Imaging of activated microglia with PET and [11C]PK 11195 in corticobasal degeneration.

Positron emission tomography (PET) using [(11)C]PK 11195, a ligand for peripheral benzodiazepine receptor binding sites, offers the opportunity to image activated microglia in vivo. This tool may therefore be used to display the occurrence of microglial activation in the course of neurodegeneration. A patient with the clinical diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration (CBD) and left-sided symptoms was studied using fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and [(11)C]PK 11195 PET. We found a marked right hemispheric hypometabolism and asymmetric microglial activation in corresponding areas of the basal ganglia and right temporal and parietal cortex. [(11)C]PK 11195 PET suggests involvement of microglial activation in the pathogenesis of CBD.     

Langzeitergebnisse der Kontinenzfunktion nach ileoanaler Pouch-Anlage

An important aim of proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is to maintain anal continence. Anal sphincter disruption during IPAA is felt to play an important role in loss of continence, which is described in up to 30% of the treated patients in the early postoperative period. Although sphincter function recovers gradually after surgery, some patients stay incontinent. In our investigation of possible parameters involved in preservation of continence after this operative procedure, we focused on changes in anal manometry. We compared these findings with the functional results obtained by questioning the patients and physical examination. Anal manometry was performed with a low-compliance hydraulic perfusion system. All patients underwent a J-pouch procedure with a short rectal cuff for ileoanal reconstruction. We examined 25 patients, 13 underwent operation for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, 12 because of adenomatous polyposis. In the colitis and polyposis group, 28% of the patients reported events of soiling. Three patients (12%) were incontinent. The remaining 15 patients were completely continent. The median time after operation was 58 months, ranging from 12 to 96 months. Comparing the results of anal manometry with standard values of ten age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers, it was found that there was a significant increase in the threshold of balloon awareness and urge to defecate. These sensations were sometimes elicited by pouch contractions. Median pouch- compliance was also clearly elevated in comparison to rectal compliance (P<0.005). Inhibitory reflexes during balloon inflation could not be evoked in any of the patients. Comparing continent with incontinent patients there were significant differences in balloon awareness, urge to defecate, and stool frequency (P<0.01,P<0.01 andP<0.001, respectively). But in contrast to other publications, we could not find significant differences in anal sphincter length, resting and squeezing, anal canal pressure. Pouch compliance was lowered in incontinent patients and negatively correlated with stool frequency (P<0.001,r=?0.82). In conclusion, our study indicates that anal sphincter resting pressure alone is not a crucial factor in continence preservation in the long-term after total proctocolectomy and IPAA. Poor pouch- compliance and concomitant higher stool frequencies seem to be related to incontinence in this patient group.     

Autotransfusion-bacterial contamination during hip arthroplasty and efficacy of cefuroxime prophylaxis: A randomized controlled study of 40 patients

40 patients undergoing primary hip arthroplasty, given autologous processed blood transfusion, were randomized to receive no antibiotic prophylaxis (group A, n 20) or cefuroxime (1.5 g single injection; group B, n 20). Bacterial contamination at various steps in the autotransfusion procedure was assessed in liquid and solid culture media. the operation field and the wound drainage blood were never contaminated in either of the groups but some of the suction tips were. Parts of the Vacufix® blood collection bags of group A contained bacteria, but none in group B. Processed red blood cell concentrates in both groups showed bacterial growth. Greater blood loss did not increase the contamination rate in general. Isolated bacteria included the species Staphylococcus epidermidis, coagulase-negative staphylococci and Propionibacteria in both groups, but with different cell counts. in addition, Corynebacterium bovis et minutissimum and Moraxella were identified in group A.

In conclusion, autologous blood transfusion was a safe procedure. If contamination occurred, the bacterial count was low, and the bacteria of low pathogenicity. Antibiotic prophylaxis with cefuroxime reduced this contamination of suction tips and collection bags and limited the transfer of autologous blood products.     

Update on treatment of pediatric pain with surgical considerations

The assessment, treatment, and prevention of pediatric pain pose a special challenge to surgeons and others involved in the care of children. The experience of pain is subjective, and infants and many children are unable to verbalize their level of discomfort. Therefore, it is the responsibility of physicians and nurses to be educated and trained to identify nonverbal signs of pain and discomfort, anticipate the experience of pain associated with specific procedures and diagnoses, and initiate the appropriate use of analgesics as well as nonmedicinal strategies to relieve this pain.     

