Hypotensive brain stem necrosis in a stillborn

Summary Hypotensive brain stem necrosis is reported in a stillborn. Additional postmortem findings included evidence of intrauterine distress, shock, and a pure blood culture of group B -hemolytic streptococci. These findings suggest group B -hemolytic streptococcal sepsis in utero, with a subsequent episode of transitory circulatory failure prior to intrauterine demise.     

rGH＋CLS减少电损伤组织坏死的研究

研究rGH CLS局部应用对减少高压电损伤组织进行性坏死的作用。使用该实验室已建立的重度高压电损伤模型,新西兰大白兔45只均分5组。治疗分别使用rCH CLS（1组）,CLS（2组）,rGH(3组）,盐水（4组）和5组对照,临床解剖探查、组织学和超微结构等方法观察。结果：治疗1组有明显的减少组织坏死作用。15d动物伤肢完整,而2,3和4组虽也各有不同程度延缓坏死的作用。但动物伤肢最终坏死丧失,5组7d大部软组织基本坏死,12d坏死离断,光电镜检查1组5d治疗后粒细胞浸润较少,炎性反应轻,有纤维组织细胞再生和新生的线粒体,10d修复过程明显,2,3,4组7d后坏死明显,5组肌坏死迅速,结果表明：CLS持续组织内透析冲洗和rGH局部肌注能有效地减少电损伤坏死速度和范围,值得研究应用。     

Necrotizing pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is primarily caused by gallstone disease and excessive alcohol use. The clinical course is varied and those with severe disease may develop pancreatic necrosis and localized collections. Up to 30% of patients with pancreatic necrosis develop infection. This is difficult to diagnose but requires prompt treatment with antibiotics and often percutaneous, endoscopic or surgical intervention. The imprudent use of antibiotics risks the overgrowth of antibiotic-resistant organisms and makes the treatment of subsequent infections more challenging. Advances in biomarkers and imaging may improve the detection of infection, but the optimal timing of antibacterial and antifungal initiation and duration remain unresolved. Clinical trials are required to address these questions.     

Vascular anatomy of the first metatarsal bone and surgical implications according to the severity of hallux valgus deformity: A cadaveric study

BackgroundVascular injury after hallux valgus surgery is a rare condition but serious complications can ensue.MethodsWe performed an anatomical study using 26 cadaveric lower extremities. We enhanced first metatarsal bone’s (FMB) vascularization by injecting latex. Each specimen was classified according to the severity of hallux valgus deformity (HVD). Then we measured two distances: one between the first tarsometatarsal joint (FTMJ) to the first dorsal branch’s origin, the other between the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTP) to the dorsal plexus’s origin.ResultsThe distance between the FTMJ and the first dorsal branch to the FMB ranges from 10 mm in normal feet to 15 mm in severe deformed feet. The distance between the MTP and the dorsal plexus’ origin ranges from 20 mm in normal feet to 25 mm in severe deformed feet.ConclusionsUnderstanding the foot’s vascular anatomy has allowed us to adapt surgical landmarks to the severity of the HVD and to avoid post-operative complications.     

Nonpancreatic Pancreatic Panniculitis: An Incidental Finding in Individuals without Pancreatic Disease? A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Pancreatic panniculitis occurs in up to three percent of all patients with pancreatic disease. This cutaneous eruption, as implied by the name, is almost exclusively encountered in the context of pancreatic disorders, such as pancreatitis or pancreatic carcinoma. We report three cases in which histopathologic examination demonstrated hallmarks of pancreatic panniculitis occurring in patients without any history or evidence of pancreatic disorder. These nonpancreatic pancreatic panniculitis eruptions might be underreported in the literature.     

Effect of Semax peptide on survival of cultured rat pheochromocytoma cells during oxidative stress

We studied the effects of Semax (antiinsulin peptide with neuroprotective effect) on the survival of cultured rat pheochromocytoma cell after oxidative stress induced by short-term incubation with hydrogen peroxide. Studies with fluorescent dyes propidium iodide and Hoechst 33258 showed that cell incubation with hydrogen peroxide led to the formation of damaged cells with characteristic signs of necrosis. Semax dose-dependently reduced the number of cells damaged by oxidative stress. The efficiency of Semax depended on the time of its addition to the culture medium. The results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of Semax in ischemic stroke can be due to its capacity to protect neurons from damage caused by oxidative stress.     

Studies on subcutaneous fat necrosis of the newborn

Summary Biopsy specimens from the skin and subcutaneous fat tissue of four cases with neonatal subcutaneous fat necrosis were made and investigated by light and electron microscopy at 2, 4, and 6 weeks, and 5 months (Case 2) from the onset of the disease. Three stages of ultrastructural change of fat cells were observed. The evolution of crystal formation in the fat cells was seen and phagocytosis of crystals and fat droplets by macrophages and foreign-body giant cells was also noted. In the light microscope accumulation of calcium concretions in the spaces between and inside the fat cells was found. In the electron microscope we detected foci of highly electrondense granules, which were similar in distribution and structure to calcium salts stained with the von Kossa method. Changes in small and medium size blood vessels were observed.This work was written during a stay supported by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft from Dec. 1. 1973 to March 31. 1975 in the Max-Planck-Institut für Klinische und Physiologische Forschung (W.G. Kerckhoff-Institut), Bad Nauheim, West Germany (Director: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schaper)     

Effect of configuration of muramyl dipeptide glycoside bond and structure of glycoside aglycon on their capacity to stimulate production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by macrophages

Effects of 11 original glycoside derivatives of muramyl dipeptide on the production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by mouse peritoneal macrophages were studied. The relationship between macrophage activation evaluated by induction of these cytokines and configuration of glycoside bond and aglycon structure of MDP was revealed.     

Cytokine regulation of Group II phospholipase A2 expression in glomerular mesangial cells

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) is believed to play an essential role in inflammatory processes by releasing arachidonic acid from membrane phospholipids for synthesis of important lipid mediators, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet activating factor.We have used glomerular mesangial cells as a model system to study the regulation of PLA₂ under inflammatory conditions. Potent pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), as well as agents that increase cellular cAMP levels have been found to increase Group II PLA₂ gene expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner.     

Tumor Necrosis Factor Gene Polymorphism in Chronic Sinusitis

Objectives It is likely that genetic factors play a role in the etiology of chronic sinusitis, and airway inflammation is an important pathological feature in chronic sinusitis. We hypothesized that individuals with greater inflammatory responses may be more likely to acquire the disease. Polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) genes have been described, and certain inflammatory diseases are reportedly associated with certain alleles of TNF genes. The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is an association between some alleles of TNF genes and chronic sinusitis. Study Design Thirty‐eight Japanese patients with intractable chronic sinusitis were selected on the basis of the following criteria: 1) persistent mucous or mucopurulent nasal discharge and/or postnasal dripping for longer than 3 years and 2) opacification in bilateral maxillary sinuses and ethmoid cells on plain radiographic films. Methods Both tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and tumor necrosis factor‐β (TNF‐β) gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with restriction fragment length polymorphisms in these patients and 35 healthy control subjects. Results A significantly higher frequency (P < .05) of TNFB*2 allele of TNF‐β gene polymorphism was observed in patients with chronic sinusitis (74%) compared with control subjects (56%). There was no association between alleles of TNF‐α and chronic sinusitis. Conclusion We concluded that TNF‐β gene polymorphism may form a component of the genetic predisposition to chronic sinusitis in Japanese patients.