Endocannabinoid system modulates relapse to methamphetamine seeking: possible mediation by the arachidonic acid cascade.

We clarified the modulating action of the endocannabinoid system, and its possible mediation by the arachidonic acid cascade, on the reinstatement of methamphetamine (METH)-seeking behavior, using the intravenous self-administration paradigm in rats. Following 12 days of self-administration of METH, the replacement of METH with saline resulted in a gradual decrease in lever press responses (extinction). Under extinction conditions, METH-priming or re-exposure to cues previously paired with METH infusion markedly increased the responses (reinstatement of drug-seeking). The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, SR141716A, blocked this behavior. Although the cannabinoid agonist, Delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), had no effects by itself, coadministration of the agonist and METH at small doses reinstated the drug-seeking behavior. THC attenuated the effects of the reinstatement-inducing dose of METH, but enhanced the effect of cues. Either given repeatedly during the extinction or singly, 24 h before the first METH-priming or cues challenge, THC suppressed the reinstatement. In another set of experiments, we found that diclofenac, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, also attenuated the reinstatement induced by exposure to cues or drug-priming. These results suggest that the endocannabinoid system, through possible mediation by the arachidonic acid cascade, serves as a modulator of the reinstating effects of METH-priming and cues. Extending the current view on the treatment of drug dependence, these results indicate that endocannabinoid-activating substances as well as cyclooxygenase inhibitors may be promising as antirelapse agents.     

Opiate physical dependence and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors

The present review focused the involvement of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in morphine physical dependence. The increased levels of extracellular glutamate, NMDA receptor ζ subunit (NR1) mRNA, NMDA receptor 1 subunit (NR2A) protein, phosphorylated Ca²⁺/calmodulin kinase II (p-CaMKII) protein, c-fos mRNA, c-Fos protein, are observed in the specific brain areas of mice and/or rats showing signs of naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. In preclinical and clinical studies, a variety of NMDA receptor antagonists and pretreatment with an antisense oligonucleotide of the NR1 have been reported to inhibit the development, expression and/or maintenance of opiate physical dependence. In contrast to data obtained in adult animals, NMDA receptor antagonists are neither effective in blocking the development of opiate dependence nor the expression of opiate withdrawal in neonatal rats. In the NMDA receptor-deficient mice, the NR2A knockout mice show the marked loss of typical withdrawal abstinence behaviors precipitated by naloxone. The rescue of NR2A protein by electroporation into the nucleus accumbens of NR2A knockout mice reverses the loss of abstinence behaviors. The activation of CaMKII and increased expression of c-Fos protein in the brain of animals with naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome are prevented by NMDA receptor antagonists, whereas the increased levels of extracellular glutamate are not prevented by them. These findings indicate that glutamatergic neurotransmission at the NMDA receptor site contributes to the development, expression and maintenance of opiate dependence, and suggest that NMDA receptor antagonists may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of opiate dependence.     

Decreased portal vein flow during Kawasaki disease in a liver transplant patient

Abnormalities of liver function tests are frequently documented in patients with Kawasaki disease, but the mechanism responsible for this has not yet been established. Described herein is the case of a 1‐year‐10‐month‐old girl who underwent liver transplantation at 11 months of age. Eleven months after transplantation the patient was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, which was associated with some portal flow reduction, and received i.v. immunoglobulin, after which fever abated with improvement of portal flow to its pre‐fever level. Abnormalities of liver function tests in Kawasaki disease patients may occur as a result of inflammation of both the biliary and portal systems. There are no reports on the potential relationship between Kawasaki disease and the portal vein, and accumulation of further data is necessary to better examine this relationship.     

Migration of Intraocular Silicone Oil from the Vitreous Cavity into the Upper Eyelid Causing Ptosis

Introduction

To report a case in which intraocular silicone oil migrated into the upper eyelid and caused ptosis.

Methods

A 65-year-old woman presented with proliferative vitreoretinopathy in the right eye. Vitrectomies, injection of silicone oil and encircling were performed. Two months after the last operation, swelling of her right eyelid occurred.

