Synovial sarcoma of the hand—A literature study

Ninety cases of synovial sarcoma of the hand, including eight case reports have been described during the last fifty years, (1934-1984). 8.5% of all synovial sarcomata involve the hand, and affect predominantly individuals under the age of thirty. The five-year survival of these cases was 18% and the ten-year survival 9%.     

Polymorphonuclear leucocyte motility in patients with severe burns

Chemotaxis, chemokinesis and cellular orientation were measured for unstimulated and 10(-7) n-formyl methionyl leucyl phenylalanine (F-met-leu-phe) stimulated polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNS) of nine patients with recent 10-80 per cent burns using a computer-assisted image analysis technique. The technique records PMN movement, as viewed with a phase-contrast microscope on videotapes, and then uses computer programs to calculate the speed and direction of up to 50 PMNS over a 5-min period. Orientation was determined visually. Cellular adherence was also measured by attachment methods. PMNS from burn patients were slower (av. speed 16.8 microns/min), responded less well to F-met-leu-phe (av. speed 20.9 microns/min, av. McCutcheon index 0.32), were less often oriented towards the chemoattractant (av. 39 per cent) and were more adherent (av. 50 per cent) than control cells (av. speed 21.8 microns/min; av. speed F-met-leu-phe 32.2 microns/min; McCutcheon index 0.61; oriented 59 per cent adherent; 16 per cent). Thus PMNS from burn patients orient less well, are significantly slower and have less directionality in response to a chemoattractant, and are more adherent suggesting activation.     

Excitation of locus coeruleus neurons by an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-activated inward current: extracellular and intracellular studies in rat brain slices

The firing rate of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in rat brain slices was increased reversibly by agents that either elevate intracellular levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) or mimic its actions (e.g., forskolin, and activator of adenylate cyclase, 8-Br-cAMP, a membrane permeable analog of cAMP, and Ro20-1724, a preferential inhibitor of cAMP-phosphodiesterase). Intracellular recordings showed that 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin induce a depolarization of LC neurons, accompanied by a decrease in input resistance. The 8-Br-cAMP- and forskolin-elicited depolarization persisted in the presence of cobalt, a calcium channel blocker. Steady-state current-voltage curves revealed that in the voltage range of -50 to -120 mV, 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin induced an inward current, which did not reverse at the potassium equilibrium potential and could not be blocked by tetrodotoxin. Partial replacement of sodium with Tris or choline markedly reduced the depolarization elicited by 8-Br-cAMP. We conclude that 8-Br-cAMP and forskolin act through a common mechanism to increase the firing rate of locus coeruleus neurons by inducing a cAMP-activated inward current, carried out at least in part by sodium ions.     

Transluminal angioplasty of the vertebral and basilar artery

Transluminal angioplasty of brachiocephalic vessels for atherosclerotic lesions is now being performed in selected cases. We have thus far treated 17 cases of vertebral artery stenosis and one case of basilar artery stenosis by intravascular balloon dilatation techniques. Clinical presenting symptoms included vertebral basilar insufficiency, repeated transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and multiple strokes. We performed successful transluminal angioplasty in 16 patients with marked narrowing (greater than 70%) of the dominant vertebral artery from atherosclerosis. One patient with basilar artery stenosis with tandem atherosclerotic lesions was also treated by angioplasty techniques. Repeat angiography at 3- to 12-month intervals has revealed continued patency at the angioplasty site. Complications occurred in our one patient with basilar artery angioplasty, who suffered a brainstem infarction after treatment, and in one patient who had a TIA after bilateral vertebral artery angioplasty. Two other patients had residual vertebral stenosis but remained asymptomatic after the procedure. All other patients who had successful dilatation were asymptomatic at 6 months to 2 years (mean, 15 months) of follow-up. These initial studies indicate that vertebral artery angioplasty may be effective for treating high-grade atherosclerotic lesions and for improving blood flow to the posterior circulation. Angioplasty of the basilar artery is technically more difficult and has a higher degree of risk because of the many perforating branches supplying the brainstem.     

Mechanism of testicular atrophy induced by di-n-butyl phthalate in rats. Part 1

Repeated oral doses of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) to male rats caused a decrease in testicular fructose and glucose and a sloughing of the germ cells on the first day of treatment. On day 2, more severe sloughing was seen and was accompanied by decreases in testicular iron and zinc levels and increases in the level of inositol and cholesterols. The sloughing was followed by atrophy, accompanied by dissociation of the germ cells from the Sertoli cells and reduction of triglycerides, cholesterols and phospholipids containing choline and ethanolamine residues in the testis.     

Effects of Panax ginseng extract on the benzo(a)pyrene metabolizing enzyme system

Ethanol extract of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, which has been used for centuries as a tonic in Asian countries, exhibited a selective induction of epoxide hydratase and cytosolic glutathione transferase activity without the concurrent induction of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity. Thus, Panax ginseng appears to have the potential to alter the metabolic patterns of benzo(a)pyrene and its reactive metabolites.