Successful arterial embolization of arteriovenous fistula in the portal circulation.

We successfully performed arterial embolization of an arteriovenous fistula between the left gastric artery and vein. The increased blood flow in the portal vein via the left gastric vein and the arteriovenous fistula induced severe portal hypertension. After obliteration of the left gastric artery, the arteriovenous fistula was not opacified on angiography and the portal hypertension improved.     

Influence of limonene and laurocapram on percutaneous absorption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The promoting effect of cyclic monoterpenes, 1% limonene (CAS 5989-27-5) and 1% cineole (CAS 470-82-6), on percutaneous absorption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was investigated in the rats. Compared with 1% laurocapram, drug absorption from the gel ointments was significantly more enhanced by addition of 1% limonene, while without any enhancer only ibuprofen penetrated across the skin in the limited amount. When using formulation with propylene glycol or 50% propylene glycolethanol solution, instead of carboxyvinyl polymer gel, percutaneous absorption significantly decreased and neither limonene nor cineole or laurocapram were capale to promote percutaneous absorption of flufenamic acid to sufficient serum level. Cineole and limonene were also evaluated in permeation experiments in vitro. Enhancement ability of limonene in the gel oinment was approximately 5 times higher comparing with enhancement ratio of cineole, while in 100% propylene glycol enhancement ability of both cyclic monoterpenes was equal. Good correlation was observed between in vivo and in vitro experiments. Evaluation of solubility proved that in the gel ointment simulated as water-ethanol solution were relatively best condition for percutaneous absorption of flufenamic acid when comparing with propylene glycol or 50% propylene glycol-ethanol solution.     

α2-Adrenoceptor Activation by Clonidine Enhances Stimulation-evoked Acetylcholine Release from Spinal Cord Tissue after Nerve Ligation in Rats

Background: Spinally administered clonidine produces analgesia via [alpha]2-adrenergic receptors. The analgesic potency of clonidine and its dependency on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors increase in rats after nerve injury. The authors hypothesized that these changes reflect greater acetylcholine release from the spinal cord by clonidine, either through direct or indirect effects.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: no surgery or left L5 and L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL). All experiments were performed 3 weeks after SNL. Crude synaptosomes were prepared from the spinal enlargement and loaded with [3H]choline. Samples were incubated with clonidine in the absence or presence of KCl depolarization. The authors also examined the effect of clonidine on KCl evoked acetylcholine release using perfusion of spinal cord slices, in which some spinal circuitry is maintained.

Results: In synaptosomes, clonidine alone induced minimal acetylcholine release, which was actually greater in tissue from normal rats than in tissue from SNL rats. In the presence of KCl depolarization, however, clonidine enhanced acetylcholine release in tissue from SNL rats but inhibited release in tissue from normal rats. Similarly, in spinal cord slices, clonidine enhanced KCl evoked acetylcholine release in tissue from SNL animals but inhibited such release in tissue from normal animals. The [alpha]2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan inhibited the effects of clonidine in slices from SNL rats.     

Scoliosis in cat cry syndrome

Background Cat cry syndrome is an autosomal disease accompanying abnormal deletion of chromosome 5 and occurs in only 1 of 50,000 neonates. Scoliosis has been reported as a skeletal complication in cat cry syndrome. The characteristics and causes of scoliosis in this rare syndrome are unknown. The purpose of this study was to present the characteristics of scoliosis in cat cry syndrome and to speculate on its causative mechanisms. Methods We report on 11 cases (5 boys and 6 girls) of cat cry syndrome. Detailed investigations of scoliosis, as well as physical and imaging examinations, were performed to characterize scoliosis and its causes. Average age at initial diagnosis of scoliosis was 4.3 years, and average age at final examination was 11.8 years. Results The incidence of scoliosis was as high as 73% (8/11). Most cases show a single right thoracic curve. Of the 8 patients with scoliosis, 3 patients who had increased muscular tone showed marked progression of scoliosis with growth. Conclusions Muscular hypertonia may play a key role in the progression of scoliosis in cat cry syndrome.     

Deposition velocity of gaseous I to rice grains

Among the routes of gaseous I transfer to rice grains, direct deposition to the hull of rice plants and the subsequent transfer to brown rice and polished rice should be more critical than leaf absorption-translocation. A grain number normalized deposition velocity (Vs) is recommended as a key parameter to assess the amount of gaseous I deposited on the rough rice. This parameter is given as "iodine content per unit number of grain per unit time" divided by "iodine concentration per unit volume of the air." After the heading period the surface area of rough rice is almost constant but weight increases with time. Therefore, mass normalized deposition velocity (VD) varies with time. By introducing Vs instead of VD, the variations could be converged into narrow ranges. The contribution of gaseous I from the atmosphere to rough rice, brown rice and polished rice were estimated using Vs values obtained experimentally and gaseous I concentration in the air.     

Developmental changes of chick cerebellar cortex revealed by monoclonal antibodies

Immunohistochemistry studies of the embryonic and newly hatched chick cerebellum were performed with 13 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against the embryonic chick optic nerve and a MAb which binds to cell nuclei. Neural MAbs differentially stained Purkinje cells, the external granular layer, molecular layer, internal granular layer, climbing fibers, basket cell axons, Bergmann glia and Ramón y Cajal's ansiform fibers. At the different developmental stages each component responded to MAbs differently. For example, staining of Purkinje cells with MAbs 23C10, 82E10 and 94C2 appeared on day 11 of incubation and disappeared sequentially after day 18. These results reveal molecular heterogeneity not only in cerebellar neurons but also at various developmental stages.