Changes in ulnar variance in relation to forearm rotation and grip

We studied radiographs of the wrists of 120 healthy volunteers in order to determine the normal range of ulnar variance. They had been taken in various positions under both unloaded (static) and loaded (dynamic) conditions. Pronation posteroanterior, supination anteroposterior and neutral posteroanterior views were taken of each wrist before and during a maximum grip under identical conditions. The mean normal ulnar variance in neutral rotation was +0.74+/-1.46 mm, a value which was significantly lower in males than in females. We found negative variance in 26% of cases. We measured maximum ulnar variance (UVmax +1.52+/-1.56 mm) when gripping in pronation and minimum ulnar variance (UVmin +0.19+/-1.43 mm) when relaxed in supination. We subtracted UVmin from UVmax to calculate a mean maximum dynamic change in ulnar variance of 1.34+/-0.53 mm. We consider this database of normal values to be useful for both the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to discrepancy in radio-ulnar length and for clinical research.

Expression of beta-tubulin isotypes in human ovarian carcinoma xenografts and in a sub-panel of human cancer cell lines from the NCI-Anticancer Drug Screen: correlation with sensitivity to microtubule active agents

Paclitaxel resistance has been associated with overexpression of P-glycoprotein and alterations involving tubulin. To investigate the clinical relevance of these in vitro resistance mechanisms, we established 12 human ovarian carcinoma xenografts, using samples from patients before the start of therapy or after paclitaxel treatment. These xenografts showed a wide range of sensitivity to paclitaxel, and in 4 of them, very low levels of multidrug resistance-1 expression were detected. Using quantitative PCR and human specific primers, the expression of five beta-tubulin isotypes was determined. HM40 was the predominant, accounting for 84.7-98.7% of all tubulin; expression of the other four isotypes (Hbeta9, Hbeta4, H5beta, and Hbeta2) was also detected but at lower levels. No correlation could be demonstrated between isotype expression and paclitaxel sensitivity in these 12 xenografts. A similar pattern of beta-tubulin isotype expression was observed in a subset of cell lines from the National Cancer Institute-Anticancer Drug Screen. In these cell lines, however, a significant correlation between increased expression of Hbeta4 isotype and resistance to paclitaxel was found. Taken together, these results suggest that altered expression of specific beta-tubulin isotypes may not play a significant role in paclitaxel sensitivity in vivo and argue against a possible significance in a clinical setting.

CAG repeats of CTG18.1 and KCNN3 in Korean patients with bipolar affective disorder

BACKGROUND

Trinucleotide repetition combined with variable penetrance of expression could be responsible for the complex transmission pattern observed in bipolar affective disorder (BPAD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of excess longer allele of KCNN3 and CTG18.1 in the patients with BPAD.

METHODS

CAG/CTG repeat distribution in KCNN3, CTG 18.1 and ERDA1 was examined and the copy number of ligation product in repeat expansion detection (RED) was measured in Korean bipolar patients in comparison to ethnically matched healthy controls.

RESULTS

No significant difference was found in the allele distribution of those repeats between bipolar patients and controls. Ligation product size in RED was not increased in bipolar patients. However, the copy number of ligation product in RED was highly correlated with CAG/CTG copies of ERDA1 (P=0.0001), partly with CTG 18.1 (P=0.04), but not with KCNN3.

CONCLUSIONS

A longer CAG repeat alleles of KCNN3 or CTG 18.1 may not be a risk factor for BPAD in Korean population and the copy number of ligation product in RED in the patients with BPAD is influenced by the longer allele of CAG/CTG of ERDA1 or CTG 18.1.

