Reconstruction of tubular structures in three-dimensional collagen gel culture using proximal tubular epithelial cells voided in human urine.

Human proximal tubular (PT) epithelial cells were isolated from urine and monoclonally cultured as monolayers for 1 wk, after which they were subcultured between two layers of collagen gel, designated a "collagen gel sandwich." Under these culture conditions, PT cells formed three-dimensional tubular structures exhibiting distinct polarized cell morphology. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic studies showed that they bore numerous microvilli at the apical surface and that they closely contacted the collagen gel at the basal surface.

Linkage and association of childhood asthma with the chromosome 12 genes.

Several studies have shown linkage of chromosome region 12q13-24 to bronchial asthma and related phenotypes in ethnically diverse populations. In the Japanese population, a genome-wide study failed to show strong evidence of linkage of this region. Chromosome 12 genes that showed association with the disease in at least one report include: the signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 gene ( STAT6), the nitrogen oxide synthetase 1 gene ( NOS1), the interferon gamma gene ( IFNG), and the activation-induced cytidine deaminase gene ( AICDA).

[Effect of propofol on sevoflurane agitation in children].

Background: Sevoflurane may be associated with a high incidence of agitation during recovery from anesthesia in children. We tested the hypothesis that bolus administration of propofol after sevoflurane anesthesia would reduce the incidence of recovery agitation compared with sevoflurane anesthesia alone.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded study in 90 children, 1-7 yr of age, undergoing short general anesthesia.

LPA as a determinant of mesangial growth and apoptosis.

Mesangial cell proliferation is a prominent feature of progression in many forms of renal diseases, including immunoglobulin A nephropathy, lupus nephritis, hemolytic uremic syndrome, and diabetic nephropathy. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has received much attention as the major mediator of mesangial cell proliferation by autocrine/paracrine mechanisms involving up-regulation of mesangial PDGF and its receptor on mesangial cells. In this review, we wish to spotlight lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), which in combination with PDGF, undoubtedly plays a key role as an autocrine and paracrine mediator in regulating mesangial cell growth.

Pulmonary hypoplasia with an unusual prenatal history.

We describe a monochorionic, diamniotic twin with renal agenesis who received amniotic fluid from his normal co-twin by spontaneous rupture of the amniotic septum between them. By 16 weeks of gestation the presence of severe oligohydramnios in one twin had resulted in renal agenesis, but not in the other twin, who did not have oligohydramnios. By 20 weeks of gestation, the two amniotic fluid volumes had become the same in both twins.

[Treatment of metastatic germ cell tumors with etoposide and cisplatin as first line chemotherapy].

Purpose: The efficacy and toxicity of two-drug therapy (etoposide and cisplatin, EP) in patients with metastatic germ cell tumors were investigated.

Patients And Methods: Between December 1996 and November 1999, 18 patients with metastatic germ cell tumors (6 seminomas and 12 non-seminomas, Stage II 8, Stage IIIA 2, Stage IIIB 6, Stage IIIC 2) were treated by 3-5 cycles of induction chemotherapy regimen (EP). Etoposide and cisplatin were administrated in doses of 100 mg/m2 and 20 mg/m2, respectively, on days 1 to 5 and then repeated from day 21.

[Interactions between Asp-hemolysin from Aspergillus fumigatus and blood plasma components].

Asp-hemolysin is a cytolytic toxin that is produced by Aspergillus fumigatus. This toxin is lytic for erythrocytes of humans, rabbits and sheep. However, Asp-hemolysin is inactivated by the addition of serum or blood plasma.

Oxidized low density lipoprotein inhibits the hemolytic activity of Asp-hemolysin from Aspergillus fumigatus.

We have examined the effect of chemically modified human low density lipoproteins (LDLs), acetylated LDL and oxidized LDL, on the hemolytic activity of Asp-hemolysin. Oxidized LDL, but not acetylated LDL, inhibited the hemolytic activity of this toxin. The inhibitory effects of oxidized LDL increased with the time of Cu(2+)-induced LDL oxidation.

Binding assay of low density lipoprotein to Asp-hemolysin from Aspergillus fumigatus.

Binding activity of Asp-hemolysin to low density lipoprotein (LDL) was measured. LDL binds to Asp-hemolysin with an affinity as high as the LDL receptor. The apparent Kd, determined by Scatchard plot analysis, was 8.

Apolipoprotein B inhibits the hemolytic activity of asp-hemolysin from Aspergillus fumigatus.

We investigated the effect of human blood plasma lipoproteins on the hemolytic activity of Asp-hemolysin. Apolipoprotein B (apoB)-containing lipoproteins, such as low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), inhibit the activity of this hemolytic toxin. When Asp-hemolysin (15 mu g) was incubated with 100 mu g LDL (as protein), the hemolytic activity was inhibited by 90%.