SCG10 mRNA localization in the hippocampus: comparison with other mRNAs encoding neuronal growth-associated proteins (nGAPs)

SCG10 is a nerve growth factor (NGF)-inducible, neuron-specific protein whose expression is tightly correlated with axonal and/or dendritic growth. We have recently shown that the mRNA encoding SCG10 is expressed at significant levels in certain subsets of neurons in the adult rat brain, while its expression is undetectable or negligible in other non-neuronal tissues. Here we show that regional SCG10 mRNA expression in the adult mouse brain is comparable to that in the rat, however, in the hippocampus its expression profile is distinct. In the mouse, SCG10 mRNA is expressed at high levels in pyramidal cells of CA3–CA4 sub-fields of Ammon's horn and at low levels in the CA1–CA2 sub-fields, while it is found rather uniformly throughout the pyramidal cell layer of the rat hippocampus. SCG10 mRNA is not detectable in the dentate gyrus of the mouse hippocampus, although it is expressed in the rat dentate gyrus. Comparison with other mRNAs encoding neuronal growth-associated proteins (nGAPs) such as GAP-43, MAP2, α1-tubulin and stathmin suggests that dentate granule cells express a different repertoire of neuronal growth-associated genes in mouse and rat.     

Expansion of selection criteria for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in living donor liver transplantation.

In the present study, the results of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for 125 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients were analyzed to determine optimal criteria exceeding the Milan criteria (MC) but still with predictably good outcomes. On the basis of pretransplant imaging studies, 70 patients met the MC, and 55 patients did not. Patients who exceeded the MC but presented with 相似文献   

Late massive hemoptysis after transbronchial biopsy of hamartoma: an involvement of pulmonary artery and vein.

Pulmonary hamartoma is a common benign neoplasm that is usually asymptomatic and that arises in the periphery of the lung. However, when the tumor is growing without showing characteristic findings of hamartoma, such as involving calcification, fat density, and chondromatous contents in chest X-rays or computed tomography, the diagnosis is sometimes that problematic and definitive histological diagnosis should be established. We herein report a case with a massive hemoptysis 10 days after a successful transbronchial biopsy. A 69-year-old man who underwent mitral valve plasty 6 years earlier presented a left lung shadow during a routine chest X-ray. The shadow was seen to be growing by a series of chest X-rays. A week after warfarin had been stopped, a bronchoscopic biopsy was performed. No bronchial hemorrhage was observed during the procedure, and warfarin was not restarted. The patient began noticing bloody sputa once or twice a day, and 10 days after the biopsy, 400 mL of hemoptysis was suddenly disgorged. An emergency left upper lobectomy of the lung was performed, and the hemoptysis soon disappeared postoperatively. The patient is well without respiratory symptoms 36 months after the surgery.     

Intrapulmonary Schwannoma

A 58-year-old woman was admitted due to an abnormal shadow on chest X-ray, without any symptoms. Chest computed tomography showed a round mass in the anterior segment of the right upper lobe. Segmentectomy was performed and histopathological examination revealed a primary neurogenic tumor of Schwann cell origin. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the presence of S-100 protein in the tumor cells. We present a case of intrapulmonary schwannoma and review 62 cases of primary schwannoma of the lung.     

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen exposure on experimental hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury: relationship between its timing and neutrophil sequestration.

Recent studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) reduces neutrophil endothelial adherence in venules and also blocks the progressive arteriolar vasoconstriction associated with ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury in the extremities and the brain. In order to elucidate the effects of HBOT after I-R in digestive organs, particularly in the liver, we evaluated the following: 1) the relationship between timing of HBOT and tissue damage; and 2) HBOT's effects on neutrophil sequestration. Using a hepatic I-R (45 minute) model in male rats, survival rate, liver tissue damage, and neutrophil accumulation within the sinusoids in the HBOT-treated group (Group H) were compared to those in the nontreated group (Group C). For the HBOT-treated group, HBOT was administered as 100% oxygen, at 2.5 atm absolute, for 60 minutes. When HBOT was given 30 minute after I-R, the survival rate was much better in Group H than in Group C. HBOT performed within 3 hours of I-R markedly suppressed increases in the malondialdehyde level in tissues of the liver and lessened the congestion in the sinusoids. In addition, HBOT just after I-R caused decreased number of cells stained by the naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase infiltrating into the sinusoids. HBOT 3 hours after reperfusion, however, showed no clear effects upon neutrophil sequestration compared to Group C. These results indicate that HBOT performed within 3 hours of I-R alleviates hepatic dysfunction and improves the survival rate after I-R. Herein, we propose 1 possible mechanism for these beneficial effects: early HBOT given before neutrophil-mediated injury phase may suppress the accumulation of neutrophils after I-R. In conclusion, we believe that the present study should lead to an improved understanding of HBOT's potential role in hepatic surgery.     