Group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) stimulates inducible nitric oxide synthase expression via ERK and NF-kappaB in macrophages

The mammalian group IIA secretory phospholipase A(2) (sPLA(2)) is believed to play an important role in inflammation and cell injury. The present study underlines the importance of group IIA sPLA(2) in the regulation of iNOS. Treatment of cells with sPLA(2) induced protein expression and mRNA accumulation of iNOS in a dose-dependent manner. The pretreatment of cells with rho-BPB or SCA, selective sPLA(2) inhibitors, inhibited sPLA(2)-induced iNOS expression. sPLA(2) stimulated the simultaneous activation of two classes of mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK and JNK, but did not stimulate p38 MAPK. PD98059, a selective MEK inhibitor, inhibited sPLA(2)-induced nitrite production and iNOS expression as well as ERK phosphorylation. In addition, pretreatment of rho-BPB or SCA also resulted in inhibition of sPLA(2)-induced ERK phosphorylation. The sPLA(2) signaling mechanisms involving the activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB were studied in the same cells. That stimulation of cells with sPLA(2) caused NF-kappaB activation in a time-dependent manner was shown by the detection of NF-kappaB-specific DNA-protein binding and by IkappaBalpha degradation. sPLA(2)-induced NF-kappaB activation was prevented in the presence of rho-BPB. Furthermore, the NF-kappaB inhibitor PDTC suppressed sPLA(2)-induced nitrite production and iNOS expression as well as IkappaBalpha degradation. The results strongly suggest that group IIA sPLA(2) induces iNOS in macrophages and that this induction occurs through ERK and NF-kappaB.

Determination of antigenic domain in GST fused major surface protein (Nc-p43) of Neospora caninum

The antigenic domain of the major surface protein (Nc-p43) of Neospora caninum was examined by polymerase chain reaction of its gene fragments and recombinant expression as GST fusion proteins. The fragments of Nc-p43 were as follow: a total open reading frame (OFR), T; OFR without signal sequence and C-terminal hydrophobic sequence, S; N-terminal 2/3 parts of S, A; C-terminal 2/3 parts, P; N-terminal 1/3 part, X; middle 1/3 part, Y; and C-terminal 1/3 part, Z, respectively. The DNA fragments were cloned into pGEX-4T vector. Recombinant plasmids transformed into Escherichia coli of BL21 pLysS (DE3) strain were induced to express GST or GST fused fragments of Nc-p43 such as 69 kDa protein for T, 66 kDa for S, 52 kDa for A, 53 kDa for P, and 40 kDa proteins for X, Y, and Z, respectively in SDS-PAGE. The Nc-p43 fragments of T, S, and P reacted with a bovine serum of neosporosis while those of A, X, Y, and Z together with GST did not in the western blot. These findings suggest that the antigenic domain of Nc-p43 of N. caninum may be localized in the C-terminal 2/3 parts. Together with A19 clone in SAG1 of Toxoplasma gondii (Nam et al., 1996), the P fragment of Nc-p43 could be used as efficient antigens to diagnose and differentiate those infections with both species.

Effect of N-glycosylation on ligand binding affinity of rat V1a vasopressin receptor

A rat Vla vasopressin (rVla) receptor has two putative N-glycosylation sites at 14th and 27th amino acid asparagine in the extracellular N-terminus. In the present study, we examined the possible roles of N-glycosylation of the N-terminus in the receptor function. Three point mutants for deglycosylated rVla receptor were generated in which the 14th and/or the 27th asparagine was replaced with glutamine, namely N14Q, N27Q, and N14:27Q, each tagged with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) at their C-termini, and transfected to COS-7 or HEK292 cells. The two single mutants and a double mutant have progressively smaller molecular mass compared to the wild-type receptor as determined by immunoblot analysis, indicating that the two sites are effectively glycosylated in vivo. The maximal ligand binding capacities of three mutant receptors were comparable to that of wild-type (17.02 +/- 1.32 pmol/g protein) with modest changes in ligand binding affinities: N27Q and N14:27Q had decreased binding affinities compared to N14Q and wild-type receptors. The reduced binding affinities of the deglycosylated mutants are not likely due to the impaired intracellular transport since their traffickings were indistinguishable from one another. Taken together, these results suggest that the N-glycosylation at the two sites of the N-terminus of rV1a receptor minimally affects the surface expression and trafficking of the receptor.

