Adjuvant activities of synthetic lipid A subunit analogues and its conjugates with muramyl dipeptide derivatives

We investigated the effects of the active principle of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), synthetic lipid A (compound 506), and of its related compounds GLA-60, -59 and -27, on murine macrophage activation and cytokine induction. GLA-60, which is devoid of endotoxic activity, showed interleukin-1 (IL-1)-inducing activity and activation of murine macrophages comparable to those of LPS or compound 506. The biological activities of six conjugates of GLA-60 with MDP derivatives GMD-323 to -328 were investigated in this study. All the GMD compounds except GMD-323 showed potent inducing activities for IL-1 and tumoricidal macrophages, especially GMD-324 and -326, which exhibited much higher activity than GLA-60. However, TNF- and CSF-inducing activities of these conjugates were lower than those of GLA-60. IL-1-inducing activity of the mixture of MDP derivative (GMD-267) and GLA-60 was higher than that of the conjugates (GMD-324) or that of GLA-60 and GMD-267 alone.     

Enhancement by epinephrine of benzylpenicillin transport in rat small intestine

The perfusion of rat small intestinal lumen with epinephrine (0.1 mM) resulted in a significant increase in the amount of benzylpenicillin (BP) transported from the mucosal to the serosal side. In this study, the perfusion of the lumen with phenylephrine, clonidine, dobutamine, or salbutamol had no effect on BP transport. However, the combinations of phenylephrine and isoproterenol, clonidine and isoproterenol, and phenylephrine and salbutamol increased the BP transport to a similar extent as that observed with epinephrine alone. Tolazolin or propranolol inhibited the epinephrine-induced increase in BP transport. An increase in the intracellular concentration of cAMP in conjunction with specific activation of either alpha(1)- or alpha(2)-adrenoceptors induced an increase in BP transport similar to that observed in response to epinephrine alone. Staurosporine or N-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide abolished the epinephrine-induced increase in BP transport. Peptides or either zwitterionic or anionic cephalosporins also blocked the effect of epinephrine on BP transport. The extent of BP uptake into brush border or basolateral membrane vesicles prepared from epinephrine-perfused intestinal loops was markedly greater than that into vesicles prepared from control loops. The perfusion of intestinal lumen with carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxy phenylhydrazone, amiloride, or ouabain inhibited epinephrine-induced BP transport. These results indicate that the interaction of epinephrine with both beta(2)-adrenoceptors and either alpha(1)- or alpha(2-)adrenoceptors markedly stimulates the BP transport, an effect likely mediated by the enhancement of the function in the brush border membrane of intestinal epithelial cells coupled with the generation of an H(+) gradient.     

Photodynamic therapy for early gastric cancer using a pulsed gold vapor laser

Endoscopic photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a pulsed gold vapor laser (wavelength 628 nm, LaserSonics Inc.) was performed on eight cases of early gastric cancer. Three patients refused to have surgery, and the others were in a high-risk group due to old age or complications with other diseases. Hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD I, 2.5-3 mg/kg, Photofrin Inc.) was injected intravenously, and 48-72 hours later, the entire cancer lesion and 5 mm width mucosa encircling it were irradiated with a gold vapor laser through a single quartz fiber. The irradiation was delivered at 300-330 mW for 5-20 minutes, which gave about 90 J/cm 2 dosage. In seven of eight cases, local cure was achieved. Recurrence was noted only in one patient. In one of eight patients, operation was carried out 1 month after PDT. Pathological examination of the resected stomach revealed that the effect of PDT extended into the tunica muscularis propria. Side effects of HpD, such as skin rash, were noted in two patients, but no serious complications of PDT were encountered. This suggests that PDT with a pulsed gold vapor laser is clinically useful in the treatment of early gastric cancer.     

