Observation on the effects of Chinese medicine zhenxuanyin for improving cerebral blood flow in rats with cerebral ischemia.

Zhenxuanyin [symbol: see text] is composed of pure Chinese medicinal herbs, such as gastrodia tuber, poria cocos, ligusticum wallichii etc. 4-verssel occlusion (4VO) model rats were reperfused after 30 minutes' complete occlusion, and Zhenxuanyin was administered 3 times a day. 24 hours later, 123I-IMP uptake in the brain was evaluated as an index of cerebral blood flow (CBF). The results show that Zhenxuanyin (0.03 g/kg, 0.3 g/kg, 1 g/kg, or 3 g/kg a day) can greatly improve the blood flow in the main cerebral regions, and 0.3 g/kg can increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) to the normal level.     

Phorbol ester, not growth hormone releasing factor, consistently stimulates growth hormone release from somatotroph adenomas in culture

In order to study the mechanism of GH secretion from somatotroph adenoma cells, we have compared the effect of 12–O-tetradecanoyl phorboi-13-acetate (TPA) with that of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) on GH secretion from human somatotroph adenoma cells cultured in monolayer. Pituitary adenoma cells were obtained from 13 patients with acromegaly undergoing surgery. On the 7th day of culture, the cells were exposed for 2 h to secretagogues. All 13 adenoma cell cultures (100%) responded to TPA (1·6–16·0 nmol/I) with a two- to six-fold increase in GH release (240·37% Increase of control: mean±SE). The response was detectable within 10 min, and was maximal at 2 h. Phosphollpase C (7·7 mmol/I) also stimulated a two-to ten-fold Increase In GH release in all four adenomas examined (100%). GH release was stimulated by GRF (2·0 nmol/I) in eight out of 12 adenoma cells (67%), but the magnitude of the responses to GRF (60·18% Increase of control: mean ± SE) were much smaller than that of TPA. Five out of 13 adenomas secreted detectable amount of PRL Into the medium and these five adenomas (100%) responded to TPA (16·0 nmol/I) with a two- to six-fold Increase. These observations indicate that the activation of protein kinase C is the consistent stimulator in GH and PRL secretion In human somatotroph adenoma cells. However, It is not determined whether the protein kinase C     

Purification and characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 nef gene product expressed by a recombinant baculovirus

We have constructed the recombinant baculovirus which expresses the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 negative factor (nef) gene. Spodoptera frugiperda cells infected with the recombinant virus produced a 27-kDa protein which reacted with rabbit antisera raised against a carboxy-terminal synthetic peptide of the Nef protein by immunoblot analysis. Labeling experiment showed that the recombinant Nef protein was myristoylated. The recombinant Nef protein was purified to near homogeneity by DEAE-Sephacel, phenyl-Sepharose 4B, blue-Sepharose, and Sephadex G-150 column chromatography. No detectable GTP binding activity was observed in the purified recombinant Nef product.     

Immunohistochemical study of collagen type III in adenomyosis]

To clarify the mechanism of the origin of adenomyosis, we investigated the immunohistochemical distribution of collagen type III in the human endometrium and the adenomyosis throughout the menstrual cycle. 1) Collagen type III was localized in the stroma of normal endometrium and ectopic endometrium, and in the myometrium. No staining of collagen type III was observed in the endometrial gland. 2) The intensity of staining for collagen type III in the basal layer of normal endometrium was stronger than those in the functional layer. The staining in the proliferative phase was stronger than that in the secretory phase. 3) The intensity of staining of collagen type III in ectopic endometrium paralleled that in the basal layer of normal endometrium. 4) The intensity of staining of collagen type III in the myometrium did not change throughout the menstrual cycle. These results suggest that close similarities exist between stromal cells in normal endometrium and in ectopic endometrium from the viewpoint of the extracellular matrix.     

Intercellular transport through a partially denuded arterial endothelial monolayer. Effect of platelets and PGI2.

Fluorescein Dextran (FD) was shown to be transported at increased rates through partially denuded endothelial monolayer. Platelet binding to the partially denuded monolayer lowered transport rates to those comparable with intact endothelium. Inhibition of transport by platelet binding was not affected by the addition of isocarbacyclin (a stable derivative of PGI2). This result suggests that adherent platelets at the partial denudation site are sufficient to suppress transport of FD.     