Differential Effects of Etomidate and Midazolam on Vascular Adenosine Triphosphate-sensitive Potassium Channels: Isometric Tension and Patch Clamp Studies

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two imidazoline-derived intravenous anesthetics, etomidate and midazolam, on vascular adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel activity.

Methods: In isolated rat aorta, isometric tension was recorded to examine the anesthetic effects on vasodilator response to levcromakalim, a selective KATP channel opener. Using the patch clamp method, the anesthetic effects were also examined on the currents through (1) native vascular KATP channels, (2) recombinant KATP channels with different combinations of various types of inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir6.0 family: Kir6.1, 6.2) and sulfonylurea receptor (SUR1, 2A, 2B) subunits, (3) SUR-deficient channels derived from a truncated isoform of Kir6.2 subunit (Kir6.2[DELTA]C36 channels), and (4) mutant Kir6.2[DELTA]C36 channels with reduced sensitivity to adenosine triphosphate (Kir6.2[DELTA]C36-K185Q channels).

Results: Etomidate (>= 10-6 m), but not midazolam (up to 10-6 m), inhibited the levcromakalim-induced vasodilation, which was sensitive to glibenclamide (IC50: 7.21 x 10-8 m; maximum inhibitory concentration: 1.22 x 10-4 m). Etomidate (>= 3 x 10-6 m), but not midazolam (up to 10-4 m), inhibited the native KATP channel activity in both cell-attached and inside-out configurations with IC50 values of 1.68 x 10-5 m and 1.52 x 10-5 m, respectively. Etomidate (10-5 m) also inhibited the activity of various types of recombinant SUR/Kir6.0KATP channels, Kir6.2[DELTA]C36 channels, and Kir6.2[DELTA]C36-K185Q channels with equivalent potency.     

MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT BLEEDING DURING ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION USING THE FLUSH KNIFE FOR GASTRIC TUMORS

The gastric vasculature responsible for intraoperative bleeding in endosocpic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the ramified vascular network occupying the middle of the submucosal layer and large vessels penetrating the muscle layer. Appropriate management for these vessels must be addressed. The trimming of the ramified vascular network can be safely performed with coagulation mode following shallow mucosal cutting. A large penetrating vessel usually requires precoagulation prior to dissection. These procedures are effectively performed with the water jet short needle knife (Flush knife).     

Dynamic Interaction of Craniofacial Structures during Head Positioning and Direct Laryngoscopy in Anesthetized Patients with and without Difficult Laryngoscopy

Background: We lack fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms of difficult laryngoscopy despite its clinical significance. The aim of this study was to examine how head positioning and direct laryngoscopy alter arrangements of craniofacial structures.

Methods: Digital photographs of the lateral view of the head and neck were taken at each step of head positioning and direct laryngoscopy in age- and body mass index-matched patients with (n = 13) and without (n = 13) difficult laryngoscopy during general anesthesia with muscle paralysis. The images were used for measurements of various craniofacial dimensions.

Results: Both simple neck extension and the sniffing position produced a caudal shift of the mandible and a downward shift of the larynx, resulting in an increase of the submandibular space. Direct laryngoscopy during the sniffing position displaced the mandible and tongue base upward and caudally, and the larynx downward and caudally, increasing the submandibular space and facilitating vertical arrangement of the mandible, tongue base, and larynx to the facial line. These structural arrangements in response to direct laryngoscopy were not observed in patients with difficult laryngoscopy, whereas head positioning produced similar structural arrangements in patients with and without difficult laryngoscopy.     

Effects of diet with or without exercise on leptin and anticoagulation proteins levels in obesity.

Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and thromboembolic events. We investigated the effects of weight reduction by a 12-week calorie-restricted diet with or without aerobic exercise (diet group and diet plus exercise group) on leptin and anticoagulation proteins levels. Forty-two obese nondiabetic individuals were evaluated for blood levels of leptin, protein C activity, free protein S antigen and for body fat area calculated on computerized tomography before and after intervention. Before intervention, serum levels of leptin and free protein S antigen correlated positively with several adiposity-related parameters. After the program, body weight and fat area were significantly decreased in both groups. Body mass index and leptin levels decreased in both groups, with a larger change in the diet plus exercise group than in the diet group. Although protein C activity levels did not change in both groups, free protein S antigen levels decreased significantly in the diet plus exercise group. In conclusion, the 12-week programs had significant effects on the initial weight reduction and body fat mass, decreasing lepin levels in obese nondiabetic individuals. To clarify whether aerobic exercise has additional or direct effects on the anticoagulation system, a study in a large number of individuals is needed.