Intrathoracic and Extrathoracic Skeletal Muscle Ventricles in Circulation: Left Ventricular Apex-to-Aorta Configuration

Skeletal muscle ventricles (SMVs) were constructed from the latissimus dorsi muscle in 12 dogs. In group I (n = 6), SMVs were placed intrathoracic, in the apex of the left hemlthorax. In group II (n = 6), SMVs were positioned extrathoracic between the chest wall and subcutaneous tissue. After a 3-week vascular delay period, SMVs were electrically precondltloned wlth 2-Hz continuous stimulation for 6 weeks. At a second procedure, a valved conduit was placed between the left ventrlcular (LV) apex and the SMV, and a second valved condult between the SMV and the thoracic aorta. The SMVs were stimulated to contract during dlestole at a 1:2 ratio wlth the heart. In group I, SMVs generated peak pressures of 91 ± 10 mmHg, pumped 47% of the systemic blood flow (0.73 ± 0.25 vs 1.54 ± 0.42 Umin; p < 0.05), and produced a 25% decrease In the LV systolic tension-time Index (TTI) (16.9 ± 2.7 vs 12.5 ± 3.3 mmHg sec; p < 0.05). In group II, SMV peak pressure was 93 ± 10 mmHg, SMVs pumped 51% of the systemlc blood flow (0.78 ± 0.10 vs 1.53 ± 0.42 L/min; p < 0.05), and the LV systolic TTI decreased 29% (14.0 ± 0.8 vs 9.9 ± 2.0 mmHg sec; p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between group I and II. These data Indicate that the SMV:LV apex-to-aorta configuration is the most effective method reported to date for skeletal muscle cardiac assist. Extrathoracic and Intrathoracic SMVs functioned equally well after connectlon to the circulation. (J Card Surg 1994;9:332–342)     

Enhancing Effect of Interleukin-2 on Production of Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein by Adult T-Cell Leukemia Cells

Leukemic cells from patients with adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) can produce a calcium-regulating protein, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP). Moreover, it has been reported that ATL cells produce some cytokines besides PTHrP and that these cells respond to the T-cell growth factors, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interIenkin-4 (IL-4). To elucidate whether PTHrP produced by ATL cells is regulated by IL-2 or IL-4, we investigated the in vitro effects of IL-2 and IL-4 on the release of PTHrP. IL-2 increased the release of PTHrP into the conditioned medium from leukemic cells in some, but not all, ATL patients; however, IL-4 did not affect the PTHrP release. PTHrP messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were increased in ATL cells cultured in the presence of IL-2. These data suggest that IL-2 plays a role in the regulation of hypercalcemia by enhancing the production of PTHrP in ATL patients.     

Transformation of NIH3T3 Cells with Synthetic c-Ha-ras Genes

Synthetic human c-Ha- ras genes in which amino acid codons were altered to those which are frequently used in highly expressed Escherichia coli genes were ligated to the 3'-end of Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat. When NIH3T3 cells were transfected with the plasmids having those genes with valine at codon 12, leucine at codon 61 or arginine at codon 61, transformants were efficiently produced. These results indicated that the synthetic c-Ha- ras genes are expressed in a mammalian system even though their codon usage is altered to correspond with that of E. colt. This expression vector system should he useful for studies on the structure-function relationships of c-Ha- ras , since the synthetic gene can be easily modified to have multiple base alterations, and can also be used simultaneously for the production of large amounts of p21 in E. coli for biochemical and biophysical studies.     

Successful resection of a glomus tumor arising from the lower trachea: Report of a case

(Received for publication on Sept. 30, 1996; accepted on Mar. 4, 1997)     

Residual deformities related to arthrotic change after Perthes' disease

Summary In order to clarify the long-term results of Perthes' disease and to elucidate the residual deformities, including those of the acetabulum, related to coxarthrosis, 51 patients who had had Perthes' disease were studied clinically and radiologically. Altogether there were 56 affected hips and radiographs taken from onset of disease to maturity were available in all cases. They were followed up for an average of 18 years. Thirteen hips (23%) revealed coxarthrosis. Head deformity, steepness of the lateral edge of the acetabulum, and insufficient acetabular coverage of the femoral head were noted in them both in adulthood and in the active phase of disease. Among these deformities, steepness of the lateral edge of the acetabulum was found to be the most significant prognostic factor and led to coxarthrosis of the affected hip even in the younger adult. Acetabular roof angle, which is a newly designed radiographic measurement, is a good indicator of the prognosis in Perthes' disease.     

Development of primary leiomyosarcoma of the sternum postirradiation: Report of a case

(Received for publication on July 22, 1997; accepted on Mar. 10, 1998)     

Fluoresence of metastasized lymph nodes in esophageal cancer following the administration of intravenous eosin yellow using a laser beam

Fifteen patients with esophageal carcinoma received the Photosensitizing dye Eosin Yellow (10 mg/kg) intravenously prior to surgery, and their para-esophageal lymph nodes were then examined for fluorescence using a laser beam at the time of operation. When the time interval between the injection of Eosin Yellow and the operation was 48 hours, 21 out of 22 (95.4 per cent) metastatic lymph nodes exhibited fluorescence and 25 out of 26 (96.2 per cent) non-metastatic lymph nodes did not exhibit fluorescence. This method proved to be invaluable for detecting metastatic lymph nodes macroscopically at the time of surgery for esophageal carcinoma.     

A New Screening Test for Dementia

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to develop a new screening test for detecting the demented elderly in the early stage in communities. The test is easy to apply for consultation, guidance and care and is capable of administering differential diagnoses. Based on the 9 dementia rating scales used in Japan, Europe and the US., a new test was completed after investigating and modifying the design 5 times. The test consists of 20 items. This test was given to 203 subjects (59 males and 144 females) including normal elderly as well as those suspected of suffering from dementia. The internal consistency, reliability and validity were studied using clinical diagnoses (diagnostic criteria of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition (DSM-III) and Karasawa's Criteria for Judging Senility), Hasegawa's Dementia Rating Scale and Mental Status Questionnaire (MSQ) as external criteria. The present test was confirmed to have sufficient effectiveness as the screening test for dementia.