Isovolumic relaxation period as an index of left ventricular relaxation under different afterload conditions--comparison with the time constant of left ventricular pressure decay in the dog

In order to determine whether isovolumic relaxation period (IRP) reflects left ventricular relaxation under different afterload conditions, 17 anesthetized, open chest dogs were studied, and the left ventricular pressure decay time constant (T) was calculated. In 12 dogs, angiotensin II and nitroprusside were administered, with the heart rate constant at 90 beats/min. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the aortic dicrotic notch pressure (AoDNP) and T were major determinants of IRP, while left ventricular end-diastolic pressure was a minor determinant. Multiple linear regression analysis, correlating T with IRP and AoDNP, did not further improve the correlation coefficient compared with that between T and IRP. We concluded that correction of the IRP by AoDNP is not necessary to predict T from additional multiple linear regression. The effects of ascending aortic constriction or angiotensin II on IRP were examined in five dogs, after pretreatment with propranolol. Aortic constriction caused a significant decrease in IRP and T, while angiotensin II produced a significant increase in IRP and T. IRP was affected by the change of afterload. However, the IRP and T values were always altered in the same direction. These results demonstrate that IRP is substituted for T and it reflects left ventricular relaxation even in different afterload conditions. We conclude that IRP is a simple parameter easily used to evaluate left ventricular relaxation in clinical situations.     

H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolated from conjunctiva of a whooper swan with neurological signs

An H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was isolated from conjunctiva of a whooper swan with neurological signs, which was captured during the latest H5N1 HPAI outbreak in Japan. The conjunctival swab contained a larger amount of the virus in comparison with the tracheal swab. This is the first report on H5N1 virus isolation from the conjunctiva of a wild bird, and the result may suggest the conjunctival swab to be a critical sample for H5N1 HPAIV detection in waterfowl. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene indicated that the virus falls into H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1.     

Low-dose Interferon-α Treatment Improves Survival and Inflammatory Responses in a Mouse Model of Fulminant Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is accompanied by severe lung inflammation induced by various diseases. Despite the severity of symptoms, therapeutic strategies for this pathologic condition are still poorly developed. Interferon (IFN)-α is well known as an antiviral cytokine and low-dose IFN-α has been reported to show antiinflammatory effects. Therefore, we investigated how this cytokine affected ARDS in a mouse model. C57BL/6 mice received sequential intratracheal administration of α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which resulted in the development of fulminant ARDS. These mice were then treated intranasally with IFN-α and their survival, lung weight, pathological findings, and cytokine production were evaluated. Administration of low-dose IFN-α prolonged survival of fulminant ARDS mice, but higher doses of IFN-α did not. Histological analysis showed that low-dose IFN-α treatment improved findings of diffuse alveolar damage in fulminant ARDS mice, which was associated with reduction in the wet/dry (W/D) lung weight ratio. Furthermore, IFN-γ production in the lungs was significantly reduced in IFN-α-treated mice, compared with control mice, but tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production was almost equivalent for both groups. Low-dose IFN-α shows antiinflammatory and therapeutic effects in a mouse model of fulminant ARDS, and reduced production of IFN-γ in the lung may be involved in the beneficial effect of this treatment.     

Accessory mandibular foramina: a CT study of 300 cases

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess the distribution of accessory foramina in the mandibular body with computed tomography (CT).

Materials and methods

The CT images of the mandibular body in 300 subjects (183 females and 117 males aged between 12 and 85 years) were retrospectively analysed for the presence of accessory foramina. The buccal and lingual surfaces were examined by dividing them into anterior and posterior quadrants.

Results

Of the 300 subjects, 26 presented with accessory foramina on buccal posterior aspect and 70 subjects presented on buccal anterior aspect. Further, on the lingual posterior aspect, 132 subjects presented with accessory foramina and 59 subjects presented on lingual anterior aspect. Most of the subjects with accessory foramina in the buccal posterior, buccal anterior and lingual anterior regions had accessory foramina on other aspects of the mandible as well.

Conclusion

A substantial number of subjects presented with accessory foramina on the lingual posterior aspect when compared to other aspects. Nevertheless, the number of subjects with accessory foramina on other aspects of the mandible was considerable and cannot be ignored. It is suggested that when an accessory foramen is identified in an individual on a particular aspect of the mandibular body, it is highly probable that he will exhibit accessory foramina on other aspects as well.     

Plasma 11-deoxycortisol response to single dose metyrapone in prostatic cancer patients (author's transl)

A radioimmunoassay procedure for plasma 11-deoxycortisol (S) was developed using an antiserum prepared by immunizing rabbits with S-21-hemisuccinate bovine serum albumin and S-3-oxime-bovine serum albumin. Thereafter plasma S, cortisol (F) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) responses to metyrapone were investigated in 13 normal adult males and 39 patients with prostatic cancer. The results were as follows: 1) The antiserum against S-3-oxime-bovine serum albumin had less cross reactivity (less than 10%) with other steroids than that against S-21-hemisuccinate bovine serum albumin and obtained a good standard curve. The intra-assay variance and interassay variance of this method using the former antiserum (N = 10) were 12.4% asd 14.9% respectively, and the blank value was 3.7 +/- 1.6 pg. 2) Basal levels of S. F and ACTH in plasma from 13 normal adult males, ranged 21 approximately 80 years, old, were 98.4 +/- 15.7 ng/dl (mean value +/- S.E.), 12.7 +/- 0.78 micrograms/dl and 30.6 +/- 3.02 pg/ml respectively. Those level increased to 7060 +/- 598 ng/dl, 24.3 +/- 1.69 micrograms/dl and 24.3 +/- 1.6 pg/ml at 9 a.m. following oral administration of metyrapone (30 mg/kg b.w.) at midnight. 3) Both basal levels and responses of plasma S and F to metyrapone increased remarkably, while those of ACTH were within the normal range in prostatic cancer patients during the estrogen therapy. It was considered that protein-bound S and F increased following elevation of corticosteroid binding globulin but returned to the normal range about 2 weeks after discontinuation of the therapy. 4) In case treated wih estrogens, plasma, S, F and AC normal range in prostatic cancer patients during the estrogen therapy. It was considered that protein-bound S and F increased following elevation of corticosteroid binding globulin but returned to the normal range about 2 weeks after discontinuation of the therapy. 4) In case treated wih estrogens, plasma, S, F and AC normal range in prostatic cancer patients during the estrogen therapy. It was considered that protein-bound S and F increased following elevation of corticosteroid binding globulin but returned to the normal range about 2 weeks after discontinuation of the therapy. 4) In case treated wih estrogens, plasma, S, F and ACTH responses to metyrapone were unchanged compared to normal adult males 2 approximately 4 weeks after discontinuation of the therapy, and this data suggested that estrogens had no inhibitory effect on the pituitary-adrenal axis. However, in cases treated with progestational agents over a long-term period, plasma S and ACTH responses to metyrapone decreased slightly but returned to the normal range 2 approximately 4 weeks after discontinuation of the therapy. This suggested that the inhibitory effect of these agents on the pituitary-adrenal axis was mild and reversible.