Pretreatment with continuous-wave ultraviolet irradiation to prevent the development of delayed vasospasm in the rabbit common carotid artery model

OBJECT: Ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation can lead to immunomodulation. The purpose of this study was to determine the preventive effect of UV light on cerebral vasospasm by using a rabbit common carotid artery (CCA) model. METHODS: Rabbit CCAs were constricted for a long period by application of autologous blood within a silicon sheath. Before immersion in blood, the CCAs were adventitiously exposed to UV light emitted from a helium-cadmium laser (wavelength 325 nm) yielding an irradiation energy of 10 mJ/mm2. The occurrence of vasospasm was evaluated using angiography 48 hours after blood exposure in this model. The UV light treatment significantly reduced the degree of vasospasm. Compared with luminal diameters measured on Day 0, prior to treatment, the luminal diameters of UV light-treated arteries (six animals) decreased by only 6%, whereas that of the sham-treated arteries (eight animals) significantly decreased by 26% (p<0.001). Histological examination of UV light-treated CCAs revealed no endothelial damage and extended smooth-muscle cells, in which some fragmented nuclei were confirmed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling. Twenty-eight days after blood exposure, examination of UV light-treated CCAs revealed only myointimal proliferation, similar to that of the sham-treated CCAs. CONCLUSIONS: These results are the first to provide evidence of a prophylactic effect of UV light on vasospasm and are suggestive of involvement of apoptosis in the mechanism of this effect.     

Effects of A-site composition of perovskite (Sr1−xBaxZrO3) oxides on H atom adsorption,migration, and reaction

Hydrogen (H) atomic migration over a metal oxide is an important surface process in various catalytic reactions. Control of the interaction between H atoms and the oxide surfaces is therefore important for better catalytic performance. For this investigation, we evaluated the adsorption energies of the H atoms over perovskite-type oxides (Sr_1−xBa_xZrO₃; 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.50) using DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations, then clarified the effects of cation-substitution in the A-site of perovskite oxides on H atom adsorption, migration, and reaction. Results indicated local distortion at the oxide surface as a key factor governing H atom adsorption. Subtle Ba²⁺ substitution for Sr²⁺ sites provoked local distortion at the Sr_1−xBa_xZrO₃ oxide surface, which led to a decrement in the H atom adsorption energy. Furthermore, the effect of Sr²⁺/Ba²⁺ ratio on the H atoms'' reactivities was examined experimentally using a catalytic reaction, which was promoted by activated surface H atoms. Results show that the surface H atoms activated by the substitution of Sr²⁺ sites with a small amount of Ba²⁺ (x = 0.125) contributed to enhancement of ammonia synthesis rate in an electric field, which showed good agreement with predictions made using DFT calculations.

H atom adsorption over perovskite (Sr_1−xBa_xZrO₃) was governed by local lattice distortion, which can be tuned by the A-site cation-doping ratio.     

Partial agonistic effect of yokukansan on human recombinant serotonin 1A receptors expressed in the membranes of Chinese hamster ovary cells

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Yokukansan (YKS) is a traditional Japanese medicine consisted of seven medicinal herbs and has been used for treatment of neurosis, insomnia, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in Japan.

Aim of the study

The aim of the present study is to clarify the intrinsic activity of YKS on serotonin (5-HT)1A and 5-HT2A receptors and also to determine the constituent herbs which are responsible for the effect of YKS.

Materials and methods

The dry powdered extracts of YKS, seven constituent herbs, and YKS-analogues which were produced by eliminating one of the constituent herbs from YKS in the manufacturing process, were used for the evaluation. Competitive binding assays for 5-HT receptors and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding assays for the evaluation of agonistic/antagonistic activity were performed using Chinese hamster ovary cell membranes stably expressing human recombinant 5-HT1A or 5-HT2A receptors.

Results

YKS (6.25–400 μg/ml) concentration-dependently inhibited the binding of [³H]8-OH-DPAT to 5-HT1A receptors. The IC₅₀ value was estimated to be 61.2 μg/ml. In contrast, YKS failed to inhibit the binding of [³H]ketanserin to 5-HT2A receptors. Only Uncaria hook (3.13–50 μg/ml), of the seven constituent herbal extracts, inhibited the [³H]8-OH-DPAT binding to 5-HT1A receptors in a concentration-dependent manner, and the IC₅₀ value was estimated to be 7.42 μg/ml. The extracts of YKS or Uncaria hook increased [³⁵S]GTPγS binding to 5-HT1A receptors to approximately 50% of that of a full agonist, 5-HT. Both the competitive binding and [³⁵S]GTPγS binding of YKS to 5-HT1A receptors were remarkably attenuated by eliminating Uncaria hook from YKS, but it was almost unchanged when one of the other constituent herbs was eliminated from YKS.

Conclusion

These results suggest that YKS has a partial agonistic effect on 5-HT1A receptors, which is mainly attributed to Uncaria hook.     

Central Diabetes Insipidus after Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion with Severe Hyponatremia in a Patient with Rathke's Cleft Cyst

A 49-year-old man developed severe hyponatremia associated with transient headache and was diagnosed with syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). Fluid restriction and sodium supplementation corrected the hyponatremia. However, several days later, the patient exhibited hypernatremia with thirst and polyuria. A detailed examination indicated central diabetes insipidus (CDI) with an intrasellar cystic lesion indicative of Rathke''s cleft cyst (RCC). A case of RCC exhibiting headache, hyponatremia, and subsequent hypernatremia has been reported. Our case shows that CDI may appear after SIADH in patients with RCC, especially in those with serum sodium levels that unexpectedly increase rapidly beyond the reference range.     

