Immunoassayable beta-endorphin level in the plasma and CSF of heroin addicted and normal subjects before and after electroacupuncture

The present study was undertaken to evaluate if plasma or CSF beta-endorphin level can be induced to rise during the treatment of heroin addiction by electroacupuncture. Based on the examination of 30 addicts, we obtained no evidence indicating an increase of beta-endorphin level in either the plasma or the CSF after 30 min of acupuncture. In spite of this, the majority of the addicts experienced a reduction of withdrawal symptoms during treatment. Since electroacupuncture may only induce a highly localized secretion of beta-endorphin in the brain, our results cannot unequivocally exclude the possibility that this peptide is involved in mediating the action of acupuncture.     

In vivo observations and electron microscopy in the treatment of experimental HSV keratitis with monoclonal antibodies

In vivo observations and electron microscopy showed that topical use of anti-HSV monoclonal glycoprotein antibodies produced marked antiviral effects in inhibiting the development of experimental herpetic keratitis in rabbits and in protecting the susceptible corneal cells. As a new biological product, the anti-HSV monoclonal antibodies may provide a new approach to the treatment of HSV keratitis.     

Computerized detection of masses in digitized mammograms using single-image segmentation and a multilayer topographic feature analysis

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We developed and evaluated a computer-aided detection (CAD) scheme for masses in digitized mammograms. METHODS: A multistep CAD scheme was developed and tested. The method uses a technique of single-image segmentation with Gaussian bandpass filtering to yield a high sensitivity for mass detection. A rule-based multilayer topographic feature analysis method is then used to classify suspected regions. A set of 260 cases, including 162 verified masses, was divided into two subsets; one set was used to set the rule-based classification and one was used to test the performance of the scheme. RESULTS: In a preliminary clinical study, the implemented detection scheme yielded 98% sensitivity with a false-positive detection rate of less than one false-positive region per image. CONCLUSION: Single-image segmentation methods seem to have high sensitivity in selecting true-positive mass regions in the first stage of a CAD scheme. A multilayer topographic image feature analysis method in the second stage of a CAD scheme has the potential to significantly reduce the false-positive detection rate.     

Nitric oxide-synthesising neurons in the central subnucleus of the nucleus tractus solitarius provide a major innervation of the rostral nucleus ambiguus in the rabbit

We describe an intramedullary nitric oxide synthase (NOS) neural pathway that projects from the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) to the rostral nucleus ambiguus (NA) in the rabbit. With the use of NADPH diaphorase histochemistry and NOS immunohistochemistry, a compact group of NOS-positive perikarya was identified in the central subnucleus of the NTS dorsomedial to the tractus solitarius and rostral to the obex. A dense network of NOS terminals was seen in the rostral NA. We investigated whether NOS terminals in the NA derive from NOS perikarya in the central NTS and whether the central NOS pathway links esophageal afferents and efferents. In some rabbits, the central NTS was unilaterally lesioned. In others, Phaseolus vulgaris-leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) was injected into the central NTS, or cholera toxin-gold was injected into the NA, or cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was injected into the wall of the esophagus. The medulla was subsequently processed to demonstrate PHA-L, cholera toxin-gold, HRP, and NOS reactivity. Seven days after the NTS lesion, we observed a marked decrease in the density of NOS terminals in the ipsilateral NA. After injection of PHA-L into the central NTS, a dense group of PHA-L fibres was seen in the rostral NA, principally ipsilaterally. Afferent fibres from the esophagus were found around the NOS cell bodies in the central NTS, and many of these NOS neurons were double labeled with cholera toxin-gold after injection of this tracer into the NA. NOS terminals were found around NA neurons that were retrogradely labelled from the esophagus. We conclude that the NOS neurons in the central NTS act as interneurons in a central pathway connecting esophageal afferents and efferents.     

