Cortical areas related to attention to 3D surface structures based on shading: an fMRI study.

The aim of the present study was to determine which cortical areas are activated in relation to attention to a three-dimensional (3D) structure of a surface based on shading. Cortical activities were examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging while subjects discriminated whether the central part of the surface protruded or was recessed based on shading without any binocular disparity cues. Relatively broad cortical areas including both dorsal and ventral visual pathways were recruited when shading was used as a crucial cue for the perception of the 3D structure of a surface. In these cortical areas, however, the right intraparietal area was shown to be commonly activated in all subjects and in all sessions by multisubject conjunction analysis. These results strongly suggest that the intraparietal area plays an important role in perception of the 3D structure of a surface, even when based only on monocular depth cues without binocular disparity cues.

Effects of 5-HT(4) receptor agonists, cisapride and mosapride citrate on electrocardiogram in anaesthetized rats and guinea-pigs and conscious cats.

The purpose of this study was to examine the arrhythmogenic potential of 5-HT4 receptor agonists, cisapride and mosapride citrate (mosapride) in vivo. In anaesthetized rats, cisapride at intravenous infusion of 10 and 30 mg/kg/hr for 1 hr prolonged the electrocardiographic RR and QT intervals, whereas at 3 mg/kg/hr, it prolonged the RR interval without affecting the QT interval. Mosapride at 30 mg/kg/hr for 1 hr slightly, but not significantly, prolonged the QT interval. In anaesthetized guinea-pigs, cisapride at intravenous infusion of 0.3, 1 and 3 mg/kg over 15 min. prolonged the RR interval (18-44%), QT interval (18-42%) and the corrected QT interval (QTc; 8-19%). Mosapride at 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg over 15 min. little affected the QTc although at 30 mg/kg, it slightly prolonged the RR and QT intervals. With repeated oral administrations of 30 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days, cisapride prolonged the QT interval (11-35%) and QTc (11-32%) at the 3rd and 7th days in conscious cats. In addition, cisapride depressed the ST segment in two out of five cats. Mosapride at 60 mg/kg twice a day for 7 days did not affect the QT interval or QTc in cats. The maximal plasma concentrations of mosapride and its main metabolite (a des-4-fluorobenzyl-mosapride) at the 7th day in cats were 9.4+/-2.8 microM and 2.5+/-0.3 microM , respectively, being 100 and 30-60 times higher than those in man given therapeutic doses (Sakashita et al. 1993a&b). These results indicate that mosapride has little arrhythmogenic potential.

Study on withdrawal of hypnotics: questionnaire on hypnotic use and its withdrawal.

To investigate the situation and problems contingent to hypnotic use and withdrawal, we conducted a questionnaire of outpatients. Only 41% of the patients were satisfied with their sleep and 53% of the patients took hypnotics. As regards the period, 83% of users had used them for more than 1 year and 19% had used them for more than 10 years. Although 90% of patients perceived efficacy of hypnotics, 67% felt more or less anxious about hypnotic use. Sixty-seven per cent of patients had actually withdrawn from the drugs or decreased dosage before. More than half the patients' conditions worsened after the withdrawal or reducing dosage.

[Keratoprosthesis by posterior fixation and mechanical biocompatibility: determination of intraocular pressure provoking aqueous humor leak and/or extrusion]. / Kératoprotheses à fixation postérieure et biocompatibilité mécanique: détermination de la pression intraoculaire provoquant une fuite d'humeur aqueuse et/ou une extrusion.

The effect of a sudden increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) on Eye Bank eyes implanted with a posterior fixation keratoprosthesis PCL5 type (Lacombe) is evaluated. The IOP was artificially increased at a rate close to that observed in direct eye trauma. The critical pressure values causing aqueous humor leak and/or keratoprosthesis extrusion were compared to those found to blow up unoperated eyes. No statistical difference was found between operated and control eyes (6 pairs of eyes). This KPro type showed its efficacy for keratoprosthesis fixation.

