Unilateral tongue atrophy due to an enlarged emissary vein in the hypoglossal canal

A 16-year-old girl presented to our clinic with right-sided tongue atrophy and fasciculations of 1-year duration. Enlargement of the outer opening of the hypoglossal canal was reveal by conventional and computed tomography of the skull. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed an enlarged venous system extending from the jugular vein to the internal jugular vein on the right, with low signal density suggestive of a flow void. A right-sided occipital craniotomy was performed. When the hypoglossal canal was opened, an enlarged emissary vein compressing the hypoglossal nerve was identified. This is the first reported case of unilateral tongue atrophy and an enlarged hypoglossal canal due to an enlarged emissary vein.     

Case report: hypoechoic submucosal nodules: a sign of Epstein-Barr virus-associated early gastric cancer

Knowledge about human brain temperature is still very limited, despite evidence demonstrating the critical influence of mild increases in temperature on the ischaemic brain. It has been suggested that in passive and exercise hyperthermia the brain may be protected against thermal damage by a mechanism of selective brain cooling (SBC). It is said to bring about suppression of the temperature of the brain, rendering it significantly lower than trunk and arterial blood temperature. Yet very little is known about the possible role of this mechanism in fever, a condition fundamentally different from "physiological" hyperthermia, especially when it occurs in brain-damaged patients. In our investigation we retrospectively analysed the results of direct recordings of cerebral temperature within the subdural space (Tsd) and within the brain parenchyma (Tbr-16 cases) in 63 unanaesthetized patients following neurosurgical procedures, including 23 with fever > 38 degrees C. The difference between trunk temperature, measured in the rectum (Tre) or in the oesophagus (Tes), and the intracranial temperature, were calculated in all subjects. A statistically significant reduction of these differences, in step with increasing fever, would be compatible with demonstrating a process of selective brain cooling. The offsets Tre-Tsd, Tre-Tbr, and Tes-Tsd were plotted against Tre over a wide range of body temperature and near zero correlation was found. This finding suggests that brain temperature in fever was not selectively suppressed by any specific thermolytic mechanism and that dissipation of the main bulk of cerebral metabolic heat both in normothermia and in fever depends on heat uptake by arterial blood. The results suggest that the brain in fever can be seriously jeopardized by heat stress and no specific cooling mechanism exists, to reduce it below body temperature in feverish neurosurgical patients. Tbr and/or Tsd remained the highest body temperature in 14 out of the 23 patients during fever.     

Msx2 gene dosage influences the number of proliferative osteogenic cells in growth centers of the developing murine skull: a possible mechanism for MSX2-mediated craniosynostosis in humans

Throughout its complex morphogenesis, the vertebrate skull must at once protect the brain and expand to accommodate its growth. A key structural adaptation that allows this dual role is the separation of the bony plates of the skull with sutures, fibrous joints that serve as growth centers and allow the calvarial bones to expand as the brain enlarges. Craniosynostosis, the premature fusion of one or more calvarial bones with consequent abnormalities in skull shape, is a common developmental anomaly that disrupts this process. We found previously that a single amino acid substitution in the homeodomain of the human MSX2 gene is associated with the autosomal dominant disorder craniosynostosis, Boston type. This mutation enhances the affinity of Msx2 for its target sequence, suggesting that the mutation acts by a dominant positive mechanism. Consistent with this prediction, we showed that general overexpression of Msx2 under the control of the broadly expressed CMV promoter causes the calvarial bones to invade the sagittal suture. Here we use tissue-specific overexpression of Msx2 within the calvarial sutures to address the developmental mechanisms of craniosynostosis and skull morphogenesis. We demonstrate that a segment of the Msx2 promoter directs reporter gene expression to subsets of cells within the sutures. In late embryonic and neonatal stages, this promoter is expressed in undifferentiated mesenchymal cells medial to the growing bone. By P4, promoter activity is reduced in the suture, exhibiting a punctate pattern in undifferentiated osteoblastic cells in the outer margin of the osteogenic front. Overexpression of Msx2 under the control of this promoter is sufficient to enhance parietal bone growth into the sagittal suture by P6. This phenotype is preceded by an increase in both the number and the BrdU labeling of osteoblastic cells in the osteogenic fronts of the calvarial bones. These findings suggest that an important early event in MSX2-mediated craniosynostosis in humans is a transient retardation of osteogenic cell differentiation in the suture and a consequent increase in the pool of osteogenic cells.     

