Cognitive control subprocess deficits and compensatory modulation mechanisms in patients with frontal lobe injury revealed by EEG markers:a basic study to guide brain stimulation

Background Frontal lobe injury(FLI)is related to cognitive control impairments,but the influences of FLI on the internal subprocesses of cognitive control remain unclear.Aims We sought to identify specific biomarkers for long-term dysfunction or compensatory modulation in different cognitive control subprocesses.Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted.Event-related potentials(ERP),oscillations and functional connectivity were used to analyse electroencephalography(EEG)data from 12 patients with unilateral frontal lobe injury(UFLI),12 patients with bilateral frontal lobe injury(BFLI)and 26 healthy controls(HCs)during a Go/NoGo task,which included several subprocesses:perceptual processing,anticipatory preparation,conflict monitoring and response decision.Results Compared with the HC group,N2(the second negative peak in the averaged ERP waveform)latency,and frontal and parietal oscillations were decreased only in the BFLI group,whereas P3(the third positive peak in the averaged ERP waveform)amplitudes and sensorimotor oscillations were decreased in both patient groups.The functional connectivity of the four subprocesses was as follows:alpha connections of posterior networks in the BFLI group were lower than in the HC and UFLI groups,and these alpha connections were negatively correlated with neuropsychological tests.Theta connections of the dorsal frontoparietal network in the bilateral hemispheres of the BFLI group were lower than in the HC and UFLI groups,and these connections in the uninjured hemisphere of the UFLI group were higher than in the HC group,which were negatively correlated with behavioural performances.Delta and theta connections of the midfrontal-related networks in the BFLI group were lower than in the HC group.Theta across-network connections in the HC group were higher than in the BFLI group but lower than in the UFLI group.Conclusions The enhancement of low-frequency connections reflects compensatory mechanisms.In contrast,alpha connections are the opposite,therefore revealing more abnormal neural activity and less compensatory connectivity as the severity of injury increases.The nodes of the above networks may serve as stimulating targets for early treatment to restore corresponding functions.EEG biomarkers can measure neuromodulation effects in heterogeneous patients.

Research on the Status Quo of Waterfront Space Construction on the Macao Peninsula

Waterfront space is an important part of waterfront cities, and it carries the functions of ecological protection, tourism and urban landscape. As a city built on an island, Macao has abundant waterfront space. However, due to the geographical location, cultural and historical reasons, the waterfront space of Macao has a development gap in the use of urban waterfront space. The internal reasons for the differences in the waterfront space construction in which regions of the island are more perfect are the issues to be studied in this article. It is hoped that through the study of the current situation of Macao’s local waterfront space infrastructure construction, the main points that affect advanced cases will be sorted out. From the location, industry, and infrastructure, find out its enlightenment to other waterfront spaces in Macao that are relatively backward in construction.

Comparison of labeling methods and time course of traumatic brain injury-induced cell death in mice

BACKGROUND：Various molecular mechanisms of cell death following traumatic brain injury have been previously described.However,the time course of cell death remains unclear.TUNEL and Fluoro-Jade B labeling have been widely used to label apoptotic cells and neuronal degeneration.Propidium iodide （PI） functions as a biomarker of cell death in vivo.OBJECTIVE：To explore the role of PI labeling compared to TUNEL and Fluoro-Jade B staining for detecting neural cell death,and to observe time course of traumatic brain injury-induced cell death in mice.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING：A randomized,controlled,animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases,Soochow University from September 2007 to December 2008.MATERIALS：PI （B1221） was purchased from Sigma,USA.TUNEL kit was purchased from Roche Molecular Biochemicals,USA.Fluoro-Jade B was purchased from Chemicon,USA.METHODS：A total of 70 healthy,male,Kunming mice were randomly assigned to sham-surgery （n = 5） and model （n = 65） groups.Traumatic brain injury was established using the controlled cortical impact method.PI was intraperitoneally injected at 1 hour prior to animal sacrifice.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES：TUNEL,Fluoro-Jade B,and Pl-positive cells were quantified using a double-labeling method to determine the time course of traumatic brain injury-induced cell death.RESULTS：PI labeled cells in an earlier phase of cell death than TUNEL and Fluoro-Jade B labeling.Pl-positive cells were observed immediately following injury,and the numbers rapidly increased in injured brain areas at 1 hour,peaked at 24-48 hours,and subsequently decreased at 3-21 days post-injury.TUNEL-labeled cells were significantly increased at 12 hours,while Fluoro-Jade B-labeled cells were increased at 6 hours after injury,with cells still visible at 6-48 hours post-injury.Moreover,a greater number of Pl-positive cells were observed compared to TUNEL- and Fluoro-Jade B-labeled cells.CONCLUSION：PI labeling is more sensitive and reliable than TUNEL and Fluoro-Jade B staining for detecting cell death following traumatic brain injury.Moreover,PI labeling can function as a reliable marker to estimate the entire time course of cell death.

