Detection of Alterations in the Levels of Neuropeptides and Salivary Gland Responses in the Non-Obese Diabetic Mouse Model for Autoimmune Sialoadenitis

The salivary glands of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and BALB/c controls were evaluated for the stimulatory effects of the following neuropeptides; substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Injection of either of the three neuropeptides in combination with the muscarinic–cholinergic agonist pilocarpine increased saliva flow rates in BALB/c mice while there was no observable augmentation to flow rates in pre-diabetic or diabetic NOD mice. Small increases in protein content of the stimulated saliva were observed in the BALB/c group of animals with the injection of any of the above neuropeptides in combination with pilocarpine. In pre-diabetic NOD animals, only VIP and NPY increased the protein content-ratio above pilocarpine alone. Radioimmunoassay determination of neuropeptide concentrations in the submandibular and parotid glands revealed reduced levels of SP with diabetes onset as compared with pre-diabetic NOD or BALB/c mice. The levels of NPY were similar between BALB/c and NOD animals except in the pre-diabetic parotid gland where NPY concentrations were 1.3-fold greater. On the other hand, VIP concentrations were substantially reduced in the submandibular gland of NOD mice, while in the parotid gland neuropeptide levels were evaluated 3.8-fold relative to BALB/c controls. Immunohistochemical staining of the parotid and submandibular glands for SP revealed primarily ductal cell staining which was reduced with diabetes onset in NOD animals. These findings further define the sialoadenitis observed in NOD mice to be due, in part, to a general loss of neurotransmitter responsiveness on the part of salivary gland cells.     

Alcohol effect on sleep electroencephalography by fast Fourier transformation

Abstract The influence of alcohol (ethanol) on sleep was investigated in 10 men. Polysomnography (PS) was recorded on a baseline night (BL-N) and an ethanol (0.8 g/kg) night (Et-N). On visual score rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was reduced, REM latency was prolonged on Et-N as compared to BL-N. Using the fast Fourier transformation method, electroencephalographic power density of REM sleep in δ frequencies band and in the 10–12 Hz range of non-REM sleep were enhanced. REM sleep and non-RJEM sleep changes were prominent in the second-half and first-half of the night, respectively.     

Renal silica calculi in an infant

We report on a rare case of urinary silica calculi in a 10-month-old boy. The boy showed acute pyelonephritis with left hydronephrosis. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed a calculus at the left ureteropelvic junction and three additional calculi in the left renal pelvis. Because his acute pyelonephritis was refractory to conventional chemotherapy, the patient underwent successful left percutaneous nephrostomy followed by percutaneous nephrolithotripsy for the renal calculi. All stones disappeared and his postoperative course was uneventful. On infrared spectrophotometry, the wavelength pattern of the stones exhibited two peaks at 1100 and 1650 cm(-1), consistent with the determination that the calculi consisted of a mixture of silicate (78%) and calcium oxalate (22%). We consider that the etiology of the calculi in this child can be ascribed to the silicate-rich water used to dilute milk. In Japan, 46 adult patients with urinary silicate calculi have been reported in the literature; however, there is no report of the disease in an infant in Japan.     

An Immunotoxin, Anti-VIP Antibody-Ricin A Chain Conjugate Eliminates Neurons in the Hypothalamic Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Selectively and Abolishes the Circadian Rhythm of Water Intake

In mammals, a master circadian oscillator is known to be located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus. We examined the function of SCN neurons involved in the mechanism of circadian rhythm of water intake by lesioning them with an immunotoxin, anti-vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) antibody-ricin A conjugate. We found that the immunotoxin had a specific lethal effect on cultured PC12h cells when VIP was added to the medium. When the conjugate was infused into the third cerebral ventricle of rats above the SCN, two specific types of selective lesions of neurons were observed in the SCN: selective lesions of neurons containing arginine vasopressin (AVP) (AVP-neurons), and selective lesions of neurons containing VIP (VIP neurons). The former lesions caused disappearance of the circadian rhythm of drinking behavior, whereas the latter lesions did not affect the rhythm of water intake under constant dim lighting. Lesions that did not selectively affect one of these neurochemically identified SCN cell populations were also observed after the infusion of the conjugate or normal rabbit serum immunoglobulin G-ricin A chain conjugate. If these nonspecific lesions included entire region of the SCN, the circadian rhythm of water intake was abolished. These findings suggest that SCN neurons bearing VIP receptors such as AVP neurons, but not VIP neurons, may be involved in the mechanism of the circadian rhythm of water intake. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Inc.     

