Recanalization of iatrogenic dissection of the superior mesenteric artery: a case report

We present a case of acute abdominal pain due to a long-segment iatrogenic superior mesenteric artery dissection, which was immediately treated successfully with balloon fenestration of the intimal flap, resulting in complete resolution of the symptoms without recurrence during the 2-year follow-up period.

A study on bone mineral density in patients with Crohn's disease

Decreased bone mineral density is a complication to which we should always pay attention in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD). However, there is still no clear consensus with regard to evaluation methods and the appropriate observation period for its detection. In the present study, we measured the bone mineral density of 30 CD patients who were treated at the outpatient clinic of our institution and investigated its relationship with various clinical characteristics including sex, age, duration of illness, history of enterectomy, total steroid consumption, body weight, and body mass index (BMI) and with bone metabolism markers. A decreased bone mineral density was detected in 9 patients (30%). The bone mineral density did not correlate with total steroid consumption, but showed a negative correlation with the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI).When bone metabolism markers were investigated, the bone mineral density showed a negative correlation with Glu-osteocalcin (Glu-OC) and serum type I collagen cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTx) in patients with a low bone mineral density. Based on these results, the decrease of bone mineral density in CD patients was considered to the underlying disease itself. Therefore, control of disease activity is very important in CD patients, and periodic measurement of bone mineral density in combination with bone mineral markers (Glu-OC and serum NTx) may be useful for predicting a decrease of bone mineral density.

MDR1 mRNA expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with ulcerative colitis in relation to glucocorticoid administration

Overexpression of multidrug resistance (MDR) protein, P-glycoprotein (P-gp), on lymphocytes has been suggested to be implicated in the failure of glucocorticoid (GC) therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, whether the overexpression of P-gp in a class of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is intrinsic or related to the administration of GC is unknown. Relative amounts of MDR1 mRNA expressed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were measured using the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique in 25 UC patients having no history of GC administration, 25 UC patients having experienced GC therapy, 19 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) with no history of GC therapy, and 27 healthy subjects. Relative amounts of MDR1 mRNA expressed in PBMCs were compared among the groups. The relationship between the amounts of MDR1 mRNA expressed, as well as the total dose of GC administered or the period of GC therapy in UC patients, was examined. The relative amounts of MDR1 mRNA expressed in PBMCs were not significantly different between the healthy subjects and CD patients or UC patients having no history of GC therapy. However, the mean MDR1 mRNA amount in PBMCs of UC patients having experienced GC therapy was significantly greater than that in PBMCs of UC patients with no history of GC administration (p = 0.0375). The amounts of MDR1 mRNA in PBMCs of UC patients having experienced GC therapy significantly correlated with the total dose of GCs administered (p = 0.0175). Overexpression of MDR1 mRNA in PBMCs of IBD patients is not intrinsic. However, high-dose administration of GCs for the treatment of UC may result in an increased expression of MDR1 mRNA, which may impair successful GC therapy in these patients.

Comparison of four microbial enzymes in Clostridia and Bacteroides isolated from human feces

The activities of four microbial enzymes (azoreductase, nitroreductase, beta-glucuronidase, and beta-glucosidase) in major anaerobic members of human fecal microflora were quantified and the influence of the host factors on expression of these microbial enzyme activities was also investigated. Clostridium paraputrificum and C. clostridiiforme showed much higher activities than other fecal anaerobes tested. Nitroreductase activity in C. paraputrificum isolated from fecal specimens of patients with colon cancer was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that in the clostridia isolated from healthy subjects and the subjects given high beef diets. However, the activities of some microorganisms tested showed marked differences in each strain.

Expression of mRNA for glucocorticoid receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

The amount of glucocorticoid (GC) receptors (GR) in immune cells might be critical for successful GC treatment of patients with Crohn's disease (CD). However, little is known about the expression of GR in CD; therefore, we carried out quantitative analyses for GR messenger (m)RNA expression in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of CD.

METHODS

Seventeen patients with CD and 33 healthy subjects entered into this study. We measured the GRalpha mRNA level in the PBMC of these subjects by a reverse transcription-competitive polymerase chain reaction procedure. Relative amounts for GRbeta mRNA were obtained semiquantitatively.

