Does aggressive respiratory rehabilitation after primary nuss procedure improve pulmonary function?

OBJECTIVE

Here, we present the efficacy of an aggressive respiratory rehabilitation program that was initiated from early postoperative period, expecting to improve inspiratory volume at an early stage after primary Nuss procedure.

METHODS

The study was performed as a nonrandomized controlled study undergoing primary Nuss procedure at our institute from 2016 to 2018. We evaluated 34 patients and assigned them to two groups based on whether or not they received a respiratory rehabilitation. Group A (between June 2016 and March 2018) includes patients with inspiratory training postoperatively, and group B (between April 2018 and July 2018) includes patients without training. At the time of admission, a physiatrist provided each patient with a training instruction. From day five postoperatively, the patients in group A started training for inspiration with an incentive spirometer (Coach 2®PORTEX) four times a day. Patients were instructed to perform the same training at home after discharge. Using this device, we measured pre- and postoperative inspired volumes in each group. Data were analyzed with Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests and a paired Student t-test. A p-value below 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups concerning both operative age and the degree of the deformity calculated by Haller index. Preoperative inspiratory volume showed no significant differences. Although there were no statistical differences between two groups in the inspiratory volume at discharge, these two parameters were significantly higher in group A after three months postoperatively (A: 1404 ± 466 ml vs B: 900 ± 314 ml) and the values increased compared to the preoperative stage in group A.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate the aggressive respiratory rehabilitation is an effective regimen to increase inspiratory volume at an early stage after Nuss procedure.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Vaccination of chickens with liposomal inactivated avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) vaccine by eye drop or coarse spray administration

One hundred and twenty 30-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were inoculated with the liposomal inactivated avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) vaccine by eye drop or coarse spraying. All of the chickens produced anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies of the IgG subclass in their sera as well as IgA antibodies in their oral mucus. The results demonstrated a rise in antibodies in the serum of chickens administered the APEC vaccine through nonparenteral mucosal routes. Bacterial counts in the blood decreased, and clinical signs were moderated in the vaccinated chickens after challenge with a strain of APEC. No harmful effects from the vaccination were observed. The liposomal inactivated APEC vaccine described in this paper would contribute to a practical method of control for avian colibacillosis.

Novel and global approach of the complex and interconnected phenomena related to the contact line movement past a solid surface from hydrophobized silica gel

In this work a generalized hydrodynamic theory for water flow into a mesoporous matrix from hydrophobized silica gel is suggested. Although we examine a fluid dynamics problem, the motion of the water-gas-solid contact line past a hydrophobized silica gel surface, motivation for such research derives from the investigation of a novel principle of mechanical energy dissipation, called surface dissipation, and its attached machine element, named a colloidal damper (CD). Similar to a hydraulic damper, this absorber has a cylinder-piston structure, but oil is replaced by a colloid consisting of a mesoporous matrix and a lyophobic liquid. Here, the mesoporous matrix is from silica gel modified by linear chains of alkyldimethylchlorosilanes and water is the associated lyophobic liquid. Mainly, the colloidal damper energy loss can be explained by the dynamic contact angle hysteresis in advancing (liquid displaces gas) and receding motion (gas displaces liquid); such hysteresis occurs due to the geometrical and chemical heterogeneities of the solid surface. Although this new kind of dissipation could be attractive for many applications, the subject remains almost unexplored in the scientific literature. Many different, complex, and interconnected aspects are related to this subject: capillary hydrodynamics, slippage effect, contact angle hysteresis, estimation of dissipated energy, thickness optimization of the grafted layer on the surface of the mesoporous matrix, etc. For this reason, a novel and global approach to all the complex and interconnected phenomena related to the contact line movement past a solid surface from hydrophobized silica gel is proposed. Our approach has a modest experimental basis but this is compensated for with rich references to other experimental and theoretical work oriented to the study of surface phenomena in such systems. We tried to sort the existing results and to find the right place for each in building our global view of the problem. This work is structured as follows. The measurement technique of the hysteresis loop is described. From experimental data one calculates the dissipated energy versus length of the grafted molecule on the silica gel surface. These results are justified by flow analysis. Generalized hydrodynamic theory means here that the basic structure of the Navier-Stokes equations is kept, but in order to include the relation between macroscopic flow and molecular interactions, slip is allowed on the solid wall. The nanopillar architecture of the silica gel hydrophobic coating is described. Concepts of slip and contact angle hysteresis are detailed and their connection is revealed. During adsorption, water penetrates the pore space by maintaining contact with the top of the coating molecules (region of -CH(3) groups); after that, water is forced into and partially or totally fills the space between molecules (region of -CH(2) groups). In such circumstances, at the release of the external pressure, desorption occurs. An original energetic-barriers approach is proposed to understand the filling of the nanosize canals which occur in the hydrophobic grafted layer. Employing this energetic-barriers approach, one finds the optimum length of the grafted molecule which maximizes the dissipated energy of the CD reversible cycle. Such results are useful for the appropriate design of ultrahydrophobic surfaces in general, and for the optimal design of a hydrophobic coating of a mesoporous matrix destined for CD use.

