Does electromagnetic interference not occur to a bipolar pacemaker during TUR-P?

It has been reported that a unipolar pacemaker is more sensitive to electromagnetic interference (EMI) than a bipolar pacemaker. However, we experienced cases in which electrosurgery device interfered with a bipolar pacemaker, but not with a unipolar pacemaker during TUR-P. It has been suggested that EMI occurs to a bipolar pacemaker depending on sensitivity and electric resistance of a patient.     

Alpha-helical structure in the C-terminus of vasoactive intestinal peptide: functional and structural consequences

The conformational properties of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) include the N-terminal randomized structure and the C-terminal long alpha-helical structure. We have previously observed that the N-terminal random coil structure plays a crucial role in the receptor-selectivity. Here, to clarify how the formation of the alpha-helix plays a role in its biological functions, we chemically synthesized VIP analogues modified at the C-terminus, mid-chain, and N-terminus of the alpha-helical region, and evaluated the relationship between their alpha-helical contents and their biological activities including relaxant effects on murine stomach and receptor-binding activities. VIP and VIP-(1-27) showed equipotent biological activities with 48% and 50% alpha-helical content, respectively, each of which corresponds to 14 amino acid residues. VIP-(1-26) was 10% and threefold less potent in relaxant and binding activities, respectively, compared with VIP, and its 49% alpha-helical content resulted in 13 residues involved in the alpha-helix. Further truncation from 25 to 21 resulted in decrease in the alpha-helical content from 43% to 29%, corresponding residues from 11 to 6, the relaxant activity from 72% to 4%, and the affinity to the membrane from 60-fold to over 10(4)-fold less potency. In addition, disruption of the mid-chain and the N-terminus in the alpha-helical stretch by oxidation of Met(17) and deletion of Thr(11) also inhibited biological activities. These findings suggest that the presence of alpha-helical structure forming in 14 amino acid residues between position 10 and 23 in VIP is essential to its biological functions and the C-terminal amino acid residues between position 24 and 27 are requisite for this alpha-helical formation.     

Clinicopathological states of Epstein-Barr virus-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (severe chronic active EBV infection) of children and young adults

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) of children and young adults are sometimes termed as severe chronic active EBV infection (CAEBV), and are associated with an aggressive clinical course. However, these clinicopathological states and the role of EBV have not been clarified. A retrospective study was performed on 43 children and adult patients, who manifested EBV-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (EBV-T/NK-LPD) and most of whom had experienced general illness with CAEBV for several months or years. Clinicopathologically, 43 patients were classified into four groups: group A (smoldering state) (n=7), morphological non-neoplastic LPD with chronic clinical course (several years); group B (chronic state) (n=10), non-neoplastic LPD with clonal EBV-infected cells and a chronic course; group C (leukemia/lymphoma state) (n=22), neoplastic LPD with a subacute course (years to months); group D (fulminant state) (n=4), neoplastic LPD with a fulminant course (weeks to days). The 43 patients comprised 21 males and 22 females. The median age of group A was 14 years, group B 12 years, group C 17 years, and group D 1 year. Four of 7 patients in group A, 3 of 10 in group B, 12 of 22 in group C, and all 4 in group D have died. Causes of death included hemophagocytic syndrome and/or tumor death. Genotypically and phenotypically, group C was composed of peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), and NK-cell leukemia/lymphoma (NKLL), and group D comprised cases of PTCL. Groups A and B exhibited increased NK- or T-cells (CD8>CD4), and rare B-cells. Serologic titers of EBV were only modestly elevated or not elevated in almost all cases. EBV early RNA-1 (EBER-1)-expressing EBV-infected cells were frequently encountered in each group, but the number of infected cells varied between the cases. The EBV genotype did not differ between the groups. Our findings support an important pathogenic role for EBV-infected T/NK-cell infection, rather than the EBV state, in CAEBV and consequent EBV-associated NK/T-neoplasia.     

Mutations in Turnip mosaic virus P3 and cylindrical inclusion proteins are separately required to overcome two Brassica napus resistance genes

The Brassica napus differential line 165 is resistant to infection by Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) isolates belonging to pathotypes 1 and 3. Nucleotide sequences of resistance-breaking mutants of pathotype 1 (UK 1), pathotype 3 (CHN 12), and wild-type isolates have been determined. When the mutations identified were introduced into an infectious clone of UK 1, a single mutation in the viral P3 protein induced a hypersensitive (necrotic) response in inoculated leaves of line 165 plants. Full systemic nonnecrotic infection was only possible when another mutation (in the cylindrical inclusion protein) was introduced. Tests on segregating populations derived from line 165 indicated that the two viral genes were pathogenicity determinants for two different resistance genes in line 165. One gene responsible for an extreme form of resistance (no symptoms seen) was epistatic to a second responsible for the hypersensitive reaction. These results help to explain the relative stability of the resistance in line 165 and to further define the genetic basis of the TuMV pathotyping system.     

