Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Uchida Method”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,369 records · Page 76Linked to original sources

Interleukin-6 and STAT3 protect the liver from hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury during ischemic preconditioning.

BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning has been shown to protect the liver from ischemia/reperfusion injury. We hypothesized that IL-6 directly modulates the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning. METHODS: Three weeks after undergoing splenic transposition, wild-type C57BL/6 and IL-6 null mice underwent 75 minutes of total hepatic ischemia with or without prior ischemic preconditioning (10 minutes of ischemia followed by 15 minutes of reperfusion). After reperfusion, serum ALT, serum IL-6, hepatic IL-6 mRNA, hepatic pSTAT3, and liver histology were evaluated. RESULTS: In wild-type mice, survival at 24 hours was greater in the preconditioned group compared with the non-preconditioned group (75% vs 40%, P<.05). In IL-6 null mice, however, ischemic preconditioning did not improve survival when compared with the non-preconditioned group. Preconditioning significantly reduced hepatocellular injury in wild-type mice (P<.05) when compared with IL-6 null animals. This protection was associated with significant increases in serum IL-6, hepatic IL-6 mRNA, and hepatic pSTAT3 levels (P<.05). The protective effects of ischemic preconditioning that correlated with significant increases in systemic IL-6, hepatic IL-6 mRNA abundance, and pSTAT3 levels, were not observed in IL-6 null mice. CONCLUSIONS: The protective effects of ischemic preconditioning during total hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury are dependent on IL-6 signaling and are associated with increased phosphorylation of hepatic STAT3.

Alanine Transaminase↗

Irregular regeneration of hepatocytes and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis with hepatitis-C-virus infection.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) commonly develops in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver caused by hepatitis-C-virus (HCV) infection. We prospectively studied whether irregular regeneration of hepatocytes is a risk factor for HCC in these patients. METHODS: 242 patients were enrolled after liver biopsy and followed up by ultrasonographic scanning every 3 months. We examined age, sex, platelet count, the diagnosis of cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, liver-cell dysplasia, and irregular regeneration. We classified irregular regeneration as slight or severe, based on histological expression of pleiomorphism, anisocytosis, bulging, and map-like distribution of hepatocytes. FINDINGS: 37 of 63 patients with cirrhosis and 26 of 179 with chronic hepatitis were judged to have severe irregular regeneration. HCC was diagnosed in 33 of 63 patients with cirrhosis (29 had severe irregular regeneration) and 12 of 179 patients with chronic hepatitis (11 had severe irregular regeneration) during mean follow-up of 5.5 years (SD 4.1; range 1-16). Multivariate analysis with a proportional-hazards model showed severe irregular regeneration (relative risk 15.1 [95% CI 5.6-40.7], p<0.0001) and a diagnosis of cirrhosis (3.8 [1.7-8.2], p=0.0008) to be significant risk factors for HCC. Within the diagnostic categories, irregular regeneration was also significant (cirrhosis 6.8 [2.1-21.9], p=0.0014; chronic hepatitis 28.5 [2.9-276.4], p=0.0038). INTERPRETATION: We recommend that liver biopsy to look for irregular regeneration should be done in patients with HCV-related chronic liver diseases. Those with severe irregular regeneration should be followed up carefully.

