The silent period in the masseter and the anterior temporalis muscles in adult patients with mild or moderate mandibular dysfunction symptoms

The electromyographical silent period in the masseter and the anterior temporalis muscles during tooth tapping and jaw jerk were studied in patients with fairly mild temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms. The length of the silent periods in the patient group did not differ generally from that in a control group. During tooth tapping, however, patients with distinct muscular disorders had shorter silent period duration (7.7 ms) than patients with other symptoms or when compared with control subjects (10.5 and 11.3 ms, respectively). The duration returned to normal after correction of the muscular disorders. This finding suggests that the duration of the silent period is affected by the muscle condition. Patients with obvious muscular disorders of mild to moderate magnitude, thus, may show a shorter silent period duration during tooth tapping.     

Effects of arachidonic acid metabolites and interleukin-1 on platelet activating factor production by hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells from mice

The effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and arachidonic acid metabolites, prostaglandin (PG) E1, leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4, on the amount of platelet activating factor (PAF) produced and released by mouse hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells were investigated. When hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells were incubated with 1 microgram/mL of calcium ionophore (CaI) A23187, PAF production increased until 20 min after the start of incubation, but when the cells were incubated with PGE1 and CaI A23187, PAF production was significantly suppressed. On the other hand, when hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells were incubated with IL-1 beta, LTB4 or LTC4 alone, PAF production significantly increased compared with that of the cells incubated without these substances. However, when the cells were incubated with PGE1 alone or with IL-1 beta, LTB4 or LTC4 and CaI A23187, these effects were not observed. These results indicated that PAF produced by hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells is affected by IL-1 and arachidonic acid metabolites, suggesting that immune and inflammatory reactions in these cells may be regulated by chemical mediators produced by the cells themselves.     

Effects of flumazenil during administration of midazolam on pial vessel diameter and regional cerebral blood flow in cats

We implanted closed cranial windows in ten cats in order to observe the response of pial vessel diameter by microscopy using fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled dextran and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) by laser Doppler flowmetry during administration of midazolam and reversal with flumazenil. Midazolam was given at 0.8 mg.kg^-1 min^-1 for 10 min and maintained at 0.04 mg-kg^-1 min^-1 for 50 min (total 10 mg-kg^-1). The diameter of arterioles and venules and rCBF showed no significant change. During the last 10 min of midazolam administration, flumazenil, given at 0.1 mg-kg^-1 min^-1 for 10 min (total 1 mg kg^-1), caused an increase of MAP and rCBF (P < 0.01) at 5 min after infusion and diameter of larger arterioles (>50 μm) and venules (50–100 μ) were dilated (P < 0.05). These results indicate that midazolam does not affect the diameter of cerebral arterioles and venules; however, the reversal effects of flumazenil against midazolam are transient vasodilation of larger arterioles accompanied by an elevation of MAP, and an increase in CBF.     

A case of sclerodermatomyositis with cutaneous amyloidosis

A case of sclerodermatomyositis with secondary localized cutaneous amyloidosis is reported. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this complication.     

Anti‐Tumor Effects and Pharmacokinetics of S‐40542, a Novel Non‐Steroidal Anti‐Androgen,in Mice

Objectives: The current study was undertaken to explore novel anti‐androgens. We investigated a series of tetrahydroquinoline compounds and identified 1‐(8‐nitro‐3a,4,5,9b‐tetrahydro‐3H‐cyclopenta[c]quinolin‐4‐yl)ethane‐1,2‐diol (S‐40542). Methods: Affinity for androgen receptor of S‐40542 was evaluated in receptor binding assay. Effects of repeated treatment with S‐40542 and bicalutamide on prostate weight were examined in mice subcutaneously treated for 14days. Efficacy of S‐40542 and bicalutamide against prostate cancer was evaluated in an androgen‐dependent prostate cancer xenograft model using KUCaP‐2 cell line. Plasma concentrations of these agents in mice after oral and subcutaneous administration were measured by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) system. Results: S‐40542 displayed twofold higher affinity to androgen receptor than bicalutamide in vitro. Subcutaneous repeated administration of S‐40542 (10–100 mg/kg) significantly reduced the prostate weight. Oral repeated treatment with S‐40542 (30, 100 mg/kg) for 28 days significantly suppressed growth of KUCaP‐2 tumor. Similar administration of bicalutamide also exerted significantly anti‐tumor effect in the model. The serum prostate‐specific antigen level was little influenced by the S‐40542 treatment, while significantly decreased by bicalutamide. Oral treatment with S‐40542 resulted in a dose‐dependent elevation of the plasma concentration, and its C_max and AUC were much lower than those of bicalutamide. The pharmacokinetic study showed that this agent had relatively short plasma half‐life and low oral bioavailability. Conclusion: S‐40542 as well as bicalutamide has shown as an anti‐androgen by reducing the prostate weight of mice. Repeated oral treatment with S‐40542 was shown to significantly suppress tumor growth in the KUCaP‐2 xenograft model.