Assessment of resectability of pancreatic carcinoma by color Doppler sonography

This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of color Doppler sonography in the preoperative assessment of vascular involvement in patients with pancreatic carcinoma. Twenty-six pancreatic carcinomas were investigated with color Doppler sonography and angiography, and the results of these examinations were compared with those of surgical findings. Color Doppler sonography was more sensitive than angiography in depicting vascular involvement of carcinoma. Thus, it seems rational to perform a preoperative assessment in suspected pancreatic carcinoma patients initially with color Doppler sonography to improve patient management.     

Analysis of public discourse on heart transplantation in Japan using social network service data

The clarification of public concerns regarding heart transplantation is important for improving low organ donation rates in Japan. In the present study, we used the Twitter data of 4986 tweets (between August 2015 and January 2016) and 1429 tweets (between April 2016 and May 2016) to analyze public discourse on heart transplantation in Japan and identify the reasons for low organ donation rates. We manually categorized all tweets relevant to heart transplantation into nine categories and counted the number of tweets in each category per month. During the study period, the most popular category of tweets was related to the media, followed by money (tweets questioning or even criticizing the high price of fundraising goals to go overseas for heart transplantations), while some tweets were misconceptions. We also conducted a sentiment analysis, which revealed that the most popular negative tweets were related to money, while the most positive tweets were related to reports on the favorable outcomes of recipients. Our results suggest that listening to concerns, providing correct information (particularly for some misconceptions), and emphasizing the outcomes of recipients will facilitate an increase in the number of people contemplating heart transplantation and organ donation.     

alpha-Glucosidase inhibitor

Oral anti-diabetic agents with hypoglycemic action via mechanisms distinct from the sulfonylureas have recently been developed. One of these, alpha-glucosidase inhibitor slows the absorption rate of carbohydrate from the small intestine. Effects of voglibose on glycemic control and on the function of pancreatic islets were evaluated using Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Insulin secretory capacity in response to glucose of islets was significantly improved after 8-week administration of voglibose. The treatment increased the insulin content of the islets to almost twice that in untreated controls. Thus, the treatment can restore the deteriorated islet function of GK rats, possibly through protection from glucose toxicity.     

High-flow bypass with radial artery graft followed by internal carotid artery ligation for large or giant aneurysms of cavernous or cervical portion: clinical results and cognitive performance

Neurosurgical Review - High-flow bypass followed by ligation of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is an effective treatment, but the impact of abrupt occlusion of the ICA is unpredictable,...     

Lung cancers treated with photodynamic therapy and surgery

Laser endoscopic surgery, especially the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using Photofrin as a photosensitizer, has now achieved a status as effective treatment modality for lung cancer. Twenty-six lung cancer patients received the preoperative PDT for the purpose of either reducing the extent of resection or increasing operability. Bronchoscopical PDT is performed with topical anesthesia approximately 48 h after the intravenous injection of 2.0 mg/kg body weight of Photofrin. Operation was performed 2-9 weeks after initial PDT. The initial purpose of PDT, i.e. either to reduce the extent of resection or convert inoperable disease to operable status, was achieved in 22 out of 26 patients treated. The survival rate of T3 (main bronchus invasion) cases treated by surgery alone increased significantly from 50.9% to 60.0% with the application of preoperative PDT. This remarkable result may imply that this new option of PDT as preoperative laser irradiation may contribute to the management of advanced lung malignancy.     

Portal vein aneurysm: report of six cases and review of the literature

Portal vein aneurysm is very rare, and its relation to portal hypertension has been emphasized. We report six cases of portal vein aneurysm (five extrahepatic and one intrahepatic). All patients were asymptomatic and had no signs suggestive of portal hypertension; the lesion was incidentally detected by ultrasound. Color Doppler sonography showed a constant hepatopetal flow along the aneurysmal wall, which immediately led to the diagnosis. We stress the usefulness of color Doppler sonography for studying the hemodynamics of this vascular anomaly and briefly review the literature. Received: 29 December 1995/Accepted: 14 February 1996