功能性多神经元钙成像技术在海马神经元动作电位观察中的应用

目的:观察海马脑片中锥体细胞层群体神经元的电活动。方法:取出生后7 d的Sprague Daw-ley大鼠全脑,无菌条件下水平方向切片,转至6孔板中培养;另取出生后3～5周的C57-BL/6J小鼠全脑,无菌条件下水平方向切片,转至37℃氧饱和的人工脑脊液中稳定至少60 min备用。大鼠培养脑片及小鼠急性脑片负载钙离子荧光指示剂,采用功能性多神经元钙成像技术检测海马锥体细胞层中大规模神经元与动作电位相关的钙瞬变。结果:大鼠培养脑片及小鼠急性脑片中记录到大量单个神经元的与动作电位相关的钙瞬变。结论:功能性多神经元钙成像技术是揭示海马神经网络活动及中枢神经系统有关创新药物评价的全新且有效的研究方法。     

Suppressive effect of α2 Heremans–Schmid glycoprotein on in vitro calcification of osteogenesis

Background: α₂ Heremans–Schmid glycoprotein (α₂HS glycoprotein) is predominantly found in bone. To date, we have investigated plasma α₂HS levels in immature babies and neonates as well as the histological distribution in various neonatal tissues in order to clarify its physiological significance. In an effort to understand the physiological function of α₂HS glycoprotein in bones, we studied the effects of α₂HS glycoprotein in cultured osteogenesis model using rat marrow cells. Methods: We added different concentrations of α₂HS glycoprotein to cultured marrow cells, including osteoblasts in the presence of dexamethasone, in an attempt to elucidate the effects of α₂HS glycoprotein on osteoblast growth and bone calcification in vitro. Results: The results showed that total DNA content was significantly increased with 0.2–20 nM (f.c.) α₂HS glycoprotein, but was neither suppressed nor increased with 200 nM (f.c.) α₂HS glycoprotein. Although ALP activity increased with 0.2 or 2 nM (f.c.) α₂HS glycoprotein, it decreased with 20 or 200 nM (f.c.) α₂HS glycoprotein. While 0.2 nM (f.c.) α₂HS glycoprotein had no effect on calcium or osteocalcin content, 2 nM (f.c.) α₂HS glycoprotein decreased both calcium content and osteocalcin content by about half, and no calcium or osteocalcin was observed with 20 or 200 nM (f.c.). Calcium staining of cultured marrow cells revealed that the number of stained cell tubercles decreased in a concentration‐dependent manner. Conclusion: These findings suggest that α₂HS glycoprotein regulates the growth of osteoblasts and acts as an inhibitory factor in the regulation of bone calcification.     

Analysis of the circumstances of death of 56 children suffering from cancer: Proposal for the development of terminal medicine in Japan

In Japan terminal medicine for children dying from cancer has not yet been developed nor has a support system for home terminal care and bereaved families been established. We have analyzed our own experiences in these areas and researched the possibilities of establishing support systems. In the 16 years from 1978 to 1993, 56 children with cancer have been treated and have died at Hamamatsu University Hospital. We analyzed the circumstances of their deaths. We interviewed 25 sets of parents about their acceptance of their child's death. Three children (5%) died unexpectedly during treatment, 27 children (48%) died from the side-effects of intensive treatment, and 26 children (47%) died during terminal care. More children with leukemia and lymphoma died from side-effects than children with solid tumors (P < 0.05). Six out of the 25 families had not yet accepted the loss of their child due to regrets associated with the missed opportunity for terminal care. From our experiences with the five children who received terminal care at home, we recognize the need for a support system run by the hospital and conclude the time is ripe for initiating home-based terminal care in Japan.     

An Inflammatory Polyp of the Sigmoid Colon Observed in a Case with a Ruptured Ovarian Dermoid Cyst

We present here a rare case, an ovarian dermoid cyst with fistulaformation into the sigmoid colon, which forms an inflammatorypolyp of the sigmoid colon. A 58-year-old woman was admitted because of occasional analbleeding. Several examination disclosed the elevation of erythrocytesedimentation rate, a positive test of stool specimen for occultblood, a polyp of the sigmoid colon in barium enema. Laparotomyshowed that a dermoid cyst of the left ovary had ruptured intothe sigmoid. The etiology of the rupture was "idiopathic." Thefistulous communication between the cyst and the sigmoid colonwas thought to have developed the inflammatory polyp over aperiod of about two years.     

