RETRACTED ARTICLE: Nicardipine inhibits amrinone-enhanced contractility in fatigued diaphragm.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of amrinone, a bipyridine derivative, with and without nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, on the contractility of fatigued diaphragm in dogs. Twenty dogs were divided into two groups of ten each: amrinone group (group A) and combined amrinone and nicardipine group (group AN). Diaphragmatic fatigue was induced by intermittent supramaximal bilateral electrophrenic stimulation at a frequency of 20 Hz applied for 30 min.

Gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumor with giant abscess. A case report and literature review.

We report a gastrointestinal autonomic nerve tumor of the stomach with a giant abscess. The patient had fever and pain and was found to have anemia and an abdominal mass. X-ray and endoscopic examination showed a gastric submucosal tumor with a fistula to the gastric lumen.

Blockade of costimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) down-regulates induction of contact sensitivity by haptenated epidermal cells.

The hapten, trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, induced weak B7-1 (CD80) and moderate B7-2 (CD86) expression on Langerhans cells and mRNA expression of both molecules in organ-cultured murine skin. The intradermal injection of hapten-treated epidermal cells induced hapten-specific contact sensitivity in synergic mice. Cells of the keratinocyte cell line, Pam 212, or epidermal cells treated with a mixture of anti-Ia/thy1.

Functional CD86 (B7-2/B70) is predominantly expressed on Langerhans cells in atopic dermatitis.

Recently, we reported the functional expression of CD86 on cultured human Langerhans cells derived from normal epidermis. In the present study, we investigated the expression and function of co-stimulatory molecules in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. In immunohistochemical analysis, CD80 and/or CD86 were detected on dendritic-shaped cells not only in the epidermis but also in the dermis in the inflammatory lesions of atopic dermatitis (n = 12).

[HIV infection and long-term non progressor].

AIDS(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is caused by HIV(human immunodeficiency virus) that belongs to the lentivirus group. Generally, the length of time between HIV infection and development of AIDS is considered to be 10 years on average, but a few percent of infected persons-so-called long-term non progressor, do not develop AIDS even more than 10 years after infection. In long-term non progressors, it has been described that 1) there is a low viral load, 2) isolated HIV is relatively non virulent type, 3) antibody to HIV do not enhance virus propagation, 4) type 1 cytokines is more dominant than type 2, and 5) antiviral activity of CD8+ cell is strong.

Anti-oxidative therapy with oral dapsone improved HCV antibody positive annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma.

A 72-year-old fisherman who was positive for the HCV antibody developed an annular, erythematous, infiltrated lesions on sun-exposed areas. The lesions were diagnosed as annular elastolytic giant cell granuloma both clinically and histologically. Topical corticosteroid and cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen for several months failed to improve the lesions.

A ras homologue of Neurospora crassa regulates morphology.

In order to study the role of signal transduction pathways in the regulation of morphology in Neurospora crassa, we cloned and characterized a ras homologue, termed NC-ras2. The predicted protein product of this gene is composed of 229 amino acid residues and contains all the consensus sequences shared by the ras protein family. The gene is located in linkage group V.

The HumD21S11 system of short tandem repeat DNA polymorphisms in Japanese and Chinese.

HumD21S11 is a short tandem repeat DNA polymorphic system with a complex basic structure of (TCTA)4-6 (TCTG)5-6 (TCTA)3 TA (TCTA)3 TCA (TCTA)2 TCCA TA (TCTA)n. Using the allelic ladder prepared by us, the distribution of alleles among Japanese and Chinese was investigated, and four new alleles 28.2, 34, 35.

Photometric assessment of volume changes coupled with membrane potential in valinomycin-incorporated red blood cells.

Employing photometric methods, we have attempted to derive a possible quantitative relationship between volume change and membrane potential for valinomycin-incorporated red blood cells. The cells, collected from a human, rats or bullfrogs, were suspended in test solutions composed of a mixture of NaCl and KCl in varying proportions. The osmolality of the suspending medium was appropriately fixed at different values.

Optical mapping of conduction patterns of normal and tachycardia-like excitations in the rat atrium.

Multiple-site optical recording of transmembrane voltage activity (MSORTV), using a voltage-sensitive dye and a 12 x 12-element photodiode array, was employed to monitor action potentials in the rat atrium. Atrial preparations including the sinus node area, caval area, and atrial septum were dissected from adult rat hearts and stained with a voltage-sensitive merocyanine-rhodanine dye (NK2761). For suppression of optical artefacts due to contractile movements, a bathing medium containing 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM: 10-20 mM) was used.

Novel isoform of myotonin protein kinase: gene product of myotonic dystrophy is localized in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of skeletal muscle.

It is quite important to know the exact localization and function of myotonin protein kinase (MtPK), identified as the gene product of myotonic dystrophy, the most prevalent disease with multisystem disorders among muscular dystrophies. To investigate the localization of MtPK, we raised a polyclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide chosen within the deduced sequence of MtPK. This antibody detected both a membrane-bound 70-kd protein and a soluble 55-kd protein on Western blots of human muscles.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin enhances production and secretion of type IV collagenases in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Intravesical administration of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an effective and widely accepted treatment for superficial bladder cancer. Rapid progression of the disease after BCG therapy, however, has been reported in some cases refractory to the treatment. We examined whether BCG treatment and coexistence of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) alter the invasive potential of bladder cancer cells.