Speech-sound-selective auditory impairment in children with autism: they can perceive but do not attend

In autism, severe abnormalities in social behavior coexist with aberrant attention and deficient language. In the attentional domain, attention to people and socially relevant stimuli is impaired the most. Because socially meaningful stimulus events are physically complex, a deficiency in sensory processing of complex stimuli has been suggested to contribute to aberrant attention and language in autism. This study used event-related brain potentials (ERP) to examine the sensory and early attentional processing of sounds of different complexity in high-functioning children with autism. Acoustically matched simple tones, complex tones, and vowels were presented in separate oddball sequences, in which a repetitive "standard" sound was occasionally replaced by an infrequent "deviant" sound differing from the standard in frequency (by 10%). In addition to sensory responses, deviant sounds elicited an ERP index of automatic sound-change discrimination, the mismatch negativity, and an ERP index of attentional orienting, the P3a. The sensory sound processing was intact in the high-functioning children with autism and was not affected by sound complexity or "speechness." In contrast, their involuntary orienting was affected by stimulus nature. It was normal to both simple- and complex-tone changes but was entirely abolished by vowel changes. These results demonstrate that, first, auditory orienting deficits in autism cannot be explained by sensory deficits and, second, that orienting deficit in autism might be speech-sound specific.

Involuntary attention in children as a function of sound source location: evidence from event-related potentials

OBJECTIVES

The present study addressed the question of whether location of the auditory stimulation source affects an involuntary attention triggering to the deviant sounds in a passive oddball paradigm in 8-10-year-old children.

METHODS

Using free-field stimulation two late event-related potentials components were examined: the mismatch negativity (MMN), indexing preconscious sound change detection and the P3a, indexing involuntary attention switch. Data were registered to frequency changes in sounds of different complexities in two experimental conditions. In the 'in-front' condition, the sound sequences were presented through the loudspeakers situated in front of a participant on both sides of the video display. In the 'on-sides' condition, the sources of auditory and visual stimuli were separated by moving the loudspeakers to the sides of the participant.

RESULTS

The MMN amplitude or the MMN and P3a latencies varied in neither stimulus class significantly as a function of sound location. However, significantly larger P3 amplitude was found in the 'in-front', as compared to the 'on-sides' condition.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicate enhanced involuntary attention switching in children when unattended auditory events occur within the space attended actively for visual modality. Such study design favouring cross-modal integration can be advantageous when studying involuntary auditory attention and its impairment in children.

