Consolidation of passive avoidance learning is associated with transient increases of polysialylated neurons in layer II of the rat medial temporal cortex

Within the rat medial temporal lobe, transient modulations of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) polysialylation have been observed to follow spatial learning. These have been attributed to neuroplastic events associated with the processing of information destined for long term memory consolidation. To determine if similar events are associated with avoidance learning, we investigated change in polysialylated cell number in the entorhinal, perirhinal, and piriform cortex, following acquisition of a passive avoidance task in the rat. Direct quantification of polysialylated neurons in layer II of these cortical regions revealed a significant increase in polysialylated cell frequency at 12 h following passive avoidance training. Unlike spatial learning, the increased expression of polysialylated neurons persisted for up to 24-48 h following training. In the more dorsal aspect of the perirhinal/entorhinal cortex, this increase was found to be specific to learning, as it was not observed in animals rendered amnesic with scopolamine. By contrast, change in polysialylated cell frequency in the ventral aspect of the medial temporal lobe was only partially reduced by amnesic doses of scopolamine. The persisting activation of NCAM polysialylation in the more dorsal aspects of the perirhinal and entorhinal cortex is suggested to reflect the need for more extensive synaptic alterations, as compared to those required for the consolidation of spatial learning. Moreover, the neuroplastic modulations observed in the more ventral regions of the entorhinal and perirhinal cortex appear to be a unique aspect of avoidance conditioning that reflects the activation of alternative learning strategies associated with motivational and/or contextual parameters of the task.

Laparotomic vs. laparoscopic rectopexy in complete rectal prolapse

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the functional and clinical results of laparotomic and laparoscopic rectopexy in 2 homogeneous groups of patients with complete rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence.

METHODS

Between January 1989 and December 1997, twenty-three patients underwent abdominal rectopexy. Thirteen patients (group A, 12 females and 1 male, mean age 57.3, range 22-76 years), and 10 patients (group B, 10 females, mean age 52.3, range 26-70 years) were submitted respectively to either Wells laparotomic or laparoscopic rectopexy by the same surgical team using the same surgical technique and materials. Before the operation a detailed clinical history was collected, and the patients were studied by inspection and digital examination of the anorectum, proctosigmoidoscopy, pancolonic transit time, dynamic defecography, anorectal manometry and anal electromyography. After the operation all patients underwent perineal physiotherapy, external electric stimulation, and perineal biofeedback. Mean follow-up was 37.1 (range 6-90) months in group A and 25.7 (range 6-49) months in group B. Values were compared by chi(2), Mann-Whitney U, and Wilcoxon tests as appropriate. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

In both groups dyschezia and fecal incontinence improved significantly (p < 0.05) after the operation. The basal pressure of the anal sphincter, squeezing pressure and rectoanal reflex improved without significance, and anal-perineal pain was not significantly reduced. In group B the postoperative hospital stay was lower than in group A, with a reduction in costs.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic Wells rectopexy has the same clinical and functional results as laparotomic rectopexy, but with a shorter postoperative hospital stay and lower costs.

Melanoma antigen genes 1 and 2 are differentially expressed in human gastric and cardial carcinomas

BACKGROUND

MAGE genes encode for tumor-rejection antigens and are expressed in tumors of different histologic types but not in normal tissues, with the exception of testis and placenta. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of MAGE-1 and -2 expression in gastric and in cardial carcinomas; these conditions have been described as two distinct diseases, having different etiologies, epidemiologic patterns, and gene mutations.

METHODS

Two groups of patients were studied: patients with distal gastric carcinoma and patients with carcinoma of the cardia. A group of patients with intestinal metaplasia in the gastric mucosa and controls were also included. All of them underwent upper GI endoscopy. Paired biopsy specimens were taken for routine histology and for RNA extraction, to study the expression of MAGE-1 and -2 genes.

RESULTS

None of the intestinal metaplastic samples or controls expressed MAGE-1 and -2 at detectable levels. Whereas 40% of the gastric cancer patients expressed either MAGE-1 or -2, 26.6% transcribed both. In the cardial cancer group, 20% of the cases expressed at least one MAGE, and only 6.6% expressed both genes. These results might reinforce the concept that cancer of the cardia is a distinct neoplastic disease with regard to esophageal and gastric (distal) carcinomas.

CONCLUSIONS

Here we show that MAGE gene expression occurs in advanced stages of gastric and cardial cancer and therefore appears to be a late event. This might point to a reconsideration of their potential role in cancer immunotherapy.

[Acquired deficiency of von Willebrand factor (wWF) associated with intestinal angiodysplasia. An unusual clinical case]

A rare case of acquired von Willebrand's disease associated with intestinal angiodysplasia is described. The case is very interesting because it clinically mimicked an intestinal neoplasm.

