Opsin expression in adult,developing, and regenerating newt retinas

Japanese common newts (Cynops pyrrhogaster) have an ability to regenerate their neural retina even as adults. Although extensive research has been carried out attempting to understand this retinal regeneration, the molecules characterized in newt retina are limited. We isolated cDNAs encoding three putative opsins (Cp-Rh, -LWS and -SWS1), in addition to Cp-SWS2 [Takahashi et al., FEBS Lett. 501 (2001) 151-155] from a cDNA library of adult newt retina. Our immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization studies demonstrated that Cp-Rh is selectively expressed in rods, whereas the other opsins are expressed in cones. The distribution of opsin mRNAs in normal and regenerated retinas is very similar. In both developing and regenerating retinas, Cp-Rh and its mRNA first appeared in immature rods at the beginning or just after the formation of plexiform layers. Cp-Rh was initially found isotropically in the plasma membrane, and then translocalized to the apical region along with the maturation of regenerating rods. This suggests that reorganization of the intracellular structure takes place during maturation of the regenerating newt photoreceptors.     

Instability of reference diameter in the evaluation of stenosis after coronary angioplasty: Percent diameter stenosis overestimates dilative effects due to reference diameter reduction

Purpose: To examine changes in the reference segment luminal diameter after coronary angioplasty. Methods: Sixty-one patients with stable angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction were examined. Coronary angiograms were recorded before coronary angioplasty (pre-angioplasty) and immediately after (post-angioplasty), as well as 3 months after. Artery diameters were measured on cine-film using quantitative coronary angiographic analysis. Results: The diameters of the proximal segment not involved in the balloon inflation and segments in the other artery did not change significantly after angioplasty, but the reference segment diameter significantly decreased (4.7%). More than 10% luminal reduction was observed in seven patients (11%) and more than 5% reduction was observed in 25 patients (41%). More than 5% underestimation of the stenosis was observed in 22 patients (36%) when the post-angioplasty reference diameter was used as the reference diameter, compared with when the pre-angioplasty measurement was used and more than 10% underestimation was observed in five patients (8%). Conclusion: This study indicated that evaluation by percent diameter stenosis, with the reference diameter from immediately after angioplasty, overestimates the dilative effects of coronary angioplasty, and that it is thus better to evaluate the efficacy of angioplasty using the absolute diameter in addition to percent luminal stenosis.     

A case report of total repair in a 71-year-old patient with tetralogy of Fallot

A 71-year-old male is presented as ever the oldest patient of tetralogy of Fallot who underwent successful radical surgery. Heart murmur was pointed out at the age of 10 years. The patient consulted us because of dyspnea and cough, and was noted to have cyanosis and clubbing fingers. Polycythemia was also detected by hemoglobin of 20.8 g/dl and hematocrit of 58.4%, and a low PaO2 of 48.5 mmHg at room temperature was pointed out. Preoperative echocardiography and cardiac catheterization indicated a ventricular septal defect, overriding of the aorta, and right ventricular outflow tract stenosis with a pressure gradient of 115 mmHg between the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery. Under cardiopulmonary bypass, the ventricular septal defect was closed with a dacron patch and the right ventricular outflow tract was enlarged by a patch of collagen-coated vascular graft with a commissurotomy of the pulmonary valve. Postoperatively, cyanosis disappeared and the pressure gradient was decreased to 26 mmHg.     

Vasodilator effect of extract prepared from Uncariae ramulus on isolated rat aorta

Uncariae ramulus et Uncus (URE) has a vasodilator effect. Its mechanism consists of not only endothelium-independent relaxation with Ca2+ channel blocking effect but also endothelium-dependent relaxation with nitric oxide. The active components are alkaloids and tannin contained in Uncariae ramulus et Uncus. They also show a superoxide dismutase-like effect and suppressed vasocontraction induced by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. These mechanisms may also influence vasodilatation by Uncariae ramulus et Uncus in vivo.     

Tuberculosis of the contralateral adrenal gland: a case report

Unilateral adrenal tuberculosis is a very rare disease. A 66-year-old woman presented with epigastric discomfort and general fatigue. Abdominal CT scan revealed a homogeneous mass shadow in the right adrenal region. Findings of physical examination were normal except that the patient was obese. Hormonal data were in normal range. Adrenal scintiscanning demonstrated no RI uptake in the right adrenal gland. Right adrenalectomy was performed under the diagnosis of nonfunctioning tumor of the right adrenal gland. Histopathological examination, however, revealed typical tuberculosis with Langhans' type of giant cells and infiltrated lymphocytes. Of 322, 148 autopsies performed during the twelve years between 1970 and 1981 in Japan, 228 cases of adrenal tuberculosis were recognized. Furthermore, only 18 cases had tuberculous regions in the adrenal gland alone.     

Benign fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney

A case of benign fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney in a 48-year-old man is reported. A 7-year followup has revealed no recurrence. To our knowledge there have been no previous reports of benign fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney.