Hybridization and correlation effects in the photoemission spectra of RNi2 (R=Ce, Pr, and Nd).
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to K Kang.
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Intracavitary instillation of Tokyo 172 strain Bacillas Calmette-Guerin was performed on 39 patients with superficial bladder cancer after contact Nd:YAG laser irradiation for tumors. The BCG group received intravesical instillation of 80 mg BCG at two week intervals for 6 months. Recurrence occurred in 7 of the 39 patients. In the 7 recurrent cases instillation of BCG had been discontinued after 2-7 instillations due to bladder irritation, with recurrence seen 6-27 months later. The non-recurrence rate in the group (27 cases) instilled BCG more than seven times was 94.0%. The non-recurrence rate in this group was significantly higher than that in the group (12 cases) with less than six BCG instillations. The non-recurrence rate in the group (26 cases) without BCG therapy was not significantly different from that in the group (12 cases) with less than six BCG instillations. Our findings suggested that frequent (more than seven times) instillation of BCG increased the non-recurrence rate, and that less than six BCG instillations is not significantly effective for preventing the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.
Based upon previous observations of low-frequency photon diffusion waves within highly scattering tissue, this paper explores the "near-field" phenomena of such waves of approximately 10-cm wavelength with 200-MHz phase modulation equipment. Multiple-element source arrays consist of laser diode sources modulated at 180 degrees out of phase with respect to the other sources. The diffusing waves originating from the out-of-phase sources give, in the midplane, an amplitude null and a sharp phase transition. These may be observed in a highly scattering intralipid medium simulating the breast or brain (0.5% intralipid), 3-5 cm from the transmitting laser diodes. In the plane containing the array, there is a high sensitivity for a small volume of a hidden absorber (indocyanine green) deep within a highly scattering medium; 20 pmol in a volume of 70 microliters can be detected. Two-dimensional arrays consisting of four or more elements in two orthogonal planes give sensitivity on both axes similar to the one-dimensional array. Measurements show that in the presence of a light-absorbing object, the amplitude null and the interference plane becomes a curved surface which is deflected toward the heterogeneity. The degree of deflection is related to the volume and the absorption characteristics of the heterogeneity and provides detection of the heterogeneity, and thereby may provide localization information for the detection of small tumors within the human breast, or stroke volumes, aneurysms, and tumors in the human brain.
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The exposure of NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells to 254 nm UV radiation resulted in a temporary depression of DNA synthesis and inhibition of 80 kDa protein phosphorylation. This inhibition of protein phosphorylation was correlated with decreased protein kinase C activity in the membrane fractions of UV-damaged cells. The inositol triphosphate contents measured, by the competitive binding assay using bovine adrenal binding protein, showed 80% reduction in the fibroblasts treated with 15 J/m2 of UV light. The intracellular diacylglycerol concentration was also markedly reduced in UV-damaged cells. The results suggest that UV light causes acute reductions of inositol triphosphate and diacylglycerol contents in cells along with decreases in membrane protein kinase C activity, which leads to the inhibition of phosphorylation of an acidic protein of 80 kDa.
Between April and October 1990, photosensitivity reactions were observed in 19 out of 338 patients who were administered lomefloxacin (LFLX) for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTI) in our hospital. To certify the effectiveness and safety of LFLX to UTI, we carried out a controlled study with fixed dosages and durations. Patients with acute uncomplicated UTI and chronic complicated UTI were enrolled and LFLX dosages of 200 mg b.i.d. for 7 days and 14 days, respectively, were administered. The overall efficacy rates were 100% and 84% respectively. Concerning the bacteriological effect, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were eliminated in every case, while 3 strains of Enterococcus faecalis 2 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one strain of Enterobacter cloacae persisted. No photosensitivity reaction or noteworthy severe adverse reactions were observed among 200 cases enrolled in this study of restricted dosages and durations. We, urologists, need to be well-informed about photosensitivity reactions induced by quinolone antimicrobial agents. LFLX was proven to be effective in UTI without showing any photosensitivity reactions when administered by our fixed dosages and durations.
1. Inositol phospholipid metabolites were measured from virally and chemically transformed cells. 2. Increased levels of PIP and PIP2 were observed from both transformed cell lines as compared with controls. 3. Intracellular levels of IP3 were also increased approximately three folds in BPV-1 infected ID 13 cells and in 3-MC transformed NIH 3T3 cells. 4. The results suggest that phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositols and enhanced generation of IP3 second messenger molecules are the common signal transducing process leading to the cell transformation.
