Localization of nitric oxide synthase in canine ileocolonic and pyloric sphincters

The distribution of neurons containing NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity and nitric oxide synthase-like immunoreactivity (NOS-LI) in the canine pyloric and ileocolonic sphincters was studied. Cells within the myenteric and submucosal ganglia were positive for NADPH-d. These cells generally had the morphology of Dogiel type-I enteric neurons, however, there was some diversity in the morphology of NADPH-d-positive neurons in the myenteric plexus of the pylorus. Intramuscular ganglia were observed in both sphincters, and NADPH-d was found in a sub-population of neurons within these ganglia. Dual staining with an antiserum raised against nitric oxide synthase (NOS) demonstrated that almost all cells with NOS-LI were also NADPH-d positive. Varicose fibers within ganglia and within the circular and longitudinal muscle layers also possed NOS-LI and NADPH-d activity. Dual staining with anti-VIP antibodies showed that some of the NADPH-d-positive cells in the myenteric and submucosal ganglia also contained VIP-LI, but all VIP-LI-positive cells did not express NADPH-d activity. These data are consistent with recent physiological studies suggesting that nitric oxide serves as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the pyloric and ileocolonic sphincters. The data also suggest that VIP is expressed in a sub-population of NADPH-d-positive neurons and may therefore act as a co-transmitter in enteric inhibitory neurotransmission to these specialized muscular regions.     

Simple electromyographic biofeedback treatment for chronic pediatric constipation/encopresis: Preliminary report

Pediatric constipation/encopresis is thought to be due, in part, to paradoxical constriction of the external anal sphincter (EAS) muscle during attempted defecation. This inappropriate contraction can lead to delayed, impacted, painful, and infrequent bowel movements. Standard Medical Care (SMC) involves disimpaction with enemas, followed by laxative therapy and diet modification, to maintain frequent soft stools. Using the case control method, the efficacy of SMC alone was compared with SMC plus EAS electromyographic biofeedback aimed at eliminating paradoxical contraction. Thirteen consecutive chronically constipated children received SMC plus biofeedback, and were compared with 13 age- and sex-matched children who received only SMC. Biofeedback subjects demonstrated post-treatment elimination of EAS paradoxical constriction. At 16 months follow-up parents of biofeedback children reported significantly greater improvement in constipation, encopresis, laxative use, and painful bowel movements compared to SMC.This research report was supported by the NIH under grant No. RO1 HD 28160.     

比较CSPO和ISR治疗超低位直肠癌的保肛效果

摘要 目的：比较适形切除保肛术（CSPO）和经内外括约肌间切除术（ISR）治疗超低位直肠癌的保肛效果。方法：选择2020年6月至2022年3月选择在本院诊治的超低位直肠癌患者63例作为研究对象,根据随机分配原则把患者分为ISR组31例与CSPO组32例,ISR组予经内外括约肌间切除术治疗,CSPO组予适形切除保肛术治疗,记录与随访患者的近期与远期预后。结果：所有患者都顺利完成保肛,两组的术中出血量、淋巴结清扫数目对比无差异（P>0.05）,CSPO组的手术时间、术后肠道功能恢复时间、术后住院时间明显少于ISR组（P<0.05）。CSPO组的术后7 d的切口感染、泌尿系感染、吻合口狭窄、吻合口瘘等并发症发生率为6.3 %,明显低于ISR组的29.0 %（P<0.05）。CSPO组术后1 d、3 d、7 d的血清降钙素原（PCT）、超敏C-反应蛋白（hs-CRP）含量都明显少于ISR组（P<0.05）。ISR组术后3个月的满意度为80.6 %,明显低于CSPO组100.0 %（P<0.05）。结论：相对经内外括约肌间切除术,适形切除保肛术治疗超低位直肠癌能有效抑制血清PCT与hs-CRP的表达,具有很好的保肛效果,能减少并发症的发生,还可促进患者康复,从而持续提高患者的随访生存率。     

Musculature of an illoricate predatory rotifer Asplanchnopus multiceps as revealed by phalloidin fluorescence and confocal microscopy

The pattern of muscles in the actively swimming predatory rotifer Asplanchnopus multiceps is revealed by staining with tetramethyl-rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC)-labelled phalloidin and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The major components of the musculature are: prominent semicircular muscles of the corona; paired lateral, dorsal and ventral retractors in the trunk; a network of six seemingly complete circular muscles and anastomosing longitudinal muscles in the trunk; two short foot retractors, originating from a transverse muscle in the lower third of the trunk. The sphincter of the corona marks the boundary between the head and the trunk. The muscular patterns in rotifers with different lifestyles differ clearly, therefore, the muscular patterns seem to be determined by the mode of locomotion and feeding behaviour.     

Antagonistic effects of vasotocin and isotocin on the upper esophageal sphincter muscle of the eel acclimated to seawater

The effects of isotocin (IT) and vasotocin (VT), which are fish analogues of mammalian oxytocin and vasopressin respectively, were examined in the isolated upper esophageal sphincter (UES) muscle. IT relaxed and VT constricted the UES muscle in a concentration-dependent manner. The relaxation by IT and the contraction by VT were completely blocked by H-9405 (an oxytocin receptor antagonist) and by H-5350 (a V₁-receptor antagonist), respectively, suggesting that the eel UES possesses both IT and VT receptors. Truncated fragments of VT did not show any significant effects, indicating that all nine residues are essential for the VT and IT actions. IT may relax the UES muscle through enhancing cAMP production, since similar relaxation was also observed after treatment with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxantine, forskolin and 8-bromoadenosine, 3′, 5′-cyclic mono-phosphate (8BrcAMP). Although 8-bromoguanosine, 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate also relaxed the UES, its effect was less than 1/3 of that 8BrcAMP, suggesting minor contribution of nitric oxide (NO) in the relaxation of the UES muscle. Both peptides seem to act directly on the UES muscle, not through release of other substances from the epithelial cells, since similar relaxation and contraction were observed even in the scraped UES preparations. When IT and VT were intravenously administrated (in vivo experiments), the drinking rate of the seawater eel was enhanced by IT and was inhibited by VT. These effects correspond to the in vitro results described above, relaxation by IT and contraction by VT in the UES muscle. The significance of the relaxing effect by IT is discussed with respect to controlling the drinking behavior of the eel.     

