Hemodynamics changes after tilting and the efficacy of preventive drugs.

Background: We investigated whether hemodynamics changes during head-up tilt test (HUT) predict the efficacy of preventive drugs in neurally mediated syncope (NMS) patients, in order to clarify the differences between drug responders and nonresponders.

Method: In 402 patients with syncope, we examined HUT. In 66 patients with induced NMS, we administered propranolol when heart rate (HR) > 60 and systolic blood pressure (SBP) > 100 mmHg.

PACAP stimulates the release of interleukin-6 in cultured rat Müller cells.

We have investigated the in vivo effect of PACAP on rat Müller cells that are the predominant glial element in the retina. Müller cells were treated with PACAP38, either alone or in the presence of the PACAP-selective antagonist, PACAP6-38. Cellular proliferation was determined by measuring the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine, while interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the culture medium were examined using a B9 cell bioassay.

Intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt: report of two cases assessed by helical computed tomography.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) anatomic analysis was carried out, using helical computed tomography (helical CT), to evaluate its usefulness in two cases of large intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (IPSVS).

Methods: Case 1, a 74-year-old man with type-C hepatitis, underwent hepatic angiography to confirm suggested IPSVS of the left hepatic lobe in 1994. Case 2, a 62-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis associated with type-B hepatitis, was hospitalized for evaluation of suspected hepatocellular carcinoma in 1994.

Superficial location of malignant glioma with heavily lipidized (foamy) tumor cells: a case report.

A case of malignant glioma, localized superficially in the cerebrum and composed of heavily lipidized tumor cells, is described. Microscopically, the lipid-laden tumor cells were GFAP-positive and exhibited marked cellular and nuclear pleomorphism. In the present case the tumor was superficially located in the cerebral hemisphere, as opposed to the usual deep localization described by Kepes and Rubinstein, and others.