Surgical management of an unusual osteomyelitis involving posterior elements in lumbar spine. A case report

Improper and invasive management of low back pain may lead to an unexpected tragedy, vertebral osteomyelitis. A 30-year-old female patient suffering from low back pain after a lumbar strain called on a herbal therapist and was given a herb massage with some unknown medication. Unfortunately, a persistent painful ulcer with discharge developed over her back. She was referred to our clinic shortly after where x-ray showed bony destruction over the spinous process, facet, and lamina of L4. Fistulectomy, debridement and spinal fusion were performed. A satisfactory outcome was finally achieved.

The recognition of DNA cleavage sites by porcine spleen topoisomerase II

The cutting sites specificity of topoisomerase II from porcine spleen were determined by a modified Sanger's DNA sequencing method. The topoisomerase II prefers to cut DNA at the 3' side of A and leave 5' protruding end with two staggering bases. Through the free energy analysis for DNA duplex, we also found that the topoisomerase II seemed cut DNA preferably at energetically unstable regions. So it is concluded that the specific DNA cutting by porcine spleen topoisomerase II has two structural recognition factors: one is to localize around the energetically unstable region and another is to act at the 3' side of A base.

Induction of heat-shock response and alterations of protein phosphorylation by a novel topoisomerase II inhibitor, withangulatin A, in 9L rat brain tumor cells

Withangulatin A is a newly identified in vitro topoisomerase II inhibitor isolated from the Chinese antitumor herb Physalis angulata. In vivo, it was found to be cytotoxic, capable of suppressing general protein synthesis and of inducing the synthesis of a small set of proteins including those generated by heat-shock treatment. The 70 kDa protein generated by withangulatin A was unequivocally identified as the heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) since both proteins migrated to the same position on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels, could be recognized by a monoclonal antibody to human HSP70, and exhibited identical peptide maps. The induction of protein synthesis by withangulatin A was regulated at the transcriptional level since it was aborted in cells pre-treated with actinomycin D. However, the initiation of this process did not require de novo protein synthesis since it was not affected by cycloheximide. Other cellular effect of withangulatin A was alterations of protein phosphorylation including an enhancement of phosphorylation of a 65 kDa protein which was also detected in the heat-shocked cells. Moreover, this process was observed within 7.5 min after the initial heat treatment which is much faster than the onset of HSP synthesis. Therefore, increased phosphorylation of the 65 kDa protein may represent one of the earliest signals generated by both heat-shock and withangluatin A and may be involved in the upstream regulation of heat-shock response in cells.

Effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on central cholinergic metabolism

Ginsenosides, the saponins of ginseng, are bioactive ingredients which exert many beneficial effects. One ginsenoside, Rb1, extracted from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium L.), partially prevents the memory deficits induced by a cholinergic agent (scopolamine) in rats. In vitro studies show that Rb1 has no effect on quinuclidinyl benzylate binding or on acetylcholinesterase activity, but facilitates the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from hippocampal slices. The increase in ACh release is associated with an increased uptake of choline into nerve endings; however, calcium influx is unaltered. The ability of Rb1 to prevent memory deficits may be related to facilitation of ACh metabolism in the central nervous system.

Photolabelling of the prostaglandin E2 receptor in cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles

A [3H]azidophenacyl ester of PGE2 ([3H]azido-PGE2) was synthesized and used to photoaffinity label the protein component of the high affinity PGE2 binding site in cardiac sarcolemma membrane. Photolysis of the isolated cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles in the presence of [3H]azido-PGE2 resulted in the covalent labelling of a protein component that migrated on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with an apparent molecular weight of 100,000. Incorporation of the [3H]azido-PGE2 did not occur in the absence of photolysis. The photolabelling of the 100-kDa protein by [3H]azido-PGE2 was inhibited by excess unlabelled PGE2 and azido-PGE2. Specific binding of [3H]azido-PGE2 was displaced by excess unlabelled PGE2 or azido-PGE2, but not PGF2 alpha, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha or PGD2. These results indicate that the 100-kDa photoaffinity labelled [3H]azido-PGE2 binding protein contains the binding site for PGE2 in isolated cardiac sarcolemma membranes.

Depletion of hypothalamic norepinephrine reduces the fever induced by polyriboinosinic acid: polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:Poly C) in rats

Administration of either Poly I:Poly C (0.05-0.50 micrograms) or norepinephrine (2-8 micrograms) into the anterior hypothalamic area produced a dose-related fever in rats. The fever induced by Poly I:Poly C was attenuated after selective depletion of norepinephrine in the hypothalamus. However, selective depletion of hypothalamic norepinephrine did not affect the fever induced by intrahypothalamic norepinephrine. The data indicate that Poly I:Poly C may act to induce fever through the endogenous release of norepinephrine from the rat's hypothalamus.