Zinc transporter-3 expression and long-term cognitive impairments in a rat model of neonatal concurrent seizure

BACKGROUND： Developmental seizures, which are pathologically characterized by regenerative sprouting of hippocampal mossy fibers, cause long-term damaging effects to synaptic plasticity. Zn^2＋ metabolism has been shown to contribute to the regenerative sprouting of hippocampal mossy fibers Furthermore, zinc transporter-3 （ZnT3） is responsible for Zn^2＋ transport in the hippocampal mossy fiber pathway. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of long-term recurrent neonatal seizures on learning, memory formation and hippocampal ZnT3 expression in rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Based on molecular biological research and behavioral examination a randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratory Animal Center, Peking University Health Science Center, between October 2004 and July 2005. MATERIALS： Flurothyl was purchased from Aldrich Chemical Co., USA. ZnT3 mRNA in situ hybridization kits were provided by Tianjin Haoyang Biological Manufacture Co., Ltd., China. Morris water maze was produced by Shanghai Jiliang Science and Technology Co., Ltd., China. METHODS： Sixty, 6-day old, Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups： single seizure （n = 21）, recurrent seizure （n = 21, one seizure daily for 6 consecutive days）, and control （n = 18）. Seizures were induced by flurothyl gas inhalation, in the single seizure and recurrent seizure groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At postnatal days 12, 46 and 90, rat hippocampal ZnT3 mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR; at postnatal days 46 and 90, ZnT3 mRNA expression was determined by in situ hybridization; and at postnatal days 41-46 and 85 90, rat spatial learning and memory formation were examined by the Morris water maze test. RESULTS： RT-PCR results revealed that at postnatal day 12, ZnT3 expression was significantly greater in the recurrent seizure group than in the control and single seizure groups, and at day 46, it was also significantly greater in the recurrent seizure group compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. In situ hybridization results showed that at postnatal day 46, the recurrent seizure group exhibited increased hippocampal ZnT3 expression over the control and single seizure groups （P〈0.05）. Morris water maze test results displayed that, in the first place navigation test at postnatal day 44, and the second test at days 87-88, the recurrent seizure group exhibited significantly higher value of average escape latency compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. In the two spatial probe tests, the search strategies were significantly inferior in the recurrent seizure group than in the control and single seizure groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Neonatal concurrent seizures produce long-term damaging effects on hippocampal ZnT3 expression and cognitive function, while both of which have no parallel correlation.

Study on the Current Situation of Urban Integration of Aboveground Space and Underground Space:Under the Background of China’s Land Spatial Planning

Urban underground public space has a synergistic effect with its surrounding urban aboveground functions or facilities,which reflects the complementarity between underground functions and urban functions.The research analyses the degree of integration through the case study of urban aboveground space and underground space in China.The research method of this paper will give different evaluation criteria to public transport and public space and the influencing factors of space integration.The indicators of public transport include the number of subway lines and underground parking spaces.The evaluation standard of public space is the area of underground space and the number of floors of underground space.The subway entrance and exits are selected as the evaluation index for the aboveground and underground transition space.Through the specific analysis of 7 selected cases,it provides arguments for the research.The average rent in the case is taken as the dependent variable.Through the regression model,the influencing factors of the integration of aboveground and underground space are determined.The purpose of the study is to explore the influencing factors of the integration of aboveground space and underground space,and how to optimize the integration of aboveground and underground space.

