Volume 89  ·   Issue 29  ·  2009

Arthroscopy is known as one of the three major advances in the field of orthopedics in the 20th century. In the past, what we heard and witnessed was open surgery, and the understanding of minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery is very shallow. As a natural organ of human body, the core function of joint is movement, and it is a very important structure of human body. Open surgery has destroyed the natural anatomical structure and its function before reaching the lesion, which is a very prominent and complicated contradiction. However, arthroscopic surgery has solved this contradiction very well. Using minimally invasive arthroscopic technique, we can directly look at the lesion under dynamic conditions, understand its true pathological changes, purposefully and targetedly examine and treat the intra-articular lesions, and keep the normal anatomical structure of the joint from being destroyed, which is beneficial to postoperative functional training and rehabilitation.

Objective To evaluate the curative effect of RIGIDfixTM tibial and femur cross pin system used for hamstring grafted reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in arthroscopy. Methods Thirty two cases with ACL ruptures were reconstructed arthroscopically with hamstring grafts and the grafts fixed with RIGIDfix cross-pin on both femoral and tibial sides. They included 18 males and 14 females with a mean age of 28 (20-45) years old; the mean time from injury to operation was 3.6 (2.5-6) months. And each knee was checked by MRI and X-ray preoperatively. Through arthroscopy, we found 19 ACL ruptured from femoral attachment point, 13 from tibiat point, 3 cases combined with medial meniscus injury and 4 cases with articular cartilage injury of medial femoral condyle.After semitendinosus or gracilis harvesting, the hamstring grafts were pre-tensioned and woven, the diameter of 4 or 5 strands grafts was 7-8 mm. To position and drill tibial tunnel on ACL stump of tibial crest, and to drill femoral tunnel at 10:00 to 11 o'clock of femoral intercondylar fossa transtibial with knee flexed to 90 degree, the depth of femoral tunnel was 30 mm. The RIGIDfix guide was inserted through tibial tunnel up into the femoral tunnel to drill the sleeve and interlocking Trocar across the lateral femur and keep the two sleeves fixed to the lateral femur. Insert RIGIDfix guide into the tibial tunnel, keeping the top of guide 2-3 mm beneath the endostoma of tibial tunnel, drill the sleeve and interlocking Trocar across the lateral tibia and keep the two sleeve fixed to the lateral tibia. The graft was pulled into the tunnel (the 30 mm mark on the graft should be at the edge of femoral hole) to insert the RIGIDfix cross pins from femoral tunnel to tibial tunnel, while inserting the second, third, fourth cross pin, the graft should be kept under tension. Then a knot was tied through tibial bony bridge using the Enthibend thread switched to the end of tendon grafts. We finally observed the tension of tendon grafts and the impingement of fossa intercondylica under arthroscopy.Results With a 16-month follow-up evaluation, all of the patients' injured knees were stable and the average Lysholm knee score increased from 62.5 to 94.5. Rulermetr device values were less than 2 mm of sagittal displacement in 28 patients and 4 mm in 4. Postoperative Lachman was negative in 30 patients and weakly positive in 2. According to the IKI)C scores, 30 patients reported normal function, 2 reported nearly normal function and none reported abnormal or severely abnormal function. Conclusion The grafting method of fixing both femur and tibia sides with absorbable cross pins is feasible. In this way, the graft is stabilized to allow for reconstruction. A surgeon should refrain from dissecting the tendon and enlarging the tunnel so as to promote the healing of tendon and bone.

Objective To explore via an arthroscopic second-look the effect of preserved residual anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tissue upon revascularization of allologous bone-patellar tendon-bone (B-PT-B) grafting. Methods Twenty-eight patients with allologous B-PT-B ACL reconstruction were recruited.Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the amount of residual ACL tissue. Group A: ACL residual tissue was cleared; Group B: ACL residual tissue was preserved. Patients were advised to undergo arthroseopic second-look at 6 months after ACL reconstruction. During second surgery, ACL photos were taken during 10 minutes after tourniquet was released. Photoshop was used to analyze red chroma of ACL tissue. The percentage area of three degrees of red chroma was calculated and a standard curve plotted.Results Fourteen cases in group A and 13 cases in group B were examined by second-look arthroscopy.According to Photoshop analysis, ACL graft in group B had better red chroma appearance than group A. Two peaks were observed on grade three red chroma curve. Conclusion Residual ACL tissue can be preserved during allologous B-PB-B reconstruction of ACL. At 6 months pest-reconstruction, the revascularization of graft with preserved residual ACL tissue was much better than the other grafts. Small vessels were found on surface of all ACL grafts at 6 months post-reconstruction.

