The superior colliculus (SC) contains two major subdivisions, the superficial layers (sSC) and the deeper layers (dSC). sSC receives visual information from the retina and visual cortex, while dSC sends descending projections to the brainstem and spinal cord. It has not been clear whether and how sSC directly activates dSC, however recent studies in slice preparations reported that electrical stimulation of sSC induces burst firing in dSC neurons after application of bicuculline. In the present study, we tested whether sSC directly activates dSC in vivo. In isoflurane-anesthetized rats, electrical stimulation of the optic nerve (ON) induced negative field responses mainly in sSC, but not as much in dSC, under control conditions. However, after injection of bicuculline into dSC, ON stimulation induced long-lasting negative field responses in dSC. dSC neurons including the tectofugal neurons exhibited burst firing during the long-lasting negative field responses. The burst responses remained after ablation of the cerebral cortex ipsilateral to the SC recordings. These results suggest that retinal inputs induce burst responses in tectofugal neurons in dSC via subcortical pathways when the SC circuit is released from GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition. We propose that sSC is the main candidate for the source of the excitatory synaptic inputs to dSC among the subcortical regions.

Purpose: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients experience various posttreatment side effects that decrease quality of life (QOL). Some previous study reported that QOL of HHC patients were returned baseline (before treatment) after a year post treatment. However, acute stage longitudinal changes of QOL in HNC patients remains unclear. This point might be important for early reintegration of HNC patients. This study aimed to investigate the acute stage longitudinal change of the relationship between QOL and oral function in HNC patients had surgery. Methods: 45 HNC patients (23 men) scheduled for surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. Primary tumor sites were 22 tongue, 5 maxilla, 4 mandible, 3 pharynx and others. Weight, body mass index (BMI), whole body soft lean mass (SLM), and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) were evaluated as muscle mass-related measurements. Lip closure force (LC) and tongue pressure (TP) were evaluated as oral function measurements. Feeding function was evaluated using the Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS). QOL was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QOL Questionnaire QLQ-C30 and H&N 35. Measures were evaluated at pre-surgical treatment (PT), and 1 month (1M) and 3 months (3M) after surgery. The change of QOL parameters and relationships between measurements were assessed. Results: For QOL assessments, role functioning, fatigue, speech problems, trouble with social eating, trouble with social contact, and opening mouth significantly decreased from PT to 1M, but significantly increased from 1M to 3M. Weight, BMI, SLM, SMM, LC, TP, and FOIS demonstrated significant relationships with QOL from PT to 1M. Meanwhile, from 1M to 3M, weight, BMI, SLM, SMM, LC, and FOIS showed significant relationships with QOL assessments. Conclusions: Both oral function and muscle mass-related measurements significantly affected QOL in HNC patients.

Various herb products derived from plants have potent biological effects including anticancer activity. In the present study, the antitumor activity of a herbal product derived from the was examined, using assays in a human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell line. Results showed that root extract at the concentration of 100g/ml inhibited monolayer- and anchorage-independent growth in human OSCC cell lines, while not affecting the adhering abilities of cells. This suggested that it did not alter the expression of any of the adhesion receptors that mediate cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions. The root extract demonstrated potent cytostatic and apoptotic effects due to the downregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase 4 expression and its partner cyclin D1, resulting in G1 arrest and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Additionally, the root extract was found to have blocked vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced migration and tube formation in human endothelial cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that as a herbal product, the root extract is a potential inhibitor of tumori- and angiogenesis and may be valuable in the development of pharmaceutical medications for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

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