RESULTS

The amounts of GRalpha-mRNA in the CD patients and healthy subjects were 0.053 +/- 0.052 and 0.130 +/- 0.108 (copies/copies of beta-actin mRNA), respectively. The former value was significantly lower than that of the latter (P < 0.01). The rates of the CD patients and healthy subjects expressing GRbeta-mRNA in PBMC were 41.2% and 45.5%, respectively, and there was no significant difference in the rates between the two groups (P = 0.339). However, the relative amounts of GRbeta-mRNA in the PBMC were estimated to be 1.053 x 10-5 +/- 2.540 x 10-5 for the CD patients, and 1.872 x 10-5 +/- 3.252 x 10-5 (fluorescence intensity/copies of beta-actin mRNA) for the healthy subjects, and the former was significantly smaller than the latter (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was an inverse correlation between the duration of disease (year) and the amounts of GRalpha-mRNA in the PBMC of the CD patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The amounts of GRalpha-mRNA and GRbeta-mRNA in the PBMC of the CD patients were lower than those of the healthy subjects. The duration of disease correlated with decreased amounts of GRalpha-mRNA in the PBMC. Furthermore, the clinical significance of the GR-mRNA status in the PBMC remains to be elucidated.

Immunosuppressant pharmacodynamics on peripheral-blood mononuclear cells from patients with ulcerative colitis

We investigated peripheral-blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) response to immunosuppressive drugs and its influence on glucocorticoid therapy in ulcerative colitis (UC). IC50s of immunosuppressive drugs on in vitro blastogenesis of PBMCs stimulated with concanavalin A were estimated in 76 UC and 146 healthy subjects. Individual differences in IC50s for prednisolone, methylprednisolone, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus on blastogenesis of PBMCs from UC patients were spread from 11.0 to 1000, 0.6 to 1000, 0.01 to 1000, and 0.001 to 4.6 ng/ml, respectively. Normal upper thresholds for IC50s of these drugs were estimated from the mean + 2 S.D. of the IC50s of healthy PBMCs, and the patients exhibiting IC50s over these levels were arbitrarily considered as resistant. The incidences of resistance to glucocorticoids and cyclosporine in UC were significantly higher than those in healthy subjects (p < 0.0005). In 14 UC patients, there was a significant correlation between amounts of prednisolone (p < 0.05) or period of prednisolone administration (p < 0.05) for UC treatment and prednisolone IC50. The results showed that large individual deviations in PBMC response to the drugs were observed in UC, and UC patients exhibiting low PBMC sensitivity to prednisolone required a high prednisolone amount as well as long period of prednisolone administration for treatment. Thus, the drug sensitivity tests could be informative to single out refractory patients to the immunosuppressive therapy.

Influence of butyric and lactic acids on the beta-glucuronidase activity of Clostridium perfringens

The beta-glucuronidase activity of intact cells of Clostridium perfringens was not influenced by the presence of either 0.09 or 0.19% lactic or butyric acids. In contrast, the enhanced enzyme activity of intact cells due to sodium deoxycholate was significantly decreased by the presence of these acids. These results suggest the possibility that the development of cancer due to the intake of a high fat diet may be inhibited by the presence of organic acids produced by intestinal bacteria.

[Measurement of fecal proteins in inflammatory bowel disease--usefulness as an activity index]

Fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2-M), lysozyme (Lz), and lactoferrin (Lf) levels were measured in 73 samples from 32 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 52 samples from 21 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 41 samples from 21 healthy volunteers. According to three degree of bowel activity, the UC patients were divided into 4 groups and the CD patients were divided into 2 groups. Fecal alpha 1-AT levels were measured by latex agglutination and the other protein parameters by ELISA. All protein levels, except alpha 1-AT, rose as the degree of activity increased. The fecal protein markers alpha 2-M, LZ, and Lf had significantly higher positive rates than the serum inflammatory markers and activity index in the moderate and severe UC groups, and alpha 2-M and Lf had significantly higher rates in the CD (+) group. Based on these findings measurement of fecal levels on alpha 2-M, LZ, and Lf appeared to be useful activity markers for UC, and alpha 2-M and Lf for CD.

