Effect of isoflurane on motor-evoked potentials induced by direct electrical stimulation of the exposed motor cortex with single, double, and triple stimuli in rats

BACKGROUND

The clinical application of intraoperative motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) has been hampered by their sensitivity to anesthetics. Recently, to overcome anesthetic-induced depression of myogenic MEPs, multiple stimulus setups with a paired or a train of pulses for stimulation of the motor cortex were reported. However, the effects of anesthetics on MEPs induced by these stimulation techniques are unknown.

METHODS

Bipolar electrical stimulation of the left motor cortex was carried out in 15 rats anesthetized with thiopental while the compound muscle action potentials were recorded from the contralateral hind limb. After recording of the MEP in response to the single-shock stimulation of the motor cortex, paired pulses (double pulses) or a train of three pulses (triple pulses) with an interstimulus interval of each pulse at 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 ms were applied. After control MEP recording, isoflurane was administered at a concentration of 0.25 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC), 0.5 MAC, 0.75 MAC, and 1.0 MAC, and the effects of isoflurane on the MEPs induced by single, double, and triple pulses were evaluated.

RESULTS

In all animals, distinct baseline MEPs were recorded. During the administration of 0.25 MAC and 0.5 MAC isoflurane, MEPs induced by stimulation with a single pulse could be recorded in 87% and 33% of animals, respectively, and MEP amplitude was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. During the administration of 0.75 MAC isoflurane, MEPs after single-pulse stimulation could not be recorded in any animals. By stimulating with paired or triple pulses, the success rate of MEP recording and MEP amplitude significantly increased compared with those after single pulse before and during the administration of isoflurane. Both the success rate of MEP recording and MEP amplitude after double- and triple-pulse stimulation decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner during the administration of isoflurane.

CONCLUSIONS

Application of double or triple stimulation of the motor cortex increases the success rate of MEP recording and its amplitude during isoflurane anesthesia in rats. However, these responses are suppressed by isoflurane in a dose-dependent manner.

Food-deprivation affects seawater acclimation in tilapia: hormonal and metabolic changes

We tested the hypothesis that nutritional state affects seawater acclimation by transferring either fed or food-deprived (2 weeks) male tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) from fresh water to full-strength sea water. Food-deprivation resulted in a significant increase in plasma concentrations of Na+, Cl-, cortisol, glucose, total amino acid, glutamate, serine and alanine, and in hepatic pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, whereas the prolactin-188 to prolactin-177 ratio (tPRL188:tPRL177) and plasma prolactin-188 (tPRL188), lactate, arginine and hepatic glycogen content and hepatic alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT) and 3-hydroxyacyl-Coenzyme A dehydrogenase (HOAD) activities were lower than in the fed group. Seawater transfer significantly increased the tPRL188:tPRL177 ratio and plasma concentrations of Na+, Cl-, K+, growth hormone (GH), glucose, aspartate, tyrosine, alanine, methionine, phenylalanine, leucine, isoleucine and valine levels as well as gill Na+/K+-ATPase activity and hepatic PK and LDH activities, whereas plasma tPRL177, tPRL188, glycine and lysine concentrations were significantly lower than in fish retained in fresh water. There was a significant interaction between nutritional state and salinity that affected the tPRL188:tPRL177 ratio and plasma concentrations of Cl-, GH, glucose, aspartate, tyrosine, serine, alanine, glycine, arginine and hepatic PK, LDH, AlaAT, aspartate aminotransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase and HOAD activities. These results, taken together, indicate that food-deprived fish did not regulate their plasma Cl- levels, despite an enhancement of plasma hormonal and metabolic responses in sea water. Our study also suggests the possibility that plasma prolactin and essential amino acids may be playing an important role in the seawater acclimation process in tilapia.

