Hemodialysis (HD) patients have accelerated atherosclerosis. Recent reports have shown that aortosclerosis is more frequently observed in HD patients than in healthy subjects. Macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) secreted by activated macrophages may be involved in the process of aortosclerosis in HD patients. To understand the mechanism behind the increased incidence of aortosclerosis in HD patients, we examined the relationships between serum M-CSF levels and aortic calcification index (ACI) estimated by CT scan. A significant increase in serum M-CSF concentrations was found in HD patients (3.8 +/- 0.2 ng/ml) as compared with controls (1.5 +/- 0.1 ng/ml). No significant differences were observed between chronic glomerulonephritis and diabetes mellitus groups of patients. We also found no significant differences between the groups using different membranes (triacetate 3.8 +/- 0.2 ng/ml vs. polysulfone 3.8 +/- 0.4 ng/ml). There was no correlation between serum M-CSF concentrations and clinical parameters such as age, duration of HD, blood pressure, serum concentrations of nitrogen, creatinine, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, Ca x P products, and intact parathyroid hormone. A positive correlation was observed between serum M-CSF levels and ACI in HD patients (r = 0.596, p < 0.01). These results suggest that M-CSF may be involved in the process of aortosclerosis in HD patients.

Aortic Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Release behaviour of 5-fluorouracil from chitosan-gel microspheres immobilizing 5-fluorouracil derivative coated with polysaccharides and their cell specific recognition.

In order to provide a device releasing drugs in a controlled manner and having targetability to specific organs or cells, chitosan-gel microspheres, CMS, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, immobilizing 1-[N-(5-aminopentyl) carbamoyl]-5-fluorouracil, 1, coated with anionic polysaccharides, such as 6-O-carboxymethyl-N-acetyl-alpha-1,4-polygalactosamine (CM-NAPGA), 6-O-carboxymethyl-chitin, alginic acid and heparin, by polyelectrolyte complex membrane formation were prepared. When chitosan was crosslinked with glutaraldehyde, 1 was simultaneously immobilized into CMS by Schiff's base formation. Average diameter of CMS obtained was estimated to be about 0.5-1.0 micron by SEM observation. In physiological saline media, only free 5-FU was released from the CMS but 1 and any 5-FU derivative was not. Release rate of 5-FU from the CMS was reduced by coating with polyelectrolyte complex membrane of cationic chitosan and anionic polysaccharides. CMS coated with CM-NAPGA showed a lectin-mediated specific aggregation phenomenon by addition of Abrus precatorius agglutinin. Moreover, the CMS immobilizing 1 coated with CM-NAPGA showed higher growth-inhibitory effect against SK-Hep-1 (human hepatoma) cells in vitro than the CMS coated with other polysaccharides.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Treatment of pathologic fracture and surgical value of prognostic factors in multiple myeloma.

Fifty-eight cases diagnosed as multiple myeloma were reviewed to assess the surgical treatment and prognostic factors which had been recently advocated to predict the survival. The following data in these cases were investigated: age, sex, surgical modalities and prognostic factors such as beta 2-microglobulin, LDH, hemoglobin, etc. In our study, surgical significance based on these laboratory findings was discussed. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in hemoglobin level between pathologic fracture group and non-fracture group. The albumin in the fracture group was lower than the albumin in the non-fracture group. These data were consistent with increased activity of myeloma cells that might cause bone destruction and fracture. Multiple myeloma has a peak incidence during the 7th decade, younger patients (< or = 40 yrs.o.) were rare. One 39-year-old man was successfully treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Operative intervention seems to be quite important to improve the quality of life if longer survival is expected.

Adult↗