Contrast in the efficacy of hDAF mouse hearts between ex vivo perfusion and transplantation into primates

Abstract: In recent experiments, in which we compared hDAF transgenic rat hearts perfused with 15% human serum in the Langendorff device and hDAF rat hearts transplanted into cynomolgus monkeys, we demonstrated that in the ex vivo heart perfusion model both homozygous and heterozygous hDAF hearts survived longer as nontransgenic controls. Surprisingly, we found that only homozygous hDAF hearts were protected against hyperacute rejection in vivo. The first aim of this study was to determine whether perfusion of mouse hearts with higher human serum concentrations or human blood might explain some of the differences found in survival time of the recently performed experiments with rat heart xenografts. Secondly, we investigated whether the observed differences in survival times of rat xenografts between in vivo and ex vivo transplantation would also hold for mouse hearts transgenic for hDAF. An ex vivo model was used to perfuse hDAF mouse hearts and controls with human serum or blood, and hDAF transgenic hearts and controls were transplanted into cynomolgus monkeys. hDAF transgenic mouse hearts survived significantly longer than their controls when perfused with 15% human serum, but no difference was found when 30% human serum was used, or when these hearts were transplanted into cynomolgus monkeys. However, in both the in vivo and ex vivo models the amount of PMNs adhering to the vascular endothelium was significantly lower in hDAF transgenes as compared with their controls. In conclusion, in the ex vivo situation, the efficacy of hDAF transgenesis in preventing HAR is limited by serum complement concentration.     

Long-term effects of interstitial laser coagulation in porcine liver with portal inflow occlusion: central versus peripheral lesions.

PURPOSE: Interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) is an attractive modality for local destruction of unresectable hepatic metastases. Portal inflow occlusion considerably increases its destructive capacity, resulting in lesions 5 cm in diameter; however, effects on adjoining major intrahepatic structures are unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the effects of ILC with portal inflow occlusion on the central portion of the liver as compared to the peripheral portions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ILC was performed in pigs with portal inflow occlusion. Each animal received a single laser application with Nd:YAG light guided simultaneously through four interstitial fibers with 5 W per fiber during 6 minutes. Location of treatment was randomized to either central (n = 8) or peripheral (n = 8). Follow-up was for 1, 2, or 3 months with evaluation of liver functions and weight, as well as macroscopic and microscopic assessment of coagulated lesions and surrounding parenchyma. RESULTS: There was no treatment-related morbidity or mortality. No obstructive cholestasis or bile leakage was found. At every moment of evaluation, coagulated volumes in the central group were smaller than in the peripheral lesions (P = .03). Large vessels contiguous to the lesions in the central group were always intact and indications of portal hypertension or thrombosis of hepatic veins were not found. There were no significant differences between the two groups (liver functions [P > or = .15] and weight [P = .69]). CONCLUSION: ILC with portal inflow occlusion is a safe technique in the vicinity of vital structures in the liver of healthy pigs. These results justify studies to the feasibility and complication rate of portal inflow occlusion in patients with hepatic malignancies.     

双黄连滴丸的主要药效学研究

目的：评价双黄连滴丸的主要药效,为临床合理使用提供参考。方法：解热试验、抗炎试验、抗菌试验。结果：双黄连滴丸口服灌胃给药剂量在10和3g/kg（含生药）时,对细菌内毒素引起的家兔体温升高具有良好的降解作用;口服灌胃给药剂量在20和6g/kg（含生药）时,能显著抑制腹腔注射醋酸（HAC）所致小鼠腹腔毛细血管通透性的增高和二甲苯所致的小鼠耳肿胀（P＜0．01）;能保护由腹腔射金黄色葡萄球菌引起的动物死亡;体外抗菌试验表明对金黄色葡萄球菌、流感杆菌、B型链球菌具有较好的抑菌作用（最低抑制菌浓度分别为40,40和160mg/ml含生药）。结论：双黄连滴丸具有解热、抗炎、抗菌作用。     

MR fluoroscopy: initial clinical studies

Magnetic resonance (MR) fluoroscopy is a method for high-speed MR image acquisition with the goals of short acquisition time per image (500 msec or less), high image rate (10 images or more per second), and high-speed image reconstruction (150 msec or less from data acquisition to image display). The authors present their results with the first two goals in volunteers. MR fluoroscopic image data were acquired with a limited flip angle pulse sequence with reduced repetition times (TRs) and fewer phase encodings used per image. The sequence was applied continuously, and images were formed by updating one set of data with data from the most recently taken measurements. Sample head images were generated with TR/echo times as small as 11/5.5 msec and 48 phase encodings for a total acquisition time of about 500 msec. Images were acquired while the volunteer flexed his head. Artifacts from the motion became less evident on images as progressively shorter acquisition times were used.     

Complications of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators: radiographic, CT, and echocardiographic evaluation

Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICDs) were studied in three groups: (a) Serial radiographs were reviewed in 51 clinic patients. Twenty of 96 (21%) AICD patches distorted with time. (b) Thirty-six postoperative computed tomographic (CT) scans of asymptomatic patients revealed that pericardial fluid collections were frequent during the month after surgery but rare beyond that. Echocardiography was insensitive for these collections. CT also demonstrated dense fibrosis around some distorted patches, months after surgery. (c) Five other patients with pericardial infection had distorted patches, and the four studied with CT had fluid beneath their patches. (d) A case of constrictive pericarditis had distorted patches but was not diagnosed with CT. The authors conclude that distorted patches may indicate postoperative complications and that CT is the imaging modality of choice.     

Platelet membrane microparticles in blood bank fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate

Cryoprecipitate has been demonstrated to correct the bleeding abnormality of patients with some congenital (storage pool disease) and acquired (uremia) platelet abnormalities, but the reason for this effect is unknown. We found significant platelet contamination in plasma harvested to prepare fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate. The platelet membrane microparticles produced by freezing and thawing of the plasma were highly concentrated in cryoprecipitate and may contribute to its therapeutic effect.