Development of the human lateral vestibular nucleus: a morphometric evaluation

The development of the human lateral vestibular nucleus was studied on serial sections of the brain of 8 fetuses and neonates at 12-40 weeks of gestation, an infant at 2 months of age and an adult of 63 years using a microscope with a drawing tube and an image-analysing computer system. A morphometric analysis revealed that the lateral vestibular nucleus, whose neurons were distinguished from glia after 16 weeks of gestation, divided cytoarchitectonically into the medial and the lateral subnuclei at 21 weeks of gestation onwards, and showed the moderate development in terms of the columnar length and volume, neuronal size and neuropil.

DNA flow cytometric analysis of neuroblastoma: distinction of tetraploidy subset

Neuroblastoma has several characteristics that differentiate it from other adult malignancies. The ploidy pattern of neuroblastoma has been shown to be related to prognosis. Specifically, a DNA diploidy pattern is associated with a poorer outcome, and an aneuploidy pattern is associated with a better outcome. A tetraploidy pattern has also been identified; however, there is little information regarding this pattern. To examine the properties of neuroblastoma according to these DNA ploidy patterns, the authors performed flow cytometric analysis (retrospectively) for 61 neuroblastoma cases, using paraffin-embedded tissues. Fifty-six of the cases had analyzable results. Calculated DNA indices (DI) ranged from 1.0 to 2.30. The 56 cases were divided into three groups according to DI: diploid (DI = 1.0 to 1.17, n = 19), aneuploid (DI = 1.25 to 1.75, n = 26), and tetraploid (DI = 1.81 to 2.30, n = 11) groups. Compared with the aneuploid group, the diploid group had a stronger correlation with older patient age (> or = 1 year) (P < .01), more advanced clinical stage (III, IV) (P < .01), and poorer prognosis (P < .001). The tetraploid group had properties that were statistically similar to those of the diploid group (P < .05, P < .05, P < .001, respectively). These findings indicate that a subset of DNA tetraploid is present in neuroblastoma, and this subset, which may have clinical and biological characteristics similar to those of the DNA diploid group, should be distinguished from DNA aneuploidy.

Comparative studies on thermoregulatory responses to heat between Japanese Brazilians and Japanese

Eight male Japanese Brazilians (20-32 yrs) and 11 male Japanese (22-24 yrs) volunteered for this study. The Brazilians had been staying for about 2-21 weeks in Japan. Their physical characteristics are not significantly different from those of the Japanese. Each one of them sat on a chair for 45 min at 40 degrees C (R.H. 50%) in a climatic chamber. Then, they exercised using a bicycle ergometer in a semi-reclining position for 45 min at 40% of maximal oxygen uptake. Forearm blood flow (FBF), oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), skin temperature (Tsk), sweat rate (SR) at chest region and body weight loss (delta Wt) were measured. Thermal sensation and thermal comfort were also measured. Thermal and comfort sensation confirmed that Japanese Brazilians felt cooler and more comfortable in 40 degrees C environment than the Japanese. VO2, SR and delta Wt for both groups were not significantly different. FBF and HR for Brazilians were significantly lower than those for Japanese. Tsk at chest region for Brazilians was found to be significantly higher than that for Japanese. Thus the thermoregulatory responses observed in Japanese Brazilians may be largely attributed to the climate in their native places located on the Tropic of Capricorn.

Oral administration of tacrolimus in the presence of jejunostomy after liver transplantation

