The effects of two nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on limb swelling, joint stiffness, and bone torsional strength following fracture in a rabbit model

Using a rabbit distal tibia fracture model treated by immobilization for three weeks, the effects of two nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on postfracture limb swelling, joint stiffness, and torsional bone strength were examined. Limb swelling in rabbits treated with low-dose piroxicam was reduced by 39%, and high-dose piroxicam reduced limb swelling by 86%. Flunixin, tested at one dose, reduced swelling by 53%. Neither piroxicam nor flunixin affected ankle stiffness or tibia torsional strength.     

Immunocytochemical expression of the blood—brain barrier glucose transporter (GLUT-1) in neural transplants and brain wounds

The present study examined the immunocytochemical expression of the blood—brain barrier glucose transporter (GLUT-1) in a series of fetal neocortical transplants, autonomic tissue transplants, and stab wounds to the rat brain. GLUT-1 is one of a family of different glucose transporters and is found exclusively on barrier-type endothelial cells. In the brain it is responsible for the regulated facilitative diffusion of glucose acress the blood—brain barrier. This investigation is the first to determine if this important molecule is altered during the process of angiogenesis that occurs following neural transplanatation procedures of direct brain injury. Beginning in late fetal brain, e.g., E18 and continuing into maturity, GLUT-1 was strongly and exclusively expresed on normal cerebral vessels. In solid fetal central nervous system (CNS) transplants up to around 3 weeks postoperative, CLUT-1 was only weakly expressed, particularly as exemplified by colloidal gold immunostaining when compared with the host. At later times examined, up to 15 months postoperative, GLUT-1 immunoexpression was comparable with the normal adjacent brain. In autonomic tissue transplants, where the vessels do not have a blood—brain barrier, as expected, GLUT-1 was not expressed. In stab wounds, at 1 week there was extensive gliosis, and the injured vessels appeared fragmented and collapsed but still expressed GLUT-1, although to a somewhat lesser extent than normal brain. Between 3 and 6 weeks, GLUT-1 was expressed on tortuous vessels and in apparently fibrillar processes in the wound vicinity with a similar pattern to astrocyte (GFAP) reactivity. These results suggest the occurrence of a down-regulation of GLUT-1 in early transplats, perhaps related to reduced glycolytic activity or transient ischemia, or possibly due to the utilization of alternative energy sources. That GLUT-1 expression was not entirely lost in stab wounds to the mature brain suggests that the protein may be more labile in fetal or perinatal brain than in the adult and may not be affected by direct injury. Coupled with previous transplantation studies that have shown reduced neuronal glycolysis and potential barrier alteraations, the reduction of GLUT-1 activity within nearly the identical time frame could indicate a relatively early critical period in cellular metabolism following transplantation of CNS tissue. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study of a renal carcinoma secreting inactive renin

This is a case report of a renal carcinoma which was secreting inactive renin. Using an antibody to human renin and the indirect immunoperoxidase technique, the renin-containing cells were localised within the tumour. These were found to be small granular cells situated in a perivascular position. The histological immunocytochemical and ultrastructural features of these cells are described.     

Cortical evoked potential monitoring during spinal surgery: sensitivity, specificity, reliability, and criteria for alarm

Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (EP) were used for intraoperative monitoring of spinal cord integrity during 158 consecutive cases involving surgical correction of spinal deformities. Using a monitoring technique designed to optimize recording, 88% of patients had stable EP results at the time of spinal manipulation. However, five of six patients with preexistent neurological deficits did not have stable EPs. A persistent EP amplitude attenuation of greater than or equal to 40% was a sensitive and specific criterion for alarm. Seven patients had transient attenuations of greater than or equal to 40% after distraction that recovered, so that the distraction instrumentation could be left in place. Overall, this particular cortical somatosensory EP recording technique appears to be appropriate for clinical monitoring. Other recording techniques may be necessary for patients with preexisting neurological deficits.     

Influence of ultraviolet irradiation on nutrient-gleaning capacity of two unicellular algae

Two unicellular algae, viz., Anacystis nidulans and Chlorella vulgaris, growing in polluted effluents, were isolated in unialgal and bacteria free culture. They were mutagenically exposed to ultraviolet radiation and variant strains endowed with differing capacities for growth and nutrient-gleaning were successfully isolated as distinct clones on agar plates. One such clone each of the two species was tested further and found stable. While these variant strains grew more slowly than untreated controls, statistically significant differences with respect to phosphate and nitrate uptake were found between treated and control strains of the two species.