Association between size of the lateral ventricle and asymmetry of the fornix in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

PURPOSE

Our goal was to determine whether the size of the lateral ventricle influences asymmetry of the fornix in patients with mesial temporal sclerosis.

METHODS

The cross-sectional area of the lateral ventricle was measured along with the thickness of the fornix in 18 patients with pathologically proved mesial temporal sclerosis. Two additional patients with ventricular asymmetry and seizures but without mesial sclerosis were also studied.

RESULTS

Ten of 18 patients with mesial temporal sclerosis had equally sized ventricular areas or less than a 25% difference between the two sides. In seven of these 10, the left and right fornices were equal; in the other three patients, the fornix was thinner on the side of mesial sclerosis. Among the eight patients with ventricular area differences greater than 25%, the larger ventricle was on the side of mesial sclerosis in five cases. In all of these, the ipsilateral fornix was thinner. In three of eight cases, the contralateral ventricle was larger; in two, the left and right fornix were equal; and in one, the fornix contralateral to the side of mesial sclerosis was smaller. The greatest difference in fornix thickness was noted in patients with ventricular asymmetry greater than 40%, regardless of side or presence of mesial temporal sclerosis.

CONCLUSION

The size of the lateral ventricle may influence the apparent thickness of the fornix.

Healing effects of heparin on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether or not heparin can accelerate the healing process of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats and to identify the mechanisms for heparin to produce this effect, so that we can develop a new therapeutic application to heparin besides its traditional anticoagulant activity.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to produce acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. Heparin in the doses of 100, 500, and 1000 U/kg were administered intravenously through the tail vein once daily, starting 1 day after ulcer induction for 7 days in the dose-response experiment or heparin 1000 U/kg at a time schedule of 3, 5, and 7 days in the time-response study, respectively. The gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter under ether anesthesia. The rats were then sacrificed and the ulcer areas were measured. The gastric mucosa was then scraped for the determinations of mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level and myeloper-oxidase (MPO) activity.

RESULTS

Heparin in the doses of 500 and 1000 U/kg accelerated the healing of acetic acid ulcers in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose of heparin also reduced the ulcer areas in a time-dependent fashion. The effect was accompanied by an increase in gastric mucosal PGE2 levels. The same dose of heparin not only decreased the gastric mucosal MPO activity but also increased the GMBF in a time-related manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Heparin with the doses used in the present study accelerated the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and this action was related to its effects to increase the levels of gastric mucosal PGE2 and GMBF as well as to decrease the gastric mucosal MPO activity.

Helicobacter pylori induces interleukin-8 expression in endothelial cells and the signal pathway is protein tyrosine kinase dependent

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection has been shown to increase gastric mucosal interleukin 8 (IL-8) expression, and whether HP or its toxin induces endothelial cell IL-8 expression is unknown. We aimed to compare the IL-8 expression in endothelial cells after stimulation with HP toxin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to study their signal pathways. HP or its toxin induced significant IL-8 expression in endothelial cells. HP toxin, TNF-alpha, and LPS also showed a time- and dose-dependent increase in IL-8 expression over the control. Both protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitors had no effect on IL-8 response to these stimuli. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor genistein at concentrations of 150, 300, and 450 microM dose-dependently reduced LPS- and TNF-alpha-induced IL-8 expression by 29.43, 43.8, and 47.3% and 20.5, 49.9, and 61.8% respectively, whereas HP toxin-induced IL-8 secretion could only be reduced at 450 microM by 35.7%. Geldanamycin, a more potent PTK inhibitor, at doses of 0.5, 1, and 2 microM dose-dependently reduced HP toxin induced endothelial cell IL-8 expression by 24.8, 26, and 44.3% respectively. It is concluded that HP and its toxin can increase IL-8 expression in endothelial cells, and the expression of IL-8 elicited by HP toxin, TNF-alpha, and LPS is partially dependent on PTK but not PKA or PKC activation.

