Effectiveness of 15-deoxyspergualin on steroid-resistant acute rejection in living related liver transplantation.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H Katoh.
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1. Myocardial injury has been shown to be associated with successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The present study was designed to determine whether uncomplicated successful PTCA results in myocardial injury by measuring coronary sinus (CS) cardiac troponin T (cTnT). 2. We measured cTnT in the CS and the femoral vein (FV) in 16 patients with stable angina pectoris who underwent uncomplicated PTCA for stenotic lesions of the left anterior descending artery. Blood samples were drawn from both the CS and FV before and immediately after PTCA and every 4 h for the next 12 h. 3. All patients had chest pain and electrocardiographic ST segment elevation or depression during balloon inflation and higher peak elevation of cTnT in the CS than in the FV (0.054 +/- 0.059 vs 0.036 +/- 0.022 ng/mL; P < 0.05). However, all CS cTnT levels were within the normal range over the 12 h period. 4. The fact that CS cTnT measurements showed no evidence of uncomplicated PTCA-related myocardial injury led us to conclude that uncomplicated successful PTCA does not cause myocardial injury.
A new rat mutant with abnormal behavior has been found in a closed colony of Slc: SD. The affected rats turned around after their own tails beginning 4-5 weeks after birth, in response to extroceptive stimuli, such as sound or vibration. The behavior was more pronounced in younger animals. On gross observation, no alteration was found in the cerebrum, cerebellum, or anterior, posterior, or lateral semicircular canals. Light microscopic examination revealed no abnormality in the cerebrum or cerebellum. The trait was controlled by an autosomal dominant gene with incomplete penetrance (78.0%) when transferred to the WKY genetic strain background. It was named "turning" with the gene symbol Tur. A congenic strain was established, which was designated WKY/Eis-Tur.
We have discovered mutant rats with hyperbilirubinuria at the laboratories of Eisai Co., Ltd., Gifu, Japan, and established a new inbred mutant strain, which was designated Eisai Hyperbilirubinuria Rat (EHBR/Eis). They show jaundice immediately after birth, and direct or conjugated hyperbilirubinemia throughout their life. The phenotypes are controlled by a single autosomal recessive gene, hyb with full penetrance. Affected homozygous males seem to have full reproductive capacity. On the other hand, the litter size of hyb/hyb females is significantly reduced at second parturition compared with that at first one. In order to maintain the strain efficiently and to produce both affected (hyb/hyb) and normal control (hyb/+) offspring at the same time, we have mainly been mating hyb/hyb males with hyb/+ females in establishing the inbred strain. We also report here the allele distribution of the EHBR/Eis strain.
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We report a case of metastatic pulmonary calcification that showed hyperintense signal on T1-weighted MRI. This uncommon MR appearance of calcification is similar to the MR characteristics of calcification in the brain due to abnormal calcium metabolism.
Effects of nicardipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, on regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF), myocardial oxygen tension (PO2), and excitation and conduction abnormalities during the occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) were examined in anesthetized dogs, and compared with those of nifedipine and dipyridamole. RMBF was calculated from the H2 gas clearance curves, and PO2 was measured using a membrane-coated Pt wire. Excitation and conduction abnormalities during the LAD occlusion were represented in terms of the degree of ST-T alternans (STTA), TQ depression, and conduction delay, which appeared in epicardial electrograms. Nicardipine and nifedipine in a dose of 10 micrograms/kg increased RMBF and PO2 levels in nonischemic and mildly ischemic tissues, but not in severely ischemic tissues. Nicardipine in a dose of 100 micrograms/kg and nifedipine in a dose of 10 micrograms/kg attenuated the degree of STTA, TQ depression, and conduction delay observed in severely ischemic tissues. In mildly ischemic tissues where only TQ depression was observed without STTA, nicardipine in a dose of 30 micrograms/kg attenuated TQ depression. Dipyridamole in a dose of 1 mg/kg produced only a slight attenuation of STTA and conduction delay. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of nicardipine as well as of nifedipine on myocardial ischemia are due to the increase in the myocardial PO2 levels caused by the increased RMBF and also to direct protecting effects on ischemic myocardial cells. In the severely ischemic tissues, the latter is a main effect of the drugs. In increasing the PO2 level, nicardipine was similarly potent as nifedipine, but in the direct effect, nicardipine was less potent, and dipyridamole was almost ineffective.