Paracondylar foramen--a new anomalous aperture of the occipital bone

A new anomalous apperture has been identified by the author in association with the occipital bone. It was situated in the interval between the jugular fossa and the occipital condyles. Out of 118 skull bases examined four instances of this anomalous apperture were found (2 complete and 2 incomplete). The author speculates that they may transmitting the posterior condylar emissary vein in the absence of the condylar canal or in its abrrent course to the jugular foramen. In view of its topographical location the author proposes the name--'Paracondylar foramen' to this anomalous apperture.     

Adapting in situ polymerase chain reaction for genotyping of cells in suspension

The neuropathological outcome of metabolic, vascular or mechanical insults to the CNS depends on brain temperature; mild hypothermia is neuroprotective, whereas elevated brain temperature can cause additional neural damage. Studies in both animals and humans have shown that the core and the brain temperature do not always concur with one another. It is therefore important to develop methods for monitoring brain temperature. This paper describes an animal model (the rat) in which we have developed a method to measure, at thermoneutral ambient temperature, the brain and core temperature concomitantly, during different drug treatments. We have used this animal model to study body temperature during fever (induced by human recombinant IL-1 beta, 5 microgram/kg, i.p.), stress-induced hyperthermia (handling of the animal), hypothermia (induced by (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-dipropylaminotetralin hydrobromide, 0.5 mg/kg, i.p. ) and sleep (non-induced, other than by light and diurnal variation). We show that the thermal curves are similar in the brain and the peritoneum, independent of the thermal state.     

The bone scintigraphy in eosinophilic granuloma (author's transl)

The significance of bone scintigraphy using 99mTc-polyphosphate or 99mTc-diphosphate in the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma was discussed on the basis of our experience with four cases. The summary is following: 1. On diagnostic procedure of eosinophilic granuloma, it was found that abnormal RI accumulation in the bone scintigram was more marked than that in the ordinary brain scintigram. 2. The bone scintigram of eosinophilic granuloma showed more accurately the extent of skull involvement of cellular infiltration than the plain skull X-rays or brain scintigram. Accordingly, the bone scintigram was helpful for neurosurgeon in planning the operative procedure and determining the extent of removal of the involved skull. 3. The plain skull X-rays show the size of skull defect, and the brain scintigram reveals the size of the size of granuloma per se, as well as soft tissue involvements. We can conjecture the stage of the diseases by comparison between the findings of bone scintigram and those of above procedures: plain skull X-rays and brain scintigram. Viz, the bone scintigram showed more extensive areas of RI accumulation including the surrounding cellular infiltration in the acute stage, but the same size of the lesions shown by the ordinary brain scintigram and plain skull X-rays is chronic stage. Furthermore, we discussed the possibility of the differential diagnosis between eosinophilic granuloma and other neoplastic bone diseases, such as intracranial metastatic tumors and multiple myelomas etc., by further experience with the bone scintigram.     

The specific bronchial provocation test in the diagnosis of occupational asthma

Specific bronchial challenge (SBC) testing is a key technique for diagnosing the origin of occupational asthma (OA). SBC is indicated in specific circumstances, including whenever several agents present in the work environment may be the cause of OA, when new or unusual occupational agents need to be identified, when evidence for legal action is required, or when research is conducted. SBC procedures are not standardized, because of the great diversity of occupational agents and the variety of physical and chemical properties involved. Thus, SBC testing with agents found in fumes, gases or vapors can be administered in special cabins or in closed circuits with continuous monitoring of sub-irritant concentrations. Agents found in dust, most but not all of which have high molecular weights, may be appropriate for routine SBC testing in an allergy laboratory. This paper will treat only these cases. SBC must be formed in specialized centers by experienced personnel, as it is a sophisticated and potentially dangerous technique. We describe a series of 20 patients diagnosed of OA in our unit over the past two years in whom SBC provided an etiologic diagnosis. All were exposed to dust or aerosols at work. The cause was a substance of high molecular weight in 17 cases, and low molecular weight in 3. The procedure used is described and models of bronchial response are discussed.     