Analysis of matrix metalloproteinase mRNAs expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines

To analyze matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) mRNAs that are expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines, the kinds of MMP mRNAs were surveyed in HepG2 and Hep3B cells and normal liver by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using two degenerate primer pairs, derived from conserved domains of known MMPs. The level for each MMP mRNA was examined by Northern blot analysis in HepG2 and Hep3B cells, as well as in normal tissues. It was also examined by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis in 8 different hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. MMP-2, MMP-14, and MMP-15 mRNAs were expressed at elevated levels in most of the cell lines studied, reflecting that these MMPs would play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-8, MMP-10, MMP-11, and MMP-13 mRNAs were also expressed in some or most of the cell lines. Interestingly, MMP-9 mRNA, as well as its polypeptide, was undetected in all of the cell lines studied. This implies that MMP-9, which was suggested as a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma, would be expressed in stromal cells, rather than tumor cells. These results provide information for the basal levels of MMP mRNAs in various hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. It will also facilitate study on the transcriptional regulation of each MMP mRNA by oncogenes.

Performance of batch membrane reactor: Glycerol-3-phosphate synthesis coupled with adenosine triphosphate regeneration

Glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) was synthesized from glycerol using glycerol kinase (GK). This reaction requires adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and was coupled with the ATP regeneration reaction using acetate kinase (AK) in a batch-operated ultrafiltration hollow-fiber reactor. By taking into consideration the dynamic nature of the bioreactor performance under non-steady-state conditions, a model for the performance of a batch membrane reactor for G3P synthesis coupled with ATP regeneration was developed and studied. The simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results. The simulation studies have provided some insight into the process dynamics of the coupled reactions in the reactor system studied. For the reactor operational model used, in which the enzymes are retained in the shell side and the substrates are also initially placed in the shell side, it was found that the substrate concentration in the lumen side increased to a level higher than that in the shell side, and a backdiffusion occurred from the lumen side to the shell side during reactor operation. The ratio of the reaction rate to diffusion rate goes through a sharp peak during the time that the direction of diffusion is reversed. For another reactor operational model, in which the substrates were initially placed in the lumen side and enzymes were retained in the shell side, it was found that the rate-controlling step between the reaction and diffusion was switched during the reactor operation. Initially, the reaction rate increased while the diffusion rate was high and the substrate concentrations increased in the shell side. The ratio of reaction rate to diffusion rate increased to a maximum and remained at a constant level as the diffusion rate decreased to a low level due to the nonlinear characteristics of mass transfer process. This study provides information that is useful for optimization of batch membrane enzyme reactor operation and for a fed-batch-type process with an intermittent feeding strategy for efficient use of substrates.

Search for the lepton family number violating process nu(mu)e(-) --> mu(-)nu(e)

The NuTeV experiment at Fermilab has used a sign-selected neutrino beam to perform a search for the lepton number violating process nu(mu)e(-)-->mu(-)nu(e), and to measure the cross section of the standard model inverse muon decay process nu(mu)e(-)-->mu(-)nu(e). NuTeV measures the inverse muon decay asymptotic cross-section slope sigma/E to be (13.8 +/- 1.2 +/- 1.4) x 10(-42) cm(2)/GeV. The experiment also observes no evidence for lepton number violation and places one of the most restrictive limits on the cross-section ratio sigma(nu(mu)e(-)-->mu(-)nu(e))/sigma(nu(mu)e(-)-->mu(-)nu(e)) < or = 1.7% at 90% C.L. for V-A couplings and < or = 0.6% for scalar couplings.

Laparoscopic ureteroureteral anastomosis on the distal ureter

Repair of ureteral injury involving the distal ureter traditionally required laparotomy. Ureteroureteral anastomosis is not usually advocated due to technical difficulties and poor outcomes. Laparoscopy overcomes these difficulties and allows correction of distal ureteral injuries.

