Postoperative delirium after reconstructive surgery for oral tumor: a retrospective clinical study.

The aim of this study was to perform a statistical evaluation of the risk factors for postoperative delirium after oral tumor resection and reconstructive surgery. The records of 69 consecutive patients who underwent major head and neck tumor resection and reconstructive surgery, and who received postoperative management in the high care unit (HCU) or intensive care unit (ICU) of Tsukuba University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2017, were analysed retrospectively. Delirium was diagnosed in 23 patients (33.3%) after surgery. There were significant differences in age, sex, history of diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, recent hospitalization history, sedation period, duration of ventilator use, length of ICU/HCU stay, postoperative blood tests (haemoglobin and potassium), and postoperative medication with a major tranquilizer between those with and without delirium. Logistic regression analysis of selected independent variables revealed a hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.42 (1.09-1.86) for the sedation period. Delirium was hyperactive type in 15 cases, hypoactive type in five, and mixed type in three. There was no obvious difference in postoperative day of onset or delirium period according to subtype. In conclusion, a history of diabetes and the sedation period were found to be related to postoperative delirium. However, this study was small and retrospective, so further investigation is necessary.

The Calcium-sensing Receptor (CaR) is involved in strontium ranelate-induced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization.

Strontium ranelate is known to reduce fracture risk in osteoporotic patients by stimulating bone formation and suppressing bone resorption. However, the mechanism by which strontium exerts this beneficial effect on bone is unclear. We examined whether or not the calcium-sensing receptor (CaR), which is activated by divalent cations including Sr (2+), is involved in this mechanism. Both strontium ranelate and strontium chloride dose-dependently stimulated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells transiently transfected with the human CaR. Strontium ranelate also dose- and time-dependently stimulated phosphorylation of ERK in mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells expressing the CaR endogenously. Strontium ranelate increased mRNA expression of osteocalcin and bone morphogenetic protein-2 in MC3T3-E1 cells as well as mineralization and proliferation of the cells. Pretreatments of NPS2390, a CaR inhibitor, almost totally antagonized strontium ranelate-induced mineralization and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. These findings indicate that strontium ranelate induces not only osteoblast proliferation but also its differentiation and mineralization by activating the CaR, and confirm that the therapeutic efficacy of strontium ranelate for osteoporosis may be partly mediated by the CaR.

Sesqui- and diterpenoids from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia infusca.

Seven new cuparane-type (1-7), one new acorane-type (8), one new monocyclic-type (9), and one new prelacinane-type (10) sesquiterpenoid as well as two new clerodane-type (11, 12) and one new halimane-type (13) diterpenoid were isolated from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia infusca, together with 12 known cuparane- (14-21) and aromadendrane-type (22) sesquiterpenoids and labdane- (23) and ent-kaurane-type (24) diterpenoids. The structures for 1-13 were determined using extensive NMR techniques and by chemical degradation and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Absolute configuration of (6S,9S)-roseoside from Polygonum hydropiper.

From Polygonum hydropiper L., a C13-norisoprenoid glucoside was isolated and its absolute configuration was established to be (6S,9S)-roseoside (1) by spectroscopic evidence and X-ray crystallographic analysis of its acetate derivative (2). In addition, the stereostructure of roseoside from Canthium subcordatum was revised to the (6S,9S) configuration.

Sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes from the bark of Inula macrophylla.

Eleven new sesquiterpenes (1--11) and two thymol derivatives (12, 13), along with 12 known sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes, were isolated from the bark of Inula macrophylla. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral evidence (especially by HREIMS and 2D NMR) as well as chemical transformations. The structure of macrophyllic acid A (1) was confirmed by X-ray analysis, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined on the basis of the appropriate chemical conversions and the application of a modified Mosher's method.

Clerodane-type diterpenoids from the japanese liverwort Jungermannia infusca (Mitt.) Steph.

Three new clerodane-type diterpenoids have been isolated from the Japanese liverwort Jungermannia infusca (Mitt.) Steph., together with previously known compounds, nine clerodane- and four labdane-type diterpenoids, and 5-tocopherol. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by 2D NMR experiments and X-ray crystallographic analysis.

Macrophyllols A and B, two unusual novel sesquiterpene and monoterpene dimers from the bark of Inula macrophylla.

