine.

Objective: To assess the effect and adverse reaction of total glucosides of paeony capsule (TGPC) in combining with citirizine for the treatment of chronic urticaria.

Methods: A total of 120 patients were assigned to two groups by lottery, 65 in the treated group and 55 in the control group. They all were orally treated with citirizine tablet 10 mg per day, but to the treated group, additional 0.

Disturbed keratin expression and distinct genotype of ichthyosis hystrix Lambert type.

We have previously reported the second familial ichthyosis hystrix strongly resembling Lambert type in clinical features, now this family has expanded to three generations, including three patients and five unaffected individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular basis of this family. Paraffin-embedded skin sections were stained using keratin 1 (K1), K2, K10, K5+14 and loricrin antibodies.

Emerging roles of collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) as regulators of voltage-gated calcium channels and synaptic transmission.

Presynaptic N-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (Cav2.2) form part of an extensive macromolecular complex in the presynaptic terminal. Regulation of Cav2.

In silico docking and electrophysiological characterization of lacosamide binding sites on collapsin response mediator protein-2 identifies a pocket important in modulating sodium channel slow inactivation.

The anti-epileptic drug (R)-lacosamide ((2R)-2-(acetylamino)-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropanamide (LCM)) modulates voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) by preferentially interacting with slow inactivated sodium channels, but the observation that LCM binds to collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP-2) suggests additional mechanisms of action for LCM. We postulated that CRMP-2 levels affects the actions of LCM on VGSCs. CRMP-2 labeling by LCM analogs was competitively displaced by excess LCM in rat brain lysates.

Effect of in-home fortification of complementary feeding on intellectual development of Chinese children.

Objective: To explore the effect of in-home fortification of complementary feeding on intellectual development of Chinese children aged below 24 months.

Methods: One thousand and four hundred seventy eight children aged 4-12 months were recruited and divided into study groups (formula 1 group and formula 2 group) and control group. In two study groups, in addition to the usual complementary food, children were fed with a sachet of fortified food supplement each day.

ALTERED CALCIUM CURRENTS AND AXONAL GROWTH IN Nf1 HAPLOINSUFFICIENT MICE.

Mutations of the neurofibromin gene (NF1) cause neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a disease in which learning disabilities are common. Learning deficits also are observed in mice with a heterozygous mutation of Nf1 (Nf1(+/-)). Dysregulation of regulated neurotransmitter release has been observed in Nf1(+/-) mice.

An atypical role for collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP-2) in neurotransmitter release via interaction with presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels.

Collapsin response mediator proteins (CRMPs) specify axon/dendrite fate and axonal growth of neurons through protein-protein interactions. Their functions in presynaptic biology remain unknown. Here, we identify the presynaptic N-type Ca(2+) channel (CaV2.

Effects of nutrient fortified complementary food supplements on anemia of infants and young children in poor rural of Gansu.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of complementary food supplements with protein and multi-micronutrients on hemoglobin and anemia in infants and young children.

Methods: In 5 poor counties of Gansu, 984 children aged 6-12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one sachet of either Formula I or Formula II supplements each day.

Immunohistochemical analysis of ocular platelet basic protein expression during infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Platelet basic protein (PBP) and several of its derivatives are known to express a wide range of biological characteristics. It is the precursor of connective tissue activating peptide (CTAP-III), beta thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and neutrophil activating peptide (NAP-2), which is the proteolytic derived end product. The temporal ocular expression of the chemokine PBP before and during corneal infection over several days by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was examined by immunohistochemistry.

[Effect of low-flux polysulphone membranes on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, C-reactive protein, lipoprotein (a), and beta2 microglobulin in hemodialysis patients].

Objective: To explore the effect of low-flux polysulphone membranes on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, hyper-sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], and beta2 microglobulin (beta 2MG) in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: The blood samples and dialysate samples were collected at pre-dialysis, 120 minutes later during the session, and post-dialysis in 27 stable hemodialysis patients. Variables determined included serum Lp (a), hsCRP, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and beta 2MG.

[Study of establishing feeding index for children aged 6-23 months in rural China].

Objective: Infant and child feeding index was used to examine its associations with nutritional status of children aged 6-23 month in rural China.

Methods: Data come from China rural children nutrition surveillance in 2005, age-specific infant and child feeding index (ICFI) is developed based on breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, and the associations between ICFI and weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age Z scores (LAZ) were examined.

Results: The mean of ICFI was 8.

Conduction failures in rabbit saphenous nerve unmyelinated fibers.

Recent experimental and theoretical data indicate that the functional capabilities of axons with specialized structures are much more diverse than traditionally thought. However, few observations were concerned with the main axons without arborization. In the present study, electrical stimulation of the saphenous nerve at different frequencies (2, 5, 10, 20 Hz) was used to test the role of activity-dependent effects on the pattern of action potentials that propagate along individual unmyelinated fibers (C fibers) within the trunk of the saphenous nerve in rabbits.

[The effect of sufentanil on acute lung injury in rabbits].

Objective: To study the effect of sufentanil on acute lung injury induced by hemorrhagic shock in rabbits.

Methods: Fifty-four healthy rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group,with only incision of trachea; model group, hemorrhagic shock was produced according to modified Wiggers' method; sufentanil group, intravenous injection of sufentanil at 0.02 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1) after hemorrhagic shock.

Reversed anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap for knee and proximal calf defects.

Background: Reconstruction of defects involving the knee and proximal one third of the lower leg presents a challenging problem in plastic surgery.

Aim: To evaluate the reversed anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap for covering such defects.

Methods: Between September 2006 and May 2007, one man and four women with defects around the knee and upper calf underwent reconstruction with reversed anterolateral thigh adipofascial flaps.

[Study on the evaluation of underreporting and the quality of death cases reporting system, from medical institutions at county level and above, in 2005].

Objective: To understand the underreporting on death cases through web-based reporting system from medical institutions at county level and above as well as to evaluate the quality of death cases reporting through the system.

Methods: A large-scale survey was conducted at 130 medical institutions based on stratified random sampling and to evaluate the underreporting and the quality of death cases reporting from medical institutions through data from survey and reporting system.

Results: In 2005, the total reporting rates were 78.

[Effects of complementary food supplements on respiratory infections and diarrhea of infants and young children in poor rural].

Objective: To investigate the effect of complementary food supplements with protein and multi-micronutrients on respiratory infections and diarrhea of infants and yound children in poor rural China.

Methods: In 5 poor county of Gansu Province, 1478 children aged 4 - 12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one package of either formula I or formula II per day, usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one package of either formula I or formula II per day, protein and micronutrient were supplemented in formula I group.

[Analysis of children's nutritional status based on WHO children growth standard in China].

Objective: To compare children's growth patterns and estimates of malnutrition using the WHO standards versus the NCHS reference in China.

Methods: Data originated from China children nutrition surveillance in 2005, Z-scores and prevalence of malnutrition were compared between standards.

Results: There was substantial difference in Z-scores between standards in rural (P < 0.

[Effects of nutrient fortified complementary food supplements on growth of infants and young children in poor rural area in Gansu Province].

Objective: To investigate the effects of complementary food supplements with protein and multimicronutrients on growth of infants and yound children in poor rural area in Gansu Province, China.

Methods: In 5 poor counties of Gansu Province, 1478 children aged 4-12 months were enrolled and divided into two groups. In addition to the usual home-made complementary food, all the children were fed one sachet of either formula I or formula II per day, protein and micronutrient were supplemepted in formula I group, fomula II group got energy supplement corresponding with same energy intake as formula I, a massive dose of vitamin A was supplemented to both groups every 6 months interval.