IL-8 as an important chemoattractant for neutrophils in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

IL-8 is generating increasing interest as a powerful neutrophil chemoattractant and activator. To elucidate the mechanisms of neutrophil infiltration in inflammatory bowel disease, we examined 33 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 18 with Crohn's disease (CD), eight with some other type of colitis, and 18 normal control subjects for measurement of IL-8 in homogenates of colonic biopsy specimens. The affected colonic mucosa was found to contain significantly more IL-8 in patients with active inflammatory bowel disease than in patients with inactive disease (UC, P < 0.001; CD, P < 0.001), in patients with other types of colitis (UC, P < 0.05; CD, P < 0.01), or in normal control subjects (UC, P < 0.001; CD, P < 0.001). Colonic IL-8 levels correlated significantly with the macroscopic grade of local inflammation, especially in patients with UC (P < 0.001). Colonic IL-8 levels also correlated well with the neutrophil numbers in mucosal tissue (UC, r = 0.950, P < 0.001; CD, r = 0.940, P < 0.001), and with colonic IL-1 beta (r = 0.911, P < 0.001) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels (r = 0.604, P < 0.001) in patients with these two conditions. These data suggest a potential role for IL-8 and its regulatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF-alpha in mediating neutrophil infiltration of the gut wall in inflammatory bowel disease.     

Stereoregulating behaviour of organoalkali and organoalkaline earth compounds in polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Stereoregulating behaviour of organoalkali and organoalkaline earth metal compounds in methyl methacrylate (MMA) polymerization has been studied. Low temperature and polar solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) favour formation of syndiotactic polymer when lithium and magnesium ketyls are used as catalysts. Whereas isotactic polymer is obtained with sodium ketyl even in THF at ?70°C. Lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH₄) gave almost complete isotactic polymer in high conversion in diethyl ether or toluene even at low temperature, and lithium aluminum tetraethyl (LiAlEt₄), on the other hand, gave very highly syndiotactic polymer under the same conditions. The solvent, besides, showed very important role in stereoregulation, that is, LiAlH₄ could give syndiotactic polymer in a polar solvent at low temperature. Polymer structure was analyzed by NMR- and IR-spectroscopy. The electrical conductivities of these catalyst systems were measured and there was found a parallelism between those values and stereoregularities of polymers obtained by the respective catalyst systems.     

Copolymerization of N-carboxy-α-amino acid anhydrides by organometallic compounds

During thermal degradation of poly(vinyl chloride) in a nitrogen atmosphere polyene sequences of different lengths are formed by dehydrochlorination. The distribution of the sequence lengths in the polymer is approximated by analysis of the electron spectra, and the spectroscopically determined polyene content is compared with the amount of hydrogen chloride split off. With increasing temperature, as well as with increasing time of degradation, the distribution of the polyene sequence lengths shifts towards shorter sequences. In contrast to degraded poly(vinyl chloride) powder, degraded poly(vinyl chloride) foils exhibit a marked shift towards longer sequences. Vinylisobutyl ether as comonomer unit in the polymer chains effects a considerable shift of the sequence lengths distribution towards shorter polyene sequences. The spectroscopically determined polyene content agrees with the amount of liberated hydrogen chloride only a t very low conversions while with increasing dehydrochlorination a growing polyene deficit is found. Therefore, it is to be concluded that polyene sequences are consumed by consecutive reactions in which primarily the longer polyene sequences are involved. A further conclusion that may be drawn from these experiments is that the formation of long polyene sequences takes place very rapidly once the initial step of dehydrochlorination has occurred at a labile site. Apart from the above mentioned consecutive reactions, only the number, not the average length, of the polyene sequences changes substantially with increasing time of degradation.     

Pre-operative higher hematocrit and lower total protein levels are independent risk factors for cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome after superficial temporal artery–middle cerebral artery anastomosis with pial synangiosis in adult moyamoya disease patients—case-control study

Neurosurgical Review - Superficial temporal artery (STA)–middle cerebral artery (MCA) anastomosis is a standard treatment for adult moyamoya disease (MMD) patients. Cerebral hyperperfusion...     