The feasibility of oral administration of tacrolimus in the presence of an intestinal stoma after liver transplantation (LTx) has not been adequately demonstrated. A 10-month-old girl underwent LTx with biliary reconstruction using a Roux-en Y loop. She developed intestinal perforation and underwent a jejunostomy at 40-50 cm distal to the jejunojejunostomy of the Roux-en Y loop on day 8 post-LTx. Tacrolimus was given twice daily via a nasogastric tube or orally; the initial dose of tacrolimus was 0.10 mg/kg/day. Until the time of intestinal perforation, the trough level of tacrolimus ranged from 13.0 to 19.6 ng/mL. The dose-normalized trough concentration (DNTC) of tacrolimus ranged from 130 to 196 ng.kg.day per mg.mL (control: 80-145 ng.kg.day per mg.mL). For a 2-week period when the patient was septic, the tacrolimus dose was reduced to 0.05 mg/kg/day, with a subsequent trough level of 3.6-5.1 ng/mL (DNTC: 72-102 ng.kg.day per mg.mL). After 3 weeks, the dose was increased to 0.175 mg/kg/day with the disappearance of infection; the trough level ranged from 8.5 to 9.7 ng/mL with a peak level of 26.3 ng/mL (DNTC: 48.5-55.4 ng.kg.day per mg.mL). After the initiation of oral feeding, the dose was slightly increased to 0.20 mg/kg/day with the trough level ranging from 8.1 to 9.8 ng/mL (DNTC: 40.5-49 ng.kg.day per mg.mL). After closure of the jejunostomy, the dose of tacrolimus was reduced to 0.075 mg/kg/day to maintain the same trough level (7.9-9.1 ng/mL) and the DNTC ranged from 105 to 121 ng.kg.day per mg.mL. In conclusion, oral administration of tacrolimus may achieve the therapeutic level, even in the presence of jejunostomy after LTx, although the bioavailability is decreased.

Urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine as an index of protein nutrition in total parenteral nutrition

In 39 healthy adult volunteers and nine patients receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), determinations were made of the urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-Mehis) to estimate the degree to which the urinary output of 3-Mehis reflects the status of protein nutrition. In 19 males and 10 females of the former group, measurements were made of the amount of 3-Mehis and of creatinine (Cr) in 24-hr urine samples. The urinary output of 3-Mehis was also measured in two subgroups of five healthy adult male subjects who were fed one of the two different diets prescribed: meat (M) and meat-free (F) diet. Furthermore, in one of these subgroups which was fed on F diet, the urinary output of 3-Mehis was measured both while the subject was kept at bed rest and while the subject was allowed to live a normal life. From these measurements the standard value was determined for the urine 3-Mehis level and the 3-Mehis/Cr ratio in 24-hr urine in healthy adult human subjects of both sexes. In nine patients maintained on TPN these indices of nutritional status were measured before and at 4 weeks of TPN. The time course of the indices was also investigated. The results obtained suggest that both the urinary output of 3-Mehis and the 3-Mehis/Cr ratio can provide a sensitive index of the status of protein nutrition.

Search for supernova relic neutrinos at Super-Kamiokande

A search for the relic neutrinos from all past core-collapse supernovae was conducted using 1496 days of data from the Super-Kamiokande detector. This analysis looked for electron-type antineutrinos that had produced a positron with an energy greater than 18 MeV. In the absence of a signal, 90% C.L. upper limits on the total flux were set for several theoretical models; these limits ranged from 20 to 130 macro nu(e) cm(-2) s(-1). Additionally, an upper bound of 1.2 macro nu(e) cm(-2) s(-1) was set for the supernova relic neutrino flux in the energy region E(nu)>19.3 MeV.

Perioperative change of plasma endotoxin levels in early infants

As a preliminary study to elucidate the relationship of endotoxemia to postoperative morbidity, the plasma endotoxin levels in 64 surgical neonates were quantitated by the chromogenic limulus test (Toxicolor test; Seikagaku Kogyo, Tokyo, Japan). The preoperative levels of plasma endotoxin were 64 +/- 59 pg/mL in the group of infants with perforated peritonitis (n = 9), 63 +/- 51 pg/mL in the group of infants with gastroschisis (n = 7), and 15 +/- 16 pg/mL in the group of infants with ileus (n = 28), while the mean level was 6 +/- 5 pg/mL in the remaining 20 surgical neonates who had no signs of ileus or peritonitis. In the serial determination of plasma endotoxin in 28 neonates, the levels on the first postoperative day increased significantly compared with the preoperative levels (16 +/- 18 pg/mL to 46 +/- 25 pg/mL, P less than .01). They decreased gradually to 8 +/- 5 pg/mL within a week in 15 neonates who had no postoperative complications. However, in 13 neonates who had postoperative complications such as wound infection or postoperative ileus, the postoperative levels of plasma endotoxin increased to a much higher level and remained there. In this article the relationship of clinical endotoxemia to postoperative thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia is analyzed, and the usefulness of evaluating endotoxemia in surgical neonates is discussed.

