Repeatable focal seizure suppression: a rat preparation to study consequences of seizure activity based on urethane anesthesia and reversible carotid artery occlusion.

Seizures can be associated with serious systemic complications (even death) due to autonomic nervous system or respiratory dysfunction. Clinical and laboratory studies examining the relationship between seizures and autonomic dysfunction have not resolved important questions, such as whether autonomic changes result primarily from muscle activation or from limbic cortical seizure activity, because correlational studies are limited by opportunities to observe seizures and study seizure spread. We describe a rat preparation that will greatly facilitate such studies.

Vacuum-assisted closure system for the treatment of mediastinitis after total aortic arch replacement.

A 77-year-old man developed deep sternal wound infection with Enterobacter cloacae 4 days after total aortic arch replacement for distal aortic arch aneurysm. Reexploration and open drainage of the mediastinum was carried out for 4 days, and the vacuum-assisted closure system was applied and continued for 10 days. During the treatment, granulation formation and neovascularization was apparently enhanced which lead us to perform omental transfer and chest closure on the 18th postoperative day.

Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B column reduces the blood level of neutrophil elastase.

Background: We investigated whether direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B column (DHP with PMX) could reduce the blood level of neutrophil elastase.

Methods: 20 sepsis patients were enrolled in the study. DHP with PMX was performed twice within a 24-hour period.

Photoluminescence mapping of "as-grown" single-walled carbon nanotubes: a comparison with micelle-encapsulated nanotube solutions.

Band gap photoluminescence (PL) is observed from "as-grown" single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in solid form. The relative PL intensities for six specific semiconducting SWNTs are compared directly to those of the micelle-encapsulated SWNTs' solutions to investigate the influence of the micelle dispersion process on PL measurements. The results indicate that sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium cholate (SC) selectively solubilize smaller-diameter nanotubes, whereas sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) solution does not exhibit significant diameter selectivity within the diameter range studied here (d(t) = 0.

Septic intramuscular embolism in a neutropenic patient with myelodysplastic syndrome accompanied by asymptomatic septic pulmonary emboli.

Septic embolisms are rare disorders which are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. We describe a rare case of septic intramuscular embolism accompanied by asymptomatic pulmonary embolism in a neutropenic patient. Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (S.

Translational enhancement of HCV RNA genotype 1b by 3'-untranslated and envelope 2 protein-coding sequences.

HCV RNA has a unique regulatory mechanism for translation. The X region of 3'-UTR and core-coding sequence regulate HCV translation. In this study, we clarified that the entire 3'-UTR also enhances HCV translation, and the envelope-coding sequence of HCV genotype 1b increases degree of this enhancement.

Early hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column eliminates humoral mediators and improves pulmonary oxygenation.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to clarify the efficacy and mechanism of action of direct hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column (DHP-PMX) in patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by sepsis.

Method: Thirty-six patients with sepsis were included. In each patient a thermodilution catheter was inserted, and the oxygen delivery index and oxygen consumption index were measured.

Generation of inhibitory DNA aptamers against human hepatocyte growth factor.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a multifunctional cytokine, can act on many cell types. It is involved in cancer growth and metastasis by enhancing the motility of cancer cells and stimulating angiogenesis. The development of effective inhibitors for HGF is an important issue in cancer therapy.

Biologically active glycosides from Asteroidea, 41. Isolation and structure determination of glucocerebrosides from the starfish Linckia laevigata.

A new glucocerebroside, linckiacerebroside A (1) and a known glucocerebroside S-2a-3 (2), have been isolated from the cerebroside molecular species obtained from the less polar fraction of the CHCl3/MeOH extract of the starfish Linckia laevigata, together with three pseudo homogeneous glucocerebroside, 3, 4, and 5. The structures of these cerebrosides were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence.

Hemoperfusion with an immobilized polymyxin B fiber column inhibits activation of vascular endothelial cells.

Involvement of the activation of neutrophils and vascular endothelial cells in the pathology of sepsis has recently been reported. We therefore investigated whether direct hemoperfusion (DHP) with a polymyxin B immobilized fiber column (PMX) could reduce the level of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an index of vascular endothelial cell activation. Twelve sepsis patients satisfying the following criteria were enrolled in the study: (i) stable global oxygen metabolism (oxygen delivery index>500 mL/min/m2 and oxygen consumption index>120 mL/min/m2); (ii) abnormal tissue oxygen metabolism (PCO2 gap: gastric mucosal PCO2 minus arterial PCO2 difference>8 mm Hg); and (iii) mean blood pressure>or=60 mm Hg.

Precise measurement of the self-diffusion coefficient for poly(ethylene glycol) in aqueous solution using uniform oligomers.

Uniform poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) oligomers, with a degree of polymerization n=1-40, were separated by preparative supercritical fluid chromatography from commercial monodispersed samples. Diffusion coefficients, D, for separated uniform PEG oligomers were measured in dilute solutions of deuterium oxide (D(2)O) at 30 degrees C, using pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance. The measured D for each molecular weight was extrapolated to infinite dilution.

Long-term follow-up high-dose chemotherapy (drug-only program) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) for aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), we conducted HDCT with ASCT using a drug-only protocol without total body irradiation. Previously untreated and treated adult patients with aggressive lymphoma were enrolled onto this study. For the HDCT protocol, we developed the AECC regimen, a drug-only regimen consisting of etoposide, carboplatin, cyclophosphamide, and nimustine (ie, ACNU).

