Pathological effects on mice by gambierol, possibly one of the ciguatera toxins

Gambierol was isolated from Gambierdiscus toxicus, which causes ciguatera fish poisoning. The acute toxicological effects induced in mice by synthesized gambierol were studied. The lethal doses were about 80 μg/kg by i.p. and i.v., and 150 μg/kg by p.o. The main injury by this toxin was observed in the lung, and secondary in the heart, resulting in systemic congestion. Another toxic effect was seen in the stomach, inducing hypersecretion and ulceration. With survival from the severe stage during the initial 3 h, recovery was favorable, especially after 4 days. Additional effects were not evident during 1-week post-administration observation.     

Bilateral symmetric tonic posturing suggesting propagation to the supplementary motor area in a patient with precuneate cortical dysplasia.

We report a patient manifesting seizures with bilateral symmetric tonic posturing, which were markedly reduced after resection of the left precuneus. A 16-year-old man had sudden onset, complex partial seizures with bilateral symmetric tonic posturing since the age of eight years. Magnetic resonance fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery imaging revealed a hyperintense lesion in left precuneus. In almost all focal seizures recorded during an invasive EEG evaluation, ictal onset was detected from the inferomesial aspect of the lesion, but fast paroxysmal discharges from the ipsilateral supplementary motor area (SMA) were observed just before the clinical onset. After surgical excision of the EEG onset zone, including the lesion, seizure frequency was markedly (> 95%) reduced. By the 20th month after surgery, there were only brief nocturnal seizures involving slight elevation of both shoulders and slight abduction of both arms, with preservation of consciousness occurring once every few days. Invasive EEG findings and surgical outcome suggested that the epileptic activity originating from the epileptogenic zone may have propagated to the symptomatogenic zone including mainly the ipsilateral SMA. In summary, we report an interesting case of bilateral symmetric tonic posturing suggesting propagation to the SMA. MRI and invasive EEG confirmed the epileptogenic focus as a precuneate cortical dysplasia lesion.[Published with video sequences].     

A VATS lobectomy for lung cancer in a patient with an anomalous pulmonary vein: Report of a case

A video-assisted right upper lobectomy was successfully performed on a 58-year-old man with an anomalnous segmental pulmonary vein. The tumor was a peripherally located adenocarcinoma. The anomalous vein behind the right main bronchus was identified and safely divided. This case emphasized that to perform this procedure successfully, (1) a careful preoperative evaluation of the anatomy, including the presence of any possible vascular and/or bronchial anomalies, is necessary, and (2) if any anatomical structures cannot be determined intraoperatively, a conversion into an open procedure must immediately be undertaken.     

The effect of the neurokinin antagonist FK-224 on the cough response to inhaled capsaicin in a new model of guinea-pig eosinophilic bronchitis induced by intranasal polymyxin B

Eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma can cause a persistent non-productive cough which is resistant to bronchodilator therapy. To understand the mechanism of the cough in this disorder, an animal model of eosinophilic bronchitis was developed. Guinea-pigs were treated with transnasal administration of polymyxin B or saline twice a week for 3 weeks. The number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid increased in polymyxin B-treated animals when compared with those treated with saline. In addition, histological examination showed that the number of eosinophils infiltrated into the tracheal epithelium increased; injury to the tracheal epithelium was greater in polymyxin B-treated animals. The numbers of coughs induced by saline and each concentration of capsaicin (10^–18, 10^–16, 10^–14M) were greater in the polymyxin B-treated animals. FK-224 (a neurokinin receptor antagonist) decreased the heightened cough reflex in this animal model of eosinophilic bronchitis. These findings suggest that neuropeptides, and particularly neurokinins, are involved in the heightened cough receptor sensitivity in eosinophilic bronchitis without asthma. This has implications for better understanding of this disorder and its treatment.     

Long-term results of coronary artery bypass grafting: comparison of angiographic evaluation of internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein grafts

The long term (10 to 15 years) results of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were studied in 20 patients. The duration of follow-up was ranged from 130 to 170 months with mean 146.4 months. Ten out of 20 patients underwent coronary angiography (CAG), which disclosed that the late patency of saphenous vein (SV) grafts was 68.8% (11/16), but 54.5% (6/11) of patent SV grafts showed atherosclerotic changes such as irregularity and localized narrowing. On the other hand, internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts were all patent without any atherosclerotic luminal changes. We recognized that ITA grafts were superior to SV grafts from an angiographic standpoint of view in the long term in Japan.     

