Comparison of anti-anginal effect of cilnidipine with those of nicardipine and nifedipine in the vasopressin-induced angina model of rats.

We assessed the anti-anginal effects of cilnidipine in comparison with those of nicardipine and nifedipine (1 and 10 µg/kg, n = 6 for each drug) or vehicle (n = 6) by using the vasopressin-induced angina model of rats. The administration of vasopressin (0.5 IU/kg, i.

[A case of atypical Tolosa-Hunt syndrome with a contrast enhanced lesion of the oculomotor and trigeminal nerves on MRI].

A 30-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of intractable orbital pain and ptosis on the left side. On admission, she had left oculomotor, ophthalmic and maxillary nerves palsy. MRI revealed a contrast enhanced lesion of the left oculomotor and trigeminal nerves through the covernous sinus and orbita.

Early effect of tacrolimus in improving excitation-contraction coupling in myasthenia gravis.

Objectives: Tacrolimus (FK506) is a macrolide T-cell immunomodulator used to treat myasthenia gravis (MG). Besides immunosuppression, tacrolimus has been reported to have the potential to increase muscle strength by enhancing ryanodine receptor (RyR) function. However, few attempts have been made to demonstrate the early effect of tacrolimus as an RyR enhancer in clinical investigation.

Contribution of anti-ryanodine receptor antibody to impairment of excitation-contraction coupling in myasthenia gravis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the impairment of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling and anti-ryanodine receptor (RyR) antibody in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods: Masseteric compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and mandibular movement-related potentials (MRPs) were recorded simultaneously after stimulating the trigeminal motor nerve with a needle electrode. The E-C coupling time (ECCT) was calculated as the latency difference between CMAP and MRP.

Relationship between dysphagia and depressive states in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Aspiration pneumonia related to dysphagia is known to be the leading cause of death in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated the relationship between depressive states and dysphagia in patients with PD. A hundred and twenty-seven PD patients gave their informed consent and were enrolled in this study.

Correlation between the degree of left subclavian artery stenosis and the left vertebral artery waveform by pulse Doppler ultrasonography.

Background: Development of retrograde blood flow may be observed in the vertebral artery and is associated with progressive ipsilateral proximal subclavian or innominate artery stenosis. The subclavian steal phenomenon is more prevalent in the left subclavian artery (LSA). The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between the degree of LSA stenosis and pulse Doppler waveforms of the left vertebral artery (LVA).

Correlation of bite force with excitation-contraction coupling time of the masseter in myasthenia gravis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the impairment of excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling of masseter and the bite force in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods: In 20 patients with MG, masseteric compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and mandibular movement-related potentials (MRP) were recorded simultaneously after stimulating the trigeminal motor nerve with a needle electrode. The E-C coupling time (ECCT) was calculated by the latency difference between CMAP and MRP.

Usefulness of a blood flow analyzing program 3DSRT to detect occipital hypoperfusion in dementia with Lewy bodies.

In the latest criteria for the clinical diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), supportive features include generalized low uptake on SPECT/PET perfusion scan with reduced occipital activity. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of a cerebral blood flow (CBF) quantification program '3DSRT' in detecting occipital hypoperfusion in DLB. Twenty two patients with probable DLB, 38 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 16 normal controls underwent brain perfusion SPECT.

Quantitative analysis of brain perfusion SPECT in Alzheimer's disease using a fully automated regional cerebral blood flow quantification software, 3DSRT.

Purpose: The clinical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) show great diversity depending on the clinical stage. We investigated the correlation of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) changes and the clinical severity of AD patients.

Methods: Thirty-nine AD patients and 16 normal subjects participated in this study.

GM3 synthase gene is a novel biomarker for histological classification and drug sensitivity against epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer.

Expression of gangliosides and alterations in their composition have been observed during cell proliferation and differentiation and in certain cell cycle phases, brain development and cancer malignancy. To investigate the characteristics of GM3 synthase, SAT-I mRNA and ganglioside GM3 expression levels in lung cancer, we examined the expression levels of SAT-I mRNA as well as GM3 in 40 tumor tissues surgically removed from non-small cell lung cancer patients. Adenocarcinoma tissues expressed SAT-I mRNA levels that were significantly higher than those of squamous and other carcinomas (P < 0.

