Impact of modifiable lifestyle factors on outcomes after breast cancer diagnosis: the Setouchi Breast Cancer Cohort Study.

The primary purpose of this large cohort study is to investigate the effects on breast cancer outcomes of modifiable lifestyle factors after breast cancer diagnosis. These factors include physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and weight gain after diagnosis, alternative medicine and dietary factors. Women diagnosed with Stage 0 to III breast cancer are eligible for participation to this study.

Mechanisms of inhaled fine particulate air pollution-induced arterial blood pressure changes.

Background: Epidemiologic studies suggest a positive association between fine particulate matter and arterial blood pressure, but the results have been inconsistent.

Objectives: We investigated the effect of ambient particles on systemic hemodynamics during a 5-hr exposure to concentrated ambient air particles (CAPs) or filtered air (FA) in conscious canines.

Methods: Thirteen dogs were repeatedly exposed via permanent tracheostomy to CAPs (358.

Concentrated ambient particles alter myocardial blood flow during acute ischemia in conscious canines.

Background: Experimental and observational studies have demonstrated that short-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) exacerbates myocardial ischemia.

Objectives: We conducted this study to investigate the effects of concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) on myocardial blood flow during myocardial ischemia in chronically instrumented conscious canines.

Methods: Eleven canines were instrumented with a balloon occluder around the left anterior descending coronary artery and catheters for determination of myocardial blood flow using fluorescent microspheres.

Permanent tracheostomy for long-term respiratory studies.

Background: We describe a modified surgical technique for permanent, anterior tracheal-wall stoma for chronic, repeat respiratory studies in trained, conscious dogs. These cannula-free tracheostomies require minimal daily maintenance, permit repeat intubation with endotracheal tubes modified for airflow respiratory measurement, and facilitate up to 6 h continuous administration of aerosol agents during long-term or repeat respiratory studies.

Methods: In 20 dogs, during a 30 to 40 min procedure, portions of tracheal rings 2-4 were removed to create an oval stoma, approximately 2 x 1 cm.

Long-term pericardial catheterization is associated with minimum foreign-body response.

Objectives: The goals of this study were to assess the feasibility and to characterize the foreign-body response of a long-term catheter in the pericardium.

Background: Long-term access to the normal pericardial space provides opportunities for diagnostic sampling and therapeutic intervention.

Methods: After thoracotomy, in 7 anesthetized canines, the pericardium was opened and a 5 French silicone vascular access catheter was advanced 10 cm into the pericardial sac toward the apex of the heart.

Repeat microsphere delivery for serial measurement of regional blood perfusion in the chronically instrumented, conscious canine.

Introduction: For chronic, repeat hemodynamic studies in conscious dogs, we designed and tested a chronically instrumented canine microsphere delivery model. The goals of this study were (1) to investigate the accuracy of repeated estimations of blood perfusion using fluorescent-labeled microspheres and (2) to develop and validate a chronic preparation that permits consecutive estimations in the same conscious animal over an extended protocol.

Methods: Via thoracotomy, nine dogs were instrumented with left atrial appendage and aortic vascular access catheters connected to subcutaneous vascular access ports.

Technique for implantation of chronic indwelling aortic access catheters.

Introduction: For chronic, repeated cardiovascular studies in trained, conscious dogs, we describe a technique for implantation of an arterial vascular access catheter in the aorta. In comparison to previous techniques, our technique enables arterial catheter implantation without interrupting the systemic circulation or compromising peripheral arterial flow, requires only a single penetration of the aortic wall, and results in a catheter facing downstream in the aorta. The catheter is usable for both arterial blood sampling and intra-arterial injection of pharmacologic agents.

An organic-inorganic hybrid scaffold for the culture of HepG2 cells in a bioreactor.

Much interest has recently been shown in the potential utility of bioartificial liver (BAL) as a bridge support for patients and as a module for experimental purposes. A radial-flow bioreactor (RFB), one of the perfused bed/scaffold-type bioreactors, enables a highly functional three-dimensional culture as BAL. The functional capacity of bioreactors depends not only on their mechanistic structures but also on scaffolds packed in them.

Propagation of adult rat bone marrow-derived hepatocyte-like cells by serial passages in vitro.

Previously, we found that hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met)-and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-expressing cells were present in adult rat bone marrow, and that these cells also expressed hematopoietic stem cell markers, such as CD34, Thy-1, and c-Kit. When bone marrow cells were cultured in a hepatocyte growth medium (HGM) with HGF and EGF, colonies composed of polygonal cells resembling mature hepatocytes appeared by 2 weeks and grew very slowly because of overgrowth of stromal cells. At days 34-41, 2-mm2 sheets of hepatocyte-like cells were cut out of their colonies by scratching with an injection needle under observation with a phase contrast microscope, transferred into wells of 24-well plates, and cultured in the HGM medium in the presence or absence of HGF and EGF.

Expression of CYP3A4 by an immortalized human hepatocyte line in a three-dimensional culture using a radial-flow bioreactor.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A is responsible for about 50% of drug metabolizing activity in the liver. The present study was undertaken to establish a CYP3A4-active model for in vitro analysis of human drug metabolism. The cells used were immortalized normal human fetal hepatocytes (OUMS-29) and its HNF4alpha-introduced subline (OUMS-29/H-11).

Involvement of interferon regulatory factor 1 and S100C/A11 in growth inhibition by transforming growth factor beta 1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Growth inhibition by transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 has been attributed to the induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, among which p21/Waf1 plays a major role in many biological contexts. In the present study, two new intracellular mediators for the induction of p21/Waf1 by TGF-beta 1 were identified in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (JHH-5) expressing mutant-type p53. After addition of TGF-beta 1 to JHH-5 cells, a marked increase of the p21/Waf1 expression preceded the inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Improved conditions to induce hepatocytes from rat bone marrow cells in culture.

Recent studies have revealed that bone marrow cells can develop into hepatocytes by in vivo transplantation under certain circumstances. However, little is known about the mechanism of bone marrow cell differentiation into hepatocytes. It is important to determine suitable culture conditions in which bone marrow cells will be differentiated into hepatocytes not only for understanding differentiation mechanisms but also for efficient amplification of hepatocyte-progenitor cells of bone marrow origin, this being a prerequisite for potential therapeutic use.