Quantification of holmium: YAG and thulium: YAG laser-induced scleral shrinkage for buckling procedures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To quantify and compare holmium:YAG (2.1 microns) and thulium:YAG (2.0 microns) laser-induced scleral shrinkage for retinal buckling procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two overlapping spots of either laser radiation were applied at the equatorial sclera of 50 human cadaver eyes. Scleral shrinkage was expressed as a relative change of length between two reference points on the scleral surface, and quantified as a function of energy per pulse, total energy, scleral thickness, and intraocular pressure (IOP). Tissue effects were studied histopathologically. RESULTS: Shrinkage was most dependent on total fluence and attained a maximum of 27% to 30% with an IOP of 4 mm Hg, regardless of scleral thickness or laser parameters, but decreased with increasing IOP. The thulium:YAG laser produced more efficient scleral shrinkage and less collagen damage than the holmium:YAG laser. CONCLUSION: The recommended parameters for laser-induced scleral shrinkage are the thulium:YAG laser, with 2.4 J/cm2 per pulse and 12.0 to 14.4 J/cm2 total fluence (5 to 6 pulses). IOP control (< or = 4 mm Hg) is crucial during laser scleral buckling.

A patient with chronic hepatitis C and a history of abuse of analeptic drugs, who showed hallucination and delusion with interferon administration.

We experienced a case of chronic hepatitis type C accompanied with hallucination and delusion induced by interferon (IFN) therapy positive. The case was a 47-year-old male, whose laboratory data showed positive for anti-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and elevated transaminase level. He was treated with 6 MU/day of natural-type IFN-alpha (HLBI). Sleeplessness and delusions of persecution developed about 2 months after the start of IFN therapy. The interview of the psychiatrist disclosed that the patient had a history of addiction to drugs, and these psychiatric symptoms were diagnosed as being of "the flashback phenomenon." These side effects were improved after the administration of psychotropics and it was suggested that we had to take care of the development of flashback phenomenon during the treatment of IFN in cases of chronic hepatitis with a history of addiction to drugs.

Effects of the new calcium antagonist monatepil on cardiac function and myocardial oxygen supply and demand in animals.

The effects of monatepil ([(+/-)-N-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)-4-(p-fluor ophenyl)-1- piperazinebutyramide]maleate, AJ-2615, CAS 103377-41-9), a new calcium antagonist, on cardiac function and myocardial oxygen supply and demand were examined. 1. Monatepil reduced the spontaneous beats of isolated rabbit atria at the concentration of 3 x 10(-6) and 10(-5) mol/l. Monatepil decreased the contractile force of papillary muscles in a concentration-dependent manner (3 x 10(-8)-10(-5) mol/l). 2. Monatepil (0.3 mg/kg i.v.) slightly decreased heart rate in anesthetized open-chest dogs. This drug (0.1, 0.3 mg/kg i.v.) increased cardiac output and decreased blood pressure and total peripheral resistance. Monatepil decreased left ventricular dP/dtmax and slightly increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. 3. Monatepil (0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.v.) did not affect the PR interval, QRS duration and QTc interval of electrocardiograms in anesthetized dogs, whereas diltiazem (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg i.v.) markedly prolonged the PR interval. 4. Monatepil (0.1-0.3 mg/kg i.v.) increased coronary blood flow (CoBF) and decreased myocardial oxygen consumption (MOC) and extraction. 5. Monatepil and diltiazem showed almost the same effects on cardiac function and myocardial oxygen supply and demand, but the negative chronotropic and negative dromotropic effects of monatepil were less potent than those of diltiazem.

In vitro and in vivo electrocardiographic evaluation of the novel calcium antagonist monatepil on cardiac conduction system.