[Endoscopic diagnosis of ulcerative colitis]

Endoscopic findings of ulcerative colitis are classified into three groups according to the degree of inflammation, i.e. mild, moderate and severe. 1)mild: Edema, erythema, yellow spots, fine granular appearance are conspicuous signs of early disease. The mucosal vascular pattern disappears. 2)moderate: Coarse mucosa with mucous, pus, blood are characteristic findings. Erosions or shallow ulcers are scattered. The erythematous mucosa is friable and bleeds easily. 3)severe: There are deep, widespread ulcers. Marked bleeding is seen from granulation tissue of ulcer base. We remind that inflammation often take a turn for the worse due to endoscopic examination. Total colonoscopy is not always necessary in the cases of ulcerative colitis.

[Immunosuppressive treatment of ulcerative colitis]

5-aminosalicylic compounds and corticosteroids are standard drugs, which have been used for treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Although unusually we experience severe active UC, such as refractory cases to these drugs. Immunosuppressive agents are introduced and effective for these cases. In the treatment for UC, 6-mercaptopurine and azathioprine are effective, but it takes a few months until their optimum effect. So these drugs are not suitable for severe active UC which needs rapid treatment. On the other hand, newer immunosuppressive agents such as cyclosporin, tacrolimus have a rapid onset of action. These drugs are very effective, but have side effects. We will review immunosuppressive treatment strategy of UC.

Non-polypoid colorectal neoplasias: a multicentric study

A total of 781 non-polypoid colorectal neoplasias harvested at 4 main Hospitals in Tokyo, Japan (n = 420) and at 4 different time-intervals at the Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden (n = 361) were reviewed. By applying strict histologic definitions, the lesions were classified into adenomas with low grade dysplasia (LGD), with high grade dysplasia (HGD), intramucosal carcinomas (IMC) or submucosal carcinomas (SMC). Of the non-polypoid neoplastic lesions reviewed in Sweden, 82.8% (n = 299) had LGD. In Japanese patients only 42.6% (n = 179) had LGD (p < or = 0.001). On the other hand, as many as 42.4% (n = 178) of the non-polypoid lesions in Japanese patients had HGD, but only 14.1% (n = 51) of those in Swedish patients (p < or = 0.001). Whereas 15.0% (n = 63) of the non-polypoid neoplasias seen in Japan were IMC or SMC, only 3.0% (n = 11) of those seen in Sweden were IMC or SMC (p < or = 0.001). The cause(s) for these differences remains unclear. In Japan, however, a marked increased incidence of colonic cancer has been recorded in later years. Whether the "catching up phenomenon" by the Japanese with western colonic cancer incidence includes increased histologic aggressiveness of non-polypoid neoplastic polyps--as found in this survey--remains to be elucidated.

Primary cancer of the small intestine and mutational analysis of the K-ras and p53 genes

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to Hokuso Shiroi Hospital because of recurrent pain in the lower right side of the abdomen. Small-intestinal cancer was strongly suspected after fluoroscopy of the small intestine. Laparotomy showed advanced cancer of the ileum, of complete annular constrictive type, 9.5 x 5cm in size. Histologically it was moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. Neither visceral nor nodal metastases were found, and the patient has been well for the 20 months since surgery. The strong resemblance between the epidemiological characteristics of small-intestinal cancers and colorectal cancers prompted us to investigate the carcinogenetic mechanisms at the molecular level. A point mutation at codon 12 of the K-ras gene was found, while no alterations were noted in the p53 gene, whose mutations are frequent in colon cancers. The carcinogenetic mechanisms of the small-intestinal cancer we experienced may thus differ from those of colon cancers.

Ethnic or environmental differences in disparate geographic regions may influence the histology of flat colorectal neoplasias

Histologic sections of endoscopically flat colorectal polyps removed in Tokyo and Stockholm were reviewed. A total of 178 flat colorectal neoplasias (88 from the Tokyo Medical College Hospital, Tokyo and 90 from the Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm) were classified following strict histologic criteria by two different pathologists (one Swedish and the other Japanese). The number of polyps with high grade dysplasia, with intramucosal carcinoma and with invasive carcinoma were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in Tokyo (61.4% or 54/88) than in Stockholm (15.0% or 14/90). The present results suggest that flat colorectal neoplasic polyps may be histologically more "severe" and more "aggressive" in Japanese than in Swedish patients. The possibility that more "advanced" lesions had been inadvertently removed in Tokyo was discounted as Japanese endoscopists were also instrumental in excising many of the flat colorectal polyps in Stockholm. Ethnic and/or environmental differences seem to play a crucial role in the evolution of flat colorectal neoplasic polyps from LGD and HGD, to intramucosal and to invasive carcinoma.

