The lateral nucleus of the amygdala mediates expression of the amphetamine-produced conditioned place preference

We investigated the involvement of the hippocampal formation and the amygdala in the acquisition and expression of the amphetamine-produced conditioned place preference (CPP). Animals were conditioned in four sessions that included two pairings of d-amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg, s.c.) with one of two distinct compartments and two pairings of vehicle with the other compartment in a counterbalanced manner. Animals' preferences for the compartments were then tested in the absence of amphetamine. The CPP was attenuated by preconditioning electrolytic or excitotoxic lesions of the lateral nucleus of amygdala, but not by electrolytic lesions of the central or basolateral nucleus of amygdala, endopiriform nucleus, or ventral hippocampus or by radio-frequency lesions of the fornix-fimbria. When the lateral nucleus of amygdala was damaged by electrolytic or excitotoxic lesions after conditioning, animals failed to express an amphetamine-produced CPP. These results demonstrate that expression of the amphetamine-produced CPP is mediated by intrinsic neurons of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala, and that neither acquisition nor expression of the CPP is mediated by the central or basolateral amygdaloid nucleus or the hippocampus-accumbens projection. Combined with our previous finding that the expression of the amphetamine-produced CPP is also mediated by dopamine receptor activation in the nucleus accumbens (Hiroi and White, 1989, 1990), it could be suggested that the lateral nucleus of the amygdala and dopamine terminals in the nucleus accumbens are parts of the neural circuitry that mediates the expression of the amphetamine-produced CPP.     

Pharyngeal Patency in Response to Advancement of the Mandible in Obese Anesthetized Persons

Background: During anesthesia in humans, anterior displacement of the mandible is often helpful to relieve airway obstruction. However, it appears to be less useful in obese patients. The authors tested the possibility that obesity limits the effectiveness of the maneuver.

Methods: Total muscle paralysis was induced under general anesthesia in a group of obese persons (n = 9; body mass index, 32 +/- 3 kg sup -2) and in a group of nonobese persons (n = 9; body mas index, 21 +/- 2 kg sup -2). Nocturnal oximetry confirmed that none of them had sleep-disordered breathing. The cross-sectional area of the pharynx was measured endoscopically at different static airway pressures. A static pressure-area plot allowed assessment of the mechanical properties of the pharynx. The influence of mandibular advancement on airway patency was assessed by comparing the static pressure-area relation with and without the maneuver in obese and nonobese persons.

Results: Mandibular advancement increased the retroglossal area at a given pharyngeal pressure, and mandibular advancement increased the retropalatal area in nonobese but not in obese persons at a given pharyngeal pressure.     

Laryngeal Resistance before and after Minor Surgery: Endotracheal Tube versus Laryngeal Mask Airway™

Background: The placement of an endotracheal tube (ETT) may promote laryngeal swelling, which is an important cause of upper airway obstruction after extubation. The authors hypothesized that laryngeal swelling after ETT placement increases laryngeal resistance and tested that hypothesis by comparing postoperative laryngeal patency between patients with ETT placement and those with a Laryngeal Mask Airway(TM) (LMA(TM)).

Methods: Fourteen adult patients who underwent elective minor surgeries were randomly allocated to two groups whose airway would be managed through ETTs (the ETT group) or LMAs(TM) (the LMA(TM) group) during the surgery. While maintaining at sevoflurane 1 minimum alveolar concentration, the authors measured laryngeal resistance before and after surgery, during both spontaneous breathing and mechanical ventilation under complete paralysis. In addition, they endoscopically measured the vocal cord angle under complete paralysis.

Results: In association with marked swelling of the vocal cords, the vocal cord angle significantly decreased after surgery in the ETT group, whereas the angle did not change in the LMA group. Laryngeal resistance during mechanical ventilation significantly increased only in the ETT group. Laryngeal resistance during spontaneous breathing significantly increased after surgeries in both groups.     