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp associated with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a child

Ureteral fibroepithelial polyp is an unusual benign tumor of a mesodermal origin. It is very rare in infants and children, and the majority of them, excluding ones secondary to chronic irritation, were presented as a single disease without associated lesion. We report a case of multiple ureteral fibroepithelial polyps associated with ureteropelvic junction obstruction in a 5 year-old boy.

The potentiating actions of cigarette smoking on ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Cigarette smoking has been associated with peptic ulceration. However, the ulcerogenic mechanisms are still undefined. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of cigarette smoke on ethanol- or cold-restraint stress-induced gastric damage.

METHODS

Rats were exposed to cigarette smoke followed by either an ethanol (70%) challenge or cold-restraint stress. The severity of mucosal damage, levels of prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene C4, determined by radioimmunoassay, and neutrophil infiltration in the stomach were assessed.

RESULTS

Smoke dose-dependently potentiated ethanol-but not stress-induced ulcer. It reduced mucosal prostaglandin E2 and increased myeloperoxidase activity. Filtered cigarette smoke did not have these effects. The acidic fraction from the filters produced similar potentiating effects and also delayed ulcer healing. Mucosal leukotriene C4 and serum nicotine levels did not correlate with the mucosal injury in the stomach. Neutropenia abolished the ulcerogenic action and the increase of myeloperoxidase activity produced by both cigarette smoke and acidic fraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction of prostaglandin E2 and increase in neutrophil accumulation in the gastric mucosa are responsible for the potentiating action of acute smoke exposure on ethanol-induced gastric damage. Substances other than nicotine could contribute to these adverse reactions in the stomach.

New scoring system using tumor markers in diagnosing patients with moderate pericardial effusions

We performed diagnostic and therapeutic pericardiostomy with drainage and biopsy in 51 patients with moderate to large pericardial effusions of different etiologies from August 1991 to July 1995. Patients were divided into 4 groups (group 1, tuberculous pericarditis; group 2, suspected tuberculous pericarditis; group 3, acute pericarditis; group 4, malignancy). The pericardial fluid adenosine deaminase level in tuberculosis (87 +/- 10 U/l) was significantly higher than that in malignancy or acute pericarditis (21 +/- 4 U/l, 23 +/- 7 U/l, respectively) (P = 0.0001). The mean pericardial fluid carcinoembryonic antigen level (1.8 +/- 0.3 ng/ml) in benign disease was significantly lower than that (170.7 +/- 46.4 ng/ml) in malignant disease (P = 0.0001). Follow-up study has been done. With a new scoring system (each score 1 for adenosine deaminase > or = 40 U/l, or carcinoembryonic antigen < or = 5 ng/ml) in 25 patients since November 1993, we could diagnose 5 among 7 patients (71%) with tuberculosis, 11 among 13 patients (85%) with malignancy (adenosine deaminase < or = 40 U/l, or carcinoembryonic antigen > or = 5 ng/ml) and 5 among 5 patients (100%) with acute pericarditis (adenosine deaminase < or = 40 U/l, or carcinoembryonic antigen < or = 5 ng/ml), respectively. Our long-term follow-up study suggests that with the new scoring system we can decrease complications or avoid unnecessary procedures or treatments of patients.

The vascular and glandular organoprotective properties of metronidazole in the rodent stomach

