Functional heterogeneity of calretinin-expressing neurons in the mouse superficial dorsal horn: implications for spinal pain processing.

KEY POINTS: The superficial spinal dorsal horn contains a heterogeneous population of neurons that process sensory inputs. Information on the properties of excitatory interneurons in this region is limited. As calretinin is a protein thought to be restricted to an excitatory population in this region, the aim of this study was to characterize calretinin-expressing neurons. Most calretinin cells (85%) exhibited large A-type potassium currents and delayed firing action potential discharge, and received strong excitatory synaptic input, whereas the remainder exhibited hyperpolarization-activated cation currents and low threshold T-type calcium currents, and tonic- or initial bursting firing patterns, and received weak excitatory synaptic input. These respective features are consistent with properties of excitatory and inhibitory interneuron populations in this region of the spinal cord. Our findings have resolved a previously unidentified population of inhibitory interneurons. Furthermore, the contrasting excitability patterns of excitatory and inhibitory calretinin-expressing neurons suggest that they play distinct roles in spinal sensory processing circuits. ABSTRACT: Neurons in the superficial dorsal horn (SDH) of the spinal cord play an important role in nociceptive, thermal, itch and light touch sensations. Excitatory interneurons comprise ∼65% of all SDH neurons but surprisingly few studies have investigated their role in spinal sensory processing. Here we use a transgenic mouse to study putative excitatory SDH neurons that express the calcium binding protein calretinin (CR). Our immunocytochemical, morphological and electrophysiological analysis identified two distinct populations of CR-expressing neurons, which we termed 'Typical' and 'Atypical'. Typical CR-expressing neurons comprised ∼85% of the population and exhibited characteristic excitatory interneuron properties including delayed firing discharge, large rapid A-type potassium currents, and central, radial or vertical cell morphologies. Atypical neurons exhibited properties consistent with inhibitory interneurons, including tonic firing or initial bursting discharge, Ih currents, and islet cell morphology. Although both Typical and Atypical CR-expressing neurons responded to noxious peripheral stimulation, the excitatory drive onto Typical CR-expressing neurons was much stronger. Furthermore, Atypical CR-expressing cells comprise at least two functionally distinct subpopulations based on their responsiveness to noxious peripheral stimulation and neurochemical profile. Together our data suggest CR expression is not restricted to excitatory neurons in the SDH. Under normal conditions, the contribution of 'Typical' excitatory CR-expressing neurons to overall SDH excitability may be limited by the presence of A-type potassium currents, which limit the effectiveness of their strong excitatory input. Their contribution may, however, be increased in pathological situations where A-type potassium currents are decreased. By contrast, 'Atypical' inhibitory neurons with their excitable phenotype but weak excitatory input may be more easily recruited during increased peripheral stimulation.

Apical soft tissue biopsies predict biochemical failure in radical perineal prostatectomy patients with apical cancer involvement.

The aim of the study was to prospectively assess the role of apical soft tissue biopsies in radical perineal prostatectomy (RPP) patients with documented apical prostate cancer (PCA) involvement. Between June 1998 and May 1999, 77 consecutive men with localized PCA and documented invasion of the prostatic apex underwent RPP by a single surgeon. Soft tissue biopsies were systematically obtained from the prostatic fossa overlying the apex at the time of surgery. Time to biochemical failure was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. The rates of positive apical margins and positive apical soft tissue biopsies were 23.4% (18/77) and 15.6% (12/77). The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of positive apical margins for residual apical disease as determined by apical soft tissue biopsy were 41.7, 80, and 28%, respectively. The overall biochemical failure rate was 28.6% (22/77) with a median follow-up of 51 months (range 3-73 months). The 36-month biochemical recurrence-free survival rate was 55.9+/-14.9% for patients with positive apical biopsies and 78.7+/-5.3% for those with negative biopsies (P=0.023). In conclusion, positive apical soft tissue biopsy is an independent predictor of biochemical failure in patients with apical PCA who undergo RPP. Positive apical surgical margins poorly predict residual apical disease that is frequently identifiable by apical soft tissue biopsy. Apical soft tissue biopsies should therefore be obtained in patients with known extensive apical cancer involvement at the time of RPP.

Zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein is expressed by malignant prostatic epithelium and may serve as a potential serum marker for prostate cancer.

Zinc alpha-2-glycoprotein (ZAG) is a M(r) 41,000 glycoprotein secreted by a variety of normal epithelia. ZAG was recently shown to stimulate lipolysis in adipocytes, leading to the development of cachexia in animals with ZAG-producing tumors. To understand the possible contribution of ZAG to the development of cachexia in men with prostate cancer, ZAG production by normal and malignant prostate tissue was investigated using immunohistochemical assays. Anti-ZAG monoclonal antibodies reacted strongly with normal prostate epithelium but not with other components of prostate or seminal vesicles. The majority of prostate cancers tested (35 of 48; 73%) also reacted with anti-ZAG antibodies. High-grade tumors expressed significantly less ZAG than moderate-grade tumors (mean ZAG score 1.1 versus 1.9; P < 0.01). Men with ZAG-producing prostate carcinomas had elevated levels of serum ZAG relative to their normal age- and race-matched controls (P < 0.02). Furthermore, s.c. growth of human ZAG-producing murine tumors in syngeneic mice and orthotopic growth of ZAG-producing human prostate carcinomas in nude rats resulted in readily detectable levels of human ZAG in the serum. Taken together, these studies show that ZAG production by prostate cancer can lead to systemically elevated serum ZAG levels that may be useful diagnostically. The effects of elevated systemic ZAG on cachexia-associated complications in patients with advanced prostate cancer deserves additional investigation.

Calpain inhibition prevents sinusoidal endothelial cell apoptosis in the cold ischemic rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Cold preservation of the liver followed by reperfusion results in sinusoidal endothelial cell (SEC) apoptosis. Calpain-like activity is dramatically increased during reperfusion and inhibition of calpains results in lower graft injury and longer survival. Recently, calpains have been implicated in inducing apoptosis. Our aim was to determine the effect of calpain inhibition on SEC apoptosis. METHODS: Livers were stored in the University of Wisconsin solution for 24 hr (survival conditions) and 40 hr (nonsurvival conditions) and ex vivo reperfused for 1 hr at 37 degrees C. Calpain-like activity was inhibited in some experiments using an i.p. injection of a selective inhibitor 2 hr before explantation. Apoptosis was quantified using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl trans. ferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay. Cross-inhibition by the inhibitor was determined for caspases 1 and 3. RESULTS: Apoptosis of exclusively the SEC was a key feature of reperfusion injury after both storage periods in University of Wisconsin solution after 1 hr normothermic reperfusion. Inhibition of calpain activity with Cbz-Val-Phe methyl ester resulted in a 50% reduction of apoptotic SEC in the 40-hr preserved liver, and an almost complete abrogation of SEC apoptosis after 24 hr preservation. Only minimal cross-inhibition of caspases was determined at high concentrations in vitro by the calpain inhibitor. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis of exclusively SEC is a key feature of reperfusion injury partially mediated through calpain-dependent processes. Calpain inhibition reduces the number of apoptotic SEC. Based on these data and our previous work, calpain inhibition may prove to be useful in clinical transplantation.

Endothelial cell and hepatocyte deaths occur by apoptosis after ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic injury of the liver is generally considered to result in necrosis, but it has recently been recognized that mediators of apoptosis are activated during ischemia/reperfusion. This study was designed to characterize the extent and the type of cells within the liver that undergo apoptosis at different periods of ischemia and reperfusion. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were subjected to 30 or 60 min of normothermic ischemia. Liver sections were evaluated at the end of ischemia and at 1, 6, 24, and 72 hr after reperfusion. Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation as evaluated by laddering on gel electrophoresis, in situ staining for apoptotic cells using TdT-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick-end labeling (TUNEL), and morphology on electron microscopy. RESULTS: In situ staining of liver biopsy specimens using TUNEL showed significant apoptosis after reperfusion. Sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) showed evidence of apoptosis earlier than hepatocytes. For example, at 1 hr of reperfusion after 60 min of ischemia, 22+/-4% of the SEC stained TUNEL positive compared with 2+/-1% of the hepatocytes (P<0.001). With a longer duration of ischemia, a greater number of SEC and hepatocytes became TUNEL positive. An increase in TUNEL-positive cells was also noted with an increasing duration of reperfusion. The presence of apoptotic SEC and hepatocytes was supported by DNA laddering on gel electrophoresis and cell morphology on electron microscopy. Several Kupffer cells were seen containing apoptotic bodies but did not show evidence of apoptosis. Only rare hepatocytes showed features of necrosis after 60 min of ischemia and 6 hr of reperfusion. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that apoptosis of endothelial cells followed by hepatocytes is an important mechanism of cell death after ischemia/reperfusion injury in the liver.

