Determination of refractory periods and conduction velocity during atrial fibrillation using atrial capture in dogs: direct assessment of the wavelength and its modulation by a sodium channel blocker, pilsicainide.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were to measure the atrial refractory period and the conduction velocity (CV) during atrial fibrillation (AF) and to explore the antiarrhythmic mechanism of a sodium channel blocker, pilsicainide, during AF.

Background: Sodium channel blockers not only decrease the CV, but also prolong the atrial refractory period, particularly during rapid excitation. Because these effects on the wavelength are counteractive and rate dependent, it is critical to measure these parameters during AF.

[Nationwide survey of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation from related donors in Japan: current trends and issues].

In December 1997, we conducted a nationwide survey of cases of primary allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) performed in Japan between December 1994 and November 1997 Data was collected on 103 patients with hematologic malignancies, aplastic anemia, or solid tumors. Eighty-seven patients received transplants from HLA-identical siblings, and 16 from HLA-mismatched related donors. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were collected from donors by 1 to 3 aphereses.

Noninvasive system for evaluating the allergen-specific airway response in a murine model of asthma.

In the present report, we show that the enhanced pause (Penh), a novel indicator of airway responsiveness to bronchoconstrictors, can also be a good marker of airway response to an allergen challenge in a murine model of asthma. Male BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) through a combination of intraperitoneal injection and aerosol inhalation. After this immunization, the OVA-specific IgE titer in serum increased to a significantly higher level than in a saline/PBS-treated control group.

Emesis in the shrew mouse (Suncus murinus) induced by peroral and intraperitoneal administration of staphylococcal enterotoxin A.

Peroral and intraperitoneal administration of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) to Suncus murinus elicited an emetic response. The 50% emetic dose of SEA by peroral administration was found to be 32 microg per kg of body weight, whereas that by intraperitoneal administration was 3 microg per kg. Multiple emetic responses occurred 70 to 108 min after peroral administration of an emetic dose of SEA.

[A multicenter early phase II study of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for treatment of intermediate-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Japan Blood Cell Transplantation Study Group].

We conducted a multicenter early phase II study to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy supported by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) for the treatment of intermediate grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (IG-NHL). High-dose etoposide or cyclophosphamide followed by G-CSF was used for PBSC mobilization, and a sufficient number of CD34+ cells (> 1 x 10(6)/kg) were collected. Out of 81 enrolled patients, 50 received high-dose chemotherapy with auto-PBSCT; Hematologic recovery after transplantation was rapid.

[An early phase II study of autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia in first remission. Japan Blood Cell Transplantation Study Group].

We performed a multicenter, an early phase II clinical trial to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of myeloablative therapy supported by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (auto-PBSCT) for the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in first remission. A total of 105 patients were enrolled in the study, and 56 patients in first complete remission received auto-PBSCT. The median age was 44 years.

Studies on the functional site on staphylococcal enterotoxin A responsible for production of murine gamma interferon.

To identify the functional region(s) associated with induction of gamma interferon on the staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule, native staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecules and 12 various synthetic peptides corresponding to different regions of entire staphylococcal enterotoxin A were compared to induce gamma interferon production in murine spleen cells. The native staphylococcal enterotoxin A molecule induced gamma interferon production, whereas all of the 12 synthetic peptides did not. Pre-treatment of the murine spleen cells with synthetic peptide A-9 (corresponding to amino acid residues 161-180) significantly inhibited the staphylococcal enterotoxin A-induced gamma interferon production, whereas those with other synthetic peptides did not.

Successful treatment of advanced natural killer cell lymphoma with high-dose chemotherapy and syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

CD56+ angiocentric lymphoma has currently been recognized as a distinct clinical entity which is the prototype of the putative NK cell lymphomas. A 16-year-old Japanese girl with advanced CD56+ angiocentric lymphoma received high-dose chemotherapy supported with syngeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). Prior to syngeneic PBSCT, she received six cycles of conventional chemotherapy before transplantation, resulting in a partial response.

Monitoring of human herpesviruses after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation and bone marrow transplantation.

Herpesviruses frequently cause serious complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT). Recent studies have shown more rapid immune reconstitution after allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) compared with allo-BMT. However, it has not been clarified whether the improved immune reconstitution after allo-PBSCT is associated with a lower incidence of herpesvirus infections.

Hematopoietic progenitor cells from allogeneic bone marrow transplant donors circulate in the very early post-transplant period.

Despite the therapeutic efficacy of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT), circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells after bone marrow transplantation have not been well characterized. In the present study, we focused on these 'post-transplant circulating progenitor cells (PTCPC)' which may be on their way to bone marrow. We analyzed the number of myeloid progenitor cells (CFU-GM) per 10 ml of peripheral blood (PB) on days 0 (just before transplantation), 1 (8-15 h after the completion of transplantation), 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 28 and 35 after allo-BMT in five transplant patients using a standard methylcellulose assay.

Molecular characterization of total kininogen deficiency in Japanese patients.

Kininogens are multifunctional plasma glycoproteins. There are two forms of human kininogen: low molecular weight kininogen (LK) and high molecular weight kininogen (HK). Both are derived from the same gene by alternative splicing.

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for the treatment of refractory follicular lymphoma.

A 38-year-old male with follicular lymphoma at clinical stage IV failed to achieve complete remission (CR), and developed leukemic change. After the patient was further treated with intensive chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphoma cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow disappeared, but the bulky mass persisted. Then, the patient received allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) from his human lymphocyte antigen (HL A)-identical brother following high-dose cyclophosphamide and 12 Gy total body irradiation, and the patient achieved CR with the disappearance of Bcl-2 rearrangement.

