Neuronal expression of Fos-like protein along the afferent pathway of the milk-ejection reflex in the sheep

This study was designed to reveal the relay stations of the afferent branch of the milk-ejection reflex in the sheep, by examining the effect of nipple stimulation on the expression of Fos protein along the spino-hypothalamic axis. Immunocytochemical detection of Fos protein after manual nipple stimulation in nonlactating ewes revealed intmunolabeled neurons located exclusively ipsilaterally in the 3rd and4th lumbar spinal ganglia, the medial part of laminae I–III of the 3rd and 4th lumbar spinal segments, the lateral cervical nucleus, the dorsal column nuclei, and bilaterally in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. These findings selectively demonstrate for the first time those cell groups mediating the neuroendocrine effects of nipple stimulation.     

Thalamic projections to the posterior sylvian and posterior ectosylvian gyri of the sheep brain, revealed with the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase

Summary The auditory area of the sheep cerebral cortex was studied on the basis of its afferents from the medial geniculate nucleus, traced with the horseradish peroxidase retrograde transport method. The results show that the medial geniculate nucleus projects only to the anterior parts of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus and the posterior sylvian gyrus. A small area of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus receives afferents exclusively from the ventral part of the medial geniculate nucleus, while the anterior part of the posterior sylvian gyrus receives also afferents from the posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the pulvinar. In addition, it was found that the medial part of the medial geniculate nucleus projects in a sparse way to the auditory cortex. The middle part of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus receives afferents from the posterior nucleus of the thalamus, the suprageniculate nucleus and the pulvinar, while the posterior part of the posterior ectosylvian gyrus together with the posteriormost part of the posterior sylvian gyrus receive afferents from the pulvinar. Finally, the area located between the anterior and the posteriormost part of the posterior sylvian gyrus receives afferents from both the posterior nucleus of the thalamus and the pulvinar.Abbreviations Ad nucleus anterior dorsalis - Am nucleus anterior medialis - Av nucleus anterior ventralis - BCI nucleus of the brachium colliculi inferioris - bci brachium colliculi inferioris - Cg substantia grisea centralis - ci capsula interna - Cm nucleus centralis medialis - EC sulcus ectomarginalis - EN sulcus entomarginalis - Ep epiphysis - ES sulcus ectosylvius - fd columna fornicis descendens - FS fissura sylvia - Hl nucleus habenularis lateralis - Hm nucleus habenularis medialis - Iv nucleus interventralis - Ld nucleus lateralis dorsalis - LGN nucleus geniculatus lateralis - LGNd nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pars dorsalis - LGNv nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pars ventralis - lme lamina medullaris thalami externa - Lp nucleus lateralis posterior - Lt nucleus lateralis thalami - MA sulcus marginalis - Md nucleus medialis dorsalis - MGN nucleus geniculatus medialis - MGNd nucleus geniculatus medialis, pars dorsalis - MGNm nucleus geniculatus medialis, pars magnocellularis - MGNv nucleus geniculatus medialis, pars ventralis - MIN medial interlaminar nucleus - mt fasciculus mamillothalamicus - ml lemniscus medialis - Mv nucleus medialis ventralis - ot tractus opticus - p putamen - pc pedunculus cerebri - Pl nucleus paralemniscalis - Po nucleus posterior - Pp nucleus paraventricularis posterior - Pta nucleus praetectalis anterior - Ptp nucleus praetectalis posterior - Pul pulvinar - R nucleus ruber - rf fasciculus retroflexus - Rh nucleus rhomboidalis - RH sulcus rhinalis lateralis - Rt nucleus reticularis thalami - Sg nucleus suprageniculatus - SN substantia nigra - SP sulcus cinguli - SS sulcus suprasylvius - Sth nucleus subthalamicus - Va nucleus ventralis anterior - Vl ventrolateral nuclear complex - Vll pars lateralis of the ventrolateral nuclear complex - Vm nucleus ventralis medialis - Vp nucleus ventralis posterior - Vpl nucleus ventralis posterior, pars lateralis - Vpm nucleus ventralis posterior, pars medialis - W Wernicke's field     

Diagnosis of urothelial tumor by ureterorenoscopy

In the past, radiologically detected filling defects in the upper urinary tract were correctly interpretable only by means of cytological techniques. The introduction of ureterorenoscopy has provided a reliable method for the detection of tumors in the ureter and renal pelvis. In contrast to transurethral ureterolithotripsy, diagnostic ureterorenoscopy entails few complications. It thus fills a diagnostic gap and facilitates therapeutic planning. A report is presented on 15 patients with obscure hematuria, or unclear filling defects in the upper urinary tract. In 10 patients, the unequivocal diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma was endoscopically and bioptically established by ureterorenoscopy. Small nonradiopaque concrements were found in 3 cases. The origin of hemorrhage could not be determined in 2 patients.     