Result

Magnetic resonance imaging revealed moisture in the palpebral fat tissue. We incised the bulbar conjunctiva and confirmed silicone oil leakage from the vitreous cavity through the scleral button hole of the encircling suture. Postoperatively, the right upper eyelid swelling decreased. Histopathologically, dense macrophage infiltration was seen in the palpebral tissues.

Conclusions

We report a rare case with a postoperative complication caused by silicone oil. In cases with swelling of the eyelid and decreased silicon oil in the vitreous cavity postoperatively, clinicians should consider the possibility of silicone oil leakage.Key words: Migration of silicone oil, Upper eyelid, Vitrectomy, Scleral buckling, Postoperative complication, Ptosis     

Smoking Exposure Is Associated with Serum Vitamin D Deficiency in Children: Evidence from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

Tobacco smoke exposure is known to lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations. This study evaluated the association between passive smoking and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in young children using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS), the largest birth cohort study in Japan. Information on parental smoking status was extracted from a survey of JECS for children aged 1.5 years and data for serum 25(OH)D concentrations were obtained from blood tests in the Sub-Cohort Study of JECS performed at age 2 years. Logistic regression and linear models were fitted to evaluate the association between these variables. Data were analyzed for 4593 children. After adjusting for covariates, smoke exposure was significantly associated with increased incidence of VDD (OR 1.35; 95% CI, 1.14–1.59) according to the logistic model. The linear model indicated that passive smoking negatively predicted de-seasonalized serum 25(OH)D concentrations (β −0.5; 95% CI −0.95 to −0.08) in children aged 2 years. The results suggest that smoke exposure is a risk factor for VDD in children. Given that VD plays a crucial role in bone metabolism and the immune system, our findings are significant for clinical and public health.     

Predicting outcome of one-step total hysteroscopic resection of sessile submucous myoma

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To analyze variables for successful 1-step hysteroscopic myomectomies of sessile submucous myomas. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Single operator's practice in a university hospital and its related hospitals. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight patients with sessile submucous myomas and menorrhagia, infertility, or both. INTERVENTIONS: Our strategy for hysteroscopic myomectomy is as follows. First, we scraped and/or vaporized intrauterine dome of myoma until top of myoma was even with level of wall of cavity. Next, the remnant intramural node was squeezed by uterine contractions induced by prostaglandin F2alpha injection. Finally, the newly raised myoma dome was sectioned or vaporized electrosurgically only within the space of the intrauterine cavity and/or was separated mechanically from healthy myometrium without electrosurgery. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Submucous myomas in 16 (57.1%) patients were completely removed after 1 surgery. By logistic regression analysis, thickness of outer myometrial layer of myoma node (OR 3.06, p = .02), myoma size (OR 0.86, p = .04), and intramural extension degree (OR 0.91, p = .03) were significantly associated with outcome of complete resection. CONCLUSION: Thickness of outer myometrial layer of myoma node, myoma size, and intramural extension degree predicted outcome of 1-step hysteroscopic myomectomy. The chance of performing successful surgery increased with increased thickness of outer myometrial layer of myoma, and decreased with larger myomas and greater degrees of intramural extension.     

Dietary intake of seaweed and minerals and prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Japanese pregnant females: baseline data from the Osaka Maternal and Child Health Study

PURPOSE: It may be worthwhile to assess the possible protective effect of the traditional Japanese diet on allergic disorders. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between dietary intake of seaweed, vegetables, fruit, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. METHODS: Study subjects were 1002 Japanese pregnant women. Allergic rhinitis (including cedar pollinosis) was defined as present if subjects had received drug treatment at some point during the previous 12 months. Information on dietary factors was collected by using a self-administered diet history questionnaire. RESULTS: Seaweed intake was associated independently with a decreased prevalence of allergic rhinitis. Significant inverse dose-response relationships were found between calcium and phosphorus intake and allergic rhinitis prevalence. There also was a tendency for an inverse association between magnesium consumption and allergic rhinitis. Additional adjustment for calcium or magnesium intake apparently did not influence the inverse association with seaweed consumption. Consumption of vegetables, fruit, vitamins C and E, fiber, and zinc showed no association with allergic rhinitis, whereas a significant positive relationship was observed between beta-carotene intake and allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: High dietary intake of seaweed, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus may be associated with a decreased prevalence of allergic rhinitis.     