Poor correlation with loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 17p and p53 mutations in ovarian cancers

To define the target of chromosome 17p deletions, allelic losses in the 17p11.2 to 13.3 regions of 32 ovarian cancers were investigated. Twenty-one (68%) of 31 informative cancers had deletions on chromosome 17p. None of these 21 cancers involved deletions in the entire chromosome 17p even if deletions of a small chromosome region were infrequent. Of these 21, 17 cancers contained deletions at 17p13.1 or neighboring regions. The remaining 4 cancers with 17p deletions were uninformative for deletions at 17p13.1. Thus, most 17p deletions seemed to target the 17p13.1 region in ovarian cancers. Of the 30 ovarian cancers screened, 6 contained p53 mutations. One p53 allele was lost as a consequence of deletion and the other was mutated in 4 cancers. Seventeen cancers with deletions on 17p showed no evidence of p53 mutations. Thus, deletions on 17p that are common in ovarian cancers are not always accompanied by p53 gene mutations.

Effect of purified eicosapentaenoate ethyl ester on fibrinolytic capacity in patients with stable coronary artery disease and lower extremity ischaemia

BACKGROUND

Lower extremity ischaemia is often complicated by coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients with CAD often have impaired fibrinolytic capacity. Plasma plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI) levels are known to be associated with levels of atherogenic lipids. Purified eicosapentaenoic acid reduces atherogenic lipid levels.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effect of purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester (EPA) on the fibrinolytic capacity in patients with stable CAD and arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

METHODS

Plasma levels of PAl activity and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen were measured. We administered 1800 mg/day EPA for 8 weeks to 25 patients.

RESULTS

Mean baseline plasma PAI activity (P < 0.01) and t-PA antigen (P < 0.01) levels were higher in the patient group than they were in the control group. At the conclusion of EPA administration, significant reductions in PAI activity (P < 0.01), t-PA antigen (P < 0.01) and serum levels of triglyceride (P < 0.01), total (P < 0.05) and low-density lipoprotein (P < 0.05) cholesterols were observed. Changes in PAI activity levels caused by EPA administration showed positive linear correlations with those in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = 0.411, P < 0.05) and triglyceride (r = 0.652, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that the fibrinolytic capacity in patients with CAD and ASO is decreased by increased PAI activity, but that EPA may correct this fibrinolytic impairment by decreasing PAI activity via its inhibitory effect on atherogenic lipids.

Molecular cloning and cold-inducible gene expression of ferritin H subunit isoforms in rainbow trout cells

Cold acclimation of rainbow trout cells is considered to be mediated by alterations in the mRNAs and proteins present in cold-treated cells. A subtracted cDNA library from cold-treated rainbow trout RTG-2 cells was constructed and screened to isolate cDNA induced in the cold-treated cells in order to elucidate which genes are induced by cold acclimation. A set of cDNA clones encoding three members of ferritin H isoforms was isolated as cold-inducible genes. Northern blot analysis and nuclear run-on transcription assay showed that the transcription and accumulation of the ferritin H isoforms mRNA were enhanced by cold acclimation. Furthermore, the ferritin level in the trout cells increased on cold acclimation in response to a temperature shift from 22 degrees C to 4 degrees C. When the trout cells were subjected to 4 degrees C under the condition of a decreased ferritin H level obtained by the addition of an antisense oligonucleotide, cell growth was apparently inhibited. These findings indicate an association between the induction of ferritin H and cellular mechanisms during cold acclimation of trout cells.

Activities of expiratory neurones of the Bötzinger complex during vocalization in decerebrate cats

Repetitive electrical stimulation of the midbrain peri-aqueductal grey (PAG) terminates quiet breathing and initiates inspiration that precedes vocalization. To understand the neuronal mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, activities of expiratory neurones (n = 39) of the Bötzinger complex (BOT) were examined in decerebrate cats. Most augmenting expiratory (E-aug) neurones (20/22) of the BOT, including 15 bulbospinal neurones, decreased their activities (9/20) or ceased to discharge (11/20) after the onset of stimulation of the PAG. This suggests that suppression of E-aug neurones of the BOT, which project to phrenic motoneurones, results in disinhibition of these neurones, and, in turn, terminates expiration and initiates inspiration preceding vocalization.

