Observations on isoprenaline-induced myocardial necroses

Isoprenaline hydrochloride in subcutaneous doses of 2 × 10 to 2 × 680 mg/kg caused histologically detectable, characteristic heart necroses. Pathological changes were dose-dependent. The degree of necrosis was assessed by a quantitative histological method based on counting the changed morphological elements. The heart necroses due to 2 × 40 mg/kg of isoprenaline were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with different monoamine oxidase inhibitors (iproniazid, a derivative of hydrazine and pargyline and E-250 of the non-hydrazine type, all at 7 × 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally); their severity was significantly increased by reserpine (7.5 mg/kg/48 hr subcutaneously) and guanethidine (2 × 30 mg/kg subcutaneously). In these effects an important role is attributed to respective changes in catecholamine levels.     

Black tea constituents, theaflavins, inhibit 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3- pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice

The present study investigated the inhibitory activity against lung tumorigenesis by a group of characteristic black tea polyphenols, theaflavins. In a short-term study, female A/J mice were treated with a single dose of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK; 103 mg/kg b.w., i.p.) on day 0, and 0.1 and 0.3% theaflavins were administered as the sole source of drinking fluid starting 24 h after NNK treatment. The proliferation index of the lung tissues was measured by the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemically. The highest NNK-induced proliferation rate of bronchiolar cells, observed on day 5, was significantly decreased by 0.3% theaflavins (proliferation index, 1.51 +/- 0.08 versus 2.35 +/- 0.16). In a long- term lung tumorigenesis study, pulmonary adenomas were observed in 100% (30/30) of the mice at week 16 after NNK treatment. Administration of theaflavins (0.1%) as the sole source of drinking fluid, starting 2 days after the NNK treatment until the termination of the experiment, significantly reduced the tumor multiplicity and volume by 23% (8.5 +/- 0.6 versus 6.5 +/- 0.6 tumors/mouse) and 34% (0.08 versus 0.05 mm3 per tumor), respectively. The proliferation index in lung adenomas was also significantly inhibited by theaflavins. The present work demonstrates the inhibitory action of theaflavins against NNK-induced pulmonary hyperproliferation and tumorigenesis.      

Selective posterior rhizotomy at the posterior radiculomedullary junction in the treatment of hyperspasticity and pain in the lower limbs

The authors report a series of 53 bedridden patients having harmful spasticity in one (6) or both (47) lower limb(s) and treated with selective posterior rhizotomy (SPR) in the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ). This severe spasticity was associated with irreducible flexion contracture in 49 cases and hyperextension in 3 others. 37 of these patients also had painful manifestations. The method was introduced in 1972 on the basis of anatomical studies of the DREZ in humans which showed a topographical segregation of the afferent roots according to their anatomico-functional destinations. The technique consists of a 2 mm deep DREZ microsurgical cut directed at a 45 degree angle into the posterior lateral sulcus just ventral to DREZ and Lissauer's tract of the spinal cord. The procedure was carried out at each sensory rootlet considered to be responsible for the harmful spasticity and pain. SPR interrupts selectively the lateral nociceptive and central myotactic afferent fibers curving toward Lissauer's tract and the anterior spinal cord, while sparing most of the medial lemniscal fibers curving toward the dorsal columns, as well as the fibers of the inhibitory circuitry of Lissauer's tract and dorsal horn. The results were evaluated after a 1 to 14 year follow-up. Mild to severe complications occurred in 25 patients (47.1%) and were responsible for death in 5 (9.4%). Both spasticity and spasm were significantly decreased or completely eliminated in 75% and 88.2% respectively; when present, pain was relieved without a total suppression of sensation in 91.6%. These benefits-combined with complementary orthopedic surgery in 23 patients--resulted in either a complete resolution or marked reduction of the abnormal postures and articular limitations (85.2% complete and 96.75 marked reduction). Because of the extreme severity of the pre-operative neurological deficits in almost all the patients in this series, surgery improved voluntary movements with a significant functional benefit in only 5 cases and vesico-sphincter function in none. Thanks to its valuable effects on hyperspasticity and pain, SPR in the DREZ made it possible for these very disable patients to be more comfortable in bed and wheel-chair and it allowed effective nursing and kinesitherapy to be resumed.     

Computed tomographic demonstration of choanal atresia

During a 3-year period, nine girls and two boys (age range, 2 days-13 years) with congenital choanal atresia were evaluated by computed tomography (CT). Other associated congenital anomalies, primarily craniofacial anomalies, were present in six of the 11 patients. In six patients the atresia was bilateral and consisted of both bony and membranous components. Of the five patients with unilateral atresia, the lesions were on the right in three and on the left in two. CT demonstrated the atresia, choanal stenosis, septal deviation, and thickening of the vomer and palatine bone. The ease of CT examination and the high accuracy of the results make it the preferred imaging method for evaluating choanal atresia.