A new compound, withangulatin A, promotes type II DNA topoisomerase-mediated DNA damage

Withangulatin A, a new compound with a known chemical structure and from the antitumor Chinese herb Physalis angulata L, was found to act on topoisomerase II to induce topoisomerase II-mediated DNA damage in vitro. It has two effective dosage ranges of approximate 0.5 and 20 microM, with about one-third the activity of 20 microM VM-26.

[Protective effects of the pollen of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. on liver lesions at the ultrastructural level]

The experimental hepatic lesion of C57 mice was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCI4), and the feeds containing pollen of Codonopsis pilosula were given to the animals. It was found by electronic microscopy that these pollens evidently reduced the hepatic steatosis, improved liver necrosis, suppressed the formation of the collagen fibrils in Disse's spaces and around central veinules. It was shown that the pollens of Codonopsis pilosula could counteract efficiently the liver lesion of mice induced by CCI4.

Bile salt binding properties of commonly used gastrointestinal drugs: maalox, carafate, and questran

We have validated a method to measure bile salt binding by Maalox (aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide), Carafate (sucralfate), and Questran (cholestyramine) in vitro. The method used in this study involves a correction for adherent water volume and thus provides a correct measure of bile salt binding. With this approach, we described the binding properties of Maalox, Carafate, and Questran. The bile salt binding capacities of Carafate and Maalox are limited and do not have physiological or pharmacological significance. On the other hand, we found that Questran has substantial bile salt binding capacity. At the recommended dosage, Questran could deplete the total bile salt pool. We also found that Carafate, although not used as an antacid, has buffering capacity (maintaining a pH of solution in the range 4.2-4.8) which might contribute to its effectiveness as an ulcer treatment drug.

Diazepam facilitates reflex bradycardia in conscious rats

The effects of diazepam on cardiovascular function were assessed in conscious rats. Intravenous administration of diazepam (1-30 mg kg-1) produced a dose-dependent decrease in both the mean arterial pressure and the heart rate. Also, reflex bradycardia was produced in rats by intravenous infusion of adrenaline (1.25-2.5 micrograms kg-1). Intravenous pretreatment of the rats with diazepam, although causing no change in the adrenaline-induced pressor effect, did enhance the adrenaline-induced reflex bradycardia. However, the diazepam enhancement of adrenaline-induced reflex bradycardia was antagonized by pretreatment of rats with an intravenous dose of picrotoxin (an agent blocks chloride channels by binding to sites associated with the benzodiazepine-GABA-chloride channel macromolecular complex). The data indicate that diazepam acts through the benzodiazepine-GABA-chloride channel macromolecular complex within the central nervous system to facilitate reflex bradycardia mediated through baroreceptor reflexes in response to an acute increase in arterial pressure.

The effect of DMSO on natural DNA conformation in enhancing transcription

In the presence of 5% dimethylsulfoxide, 2.5 fold increase in vitro RNA synthesis rate by E. coli RNA polymerase was observed as superhelical pBR322 DNA was used as template. The effect of DMSO on DNA conformation was studied by: [i] measuring the dissociation constant of EtBr-DNA complex and the maximum EtBr binding site of EtBr in DNA which changed from 7.52 X 10(-7) M and 0.18 site per nucleotide to 9.61 X 10(-7) M and 0.156 site per nucleotide respectively when 10% DMSO was supplemented; and [ii] the increase of average linking number of pBR322 DNA in DMSO solution with topoisomerase I reaction. These results suggest that the stimulation of RNA synthesis may be caused by the easier initiation and elongation of RNA synthesis at some locally loosen regions of DNA affected by another torsionally more twisted counterpart regions in the DMSO microenvironment.

Pharmacologic studies of the central action of zopiclone: effects on locomotor activity and brain monoamines in rats

To investigate the effects of zopiclone on the central nervous system, we examined the effects of zopiclone on brain monoamines such as dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) and their metabolites such as homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), as well as locomotor activity in comparison with those of nitrazepam and flurazepam. Zopiclone in a dose of 10 mg/kg (p.o.) significantly reduced it (p less than 0.01) in 30 min and the reduced locomotor activity persisted until 180 min. The reducing effect on locomotor activity by zopiclone was similar to that of nitrazepam and more potent than flurazepam. The effects of zopiclone on brain monoamines (MA) were examined. No significant changes in DA, NA and 5-HT were observed, but HVA and 5-HIAA were reduced. A fluorescent-histochemical study conducted simultaneously revealed almost the same results as the biochemical test results. From the facts that zopiclone inhibited locomotor activity in rats, and inhibited brain DA and 5-HT turnover, the mechanism of action of zopiclone in brain MA neurons seems to be similar to that of benzodiazepine derivatives.