Adult↗

Experimental small bowel transplantation using a newborn intestine in rats: IV. Effect of cold preservation on graft neovascularization.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: University of Wisconsin (UW) solution is one of the most superior organ preservation solutions for liver, kidney, and pancreas; however, it still is controversial for intestinal preservation. Here, the authors studied the efficacy of preservation with 2 kinds of solutions, UW and modified TOM (m-TOM) solutions in our experimental newborn intestinal transplantation model. UW solution was used as a standard intracellular and m-TOM solution as an extracellular preservation solution. Lactated ringer (LR) solution was used as a control. METHODS: Newborn intestine, which were preserved in these solutions for 24 or 48 hours, were transplanted in the subcutaneous spaces of the syngeneic recipients without surgical vascular anastomosis and histologically examined 14 days after grafting. The preserved grafts were evaluated histologically by use of light and electron microscopy just after preservation. The biochemical parameters such as LDH and serotonin also were measured in the supernatants of preservation solutions. RESULTS: Fresh newborn grafts were revascularized successfully at a rate of 80% (16 of 20). After 24 hours of preservation, 65% (13 of 20), 75% (15 of 20), and 85% (17 of 20) of the grafts were observed to be revascularized in LR, m-TOM, and UW solutions, respectively. After 48 hours of preservation, 60% (12 of 20), 80% (16 of 20), and 80% (16 of 20) of the grafts also were revascularized in the respective solutions (no statistic difference among the groups). The cold-preservation did not affect the neovascularization of newborn intestine until 48 hours. Histologic findings of the preserved intestine and biochemical analyses showed that UW and m-TOM solutions kept villous architectures of the preserved grafts, however, might be harmful to enterochromaffin cells. CONCLUSION: Long-time preservation of newborn intestine did not interfere with neovascularization and maturation. J Pediatr Surg 36:1805-1810.

Animals↗

Effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation on parasympathetic denervation: a comparison of three different ablation sites.

UNLABELLED: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of supraventricular tachycardias (SVT) has been shown to result in local parasympathetic denervation. The purpose of this study was to estimate the correlation between RF cumulative energy and parasympathetic denervation at three different ablation sites. METHODS: 45 patients who underwent RF ablation of 36 AV reentrant tachycardias and 9 AV nodal reentrant tachycardias were studied. Twenty patients had left free-wall accessory pathways (group L), 8 patients right free-wall accessory pathways (group R), and 17 patients septal accessory pathways (n = 8) or slow pathways (n = 9) (group S). Time and frequency domain analysis of heart rate variability on 24-hour ambulatory ECG recordings was performed before and after RF ablation. pNN50 and the high frequency (0.15 to 0.40 Hz, HF) component were measured to examine the effects on parasympathetic nerve activity. The values of delta pNN50 and delta HF were expressed as the percent change of pNN50 and HF that occurred after versus before RF ablation. RESULTS: Both pNN50 and HF significantly decreased after RF ablation in all three groups. In group S, there was a significant correlation between RF cumulative energy and delta pNN50 (r = 0.66, P < 0.01) or delta HF (r = 0.58, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was no correlation between RF cumulative energy and delta pNN50 or delta HF in either group L or group R. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that RF ablation produces parasympathetic denervation at all three sites along the mitral or tricuspid annulus and that parasympathetic fibers may be located predominantly in the septal area.

Adult↗

[Intrascrotal tumors: a clinicopathologic study of 15 cases].

PURPOSE: We reviewed cases of intrascrotal tumors treated at our institution except for germ cell testicular tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1977 to 1998 (22 years), 120 cases of intrascrotal tumors treated at the University of Tsukuba. Of these, 15 cases (12.5%) were not germ cell testicular tumors. The patients' ages varied between 2 and 77 years with a mean of 49.6. RESULTS: The most common complaint regarding symptoms was painless testicular enlargement. Tumor weight ranged from 2 to 200 g, with an average of 104.6 g. The histological diagnoses of 15 patients were 8 malignant lymphomas, 2 paratesticular rhabdomyosarcomas, 2 metastatic tumors (origin; stomach and prostate), 1 epidermoid cyst, 1 cyst of tunica testis, and 1 adenomatoid tumor. As for the cases with malignant lymphoma, all of them were non-Hodgkin's lymphoma whose clinical stages were stage I in 2 cases and stage IV in 6 cases. Five 8 patients died in spite of systemic chemotherapy after an orchiectomy, whereas 2 cases with metastatic tumors died of primary cancer, and two cases with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma are still alive and have had no evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Intrascrotal tumors except for germ cell testicular tumors are not common, and consist of various diseases. In particular, some kinds of malignant lymphoma mimic anaplastic seminoma histopathologically. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and precise treatment is important in the patient with intrascrotal tumors.

