Potent inhibition of spontaneous rhythmic contraction by a novel beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, HSR-81, in pregnant rat uterus.

We examined the effect of HSR-81 ((-)-(R)-alpha-[(tert-butylamino)methyl]-2-chloro-4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol L-tartrate), a newly developed, potent and selective beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist, as well as ritodrine and isoproterenol, on the spontaneous rhythmic contraction in uteri isolated from late pregnant, middle pregnant and non-pregnant (dioestrous and oestrous) rats. The three agonists inhibited the spontaneous rhythmic contraction at all the stages in a concentration-dependent manner. The pD2 value for HSR-81 was greater in late pregnancy than in dioestrus and oestrus.

Infections and reduced functioning kidney mass induce chronic rejection in rat kidney allografts.

The etiology of chronic rejection of kidney allografts is unknown, although hyperfiltration, acute rejection, viral infection and initial graft ischemia have been implicated. To test whether endothelial activation may be the link between these factors and chronic rejection, the endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide-LPS), a potent activator of endothelial cells, was evaluated in an established chronic rejection model. Bilaterally nephrectomized Lewis recipients of orthotopically transplanted Fisher 344 kidneys were treated briefly with low dose cyclosporine (1.

Mammalian mature osteoclasts as estrogen target cells.

The decrease in estrogen levels that follows the onset of menopause causes rapid bone loss, resulting in osteoporosis. However, the mechanism by which this occurs remains unclear, especially concerning the regulation of osteoclasts, i.e.

[Comparison of measuring an area with a planimeter and by rectangular dimensional methods].

We have developed a system that measures the volume of air cells in the temporal bone through computerized digital processing of high-resolution CT images. By using this method, the volume of pneumatization was measured, and the results were compared with the measured area of pneumatization obtained from two conventionally used simple ear X-ray methods (the planimeter and rectangular dimensional methods). A total of 57 ears, from 34 subjects, confirmed as normal by CT were examined.

Effects of mycophenolic acid mofetil on acute rejection of kidney allografts in rats.

Mycophenolic acid mofetil (MMF) is an agent which has recently gained a lot of attention. In clinical trials MMF has reduced the rate of acute rejection episodes in human recipients of kidney allografts by inhibiting inosin-monophosphat-dehydrogenasis (IMPDH), an enzyme involved in the purin metabolism and related to the expression of adhesion molecules. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effects of MMF upon the expression of adhesion molecules in transplanted kidney allografts.

[Early intervention for very-low-birth-weight infant].

In order to establish an early intervention (EI) system for very-low-birth-weight infants, we designed a randomized trial at multiple institutions in Japan. We also reviewed the concept and history of early intervention in USA. Eight medical institutions in different locations were selected for participation.

Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits lymphocyte binding and the upregulation of adhesion molecules in acute rejection of rat kidney allografts.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) interacts with purine metabolism and possibly with the expression of adhesion molecules. In the present study, we analysed the expression of these molecules in transplanted kidney allografts treated with RS LBNF1 kidneys were orthotopically transplanted into Lewis rats and either treated with RS (20 mg/kg/day) or vehicle. Rats were harvested 3, 5 and 7 days following transplantation.

Augmenting kidney mass at transplantation abrogates chronic renal allograft injury in rats.

Conventional renal transplantation, which substitutes a single allograft for two native kidneys, imposes an imbalance between nephron supply and the metabolic and excretory demands of the recipient. This discrepancy, which stimulates hyperfunction and hypertrophy of viable allograft nephrons, may be intensified by nephron loss through ischemia-reperfusion injury or acute rejection episodes occurring soon after transplantation. In other settings where less than 50% of the total renal mass remains, progressive glomerular injury develops through mechanisms associated with compensatory nephron hyperfiltration and hypertrophy.

A novel missense mutation in two families with congenital plasminogen deficiency: identification of an Ala675 to Thr675 substitution.

We used a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy and restriction fragment polymorphism analysis to evaluate all 19 exons of the plasminogen (PLG) gene in a Japanese patient with congenital PLG deficiency and her family members (family C). Sequence analysis following amplification of each exon and its flanking regions showed a single G to A transition in exon 17, resulting in the conversion of an Ala675 codon (GCT) to Thr675 codon (ACT). Since this mutation generates a new Mae III site, the Mae III digestion patterns of the PCR-amplified exon 17 fragments from each family member were analyzed.

An objective evaluation method for facial mimic motion.

This technique was designed to establish a simple, objective evaluation system for facial paralysis through the use of a personal computer. A total of 24 marks were placed on the faces of subjects for the following procedures. Movements of the face were photographed with a video-camera and fed continuously into the computer.

Prevention of functional, structural, and molecular changes of chronic rejection of rat renal allografts by a specific macrophage inhibitor.

Chronic rejection is the primary cause of long-term allograft loss. Macrophages and their products have been shown to be critical in the development of this process in an established kidney allograft rat model. A new synthetic agent, Gamma lactone, is a specific inhibitor of macrophages and monocytes that inhibits the generation of these populations in vitro and their activities in the effector phase of host alloresponsiveness.

