Possible mechanisms related to contraction of the bovine iris sphincter in the presence of acetylcholine and carbachol

Using tension-recording methods, we compared the effects of acetylcholine (Ach) and carbachol on the bovine iris sphincter. The isolated muscle strips were mounted in a 0.2 ml organ bath, through which Krebs solution at 36 °C flowed continuously. There was a tenthousandfold difference in potency between carbachol and Ach in this tissue. Neostigmine or eserine, acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitors, produced a larger contraction of the muscle than did Ach. Ach-induced contractions were potentiated by low doses of anti-AchEs and were inhibited by atropine.This in vitro study suggests that Ach and/or endogenous chemical agents may be spontaneously released from tissues and that AchE activities in this tissue strongly inhibit or mask the Ach action, probably in order to protect the nerve terminals from released Ach.     

Effect of calcitonin on total body bone mineral contents of experimental osteoporotic rats determined by dual photon absorptiometry

Summary Total body bone mineral (TBBM) content in rats was measured by dual photon absorptiometry (DPA). TBBM showed significant increases over 4 weeks in control groups with significant bone loss over the same time in prednisolone-injected rats on low calcium feed. Daily injections of calcitonin significantly reduced loss of bone mass. Both prednisolone- and prednisolone-calcitonin-injected groups showed significantly elevated serum alkaline phosphatase with the prednisolone-calcitonin group also exhibiting elevated serum calcium and phosphate levels, confirming the impact of the experimental protocol. TBBM measured by DPA in all groups correlated well (r=0.928,P<0.001 n=20) with the total ash weight suggesting that the method reflects total skeletal mineral content in the small animal. TBBM measurement by DPA proves well-suited to monitoring bone mineral in a small animal experimental setting.     

A case of embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia of the cerebrum]

The occurrence sites of intracranial primary germ cell tumors are most often the pineal and suprasellar regions. The histological type observed most frequently in these tumors is germinoma. Cases of embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia are rarely reported. To our knowledge, only 4 such cases have been previously reported in the literature. A case of an embryonal carcinoma arising in the basal ganglia is reported. A 17-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital on July 30, 1988 because of headache and vomiting, and a right hemiparesis. On admission, physical inspection showed no abnormalities and neurological examination revealed obtunded consciousness, a right central facial paresis and a right hemiparesis with Hoffman and Babinski reflexes. Noncontrast CT scan showed a large mass of low-to slightly high-density in the region of the left basal ganglia accompanied with midline shift and ventricular dilatation. Enhancement of the lesion was made by contrast CT scan. It was not homogeneous. Cerebral angiogram displayed a contralateral shift and an unrolling of the anterior cerebral artery, a lateral stretch of middle cerebral artery, a downward stretch of anterior choroidal artery and a tumor stain fed by the Heubner artery. On August 3, left frontotemporal craniotomy was performed. The tumor was totally removed in a piecemeal manner using microsurgical techniques. Histopathological diagnosis was mixed-type of germ cell tumor comprising embryonal carcinoma and teratoma. Postoperative CT scan showed complete disappearance of the tumor. A course of radiation of 4950 rads and two courses of a combination chemotherapy with cis-platinum, vinblastine and bleomycin were given within 3 months after the operation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

A surgical case of aortic regurgitation with Beh?et disease

A case of Beh?et disease associated with aortic valve regurgitation treated with aortic valve replacement is reported. The patient was treated successfully with special surgical techniques for prevention of post operative paravalvular leakage and occurrence of pseudo aneurysm because the patient was under long-term steroid therapy for Beh?et disease.     

Immunological study on chyluria

Immunological studies were performed in 87 patients with chyluria referred to our clinic from January 1982 to December 1988. White blood cell count in 78 patients was 5210.3 +/- 1440.9/mm3. The fraction and the number of lymphocyte were 18.7 +/- 9.5% and 934.1 +/- 521.6/mm3, respectively: they were lower than normal limit. The percentages of T and B lymphocytes studied in 46 patients were 79.3% +/- 11.2% (normal range: 76-86) and 10.4 +/- 7.9% (normal range: 8-16), respectively: both lymphocytes tended to decrease in percentage. Lymphocyte blast formation stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) was carried out in 20 patients. The mean of the blast formation was 17410.0 +/- 10275.1 c.p.m. (normal range: 377700-62400), and much lower than normal value. Of 22 patients who had PPD skin test, only 9 (40.9%) were positive. These findings signified that cellular immunity was suppressed in patients with chyluria. On the other hand, the value of immunoglobulin was within normal range (IgG: 1325.3 +/- 475.6 mg/dl, IgA: 242.0 +/- 98.3 mg/dl, IgM 130.4 +/- 95.9 mg/dl). Study on the values of laboratory examinations showed statistically positive correlation between total lymphocyte population and T cell number, and between total lymphocyte population and lymphocyte blast formation. In patients with chyluria, serious sequelae have not been reported. However, care should be taken for possible opportunistic infection and, particularly, malignant tumors because suppression of cellular immunity may be one of the promoting factors of malignant tumors.     

Characteristics of young-onset hypertension identified by targeted screening performed at a university health check-up.