Results of low- and high-dose-rate interstitial brachytherapy for T3 mobile tongue cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment results of low-dose-rate (LDR) and high-dose-rate (HDR) interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for T3 mobile tongue cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1974 and 1992, 61 patients with T3 mobile tongue cancer were treated with LDR ISBT using (192)Ir hairpins with or without single pins. In addition, between 1991 and 1999, 14 patients were treated with HDR ISBT. For nine patients treated with ISBT alone, the total dose was 59-94 Gy (median 72 Gy) within one week in LDR ISBT and 60 Gy/10 fractions/5 days in HDR ISBT. For 66 patients treated with a combination therapy of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and ISBT, the total dose was 12.5-60 Gy (median 30 Gy) of EBRT and 50-112 Gy (median 68 Gy) within 1 week in LDR ISBT or 32-60 Gy (median 48 Gy)/8-10 fractions/5-7 days in HDR ISBT. RESULTS: The 2- and 3-year local control rates of all patients were both 68%. The 2- and 3-year local control rates of patients treated with LDR ISBT were both 67%, and those with HDR ISBT were both 71%. The local control rate of patients treated with HDR ISBT was similar to those with LDR ISBT. CONCLUSIONS: ISBT for T3 mobile tongue cancer is effective and acceptable. The treatment result of HDR ISBT is almost similar to that of LDR ISBT for T3 mobile tongue cancer.     

Case of ruptured gastroduodenal arterial pseudoaneurysm with penetration to the duodenum, successfully treated with transcatheter arterial embolization]

A 77-year-old man, who underwent segmental pancreatectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma in 2001, was referred to our hospital with complaints of hematemesis and melena on January, 2004. Emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a pulsating submucosal protrusion in the duodenal bulb, which was identified as a gastroduodenal arterial aneurysm measuring 1.5cm on abdominal CT imaging. Transcatheter arterial embolization of the aneurysm with metallic coils was successfully performed. Periodically repeated endoscopic examination has revealed the coils protruding into the duodenal lumen without any serious complication.     

Computerized tomography observation of a calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor with an odontoma: case report.

The calcifying cystic odontogenic tumor is a rare benign odontogenic lesion. This report documents a case of this lesion associated with odontoma arising from the anterior maxilla in a 14-year-old boy. The diagnosis was confirmed based on computerized tomography findings, which clearly depicted the internal structures obscured in conventional images.     

Pulmonary injury by an over-the-counter drug, Nospole G]

A 78-year-old woman was admitted with dyspnea. She had caught a cold and took an over-the-counter drug (Nospole G) for 2 weeks before admission. Chest radiography and CT scanning showed bilateral diffuse and interstitial shadows, and arterial blood gas analysis demonstrated severe hypoxemia. Withdrawal of Nospole and treatment with both corticosteroid and sivelestat sodium resulted in improvement of clinical findings and successful recovery from mechanical ventilation. A drug lymphocyte stimulation test for Nospole G was positive. Based on these findings, we determined that this patient had drug-induced pneumonitis caused by Nospole G. Finally, she died of sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. In summary, we report here an elderly case of drug-induced pneumonitis successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation by early treatment with corticosteroid and sivelestat sodium, monitored by changes of markers for interstitial pneumonitis (KL-6, SP-A, SP-D).     

A nonspecific colonic ulcer occurring after hepatectomy: Report of a Case

We herein report the case of a 53-year-old man with a nonspecific acute colonic ulcer whose liver function deteriorated after he had undergone hepatectomy. He was referred to our hospital for a hepatoma caused by hepatitis B virus and a right hemihepatectomy was performed. His liver function was poor after the operation, and minor complications such as pleural effusion and biliary fistula developed. A large amount of melena was seen 29 days after the hepatectomy and he developed hemorrhagic shock. Superior mesenteric arteriography revealed pooling of blood in both the hepatic flexure of the ascending colon and the cecum. An emergency right hemicolectomy was performed. There was a 5 x 1-mm ulcer 18 cm distal to the ileocecal valve. Numerous erosions were observed to be scattered throughout the colonic mucosa. The patient recovered slowly and was discharged 6 months after the hepatectomy. This is the first report of an acute colonic ulcer that could have been caused by liver dysfunction.