Effects of monatepil ([(+/-)-N-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b, e]thiepin-11-yl)-4-(p-fluorophenyl)-1-piperazinebutyramide]m aleate, AJ-2615, CAS 103377-41-9), a novel calcium antagonist, on the cardiac conduction system were compared by electrocardiography with those of the existing calcium antagonists (diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine) in isolated rabbit heart preparations in vitro and in anesthetized and conscious dogs in vivo. Monatepil (10(-7) mol/l) prolonged the atrio-His bundle conduction time (AH interval) in the Langendorff perfused rabbit heart, like diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine. This prolongation was decreased to 1/10 in the presence of 3.6% bovine serum albumin. In anesthetized dogs, monatepil (0.1-1.0 mg/kg i.v.), unlike diltiazem and verapamil, did not prolong AH interval. In conscious dogs, monatepil even at 100 mg/kg p.o. did not affect electrocardiograms. At the high dose of 300 mg/kg p.o., only a slight prolongation of the QT interval was found, but the QTc interval was not affected. Diltiazem at 10 mg/kg p.o. caused a prolongation of the PR interval and a disappearance of QRS waves. In conscious renal hypertensive dogs, repeated administration of monatepil (10 mg/kg/d p.o. for 29 days) had little effect on the conduction system of the heart examined by electrocardiograms, albeit a persistent fall in blood pressure continued throughout the administration period. The above results suggest that monatepil is a highly safe drug in the treatment of hypertension.

Antihypertensive effects of AJ-2615, a new calcium antagonist with alpha 1-adrenergic blocking activity in experimental hypertensive animals.

The antihypertensive effect of AJ-2615 [(+/-)-N-(6,11-dihydrodibenzo[b,e]thiepin-11-yl)-4-(4-fluoro phenyl)-1- piperazinebutanamide maleate], a novel calcium (Ca) antagonist having alpha 1-adrenergic blocking activity as well, was compared with that of the existing Ca antagonists (diltiazem, nifedipine, and nicardipine) in various hypertensive models of dogs and rats. When given orally to renal hypertensive dogs (RHDs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), AJ-2615 (RHDs, ED25 mm Hg = 6.0 mg/kg; SHRs, ED25 mm Hg = 24.9 mg/kg) was approximately as effective as diltiazem (RHDs, ED25 mm Hg = 6.3 mg/kg; SHRs, ED25 mm Hg = 54.7 mg/kg) in lowering the blood pressure. This antihypertensive effect was slower in onset and longer in duration (RHDs, > or = 9 h; SHRs, > or = 20 h) compared with any of the other reference drugs. AJ-2615 (10 mg/kg p.o.) given to RHDs once daily for 29 days significantly reduced the blood pressure measured 24 h after each dose and caused a stable antihypertensive effect without major diurnal variations. When given in single oral doses to RHDs and SHRs, AJ-2615 had no large effect on the heart rate while the reference drugs induced a large increase or decrease in heart rate in response to a blood pressure fall. These results suggested that AJ-2615 has potential as a long-acting (once daily dosage regimen) antihypertensive drug without causing a steep blood pressure fall and tachycardia.

Changes in the incidence and duration of electroconvulsions after acute or subchronic treatment with methamphetamine in mice.

The effects of acute or subchronic treatment with methamphetamine on the incidence, intensity, and duration of electroconvulsion were investigated in mice. The convulsion was induced by electrical stimulation (100 Hz, 60 mA, 0.1-s duration) through electrodes located at each ear of mice, then analyzed by the vibration monitoring apparatus. Acute methamphetamine (3 mg/kg) reduced the incidence of the electroconvulsion in mice; however, the duration of each phase of the convulsion was prolonged by acute methamphetamine. Repeated administration of methamphetamine prolonged the duration of clonic phase of the convulsion and enhanced the acute methamphetamine-induced reduction in the incidence of electroconvulsion. These data indicate that the incidence of electroconvulsion is regulated by different mechanisms underlying the duration and intensity of the convulsion.

Synaptic responses of guinea pig and rat central amygdala neurons in vitro.

