Cross-reactivity among several recombinant calicivirus virus-like particles (VLPs) with monoclonal antibodies obtained from mice immunized orally with one type of VLP

Human caliciviruses (HuCVs) are classified into the Norwalk-like viruses (NLV) and Sapporo-like viruses (SLV) as genera within the family CALICIVIRIDAE: The NLV genus is further classified into genogroups I and II, based on sequence similarities. To study the antigenic determinants on the HuCV capsid protein and develop new diagnostic tools for field samples, we established and characterized monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against baculovirus-expressed recombinant HuCV virus-like particles (VLPs). Hybrid clones producing MAbs were obtained from cultures of PAI myeloma cells fused with spleen or mesenteric lymph node cells from mice immunized orally with either a single type of recombinant Norwalk virus (rNV), Kashiwa 47 virus (rKAV), Snow Mountain agent (rSMA), or Sapporo virus (rSV) VLP or with mixtures of two types of VLPs from different genogroups. Twenty MAbs, obtained as mouse ascites, were characterized and classified into six groups according to their enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting (WB) cross-reactivity patterns to VLPs. Five groups of MAbs reacted by both WB and ELISA and were classified as follows: common cross-reactive MAbs for four genogroup I and six genogroup II VLPs (group A), genogroup I-specific MAbs (group B), genogroup II-specific MAbs (group C), and strain-specific MAbs (groups D and E). One MAb group (group F) reacted only by ELISA. The group A MAbs, which showed broad cross-reactivity with VLPs of both NLV genogroups, were obtained from mice immunized orally with a single type of VLP (either rNV or rKAV). Two MAbs, which were obtained from mice immunized with rSV, reacted with rSV but not with any NLV VLP. These are the first MAbs to be reported for any SLV. These strain-, genogroup-, and genus-reactive MAbs will be useful tools for further study of the antigenic and structural topography of the HuCV virion and for diagnostic assays for HuCVs.     

Is omeprazole or misoprostol superior for improving indomethacin-induced delayed maturation of granulation tissue in rat gastric ulcers?

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and prostaglandin (PG) preparations are believed to both prevent NSAID-induced gastric ulcers and promote the delayed healing of gastric ulcers by NSAIDs, but it remains unclear which of these drugs is superior. The aim of this study was to clarify which achieved better healing of NSAID-induced gastric ulcers, not only with respect to epithelialization but also repair of the submucosal tissues. METHODS: We used acetic acid to induce gastric ulcers in rats, and compared the changes between a control group, NSAID group, NSAID + PPI group and NSAID + PG group. After removing the stomach of each animal, an ulcer index was calculated and the collagen content and type III collagen content of granulation tissue were measured. We also studied fibroblast dynamics, including proliferation, collagen synthesis, differentiation into myofibroblasts, and apoptosis. RESULTS: Indomethacin prevented re-epithelialization of the ulcers, interfered with fibroblast function, and also delayed the replacement of type III collagen. Omeprazole promoted epithelialization, but could not fully reverse the influence of indomethacin on granulation tissue maturation. A concomitant dose with misoprostolreversed it completely. CONCLUSIONS: From our point of view in this study in the use of experimental ulcers, it was thought that compensation of PG should have priority to gastric acid inhibition in terms of healing of NSAID-induced gastric ulcer.     

Effect of collateral circulation on myocardial protection in patients with acute myocardial infarction: comparison of technetium-99m-tetrofosmin myocardial single photon emission computed tomography and coronary angiography

