Effect of VA-045, a novel apovincaminic acid derivative,on closed head injury-induced neurological dysfunction in aged rats

Abstract

Objective: The strength–duration time constant (SDTC) is a measure of axonal excitability and it can provide information about Na⁺ channel function. In this study, we sought to examine the changes in the SDTCs of motor and sensory fibers of the median nerve in patients taking colchicine, which affects axoplasmic flow and may result in axonal neuropathy.

Methods and results: The SDTCs of motor and sensory fibers of 29 patients who had been taking colchicine were measured following stimulation of the right median nerve at the wrist. The results were compared with ten healthy age-matched subjects. No significant differences were found between the groups.

Conclusions: The lack of any effect on the SDTC by colchicine might have been due to the fact that axonal degeneration caused by colchicine affects the Na⁺–K⁺ ATP pump or that it affects internodal channels other than nodal channels.     

3-dimensional composite scaffolds consisting of apatite-PLGA-atelocollagen for bone tissue engineering

We fabricated 3-dimensional scaffolds consisting of biodegradable poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)(75/25) with hydroxyapatite particles containing atelocollagen (aAC). The aim of this study was to evaluate this new type of scaffold in regard to its basic properties and biocompatibility. Characterization of the obtained scaffolds was performed to know the porosity, shrinkage, diametral tensile strength, and biocompatibility. Composite scaffolds made of PLGA with hydroxyapatite particles containing atelocollagen (PL-aAC) showed a greater strength and stability than PLGA scaffolds. PL-aAC also exhibited superior performance in terms of cell attachment and proliferation as compared to PLGA, while histological findings showed that PL-aAC had an excellent response toward soft tissues. Our results strongly suggest that PL-aAC is more useful for cell transplantation as compared to PLGA for bone tissue engineering.     

Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura: morphogenesis and progression. A report of 36 cases

Purpose

We attempted to identify the exact point of tumor eruption of a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura (SFTP).

Methods

We morphologically classified 36 SFTPs into 5 categories. Type A showed a connection that included a bloodstream with the pleura on both sides. Type B only showed a connection that included a bloodstream with the visceral pleura, and had a non-bloodstream connection with the parietal pleura. Type C only showed a connection that included a bloodstream with the visceral pleura, and had no connection with the parietal pleura. Type D showed a non-bloodstream connection with the visceral pleura, and only showed a connection that included a bloodstream with the parietal pleura. Finally, type E had no connection with the visceral pleura, and only showed a connection that included a bloodstream with the parietal pleura. The clinicopathological profiles of the tumors were investigated according to their type.

Results

The distribution of the 36 SFTPs was as follows: A (19 %), B (6 %), C (67 %), D (0 %) and E (8 %). The tumors categorized as type A tended to be large in size.

Conclusions

SFTPs commonly arise from the visceral pleura and in accordance with tumor progression they will form a non-bloodstream connection with the parietal pleura. Finally, a vascular pedicle will arise with the parietal pleura.

     

High preoperative hemoglobin A1c is a risk factor for surgical site infection after posterior thoracic and lumbar spinal instrumentation surgery

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is reported to be a risk factor for surgical site infection (SSI), which is a serious complication after spinal surgery. The effect of DM on SSI after instrumented spinal surgery remains to be clarified. The aim was to elucidate perioperative risk factors for infection at the surgical site after posterior thoracic and lumbar spinal arthrodesis with instrumentation in patients with DM.

Methods

Consecutive patients who underwent posterior instrumented thoracic and lumbar spinal arthrodesis during the years 2005–2011, who could be followed for at least 1 year after surgery, were included. These included 36 patients with DM (19 males and 17 females; mean age 64.3 years). The patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the SSI rate. The characteristics of the DM patients were examined in detail, including the levels of serum glucose and HbA1c, which indicate the level of diabetes control.

Results

Patients with DM had a higher rate of SSI (6 of 36 patients, 16.7 %) than patients without DM (10 of 309 patients, 3.2 %). Although the perioperative serum glucose level did not differ between DM patients that did or did not develop SSI, the preoperative HbA1c value was significantly higher in the patients who developed SSI (7.6 %) than in those who did not (6.9 %). SSI developed in 0.0 % of the patients with controlled diabetes (HbA1c <7.0 %) and in 35.3 % of the patients with uncontrolled diabetes (HbA1c ≥7.0 %).

Conclusions

DM patients whose blood glucose levels were poorly controlled before surgery were at high risk for SSI. To prevent SSI in DM patients, we recommend lowering the HbA1c to <7.0 % before performing surgery.     

Immunohistochemical diagnosis of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii infection in chronic meningoencephalitis: the first case in Japan

Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) var. gattii infection usually occurs in tropical and subtropical areas, and rarely in the northern hemisphere. We report the first Japanese with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis caused by C. neoformans var. gattii infection that occurred during a trip to Australia. This agent was identified in a cerebellar biopsy specimen by immunohistochemical technique with serotype-specific anti-sera. Because the meningitis caused by it did not respond well to conventional therapy, we used an aggressive therapeutic regimen to successfully treat the patient. Even in areas where C. neoformans var. gattii does not exist, this infection should be considered possible as a travel-related infection.     

Effects of residual coronary stenosis on myocardial salvage after reperfusion in dogs

In order to study the effects of residual stenosis on myocardial salvage, we created 99% coronary stenosis with or without contrast washout delay at reperfusion in six groups of dogs. In Group A (n = 8), the artery was occluded for 1h before being fully reperfused. In Group B (n = 9), the artery was occluded for 1h, then subjected to 6h of 99% stenosis without contrast washout delay. In Group C (n = 8), the artery was occluded for 1h, followed by 1 week of 99% stenosis without contrast washout delay. In Group D (n = 10), again the artery was occluded for 1h, then subjected to 6h of 99% stenosis with contrast washout delay. In Group E (n = 8), the artery was occluded for 7h, then fully reperfused for 1 week. Finally, in Group F (n = 8), the occlusion lasted for a full week. All dogs were sacrificed 1 week after occlusion. In Group A, myocardial creatine phosphokinase activity (CK) in the inner layer was 43.8 +/- 12.5% that of non-infarcted myocardium. Myocardial CK in Group B (46.5 +/- 7.4%) was little different but in Group C it dropped to 26.6 +/- 8.4%, suggesting that 99% residual stenosis is not deleterious if it is continued for 6h or less but that it will result in considerable depletion of myocardial CK, it is is sustained for 1 week. In Group D, myocardial CK dropped markedly to 11.3 +/- 3.7%, little different from that for either Group E (13.3 +/- 2.6%) or Group F (9.3 +/- 3.3%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)