Integration of informations gained from heterogeneic world of myocardial function and ischemia]

Currently, heterogeneity is the word to describe any inhomogeneous phenomenon observed in the ever changing living creatures. Myocardial function is dynamic in nature which is a summation of many inhomogeneous components. In fact, heterogenic phenomenon has been observed both at cellular and at ventricular levels during myocardial contraction and relaxation. However, this heterogenic behavior of myocardial activities serves as a source of monitoring parameters by which we can grasp what is happening in the patient. Reliance on only one of those parameters would lead to a wrong diagnosis and judgement in the heterogenic world. We, therefore, need to integrate those parameters to form more realistic image about patient's status. We have to have a cut off point to divide what is right and what is wrong. Although the truth may not be reached eventually from heterogeneous informations, an appropriate method to integrate informations in the heterogenic world will aid us to come closer to the reality.     

Painless aortic dissection late after aortic valve replacement, presenting as superior vena cava syndrome

A 68-year-old man, who had underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR) with Björk-Shiley disc valve for aortic regurgitation 17 years ago, was transferred to our hospital complaining of facial ruddiness and swelling, without chest or back pain. Preoperative examination revealed DeBakey type II aortic dissection, which caused superior vena cava syndrome (SVC syndrome). Emergent ascending aortic replacement was performed, postoperatively central venous pressure (CVP) decreased from 33 to 9 mmHg, and SVC syndrome was relieved. Painless aortic dissection after AVR, presenting as SVC syndrome, is a rare case, and close follow-up should be performed under consideration of painless aortic dissection late after AVR.     

Establishment of a human glioma cell line bearing a homogeneously staining chromosomal region and releasing α- and β-type transforming growth factors

Summary A human glioma cell line (YKG1), which was positively identified for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) and S-100 proteins, was established from a surgical specimen of a patient with glioblastoma. Chromosome analysis of the cells revealed a homogeneously staining region (HSR) on a marker chromosome. The assay for transforming growth factors (TGFs) in the conditioned medium of the cell line revealed that it contained high levels of - and -type TGFs, which might regulate the growth of glioblastoma and influence on the peritumoral tissues.     

A case report of ultrasonic decalcification for calcified bicuspid aortic valve stenosis

Calcified stenotic aortic valve are usually replaced by the artificial valve. Recently, we are trying to decalcify the calcification of the aortic valve by ultrasonic energy. This case report reviewed a small physique, 47 year old female, who had the calcified stenotic bicuspid aortic valve and the narrow aortic valve ring (18 mm diameter). The ultrasonic decalcification was performed by the ultrasonic surgical instrument, SUS-201D (ALOKA), ultrasonic energy output range from 25% to 45%. After the ultrasonic decalcification, the movability of the aortic cusps were improved and the aortic opening was enlarged. The systolic pressure gradient across the aortic valve was improved from 100 mmHg to 20 mmHg. This method "ultrasonic decalcification" is very useful technique for the repair of the calcified aortic valve stenosis.     

A New Indole Alkaloid Glycoside from the Leaves of Palicourea marcgravii

A new indole alkaloid glucoside, named palicoside, has been isolated from the leaves of PALICOUREA MARCGRAVII (Rubiaceae) collected in Brazil. The structure was established by spectroscopic methods and its chemical conversion to strictosamide.     

BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN (BSA) NEPHRITIS IN RATS I. EXPERIMENTAL MODEL

Proliferative glomerulonephritis with proteinuria was induced in Wistar rats by bovine serum albumin (BSA). Rats were first immunized with 1 mg or 2.5 mg of BSA and complete Freund's adjuvant (GFA) and eight weeks later 1 mg of BSA were given intravenously six times a week for four weeks. Immunofluorescence revealed granular deposits of IgG, G3, and BSA in the mesangial area with or without deposition of the same components along the capillary wall. Evaluation of the circulating antibody disclosed an apparent correlation between the level of antibody and histological findings. Rats with an intermediate amount of antibody production developed mesangial widening with mesangial immune deposits and no proteinuria. Rats with a low response developed proliferative glomerulonephritis with immune deposits along the capilary wall as well as in the mesangial area and proteinuria.     

A nonsynonymous polymorphism in the human fatty acid amide hydrolase gene did not associate with either methamphetamine dependence or schizophrenia

Genetic contributions to the etiology of substance abuse and dependence are topics of major interest. Acute and chronic cannabis use can produce drug-induced psychosis resembling schizophrenia and worsen positive symptoms of schizophrenia. The endocannabinoid system is one of the most important neural signaling pathways implicated in substance abuse and dependence. The fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is a primary catabolic enzyme of endocannabinoids. To clarify a possible involvement of FAAH in the etiology of methamphetamine dependence/psychosis or schizophrenia, we examined the genetic association of a nonsynonymous polymorphism of the FAAH gene (Pro129Thr) by a case-control study. We found no significant association in allele and genotype frequencies of the polymorphism with either disorder. Because the Pro129Thr polymorphism reduces enzyme instability, it is unlikely that dysfunction of FAAH and enhanced endocannabinoid system induce susceptibility to either methamphetamine dependence/psychosis or schizophrenia.     

Purification and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus FRI 1169 and 587 toxic shock syndrome exotoxins.

An exotoxin was purified from a toxic shock toxin (TST)-producing Staphylococcus aureus strain, FRI 1169, and another exotoxin was purified from a pyrogenic exotoxin C (PEC)-producing S. aureus strain, 587. Both strains had been isolated from toxic-shock syndrome patients. The two exotoxins were purified by the same method of ion-exchange chromatography, chromatofocusing, and gel filtration. After purification, those exotoxins gave a line of identity against an anti-TST serum and also were immunologically similar to TST in a double-diffusion test. In sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, each exotoxin gave a single band with a relative mobility identical to that of the other. Their molecular weights (24,000), isoelectric points (7.0), amino acid compositions, and NH2-terminal amino acid sequences (the first four residues) were identical. Both produced fever and enhanced host susceptibility to lethal endotoxin shock in rabbits, comparable with PEC. These findings show that the two exotoxins are the same protein, which is assumed to be TST. When injected into rabbits, the culture supernatant of strain 587 showed biological activity like that described above, whereas the culture supernatant neutralized with anti-TST immunoglobulin did not. This showed that PEC-producing strain 587 does not produce any toxin with these biological activities in rabbits except TST.