Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation as a Treatable Cause of Progressive Brown-Sequard Syndrome

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation is a rare spinal cord disorder caused by spinal cord prolapse through a adural defect. It is a curable disease, so early detection is of particular importance. We report a 38-year-old woman with Brown-Sequard syndrome which was caused by the thoracic spinal cord herniation. Her weakness was almost completely resolved after surgical management, which emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and surgical management in this rare disease entity.     

Effects of risperidone on dopamine receptor subtypes in developing rat brain.

The atypical antipsychotic risperidone is often prescribed to pediatric patients with neuropsychiatric disorders, though its effects on the developing brain remain unclear. Accordingly, we studied the effects of repeated treatment of risperidone on dopamine receptors in brain regions of juvenile rat. Levels of dopamine receptors (D(1), D(2), D(3), D(4)) in forebrain regions of juvenile rats were quantified after 3 weeks of treatment with three different doses of risperidone (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg) and compared findings to those in adult rats treated with risperidone (3.0 mg/kg/day) previously. Risperidone (at 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg/day) increased levels of D(1) receptors in nucleus accumbens and caudate-putamen of juvenile, but not adult rats. Conversely, all three doses of risperidone dose-dependently increased D(2) labeling in medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, and D(4) receptor in nucleus accumbens, caudate-putamen and hippocampus of juvenile animals as well as in adults. Only the high dose of risperidone (3.0 mg/kg) increased D(2) receptors in caudate-putamen in both juvenile and adult brain. D(3) receptors were not altered by risperidone in any brain region at any dose or age. The findings indicate dose-dependent effects of risperidone on dopamine receptors in developing animals, and that juvenile animals are more sensitive than adults to the cerebral effects of risperidone.     

A dermal equivalent developed from fibroblast culture alone: Effect of EGF and insulin

We have recently developed a new dermal equivalent without exogenous materials by culturing dermal fibroblasts alone in serum-containing medium treated with several supplements. In this study, we investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin on the formation of a dermal equivalent. After cultured dermal fibroblasts reached a confluence in serum-containing medium, they were treated with EGF or insulin. The combined effects of EGF and insulin were also studied. Macroscopically, in contrast to the culture without supplement, the addition of EGF or insulin produced a fibrous sheet. The combination of EGF and insulin showed a more marked effect than a single factor. Histologically, EGF or insulin alone induced a three-dimensional tissue containing several layers of fibroblasts. The combination of EGF and insulin produced a thicker tissue. It was composed of abundant extracellular matrix containing fibroblasts, suggesting a dermis-like tissue. It revealed collagen fibers by Masson-trichrome staining. Immunohistochemically, the components of dermal extracellular matrix such as type 1 collagen, elastin, and fibrillin-1 were diffusely expressed. Ultrastructurally, a large number of collagen fibrils with cross-striated patterns were found around the fibroblasts. These results showed that a dermal equivalent could be formed by culturing dermal fibroblasts alone postconfluently in serum-containing medium with EGF and insulin. They suggest that the two factors play an important role in the formation of a dermal equivalent.     

Structure-activity relationship (SAR) between some natural flavonoids and ocular blood flow in the rabbit.

PURPOSE: Flavonoids with two to five hydroxy groups, with or without sugar, and/or methoxy groups were studied on their effects to affect ocular blood flow. METHODS: Colored microsphere technique was used to determine the ocular blood flow in rabbit eyes. RESULTS: Flavonoids with three free hydroxy (OH) groups seemed to produce the optimal effects in increasing ocular blood flow (naringenin and hesperitin, Pfalts and Bauer, Waterbury, CT). Whether the OH groups are below three (naringenin, hesperitin, Pfalts and Bauer, Waterbury, CT) or above four (Quercetin, Pfalts and Bauer, Waterbury, CT), they produced no effects on the ocular blood flow. When OH groups are four (rutin, Aldrich, Milwaukee, WI), it produced mixed effects on ocular blood flow. The attachment of rutinose and/or methoxy group in the structure did not affect the ocular blood flow one way or the other. CONCLUSION: The ocular blood flow is increased significantly by the number of OH group in the molecule, with three the best to increase the ocular blood flow.     

Investigation of melt agglomeration process with a hydrophobic binder in combination with sucrose stearate

The melt agglomeration process of lactose powder with hydrogenated cottonseed oil (HCO) as the hydrophobic meltable binder was investigated by studying the physicochemical properties of molten HCO modified by sucrose stearates S170, S770 and S1570. The size, size distribution, micromeritic and adhesion properties of agglomerates as well as surface tension, contact angle, viscosity and specific volume of molten HCO, with and without sucrose stearates, were examined. The viscosity, specific volume and surface tension of molten HCO were found to be modified to varying extents by sucrose stearates which are available in different HLB values and melt properties. The growth of melt agglomerates was promoted predominantly by an increase in viscosity, an increase in specific volume or a decrease in surface tension of the molten binding liquid. The agglomerate growth propensity was higher with an increase in inter-particulate binding strength, agglomerate surface wetness and extent of agglomerate consolidation which enhanced the liquid migration from agglomerate core to periphery leading to an increased surface plasticity for coalescence. The inclusion of high concentrations of completely meltable sucrose stearate S170 greatly induced the growth of agglomerates through increased specific volume and viscosity of the molten binding liquid. On the other hand, the inclusion of incompletely meltable sucrose stearates S770 and S1570 promoted the agglomeration mainly via the reduction in surface tension of the molten binding liquid with declining agglomerate growth propensity at high sucrose stearate concentrations. In addition to being an agglomeration modifier, sucrose stearate demonstrated anti-adherent property in melt agglomeration process. The properties of molten HCO and melt agglomerates were dependent on the type and concentration of sucrose stearate added.     