Adolescent↗

Calcium crystal deposition in the ligamentum flavum of the lumbar spine.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histological and immunohistochemical properties of the lumbar ligamentum flavum with calcium crystal deposition. METHODS: We examined the histological characteristics of the ligamentum flavum of the lumbar spine containing calcium deposits, obtained from 16 surgical cases with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. Sections of the ligaments were also immunostained for elastase, chymotrypsin and S-100 protein, and examined by energy dispensive X-ray microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy. The results were compared with those of ligaments without calcium deposits. RESULTS: The elastic fibres of ligaments with calcium deposits showed marked degeneration (irregular arrangement and fragmentation of the fibre bundles) and nodular granulomatous lesions. Calcium crystal deposits were present in this area and in the nodular granulomatous areas. The calcified areas were surrounded by neutrophils and new small blood vessels. Immunostaining for elastase and chymotrypsin was positive in these areas, and S-100 protein-containing chondrocytes were detected around and within the calcified areas. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals were identified in the calcified areas in all patients. CONCLUSION: Nodular degeneration of the elastic fibres of the ligament is probably caused by the action of proteolytic enzymes. Degeneration results in small granulomatous areas that form the nidus for calcium crystal deposition. Accumulated neutrophils, and S-100 protein-containing chondrocytes appear to precipitate the deposition of calcium crystals in the granulomatous lesions of the degenerated lumbar ligamentum flavum.

Adult↗

Angiosarcoma in Japan. A review of 99 cases.

BACKGROUND: Angiosarcoma is rare, and information about its clinical features are limited. Therefore, a large scale study of angiosarcoma was performed in Japan. METHODS: Through a nationwide Japanese study, 99 cases of angiosarcoma were collected and their clinicopathologic findings were summarized relative to predisposing risk factors. RESULTS: The patient age at diagnosis was 3-92 years, (mean, 62 years), with a two to one male to female ratio. The head and face were the most common primary site (29 cases); other sites were liver (17); trunk (13): pleural cavity (6), chest wall (2), abdominal wall (2), buttock (2), inguinal region (1); heart (12); and extremities (7). The proven predisposing risk factors included chronic pyothorax for angiosarcoma in the pleural cavity (six), thorotrast in the liver (five), radiotherapy to the abdominal wall and buttock (four), and chronic limb edema of the forearm (one). Irrespective of primary sites, the majority of cases had metastases to lung in 72 cases, bone in 42, liver in 36, regional lymph nodes in 30, and adrenal gland in 24. The 2-year survival rate was 17%. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes a different etiology in the development of angiosarcoma in patients from Japan compared with that of patients from Western countries, though the frequency of angiosarcoma among all soft-tissue sarcomas was similar in both areas. In Japan, chronic pyothorax, radiotherapy, and thorotrast proved to be distinctive causative factors of angiosarcoma.

Adolescent↗

Age-Associated Four-Gene Prognostic Signature in Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Young-onset breast cancer is associated with inferior disease-free survival (DFS), but the contribution of additional molecular heterogeneity remains unclear. AIMS: To identify an exploratory age-associated gene expression signature linked to recurrence-related outcomes and evaluate its prognostic association. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed clinicopathological and RNA-sequencing data from 821 patients with Stages I-III invasive ductal or lobular carcinoma in The Cancer Genome Atlas, including 142 patients aged &#x2264;&#x2009;45&#x2009;years. Genes associated with both age and DFS were screened, followed by LASSO-Cox and stepwise multivariable Cox regression. A four-gene signature (Sig4: C4orf14 [NOA1], LINC01124, ZNF704, and AGFG2) was identified. Young patients had significantly worse DFS than older patients, whereas overall and disease-specific survival did not differ significantly. After adjustment for clinicopathological factors, young age remained associated with worse DFS. Following inclusion of the continuous Sig4 score, the age association was attenuated and no longer statistically significant, while Sig4 remained independently associated with worse DFS. Sig4-high tumors were enriched for proliferation, cell-cycle, DNA-repair, metabolic, and stress-response pathways. In METABRIC, the fixed TCGA-derived Sig4 score was associated with worse relapse-free survival in the overall cohort but not in patients aged &#x2264;&#x2009;45&#x2009;years. CONCLUSION: Sig4 is an exploratory age-associated four-gene signature with potential general prognostic relevance in breast cancer. Its utility for risk stratification specifically in young-onset breast cancer was not externally validated and requires confirmation in independent prospective cohorts enriched for young patients.