Health-related quality of life after radical prostatectomy in Japanese men with localized prostate cancer

PURPOSE: We evaluated retrospectively health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after radical prostatectomy (RP) in Japanese men with localized prostate cancer. METHODS: The study was based on self-reported HRQOL of 280 patients. Patients were divided into seven groups: time 0 (T0), baseline before operation; T1, 1-3 months after RP; T2, 4-6 months after RP; T3, 7-12 months after RP; T4, 13-24 months after RP; T5, 25-36 months after RP; and T6, more than 36 months after RP. We measured the general and disease-specific HRQOL using the RAND 36-item Health Survey 1.0 (SF-36) and the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA PCI). RESULTS: The general HRQOL of the postoperative groups was assessed by SF-36. The postoperative groups showed almost the same or higher scores than those of the baseline group. Urinary function scores decreased substantially after surgery. In contrast, there was no difference in urinary bother between the baseline and postoperative groups. Sexual function deteriorated substantially in all postoperative groups. Similarly, the sexual bother score significantly deteriorated after RP. The sexual bother score of men aged 65-years or younger was significantly worse than that of their counterparts in the T1-2 groups. CONCLUSION: Despite reports of problems with sexual activity and urinary continence, general HRQOL was mostly unaffected by RP. Although there was a substantial decrease in urinary function, recovery from urinary bother was rapid. Since the deterioration of sexual function was marked through the postoperative period, careful attention should be paid to this issue during preoperative counseling, especially for younger patients.     

The Results of Questionnaire about Endoscopic Mucosal Resection in the Stomach

Isolated exfoliation method of gastric endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) as a new technique has not yet reached the popularity of the conventional EMR techniques. From the results of a questionnaire about EMR in the stomach, the isolated exfoliation method has the advantage of permitting en bloc and histologically complete resection regardless of lesion size. However, this method has the disadvantage of long performance time and high frequency of complication as well as the need for a high level of technical skill. New devices and ideas are needed for the development of the isolated exfoliation method.     

Echographic Detection of Latent Severe Thrombotic Stenosis of the Superior Vena Cava and Innominate Vein in Patients with a Pacemaker: Integrated Diagnosis Using Sonography, Pulse Doppler, and Color Flow

Thrombosis of the innominate vein and SVC is a serious complication in patients with pacemakers, inducing puhnonary embolism or SVC syndrome. Venography is the definitive method for its diagnosis; however, it is too invasive for related studies. The purpose of this study was to validate sonography, pulse Doppler, and color flow in detecting noninvasively innominate vein or SVC thrombosis in patients with pacemakers. In 53 patients with pacemakers, the 1 severe SVC stenosis and 18 severe innominate vein stenoses due to thrombosis were diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography. Sonography accurately showed the severe SVC stenosis due to thrombosis, but had limitations on the innominate vein thrombosis. Color flow demonstrated mosaic flow, indicating poststenotic turbulence due to stenosis of the innominate vein and SVC caused by thrombosis in 15 of 16 patients, and pulse Doppler disclosed absence of flow due to complete occlusion of the innominate vein in 2 of 2 patients. Sensitivity and specificity for detecting severe innominate vein stenosis due to thrombosis using combined color flow and pulse Doppler was 94% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, sonography, pulse Doppler, and color flow allow accurate detection of severe innominate vein or SVC stenosis due to thrombosis, and are therefore useful for the follow-up of patients with a pacemaker.