Vagal Nerve Monitoring during Parapharyngeal Space Tumor Removal

The vagus nerve innervates the intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal musculature as well as the complex pharyngeal plexus. Acute paralysis of this nerve results in dysfunctional speech, deglutition, and airway protection. These untoward effects, which lead to additional infectious and aerodigestive complications, may arise following manipulation of the vagus nerve during the surgical removal of a variety of neoplasms found in the parapharyngeal space.The vagal nerve has been intraoperatively monitored in an effort to maintain its anatomic and functional integrity. Bipolar hook-wire electrodes are introduced transcutaneously through the cricothyroid membrane and are guided into the vocalis muscle by an assistant performing direct laryngoscopy. Continuous, real-time monitoring of the vagal nerve is provided by audio and visual feedback to the operating surgeon. Potentially injurious stretching, heating, and compression of the nerve are easily detected, and monopolar stimulation of the nerve is used to map the nerve's course through the tumor bed.This presentation outlines our technique for vagal nerve monitoring in patients with tumors of the parapharyngeal space and intact preoperative vocal cord mobility. Selected cases are presented and illustrated through intraoperative and postoperative videotapes.     

Retrovirus-mediated gene-transfer of tnf receptor for treatment of cancer

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor cDNA (TNFR-1 or TNFR-2) was inserted into a retrovirus derived vector. Recombinant vector was transfected into packaging cell line. The transfectants producing high titer of virus containing TNFR-1 or TNFR-2 cDNA were obtained. Human stomach cancer cells that poorly expressed TNFR-1 or TNFR-2 were infected with this virus as an in vitro model experiment of gene therapy. The stomach cancer cells that were infected with recombinant virus expressed TNFR-1 or TNFR-2 and were effectively killed by recombinant TNF.     

双侧甲状腺下动脉缺如1例

在解剖１具成年男性标本时,见其双侧甲状腺无下动脉供给。此类报道甚少,现报告如下。右侧：甲状腺上动脉由颈外动脉前面距颈内外动脉分叉上方０６ｃｍ处发出,管径为０３ｃｍ,发出喉上动脉后到达甲状腺侧叶上极分３支：１支较细沿甲状腺外表面行走;１支较粗沿侧叶...     

Radiology of the orbital apex

The orbital apex, formed by the superior orbital fissure and optic canal, is the cross-road between the orbit and the intracranial structures. Pathological processes may extend intracranially via the superior orbital fissure and vice versa. In addition to intrinsic soft tissue lesions, various pathological processes may involve the surrounding osseous anatomy. Malignant lesions arising from adjacent structures or from haematogeneous metastasis may also infiltrate this region.     

烟溶液与温石棉对细胞增殖活性的影响

目的　探讨香烟烟雾溶液与温石棉单独及联合作用对细胞增殖活性的影响。方法　将人胚肺（ Ｈ Ｅ Ｌ） 成纤维细胞用不同浓度的烟溶液和温石棉单独及联合作用一定时间后,应用［３ Ｈ］ Ｔｄ Ｒ参入法测定了细胞的增殖能力。结果　低剂量的烟溶液与温石棉单独作用时均可促进细胞的增殖,但较高剂量的烟溶液和温石棉则可抑制细胞的增殖;当二者联合作用时,低剂量的烟溶液与温石棉可协同增加细胞的增殖,而较高剂量的烟溶液与温石棉则只表现为相加作用。结论　烟溶液与温石棉单独及联合作用均可影响 Ｈ Ｅ Ｌ细胞的增殖活性,但其促增殖和抑制增殖能力则随剂量不同而不同。     

Isolated pedunculated congenital corneal dermoid

PURPOSE: To investigate a case of isolated pedunculated congenital corneal dermoid. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: In a 14-day-old infant, the pedunculated portion of the dermoid was removed and confirmed by histopathologic examination. No surgical complication or recurrence was encountered, and the patient is waiting for a rotational autokeratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt treatment of such an unusual tumor is important to allow for visual rehabilitation and development.     

Suppression of voltage-dependent K+ currents in retinal bipolar cells by ascorbate

Ascorbate, often used as an antioxidant in neural studies, may also serve as a neuromodulator in the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS), in that it modulates the synaptic actions of glutamate and dopamine. Retina of fish contain a high concentration of ascorbate. The release and/or uptake of neurotransmitters are related to membrane potential, which to a large extent is determined by the activity of K+ channels. As retinal bipolar cells are subject to synaptic input from glutamatergic and dopaminergic sources, the effects of ascorbate on voltage-dependent K+ currents (I(K)(v)) of the mixed rod-cone ON-center bipolar cells (Mb) in goldfish retinal slices were studied using whole-cell recording techniques. I(K)(V) was suppressed reversibly 60% by 100-200 microM ascorbate. The effect of ascorbate was not due to changes in pH, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, any Ca2+-dependent or Na+-dependent action. However, the suppressive effect of ascorbate was blocked by cholera toxin and Wiptide, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor. It is concluded that ascorbate, at physiological concentrations, inhibits I(K)(V) of bipolar cells via a Gs-protein-PKA system. This effect of ascorbate should be taken into account when using ascorbate as an antioxidant in retinal studies involving dopamine.     

《急救仙方》考

《四库全书》子部医家类收有《急救仙方》六卷,作者考证后认为,现流传之道藏本《急救仙方》已非原本明正统年间重修《道藏》时篡伪,而原本内容仅见存于八、九两类之中;四库本《急救仙方》则基本保持了原本卷帙的面貌。原本当为宋人所篡,其内容并不局限于外科疮疡,是一部济急便用的综合性方书。