BACKGROUND

The gastroprotective action of metronidazole, an antimicrobial used in the therapy against Helicobacter pylori infection, is unclear. Thus, the aim of the present investigation was to study the organoprotective action and antiulcer mechanisms of this drug in rodents.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Metronidazole (10 mg/kg), given either per os or intraperitoneally, 30 min beforehand, reduced ethanol (40%, 10 mL/kg, p.o.)-induced gastric mucosal damage in male rats. Likewise, oral administration of metronidazole dose-dependently attenuated the indomethacin (30 mg/kg, p.o.)-induced gastric lesion formation and the concurrent depletion of mucosal mucus. However, metronidazole did not affect the basal mucosal prostaglandin E2 content. In an ex vivo gastric chamber preparation, 40% ethanol incubation markedly lowered transmucosal potential difference and increased mucosal vascular permeability in rat stomachs. Incubation with all doses of metronidazole did not modulate gastric mucosal blood flow nor transmucosal potential difference, either before or after ethanol treatment. Nevertheless, the increase in vascular permeability by 40% ethanol was significantly alleviated by either p.o. or i.p. metronidazole pretreatment. In addition, exposure of the isolated rabbit gastric gland preparation to metronidazole (10(-5) and 10(-4) M) significantly attenuated the damaging action of 10% ethanol.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that metronidazole possesses a direct vascular and glandular organoprotective property in the rodent stomach. However, the anti-ulcer action does not appear to involve prostaglandins nor act through the improvement of gastric mucosal blood flow. Preservation of intramucosal mucus may partly contribute to the prevention of indomethacin-induced ulceration in rats.

Electron microscopic perspectives of gill pathology induced by 1-naphthyl-N-methylcarbamate in the goldfish (Carassius auratus Linnaeus)

This experiment has clarified the ultrastructural pathology, by scanning (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), induced by 1-naphthyl-N- methylcarbamate (carbaryl) in the gills of juvenile goldfish (Carassius auratus Linneaus). Carbaryl is a low toxicity pesticide commonly used in forestry and agriculture and for controlling aquatic weeds and crustacean predators of shellfish, and has been known to cause gill damage in fish and clams. A variety of cellular changes were observed after exposure of goldfish for 96 h to a sublethal dose of 10 mg carbaryl/l of water. SEM revealed secondary lamellar fusion, distortion, thinning, and mucus release. TEM responses included enlargement of subepithelial lymphatic spaces and mitochondrial disruption and distortion of the lamellar covering epithelium. Pillar cells became detached and chloride cells were vacuolated. Fish were able to withstand these changes in subacute experiments due to redundancy in gill surface area.

GB virus C/hepatitis G virus infection among Korean patients with liver diseases and general population

GB virus C and hepatitis G virus (GBV-C/HGV) have been identified from the patients with acute or chronic liver diseases as possible agents of non-B, non-C hepatitis by two different groups, independently. To investigate whether GBV-C/HGV plays a role among Korean patients with liver diseases, GBV-C/HGV RNA were evaluated in 337 sera by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific primers derived from 5'-noncoding region of GBV-C/HGV genome. GBV-C/HGV RNA was identified in 11/337 (3.3%). They consisted of 1/160 (0.6%) and 10/177 (3.3%) among the general population and patients with liver diseases, respectively (P < 0.01). Nucleotide sequences of all PCR amplicons were determined by the dideoxy chain termination method and analyzed by molecular evolutionary methods. The phylogenetic tree showed all sequences could be divided into three genotypes. These results indicate that: (1) GBV-C/HGV already exist in Korea; (2) GBV-C/HGV may play some role as an etiologic factor among the Korean patients with liver diseases; (3) GBV-C/HGV infection is rare among Korean general population; and (4) there are at least three different types of GBV-C/HGV in Korea.

Effects of selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists on gastric ulceration in the rat