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of myocardial blood flow from collateral vessels into the infarct area has been estimated by coronary angiography. In patients with acute myocardial infarction with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 0 flow, myocardial tracer uptake on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images can predict the collateral blood flow in the infarct area if technetium (Tc)-99m-tetrofosmin was administered before recanalization. The present study investigated whether collateral blood flow evaluated by myocardial scintigraphy is a good predictor of myocardial salvage in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: The study group consisted of 30 patients (mean age 65 +/- 14 years, 23 males, 7 females) with first acute myocardial infarction and coronary angiography evidence of total occlusion (TIMI 0) within 12 hr after the onset. All patients had one vessel disease related to infarction and TIMI 3 flow after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Tc-99m-tetrofosmin was injected intravenously before the PCI. The regional severity score index (RSSI) was obtained from SPECT using the 17 segment method with the four-point scoring system. Myocardial viability was evaluated by the RSSI obtained from thallium-glucose-insulin infusion SPECT after 1 week and regional wall motion score index obtained from echocardiography during the chronic phase. RESULTS: The patients were divided into two groups according to the angiographic collateral finding. There were no differences in RSSI on thallium-glucose-insulin SPECT and regional wall motion score between the good collateral group (n = 8) and poor collateral group (n = 22). Myocardial Tc-99m-tetrofosmin RSSI was similar in these groups. On the other hand, the patients were divided according to Tc-99m-tetrofosmin scintigraphic evaluation before PCI. RSSI on thallium-glucose-insulin SPECT was significantly greater (0.7 +/- 0.5 vs 1.5 +/- 0.4, p < 0.01) and regional wall motion score was significantly less (1.46 +/- 0.50 vs 2.08 +/- 0.78, p < 0.05) in the lower Tc-99m-tetrofosmin RSSI (< 1.9) group (n = 22) compared with the higher RSSI (> or = 1.9) group (n = 8). In addition, a significant correlation was obtained between Tc-99 m-tetrofosmin RSSI and regional wall motion score index (r = 0.53, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The collateral flow evaluated by scintigraphy was significantly correlated with myocardial viability.     

Correlation between ventricular flow field and valve closing sound of mechanical mitral prostheses

The Jyros (JR) valve and the newer On-X and MIRA valves, all installed antianatomically, were compared with the St. Jude Medical (SJM) valve in the mitral position to study the effects of valve design differences on the down-stream flow field and the associated valve closing sound. The dynamic particle image velocimetry method utilizing a high-speed video flow visualization technique was used to map the velocity field, and wavelet analysis of the sound was used to find the correlation between the ventricular flow field and the valve closing sound. Based on the experimental data, the following general conclusions can be made. In the velocity field directly below the mitral valve, where the distinct characteristic differences of the valve designs will be evident, twin symmetrical circulations were observed due to the divergent nature of the flow generated by the two inclined half-disks with the valve installed in the anti-anatomical orientation; the SJM, the On-X, and the MIRA valves generated a centrally downward circulation that opposed the valve leaflet closing movement, and resulted in relatively loud valve closing sounds.     

Effect of statin on restenosis after radius stent implantation in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Despite reports that statin treatment reduces the rate of coronary restenosis with a balloon expandable stent, there is no evidence that statins affect the incidence of restenosis with a self-expanding Radius stent. Ninety-five patients with acute coronary syndrome who had been implanted with a Radius stent were classified into two groups: those with hyperlipidemia and initial statin treatment (statin group, n = 38) and those without statin treatment (comparative group, n = 57). At six months after stent implantation, the rate of coronary restenosis was significantly lower in the statin group (10.5%) than control group (28.1%) (p = 0.033), while there were no differences in morphology, maximal inflation pressure or stent size between the two groups. Interestingly, there was no difference in the serum lipid profile between the two groups at the 6-month follow-up, although the statin group had a significantly lower rate of restenosis. In conclusion, initial statin therapy reduced the rate of coronary restenosis even when a Radius stent was implanted.     

Endoscopic therapy for Barrett's esophagus

There are many foreign reports about the endoscopic ablation therapy for Barrett's esophagus. Endoscopic ablation therapy include thermal therapy (electrocoagulation, laser etc.), photodynamic therapy or endoscopic resection and so on. Ablation of Barrett's esophagus by these therapy in combination with adequate acid suppression lead to mucosal replacement by squamous epithelium. But the true value of these endoscopic therapy has not been fully investigated. Further studies are required.     