Regulation of the small GTPase RhoA by syndecan-4 and integrins in focal adhesion formation

Introduction The transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan, syndecan‐4, and integrins are important receptors for focal adhesion (FA) formation on fibronectin (FN) substrates. The small GTPase RhoA is also known to regulate FA and stress fiber formation. It has been suggested that syndecan‐4 and integrins co‐operatively regulate the assembly of FA in a Rho‐dependent manner, but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we examined the function of RhoA and the Rho effector kinases ROCKs in syndecan‐4 signalling on the process of FA formation and the possible mechanism by which syndecan‐4 may regulate RhoA activity. Methods Primary rat embryonic fibroblasts (REFs) were seeded on FN or ‘RGD’‐containing integrin‐binding domain of FN and lysed at various time points. The amount of active form of RhoA in each lysate was analysed by pull‐down experiments. Results and discussion The relative activities of RhoA showed one peak in the process of FA formation on FN, whereas no peak was obtained on the integrin‐binding domain. The one peak of RhoA activity on integrin‐binding domain was restored by addition of heparin‐binding domain into medium. These results suggested that a signal through syndecan‐4 link to the Rho pathway. Both ROCK‐I and ‐II isozymes were present in REF cell lysates and each could be specifically immunoprecipitated. The ROCK kinase activities in immunoprecipitates were analysed using GST‐myosin light chain as a substrate. The amount of ROCK‐I and ‐II activities changed through the adhesion process on FN and appeared to be independently regulated. Therefore, one or both ROCKs may be downstream of a syndecan‐4‐mediated signalling response through RhoA. The core protein of syndecan‐4 can directly bind to and activate PKC‐α. We found that PKC‐α could phosphorylate Rho‐Guanine Nucleotide Dissociation Inhibitor (GDI) in vitro. It has been suggested that PKC‐α‐mediated phosphorylation of Rho GDI stimulates GDI dissociation, thereby resulting in Rho activation. It is possible that syndecan‐4 regulates Rho/ROCK pathway through PKC‐α activation on the process of FA formation.     

Serum Levels of Free Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)-I in Normal Children

Serum levels of free insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I were measured by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) in fasting sera of 137 normal boys and 120 normal girls aged from 8 to 15 yr to study relationships between free IGF-I levels and ages, total IGF-I, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-1, IGFBP-3, and acid-labile subunit (ALS) levels. In both sexes, serum free IGF-I levels and the ratios of free IGF-I to total IGF-I were significantly higher in the pubertal age groups than in the prepubertal age groups. Serum levels of free IGF-I showed a significant positive correlation with those of total IGF-I, IGFBP-3 and ALS, while they showed a significant negative correlation with those of IGFBP-1. These observations suggest that increase in serum free IGF-I levels during puberty is caused by a dramatic increase in total IGF-I, rather than IGFBP-3, and a decrease in IGFBP-1. Also, high free IGF-I levels may play an important role in pubertal growth spurt.     

Comparison of neurocognitive results after coronary artery bypass grafting and thoracic aortic surgery using retrograde cerebral perfusion.

OBJECTIVE: Retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) is used as an adjunctive method to hypothermic circulatory arrest to enhance cerebral protection in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. It remains unclear whether RCP provides improved neurological and neuropsychological outcome. METHODS: Forty-six patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery using RCP, and 28 undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; n = 28) with CPB, were enrolled in the study. Patients receiving RCP were subdivided into two groups, those with less than 60 min of RCP (S-RCP; n = 27) and with 60 min or more (L-RCP; n = 19). The patients' neurocognitive state was assessed by the revised Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale a few days before operation, at 2-3 weeks and 4-6 months after operation. RESULTS: There were no stroke, seizure, and hospital mortality in either group. Significant decline between baseline and early scores were seen in three subtests (digit span, arithmetic, and picture completion) for S-RCP and four (digit span, arithmetic, picture completion, and picture arrangement) for L-RCP. Significant decline between baseline and late scores were seen in one subtest (arithmetic) for S-RCP, four (digit span, arithmetic, picture completion, and picture arrangement) for L-RCP, and one (object assembly) for CABG. The mean change of scores for one late test (digit symbol) was significantly lower in S-RCP than in CABG. The mean change of scores for three early tests (digit span, vocabulary, and picture arrangement) and four late tests (information, digit span, picture completion, and picture arrangement) were significantly lower in L-RCP than in CABG. Stepwise logistic regression analysis disclosed that, after considering the other variables, significant difference in test score changes were observed between CABG and L-RCP for two early tests (picture completion and digit symbol) as well as for three late tests (digit span, similarities, and picture completion). None of test score changes showed significant difference between CABG and S-RCP. CONCLUSIONS: The neurocognitive outcome in patients undergoing RCP less than 60 min were comparable with patients undergoing CABG without circulatory arrest. Prolonged RCP of 60 min or more in patients undergoing surgery of the thoracic aorta was associated with postoperative neurocognitive impairment.