Objective To determine how selected gait parameters, measured by three-dimensional motion capture system, may change as a result of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency and following ACL reconstruction. Methods The study was performed on 29 ACL-deficient subjects prior to and at 3, 6,9 and 12 months after ACL reconstructive surgery by the four stranded hamstring tendon technique. The group was examined at an average of 2.6 months after injury (range: 2 weeks-16 months). But at pre-surgery, gait analysis was performed using the DorealSoft DVMC-8801 three-dimensional motion capture system. Kinematic data were recorded for the lower extremities. The results obtained from the injured subjects were compared with those of 58 individuals without ACL damage. Each subject was asked to walk on a motorized treadmill (ECON USA) with different slopes and perform-after a 6 minute familiarization time-at least 2 minutes of walking at a constant speed of 1.9 km/h. Results The ACL-deficient patients exhibited a quadriceps avoidance pattern prior to and at 3 months post-surgery. In the operated individuals, the spatial-temporal parameters and the knee angle had already regained a normal pattern for the ACL-deficient extremity during gait at 6 months post-surgery. However, the relative ACL movement parameter-which describes the tibial translation into the direction of ACL-and the angular acceleration showed no significant statistical difference as compared with the values of healthy control group at just 9 months post-surgery.Conclusion The ACL surgical repair significantly alters lower-extremity gait patterns, and that the establishment of pre-injury gait patterns takes at least 9 months to occur. 3D gait analysis for assessment of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery can precisely reflect knee biomechanical changes, and assist to explore optimal treatment approach and postoperative rehabilitation methods.

Objective To conduct a primary clinical analysis on 411 cases of arthroscopic 4 bone-tunnel double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction done by one operator on the basis of anatomic measurements of cadaver knees. Methods Twenty-two adult male Chinese cadaver knees of 25-45 years old were dissected. The sizes, distributions and positions of femoral and tibia footprints of anterior medial bundle (AMB) and posterior lateral bundle (PLB) of ACL and their fiber's orientations were measured and recorded. The anatomy and measurement results were used by one operator in 413 doable-bundle ACL reconstruction knees of 411 cases with arthroscopic 4 bone-tunnel technique. Among them, 297 males and 114 females, there were 222 left knees and 191 right knees. The average age was 27.61±7.23 years old. Results The anatomy results showed the locations and sizes of AMB and PLB footprints in both femoral and tibia sides were different for different individuals. It was suggested to locate AMB femoral tunnel 7.95±1.40 mm inferior to 12:00 o'clock position on the posterior edge of the lateral wall of intercondylar fossa with 1 mm thick of the posterior wall of finished AMB femoral tunnel. With the knee flexed to 90°, the PLB tunnel was 5.05±0.76 mm superior to the lower cartilage edge of the lateral wall of intercondylar fossa,8.60±1.52 mm away from the anterior cartilage edge and 8. 65±1.54 mm from the posterior edge. The anatomic orientations of tibia and femoral tunnels were also measured. The study results were used in arthroscopic double-bundle ACL reconstructions of 413 knees. In double-bundle ACL reconstruction operations, the grafts were used in the way from 2-strip double-bundle to 9-strip double-bundle. For most cases, Endo-Button was used for femoral fixation and bio-absorbable interference screw and staple were used for tibia fixation. For the patients adopting autologous semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (STG), the diameter of PLB bone tunnels was 5-6 mm in 95.9% cases, while that of AMB bone tunnel 5-7 mm in 72. 4% cases. After a 28-month follow-up in 75 cases, the results showed that double-bundle ACL reconstruction could better reconstruct the stability of knees. Conclusion In 4-bone-tunnel double-bundle arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, both bone tunnel positions and their orientations should be determined according to the anatomic measurement results. Since the PLB diameters of 95.9% cases were 5-6mm,considering the operative outcome of ACL revision, the double bundle ACL reconstruction technique was safe. A better knee stability could be reconstructed by this technique.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of temozolomide (TMZ) and lomustine (CCNU) in malignant brain gliomas. Methods In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, positive-controlled study, patients with malignant glioma of a histological grade Ⅲ/Ⅳ were randomly divided into two groups. In experiment group, TMZ capsule 150 mg/m2 was given orally on days 1 through 5 and CCNU placebo 130 mg/m2 while on day 1. In control group, CCNU capsule 130 mg/m2 was taken orally on day 1 and TMZ placebo 150 mg/m2 while on days 1 through 5. In both groups drugs were given on the first 5 days of 28 day therapeutic course. Every patient was administered at least 3 cycles continuously. Results 97 patients were enrolled in the clinical trial , 86 cases of which were evaluable for efficacy. The basic conditions of patients in both groups were comparable. After 12 weeks, the response rates in TMZ and CCNU group were 35.71% and 9.09% (P<0.01) respectively, and the clinical benefit rates in TMZ and CCNU group were 90.48% and 75.00% (P<0.05)respectively. No obvious improvement was showed in quality of life and neural symptoms in both groups. The common side effects of TMZ were nausea and vomiting with grade Ⅰ/Ⅱ. Condusion TMZ capsule can produce higher efficacy than CCNU in the treatment for refractory malignant brain glioma patients with an acceptable safety profile, indicating that TMZ could be an ideal chemotherapy selection for malignant brain glioma.