Postrepolarization refractoriness as a potential anti-atrial fibrillation mechanism of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker with slow recovery kinetics.

The antifibrillatory effect of pilsicainide, a sodium channel blocker with slow recovery kinetics, was investigated in a canine model of atrial fibrillation. Prolonging the atrial effective refractory period is an important mechanism for pharmacological termination of atrial fibrillation. However, the effectiveness of potassium channel blockers has been questioned because of their reverse-use-dependent property.

Chemical modification and site-directed mutagenesis of methionine residues in recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor: effect on stability and biological activity.

Chemical modification and mutagenesis of methionines in recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were investigated. Selective oxidation of G-CSF by H2O2 and t-butyl hydroperoxide leads to generation of different oxidized forms. Four modified forms were isolated and shown to contain 1 to 4 oxidized methionyl residues.

Spin trapping of nitric oxide in aqueous solutions of cigarette smoke.

Nitric oxide, a gaseous free NO radical (.NO) generated in particulate-free gas-phase main-stream smoke of cigarettes, was observed with electrical spin resonance (ESR) using a spin trapping technique. N-Methyl-D-glucamine-dithiocarbamate (MGD)2-Fe2+ complex was used for the NO radical spin trapper in aqueous solution.

Replating potential of colony-forming units of granulocytes/macrophages (CFU-GM) expanded ex vivo by stem cell factor, interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, erythropoietin with or without thrombopoietin.

Ex vivo expansion systems of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) have been extensively studied and their clinical application is under investigation. However, it is not known whether HPC expanded ex vivo will be able to retain their replating potential. CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood were cultured in Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1.

Epitope analysis of staphylococcal enterotoxin A using different synthetic peptides.

The antigenic determinants (or epitopes) of staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) were analyzed using synthetic peptides and rabbit antibodies to their corresponding peptides. Of 12 different synthetic peptides tested, peptides A-1 (corresponding to the amino acid sequence 1-20), A-5 (81-100), and A-8 (141-160) were reactive with anti-SEA antibodies. However, all synthetic peptides were found to elicit antibodies reactive with native SEA molecule.

Effects of inhaled KAA-276, a selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist, on antigen- and histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in animals.

The antiasthmatic profile of KAA-276 (1-[1-(4-fluorophenylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazole-2-yl]-5-[2-[4-(2- carboxethyl) phenyl]ethyl]-1,5-diazacyclooctane sulfate, CAS 167264-26-8), a newly synthesized histamine H1 receptor antagonist, given by inhalation as an aerosol was investigated and compared with the profiles obtained using other routes of administration. When given by inhalation, or by intravenous or oral routes, KAA-276 inhibited antigen-induced bronchoconstriction in rats with ID50 (a dose to inhibit the antigen-induced response by 50%) values of 0.054%, 1 mg/kg, and 51.

Combined use of bacteriophage typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in the epidemiological analysis of Japanese isolates of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7.

A total of 236 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 isolates in Japan were investigated by bacteriophage typing, and the results were compared with those of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Seven phage types (PTs) were observed in 71 isolates which were derived from 22 outbreaks. All of the isolates from ten outbreaks in the Kinki region (midwestern part of Japan) in July-August 1996 were grouped into the same PFGE type (IIa) and PT 32, while among total isolates, there were such varieties as PFGE type IIa containing five phage types and PT32 containing two PFGE types.

Beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in the ureteral smooth muscle of rats, rabbits and dogs.

We investigated the beta-adrenoceptor subtypes mediating ureteral relaxation in rats, rabbits and dogs. The relaxing effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists were evaluated on KCl-induced ureteral contractions. The rank order of potency of the catecholamines tested was isoprenaline > noradrenaline > adrenaline in rat ureter; isoprenaline > adrenaline > noradrenaline in rabbit ureter; only isoprenaline was effective in canine tissues.

Graft rejection and recovery of host-derived hematopoiesis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation: relation to conditioning with high dose etoposide and total body irradiation.

Engraftment failure following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is rare in patients with acute leukemia, after frequent conditioning with marrow-lethal chemoradiotherapy. We evaluated the efficacy of a preparatory regimen consisting of fractionated total body irradiation (TBI) (12 Gy in six fractions) and high dose etoposide (60 mg/kg) administered as an 8-h infusion for allogeneic BMT in 16 consecutive patients with acute leukemia. Although 14 patients showed complete and sustained engraftment, the remaining two patients rejected bone marrow grafts from HLA-identical sibling donors and showed subsequent recovery of host-derived hematopoiesis.

Allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for standard-risk leukemia. A multicenter pilot study: Japanese experience. Japan Blood Cell Transplantation Study Group.

A multicenter phase II study of allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-PBSCT) was conducted. Twenty-two patients (median age, 36 years) with standard-risk leukemia were transplanted with G-CSF-mobilized PBSC from an HLA-identical sibling donor, and received cyclosporine and methotrexate for GVHD prevention. Median days to ANC >500/microl and platelets >50,000/microl were 12 (9-20) and 16 (11-32), respectively.

Catheter ablation of accessory atrioventricular connection between right atrial appendage to right ventricle: a case report.

A 24-year-old woman had experienced frequent attacks of orthodromic AV reciprocating tachycardia. The polarity of the delta waves suggested a right anterior or anterolateral accessory pathway. After ablation at the tricuspid annulus was unsuccessful, earliest retrograde atrial activation was recorded on the floor of the right atrial appendage, 2 cm above the tricuspid ring.