Further confirmation of heterogeneity of the rat striatum: Different mosaic patterns of dopamine fibers after administration of methamphetamine or reserpine

Heterogeneity of adult rat neostriatum has been studied by fluorescence histochemistry. The distribution of dopamine nerve fibers and terminals, known normally to be homogeneous, tended to become heterogeneous after administration of methamphetamine or reserpine. Both drugs caused mosaic formations of fluorescent dopamine axons and terminals, though a minor difference was present in the pattern of distribution. The results indicate that the striatum possesses at least two types of dopamine nerve terminals, sensitive and relatively insensitive for the two catecholamine depletors.     

Spasmodic torticollis caused by vascular compression of the spinal accessory root

A case of spasmodic torticollis in a 27-year-old man cured by vascular decompression of the spinal accessory root, without any nerve sectioning, is presented. The nerve compression was produced by the posterior inferior cerebellar artery originating from the vertebral artery at the C-1 level, and was released by transposing the artery from the nerve root, using the divided dentate ligament. The patient was completely free from symptoms after a follow-up period of 3 years. The possible causal importance of nerve compression in spasmodic torticollis is emphasized.     

Analysis of serum catalase activities in pancreatic diseases

Background Active oxygen species are thought to be involved in the exacerbation of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, it would be reasonable to speculate that the activity of catalase is increased in the severe form of acute pancreatitis. The aim of the present study was to diagnose the severity of acute pancreatitis, using catalase activity, and to examine the usefulness of this measurement for this diagnosis.Methods Catalase could be measured quickly in 87 patients with pancreatic disease, using automatic analyzers, and using kits based on UV rate assay methods.Results In pancreatic disease, catalase activity was higher in acute pancreatitis, particularly in the early stage of the disease. It could be used to diagnose the severity of acute pancreatitis almost as early as the criteria of the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW). When we set 330U/l as the cutoff value, its sensitivity of diagnosis was 76.9% in the first 4 days of the disease and its specificity was 100%.Conclusions As catalase activity can be measured quickly using automatic analyzers, serum catalase activity is useful for evaluation of the severity of acute pancreatitis.     

Hypnosis Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a significant healthcare problem, and many individuals with CLBP remain unresponsive to available interventions. Previous research suggests that hypnosis is effective for many chronic pain conditions; however, data to support its efficacy for CLBP are outdated and have been limited primarily to case studies. This pilot study indicated that a brief, 4-session standardized self-hypnosis protocol, combined with psycho-education, significantly and substantially reduced pain intensity and pain interference. Significant session-to-session improvements were also noted on pain ratings and mood states; however, follow-up data suggest that these benefits may not have been maintained across time in this sample. These findings need to be replicated and confirmed in a larger clinical trial, which could also assess the long-term effects of this treatment.     

Detection of Three Genetic Polymorphisms in the 5'-Flanking Region and Intron 1 of Human CYP1A2 in the Japanese Population

Interindividual variability of the activity of CYP1A2 may be expected to affect cancer susceptibility, since the enzyme is capable of activating several carcinogens. In the present study, we found three new polymorphisms in the 5'-flanking region (CYP1A2/B) and intron 1 ( CYP1A2/C and CYP1A2/D ) of CYP1A2 in Japanese by using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism. We developed methods to detect these polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and performed a population study (159 subjects) to estimate the frequencies of the alleles. The frequencies of the CYP1A2/A (adenine), CYP1A2/B (thymine-deleted), CYP1A2/C (guanine) and CYP1A2/D (adenine) variants were 21.1, 42.0, 8.2 and 61.3%, respectively. The results of family study supported the idea that these CYP1A2 genotypes are inherited with an autosomal codominant transmission.     

乳腺癌术后调强放疗颈胸一体固定的摆位误差分析

目的:探讨使用颈胸一体架(膜)对乳腺癌术后放疗患者体位固定的效果。方法:前瞻性入组32例乳腺癌术后放疗患者,均使用颈胸一体架(膜)进行体位固定,采用调强放疗技术照射乳腺/胸壁和锁骨上下区,并在放疗中进行锥形束CT(CBCT)位置验证,分别配准乳腺/胸壁靶区和锁骨上下区靶区。对239次CBCT图像的摆位误差和上下靶区位置...     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide- and peptide histidine isoleucine amide-like immunoreactivity colocalize with vasopressin-like immunoreactivity in the canine hypothalamo-neurohypophysial neuronal system

The distribution of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and peptide histidine isoleucine amide (PHI) was investigated in the canine hypothalamus by immunocytochemistry. VIP- and PHI-like immunoreactive neurons were detected in the magnocellular supraoptic and paraventricular nucleus. These magnocellular VIP- and PHI-producing neurons coexist with vasopressin-like immunoreactivity and send axons to the median eminence and neurohypophysis. These findings may serve as an anatomical basis for studying the function of VIP and PHI on pituitary hormone secretion.     

Nasal Absorption Kinetic Behavior of Azetirelin and Its Enhancement by Acylcarnitines in Rats

Purpose. The long-term stability and nasal absorption characteristics of a basic nasal formulation of azetirelin, a thyrotropin-releasing hormone analog and its absorption enhancement by incorporation of acylcarnitines in the formulation were investigated. Methods. The long-term stability of basic nasal azetirelin formulations at 25° C was predicted by calculation from the Arrhenius plot of the data on 6 months' storage at 40, 50 and 60° C. Nasal azetirelin absorption characteristics were kinetically examined by intranasal administration to rats, determination of plasma azetirelin level by radioimmunoassay, and fitting the data to a two-compartment model including absorption rate. Results. Basic nasal azetirelin formulations of pH 4.0 and pH 5.1 were predicted to be highly stable. Residual azetirelin after 2 years storage at 25° C was greater than 95%. Nasal absorption characteristics of this formulation in the pH 4.0–6.3 range showed pH-dependency, with pH 4.0 showing the highest absolute bioavailability (Bioav) of 17.1%. This nasal Bioav was 21 times greater than that of oral administration (0.8%). Acylcarnitines with 12 or more carbon atoms in the acyl chain greatly enhanced nasal absorption of azetirelin: Bioavs with lauroylcarnitine chloride (LCC) and palmitoylcarnitine chloride were 96.9% and 72.9%, respectively. This enhancement by LCC plateaued at the low concentration of 0.1%. Conclusions. The basic nasal azetirelin formulation at pH 4.0 is stable and shows adequate absorption, with nasal absorption having greater Bioav than oral absorption. The 12-carbon acylate LCC was the strongest enhancer among acylcarnitines and provided near-total delivery of the administered dose to the blood.     

Effects of a synthetic human atrial natriuretic polypeptide on regional blood flow in rats

The effects of alpha-hANP on systemic hemodynamics and regional blood flow were examined in conscious WKY and SHR. An intravenous infusion of alpha-hANP (3 micrograms/kg per min) resulted in a rapid and marked fall of blood pressure and of total peripheral resistance but with no change in cardiac output in both strains. alpha-hANP decreased vascular resistance in most organs and there was a redistribution of renal blood flow. Thus, the acute hypotensive effect of alpha-hANP is probably related to a vasodilator action.