Tolerance evaluation of Jatropha curcas and Acacia burkei to acidic and copper/nickel-contaminated soil

Aim: To evaluate tolerance of two tree species, Jatropha curcas and Acacia burkei, to an acidic and highly Cu/Ni-contaminated soil. Methodology: Above-ground growth of Jatropha and Acacia were monitored for six months in two different soil types; a typical field soil (FS) and acidic and Cu/Ni-rich soil (ACNS), the latter containing 58- and 14-fold higher levels of Cu and Ni, respectively, than FS. Results: Growth of Acacia was markedly inhibited in ACNS, as evidenced by low number of petioles and branches, thinner stem diameter, and low chlorophyll content compared with plants grown in FS. In contrast, tree height, stem diameter and length of emerged branches of Jatropha showed no significant differences between growth in FS and ACNS. In Jatropha, foliar Cu content grown in ACNS was not statistically different from that in FS whereas a small increase in foliar Ni content was observed in ACNS. Interpretation: These observations suggested that Jatropha possess strong resistance to acidic and Cu/Ni-enriched soil. This trait might be advantageous for dual-purpose, utilization of Jatropha for renewable energy production and afforestation of Cu/Ni-polluted wastelands.

Recent refinements of glissonean pedicle approach for liver resection / Шинэ санаа Шинэ нээлт

Background: The glissonean pedicle approach was introduced by Couinaud and Takasaki in the early 1980s. The key of the glissonean pedicle approach is clamping the pedicle first, secondly confirming the territory, and finally dissecting the liver parenchyma. In this presentation, we introduced our recent refinements of glissonean pedicle approach for liver resection. “Approach to the glissonean pedicles at the hepatic hilus” Couinaud described three approaches to the hepatic hilus. 1) Intra-fascial access (Control method): The conventional dissection at the hilus or within the sheath is referred to as intrafascial access However, dissection performed under the hilar plate is dangerous and surgeons have to consider any variations of the hepatic artery and bile ducts. 2) Extra-fascial access (Glissonean pedicle approach): The glissonean pedicle is dissected from the liver parenchyma at the hepatic hilus before dissecting the liver parenchyma. This procedure prevents intrahepatic metastasis of HCC, which spreads along the portal vein and improves the overall survival after surgery. 3) Extra-fascial and transfissural access: If the main portal fissure or the left suprahepatic fissure is opened after dissecting the liver parenchyma, the surgeon can confirm the pedicles that arise from the hilar plate or the umbilical plate. “Operative techniques” 1) Preoperative 3D simulation of the precise anatomy of portal vein, hepatic artery and bile duct at hepatic hilus should be performed. 2) Right glissonean pedicle: The hilar plate is detached from the quadrate lobe. The assistant pulls the liver parenchyma cranially and the operator conversely pulls the hepatoduodenal ligament caudally. Mayo scissors are inserted along the liver parenchyma between the liver parenchyma and glissonean capsule (Fig.1). Then forceps are inserted in the same way and the right main pedicle is taped (Fig.2). The right anterior and posterior glissonean pedicles are taped as well. 3) Left glissonean pedicle: The hilar plate is detached from the liver parenchyma. Then, the Arantius duct is confirmed and the left pedicle is dissected along the left pedicle at the ventral side of the Arantius duct. “Pitfall of glissonean pedicle approach” The right pedicle should be dissected in the liver side as much as possible to prevent the injury of left hepatic duct. If possible, the right pedicle is recommended to be dissected at the level of the second branches separately (Fig.3). The right posterior hepatic duct sometimes branches from the left hepatic duct and the Arantius duct is confirmed and the left pedicle should be dissected along the left pedicle at the ventral side of the Arantius duct because the right posterior hepatic duct branches from the left hepatic duct at the dorsal side of Arantius’ duct. In addition, the intraoperative cholangiogram should be used in the case with the abnormal anatomy of bile duct. Conclusions: Any anatomical hepatectomy can be performed using “glissonean pedicle approach” which allows simple, safe and easy liver resection.

