A six-day subrenal capsule assay for predictive testing of primary human tumors

We carried out a total of 36 in vivo chemosensitivity tests in 33 cases of human malignant tumor using the subrenal capsule assay, developed by A.E. Bogden et al. Of the 36 assays, 31 were evaluable. The chemosensitivity of each tumor varied individually. UFT, 5-fluorouracil, mitomycin-C and adriamycin were administered to gastrointestinal cancer patients regularly, but our SRC-assay showed a high sensitivity rate for UFT and 5-fluorouracil but a low sensitivity rate for mitomycin-C and adriamycin. Nine patients had clinically evaluable lesions and a correlation between the assay results and clinical response existed in 6 cases. The true positive rate was 50% (3/6), the true negative rate 100% (3/3), and the overall predictive accuracy 66% (6/9). This study suggested that 6-day SRC assay is useful for selecting effective anti-tumor agents for the treatment of cancer patients.     

An experimental study on mesenteritis and deformities of the intestinal canal; with special reference to the changes with time of deformities (angulation, distortion, coil-like appearance)

1. The relationship of the mesenteric inflammation with intestinal loop deformities was made clear and changes of these deformities were examined with time, using experimental model rabbits. 2. The above rabbit was laparotomized and was caused to develop mesenteritis by applying acetic acid onto sigmoid mesentery and descending colic mesentery, then the abdomen was closed. Subjects were divided into 2 groups (A and B); A group and B group were re-laparotomized 3-7 and 21 days later, respectively and were observed for mesentery and loop appearance, then were extirpated for sigmoid colon and descending colon with mesenterium attached thereto. Roentgenograms were taken first with attachment of mesentery, secondly there-without. Then, the intestinal canal was opened and the mucosal surface was observed, together with bleeding and blood flow disturbance in the depth of the wall in transmitted light. 3. As a result, the following conclusions were obtained: 1) Macroscopically, mesentery was marked with redness for A group and with thickening and twitch due to cicatricial contraction for B group. 2) A group near to the third day showed remarkable shortening, narrowing and marginal irregularity of the loop, which disappeared with time and were scarcely observed for B group; these deformities were considered to involve mesenteric inflammations and ischemia caused by secondary blood flow disturbance. 3) A group near to the 7th day and B group showed remarkable angulation, distortion and coil-like appearance; these deformities are considered to have been caused by thickening (stiffness) of the mesentery and its attachment and twitch-distortion due to cicatricial contraction. 4) Coil-like appearance disappeared upon cutting off the mesentery from the loop.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Deformation: Its application to cosmetic facial surgery

The principles of deformation have come to our attention through the study of technical skills in art. It creates emphasis on the motif of a work by transformation and results in the illusionary phenomenon that makes the total appearance more harmonious and impressive. With this artistic technical concept compounded with our surgical experiences, we designed the deformation technique for facial corrective surgery. Introducing some distinctive cases applying this technique, we show its advantages over the see a defect, correct the defect limitations to present surgical techniques and the good effect of the patient's mind and attitudes.Presented at the 17th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles, California, April 20, 1983     

Deformation: its application to cosmetic facial surgery

The principles of deformation have come to our attention through the study of technical skills in art. It creates emphasis on the motif of a work by transformation and results in the illusionary phenomenon that makes the total appearance more harmonious and impressive. With this artistic technical concept compounded with our surgical experiences, we designed the deformation technique for facial corrective surgery. Introducing some distinctive cases applying this technique, we show its advantages over the "see a defect, correct the defect" limitations to present surgical techniques and the good effect of the patient's mind and attitudes.     

Human intestinal spirochetosis mimicking ulcerative colitis

Human intestinal spirochetosis (HIS) is a colorectal infection caused by the Brachyspira species of intestinal spirochetes, whose pathogenicity in humans remains unclear owing to the lack of or mild symptoms. We monitored the 5-year clinical course of a woman diagnosed with HIS in whom ulcerative colitis (UC) had been suspected. Following a positive fecal occult blood test, she underwent a colonoscopic examination at a local clinic where she was diagnosed with “right-sided” UC concomitant with incidentally detected HIS, and was referred to our hospital. Colonoscopic, histopathological, and cytological examination revealed localized erosive colitis in the ascending and the right transverse colon concomitant with HIS resembling skip lesions of UC. Initially, we chose the wait-and-watch approach; however, she gradually developed bloody diarrhea. Metronidazole improved her abdominal symptoms, as well as her colonoscopic and histopathological findings, suggesting that HIS was responsible for her colorectal inflammation. This case reveals (1) a possible pro-inflammatory role of HIS, (2) difficulties in diagnosing HIS in chronic proctocolitis, and (3) a possible inclusion of some HIS cases in “UC”. HIS could mimic UC and might be included in differential diagnoses for UC. Antibiotic administration is necessary following the detection of HIS, particularly in patients demonstrating an atypical presentation of UC.     

Trehalose-Induced Activation of Autophagy Improves Cardiac Remodeling After Myocardial Infarction

Background

Trehalose (TRE) is a natural, nonreducing disaccharide synthesized by lower organisms. TRE exhibits an extraordinary ability to protect cells against different kinds of stresses through activation of autophagy. However, the effect of TRE on the heart during stress has never been tested.

Clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 in patients with acute heart failure

The serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) increase during chronic heart failure (HF) and the MMP-2 are related to a poor prognosis. However, the roles of MMP-2 in acute HF (AHF) remain unclear. We investigated the change and clinical significance of MMP-2 in these conditions. The serum levels of MMP-2 were measured in 83 AHF patients before starting treatment (day 1), 3 (day 3) and 7 (day 7) days after admission, and before discharge (predischarge). MMP-2 decreased rapidly and significantly from day 3 to day 1 (902.9 ± 304.2 versus 1220.4 ± 330.5 ng/mL; P < 0.0001), whereas that of MMP-2 was not significantly different on day 7 and at predischarge (894.7 ± 278.9 and 920.0 ± 269.6 ng/mL, respectively) compared to day 3. We evaluated the relationships between ΔMMPs, defined as the changes in MMPs from day 1 to day 3 and HF events including cardiac death, readmission to hospital for HF, and uncontrollable HF. The MMP-2 value was significantly (P = 0.004) more decreased in the event-free group (381.4 ± 256.5 ng/mL) than in the event group (211.9 ± 225.5 ng/mL) between day 1 and day 3. The results of the multivariate logistic regression model for predicting HF events found that the specific factor for HF events was ΔMMP-2. Cutoff values of ΔMMP-2 were determined and event-free curves were constructed. Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the prognosis was significantly better among the patients with reductions in ΔMMP-2 values of more than 342 ng/mL. The serum levels of MMP-2 decreased with improvements in AHF. Rapid decreases in MMP-2 may be important for a better clinical outcome in patients with AHF.     

Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells as a novel feeder layer for epithelial cells

We examined a novel human feeder cell layer of mesenchymal stem cells harvested from human adipose tissues. Gene expression analyses and colony-forming assay with human primary epithelial cells showed that the adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells produced various factors to support epithelial stem/progenitor maintenance and cell growth. Using the mesenchymal stem cells as novel feeder layers, transplantable epithelial cell sheets could be effectively generated ex vivo on temperature-responsive cell-culture surfaces.