[Inhibitory effect of vitamin E succinate on the proliferation of cultured bovine choroidal endothelial cells]

We report the effect of vitamin E succinate (VE succinate) on the proliferation of cultured bovine choroidal endothelial cells (BCECs). BCECs were incubated with a medium containing vitamin E (VE) or one of the VE derivatives gamma-tocopherol, VE phosphate, VE succinate, VE nicotinate, VE acetate, or trolox, at a concentration of 10 microM. The proliferation of BCECs was assessed by 3H-thymidine uptake and cell counting. Especially in VE and VE succinate, the proliferation assay was performed on BCECs at two different stages, that is, the proliferating stage and the quiescent stage. The effect of protein kinase C (PKC) stimulator phorbol ester (PMA) on the VE succinate-induced inhibition of BCEC proliferation was also examined. VE succinate was found to significantly inhibit BCEC proliferation at a concentration of 10 microM or greater both by 3H-thymidine uptake assay and by cell counting. This inhibitory effect was not noted in other VE derivatives. The inhibitory effect was the most prominent in the proliferating BCECs and co culture of PMA. VE succinate inhibits the proliferation of cultured BCECs and PKC is involved in this action at least in part.

Pseudoankylosis of the mandible after supratentorial craniotomy

After temporal craniotomy, pseudoankylosis of the mandible can cause difficult airway management during subsequent anesthesia. However, postcraniotomy changes in maximal mouth opening and the incidence of limited mouth opening have not been characterized. Ninety-two adult patients who underwent elective craniotomy were divided into three groups: Group A (n = 28) included patients who underwent parietal, occipital, or frontal craniotomy without incision of the temporalis muscles; Group B (n = 25) included patients who underwent temporal craniotomy; and Group C (n = 39) included patients who underwent frontotemporal craniotomy. Maximal mouth opening (interincisor gap) and the frequency of limited mouth opening (maximum mouth opening < or = 2.5 cm) were evaluated before operation and 3 days, 1 wk, 2 wk, 1 mo, and 3 mo after operation. The three groups did not differ with respect to age, sex, body weight, height, operative time, anesthetic time, or maximum mouth opening before operation. The postoperative reduction in maximal mouth opening was significantly greater in Group C than in Group B. In Group C, the incidence of limited mouth opening was 33.3% and 20.5% 2 wk and 1 mo after operation, respectively; however, limited mouth opening resolved within 3 mo in most patients. Supratentorial craniotomies separated by short intervals can increase the risk of limiting the mandibular opening, which may result in a difficult intubation. Careful preoperative assessment of the airway is mandatory if patients have previously undergone temporal or frontotemporal craniotomy.

[Mitral reconstruction in patients with infective endocarditis]

Between June 1992 and October 1993, 5 patients with infective endocarditis in native mitral valve underwent open heart surgery. The patients ranged in age from 51 to 64 years and were all males. According to NYHA functional classification, 4 patients were class II and one was class III. Surgery was indicated because of hemodynamic deterioration (2 pts), echocardiographic mobile vegetation with or without previous emboli (2 pts) and both condition (1 pt). Before surgery the patients were afebrile and had negative serum CRP and negative blood cultures for at least one week after adequate medical treatment. The leaflet lesions found in the 5 patients were vegetation (2 pts), perforation (1 pt), calcification (1 pt) and thickening (2 pts). The chordal lesions found were rupture (5 pts) and thickening (1 pt). The infective lesions did not extend to the annulus. The mitral leaflets, including all apparently infectious lesions, were resected in a V-shaped fashion and then valve reconstruction was performed. The resected parts were sutured together with anchoring chordae. The annuloplasty with Teflon-tapes was also added. Postoperatively, all 5 patients showed a dramatic improvement in hemodynamics and endocarditis did not recur during 22 to 38 months of follow-up. The patients who received the repair did not require Warfarin. This study shows that mitral valve repair is an acceptable operation in patients with infective endocarditis, giving the patients better quality of life than mitral valve replacement when (1) infectious lesion are limited to mitral leaflet and chordae, (2) there is no severe calcification of the mitral valve, (3) the infection is healed by the adequate antibiotic therapy.

