The neuroradiological findings in a case of cerebral tuberculoma

Summary This paper describes the neuroradiological findings in a case of cerebral tuberculoma. Computed tomography demonstrated a mass in contact with the cranial bone with marked contrast enhancement and accompanied by perifocal cerebral edema. External carotid angiography revealed a homogenous stain supplied from the middle meningeal artery. Furthermore, by radioisotope scan it appeared to be a region of increased uptake with a comparatively clear border and was thereby misdiagnosed as meningioma.     

Bilateral testicular tumors recurring 31 years after the initial treatment: a case report and the literature review

We herein report a case of bilateral testicular germ cell tumor recurring 31 years after right high inguinal orchiectomy. In 2003, a 62-year-old man presented with a mass in the left testis. Ultrasonography demonstrated three hypoechoic mass and microlithiasis of the left testis. Abdominal and breast computed tomography revealed no lymph adenopathy and any metastasis. The preoperative diagnosis was stage I testicular tumor and subsequently left high orchiectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed typical seminoma. At present, the patient is free from recurrence after the surgery. To our knowledge, 166 cases were reported in Japan. Approximately fifty percent of metachronal bilateral testicular tumors previously reported have been recurred after five years and more from the initial surgery. In the testicular cancer, long-term follow-up and self examination of the scrotum are of great importance. We review the metachronal bilateral testicular germ cell tumors previously reported in Japan.     

Influence of toll-like receptor 4, CD14, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukine-10 gene polymorphisms on clinical outcome in Japanese critically ill patients

The innate recognition of microbial components and subsequent activation of cytokine network are important in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Recently, functional gene polymorphisms in molecules associated with these responses were demonstrated. On the other hand, it has been claimed that there are ethnic differences in genetic polymorphisms. This study investigated toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, CD14, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and -beta, and interleukin (IL)-10 gene polymorphisms in 197 Japanese critically ill patients and 214 healthy control subjects to evaluate the influence of these polymorphisms on clinical outcome. No Japanese participant carrying TLR4Asp299Gly or Thr399Ile was detected. No association of CD14-159C/T polymorphisms with genotype frequency or sepsis mortality was observed. Frequency of TNF-alpha-308 GA genotype was significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the control group and TNF-alpha-308GA and IL-10-592CC genotypes were related to poor outcome of sepsis. Ethnic differences in genetic variations are very important issues and the frequencies in this study differ from those previously reported in Caucasians. In conclusion, this study may indicate that TNF-alpha-308G/A and IL-10-592C/A polymorphisms involved in subsequent activation of cytokine network had a larger effect on clinical outcome in patients with sepsis than TLR4Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile, and CD14-159C/T polymorphisms associated with the initial host-microbial interaction.     

Droperidol inhibits intracellular Ca2+, myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, and contraction in rat ventricular myocytes

BACKGROUND: Droperidol has recently been associated with cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Changes in action potential duration seem to be the cause of the arrhythmic behavior, which can lead to alterations in intracellular free Ca concentration ([Ca]i). Because [Ca]i and myofilament Ca sensitivity are key regulators of myocardial contractility, the authors' objective was to identify whether droperidol alters [Ca]i or myofilament Ca sensitivity in rat ventricular myocytes and to identify the cellular mechanisms responsible for these effects. METHODS: Freshly isolated rat ventricular myocytes were obtained from adult rat hearts. Myocyte shortening, [Ca]i, nitric oxide production, intracellular pH, and action potentials were monitored in cardiomyocytes exposed to droperidol. Langendorff perfused hearts were used to assess overall cardiac function. RESULTS: Droperidol (0.03-1 mum) caused concentration-dependent decreases in peak [Ca]i and shortening. Droperidol inhibited 35 mm KCl-induced increase in [Ca]i, with little direct effect on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca stores. Droperidol had no effect on action potential duration but caused a rightward shift in the concentration-response curve to extracellular Ca for shortening, with no concomitant effect on peak [Ca]i. Droperidol decreased pHi and increased nitric oxide production. Droperidol exerted a negative inotropic effect in Langendorff perfused hearts. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that droperidol decreases cardiomyocyte function, which is mediated by a decrease in [Ca]i and a decrease in myofilament Ca sensitivity. The decrease in [Ca]i is mediated by decreased sarcolemmal Ca influx. The decrease in myofilament Ca sensitivity is likely mediated by a decrease in pHi and an increase in nitric oxide production.     

Aging effects on vestibulo-ocular responses in C57BL/6 mice: comparison with alteration in auditory function

Age-related changes in auditory function are well documented in animal models; however, this is not the case as regards vestibular function. In this study, we evaluated age-related changes in vestibulo-ocular responses in C57BL/6 mice that are considered as a model of presbycusis. The functional data were substantiated by the findings of histological analysis of vestibular and auditory peripherals. The gain in vestibulo-ocular reflex, which reflects functionality of the vestibular system, increased in an age-dependent manner until 12 weeks and exhibited limited functional loss due to aging after 24 weeks. By contrast, no alteration in the thresholds of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) was observed from 3 to 12 weeks of age; however, ABR thresholds were significantly elevated from age 24 weeks and onwards. Histological analysis demonstrated that the degeneration of auditory peripherals was closely related with functional loss due to aging. Vestibular peripherals also exhibited age-related degeneration morphologically, although age-related dysfunction was not apparent. Age-related changes in the vestibular function of C57BL/6 mice followed a different time course when compared to changes in auditory function. These findings indicate that mechanisms for age-related changes in vestibular function differ from those of auditory function.