Toxicity and effects of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (terbutol) on hepatic cytochrome P450 in F344 rats

The subacute toxicity and effects of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (terbutol) on hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 (P450) were investigated in male and female F344 rats. Rats were given 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0% terbutol for 28 days. Liver weights of male and female rats increased at all dose levels. The compound did not affect activity or amount of serum biochemical markers related to hepatic damage. The concentrations of terbutol in rat serum were less than 0.1 microM, and its major metabolites in serum were 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-carboxyphenyl N-methyl-carbamate and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-carboxyphenol. In male rats, P450 and cytochrome b5 (b5) contents, and NADPH cytochrome c reductase (fp2) activity in liver microsomes were increased about 2-fold by 1% terbutol administration for 7 to 28 days. Among the P450-dependent monooxygenase activities in liver microsomes, 7-benzyloxyresorufin-O-debenzylase (BROD) activity was greatly increased by 100-fold, and 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD), 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase (ECOD), and aminopyrine-N-demethylase (APND) activities were elevated 2- to 3-fold. 7-Methoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (MROD), erythromycin-N-demethylase (EMND), estradiol 2-hydroxylase (ED2H), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylase (CZ6H), and lauric acid omega-hydroxylase (LAOH) activities were unchanged. For the activities of testosterone hydroxylation, testosterone 16beta-hydroxylase (T16BH) activity was markedly increased by 30-fold, and testosterone 6beta-hydroxylase (T6BH) and testosterone 7alpha-hydroxylase (T7AH) activities were slightly elevated. Testosterone 2alpha-hydroxylase (T2AH) activity was not affected. Terbutol 4-methylhydroxylase (T4MH) activity was increased 9-fold by 1% terbutol. In an immunoinhibition study, T4MH activity in liver microsomes from 1% terbutol-treated rats was decreased about 50% by polyclonal anti-rat CYP2B1, whereas polyclonal anti-rat CYP2A1 and CYP2C11 did not affected the activity. These results indicate that terbutol increased CYP2B subfamily in rat liver microsomes, and that the compound did not cause serious hepatic damage.

Monitoring of phthalic acid monoesters in river water by solid-phase extraction and GC-MS determination

An analytical method for monitoring 10 phthalic acid monoesters in river water was investigated by solid-phase extraction, methylation with diazomethane, and GC-MS. Two cartridge-type solid phases packed with octadesyl-coated silica (C18) and styrenedivinyl polymer (PS-2) and one disk-type solid phase made from octadesyl-coated styrenedivinylbenzene polymer (SDB-XD) were investigated in solid-phase extraction. PS-2 gave the highest recoveries of the three solid phases, and recoveries of more than 80% of the monoesters in filtered water samples were obtained at pH 2 to 3 with PS-2 at the spiked level of 0.1 microg L(-1), except for monomethyl-phthalate (MMP), in which more than 72% of the monoesters were recovered. For the monoesters in the suspended solids (SS), an acidic methanol extract of SS was added to purified water acidified to pH 2, and the monoesters were extracted with PS-2. The recoveries of the monoesters in SS were more than 80%, but the recoveries of MMP were more than 57%. The method detection limit (MDL) of each phthalic acid monoester in 500 mL of water sample and in 2 mg of dry weight of SS ranged from 0.010 to 0.030 microg L(-1) and from 1 to 11 microg g(-1), respectively. Monitoring of phthalic acid monoesters in the Tama River in Tokyo was conducted every month from March 1999 to February 2000 using the present method. MMP, mono-n-butyl-phthalate (MBP), and mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP) were detected at concentrations of 0.030-0.0340, 0.010-0.480, and 0.010-1.30 microg L(-1), respectively, in the filtered water samples but were not detected in SS. Dimethyl-phthalate (DMP), di-n-butyl-phthalate (DBP), and di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) were detected in the river water at concentrations of 0.010-0.092, 0.008-0.540, and 0.013-3.60 microg L(-1), respectively. Diethyl-, di-iso-butyl-, and benzylbutyl-phthalates were also detected at concentrations of nanograms per liter, whereas the corresponding monoesters did not appear. The concentrations of MBP and MEHP in the river water were slightly lower than those of the corresponding diesters at the majority of sampling sites and sampling times.