[structure: see text] Two novel sesquiterpene and monoterpene dimers, macrophyllols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the bark of Inula macrophylla. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral evidence (especially HREIMS and 2D NMR) as well as chemical transformation. The structure of macrophyllol A (1) was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The possible biosynthetic pathways of macrophyllols A (1) and B (2) are discussed.

Four alkaloids, lucidine B, oxolucidine A, lucidine A, and lucidulinone from Lycopodium lucidulum.

The structures of four alkaloids extracted from Lycopodium lucidulum (Lycopodiaceae) were established by X-ray and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. The dihydro-derivative of oxolucidine A, which was obtained by NaBH4 reduction of oxolucidine A, was treated with p-bromobenzoyl chloride to afford crystals, whose X-ray crystallographic analysis established the stereostructure, including the absolute configuration. The 2D NMR spectra of tetrahydrodeoxylucidine B were fully analyzed to establish the full structure of lucidine B, and the hitherto unknown stereochemistry at the C-14 position was established as beta-H. The structure of a new alkaloid, lucidulinone, was determined by spectroscopic analysis to be luciduline lactam.

Pinguisane and dimeric pinguisane-type sesquiterpenoids from the Japanese liverwort Porella acutifolia subsp. tosana.

Two new pinguisane-type, three new Diels-Alder reaction-type dimeric pinguisane sesquiterpenoids and known sesqui and diterpenoids were isolated from the ether extract of the Japanese liverwort Porella acutifolia subsp. tosano. Their absolute stereostructures were established by a combination of extensive 2D-NMR, CD spectra, X-ray crystallographic analysis, modified Mosher's method and chemical correlation.

Influence of carbon dioxide on respiratory function during posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in prone position.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influences of CO(2) insufflation on changes in blood gas analysis and end tidal CO(2) tension (PetCO(2)) during posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in the prone position. METHODS: Arterial blood gas analysis and measurements of PetCO(2) were carried out during CO(2) insufflation in 16 patients who underwent posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy in the prone position (PRA group). The results were compared to 10 patients who underwent open posterior adrenalectomy (OPA group). Ventilation was artificially controlled during the study period in all cases. RESULTS: Arterial pH, PaCO(2), PetCO(2) and PaO(2) were not significantly different between the PRA and OPA groups. However, the PaCO(2)-PetCO(2) gradient in the PRA group was significantly higher than that in the OPA group (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Transperitoneal absorption of CO(2) occurs in patients undergoing retroperitoneoscopy in the prone position. The alveolo-arterial CO(2) gradient may be the only parameter which indicates the absorption of CO(2) during PRA.

Biotransformation of hinesol isolated from the crude drug Atractylodes lancea by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus cellulosae.

Biotransformation of the sesquiterpene alcohol hinesol (1) with spasmolytic activity, which was prepared from the rhizome of Atractylodes lancea, was carried out by Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus cellulosae IFO 4040. Compound 1 was easily converted to compounds 2-9 by A. niger, and compounds 10 and 11 by A. cellulosae, respectively. Their stereostructures were established by a combination of high-resolution NMR spectral analysis, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical reactions such as epoxydation.

Interactions between hypothermia and the latency to ischemic depolarization: implications for neuroprotection.

BACKGROUND: The authors postulated that hypothermic neuroprotection can be attributed to a delayed onset of ischemic depolarization. METHODS: Halothane-anesthetized rats were prepared for near-complete forebrain ischemia. Direct current (DC) potential microelectrodes were placed in hippocampal CA1. The pericranial temperature was maintained at 31 degrees C, 33 degrees C, 35 degrees C, or 37 degrees C (n = 6 per group). Bilateral carotid occlusion with systemic hypotension was initiated for 10 min. The time to onset of the DC shift was recorded. In a second experiment, rats were assigned to 37 degrees C or 31 degrees C for 10 min of ischemia, or to 31 degrees C for 14 min of ischemia (n = 8 per group). These durations of ischemia were defined to allow 9 min of ischemic depolarization in the 37 degrees C-10 min and 31 degrees C-14 min groups. Neurologic and histologic outcomes were examined 7 days later. RESULTS: Hippocampal CA1 time to depolarization increased with decreasing temperature (P < 0.0001). Time to depolarization was increased by approximately 4 min in the rats maintained at 31 degrees C compared with those at 37 degrees C. Time to repolarization during reperfusion was not affected by temperature. Increasing the duration of ischemia from 10 min to 14 min with the pericranial temperature maintained at 31 degrees C resulted in a duration of depolarization that was equivalent in the 37 degrees C-10 min and 31 degrees C-14 min groups. However, hippocampal CA1 damage was not increased (31 degrees C-10 min = 4 +/- 1% dead neurons; 31 degrees C-14 min = 6 +/- 1% dead neurons, 95% CI, -1% to 3%; 37 degrees C-10 min = 90 +/- 17% dead neurons). CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar durations of DC depolarization, outcome in hypothermic rats was markedly improved compared with normothermic rats. This indicates that hypothermic neuroprotection can be attributed to mechanisms other than the delay in time to onset of ischemic depolarization.