Malignant hypertension associated with obstructive hydrocephalus--case report

A 36-year-old male presented with headache, vomiting, and gait disturbance. Examination found marked anemia, renal failure, markedly choked disks, and hypertensive encephalopathy. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated diffuse swelling of the brainstem and cerebellum, and obstructive hydrocephalus. Treatment with steroid, glycerol, and antihypertensive drugs resulted in a slow decrease in the brain swelling and cerebral edema. However, hydrocephalus and intracranial hypertension persisted, requiring a shunt operation. Hypertensive encephalopathy is usually improved by the treatment of hypertension, but shunt operation may be required to treat exacerbated intracranial pressure associated with obstructive hydrocephalus.

Evaluation of hydrocephalic periventricular radiolucency by dynamic computed tomography and xenon-computed tomography

OBJECTIVE

A common finding of computed tomography in a case of normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is periventricular radiolucency (PVL). We analyzed PVL for patients with hydrocephalus, using dynamic computed tomographic and xenon-computed tomographic techniques to differentiate NPH from similar diseases.

METHODS

Dynamic computed tomography was evaluated as a method of diagnosing NPH in 14 patients with computed tomographic findings of both PVL and ventricular dilatation. Of the 14 patients, varying degrees of clinical improvement after shunt surgery were observed in 10 (shunt-effective group) but not in the remaining 4 (shunt-ineffective group). The difference in arrival time between PVL and thalamus, the difference in peak time between PVL and anterior cerebral artery, and cerebral blood flow in PVL by xenon-computed tomographic study were analyzed.

RESULTS

The difference in arrival time between PVL and thalamus was significantly longer in the effective group than among the remaining patients. There was no significant difference in PVL/cerebral blood flow and the difference in peak time between PVL and the anterior cerebral artery between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic computed tomographic analysis of the difference in arrival time between PVL and thalamus is useful for diagnosing NPH and predicting response to shunting.

A case of central pontine myelinolysis after surgical removal of a pituitary tumor

CASE REPORT

We have experienced a case in which surgical removal of a pituitary tumor from a male patient was followed by the occurrence of hyponatremia, which in turn was later associated with central pontine myelinolysis (CPM). A 4 X 3 X 3 cm pituitary tumor with hypothalamic extension was removed via a transsphenoidal approach. The post-operative course was uneventful until severe hyponatremia developed. To avoid drastic correction of electrolyte levels, reestablishment of normal serum levels was spread over 1 week. Following this, however, various neurologic symptoms such as pseudobulbar palsy, quadriplegia, extrapyramidal symptoms, and mental symptoms appeared. The case was diagnosed as CPM and extrapontine myelinolysis (EPM) on the basis of the clinical course and symptoms, and high-dosage steroid therapy was commenced.

RESULTS

There was consequent gradual improvement in symptoms. One month later, MRI revealed typical demyelination lesions in the central pons and striatum. Abnormal electrolyte conditions easily occur in pituitary tumors associated with hypothalamic extension in an altered hormone environment. It is known that CPM and EPM result from drastic correction of hyponatremia.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequent measurement of electrolytes and cautious correction of sodium imbalance are important for the prevention of CPM and EPM in the postoperative management of patients who undergo surgery for a pituitary tumor and whose high-dosage steroid therapy are effective.

omega-Hydroxylation of docosahexaenoic acid or arachidonic acid in human colonic well differentiated adenocarcinoma homogenate

Human colonic well differentiated adenocarcinoma homogenate was incubated with NADPH and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6(n-3)) or arachidonic acid (20:4(n-6)) as a substrate. On a selected ion monitoring chromatogram obtained with reversed phase-high-performance liquid chromatography thermospray mass spectrometry, omega-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (omega-HDHE) or omega-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (omega-HETE) from an incubation mixture of the homogenate was detected in significant amount, compared to that from a colonic region remote from the carcinoma. In contrast, epoxydocosapentaenoic acids and the dihydroxy derivatives from 22:6(n-3) or epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and the dihydroxy derivatives from 20:4(n-6) were detected in low amounts, compared to that from a colonic region remote from the carcinoma. The results suggest that highly active NADPH-dependent omega-oxidations of polyunsaturated fatty acids occur in colonic adenocarcinoma homogenate.

