[The C-MAC videolaryngoscope: its utility in tracheal intubation by novice personnel].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the C-MAC videolaryngoscope for the tracheal intubation especially by novice personnel. METHODS: Endotracheal intubation was performed using the C-MAC videolaryngoscope in 40 patients undergoing general anesthesia. We compared the percentage of glottic opening score between Macintosh laryngoscope and the C-MAC videolaryngoscope by anesthesia staff and novice personnel. The time to complete instrumentation and optimizing procedures were also recorded. RESULTS: The C-MAC videolaryngoscope allowed visualization of the glottis and successful intubation in 39 patients. There was no difference in the time to intubation between anesthesia staff and novice personnel. Furthermore, there was significant difference in percentage of glottic opening score between Macintosh laryngoscope and the C-MAC videolaryngoscope in novice personnel, because of appropriate guidance by anesthesia staff. CONCLUSIONS: The C-MAC videolaryngoscope is a useful device in education of endotracheal intubation by novice personnel.

Experimental and theoretical aspects of the haptotropic rearrangement of diiron and diruthenium carbonyl complexes bound to 4,6,8-trimethylazulene.

The haptotropic rearrangement of dinuclear metal carbonyl species on the conjugate pi-ligand of (micro2,eta3:eta5-4,6,8-trimethylazulene)M2(CO)5 [M = Fe (3) and Ru (4)] was investigated in detail both experimentally and theoretically. The complexes, 3 and 4, were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and crystallography. The spin saturation transfer technique of 1H NMR was used to measure the rate constant k of the haptotropic isomerization between the two enantiomers of 3 and 4, from which thermodynamic parameters were determined: (3; deltaS(double dagger) = -7 +/- 1 cal K(-1) mol(-1), deltaH(double dagger) = 22 +/- 1 cal mol(-1), deltaG(double dagger)373 = 25 +/- 1 cal mol(-1)), (4; deltaS(double dagger) = 7 +/- 1 cal K(-1) mol(-1), deltaH(double dagger) = 25 +/- 1 cal mol(-1), deltaG(double dagger)373 = 23 +/- 1 cal mol(-1)). DFT calculations (the B3LYP, B1B95 and PBE1PBE methods) were also carried out using the CEP-31G and cc-pVDZ as the basis set of the transition metal and other elements, respectively, by which both ground state and transition state structures were optimized for the haptotropic rearrangement of 3 and 4. The potential energy surface for these reactions suggests that the reaction involves the conversion of the coordination mode from micro2eta3,eta5- (ground state) to micro2,eta1,eta5- (transition state). Mechanistic consideration, in particular that of differences in transition states between the diiron and diruthenium complexes, is also described.

Developmentally-regulated expression of tissue-specific splice variant of rat vesicular glutamate transporter 1 in retina and pineal gland.

Three distinct subtypes of vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) have been identified to date that are expressed basically in a cell type-specific manner. We have found a splice variant of VGLUT1 mRNA that is expressed almost exclusively in photosensitive tissues, i.e. the retina and the pineal gland. The variant mRNA, termed VGLUT1v, contains an additional 75 base pair sequence derived from part of a second intron (designated as exon IIa) between exons 2 and 3. The variant accounted for approximately 70% and 25%of VGLUT1 mRNA in the adult retina and pineal gland, respectively. The expression of VGLUT1v was developmentally regulated in both tissues. Organ culture showed that expression of the variant in the retina increased in association with the development of rod cells, suggesting that VGLUT1v is expressed in rod cells. In situ hybridization with variant-specific probes showed expression of VGLUT1v in the inner segment layer of photoreceptor cells. On the other hand, variant expression did not parallel the development of rhodopsin-positive cells in the pineal gland. As rod cells and pinealocytes are known to release glutamate continuously at ribbon synapses, it is possible that the variant has some functional advantage over the wild-type transporter in such a specialized manner of glutamate release.

Usefulness of deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) polymorphism for individualization from small aged urine stains.

