Analysis of microvascular density in early gastric carcinoma using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging.

Background And Study Aims: Intramucosal vascular density differs between differentiated and undifferentiated type gastric carcinomas. This study aimed to evaluate the microvascular density characteristics of these two types of carcinoma using magnifying endoscopy with narrow-band imaging (ME-NBI).

Patients And Methods: In total, 42 differentiated and 10 undifferentiated types were evaluated.

Factors associated with an absence of effect of an education program for improving knowledge of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia can develop in junior and senior high school students. Correct identification of schizophrenia symptoms is an important factor in subsequent healthcare. The present study conducted a multifaceted evaluation of factors associated with an absence of effect of an education program for improving knowledge of schizophrenia among parents of Japanese junior and senior high school students.

Syntheses, structures, and antimicrobial activities of remarkably light-stable and water-soluble silver complexes with amino acid derivatives, silver(I) N-acetylmethioninates.

Reaction of L- and DL-N-acetylmethionine (Hacmet) and Ag(2)O in water at ambient temperature afforded the remarkably light-stable silver complexes {[Ag(L-acmet)]}(n) (1) and {[Ag(2)(D-acmet)(L-acmet)]}(n) (2), respectively. The color of the solids and aqueous solutions of 1 and 2 did not change for more than 1 month under air without any shields. The light stability of these two silver(I) complexes is much higher than that of silver(I) methioninate {[Ag(2)(D-met)(L-met)]}(n) (3) (Hmet = methionine), silver(I) S-methyl-L-cysteinate {[Ag(L-mecys)]}(n) (4), and silver(I) L-cysteinate {[Ag(L-Hcys)]}(n) (5).

Encapsulation of anion/cation in the central cavity of tetrameric polyoxometalate, composed of four trititanium(IV)-substituted α-Dawson subunits, initiated by protonation/deprotonation of the bridging oxygen atoms on the intramolecular surface.

Preparation and structural characterization of a novel polyoxometalate (POM), [(P(2)W(15)Ti(3)O(60.5))(4)(NH(4))](35-) 1, i.e.

Intercluster compound between a tetrakis{triphenylphosphinegold(I)}oxonium cation and a keggin polyoxometalate (POM): formation during the course of carboxylate elimination of a monomeric triphenylphosphinegold(I) carboxylate in the presence of POMs.

The preparation and structural characterization of a novel intercluster compound, [{Au(PPh(3))}(4)(μ(4)-O)](3)[α-PW(12)O(40)](2)·4EtOH (1), constructed between a tetrakis{triphenylphosphinegold(I)}oxonium cation and a saturated α-Keggin polyoxometalate (POM) are described. The tetragold(I) cluster oxonium cation was formed during the course of carboxylate elimination of a monomeric phosphinegold(I) carboxylate complex, i.e.

Synthesis and structure of dinuclear hafnium(IV) and zirconium(IV) complexes sandwiched between 2 mono-lacunary alpha-Keggin polyoxometalates.

The synthesis and characterization of two dinuclear HfIV and ZrIV complexes sandwiched between 2 mono-lacunary alpha-Keggin polyoxometalates (POMs), i.e., (Et2NH2)8[{alpha-PW11O39Hf(micro-OH)(H2O)}2].

Sandwich-type Hf(IV) and Zr(IV)complexes composed of tri-lacunary Keggin polyoxometalates: structure of [M(3)(mu-OH)(3)(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)](9-) (M = Hf and Zr).

The syntheses and structures of hafnium(iv) and zirconium(iv) complexes with Keggin tri-lacunary polyoxometalates (POM) [A-alpha-PW(9)O(34)](9-), i.e., (Et(2)NH(2))(7)H(2)[Hf(3)(micro-OH)(3)(A-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(2)].

Syntheses, molecular structures and pH-dependent monomer-dimer equilibria of Dawson alpha2-monotitanium(IV)-substituted polyoxometalates.

The preparation and structural characterization of a novel, solid Brønsted acid based on Dawson alpha2-monotitanium(IV)-substituted polyoxometalates (POMs) are described. The free-acid form of the POM, i.e.

Right ventricular involvement in a patient with isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium.

Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM) is an unclassified cardiomyopathy and is thought to be due to arrest of myocardial morphogenesis. Although right ventricular involvement is not uncommon, the correct diagnosis is often difficult by echocardiography. In this report, we describe a patient with INVM in whom magnetic resonance imaging was useful to detect right ventricular morphological and functional abnormalities.

[Examination of the shapes of the end of the common bile ducts after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST)].

At the treatment of bile duct stones using EST, we sometimes experienced the difficult cases, even if the stones were small. For these cases, we tried endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation, and as a result knoches were made. And after the disappearance of the knoch, we could easily remove the stone.

[Two cases of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that developed in cryptogenic cirrhosis suggestive of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as background liver disease after clinical courses of 26 years].