High-performance liquid chromatography-thermospray mass spectrometry of omega-carboxyleukotriene B4 and omega-hydroxyleukotriene B4 from an incubation mixture of human colonic well-differentiated adenocarcinoma homogenate

A method for the analysis of omega-carboxyleukotriene B4 and omega-hydroxyleukotriene B4 in human colonic carcinoma homogenate is described. The hydroxy groups of the leukotriene metabolite were acetylated by acetic anhydride, and the mixture was partially purified on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and analysed by reversed-phase HPLC-thermospray MS. Generally, the base ion, [MH-2(60)]+, is produced through elimination of two acetic acid (60 mass units) molecules from the protonated molecular ion. On selected-ion monitoring, standard curves for omega-carboxy- or omega-hydroxyleukotriene B4 showed a linear relationship over the range 72-1500 pmol. The assay based on selected-ion monitoring was applied to an extract from human colonic carcinoma homogenate. When a homogenate of human colonic well-differentiated adenocarcinoma was incubated with NADPH and leukotriene B4 (60.6 nmol) as a substrate, the conversion of precursor leukotriene B4 to omega-carboxyleukotriene B4 or omega-hydroxyleukotriene B4 was 0.33 or 3.17%, respectively. Based on these results, it is suggested that carcinoma cells themselves or leukocytes at the hostsite in a region of human colonic well-differentiated adenocarcinoma are performing omega-oxidation through NADPH-dependent omega-hydroxylation of leukotriene B4.

Pituitary apoplexy caused by endocrine stimulation tests: a case report

The case of a 60-year-old woman with a giant pituitary adenoma who suffered symptomatic pituitary apoplexy is reported. Hemorrhaging occurred during endocrine stimulation tests (triple bolus test) in and around the tumor. Both the level of consciousness and the hemiparesis improved after emergency decompression. Histologically the tumor was a chromophobe adenoma of the papillary type with diffuse hemorrhage. Subtotal removal of the tumor was successfully accomplished in a second operation. Routine anterior pituitary stimulation tests have the potential to develop pituitary apoplexy, and we advise that caution should be taken when such tests are planned. The possible mechanism resulting in bleeding is discussed.

[Significance of quantitative and qualitative analysis of fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin in gastric cancer patients]

The levels of fecal alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) were significantly high in advanced gastric cancer patients, compared with those in healthy control subjects and early gastric cancer patients. As the background, a process was assumed that excessive alpha 1-AT which flowed into the stomach through the cancerous lesion is saved from rapid proteolysis in the gastric juice of hypoacidity and proceeds to the small intestine. A molecular weight 38000 form of alpha 1-AT was detected in all of the stools of the control subjects and the gastric cancer patients by Western blotting analysis, and which was shown to lack its sugar chain by crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) and crossed immuno-affino-electrophoresis (CIAE) analysis.

A clinical study of the relationship of timing to outcome of surgery for ruptured cerebral aneurysms. A retrospective analysis of 1622 cases

Between 1980 and 1987, 1622 patients with angiographically verified ruptured cerebral aneurysms were admitted within 7 days after subarachnoid hemorrhage. A retrospective analysis evaluated both the timing of surgery in operative patients and the status of nonsurgical patients. The patients' clinical grade according to the Hunt and Hess classification was assessed at admission, and a comparative analysis of outcome was carried out for each grade in relation to time of surgery: those operated on from Day 0 to 3 and those undergoing surgery on Day 4 or later. Among nonsurgical cases, fatal rebleeding occurred in 105 cases and fatal vasospasm in 69 cases. These nonsurgical cases were divided into one of two groups, either an early- or a late-management group, and the outcome of each group was analyzed by clinical grade. The mortality rates in the early-surgery groups were higher than in the late-surgery groups, especially in Grade V, in which the rate was significantly different. However, with the 174 nonsurgical patients included in these management results, marked differences in mortality rates disappeared except in Grade V, which failed to show statistical significance. A higher rate of good recovery among Grade III patients receiving early surgery shifted significantly in the early-management group. The results suggest that the timing of surgery in clinical Grade I or II patients is not a major factor; however, early surgery appears to be beneficial in Grade III and IV patients. The incidence of rebleeding in the early- and late-management groups was 2.7% and 9.5%, respectively.