Structure-Activity study of retinoid agonists bearing substituted dicarba-closo-dodecaborane. Relation between retinoidal activity and conformation of two aromatic nuclei

We have investigated the structure activity relationships of the potent retinoid agonist, 4-[4-(2-propyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-l-yl)phenylamino]benzoic acid (BR403), which we have previously reported. Substitution of a methyl group on the aromatic nucleus or a methyl group on the nitrogen atom, or replacement of the amino group with ether, methylene, carboxyl or 1,1-ethylene greatly decreased the activity. The relatively planar conformation at the phenyl-N-phenyl moiety seems to play a critical role in the appearance of the biological activity.

In vitro pesticide degradation in turfgrass soil incubated under open and sealed conditions

Degradation of selected pesticides was conducted in a turfgrass soil from a golf course under open (i.e., allowing gas exchange with atmosphere) and sealed systems. The time required for 50% of the initial dose of fenitrothion (O,O-dimethyl O-4-nitro-m-tolyl phosphorothioate), diazinon (O,O-dimethyl O-2-isopropyl-6-methylpyrimidin4-yl phosphorothioate), iprodione [3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-N-isopropyl-2,4-dioxo-imidazolidine-1-carboxamide], mecoprop [(RS)-2-(4-chloro-otolyloxy)propionic acid], and asulam (4-aminophenylsulfonyl-carbamate) to dissipate (half-life, t 1/2) was less than 2 wk under both conditions. The t 1/2 values of dithiopyr (S,S'-dimethyl 2-difluoromethyl-4-isobutyl-6-trifluoro-methylpyridine-3,5-dicarbothioate) were 324 and 185 d under the open and sealed conditions, respectively. The t 1/2 values of isoprothiolane (di-isopropyl 1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene-malonate), flutolanil (alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-3'-isopropoxy-o-toluanilide), and benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-alpha,alpha,alpha-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) under the open conditions were 154, 336, and 47 d, respectively. The t 1/2 values of these pesticides increased slightly under the sealed conditions. The t 1/2 values of terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl N-methycarbamate) and one of the major degradation products, N-demethyl-terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl carbamate), were 182 and 291 d under the open conditions and increased by six- and threefold under the sealed conditions, respectively. The degradation system under the sealed conditions could characterize the persistence of terbutol and N-demethyl-terbutol, which were the most persistent in the field.

Polymethylcarborane as a novel bioactive moiety: derivatives with potent retinoid antagonistic activity

4[(Deca-B-methyl-1,12-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran-1-yl)c arbamoyl]benzoic acid and its congeners showed potent antagonistic activity at concentrations of 10(-7)-10(-8) M on the differentiation-inducing action of retinoids towards human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells. This is the first example of derivatives of polymethylcarborane, which resembles C60 in size, with biological activity.

Immunosuppressant FTY720 inhibits thymocyte emigration

One major role of the thymus is to provide the peripheral immune system with mature T cells, but the mechanisms involving the cellular export are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the ability of a novel immunosuppressive reagent, FTY720, to inhibit T cell export from the thymus. Daily administration of FTY720 at a dose of 1 mg / kg resulted in a marked decrease in the number of peripheral blood T lymphocytes. In the thymus, long-term daily administration of FTY720 caused a three- to fourfold increase in the proportion of mature medullary thymocytes (CD4(+)CD8(-) and CD4(-)CD8(+)) as well as a slight decrease in the double-positive cell (CD4(+)CD8(+)) ratio. Phenotypic analysis (TCRalpha beta, H-2K(d), CD44, CD69 and CD24) revealed that these increased subsets represent possible peripheral recent thymic emigrants. High level expression of L-selectin by these subsets further suggests that they were prevented from leaving the thymus. By intrathymic labeling with fluorescein isothiocyanate, only one fourth of labeled cells could be detected in the lymph nodes and in the spleen of FTY720-treated mice compared to saline-treated control mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the immunosuppressive action of FTY720, at least in part, could be due to its inhibitory effect on T cell emigration from the thymus to the periphery.

