A simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of 3 alpha, 5 beta-tetrahydroaldosterone (THALD) and cortisol in human urine is described. The method uses high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. THALD and cortisol, released by enzyme hydrolysis, and fludrocortisone (internal standard) are isolated by a Sephadex G-25M column and a Bond-Elut C18 cartridge, and then oxidized by cupric acetate to form the corresponding glyoxal derivatives. The glyoxal derivatives are converted into the fluorescent quinoxalines by reaction with 1,2-diamino-4,5-methylenedioxybenzene. The quinoxalines are successfully separated on a reversed phase column (L-column ODS) with isocratic elution and monitored fluorimetrically. The detection limits for THALD and cortisol are 0.45 and 1.18 ng/mL urine (0.65 and 2.65 pmol/100 microL injection volume), respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 in a 100 microL injection volume. This method permits the precise and sensitive determination of THALD and cortisol in human urine (2 mL).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Bilateral ovarian leiomyomas: CT and MRI features.

We recently treated a 21-year-old woman with leiomyomas arising from the bilateral ovaries, a very rare condition. On magnetic resonance imaging, more than half of the left adnexal mass showed low signal intensity on T2-weighted images and good enhancement by gadolinium-DTPA, and the remaining part showed high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, so the lesions initially were diagnosed as ovarian fibromas or as thecomas with a certain degree of degeneration. Pathologic examination of the excised tumors proved that they were bilateral ovarian leiomyomas; in addition, the tumor from the left side showed hemorrhagic and myxoid changes with torsion of 180 degrees.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Significance of haemorrhages in central parts of the tongue found in the medicolegal autopsy.

The tongue was examined for the presence of haemorrhages in 264 medicolegal autopsy cases. The tongue was sectioned transversely and examined macroscopically and microscopically. Haemorrhages were found in marginal and/or central parts of the tongue in 104 cases. Among them, 28 cases showed haemorrhages in central parts of the tongue. Those haemorrhages in central parts of the tongue were seen only in cases of severe 'congestive death'. The possibility must therefore be considered of a severe 'asphyxial death', if haemorrhages are found in central parts of the tongue during autopsy.

Asphyxia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A new improved biodegradable tracheal prosthesis using hydroxy apatite and carbon fiber.

A new biodegradable tracheal prosthesis was developed using hydroxyapatite rings as the artificial tracheal cartilage, a carbon fiber tube as the tracheal tube; it was then implanted into the cervical trachea in dogs. Morphologic examination revealed that the hydroxyapatite ring was anchored firmly to the tracheal cartilage by ingrowth of cartilaginous tissue into the macropores of the hydroxyapatite.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Significance of various anticoagulation therapies during use of a left ventricular assist device.

A multicomparative study to establish adequate anticoagulation therapy for left ventricular assist devices was undertaken by administrating various anticoagulants: heparin, a prostacyclin analogue combined with a protease inhibitor; thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor; or a protease inhibitor alone. Our investigation suggested that combined administration of prostacyclin analogue and protease inhibitor (FUT-175) is ideal anticoagulation therapy from the point of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Currently, however, sole administration of FUT-175 is adequate anticoagulation therapy during clinical use of left ventricular assist devices.

Anticoagulants↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Ideal anticoagulation for use with a left ventricular assist device.

To establish ideal anticoagulation therapy for use with a left ventricular assist device, a study was done administering various anticoagulants: heparin, argatroban, a prostacyclin analogue combined with a protease inhibitor, or a protease inhibitor alone. Cardiac asisting by LVAD without any anticoagulants results in marked activation of blood coagulation or fibrinolysis. Administration of argatroban, as well as heparin, produces a bleeding tendency. Administration of a protease inhibitor (nafamostat mesilate, FUT-175) as a sole anticoagulant induces activation of the blood coagulation system to some extent, but it is within acceptable limits. Combined administration of a prostacyclin analogue (PG) and FUT-175 is most effective in maintaining balanced blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Danger of urokinase as an anticoagulant with left ventricular assist devices.

The sole administration of urokinase causes no initial prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (A-PTT), but thereafter produces serious progressive prolongation of A-PTT; it also causes a progressive, severe decrease in fibrinogen levels and alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor activity by depletion. The antithrombogenicity of urokinase is not caused by prevention of blood coagulation system activation by antithrombin effect, but by secondary fibrinolysis by plasmin. Consequently, the administration of urokinase as a sole anticoagulant results in activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis, and, as a result, induces disseminated intravascular coagulation. Therefore, it is concluded that administration of urokinase is an inadequate anticoagulation therapy unless it is combined with other antithrombin agents.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Loss of heterozygosity alterations associated with progesterone therapy in endometrial hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma.

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was analyzed in four patients with endometrial hyperplasia (EH) with atypia (two patients) and without atypia (two patients) and in five patients with endometrial adenocarcinoma (EAC) to clarify the clinicopathologic relationship between genetic alterations and hormone therapy. Each patient was initially administered high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) as a uterine-sparing treatment. The five microsatellite markers used to analyze LOH were at chromosomal loci 8p22.1, 8p21, 8p21.3, 8p22, and 8p22. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded sections before, during, and after MPA therapy using laser capture microdissection. As a result, LOH was more frequently detected after MPA therapy (overall ratios were 16, 17, and 29% before, during, and after MPA therapy, respectively). LOH is more easily detected in EH loci than in EAC loci before MPA. For EAC, initial LOH detection on chromosome 8 may be related to an incomplete response to MPA, but negative LOH does not guarantee a favorable treatment outcome. For EH or atypical endometrial hyperplasia, it is unknown whether LOH alteration associated with MPA therapy is related to atypia of the disease.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A servomatic pneumatic driver system for left ventricular assist devices.

A new ventricular assist device (VAD) pneumatic driver with a servomatic left atrial pressure (LAP) control mechanism was developed for easy and safe control of left ventricular assist devices. The negative driving pressure (NP) can be automatically varied to control the assisted circulatory flow (AF), comparing the patient's LAP with prescheduled LAP (s-LAP). Animal experiments revealed this servomatic control system to be useful.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Combined administration of protease inhibitor and thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor for anticoagulation of a left ventricular assist device.

To establish ideal anticoagulant therapy for left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), a comparative study was made of a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor, a protease inhibitor, and combined administration of the two. Results of the investigation indicate that combined administration of a thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) and a protease inhibitor (nafamostat mesilate, FUT-175) provides ideal anticoagulant therapy during cardiac support using LVADs from the point of blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. Artificial hearts have come into practical use as left ventricular assist devices, and have contributed to the saving of many patients with severe postoperative low cardiac output syndrome, but they sometimes encounter severe complications, i.e. cerebrovascular bleeding, thromboembolism, infection, or multiple organ failure. It is very important, therefore, to control coagulation and fibrinolysis adequately during cardiac support by an LVAD.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative study of anticoagulation therapy with an LVAD system.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Application of a prostacyclin analogue (PG) and protease inhibitor (FUT) as anticoagulants with an LVAD system.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