The Effects of Formulation Additives on the Degradation of Freeze-Dried Ribonuclease A

The stability of a freeze-dried model protein, ribonuclease A (RNase), was investigated under accelerated storage conditions at 45°C for time periods up to 60 days. Because RNase is a fairly stable molecule around pH 7, lyophilization was performed in phosphate buffers at pH 4.0 or 10.0 to accelerate degradation kinetics. Degradation was studied by measuring enzymatic activity, the concentrations of soluble monomeric RNase, soluble aggregated (polymerized) RNase, and insoluble aggregated RNase following reconstitution of the lyophilized material at different times. The presence of air in the vial headspace accelerated degradation in the solid state in all cases. When argon or nitrogen was employed in the headspace, degradation kinetics were reduced, implying that molecular oxygen was involved in the degradation process. This interpretation was supported by the observation that 0.05% (w/v) EDTA in the formulation prior to freeze-drying retarded RNase degradation dramatically. EDTA was believed to chelate cations which may have been introduced with the buffer salts in trace quantities sufficient to catalyze autoxidation reactions. Incorporation of antioxidants ascorbic acid (at pH 4.0) and POBN (a spin trap which could have functioned as an antioxidant at pH 10.0) accelerated the degradation of RNase and appeared, in both cases, to be involved in interactions with the protein molecules. Additionally, in the presence of the antioxidants RNase degradation appeared to be accelerated by light. Although there is strong support for the oxidative hypothesis, the possibility of other competing reactions cannot be discounted. These investigations demonstrate the importance of challenging the extrapolation of some of our well-established ideas concerning small molecule solution kinetics to macromolecules in the solid state.     

Rectal carcinoids: The most frequent carcinoid tumor

One hundred seventy patients with gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors were treated at Ochsner Clinic from 1958 to 1990. Ninety-four rectal carcinoid tumors were diagnosed and treated during this time. Carcinoid tumors of the rectum represented the most frequent primary site (55 percent), followed by carcinoids of the ileum (12 percent), appendix (12 percent), colon (6 percent), stomach (6 percent), jejunum (2 percent), pancreas (2 percent), and other (5 percent). One-half of rectal carcinoids were discovered during anorectal examination of asymptomatic patients. The remainder were found primarily by examination of patients for symptoms of benign anorectal conditions. The diagnosis of rectal carcinoid was made at the time of initial examination in 61 patients. This allowed definitive treatment in a single session by local excision and fulguration in 48 patients. The remainder were treated by repeat biopsy and fulguration (25 patients) or by transanal excision (12 patients). Overall, 85 carcinoid tumors of the rectum measuring <2 cm were treated by local excision and fulguration or by transanal excision, with an average five-year follow-up. There were no local recurrences. Ten patients with metastasizing rectal carcinoids averaging 4 cm were treated. All were symptomatic at presentation and fared poorly despite radical surgery. Three were alive at three years but only one survived five years. At our institution, rectal carcinoids were the most frequently detected carcinoid tumor. Small carcinoids of the rectum were adequately treated by local excision and fulguration or by transanal excision, with no local recurrence. The true incidence of rectal carcinoids is detected only with careful and complete rectal examination of the asymptomatic screening population by experienced surgeons. With more widespread screening of the well population, rectal carcinoids may become recognized as the most frequent human carcinoid tumor.Read at the XIIIth Biennial Congress of the International Society of University Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Graz, Austria, June 24 to 28, 1990.     

Dopaminergic innervation and binding in the rat cerebellum

In the present study, we used an antiserum against dopamine (DA), and specific [³H]ligands in order to shed more light on the dopaminergic system of the rat cerebellum. The immunocytochemical approach showed that the entire rat cerebellum is innervated by DA fibers. All cerebellar layers were found to receive a considerable amount of DA afferents but the molecular layer was the most heavily innervated. The analysis of [³H]DA and [³H]spiperone binding showed that in the rat cerebellum there exists DAergic binding with kinetic parameters similar to those reported for the mouse cerebellum. The results of the present study support the existence of a DA system in the rat cerebellum.     

Use of the latissimus dorsi flap in head and neck reconstructive microsurgery

Reconstructive surgery of the head and neck has particularly benefited from the rapid developments in microsurgery. Resection of tumours from the head and neck which are associated with serious physical and psychological problems, or which often require multiple reconstructive procedures, can now be performed as a single-stage procedure with good oncological and functional results. The present series reports on the treatment of 12 primary or recurrent malignant tumours of the head and neck using the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap. Complications consisted of two venous thromboses which required revision of the anastomoses. The oncological and functional results were good, while the aesthetic outcome was fair. We conclude that the latissimus dorsi muscle or musculocutaneous free flap is the method of choice to repair wide defects of the head and neck following the resection of malignant tumours. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Traumatic avulsion of the mandibular right primary lateral incisor and cuspid

Premature loss of the primary mandibular cuspid has been considered rare. When this occurs, however, space maintenance should be considered to prevent distal drifting of the lateral incisor. The purpose of this case report was to document traumatic avulsion of the mandibular right lateral and cuspid. A lingual arch appliance with a spur was fabricated to maintain space and prevent movement of the mandibular incisors. Sequelae of premature loss of primary teeth is presented.