Cytotoxic effects of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (terbutol) herbicide on hepatocytes and mitochondria isolated from male rats

The cytotoxic effects of 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl N-methylcarbamate (terbutol) and its major metabolites were investigated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes. Terbutol and its metabolite, especially 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenyl carbamate (N-demethylterbutol), at a concentration of 1.0 mM resulted in a time dependent cell killing accompanied by losses of intracellular ATP, protein thiols, and glutathione (GSH) and the accumulation of oxidized GSH. Supplementation of the hepatocyte suspension with 5 mM N-acetylcysteine, a precursor of intracellular GSH, inhibited the cytotoxicity of N-demethylterbutol. In mitochondria isolated from rat liver, terbutol and its metabolites impaired respiration related to oxidative phosphorylation and the potency of their toxicity is associated with impairment of mitochondrial respiration. These results indicate that N-demethylterbutol is the most cytotoxic followed by terbutol and other metabolites, and that both the mitochondrial respiratory system and protein thiols are important targets for these compounds.

Identification of pre- and postcentral gyri on CT and MR images on the basis of the medullary pattern of cerebral white matter

The authors illustrate a new method to identify the pre- and postcentral gyri on computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images of the brain on the basis of the pattern of the medullary branches of the cerebral white matter. The most commonly used method to identify the gyri depends on recognition of the central sulcus by surface arrangement of the sulci. The two methods were compared by analysis of CT images of 104 subjects who had normal findings (age range, newborn to 60 years; 57 males and 47 females). The usefulness of the new method was also determined in angiographic studies of nine patients with space-occupying lesions. The method is especially helpful for identification of gyri on the lower level of the centrum semiovale and if space-occupying lesions are present that may result in a blurred depiction of sulci. Since MR imaging depicts the medullary branches more clearly than does CT, this new method should facilitate identification of the gyri with either modality.

Construction and nucleotide sequence analysis of an infectious DNA clone of the autonomous parvovirus, mink enteritis virus

We have cloned the replicative form (RF-) DNA of mink enteritis virus (MEV), constructed an infectious recombinant plasmid containing MEV DNA and determined the nucleotide sequence of the cloned MEV DNA. RF-DNAs were detected and infectious virus was generated when the recombinant plasmid containing the entire MEV genome was introduced into feline kidney cell cultures. The MEV genome was 5094 nucleotides (nt) in length; the 3' end of the virion strand contained a 205 nt palindromic sequence and the 5' end a 62 nt palindromic sequence that could assume Y- and U-shaped configurations, respectively. The 5' end of the virion strand had a direct repeat of 61 nt at the carboxyl terminus of the capsid protein gene. The organization of the MEV genome is similar to those of canine parvovirus (CPV) and feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV); there are two large open reading frames (ORFs), one in the 3' half and the other in the 5' half of the genome, with coding capacities of 668 and 722 amino acid residues, respectively. Both are in the same reading frame and no significant ORFs are apparent in the virion strand (negative-sense strand). Possible functional promoter motifs are located at map unit (m.u.) 4.5 and m.u. 40, and a possible functional poly(A) signal is located at m.u. 96. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology with CPV and FPLV is greater than 98%, consistent with the hypothesis that MEV and CPV are host-range variants of FPLV.

[CT findings of watershed infarction; comparison of 123I-IMP SPECT and IV-DSA]

A watershed infarction is a specific type of a cerebral infarction. This occurs at the border zone between major cerebral arteries. Its CT findings are characteristic as a wedge shaped low density appearing either in the superior frontal region (watershed between anterior and middle and posterior cerebral artery), and always involving the deep white matter onto the ventricle wall. Even though the CT feature is small, a patient, without exception, suffers from neurologic deficit. We studied four cases of a watershed infarction on X-ray CT and compared with 123I-IMP SPECT. DSA was also made to demonstrate an obstruction of an artery which was usually found at the more proximal segment then what we expected from the CT feature. The findings on the 123I-IMP SPECT were better predictable of neurologic symptoms and they were larger in extent than the CT findings.