We report two cases of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that developed in cryptogenic cirrhosis suggestive of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) as background liver disease. Case 1 was a 68-year-old woman, and case 2 was a 46-year-old man. They were admitted to our department for evaluation and treatment of HCC.

Perforation of the right ventricular free wall by an ICD lead in a patient with isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium.

A 74-year-old patient with isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (INVM) underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation because of sustained ventricular tachycardia. The post operative course was complicated by perforation of the right ventricular free wall by the ICD lead. The type of the active fixation transvenous ICD lead and the type of background cardiac disease are thought to be major risk factors for perforation.

Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of binodal disease.

Background: Although coexistence of atrioventricular conduction disturbances with sick sinus syndrome (SSS), so-called binodal disease (BND), is a frequently encountered disorder, its clinical significance and electrophysiological characteristics remain unknown.

Methods And Results: One hundred and seven patients with SSS were divided into BND (n=30) and N-BND groups (n=77). Sinus cycle length, sinus node recovery time (SRT), sino-atrial conduction time (SACT), the number of isolated sinus node electrograms, atrio-His (AH) interval, His-ventricular (HV) interval, intra-atrial conduction time (PA intervals) and QRS width were measured.

Inosine alleviates rat caerulein pancreatitis and pancreatitis-associated lung injury.

Background: Recent studies have shown that inosine, a purine nucleoside produced during the breakdown of adenosine, has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of inosine on the course of acute pancreatitis.

Methods: Edematous pancreatitis was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of caerulein (50 micro g/kg), seven times, at 1-h intervals, in male Wistar rats (caerulein pancreatitis).

Tetrameric, trititanium(IV)-substituted polyoxotungstates with an alpha-Dawson substructure as soluble metal-oxide analogues: molecular structure of the giant "tetrapod" [(alpha-1,2,3-P2W15Ti3O62)4[mu3-Ti(OH)3]4Cl]45-.

The preparation and structural characterization of the novel polyoxoanion [(alpha-1,2,3-P(2)W(15)Ti(3)O(62))(4)[mu(3)-Ti(OH)(3)](4)Cl](45-) (1 a; abbreviated to [TiO(6)](16); FW approximately 16 000) which consists of four tri-Ti(IV)-1,2,3-substituted alpha-Dawson substructures, four Ti(OH)(3) bridging groups, and one encapsulated Cl(-) ion, are described. A water-soluble, all-inorganic composition compound of the tetrameric Ti-O-Ti-bridged anhydride form, Na(x)H(45-x)[1 a].y H(2)O (1; x=16-19, y=60-70), which was afforded by the reaction of the tri-lacunary Dawson polyoxotungstate Na(12)[B-alpha-P(2)W(15)O(56)].

Nuclear factor kappa B expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with acute pancreatitis.

Introduction: Although many experimental studies have implicated the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) as a pivotal step in the pathobiology of acute pancreatitis, no clinical investigations have been reported. AIMTo investigate the expression of NF-kappaB and its characteristics in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patient with acute pancreatitis.

Methodology: Forty-five patients were prospectively enrolled.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a critical mediator of severe acute pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), originally described as an inhibitor of the random migration of macrophages, has been shown recently to be involved in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases such as sepsis. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of MIF in acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: Hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis and edematous pancreatitis were induced by the injection of taurocholic acid (TCA pancreatitis) and cerulein (cerulein pancreatitis), respectively, on male Wistar rats.

Establishment and characterization of a simian virus 40-immortalized rat pancreatic stellate cell line.

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. Primary PSCs can be subcultured only several times because of their limited growth potential. A continuous cell line would be valuable in studying molecular mechanisms of these pancreatic disorders.

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase blocks activation of rat pancreatic stellate cells.

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. However, the signal transduction pathways in PSCs remain largely unknown. We examined the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in the activation of PSCs.

Human leukocyte antigen-DR expression on peripheral monocytes as a predictive marker of sepsis during acute pancreatitis.

Introduction: The mortality associated with severe acute pancreatitis is still high, and death in the later stage of the disease is chiefly due to bacterial infection and sepsis. However, objective parameters for the risk of sepsis in acute pancreatitis have not been established.

Aim: To investigate the value of human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) on peripheral monocytes for predicting the development of sepsis during acute pancreatitis.

Activated rat pancreatic stellate cells express intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in vitro.

Introduction: Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis.

Aims: To examine the role of PSCs in pancreatic inflammation by determining whether activated PSCs express intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).

Methodology: Culture-activated rat PSCs were treated with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), ethanol, or acetaldehyde.

Ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma induce apoptosis in AR42J cells.

Introduction: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that controls growth, differentiation, and inflammation in different tissues. Roles of PPAR-gamma activation in pancreatic acinar cells are poorly characterized.

Aims: To examine the effects of PPAR-gamma activation on the induction of apoptosis in rat pancreatic AR42J cells.

Ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma block activation of pancreatic stellate cells.

Activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of pancreatic fibrosis and inflammation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor which controls growth, differentiation, and inflammation in different tissues. Roles of PPAR-gamma activation in PSCs are poorly characterized.