[Bone mineral density (BMD) distribution in edentulous mandible--a measuring system for bone mineral content with computed radiography (CR)].

The purpose of this study was to develop a measuring system for bone mineral density(BMD) using computed radiography and to measure BMD distribution in the edentulous mandible. Nine 2-3 mm thick sequential cross-sectional bone slices were obtained from five cadaveric mandibles. Each slice in cross-sectional view on X-ray image was divided into 64 elements and BMD distribution was investigated. The results were as followed: 1. BMD measuring system: The accuracy was 1.4%(relative error) and the reproducibility was 1.1%(CV). 2. BMD distribution in edentulous mandible: 1) BMD varied from slice to slice, decreasing from anterior to posterior in both cortical and cancellous bone on the inferior and lingual side. The BMD of buccal cancellous bone was relatively higher than that of the lingual side and remained fairly constant throughout. The BMD of buccal cortical bone showed a slight posterior increase. 2) Greater individual variation of BMD was observed near mental foramen and in incisor lingual and inferior cancellous bone. Our system demonstrated excellent precision and reproducibility BMD distribution varied near regions of muscle attachment and the mandibular canal. Further, it was suggested that strong implant stability in the molar region may be obtained by installation of the fixtures in the buccal cancellous area.

[Severe left ventricular dysfunction in a patient with primary Sjögren's syndrome].

A 43-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of shortness of breath and palpitation on exertion. She had a 20-year history of dry mouth and a 10-year history of recurrent pneumonia. She had been diagnosed as having primary Sjögren's syndrome with interstitial pneumonia at 42 years of age. On admission, cardiac ultrasonography revealed reduced left ventricular systolic function. Complications that would elicit cardiac manifestations such as viral myocarditis, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and ischemic heart disease, were excluded. Oral corticosteroid therapy was effective for alleviating symptoms. In this patient, it appears that primary Sjögren's syndrome is involved in the reduced left ventricular systolic function.

Glycine antagonism does not block ischemic spontaneous depolarization in the rat.

This study examined the effect of glycine recognition site antagonism (ACEA 1021) on the incidence of spontaneous depolarizations in the penumbra of a focal ischemic lesion. Rats were administered either vehicle (n = 7), ACEA 1021 (n = 7) or dizocilpine (n = 5) and then underwent 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion. The cortical direct current (DC) potential was recorded. During ischemia, 7 +/- 3 DC shifts occurred in the vehicle group. ACEA 1021 did not reduce this frequency (7 +/- 2 DC shifts) although dizocilpine did (1 +/- 1 DC shifts; p = 0.02). The previously demonstrated neuroprotective property of ACEA 1021 during focal cerebral ischemia cannot be attributed to reduction of spontaneous depolarization in the ischemic penumbra.

Neuroprotective effect of NMDA receptor glycine recognition site antagonism persists when brain temperature is controlled.