Objective In order to improve the survival-rates and study the long-term therapeutic effect of stage Ⅲ lung cancer patients with different treatment medalities. Methods From 1995 to 2004,1921 patients of stage Ⅲ lung cancer treated at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed to compare the long-term therapeutic effect of different treatment modalities. There were 606 cases in the combined therapy group (mainly surgical with combined treatment of chemotherapy & radiotherapy), 317 cases in the surgery alone group and 998 cases in the non-surgical group. The 1, 3, 5-year survival rates of these three groups were 66.0% (400/606) vs 62.7% (199/317) vs 51.2% (511/998), 32. 34% (196/606) vs 21.45% (68/317) vs 8.15% (81/998), 19.31% (117/606) vs 13.2% (42/317) vs 4.2% (42/998) respectively. In comparison, 1,3,5-year survival rates of the combined therapy group was higher than the surgery alone and non-surgical groups; Significant differences in 1-year survival rates were found between the combined therapy group and the surgery alone group or the non-surgical group (P<0.01) and significant differences in 3, 5-year survival rates among these three groups. Conclusion The combined therapy of radical resection with chemotherapy and radiotherapy is the best treatment medality for stage Ⅲ lung cancer.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of abnormal glucose tolerance in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with plasma glucose and serum insulin (INS) levels was performed in 257 PCOS patients. The states of glucose tolerance were classified by fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and plasma glucose at 120 minutes according to the Word Health Organization (WHO) criterion. Results According to the WHO criteria, 69. 3% were classified as normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 30. 7% as with abnormal glucose metabolism, with 26. 1% of them presenting impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and 4. 7% diabetes mellitus (DM). Age, BMI, fasting glucose or 2 h glucose concentration, fasting insulin or 2 h glucose concentration and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) increased gradually among NGT, IGT and 2DM. QUICKI and the ratio of fasting glucose/fasting insulin decreased gradually. The prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance was significantly higher after 30 years old. There was significant correlation between abnormal glucose tolerance and age or BMI. A positive correlation was found between BMI and fasting glucose or 2-h glucose concentration. Conclusion Abnormal glucose tolerance was correlated with age and BMI in PCOS patients.Insulin resistance is the mechanistic basis of abnormal glucose tolerance. Thus PCOS patients should be screened by glucose tolerance at an early time and a regular interval.