Left-right asymmetry of the temporal and parietal regions in children: based on the medullary pattern of cerebral white matter

Lateralization of the posterior temporal lobe and inferior parietal lobule in childhood was studied on CT of 276 cases and compared with those in adulthood of 371 cases. CT images were analyzed based on the morphological features of medullary branches of the cerebral white matter. In children below 5 years of age, the left planum temporale was already more posteriorly located than the right in 56%, while the right was more so in 21%. The asymmetry of the middle temporal gyrus was similar to those of the planum temporale. The folding of the inferior parietal lobule was extensive and intricate on the left side in 63% and on the right side in 8% of children, almost identical to those in the adult. The visualization rates of the intraparietal sulcus were lower compared to those of the adult, but the higher visualization of the left side was a common tendency regardless of age. These alterations in left-right asymmetry seemed to be a morphologic substratum indicating the processes of localization of auditory function to those association areas.

Hb Fukutomi [alpha 126(H9)Asp----Val]: a new hemoglobin variant with high oxygen affinity

Hb Fukutomi [alpha 126(H9)Asp----Val], a new hemoglobin variant with a high affinity for oxygen (log P50 = 0.201 at pH 7.0, normal = 1.087) was detected in a Japanese male during a screening survey. The amino acid substitution is located in the alpha 1 beta 1 contact of the tetramic molecule. Like other variants of the high oxygen affinity type Hb Fukutomi showed increased resistance to auto-oxidation. The tryptic peptide alpha T-13, that usually forms part of the trypsin-resistant core of the alpha chain, was cleaved off by trypsin in the new variant and released into the soluble fraction.

A new screening test for dementia

The purpose of this study is to develop a new screening test for detecting the demented elderly in the early stage in communities. The test is easy to apply for consultation, guidance and care and is capable of administering differential diagnoses. Based on the 9 dementia rating scales used in Japan, Europe and the U.S., a new test was completed after investigating and modifying the design 5 times. The test consists of 20 items. This test was given to 203 subjects (59 males and 144 females) including normal elderly as well as those suspected of suffering from dementia. The internal consistency, reliability and validity were studied using clinical diagnoses (diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) and Karasawa's Criteria for Judging Senility), Hasegawa's Dementia Rating Scale and Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) as external criteria. The present test was confirmed to have sufficient effectiveness as the screening test for dementia.

Computed tomography of cerebral infarction along the distribution of the basal perforating arteries. Part II: Thalamic arterial group

Computed tomographic (CT) manifestations of cerebral infarction along the distribution of the basal perforating arteries were reviewed and correlated with cerebral angiography. Infarcts in the territories of perforators were demonstrated individually based on knowledge of their three-dimensional distribution as shown by microangiography of cadavers. In Part II of the study, the posterior areas supplied by the thalamic arteries were examined. Infarcts in the area supplied by the thalamotuberal arteries involved the anterior pole of the thalamus; those in the area of the thalamoperforate arteries involved the medial portion of the thalamus, along the lateral wall of the third ventricle; those in the area of the thalamogeniculate arteries involved the posterolateral portion of the thalamus; and those in the area of the choroidal arteries of the lateral ventricle involved the most posterolateral and dorsolateral portions of the thalamus. Clinical and neuroradiological correlations are discussed.

Surgically confirmed myelographic classification of congenital intraspinal lipoma in the lumbosacral region

Twenty-four cases of histologically confirmed congenital intraspinal lipoma of the lumbosacral region were studied by means of myelography with metrizamide. The findings were compared with intraoperative observations. Myelography with metrizamide clearly revealed the detailed intrathecal structures and allowed a classification of intraspinal lipomas into four types, in terms of their insertion into the conus medullaris: dorsal type, either with direct or indirect (via an intrathecal stalk) insertion of the extrathecal lipoma into the dorsal aspect of the conus medullaris; caudal type; combined type; and filar lipoma. Based on our surgical experience in untethering and decompression of the lesions, the classification was found to be useful in designing a safe and effective surgical procedure which minimized all possible trauma to the intrathecal neural structures.

