The innervation of the levator veli palatini muscle by the glossopharyngeal nerve

We developed a novel method which enables bloodless exposure of the levator veli palatini muscle in rat in order to investigate the physiological properties of this muscle. The levator veli palatini muscle which is innervated by a branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve showed rhythmic spontaneous movement in rats. Cutting the branch supplying LVP of the glossopharyngeal nerve caused cessation of the spontaneous movement of the levator veli palatini muscle. The spontaneous discharges of the glossopharyngeal nerve were synchronized with those of the phrenic nerve. A mixture of 95% oxygen and 5% room air influenced the efferent discharges from the branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve supplying the levator veli palatini muscle. These findings indicate that the motor nerve supply to the levator veli palatini muscle is the glossopharyngeal nerve, and the levator veli palatini muscle is related to the respiratory system, in particular with inspiration in rats.     

Uptake of iodine-123 MIBG by pheochromocytomas, paragangliomas, and neuroblastomas: a histopathological comparison

The percentage uptake of [123I]metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) by tumors of the paraganglion system is compared with the number of neurosecretory granules (assessed by both light and electron microscopy) in the subsequently resected tumors in six patients. Iodine-123 MIBG was injected intravenously; the tumor uptake of [123I]MIBG varied between 0.001% and 0.14% of the injected dose per gram of tumor tissue at 22 hr. The number of neurosecretory granules in tissue sections was scored on a scale of I-III. A direct proportional correlation was found between the percentage uptake of [123I]MIBG by the tumor and the number of neurosecretory granules in the tissue sections but not with plasma or urinary catecholamines. This technique for imaging reflects the storage status of the tumor better than plasma and urinary catecholamine measurements.     

Abnormal nephrogram pattern as an adverse reaction to contrast material. Case report

Up to now two abnormal nephrographic patterns have been described as a result of arterial hypotension as an adverse response to urographic contrast material. We would like to describe a third pattern.     

1 alpha(OH)D3 (ETALPHA) treatment and receptor studies in 16 patients with chronic and myeloproliferative disorders

10 patients with CLL and 2 with CML were treated with gradually increasing doses of 1 alpha(OH)D3, up to 4 micrograms daily during 6 wk. 3 patients with preleukemia and 1 with myelofibrosis were treated with 2 micrograms daily of 1 alpha(OH)D3 for a prolonged period up to 17 wk. The treatment with 1 alpha (OH)D3 did not result in changes of disease parameters in any of the patients under study. Receptor studies for 1,25(OH)2D3 were performed in 8 CLL patients and revealed only 1 patient with increased specific receptor binding capacity. The maximum tolerable dose of 1 alpha(OH)D3 varied individually, but was in the range of 2-4 micrograms daily.