Metoprolol and butoxamine, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists which act selectively at the beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors, respectively, have been investigated for their actions on the ethanol, indomethacin and cold-restraint stress ulcer models. Oral administration of butoxamine but not metoprolol significantly attenuated gastric mucosal damage in the three types of ulcer model. Intraperitoneal injection of butoxamine reduced indomethacin ulceration but not that of the other two models. The stimulatory effect of butoxamine on the gastric mucosal potential difference and intramucosal mucus level correlated positively with its anti-ulcer action. Only oral administration of butoxamine significantly increased the mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level but not after intraperitoneal injection. Oral administration of butoxamine also significantly increased the mucosal PGE2 level in the three types of ulcer model but this drug was only effective in the indomethacin ulcer model after intraperitoneal injection. Gastric acid and pepsin output were not affected by either drug. Metoprolol significantly reduced systemic blood pressure; this could be attributed to a reduction in gastric mucosal blood flow. These results imply that beta 2-adrenoceptors play a significant role in the pathogenesis of gastric ulceration. We suggest that the anti-ulcer effect of butoxamine was in part a result of strengthening of the mucosal barrier but that this was not effected by modification of acid or pepsin secretions in the stomach. Stimulation of PGE2 in the gastric mucosa could contribute in part to the anti-ulcer action of the drug, especially when given by the oral route.

Regional vascular mechanical properties by 3-D intravascular ultrasound with finite-element analysis

A method employing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and simultaneous hemodynamic measurements, with resultant finite element analysis (FEA) of accurate three-dimensional IVUS reconstructions (3-DR), was developed to estimate the regional distribution of arterial elasticity. Human peripheral arterial specimens (iliac and femoral, n = 7) were collected postmortem and perfused at three static transmural pressures: 80, 120, and 160 mmHg. At each pressure, IVUS data were collected at 2.0-mm increments through a 20.0-mm segment and used to create an accurate 3-DR. Mechanical properties were determined over normotensive and hypertensive ranges. An FEA and optimization procedure was implemented in which the elemental elastic modulus was scaled to minimize the displacement error between the computer-predicted and actual deformations. The "optimized" elastic modulus (Eopt) represents an estimate of the component element material stiffness. A dimensionless variable (beta), quantifying structural stiffness, was computed. Eopt of nodiseased tissue regions (n = 80) was greater than atherosclerotic regions (n = 88) for both normotensive (Norm) and hypertensive (Hyp) pressurization: Norm, 9.3 +/- 0.98 vs. 3.5 +/- 0.30; Hyp, 11.3 +/- 0.72 vs. 8.5 +/- 0.47, respectively (mean +/- SE x 10(6) dyn/cm2; P < 0.01 vs. nondiseased). No differences in beta between nondiseased and atherosclerotic tissue were noted at Norm pressurization. With Hyp pressurization, beta of atherosclerotic regions were greater than nondiseased regions: 21.5 +/- 2.21 vs. 14.0 +/- 2.11, respectively (P < 0.03). This method provides a means to identify regional in vivo variations in mechanical properties of arterial tissue.

Co-regulation of mucosal prostanoids and substance P by indomethacin in rat stomachs

The present investigation examined the correlation between the regulation of mucosal prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis and the release of the neuropeptide substance P (SP) in rat stomachs by indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor. When given subcutaneously at the dose of 5 mg/kg, indomethacin reduced mucosal biosynthesis of PGE2 and concurrently lowered mucosal SP level. The inter-relationship between mucosal generation of PG and SP was further demonstrated by using [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]-SP, which also inhibited PGE2 production besides its suppression on SP release. Co-administration of either arachidonic acid, the PGE2 precursor, or SP reversed the inhibitory actions of indomethacin and [D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9]-SP, respectively, on mucosal levels of PGE2 and SP. Our findings suggest that indomethacin, aside from its depletion of endogenous PG, also exerts a secondary action in regulating the release of SP, which is mediated indirectly through PG in the gastric mucosa. These actions may play a role in the modulation of gastric mucosal integrity.

Can misoprostol and omeprazole reduce nicotine and ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury? A quantitative macroscopic and microscopic analysis in rats

We compared the effects of misoprostol, omeprazole and methylcellulose (control) on gastric mucosal injury induced by nicotine and/or ethanol. The results demonstrate that misoprostol and omeprazole each significantly reduce macroscopic injury and deep injury at a microscopic level (P < 0.05) induced by nicotine alone, ethanol alone or a combination of ethanol and nicotine. Misoprostol and omeprazole each reduced the leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanate-albumin into the interstitium in the gastric mucosa. Misoprostol and omeprazole are each effective in preventing injury induced by nicotine and ethanol and vascular factors are involved.