Assessment of cognitive dysfunction in traumatic brain injury patients:a review

Traumatic brain injury(TBI)is one of the major causes of human mortality and morbidity in the world.Brain injury could affect the core of a person’s being–their thinking,memory,personality and behaviour.Electrophysiological markers from the human electroencephalogram and brain imaging provide a rich source of data which helps to elucidate specific processing impairments in TBI patients.To assess the cognitive and social function in traumatic brain injury patients,this review will focus on some of methods for assessing the disabling cognitive and social function deficits induced by TBI.There are many new technologies available to address TBI and recognition related questions.Integration of the various techniques will help to facilitate our comprehending of TBI,cognitive function and social function,and improve treatment and rehabilitation.

Development of Chrysomya megacephala at constant temperatures within its colony range in Yangtze River Delta region of China

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius,1794) is the most abundant and predominant species which arrives and colonizes a cadaver first in most parts of China.Therefore,its growth and development patterns have great implications in the estimation of the minimum postmortem interval (PMImin).In this study,C megacephala was collected from the Yangtze River Delta region and reared at seven constant temperatures ranging from 16 ℃ to 34 ℃.The developmental duration and accumulated degree hours,larval body length and morphological changes of C.megacephala were examined.Furthermore,we constructed three developmental models,isomorphen diagram,isomegalen diagram and thermal summation model,which can be used for estimating PMImin.The developmental durations of C.megacephala at 16 ℃,19 ℃,22 ℃,25 ℃,28 ℃,31 ℃ and 34 ℃ are (794.8 ± 14.7),(533.2 ± 10.1),(377.8 ± 16.8),(280.8 ± 15.1),(218.9 ± 8.5),(190.8 ± 10.1) and (171.8 ± 6.8) h,respectively.The developmental threshold temperature D0 is (11.41 ± 0.32) ℃,and the thermal summation constant K is (3 418.7 ± 137.0) degree hours.Regression analysis was conducted to obtain equations of the variation in larval body length with time after hatching,and variation in time after hatching with body length.Moreover,our study divides the intra-puparial morphological changes of C.megacephala into 11 sub-stages,and provides the time range experienced by each sub-stage.The results of this study provide fundamental development data for the use of C.megacephala in PMImin estimations.

Visual acuity evaluated by pattern-reversal visual-evoked potential is affected by check size/visual angle

Objective To systemically explore the range of visual angles that affect visual acuity, and to establish the relationship between the P 1 component （peak latency -100 ms） of the pattern-reversal visual-evoked potential （PRVEP） and the visual acuity at particular visual angles. Methods Two hundred and ten volunteers were divided into seven groups, according to visual acuity as assessed by the standard logarithmic visual acuity chart （SLD-II）. For each group, the PRVEP components were elicited in response to visual angle presentations at 8°, 4°, 2°, 1°/60＇, 30＇, 15＇, and 7.5＇, in the whiteblack chess-board reversal mode with a contrast level of 100% at a frequency of 2 Hz. Visual stimuli were presented monocularly, and 200 presentations were averaged for each block of trials. The early and stable component P1 was recorded at the mid-line of the occipital region （Oz） and analyzed with SPSS 13.00. Results （1） Oz had the maximum Pl amplitude; there was no significant difference between genders or for interocular comparison in normal controls and subjects with optic myopia. （2） The P1 latency decreased slowly below 30＇, then increased rapidly. The P1 amplitude initially increased with check size, and was maximal at -1° and -30＇. （3） The P1 latency in the group with visual acuity 〈0.2 was signifi- cantly different at 8°, 15＇ and 7.5＇, while the amplitude differed at all visual angles, compared with the group with normal vision. Differences in P1 for the groups with 0.5 and 0.6 acuity were only present at visual angles 〈1°. （4） Regression analysis showed that the P1 latency and amplitude were associated with visual acuity over the full range of visual angles. There was a moderate correlation at visual angles 〈30＇. Regression equations were calculated for the P1 components and visual acuity, based on visual angle. Conclusion （1） Visual angle should be taken into consideration when exploring the function of the visual pathway, especially visual acuity. A visual angle -60＇ might be appropriate when using PRVEP com- ponents to evaluate poor vision and to identify malingerers. （2） Increased P1 amplitude and decreased P1 latency were as- sociated with increasing visual acuity, and the P1 components displayed a linear correlation with visual acuity, especially in the range of optimal visual angles. Visual acuity can be deduced from P 1 based on visual angle.