Closed reduction of a traumatically dislocated testicle.

Traumatic testicular dislocation is an uncommon event, with fewer than 60 cases having been reported in literature. It is imperative that the emergency physician be aware of the possibility of testicular dislocations following perineal trauma and either seek emergent urologic consultation or attempt relocation of the testicle immediately. Testicular dislocation (following a motorcycle crash) that was successfully managed by closed reduction in the emergency department (ED) is presented. Following a benign course during subsequent observation, the patient was released with close urologic follow-up.

Diagnosis of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, including multifocal osseous KI-1 lymphoma, by fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

We present the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) findings of 4 cases of anaplastic (Ki-1) large-cell lymphoma (ALCL). A primary diagnosis of ALCL was made on FNA material in 2 cases, of which one was a multifocal osseous Ki-1 lymphoma. In the other 2 patients who had a known history of ALCL, FNA was used to detect recurrent disease. In all cases, large discohesive pleomorphic cells in the absence of lymphoglandular bodies in the background raised the possibility of a nonhematopoietic neoplasm. Immunochemical staining for CD30 was positive in all cases. The cytomorphologic and immunochemical features are discussed, along with the differential diagnosis of Ki-1 lymphoma. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:174-179.

Features of benign granular cell tumor on fine needle aspiration.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the cytomorphologic features of benign granular cell tumor (GCT) on fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy and discuss the differential diagnosis. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed three fine needle aspirates of surgically confirmed benign GCT. Immunocytochemical staining for S-100 was performed on the aspirate smear in one case. RESULTS: Two GCT were thigh lesions, where lipoma and fibromatosis were the leading clinical diagnosis, and the third was a breast mass clinically suspected to be a fibroadenoma. All FNA specimens were highly cellular and composed of fairly uniform cells with eccentric, round-to-slightly oval nuclei and abundant, finely granular cytoplasm. The cells were fragile, with stripped nuclei in a background of finely granular material. Occasional cells with nuclear pleomorphism and small-but-conspicuous nucleoli were identified. There was no evidence of necrosis or mitotic activity. Rare intranuclear cytoplasmic inclusions were identified in two cases. The granular cells were immunoreactive for S-100 in the case studied. CONCLUSION: Benign GCT has a distinctive cytomorphologic appearance that permits its diagnosis on FNA. High cellularity, occasional cells with nuclear pleomorphism and prominent nucleoli are features that can be present in benign GCT. Mitotic figures and necrosis should be identified before a diagnosis of malignancy is rendered.

Hypothermia accompanied by noncardiogenic pulmonary edema: a case report.

The combination of severe hypothermia and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema secondary to an opiate overdose is presented. This case emphasizes the importance of ventilatory support and rewarming techniques available in the emergency department setting.

WITHDRAWN: Can the conventional sextant prostate biopsy reliably diagnose unilateral prostate cancer in low-risk, localized, prostate cancer?

The authors hereby retract the e-publication dated 13 May 2008 and entitled, 'Can the conventional sextant prostate biopsy reliably diagnose unilateral prostate cancer in low-risk, localized, prostate cancer?' The authors are submitting a revised version with the same title. This article's statistics were performed for predicting bilateral prostate cancer outcomes. The article was written to help predict unilateral prostate cancer. Although the statistical numbers are correct, they are backwards. We apologize that the statistics indicate a contrary outcome (eg predicting bilateral cancer instead of unilateral disease).

Comparison of serotonin uptake by dense bodies inside and outside human platelets.