The prognostic value of cell proliferation in colorectal adenomas assessed with tritiated thymidine and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen

We analyze the cell kinetics of colorectal adenomas by tritiated thymidine (3HTdR) autoradiographic method and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies. A total of 46 patients who underwent prior endoscopic polypectomy for colorectal adenomas were reevaluated by colonoscopy for 4 years. Thymidine labeling index (T-LI) in index adenomas ranged from 1.40 to 38.0% (median value: 10. 75%); PCNA labeling index (PCNA-LI) in index adenomas ranged from 0 to 27.0% (median value: 1.95%). Among the 46 patients studied, 16 developed recurrent adenomas (Group A) and 30 were free of recurrent adenomas (Group B). The T-LI and PCNA-LI comparisons between Groups A and B were statistically significant (p < 0.0001, chi2 test). These results demonstrate that T-LI and PCNA-LI in colorectal adenomas might be helpful to predict the development of metachronous adenomas and hence to plan the follow-up of patients with adenomatous polyps after polypectomy.

Spatial learning activates neural cell adhesion molecule polysialylation in a corticohippocampal pathway within the medial temporal lobe

Transient and time-dependent modulations of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) polysialylation in the dentate gyrus of the rodent hippocampus are a feature of spatial and nonspatial forms of learning. In the hippocampal formation, polysialic acid immunoreactivity was localized to granule-like cells and their mossy fibre axons. We now demonstrate the latter to extend to the CA3 region where apparent recurrent and Schaffer collaterals were labelled. The axons of the CA1 pyramidal cell layer were immunopositive, as was the subiculum that they innervate. Layers I and III of the entorhinal cortex stained intensely for polysialic acid; however, these were not visible in the more lateral aspect of this region and were replaced by a single band of immunopositive neurons that extended to include the perirhinal and piriform cortices. After Morris water maze training, the number of polysialylated neurons within the entorhinal cortex exhibited a two- to threefold increase at the 10-12-h posttraining time with respect to that observed immediately after training. This increase was task specific, as no change was observed in freely swimming animals or those required to locate a visible platform. These results suggest the presence of a corticohippocampal pathway involved in the eventual consolidation of memory.

Expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene in human intestinal metaplasia: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND

The role of growth factors/receptors in the etiopathology and/or development of gastric cancer has recently come under scrutiny, since overexpression or amplification of the EGF system has been found in many intestinal type gastric cancers and related to a more aggressive behavior. Since these gastric carcinomas appear to develop from intestinal metaplasia, a study was planned to investigate whether overexpression of the EGF-receptor gene also occurred in intestinal metaplastic mucosa.

METHODS

Patients underwent upper GL endoscopy. Gastric biopsies for routine histology, Helicobacter pylori detection, quantification of intestinal metaplasia and EGF-R expression analysis were performed. A 30mer EGF-R specific oligonucleotide was end-labeled and used to probe a dot blot filter containing the RNA from the bioptic samples.

RESULTS

Though all the gastric samples transcribed the EGF-R gene to a detectable level, overexpression of the EGF-R gene was found in the metaplastic mucosa in a minority of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These preliminary findings suggest that overexpression of the EGF-R gene is infrequent in the metaplastic gastric mucosa.

[Rhombencephalic tissue in an ovarian teratoma with cerebellar foliation and maturation of the postnatal type]

In a women 32 years old, primipara with pregnancy to term hesitated caesarian birth, a cystic mature teratoma was found on both ovaries. While the content of the cyst of the left ovary appeared deprived of descriptive interest, in that of the right ovary, beyond to locks of hair, tegumental tissue, sebaceous matter and to a bone in miniature, they were structures relatively well diversified belonging to the nervous central system and particularly to the rhombencephalus (hindbrain). At the microscopic examination it was well recognizable a cerebellar structure with a microfolic configuration and with histological maturity of the postnatal type, identified for her neuronal depletion of the layer of the external granules and for the advanced myelination. It is advanced the hypothesis of a correlation between the maturation of the teratoma and the coexisting term pregnancy.

[A rare mesenchymal tumor of the larynx . Case report and anatomo-clinical features]

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma is an uncommon mesenchymal tumor and in the world literature only 220 cases have been reported. We report in this retrospective examination three cases which age ranged from 54 to 65 years; one was a man and two were women. Two of the tumors arose in the thyroid cartilage, one in the cricoid cartilage. All the cases corresponded to low-grade, well-differentiated chondrosarcomas of the hyaline type (grade I) and two of the patients were alive and free from recurrence or metastasis after 6 and 12 years. One had a recurrence 5 years later with a superior histologic grade (grade II) and died 6 months after laryngectomy from metastatic disease. The AA. discusses the importance of assessing location, size, state of the resection borders, histologic grade and recurrence for the correct evaluation of the neoplasia, for therapeutic and prognostic purposes.

