Comparison of Lens Biochemistry and Structure between BSO-treated and Glucocorticoid-treated Developing Chick Embryos

In this paper various changes in glutathione level, which were influenced by balance of its synthesis, degradation, transport and utilization, were analysed in chick embryos administered with glucocorticoid (GC) or buthionine sulfoximine (BSO; an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis). When BSO (30 μmol egg⁻¹) was administered twice to chick embryos on day 14 and 15, the GSH in both the lens and the liver decreased to 15–20% and 30–40% of the age-matched control level, respectively, between 24 and 48 hr after the second treatment, then began to recover. Although this decline in the GSH level in these tissues was greater and more prolonged in embryos treated with BSO than with GC, the former embryos maintained lens transparency even up to 144 hr by a visual examination. However, histological changes in the lens occurred after 96 hr and more significantly 144 hr after second administration of BSO. The changes mainly consisted of pale epithelial cells on the anterior peripheral surface of the lens, irregular height of the epithelial cells at the equator, clefts between the epithelium and the cortex and swelling of almost all the cortical fibers. These observations may suggest that BSO treatment could produce the beginning of a cataract. Embryos with GC-cataract revealed the following changes at 48 hr: loss of transparency, elevation of LPO (TBA-reacting substance) in the lens, the blood and the liver. These were not observed in BSO-treated embryos during the experimental period. The GC-cataract may well depend on the generation of LPO. BSO cataract, having a distinct mechanism compared to that caused by GC, develops more slowly in GSH-depleted lenses. The BSO-treated chick embryos will be a useful model to screen the risk factors which accelerate cataract formation.     

Prognostic impact of calf muscle near-infrared spectroscopy in patients with a first episode of deep vein thrombosis

Summary. Background: The risk factors that affect the development of post‐thrombotic syndrome (PTS) are not fully recognized, and it is difficult to reliably predict which patients are likely to develop PTS in acute phase of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Aims: To investigate changes in calf muscle deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) levels after DVT, and to determine the indicative parameters reflecting the progression of PTS. Methods: Seventy‐six consecutive patients with a first episode of unilateral DVT were prospectively enrolled. Clinical manifestations were categorized according to the CEAP (Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomical, and Pathophysiologic) classification, and the patients were divided into no‐PTS (C_0–3E_s,A_s,d,p,P_r,o) and PTS (C_4–6E_s,A_s,d,p,P_r,o) groups. Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure calf muscle HHb levels at 6 months after diagnosis of DVT. The calf venous blood filling index (HHbFI) was calculated on standing, and the venous ejection index and the venous retention index (HHbRI) were then obtained after exercise. All patients were followed up for more than 24 months after the diagnosis of DVT. Results: Of 76 patients evaluated, 20 (26.3%) had PTS. The NIRS‐derived HHbFI and HHbRI were significantly increased in patients who developed PTS in comparison with those who did not (P = 0.04 and P = 0.0001, respectively). HHbRI was significantly increased in patients with iliofemoral DVT in comparison with patients with calf DVT (P = 0.041). An optimal cut‐off point of 2.9 for HHbRI showed the strongest ability to predict the development of PTS, with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 82.1%. Conclusions: HHbRI as measured by NIRS is significantly increased in patients with iliofemoral DVT as compared with those with calf DVT. Furthermore, HHbRI > 2.9 is a strong predictor of the development of PTS at 6 months.     

Catheter Ablation of Accessory Atrioventricular Connection between Right Atrial Appendage to Right Ventricle

Accessory AV Connection Between RAA and RV. A 24-year-old woman had experienced frequent attacks of orthodromic AV reciprocating tachycardia. The polarity of the delta waves suggested a right anterior or anterolateral accessory pathway. After ablation at the tricuspid annulus was unsuccessful, earliest retrograde atrial activation was recorded on the floor of the right atrial appendage, 2 cm above the tricuspid ring. Application of radiofrequency en-ergy at this site aholished accessory pathway conduction. This unusual accessory pathway, located between the floor of the right atrial appendage and the right ventricle, was amenable to radiofrequency catheter ablation from within the right atrial appendage.     

Proliferative fasciitis of the forearm: Case report with immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and DNA ploidy studies and a review of the literature

A case of prollferative fasclitis arising In the left forearm of a 56-year-old man was examined. The lesion was preceded by blunt trauma, measured 1.5 times 1.3 times 1.0 cm, was poorly circumscribed and appeared white to light gray on the cut surface. Light microscopic examinations revealed that spindle cells and giant cells with one or two nuclei and abundant basophllic cytoplasm ware arranged without any organized patterns In collagenous stroma. Ultrastructurally, well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum separated by varying amounts of fine to course fibrillar materials was detected in the giant cells. Only vimentin lmmunoreactivity was detected In both spindle and gtant cells. The Ki-67 labeling Index of spindle cells was 35% but that of giant cells was less than 5%, and this reflects the quiescent or slow-growing features of these giant cells in proliferative fasclitis. DNA content of the calls, which was examined by Image cytometry, demonstrated diploidy In both spindle (DNA Index = 1.01) and glant (DNA Index = 1.09) calls.     

