In the present study, the relations between acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF, respectively), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and food intake were studied. When aFGF-, bFGF-, and PDGF-like activity in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined by bioassay, the activity of those factors significantly increased in postfeeding CSF, compared to prefeeding CSF. Injections of aFGF, bFGF, aFGF (synthetic amino-terminal peptide of aFGF), and PDGF into the third cerebral ventricle decreased food intake, and injections of anti-aFGF, anti-bFGF, and anti-aFGF antibodies into the lateral hypothalamus (LHA) increased food intake. The activity of LHA glucose-sensitive neurons was inhibited by electrophoretic application of aFGF. These results suggest that aFGF, bFGF and PDGF have in vivo physiological roles in the central nervous system, distinct from those as mitogens.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Dynamic measurement of intraosseous pressures in lumbar spinal vertebrae with reference to spinal canal stenosis.

Dynamic measurements of intraosseous pressures in lumbar vertebrae were performed to determine the effects of positional change on lumbar vertebral circulation. The data collected are applicable to the question of spinal canal stenosis. The measurements were made in 23 patients, 12 of whom had spinal canal stenosis and 11 of whom had spondylosis deformans. The pressures within the spinous processes of L3 and L5 were measured continuously while the patients were prone, lying in the lateral position, and standing. The pressures ranged from approximately 10 to 30 mm Hg in the prone position and showed substantial changes with changes in position. In each subject, they were lowest in the prone, intermediate in the lateral, and highest in the standing position.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Simultaneous measurement of intraosseous and cerebrospinal fluid pressures in lumbar region.

Intraosseous pressure (IOP) and cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) in the lumbar region were measured simultaneously in two groups of patients with either spinal canal stenosis or disc herniation, to compare dynamic changes with positional changes, and to learn whether these pressure changes may have some role in the onset of claudication. IOP and CSFP showed almost the same change patterns with positional changes in two groups. They were lowest in the prone position and highest at the standing position. In standing with flexion, they were almost the same as in the prone position, but in extension they increased above the standing pressure. These dynamic pressure changes could act as a compression force to the cauda equina in the patient with spinal canal stenosis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Computed simulationgraphy: concept and method of clinical application.

The beam's eye view is one of the methods for transferring a patient's computed tomography information to the actual treatment position. We have developed a system for producing beam's eye projections through axial computed tomography data. The treatment field boundary, whose display is applicable to the multi-leaf collimator system, is superimposed upon the image. Data for the treatment set-up and coordinate transfer are also displayed on the image. Conventional X-ray simulators have fallen into disuse for marking the treatment field on the patient's skin. The process and the image completely take the place of simulation and the simulation film made by a conventional X-ray simulator; consequently, we have named the process computed simulationgraphy.

Computer Graphics↗