Tungstic acid reduction of cold-resistant stress-induced ulceration in rats

Sprague-Dawley rats were restrained at 4 degrees C for 2 h (stress). Tungstic acid in a single dose of 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 or 300 mg/kg (dissolved in distilled water) was administered intragastrically to animals 30 min prior to stress. Stress induced significant gastric mucosal damage, whereas tungstic acid pretreatment dose-dependently reduced lesion formation. Doses of tungstic acid of 1 mg/kg and higher significantly (P < 0.05-0.001) decreased ulcers. The mucosal mast cell counts in rats pretreated with tungstic acid were significantly higher than those of control rats. In motility experiments using oral administration of amberlite pellets, pretreatment with tungstic acid dose-dependently reduced the gastric emptying rate during a 1 h period of stress. Gastric mucosal xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, after pretreatment with a single dose of tungstic acid, were not altered in stressed animals. It is suggested that tungstic acid effectively antagonizes stress-induced gastric ulcers, possibly by decreasing motility and mass cell degranulation. Xanthine oxidase and SOD activities and mucous content were not changed in the gastric mucosa by the present method of tungstic acid administration.

A mechanistic study of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists on ethanol-induced gastric damage

The beta-adrenoceptor subtypes and the roles of myeloperoxidase and prostaglandin E2 in the anti-ulcer effect of beta-adrenoceptor antagonists were studied. A non-selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, or selective beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, metoprolol (a beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist) or butoxamine (a beta 2-adrenoceptor antagonist) were used. Propranolol given either intraperitoneally or orally reduced ethanol-induced mucosal damage and myeloperoxidase activity. Oral administration of butoxamine produced similar effects. The blood neutrophil count was increased after ethanol administration and this was reversed by the two drugs. Metoprolol did not affect myeloperoxidase activity, neutrophil count and mucosal damage under these experimental conditions. Oral administration of propranolol or butoxamine increased mucosal prostaglandin E2 level. It is concluded that the inflammatory responses to ethanol, as indicated by neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa, can be specifically inhibited by drugs that block beta 2-adrenoceptors. This action would explain in part why propranolol and butoxamine but not metoprolol lessened gastric damage. In addition, oral administration of propranolol and butoxamine increased the mucosal prostaglandin E2 level, which could partially contribute to their anti-ulcer effects.

Transcatheter instillation of urokinase into loculated pleural effusion: analysis of treatment effect

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of intracavitary instillation of urokinase in the treatment of loculated pleural effusion.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We analyzed CT and sonographic scans of 31 patients with loculated pleural effusion treated with intracavitary urokinase. When the drainage was less than 100 ml/day, urokinase was instilled through the catheter until the drainage was less than 50 ml/day. Response to the treatment was assessed on follow-up chest radiographs and classified into three groups: completely effective (lung expansion > 80%), partially effective (20-80%), and ineffective (< 20%). The sonographic pattern of pleural fluid was classified as anechoic, linear septated, or honeycomb, and the thickness of the parietal pleura was measured on CT scans.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients in whom treatment was completely effective, sonography showed an anechoic appearance in 12 and a linear septated appearance in four, and the thickness of the parietal pleura on CT scans was 2 mm in six, 3 mm in seven, and 4 mm in three. Of the nine patients in whom treatment was partially effective, sonography showed an anechoic appearance in six and a linear septated appearance in three, and the thickness of the parietal pleura on CT scans was 3 mm in five and 4 mm in four. Of the six patients in whom treatment was ineffective, sonography showed a linear septated appearance in one and a honeycomb appearance in five, and the thickness of the parietal pleura on CT scans was 3 mm in one, 4 mm in two, 5 mm in one, and 6 mm in two.