Activation of particulate guanylyl cyclase by Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin

Recently we reported that Vibrio vulnificus hemolysin, an exotoxin produced by V. vulnificus, dilates rat thoracic aorta via elevated cGMP levels without affecting nitric oxide synthase. We investigated the mechanism further by observing the guanylyl cyclase activities in cytosolic, membrane, unfractionated, or reconstituted preparations. Hemolysin did not activate guanylyl cyclase in the membrane or cytosolic fraction, while it activated guanylyl cyclase in unfractionated or reconstituted preparation. The increased activity was not inhibited by the HS-142-1, a microbial polysaccharide which antagonizes atrial natriuretic peptide receptor, or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. However, it was attenuated by 6-(phenylamino)-5,8-quinolinedione (LY 83.583), which inhibits the catalytic domain of both guanylyl cyclases, and by cholesterol, which blocks hemolysin-incorporation into the membrane. Removing ATP, a cofactor of particulate guanylyl cyclase, attenuated the activation and ATPgammaS, a non-phosphorylating analog, restored it. These results suggest that V. vulnificus hemolysin activates particulate guanylyl cyclase via hemolysin incorporation into the vascular smooth muscle cell membrane in cooperation with certain unidentified cytosolic component(s).     

Facilitated vascular anastomoses: the one-shot device

BACKGROUND: A mechanical system for facilitating vascular anastomosis (end-to-side, end-to-end) is described that enables the rapid construction of nonpenetrated, compliant junctions. The instrument (United States Surgical One-Shot system) simultaneously applies either 10 or 12 nonpenetrating, arcuate-legged titanium clips to everted vessel or prosthetic conduit edges. METHODS AND RESULTS: The instrument has been tested in animals (jugular and femoral vein jump grafts in carotid and femoral arteries, interpositional grafts, 20 pigs) and human cadaveric constructs (saphenous veins to left anterior descending coronary arteries, 20 cases, 5 brachiocephalic access fistulas) as end-to-side constructs. Clipped constructs have equivalent or superior physical properties to control sutured constructs (6-0 polypropylene) as gauged by burst and tensile strength. All studies were performed under Food and Drug Administration Good Laboratory Practice standards, and the device has been approved for marketing by the Food and Drug Administration. CONCLUSIONS: The device enables rapid and reproducible vascular anastomotic constructs with vessels as small as 1.8 mm outer diameter. The constructs are flanged, interrupted, and nonpenetrated.     

Familial influences on gambling behavior: an analysis of 3359 twin pairs

BACKGROUND: Pathological gambling is becoming an increasing problem in the United States as the number of legalized gambling establishments grows. To examine vulnerability to pathological gambling, we estimated the familial contributions (i.e. inherited factors and/or experiences shared by twin siblings during childhood) to DSM-III-R pathological gambling symptoms and disorder. METHODS: Data were obtained from a telephone interview performed in 1991-92 utilizing the Diagnostic Interview Schedule Version III-Revised. Interviews were administered to 6718 members of the nationally distributed Vietnam Era Twin Registry of male-male monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs who served in the military during the Vietnam era. RESULTS: Inherited factors explain between 35% (95% CI: 28%, 42%) and 54% (95% CI: 39%, 67%) of the liability for the five individual symptoms of pathological gambling behavior that could be estimated statistically. In addition, familial factors explain 56% (95% CI: 36%, 71%) of the report of three or more symptoms of pathological gambling and 62% (95% CI: 40%, 79%) of the diagnosis of pathological gambling disorder (four or more symptoms). CONCLUSIONS: Familial factors have an important influence on risk for pathological gambling behavior. The increasing access to legalized gambling is likely to result in a higher prevalence of pathological gambling behavior among individuals who are more vulnerable because of familial factors.     

Giant cell tumor of lumbar vertebra. A case report with 13-year followup

A combined one stage anterior and posterior approach was used to excise a giant cell tumor involving the second lumbar vertebra. The tumor involved the anterior and posterior elements of the vertebra. A wide excision was feasible with immediate stabilization using the Luque instrumentation posteriorly and fibular strut grafts supporting the vertebral bodies anteriorly. The followup period was 13 years. There is no recurrence, and the patient has no symptoms of disease, and the fibular grafts are fully incorporated.