Preliminary Evaluation Study of a Prototype Hollow Fiber Membrane for the Continuous Membrane Autotransfusion System

A totally new autotransfusion system has been developed utilizing a hollow fiber membrane, based upon plasmapheresis technology. Prior to fabricating the system, it was essential to evaluate the basic performance characteristics of the filter, which was designed particularly for the new system. The objective of this study was to prove or disprove that such a system would be available using this filter. An in vitro study was conducted on the filter using bovine blood. The result of the study showed that the filter could process 2–20% of hematocrit blood at a flow rate greater than 250 ml/min of inlet blood continuously. Moreover, it could concentrate 5–20% hematocrit blood to hematocrit percentages greater than 40% by a single passage through the filter. These results seemed to prove that a rapid, continuous, and compact autotransfusion system could be developed using this filter.     

DNA typing of HLA Class II genes in B-lymphoblastoid cell lines homozygous for HLA

Abstract: The HLA class II genotypes were determined in the B-lymphoblastoid cell lines selected for the Tenth International Histocompatibility Workshop. The HLA class II genes were determined by the PCR-SSOP method using the reagents provided by the Eleventh Histocompatibility Workshop. Additional studies have been performed for further characterization of HLA class II polymorphism on these cell lines. It is observed that several cell lines have HLA class II haplotypes with the same DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 alleles on both haplotypes but different alleles at the other class II loci, confirming that these cell lines are not truly HLA class II-homozygous. Other cell lines carried HLA class II haplotypes which were only different at the DRB1 gene. These results suggest double recombination events or gene conversion-like events in generation of HLA DR, DQ haplotypes. These cell lines provide an important tool as references for HLA DNA typing.     

Reduced expression of syndecan-1 in human hepatocellular carcinoma with high metastatic potential

Syndecans comprise a gene family of transmembrane proteoglycans that regulate cellular behavior through interactions with various effectors, including heparin-binding growth factors and insoluble matrix components. Syndecan-1, the most extensively studied, localizes in epithelial cells and has been shown to present in normal hepatocytes. However, little is known about the change of syndecan-1 expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated syndecan-1-protein expression by immunohistochemistry in 57 HCC tissue samples. Syndecan-1 gene expression was also determined. Syndecan-1 protein was expressed in cytoplasm and cell membrane of the hepatocytes and in the bile duct epithelial cells of liver with underlying hepatitis and cirrhosis. Conversely, among 57 HCC tissues, 39 HCC (68.4%) showed negative staining; 50% of well-differentiated HCC showed positive staining, whereas 82.4% of poorly differentiated HCC were negative. Loss of syndecan-1-protein expression was more prevalent in HCC with intra-hepatic metastasis (85.2%) than those without metastasis (48.0%). Similarly, syndecan-1 expression was significantly reduced in HCC with extra-hepatic metastasis (91.7%) as compared with the HCC without extra-hepatic metastasis (62.2%). The gene expression of syndecan-1 was significantly lower in HCC tissue than that in non-tumoral liver tissue. In 2 human HCC cell lines with poorly differentiated phenotype, HLE and HLF, syndecan-1 expression was markedly decreased both at the mRNA and the protein levels. These results suggest that the loss of syndecan-1 expression is a characteristic feature of HCC with high metastatic potential. Int. J. Cancer 74:482–491, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ribozyme-based gene cleavage approach to chronic arthritis associated with human T cell leukemia virus type I. Induction of apoptosis in synoviocytes by ablation of HTLV-I tax protein

Objective. To develop gene therapy for patients with human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I)-associated arthropathy (HAAP), we investigated the effects of ribozyme-mediated cleavage of HTLV-I tax/rex messenger RNA (mRNA) on synovial overgrowth. Methods. We introduced 2 hammerhead ribozymes targeted against HTLV-I tax/rex mRNA into synovial cells obtained from patients with HAAP and from patients with HTLV-I-negative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and examined the ribozyme-mediated ablation of Tax expression. Using standard methods, we also determined the cells' ability to stop proliferating and to undergo apoptosis. Results. The ribozymes successfully cleaved tax/rex mRNA in HAAP patient synoviocytes. Both tax mRNA expression and Tax protein synthesis were inhibited significantly, resulting in inhibition of synovial cell growth and induction of apoptosis. In contrast, synovial cells from RA patients were not affected. Conclusion. In vitro results suggest that ribozyme-mediated gene therapy can inhibit the growth of HTLV-I-infected synovial cells, which is maintained by Tax protein, in HTLV-I-related diseases including HAAP.     

Rapid hemostasis at the femoral venous access site using a novel hemostatic pad containing kaolin after atrial fibrillation ablation

Background  

Hemostasis at the femoral venous access site after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is often prolonged because of aggressive anticoagulation and the use of several large-sized sheaths. A newly developed hemostatic pad containing a natural mineral called kaolin causes blood to clot quickly. We evaluated the efficacy of this pad for hemostasis at the venous access site after AF ablation.     

A study of the effect of donepezil hydrochloride on cognitive function in patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type using WAIS-R]

The present study aimed to assess the initial effects of donepezil hydrochloride (DPZ) on various aspects of cognitive function in patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) using the Japanese version of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). DPZ was administered to 47 patients with mild-to-moderate DAT (D group). The control group comprised 61 patients who had been followed up before DPZ was released for use (C group). Both groups underwent WAIS-R testing, before and after 10 months of treatment with DPZ for group D, and at time of diagnosis of DAT and 10 months later for group C. D and C groups did not differ significantly in terms of gender ratio, years of education, age at onset of DAT, age at administration of DPZ or at diagnosis of DAT, severity of dementia, MMSE score, presence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, concomitant use of psychotropic medication, or initiation of rehabilitation. No significant differences were found between D and C groups in verbal (V), performance (P) or full-scale (F) intelligence quotient (IQ), or in six verbal subtest scores of VIQ and five performance subtest scores of PIQ on WAIS-R, before administration of DPZ or at diagnosis of DAT. For differences between each score on WAIS-R at diagnosis of DAT or before administration of DPZ and 10 months later, DPZ inhibited decreases in FIQ and in VIQ, PIQ, vocabulary, similarities, picture arrangement and object assembly subtest scores on WAIS-R. These indices are related to concept formation and abstract thinking, which form part of executive function. DPZ effectively prevented decline of cognitive function, particularly executive function, in patients with DAT.     

Present Status of Apheresis Technologies: Part 4. Leukocyte Filter

Abstract: This article is the fourth of a 4 part series describing the currently available apheresis devices and technologies. The sections include the following: Part 1, Membrane Plasma Separator (published in Vol. 1, No. 1); Part 2, Membrane Plasma Fractionator (published in Vol. 1, No. 2); Part 3, Adsorbent (published in Vol. 1, No. 3); and Part 4, Leukocyte Filter.