Objective To explore the clinical features, diagnosis and efficiency of transcallosal-interforniceal approach treatment of hypothalamic astrocytoma in children. Methods A total of 42 pediatric cases of hypothalamic astrocytoma were operated by transcallosal-interforniceal approach. All cases received post-operative radiotherapy and follow-up visits. The clinical and imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.Results High ICP and hypothalamic lesions were the main clinical manifestations. All patients suffering from hydrocephalus were operated by transcallosal-interforniceal approach. Seventeen cases received subtotal resection and 25 in great part. None died from operation. All cases received post-operative radiotherapy.Twenty-nine cases were followed up for 1 to 7 years. Among which, 25 led a normal life and 4 stayed in a fair condition. Conclusions Hypothalamic astrocytom in children have some characteristic in clinical manifestations and neuroradiological examinations. Transcallosal-interforniceal approach is an effective method of treating hypothalamic astrocytom in children. Total removal is not imperative. And radiotherapy should be performed.

Objective To explore the clinical value of CT guided radio frequency ablation in the treatment of pelvis tumor. Methods 11 males and 8 females ranging from 25 to 49 years old(average 37) were enrolled in this study, all the 19 patients were suffering from pelvis tumor including giant cell tumor of bone(2/19), Ewing's sarcoma (2/19), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (3/19) and metastatic diseases (12/19). The average diameter of the lesions were 6.2 cm. The predominant clinical symptom of the patients was pain in the local region. All the patients were treated by CT guided radio frequency ablation. Single pole or mutiple poles radio frequency ablation device was used according to the characteristics of the tumor tissue.Time of therapy was 5-15 min. Superposition was peroformed if necessary. Results All the patients received PET-CT scan or enhanced CT scan 1 month after the treatment, CR, PR was seen in 10 and 7 cases respectively. Total pain relief was seen in 10 patients, partial pain relief was seen in 8 patients, and gently pain relief was seen in 1 patient. Conclusion CT guided CT guided radio frequency ablation is an effective methods in the treatment of pelvis tumor.

Objective To evaluate the value of three-dimensional transvaginal sonography and hysterosonography in the diagnosis of endometrial lesion in women with postmenopausal bleeding. Methods A total of 74 patients with postmenopausal bleeding were prospectively studied by two-and three-dimensional transvaginal sonography. Endometrial thickness and volume were measured by 2D and 3D ultrasound respectively. Endometrial thickness was found by hysterosonography at greater than 5 mm in 32 cases.Changes of endometrium and compliance of muscularis uteri were observed. The results were correlated with histopathological findings. Results When 10 ml of endometrial volume was set as the cut-off point of endometrial abnormalities in postmenopausal women with bleeding, the sensitivity and false positive rate were 95.4%, 21.2% whereas 100%, 18.2% were obtained respectively when it was used to predict endometrial malignancy and premalignancy. The accurate rate of 2D-HSG diagnosing endometrial disorders and endometrial malignancy and pre-malignancy was 96.8% and 100% respectively. Changes of endometrium and compliance of muscularis uteri showed a significant difference between the groups of benign and malignancy after the injection of fluid into uterine cavity (P<0.05). Conclusion 3D-TVS and 2D-HSG are reliable methods in screening endometrial lesions. 2D-HSG should be regarded as an important tool in diagnosing and differentiating endometrial lesions especially in early stages of this malignant disease.Changes of endometrium and compliance of muscularis uteri may help to differentiate benign disorders from endometrial cancer.

Objective To find out whether there was any change in early infant temperament after mothers had received group psychological therapy on depression and anxiety during pregnancy period. Methods A total of 800 subjects meeting the inclusion criteria, without the exclusion criteria and willing to sign the informed consent were recruited randomly from Shanghai International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital in their 16th-20th weeks of pregnancy. They were randomized into the therapy group and the control group by the doll randomization table. Women in the therapy group would have a group psychological therapy for 6 times, 1.5 hours each time, while the control group not. The group psychological therapy included therapist introduction and participator discussion. The therapy concerned the antepartum and postpartum depression, the risk factors concerned with antepartum and postpartum depression,antepartum and postpartum anxiety, psychological defense theory, reflex training and spouse lesson. Mothers reported their babies' infant temperament by filling the early infant temperament questionnaire (EITQ) within 3 months post-delivery. Results The percent of easy infant temperament type was 87. 9% in the psychological therapy group and 81.7% in the hard group. And there was significant difference between two groups (χ2=4. 530, ν=1, P=0. 033). And there were significant differences in the dimensions of approach-withdrawal and threshold of responsiveness in infant temperament between two groups. Conclusion The maternal antepartum psychological therapy can increase the ratio of easy infant temperament. And it has effects upon the temperament dimensions of approach-withdrawal and threshold of responsiveness.