Inducible nitric oxide synthase and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in delayed gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice

Gastrointestinal motility disturbances during endotoxemia are probably caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced factors: candidates include nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1ß, and interleukin-6. Flow cytometry was used to determine the effects of LPS and these factors on gastric emptying (evaluated indirectly by determining percent gastric retention; percentGR) and gastrointestinal transit (GIT) in male BALB/c mice (23-28 g). NO (300 æg/mouse, N = 8) and TNF-alpha (2 æg/mouse, N = 7) increased (P < 0.01) GR and delayed GIT, mimicking the effect of LPS (50 æg/mouse). During early endotoxemia (1.5 h after LPS), inhibition of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) by a selective inhibitor, 1400 W (150 æg/mouse, N = 11), but not antibody neutralization of TNF-alpha (200 æg/mouse, N = 11), reversed the increase of GR ( percentGR 78.8 ± 3.3 vs 47.2 ± 7.5 percent) and the delay of GIT (geometric center 3.7 ± 0.4 vs 5.6 ± 0.2). During late endotoxemia (8 h after LPS), both iNOS inhibition (N = 9) and TNF-alpha neutralization (N = 9) reversed the increase of GR ( percentGR 33.7 ± 2.0 vs 19.1 ± 2.6 percent (1400 W) and 20.1 ± 2.0 percent (anti-TNF-alpha)), but only TNF-alpha neutralization reversed the delay of GIT (geometric center 3.9 ± 0.4 vs 5.9 ± 0.2). These findings suggest that iNOS, but not TNF-alpha, is associated with delayed gastric emptying and GIT during early endotoxemia and that during late endotoxemia, both factors are associated with delayed gastric emptying, but only TNF-alpha is associated with delayed GIT.

Contribuiçäo ao estudo do diagnóstico de gestaçäo em Capra hircus, através da histologia e citologia do epitélio vaginal / Gestation diagnostic in Capra hircus, through histological and cytological analysis of the vaginal epithelium

O experimento objetivos estudar as diferentes características do epitélio vaginal de 55 cabras que, através de exame, conduzissem ao diagnóstico de gestaçäo. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo o lº constituído de 35 animais submetidos a induçäo hormonal do estro. Cada fêmea desse grupo foi tratada com esponja vaginal impregnada com 50 mg de medroxiprogesterona, a qua] permanecem no interior da vagina durante 10 dias. No 8º dia foram administradas 500 UI de gonadotrofina coriônica humana (via submucosavulvar) e 250 µg de cloroprostenol (via intramuscular). O grupo controle, composto por 25 animais, permaneceu sem qualquer tratamento. Procedeu-se à observaçäo do estro, após a retirada das esponjas, sendo as fêmeas cobertas por monta natural dirigida. As coletas do material iniciaram-se no 20º dia pós cobertura, sendo repetidas a cada 10 dias, totalizando 8 por fêmea. O material para a citologia foi colhido com espátulas, na regiäo anterior da vagina e corado pela técnica de Papanicolaou. As amostras para a histologia vaginal foram retiradas por biópsia da mesma regiäo e coradas com HE e PAS com e sem digestäo enzimática. Os exames histológicos comprovaram diferenças significativas quanto à espessura do epitélio e composiçäo da camada de superficie do epitélio vaginal. Os animais näo-gestantes apresentaram 8 a 10 camadas e superfície composta por células do tipo intermediário alto e/ou superficial, enquanto as gestantes manifestaram epitélio composto por apenas 4 a 5 camadas e células do tipo intermediário baixo na camada superficial, tornando possível diferenciar animais em gestaçäo e näo-gestaçäo por esse método. Nos exames citológicos evidenciaram-se células dos tipos intemediário baixo, parabasal e cuboidal em ambos os grupos, näo sendo possível diagnosticar gestaçäo, anestro ou diestro

Report of an imported case of Dipetalonema perstans in Japan.

A case of Dipetalonema perstans infection in a 34-year-old Japanese male is presented and from his past history there is no doubt that he obtained the infection in Zaire, Africa. The morphology and periodicity of the microfilaria were studied in detail and the clinical manifestations of the infection documented. This is the first report of imported D. perstans infection in Japan.