We devised a procedure that combines a simple extraction method, isoelectric focusing and activity staining using the dried agarose film overlay method, for deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) typing from aged urine stains. DNase I types were determined without difficulty from urine stains kept at room temperature for 3 months or more in all of the samples tested. The amounts of urine stains required for typing after 3 months of storage were estimated to be equivalent to 60-120 microl of liquid urine. Therefore, considering that useful PCR-based DNA typing has not yet been developed for urine stains, DNase I polymorphism could be considered the first biochemical marker found to be well suited for individualization from small aged urine stains.

Expression of inorganic phosphate/vesicular glutamate transporters (BNPI/VGLUT1 and DNPI/VGLUT2) in the cerebellum and precerebellar nuclei of the rat.

Expression of inorganic phosphate/vesicular glutamate transporters (BNPI/VGLUT1 and DNPI/VGLUT2) was studied in the cerebellum and precerebellar nuclei of rats using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. DNPI/VGLUT2-stained mossy fibers were principally seen in the vermis (lobules I and VIII-X) and flocculus, whereas BNPI/VGLUT1-stained mossy fibers were localized throughout the cortex. Some vermal and floccular mossy fibers were stained for both transporters. High levels of DNPI/VGLUT2 mRNA hybridization signals were demonstrated in many neurons throughout the vestibular nuclear complex as well as the lateral reticular, external cuneate, inferior olivary and deep cerebellar nuclei. Significant BNPI/VGLUT1 mRNA signals were demonstrated in the lateral reticular nucleus and vestibular nuclear complex but not in the inferior olivary nucleus, indicating that climbing fibers have DNPI/VGLUT2 only. These results show that DNPI/VGLUT2 is expressed preferentially to vestibulo-, reticulo- and cuneocerebellar neurons, some of which also possess BNPI/VGLUT1, suggesting some differential and co-operative functions between DNPI/VGLUT2 and BNPI/VGLUT1 in the cerebellum.

Differential expression of two distinct vesicular glutamate transporters in the rat retina.

Expression and cellular localization of vesicular glutamate transporters (BNPI and DNPI) were studied in the rat retina. RT-PCR showed expression of both transporter mRNAs. hybridization demonstrated BNPI mRNA signals in the inner segments of photoreceptors and the inner nuclear layer, whereas DNPI mRNA signals were confined to the ganglion cell layer. Punctate BNPI immunoreactivity was localized in the inner and outer plexiform layers, and weak DNPI immunoreactivity was detectable only in some cells and fibers of the ganglion cell layer. The present study suggests that BNPI exists in photoreceptors and bipolar cells, while DNPI is present in ganglion cells, as specific systems in distinct glutamatergic neurons of the retina.

A composite hormone response element regulates transcription of the rat GHRH receptor gene.

To further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of the GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) gene, hormonal regulation of the promoter activity of this gene was examined. An approximately 3-kb genomic fragment spanning the promoter region of the gene was sequenced and the transcription start site was determined by RT-PCR and RNase protection assay. A major start site was localized at -105 (relative to the translation initiation codon, ATG), and a pit-1 binding sequence characteristic of pituitary specific genes was found at -155 to -146. Deletion and mutation studies demonstrated this site to be functional. In the presence of dexamethasone, the GHRH-R promoter (from -2935 to -11) directed luciferase expression in MtT-S cells, a somatotropic cell line, but not in the PC12 cells that normally do not express GHRH-R. While T(3), all trans-RA, and 9cis-RA alone weakly enhanced the reporter gene expression, each of these substances was found to act as a synergistic enhancer in the presence of dexamethasone. Additional deletion and mutation analyses demonstrated a functional RA response element at -1090 to -1074. Two functional glucocorticoid response elements and a T(3) response element were found in an 80-bp 5'-flanking sequence of the pit-1 site. Interestingly, it is suggested that the 6-bp half-site AGGACA (from -209 to -204) functions as a 3'-half-site of T(3) response element as well as a 5'-half-site of one of the glucocorticoid response elements.