CONCLUSION

Urokinase instillation through a percutaneous catheter was effective in the treatment of loculated pleural effusion in most patients but was not effective in patients whose pleural fluid had a honeycomb appearance on sonography or whose parietal pleura had a thickness of more than 5 mm on CT scans.

A study of the antiulcer mechanisms of propranolol in rats

Although propranolol has been shown to protect against ethanol and stress ulceration, the antiulcer mechanisms are still unclear. The present study examined the antiulcer mechanisms of propranolol in three different types of ulceration induced respectively by ethanol (60%), indomethacin (30 mg/kg) and stress (cold-restraint). Propranolol pretreatment in the highest dose (10 mg/kg) given either intraperitoneally (i.p.) or orally (p.o.) prevented gastric mucosal damage in these three ulcer models. The three doses of the drug (2.5, 5 or 10 mg/kg) dose-dependently decreased systemic blood pressure which was accompanied by a reduction of gastric mucosal blood flow. These findings suggest that the protection was unrelated to an improvement of local circulation in the stomach. However, propranolol preserved the mucus levels in the three types of ulcer models. The beta-adrenoceptor blocker also increased the basal gastric mucosal potential difference. These findings indicate that propranolol strengthens the mucosal barrier by the preservation of mucosal mucus and enhancement of the mucosal integrity in the stomach.

The antilesion actions of anticholinergic agents on ethanol-induced injury in rat stomachs: the importance of gastric vascular integrity and tonicity

1. The antilesion actions of two antimuscarinic drugs on ethanol-induced gastric injury and mucosal integrity were examined in male rats. Histological examinations were made and gastric emptying rates determined after in vivo administration of the drugs to conscious rats. In anaesthetized rats, with an ex vivo gastric chamber, effects on gastric transmucosal potential difference, Evan's blue leakage and Na+ output were examined. 2. In conscious animals, atropine (1 mgkg-1, i.p.) and pirenzepine (1 mgkg-1, i.p.) both significantly reduced macroscopic lesion formation, but not microscopic damage and functional alterations, caused by orally administered absolute ethanol. Moreover, these drugs did not show any effect on the basal gastric adherent mucus level, nor the depleting action of ethanol on both adherent mucus and the mucosal mucus layer. Nevertheless, both atropine and pirenzepine significantly reduced gastric emptying rate. 3. In anaesthetized animals, pirenzepine but not atropine increased the basal transmucosal potential difference (PD); however, it could not prevent the ethanol-induced drop in PD. Furthermore, the inhibitory action of ethanol on sodium ion output from the gastric mucosa was not attenuated by these drugs. Pirenzepine, however, significantly lessened the increase in vascular permeability caused by 100% ethanol. This action was not shared by atropine. 4. These findings indicate that both atropine and pirenzepine exert their antilesion actions through the relaxation of the stomach. Pirenzepine also preserves the integrity of the gastric mucosal vasculature, which is distinct from the action of atropine. The protective action of these drugs occurs only at the macroscopic level.

An experimental model for studying passive cigarette smoking effects on gastric ulceration

Cigarette smoking is associated with gastric mucosal damage in humans. For this study, a smoke chamber was designed to investigate the effects of passive smoking on gastric ulceration. Different concentrations of cigarette smoke (0%, 1%, 2%, and 4%) were perfused into a chamber for one hr in which conscious rats were placed. This one-hr smoke exposure potentiated ethanol (70%, v/v, p.o.)-induced gastric mucosal damage and increased serum nicotine levels; however, it did not affect the blood pH, pCO2, pO2, and HCO3 concentrations, or the systemic blood pressure and heart rate. Under these experimental conditions, exposure to cigarette smoke produced no significant changes in the blood acid/base balance and stress in the animals but significantly potentiated ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage. The present experimental model is suitable for studying the adverse interactions between passive smoking and alcohol drinking in gastric ulcer formation in rats.