Fluorine-Terminated Polycrystalline Diamond Solution-Gate Field-Effect Transistor Sensor with Smaller Amount of Unexpectedly Generated Fluorocarbon Film Fabricated by Fluorine Gas Treatment

In this study, a partially fluorine-terminated solution-gate field-effect transistor sensor with a smaller amount of unexpectedly generated fluorohydrocarbon film on a polycrystalline diamond channel is described. A conventional method utilizing inductively coupled plasma with fluorocarbon gas leads the hydrogen-terminated diamond to transfer to a partially fluorine-terminated diamond (C–F diamond); an unexpected fluorohydrocarbon film is formed on the surface of the diamond. To overcome this issue, we newly applied fluorine gas for the fluoridation of the diamond. Analytical results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry suggest that the fluorocarbon film does not exist or only a smaller amount of fluorocarbon film exists on the diamond surface. Conversely, the C–F diamond fabricated by the conventional method of inductively coupled plasma with a perfluoropropane gas (C₃F₈ gas) source possesses a certain amount of fluorocarbon film on its surface. The C–F diamond with a smaller amount of unexpectedly generated fluorohydrocarbon film possesses nearly ideal drain–source–voltage vs. gate–source–current characteristics, corresponding to metal–oxide–silicon semiconductor field-effect transistor theory. The results indicate that the fluorine gas (F₂ gas) treatment proposed in this study effectively fabricates a C–F diamond sensor without unexpected semiconductor damage.     

Effect of Cold-Rolling Directions on Recrystallization Texture Evolution of Pure Iron

The influence of cold-rolling directions on the recrystallization texture evolution of pure iron was examined. As-received pure iron sheets were cold-rolled under two different conditions (specimens A and B). Specimen A was cold-rolled in the vertical direction against the cold-rolling direction of the as-received sheet. Specimen B was cold-rolled in the vertical direction against the cold-rolling direction of the as-received sheet, and then in the cold-rolling direction of the as-received sheet. Cold-rolled specimens were heated to each desired temperature before being quenched in water to room temperature (298 ± 2 K). Both cold-rolled specimens showed the development of γ-fiber and {100}<011> orientation. Additionally, γ-fiber formed comparatively more in cold-rolled specimen A, while α-fiber developed comparatively more in cold-rolled specimen B. Strain distribution in cold-rolled specimen A was presumably inhomogeneous, whereas that in cold-rolled specimen B was rather uniform at the macro-scale. The formation of γ-fiber was confirmed in annealed specimen A. In annealed specimen B, however, the recrystallization texture tended to be random, and the formation of α-fiber was observed. Furthermore, the formation of Goss orientation in both annealed specimens was established. Recrystallized ferrite grains with Goss orientation nucleated in high strain regions of cold-rolled specimen. These findings show that by devising the cold-rolling direction, it is possible to discover new types of recrystallization textures.     

Severe Post-COVID-19 Organizing Pneumonia during Cancer Immunochemotherapy

A 44-year-old man developed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia during immunochemotherapy consisting of carboplatin, paclitaxel, and pembrolizumab for non-small cell lung cancer. Low-grade fever, followed by mild hypoxemia, and febrile neutropenia, were observed, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was administered until the recovery of neutropenia, when he developed a high fever, severe hypoxemia, and hypotension accompanied by consolidation in the bilateral lungs. His conditions promptly improved after treatment including hydrocortisone and the primary and metastatic tumors remained regressed for 10 months without further treatment. Post-COVID-19 organizing pneumonia during cancer immunochemotherapy can be aggravated by immune-checkpoint inhibitors and G-CSF.