Comparison of five-day Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens: rabeprazole-based and omeprazole-based regimens with and without omeprazole pretreatment

Background: The onset of antisecretory activity of rabeprazole is faster than that of omeprazole.Objective: This study was performed to compare the efficacy of short-term rabeprazole-based triple therapy with that of omeprazole-based triple therapy and to determine the influence of omeprazole pretreatment in omeprazole-based short-term triple therapy.Methods: This was a 2-center, open-label, prospective, randomized study. Patients who tested positive for Helicobacter (formerly Campylobacter) pylori were randomized to one of three 5-day regimens: (1) rabeprazole 20 mg BID, amoxicillin 500 mg TID, and clarithromycin 400 mg BID (RAC group); (2) omeprazole 20 mg BID, amoxicillin 500 mg TID, and clarithromycin 400 mg BID without omeprazole pretreatment (OAC1 group); and (3) omeprazole 20 mg BID, amoxicillin 500 mg TID, and clarithromycin 400 mg BID with 5 days of omeprazole pretreatment 20 mg BID (OAC2 group). Eradication was assessed by ¹³C-urea breath test and rapid urease test ∼1 month after completion of treatment. All patients who entered this study were included in the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis, patients who completed the study were included in the per-protocol (PP) analysis, and patients who did not undergo the ¹³C-urea breath test and rapid urease test were included in the all-patients-treated (APT) analysis.Results: A total of 120 patients (86 men, 34 women; mean [SD] age, 55.8 [14.3] years; range, 19-86 years) were assigned to the RAC, OAC1, or OAC2 group (40 patients in each group). ITT, PP, and APT eradication rates in the RAC group were 90%, 92%, and 90%, respectively; in the OAC1 group, 75%, 83%, and 75%; and in the OAC2 group, 85%, 90%, and 87%. These eradication rates were not significantly different between groups.Conclusions: Eradication rates did not differ significantly between the three 5-day proton pump inhibitor-based triple therapies in this study population. However, 5-day rabeprazole-based triple therapy tends to be more effective than 5-day omeprazole-based triple therapy in the eradication of H pylori, and treatment with omeprazole before eradication therapy may improve the eradication rates of 5-day omeprazole-based therapy.     

Application of a shape memory alloy for internal artificial organs

Shape memory alloy (SMA) is an actuator with high efficiency, and for this reason, SMA is suitable for totally implantable artificial internal organs. We have thought about the various possible applications, and one is an artificial sphincter. Many patients with cancer have a stoma, with which control of excretion is, of course, difficult. It limits the quality of life (QOL) of patients with stomata. If there is a sphincter for the stoma, control becomes possible. Therefore, an artificial anal sphincter was developed. Energy will be supplied by the use of a transcutaneous energy transmission system (TETS). The energy is used to raise the temperature and this becomes the drive energy in the SMA. This system can achieve very high efficiency; therefore, this actuator may be suitable for artificial internal organs. This system is currently in the stage of animal experimentation. By opening and shutting an artificial anal sphincter, excretion becomes possible. Application of this totally implantable system to artificial myocardium is considered in this article. SMA thread was sewn together, and the artificial myocardium was applied to the outside of a heart. For improvement of the cooling time, Peltier elements were adopted in this artificial myocardium. By the use of Peltier elements, rapid cooling becomes possible. Using this artificial myocardium, cardiac contraction may be assisted. In this way, various applications of the SMA are being considered in Tohoku University.     

Two-week, but not 1-week, hypoxic exposure enhances nitric oxide-mediated basal tone regulation in rat resistance pulmonary arteries

We measured internal diameter (ID) changes in resistance and conduit pulmonary arteries of 1- and 2-week hypoxic rats and normoxic control rats in response to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors in vivo. At 2 weeks of hypoxic exposure, the ID reduction as a result of NOS inhibition was enhanced within the resistance arteries, but not at 1 week of hypoxia.