Regulation of intracellular metabolism by biodegradable polyrotaxanes

Cellular response to our designed biodegradable polyrotaxanes was investigated in terms of changes in cytoplasmic calcium levels in platelets. The polyrotaxanes regulated thrombin-induced calcium increase in platelets although constituent molecules of the polyrotaxanes showed fewer effects on the intracellular metabolism. Further, an increase in membrane fluidity of red blood cell ghosts was significantly observed by the addition of the polyrotaxanes. Static light scattering study revealed that the polyrotaxanes formed a supramolecular association state in relation to the molecular weight of PEG: a loosely packed association with a specific molecular shape. From these characteristics, it is suggested that supramolecular level interactions between the polyrotaxanes and cell membranes regulate the intracellular metabolism. It is concluded that these biodegradable polyrotaxanes can be feasible as temporarily-controlled bioactivator.     

Studies on Duodenal Cyclic AMP Content in Pancreatic Disease after Administration of Pancreozymin and Secretin

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) output in the duodenal contents of 11 normal subjects, 18 patients with chronic pancreatitis, six convalescing from acute pancreatitis and five with pancreatic carcinoma was measured after a single dose of pancreozymin and secretin. The technic was indirect, utilizing recovery of duodenal contents by the Dreiling tube rather than direct measurements of fluid that was not contaminated by bile. In all patients groups, cAMP output reached a peak after this stimulation with a concomitant increase of bicarbonate and amylase outputs. A significantly decreased cAMP output was observed in all pancreatic disease groups compared to the normal group. Patients with chronic pancreatitis showed a slightly decreased cAMP output, considerably decreased bicarbonate output and normal amylase output. In acute pancreatitis cAMP output was reduced with normal bicarbonate and amylase outputs. In pancreatic carcinoma cAMP decreased significantly, bicarbonate output was moderately reduced and amylase output was normal. cAMP output in all groups studied did not correlate with either bicarbonate output or amylase output.     

Maximum Preservation of the Media in Carotid Endarterectomy

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is intended to remove atheromatous plaque by dissecting a plane between the intima and the media (circular medial fibers), but this may not be the optimal dissection plane. The present technique is based on identifying the plane that divides the media from the plaque, so preserving the media on the adventitia as much as possible. This plane is more difficult to find and follow than the easy-to-dissect plane usually located between the media and the adventitia, because the plaque invades the media and so the dividing plane is located within the media. In this prospective observational study, CEA was performed in 22 patients to histologically examine the excised plaques and small samples of the whole arterial wall, and evaluate the clinical outcomes. Plaque had invaded the luminal part of the media in the whole arterial wall sample of 80% of cases. Thin medial layers covering > 80% of the surface of the plaque were found in 16 of 22 plaques (73%). Some atheromatous component was sometimes left in the preserved media, rather than completely removed with the media. No morbidity or mortality had occurred by discharge. Only 1 small ipsilateral infarction (4.5%) and no restenosis of greater than 50% were detected during the mean follow-up period of 7 years. Since the plaque usually invades the media, the optimum dissection plane may be located within the media, dividing it into two layers. The presence of some remnant atheromatous components in the preserved media was not associated with surgical complications or restenosis.     

3D Turbo Spin-echo MRI-based Mechanical Thrombectomy at Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcations

We describe three cases with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. From the pre-operative MRI, including three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequences using T1WI and T2WI, we assessed both thrombus configuration and arterial anatomy at the MCA bifurcations. For efficient endovascular thrombectomy, we identified the applied MCA segment 2 (M2) branch, in which the main thrombus was buried. Sufficient recanalization after a single pass was achieved and the patients made a marked recovery. Although mechanical thrombectomy for M2 occlusion has not been of proven benefit, the endovascular procedure based on three-dimensional turbo spin-echo imaging is useful for more complete thrombus removal at MCA bifurcations.     

Electroanatomical Mapping‐Guided Endocardial and Epicardial Ablation of Sustained Ventricular Tachycardia Originating From Alcohol Septal Ablation‐Induced Scar in a Patient With Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy

Ventricular Tachycardia After Alcohol Septal Ablation. A 76‐year‐old female developed 2 different ventricular tachycardias (VTs) 5 years after alcohol septal ablation (ASA) for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. VT#1 was a small macroreentry at the anterior border of the low‐voltage zone, suggesting the ASA‐scar and eliminated by endocardial ablation at a site recording fractionated potentials covering the mid‐diastolic and presystolic periods. VT#2 was a focal VT and eliminated by epicardial cryoablation at the basal posterior left ventricle, suggesting the posterior border of the ASA‐scar. Using the electroanatomical mapping, we demonstrated that the mechanism of the VTs was reentry at the edge of the ASA‐scar. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1296‐1299, November 2010)     

Lack of Teratogenicity of 3-Chloro-4-(Dichloromethyl)-5-Hydroxy-2 (5H)-Furanone (MX) in Embryonic Mouse Palate Culture in vitro

3-Chloro-4-(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5 H )-furanone (MX) is known as a by-product of wood pulp manufacture and a contaminant of chlorinated drinking water. Since our previous studies (Teramoto et al., 1998, 1999) demonstrated in a micromass in vitro test a strong inhibitory effect of MX on rat embryo cell differentiation, the potential teratogenicity was investigated in this study by using a suspension organ culture system. Twelve-day mouse embryo palatal explants were cultivated for 72 hr in the MX-containing medium at a concentration of 0, 1, 10, 100 or 300 μg/ml and examined for closure of the palatal shelves. All control explants showed almost complete closure of the palatal shelves. Similar results were also obtained in the MX-treated explants at concentrations up to and including 100 μg/ml. Immunohistochemistry revealed no difference between the control and MX-treated explants in distribution of PCNA-and TUNEL-positive cells in the palatal mesenchyme and medial edge epithelium, respectively. When the MX concentration was raised to 300 μg/ml, palatal shelves remained wide open. However, histopathology revealed extensive pyknosis of the mesenchymal cells and loss of the epithelium. These results may indicate that MX is cytotoxic against the mouse palate at a high concentration, and that it has no cleft-palate inducing effects in mice.     

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in Japanese children with ulcerative colitis

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) in Japanese children.
Methodology Serum samples from 23 children with UC (17 Japanese, 6 non-Japanese), 27 children with Crohn's disease (CD) (10 Japanese, 17 non-Japanese), 10 children with other diarrhoeal diseases, and 33 normal, healthy adult volunteers were assayed for ANCA using an indirect immunofluorescence technique.
Results ANCA were detected in 6/17 (35%) UC patients and 0/10 (0%) CD patients in Japanese children, and in 3/6 (50%) UC patients and 3/17 (18%) CD patients in non-Japanese children. The difference in prevalence between Japanese and non-Japanese children with UC was not statistically significant ( P >0.05). ANCA were not found in other diarrhoeal patients and volunteers.
Conclusions Although ANCA have been reported to be useful in the diagnosis of UC in adults, they may be of limited use in Japanese children. This might reflect the heterogeneity of UC.     

Moyamoya disease associated with bilateral renal artery stenosis

Recent research has suggested that an association exists between moyamoya disease and fibromuscular dysplasia which involves systemic vessels, including renal arteries. We report a 3 year old girl with moyamoya disease associated with bilateral renal artery stenosis. This case may support the common etiology of these two clinical conditions. To our knowledge this is the youngest case of moyamoya disease associated with bilateral renal artery stenosis.