冶炼钒钛磁铁矿高炉的铜冷却壁挂渣分析

建立高炉铜冷却壁三维传热模型,利用有限元软件ANSYS进行稳态传热分析,研究了钒钛磁铁矿冶炼时挂渣特点。分析结果表明,由于含钒钛高炉渣铁珠含量高,使渣皮显著增厚导致渣皮稳定性下降。将铜冷却壁热电偶测量点温度控制在60～80℃,可以提高渣皮稳定性,保证铜冷却壁安全工作。在现有工艺条件下,把水速从2.3 m/s降低到1.5 m/s对挂渣影响很小。     

Abstract representations of numbers in the animal and human brain

There is evidence to suggest that animals, young infants and adult humans possess a biologically determined, domain-specific representation of number and of elementary arithmetic operations. Behavioral studies in infants and animals reveal number perception, discrimination and elementary calculation abilities in non-verbal organisms. Lesion and brain-imaging studies in humans indicate that a specific neural substrate, located in the left and right intraparietal area, is associated with knowledge of numbers and their relations ('number sense'). The number domain is a prime example where strong evidence points to an evolutionary endowment of abstract domain-specific knowledge in the brain because there are parallels between number processing in animals and humans.The numerical distance effect, which refers to the finding that the ability to discriminate between two numbers improves as the numerical distance between them increases, has been demonstrated in humans and animals, as has the number size effect,which refers to the finding that for equal numerical distance,discrimination of two numbers worsens as their numerical size increases.     

A multiresolution approach for contour extraction from brain images

Many image registration methods use head surface, brain surface, or inner/outer surface of the skull to estimate rotation and translation parameters. The inner surface of the skull is also used for intracranial volume segmentation which is considered the first step in segmentation and analysis of brain images. The surface is usually characterized by a set of edge or contour points extracted from cross-sectional images. Automatic extraction of contour points is complicated by discontinuity of edges in the back of the eyes and ears and sometimes by a previous surgery or an inadequate field of view. We have developed an automated method for contour extraction that connects discontinuities using a multiresolution pyramid. Steps of the method are: (1) Contour points are found by an edge-tracking algorithm; (2) A multiresolution pyramid of contour points is constructed; (3) Contour points of reduced images are found; (4) From the continuous contour found at the lowest resolution, contour points at a higher resolution are found; (5) Step 4 is repeated until contour points at the highest resolution (original image) are found. The method runs fast and has been successful in extracting contours from MRI and CT images. We illustrate the method and its performance using MRI and CT images of the human brain.     

Experimental therapy of rheumatoid arthritis with antibodies to tumor necrosis factor

Two trials were carried out to compare the nutritional values of two Zambian indigenous plant protein sources--soy bean cake (SBC) and sunflower meal (SFM) in the diets of broilers and growing pigs. In trial 1, 120 one week old chickens (Abbor acre strain) were used. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between chickens on SBC and SFM in voluntary feed intake. Average daily gain of SBC chickens differed (P < 0.05) from those of SFM. The protein source had an effect (P < 0.05) on N retained [g/day]. Carcasses dry matter and crude protein were higher (P < 0.05) in SBC chickens, but ash, ether extract, Ca and P were the same as SFM. In trial 2, 12 Large white x Landrace growing barrows 1-2 months old were used. In this trial, SBC diet was consumed more than SFM. Pigs on SBC and SFM gained 0.526 and 0.284 g/head/day, respectively (P < 0.05). Nutrient digestibility was higher (P < 0.05) in SBC diet. Trial 1, demonstrated that SBC and SFM could be used for broilers without adverse effect on growth rate and body conformation. However, for growing pigs SBC is a better protein source than SFM in the tropical environment of Zambia. Finally, results obtained seem to suggest that SBC and SFM can be used as plant protein sources, but SFM is not an ideal plant protein source for growing pigs.     

