Trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery for non- adenomatous rectal lesions.

BACKGROUND: Trans-anal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) enables a good visualization of the surgical field and is considered the method of choice for excision of adenomas and early T1 rectal cancer. The rectum and retro-rectal space might be the origin of uncommon neoplasms, benign and aggressive, certain require radical trans-abdominal surgery, while others can be treated by a less aggressive approach. In this study we report outcomes in patients undergoing TEM for rare and non-adenomatous rectal and retro-rectal lesions over a period of 11 years. AIM: To report outcomes in patients undergoing TEM for rare and non-adenomatous rectal and retro-rectal lesions over a period of 11 years. METHODS: Between January 2008 to December 2019 a retrospective analysis was completed for all patients who underwent TEM for non-adenomatous rectal lesion or retro-rectal mass in our institution. Patients were discharged once diet was well tolerated and no complications were identified. They were evaluated at 3 wk post operatively, then at 3-mo intervals for the first 2 years and every 6 mo depending on the nature of the final pathology. Clinical examination and rectoscopy were performed during each of the follow-up visits. RESULTS: Out of 198 patients who underwent TEM during the study period, 18 had non-adenomatous rectal or retro-rectal lesions. Mean age was 47 years. The mean size of the lesions was 2.9 mm, with a mean distance from the anal margin of 7.9 cm. Mean surgical time was 97.8 min. There were no intra-operative neither late post-operative complications. Mean length of stay was 2.5 d. Mean patient follow-up duration was 42 mo. CONCLUSION: TEM allows for reduced morbidity given its minimally invasive nature. Surgeons should be familiar with the technique but careful patient selection should be considered. It can be used safely for uncommon rectal and selected retro-rectal lesions without compromising outcomes. We believe that it should be reasonably considered as one of the surgical methods when treating rare lesions.

Long-term clinical performance of heat-cured high-viscosity glass ionomer class II restorations versus resin-based composites in primary molars: a randomized comparison trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term clinical performance of heat-cured high-viscosity glass ionomer (GIC) and posterior composite resin (CR) restorations in primary molars over a 3-year period. METHODS: Photographs and radiographs of EQUIA GIC and Filtek™ P60 restorations were assessed. Study sample is comprised of healthy preschool/school children with proximal surface caries in primary molars. RESULTS: 70 GI restorations were placed in 45 patients (aged 78 months ± 25) and were evaluated at 33 months ± 7. 61 composite resin restorations were placed in 42 patients (age 82 months ± 19) and were evaluated at 39 months ± 13. GI restorations failure was 17.1%, a significantly greater rate compared with 4.9% in the CR group. GI failures were due to either significant loss of the restoration or to loss of marginal ridge integrity. CR failures were due to loss of marginal ridge integrity. CONCLUSION: Both GI and CR restorations were clinically successful during a 3-year period. GI restorations may be considered as an intermediate-lasting restoration option for proximal lesions in primary molars, with 83% of the restorations functioning up to 36 months. CR restorations showed a higher success rate than GIC during the same period.

Dentin micro-architecture using harmonic generation microscopy.

OBJECTIVES: We present a novel way to create high-resolution three-dimensional images of tooth dentin by harmonic generation scanning laser microscopy. METHODS: The images were taken using a pulsed infrared laser. Three-dimensional reconstruction enables the visualization of individual tubules and the collagen fibrils mesh around them with an optical resolution of approximately 1 microm. RESULTS: The images show micro-morphological details of the dentinal tubules as well as the collagen fibrils at a depth of up to about 200 microm. The data show that while collagen fibrils are organized in planes perpendicular to the tubules, close to the dentin enamel junction they lie also along the long axis of the tubules. CONCLUSIONS: The unique 3D information opens the opportunity to study the collagen fibril arrangement in relation to the tubule orientation within the dentin matrix, and may be applied to study the micro-morphology of normal versus altered dentin.

Suppression of prolactin and thyrotropin secretion in the rat by antiserum to thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

Administration of antiserum to synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) to male and female rats cause a 50% and a 70% suppression in serum levels of prolactin and thyrotropin, respectively, as compared with controls injected with normal rabbit serum. The degree of suppression was similar in diestrous and proestrous female rats and in male rats. These findings support the view that, in addition to its original designation, TRH also has a physiological role in regulating release of pituitary prolactin.

Individual changes in T lymphocyte parameters of old human subjects.

Parameters of peripheral blood T lymphocytes were determined repeatedly (twice, 2-4 weeks apart), in ten old (78 + 5) and compared to nine young (31 + 5) human subjects. Assays included percentage of total, helper, and suppressor, T lymphocytes, and the reaction to PHA stimulation for 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, as assessed by levels of proliferation and IL-2 production. A lower response to PHA was observed in the old as compared to the young, with no significant changes in T cell subsets. A marked variability was noted between the results of the first and second determinations of the response to PHA in each individual. The lack of correlation between the two determinations was more prominent in the old. Unresponsiveness to PHA throughout the incubation period, was noted in two old subjects, but, in only one of the two determinations. This transient unresponsiveness was not accompanied by any changes in their clinical state. Thus, establishments of the immune status of the aged should be based on at least two repeated determinations.

Dehydroepiandrosterone-induced thyrotrophin release during heat stress in rats.

Six groups each of 12 male albino rats were reared from day 21 of life at temperatures of 23, 34 or 37 degrees C. While the rats survived for unlimited periods at 23 and 34 degrees C, the animals reared at 37 degrees C succumbed within 5 days to heat stress. The latter group, when injected s.c. or i.p. with 50 mg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHA)/kg/day were no longer affected by the heat. During this treatment thyroid epithelial cell height doubled, colloid decreased by 20%, connective tissue did not change, the basic metabolic rate decreased by 10% and rectal temperatures of the treated rats increased with the ambient temperatures. Body weight increased only slightly, pituitary TSH decreased by 25%, serum TSH increased by over 50%, thyroxine and 125I uptake increased by 200%. The survival of the DHA-treated rats was apparently secured by blocking the hypothalamic thermoreceptors.