[Pleomorphic storiform malignant fibrohistiocytoma of the larynx. Case report and anatomo-clinical considerations]

We have studied a rare case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the larynx, of the storiform-pleomorphic variety, diagnosed already as fibrosarcoma on two bioptical examinations performed to distance of a month the one from the other. The second biopsy showed an histological grade superior to the first and the patient came to death for lung metastasis two years later. The immunohistochemical study confirmed the mesenchimal origin of the tumor, excluding the presence of epithelial elements. Given the aggressive course, for the application of the different therapeutic protocols and for prognostic purposes it is underlined the need to make an attentive differential diagnosis also on histogenetic bases as regards the other mesenchimal and epithelial malignancies that they can simulate from near the histologic appearance. It proved very important, to such end, the immunohistochemical investigation, if correctly interpreted.

[Xanthelasma of the sigmo-rectal wall]

Xanthelasma is a benign localized collection of lipid-laden histiocytes, that is usually idiopathic and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the histiocytic nature of the proliferation. It is here reported a case in the sigma-rectum, with a review of the recent literature on the argument. Although it is a well recognized entity already described in various organs, its occurrence in the wall of the sigma-rectal channel is at all uncommon. It is suggested that the lesion could be referred to a local immunological disorder, with a cell mediated mechanism.

[Treatment of obesity with gastric balloon]

The use of inflatable intragastric balloons is a new non-intensive approach in the treatment of obesity when poor results are obtained by more conservative treatment. The intragastric balloons are certainly less hazardous than bariatric surgery but their long term effect on body-weight reduction it is not still proved. Several types of balloons are currently in use. The two used most widely are the Garren-Edwards Gastric Bubble and the Ballobes Balloon. The Authors report their experience with these two types of anti-obesity gastric-balloon in 60 grossly obese patients.

[Psychometric evaluation of the effects of an almitrine-raubasine combination in the intellectual deterioration of aged subjects. A double-blind controlled trial versus placebo]

The clinical and psychometric evaluation of a drug to be used against the intellectual deterioration associated with cerebral aging is of obvious interest when carried out on ambulatory subjects, since the symptoms likely to be reduced are found in elderly people usually living at home. Thirty-six patients (18 male, 18 female; mean age 65.5 +/- 1.7 years) were selected and allocated at random to two treatment groups. They received during 2 months 80 drops per day in two doses of either an almitrine-raubasine combination or a placebo. Patients definitely entered the trial when Hachinski's score for ischaemia was equal or inferior to 7. They were evaluated at zero, 1 and 2 months by means of 3 performance tests (Toulouse-Pieron test, Tapping test, numbers memorization test) and 2 mood tests (Hamilton's scale, Zung's questionnaire). All mean scores of recognition tests were statistically improved in the almitrine-raubasine group after 2 months of treatment. Compared with the placebo group, the improvement in the almitrine-raubasine group was significant at 1 month for 3 medium scores (symbols omitted, taping, numbers in normal order) and for all scores at 2 months. The psycho-behavioural symptoms evaluated by the two mood scores were significantly improved in the almitrine-raubasine group (P less than 0.001) and in comparison to the placebo group after 1 and 2 months (P less than 0.001). These results concerning intellectual performance and mood demonstrate that the almitrine-raubasine combination is useful in the treatment of intellectual deterioration in elderly people living at home.

[Interference of the intestinal ecosystem of mice in the oral administration of lyophilized live bacteria]

Oral vaccines mode by living or killed bacteria are commonly used to restore normal intestinal flora; it's not well know, however, which bacteria play the leading part in this ecosystem. In the present paper Authors have intended to compare the effectiveness of an oral vaccine, made by Bifidobacterium bifidus and Lactobacillus acidofilus, with another of similar use, made by Enterococci, to increase the mouse resistance to lethal Salmonella enteritidis infections. According to collected microbiological data and M.E.S. photos, the association Bifidob./Lactobac. is more effective than Enterococci to enhance resistance to the experimental infection.

[Target cimetidine treatment of peptic ulcer. Considerations and assessment of a new dosage]

32 patients suffering from peptic ulcer have been selected. Of these 12 formed part of a previous series treated with cimetidine and subsequently relapsed; the other 20 were selected on the basis of endoscopic and functional examinations and were treated for the first time with cimetidine. The drug doses used were 1.2 g for 30 days and 0.3 g for a further 60 days. The purpose of the study was to check for possible recurrences by comparing the results obtained and their maintenance in the long term using these doses. 2 months after suspension of maintenance treatment there has not been any recurrence of the acute pain and dyspeptic symptomatology.