Ultrastructure of the buccal capsule in the adult female <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguillicoloides crassus</Emphasis> (Nematoda: Anguillicolidae)

The fine structure of the buccal capsule of the adult female nematode Anguillicoloides crassus (Spirurina) was studied for the first time. Results are based on serial section (longitudinal and transverse) light and transmission electron microscopy. The buccal capsule of A. crassus is a cuticular-lined structure. It can be divided into three main parts: cheilostom, gymnostom and stegostom. The cheilostom is the anterior region of the buccal capsule with the cuticular lining continuous with the body wall cuticle and underlain by epidermal syncytia. The gymnostom is a cuticular region with portions of it very electron dense and underlain by arcade syncytia. A dense circumoral cylinder together with the circumpharyngeal ring represent the prominent characters of the gymnostom. The stegostom is formed by anterior pharyngeal cuticle underlain by muscular radial cells and epithelial marginal cells. The cephalic cuticle of A. crassus makes a direct contact with the pharyngeal cuticle at the base of the circumoral cylinder, within a circumpharyngeal ring containing projections of pharyngeal muscular and marginal cells. The circumoral cylinder, circumpharyngeal ring and pharynx are connected to the body epidermis by junctional complexes. The buccal capsule includes occasionally 3 projections of the pharynx evidently observed in serial cross sections. These ultrastructural characters may provide useful data for comparative, functional as well as evolutionary studies within the Chromadorea.     

The Erector Spinae Plane Block as Novel Therapy for Renal Colic

We present a 10-patient case series supporting the use of the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) as a novel approach for the treatment of acute pain from renal colic. An in-plane needle approach was used with either transverse or longitudinal orientation of the ultrasound probe on the affected side, in either seated or prone patient position. These cases showed significant improvement in patient reported pain; suggesting that the ESPB can be used safely and effectively for either primary or adjunctive treatment of acute pain due to renal colic in the emergency department.     

Absence of IFNγ expression induces neuronal degeneration in the spinal cord of adult mice

Background  

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, which may be up-regulated after trauma to the peripheral or central nervous system. Such changes include reactive gliosis and synaptic plasticity that are considered important responses to the proper regenerative response after injury. Also, IFNγ is involved in the upregulation of the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC class I), which has recently been shown to play an important role in the synaptic plasticity process following axotomy. There is also evidence that IFNγ may interfere in the differentiation and survival of neuronal cells. However, little is known about the effects of IFNγ absence on spinal cord neurons after injury.     

Lung function from infancy to school age in cystic fibrosis

The aim was to investigate pulmonary mechanics in patients with cystic fibrosis during infancy and again in early childhood to see whether infant tests predicted status at school age. Plethysmographic measurements of thoracic gas volume and airways resistance were made in 29 patients at 6 months and again at 5 years 10 months. Maximum flow at functional residual capacity was measured during infancy for comparison with maximum expiratory flow rates during childhood. While many patients had normal measurements during infancy, pulmonary function had deteriorated by school age. Thoracic gas volume at school age was significantly related to the values in infancy, but other measurements made during childhood were independent of infant values. The relations between measurements in infancy and early childhood described here provide a background against which the role of external factors on pulmonary function in young children with cystic fibrosis can be investigated.     

Infection of human T-cell leukemia virus type I and development of human T-cell leukemia lymphoma in patients with hematologic neoplasms: a possible linkage to blood transfusion

Among 354 adult patients with either hematological malignancy or aplastic anemia, eight were positive for anti-HTLV-I antibodies; six of eight had received multiple transfusions. There was an approximately 3.5-fold increase (P less than .001) of HTLV-I seropositivity in the patients with hematologic disease (8 of 354, 2.23%) compared to the healthy adults older than 20 years (34 of 5252, .65%). Two hematological patients, one with Hodgkin's disease and one with acute promyelocytic leukemia, were found to be positive for HTLV-I, and developed and died of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) subsequently. Both were long-term survivors of the primary disease and had received multiple transfusions. The latent period from blood transfusion to onset of ATL was 6 months and 11 years, respectively. Immunocompromised patients, who were seropositive for HTLV-I, may be at increased risk for ATL compared to healthy carriers of HTLV-I, and the latent period may be shorter.