Post-mortem and in vitro dimerization of metallothionein in cadmium-accumulated rat liver and kidney

Metallothionein (MT) in the livers and kidneys of rats that died after repeated injections of cadmium (Cd) was selectively oxidized to dimers of MT with time after death. In vitro experiments suggest that the dimer formation is facilitated in heavily Cd-accumulated tissues by oxygen and temperature when cell damage occurs.

Extent of cadmium accumulation and its effect on essential metals in liver, kidney, and body fluids

Cadmium was injected sc into female Wistar rats at a dose of 3.0 mg Cd/kg body weight, 4 times a week for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk. Cadmium and five essential metals in the livers and kidneys were determined simultaneously by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Concentration of cadmium in the livers increased linearly up to 3 wk, remained at an almost constant and highest value (440 micrograms Cd/g wet liver) for the following 2 wk, and then decreased. The difference between cadmium in the whole livers and cadmium bound to heat-stable proteins was wider during the plateau than during the other periods. Cadmium in the kidneys was close to a plateau after 6 wk of injections. Concentrations of zinc in the livers and copper in the kidneys changed dramatically with injections of cadmium, and the changes were related to the changes in concentrations of the two metals in plasma and urine. Concentration of iron in the kidneys decreased with injections of cadmium. The content ratio of calcium to magnesium was high in the case of liver edema and was suggested to be an indicator. Cadmium in urine was assumed to originate from the liver in the case of high accumulation of the metal.

Accumulation and chemical forms of cadmium and its effect on essential metals in rat spleen and pancreas

Cadmium was injected sc into female Wistar rats at a dose of 3.0 mg Cd/kg body weight, 4 times a week for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk. Concentrations of cadmium in the spleen and pancreas were determined, together with essential metals, by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Cadmium in both tissues increased even after maximum concentration was attained in the liver. Contents of zinc, calcium, and magnesium in the spleen increased with splenomegaly, while content of iron decreased. Concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and iron decreased in the pancreas, while concentration of zinc showed a transitory increase. Cadmium in the spleen and pancreas supernatants was mostly bound to metallothionein, and metallothionein in the pancreas was highly susceptible to oxidation reaction. The spleen and pancreas were histologically less affected by cadmium loading compared to the liver and kidney, and the pancreas showed only slight alterations after injections for 5 and 6 wk.

Middle fossa arachnoid cyst: clinical, neuroradiological, and surgical features

16 patients and 4 adult cases of small-or medium-sized middle fossa arachnoid cyst were subjected to various neuroradiological investigations and their results were analyzed in terms of possible mechanisms of cyst expansion. Based on the results of the investigations which strongly suggested that the cyst is an expanding lesion, all cases were surgically treated by the same techniques of craniotomy, excision of the outer cyst membrane, followed by a cystoperitoneal shunt, resulting in complete disappearance of the cyst concomitant with reexpansion of the surrounding brain and marked improvement in the clinical pictures of the patients.

A statistical method of component identification of average evoked potentials

The polarity histogram was described for a method of statistically identifying AEP components. The technique is less sensitive to artifacts and is inexpensive.

Temporal sequence of frequency specific and nonspecific effects of flickering lights upon the occipital electrical activity in man

Human subjects were exposed 10 times to light flicker for a period of 10 sec, being altered with equal non-flicker periods. Four flicker frequencies were studied: the resting alpha frequency, twice the frequency, and 14 and 6 c/sec, which are both unrelated to alpha rhythms. The effect of flicker stimulation upon the occipital EEG was quantified in terms of integrated values per band over an epoch of 10 sec using a Walter-type frequency analyzer.