Autophagic adaptation is associated with exercise-induced fibre-type shifting in skeletal muscle.

AIM: Acute exercise is known to activate autophagy in skeletal muscle. However, little is known about how basal autophagy in skeletal muscle adapts to chronic exercise. In the current study we aim to, firstly, examine whether long-term habitual exercise alters the basal autophagic signalling in plantaris muscle and, secondly, examine the association between autophagy and fibre-type shifting. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2 months were randomly assigned to control and exercise groups. Animals in exercise group were kept in cages equipped with free access running wheels to perform habitual exercise for 5 months. Animals in the control group were caged in the absence of running wheels. Animals were sacrificed after the 5-month experimental period. Plantaris muscle tissues were harvested for analysis. RESULTS: We showed that long-term habitual exercise enhanced basal autophagy, but without altering expressions of autophagy proteins in plantaris muscle. Interestingly, sirtuin protein, a possible regulator of autophagy, was upregulated in plantaris muscle. Furthermore, we suspected that different types of muscle fibre adapted to chronic exercise in different ways. Long-term habitual exercise resulted in fibre-type shifting from type IIX to IIA in both gastrocnemius muscle and plantaris muscle. Intriguingly, our analysis demonstrated that LC3-II protein abundance is positively correlated with the proportion of type IIA fibre whereas it was negatively correlated with the proportion of type IIX fibre in plantaris muscle. PGC-1α protein abundance was positively associated with the proportion of type IIA fibre and LC3-II in plantaris muscle. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that basal autophagy is enhanced in plantaris muscle after long-term habitual exercise and associated with fibre-type shifting.

[Speech discrimination with bilateral cochlear implants in noisy conditions].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the speech discrimination abilities of patients with bilateral cochlear implants. METHODS: The speech discrimination scores of Cantonese lexical tones were compared between two patients with unilateral and bilateral cochlear implants at different signal to noise (S/N) ratios. RESULTS: At favorable listening conditions with S/N ratios of +15, +10, and the mean binaural speech discrimination scores were 96%, 92% and 88%, but the mean monaural speech discrimination scores from the left and right ear were 86%, 83% and 74% respectively. At unfavorable listening conditions with adverse S/N ratios of 0, -5, -10 and -15, almost no speech discrimination scores could be obtained from monaural hearing but 80%, 72%, 68% and 54% respectively from binaural stimulation. CONCLUSION: Bilateral cochlear implants improve the discrimination of Cantonese lexical tones better than unilateral cochlear implant at various S/N ratios This study confirms the benefits of binaural hearing even in patients using bilateral cochlear implants.

Inhibition of glucose uptake and suppression of glucose transporter 1 mRNA expression in L929 cells by tumour necrosis factor-alpha.

Recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) arrested the growth and suppressed glucose uptake of mouse fibrosarcoma L929 cells in vitro. When the cells were treated with rhTNF-alpha for 24 hours, the mRNA level of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT 1), which is the only GLUT found to be present in L929 cells in our study, was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. Since the growth of tumour cells depends mainly on glucose catabolism, our findings may indicate that rhTNF-alpha inhibits L929 cells growth by lowering the glucose transport through suppression of GLUT 1 mRNA expression in the cells.

Enhanced cytotoxicity and suppression of glucose transport rate by combined treatment of recombinant human tumour necrosis factor-alpha and hyperthermia on L929 cells.

Combined treatment with human recombinant TNF-alpha (rhTNF-alpha) and hyperthermia at 43 degrees C arrested the growth of mouse fibrosarcoma L929 cells in vitro. The cytotoxic effect was enhanced in combined treatment compared with that following administration of rhTNF-alpha or hyperthermia alone. When the cells were subjected to hyperthermia at 43 degrees C for 3 hours and then incubated with 0.4 ng/ml rhTNF-alpha at 37 degrees C for 24 hours, a statistically significant 65% decrease in the rate of cellular glucose uptake was observed. This suppressive effect was synergistic in terms of effect achieved by rhTNF-alpha or hyperthermia individually. Since the growth of tumour cells depends mainly on catabolism of glucose, our findings indicate that one manner by which combined rhTNF-alpha and hyperthermia treatment inhibits L929 cell growth may be by reducing the supply of glucose to the cells.

Increases in mRNA levels of glucose transporters types 1 and 3 in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells during tumor development.

A common feature of many tumors is an increase in glucose catabolism during tumor growth. We studied the mechanism of this phenomenon by using Ehrlich ascites tumor bearing mice as the animal model. We found that Ehrlich ascites tumor cells possess only glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and GLUT3 but not GLUT2, GLUT4, or GLUT5. The mRNA levels of GLUT1 and GLUT3 increased progressively in the tumour during development; however, there were no changes observable in mRNA levels of glucose transporters of all types in brain, liver, and heart of the host mice. These findings suggest that Ehrlich ascites tumor augments its glucose transport mechanism relative to other tissues in response to its unique growth needs.