1. To investigate postsynaptic potentials (PSPs), we made intracellular recordings from neurons of the amygdaloid central nucleus in slices from the guinea pig and rat brains maintained in vitro. The results from guinea pigs and rats were very similar. 2. In the presence of bicuculline (20 microM), focal electrical stimulation of the amygdaloid basal nucleus with low intensities elicited short-latency excitatory PSPs (EPSPs) followed by long-latency EPSPs. The short-latency EPSP was selectively blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dion (CNQX; 10-20 microM). The long-latency EPSP was preferentially abolished by D,L-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D,L-APV; 40 microM) and was augmented by removal of extracellular Mg2+. The compound EPSP reversed at -4 mV, which was close to -1 mV, the reversal potential for pressure-ejected glutamate (Glu). 3. When the intensity of the focal stimulation was increased in the presence of bicuculline (20 microM), CNQX (20 microM), and D,L-APV (50 microM), a second EPSP with a short latency and a prolonged duration could be evoked in approximately 65% of the neurons. The EPSPs were reversibly blocked by d-tubocurarine (50 microM) or hexamethonium (200 microM) but were unaffected by atropine (1 microM) or a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, ICS-205930 (5-10 microM). In these neurons, acetylcholine (ACh; 1-3 mM) caused a depolarization, associated with a decreased input resistance. 4. In the presence of CNQX (20 microM) and D,L-APV (50 microM), single focal stimulation of the dorsolateral subdivision in the central nucleus with low intensities elicited a depolarizing inhibitory PSP (IPSP). The IPSP was reversibly abolished by bicuculline (20-40 microM). The reversal potential (-63 mV) for the IPSP was similar to the reversal potential (-61 mV) for the response to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) applied by pressure ejection. 5. In the presence of bicuculline (20-40 microM) and CNQX (20 microM), a repetitive focal stimulus with high intensities delivered to the dorsolateral subdivision produced a hyperpolarizing PSP followed by a slow depolarization in most neurons. Of putative inhibitory amino acid transmitters, glycine (Gly; 3 mM) produced only a hyperpolarization, associated with a decrease in input resistance. Strychnine (1-2 microM) reversibly blocked both the Gly hyperpolarization and the synaptically evoked hyperpolarization. The reversal potential of -81 mV for the hyperpolarizing PSP was close to -82 mV for the Gly hyperpolarization. The reversal potential for the Gly response was shifted to less negative values by increasing the external K+ concentration or decreasing the extracellular Cl- concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Modification, calibration, and comparative testing of an automated surgical keratometer.

A new digital surgical keratometer (SK-1, Canon Inc) designed to fit existing operating microscopes and provide quantitative measurements at a nominal 2.0- and 3.6-mm diameter optical zone of the central cornea was modified for single foot-switch operation by the surgeon. The instrument was tested against three calibrated steel spheres, an astigmatic test-jig, and compared with a standard clinical keratometer (CLC, A.O. Co) in two studies involving six eye bank eyes and five healthy human corneas. Assessed with the steel spheres, the SK-1 calibration error was -0.042 diopters at the 3.6-mm diameter and +0.207 D at the 2.0-mm chord, while it was -0.120 D for the CLC. With cylindrical power greater than 0.50 D, the astigmatic angle was accurate to +/- 1 degree. After correction for calibration error, the CLC readings on eye bank eyes were 1.00 D higher in average (range +0.45 to +1.90) than those obtained with the SK-1 which gave lower keratometric values at the 2-mm chord diameter (-0.254 D, range: +0.05 to -0.7). The human subject corrected readings at the 3.6-mm chord were within 0.137 D (range -0.09 to +0.41) from the CLC values. A mean corrected difference of +0.068 D (range -0.27 to +0.30) was found between the two chords. The SK-1 instrument was easier to use than the CLC. A more accurate calibration and the addition of automated averaging and video display of readings as well as of a motorized Placido disc would further augment its clinical usefulness.

Artificial orbit system for experimental surgery with enucleated globes.

A portable system for holding, accurately positioning, and restoring the physiologic integrity of enucleated globes during experimental anterior segment procedures and pars plana vitrectomy is described. A 0 to 500-mm Hg vacuum fixation ring and positioning apparatus mechanically locks globes into known spatial position while they are supported in a 2 to 6-mm Hg pressurized, pliable socket designed to match the size and pressure of a natural orbit. A gravity infusion system and an implantable piezoelectric pressure sensor in conjunction with a syringe and stopcock assembly allow for controlled inflation of globes to intraocular pressure (IOP) levels from 0 to 70 mm Hg, and to over 300 mm Hg. The fixation vacuum level, and intraocular and extraocular pressures are simultaneously monitored on 3-digit LED displays, and permanent records of each can be generated by routing data to storage devices. The anterior segment remains accessible at all times for surgical procedures and diagnostic measurements. The entire system is portable, allowing globes to be transported to multiple experimental stations, while all pressure settings and the position of the globe are maintained. To demonstrate applications of the artificial orbit system, we describe experiments using it to calibrate applanation tonometers, and to study the relationship between IOP and corneal curvature as well as the effect of trephination procedures and limbal vacuum fixation on IOP.