Evaluation of prodrugs ability to induce effective ablation of cells transduced with viral thymidine kinase gene

Transduction of the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene into tumor cells followed by treatment with prodrugs is one of the most promising approaches for gene therapy in cancer. The choice of prodrugs is important in order to obtain maximum anticancer effects with minimum adverse reactions. We retrovirally transduced the HSV-tk gene into murine and rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and investigated their sensitivity to ganciclovir and acyclovir. Retrovirally-mediated HSV-tk transduction did not affect cell proliferation, but led to both ganciclovir- and acyclovir-dependent cytotoxicity in the HCC cells. Ganciclovir exhibited much stronger cytotoxicity on HSV-tk transduced cells than acyclovir. Importantly, HSV-tk transduced cells were completely abrogated at a ganciclovir concentration which was lower than the minimum plasma level achieved in the clinical usage of ganciclovir. Furthermore, HSV-tk transduced cells induced stronger killing of neighboring untransduced cells in the presence of ganciclovir than acyclovir. Ganciclovir may be preferable to acyclovir in the HSV-tk transduction system.

Optimal control algorithm for pneumatic ventricular assist devices: its application to automatic control and monitoring of ventricular assist devices

We developed a control and monitoring unit for pneumatic ventricular assist devices (VADs), which provides optimal fill and empty control and real-time evaluation of pump performance. The flow signal of the inflow cannula is integrated every beat to yield pump filling volume per pump diastole. The ejection signal is triggered when pump filling reaches a preset level. The instantaneous mean flow of each beat (stroke volume/cycle length) is compared with the previous beat, and the threshold level is readjusted to optimize flow. This feedback loop is repeated every beat, and pump filling is immediately adjusted to yield maximum pump flow. Simultaneously the mean flow of every 10 beats is compared with that of the previous 10 beats; then, the ejection time is readjusted to optimize flow. Initial clinical application of this unit supports its effectiveness and reliability.

[Clinical effects of urokinase and sodium ozagrel in patients with acute symptomatic lacunar infarction]

The clinical effects were compared between a thrombolytic agent (urokinase) and a thromboxane synthetase inhibitor (sodium ozagrel) in patients with acute lacunar infarction. All patients had some degree of neurological deficits, which corresponded to the lesions on computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Urokinase of 420,000 units was given over two days in 11 patients, 160 mg/day of sodium ozagrel was administered for two weeks in 23 patients. The study was followed up to one month after the onset. Urokinase treatment improved motor paresis in 45.5-62.5% of the patients, sodium ozagrel in 68.4-86.7%. Using the combined score of motor paresis and conscious disorder, urokinase group revealed 44.4-45.5% improvement, but sodium ozagrel group 81.0-89.5% (p < 0.05). The rates of suppressive effect in progressing stroke and complete recovery were higher in sodium ozagrel group. Sodium ozagrel was clinically more efficient than urokinase in patients with lacunar infarction.

Role of tachykinin and bradykinin receptors and mast cells in gaseous formaldehyde-induced airway microvascular leakage in rats

We have investigated the effects of CP-99,994 [(+)-(2s,3s)-3-(2-methoxybenzylamino)-2-phenylpiperidine], a tachykinin NK1 receptor antagonist, HOE 140 (D-Arg[Hyp3,Thi5,D-Tic7,Oic8]bradykinin), a bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, and ketotifen (4-(1-methyl-4-piperidylidene)4 H-benzo[4,5]cycloheptal[1,2-b]thiophen-10(9H)-one hydrogen fumarate), a histamine H1 receptor antagonist with mast cell-stabilizing properties, on microvascular leakage induced by gaseous formaldehyde. Extravasation of Evans blue dye into airway tissues was used as an index of airway microvascular leakage. Leakage of dye in the trachea and main bronchi increased significantly in a concentration-dependent fashion after 10 min inhalation of formaldehyde (5-45 parts per million (ppm)). The airway response induced by 10 min inhalation of 15 ppm formaldehyde (trachea: 119.5 +/- 13.9 ng/mg, n = 7; main bronchi: 139.6 +/- 7.9 ng/mg, n = 7) was abolished by the administration of CP-99,994 (3 and 6 mg/kg i.v.), but not by the administration of HOE 140 (0.65 mg/kg i.v.) nor ketotifen (1 mg/kg i.v.). The increase in vascular permeability induced by formaldehyde in the rat airway was mediated predominantly by NK1 receptor stimulation. Activation of bradykinin receptors and mast cells did not appear to play an important role in this airway response.

