The levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol using direct measurement in healthy Japanese school children.

This study aimed to investigate the levels of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) using direct measurement in healthy Japanese school children. The subjects were 621 children (325 boys and 296 girls) aged 9 to 10 in the 4th grade, and 688 children (334 boys and 354 girls) aged 12 to 13 in the 7th grade. The levels of serum LDLC and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured by direct determination (Cholestest LDL and Cholestest NHDL; Daiichi Pure Chemicals Co.

Living related heterotopic auxiliary partial liver transplantation for extremely small-for-size graft in fulminant liver failure.

Adult living related liver transplantation seeks a balance between donor safety and the need to save the recipient's life. A small-for-size graft is a major obstacle for high-risk patients. We experienced a case of heterotopic auxiliary partial liver transplantation with extremely small-for-size graft for fulminant liver failure.

Hydrodynamics-based transfer of PCR-amplified DNA fragments into rat liver.

A high level of plasmid DNA expression in rat liver can be achieved by the rapid injection of a large volume of a naked DNA solution into the tail vein, called the 'hydrodynamics-based procedure.' The preparation of PCR-amplified DNA fragments is easier than that of naked DNA. In this paper we evaluated the effects of expressing the erythropoietin (Epo) gene in the rat liver by injecting fCAGGS-Epo, an Epo-expressing PCR-amplified DNA fragment, via the tail vein.

Diagnosis of spinal disease with ultrafine flexible fiberscopes in patients with chronic pain.

Study Design: Spinal epidural and subarachnoid spaces were observed with the newly developed fine flexible fiberscopes in 55 patients with chronic pain.

Objectives: To evaluate the fiberscopes as diagnostic tools for spinal canal disease.

Summary Of Background Data: Fine flexible fiberscopes make it possible to visualize the entire length of the spinal subarachnoid space without major complications, and they may be of value for the diagnosis of certain spinal canal diseases.

Loss of p16 contributes to p27 sequestration by cyclin D(1)-cyclin-dependent kinase 4 complexes and poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: p27(Kip1) (p27) might act as an adverse prognostic marker for various types of cancers. However, its clinical usefulness remains uncertain, because it is sometimes overexpressed in aggressive types.

Experimental Design: To precisely evaluate the practical significance of p27 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we immunohistochemically compared the level of p27 expression with Ki-67 labeling in 74 HCCs and focused on tumors in which cell proliferation increased despite a high level of p27 expression.

Elevation of serum C-reactive protein levels is associated with obesity in boys.

This study aimed to reveal the relationships among C-reactive protein (CRP), obesity, blood pressure (BP), and serum lipids in children. Eighty-six obese and 58 non-obese boys aged an average of 11.2 years were examined.

[Diagnosis and treatment of carcinoid tumors in the gastrointestinal tract].

Histopathologically and biologically, endocrine cell tumors in the gastrointestinal tract are divided into two groups: 1) carcinoid, a low-grade malignancy, and 2) endocrine cell carcinoma (synonymous with small cell carcinoma), a high-grade malignancy. Atypical carcinoid, which has increased histological atypia and proliferative activity, shows more aggressive biological behavior than classical carcinoid. As a rule, endocrine cell carcinoma should be resected surgically with dissection of lymph nodes and adjuvant therapy if needed, while carcinoid should be treated by endoscopic resection or localized resection without lymph node dissection.

Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, valsartan, prevented cardiac fibrosis in rat cardiomyopathy after autoimmune myocarditis.

Favorable effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers on patients with ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy have already been suggested by several human trials but their effects on inflammatory cardiomyopathy remain unknown. We investigated the effects of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, valsartan, in chronic heart failure after inflammatory cardiomyopathy. Autoimmune myocarditis was induced in Lewis rats by injection with porcine cardiac myosin.

Aortic root endoscopy in pediatric cardiac operations for aortic valvuloplasty.

We use aortic root endoscopy for assessment of the aortic valve in pediatric patients. A flexible fiberscope inserted through the ascending aorta provides clear and precise visualization of the aortic valve. This technique of endoscopic assessment will help to judge the cusp prolapse and malcoaptation of the aortic valve in pediatric aortic surgery.

Association between K469E allele of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene and inflammatory bowel disease in a Japanese population.

Background And Aims: The genetic contribution to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is under investigation. Recent evidence indicates a significant linkage between a locus on chromosome 19p13 and IBD. We investigated the association between an intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene (ICAM-1) polymorphism located on chromosome 19p13 and IBD in a Japanese population.

[Medicolegal and compensation scientific approach to automobile accident].

Multiple injuries are frequently observed over the whole body of traffic victims in medico-legal autopsy cases. The assessment of a traffic casualty must include not only the victim but also the vehicle and the circumstances of the accident. Only consideration of all available data permits a better assessment of the mechanism of the crash and causation of injuries.

Tooth replantation after traumatic avulsion: a report of ten cases.

This report compares the manner in which the avulsed tooth was handled at home versus at school, and presents the different outcomes of the replanted teeth in both groups. Eighteen of 32 avulsed teeth were not replanted, and four replanted teeth could not be followed. Thus, the material comprised 10 avulsed permanent incisors of 10 traumatized children, aged between 8 and 13 years, who were treated at the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Niigata University Dental Hospital.

Impacted supernumerary tooth developed under palatal polyp.

We present a rare case of an infant's palatal polyp associated with an impacted supernumerary tooth. We have previously reported three cases of palatal polyps in infants [1]. In one case, after surgical removal of the palatal polyp at the age of 1 year and 8 months, the lesion subsequently began swelling.

Aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis with a small aortic annulus in a patient having Werner's syndrome and liver cirrhosis.

Werner's syndrome is a rare genetic disease characterized by premature aging and scleroderma-like involvement of the skin. We report a case of aortic valve replacement for severely calcified aortic valve stenosis with a small annulus in a patient suffering from Werner's syndrome and liver cirrhosis

Sublethal cerebral ischemia inhibits caspase-3 activation induced by subsequent prolonged ischemia in the C57Black/Crj6 strain mouse.

Caspase-3 activation has been implicated in ischemic neuronal death. In the present study, we examined if cerebral ischemic tolerance induced by sublethal ischemia is associated with an attenuation of caspase-3 activation in a mouse forebrain ischemia model. Forebrain ischemia in C57Black/Crj6 strain mice was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) for 18 min.