Cholesterol primes vascular smooth muscle to induce Ca2 sensitization mediated by a sphingosylphosphorylcholine-Rho-kinase pathway: possible role for membrane raft.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor involved in abnormal cardiovascular events. Rho-kinase-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) plays a critical role in vasospasm and hypertension. We recently identified sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) and Src family tyrosine kinase (Src-TK) as upstream mediators for the Rho-kinase-mediated Ca(2+) sensitization.

Cost-effectiveness of Liple (LipoPGE1) for arteriosclerosis obliterans patients in Japan: an economic evaluation using the EQ-5D instrument.

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and cost-effectiveness of LipoPGE(1) when added to the conventional treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients. The research design consisted of a before and after-treatment study without comparison groups. We collected data from May 1999 through July 2001 at 473 institutions located throughout Japan.

Regression of abdominal aortic aneurysm by inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a common disease among elderly people that, when surgical treatment is inapplicable, results in progressive expansion and rupture of the aorta with high mortality. Although nonsurgical treatment for AAA is much awaited, few options are available because its molecular pathogenesis remains elusive. Here, we identify JNK as a proximal signaling molecule in the pathogenesis of AAA.

The effect of Liple on physical and emotional quality of life in the treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of treatment with prostaglandin E1, Liple, on both the physical and emotional health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

Methods: Treatment with Liple was evaluated using the before and after treatment results obtained using the SF-36, a QOL questionnaire, and an assessment of symptoms by a physician. The study was designed as a non-randomized before and after treatment study without comparison groups, and the study was conducted from May 1999 to July 2001 at 473 facilities located within Japan targeting patients with ASO.

[Two cases of non-curatively resected scirrhous gastric cancer that responded well to weekly paclitaxel therapy].

We report 2 cases in which the weekly administration of paclitaxel proved to be effective for patients with scirrhous gastric cancer who underwent a curability C operation. Weekly paclitaxel therapy was observed to effectively treat peritoneal and retroperitoneal dissemination. After this treatment the tumor markers decreased markedly.

Differential regulation of apoptosis in the corpus luteum of pregnancy and newly formed corpus luteum after parturition in rats.

Apoptosis contributes to luteal regression in many species. In the postpartum rat, there are two different types of corpora lutea (CL) in the ovary: CL of pregnancy (CLP) and newly formed CL (NCL). To investigate the regulation of apoptosis in the two different types of CL during luteal regression, apoptosis and caspase-3 activity were examined in the CL obtained on Days 7, 15, and 21 of pregnancy and Days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 postpartum.

[Subjective criteria of chest CT findings for predicting pathological features and postoperative outcomes of small peripheral lung cancer (< or = 2 cm)].

One hundred fifty five patients with completely resected peripheral non-small cell lung cancer, clinically diagnosed 2 cm or less in diameter, are retrospectively reviewed on their preoperative chest CT films, clinico-pathological features, and postoperative outcomes. Pathologic type was classified according to Noguchi's classification. 7% and 8% of all the patients had pathologic N 1 and N 2 diseases, respectively.

Experimental and clinical studies investigating the efficacy of distal anastomosis with patch plasty in bypass operations with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafts.

Purpose: We investigated the efficiency of distal anastomosis with patch plasty (DAPP), both experimentally and clinically.

Methods: In our experimental study, dogs were divided into two groups: a control group in which anastomosis was performed without DAPP ( n = 7), and a DAPP group in which DAPP was performed at the distal anastomosis ( n = 7). In our clinical study, 169 femoropopliteal bypasses were divided into three groups and analyzed.

Matrix metalloproteinase expressions in arteriosclerotic aneurysmal disease.

Medial degeneration of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the wall of abdominal aortas results in smooth muscle cell destruction, a loss of architectural integrity, and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) formation. It has been theorized that an imbalance between proteinases and their naturally occurring inhibitors is the cause of these observed histologic abnormalities. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if differences in the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) -2 and -9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) protein and activity levels existed between infrarenal AAA and normal abdominal aortic tissue specimens.

Neovascularization induced by autologous bone marrow cell implantation in peripheral arterial disease.

Neovascularization has recently been used as a new treatment for severe ischemic disease. We tried to induce therapeutic neovascularization by autologous bone marrow cell implantation (BMCI) in eight selected patients with chronic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), in whom traditional treatments had failed. Improvement of subjective symptoms was seen in seven patients after treatment.

Can nonpenetrating vascular closure staples and hepatocyte growth factor prevent intimal hyperplasia following ePTFE grafting of the carotid artery in rabbits?

Purpose: To evaluate whether nonpenetrating vascular closure staples (VCS) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can effectively prevent anastomotic intimal hyperplasia.

Methods: An expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft, 2 mm in diameter, was implanted in the common carotid artery of rabbits divided into three experimental groups. In the control group, distal anastomosis was performed with interrupted suturing; in the VCS group, clips were applied along the lateral suture line after the placement of stay sutures; and in the VCS + HGF group, the same anastomotic technique was performed as in the VCS group, followed by the administration of the HGF for 4 days.

Hilar lymph nodes in N2 disease: survival analysis of patients with non-small cell lung cancers and regional lymph node metastasis.

Purpose: This study was conducted to accurately define the N status of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 147 patients with NSCLC and pathologically positive regional lymph nodes who underwent major pulmonary resections with complete mediastinal lymph node dissections.

Results: The overall 5-year survival rate was 41% after a median follow-up period of 33 months.

Perioperative features of coronary artery bypass grafting in patients aged 75 years or older.

Objectives: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is well established as an effective operation to overcome ischemic heart disease; however, the number of aged patients with a high operative risk undergoing this procedure has increased in recent years. This retrospective study evaluates our experience of performing CABG in a consecutive series of patients aged 75 years or older.

