Evaluation of morphine analgesia and motor coordination in mice following cortex-specific knockout of the N-methyl-D-aspartate NR1-subunit

Studies have shown that N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a critical role in morphine analgesia and motoric processes at different levels of the central nervous system. In this study, we used cortex-specific NR1 knockout (KO) mice (C57BL/6 strain) to elucidate the role of cortical NMDA receptors in morphine analgesia and motor coordination. On post-natal day 20, mice (CTL and KO) received vehicle (saline) or morphine (10mg/kg) and paw withdrawal latency (PWL) to a noxious thermal stimulus was measured. On post-natal day 21, motor coordination was measured using the rotating pole test. No differences in KO mice were found with respect to PWL following administration of saline or morphine (p>0.05). However, sex-dependent differences were found in motor coordination, with male KO mice showing a greater motor impairment in the rotating pole test than female KO mice (p<0.05). The present results demonstrate that NMDA receptors are involved in both the analgesic effects of morphine and motor coordination, with the existence of sex-related differences in motor coordination.     

EARLY CARCINOMA TONGUE – SURGICAL OPTIONS

A retrospective analysis of 127 surgically treated cases of T-1, T-2 carcinoma of oral tongue during the period 1987-1990 was undertaken. 68.5 per cent (87) underwent hemiglossectomy and 31.5 per cent (40) underwent wide excision. There were loco-regional recurrences in 22 per cent (27). In the hemiglossectomy group 9 per cent (8 of 87) had local recurrences compared to 25 per cent (10 of 40) of wide excision group, (P = 0.01). Mean disease free survival was 40 months and 33 months for hemiglossectomy group and wide excision group respectively, (P = 0.006). It is seen that local recurrences are significantly less for the hemiglossectomy group compared to the wide excision group.KEY WORDS: Disease free survival, Early cancer, Recurrence, Surgery, Tongue     

EXPERIENCE WITH VIPERINE ENVENOMATION

Two hundred and twenty one cases of viperine envenomation, who presented to hospital without specific treatment, seen over an twenty five years period, have been presented. Mild, moderate and severe envenomation was encountered in 33 per cent, 47 per cent and 20 per cent respectively. Bites on feet and ankles were seen in 85.5 per cent of cases. The average time interval between bite and hospitalisation was 4.8 hours, range being 15 minutes to 7 days. Local swelling was observed in 97.7 per cent, hematuria in 62 per cent, mucosal haemorrhages in 24.8 per cent and haematemesis in 19 per cent of patients. Average Antisnake Venom (ASV) required in mild, moderate and severe envenomation was 50 ml, 147.5 ml and 324 ml respectively. Major complications observed were renal failure in 10, intracompartmental syndrome in 3, intracerebral bleed and septicaemia in 2 each. One patient each developed finger gangrene, osteomyelitis, perirenal haematoma, sinus bradycardia and uncontrolled bleeding. Blood transfusion was required in 32 patients. Reactions to ASV were seen in 12 patients and overall there were 5 deaths.KEY WORDS: Antisnake venom, Viperine envenomation     

Diencephalic projections of the subnucleus interpolaris of the brainstem trigeminal complex in the rat

In this study the projection fields of the subnucleus interpolaris were examined using anterograde degeneration techniques. The projection areas of the subnucleus interpolaris in the diencephalon include the arcuate nucleus of the ventrobasal complex, the zona incerta, parts of the posterior nuclear group and the medial portions of the medial geniculate nucleus. Within the arcuate nucleus of the ventrobasal complex, the subnucleus interpolaris afferents are not uniform but, rather, clumped into islets. In addition, these projections exhibit a distinct topography with respect to the face representation in both the subnucleus interpolaris and the arcuate nucleus of the ventrobasal complex. The subnucleus interpolaris afferents convey approximately a 225° rotated map of the subnucleus interpolaris to the arcuate nucleus.The projection of the subnucleus interpolaris to the diencephalon is very similar to that of the principal sensory nucleus of the brainstem trigeminal complex (Smith, 1973). Implications of two separate systems relaying information from the face to the same areas in the diencephalon are discussed.     

p53 and MDM2 expression in odontogenic cysts and tumours

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this report was to assess p53 and MDM2 expression in odontogenic cysts and tumours, as they are known to play important roles in cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of p53 and MDM2 proteins was determined immunohistochemically in 51 formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded specimens of odontogenic cysts and tumours.RESULTS: No positivity to p53 was found in the cases studied. MDM2 expression in ameloblastoma was higher than in radicular cysts, but lower than that observed in odontogenic keratocysts. No difference was observed between MDM2 expression in radicular cyst and adenomatoid odontogenic tumour. The clear-cell odontogenic ameloblastoma presented strong immunoreaction to this antigen.CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that MDM2 overexpression may be involved in the pathogenesis of some odontogenic lesions.     

Peripheral target-specific influences on embryonic neurite growth vigor and patterns

We examined axon–target interactions in cocultures of embryonic rat trigeminal, dorsal root, nodose, superior cervical ganglia or retina with a variety of native or foreign peripheral targets such as the whisker pad, forepaw, and heart explants. Axon growth into these peripheral target tissues was analyzed by the use of lipophilic tracer DiI. Embryonic day 15 dorsal root and trigeminal axons grew into isochronic normal and foreign cutaneous targets. Both axon populations avoided the same age heart tissue, but grew profusely into younger (embryonic day 13) or older (postnatal) heart explants. In contrast, embryonic day 15 superior cervical or nodose ganglion axons grew heavily into the same age heart and forepaw explants and to a lesser extent into the whisker pad explants. Embryonic day 15 retinal axons grew into all three peripheral targets used in this study. Primary sensory and sympathetic axons, but not retinal axons, formed target-specific patterns in the whisker pad and forepaw explants. DiI-labeling and immunostaining of primary sensory neurons in coculture revealed that these neurons retain their bipolar characteristics, and express class-specific markers such as parvalbumin, calcitonin gene-related peptide and TrkA receptors. In the whisker pad explants, axons positive for all three markers were seen to form patterns around the follicles. Our results indicate that developing peripheral targets can attract and support axon growth from a variety of sources. Whereas neurotrophins play a major role in attracting and supporting survival of subpopulations of sensory neurons, other substrate-bound or locally released molecules must regulate sensory neurite growth into specific peripheral and central targets. J. Comp. Neurol. 399:427–439, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

青少年牙发育不全患者颅面结构的初步研究

目的探讨牙发育不全患者的颅面结构,为临床诊治提供参考。方法选择英国牙发育不全患者病历59份纳入研究组,根据缺牙类型和缺牙数将研究组分为轻度、中度、重度、极重度共4个亚组,其中男27例,女32例,平均年龄（13.1±3.1）岁。以Woodworth等报道的正常资料为对照组。对所有研究对象进行X线头影测量对比分析。结果研究组与对照组的SNA、SNB、MMA差异无统计学意义,且均在正常值范围内。同T3组相比,T4组的SNB增大（t=-2.76,P=0.015）、MMA减小（t=-3.03,P=0.007）、ANB减小（t=-2.26,P=0.034）,三者差异均有统计学意义;59例牙发育不全患者中Ⅲ类颅面结构患者居多。结论牙发育不全患者的平均头影测量值在正常值范围内,59例牙发育不全患者中Ⅲ类颅面结构患者居多、上下颌平面角减小。     

Impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on symptom manifestation of chronic rhinosinusitis

Background: Rhinosinusitis is a significant health problem which results in large financial burden on society. The study evaluated the prevalence and severity of individual symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) on the symptoms and medication used in patients with CRS.