Since the prevalence and clinical characteristics of young-onset hypertension are still to be elucidated, we performed targeted-screening at an annual university health check-up for two consecutive years. Out of 16,464 subjects in 2003 and 17,032 in 2004 that were aged less than 30 years, 22 and 26 students (all males) exhibited high blood pressure (BP), respectively, on three occasions during casual BP measurements at the Tohoku University Health Center (systolic and diastolic BP of 140 and/or 90 mmHg or greater, respectively). These students were asked to measure their BP at home, and 9 subjects in total were diagnosed as having essential hypertension (EH). The remaining students were diagnosed as having white coat hypertension (WCH). In 8 out of 9 EH students, their father and/or mother had also been treated with antihypertensive medication. Adjustment by attendance ratio for each BP measurement suggested that the incidence of EH was around 0.1% and that of hypertension (EH and WCH) was around 0.5% in university students aged less than 25 years, since most of the subjects and hypertensive students were between 18 and 24 years old. Body mass index of the EH, which was more than 25 kg/m2 (overweight), was significantly higher than that with WCH. In conclusion, the combination of repeated casual BP measurements and home BP effectively identified young-onset EH. The clinical parameters indicated that male gender, genetic background, and excessive weight were risk factors for young-onset hypertension.     

Nevus Lipomatosus Cutaneous Superficialis of the Clitoris

BACKGROUND: Nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis (NLCS) is a relatively rare condition. Although NLCS can affect any region of the entire body, no case of NLCS in the clitoris has ever been reported. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of NLCS of the clitoris that presented manifestations that were similar to female pseudohermaphrodism. METHODS: This is a case report and review of the literature. RESULTS: A congenital, soft, skin-colored lesion of the clitoris in a 1-year-old girl resembled female pseudohermaphrodism. It was resected, and the histologic diagnosis was NLCS. Postoperatively, there was no subsequent change in the lesion during the 3-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION: We reported a case of congenital solitary NLCS of the clitoris. Although NLCS might be a relatively rare condition, we should consider it in the differential diagnosis of female pseudohermaphrodism.     

Skull metastasis of thyroid papillary carcinoma.

Skull metastasis of thyroid carcinoma is rare. The majority of skull metastases of thyroid carcinoma are of the follicular subtype, rather than thyroid papillary carcinoma. In this report, a 55-year-old woman with skull metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma is presented. The metastatic lesion of the skull was hypervascular and osteolytic, and the bleeding was profuse during resection. There have been only four reports of skull metastasis from thyroid papillary carcinoma. The mean period from the initial diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma until the detection of skull metastasis is 23.3 years, whereas in this patient, it was about 2 years. Therefore, in the clinical course of thyroid papillary carcinoma, skull metastasis should be considered, and the patient should be meticulously followed up.     

Effect of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 on bone metabolic disorders in gastrectomized rats

The effect of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (1α(OH)D₃) on the metabolic bone disorders developed in gastrectomized rats were investigated biochemically and histomorphologically. 1α(OH)D₃ was suspended in 0.2 % Triton-X-100 aqueous solution after dissolving in a very small amount of ethanol, was given orally to the rats for 10 weeks. The sham operated animals and the gastrectomy control animals received the vehicle alone. Gastrectomy was followed by the development of the metabolic bone disorders after 10 weeks of observation. This was characterized by reduction in ash content of the femur and histologically by a disappearance of the trabecular bone in tibial metaphysis. Decrease Ca absorption from the intestines was demonstrated by a radiotracer technique. Biochemical studies showed significant decreases in serum 25(OH)D concentration in gastrectomized rats. These findings suggest that gastrectomy partially impairs intestinal absorption of calcium and results in a negative calcium balance, which may contribute to the development of bone metabolic disorders in rats. The administration of 1α(OH)D₃ increased dose-dependently serum calcium and Ca absorption from the intestine and prevented the development of bone metabolic disorders histomorphologically.     

Surgical management of endocrine tumor of the pancreas in Japan

Endocrine tumor of the pancreas is potentially malignant. A multicenter analysis of these tumors was conducted to clarity the present status of their surgical management and the subsequent long-term surgical results. The Japan pancreatoduodenectomy (JPD) study group carried out the study; 368 patients were enrolled and variables related to tumor characteristics, surgery, and survival were retrospectively analyzed. There were 222 patients with functioning tumor and 143 patients with nonfunctioning tumor. Malignant tumor was found in 140 of 368 (38%) of the patients, and 63/140 (45%) of these patients had metastatic lesion; the most common site of the metastasis was liver 34/136 (25%), followed by regional lymph nodes 26/136 (19%). Pancreatic resection was performed in 91% of patients with nonfunctional tumor and in 83% of those with malignant tumor, and 73% of the pancreatic resections were done with lymph node dissection. The overall 5-year actuarial survival rate was 76% in patients with malignant tumor. The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 93% in the patients without metastasis and 83% in patients who received curative resection. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence or absence of synchronous metastasis was the sole significant prognostic factor. The results suggest that: (i) malignant endocrine tumor of the pancreas is a curable malignancy when pancreatic resection with lymph node dissection is adopted and (ii) that synchronous metastasis is the dominant prognostic factor. This study was carried out as a group project. The authors' institutions are as follows