CT examination of the head of the Baikal seal (Phoca sibirica)

We carried out a computerised tomographic (CT) examination to elucidate the modifications in the head related to orbital enlargement in the Baikal seal. Transverse CT images showed that (1) the external frontal contours and the frontal sinuses are compressed medially and ventrally by the orbital enlargement; (2) the caudal part of the nasal cavity and nasopharynx are compacted ventrally; and (3) the cranial cavity is displaced caudally. The neurocranium is obviously separated from the facial part in the transverse plane at the caudal region of the orbit. The disposition of the mandible, zygomatic arch, temporal bone, and the masseter, temporal, digastric and pterygoid muscles is changed by the enlarged orbit in the 3-dimensional reorganisation of the head in this species. It is suggested that adaptation for the Lake Baikal environment primarily resulted in orbital enlargement, and that the altered orbital design may subsequently have influenced the form and function of the masticatory and respiratory system.     

Effective anticonvulsant therapy in a patient with limb shaking: A case report

Abstract A case is described of a patient with limb shaking in whom anticonvulsant therapy was effective for inhibiting attacks. A 70 year old female developed rhythmical involuntary limb shaking of the right upper and lower limb in April 1986. She was diagnosed as having transient ischemic attacks and was followed up under treatment with an antiplatelet drug. Subsequently, anticonvulsant therapy was also initiated on an outpatient basis. In August 1991, she was admitted with shaking of the right upper and lower limbs. Low molecular dextran was ineffective for inhibiting limb shaking attacks, but intravenous injection of diazepam was effective. Phenytoin and phenobarbital was used in combination. No limb shaking attacks occurred thereafter. The involuntary movement was the same as that observed at the onset of the disease. Though no changes were observed in the pattern of the involuntary movement, anticonvulsant therapy was effective in preventing and inhibiting attacks. This finding is inconsistent with previous reports. It is possible that epileptic factors are involved in the development of this condition.     

Leukophagocytosis in human parvovirus B19-induced transient bicytopenia in a healthy child

A previously healthy 11 year old boy had transient leukopenia and thrombocytopenia associated with human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection. This case suggested that low-grade hemophagocytosis can be involved in developing B19-related cytopenia even in an otherwise healthy child. Bone marrow aspiration at an early stage could reveal the underlying mechanism of B19-related cytopenia.     

Relationship between interleukin-8 levels and myeloperoxidase activity in human gastric mucosa

Although interleukin (IL)-8 is well known as a chemotactic agent for neutrophil migration in vitro, the relationship between IL-8 activity and the degree of neutrophil infiltration in gastric mucosa is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated IL-8 and myeloperoxidase activity, a marker of neutrophil infiltration, in gastric antral mucosa using biopsy samples in 23 patients with no gastric lesions. The results indicate that there is a good correlation between IL-8 and myeloperoxidase activity (y = 0.173x + 13.9; r = 0.49, P<0.01). Furthermore, IL-8 and myeloperoxidase activity are significantly higher in Helicobacter pylori-positive patients than in H. pylori-negative patients. In conclusion, an increase of IL-8 activity in the gastric mucosa causes increased neutrophil infiltration in human gastric mucosa and H. pylori infection acclerates these reactions in the mucosa.     

Antiperoxidative Activity of Neolignans from Magnolia obovata

Honokiol and magnolol, neolignans in Magnolia obovata, have been evaluated as antioxidants. Microsomal lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(III)-ADP/NADPH and mitochondrial lipid peroxidation induced by Fe(III)-ADP/NADH were inhibited by these compounds. These neolignans protected mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme activity against NADPH-induced peroxidative stress and protected red cells against oxidative haemolysis. The anti-oxidative activity of honokiol was more potent than that of magnolol. Neolignans in M. obovata were shown to be effective in protecting biological systems and functions against oxidative stress.     

Successful recovery from a massive pulmonary artery tumor embolism occurring during surgery for renal cell carcinoma

We report herein on a case of renal cell carcinoma with retrohepatic inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in which intraoperative cardiac arrest from a massive pulmonary embolism was managed successfully with emergency sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass, followed by the removal of the primary site and pulmonary artery embolus.     

A new clustering system for protein sequences and its application to constraints discovery in protein evolution

A conceptual clustering system, CLUSMOL/S, has been developed to classify protein sequences from a user-defined point of view. Given a grouping of amino acids as a viewpoint, the system constructs taxonomic trees of sequences based on minimum information criterion. Every tree node expresses itself as a generic consensus sequence that consists of specific consensus amino acids, insertionideletion points, and generic amino acids with a specified character. The resulting tree and generic sequences show the similarity-based relationships among sequences and their characteristics. Application to vertebrate cytochromes c yields an acceptable cladrogram only when amino acids are grouped by volume and length of sidechains. The result indicates that the steric factor is the most important constraint in the process of protein evolution. © Munksgaard 1995.     

Experience with a Novel Retrograde Wiring Technique for Coronary Chronic Total Occlusion

Objectives

We report our evaluation of a novel retrograde wiring technique known as the Rendezvous method.

Background

Different strategies of retrograde approaches can be used to improve the success rate of recanalization of coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO). We previously introduced the Rendezvous technique as an alternative final step for a retrograde CTO procedure.

Methods

From July 2007 to May 2010, 20 CTO patients were treated in two medical centers using the Rendezvous method, which is an alternative to the conventional final externalization method to complete the retrograde CTO procedure. It involves crossing of the guidewire through the CTO segment using 2 microcatheters.

Results

The majority of the CTO sites were in the proximal right coronary artery (50.0%). Most of the lesions had mild to moderate calcification (95.0%) and revealed an abrupt stump with a side branch at the occlusion site. The lesion length of the occlusion was relatively long (median 27.6 mm; range of 7.1–87.3 mm). No adverse cardiac events occurred during hospitalization.

Conclusion

The Rendezvous method used during the retrograde approach can be performed as an alternative to the conventional “externalization method” after the guidewire and microcatheter have crossed the occluded proximal segment into the opposite guiding catheter. (J Interven Cardiol 2013;26:254–258)

     

Crystal structure and molecular conformation of achatin-I (H-Gly-d-Phe-Ala-Asp-OH), an endogenous neuropeptide containing a d-amino acid residue

In order to investigate the active conformation of achatin-I (H-Gly-d -Phe-Ala-Asp-OH), an endogenous neuropeptide from the Achatina fulica ganglia, its crystal structure and molecular conformation were analysed by the X-ray diffraction method. Crystals from methanol/dioxane are monoclinic, space group P2₁ with a=5.083(1), b= 9.125(1), c= 20.939(3) Å, β=94.73(1)° The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R = 0.051 for 1714 independent reflections with Fo > σ(Fo). The molecule exists as a zwitterion with the Gly N-terminal end protonated and Asp β-carboxyl deprotonated; the C-terminal of Asp is in a neutral state. The molecule takes a kind of β turn structure with the d -Phe-Ala residues at the corner of the bend. This turn conformation is primarily formed by the strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds of NH(Gly)—O^δ1 (Asp) and NH(Asp)- O^δ1(Asp) pairs, thus forming a 15-membered ring structure. Judging from the published data concerning the structure-activity relationship, this turn conformation may reflect an important feature related to the neuroexcitatory activity of achatin-I.