Bone mineral density in steroid-dependent asthma assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography.

Chronic use of systemic glucocorticoids results in progressive bone loss and pathologic fractures. This study identified the predictive variables for bone loss and used peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) to measure changes in cortical and trabecular bone in patients receiving systemic glucocorticoid therapy of prednisone 15.4 g. Eighty-four asthmatic patients were included in the study. Vertebral fractures were diagnosed via plain spinal radiograms. pQCT was used to measure cortical and trabecular bone mineral density. Multiple regression analysis identified variables with predictive value. The cumulative dose of glucocorticoid correlated with the bone mineral density (p<0.05) and the trabecular bone density (p<0.01). Among patients > or = 65 yrs of age, the cumulative dose of glucocorticoid correlated with the occurrence of vertebral fractures (p<0.05), total bone mineral density (p<0.01) and cortical bone mineral density (p<0.01). Bone mineral density in the distal radius measured by pQCT and the vertebral bodies by axis QCT were correlated, regardless of whether systemic glucocorticoids were administered. Glucocorticoid administration not only decreases trabecular but also cortical bone mineral density. Since cortical bone provides strength and stiffness, it appears that the loss of cortical bone is responsible for the increased incidence of fracture seen in patients receiving systemic glucocorticoid therapy.     

Comparison of controlled and Glisson's pedicle transections of hepatic hilum occlusion for hepatic resection.

BACKGROUND: For hepatic resection, intraoperative bleeding is reduced by clamping the afferent blood flow. Selective clamping at the hepatic hilum can be accomplished using the standard controlled method or Glisson's pedicle transection method. The safety and efficacy of these two methods have not previously been compared. STUDY DESIGN: The intraoperative findings and complications were retrospectively reviewed in 90 patients who underwent major hepatectomy with selective inflow clamping between 1988 and 1997. RESULTS: Blood loss and operative time did not differ between the two groups. Bile leakage was observed in 3 of 43 patients (7.0%) in the standard controlled method group and 11 of 47 patients (23.4%) in the Glisson's pedicle transection method group (p = 0.031). In the Glisson's pedicle transection method group, bile leakage occurred more frequently in patients who underwent left lobectomy than in those who underwent right lobectomy (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in intraoperative findings and postoperative complications analyzed between the standard controlled method and Glisson's pedicle transection method for major hepatectomy except for the rate of bile leakage. In particular, attention must be paid to the bile duct injuries when the Glisson's pedicle is dissected.     

Apoptosis-inducing activity and growth suppression by vesnarinone on human glioma transplanted in nude mice.

The growth and morphological change of human glioma transplanted subcutaneously and intracerebrally to nude mice with orally administered vesnarinone, 3,4-dihydro-6-[4-(3,4-dimethoxy-benzoyl)-1-piperazinyl]-2(1H)-quinolinon e, were examined. The tumor volume of human glioma xenograft, GL-9, subcutaneously transplanted to nude mice, was significantly decreased by orally administered vesnarinone at a dose of 500 mg kg-1. Vesnarinone also significantly prolonged the survival of nude mice transplanted intracerebrally with GL-9. Apoptosis was observed in paraffin sections of both subcutaneous and intracerebral GL-9 by the method of direct immunoperoxidase detection of digoxigenin-dUTP-labeled nick ends introduced by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. These findings suggest that vesnarinone suppresses the growth and induces apoptosis of glioma cells in vivo.     

Histologic evaluation of clinically successful osseointegrated implants retrieved from irradiated bone: a report of 2 patients.

The present study described the histologic findings of 2 implants and surrounding tissues retrieved from human irradiated bone. For the treatment of a malignant tumor, 50 Gy of irradiation after implant placement and 60 Gy of irradiation before implant placement were provided for patients 1 and 2, respectively. In patient 1, the implant and surrounding tissues were removed from the frontal bone 24 months after implant placement because of the patient's death from a tumor recurrence. In patient 2, the implant and surrounding tissue were removed from a maxillectomy site 26 months after implant placement because of tumor recurrence. In each patient, new bone formation surrounding the implants was observed. The ratio of direct bone-implant contact along the threaded implant surface was 61.3% in patient 1 and 69.0% in patient 2. The ratio of the area occupied by mineralized bone in each thread was 75.8% in patient 1 and 81.2% in patient 2. These results indicate the potential of irradiated bone to achieve osseointegration of titanium implants.     

Subnanosecond In-Line Soft X-Ray Holography Using Germanium Laser in the 20 nm Wavelength Region

Near- and far-field characteristics of a germanium soft x-ray laser at the wavelengths of 23.2-23.6 nm (J = 2-1 transitions) and 19.6 nm (J = 0-1 transition) are given for quantitative evaluation of the germanium laser for holographic applications. In-line Gabor holography of simple structured objects, such as thin opaque fibers and a standard electron microscope test specimen, is demonstrated. The holograms were recorded on PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) photoresists and llford Q-plates. The holograms recorded on PMMA were retrieved with an atomic force microscope. The object image was reconstructed by numerical reconstruction with phase retrieval algorithm, resulting in a clear, ghost-free image with sharp edges which infer sub-μm resolution. Future directions for x-ray laser holography are briefly discussed.