Humans↗

Preconditioning with tin-protoporphyrin IX attenuates ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat kidney.

BACKGROUND: Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is induced as a unique stress response and leads to a transient resistance against oxidative damage, including ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. In the present study, we examined whether HO-1 induction may confer a protection against I/R injury in the rat kidney. METHODS: Lewis rats were divided into four groups as follows: (1) vehicle group; (2) group treated with ferri-protoporphyrin IX (hemin), an inducer of HO; (3) group treated with low-dose tin-protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an inhibitor of HO; and (4) group treated with high-dose SnPP. Renal warm ischemia for 60 minutes was performed 24 hours after each treatment. RESULTS: At 24 hours after treatment, hemin induced a significant increase in renal HO activity, but failed to induce HO-1 protein synthesis. Although both low- and high-dose SnPP reduced HO activity, a marked HO-1 expression was observed only in the high-dose SnPP-treated kidney. Hemin exacerbated the renal function after reperfusion, while high-dose SnPP significantly suppressed the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression, the infiltration of ED-1-positive macrophages and the expression of activated caspase-3, which resulted in attenuation of apoptotic cell death and ameliorated I/R injury. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that prior induction of HO-1 protein by high-dose SnPP may lead to anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects on warm renal I/R injury independently of its enzyme activity, and that HO enzyme activation may not always act as an antioxidant, especially under I/R-induced oxidative stress.

Animals↗

Percutaneous transgastric technique for creating gastroenteric anastomoses in swine.

PURPOSE: To develop a percutaneous transgastric procedure for creating a stent-containing gastroenteric anastomosis (GEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Acute experiments were performed on eight pigs. A 10-F gastroduodenostomy sheath was used to insert guide wires and targeting devices in the retrogastric jejunal loop; a 6.5-F sheathed trocar needle was then introduced through a second gastric sheath to puncture and catheterize the jejunum through the back of the stomach. Two special sliding anchor pairs were introduced through the catheter to "sandwich" the gastric sheath to the jejunal wall. The jejunum was catheterized a third time between the anchor sets to create a GEA tract for insertion of a stent. The animals were killed at various periods as long as 1 month after the experiments. RESULTS: Snares were the most useful targeting devices for jejunal puncture. Single (n = 1) and double (n = 7) anchor-pair staples effectively prevented intraperitoneal leakage during and after insertion of 12-mm or 14-mm stents. Necropsy of six healthy animals at 5 days, 7 days, 14 days, and 4 weeks (n = 3) showed well-developed patent GEA anastomoses. There was one anesthetic death; one animal was killed at 4 days for obstructive ileus after a difficult transgastric jejunal catheterization. CONCLUSIONS: A GEA can be fashioned through a percutaneous gastrostomy with stapling anchors. This technique may have clinical applications for managing gastric outlet obstruction.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Relationship between esophageal dysfunction and neuropathy in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have compared esophageal dysfunction with diabetic neuropathy, and their relationship is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between esophageal function and diabetic neuropathy. METHODS: A total of 59 patients with type 2 diabetes were studied. Long-term ambulatory esophageal pH and motility monitoring were performed. The motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and coefficient of variation of R-R intervals (CVRR) were also examined. RESULTS: The 59 patients were classified into four groups: group 1 consisted of patients with both diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) and diabetic motor neuropathy (DMN), group 2 had DMN alone, group 3 had DAN alone, and group 4 had neither DAN nor DMN. In pH monitoring, differences were observed among the four groups in DeMeester score, total number of acid reflux episodes, and % time pH < 4 (p < 0.05). A correlation was observed between % time pH < 4 and MCV; however, no correlation with CVRR was observed. In motility monitoring, differences were observed among the four groups in amplitude of peristaltic waves (p < 0.001), rising velocity of peristaltic waves (p < 0.01), and percentage of effective peristalsis (p < 0.01). A correlation was observed between esophageal motility and MCV; however, no correlation with CVRR was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Esophageal motility disorder and abnormal acid reflux were related to DMN in diabetic patients. A significant correlation was found between esophageal dysfunction and MCV. However, no significant correlation was found between esophageal dysfunction and CVRR.

