Kv7.2-7.5 voltage-gated potassium channel (KCNQ2-5) opener, retigabine, reduces capsaicin-induced visceral pain in mice

The taiep rat is a myelin mutant in which immobility episodes (IEs) can be induced in adult males by gripping. EEG recordings during gripping-induced IEs show a rapid eye movement (REM) sleep-like pattern, similar to that reported for narcolepsy-cataplexy suggesting that IEs represent a disorder of REM-sleep. An alpha(2) adrenoceptor agonist increases gripping-induced IEs, whereas alpha(2) antagonists decrease these. We have studied the effect of prazosin on IEs and the levels of alpha(1) adrenoceptors were evaluated in cerebro-cortical homogenates of taiep and control rats. Systemic administration of prazosin results in a significant increase in both the frequency and duration of gripping-induced IEs. Our results show that cerebro-cortical tissue is not an adequate candidate for the expression of cataplexy-like symptoms, but prazosin, an alpha(1) antagonist, is a potent inducer of gripping-induced immobility episodes in taiep rats.     

Effect of skin temperature on RMS amplitude of electromyogram and mechanomyogram during voluntary isometric contraction

The aim of this study is mainly to elucidate the relation between the modification of skin temperature and MMG signal properties depending on the contractile force. Ten healthy male volunteers, aged 22.8 +/- 0.7 (mean+/-SE) years, participated in this study. EMG and MMG signals were recorded during voluntary isometric contraction (20, 40, 60, and 80% MVC) of biceps brachii muscle under a skin temperature of 34 degrees C (control), 28 degrees C (cooling), and 40 degrees C (heating), respectively. A significant difference of MVC during elbow flexion was not recognized among the thermal conditions. Root mean square values of EMG and MMG (i.e., rms-EMG and rms-MMG) increased depending on the contractile level (P< 0.01). In the heating condition, the rms-MMG progressively increased in response to an increase of up to 60% MVC, however, it was nearly unchanged at a contractile force higher than 60% MVC The rms-EMG was not significantly influenced by the skin temperature. The rms-MMG significantly increased depending on the skin temperature at each contractile level (P< 0.01). There were significant interactions between contractile force and skin temperature for rms-MMG (P< 0.01). In conclusion, by modification of passive muscle temperature, rms-MMG was significantly altered in comparison with MVC and rms-EMG, which might be reflective of the changes of the mechanical contractile properties of muscle fibers.     

A case of myeloid sarcoma diagnosed by FISH

Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is a tumor mass of myeloblasts or immature myeloid cells occurring in an extramedullary site or in bone. The tumor mass may precede or occur concurrently with acute or chronic myeloid leukemia or with other types of myeloproliferative disorders or myelodysplastic syndromes. MS is a rare disease, estimated to comprise between 2 to approximately 14% of acute myeloid leukemia. On the other hand, 95% of cases of CML have characteristic t (9;22) cytogenetic abnormality and BCR/ABL fusion gene at diagnosis. We here report the clinical significance of FISH in a diagnosis of MS that formed tumor in femur during the chronic phase of CML.     

The relationship between missing occlusal units and oral health-related quality of life in SDA patients

The aim of this multi-center study was to explore the relationship between missing occlusal units and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in subjects with the shortened dental arches (SDAs). Subjects with SDAs were recruited consecutively for one month from six university-based prosthodontic clinics. In total, 115 SDA subjects participated (mean age, 58.5 +/- 10.0 yrs; 71% female). The location and number of missing teeth were examined and the number of missing occlusal units was calculated. To evaluate OHRQoL, the Japanese version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-J) was administered and the summary score of OHIP-J was calculated. The SDA subjects were categorized depending upon the anterior-posterior lengths of the missing or remaining occlusal units. Regression analyses were performed to investigate 1) the association between missing OU and OHIP-J summary scores and 2) the OHIP-J differences between groups of subjects with various anterior-posterior SDA lengths. The first analyses revealed that one missing OU was significantly related to an increase of 2.1 OHIP-J units (95% CI: 0.6-3.5, P=0.016). The second analysis revealed that subjects who only lost the second molar contact exhibited significantly better OHRQoL than those who lost more teeth (Coefficient: 11.1, 95% CI: 2.8-19.2, P=0.02). Furthermore a statistically significant group difference was observed between the groups with and without the first molar occlusal contact (Coefficient: 12.8, 95% CI: 1.4 to 24.1, P=0.03). These results suggest that missing occlusal units are related to the OHRQoL impairment in subjects with SDAs. They also suggest that the patterns of missing occlusal units are likely to be related to the OHRQoL impairment in SDA subjects with the presence of first molar contact having an important role.     

Left ventricular apical pseudoaneurysm with aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis

We report an 83-year-old man with a mycotic left ventricular apical pseudoaneurysm and aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Enterococcus spp. Mycotic left ventricular pseudoaneurysm is very rare and is associated with a high risk of rupture. Here, we report the clinical presentation, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of a case of mycotic left ventricular pseudoaneurysm to raise awareness regarding this unusual and potentially fatal complication.