Objective To investigate the effect of propofol upon ammonia-induced neocortical astrocyte swelling and aquaporin-4 expression in rat astrocyte. Methods Methods Astrocytes were isolated from newbern Sprague Dawley rats. After a 3-week culture, cell immunofluorescence was employed to label glial fibrillary acidic protein, the specific protein of astrocyte. Astrocytes were cultured with NH4Cl(5mmol/ L) for 6, 12, 24 and 48 h. Astrocytes were pretreated by propofol and DMSO respectively for 30 min and then exposed to NH4Cl for 24h. The expression of AQP4 was detected by the Western blot; cell morphology assessed by light microscopy and cell viability measured by MTT reduction assay. Results The expression of AQP4 was elevated after a 12h exposure to ammonia, lasted to 48h and peaked at 24h. Astrocytes were found significantly swelting in the NH4Cl-24h and DMSO pretreated groups as compared with the propofol pretreated group. The over-expression of aquaporin-4 was attenuated by propofol pretreatment and the cell viability of astrocytes in the propofol pretreated group was higher than that in the NH4Cl-24h group (P< 0.05). Conclusion Pretreatment of astrocytes with propofol can inhibit the over-expression of AQP4, relieve cellular swelling and reduce the ammonia-induced decline in cell viability of astrocytes.

Objective To study the effects of radiaotherapy upon progression of crescentic glomerulonephritis in rats. Methods Male SD rats were divided into three groups: (1) control (n=12),sham-operation; (2) crescentic glomerulonephritis (n=23), intravenously inject with nephrotoxic serum (NTS); (3)radiotherapy (n=55), a single low-dose irradiation of 0.5 Gy X-ray to both kidneys at Days 6, 13, 20 and 27 after NTS injection, and sacnificed at different time points among control and crescentic glomerulonephritis rats. Radiotherapy rats have received local kidney irradiation at Days 6, 13, 20 and 27 after bolus NTS injection and would be referreds to as NTS7dRa1d, NTS14dRa1d, NTS21dRa1d and NTS28dRa1d, respectively. Results For NTS7dRa1d and NTS14dRa1d rats of radiotherapy, the levels of serum creatinine, glomerular hypercellularity, crescents and global sclerosis were significantly lower at Days 8 (P<0.05), 15, and 22 post-irradiation as compared with group of cresscentic glomerulonephritis of similar time intervals (P<0.01). The extent of tubulointerstitial damage was also reduced, and radiotherapy associated histological improvements were accompanied by reduced macrophage infiltration in glomeruli and interstitium. The numbers of PCNA- and ED1-positive cells were reduced in the kidneys at Day 1 post-irradiation in NTS7dRa1d and NTS14dRa1d rats as compared with group of crescentic glomerulonephritis at similar time intervals (P < 0. 05). A larger number of TUNEL-positive cells were noted at Day 1 post-irradiation in rats irradiated at Days 6 & 13 after NTS injection as compared with group of crescentic glomerulonephritis at similar time intervals (P<0.05). With regards to immunostaining for macrophages EDi and TUNEL, serial sections of irradiated nephritic kidne showed that fewer ED1-positive macrophages were stained for TUNEL. As evaluated expression of active caspases 3 & 7 was noted in irradiated kidneys as compared with the corresponding group of crescentic glomerulonehritis at similar time intervals. Western blot analysis showed marked increase in the expression of active caspase 3 & 7 in irradiated kidneys as compared with NTS injection only the expressiou of A marked increase in the expression of p53 protein, closely related to radiation-induced apoptosis, was also observed in irradiated kidneys as compared with NTS injection only. Conclusion Radiotherapy inhibits the progression of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis through inducing apoptosis by a p53-dependent pathway.

