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That neuroplasticity occurs in mammalian spinal cord is well known, though the underlying mechanism still awaits elucidation. This study evaluated the role of endogenous Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the spinal neuroplasticity. Following cord transection at the junction between T9 and T10, the hindlimb locomotor functions of rats showed gradual but significant improvement from 7 to 28 days post-operation. Corresponding to this was a significant increase in the level of NT-3 in the cord segments caudal to injury site. Significantly, after NT-3-antibody administration, the spinal transected rats displayed poor hindlimb locomotor functions and a decrease in the number of neurons in spinal laminae VIII-IX. Whether NT-3-antibody was administered, corticospinal tract regeneration and somatosensory evoked potentials could not be detected. Our findings suggested that endogenous NT-3 could play an important role in spinal plasticity in adult spinal cords subjected to transection, possibly through a regulation of neuronal activity in the local circuitry.

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Previous studies showed that bis(alpha-furancarboxylato)oxovanadium(IV) (BFOV), an orally active anti-diabetic organic vanadium complex, could improve insulin resistance in animals with type 2 diabetes. The present study has been carried out to evaluate the effects of BFOV on insulin-resistant glucose metabolism using dexamethasone-treated 3T3-L1 adipocytes as an in-vitro model of insulin resistance. The results showed that BFOV, similar to vanadyl sulfate and rosiglitazone, caused a concentration-dependent increase in glucose consumption by insulin-resistant adipocytes. Moreover, BFOV enhanced the action of insulin and completely prevented the development of insulin resistance induced by dexamethasone, leading to glucose consumption equal to that by normal cells. In addition, dexamethasone reduced the mRNA expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, while BFOV normalized the expression of IRS-1 and GLUT4. These findings suggest that BFOV prevents and improves dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by enhancing expression of IRS-1 and GLUT4 mRNA.

Introduction: One of the most important methods to promote emergency preparedness are hospital drills. Hospital drills are led by the Hospital Preparedness Branch in the Home Front Command and the Emergency and Disaster Management Division in the Ministry of Health. In 2008, hospital drills training a wide range of scenarios, including mass-casualty events (MCEs), and chemical, biological, and earthquake drills were held in 13 large hospitals. Lessons learned from hospital chemical drills include: (1) identifying the yellow line so there will be no bottlenecks; (2) clearing routes to transport the casualties; and (3) preventing duplication of roles or strain on hospital staff. In the integrated site, attention could focus on conventional injuries, ignoring the signs of poisoning. This issue must be refined among medical staff for continuing medical treatment. Lessons learned from hospital MCE drills include: (1) making the absorption plaza as large as possible for ambulances to unload casualties; (2) stay as dose as possible to the evacuation location; and (3) avoiding two-way of the stretchers. Lessons learned from hospital biological drills include: (1) working with full protection for hours is a burden; (2) a safety officer to recommend infection control and prevention must be appointed; and (3) training should be encouraged as a routine that will allow for the expansion of the ability to prevent infections. Lessons learned from hospital earthquake drills include: (1) when departments must be evacuated, an event manager is needed to manage the staff of that department; (2) an evacuation process and quick reporting of a hospital emergency must be functional; and (3) walkie-talkies and satellite telephones must be used. Conclusions: The lessons of each exercise were transferred to hospitals in a summary document distributed two weeks after the exercise. The hospital is required make the necessary changes based on these lessons learned. Three months after the exercise, a meeting was held with the staff and hospital industry representatives.