Antenatal diagnosis of sacrococcygeal teratoma with hydrops fetalis; a case report

Fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) with hydrops fetalis is known to have a poor prognosis. We report a case of SCT with hydrops fetalis which was diagnosed antenatally at 30 weeks gestation. After delivery by cesarean section, the tumor was removed and the infant is alive one year after surgery with no sign of recurrence. However, he has profound brain damage, perhaps caused by hypoxia secondary to the perinatal hypovolemia. This case demonstrates that a 30 weeks' gestation, survival is possible in fetal cases of SCT with hydrops fetalis, and illustrates the importance of perinatal circulatory management.

Effects of endotoxin on intestinal hemodynamics, glutamine metabolism, and function

The purpose of this study was to investigate the intestinal hemodynamics and gut glutamine metabolism during endotoxemia, and their correlation with altered intestinal absorptive capacity and permeability. Seventeen Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. The endotoxin group (ENDO) received endotoxin (10 mg/kg intraperitoneally, n = 9), while the control group (CONT, n = 8) received saline injection. Twelve hours later, D-xylose (0.5 g/kg) and fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran, 750 mg/kg) were given by oral gavage. One hour later abdominal aortic (AA) blood flow, superior mesenteric venous (SMV) flow, mean arterial pressure (MAP), central venous pressure (CVP), and SMV pressure (SMVP) were also measured. The MAP, AA, and SMV blood flow decreased (P < 0.05), while the CVP and SMVP increased (P < 0.05) in the ENDO group as compared with the CONT group. The ENDO group showed significant decreases for both intestinal glutaminase activity and net intestinal glutamine uptake (P < 0.05). The D-xylose concentration in SMV decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the ENDO group as compared with the CONT group. However, the plasma FITC-dextran concentration showed no significant difference between the groups. Endotoxin produced a hypodynamic effect in rats 12 h after intraperitoneal administration in association with both a decreased intestinal glutamine metabolism and an absorptive capacity.

Susceptibility of BALB/c-nu/nu mice and BALB/c mice to equine herpesvirus 9 infection

This study aimed to clarify the timing and infectivity of equine herpesvirus 9 (EHV-9) infection in BALB/c-nu/nu mice and their immunocompetent counterpart (BALB/c). Following intranasal inoculation with 10(5) PFU of EHV-9, specimens from 8 mice per group were collected at different times postinoculation (PI) and assessed using histopathology, immunohistochemistry for viral antigen, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for ORF30 gene expression. In BALB/c-nu/nu mice, EHV-9 antigen was abundant in olfactory epithelia of all inoculated animals, and in the olfactory bulb of 1 animal. In contrast, only 1 BALB/c mouse per time point had rhinitis, with mild to moderate immunopositivity starting from 12 to 48 h PI, followed by a gradual virus clearance at 72 h PI. Statistically, significant differences were noted in the immunohistochemistry reactions between the 2 mouse strains, indicating that BALB/c-nu/nu is more susceptible to infection. Relative expression levels of ORF30 gene in olfactory epithelia were significantly different between the 2 groups, with the exception of 12 h PI, when BALB/c-nu/nu animals showed dramatic increases in ORF30 gene expression level until 48 h PI, followed by a decline in expression level until the end of experiment. In contrast, the expression level in brains showed no differences between mouse strain except at 96 h PI. In both strains, the highest messenger RNA expression was detected at 48 h PI, followed by a decline in BALB/c mice, proving a rapid clearance of virus in BALB/c and a gradual slowing down of the increased expression levels in BALB/c-nu/nu.

Simultaneous analyses of phenethylamine, phenylethanolamine, tyramine and octopamine in rat brain using fluorescamine

A fluorometric method for the simultaneous analyses of phenethylamine, phenylethanolamine, tyramine and octopamine has been developed. The method involves ion-exchange chromatography, derivatization with fluorescamine, solvent extraction and then separation by thin-layer chromatography. The fluorescent spots are then quantitated by scanning. The detection limits of this method are about 10 pmoles for phenethylamine, phenylethanolamine and tyramine, and 20 pmoles for octopamine. The method was used for simultaneous analyses of putative neurotransmitter amines in whole rat brain.

