Micro-segmental hair analysis: detailed procedures and applications in forensic toxicology

Forensic Toxicology - Since the 1980s, the detection sensitivity of mass spectrometers has increased by improving the analysis of drugs in hair. Accordingly, the number of hair strands required for...     

Thin-layer chromatography on silver nitrate-impregnated silica gel for analysis of homemade tetrahydrocannabinol mixtures

Forensic Toxicology - Various forms of cannabidiol (CBD)-containing products are sold in Japan. CBD is easily converted to mixtures of ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (?9-THC) and its isomer,...     

Usefulness of ultrasonography with a burr-hole transducer during surgery through a burr hole

Ultrasonography has become a common method for evaluation of the central nervous system. We present our experience with ultrasonography monitoring with a burr-hole transducer for investigation of intracranial lesions. Common indications for this technique included guidance for placement of catheters, localization of masses, aspiration of cystic lesion, and confirmation of removal. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) was obtained to corroborate the appropriate procedures performed under ultrasonography guidance. Intraoperative ultrasonography provided immediate real-time information about the anatomy and pathological location of lesions. Postoperative CT findings were consistent with intraoperative ultrasonography findings. No procedure-related complication was noted and problems were minimal. Intraoperative ultrasonography using a burr-hole transducer has proved to be useful in burr-hole surgery.     

Association of V89L SRD5A2 polymorphism with prostate cancer development in a Japanese population

PURPOSE: The SRD5A2 gene codes the steroid 5-reductase type II, a critical mediator of androgen action, and the V89L and A49T polymorphisms of this gene may be associated with a distinct enzyme activity. We explored the association among these polymorphisms and the risk of prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in a Japanese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 302 patients with prostate cancer, 228 with BPH and 243 male controls. V89L and A49T polymorphisms were analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Genotypes were evaluated by electrophoresis on agarose gel. RESULTS: For the V89L polymorphism there were no significant differences in genotype frequencies in patients with prostate cancer and controls (p = 0.071) or in patients with BPH and male controls (p = 0.219). However, males with the VV or VL genotype were at significantly increased risk for prostate cancer compared with those with the LL genotype (adjusted OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.07 to 2.65, p = 0.024). The risk of BPH in males with the VV or VL genotype was not significantly elevated in comparison with those with the LL genotype (adjusted OR 1.37, 95% CI 0.85 to 2.20, p = 0.194). The V89L variant was not associated with the grade or stage of prostate cancer, or with patient age. For the A49T polymorphism all subjects had the AA genotype. CONCLUSIONS: The V allele of the V89L polymorphism in the SRD5A2 gene may dominantly increase the risk of prostate cancer.     

Heat-shock preconditioning protects fatty livers in genetically obese Zucker rats from microvascular perfusion failure after ischemia reperfusion

Reduced tolerance of steatotic livers to ischemic injury is considered to correlate with impaired microcirculation. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of heat-shock preconditioning (HSPC) on microcirculatory failure after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in steatotic livers by means of intra-vital fluorescence microscopy. Obese Zucker rats were used. In the HS group, rats underwent whole-body hyperthermia followed by 60-min partial liver ischemia. In group IR, rats were exposed only to ischemia. Microcirculation parameters (sinusoidal perfusion rate, sinusoidal diameter, leukocyte-endothelial interaction) were significantly better preserved in the HS group than in the IR group. Liver enzymes, oxygenated glutathione/reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio, and electron microscopy showed less damage in the HS group. A marked expression of heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and heme oxygenase (HO-1) was found only in the livers of group HS. HSPC mitigated the I/R injury of steatotic livers by preventing post-ischemic failure of microcirculation. This beneficial effect was found to be associated with the induction of HSP72 and HO-1.     

Two cases of 46,XX male with chief complaint of infertility

We report two cases of XX male with chief complaints of infertility. Physical examination of both patients aged 42 and 29 demonstrated normal male habitus except for small testes. Semen analyses demonstrated no spermatozoa. Endocrinological examinations showed hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism. Vesiculograms demonstrated normal seminal tracts. Histological examination of their testes did not reveal germ cells; one case lacked seminiferous tubules and there was hyalinization in the seminiferous tubule in another case. Chromosomal analyses of peripheral blood demonstrated 46,XX. The sex-determining region Y gene was positive and DAZ (deleted in azoospermia) gene was negative in both cases.     

