Potential risk for intra-aortic balloon-induced obstruction to the celiac axis or the renal artery in the Asian population

To evaluate the potential risk for intra-aortic balloon (IAB)-induced obstruction to the celiac axis (CA) or the renal artery (RA) when IAB size is chosen according to patient height and the tip is placed 2 cm distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery (LSCA), the computed tomography images of 150 Asian adults were reviewed to identify the distance from the LSCA to the CA (LSCA-CA) and to the RA (LSCA-RA). The diameter of the aorta at the level of the T9 vertebra, CA, and RA was also measured. The length and caliber of the IAB was selected according to two manufacturer's recommendations (Datascope Corp and Tokai Medical Products). The Datascope IAB potentially blocked the CA in 84 % and the RA in 66 %, while the Tokai IAB obstructed the CA in 61 % and the RA in 10 % of cases. The caliber of the IAB overlying the orifice of the RA was longer than the diameter of the aorta in 5 cases (3.3 %) using the Datascope IAB, and in 1 case (0.7 %) using the Tokai IAB. When placing an IAB selected based on patient height, the IAB could obstruct the orifice of the CA and RA in the majority of Asian patients, especially a Datascope IAB.     

Immunomodulatory Activity of Ginsan, a Polysaccharide of Panax Ginseng, on Dendritic Cells

Ginsan, a Panax ginseng polysaccharide that contains glucopyranoside and fructofuranoside, has immunomodulatory effects. Although several biologic studies of ginsan have been performed, its effects on dendritic cells (DCs), which are antigen-presenting cells of the immune system, have not been studied. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of ginsan on DCs. Ginsan had little effect on DC viability, even when used at high concentrations. Ginsan markedly increased the levels of production by DCs of IL-12 and TNF-α, as measured by ELISA. To examine the maturation-inducing activity of ginsan, we measured the surface expression levels of the maturation markers MHC class II and CD86 (B7.2) on DCs. It is interesting that ginsan profoundly enhanced the expression of CD86 on DC surfaces, whereas it increased that of MHC class II only marginally. In ³H-thymidine incorporation assays, ginsan-treated DCs stimulated significantly higher proliferation of allogeneic CD4⁺ T lymphocytes than did medium-treated DCs. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ginsan stimulates DCs by inducing maturation. Because DCs are critical antigen-presenting cells in immune responses, this study provides valuable information on the activities of ginsan.     

Metal plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MePIIID) on screw-shaped titanium implant: The effects of ion source, ion dose and acceleration voltage on surface chemistry and morphology

The present study investigated the effect of metal plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (MePIIID) process parameters, i.e., plasma sources of magnesium and calcium, ion dose, and acceleration voltage on the surface chemistry and morphology of screw-type titanium implants that have been most widely used for osseointegrated implants. It is found that irrespective of plasma ion source, surface topography and roughness showed no differences at the nanometer level; that atom concentrations increased with ion dose but decreased with acceleration voltage. Data obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and auger electron spectroscopy suggested that MePIIID process produces 'intermixed' layer of cathodic arc deposition and plasma immersion ion implantation. The MePIIID process may create desired bioactive surface chemistry of dental and orthopaedic implants by tailoring ion and plasma sources and thus enable investigations of the effect of the surface chemistry on bone response.