Anorectal malformations caused by defects in sonic hedgehog signaling

Anorectal malformations are a common clinical problem affecting the development of the distal hindgut in infants. The spectrum of anorectal malformations ranges from the mildly stenotic anus to imperforate anus with a fistula between the urinary and intestinal tracts to the most severe form, persistent cloaca. The etiology, embryology, and pathogenesis of anorectal malformations are poorly understood and controversial. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is an endoderm-derived signaling molecule that induces mesodermal gene expression in the chick hindgut. However, the role of Shh signaling in mammalian hindgut development is unknown. Here, we show that mutant mice with various defects in the Shh signaling pathway exhibit a spectrum of distal hindgut defects mimicking human anorectal malformations. Shh null-mutant mice display persistent cloaca. Mutant mice lacking Gli2 or Gli3, two zinc finger transcription factors involved in Shh signaling, respectively, exhibit imperforate anus with recto-urethral fistula and anal stenosis. Furthermore, persistent cloaca is also observed in Gli2(-/-);Gli3(+/-), Gli2(+/-);Gli3(-/-), and Gli2(-/-);Gli3(-/-) mice demonstrating a gene dose-dependent effect. Therefore, Shh signaling is essential for normal development of the distal hindgut in mice and mutations affecting Shh signaling produce a spectrum of anorectal malformations that may reveal new insights into their human disease equivalents.

Urinary calculi on computed radiography: comparison of observer performance with hard-copy versus soft-copy images on different viewer systems

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare observer performance for detecting urinary calculi using abdominal computed radiography with hard-copy versus soft-copy images and with a high-resolution video monitor versus a liquid-crystal-display (LCD) monitor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We compared observer performance for detecting urinary calculi using three sets of radiographs-hard-copy images, soft-copy images displayed on a LCD monitor (1280 x 1024 bits), and soft-copy images displayed on a high-resolution video monitor using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis with a continuous rating scale. Computed radiography was archived with a 2140 x 1760 pixel resolution and a 10-bit depth. The selected data set included 62 images: 27 images showing proven urinary calculi smaller than 6 mm and three in number, and 35 images containing no proven abnormalities. Eleven radiologists (three genitourinary radiologists and eight general radiologists) participated in the study. Interpretations of three sets of randomly distributed radiographs were performed individually in three separate sessions at 1-week intervals.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting urinary calculi or in the interpreting times between soft-copy and hard-copy images; the mean areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of hard-copy images, soft-copy images displayed on an LCD monitor, and soft-copy images displayed on a high-resolution video monitor were 0.579, 0.610, and 0.732, respectively. However, soft-copy images showed relatively improved diagnostic accuracy among less experienced radiologists (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For detecting urinary calculi, soft-copy images offered a diagnostic accuracy similar to or slightly more accurate than that of hard-copy images obtained in a laser-printed film-based environment. The diagnostic performance with soft-copy images viewed on an LCD monitor was comparable to that of soft-copy images viewed on a high-resolution video monitor.

Fertility outcome after tubal anastomosis by laparoscopy and laparotomy

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate fertility outcome and benefit of laparoscopic tubal anastomosis compared with laparotomy.

DESIGN

Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENTS

Eighty-one women requesting reversal of sterilization. Fertility outcome was analyzed in 76 patients for a minimum of 6 months.

INTERVENTION

Laparoscopic tubal anastomosis in 37 women and abdominal tubal anastomosis in 44.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In both groups anastomosis was performed in two layers with four stitches using microsurgical technique. Overall pregnancy rates were 80.5% in the laparoscopy and 80.0% in the laparotomy group. The mean interval from operation to pregnancy was similar in the two groups (p = 0.9). Mean operating time was significantly longer for laparoscopy (201.9 +/- 33.8 min) than for laparotomy (148.7 +/- 32.5 min), including diagnostic laparoscopy. However, mean hospital stay was shorter for laparoscopy than for laparotomy (3.3 +/- 2.0 vs 6.1 +/- 0.6 days, p <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic tubal anastomosis is less invasive and could be an alternative to laparotomy for reversal of tubal sterilization. Advanced laparoscopic equipment and much experience could enhance the pregnancy rate and reduce operating time.