Proximal gastrectomy and jejunal pouch interposition for the treatment of early cancer in the upper third of the stomach: surgical techniques and evaluation of postoperative function.

Background: Limited surgery for the treatment of early gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach should be based on a well-balanced reduction in the extent of lymph node dissection and gastric resection while assuring a favorable quality of life and prognosis after operation.

Methods: We have used interposition of a double jejunal pouch between the esophagus and the remnant stomach after performing proximal gastrectomy. To assure anastomosis and hemostasis during this operation, we currently use a surgical stapler with a vaginoscope and our new edge clamps.

Decreased prefrontal dopamine D1 receptors in schizophrenia revealed by PET.

Schizophrenia is believed to involve altered activation of dopamine receptors, and support for this hypothesis comes from the antipsychotic effect of antagonists of the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R). D2R is expressed most highly in the striatum, but most of the recent positron emission tomography (PET) studies have failed to show any change in D2R densities in the striatum of schizophrenics, raising the possibility that other receptors may also be involved. In particular, the dopamine D1 receptor (D1R), which is highly expressed in the prefrontal cortex, has been implicated in the control of working memory, and working memory dysfunction is a prominent feature of schizophrenia.

Results of Endoscopic Treatment for Early Gastric Cancer by Nd-YAG Laser.

WE HAVE INTRODUCED TWO ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENTS FOR EARLY GASTRIC CANCER: endoscopic mucosal resection using a cap-fitted panendoscope (EMRC), and endoscopic laser therapy using a Nd-YAG laser. Thirty-two patients (34 lesions) with gastric cancer were treated by Nd-YAG laser; including 23 initial-therapy cases (25 lesions) and 9 second-therapy cases representing failures of endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic ethanol injection. Endoscopic laser therapy was performed safely without complication in all patients.

Decreases in peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in postmortem brains of chronic schizophrenics.

We measured the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs), a marker of gliosis, in 26 brain areas (cerebral cortex, thalamus and extrapyramidal system) of the postmortem brains of 13 chronic schizophrenics and 10 controls, using [3H] PK 11195 as a ligand for the receptor assay. The specific [3H] PK 11195 binding was significantly decreased in three brain areas (superior parietal cortex, primary visual area and putamen) of schizophrenics, although there were no changes in the binding in the other brain areas. Scatchard analysis revealed that there were decreases in both the Bmax and Kd of [3H] PK 11195 binding in the brain areas.

Pharmacokinetics of nicardipine enantiomers in healthy young volunteers.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to compare pharmacokinetic behaviors of nicardipine enantiomers given in different doses with different formulations of racemic nicardipine in healthy volunteers.

Methods: One or two 20-mg racemic nicardipine tablets, and a 40-mg sustained-release capsule of nicardipine were administered to eight healthy volunteers in a crossover fashion and pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated. Enantiomer concentrations were determined by GC-MS combined with chiral stationary phase HPLC.

Endoscopic treatment of early oesophageal or gastric cancer.

Background And Aims: Endoscopic treatment has become increasingly popular in recent years as an alternative to surgical treatment with the hope of offering superior quality of life (QOL) for the patient. The results of endoscopic treatment of mucosal lesions of mostly early oesophageal or gastric cancer performed in 145 patients (155 lesions) over the past eight years were reviewed from the standpoint of QOL.

Results: In 56 patients who underwent radical resection of the oesophageal mucosa, no serious complications and symptoms occurred, with epithelialisation completed within about a month.

Evaluation of non-steroidal ointment therapy for adult type atopic dermatitis: inquiry analysis on clinical effect.

Clinical analysis was performed on non-steroidal ointment therapy for 70 patients with refractory adult-type atopic dermatitis by the clinical data and patient's own evaluation of the therapy obtained through enquiries after discharge from the hospital. Forty cases (57%) were between 20 and 30 years old and the male and female ratio was 39/31. The clinical evaluations were subdivided into five groups; conditions worsened (n = 9), no-change (n = 9), slightly improved (n = 14), much improved (n = 29) and cured (n = 9).

[Effect of phospholipase C inhibitor peptides on cancer cell growth].

We analyzed the effect of PLC inhibitor (PCI) peptides in their growth and cell cycle. N-Myristoylated PCI peptide, myr-PCI, originally developed based on the PCI sequence of PLC-gamma 2, inhibited activity of purified PLC isoforms in vitro. When myr-PCI was added to KMS-4 and KMS-8 cells, both derived from familial adenomatous polyposis patients, it suppressed the production of inositol trisphosphate, DNA synthesis, and cell growth, all of which were induced by serum in both KMS 4 and KMS 8 cells.

The expression patterns of standard and variant CD44 molecules in normal uterine cervix and cervical cancer.

CD44 is a cell-surface glycoprotein postulated to play a role in tumor-cell metastasis. We have examined the expression of the standard CD44 (CD44s), and alternative spliced variants of CD44 containing variant exons v6, v9, and v1O (CD44v6, CD44v9, and CD44v10 respectively) in 9 samples of normal cervix, 6 samples of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and 11 samples with invasive cervical carcinomas. RT/PCR demonstrated the presence of CD44s in all samples of normal cervix and those with invasive carcinomas.