Utility of high-resolution computed tomography for predicting risk of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: To diagnose sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is difficult and the ability of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for diagnosing PTB has remained unclear in the sputum smear-negative setting. We retrospectively investigated whether or not this imaging modality can predict risk for sputum smear-negative PTB.

Methods: We used HRCT to examine the findings of 116 patients with suspected PTB despite negative sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli (AFB).

Multi-arterial infusion chemotherapy for non-small cell lung carcinoma--significance of detecting feeding arteries and tumor staining.

The present study examines the significance of defining feeding arteries to arterial infusion chemotherapy for patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma. We retrospectively studied feeding arteries and findings from 32 patients treated by arterial infusion chemotherapy. We graded tumor staining by angiography and compared grade in the bronchial artery with that of total staining in all detected feeding arteries, and investigated the relationship between grade and treatment response.

Effective use of multi-arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients: four clinical specified cases.

Arterial infusion chemotherapy is considered to be a treatment option for lung cancer patients who are intolerant of systemic chemotherapy because of an increased risk of severe toxicity. However, a number of major studies regarding arterial infusion chemotherapy for lung cancer have reported disappointing results. We performed arterial infusion chemotherapy for four patients with advanced NSCLC who were unable to receive systemic chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Gene therapy for chronic myocardial ischemia using platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor in dogs.

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), also known as thymidine phosphorylase (TP), has been reported to possess angiogenic activity and to inhibit apoptosis. This study was performed to determine whether PD-ECGF/TP can be used to ameliorate chronic myocardial ischemia. Myocardial ischemia was created in 40 mongrel dogs by placement of an ameroid constrictor on the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD).

E-cadherin-dependent intercellular adhesion enhances chemoresistance.

E-cadherin, an intercellular adhesion molecule, is important in cell growth and differentiation. Adhesion between cells is thought to decrease as cancers develop and disseminate. Knowledge of the effect of cell adhesion on proliferation and chemosensitivity may help individualize cancer treatment.

Expression and role of thrombospondin-1 in colorectal cancer.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) inhibits angiogenesis and activates transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta-1). The expression and role of TSP1 remain controversial. On 132 colorectal cancer specimens, we performed immunohistochemical staining of TSP1, TGF beta-1, latency-associated peptide (LAP) and CD34, besides performing in situ hybridization (ISH) of TSP1.