Background: MEP is the most appropriate technique to assess the functional integrity of the whole motor pathway, particularly during scoliosis surgery. Objectives: The object of this prospective study is to assess the impact of preoperative clinical, electrophysiological (EMG, NCV, SSEPs) studies and intra -operative recording of MEPs using multi-pulse transcranial electrical stimulation on the outcome of 15 operations adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The selected 15 cases had diverse grades of scoliosis severity according to Lenke classification of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). All patients were under the age of 18 years old (14.3±2.46), 10 females and 5 males. Preoperative clinical, routine laboratory, electrophysiological studies and intra -operative recording were done for all patients who met all study criteria. Post-operative and electrophysiological assessments were carried out for all cases. Patients with a history of epilepsy or skull fracture were excluded. Results: Post-operative follow up for all cases was continued for 6-month and revealed nonexistence of new motor deficits either clinically or electro-physiologically. This is owing to that the cases had normal preoperative studies (n=15) as well as intraopaerative MEPs. Apart from considerable intra-operative transient MEP changes in two patients, no new EPs or clinical deficits were documented. Regarding post-operative SSEP, it remained unaltered and even it demonstrated better recovery in 7 patients, on top no complications were raised. Conclusion: All patients who had reproducible MEPs (100%) during the whole surgery procedures via APB, ADM, AH and TA recordings had had excellent clinical and electrophysiological outcomes. (Egypt J. Neurol. Psychiat. Neurosurg., 2009, 46(2): 345-350)

This paper reports a theoretical study of the electrostatic potential within a so-called pen-heterojunction made up of two semi-infinite, doped semiconductor media separated by an electrolyte region. An external potential is then applied across the entire system. Both the electrostatic potentials and double layer surface forces are studied as functions of the usual double layer system properties, semiconductor properties such as doping concentrations of acceptor and donator atoms, as well as applied potential. We find that both attractive and repulsive forces are possible depending on the surface charges on the electrolyte-semiconductor interfaces, and that these forces can be significantly modified by the applied potential and by the doping levels in the semiconductors.

Electrochromic polymer films, employed as display elements, smart windows, and the base material for electrochemical electronic devices, can be addressed solely through ionic transport via an electrolyte, without direct electronic connection as typically employed in the above examples. We present a demonstration of induced electrochromism to quantify the direction and magnitude of the electric field in an electrolyte using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with polystyrene-sulfonate. After further development, this simple yet effective technique will be potentially applicable for optimizing batteries and fuel cells, as the active detection element in electrochemical sensors and as a detector in ionic separation in electrolytes (electrophoresis). (C) 2004 The Electrochemical Society.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of growth hormone treatment in severely growth retarded children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) receiving glucocorticoids.STUDY DESIGN:Children with systemic and polyarticular idiopathic arthritis (22 F, 16 M) with a mean age of 10.1 years were enrolled in this controlled study. Eighteen patients (9 F, 9M; mean age, 10.5 years) received growth hormone in a dose of 0.20 to 0.33 mg/kg body weight per week for 4 years. Twenty patients (13 F, 7 M; mean age, 9.6 years) served as an untreated control group.RESULTS:Mean improvement in height in the treated group was 1 SD, whereas the patients of the control group lost 0.7 SD. Disease activity markers correlated significantly with the mean growth velocity standard deviation score. In general, children with mild or moderate disease and lower comedication grew and responded better to growth hormone therapy than those with active disease. No adverse events were noted.CONCLUSION:Our data suggest that long-term growth hormone therapy has a beneficial effect in children with severe forms of JIA. Further data are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of growth hormone and its effect on final height.

We report a case of Acute Intermittent Porphyria which presented with acute abdominal distress, autonomic dysfunction and laboratory abnormalities. The treatment is discussed with special emphasis on the effect of large doses of Propranolol.