Combination therapy with polymyxin B-immobilized fibre haemoperfusion and teicoplanin for sepsis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether treatment with polymyxin B-immobilized fibre (PMX-F) haemoperfusion, teicoplanin, or both in combination is effective in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis. Sixty patients with MRSA sepsis were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (A) PMX-F treatment (N=15), (B) teicoplanin treatment (N=15), (C) PMX-F and teicoplanin in combination (N=20) and (D) conventional therapy (N=10). PMX-F treatment was repeated twice.

Inhibitors of Ras/Raf-1 interaction identified by two-hybrid screening revert Ras-dependent transformation phenotypes in human cancer cells.

The interaction of activated Ras with Raf initiates signaling cascades that contribute to a significant percentage of human tumors, suggesting that agents that specifically disrupt this interaction might have desirable chemotherapeutic properties. We used a subtractive forward two-hybrid approach to identify small molecule compounds that block the interaction of Ras with Raf. These compounds (MCP1 and its derivatives, 53 and 110) reduced serum-induced transcriptional activation of serum response element as well as Ras-induced transcription by way of the AP-1 site.

Combination AST-120 and dilazep dihydrochloride therapy reduced urinary protein excretion and serum creatinine levels in patients with chronic renal failure.

The effect of AST-120 and dilazep dihydrochloride on serum creatinine levels and urinary protein excretion was assessed in patients with chronic renal failure. We found that both drugs in combination provide an additive renoprotective effect over each drug in some chronic renal failure patients.

IL-15 up-regulates iNOS expression and NO production by gingival epithelial cells.

To investigate the biological activity of epithelial cells in view of host defense, we analyzed the mRNA expression of inducible NOS (iNOS) as well as NO production by human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) stimulated with IL-15. RT-PCR analysis revealed that HGEC expressed IL-15 receptor alpha-chain mRNA. In addition, stimulation with IL-15 enhanced iNOS expression by HGEC through an increase of both mRNA and protein levels.

Combination therapy of trandolapril and candesartan cilexetil reduces microalbuminuria and urinary endothelin-1 excretion in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background. Angiotensin (AT)-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and AT1-receptor blockers (ARBs) are widely used to reduce urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to determine whether treatment with trandolapril (an ACEI) and candesartan cilexetil (an ARB) in combination has more effect on UAE and urinary endothelin (ET)-1 excretion than treatment with trandolapril or candesartan cilexetil alone in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Activation of adenosine-receptor-enhanced iNOS mRNA expression by gingival epithelial cells.

A series of reports has revealed that adenosine has a plethora of biological actions toward a large variety of cells. In this study, we investigated the influence of adenosine receptor activation on iNOS mRNA expression in human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) and SV-40-transformed HGEC. HGEC expressed adenosine receptor subtypes A1, A2a, and A2b, but not A3 mRNA.

Hemoperfusion with polymyxin B immobilized fibers for urinary albumin excretion in septic patients with trauma.

We investigated whether microalbuminuria/urinary creatinine ratio (MACR) is increased in septic patients with trauma and whether polymyxin B immobilized fiber (PMX-F) treatment decreases MACR. Twelve trauma patients without sepsis, 18 trauma patients with sepsis, and 10 healthy controls were included in this study. The 18 trauma patients with sepsis were randomly assigned to one of two groups, PMX-F treatment or conventional treatment.

Effect of cerivastatin on proteinuria and urinary podocytes in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis.

Background: We previously reported urinary podocytes to be a marker of glomerular injury. The aim of the present study was to determine whether cerivastatin, a newly developed, potent synthetic statin, affects proteinuria and urinary podocyte excretion in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN).

Methods: We randomly assigned 40 normotensive hypercholesterolemic patients with CGN to receive either cerivastatin 0.

Down-regulation of CD43 molecule expression on intraperitoneal neutrophils in CAPD patients with peritonitis.

To assess the release of proteases from neutrophils infiltrated into the peritoneal cavity in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), we investigated the regulation of CD43, LAM-1 and Mac-1 expression on the neutrophil plasma membrane using FACS analysis in CAPD patients with peritonitis. Five CAPD patients with peritonitis and five CAPD patients without peritonitis were studied. CD43 expression was immunohistochemically determined in both groups of patients using flow cytometry, and comparisons were made between the two groups.

Effect of phosphodiesterase III inhibitor on plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 and tumour necrosis factor in patients with acute heart failure.

Objective: Effects of loprinone hydrochloride on plasma ET-1 and TNF-alpha levels were assessed in patients with acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods And Results: Thirty patients with AHF were divided into 2 groups and treated with loprinone hydrochloride (0.3 pg/kg/min) (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15).

Asymmetric synthesis of axially chiral benzamides and anilides by enantiotopic lithiation of prochiral arene chromium complexes.