The Role of Regulatory Cells in Miniature Swine Rendered Tolerant to Cardiac Allografts by Donor Kidney Cotransplantation

To determine the mechanism by which cotransplantation of a kidney allograft induces tolerance to a donor heart in miniature swine, we examined the role of CD25⁺ cells in heart/kidney recipients. Tolerance was induced to class‐I MHC mismatched hearts by cotransplanting a donor‐specific kidney with a 12‐day course of cyclosporine. Peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were isolated from tolerant heart/kidney recipients and used in cell‐mediated lympholysis (CML) coculture assays as either unmodified PBL, PBL enriched for CD25⁺ cells or PBL depleted of CD25⁺ cells to assess their ability to suppress CML responses of naïve recipient‐matched leukocytes against mismatched target cells. Primed PBL from tolerant heart/kidney recipients completely suppressed lysis by naïve cells. Complete suppression of the response of naïve recipient‐matched leukocytes against donor‐matched target cells was lost following the depletion of CD25⁺ cells from tolerant heart/kidney animal PBL, but it was reestablished by incubation of naïve cells with small populations of CD25⁺ cells from tolerant heart/kidney animals. These data suggest that peripheral blood from tolerant heart/kidney recipients contains regulatory cells that, upon priming, can suppress the response of naïve‐matched PBL in coculture CML assays, and that suppression appears to be dependent on cells expressing CD25.     

Reverse pharmacological effect of loop diuretics and altered rBSC1 expression in rats with lithium nephropathy

BACKGROUND: Renal urinary concentration is associated with enhanced expression of rBSC1, a rat sodium cotransporter, in the thick ascending limb of Henle. Increased expression of rBSC1 was reported recently in nephrogenic diabetes insipidus induced by lithium chloride (Li nephropathy). However, the pathophysiological implication of altered rBSC1 expression has not yet been investigated. METHODS: Li nephropathy was induced in rats by an oral administration of 40 mmol lithium/kg dry food. In rats with reduced urinary osmolality to less than 300 mOsm/kg H2O, we examined the expression of rBSC1 mRNA and protein, plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) and RNA expression of kidney-specific water channel, aquaporin-2 (AQP2), of collecting ducts. Rats with Li nephropathy were treated with furosemide (3 mg/kg body weight), which blocks the activity of rBSC1, and changes in urine concentration, plasma AVP, medullary accumulation of Li ions, and apical AQP2 expression were determined. RESULTS: Rats with Li nephropathy showed increased rBSC1 RNA and protein expression and reduced AQP2 RNA. In these rats, furosemide, which induces dilution of urine and polyuria in normal rats, resulted in a progressive and significant rise in urine osmolality from 167 +/- 11 (mean +/- SD) at baseline to 450 +/- 45 mOsm/kg H2O at three hours after administration, and significant oliguria. In the same rats, plasma AVP decreased significantly from 5.7 to 3.0 pg/mL. In addition, recovery of apical AQP2 expression was noted in a proportion of epithelial cells of the collecting ducts. Although Li+ in the renal medulla was slightly lower in rats with Li nephropathy treated with furosemide, statistical significance was not achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that dehydration or high plasma AVP results in an enhanced rBSC1 expression in Li nephropathy, and that rBSC1 expression is closely associated with the adverse effects of Li ions on collecting duct function.     

A case of prostatic cancer discovered from lung metastatic lesions

We report a case in a 70-year-old patient indicated to have a metastatic lesion from a chest X-ray taken during a medical examination. His blood prostatic specific antigen level was very high at 100 ng/ml (normal, less than 4.0 ng/ml). Palpation of the prostate disclosed enlargement to hen's egg size with an irregular surface and indurations bilaterally. Transrectal sextant needle biopsy of the prostate was performed, revealing moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography (CT) scan and bone scintigraphy showed intrapelvic lymphnode adenopathy and metastasis to the right pubic bone. Under a diagnosis of stage D2 prostate cancer, we initiated endocrine therapy (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue depot every 4 weeks and bicalutamide). Androgen blockage was very effective and after 6 months, the PSA level had decreased markedly to below 0.2 ng/ml. Sixteen months later, pulmonary metastasis completely disappeared. He is currently free from recurrence and progressing well.     

Successful surgical repair of delayed chronic type a dissection after previous coronary artery bypass grafting.

This reports a case of a 68-year-old woman who had undergone coronary artery bypass 5 years previously. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed that the ascending aorta was dilated to about 8 cm in diameter, with type A dissection, and with a patent left internal thoracic artery (LITA) graft to the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Angiography at the ascending aorta did not reveal a coronary artery, nor did it show the sequential saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the obtuse marginal and posterolateral branches. Although the risk of surgical treatment via repeat median sternotomy was very high, we successfully performed the reoperation using profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. The dissection in the mediastinum was facilitated by a sternum retractor for ITA-graft dissection, intraoperative surface echocardiography, and ultrasonic scalpel, with a widely opened bilateral pleural cavity. Furthermore, assuming that most of the myocardium was maintained by perfusion from the in-situ, patent, ITA graft, it was thought that cardioplegia was not necessary during profound hypothermic circulation.