Relationship between Pathological Characteristics and Radiological Findings on Perfusion MR Imaging of Meningioma

Few studies have reviewed the roles of perfusion magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the histopathological examination of meningiomas. We analyzed the relationships between radiological findings on perfusion MR imaging and pathological characteristics such as origin of the tumor, mitotic activity, pathological subtype, and perifocal edema formation. The subjects were 21 surgical cases of meningioma preoperatively evaluated by perfusion MR imaging. A region of interest (ROI) was set inside of the tumor, and perifocal edema of the same size, cerebral blood volume (CBV), and cerebral blood flow (CBF) on perfusion MR and diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging were analyzed. These radiological data were evaluated in comparison with histopathological characteristics. On perfusion MR imaging, the average ratio of CBV against the contralateral side was 6.43 (1.13–20.0) and that of CBF was 7.73 (1.34–11.3). There was no significant relationship with perfusion MR imaging data, tumor volume, or perifocal edema volume. However, the large peritumoral edema group often had a higher CBV and CBF than the non-large peritumoral edema group. The skull base group had a significantly higher CBV and lower signal intensity on DW images than the non-skull base group. Signal intensity on DW images was higher in grade II or III than in grade I. Perfusion MR imaging data revealed that the higher ratio of peritumoral edema against tumor size was associated with higher blood flow and blood volume under intratumoral circulatory conditions, and that skull base meningioma had a higher blood volume than non-skull base meningioma.     

Characteristics affecting cervical sagittal alignment in patients with chronic low back pain

BackgroundSagittal spino-pelvic malalignment in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) have been reported in the past, which may also affect cervical spine lesions. The purpose of this study is to investigate the cervical alignment in patients with CLBP.MethodOf the patients who visited an orthopedic specialist due to low back pain lasting more than three months, 121 cases (average 71.5-years-old, 46 male and 75 female) with whole standing spinal screening radiographs were reviewed (CLBP group). Cervical parameters included cervical lordosis (CL), C2–C7 sagittal vertical axis (C2-7 SVA), and the T1 slope minus CL (T1S-CL). Cervical spine deformity was defined as C2-7 SVA >4 cm, CL <0°, or T1S-CL ≧20°. We compared the cervical alignment of these patients with 121 age and gender matched volunteers (control group).ResultsThe prevalence of cervical spine deformity was significantly higher in the CLBP group than in the control group (20.7% vs. 10.7%, P = 0.034). The mean CL was smaller in the CLBP group than in the control group (16.1° vs. 21.4°, P = 0.002). The mean C2-7 SVA was 17.6 mm vs. 18.7 mm in the CLBP group and in the control group, respectively (P = 0.817). The mean T1S-CL was larger in the CLBP group than in the control group (9.1° vs. 3.5°, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that people with CLBP were more likely to have cervical deformities than people without CLBP (odds ratio 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.006 to 4.637).ConclusionsThis study results suggest that people with CLBP present with worse cervical sagittal alignment and higher prevalence of cervical spine deformities than age and gender matched volunteers with no CLBP. This means CLBP impacts cervical spine lesions negatively.Level of evidenceⅣ     

Novel organosilicon-containing polymers for an oxygen permselective membrane

Synthesis and gas permeation measurements of several types of polymers from methylstyrene derivatives containing mono-and bis(trialkylsilyl) group(s) were carried out. Upon radical homo-and co-polymerization of silicon-containing monomers high-molecular-weight polymers were obtained. Results from gas permeation measurements showed that these types of silicon-containing polymers exhibit fairly high oxygen permselectivity (ratio of oxygen and nitrogen permeation coefficients P/P = 3,1 ? 4,6), keeping the oxygen permeation coefficients (P) in the range of between 1,4 · 10^?9 and 4,5·10^?9 cm³ (STP) · cm · cm^?2 · s^?1 · cmHg^?1. From time lag measurements, it was found that permeation coefficients are dependent on the solubility of gases in the membranes rather than on diffusivity. Actually, the oxygen solubility coefficients increase with increasing silicon content in the polymers. Permselectivity of oxygen against nitrogen is governed by polymer constitution rather than by silicon content.     

