Face area representation of primary somatosensory cortex in humans identified by whole-head magnetoencephalography

The feasibility of precise mapping was investigated noninvasively on the face component in predominantly unilateral primary somatosensory cortices (SI) in six healthy subjects. We recorded somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs) from the SI and secondary somatosensory cortices (SII) following the electrical stimulation of six skin sites: the infraorbital foramen, the angle of mouth, the upper lip, the lower lip, the mental foramen, and the mandibular angle. The median nerve at the wrist was stimulated as a standard of the map. The location of the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) estimated from the distribution of magnetic fields was identified on MR images of the brain on each subject. The ECDs of the early components of SEF with peaks of 20-30 ms aligned along the SI in the hemisphere contralateral to the stimulation site. Late components with peaks of 80-150 ms were recorded from the bilateral hemispheres, and their ECDs were identified in the SII of the bilateral hemispheres. There was a distinct separation between the ECD locations representing discrete sites on the face and thumb in the SI of the contralateral hemisphere. Five sites of the face area in SI at the contralateral hemisphere were compatible with the conventional arrangement of homunculus in one subject. However, the remaining subjects had variations in the arrangement. The face area reorganization in the SI is possible to be related to the use-dependent cortical plasticity of the individual or to the perceptual experience by vision and proprioception.     

Synergistic effect of temperature and background counterions on ion-exchange equilibria

The effects of temperature and background counterions on ion-exchange selectivity for alkali metal ions and tetraalkylammonium ions on strongly acidic cation-exchange resins have been investigated using superheated water ion-exchange chromatography (SW-IEC). We have found out that alkali metal ions show reversal in the order of the distribution coefficient (K_D), from Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺ < Rb⁺ in water at ordinary temperature to Rb⁺ < K⁺ < Na⁺ < Li⁺ in superheated water, when a relatively large cation such as cesium ion is used as the background counterion. The effect of counterion on the ion-exchange selectivity is enhanced with the ion-exchange resins of higher ion-exchange capacity and cross-linking degree. Tetraalkylammonium ions chosen as model ions for poorly hydrated ions also exhibit reversal in the order of K_D at around 430 K in superheated water. However, the effect of the nature of alkali metal counterions on the change in K_D values of tetraalkylammonium ions is rather small compared with the effect on the K_D of alkali metal ions. These results are attributed to the change in local hydration structures of the ions in the ion-exchange resin due to dehydration of alkali metal ions enhanced by interionic contacts of the analyte ion with the coexisting counterion and lower hydration energy of the ions at elevated temperatures. Although it has been considered that temperature is not effective at changing the ion-exchange separation selectivity, significant selectivity changes can be achieved by SW-IEC.

Metal ions in cation-exchange resins are dehydrated by interionic contacts with a co-existing counterion at elevated temperatures, which causes a drastic change in separation selectivity.     

Clinical Benefit of the Change of Dialysate Calcium Concentration From 3.0 to 2.75 mEq/L

Because active vitamin D preparations and calcimimetics have been widely used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism, maintenance of acceptable serum calcium and phosphate levels is important. A 2.75 mEq/L dialysate calcium product, which may bring the calcium balance closer to 0, has recently been launched, and we had an opportunity to examine its possible benefits. We performed a 6‐month retrospective review after switching from 3.0 mEq/L to 2.75 mEq/L calcium dialysate in 85 outpatients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. We evaluated blood biochemical parameters, including predialysis and postdialysis serum calcium and phosphate levels, predialysis intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels; dialysis dose (Kt/V); and doses of concomitant active vitamin D preparations, calcimimetics, phosphate binder, and erythropoiesis‐stimulating agents. Postdialysis calcium levels were significantly lower and predialysis corrected calcium levels significantly decreased. The change in calcium levels before and after dialysis was smaller after switching of the dialysate than before. iPTH levels significantly increased 1 month after switching of the dialysate. No remarkable changes were observed in phosphate levels or Kt/V. The dose of alfacalcidol, one of the concomitant drugs, somewhat increased, and no remarkable changes in dosage were observed for other concomitant drugs. These results were favorable in terms of calcium balance. However, there may be limitations in interpreting the results, but the resultant calcium levels suggest that switching to 2.75 mEq/L calcium dialysate may improve the control of calcium levels. In addition, it is hoped that the treatment choice of secondary hyperparathyroidism is extended.     