Although the major functions of fibroblasts are to produce extracellular matrix and to maintain a structural framework for organ systems, recent studies have demonstrated that fibroblasts are active participants in inflammatory processes by synthesizing various inflammatory mediators. In this report, we provide evidence that fibroblasts may contribute to the regulation of inflammation by the synthesis of both the intracellular form and the secretory form of interleukin-1 receptor antagonists in conjunction with interleukin-1 beta production. Indirect immunofluorescence microscopy localized interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-1 beta proteins primarily in the fibroblast cytoplasm. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse-transcribed mRNA with primers specific for the intracellular form of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist detected cDNA fragments present in both unstimulated and phorbol ester-stimulated fibroblasts, identical in molecular size to that in unstimulated keratinocytes. Amplification with primers specific for the secretory form of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, however, detected cDNA fragments in phorbol ester-stimulated fibroblasts and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells, but not in unstimulated fibroblasts or keratinocytes. The amplified fibroblast cDNA sequences for both intracellular and secretory interleukin-1 receptor antagonists were confirmed by digestion with three restriction endonucleases. By ethidium bromide visualization of amplified cDNA derived from serially diluted total cellular RNA and by Southern blot hybridization analysis of amplified cDNA, we have demonstrated that fibroblast interleukin-1 receptor antagonist mRNA and interleukin-1 beta mRNA were co-stimulated by phorbol ester. Similarly, ELISA demonstrated that fibroblast cytoplasmic interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein and interleukin-1 beta protein were co-stimulated by phorbol ester. Our data suggests that the intracellular form of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist may be important in maintaining physiologic homeostasis in fibroblasts during interleukin-1 beta induction and release.
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Neutrophil elastases are serine proteinases released during acute and chronic inflammatory states. We have developed a novel isolation method for neutrophil elastase, involving conventional gel chromatography followed by adsorption of protein at low ionic strength on a high-performance liquid chromatography gel permeation column. The bound elastase is then eluted by application of higher ionic strength. This adsorption step at low ionic strength, a step to be avoided in most purification methods, was used to advantage here to allow isolation of homogeneous material. This purification procedure should be useful for quick, simple bulk preparation of the enzyme.
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Percutaneous closure of ductus arteriosus (DA), preceded by a balloon exploration of the defect and a catheter scale examination of the foam plug, was performed on 47 patients aged from 6 to 54 years. The minimal internal diameter of DA varied from 3.7 to 11.6 mm. Successful occlusion was achieved in all the cases without major complications. Sustained improvement was observed in both clinical findings and laboratory parameters. No incidence of endocarditis, plug displacement or recanalization was noted during follow-up of 6 to 35 months. It revealed that ductal exploration with the balloon catheter is able to ascertain the actual occlusion diameter of the lesion and the catheter scale plug examination can ensure good matching between DA and the plug so that changing of plugs and ectopic embolisms can be avoided.
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The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with Gd-DTPA-enhanced MR imaging in the evaluation of the most common nasopharyngeal tumors. Forty-two patients with tumors of the nasopharynx and adjacent spaces had MR imaging before and after IV injection of Gd-DTPA. Images were obtained with a 1.0-T superconducting magnet imaging system in transverse, coronal, and sagittal planes with T1- and T2-weighted sequences. MR images were compared with CT scans and tumor histology. The studies were categorized by using a grading system with grades ranging from unsatisfactory (grade 0) to optimal (grade 3). Contrast-enhanced MR enables better identification of small anatomic details such as both palatini muscles and the pharyngobasilar fascia. MR after Gd-DTPA was superior to CT in all cases except for tumors of the maxillary sinuses. MR with Gd-DTPA is recommended for tumors that are small and difficult to detect on the initial nonenhanced MR examination or that show subtle infiltrations. Because of the increased cost and longer examination time, MR with Gd-DTPA does not need to be done when large tumors are well delineated.
UNLABELLED: Percutaneous plug closure of arterial duct (AD) was performed on 38 patients, with ages ranging from 6 to 54 years. The inside diameter of AD varied from 3.7 to 11.6 mm and the shunt size of AD was 8-77% of the pulmonary flow. A combined technique was used in the closure operation, which employs a balloon catheter to explore the size of AD as well as its distensibility and a catheter scale to examine the compatibility of the foam plug with the AD to be closed. Total occlusion was achieved in all the 38 cases, the success rate being 100%. Immediately after the procedure, blood oxygen analysis showed an interruption of the left-to-right shunt and the pulmonary artery pressure decreased from 4.71 +/- 0.80 to 3.34 +/- 0.53 kPa (P less than 0.001). Four to 7 days later, the cardiothoracic ratio reduced from 52.8 +/- 4.6 to 49.7 +/- 4.2% (P less than 0.001) and the cardiac index decreased from 6.00 +/- 1.31 to 4.46 +/- 0.80 L/min.m-2 (P less than 0.001). Random color Doppler flow imaging suggested no residual shunts. No major complications were observed in any of the cases and follow-up observations in 1 to 24 months showed no plug displacement or recanalization. IN CONCLUSION: the balloon exploration is able to make certain of the "occlusion diameter" of AD and the scale examination can surely sort out the plug most compatible with the AD to be closed, so that success of every step for the closure is ensured.