Prolyl endopeptidase inhibitors from green tea

Three prolyl endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitors were isolated from the methanolic extract of green tea leaves. They were identified as (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epicatechin gallate, and (+)-gallocatechin gallate with the IC50 values of 1.42 x 10(-4) mM, 1.02 x 10(-2) mM, and 1.09 x 10(-4) mM, respectively. They were non-competitive with a substrate in Dixon plots and did not show any significant effects against other serine proteases such as elastase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, suggesting that they were relatively specific inhibitors against PEP. The isolated compounds are expected to be useful for preventing and curing of Alzheimer's disease.

Further evidence for the involvement of insulin receptor substrates in epidermal growth factor-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase

In accordance with our recent results obtained with cultured rat hepatocytes [Fujioka, T. & Ui, M. (2001) Eur. J. Biochem. 268, 25-34], epidermal growth factor (EGF) gave rise to transient tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2), thereby activating the bound phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells normally abundant in EGF receptors (EGFR) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with full-length EGFR. These actions of EGF, although much smaller in magnitude than those of insulin or IGF-I in the same cells, were accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation of EGFR rather than insulin or IGF-I receptors, never observed in wild-type CHO cells expressing no EGFR, and totally inhibited by an inhibitor of EGFR kinase, AG1478, that was without effect on insulin or IGF-I actions. Recombinant IRS-1 was phosphorylated on tyrosines upon incubation with purified EGFR from A431 cells and 32P-labeled ATP. When CHO cells were transfected with C-terminal truncated EGFR lacking three NPXY motifs responsible for direct binding to phosphotyrosine-binding domains of IRSs, no effect of EGF could be observed. We suggest that tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 or IRS-2 could mediate EGFR-induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in mammalian cells.

Sonographic findings of metastatic disease to the thyroid

The goal of this study was to evaluate the sonographic findings of thyroid metastases arising from non-thyroid primaries. The study over a 5-year period comprised nine patients who had histopathologically proven metastatic disease to the thyroid. Ultrasonography was available in all cases. Ultrasound-guided needle aspiration was performed on 10 suspected nodules as determined by ultrasound. The Ultrasonographic findings were analyzed in two different ways. The first analysis included only those nodules biopsed, and the second analysis included all the nodules, biopsed and non-biopsed. The primary neoplasms were breast carcinoma (n=6), uterine leiomyosarcoma (n=1), cervical carcinoma (n=1), and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (n=1). Excluding 2 nodules, the 8 remaining metastatic nodules exhibited ill-defined hypoechoic character with heterogeneous texture. The other two nodules showed relatively circumscribed iso- or hypo-echoic character with cystic portion. From the analysis of ultrasonographic findings including all thyroid nodules irrespective of pathologic proof, 7 cases - excluding the 2 cases from the 9 cases - showed unilateral or bilateral multiple nodules suspected of metastasis. There was no evidence of microcalcification in any thyroid nodules. In conclusion, the sonographic findings of the thyroid metastatic nodules were not specific, but unilateral or bilateral multiple suspected thyroid nodules without evidence of microcalcification may be suggestive of metastatic nodules among patients with a known primary non-thyroidal tumor.

p53 mutation and epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression in glioblastoma