Effects of cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 on hypothalamic oxytocin-secreting neurons in rats lacking CCK-A receptor.

Peripheral administration of cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 selectively activates oxytocin (OXT)-secreting neurons in the supraoptic (SON) and the paraventricular nuclei (PVN) with the elevation of plasma OXT level in rats. We examined the effects of intravenous (iv) administration of CCK-8 on the neuronal activity of hypothalamic OXT-secreting neurons and plasma OXT level in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats that have a congenital defect in the expression of the CCK-A receptor gene. In situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH) for c-fos mRNA revealed that the expression of the c-fos gene was not induced in the SON, the PVN, the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS) and the area postrema (AP) 30 min after iv administration of CCK-8 (20 and 40 microg/kg) in OLETF rats.

Shc family expression in neuroblastoma: high expression of shcC is associated with a poor prognosis in advanced neuroblastoma.

The biological features and prognosis of neuroblastoma, a neural crest-derived pediatric tumor, are closely associated with expression of the Trk receptor. Because the Shc family proteins (ShcA, ShcB, and ShcC) are adaptors for various receptors, including Trk receptors, and are regulators of neuronal cell development, we speculated that they may play a role in neuroblastoma. Therefore, in this study, we used semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR to examine the expression of these three genes in 15 neuroblastoma cell lines, an all-trans-retinoic acid-treated neuroblastoma cell line, and 52 tumor samples.

Relationship between loperamide-induced sedative effect and digoxin pharmacokinetics in healthy Japanese subjects.

Purpose: Loperamide-induced suppressive effects on central nervous system closely relate to a lack of or decline in the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) function. The aim of this study was to determine the loperamide-induced sedative effect quantitatively and to investigate possible alterations in the pharmacokinetics of digoxin, a substrate for P-gp, in Japanese subjects.

Methods: Loperamide hydrochloride (2 mg) was administered orally to 26 subjects and the critical flicker-fusion frequency threshold (CFF) values were measured every 30 min separately by portable instrument.

Protective effect of dietary azuki bean (Vigna angularis) seed coats against renal interstitial fibrosis of rats induced by cisplatin.

Objective: We investigated the effects of azuki bean (Vigna angularis) seed coats (ABSCs), which mainly contain proanthocyanidins and dietary fibers, on the infiltration of macrophages and the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis induced by cisplatin (CDDP).

Methods: Male rats were divided into two groups: controls received intraperitoneal injections of saline and the other rats were injected intraperitoneally with 3 mg of CDDP per kilogram once a week for 5 wk. The CDDP-injected animals received one of four diets: 1) control diet (commercial diet only), 2) 0.

Metal binding ability of metallothionein-3 expressed in Escherichia coli.

Metallothionein-3/growth inhibitory factor is a brain-specific member of the metallothionein gene family, and impairs the survival and neurite formation of cultured neurons. Metallothionein-3 can bind heavy metals such as Zn, Cu, or Cd almost in the same way as other metallothionein family. However, its biological function as growth inhibitory factor apparently distinguishes metallothionein-3 from other metallothioneins.

Reversible activation of secretory phospholipase A2 by sulfhydryl reagents.

Secretory phospholipase A(2)s (sPLA(2)s) have been implicated in physiological and pathological events, but the regulatory mechanism(s) of their activities in cells remains to be solved. Previously, we reported that phenylarsine oxide (PAO), a sulfhydryl reagent, stimulated arachidonic acid (AA) release in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. In this study, we examined the effects of thimerosal, another sulfhydryl reagent, to clarify the sulfhydryl modification and activation of sPLA(2) molecules in cells.

Toxicity and outcome of intensive chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated with Turner's syndrome.

A 17-year-old woman was diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). As she had chromosomal abnormalities of 44, XO, der(9)t(3;9)(q11;p13), der(10;19)(q10;p10), del(15)(q15), -16, -19, +22 with the presence of ovarian dysplasia and abnormal physical features, a diagnosis of Turner's syndrome was made. She received an induction chemotherapy, which consisted of daunorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, L-asparaginase and prednisolone.

Involvement of cyclooxygenase-dependent pathway in contraction of isolated ileum by urotensin II.

We previously reported that urotensin II induced biphasic (brief- and long-lasting) contractions and the brief contraction was mediated by acetylcholine release from ganglionic cholinergic neurons in a segment of guinea-pig ileum. In the present work, we studied the mechanism contributing to long-lasting contractions induced by urotensin II. Treatment with 0.

Homochirality and life.

Before the emergence of life, left-handed amino acids (L-enantiomers) were selected and right-handed amino acids (D-enantiomers) were eliminated on the primal earth. Nevertheless, with the progress of analytical methods, D-amino acids have recently been found in higher order living organisms in the form of free amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Free D-amino acids have numerous physiological functions.

The damaging effect of UV-C irradiation on lens alpha-crystallin.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of UV-C irradiation on the structural properties of alpha-crystallin and its chaperone activity.

Methods: alpha- and betaL-crystallins were isolated from bovine lenses using gel chromatography. The purified alpha-crystallin was subjected to UV-C irradiation (254 nm; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 J/cm2).

Validated gas chromatographic-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometric method for delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol in sweat patches.

Background: A sensitive gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC/MS-NICI) method was developed and validated for the measurement of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in human sweat patches.

Methods: THC-d(0) and THC-d(3) were added to worn blank sweat patches (PharmChek; PharmChem Incorporated) and extracted with 3 mL of methanol-0.2 mol/L sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.