Aged↗

Abdominal helical CT: evaluation of optimal doses of intravenous contrast material--a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: To determine the optimal dose of intravenous contrast material for helical computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen on the basis of patient weight. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective randomized study of helical CT of the abdomen was performed by using different doses of intravenous contrast material in 221 patients (mean body weight, 57.3 kg) who were assigned randomly to three groups receiving 1.5, 2.0, or 2.5 mL/kg or a fixed dose of 100 mL of iopamidol 300. The degree of enhancement was scored visually. The CT numbers (HU) of the aorta, portal vein, liver, and pancreas were obtained at three levels of the abdomen. RESULTS: In arterial enhancement, the 2.0 mL/kg, 2.5 mL/kg, and fixed-dose groups were significantly better than the 1.5 mL/kg group, but there was no significant difference among the 2.0 mL/kg, 2.5 mL/kg, or fixed-dose groups. The degree of enhancement of the liver, pancreas, and portal vein increased with larger doses. At visual analysis, hepatic parenchymal enhancement was graded as good or excellent in 64% of the 1.5 mL/kg, 85% of the 2.0 mL/kg, 94% of the 2.5 mL/kg, and 65% of the fixed-dose groups. CONCLUSION: When dose was tailored to patient weight, the use of 2.0-2.5 mL/kg of intravenous contrast material produced better results than did 1.5 mL/kg or a fixed dose. Arterial enhancement did not differ among the 2.0 mL/kg, 2.5 mL/kg, or fixed-dose groups.

Abdominal Neoplasms↗

Relationship between grade of fibrosis in pancreatic stump and postoperative pancreatic exocrine activity after pancreaticoduodenectomy: with special reference to insufficiency of pancreaticointestinal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has become a standard operation for malignant and benign periampullary diseases. Although the operative mortality of PD has decreased to less than 4% in hospitals with many cases of PD, the leakage of pancreaticointestinal anastomosis (PIA) still carries a substantial risk of lethal outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local factors that affect the incidence of PIA leakage by evaluation of exocrine function and fibrosis in the pancreatic remnant following PD. METHOD: Twenty-eight patients (17 pancreatic disease, 8 bile duct cancers and 3 ampullary cancers) underwent PD with complete extracorporeal pancreatic juice drainage. The cut-end of the pancreatic remnant was histologically studied for its grade of fibrosis in comparison with the exocrine activity of the pancreatic remnant (EAPR) calculated by the value of the product of volume of drained pancreatic juice and its amylase activity. The influences of those factors and other clinicopathologic data on PIA outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: The histological grade of fibrosis in the pancreatic stump was inversely correlated with EAPR (rs=0.5848, p=0.0011). Three patients had major leakages and 6 had minor leakages of PIA; all the patients with leakages had biliary or ampullary diseases, but not pancreatic diseases. The incidence of leakage of PIA was significantly higher in the patients with high values of EAPR (p<0.05). None with EAPR less than 10(7) had PIA leakage. The incidence of PIA leakage in low-grade fibrosis of the pancreatic stump was significantly higher than that in high-grade fibrosis (p<0.05). Other clinicopathologic data did not influence the incidence of leakage of PIA. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of fibrosis in the pancreatic stump is significantly related to the EAPR and affects the development of PIA insufficiency as a local factor.