Several lines of inquiry have indicated that glycine plays an important role in both glutamatergic neurotransmission and pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. However, subacute outcome trials demonstrating the efficacy of glycine antagonists as neuroprotectants have not been performed with rigorous control of brain temperature. In this study, we investigated the effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor glycine recognition site antagonism in a temperature-controlled rodent model of transient focal ischemia. Male Wistar rats underwent 75 min of intraluminal middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). During MCAO and the first 24 h of reperfusion, rats (n = 10) were administered e55-nitro-6,7-dichloro-2,3-quinoxalinedione (ACEA 1021) i.v. as a bolus infusion of 5 mg/kg followed by 3.5 mg/kg/h (Low-Dose) or 10 mg/kg followed by 7 mg/kg/ h (High-Dose) for 24 h. Cortical temperature was controlled at 38.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C during MCAO and the first 6 h of reperfusion. A 7-day recovery interval was allowed. Mean total infarct volume was reduced by approximately 40% in both high- and low-dose groups (p < 0.01). The preponderance of infarct reduction occurred in the cortex (p < 0.01). Neurologic function correlated with the size of cerebral infarct (p = 0.001). Neurologic grade was similarly improved by treatment with either dose (p = 0.01). These results demonstrate that neuroprotection achieved by antagonism of the glycine recognition site persists when brain temperature is controlled, indicating a potent mechanism of action other than attenuating a hyperthermic response to ischemia.

Hypothermia reduces the propensity of cortical tissue to propagate direct current depolarizations in the rat.

Both spreading depression (SD) and spontaneous cortical ischemic depolarizations are known to be sensitive to brain temperature. What is unknown is whether this temperature effect is caused by altered sensitivity of cortical tissue to the initiating stimulus or is attributable to an altered ability of cortex to propagate the depolarization wave. To address this, halothane anesthetized rats underwent surface heating/cooling to produce pericranial temperatures of 33 degrees C, 38 degrees C, or 40 degrees C. Spreading depression was first initiated by electrocortical stimulation and then by topical application of KCl. The electrical threshold for SD and the time to direct current shift onset after KCl administration were unaffected by temperature. In contrast, the ability of cortical tissue to propagate the SD wave was temperature dependent. Decreasing temperature from 40 degrees C to 33 degrees C was associated with a slowing of the rate of propagation by 25-30% while the duration of the propagated direct current (DC) shifts was increased by 80% regardless of the initiating stimulus. After elicitation of persistent local DC shift with KCl, the interval between initial waves of SD was progressively increased as temperature was decreased. For either method of stimulation, once SD was initiated, the amplitude of the waveform was temperature independent. These results confirm the importance of temperature regulation in procedures examining SD in vivo. Further, temperature effects on SD reflect propensity of the tissue to propagate depolarization waves although ability of cortex to depolarize in direct response to the stimulus does not undergo substantive change.

Electroencephalographic burst suppression is not required to elicit maximal neuroprotection from pentobarbital in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Barbiturates have previously been demonstrated to reduce focal cerebral ischemic brain damage. However, the dose of drug required to elicit maximal neuroprotection has not been defined. The authors' hypothesized that doses of pentobarbital substantially lower than those required to cause electroencephalographic burst suppression would result in maximal magnitudes of reduction of cerebral infarct volume. METHODS: Wistar rats underwent 90 min of filament occlusion of the middle cerebral artery while either awake (control), or anesthetized with intravenous sodium pentobarbital administered to preserve an active electroencephalogram (15-23 mg.kg-1.h-1) or a pattern of burst suppression (45-60 mg.kg-1.h-1; n = 17). During ischemia and for the first 6 h of recirculation, brain temperature was rigorously controlled at 38.0 +/- 0.2 degrees C. Rats were allowed a recovery interval of 7 days after which neurologic function and cerebral infarct volume were assessed. In nonischemic rats undergoing a similar anesthetic protocol, the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose utilization was measured at each anesthetic depth. RESULTS: Relevant physiologic values were similar between groups. Total infarct volume (mean +/- SD) was smaller in the active electroencephalogram group than in the control group (124 +/- 68 mm3 versus 163 +/- 66 mm3; P < 0.05). Increasing the dose of pentobarbital (burst suppression) did not further decrease infarct volume (128 +/- 54 mm3). Neurologic score and infarct volume were positively correlated (P < 0.001). Cerebral metabolic rate of glucose utilization was reduced by 56% in the burst suppression group versus 43% in the active electroencephalogram pentobarbital group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sodium pentobarbital administered at either dose (active electroencephalogram or burst suppression) resulted in an approximately equal to 25% reduction of cerebral infarct size, indicating that burst suppression is not required to elicit maximal neuroprotective efficacy.