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PubMed2006

Persistent left superior vena cava.

Congenital venous anomalies are relatively common and some have clinical implications. An example of persistent left superior vena cava was found during a routine dissection. This vein was carefully dissected and followed to its termination in the right atrium. The same cadaver also presented four branches from the arch of the aorta. A left superior vena cava occurs in early development but disappears later. The clinical significance of such a persistent left superior vena cava assumes importance during cardiac catheterization via the left subclavian vein.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Hippocampal brain amines in methotrexate-induced learning and memory deficit.

Intrathecal methotrexate in children with leukemia is known to cause seizures, dementia, leukoencephalopathy, and cognitive dysfunction after long-term treatment. To investigate the cognitive dysfunction, male Wistar rats were given multiple intracerebroventricular injections of methotrexate. Its effect on behaviour was tested in the two-compartment conditioned avoidance task and dark-bright arena test. Levels of brain amines in the hippocampal region of the brain were estimated by HPLC. The qualitative and quantitative histopathological changes in the different regions of the hippocampus were studied by cresyl violet staining. Multiple injections (1 or 2 mg/kg) produced convulsions and learning and memory impairment but did not induce anxiolytic activity. They also reduced concentrations of all three brain amines (norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin) and the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The CA4 region of the hippocampus was severely affected by intraventricular methotrexate. Disruption of brain monoamines has been proposed as a cause of brain dysfunction from this chemotherapy, and that disruption may in turn involve cytotoxic effects of methotrexate on brain tissue. The outcomes of this study may have therapeutic implications in the management of cancer conditions, particularly in childhood lymphoblastic leukemia.

Animals↗