[Isolated iliac artery aneurysms associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)].

An 84-year-old man was referred to our hospital on December 3, 1993, because of excessive bleeding after tooth extraction. Coagulation studies revealed thrombocytopenia (2.2 x 10(4)/microliter), increased serum levels of FDP-E (3172 ng/ml) and D dimer (42.

Renal mass as a determinant of late allograft outcome: insights from experimental studies in rats.

Experimental studies of renal mass augmentation were conducted in the Fisher-->Lewis rat model of late renal allograft failure to assess the injury attributable to inadequate nephron supply in single allografts. Marked proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis and cellular infiltration developed in bilaterally nephrectomized recipients of single allografts at 16 to 20 weeks. By contrast, recipients with two kidney showed markedly reduced indices of allograft injury, irrespective of whether the second kidney was native or transplanted.

Immunohistochemical detection of Ki-67 in replicative smooth muscle cells of rabbit carotid arteries after balloon denudation.

Background And Purpose: Ki-67 immunohistochemistry has been shown to be useful for paraffin sections from human species after wet heating. We applied Ki-67 immunohistochemistry to rabbit arteries after balloon denudation and compared the results with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry.

Methods: Monoclonal antibodies MIB-1 for Ki-67 and PC-10 for PCNA were used to detect replicative smooth muscle cells in rabbit carotid arteries during a period of 4 weeks after balloon endothelial denudation.

The effects of endothelin-1 on isolated bovine ciliary muscles.

The effects of endothelin-1 on bovine ciliary muscle were investigated in vitro using muscle strips prepared in two different directions (longitudinal and circular). Fifty-two bovine ciliary muscle strips (4 x 6 mm) were prepared. Chemicals were added to both types of strips suspended in an organ chamber, and their changes in isometric tension were recorded.

The nerve endings of the acetabular labrum.

The nerve endings of the human acetabular labrum were investigated. Twenty-three acetabular labra were obtained from 24 fresh human cadavers, stained with Suzuki's silver impregnation and an immunohistochemical technique for neurogenic specific protein S-100, and examined by light and electron microscopy. Ramified free nerve endings were seen in all specimens by silver staining, and also were observed by the immunohistochemical technique for S-100 protein.

Antegrade and retrograde fluid transport through the vas deferens.

Intraluminal pressure of the seminal tract at seminal emission from the ejaculatory duct and the mode of transport of cauda epididymal contents were investigated to explore the mechanism of sperm transport. Direct electrical stimulation of any site of the cauda epididymis and vas deferens, which generated nerve-transmitted muscle contraction, caused elevation of the intraluminal pressure only at the cauda epididymis, whereas stimulation of the testis, caput, and corpus epididymis caused no response. The dye instilled in the cauda was emitted into the urethra during the stimulation.

Rapamycin inhibits transplant vasculopathy in long-surviving rat heart allografts.

We have examined the effects of rapamycin (RPM) on transplant vasculopathy in long-surviving F344 rat heart allografts transplanted heterotopically into Lewis recipients. RPM was administered intraperitoneally for the first 14 days in groups 1 and 2 (0.5 and 2 mg/kg/day), and daily throughout the follow-up period in groups 3 (0.

Accelerated endothelial regeneration and intimal hyperplasia following a repeated denudation of rabbit carotid arteries: morphological and immunohistochemical studies.

1. We compared endothelial regeneration and intimal thickening after endothelial denudation between normal and sclerotic carotid arteries (CA). Endothelial denudation of the right CA of rabbits formed intimal thickening covered with regenerated endothelial cells (EC) in 6 weeks, which was considered as the sclerosis model.

Sequential cytokine dynamics in chronic rejection of rat renal allografts: roles for cytokines RANTES and MCP-1.

Chronic rejection, the most important cause of long-term graft failure, is thought to result from both alloantigen-dependent and -independent factors. To examine these influences, cytokine dynamics were assessed by semiquantitative competitive reverse transcriptase-PCR and by immunohistology in an established rat model of chronic rejection lf renal allografts. Isograft controls develop morphologic and immunohistologic changes that are similar to renal allograft changes, although quantitatively less intense and at a delayed speed; these are thought to occur secondary to antigen-independent events.

Safety and pharmacokinetics of iotrolan in hysterosalpingography. Retention and irritability compared with Lipiodol.

Rationale And Objectives: The authors compared the safety and pharmacokinetics of Iotrolan (water-soluble) in hysterosalpingography (HSG) with those of Lipiodol (oil-soluble).

Methods: Iotrolan and Lipiodol were administered intraperitoneally at doses of 100 mg iodine/kg to female rabbits. Retention in the body was investigated by x-ray imaging, plasma kinetics, and urinary and fecal excretion.

Accumulation of endogenous inhibitors for nitric oxide synthesis and decreased content of L-arginine in regenerated endothelial cells.

1. We examined regeneration of endothelial cells (ECs), neointima formation, decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR) and changes in the contents of L-arginine, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA), asymmetrical NG, NG-dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetrical NG,NG-dimethylarginine (SDMA) in the regenerated ECs, 6 weeks after balloon denudation of the rabbit carotid artery. 2.