Tranilast Inhibits TRPV2 and Suppresses Fibrosis Progression and Weight Gain in a NASH Model Mouse.

Background/aim: This study aimed to investigate the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid 2 (TRPV2) in a mouse model with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and to examine the effects of tranilast on TRPV2 and fibrosis-related cytokines.

Materials And Methods: C57BL/6N mice were fed a Gubra-Amylin NASH (GAN) diet for 20 weeks to induce NASH. The tranilast groups received oral administration of tranilast at doses of 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg/day, five days per week for 20 weeks, in addition to the GAN diet.

Disappearance of Hepatocellular Adenoma in a Patient with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome after Treatment with Transcatheter Arterial Embolization.

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a congenital disorder occasionally associated with congenital portosystemic shunt (CPSS). We herein report a patient with CdLS and CPSS who developed hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs). The patient presented to our hospital for the further investigation of newly diagnosed liver tumors.

Analysis of puerperal hematoma: a retrospective study.

To evaluate the characteristics and risk factors of puerperal hematoma. Data from the medical records of 2,776 women, who delivered vaginally between January 2008 and December 2017 in the authors' hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. Primigravida status was considered to be a significant risk factor.

A retrospective comparison of induction with thiopental/guaifenesin and propofol/ketamine in Thoroughbred racehorses anesthetized with sevoflurane and medetomidine during arthroscopic surgery.

This study compares clinical characteristics between induction with thiopental/guaifenesin and propofol/ketamine in Thoroughbred racehorses anesthetized with sevoflurane and medetomidine. Clinical records of 214 horses that underwent arthroscopic surgery between 2015 and 2016 were retrospectively retrieved. Horses were premedicated with medetomidine and midazolam to sedate at the adequate level for smooth induction, and then induced with either thiopental (4.

Development and characterization of a new rat ocular hypertension model induced by intracameral injection of conjunctival fibroblasts.

Glaucoma is a chronic optic neuropathy that leads to visual field loss. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying glaucoma is essential for developing new treatments, such as neuroprotective drugs. Various glaucoma models based on the induction of intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation have been established for use in glaucoma studies.

Experience of using water-dispersed paper bedding for equine scintigraphy.

Equine scintigraphy has been legally permitted in Japan since 2009; however, it has not yet been a routine modality for horses. One reason is the legal regulations concerning the disposal of contaminated bedding. However, overseas, the bedding after scintigraphy can be disposed following radioactivity decay, but this is not allowed in Japan.

Clinical effects of constant rate infusions of medetomidine-propofol combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate clinical efficacy of constant rate infusions (CRIs) of medetomidine-propofol combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Thirty horses were sedated intravenously (IV) with medetomidine (6.0 μg/kg) and midazolam (0.

Comparison of oxidative stress under different propofol administration protocols in Thoroughbred racehorses by bOS and bAP assessment.

It is desirable to reduce surgery-induced oxidative stress (OS) because it can cause immune suppression and delayed wound healing. Propofol is known to have antioxidant potential and to reduce OS in humans, but there have been no studies of this issue in horses. This study was conducted to evaluate OS under three different propofol administration protocols in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery with sevoflurane anesthesia.

Clinical evaluation of constant rate infusion of alfaxalone-medetomidine combined with sevoflurane anesthesia in Thoroughbred racehorses undergoing arthroscopic surgery.

Background: Alfaxalone has a number of pharmacological properties which are desirable for constant rate infusion (CRI). Previously, the co-administration of alfaxalone and medetomidine is shown to be suitable for short-term anesthesia in horses. However, the use of alfaxalone-medetomidine CRI with inhalational anesthesia under surgical procedures have not been investigated in clinical cases.

Validation of the bispectral index as an indicator of anesthetic depth in Thoroughbred horses anesthetized with sevoflurane.

To evaluate the bispectral index (BIS) as an indicator of anesthetic depth in Thoroughbred horses, BIS values were measured at multiple stages of sevoflurane anesthesia in five horses anesthetized with guaifenesin and thiopental following premedication with xylazine. There was no significant difference between the BIS values recorded at end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations of 2.8% (median 60 ranging from 47 to 68) and 3.