Color Doppler ultrasonography as a routine clinical examination in male infertility

AIM: We assessed the value of scrotal color Doppler ultrasonography as a routine examination in infertile men. METHODS: Color Doppler ultrasonography was performed in 545 infertile men with a mean age of 35.8 years to detect intrascrotal abnormalities. Findings were compared with those of physical examination. RESULTS: Intrascrotal abnormalities were detected by ultrasonography in 65.3% of patients. Of 374 abnormalities, 58.3% were undetected by physical examination. Left varicocele was found in 313 patients (57.4%); testicular microlithiasis in 30 (5.5%); epididymal cyst in 21 (3.9%); right varicocele in 4 (0.8%); and testicular cysts in 3 (0.6%). One occurrence each (0.2%) was found for testicular tumor, intrascrotal hemangioma, and hydrocele of the spermatic cord. Compared to ultrasonography, sensitivity in detecting left varicocele by physical examination was 58.4%; specificity, 79.3%; accuracy, 67.3%; and positive predictive value, 79.3%. Venous diameters in the pampiniform plexus were 3 mm or more in 61.5% of 130 subclinical left varicoceles. Of 30 patients with testicular microlithiasis, 14 had varicocele, 2 had epididymal cyst,s 3 had a history of mumps orchitis, 1 had retractile testis, and 1 had a history of orchiectomy for contralateral testicular tumor. CONCLUSIONS: The routine Color Doppler ultrasonography is valuable for diagnosing scrotal abnormalities in infertile men, frequently detecting non-palpable lesions.     

Studies on dental high-speed cutting of commercial pure titanium (Ti) and free-machining titanium (DT-2F)

summary Some dental prostheses are formed by machining. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dental high-speed cutting behaviour of free-machining titanium (Ti), the ease in cutting of which is metallurgically improved. Weight-load cutting tests were performed on commercial pure Ti and free-machining Ti, using a diamond point and a carbide burr. It became evident that the cutting effectiveness of two rotary cutting instruments on free-machining Ti was superior to that on commercial pure Ti due to the formation of accelerated cut debris. Cutting of free-machining Ti resulted in less damage of the carbide burr, compared with the cutting of commercial pure Ti. These results suggest that free-machining Ti is a suitable workpiece for dental Ti-based machined prostheses.     

Clinical features of testicular tumors in children

AIM: Testicular tumors are not common pediatric solid tumors, especially in Asian children. There have been few reviews of cases in Japan to date. We present the clinical features of 14 pediatric testicular tumor patients. METHODS: Clinical features of 14 testicular tumor patients, such as chief complaints, age at diagnosis, pathology, stages, treatments and prognosis, were examined from medical records. Two patients had their semen tested at adolescence. RESULTS: Of the 14 prepubescent patients, 12 (85.7%) patients were diagnosed before 3 years of age. Ten cases (71.4%) were diagnosed as yolk sac tumors, three (21.4%) as mature teratomas and one case as an epidermoid cyst. Nine cases (90.0%) among the 10 cases of yolk sac tumor were diagnosed as stage I and one case was stage IV. One stage I yolk sac tumor patient developed lung metastasis later. Eventually, two yolk sac tumor patients died, despite chemotherapy. While all the cases with a diagnosis before 2 years of age survived, 67% (2/3) of cases with a diagnosis after the age of 2 died of tumors. Semen analysis in two patients showed normospermia. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the most common testicular tumors were yolk sac tumors and the patients diagnosed before 2 years of age showed favorable results. Age could be a relapse risk factor in yolk sac tumors. Guidelines for handling testicular tumors in children is not yet well established in Japan. An organized system seems necessary to gather and accumulate the results of the cases in Japan in order to develop better guidelines for treatment.     

Dental high-speed cutting of four cast alloys

The purpose of this study was to evaluate dental high-speed cutting behaviour of four cast alloys, namely Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy, Ag-Zn-In-Sn alloy, Ni-Cr alloy and Ti. Weight-load cutting tests were conducted on four cast alloys, using two rotary cutting instruments, namely a diamond point and a carbide bur, both driven by an air-turbine handpiece. While the constant transverse load of 80 g was applied on the workpiece for 5s, the handpiece speed was measured during cutting as well as the volume of workpiece removal which took place. The cutting tests were repeated 10 times. We found that the cutting volumes of soft Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy and Ag-Zn-In-Sn alloy were considerably larger than those of hard Ni-Cr alloy and Ti. It was also clarified that the cutting effectiveness of the carbide bur was generally superior to that of the diamond point. With continuing use, however, the cutting capability of the carbide bur tended to decline while that of the diamond point remained quasi-constant.