Myocardial Depressant Effects of Desflurane: Mechanical and Electrophysiologic Actions In Vitro

Background: The authors determined whether desflurane altered myocardial excitation-contraction coupling and electrophysiologic behavior in the same manner as isoflurane and sevoflurane.

Methods: The effects of desflurane on isometric force in guinea pig ventricular papillary muscles were studied in modified standard and in 26 mm K+ Tyrode solution with 0.1 [mu]m isoproterenol. Desflurane effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release were also determined by examining its actions on rat papillary muscles, guinea pig papillary muscles in low-Na+ Tyrode solution, and rapid cooling contractures. Normal and slow action potentials were recorded using a conventional microelectrode technique. Ca2+ and K+ currents of guinea pig ventricular myocytes were examined.

Results: Desflurane (5.3% and 11.6%) decreased peak force to approximately 70% and 40% of the baseline, respectively, similar to the effects of equianesthetic isoflurane concentrations. With isoproterenol in 26 mm K+ Tyrode solution, desflurane markedly depressed late peaking force and modestly depressed early peak force. The rested state contractions of rat myocardium or guinea pig myocardium in low-Na+ Tyrode solution were modestly depressed, whereas rapid cooling contractures were virtually abolished after desflurane administration. Desflurane significantly prolonged the action potential duration. Desflurane reduced L-type Ca2+ current and the delayed outward K+ current but did not alter the inward rectifier K+ current.     

Kidney Transplantation in Patients with Antibodies against Donor HLA Class II

The immunologic risk associated with donor-specific antibodies (DSA) against Class II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in kidney transplant (KTx) recipients is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of KTx when DSA was detected only against HLA Class II. To isolate the impact of anti-Class II DSA, we retrospectively analyzed 12 KTx recipients who at baseline had a positive B-cell flow cytometric crossmatch (FXM) and a negative T-cell FXM. Using alloantibody specification analysis, 58.3% (7/12) had DSA against donor Class II and 41.7% had no demonstrable DSA. Biopsy-proven AMR occurred in 57% (4/7) in the Class II(+) group and 0% in the Class II(-) group (p > 0.05). Peritubular capillaries stained positive for C4d in 86% (6/7) of the Class II(+) patients and in 40% (2/5) of the Class II(-) patients (p > 0.05). One patient in the Class II(+) group lost their graft at 3 months to accelerated transplant glomerulopathy, while all other grafts were functioning 3-37 months posttransplant despite the persistence of anti-Class II DSA. We conclude that KTx recipients with clearly defined anti-Class II DSA are at risk for humoral rejection suggesting that desensitization and/or close posttransplant monitoring may be needed to prevent AMR.     

应用湿性医疗技术对烧伤创面菌群特点及其耐药性分析

目的：探讨应用烧伤湿性医疗技术（MEBT／MEBO）处理烧伤创面的病原菌特点及其耐药性情况,评价及指导临床治疗。方法：回顾、总结、分析本院2003年～2005年期间应用MEBT／MEBO治疗118例烧伤创面的病原菌特点、耐药性及发生侵袭性感染的情况。结果：烧伤创面的菌群特点以格兰氏阴性杆菌为主,而且耐药情况较严重,创面发生侵袭性感染7例（5．93％）,全身脓毒血症2例（1．69％）。结论：烧伤创面病原菌对多数抗生素普遍耐药,采用MEBT／MEBO规范处理创面和选择高效、低毒、短程使用抗生素是对付耐药菌群的良好对策。     

Comparison of the effects of three different combinations of general anesthetics on the electroretinogram of dogs

The objective of this study is to compare the effects of three different anesthetic combinations on the electroretinogram in the same animals under similar laboratory conditions. Thiopental–isoflurane (TI), medetomidine–ketamine (MK), and xylazine–ketamine (XK) were used on each of 12 healthy miniature schnauzer dogs (MS) with a period of at least 3 weeks in between subsequent anesthesia protocols, using the Dog Standard Protocol. The scotopic ERGs consisted of scotopic low stimulus strength (S) responses designated S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5, at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after dark adaptation, respectively, and scotopic standard stimulus strength (S-ST) responses. The photopic ERGs consisted of a photopic single flash (P) response and 31 Hz flicker (P-FL) responses. For S-ST (2.5 cd s/m²), the amplitude of the a-wave using TI was significantly lower than that using MK (adjusted P = 0.05) and XK (adjusted P = 0.03), and the implicit time of the a-wave was significantly shorter than that using MK (adjusted P = 0.04). For P (2.5 cd s/m²), the amplitude of the b-wave using XK was significantly higher than that using MK (adjusted P = 0.01). The implicit times of the b-wave using TI was significantly longer and shorter than that of MK for S1, S2 and P-FL and for S4 and S-ST, respectively, and than that of XK for S2 and P-FL and for S5 and S-ST, respectively. The results of the present study showed that TI affected both the amplitude and the implicit time of the a-wave for S-ST and the implicit time of the b-wave relatively more so than was the case when using XK or MK. Therefore, it appears that either XK or MK could be advantageous to use rather than TI for clinical studies.