Corticocortical neurons projecting to the medial and lateral banks of the middle suprasylvian sulcus in the cat: An experimental study with the horseradish peroxidase method

Corticocortical afferents to both cortical walls of the cat middle suprasylvian sulcus (MSs area) were investigated by means of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The visual cortex (V-I and V–II) projects to the medial wall of the MSs, the projection from V–II being heavier. The auditory cortex (A-I, A-II, and Ep), including cortical walls of the dorsal part of the anterior and posterior ectosylvian sulci, sends fibers to the lateral wall of the MSs. Connections from the first auditory area (A-I) are heavier than from the second (A-II). In the rostral part of the MSs, both the medial and lateral walls receive fibers from the somatosensory (S-I and S-II) cortex. A larger number of association fibers appear to arise from S-II than S-I. Although the MSs as a whole apparently receives various kinds of sensory inputs, there seems to be a parcellation of the MSs area such that the areas receiving cortical association fibers from the visual, auditory, or somatosensory cortical areas also receive thalamic projections from those parts of the thalamus receiving sensory connections of the same modality. The cells of origin of the association fibers were mostly pyramidal, the majority located in layer III (e.g., 80% in the visual cortex and 74% in the auditory cortex), some in layer V, and a few in other layers. Most (76–79%) of the labeled cell bodies were of 15–20 μm diameter. Smaller (8–15 μm) and larger (20–26 μm) cells constituted less than 15% in each case. The mean diameters were 17.0 ± 2.8 μm (SD) in the visual cortex and 17.7 ± 3.2 μm (SD) in the auditory cortex.     

Surgical bedside master console for neurosurgical robotic system

Purpose

We are currently developing a neurosurgical robotic system that facilitates access to residual tumors and improves brain tumor removal surgical outcomes. The system combines conventional and robotic surgery allowing for a quick conversion between the procedures. This concept requires a new master console that can be positioned at the surgical bedside and be sterilized.

Methods

The master console was developed using new technologies, such as a parallel mechanism and pneumatic sensors. The parallel mechanism is a purely passive 5-DOF (degrees of freedom) joystick based on the author’s haptic research. The parallel mechanism enables motion input of conventional brain tumor removal surgery with a compact, intuitive interface that can be used in a conventional surgical environment. In addition, the pneumatic sensors implemented on the mechanism provide an intuitive interface and electrically isolate the tool parts from the mechanism so they can be easily sterilized.

Results

The 5-DOF parallel mechanism is compact (17 cm width, 19cm depth, and 15cm height), provides a 505,050 mm and 90° workspace and is highly backdrivable (0.27N of resistance force representing the surgical motion). The evaluation tests revealed that the pneumatic sensors can properly measure the suction strength, grasping force, and hand contact. In addition, an installability test showed that the master console can be used in a conventional surgical environment.

Conclusion

The proposed master console design was shown to be feasible for operative neurosurgery based on comprehensive testing. This master console is currently being tested for master-slave control with a surgical robotic system.

     

Genetic characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage KPP10

Bacteriophage (phage) KPP10 has been used in experimental phage therapies directed against P. aeruginosa infections. To examine the eligibility of phage KPP10 as a therapeutic phage, its genome was analyzed. The genomic DNA was shown to be 88,322 bp long, with 158 open reading frames (ORFs), and three tRNA genes were predicted. No ORF-encoded pathogenicity or lysogenization factor was predicted. A comparative genomic analysis revealed that phage KPP10, together with phage PAK_P3, can be grouped as a new type of lytic phage infecting P. aeruginosa. Phage KPP10 is considered to be suitable for therapeutic purposes because it is a lytic phage without ORF-encoded pathogenicity or a lysogenization factors.     

A case report of cutaneous melanocytoma with CRTC1‐TRIM11 fusion: Is CMCT distinct from clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue?

Pathological diagnosis of dermal melanocytic tumors is often problematic owing to histological resemblance. Recently, cutaneous melanocytoma with CRTC1‐TRIM11 (CMCT) was added to this category. However, only six cases have been reported so far. We herein present a case of a 77‐year‐old Japanese man with CMCT. The patient presented a nodule in the right thigh and underwent surgical resection. Histological examination indicated a well‐demarcated 6 × 5 mm‐sized tumor nodule in the dermis and subcutis. The tumor was amelanotic, consisting of uniform nests and fascicles of spindled, or epithelioid cells. The melanocytic nature was evident by immunohistochemistry. The CRTC1‐TRIM11 fusion was detected by TRIM11 immunostaining, chromogenic in situ hybridization, and RT‐PCR/direct sequencing. He has been free from the tumor for 1 year after additional resection. The main differential diagnosis of CMCT includes primary and metastatic dermal malignant melanomas (MM) and dermal/subcutaneous clear cell sarcoma (CCS). Additionally, histological overlap with paraganglioma‐like dermal melanocytic tumor was considered. Although some investigators argue that CMCT is a variant of CCS, we think it should be separated from CCS, and subcutaneous/dermal CCS should be confined to tumors with EWSR1‐ATF1/ CREB1 fusion. However, longer follow‐up and more case studies are needed for revealing the true prognosis of CMCT.     

Salivary 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol increases after awakening in healthy young adults

Levels of 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) may reflect central noradrenergic activity. In this study, we investigated salivary MHPG changes after awakening, and explored their relationships with cortisol and peripheral autonomic activity. The participants were 25 college students. Saliva samples were collected on awakening and 30 min after awakening to determine MHPG and cortisol. Ambulatory electrocardiograms were obtained to assess heart rate, cardiac sympathetic index (CSI), and cardiac vagal index (CVI) before and after awakening. MHPG levels increased significantly during the first 30 min after awakening. Similarly, cortisol, heart rate, and CSI increased during the 30 min after awakening, but changes in MHPG did not correlate with changes in cortisol, heart rate, CSI, and CVI during that period. This study demonstrated that salivary MHPG levels increase after awakening, in common with cortisol, heart rate, and cardiac sympathetic activity.