Mucosal nitric oxide is not responsible for the hemodynamic changes induced by nicotine in rat stomachs

It has been shown that chronic nicotine treatment decreases gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF). The mechanism for this action is still not defined. In this study, nicotine treatment (5, 25 or 50 μg/ml drinking water) for 10 days dose dependently reduced the GMBF and volume of hemoglobin but increased ethanol-induced gastric damage. These effects were potentiated by N(ω)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor. l-arginine but not the d-analog restored the actions of l-NAME, indicating that the selective action of l-NAME. However, the potentiating actions of l-NAME were significantly attenuated in the nicotine-pretreated rats. When the basal mucosal NO synthase (both iNOS and cNOS) activity and its second messenger cyclic GMP levels were measured, no difference was found between the nicotine and the non-nicotine groups. Furthermore, high dose of l-arginine could not reverse the action of nicotine. These findings suggest that the adverse action of chronic nicotine treatment on GMBF and lesion formation is probably mediated through a NO independent mechanism.

Vagal hyperactivity in stress induced gastric ulceration in rats

Indirect evidence suggests that stress ulceration is provoked by vagal hyperactivity. However, direct evidence of hypervagal activity during stress conditions is lacking. Experiments were designed to directly measure vagal activity under different stress conditions in rats. Starvation stress for 48 h did not change the mean amplitude of action potentials, but their frequency was significantly decreased. Restraint stress at 22 degrees C increased vagal activity, both amplitude and frequency, in the first 60 min; these responses were markedly enhanced by cold (4 degrees C) and persisted for at least 2 h. Starvation for 48 h did not induce any gastric mucosal lesions. Restraint alone produced petechiae in the gastric mucosa, but cold restraint induced severe haemorrhagic ulcers. It is concluded that cold restraint stress provokes a prolonged vagal hyperactivity, which is one of the causative factors for gastric ulceration.

Hierarchical reduction and partition of hypergraph

In this paper, a hierarchical reduction method of hypergraphs is proposed. A macro-vertex in a reduced hypergraph corresponds to an edge of the original hypergraph, and thus a reduced hypergraph can provide a partition of a system. The reduction is realized by the iterations and the sequence of hierarchical reduction gives a sequence of hierarchical partitions. The proposed method allows to reduce and decompose the complexity of the system represented by hypergraphs.

Liquid water and biological systems: the most important problem in science that hardly anyone wants to see solved

The main emphasis of this paper is the design of a water model that gives the correct temperature-dependent density. Water interaction models currently used have been highly oversimplified and are presently incapable of producing, over even a modest range of temperature and pressure, the properties of real water. The new feature is a modified second-neighbour non-hydrogen-bonded interaction to match those known to exist in the moderately dense ice polymorphs or the high density amorphous solid. Combined dynamically in the liquid with ordinary tetrahedral bonding, the more dense metastable structure tends to grow in with increasing temperature because of the entropic driving force, creating the density maximum. With this new model, more realistic structural and dynamic properties of liquid water near surfaces, particularly biologically important macromolecules and membranes, can be expected in future work.

Effects of chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibition in cold-restraint and ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats

Gastric actions of Nw-nitro-1-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) were investigated in rats, as this agent is a reliable nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME solutions were placed in subcutaneous osmotic minipumps which continuously released L-NAME at 0.1, 1.0, 10, or 40 mg/kg/day. L-NAME dose and time-dependently enhanced stress-induced gastric ulceration but did not affect mucosal mast cell population. Ulcerogenic actions of L-NAME were reversed by L-arginine but not by D-arginine. Ten L-NAME treatment also enhanced the ethanol-induced gastric mucosal damage, depressed gastric mucosal blood flow but did not alter gastric mucus, secretory volume, or acid output. It is concluded that in the present models, chronic nitric oxide synthase inhibition enhanced ulcerogenesis by decreasing mucosal resistance due to reduced mucosal blood perfusion. This implicates nitric oxide as a mucosal defense factor which acts in part by maintaining mucosal blood flow.