Cat-301 immunoreactivity in the lateral geniculate nucleus and visual cortex of the strabismic amblyopic cat

Purpose: It was investigated whether alterations in neuronal structure and function occasioned by strabismic amblyopia also may be reflected in alterations in the expression on Y type neurons of a Cat-301 antibody sensitive antigen in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and cortex of our cat model of strabismic amblyopia. Methods/Results: The percentage of positively labelled cells was reduced in LGN laminae that received input from the deviated eye in strabismic amblyopic cats compared with normal cats. In the strabismic cortex, the density of immunopositive neurons was significantly reduced compared with normal, the effect being most pronounced in layer IV Conclusions: Despite previous physiological recordings indicating a decrease in X-cell associated acuity in strabismic amblyopia, the present findings imply that the changes in the early visual experience occasioned by strabismus also produce specific molecular changes in theY neuronal class.     

Aortopulmonary window with patent ductus arteriosus and interrupted aortic arch: A case report

Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery -     

Pharmacologic characterization of the novel ligand [4,5-3H-Leu9]neurokinin-A binding to NK-2 receptors on hamster urinary bladder membranes.

We synthesized a novel ligand [4,5-3H-Leu9]-Neurokinin A (3H-NKA, S.A 117-144 Ci/mmol), and evaluated its binding to hamster urinary bladder membranes (HUBM). The ligand bound to HUBM in a highly-specific (94 +/- 4%) and protein-dependent manner. Binding was rapid (k1 = 0.037 nM-1*min-1) and saturable (Bmax = 1210 +/- 177 fmol/mg protein), to a single population of high-affinity sites (KD = 2.41 +/- 0.15 nM, nH = 0.99 +/- 0.02). Binding was inhibited by non-hydrolyzable GTP analogs. Competition experiments with HUBM demonstrated the following rank order of potency: NKA > Kassinin > [beta-Ala8]-NKA(4-10) > [Nle10]-NKA(4-10) = Eledoisin = NKB > Physaelamin > Substance P. The selective NK-1 and NK-3 ligands, [Sar9-Met (O2)11]-SP, (+/-) CP96,345 and Senktide respectively, did not inhibit binding at 10 microM, whereas, the selective NK-2 antagonists: (+/-) SR-48,968 > L-659,877 > R396 > MEN-10,207 > MEN-10,376, inhibited binding in a competitive manner. In contrast, the low specific binding (< 30%) detected in guinea pig lung membranes, was not inhibited by selective NK-2 ligands. Over 30 ligands (0.1-10 microM) from other receptor classes, were not inhibitory. The data suggest that this new ligand binds with high-affinity and selectivity to homogeneous population of NK-2 receptors on HUBM but not on lung membranes, and is a suitable ligand to study NK-2 receptors.     

Peribursal fat plane of the shoulder: anatomic study and clinical experience

A comprehensive anatomic and radiographic analysis of the peribursal fat plane in 12 cadavers confirmed that the fat plane seen on radiographs represents extrasynovial fat lining the subacromial bursa and documented the anatomic relations of the bursa. A three-part retrospective clinical evaluation of rotator cuff tears, calcific tendinitis, and rheumatoid arthritis was performed. Two osteoradiologists blindly graded the appearance of the peribursal fat plane with the shoulder in external versus internal rotation in 21 patients with arthrographically intact rotator cuffs and 21 patients with disrupted rotator cuffs. The peribursal fat plane was seen better with disrupted rotator cuffs. The peribursal fat plane was seen better with the shoulder in internal rotation and was seen in 60% of control subjects but only 21% of patients with rotator cuff tears. Partial or complete obliteration of this fat plane is a sensitive (79%) but less specific (60%) indicator of rotator cuff tears. Obliteration of the peribursal fat plane by inflammatory processes in adjacent tissues, including calcific tendinitis and rheumatoid arthritis, occurred with a high frequency.     

The role of gastric pH testing with small-bore feeding tubes: in the intensive care unit.

In this observational study, we sought to assess the usefulness of pH values from residuals in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with small-bore feeding tubes. A review of the literature demonstrated that most critically ill patients were excluded in previous studies on gastric pH testing, suggesting that pH testing in critical care is not warranted. Our results demonstrated that 21% of intestinal testing and 64% of gastric testing yielded potential misinformation to the bedside nurse with regards to possible tube location. In conclusion, pH testing for small-bore tube placement and maintenance was not deemed meaningful in our critical care unit.