Recent molecular studies indicate two different genetic pathways leading to the development of glioblastoma; final progression of astrocytoma and de novo formation. To define the mutual relationships of cytogenetic changes in the pathogenesis of glioblastoma, molecular histopathologic alterations of p53 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were evaluated by single stranded conformational polymorphion, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical stains in 15 primary and 21 secondary glioblastomas. Mutations in p53 gene and positive immunoreactivity to p53 protein (DO1) were more prevalent in secondary glioblastomas than in primary glioblastomas. A correlation between p53 mutations and p53 immunopositivities in glioblastomas was observed in 83.3% of the cases. All cases with positive p53 immunoreactivities showed p53 mutations; however, 13.9% of glioblastomas with p53 immuno-positivities lacked the relevant mutations. EGFR amplifications were detected in 73.3% of primary glioblastomas and 9.5% of secondary glioblastomas (p<0.001). The concurrence of p53 mutation and EGFR amplification was revealed in only 2 out of 15 primary glioblastomas and none among the secondary glioblastomas. Immunoreactivities for EGFR were noted in 66.7% of primary glioblastomas and in 9.5% of secondary glioblastomas (p<0.001). A correlation between EGFR amplification and EGFR immunopositivity in glioblastomas was observed in 91.7% of the cases. These data indicate that EGFR amplification and p53 mutations are two independent genetic events in the development of glioblastomas.

Some applications of a chiral fluorometric reagent, (S)-TBMB carboxylic acid

Molecular design and applications of a fluorometric chiral agent, (S)-TBMB carboxylic acid, are briefly reviewed. The agent, possessing an asymmetric 1,3-benzodioxole skeleton, was designed as a novel class of chiral agent that functions also as a benzoate chromophore for exciton chirality CD methods. The utility of this agent has been demonstrated in an application to determine enantiomeric amino acids, acyl-sn-glycerols, glycosyl-sn-glycerols, and other chiral alcohols and amines.

Colonoscopic findings in intestinal Behçet's disease

The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical and colonoscopic characteristics of patients with intestinal Behçet's disease and to compare the findings of typical and atypical intestinal Behçet's disease. Ninety-four patients diagnosed as having intestinal Behçet's disease were included. Of these, we considered 42 patients as having complete or incomplete type; these fulfilled the international criteria as "typical," and the other 52 patients were classified as having "atypical" intestinal Behçet's disease. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (92%), followed by diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding. All of the 22 patients with a history of surgery had ulcers at the anastomotic site. Most of the patients, who had never been operated on, had lesions in the ileocecal area (96%). Sixty-three patients (67%) had a single ulcer. Many (76%) of the ulcers were larger than 1 cm, and the mean size of the ulcers was 2.9 cm. Most (99%) of the ulcers were round/oval or geographic in shape. Usually ulcers were deep (62%), and their margins discrete (80%). There was no difference in the endoscopic findings of typical and atypical intestinal Behçet's disease. Typical colonoscopic findings in intestinal Behçet's disease were single or a few deep ulcers with discrete margins in the ileocecal area or anastomotic site. Endoscopic characteristics of patients with intestinal involvement in the case of "suspect" or "possible" type of Behçet's disease that lack the systemic manifestations of Behçet's disease were in accord with those in "complete" or "incomplete" types of Behçet's disease, who fulfill the International Study Group for Behçet's Disease criteria.

Lymphosarcoma in a brown bear (Ursus arctos)

An example of lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma was found in a 7-year-old male brown bear (Ursus arctos) that died after having a 7-month history of depression, anorexia and watery diarrhea. Grossly the mesenteric lymph nodes were enlarged to approximately 4 to 6 times their normal size and histologically diagnosed as lymphoblastic lymphosarcoma. The small intestinal mucosa was corrugated and had severe mural thickening due to infiltrated neoplastic cells. Hepatic metastasis was also noted. This is the first reported case of lymphosarcoma in Ursidae in Korea. As an incidental finding, endogenous lipid pneumonia was noted in the lung.

Anterior and posterior medialization (APM) thyroplasty

OBJECTIVE

In unilateral vocal fold paralysis with dysphonia, most of the paralyzed vocal folds may be medialized effectively by medialization laryngoplasty. However, if the posterior glottal gap is wide, these procedures may sometimes have a limit to medialize the posterior glottis and cannot be effective for acceptable voice quality. The objective of this study is to introduce a new surgical technique for medializing the membranous and cartilaginous portions of the paralyzed vocal fold: anterior and posterior medialization (APM) thyroplasty.