Covariation of pupillary and auditory cortical activity in rats under isoflurane anesthesia.

Very slow fluctuations of spontaneous activities significantly influence not only behavioral performance in a conscious state, but also neural activities in an unconscious state. Covariation of pupil and cortical activities may lend important insights into the state-dependent modulation of stimulus encoding, yet this phenomenon has received little attention, especially with regard to non-visual cortices. In the present study, we investigated co-fluctuation of pupil size and neural activity in the auditory cortex of rats under isoflurane anesthesia.

Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in retinochoroidal tissues in rabbits.

Purpose: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the retinochoroidal tissues of rabbits.

Methods: The cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory activity of diclofenac, bromfenac, and amfenac, an active metabolite of nepafenac, were determined using human-derived COX-1 and COX-2. Each of the three NSAIDs was applied topically to rabbits, and after 0.

Cardiovascular effects of dobutamine and phenylephrine infusion in sevoflurane-anesthetized Thoroughbred horses.

To determine dose-dependent cardiovascular effects of dobutamine and phenylephrine during anesthesia in horses, increasing doses of dobutamine and phenylephrine were infused to 6 healthy Thoroughbred horses. Anesthesia was induced with xylazine, guaifenesin and thiopental and maintained with sevoflurane at 2.8% of end-tidal concentration in all horses.

Hemodynamic effects of 6% hydroxyethyl starch infusion in sevoflurane-anesthetized thoroughbred horses.

To determine hemodynamic effects of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) infusion during anesthesia in horses, incremental doses of 6% HES were administered to 6 healthy Thoroughbred horses. Anesthesia was induced with xylazine, guaifenesin and thiopental and maintained with sevoflurane at 2.8% of end-tidal concentration in all horses.

Comparison of CCD-equipped laser speckle flowgraphy with hydrogen gas clearance method in the measurement of optic nerve head microcirculation in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to verify the correlation between mean blur rate (MBR) obtained with CCD-equipped laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG) and capillary blood flow (CBF) obtained by the hydrogen gas clearance method in rabbit optic nerve head (ONH). Using Japanese white rabbits under systemic anesthesia, a hydrogen electrode was inserted an area of the ONH free from superficial capillaries. MBR was measured with LSFG near the hydrogen electrode.

Effects of Y-39983, a selective Rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, on blood flow in optic nerve head in rabbits and axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells in rats.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of Y-39983, a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase inhibitor, on blood flow in the optic nerve head (ONH) in rabbits and axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in rats.

Methods: Blood flow in ONH was measured by the laser speckle method after topical administration of 0.05% Y-39983 solution or its vehicle in rabbit eyes.

Intraocular pressure-lowering effects and safety of topical administration of a selective ROCK inhibitor, SNJ-1656, in healthy volunteers.

Objective: To investigate the effects and safety of topical administration of an ophthalmic solution of a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, SNJ-1656, 0.003% to 0.1%, in healthy male adult volunteers.

Immunomodulatory effect of gatifloxacin on mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in models of endotoxin-induced rat conjunctivitis and rabbit bacterial keratitis.

Aim: To determine the anti-inflammatory activity of gatifloxacin in ophthalmic use.

Methods: The following 3 experiments were carried out. (1) Rabbits were inoculated intracorneally with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and topically treated with gatifloxacin or levofloxacin.

Effects of topical administration of y-39983, a selective rho-associated protein kinase inhibitor, on ocular tissues in rabbits and monkeys.

Purpose: To elucidate the intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering effects and associated characteristics of Y-39983, a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor derived from Y-27632, in animal eyes.

Methods: Y-39983 was compared with Y-27632 for selectivity of ROCK inhibition by biochemical assay. The IOP was monitored by pneumatonometer in albino rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys that were given topically administered Y-39983.

Exploratory aspirin resistance trial in healthy Japanese volunteers (J-ART) using platelet aggregation as a measure of thrombogenicity.

Aspirin prevents the production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) by irreversibly inhibiting platelet cyclooxygenase, exhibiting antiplatelet actions. This agent has been reported to prevent relapse in patients with ischemic heart disease or cerebral infarction via this action mechanism. However, there are individual differences in this action, and aspirin is not effective in some patients, which is referred to as 'aspirin resistance'.