Angioscopic evaluation of stabilizing effects of an antilipemic agent,bezafibrate, on coronary plaques in patients with coronary artery disease: a multicenter prospective study

To evaluate the stabilizing effects of an antilipemic agent, bezafibrate, on coronary plaques, we carried out a prospective angioscopic and angiographic open trial. From April 1997 to December 1998, 24 patients underwent coronary angioscopy of plaques in non-targeted vessels during coronary interventions and then again 6 months later. The patients were divided into control (10 patients, 14 plaques) and bezafibrate (14 patients, 21 plaques) groups. Oral administration of bezafibrate (400 mg/day) was started immediately after the intervention and was continued for 6 months. The vulnerability score was determined based on the angioscopic characteristics of plaques and compared before and 6 months later. Six months later, the vulnerability score was reduced (from 1.6 to 0.8; P<0.05) in the bezafibrate group and unchanged (from 1.4 to 1.3; NS) in the control group. In the bezafibrate group, the changes in the vulnerability score were not correlated with those in % stenosis or minimal lumen diameter. The plasma total cholesterol level (T-C) was unchanged, triglyceride level (TG) was decreased, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol level (HDL-C) was increased in the bezafibrate group, but were unchanged in the control group. In the bezafibrate group, T-C and TG were decreased and HDL-C was increased in patients with a reduced vulnerability score but were unchanged in those with an unchanged score. These results indicate that 6 month administration of bezafibrate stabilizes coronary plaques and that the stabilization is not correlated with angiographic changes.     

Blood flow does not correlate with the size of metastasis in our new intravital observation model of Lewis lung cancer

We previously reported a novel in situ observation model for microcirculation of lung metastasis from subcutaneously implanted Lewis lung cancer into mouse. Using this model, we studied the correlation of blood flow and the size of lung metastasis. It was revealed that metastatic growth and its angiogenesis are suppressed by circulating angiogenesis inhibitors, such as angiostatin or endostatin, released from primary tumor. When we removed the primary tumor, the metastasized lung cancer significantly grew faster and larger. But the blood flow per area did not increase either inside or outside of the metastatic tumor. This suggests that the growth of metastatic tumor is directly regulated not by blood flow increase but by the other effects of the circulating factors.     

Exercise load index and changes in body weight during long-duration confinement in an isolated environment

PURPOSE: The objectives of this project were to investigate exercise load and body weight related to long-duration confinement in a closed environment simulating ISS flight conditions, and to evaluate subjects' motivation to continue the experiment and their adaptation to isolation. METHODS: Four Russian male subjects participated in a 240-d experiment (Group I), and four subjects (three male subjects and one female subject) from Austria, Canada, Japan, and Russia participated in a 110-d experiment (Group II). Exercise load was estimated during confinement using a modified Rating of Perceived Exertion scale. Free reports were used to determine subjects' motivation. Body weight was measured before, during, and after confinement. RESULTS: Group I achieved their lowest exercise loads during their first month of isolation; problems with adaptation to the isolation environment were also reported during this first month. Group II exercise load was significantly lower in the second month due to crewmember problems; loss of motivation could be noted from their free reports. The subject with the lowest exercise load retired from the isolation experiment earlier than scheduled. Exercise load was not correlated with prior exercise habits. Significant differences in body weight was observed between group I and II and between Russian and non-Russian subjects. One subject in Group I experienced a significant increase in his body weight. CONCLUSION: Exercise load may be a good indicator for adaptation problems and motivation changes in closed environments. Immobility, lack of space, and smoking cessation in general did not induce significant body weight changes.     

A report of two cases--two patients of the extremely advanced hepatocellular carcinoma have responded completely for a long time after a combination therapy consisting of arterial chemotherapy and injection of interferon-alpha

The prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extremely poor. Patient 1 was a 43-year-old male with major portal tumor thrombi. He received combination therapy consisting of continuous arterial infusion (MTX 30 mg/m2, day 1, CDDP/5-FU 6 mg/m2: 250 mg/m2, day 1-14) and subcutaneous injection of IFN-alpha (500 x 10(4) U, 3 times a week, 4 weeks). Patient 2 was a 66-year-old male with major hepatic venous tumor thrombi. He received combination therapy consisting of continuous arterial infusion (5-FU 6 mg/m2: 250 mg/m2, day 1-14) and subcutaneous injection of IFN-alpha (500 x 10(4) U, 3 times a week, 4 weeks). Decrease in tumor was observed in both patients markers and marked regression of tumor was observed in both patients. They are still in complete response. This combination therapy is an effective strategy for advanced HCC.