PURPOSE: To manufacture high-porosity expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular grafts with the same internodal distance but different node-fibril morphology, and to evaluate their biologic behaviors in a canine carotid artery implantation model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several types of high-porosity ePTFE vascular grafts with the same inside diameter (4 mm) and wall thickness (650 microm) were manufactured under different heating, stretching conditions. The luminal surface and cross section of the grafts were photographed by scanning electron microscopy and the node-fibril structure was examined. Two typical types of high-porosity ePTFE vascular grafts were then selected and proceeded to an animal study. The test grafts were explanted after an interval of 12 weeks and subjected to histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: The following two types of high-porosity ePTFE vascular grafts were selected; one had a through-pore structure extending from the outer to the inner surface and the other had a random-node architecture with tortuous path channels extending from the outer to the inner surface. The histomorphometric analyses of thrombus-free surface, thickness of pseudointima, cellular ingrowth, capillary ingrowth, and cellular proliferation revealed no significant differences between the grafts. CONCLUSION: In high-porosity ePTFE vascular grafts, graft healing enhanced by transmural tissue ingrowth may be not largely dependent on node-fibril morphology. This knowledge will be helpful to design a new type of high-porosity ePTFE vascular grafts available for clinical use.
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We report a 72-year-old woman who developed a subdural hematoma following dural metastasis from paranasal sinus carcinoma. Subdural hematoma with malignant neoplasm is a serious condition seen only in advanced stages. The prognosis is poor, but appropriate measures can help the patient. Head and neck surgeons should note this unusual clinical entity.
Bay K 8644, an L-type Ca2+ channel agonist, was shown previously to increase resting sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ loss and convert post-rest potentiation to decay in dog and ferret ventricular muscle. Here, the effects of Bay K 8644 on local SR Ca2+ release events (Ca2+ sparks) were measured in isolated ferret ventricular myocytes, using laser scanning confocal microscopy and the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3. The spark frequency under control conditions was fairly constant during 20 s of rest after interruption of electrical stimulation. Bay K 8644 (100 nmol/L) increased the spark frequency by 466+/-90% of control at constant SR Ca2+ load but did not change the spatial and temporal characteristics of individual sparks. The increase in spark frequency was maintained throughout the period of rest. The increase in Ca2+ spark frequency induced by Bay K 8644 was not affected by superfusion with Ca2+-free solution (with 10 mmol/L EGTA) but was suppressed by the addition of 10 micromol/L nifedipine (which by itself did not alter resting Ca2+ spark frequency). This suggests that the effect of Bay K 8644 on Ca2+ sparks is mediated by the sarcolemmal dihydropyridine receptor but is also independent of Ca2+ influx. Low concentrations of caffeine (0.5 mmol/L) increased both the average frequency and duration of sparks. Ryanodine (50 nmol/L) increased the spark frequency and also induced long-lasting Ca2+ signals. This may indicate long-lasting openings of SR Ca2+ release channels and a lack of local SR Ca2+ depletion. In lipid bilayers, Bay K 8644 had no effect on either single-channel current amplitude or open probability of the cardiac ryanodine receptor. It is concluded that Bay K 8644 activates SR Ca2+ release at rest, independent of Ca2+ influx and perhaps through a functional linkage between the sarcolemmal dihydropyridine receptor and the SR ryanodine receptor. In contrast, caffeine and ryanodine modulate Ca2+ sparks by a direct action on the SR Ca2+ release channels.