The Defibrillation Success Rate Versus Energy Relationship: Part I-Curve Fitting and the Most Efficient Defibrillation Energy

The effect of applying an energy pulse to the heart during ventricular fibrillation is described by the probability of successful defibrillation or success rate. Seven to ten (8.60 +/- 0.84: mean +/- standard deviation) defibrillation trials per energy were randomly attempted at energies which span the defibrillation success rate versus energy curve. We obtained 70.0 +/- 8.4 episodes per dog. We fit the defibrillation success rate versus energy relationship from ten dogs (20.5 +/- 1.5 kg) to four types of curves: linear, exponential, probit transformed linear, and logit transformed linear. The correlation coefficients for each fit are 0.917 +/- 0.057, 0.944 +/- 0.014, 0.926 +/- 0.51, and 0.889 +/- 0.098, respectively. We therefore conclude that the exponential curve best describes the DSRE relationship. This suggests the existence of an energy below which defibrillation does not occur. At higher energies, the exponential curve asymptotically approaches a 100% success rate, which indicates that increasing the energy produces a diminishing benefit to defibrillation success rate. The estimated energies with a 0% defibrillation success rate are surprisingly consistent among dogs, with 2.072 +/- 0.553 J. The estimated energy with an 80% defibrillation success rate is 5.217 +/- 1.091 J. The estimated defibrillation success rate corresponding to the defibrillation threshold of 3.59 +/- 1.06 J is consistent with 0.516 +/- 0.144. The estimated energies with a 0% success rate correlate well with the defibrillation thresholds with R = 0.772; P = 0.0088. Since implantable defibrillators have a limited energy supply, we determined energy efficiency by dividing defibrillation success rate by the applied energy and energy consumption by dividing the applied energy by the defibrillation success rate. The most efficient defibrillation energy occurs at the maximum energy efficiency and the minimum energy consumption. The most efficient defibrillation energy of 4.34 +/- 0.97 J determined from the exponential fit has a success rate of 0.70 +/- 0.06. The most efficient defibrillation energy can be predicted from the defibrillation threshold. Clinically, a 70% success rate may not be adequate. We, therefore, compared the energy efficiency and consumption of energies with 90% and 95% success rates to the most efficient defibrillation energy. About a 50% increase in energy from the most efficient defibrillation energy is necessary for a 90% success rate which results in about a 13% loss in energy efficiency and about a 16% increase in energy consumption. About an 84% energy increase is necessary for a 95% success rate which results in about a 24% loss in energy efficiency and about a 33% increase in energy consumption.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Relation of Exocrine Pancreatic Function to the Diameter of the Pancreatic and Common Bile Ducts

One hundred and thirty-nine patients were examined for possible chronic pancreatitis by means of both pancreozymin-secretin test and endoscopic pancreatography of pancreatocholangiography. Pancreatic function as assessed by the pancreozymin-secretin test was impaired in 89 (64%) of the entire group. No significant relationship was demonstrated between pancreatic secretion of fluid, bicarbonate and amylase and the diameter of main pancreatic duct in both the entire group of the subgroup of patients with pancreatic dysfunction. On pancreatogram no gross morphological abnormalities were found in a high proportion of patients whose pancreatic function was impaired in minimal to moderate degree. There was a significant linear correlation between the diameters of the main pancreatic duct and common bile duct. These data question the value of endoscopic pancreatography in the diagnosis of low to moderate grade chronic pancreatitis.     

Pancreatic Internal Fistula to the Left Pleural Cavity

A case of recurrent pancreaticopleural effusion is presented. The pleural effusion with high enzyme and protein eouteuts resulted from a pancreatic internal fistula to the left pleural cavity. A sinus tract passing throngh esophageal hiatus was demonstrated by the endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP). Surgical intervention afforded complete relief of abdominal pain and elimination of the pleural effusion.     

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity during central,mixed and obstructive apnea: Are there any differences?

Abstract  We recorded muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) from the peroneal nerve during sleep in three OSAS patients who showed three kinds of apnea. During central apneas and central component of mixed apnea, bursts of MSNA appeared in high probability with almost each heart beat. During obstructive apneas and the obstructive component of mixed apneas, bursts of MSNA appeared in a cluster after the end of each inspiratory effort. Burst rate of MSNA during apnea were higher in central apneas and the central component of mixed apnea than in obstructive apneas and the obstructive component of mixed apneas. These findings indicate that activity in the sympathetic nervous system is enhanced not only in obstructive apnea but also in central and mixed apnea.     

Prevalence of sleep-related respiratory disorders in 101 schizophrenic inpatients

Abstract We studied the prevalence of sleep-related respiratory disorders (SRRD) in 101 schizophrenic inpatients (64 men and 37 women) and in 48 healthy volunteers (control group:22 men and 26 women) using ambulatory pulse-oximetric devices. Those with a desaturation index (DI) 5 were classified as having SRRD. The prevalence of SRRD in the schizophrenic patients (men 21.9%, women 13.5%) was not higher than that in the control group (men 30.7%, women 13.6%). Gender difference in the prevalence of SRRD was not observed in schizophrenic group. This was probably because the schizophrenic women took an increased amount of sleeping pills. Neuroleptics were shown to be least effected on SRRD.