In vivo differences between Asian, Black and White in the stratum corneum barrier function

The stratum corneum barrier function of Blacks, Caucasians and Asians were compared in vivo. A noninvasive technic, laser doppler velocimetry (LDV), was used to evaluate the cutaneous penetration of nicotinates by the determination of the lag time before vasodilatation induced by the application of those local vasodilatator drugs. The study was performed on untreated skin and after removal of the stratum corneum by 12 strips. The influence of molecular weight and solubility of different nicotinates (methyl, ethyl, hexyl and vitamin E) were also studied on Japanese skin. Vasodilatation lag times assessed by LDV, with methyl nicotinate (MN), showed that skin permeability was more important in Asians (P < 0.01)=" and=" in=" caucasians=">P < 0.05)=" than=" in=" blacks.=" moreover=" asian=" skin=" was=" significantly=" more=" sensitive=" to=" stripping=">P < 0.05)=" than=" black=" skin.=" a=" significant=" shorter=" lag=" time=" was=" obtained=" with=" small=" and=" hydrophilic=" nicotinates=" (methyl=" and=" ethyl)=">P < 0.01)=" compared=" to=" a=" lipophilic=" one=" (hexyl).=" the=" alteration=" of=" the=" stratum=" corneum=" barrier=" function=" by=" stripping=" showed=" a=" more=" important=" modification=" with=" mn=">P < 0.05)=" than=" with=" hexyl=" nicotinate.=" consequently,=" this=" noninvasive=" method=" can=" evaluate=" the=" modifications=" of=" the=" stratum=" corneum=" barrier=" function=" and=" racial=" origin=" has=" to=" be=" taken=" into=" account=" in=" the=" determination=" of=" skin=">     

Effect of ticlopidine on exercise-induced platelet aggregation and exercise tolerance time in patients with ischemic heart disease

Platelet aggregation is one of the most important mechanisms for acute myocardial infarction during exercise. We sought to evaluate the effect of ticlopidine (TP) on platelet aggregation (PA) during exercise in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). We studied 38 patients with IHD, 26 patients with effort angina pectoris, and 12 patients with a previous myocardial infarction. In protocol I, subjects were divided into two groups. Drugs altering platelet aggregation were withheld 2-4 weeks before the study in 25 patients (control group). TP (200 mg/day) was administered for 7 days in 13 patients (ticlopidine group). A symptom-limited modified Bruce protocol treadmill exercise test was performed. PA was measured at rest and after exercise by using optical densitometry induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). PA ratio (percentage of maximum) was compared. In protocol II, in 12 patients, treadmill exercise test and PA measurement were performed with and without TP. PA significantly increased after exercise in control (from 51.7+/-23.3% to 64.4+/-27.7%, p < 0.01) and ticlopidine (from 31.9+/-10.5% to 42.0+/-20.4%, p < .01) groups; however, its grade was lower in the ticlopidine group than in the control group. After exercise, PA was lower in the ticlopidine group than in control group (42.0+/-20.4% vs. 64.4+/-27.7%; p < 0.01). In the same patients, PA was lower with TP than without TP after exercise. Treadmill exercise-tolerance time was greater in the ticlopidine group than in the control group, but not statistically significant (762.3+/-139.2 vs. 711.6+/-169.6 s; NS). Exercise-tolerance time was significantly greater with TP than without TP in same patient (791.7+/-98.9 vs. 733.3+/-152.8 s; p < .05). TP suppressed the increase of PA during exercise and increased the exercise-tolerance time in patients with IHD.