Changes in proton T1 in dog brains due to the administration of haloperidol

Changes in proton T1 in dog brains due to the administration of haloperidol were determined by the intravenous administration of a single dose of 20 mg of haloperidol to mongrel dogs. The MRI used was the Aberdeen type with the static magnetic field of 0.1 T. A coil made exclusively for these animals (bore diameter 120 mm) was used. There was a significant increase in the T1 value in the striate body 30 minutes and more (within two hours) after the administration of haloperidol. Subtraction images were also obtained by subtracting the image of the pre-treatment (control) T1 values from the image of the post-treatment values (2 hours after the injection). The subtraction images also revealed increases in the T1 values of the striate body.

Experimental studies on the effects of vibration and noise on sympathetic nerve activity in skin

Multi-unit sympathetic activity was recorded at elbow level from median nerve fascicles supplying glabrous skin of the left hand in five healthy subjects. The resultant vasomotor responses accompanying the neural activity were monitored by simultaneous recordings of skin blood flow using the laser doppler method and skin temperature in the innervation zones. No significant change in sympathetic activity was observed during handgrip exercise of the right hand under a constant gripping force of 2 kg. Subjects maintained the same gripping force of the right hand during exposure in random order to local vibration and/or noise, each type of exposure lasting 5 min with intervals of 20 min. A two-peaked significant increase in outflow from sympathetic nerves was observed during local exposure of the right hand to vibration with a frequency of 60 Hz and an acceleration of 50 m.s-2, followed by a postexposure period which revealed a relative suppression of sympathetic nerve activity and a significant increase in blood flow. Noise at 100 dB(A) showed only an initial effect on skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSA), whereas when combined with local vibration at 60 Hz, a pronounced increase in neural activity was noticed, indicating a combined effect of vibration and noise. These results from direct recordings of SSA suggest a sympathetic vasomotor reflex mechanism triggered by local vibration stimuli to the hand.

Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment using 1496 days of Super-Kamiokande-I solar neutrino data

A search for a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment has been conducted using 1496 live days of solar neutrino data from Super-Kamiokande-I. Specifically, we searched for distortions to the energy spectrum of recoil electrons arising from magnetic scattering due to a nonzero neutrino magnetic moment. In the absence of a clear signal, we found micro(nu)</=(3.6x10(-10))micro(B) at 90% C.L. by fitting to the Super-Kamiokande day-night spectra. The fitting took into account the effect of neutrino oscillation on the shapes of energy spectra. With additional information from other solar neutrino and KamLAND experiments constraining the oscillation region, a limit of micro(nu)</=(1.1x10(-10))micro(B) at 90% C.L. was obtained.

A case of biliary stricture caused by cavernous transformation of the portal vein

A case is reported of extrahepatic obstruction of the portal vein with the unusual complication of obstructive jaundice that resulted from compression of the common bile duct caused by cavernous transformation of the varicose network. It is surgically impossible to repair choledochal stenosis resulting from enlarged varices in the vicinity of the common bile duct. In this case, internal drainage from the biliary duct to the duodenum using a silastic tube and a reservoir implanted in the subcutaneous space successfully eliminated the jaundice.

The importance of total parenteral nutrition-associated tissue zinc distribution in wound healing

It is well known that zinc (Zn), an essential trace element, plays a role in wound healing. Although the importance of Zn supplementation in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has been recognized, the difference in tissue Zn distribution induced by TPN and whether this difference influences local wound healing remains uncertain. Thus, we conducted a study using 30 Sprague-Dawley rats to investigate the influence of TPN-induced changes in tissue Zn distribution on wound healing at sites of intestinal anastomosis, muscle, and skin sutures. In the ordinary diet group, no significant differences were observed between subgroups with and without supplemental Zn in tissue Zn distribution or in the healing of intestinal, muscular, and cutaneous wounds. In the subgroup given a low-protein diet without supplemental Zn, a gross change in tissue Zn distribution was noted to occur with a concomitant marked decrease in Zn concentration and the tensile strength of wounded skin. These results indicate an association between wound healing and Zn concentration in the respective tissues in TPN-induced Zn deficiency with alternations in tissue Zn distribution. They also provide evidence of the local action of Zn in wound healing.