Separation of rat pituitary thyrotrophic cells.

A method for the enrichment of live thyrotrophic pituitary cells is described. Pituitary glands of young male rats were removed into Earle's solution and dispersed in a 0.1% trypsin solution containing 0.5% bovine serum albumin, pH 7.2. Nylon fibres (25 microgram) were used for the separation of the thyrotrophic cells, by stringing them across a plastic frame which fitted a plastic Petri dish containing the cell suspension. The fibres were washed with light petroleum (b.p. 60--80 degree C) and carbon tetrachloride, hydrolysed with 3 M-HCL for 30 min at room temperature and washed with distilled water and phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.2). The fibres were treated with thyrotrophin releasing hormone (TRH) alone or in the presence of soluble carbodiimide solution. After incubation for 1 h at room temperature, the fibres were transferred to a new Earle's medium and cells were released from the fibres by plucking them with a needle. The separated thyrotrophic cells were identified by radioimmunoassay and by electron microscopy. Using the above-mentioned methods, enrichment of thyrotrophic cells was obtained. Thus, the amounts of TSH, prolactin, LH and GH released, during 2 h of incubation, by 1.5 x 10(6) unseparated cells were 6.8 +/- 0.65, 4.1 +/- 0.47, 4.8 +/- 0.52 and 5.2 +/- 0.68 microgram respectively, while the same number of purified thyrotrophic cells released 76.1 +/- 0.42, 1.2 +/- 0.3, 0.6 +/- 0.35 and 1.6 +/- 0.22 microgram of the same hormones (means +/- S.E.M.).

Limited fluctuations in T lymphocyte parameters in the human as a marker of aging.

Analysis of T lymphocytes was performed on SENIEUR protocol selected young and old individuals. Parameters examined were phenotype and reactivity to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) measured under standard and limiting dilution conditions. Blood samples were drawn twice, at an interval of one month, to establish the stability of values measured. The results showed no statistically significant difference as in proportion of CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells between the young and old peripheral blood samples. Standard proliferative responses to PHA were reduced in the old. Limiting dilution analyses revealed a reproducible, pronounced decrease in the frequency of precursors of PHA-reactive T lymphocytes in the old. Twice repeated determinations showed fluctuations in the above parameters in the young, whereas in the old the values were lower and less fluctuating. This observation was not associated with any change in the clinical status of the elderly subjects during the one-year follow up period.

Effect of manual lymph drainage massage on urinary excretion of neurohormones and minerals in chronic lymphedema.

Treatment of 29 cases of chronic lymphedema of various origins, mostly of the lower limbs, by manual lymph drainage massage resulted in significant changes of neurohormone excretion in the urine, whereas the secretion of 17-KS, thyroxine, minerals, and creatinine was not significantly changed. Comparison of the values of urinalysis before and after manual lymph drainage of the patients showed the following changes: 17-KS; -3.5% (non significant); 17-OH: -31% (significant); adrenaline: +50% (significant); noradrenaline: +19% (significant); serotonin: -22% (significant); 5-HIAA: +21% (significant); histamine: +129% (highly significant); thyroxine: -17% (nonsignificant); creatinine: -17% (nonsignificant); sodium: -1% (nonsignificant); potassium: -14% (nonsignificant). The corresponding values for ten controls were all non significant. These findings underline the importance of adrenaline and noradrenaline release by manual lymph drainage, which improves circulation. On the other hand, our results indicate the involvement of histamine and perhaps of serotonin in lymphedema formation, and suggest a combination of manual lymph drainage massage with antihistamine and antiserotonin treatment.

[Effect of palladium and platinum salts on bacteriophage T4 and its isolated DNA]. / Deistvie solei palladiia i platiny na bakteriofag T4 i ego izolirovannuiu DNK

The effect of palladium and platinum salts (K2PdCl4, K2PtCl4) on bacteriophage F4 and its isolated DNA in genetic transformation is investigated. Both compounds efficiently inactivated the phage and decreased the transforming activity of donor DNA. The palladium salt exhibited the higher activity. The palladium compounds inhibited the transforming activity of native donor DNA to a greater degree. No difference was observed in the degree of inactivation of the transforming activity of native and denatured DNA under the effect of platinum salt. It is suggested that the difference in the transforming activity of donor DNA treated with the tested compounds reflect the pattern of their interactions with nucleic acids.

Transformation from an ultrashort pulse to a spatiotemporal speckle by a thin scattering surface.

We have theoretically and experimentally studied the local temporal and spectral characteristics of an ultrashort pulse passing a simple thin diffusive element. We show that as one moves away from the diffuser the pulse evolves into a spatiotemporal speckle.

Femtosecond pulse-shape modulation at nanosecond rates.

We report high-rate, computer-controlled femtosecond pulse shaping by use of an electro-optical gallium arsenide optical phased-array modulator with 2304 controlled waveguides. It provides fast modulation speed of both spectral phases and amplitudes. Limited by the driving electronics of our current setup, we were able to update a pulse shape in approximately 30 ns. This technique paves the way toward individual shaping of every single pulse of typical femtosecond mode-locked oscillators.

Adenyl cyclase activity at different environmental temperatures in the isolated rat anterior pituitary membranes.

The effect of different environmental temperatures on adenyl cyclase was studied. An increase in temperature appears to increase TRH-induced activity of adenyl cyclase, and possible causes an increases sensitivity to the hormone. Cyclic AMP levels of the pituitaries showed change at different environmental temperatures.