Advanced glycation end products and their recognition by macrophage and macrophage-derived cells

Modification of proteins by long-term incubation with glucose leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGE proteins are taken up by macrophages via the AGE receptor, which is similar to the macrophage scavenger receptor (MSR). In the present study, we compared the ligand specificity of the AGE receptor with that of MSR by three different experiments. The endocytic uptake of 125I-acetyl-LDL by RAW cells was effectively inhibited by unlabeled AGE-bovine serum albumin (BSA), whereas the inhibitory effect of acetyl-LDL on 125I-AGE-BSA was partial. Polyanions showing an effective inhibition for endocytic uptake of AGE-BSA were not always inhibitory for endocytic degradation of acetyl-LDL. These data, together with those obtained by three-dimensional fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, indicate that AGE proteins are recognized by more than two receptors, of which MSR is at least one. Finally, we examined whether MSR could mediate the endocytic uptake of AGE proteins by Chinese hamster ovary cells overexpressing bovine type II MSR (CHO-SRII cells). 125I-AGE-BSA underwent endocytic degradation by CHO-SRII cells, and this was effectively inhibited by unlabeled acetyl-LDL. These results clearly show that MSR mediates the endocytic uptake of AGE proteins, suggesting a new role of MSR in biological recognition of AGE in vivo.

[Electron microscopic histochemical studies on the localization of hyaluronic acid in Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord]

The mode and distribution of hyaluronic acid in Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord was studied by the electron microscopic histochemical technique. By means of ruthenium red (RR) staining, RR-positive material was observed as granules approximately 30nm in diameter in the fibroblast of Wharton's jelly. Around the fibroblast, it was observed as fibril structures on the cell surface or as granules approximately 13nm in diameter in the basement membrane-like structure around the cell. In the extracellular matrix, it was observed as granules or amorphous materials on collagen fibrils. Only the 30nm granules in RR positive structures disappeared due to amylase digestion. The other structures were digested by Streptomyces hyaluronidase. On the basis of the above findings, it was concluded that hyaluronic acid is formed as hydrated gel around the fibroblast and collagen fibrils in Wharton's jelly of the human umbilical cord. These results suggest that its structure is one of the factors in maintaining the elastic aptitude of the umbilical cord, to protect from any pressure, such as fetal movement, etc., in the uterine cavity.

[Effect of (-)-N-[(S)-hexahydro-l-methyl-2, 6-dioxo-4-pyrimidinylcarbonyl]-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide (TA-0910), a new TRH analog, on plasma levels of TSH and thyroid hormones in rats]

The stimulatory effect of TA-0910 on the secretions of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid hormones was investigated in male and female rats. Single intravenous administration of TA-0910 at 8.3 nmol/body acutely elevated the plasma TSH level, with delayed and moderate increases of T3 and T4 in plasma. Similar increments of plasma TSH and thyroid hormones were observed when TRH was injected at the dose of 0.83 nmol/body. Oral administration of TA-0910 at 2.75 mumol/body was equally potent or slightly more potent to secrete TSH than TRH at 0.275 mumol/body. The elevated TSH by TA-0910 decreased to the control level within 2 hr after intravenous injection or within 6 hr after oral administration; on the other hand, the higher levels of the thyroid hormones were retained for up to 4 and 6 hr after intravenous and oral administration, respectively. These findings indicate that TA-0910 and TRH stimulate the secretion of TSH and thyroid hormones by a similar manner and that the TSH-secreting activity of TA-0910 is lower by an order of magnitude compared with that of TRH.

