Differences in the degree of infiltration of local anesthesia according to the site of injection in rats

This study was conducted for morphological and quantitative evaluation of the diffusional pattern of infiltration anesthesia according to the site of injection. The maxillary first molar of rats was anesthetized by local infiltration of 100 microL of 2% lidocaine containing trypan blue at a distance of 2 mm from the palatal mucogingival junction or mucobuccal fold over the root apex of the maxillary first molar. The frozen sections were prepared in order to measure the volume of the anesthetics using volume-calculating software. On the palatal side, the anesthetic infiltrated the submucosal layer at an infiltration volume of 0.51 +/- 0.78 mm(3). On the buccal side, the solution entered the space formed by the masseter muscles, the arcus zygomaticus, and the lacrimal gland, at an infiltration volume of 23.80 +/- 13.16 mm(3). The results indicate the infiltration volume depends on the injection site and that insufficient anesthesia or unnecessary numbness is expected.     

Transumbilical approach for neonatal surgical diseases: woundless operation

Purpose  The transumbilical approach by means of a circumumbilical incision has up until recently been the main method for performing a pyloromyotomy. This study aims to assess the clinical usefulness of the transumbilical approach for neonates with a variety of surgical intraabdominal diseases in order to achieve minimally invasive surgery with excellent cosmetic results. Methods   In 14 neonates with surgical diseases (3 hypertrophic pyloric stenoses, 3 ileal atresias, 2 jejunal atresias, 1 duodenal stenosis, 1 duodenal atresia, 2 ovarian cysts, 1 malrotation, and 1 segmental dilatation of ileum), treatment using a transumbilical approach by means of a half circumumbilical incision was performed at our institution. The clinical features of 14 cases were evaluated. Results  Eight cases except for three patients with hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, two with ovarian cysts and one with intestinal malrotation underwent the operation within 4 days of birth. In 10 of 14 cases, the umbilicus was incised on its upper half circumference, while the umbilicus of 4 cases was incised on its lower half circumference. In one ileal atresia patient with a remarkable degree of oral intestinal dilatation, a slight additional transverse incision was added. In four cases (1 case with ileal atresia, 2 cases of an ovarian cyst, and 1 case with a segmental dilatation of the ileum), laparoscopy-assisted transumbilical surgery was performed. In all cases, no operative complications were encountered. Postoperatively, there was no wound in appearance and the umbilicus appeared to be normal. Conclusion  The transumbilical approach with or without laparoscopic assistance is considered to be a feasible, safe, and cosmetically excellent surgical procedure in neonates with a wide variety of surgical intraabdominal diseases.     

Inhibitory effects of 16-hydroxy-9-oxo-10E,12E,14E-octadecatrienoic acid (Corchorifatty acid B) isolated from Melissa officinalis Linné on melanogenesis

16-hydroxy-9-oxo-10E,12E,14E-octadecatrienoic acid, also known as Corchorifatty acid B (CFAB), is isolated from the ethanol extracts of the aerial parts of Melissa officinalis Linné (Labiatae) and exhibits inhibitory effects on cellular pigmentation in both human melanocytes and mouse melanoma B16 cells. CFAB specifically decreases cellular melanin by most likely inducing rapid degradation of tyrosinase in B16 cells. Interestingly, unlike other reagents that promote degradation of tyrosinase in proteasomes or lysosomes, neither proteasomal nor lysosomal inhibitors can halt CFAB-induced tyrosinase degradation. Only brefeldin A, which specifically inhibits protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi complex, can effectively impede CFAB-induced tyrosinase decrease. These results suggest that CFAB-induced tyrosinase decrease occurs in post-Golgi compartments but not in proteasomal or lysosomal compartments. Taken together, CFAB is a unique reagent that primarily accelerates tyrosinase decrease by a mechanism that differs from those considered for other hypopigmentation reagents currently reported.     

Sister Mary Joseph’s nodule associated with rare endometrial squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Umbilical metastasis (Sister Mary Joseph??s nodule) is a rare physical sign seen only in 1?C3?% of patients with an intra-abdominal and/or pelvic malignancy. Here, we present a case of Sister Mary Joseph??s (SMJN) nodule originating from a primary squamous cell carcinoma of the endometrium, a rare histological subtype.

Case history

SMJN was detected in a 30-year-old woman after a preoperative CT scan for a suspected umbilical hernia. Subsequent laparotomy and histopathological examination confirmed endometrial squamous cell carcinoma metastasizing to the umbilical region.

Conclusion

The SMJN may be the first presenting sign of an intra-abdominal and/or pelvic malignancy and may co-exist with an umbilical hernia. Therefore, malignancy should be considered one of the differentials of an umbilical mass.     

Myeloid cell population dynamics in healthy and tumor-bearing mice

Tumor growth is often associated with the aberrant systemic accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are a heterogenous population of cells composed of polymorphonuclear neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and early myeloid precursors. These MDSCs are thought to suppress anti-tumor T cell responses in both tumor tissues and secondary lymphoid tissues. Accumulation of MDSCs in these target tissues is a dynamic process associated with medullary and extramedullary myelopoiesis and subsequent cellular migration. Here, we review the current understanding of the cellular, molecular, hematological and anatomical principles of MDSC development and migration in tumor-bearing mice. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of chemokines that influence the balance between MDSC subpopulations.