Cholecystokinin-induced hypothermia: possible involvement of serotoninergic mechanisms in the rat hypothalamus

The thermal effects of rats which were pretreated with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine to deplete hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) or with a 5-HT receptor blocker to intrahypothalamic administration of cholecystokinin (CCK) were compared with those of control rats. The CCK-induced hypothermic response was attenuated by pretreatment of the rats with either hypothalamic 5-HT depletion or receptor blockade. The reduction in the CCK hypothermia in the treated rats was due to the reduction of metabolic and vasomotor response. The data indicate that CCK may act on a 5-HT pathway within the hypothalamus to induce its hypothermia by promoting a reduction in metabolic heat production and an enhancement in heat loss in rats.

[Suppressive effects of lisuride on the synthesis, release and metabolism of dopamine in rat brain]

Effects of lisuride, a central dopaminergic agonist of the ergot type, on the biosynthesis, release and metabolism of dopamine at the dopaminergic nerve terminals of the rat brain were studied under several experimental conditions. 1) In the rat whose impulse flow of dopamine neurons and the activity of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase were inhibited by the pretreatment with gamma-butyrolactone and with 3-hydroxybenzylhydrazine (NDS 1015), respectively, DOPA formation in the neostriatum and limbic forebrain were decreased significantly by the s.c. administration of lisuride at the dosage known to be ineffective on the postsynaptic dopamine receptor. 2) When it was measured by the accumulation of 3-methoxytyramine in the neostriatum and limbic forebrain of pargyline (MAO inhibitor)-pretreated rats, lisuride at the low dosage caused the inhibition of not only the spontaneous release of dopamine from the nerve terminal to the synaptic cleft, but also the release induced with methamphetamine. 3) In the rat whose dopamine biosynthesis was inhibited with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, lisuride caused the suppression of dopamine metabolism, resulting in significant increases of dopamine histofluorescence in the nucleus caudatus, olfactory tubercle and median eminence. As to the effect on dopamine histofluorescence, apomorphine at 1 mg/kg was equipotent to lisuride at 50 micrograms/kg. It was concluded from these results that lisuride administered at low dosage interacts preferentially with the presynaptic dopamine receptor, hereby causing the suppressive effects on the tyrosine hydroxylase reaction and the dopamine release mechanism in the dopamine nerve terminals of the brain.

Altitude convulsion threshold and time to altitude convulsion in gold thioglucose obese mice

Gold thioglucose-induced hypothalamic obesity caused a higher altitude convulsion threshold and a decrease in the time to altitude convulsion. The average altitude convulsion threshold for the obese mice was 151 torr (38,500 ft). In contrast, the average value for the controls was 131 torr (41,500 ft). It was also observed that at 206 torr (32,000 ft), the average time until altitude convulsion of the obese mice was 69 s; at 179 torr (35,000 ft), 27 s; at 141 torr (40,000 ft), 17 s; at 111 torr (45,000 ft), 10 s; at 87 torr (50,000 ft), 9 s; and at 69 torr (55,000 ft), 8 s. On the other hand, the average control time until altitude convulsion at the above-mentioned altitudes was 97, 37, 26, 11, 9, and 8 s, respectively. Moreover, the average accumulation of fat between pleura and lungs in obese mice was 154 (Table I) or 181 mg (Table II), while the value of the control group was only 72 to 67 mg. Such an increase of fat accumulation in the thoracic cage could decrease the tidal volume. The altitude convulsion threshold and the time until altitude convulsion might thus be changed. The time until altitude convulsion may be regarded as a convenient objective measure of altitude tolerance in mice.

Influence of hypothalamic hyperphagia on tolerance of lung to explosive decompression

A study was made of the effect of hypothalamic hyperphagia on the tolerance of lung to explosive decompression in male Long-Evans rats. The control and hypothalamic hyperphagic rats were explosively decompressed together from 1 atm to an ambient pressure of 30 min Hg in 0.04s. The hypothalamic-lesiones rats gained from 252 g average weight to 460 g, a 82% gain. The respective figures for the controls. were from 248 g to 336 g and 36%. It was also observed that a considerable amount of fat was accumulated between pleura and lungs in experimental animals. The average accumulation of fat between pleura and lungs in experimental rats was 3.23 g, while the value of the control group was only 0.42 g. The difference was statistically significant. Such an increase of fat accumulation in the thoracic cage could decrease the tidal volume. The severity of decompression-induced pulmonary hemorrages might thus be decreased. On the other hand, it also seems possible that the soft fat cushion between pleura and lungs might damp the bruising of the pulmonary tissue against the resistant thoracic wall to a certain extent, thus resulting in a decreased susceptibility to decompression-induced lung damage. Besides , the mortality in obese rats undergoing explosive decompression was also significantly lower than that of the controls