Indwelling epidural catheters for pain control in gynecologic cancer patients

Seven patients with severe pain caused by an advanced, incurable gynecologic malignancy were treated with an indwelling epidural catheter connected to an implantable subcutaneous port through which morphine was infused. There were few major complications associated with insertion or maintenance of the system. The average usage was 60 days, although the system functioned continuously for 6 months in one patient. Pain distribution in these women ranged from the upper abdomen to the lower extremities. All patients, including one with liver metastases, reported good to excellent pain control with the epidural narcotics. Two subjects with upper abdominal pain occasionally required supplemental oral oxycodone, but the other five patients had adequate pain relief with the epidural system alone. The indwelling epidural system provides excellent analgesia for patients with advanced, incurable gynecologic cancer.     

Lower heat shock factor activation and binding and faster rate of HSP-70A messenger RNA turnover in heat sensitive human leukemias.

Normal bone marrow progenitors and some leukemic cells develop only a limited amount of thermotolerance. Further, once developed, thermotolerance decays at a faster rate than that normally observed in cells of nonhemopoietic origin. Thermotolerance induction and maintenance correlates with reduced levels of expression of various M(r) 70,000 heat shock proteins (HSP-70) mRNAs after heat shock. We have now compared the accumulation of HSP-70 proteins in heat-shocked human leukemic cells KG-1, HL-60, and K562 to that in Ht1080, a colon carcinoma cell line. We have found reduced accumulation of HSP-70 proteins in all leukemic cells. The rate of decay of HSP-70A mRNA, measured following heat shock by using actinomycin D treatment to inhibit further RNA synthesis, was more rapid in KG-1 and HL-60 cells compared to Ht1080 cells. The half-life of HSP-70A mRNA was 2 h in KG-1 and HL-60 cells while in Ht1080 cells it was > 7 h. HSP-70A mRNA is known to decay with a half-life of 2 h in unheated cells; this is increased to > 7 h following heat shock. We therefore postulate that leukemic cells lack the mechanism to stabilize HSP-70A mRNA after heat shock. One postulated mechanism for HSP-70 mRNA decay rate is known to be due to the nucleotide sequences at the 3'-untranslated region. We examined the 3'-untranslated region in leukemic cells. No sequence variations, however, were observed at either the genomic or the complementary DNA levels between leukemic or nonleukemic tumor cells. Heat shock factor activation and binding by gel retardation assays showed that KG-1 and HL-60 cells had a reduced heat shock factor binding to the heat shock element when compared to K562 and Ht1080 cells. Furthermore, HSF-1 mRNA was found to be expressed at relatively lower levels in HL-60 cells when compared to Ht1080 or KG-1 cells. In conclusion, reduced HSP synthesis and accumulation of leukemic cells after heat shock correlates with the reduction in heat shock factor-heat shock element binding and a faster HSP-70A mRNA decay rate that is observed in these cells.     

Effect of N-alpha-methyl histamine on ulcer healing in rats

Inflammation Research -     

The phylogeny of howler monkeys (Alouatta, Platyrrhini): Reconstruction by multicolor cross-species chromosome painting

We performed multidirectional chromosome painting in a comparative cytogenetic study of the three howler monkey species Alouatta fusca, A. caraya and A. seniculus macconnelli (Atelinae, Platyrrhini) in order to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within this genus. Comparative genome maps between these species were established by multicolor fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) employing human, Saguinus oedipus and Lagothrix lagothricha chromosome-specific probes. The three species included in this study and previously analyzed howler monkey species were subjected to a phylogenetic analysis on the basis of a data matrix comprised of 98 discrete molecular cytogenetic characters. The results revealed that howler monkeys represent the genus with the most extensive karyotype diversity within Platyrrhini so far analyzed with high levels of intraspecific chromosomal variability. Two different multiple sex chromosome systems were identified. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that Alouatta is a monophyletic clade which can be derived from a proposed ancestral Atelinae karyotype of 2n=62 chromosomes by a chromosome fusion, a fission, a Y-autosomal translocation and a pericentric inversion. Following these suggestions, the genus Alouatta can be divided into two distinct species groups: the first includes A. caraya and A. belzebul, the second A. s. macconnelli, A. sara, A. s. arctoidea and A. fusca.