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Purpose: To examine the cognition, spontaneous epilepsy, and electroencephalography (EEG) characteristics of rats with malformations of cortical development (MCD) and their use as an animal model for investigating the pathogenesis of intractable epilepsy and screening novel antiepileptic drugs., Methods: An epileptic rat model of MCD was established with the F1 generation of pregnant rats after X-irradiation with 175 cGy (Group L), 195 cGy (Group M), or 215 cGy (Group H). Long-term video-EEG monitoring was used to record the seizures in the rats with MCD. Cognition was assessed with the Morris water maze. The EEGs were recorded and analyzed in the frontal and parietal lobes and hippocampi of adult rats. Finally, the brain tissues were processed for Nissl staining., Results: The model groups exhibited markedly prolonged escape latencies and distinct decrements in the percent distance traveled in the target quadrant and platform-crossing frequency. These findings were dose-dependent. Frequent interictal epileptiform discharges were observed in the frontal and parietal lobes and hippocampi of adult rats, and their incidences were markedly higher in the model groups compared with that in the normal controls, with Group M having the highest incidence. Spontaneous seizures were observed in the model groups (mean incidence, 46.7%). The daily mean frequency of seizures and the incidence of spontaneous seizures were highest in Group M. Nissl staining revealed a dose-dependent pattern of hippocampal abnormalities, cortical and subcortical nodular heterotopia, and callosal agenesis in the model groups., Conclusion: The 195 cGy dose was most appropriate for establishing an epileptic model of MCD with X-irradiation., (Copyright © 2015 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We investigated the preventive efficacy of exogenous methylcobalamin on sciatic nerve IGF-1 expression down-regulation and peripheral nerve deficit under different conditions (hyperglycemia and duration) of experimental diabetes in rats. Hyperglycemia was induced with streptozotocin, and stratified by exogenous insulin into mild and severe conditions. Duration of diabetes was ranged from 2-12 weeks. A single dose of methylcobalamin was intramuscularly administrated. Three groups of rats were compared in this study: (i) control group (NC, n = 30); (ii) saline-treated control diabetic group (n = 30); and (iii) methylcobalamin-treated diabetic group (n = 30). The study demonstrated a progressive decrease of sciatic nerve IGF-1 mRNA and peptide contents, and peripheral nerve dysfunction in the saline-treated diabetics over 12 weeks in contrast to the normal control non-diabetics (P < 0.01-0.0025). The IGF-1 reduction was delayed, which was consistent with retardation in nerve velocity conduction and structural impairment, in the methylcobalamin-treated diabetics, especially with mild hyperglycemia and shorter duration as compared with the saline-treated diabetics (P < 0.05-0.01). No effect of methylcobalamin on blood glucose was shown in the treated groups. It is concluded that exogenous methylcobalamin delayed onset of diabetic peripheral neuropathy via up-regulation of neural IGF-1 gene expression, and a better neuroprotective effect could be achieved in the presence of good control of hyperglycemia, especially at early stage of diabetes.

Growth and development of 207 children (49% males; mean age 5.4 years [SD 0.2], range 4 to 7.3 years whose mothers received iodine during pregnancy, and children who received iodine first in their 2nd year, were examined in 1996; 192 children (49% males; mean age 6.5 years [SD 0.2], range 5.8 to 6.9 years) whose mothers received iodine while pregnant were seen in 1998. Children were from the southern part of China's Xinjiang Province which has the lowest levels of iodine in water and soil ever recorded. Head circumference but not height was improved for those who received iodine during pregnancy (compared with those receiving iodine at age 2) and for those supplemented before the end of the 2nd trimester (relative to those supplemented during the 3rd trimester). Iodine before the 3rd trimester predicted higher psychomotor test scores for children relative to those provided iodine later in pregnancy or at 2 years. Results from the test for cognitive development resulted in trend only differences between those children supplemented during pregnancy versus later. The results address the question of when maternal iodine supplements should begin in public health programs world wide. Findings may be relevant to the treatment of maternal and newborn thyroid deficiency in industrialized countries, particularly for those infants delivered before the end of the second trimester.

We questioned 75 patients after inpatient oral and maxillofacial operations to find out how satisfied they were with the extent to which their pain had been controlled. Seventy (93%) had had postoperative pain. In 33 (47%), it was moderate and in 24 (34%), severe. Analgesic drugs were not given immediately to 6 of the 24 patients who requested them. Seventeen (24%) reported that the pain was worse than they had expected, but 74 of the 75 patients were satisfied with the pain control they received. We conclude that patients' expectations of pain control are low and that questions about satisfaction should not be used in isolation., (Copyright 2000 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.)