Brain MR imaging in patients with hepatic cirrhosis: relationship between high intensity signal in basal ganglia on T1-weighted images and elemental concentrations in brain

In patients with hepatic cirrhosis, the globus pallidus and putamen show high intensity on T1-weighted MRI. While the causes of this high signal have been thought to include paramagnetic substances, especially manganese, no evidence for this has been presented. Autopsy in four cases of hepatic cirrhosis permitted measurement of metal concentrations in brain and histopathological examination. In three cases the globus pallidus showed high intensity on T1-weighted images. Mean manganese concentrations in globus pallidus, putamen and frontal white matter were 3.03 ± 0.38, 2.12 ± 0.37, and 1.38 ± 0.24 (μg/g wet weight), respectively, being approximately four- to almost ten-fold the normal values. Copper concentrations in globus pallidus and putamen were also high, 50 % more than normal. Calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium concentrations were all normal. The fourth case showed no abnormal intensity in the basal ganglia and brain metal concentrations were all normal. Histopathologically, cases with showing high signal remarkable atrophy, necrosis, and deciduation of nerve cells and proliferation of glial cells and microglia in globus pallidus. These findings were similar to those in chronic manganese poisoning. On T1-weighted images, copper deposition shows no abnormal intensity. It is therefore inferred that deposition of highly concentrations of manganese may caused high signal on T1-weighted images and nerve cell death in the globus pallidus. Received: 12 August 1996 Accepted: 17 December 1996     

A case of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas with focal malignant changes

Summary We present a serous cystadenoma of the pancreas with focal malignant changes, and describe its characteristic histological features. On gross examination, a tumor was present on the anterior surface of the body of the pancreas and measured approx 25×25⋻20, mm. Microscopically, most tumor cells showed the typical histological features of serous cystadenoma, characterized by a microcystic architecture and glycogenrich cells with a uniform and bland appearance. However, in some areas, a tendency to papillary structures with fibrovascular cores was noted. These papillary lesions were composed mainly of nonmucinous, glycogen-poor epithelial cells, the nuclei of which showed a mild atypia. In addition, vascular and perivascular invasion was focally observed. However, there was no clinical evidence of local or distant metastasis. From these findings, we diagnosed this lesion as a serous cystadenoma of the pancreas with focal malignant changes rather than a serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas.     

A common FGFR3 mutation functions as a diagnostic marker for achondroplasia-group disorders in the Japanese population

Recent DNA studies performed by several groups have detected mutations of the gene encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) in patients with achondroplasia-group disorders, including achondroplasia (ACH), hypochondroplasia (HCH), and thanatophoric dysplasia (TD). For this study, we analyzed theFGFR3 gene in 31 Japanese patients with typical ACH, four with HCH, three with a condition intermediate between ACH and HCH (ACH/HCH-intermediate), and one with TD. Of the 31 typical ACH patients, 29 showed a G1138 to A transition and the other two a G1138 to C transversion, both resulting in a common Gly380Arg substitution in the transmembrane domain of FGFR3. The one TD and the four HCH patients did not display any mutations in the transmembrane domain of FGFR3. Of the three ACH/HCH-intermediate cases, one patient showed the Gly380Arg substitution and one did not, and further analysis of the second patient revealed the presence of Asn540Lys substitution. The first patient was, therefore, genotypically diagnosed as ACH and the second as HCH. Peripheral blood leukocyte DNA analysis in the remaining ACH/HCH-intermediate patient indicated an unequal ratio of mutant to normal PCR products, possibly representing a somatic mosaic for the Gly380Arg mutation. Analysis of the common FGFR3 mutation thus appears to help in the molecular diagnosis of patients with achondroplasia-group disorders.     

Tissue engineering auricular reconstruction: in vitro and in vivo studies

Although investigators have demonstrated that neocartilage can be constituted in a predetermined shape and in complex three-dimensional structures, such as a human ear, by using cell transplantation on polymer constructs, many unsolved problems still remain. The crucial issues for auricular tissue engineering consisted of optimal cell culture environment, choice of polymers, behavior of chondrocytes, study of cell-polymer constructs in an acceptable animal model, and long-term structural integrity. Here we describe our tissue engineering approaches for auricular reconstruction including auricular scaffold fabrication, in vitro chondrogenesis, in vivo immunocompromized xenograft and immunocompetent autologous animal models, and long-term follow-up. Though many current obstacles regarding auricular tissue engineering still exist, we demonstrate techniques of auricular scaffold fabrication with promising in vitro and in vivo neocartilage formation, optimal selection and application of animal models, and, to the best of our knowledge, the first report of different biodegradable biomaterial trials and the longest in vivo results (10 months) for auricular tissue engineering.