Characterization of twenty-four polymorphic microsatellite loci of Rasbora borapetensis

Twenty-four microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the genome of Rasbora borapetensis. Flanking polymerase chain reaction primers were designed and used to amplify these loci in 32 individuals. All loci were polymorphic with allele numbers ranging from 2 to 27, observed heterozygosity from 0.031 to 1.000 and expected heterozygosity from 0.031 to 0.965. All loci conformed to the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no evidence of null alleles was observed. Pairwise comparisons between alleles did not detect any linkage disequilibrium. The high level of polymorphisms observed in these microsatellite loci will enhance future investigations on the genetic differentiation and structure of populations of Rasbora borapetensis.     

Clinical case report of long-term follow-up in type-2 diabetes patient with severe chronic periodontitis and nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth

In this case report, we describe the clinical course over a 14-year follow-up in a 47-year-old diabetes patient with severe chronic periodontitis and nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. The patient had a history of hypertension for over 5 years and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Overgrown gingiva was observed in most of the teeth and was marked in the upper and lower anterior teeth. A probing pocket depth of ≥ 4 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP) were observed in 94 and 90% of sites examined, respectively. At baseline, his hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was 8.5%. The patient received periodontal and diabetic treatment simultaneously. Medication was changed from nifedipine chloride to an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. After initial therapy and subsequent periodontal surgery, gingival overgrowth disappeared and probing depth and BOP showed a significant improvement. No recurrence was observed during supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). The HbA1c level improved from 8.5 to 6.3% after periodontal treatment, subsequently remaining at a good level during SPT over 10 years. This study demonstrated that periodontal treatment, withdrawal of medication and control of diabetes can result in remarkable improvements in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic periodontitis and nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth. These results suggest that comprehensive periodontal treatment in combination with treatment for diabetes mellitus can exert a positive influence on blood glucose levels and periodontal condition in diabetic patients.     

Effectiveness of proliferating tissues in combination with bovine-derived xenografts to intrabony defects of alveolar bone in dogs

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of proliferating tissue used in combination with bovine-derived xenograft (BDX) on the formation of new cementum and bone in dogs. Intrabony defects were treated with either BDX in conjunction with autogenous proliferating tissues (BDXplus-proliferating tissues: BDX-P group) or BDX alone (BDX-alone group). The control group received no BDX or proliferating tissues. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4, and 8 weeks of the treatment, and tissues were histologically examined. Specimens from the control group were characterized by long junctional epithelium and little bone formation. The BDX-P group showed a statistically significant increase in new bone and cementum formation compared to the BDX-alone group (30.9% vs. 18.7, p < 0.01 and 87.8% vs. 61.8, p < 0.01). The ratio of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells in the newly formed connective tissue of the BDX-P group was significantly greater than that in the BDX-alone group. These findings suggest that the use of proliferating tissues in combination with BDX enhances new bone and cementum formation, offering potential as therapeutic material in periodontal regeneration.     

ANALYSIS OF PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH GASTRIC VARICES AFTER ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT

Background: The prognostic factors, including gastric variceal bleeding itself, in patients with gastric varices (GV) after endoscopic treatment remain unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze prognostic factors in patients with GV after endoscopic treatment as well as to evaluate safety and efficacy of our endoscopic treatment. Patients and Methods: This study enrolled 115 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for GV between October 1988 and December 2003 using cyanoacrylate and 5% ethanolamine oleate. Successful hemostasis, recurrence rates, rebleeding rates, survival rates, complications and prognostic factors after the treatment were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Treatment sessions for GV were performed 3.4 ± 2.5 times. All cases, including 14 emergency cases, were treated successfully. The cumulative recurrence rates at 1, 3 and 5 years after the treatment were 7.0%, 15.6% and 20.0%, respectively, and the cumulative rebleeding rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 3.5%, 8.7% and 14.8%, respectively. The overall survival rates were 78.3%, 63.7% and 51.5% at 1, 3 and 5 years, respectively. Grade B or C in Child–Pugh classification, emergency or elective cases, and association with hepatocellular carcinoma were identified as significant negative prognostic factors after endoscopic treatment by multivariate analysis. Although several complications were observed, there was no mortality. Conclusions: Grade B or C in Child–Pugh classification, emergency or elective situation, and association with hepatocellular carcinoma are negative prognostic factors after endoscopic treatment.     

Serum CA 125 as a marker for patients with external endometriosis

Serum CA 125 levels were assayed in 75 healthy female controls and 34 patients with external endometriosis prior to treatment, during treatment, and after treatment. The results of the assay showed that the mean pretreatment serum CA 125 level of the patients with external endometriosis (80.7 U/mL) was significantly (P less than .001) higher than that of the controls (17.9 U/mL). This difference was even more pronounced for those patients with progressive (stage III or IV) endometriosis (mean = 114.0 U/mL). Thus, the assay of serum CA 125 may be useful as an auxiliary tool in the diagnosis of progressive endometriosis. Although the high pretreatment level of serum CA 125 decreased after danazol treatment of 400 mg/day to within the normal limits, usually within 4 to 12 weeks, laparoscopic examinations indicated that most of the endometriosis cases were not cured until 12-16 weeks of danazol treatment.     

Comparison of motor reactivity of the colonic muscularis mucosae isolated from human,guinea pig and rat in vitro

We have compared the reactivity to spasmogens of longitudinal muscularis mucosae isolated from the human, guinea pig and rat colon in vitro. The muscularis mucosae isolated from the human distal colon responded with a sustained contractions to carbachol (10 nM-30 microM), in a concentration-dependent manner, and the maximum contraction was comparable to that with high potassium concentration (100 mM). Among several spasmogens, neurokinin A was the most potent with the following order of potency: carbachol, prostaglandin F2alpha and acetylcholine. Histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and bradykinin did not produce a recognizable contraction of this tissue. The muscularis mucosae isolated from the guinea pig distal colon demonstrated a concentration-dependent contraction in response to neurokinin A, carbachol, histamine and acetylcholine, but not to prostaglandin F2alpha or 5-hydroxytryptamine, and the maximum contraction was obtained with histamine. The muscularis mucosae from the rat distal colon was very sensitive to neurokinin A and bradykinin, less to carbachol and acetylcholine, and not at all sensitive to histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and prostaglandin F2alpha. It is concluded that the colonic muscularis mucosae respond to pharmacological agents in a species-different manner.     

Appearance of rectal varices in extrahepatic portal obstruction after treatment for esophago-gastric varices: a case report

We report a case of rectal varices that developed after endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) and Hassab's operation for esophageal varices with extrahepatic portal obstruction. A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital in September 1997 for treatment of hematochezia. Emergent colonoscopy revealed tortuous rectal varices with a white plug. Angiography revealed that rectal varices were provided with backward blood flow by the inferior mesenteric vein due to extrahepatic portal obstruction. In this case, previous treatment, EIS and Hassab's operation, for esophago-gastric varices might have inhibited the development of collaterals apart from surface of gastrointestinal tract, such as para-esophageal collateral veins or spleno-renal shunt. Since the thrombus in the extrahepatic portal vein causes strong pressure on inferior mesenteric vein which is connected to the inferior vena cava via the inferior rectal vein, rectal varices might be developed. In this case, it was considered that rectal varices were not treated enough by endoscopic therapy because of regurgitant hyper blood flow against portal venous pressure. Therefore, rectal transection was performed. After the treatment, the patient suffered no further episodes of bleeding from rectal varices.