Effect of cigarette smoking on gastric emptying of solids in Japanese smokers: a crossover study using the 13C-octanoic acid breath test.

Background: Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastric emptying disorders may play a role in the development of these upper gastrointestinal diseases. Thus, studies examining a link between smoking and gastric emptying disorders have clinical relevance.

Modified 13C-octanoate breath test and impact of sampling points.

In recent years, the C-octanoate breath test has attracted attention as a simple and noninvasive method of assessing gastric emptying of solids. However, practical procedures for test meals, parameters used, and sampling points have not yet been established. Moving toward a more convenient method, here we examined the influences of sampling interval and duration on the C-octanoate breath test performed on 15 healthy subjects using a commercially-available instant cupcake.

MR findings of clear cell sarcoma: two case reports.

We report two patients with clear cell sarcomas arising from tendons in the ankle and knee. In the current cases, calcifications, fluid-fluid levels and the marked hypointense areas are not seen within the masses. In the differential diagnosis of the mass developing in the tendons and aponeuroses, when these signs are absent, the probability of clear cell sarcoma is higher.

Urinary antibody titers to Helicobacter pylori and an impact of clinical characteristics.

This study evaluates the clinical usefulness of titers of antibody to Helicobacter pylori (Hp) in a urine-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (URINELISA; Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Tokushima, Japan) by comparing values of serum antibody to Hp in an already commercialized kit in a population of 250 asymptomatic individuals. Influences of physical and laboratory characteristics on the relationship between serum and urinary titers of antibody to Hp were also estimated using simple and multiple regression analyses. Specific urine gravity, urine pH, proteinuria, and age of the subjects were regarded as significant factors relating to urinary titers of the anti-Hp antibody on simple regression analyses.

Does Cl-/HCO3- exchange play an important role in reperfusion arrhythmias in rats?

The protective effects of Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchange inhibitors, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4'isothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS), against reperfusion-induced arrhythmias were investigated in anesthetized rats. Rats were subjected to 5-min occlusion of the left coronary artery followed by 10-min reperfusion. All drugs were intravenously administered 5 min before the onset of occlusion.

[The validity of serum acetaminophen concentration at 45 min as an index of gastric emptying rate: a study based on pharmacokinetic theories].

The reliability of the serum acetaminophen (APAP) concentration at 45 min (C45) as a measure of gastric emptying (GE) has been evaluated using a pharmacokinetic simulation work. The present results have revealed that C45 is a useful index to conveniently detect delayed GE, but it is unreliable to measure rapid GE. In addition, the following simple criteria for diagnosis of delayed GE has been proposed based on the pharmacokinetic theories: after ingestion of 20 mg/kg APAP dissolved in a 200 kcal-containing liquid meal, 1) the delayed GE is excluded when C45 > 5.

An unusual arterial supply of the kidney from the opposite renal artery.

We describe an extremely rare case with a supplementary artery arising from an opposite renal artery without renal anomalies in position and in form. An unusual artery crossing the aorta can be suggested by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. A renal cell carcinoma is supplied by the branch of the opposite renal artery.

Cardiovascular effects of orally administered HNS-32, an originally synthesized azulene-1-carboxamidine derivative, assessed in the in vivo rat model.

HNS-32, an azulene-1-carboxamidine derivative, is an originally synthesized antiarrhythmic compound. Its cardiovascular effects after oral administration (1-10 mg/kg) were assessed using the pentobarbital-anesthetized in vivo rat model in comparison with those of verapamil (3 mg/kg, p.o.

Effects of HNS-32, a novel antiarrhythmic agent, on guinea-pig myocardium.

The electrophysiological and mechanical effects of HNS-32, a novel azulene-1-carboxamidine derivative with antiarrhythmic activity, were studied in isolated guinea-pig myocardial preparations. HNS-32 (10(-6)-10(-4) mol/l) concentration-dependently decreased the maximum rate of rise (V(max)) of action potential in isolated papillary muscle; the potency was the same or slightly higher than that of disopyramide. At 10(-4) mol/l, HNS-32 also shortened the action potential duration (APD) and depolarized the resting membrane potential; these effects were similar to those of 10(-5) mol/l verapamil.