Axially chiral benzamides and anilides were prepared by enantiotopic lithiation at the distinguished benzylic methyl of prochiral tricarbonylchromium complexes of N,N-diethyl 2,6-dimethylbenzamide (1) and N-methyl-N-acyl 2,6-dimethylaniline (14 and 21) with a chiral lithium amide base followed by electrophilic substitution in good yields with high optical purity. The resulting axially chiral chromium-complexed benzamides and anilides were oxidized under air to give chromium-free axially chiral benzamides and anilides in an enantiomerically active form without axial bond rotation at room temperature.

Comparative effects of plasmapheresis and intravenous cyclophosphamide on urinary podocyte excretion in patients with proliferative Lupus nephritis.

Intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVC) in combination with steroids is standard therapy for Lupus nephritis. Reduction of autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes can be used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of IVC pulse therapy and double-filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) on proteinuria and urinary excretion of podocytes in adult patients with diffuse proliferative Lupus nephritis (DPLN).

Anti-(Raf-1) RNA aptamers that inhibit Ras-induced Raf-1 activation.

RNA aptamers with affinity for the Ras-binding domain (RBD) of Raf-1 were isolated from a degenerate pool by in vitro selection. These aptamers efficiently inhibited the Ras interaction with the Raf-1 RBD, and also inhibited Ras-induced Raf-1 activation in a cell-free system. The RNA aptamer with the most potent inhibitory effect specifically inhibited the Ras-Raf-1 interaction and had no affinity for the RBD of the RGL protein, a homolog of the Ral GDP dissociation stimulator.

Effect of dilazep dihydrochloride on serum cardiac troponin T levels in hemodialysis patients.

Background/aim: Cardiac troponin T is a highly sensitive marker for the detection of myocardial injury. We studied whether dilazep dihydrochloride affects cardiac troponin T levels in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Our study included 60 hemodialysis patients without symptoms of acute myocardial ischemia.

Effects of hemoperfusion on serum cardiac troponin T concentrations using polymyxin B-immobilized fibers in septic patients undergoing hemodialysis.

We investigated whether serum cardiac troponin T levels are altered in septic patients undergoing hemodialysis and whether polyinyxin B-immobilized fiber (PMX-F) treatment affects these levels. Fourteen heinodialysis patients with sepsis, 14 hemodialysis patients without sepsis, and 12 age matched healthy controls were included in this study. Cardiac troponin T levels in hemodialysis patients with sepsis (0.

Effect of cerivastatin on urinary albumin excretion and plasma endothelin-1 concentrations in type 2 diabetes patients with microalbuminuria and dyslipidemia.

Background/aims: To determine whether cerivastatin, a newly developed novel synthetic potent statin, exerts a renoprotective effect, we assessed urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and plasma and urinary endothelin (ET)-1 concentrations in normotensive microalbuminuric type 2 diabetes patients with dyslipidemia.

Methods: Sixty normotensive type 2 diabetic patients (38 men and 22 women; mean age 56.5 years) with microalbuminuria (20-200 microg/min) and dyslipidemia (total cholesterol >200 mg/dl, LDL cholesterol >160 mg/dl, HDL cholesterol <35 mg/dl, and triglyceride >150 mg/dl) were enrolled in a double-blind study for 6 months, receiving either cerivastatin (0.

[Troubles inherent to long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and the use of technologies to improve communication between medical institutions and patients].

The continuous advance of technology has contributed to the improvement of the quality of life of patients under long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN). But the longer the patient stays home, the higher the risk of many kinds of troubles. We designed an HPN system in June 1999, which uses E-mail for patients and to contact with each other (including the patient's family) and to prevent troubles from worsening.

Changes in concentrations of type IV collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in patients with paraquat poisoning.

Respiratory failure is one of the major causes of death in patients with paraquat poisoning. In paraquat-poisoned lungs, abnormal extracellular matrix regulation occurs. The aim of the present study is to determine whether serum concentrations of type IV collagen and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) are altered during the course of paraquat poisoning and whether haemoperfusion therapy affects these concentrations.

Involvement of B-Raf in Ras-induced Raf-1 activation.

The mechanism of Ras-induced Raf-1 activation is not fully understood. Previously, we identified a 400-kDa protein complex as a Ras-dependent Raf-1 activator. In this study, we identified B-Raf as a component of this complex.

Pioglitazone reduces urinary podocyte excretion in type 2 diabetes patients with microalbuminuria.

In various renal diseases, including diabetic nephropathy, detection of podocytes in the urine indicates severe injury to podocytes in the glomeruli. Pioglitazone is a newly developed antidiabetic agent that attenuates insulin resistance. The aim of the present study was to determine whether pioglitazone affects urinary albumin excretion (UAE) or the number of urinary podocytes or both in type 2 diabetes patients with microalbuminuria.

HF-STEX and RASSCF calculations on nitrogen K-shell X-ray absorption of purine base and its derivative.

The nitrogen K-shell X-ray absorption spectra of the purine bases present in nucleic acids, adenine and guanine, were analyzed by using ab initio Hartree-Fock static exchange and restricted-active-space self-consistent-field calculations. A variety of derivative molecules were calculated to investigate the energetic shifts due to environmental effects on the nitrogen atoms. Shake-up excitations were also addressed.