Acquired umbilical fistula after repair of inguinal hernia: a case report

A 2-year, 9-month-old boy had an umbilical fistula after repair of an inguinal hernia at 8 months of age. Fistulography findings showed a duct running from the umbilicus toward the inguinal wound. Pathological finding of the surgically removed fistula demonstrated granulomatous tissues containing silk ligature. Acquired umbilical fistula is a rare complication of inguinal herniorrhaphy. Its clinical details as well as a review of the previously reported four cases are presented.

Does total parenteral nutrition (TPN) really promote tumor growth? A morphometric study

An experimental study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on tumor growth in rats. Sato lung cancer was transplanted subcutaneously in male Donryu rats. Two weeks after inoculation, experimental animals were divided into three groups: Group I (5% G); Group II (21% G, 4% A.A; TPN) received intravenous infusion through cervical vein; Group III rats were maintained on a regular diet. All of the animals were killed on the eighth day. There was a significant increase in tumor volume and tumor weight in both G-II (7.3 +/- 3.9 cm3, 8.7 +/- 6.3 g) and G-III (7.4 +/- 4.6 cm3, 9.7 +/- 5.4 g), as compared with G-I (3.3 +/- 1.4 cm3, 3.7 +/- 1.9 g). In morphometric studies, an average area of tumor cell in G-II was 267 +/- 172 microns2, being significantly larger than in G-I (195 +/- 95 microns2) or G-III (185 +/- 93 microns2). The nuclear diameter of tumor cell was 9.9 +/- 2.2 microns in G-II, 9.2 +/- 1.9 micron in G-III, and 8.5 +/- 1.5 micron in G-I, respectively. Total water balance throughout the experimental period was +84.0 +/- 14.5 ml/100 g BW in G-II, +86.3 +/- 8.2 ml/100 g BW in G-III, and +44.8 +/- 22.5 ml/100 g body weight in G-I, respectively. Increased tumor volume and tumor weight found in G-II may not be due to hyperplasia of each tumor cell, but rather due possibly to water retention in tumor tissue.

Developmental changes in distribution of the mucous gel layer and intestinal permeability in rat small intestine

BACKGROUND

From the developmental aspects, the distribution of fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran 70,000 (FTTC-dextran) and mucous gel across the lumen of small intestine was observed as an investigation into the role of mucous gel on intestinal permeability. Furthermore, the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), a mucolytic agent, on intestinal permeability was examined.

METHODS

In suckling and weaned rats, FTTC-dextran (750 mg/kg body wt) was gavage-fed. After 3 hours, blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture to analyze plasma FTTC-dextran by fluorescence spectrometry. Samples of small intestine with luminal contents were frozen and sectioned in a cryostat for fluorescence microscopy; the same sections were placed in a 0.2% celloidin solution to preserve mucous gel and were stained by periodic acid-Schiff reaction for light microscopy. In weaned rats, intestinal permeability was examined with different concentrations of intraluminally instilled NAC.

RESULTS

The plasma level of FTTC-dextran showed a significant increase (p < .01) in suckling rats compared with the weaned rats. Morphologic findings were similar in both the jejunum and ileum: The spaces between villi were not entirely filled with mucus but filled with FTTC-dextran in suckling rats, whereas the spaces were filled with mucus and not filled with FTTC-dextran in weaned rats. Intestinal permeability in groups with NAC were significantly higher (p < .01) than that in group without NAC.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that an increase in the mucous gel layer that coats the epithelial lining according to the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract is one of the most important factors for a restriction in intestinal permeability.

Congenital urethrocutaneous fistula

BACKGROUND

A 3-year-old boy visited our hospital for aberrance of urination. He had a fistula on his ventral penile shaft. Our diagnosis was congenital urethrocutaneous fistula.

METHODS/RESULTS

We performed one-stage repair transverse preputial onlay island flap urethroplasty. Postoperatively, the patient was voiding comfortably with no recurrence of fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital urethrocutaneous fistula is rare. Eighteen cases of congenital urethrocutaneous fistula have been reported previously. We consider the etiology of congenital urethrocutaneous fistula as a deficiency of the urethral plate and fusion of urethral folds.