Methods: To assess the hospital mortality and morbidity associated with this procedure, we retrospectively analyzed 49 patients aged 75 years or older (Elderly Group) who underwent CABG and compared the results with those of 88 patients aged 65-74 years (Control Group) who underwent CABG during the same period.

Granulocyte elastase release and pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with mitral valvular disease.

In patients with atrial septal defect in whom pulmonary hypertension could develop as a consequence of left-to-right shunt, the extent of neutrophil-mediated lung injury induced by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is related to the degree of increase in the preoperative pulmonary artery pressure. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between levels of granulocyte elastase (GEL) after CPB and preoperative pulmonary hemodynamics or changes in pulmonary function after the operation in patients with mitral valve disease, in whom pulmonary hypertension could develop as a result of pulmonary venous congestion. The plasma levels of GEL were measured before and after CPB in patients who underwent mitral valve replacement.

Hepatocyte growth factor prevents intimal hyperplasia in rabbit carotid expanded polytetrafluoroethylene grafting.

Purpose: The major cause of vascular prosthesis failure is anastomotic intimal hyperplasia caused by the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is an endothelium-specific growth factor that exerts a mitogenic action on endothelial cells. This study was designed to examine the effect of HGF on the suppression of intimal hyperplasia after small-caliber expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafting.

Angiogenesis induced by the injection of peripheral leukocytes and platelets.

Background: Peripheral leukocytes and platelets (LAPs) contain many kinds of cells with the ability to secrete several growth factors and cytokines. We attempted to induce therapeutic angiogenesis by injecting self-LAPs into a rat ischemic hindlimb model.

Materials And Methods: Supernatants from cultured LAPs were used for the endothelial cell (EC) proliferation assay, and LAPs were used in a cornea model to evaluate angiogenic potency.

Post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion combined with 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) oral administration after curative resection.

Background: Although surgical resectability is an important prognostic factor, recurrences are commonly noted in advanced colorectal cancer patients, even after apparently curative surgery. Since such recurrences cannot be cured, better adjuvant chemotherapies are urgently required.

Patients And Methods: We studied the effect of post-operative chemotherapy using oral administration of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) infusion for curatively-resected Stage IIIa and IIIb colorectal cancers.

[Up-regulation of inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate receptor expression in atrial tissue in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation].

Background: Abnormal intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis occurs in chronic atrial fibrillation(AF). The intracellular Ca2+ concentration is regulated by ryanodine and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptors. Changes occur in ryanodine receptors in atrial tissue from patients in chronic AF.

[Heart transplantation for dilated cardiomyopathy possibly caused by fulminant acute myocarditis: a case report].

A 13-year-old boy [corrected] underwent heart transplantation for severe congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy possibly caused by fulminant acute myocarditis. He suddenly suffered chest discomfort and loss of consciousness during running, and was referred to a hospital with cardiogenic shock. Electrocardiography showed ventricular tachycardia and echocardiography revealed severe hypokinesis in an extensive area of the left ventricular wall with markedly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction.

Prolonged survival of xenograft fetal cardiomyocytes by adenovirus-mediated CTLA4-Ig expression.

Background: Experimental allografting of fetal cardiomyocytes has been performed successfully. In this study, we attempted to transplant rat fetal cardiomyocytes into the hearts of mice by blocking the CD28/B7 costimulatory pathway via CTLA4-Ig gene transfer.

Methods: Fetal cardiomyocytes derived from Dark Agouti rat were infected with CTLA4-Ig-expressing adenovirus vectors (AdCTLA) and injected directly into the normal myocardium of C3H/He mice (n=15).

Surgically treated primary lung cancer associated with Brugada syndrome: report of a case.

A 71-year-old man with primary lung cancer associated with Brugada syndrome was safely operated on following the placement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). During examinations for Brugada syndrome, a tumor in the apicoposterior segment of the left lung was incidentally detected by chest computed tomography. Following the implantation of an ICD, surgical treatment of the left lung tumor was scheduled.

The influence of tumour resection on angiostatin levels and tumour growth--an experimental study in tumour-bearing mice.

The phenomenon of primary neoplasms inhibiting the growth of their metastatic lesions is thought to be related to endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the influence of tumour resection on angiostatin levels and tumour growth using a tumour-bearing mouse model. A primary Lewis lung cancer tumour model was established in C57BL/6 mice and these mice were divided into two groups 10 days after the tumour cells were inoculated.

Digitonin enhances the antitumor effect of cisplatin during isolated lung perfusion.

Background: The antitumor effect of isolated lung perfusion with cisplatin was limited because the intracellular platinum concentration did not increase sufficiently. To solve this problem, digitonin, a detergent, was chosen to increase cell permeability and enhance intracellular uptake and antitumor effect. This study was designed to investigate toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of isolated lung perfusion with the combined use of digitonin and cisplatin in Fischer 344 rats.

[Delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and direct coronal computed tomography: report of a case].

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with abdominal symptoms. A diagnosis of delayed traumatic diaphragmatic hernia was made from the findings of a plain X-ray film, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). We successfully performed repair of the diaphragm via abdominal approach.

Local implantation of autologous bone marrow cells for therapeutic angiogenesis in patients with ischemic heart disease: clinical trial and preliminary results.

A new therapy for severe ischemic heart disease has been developed; therapeutic angiogenesis induced by the local implantation of autologous bone marrow cells (BMC). After confirming that no detrimental changes were induced by this treatment in a canine heart model, a clinical trial was commenced in 1999. Thus far, 5 patients have been given this new treatment concomitant with coronary artery bypass grafting and all have been followed up for at least 1 year.