Adult↗

Co-storage of adrenaline and noradrenaline with Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 and Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 in chromaffin cells of hamster adrenal medulla.

The co-existence of catecholamines with opioid peptides in adult hamster adrenal chromaffin cells was studied by Sternberger's peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. Paraffin embedded serial sections (3-4 microns thick) of adrenal glands perfusion-fixed with either Bouin's fluid or 4% paraformaldehyde solution were immunostained using anti-adrenaline (AP16-2), -noradrenaline (NAP1-18), -Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu: R-0171, NE2-206) and -Met-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 (Met-Enk-Arg-Phe: AP3-311) sera. Selective and specific immunostaining for adrenaline and noradrenaline was obtained in tissues fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde solution. Bouin's fluid gave negative or unsatisfactory results. Immunostaining with two kinds of Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu (R-0171, NE2-206) and one kind of Met-Enk-Arg-Phe sera (AP3-311) was dependent upon the method of fixation used. The immunostaining in the Bouin-fixed tissues was stronger than that in the 4% paraformaldehyde-fixed ones. Secretory granules in chromaffin cells were responsible for both adrenaline- and noradrenaline-like and Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu- and Met-Enk-Arg-Phe-like immunoreactivities. All adrenaline-storing (A) and noradrenaline-storing (NA) cells showed intense Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu- and Met-Enk-Arg-Phe-like immunoreactivities. In the Bouin-fixed adrenal medulla, immunostaining of A cells with the two kinds of anti-Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu sera (R-0171, NE2-206) was deeper than that of the NA cells. Immunostaining of A cells with the anti-Met-Enk-Arg-Phe serum (AP3-311) was apparently of the same intensity as that of NA cells. In 4% paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues, no correlation was seen between the distribution of A and NA cells and that of intensely and slightly Met-Enk-Arg-Gly-Leu and Met-Enk-Arg-Phe immunopositive cells. The "masking" of immunoreactive residues in chromaffin granules by an aldehyde-noradrenaline complex may be one of the major causes of the decreased opioid peptide-like immunoreactivity in the 4% paraformaldehyde-fixed adrenal medulla.

Adrenal Medulla↗

[The effect of donor specific blood transfusion (DST) on graft survival--intermittent coverage of cyclophosphamide].

Donor specific blood transfusion (DST), given prior to living related kidney transplantation has resulted in significant improvement in graft survival. This improvement, however, has been accomplished with a high rate of adverse sensitization against the donor. In an attempt to reduce the incidence of sensitization, we have employed DST with intermittent coverage of cyclophosphamide. A comparative study was done between 2 methods of DST with or without the coverage of immunosuppressant for prospective kidney transplant recipients from living related donors. In addition, the beneficial effect of DST on graft survival was evaluated in our recent series of living related transplantation using cyclosporine A (CsA) as postoperative immunosuppression. Twenty-nine prospective kidney transplant patients received 200 ml of fresh whole blood 3 times at 2 week intervals from HLA one-haploidentical living related donors. The first 13 patients received DST alone, while the remaining 16 were given cyclophosphamide (CPM 1.5 mg/kg/day) for 3 days prior to each DST. In patients with CPM coverage, 6.3% (1 of 16) developed positive T-warm antibody against donor and 15% of patients (2 of 13) with DST alone developed it. Like-wise 19% (3 of 16) of the former and 38% (5 of 13) of the latter became positive B-warm crossmatch. The difference in sensitization rates between these 2 groups was not statistically significant. Nineteen patients receiving DST were compared to 21 non-DST patients in incidence of acute rejection, graft function and graft survival with the same immunosuppressive regimen, such as CsA, prednisolone, and mizoribine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral↗

Basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland: MR imaging findings with pathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Basal cell adenomas (BCAs) are rare tumors of the parotid gland. Only a few case reports describing MR imaging features of BCA have been published. The aim of this study was to describe and characterize the MR findings of BCAs of the parotid gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MR images of BCA with pathologic correlation in 8 cases (2 men and 6 women; age range, 52-82 years) collected between January 1992 and August 2004 from our pathologic data base. All MR images were retrospectively evaluated with respect to the marginal morphology, signal intensity (SI), and enhancement behavior by 2 experienced radiologists. RESULTS: On pathologic examination, 5 tumors were solid type, 2 were trabecular type, and 1 was membranous type. All of the tumors were well circumscribed with smooth contours. Cystic changes were seen in 4 cases. On T1-weighted images (T1WI), 7 tumors showed homogeneously low SI equal to muscle and one showed heterogeneously low SI. On T2-weighted images (T2WI), all of them showed slightly lower SI than that of surrounding parotid tissue. On gadolinium-enhanced T1WI, 6 tumors demonstrated moderate enhancement and one demonstrated strong enhancement (membranous type). Dynamic studies were performed in 4 cases. All showed rapid and prolonged enhancement. CONCLUSION: MR imaging findings of BCA were well-defined and smooth marginal morphologies, relatively low SI on both T11W and T2WI, and rapid and prolonged enhancement on dynamic study. Although BCAs are rare, they should be suspected when a tumor shows all of the characteristics noted here.

Adenoma↗

Stent-grafts for de novo TIPS: technique and early results.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the potential benefits of placing a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stent-graft during initial creation of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: De novo TIPS were created with a PTFE stent-graft in four male and four female patients with symptomatic portal hypertension awaiting liver transplant. Their ages ranged from 35 to 62 (mean, 47) years. Patients were followed with TIPS ultrasound (US) and/or venography until liver transplantation or death; one remains under active study. Six recovered specimens underwent gross and microscopic evaluation. RESULTS: All TIPS placements were successful. Six shunts were primarily patent, with a mean patency of 289 days, through completion of the study. Five were found to be patent at transplant and one was found to be patent at autopsy. Explant evaluation revealed a smooth, thin layer of neointima and exclusion of biliary secretions. Three patients developed a total of four stenoses (one tandem lesion) during follow-up, leading to revision in two patients. Mean primary and total patency in these patients was achieved after 279 and 463 days, respectively. A previously occult moderate stenosis was detected after explant in another patient. Only one (nonsignificant) stenosis clearly developed in an area covered by PTFE. CONCLUSION: Placement of a de novo PTFE stent-graft during TIPS creation is feasible and may extend primary shunt patency. Appropriate positioning of the stent-graft is critical.

Adult↗

Secretion of bacterial xenobiotic-degrading enzymes from transgenic plants by an apoplastic expressional system: an applicability for phytoremediation.

In search of an effective method for phytoremediation of wastewater contaminated with organic compounds, we investigated the application of an apoplastic expressional system that secretes useful bacterial enzymes from transgenic plants into hydroponic media through the addition of a targeting signal. We constructed transgenic Arabidopsis expressing the aromatic-cleaving extradiol dioxygenase (DbfB), which degrades 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl (2,3-DHB), and transgenic tobacco expressing haloalkane dehalogenase (DhaA), which catalyzes hydrolytic dechlorination of 1-chlorobutane (1-CB). Although crude leaf extracts of transgenic plants expressing cytoplasm-targeted degradative enzymes showed higher activity than did those from transgenic plants expressing apoplast-targeted enzymes, the hydroponic media of the latter showed 23.2 times (DbfB) and 76.4 times (DhaA) higher activity than plants containing the cytoplasm-targeted enzymes. Addition of crystalline 2,3-DHB to 100 mL of the hydroponic medium of transgenic or wild-type seedlings revealed that only medium from the transgenic Arabidopsis expressing apoplast-targeted DbfB showed rapid ring cleavage of 2,3-DHB. Transgenic tobacco expressing apoplast-targeted DhaA also resulted in the accumulation of the dehalogenation product 1-butanol in the hydroponic medium and showed a higher tolerance to 1-CB than wild-type or transgenic plants expressing cytoplasm-targeted DhaA. These results demonstrate the usefulness of the apoplastic expression of bacterial recombinant proteins in phytoremediation.

Actinomycetales↗