Report of colon cancer detection in mass surveys using immunological occult blood test (Latex method)

Occult blood test for the screening of colon cancer has been made by immunological method using latex agglutination for 4 years since 1988. A total of 35,139 persons have received the screening test and out of 1886 persons, that is, 5.4% showed positive. Five hundred seventy of the positive result subjects (30.2%) underwent barium enema examination. Three hundred fifty nine subjects (62.8%) showed some abnormal findings. They underwent colonoscopic examination and 45 of them (7.9%) had colon cancer. Twenty six of these were of early stage type and 19 persons were of advanced stage.

The lumped constant of the deoxyglucose method in hypoglycemia: effects of moderate hypoglycemia on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat

The applicability of the [14C]deoxyglucose method for measuring local cerebral glucose utilization (lCMRglc) has been extended for use in hypoglycemia by determination of the values of the lumped constant to be used in rats with plasma glucose concentrations ranging from approximately 2 to 6 mM. Lumped constant values were higher in hypoglycemia and declined from a value of 1.2 at the lowest arterial plasma glucose level (1.9 mM) to about 0.48 in normoglycemia. The distribution of glucose, and therefore also of the lumped constant, was found to remain relatively uniform throughout the brain at the lowest plasma glucose levels studied. lCMRglc in moderate, insulin-induced hypoglycemia (mean arterial plasma glucose concentration +/- SD of 2.4 +/- 0.3 mM) was determined with the appropriate lumped constant corresponding to the animal's plasma glucose concentration and compared with the results obtained in six normoglycemic rats. The weighted average rate of glucose utilization for the brain as a whole was significantly depressed by 14% in the hypoglycemic animals, i.e., 61 mumols/100 g/min in hypoglycemia compared to 71 mumols/100 g/min in the normoglycemic controls (p less than 0.05). lCMRglc was lower in 47 of 49 structures examined but statistically significantly below the rate in normoglycemic rats in only six structures (p less than 0.05) by multiple comparison statistics. Regions within the brainstem were most prominently affected. The greatest reductions, statistically significant or not, occurred in structures in which glucose utilization is normally high, suggesting that glucose delivery and transport to the tissue became rate-limiting first in those structures with the greatest metabolic demands for glucose.

Measurement of local cerebral glucose utilization before and after V-P shunt in congenital hydrocephalus in rats

Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) was measured by the [14C]deoxyglucose autoradiographic method in rats with congenital hydrocephalus before and after a V-P shunt. LCGU was decreased throughout the brain in hydrocephalus. The most severely affected regions were found in the cortex, with which a marked degree of subcortical cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) edema was associated; regions in the brain-stem structures were less affected. These metabolic disturbances were improved in many regions after a V-P shunt. However, no improvement was found in the cortex; therefore, damage was considered irreversible. CSF edema was also found in the periaqueductal gray matter in which impaired LCGU was observed; however, this metabolic disturbance was normalized after a V-P shunt. This study suggests that regional differences in the brain seen in hydrocephalus and CSF edema may have varying ill effects on cerebral metabolism. Without prompt treatment, metabolic damage progresses and becomes irreversible. It is suggested that metabolic impairment in the brain stem which is reversible is due mainly to increased intracranial pressure (ICP).

[Diurnal variation in glucose utilization in the pineal body of the monkey]