Occupational asthma caused by fish inhalation

Occupational asthma (OA) due to fish inhalation, confirmed by specific bronchial challenge (SBC), has not been described as yet in medical literature, as far as we know. We describe two patients whose asthma was induced by occupational exposure to fish and confirmed by serial measurements of PEFR and SBC. Two fish-processing workers reported asthma symptoms related to their workplace. They were skin tested with fish extracts and their sera assayed for IgE antibodies to various fish species. Nonspecific bronchial reactivity was assessed by methacholine challenge. The occupational relationship was confirmed by PEFR monitoring in working and off-work periods. SBC with fish extracts was carried out to confirm the diagnosis of OA. Skin tests with raw and cooked plaice, salmon, hake, and tuna in patient 1 and anchovy, sardine, trout, salmon, Atlantic pomfret, and sole in patient 2 were positive. Specific IgE serum antibodies were found to salmon in patient 1 and to trout, anchovy, and salmon in patient 2. PEFR measurements differed significantly (P < 0.001) between work and off-work periods for both patients. A bronchial challenge with methacholine was positive in patient 1. SBC with raw hake, salmon, plaice, and tuna extracts in patient 1 and raw salmon extract in patient 2 were all positive with an immediate response. SBC with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract was entirely negative in both patients. In three asthmatic, non-fish-allergic controls, SBC with tuna, hake, salmon, and plaice were all negative. These results suggest that fish inhalation can elicit IgE-mediated occupational asthma.     

钢种和断面对连铸板坯轻压下效率的影响

结合轻压下效率的理论计算式,考察了板坯断面、钢种对连铸板坯轻压下效率的影响规律。结果表明:压下效率与板坯宽度、厚度呈线性增加关系,板坯宽度每增加15%,压下效率增加约4%;板坯厚度增加15%,压下效率增加约32%;钢种的两相区温度宽度越小,压下效率越高;板坯宽度与钢种对压下效率的影响较小,板坯厚度对压下效率的影响大。     

Bancroftian filariasis in Tanzania: specific antibody responses in relation to long-term observations on microfilaremia

The purpose of this study was to compare core body and brain temperatures after complete but intermittent occlusions of the umbilical cord. Thermocouple probes were placed in the parasagittal parietal cortex, ascending aorta, and jugular vein of eight near-term fetal sheep and in the maternal descending aorta. Three days later, after an initial control period, the umbilical cord was occluded for 5 min, followed by a 30-min recovery period, and this cycle was repeated 4 times. Temperature changes, blood gases, and plasma glucose, lactate and adenosine were measured. In the first occlusion period, body core temperature increased 0.12 degreesC over control, and then declined to baseline after cord release, and this pattern was repeated with subsequent occlusions. Brain temperature, however, did not increase in response to any of the cord occlusions. Plasma adenosine increased 2.4-fold during the first occlusion, but not during subsequent occlusions, despite a continuing pattern of constant brain temperature, a result which minimizes adenosine's importance as a continuing regulator of cerebral metabolism. We conclude that brain temperature fails to increase because of diminished heat production by the brain and increases in cerebral blood flow, responses which delay complete depletion of adenosine 5'-triphosphate stores in brain tissue.     

Occupational heat exposure and male fertility: a review

In humans, as in most mammals, spermatogenesis is temperature dependent. This temperature dependence has been clearly demonstrated by several experimental studies showing that artificial increases in scrotum or testicle temperature in fertile men reduce both sperm output and quality. Our knowledge of the effects of occupational heat exposure on male fertility comes mostly from a small number of epidemiological studies. We conducted an extensive review of these published reports, focusing on methodology and design (retrospective or prospective; reference group; number of subjects) and principal results (using several indicators such as the time taken to obtain a pregnancy or sperm characteristics). We concluded that occupational heat exposure is a significant risk factor for male infertility, affecting sperm morphology and resulting in delayed conception. The limits and biases involved in this type of research are also discussed.     