Spinal epidural abscess: a report of nine cases and the use of intra-operative ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND: Spinal epidural abscess is an uncommon and dangerous lesion. Once neurological complications occur the damage is often irreversible. METHODS: The clinical presentation, operative findings, management and follow up of nine cases of spinal epidural abscess were reported. Four patients were diabetic and four others were intravenous drug addicts. The last patient had a history of a protracted stay in an intensive care unit complicated by pneumonia and pleural effusion. Ultrasonography was used intraoperatively to guide and to assess the adequacy of drainage and decompression of the epidural abscess. RESULTS: Multiple level laminectomy was necessary and Staphylococcus aureus was the most common organism cultured. None of the five patients presenting with acute complete paralysis regained neurological function. Two of the four patients with incomplete paralysis were able to walk with an aid. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal epidural abscess usually presents late and the prognosis is generally poor. Ultrasound may be useful in determining the extent of the abscess during operation to drain the collection.

Sagittal flaps in below-knee amputations in Chinese patients.

Forty-five Chinese patients had below-knee amputation by a sagittal flap technique; 84% for ischaemia. Satisfactory healing was obtained in over 90%, but complications and failure were more common in patients with diabetes mellitus. A modified sagittal flap is recommended.

Comparative study of artery cuff and fat wrap in microvascular anastomosis in the rat.

An artery cuff and a fat wrap placed around an anastomosis with only 4 stitches were compared to the conventional 8-10 stitches suturing technique in microvascular anastomosis: 120 vessels in 40 immature male S-D rats were used. Observations were made 1 hour, and 1, 2, 3 and 8 weeks after the repair. The newer techniques were performed faster, had shorter bleeding time and showed equivalent patency rates to the conventional technique. The artery cuff was slightly superior to the fat wrap, particularly in having fewer adhesions and a better histological picture. Clinical applications are discussed.

Aetiological factors in the genesis of pregnancy hydronephrosis.

In order to identify possible aetiological factors in the genesis of physiological hydronephrosis in pregnancy, the degree of pelvic-calyceal dilatation in 90 asymptomatic pregnant women was correlated with levels of plasma oestradiol, progesterone, 24-hour urinary oestriol, the site of the placenta, birthweight of the fetus, and pelvic inlet measurements. A grading system based on maximum calyceal diameter was used; 90% of the patients were found to have at least mild dilatation on the right side. No correlation was demonstrated between the degree of hydronephrosis and the levels of oestradiol, progesterone and 24-hour urinary oestriol excretion. The birth-weight of the fetus and its relationship with the pelvic inlet measurements also did not correlate with the occurrence of hydronephrotic changes in the kidneys. The only significant positive finding was a higher incidence of moderate and severe hydronephrosis occurring in patients with a right-sided placenta than compared with the left (x2 = 4.77; p less than 0.05), although the sensitivity and specificity in predicting hydronephrosis from a right-sided placenta is low (53% and 66% respectively). Our results support the hypothesis of a mechanical aetiology in the genesis of pregnancy hydronephrosis, where vascular compression on the ureters may be an important contributory factor. Our study has also shown that urinary tract infection and reduction of creatinine clearance were not more common in patients with moderate or severe pelvic-calyceal dilatation.

Estimation of fetal weight in utero from symphysis-fundal height and abdominal girth measurements.

The ability to estimate fetal weight accurately from symphysis-fundal height (SFH) and abdominal girth (AG) measurements was evaluated. Multivariate regression analysis was performed on measurements made on 208 primigravidas within 48 hours of delivery. A better correlation with birth-weight was obtained with the SFH than with the AG. The equation BW = -1.515 + 0.092 (SFH) + 0.016 (AG) yielded a coefficient of multiple correlation of 0.7259. Using this equation, the mean percentage prediction errors were 5.7% +/- 4.2(SD) in fetuses between 2,500 and 3,500 g (n = 156), 9.4% +/- 5.25(SD) in those larger than 3,500 g (n = 33), and 19.1% +/- 8.2(SD) in those smaller than 2,500 g (n = 19). All the generated equations similarly underestimated the fetal weight in the larger babies and overestimated in the smaller babies. Inclusion of quadratic and logarithmic functions as well as skin-fold thickness measurements into the equations did not decrease the error or alter the distribution of errors. It was concluded that although fetal weight estimation may be reasonably accurate between 2,500 g and 3,500 g, the error is too great for the method to be clinically useful in the smaller and larger babies. Moreover, a theoretical basis for a high sensitivity in the detection of small for dates fetuses from these parameters would be difficult to establish.

Studies of beta-glucuronidase in first-trimester placenta, term placenta and hydatidiform mole.

The specific activity and isoenzyme pattern of beta-glucuronidase (beta-D-glucuronide glucurononosohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.31) from first-trimester placenta, term placenta and hydatidiform mole were compared. Enzyme activity is highest in term placenta and lowest in hydatidiform mole, reflecting the steroid conjugation requirements of the tissues. The difference in enzyme activity is due to variation in the level of one isoenzyme form (isoenzyme B) of beta-glucuronidase, which is absent in molar tissue. The possible cause for the changing isoenzyme pattern is discussed.

Comparison of plasma hormonal levels between heroin-addicted and normal subjects.

The serum concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, thyroxine, cyclic AMP and cholesterol were compared between normal and heroin-addicted subjects. Significantly lower ACTH, cyclic AMP and cholesterol levels were observed to be associated with the heroin addicts, but their plasma thyroxine level was significantly elevated. The possible physiopsychological effect resulting from these changes is discussed.

Primary amyloidosis of the bladder.

A lesion of the bladder that looks like carcinoma is most likely carcinoma but benign conditions, such as amyloidosis, should be borne in mind in the differential diagnosis. Transurethral resection was adequate treatment for our patient as well as those reported previously. We agree with others that followup is mandatory.