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of barnidipine for the treatment of mild-to-moderate essential hypertension in Chinese patients. A total of 131 patients were randomized to receive either barnidipine (10 -15 mg) or felodipine (5 - 10 mg) once daily for 4 weeks. Both drugs reduced blood pressure significantly, with > or = 87% of patients obtaining a marked or moderate effect. The mean +/- SD reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 19.2 +/- 13.6 and 14.4 +/- 7.0 mmHg, respectively, for barnidipine treatment, and 20.3 +/- 11.3 and 14.7 +/- 7.7 mmHg, respectively, for felodipine treatment. There were no significant differences between the two drugs in terms of anti-hypertensive effect, heart rate, laboratory test results or incidence of adverse events. More patients taking felodipine experienced palpitations, but this difference was not statistically significant. Barnidipine is as efficacious and safe as felodipine in the treatment of essential hypertension in Chinese patients.
Polyvinyl alcohol-silica (PVA-SiO2) composite and heparinized PVA-SiO2 were examined in vitro and in vivo as materials to coat artificial vessels to be used for the replacement of small arteries. PVA-SiO2 was observed to prolong coagulation time and on heparinized PVA-SiO2 surfaces no blood coagulation was noticed after a period of two days using the Lee-White and plasma recalcification methods. After placing non-coated and coated surfaces in contact with blood components in vitro and in vivo, the degree of blood component adhesion was greater in non-coated woven Dacron than in PVA-SiO2 coated Dacron. The degree of adhesion was even less in heparinized PVA-SiO2 coated Dacron. Furthermore, artificial vessels made of these 3 types of materials were used to replace parts of the canine abdominal aorta and were removed one and a half years later. Patency rates were as follows: non-coated 2/7, PVA-SiO2-coated 4/7, heparinized PVA-SiO2-coated 8/12. The inner surfaces of these prostheses were observed with light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Intima formation was thinner on the PVA-SiO2 composite surfaces than on the control surfaces. Heparin acted as a local anticoagulant and PVA-SiO2 limited intima formation. This report showed that PVA-SiO2 composite coated surfaces can be effective for small artery replacement due to good tissue affinity and anticoagulability.
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met expression is known to be correlated with poor prognosis in several cancers. We investigated HGF/c-Met immunoreactivity and its correlation with clinical features in 51 patients with curatively resected extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma. c-Met showed significant correlations with tumor location, T category, stage, perineural invasion and local recurrence. Overall survival in patients with HGF and c-Met immunopositivity was significantly worse than in those who were negative. Our findings suggest that HGF/c-Met play some roles in tumor development and that HGF/c-Met immunoreactivity could be a predictor of the mode of recurrence and poor prognosis.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse the operative outcome of extensive surgery for invasive thymoma and to assess the prognostic factors for long-term survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with invasive thymoma have been operated on at our institution during past the 33 years. We performed total removal of the tumour, including invaded neighboring organs. Complete resection was performed in 27 patients, incomplete resection in 4. Nine patients had unresectable thymoma. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 30 patients with a median dose of 48 Gy. RESULTS: The 10-year survival rate was 72% for Masaoka stage II, 47% for stage III, and 0% for stage IV. There was no postoperative mortality. Concerning the prognostic factors for long-term survival, there were no significant differences in the analysis of Masaoka staging, histological classification, association of autoimmune disease, and postradiotherapy. However, the survival rate was significantly higher for patients with complete resection than for patients with incomplete resection or biopsy only (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Whether the tumour is resected completely or not is the most important factor for long-term survival; therefore it is preferable to perform extensive surgery for invasive thymoma.
BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important factors for angiogenesis in various tumors. However, its clinical significance in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinoma remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To clarify the association of VEGF expression with the clinicopathological features of the disease, surgical specimens from 51 patients were examined for VEGF expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Sixteen of 51 (31.4%) cases were positive for VEGF. VEGF immunoreactivity showed a tendency toward association with lymph node metastasis, M category and peritoneal recurrence (p = 0.059, 0.086 and 0.069, respectively). Overall survival in patients with VEGF positivity was significantly worse than in those with negativity (p = 0.033 by log-rank test). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that VEGF expression was an independent negative predictor (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: VEGF immunoreactivity is an independent negative predictor in extrahepatic biliary tract carcinomas.