We employed the quantitative 2-[14C]-deoxyglucose method (Sokoloff's method) to measure glucose utilization in the pineal gland of pubescent monkeys. Glucose utilization in the pineal was 80-110% higher in the nocturnal, awake animals compared to the rate of both groups studied in the nocturnal, awake animals with both eyes open and with light deprivation for three hours. Short term visual deprivation during the day was without effect on pineal glucose utilization. The diurnal variations in melatonin levels in blood and CSF, higher at night than during the day, are the result of corresponding changes in the rate of production and elaboration of melatonin in the pineal gland. The release of norepinephrine from the postganglionic fiber of the superior cervical ganglia controls the production of melatonin in the pineal by regulating the activity of serotonin-N-acetyltransferase. It was reported that electrical stimulation of SCG via sympathetic trunk increased the levels of serotonin-N-acetyltransferase in the pineal and that it also increased glucose utilization in the pineal. It is believed that metabolic increase in the pineal reflects increased activity in sympathetic terminals distributed throughout the gland which stimulate its increase in hormone production. The present results indicate that there is an elevation of pineal metabolic rate at a time when blood and CSF levels of melatonin are known to be elevated Our finding that short-term light deprivation during the day did not affect the pineal metabolic rate is consistent with the result by Reppert et al (1981) in which they found that exposure to darkness during the day does not result in an increase in CSF melatonin.

Intraorbital meningiomas. Surgical management and role of radiation therapy

The authors discuss their experience with 11 cases of intraorbital meningioma, revealing how computed tomography scanning has aided in early diagnosis of primary optic nerve meningiomas. Despite the difficulty of removing apical, primary optic nerve meningioma without sacrificing the central retinal artery, the authors prefer a surgical approach backed up by radiation therapy. It appears that general improvement, although generally elusive, is worth the risk incurred in trying to overcome the deficits stemming from these tumors.

Metabolic and behavioral consequences of lidocaine-kindled seizures

Daily administration of lidocaine results in progressive increases in frequency and duration of convulsions in response to a dose of drug which was previously subconvulsive--a pharmacological kindling phenomenon. The effects of such lidocaine-kindling on local cerebral glucose utilization were determined by the 2-[14C]deoxyglucose method. Lidocaine-treated animals, in the absence of convulsions, exhibited decreased glucose utilization in most brain structures compared to saline-treated animals and showed no increase in aggressive behavior. In animals displaying lidocaine-kindled convulsions there were marked increases in glucose utilization in either the hippocampus and amygdala or in perirhinal cortical areas during the seizure administration; these animals also displayed long-lasting increases in irritable behavior. Seizure duration was positively correlated with the rate of glucose utilization in the hippocampus, amygdala and septum, but inversely correlated in several non-limbic areas. These data suggest that lidocaine-kindled seizures are highly localized to limbic and perirhinal structures and are associated with important behavioral consequences.

[Alterations in local cerebral glucose utilization during various anesthesia--the effect of urethane and a review]

Anesthetic is thought to depress the energy metabolism or oxygen consumption of the brain as a whole. It has been clear, however, that anesthetic agent may either decrease or increase local metabolic rate of the brain since [14C] 2-deoxyglucose method made one possible to measure local cerebral glucose utilization. In this paper, the authors report the effect of urethane anesthesia on the local cerebral glucose utilization. We measured local cerebral glucose utilization by means of [14C] 2-deoxyglucose method in 87 brain structures of albino rats (about 300 g) under urethane anesthesia, 1 g/kg (n = 5), and conscious state (n = 6). When the whole brain metabolism was computed as a weighted average with the acid of the computerized image-processing system, there was 33% reduction in glucose utilization of the brain as a whole in the rats under urethane anesthesia. Urethane decreased the local rate of glucose metabolism, but the metabolic effect was not homogeneous throughout the brain. The neural structures in which no metabolic depression was observed were entorhinal cortex, many nuclei in hypothalamus, medial habenula-interpeduncular nucleus, nucleus tractus solitarius, and some white matters. The selective metabolic sparing in the habenula-interpeduncular system was also reported to be observed during chloral hydrate and enflurane anesthesia. However, the mechanism involved in the phenomenon remains unclear. In the discussion, we discussed the differential effects of various anesthetics of the local cerebral glucose utilization. We reviewed the literatures on the effects of various anesthetics; barbiturate, chloralose, chloral hydrate, enflurane, ketamine, nitrous oxide and halothane on the local rate of metabolism of the brain.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cervical radiculomyelopathy due to calcification of the ligamenta flava

Three cases of cervical radiculomyelopathy caused by calcification of the ligamenta flava of the cervical spine are reported. A review of the literature yielded 13 cases of calcification of the cervical ligamenta flava with findings similar to those in our cases. Specifically, we observed that 1) all patients were more than 50 years of age; 2) most were female; and 3) the calcifications appeared consistently as oval nodules, located symmetrically and paramedially in and around the region of the fifth cervical vertebra. Such characteristic similarities in both clinical and radiologic features are important in considering the etiology of calcification of the cervical ligamenta flawa.