Prostaglandin E1 suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 production by lipopolysaccharides-stimulated mononuclear cells

Previous studies have shown that the intravenous administration of yohimbine, an alpha 2 antagonist, increases norepinephrine turnover and has related anxiogenic effects in humans. We herein report that yohimbine also increases plasma neuropeptide Y (NPY) in healthy human subjects. This finding is consistent with previous reports in animals, but contrasts with a previously reported study in humans. NPY is a 36 amino acid peptide neurotransmitter located in sympathetic and nonsympathetic nerve fibers, as well as in brain structures such as the locus coeruleus, where it is colocalized with norepinephrine. NPY has been shown to inhibit locus coeruleus neuronal firing, decrease norepinephrine release, and increase postsynaptic noradrenergic signal transduction. When administered centrally, NPY also has anxiolytic properties. This study therefore suggests that yohimbine challenge may be useful in assessing NPY and noradrenergic system interactions in neuropsychiatric disorders such as panic disorder or post traumatic stress disorder in which noradrenergic system dysfunction has been observed.     

铜钢复合冷却壁热力耦合分析

采用ANSYS建立铜钢复合冷却壁的传热和热应力模型,分析稳定挂渣及渣皮脱落后的温度和热应力分布.结果表明,炉气温度是影响壁体温度、渣皮厚度、热负荷和应力状态的主要因素.在稳定挂渣时,铜壁最高温度为124℃,热负荷81.1 kW/m2,变形量比铜质冷却壁有所减少.在渣皮脱落后,铜壁温度和应力快速上升,5 min后趋向稳定.在冷却壁裸露的情况下,铜壁和钢板之间仍然保持牢固结合.     

铜钢复合冷却壁稳态传热分析

建立了铜钢复合冷却壁的稳态传热模型,利用ANSYS单元生死方法模拟冷却壁表面渣皮熔化行为,分析冷却壁温度分布、渣皮厚度及热负荷。结果表明:复合冷却壁附近炉气温度是影响其传热行为和渣皮厚度的主要因素;渣皮在冷却壁表面分布不均匀,随着炉气温度升高渣皮不均匀性逐渐增加;提高水速和全铜质壁体可以有效降低壁体温度,但对热负荷、渣皮厚度影响较小;在炉气温度1 200~1 400℃范围内,复合冷却壁的铜壁最高温度为125℃,承受热负荷达到82.8 kW/m2,能够满足高炉高负荷区的冷却要求。     

Correlation of near infrared spectroscopy cerebral blood flow estimations and microsphere quantitations in newborn piglets

We compared cerebral blood flow (CBF) estimated using transmission mode near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and a modification of the Fick principle with CBF quantitations by radioactive microspheres (MSs) in newborn piglets. Thirteen piglets were studied during steady state, ischemia, and during two reflow periods. NIRS and MS flows were not significantly different during any measurement period. NIRS flows were compared to total brain blood flows and to regional brain blood flows quantitated with MSs and correlated best with temporal cortical flows. Linear regression analysis of the NIRS flows plotted against MS-quantitated temporal cortical flows showed r = 0.71. Thus, CBFs obtained with NIRS were not significantly different from, showed the same directional changes, and correlated acceptably with flows quantitated by MSs.     

Novel clinical approaches in monoclonal antibody-based management in colorectal cancer patients: radioimmunoguided surgery and antigen augmentation

In animals, changes in brain temperature induce a shift in frequencies in the electroencephalogram (EEG). Given the large decreases in body and brain temperature that occur during hibernation, putative functions that were previously ascribed to certain EEG frequencies are no longer valid because of the progressive shift away from the original frequency. In the present review it is proposed that even moderate temperature changes in humans and animals, such as those across the circadian or menstrual cycle, or induced by drugs, have a significant effect on EEG frequencies and the corresponding power spectrum. Alterations in the relative EEG power spectrum, in studies where body temperature also changes, may not be a direct cause of the treatment under investigation, but a consequence of effects on body or brain temperature. However, these effects on the EEG power spectrum are usually interpreted to result directly from the experimental treatment.