Antiproliferative effect of basic fibroblast growth factor-saporin mitotoxin on keratocytes in culture

We evaluated the effect of the conjugate of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and saporin (FGF2-SAP) on proliferation of cultured keratocytes. Cultured rabbit and human keratocytes were incubated in medium containing 0.01 to 100 nM of chemical conjugate of EGF2 conjugated by disulfide bond to saporin (CCFS1), FGF2 genetically fused to saporin (rFGF2-SAP), FGF2, or saporin for three hours or four days and cell proliferation was quantified four days after the drug treatment. Proliferation of rabbit and human keratocytes was effectively inhibited by three hour and by four day exposure to CCFS1 and rFGF2-SAP in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it was affected minimally by four day exposure to saporin. Their inhibitory effects were detected at concentrations above 0.1 or 1 nM, and were most prominent in serum-stimulated rabbit keratocytes. These results suggest a potential role for FGF2-SAP in limiting proliferation of keratocytes during corneal wound healing.

Effect of low-power laser irradiation on impulse conduction in anesthetized rabbits

Low-power laser analgesic effect was generally accepted in clinical cases, whereas there was no direct evidence to indicate that low-power laser irradiation suppressed an impulse conduction within a peripheral nerve. The effect of low-power laser irradiation on electrically evoked responses within the sural nerve was electrophysiologically analyzed in anesthetized rabbits. High threshold evoked responses (conduction velocity was about 11 m/sec, unmyelinated A delta), which were induced by an electrical stimulation to the peripheral stump of the nerve, were significantly suppressed (9 to 19% inhibition) during low-power laser irradiation, which applied to the exposed sural nerve between the stimulus site and the recording site. The suppressive effect was reversible and recovered to the control level after the irradiation. Experimental evidence indicated that low-power laser irradiation suppressed the impulse conduction of unmyelinated A delta afferents in peripheral sensory nerve, which caused a pain sensation. Our data suggest that low-power laser acts as a reversible direct suppressor of neuronal activity.

Involvement of endothelins in immediate and late asthmatic responses of guinea pigs

To explore the pathophysiological roles of endothelin isopeptides and receptor subtypes in asthmatic responses, a guinea pig model for asthma was used to test the effects of antiendothelin (ET) serum and selective ET receptor antagonists for antigen-induced specific airway conductance changes as measured by whole-body plethysmography. In this model, all of the animals so far tested demonstrated both the immediate and late asthmatic responses. Although preimmune serum had no apparent effects, anti-ET antiserum suppressed the maximal reduction of specific airway conductance in both the immediate and late asthmatic responses, which suggested that ET(s) are involved in the pathophysiology of both the immediate and late asthmatic responses. The ETB selective antagonists, BQ788 and RES701-1, blocked the immediate asthmatic response but not the late asthmatic response, whereas the ETA antagonists, BQ123 and (Shionogi) 97-139, suppressed only the late asthmatic response without influencing the immediate asthmatic response. In vitro constrictive responses of isolated tracheas and bronchi to ET1 were inhibited mainly by BQ123 and BQ788, respectively, which suggested that distribution of ETA and ETB receptors for bronchoconstriction are topographically distinct along airways. Furthermore, thromboxane A2 and platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonists were effective in suppressing the late asthmatic response but not the immediate asthmatic response. Taken together, our present observations suggest that ET(s) influences pulmonary functions by constricting airway smooth muscle via ETB receptors during the immediate asthmatic response and by modulating pulmonary inflammation via ETA receptors during the late asthmatic response, respectively.

[The use of geometrical information and featural information in fimbria-fornix-lesioned rats]

Fimbria-fornix-lesioned (FF) rats (n = 10) and control rats (n = 10) were trained for the food-searching task in a rectangular box with four kinds of featural panels. In Experiment 1, food was placed at the fixed corner in front of the fixed panel so that both geometrical information (the shape of the rectangular box) and featural information (panels at the corners) were available for the rat. Control rats could find the food, but they sometimes searched at the diagonal corner of the food. Food location and its diagonal location were equivalent in relation to the longer and shorter sides of the box. FF rats could find food, only when the featural panel that showed the location of food was in front of them. From Experiments 2A and 2B which controlled geometrical information and featural information respectively, it is indicated that control rats could use geometrical information and featural information independently, but that FF rats could use only featural information. These results suggest that the hippocampus plays an important role in processing geometrical information, but not featural information.