Electrolyzed products of sodium chloride solution were examined for their disinfection potential against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. Electrolysis of 0.05% NaCl in tap water was carried out for 45 min at room temperature using a 3 A electric current in separate wells installed with positive and negative electrodes. The electrolyzed products were obtained from the positive well. The oxidation reduction potential (ORP), pH and free chlorine content of the product were 1053 mV, pH 2.34 and 4.20 ppm, respectively. The products modified the antigenicity of the surface protein of HBV as well as the infectivity of HIV in time- and concentration-dependent manner. Although the inactivating potential was decreased by the addition of contaminating protein, recycling of the product or continuous addition of fresh product may restore the complete disinfection against bloodborne pathogens.

Acids↗

PubMed2000

Contrast-enhanced immunoelectron microscopy for Helicobacter pylori.

Since a method of contrast enhancement for immunoelectron microscopy has not been available in bacteriology, the morphological localization of proteins of Helicobacter pylori is not well known. In this report, we established a method of contrast enhancement in immunoelectron microscopy in this organism. Immunostained ultrathin sections are stained with a mixture of alcian blue and osmium tetroxide prior to staining with uranyl acetate. This method of staining provided good contrast enhancement of the bacterial cell wall and membrane without any loss of immunolabeled gold particles on the ultrathin section.

Acrylic Resins↗

PubMed2000

Fusion of uninfected T-cells occurs with immature HIV-1 protease-mutant, but not morphologically similar protease inhibitor derived particles.

Protease inhibitors are widely used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals and show a drastic effect on the reduction of virus load. We previously reported that doughnut-shaped, protease-defective gp120-containing HIV-1 particles from an L-2 cell clone, carrying a provirus with mutations at the pol (protease), env (gp41) and nef genes, rapidly and more effectively induces virus particle-mediated syncytia formation of uninfected T-cells, than a parental wild-type laboratory strain of HIV-1 (LAI). In this study, we examined the possibility of whether enhanced syncytia formation is mediated by morphologically similar doughnut-shaped particles obtained after treatment of LAI-infected cells with the protease inhibitors L-689, 502, DMP-323, RO-31-8959, and KNI-272. Utilizing such protease inhibitor-induced particles and a clone of MOLT-4 cells, we could not detect any enhancement of syncytia formation, over that seen with wild-type LAI particles. This result should alleviate concerns of patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), that protease inhibitors might accelerate progression of the disease through enhanced production of defective, 'immature'-appearing particles.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

PubMed2000

Predictive value of gross classification of hepatocellular carcinoma on recurrence and survival after hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: A new gross classification of hepatocellular carcinoma in which Eggel's nodular type is subclassified into type 1 (single nodular type), type 2 (single nodular type with extranodular growth), and type 3 (contiguous multinodular type) has been widely used in Japan. The aim of the study was to determine whether this classification is correlated with patient outcome. METHODS: Sixty-five resected hepatocellular carcinoma nodules (< or = 5 cm) were classified using this new classification. RESULTS: The 65 tumors were classified into 30 type 1 (46%), 20 type 2 (31%), and 15 type 3 (23%) hepatocellular carcinomas. The rate of microscopic vascular invasion significantly increased from type 1 to type 2, and to type 3 tumors (p=0.03). Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that type 1 was significantly associated with lower recurrence rate (type 1 vs. type 2, p=0.01; type 1 vs. type 3, p=0.004; log-rank test), and higher disease-specific survival (type 1 vs. type 2, p=0.02; type 1 vs. type 3, p=0.002). Cox's proportional-hazards model demonstrated that type 1 was an independent factor for low risk of recurrence (p=0.002) and low risk of disease-specific death (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: The gross classification of hepatocellular carcinoma is of clinical value in predicting patient outcome.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Presence of sonographically detectable parathyroid glands can predict resistance to oral pulsed-dose calcitriol treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Oral pulsed-dose calcitriol administration has been shown to be effective therapy for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism. However, this effect is not consistently observed in the clinical setting. This study was undertaken to examine whether enlarged parathyroid glands can serve as a clinical marker that predicts the suppressive effect of calcitriol. Thirty-five patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) were examined (age, 51.9 +/- 14.9 years; duration of HD, 72.0 +/- 56.0 months). Based on the volume of parathyroid glands measured using an ultrasonographic scanner, patients were divided into two groups: 15 patients with undetectable parathyroid glands (ND group) and 20 patients with detectable parathyroid glands (D group; mean volume of parathyroid glands, 261. 9 +/- 347.5 mm(3)). No significant differences were found in serum ionized calcium (Ca(++)) or parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels before calcitriol administration between the two groups. For each patient, 8 microg of calcitriol was administered orally at the end of the HD session, and the changes in serum PTH levels were determined 44 hours after dosing. No significant differences were found between the two groups in serum Ca(++) levels. However, a significant decrease in serum PTH levels was observed in the ND group, whereas no significant changes were found in the D group. The results of the study show that the suppressive effect on PTH through calcitriol therapy was reduced in patients with detectable enlarged parathyroid glands. This may indicate that the size of parathyroid glands is one factor determining the therapeutic potential of pulsed-dose calcitriol administration for secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed2000

Atrium as a source of brain natriuretic polypeptide in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Plasma brain natriuretic polypeptide (BNP) levels have been used as biochemical markers of systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Although in vitro studies have shown the existence of BNP messenger RNA in the atria, the main production site of BNP is believed to be the ventricle. The hypothesis that the atrium could be a source of BNP was examined in patients with lone atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of sustained arrhythmia. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 16 controls and 21 patients with lone AF. Plasma samples for BNP were selectively and serially obtained from the aorta, anterior interventricular vein (AIV), and coronary sinus (CS). Atrial natriuretic polypeptide (ANP) levels were also measured to determine whether the CS samples contained significant amounts of atrial venous drainage. Of the 3 sample locations, the CS had the greatest ANP levels, confirming transcatheter sampling position accuracy. BNP levels were significantly greater in the CS than AIV in the patients with AF (279 +/- 226 v 126 +/- 97 pg/mL; P < .01). Consequently, plasma BNP levels were also greater in the patients with AF than controls (103 +/- 90 v 5 +/- 2 pg/mL; P < .001). LV ejection fraction was significantly less in patients with AF than control patients. Atrial production of BNP decreased significantly after successful DC cardioversion of AF in the 5 restudied patients (182 +/- 139 v 59 +/- 64 pg/mL; P < .05). CONCLUSION: The data suggest that AF is a condition in which BNP is produced in the atrium itself.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Living-related transplantation of left liver plus caudate lobe.

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Adult↗

PubMed2000

Application of short tandem repeat of genomic DNA and mitochondrial DNA for identification of mixed-up tissue specimens.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) typing methods, short tandem repeat of genomic DNA and mitochondrial DNA with the use of polymerase chain reaction amplification, were applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues submitted for diagnosis, to identify and sort out mixed-up tissue specimens. These techniques were found to be reliable, reproducible and specific for personal identification, and thus to eliminate the need for further examinations and to prevent unnecessary surgery.

Aged↗