A technique has been developed for quantitating the absolute number of dense bodies present in solution following isolation from human platelets. The amount of [3H]-5HT accumulated per dense body was measured following either sonication alone or sonication plus isolation utilizing a Metrizamide density gradient; the dense bodies in each case were washed and resuspended in sodium or potassium-rich buffer. Uptake per dense body following removal from the cell was less than 10% of the amount of uptake per dense body by intact platelets. It thus seems possible that residence of dense bodies inside intact platelets is required for 5HT transport into dense bodies to proceed at a maximal rate.

The range of medication storage temperatures in aeromedical emergency medical services.

OBJECTIVES: The United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) recommends that medication storage temperatures should be maintained between 15 degrees C and 30 degrees C (59 degrees F to 86 degrees F). Concerns have been raised that storage temperatures in EMS may deviate from this optimal range, predisposing drugs to degradation. This study was conducted to determine whether temperatures inside the drug box carried by paramedics aboard a helicopter remained within the range. METHODS: The Aviation Section, with a paramedic on board, utilizes two helicopters and conducts approximately 80 patient care flights per month. A dual-display indoor/outdoor thermometer with memory was used to measure the highest and lowest temperatures during each shift. The thermometer was kept with medications in a nylon drug bag, which remained on the helicopter except when needed for patient care. Ambient temperature measurements at the location of the helicopter base were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center. Temperature ranges were recorded during day shift (8 AM to 4 PM) and night shift (4 PM to 12 AM) during the winter from December 1, 1995, to March 13, 1996, and summer from June 17, 1996, to September 14, 1996. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square and the Bonferroni-adjusted t-test. RESULTS: Compared with the winter day period, the winter night period had lower minimum (13.2 degrees C vs 14.7 degrees C, p = 0.003) and maximum (20.3 degrees C vs 21.2 degrees C, p = 0.02) temperatures. Both were below the USP minimum. The summer day period had higher maximum temperatures than the summer night period (31.2 degrees C vs 27.6 degrees C, p = 5 x 10(-9)). The mean daytime summer maximum exceeded the USP upper limit. Storage temperatures outside of the USP range were observed during 49% of winter days, 62% of winter nights, 56% of summer days, and 27% of summer nights. There was a significant tendency for summer days (p = 8 x 10(-8)) and winter nights (p = 0.009) to be outside of the acceptable range. There was moderate correlation between ambient and drug box temperatures (r2 = 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: Medications stored aboard an EMS helicopter are exposed to extremes of temperature, even inside a drug bag. Measures are needed to attenuate storage temperature fluctuations aboard aeromedical helicopters.

Interleukin-6 protects liver against warm ischemia/reperfusion injury and promotes hepatocyte proliferation in the rodent.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an acute reactant cytokine with anti-inflammatory properties, which has been found to prevent injury in a model of acute hepatitis in mice through downregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha); to correlate inversely with markers of hepatocellular injury in patients with liver ischemia; and to initiate liver regeneration in mice. In this study, we investigated the role of IL-6 in rodent models of hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion (WI/Rp) injury. IL-6-deficient mice (-/-) were subjected to hepatic WI and compared with C57BL/6 mice, as well as IL-6 -/- mice pretreated with recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6). The effects of rIL-6 following various periods of ischemia were further studied in models of hepatic ischemia in rats. IL-6 -/- mice had increased reperfusion injury as assessed by transaminase levels and a tissue necrosis scoring system when compared with controls, an effect prevented by pretreatment with rIL-6. Similarly, rats pretreated with rIL-6 had reduced reperfusion injury and better survival than controls in each respective WI group. Tissue TNF-alpha expression measured by Northern blot analysis and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, a marker of inflammation, were significantly reduced in animals pretreated with rIL-6. Administration of antibodies to TNF-alpha reproduced the beneficial effect of rIL-6. Hepatocyte proliferation, as assessed by a scoring method for mitotic index and proliferating nuclear cell antigen staining, was markedly increased in rIL-6-treated rats when compared with controls. In conclusion, this study suggests that IL-6 could play an important role in limiting hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion (WI/Rp) injury, probably through its anti-inflammatory properties, modulation of TNF-alpha, and/or promotion of liver regeneration. rIL-6 might become an important cytokine in clinical situations associated with WI/Rp injury.

