Effects of halothane on spinal dorsal horn WDR(wide dynamic range) neuronal activity in cats

The effects of halothane (0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0%) on the spinal dorsal horn wide dynamic range (WDR) neuronal activity was studied in either spinal cord intact or spinal transected cats. Extracellular activity was recorded in the dorsal horn from single WDR neurons responding to noxious and non-noxious stimuli applied to the cutaneous receptive fields on the left hind foot pads of intact or decerebrate, spinal cord transected (L 1-2) cats. When 10 micrograms of bradykinin was injected into the femoral artery ipsilateral to the recording site as the noxious test stimulus in the spinal cat, all of 7 WDR neurons gave excitatory responses which were not depressed by 0.2% and 0.5% halothane but were depressed significantly by 1.0%. On the other hand, when the injection of 10 micrograms of bradykinin into the femoral artery ipsilateral to the recording site was used in the intact cat, 7 of 14 WDR neurons (50%) gave excitatory responses, which were not depressed by 0.2% halothane but were significantly depressed by 0.5% and 1.0% halothane, and 7 of 14 WDR neurons (50%) gave inhibitory responses, which were significantly depressed by 0.2%, 0.5%, and 1.0% halothane. We have found that halothane reduces the excitation as well as the inhibition of dorsal horn WDR neuronal activity induced by bradykinin injection.     

Adrenoceptors on blood cells from patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon.

1. alpha 2-Adrenoceptors on platelet membranes and beta 2-adrenoceptors on lymphocytes were studied in 24 patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and in 24 age- and sex-matched control subjects. In two subgroups, a standardized mental arithmetic test and a finger-cooling test were performed. 2. Baseline blood pressure, heart rate and forearm blood flow did not differ between the two groups. 3. Baseline skin microcirculation (laser Doppler flux) was decreased in primary Raynaud's phenomenon (19 +/- 15 arbitrary units) compared with control subjects (33 +/- 14 arbitrary units) (P less than 0.01). 4. Baseline plasma noradrenaline concentration (2.00 +/- 1.44 versus 1.16 +/- 0.36 nmol/l) and alpha 2-adrenoceptor density (301 +/- 119 versus 210 +/- 82 fmol/mg) were increased in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon in comparison with the control subjects. The alpha 2-adrenoceptor density/beta 2-adrenoceptor density ratio in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon was, with a value of 0.37 +/- 0.04, higher than in the control subjects, where a value of 0.25 +/- 0.02 was measured (P less than 0.001). Plasma adrenaline concentration, beta 2-adrenoceptor density and the antagonist affinity to both receptor subtypes did not differ between both groups under baseline conditions. 5. Whereas during the finger-cooling test no differences were seen in the responses of the parameters measured, the mental arithmetic test induced an increase in laser Doppler flux in patients with primary Raynaud's phenomenon and a decrease in the control group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The course of schizophrenia: Some remarks on a yet unsolved problem of retrospective data collection

Summary The retrospective assessment of symptoms and syndromes is a basic measure in research of the longitudinal course of schizophrenia. In spite of its importance there have been few studies evaluating the standard of quality of instruments for retrospective data collection. Combining retrospectively and cross-sectionally collected data on schizophrenic symptomatology in a cohort study over a period of 5 years revealed a significant underestimation of symptoms when assessed in retrospect. The need for studies on the validity of instruments for the retrospective assessment of symptoms is stressed.     

Liver histopathology in clinical Reye syndrome

Analysis of the liver histopathology in 19 children with clinical Reye syndrome (RS) revealed that nine had diffuse panlobular steatosis, one giant cell hepatitis, one a mild choledochal cyst with inflammation, two multifocal spotty necrosis and one multiple centrilobular necrosis, the other five being normal. Four of the nine patients with diffuse panlobular steatosis showed microvesicular fatty droplets with central nuclei, which was consistent with findings characteristic for typical RS. Two cases showed a periportal area dominant macrovesicular fatty change, which was highly suggestive for metabolic disorder. In the other three cases, the findings were so variable in terms of the size of lipid droplets and the location of nuclei in hepatocytes that it was not possible to provide any clue for defining a diagnosis. These results confirmed the legitimacy of the diagnostic criteria of RS which included a liver biopsy as one of the mandatory conditions. They also indicated that RS-mimicking clinical pictures can be presented by miscellaneous conditions in which liver histology does not necessarily helpful in establishing definite diagnosis.     

Uveal melanoma radiation. 125I brachytherapy versus helium ion irradiation

The optimum radiation therapy for uveal melanoma is uncertain. Both helium ion irradiation and 125I brachytherapy have been used to treat this neoplasm. This investigation analyzed the control and complication rates of uveal melanomas treated with helium ions of 125I plaques. In both a retrospective and a prospective dynamically balanced study, the control rates appeared to be similar. There were more posterior segment complications after 125I plaques and more anterior segment complications, including neovascular glaucoma, after helium ion irradiation. The follow-up period is too short to draw definitive conclusions on the radiation complications. Overall, approximately 89% of eyes were retained and less than 4% of treated eyes were removed because of failure to control the tumor.     

Does a common pathophysiological basis exist in the association of ulcerative colitis and Takayasu's aortitis? Report of a case.

A case of a young Japanese woman with long-standing ulcerative colitis complicated by preinfarction angina due to Takayasu's aortitis is presented. Successful emergency aorto-coronary bypass operation was performed. Whether the association of these two diseases can be explained by a common mechanism is discussed.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mediastinum

A case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mediastinum presenting with unusual features of fever and leucocytosis is reported. This is the youngest patient reported in the literature who had this tumour in the mediastinum.