Intrathecal administration of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells for spinal cord injury: Safety and efficacy of the 100/3 guideline

Background aims

Cell therapy with autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is beginning, and the search for its better clinical application is an urgent need.

Ultrastructure and adrenergic innervation of preglomerular arterioles in the euryhaline teleost,Salmo gairdneri

Summary The opisthonephric kidney of the rainbow trout was investigated by light- and electron microscopy and a fluorescent-histochemical technique for biogenic amines was used. Preglomerular sphincters at the origin of afferent arterioles are present in this euryhaline teleost. The branching point of the afferent arteriole is characterized by (i) the formation of a right angle with the parent vessel, (ii) circularly arranged smooth muscle cells of the tunica media, (iii) additional circularly arranged smooth muscle cells intercalated between endothelium and tunica media, and (iv) a collar-like arrangement of several large endothelial cells with elaborate marginal folds and abundant myoendothelial junctions. A dense adrenergic innervation displaying specific fluorescence was found along the terminal arterioles and afferent arterioles, and conspicuously at the preglomerular sphincters. These results are suggestive of a neural participation in kidney function. They are discussed on the basis of recent evidence from pharmacological and physiological experiments for neural involvement in glomerular intermittency.     

Role of endogenous prostaglandins in regulating the tone of opossum lower esophageal sphincter in vivo

The role of prostaglandins in maintenance of basal myogenic tone of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) of opossum has been studied $\text{in vivo}$. Intra-arterial infusion of arachidonic acid decreased LES tone, and this was inhibited by intravenous indomethacin (IDM) or intra-arterial 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETA). Alone these drugs did not reduce LES tone except transiently. In addition they did not affect relaxation of the LES to distention of a balloon located proximal to it or inhibit the “off” contractions of esophageal body and LES pressure which followed balloon deflation. Spontaneous oscillations of LES pressure were increased with IDM. Thus prostaglandin synthesis plays no essential role in maintenance of resting LES tone or in functioning of non-adrenergic inhibitory nerves in the esophagus $\text{in vivo}$. Endogenous inhibitory prostaglandins might reduce LES tone if synthesized in increased amounts.     

经会阴三维超声评价不同分娩方式初产妇肛门括约肌复合体和盆膈裂孔的临床应用价值

摘要 目的：探讨经会阴三维超声在不同分娩方式初产妇肛门括约肌复合体（ASC）和盆膈裂孔（PH）影响的评估价值。方法：选择2017年1月～2019年12月我院进行分娩的初产妇150例,按照分娩方式分成阴道分娩组71例,剖宫产组79例,比较两组基线资料。对所有受试者均实施经会阴三维超声检查,比较两组缩肛动作下肛门内括约肌（IAS）远端、中端及远端平面厚度,肛门外括约肌（EAS）远端平面及耻骨直肠肌（PRM）中端平面厚度,分娩前、产后6周、产后3个月PH左右径、PH前后径以及PH面积。结果：两组孕妇年龄、孕周及体质指数比较无差异（P＞0.05）,阴道分娩组IAS近端6点钟方向、12点钟方向平面厚度以及IAS中端、12点钟方向平面厚度均小于剖宫产组（P＜0.05）。阴道分娩组EAS远端12点钟方向平面厚度小于剖宫产组（P＜0.05）。阴道分娩组产后6周的PH左右径大于剖宫产组（P＜0.05）。阴道分娩组产后6周的PH前后径大于剖宫产组（P＜0.05）。阴道分娩组产后6周的pH面积大于剖宫产组（P＜0.05）。结论：经会阴三维超声可有效评估初产妇ASC和PH的影响情况,分娩会对初产妇ASC和PH产生影响,阴道分娩的初产妇产后存在明显的ASC厚度减小和PH增大现象。     

Post- and pre-synaptic action of isotocin in the upper esophageal sphincter muscle of the eel: its role in water drinking

Isotocin is a fish analogue of the mammalian hormone oxytocin. To elucidate sites of action of isotocin (IT) in the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) muscle, a key muscle in swallowing, IT was applied after treatment with tetrodotoxin (TTX). Even after blocking nerve activity with TTX, IT relaxes the UES muscle in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that IT receptor(s) is present on the muscle cells. Similar relaxation was also obtained by application of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), forskolin (FSK) and 8-bromo-adenosine, 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8BrcAMP) after pretreatment with TTX, suggesting that the relaxing effect (postsynaptic action) of IT may be mediated by cAMP. In contrast to such relaxing effect, IT enhanced the UES contraction induced by repetitive electrical field stimulation (EFS). Such enhancement was blocked by an IT receptor antagonist, suggesting that this effect is also mediated by IT receptor(s). Similar enhancement was also induced by IBMX, FSK and 8BrcAMP, suggesting the enhancing effect is also mediated by cAMP. However, no enhancing effect of IT was observed when the muscle was stimulated by carbachol, or after treatment with curare or TTX, denying the postsynaptic modulatory action of IT and suggesting presynaptic action for IT, i.e., accelerating acetylcholine release. Summarizing these results, role of IT in precisely regulating the drinking rate in the seawater eel is discussed.