Meningioangiomatosis: CT and MR findings.

Meningioangiomatosis (MA) is a rare hamartomatous lesion of the cerebral cortex; to date only 18 cases with imaging findings have been reported in the English literature. The origin of MA is probably malformative, with possible association with neurofibromatosis. These lesions frequently cause seizures in young patients. We report two new cases seen at our institution and present their CT and MR findings clearly illustrating MA cortex infiltration. Gd-DTPA used in one of the two cases failed to cause enhancement.

Duration of incubation of fungal cultures.

To determine the optimum duration of incubation for recovery of fungi, the results of 2,173 consecutive clinical cultures were reviewed. Overall, 94% of fungal isolates were detected by day 7 and 98% were detected by day 14. Yeasts were usually (98%) detected within the first week of incubation. Recovery of molds required more time, but 81% were detected by day 7 and more than 96% were detected by day 14.

Apoptosis of sinusoidal endothelial cells is a critical mechanism of preservation injury in rat liver transplantation.

In livers excised for transplantation, sinusoidal endothelium appears especially vulnerable to injury during organ preservation in the cold and subsequent reperfusion. The degree of endothelial cell injury correlates with functional impairment of the graft following transplantation. The mechanism of injury remains obscure, but endothelial cell damage has been described as coagulative necrosis secondary to irreversible physico-chemical damage. We investigated whether endothelial cell death is caused by apoptosis rather than by necrosis. Tissue from rat livers stored for varying periods in cold (1 degree C) Euro-Collins solution and then reperfused for 1 hour at 37 degrees C were studied for evidence of apoptosis by detection of DNA fragmentation using the in situ terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d-uridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DNA gel electrophoresis, and by transmission electron microscopy (EM). DNA fragmentation of the type characteristic of apoptosis was identified in 49.7% +/- 2.2% of sinusoidal lining cells after 8 hours of ischemia + reperfusion (viable graft) vs. 70.7% +/- 4.3% after 16 hours + reperfusion (nonviable graft) (P < .001). No such fragmentation was observed after cold preservation without reperfusion or in unpreserved, reperfused livers. EM demonstrated changes characteristic of apoptosis exclusively in endothelial cells. The study suggests that the apoptosis of sinusoidal endothelial cells is a pivotal mechanism of preservation injury in liver transplantation.

Parasitic lesion of the insula suggesting cerebral sparganosis: case report.

Cerebral sparganosis, a parasitic disease, rarely produces a chronic active inflammatory response in the brain. Clinically and radiographically the process may mimic a neoplasm. We report a 30-year-old man who underwent surgical exploration for a mass in the insular cortex. Histology revealed a densely fibrotic mass heavily infiltrated with plasma cells and lymphocytes, in which were embedded parasitic forms consistent with sparganosis. We describe the MRI appearances and pathologic features. Intracranial mass lesions secondary to sparganosis must be considered in patients with a history of travel to endemic areas, especially Asia.

Resonance Raman studies of Escherichia coli sulfite reductase hemoprotein. 2. Fe4S4 cluster vibrational modes.

Resonance Raman (RR) spectra from the hemoprotein subunit of Escherichia coli sulfite reductase (SiR-HP) are examined in the low-frequency (200-500 cm-1) region where Fe-S stretching modes are expected. In spectra obtained with excitation in the siroheme Soret or Q bands, this region is dominated by siroheme modes. Modes assignable to the Fe4S4 cluster are selectively enhanced, however, with excitation at 488.0 or 457.9 nm. The assignments are confirmed by observation of the expected frequency shifts in SiR-HP extracted from E. coli grown on 34S-labeled sulfate. The mode frequencies and isotopic shifts resemble those seen in RR spectra of other Fe4S4 proteins and analogues, but the breathing mode of the cluster at 342 cm-1 is higher than that observed in the other species. Spectra of various ligand complexes of SiR-HP reveal only slight sensitivity of the cluster terminal ligand modes to the presence of exogenous heme ligands, at variance with a model of ligand binding in a bridged mode between heme and cluster. Close examination of RR spectra obtained with siroheme Soret-band excitation reveals additional 34S-sensitive features at 352 and 393 cm-1. These may be attributed to a bridging thiolate ligand.