An intraoperative intraocular pressure monitor.

An autoclavable instrument based on piezoelectric principles for intraoperative monitoring of the intraocular pressure is presented. Accurate and rapid recordings of intraocular pressure during various surgical techniques are discussed.

[The simultaneous evaluation of serum NSE as a tumor marker in lung cancer compared with serum CEA--high sensitivity and specificity defined in the TP-FP curve].

Serum NSE and serum CEA levels were simultaneously examined in 40 patients with primary lung cancer and in 70 other patients without cancer, including 45 young healthy subjects, 13 cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), and 12 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis. The primary lung cancers consisted of 13 small cell carcinomas, 12 adenocarcinomas, 11 epidermoid carcinomas, 3 large cell carcinomas, and 1 unclassified. The mean serum NSE level in the 40 primary lung cancer cases was 18.4 +/- 65.7 ng/ml, the levels for small cell carcinomas, adenocarcinomas, epidermoid carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas being 46.8 +/- 46.7 ng/ml, 3.8 +/- 1.0 ng/ml, 4.6 +/- 2.8 ng/ml and 3.6 +/- 0.3 ng/ml, respectively. The levels in young healthy subjects, COPD cases, and pulmonary tuberculosis cases were 3.0 +/- 0.59 ng/ml, 3.2 +/- 0.51 ng/ml and 5.0 +/- 1.5 ng/ml, respectively. In order to evaluate the efficacy of NSE as a tumor marker, we calculated the true positive ratios and false positive ratios for serum NSE, as on indicator of sensitivity and specificity. It was concluded that serum NSE is an excellent new tumor marker compared with CEA, especially for small cell carcinomas.

Effect of the novel orally active angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor alacepril on cardiovascular system in experimental animals.

Effects of 1-[(S)-3-acetylthio-2-methylpropanoyl]-L-prolyl-L-phenylalanine (alacepril, DU-1219) a new orally active angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, on cardiovascular system in experimental animals were examined. In conscious renal hypertensive dogs, alacepril (3 mg/kg p.o.) caused a marked reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR), but did not change significantly heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), cardiac work (CW) and electrocardiogram (ECG). Captopril (3 mg/kg, p.o.) showed similar changes in cardiovascular parameters as alacepril. In anesthetized open-chest normotensive dogs, alacepril (3-100 micrograms/kg/min for 10 min, i.v. infusion) tended to decrease DBP and TPR, but did not change significantly CO, stroke work (SW), left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), dp/dt and HR. Captopril also showed similar effects but these changes were greater in extent than those of alacepril. In conscious renal hypertensive rats, alacepril did not affect the regional cerebral blood flow in the frontal cortex and the dorsal hippocampus after single (3 and 10 mg/kg) and successive (3 mg/kg/d for 7 days) oral administration. Captopril (10 mg/kg) significantly decreased blood flow in the frontal cortex after single oral administration. In conscious normotensive dogs, alacepril (3 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) increased renal plasma flow (RPF), urine volume (UV), urinary sodium excretion (UNaV) and urinary Na+/k+ ratio, but did not change glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and urinary potassium excretion (UKV). Captopril (3 and 30 mg/kg p.o.) also showed similar changes as alacepril. These effects of alacepril on cardiovascular system resemble those of captopril and might be considered as a favourable profile for the antihypertensive agent.

Intraocular diathermy coagulation.

Previously used transvitreal diathermy systems were found to be less than adequate. A new, safer 1.25 MHz medium frequency bipolar instrument is presented, which obviates most of the earlier drawbacks. Coagulation at the retinal surface can be obtained with as little as 0.15 J.

Membrane peeler cutter. Automated vitreous scissors and hooked needle.

A new instrument, the membrane peeler cutter (MPC), has a solenoid-activated right-angled microscissors (diameter, 0.9 mm) that can be used as a hooked needle as well. It has been successfully used in more than 50 vitrectomy procedures that were complicated by intraocular membrane formation at the preretinal level. It has also been helpful in the cutting of pupillary membranes.