METHOD

Six patients underwent APM thyroplasty. They completed preoperative and postoperative evaluation with acoustic analysis and video laryngoscopy.

RESULTS

All patients satisfied their voice subjectively after surgery. The paralyzed vocal folds, membranous and cartilaginous parts, were medialized well, and the paralyzed arytenoid showed less anterior tipping postoperatively. On voice analysis all patients showed prolonged phonation times and decreased perturbations after surgery.

CONCLUSION

The advantages of this procedure are to medialize the membranous and cartilaginous portions of the paralyzed vocal fold directly and to correct vertical mismatch between two vocal folds. This procedure might be especially indicated in the lateralized position of the paralyzed vocal fold but not in the higher paralyzed vocal fold compared with the normal vocal fold.

Cervical dermal sinus associated with dermoid cyst

We report a rare case of cervical dermal sinus associated with a dermoid cyst in a 10-month-old infant, who presented with a 1-month history of motor weakness of the right upper extremity. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intradural extramedullary dermoid cyst extending from C3 to C4, which was connected with the skin dimple along the sinus tract. Total excision of the dermoid cyst and the sinus tract with C3-5 laminectomy resulted in good functional recovery.

Expression of pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 and 2 genes in in vivo, in vitro and parthenogenetically derived preimplantation pig embryos

The objective of this study was to determine whether porcine PAG (poPAG) genes are expressed in embryos as they develop from the 1-cell stage to expanded blastocysts, and whether expression differed according to how embryos had been derived. Embryos at various preimplantation stages were assayed after in vivo fertilisation, after in vitro fertilisation of in vitro-matured oocytes, or following parthenogenetic activation of in vitro-matured oocytes. The presence of PAG transcripts was determined at the 1-, 2-, and 4-cell, compact morula and blastocyst stages by reverse transcription-PCR procedures with PAG 1- and PAG 2-specific primers, followed by Southern blotting. The mRNAs for poPAG 1 and 2 were detected in in vitro-derived, in vivo-derived and parthenogenetically derived blastocyst stage embryos. In some replications poPAG 1 could be detected as early as the compact morula stage and poPAG 2 could be detected as early as the 4-cell stage. Our study revealed that poPAG 1 and 2 genes are expressed as early as the compact morula stage and 4-cell stage, respectively, in normal embryos and in parthenogenetically derived blastocysts. Thus it appears that the poPAGs are not maternally imprinted and they may be useful as potential candidates for markers of developmental competence.

Secondary amenorrhea caused by hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis : report of two cases

Amenorrhea is rarely presented as a manifestation of endocrinological disturbances in patients of chronic hydrocephalus. We describe two cases of secondary amenorrhea caused by hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis. Two female patients of age 30 and 20 yr presented with amenorrhea and increasing headache. Magnetic resonance images revealed marked, noncommunicating hydrocephalus without any tumorous lesion. In one patient, emergent extraventricular drainage was necessary because of progressive neurological deterioration. Each patient underwent surgical intervention for the hydrocephalus-ventriculoperitoneal shunt and endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Both resumed normal menstruation continuing so far with further normal menstrual bleeding. These two cases and others reported in the literature indicated that the surgical intervention for hydrocephalus resolves amenorrhea in all the cases of amenorrhea due to hydrocephalus. The suspected role of the surgery is the correction of increased intracranial pressure, which is an important pathogenetic factor in the development of amenorrhea.

Observation of an anomalous number of dimuon events in a high energy neutrino beam

A search for long-lived neutral particles ( N0's) with masses above 2.2 GeV/c(2) that decay into at least one muon has been performed using an instrumented decay channel at the NuTeV experiment at Fermilab. Data were examined for particles decaying into the final states mumu, mu(e), and mu(pi). Three mumu events were observed over an expected standard model background of 0.069+/-0.010 events; no events were observed in the other modes.