Objective To explore the role of Olf1/EBF associated zinc finger protein (OAZ) pathway in the RNA expression level in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods The expression levels of OAZ, BMP6, BMP4, Id3, Smad6, EHZF genes were valuated in bone marrow progenitor cells of 5 SLE patients and 5 normal subjects and replicated in peripheral blood cells of 30 SLE patients and 20 normal individuals by using real-time quantitative PCR technique. Relationships of the expression levels of OAZ, BMP6, BMP4, Id3 mRNA with disease activity and other clinical indices were analyzed. Results The expression levels of OAZ and Id3 mRNA (ACt) in the bone marrow (10. 6±0.5,5.8±3.2)and peripheral blood (14. 1±2.7,7.5±1.8)of SLE patients significantly increased than those observed in normal controls(16. 5±0. 9,10.4±2.6,16. 1±2.2,9. 5±1.7), which was found to negatively correlate with SLEDAI score, renal lesion index, titers of anti-dsDNA and anti-RNA antibodies, but positively correlate with serum complement C3. Expression levels of BMP4 and BMP6 were differentially expressed in peripheral blood cells but not bone marrow progenitor cells. Conclusions OAZ pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of SLE. Further investigation is required for the understanding of the function of these abnormally expressed genes.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) modified olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) upon experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods OEC-NT-3 gene engineering cell, constructed by neurotrophin-3 transinfecting OEC inducted by retrovirus, was transplanted into lateral ventricle. The migration and distribution were observed and compared with control group and OEC transplantation group. Then myelin repairing and axon regeneration were evaluated from cortical somatosensory evoked potential (CSEP), function score and uhrastructural morphology. Results (1) OEC-NT-3 could survive, migrate within axons and spread diffusely away from the focus at Day 28 post-transplantation; (2) as compared with other two groups, more nerve fibers, better myelin repair and more distinct myelin structure were observed in the transgene group; (3)as compared with other two groups, the latent time was obviously shortened and the amplitude higher in the transplantation group (P<0.05); (4) the transcription level of NT-3mRNA in the transgene group was significantly higher than the OEC group and the contrast group (212.32±16.14)×10-2 vs (1.98±0.19)×10-2, (1.23±0.13)×10-2(P< 0. 01). Conclusion OEC-NT-3 cell expresses NT-3 stably and effectively in EAE. It may contribute to the repairing of myelin and the regeneration of axon.

A 43-year-old female was sent to the emergency room of our hospital on January 13, 2008 due to "2 days after episodic coma, accompanied by low back pain". Two days ago, the patient was given intravenous infusion of ceftriaxone 2 g + ofloxacin 0.2 g in an external hospital due to "upper respiratory tract infection". She suddenly had foaming at the mouth, coma and convulsions 1 h after infusion. After emergency rescue (details unknown) in an external hospital for 3 h, she recovered her consciousness. After recovery, she complained of holding her breath, low back pain, and aggravated when breathing and coughing. She was accompanied by dizziness, fatigue, anorexia and melena, without fever, abdominal pain, hematemesis, hematochezia and hemoptysis. She was transferred to our hospital for emergency treatment for further treatment.

Objective To establish the brain slices of substantia nigra and striatum in rats and study the properties and functional significance of substantia nigra neurons. Methods The technique of infrared differential interference contrast (IR-DIC) and CCD-Camera system with visual patch clamp whole-cell recording were combined. One hundred healthy substantia nigra neurons were located and the measurements of active potential and Ih current recorded and analyzed. Results Visual patch clamp technique could be used to make a direct localization of substantia nigra and to identify the active neurons.Spontaneous active potential was shown in 94/100 neurons. Among them, 85 (Group A) had a frequency less than 10Hz and 9 more than 10Hz (Group B). The means were (5.0±2.7) Hz and (14.0± 2.6) Hz.respectively. As compared with the former, the latter had no obvious hyperpolarization during active potential period. Apparent hyperpolarizing current could be induced in 92. 9% (79/85) of Group A neurons (-120 mV, 47.5 pA ±5.8 pA). They were classified as dopaminergic neurons. However, the Group B neurons had no or little Ih current and were classified as GABA neurons (P < 0.001). Conclusion The types of nigra neurons can be distinguished by observing the fundamental electrical characteristic of dopaminergic neurons in nigrostriatal brain slices under visual inspections. And it may provide rationales for an in-depth knowledge of the occurrence and transmission of signal pathways between substantia nigra and striatum.