[Radiculomyelopathy due to calcification of the cervical ligamenta flava--report of 2 cases and a review of literature]

Calcification of ligamenta flava in the cervical spine is rarely seen. Only few cases in the literature have been available. Recently we have had experience with two cases on that lesion who had progressive radiculomyelopathy. The purpose of this report is not only case presentation but also an analysis of 11 cases from the literature in clinical, radiological and histological aspects. Case 1 was a 60-year-old woman who had numbness in both hands, mild weakness of the right foot on walking and clumsiness of the right hand. Ten years before she had suffered tbc. meningitis, but no history of neck injury. Neurological examination revealed spastic paresis in right extremities, muscle atrophy in both forearms, hypesthesia and hypalgesia in both hands and feet. Vibration sense was disturbed below the knee joint and both feet. Sphincter function was normal. Radiological examination of cervical spine revealed oval calcified nodules in the posterior spinal canal at the level of C34, C45, C56 and C67. These were all situated in the paramedian portion and symmetrically situated at C56. Air myelogram demonstrated that the spinal cord was displaced forward and choked by the posterior situated calcification. Cervical laminectomy was carried out from C2 through Th1 and calcified nodules in the hypertrophied ligamenta flava were successfully removed. Case 2 was also 66-year-old woman who had been suffering from cerebral thrombosis with left hemiparesis. In addition with left hemiparesis she started to complain with paresthesia in right hand, deteriorated numbness in left extremities and gait disturbance developed a year later.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mapping the primate visual system with [2-14C]deoxyglucose

The [2-14C]deoxyglucose method was used to identify the cerebral areas related to vision in the rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). This was achieved by comparing glucose utilization in a visually stimulated with that in a visually deafferented hemisphere. The cortical areas related to vision included the entire expanse of striate, prestriate, and inferior temporal cortex as far forward as the temporal pole, the posterior part of the inferior parietal lobule, and the prearcuate and inferior prefrontal cortex. Subcortically, in addition to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus and superficial layers of the superior colliculus, and structures related to vision included large parts of the pulvinar, caudate, putamen, claustrum, and amygdala. These results, which are consonant with a model of visual function that postulates an occipito-temporo-prefrontal pathway for object vision and an occipito-parieto-prefrontal pathway for spatial vision, reveal the full extent of those pathways and identify their points of contact with limbic, striatal, and diencephalic structures.

Local cerebral glucose utilization in the newborn macaque monkey

The [14C]deoxyglucose method for quantitative determination of local cerebral glucose utilization was employed in newborn macaque monkeys. Values ranged from a high of 180 mumol/100 gm/min in the inferior colliculus to a low of 14 mumol/100 gm/min in the centrum ovale, a wider range than had been found in this laboratory for pubescent monkeys. Relatively low values in white matter overlapped with the generally higher values in gray matter. Rates for structures in the lower neuraxis were equal to or exceeded those reported for the mature animal, while those above the midbrain were generally lower. The auditory system was unique in having rates equal to, or exceeding, its mature levels in all parts of the pathway including the cortex. In the visual system, subcortical structures were at their mature levels while rates in the cortical areas were variably low; nevertheless, the striate cortex had differential rates marking the various laminae. It was possible to demonstrate the metabolic counterpart of the ocular dominance columns in two newborn animals that had had one eye occluded during the experiment. Rates for white matter were above their mature levels, with the differences being greatest in the brainstem and cerebellum. A high correlation between glucose utilization and local blood flow measured with [14C]antipyrine (r = 0.92) was found.

Changes in protein synthesis underlying functional plasticity in immature monkey visual system

Local rates of cerebral protein synthesis were determined in newborn rhesus monkeys subjected to either acute or chronic monocular visual deprivation. Chronic monocular deprivation resulted in decreased rates of protein synthesis in the laminae of the lateral geniculate nuclei innervated by the deprived eye whereas rates of protein synthesis were normal in geniculate laminae innervated by the functioning eye. Acute monocular deprivation produced no differential changes in rates of protein synthesis in any of the geniculate laminae.