Spatio-temporal course of macrophage-like cell accumulation after experimental embolic stroke depending on treatment with tissue plasminogen activator and its combination with hyperbaric oxygenation.

Inflammation following ischaemic stroke attracts high priority in current research, particularly using human-like models and long-term observation periods considering translational aspects. The present study aimed on the spatio-temporal course of macrophage-like cell accumulation after experimental thromboembolic stroke and addressed microglial and astroglial reactions in the ischaemic border zone. Further, effects of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) as currently best treatment for stroke and the potentially neuroprotective co-administration of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) were investigated. Rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion and were assigned to control, tPA or tPA+HBO. Twenty-four hours, 7, 14 and 28 days were determined as observation time points. The accumulation of macrophage-like cells was semiquantitatively assessed by CD68 staining in the ischaemic area and ischaemic border zone, and linked to the clinical course. CD11b, ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and Neuronal Nuclei (NeuN) were applied to reveal delayed glial and neuronal alterations. In all groups, the accumulation of macrophage-like cells increased distinctly from 24 hours to 7 days post ischaemia. tPA+HBO tended to decrease macrophage-like cell accumulation at day 14 and 28. Overall, a trend towards an association of increased accumulation and pronounced reduction of the neurological deficit was found. Concerning delayed inflammatory reactions, an activation of microglia and astrocytes with co-occurring neuronal loss was observed on day 28. Thereby, astrogliosis was found circularly in contrast to microglial activation directly in the ischaemic area. This study supports previous data on long-lasting inflammatory processes following experimental stroke, and additionally provides region-specific details on glial reactions. The tendency towards a decreasing macrophage-like cell accumulation after tPA+HBO needs to be discussed critically since neuroprotective properties were recently ascribed to long-term inflammatory processes.

[Physical complaints, emotional stress and locus of control in the course of orthopaedic rehabilitation]. / Körperliche Beschwerden, emotionale Belastung und Kontrollüberzeugung im Verlauf der orthopädischen Rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVES: Based on the biopsychosocial model, the present paper investigates the interactions between physical complaints and psychological parameters under the terms of a rehabilitation procedure. METHOD: In 309 participants of orthopaedic rehabilitation, the course of physical complaints (GBB-24), emotional stress (HADS-D) and locus of control (KU-WS) were recorded using a pre-post design. Additionally, the impact of the factors gender, age and level of chronicity as well as the interactions between the variables were analysed. RESULTS: Compared to the general population, the rehabilitation participants had significantly higher levels of fatigue, limb pain and pressure caused by complaints as well as anxiety and depression. Definite changes under the terms of rehabilitation were found for all single parameters of physical complaints and emotional stress; however, the scales with initially significantly increased values did not reach the levels of the general population. The reduction of physical complaints was significantly correlated with the reduction of emotional stress. The relationship between physical complaints and locus of control was much lower. CONCLUSION: The present paper confirms the strong interaction between biological and psychological factors under the terms of a rehabilitation process.

The complexity of the afterpotential of rabbit A-type horizontal cells.

Afterpotentials of A-type horizontal cells (HCs) are believed to be rod-induced. They are, however, complex potentials and evidently of multiple causation. That part of the HC potential immediately after light-off is not entirely rod-determined because it has the same spectral sensitivity as the response to light-on, which is cone-induced with only some rod influence. It persists during a strong blue adapting light, which suppresses rod activity. The afterpotential may also be influenced by feedback from HCs to photoreceptors. The later part of the afterpotentials of A-type HCs is, however, rod dominated, as are the afterpotentials of axon terminals of B-type HCs.