Renal fibrosis and the origin of the renal fibroblast.

Many studies have determined that the extent of tubulointerstitialinvolvement, particularly fibrosis, correlates better with renalfunction than glomerular changes do, thus, the extent of tubulointerstitialdamage in any given renal biopsy has important implicationsfor the renal prognosis of the patient (summarized in [1]).Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is characterized by the accumulationof extracellular matrix components including collagen typesI, III, IV, proteoglycans and fibronectin. In recent years,much controversy has been created in the nephrology communityregarding the origin of matrix-producing cells in the kidney.Several possibilities exist, including activation of residentinterstitial fibroblasts, migrating haematopoietic or mesenchymalstem cells from the bone marrow, periadventitial cells and epithelial–mesenchymaltransition (EMT) of tubular epithelial cells. This review summarizesrecent data indicating the possible origin of matrix-producingcells in the kidney, and illustrates from a clinical point of     

Basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA, bFGF peptide and FGF receptor in epiretinal membranes of intraocular proliferative disorders (PVR and PDR)

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been shown to be involved in epiretinal membrane formation in proliferative vitreoretinal disorders. However, up to now, little knowledge exists, as to the actual cellular source of this potent mitogen.We examined 20 epiretinal membranes from patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) (n = 12) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) (n = 8) for the presence of bFGF peptide, fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) and bFGF messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).Using a specific antibody, we detected bFGF peptide in most (8/10) examined PDR membranes and in all (8/8) PVR membranes. Moreover, we found positive staining for the corresponding receptor.Local production of bFGF in epiretinal membranes was confirmed by nonisotopic in situ hybridisation for bFGF mRNA in some (4/7) examined PDR membranes and some (3/4) examined PVR membranes. All membranes which contained bFGF mRNA were also positive for bFGF peptide.In conclusion, bFGF is produced and stored in epiretinal membranes. Together with the corresponding receptor, bFGF may play a role in the auto- and paracrine control of the proliferative processes at the vitroretinal interface.Abbreviations aFGF acidic fibroblast growth factor - bFGF basic fibroblast growth factor - FGFR-1 fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 - mRNA messenger ribonucleic acid     

Examination of the effects of hemodynamic and pharmacologic interventions on coronary collateral flow in a patient during cardiac catheterization

The vasomotor response of native human collateral vessels to pharmacologic or hemodynamic vasodilatory stimuli is not well known. We describe a case where retrograde collateral flow velocity was measured both at baseline and following selected hemodynamic and pharmacologic interventions. This index case represents the first in a series of potential human physiologic studies designed to address questions pertaining to control of collateral blood supply in humans. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子对慢性鼓膜穿孔愈合的影响

目的 :探讨碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (bFGF)在慢性鼓膜穿孔愈合中的作用。方法 :在豚鼠慢性创伤性鼓膜穿孔的动物模型上 ,观察应用bFGF 磷酸缓冲液 (2 5 0mg/L)治疗的鼓膜愈合率 ,用组织学检查鼓膜中层厚度 ,并与仅用磷酸缓冲液 (PBS)处理的作对照。结果 :bFGF治疗组鼓膜愈合率明显高于PBS组 (89.3%vs 37.5 % ,P <0 .0 1) ;鼓膜中层厚度bFGF组显著高于PBS组 [(30 5± 37) μmvs (10 2± 2 1) μm ,P <0 .0 1]。结论 :局部应用bFGF有明显促进慢性鼓膜穿孔鼓膜中层厚度及上皮细胞增生 ,促进鼓膜愈合的作用。     

Stereoselectivity of actions of the calcium sensitizer [+]-EMD 60263 and its enantiomer [-]-EMD 60264

The thiadiazinone derivative [+]-EMD 60263 ((+)-5-(1-(α-ethylimino-3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4- tetrahydroquinoline-6-yl)-6-methyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-1,3,4 -thiadiazine-2-on) is a Ca²⁺-sensitizing agent with only minor phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity. Our aim was to characterize the inotropic and electrophysiological effects of [+]-EMD 60263 and its enantiomer [-]-EMD 60264 in several cardiac muscle preparations. The Ca²⁺-sensitizing activity resided in the [+]-enantiomer only. [+]-EMD 60263 (3 μM) shifted the EC₅₀ of Ca²⁺ for contractile activation of skinned fibers of pig heart from 2.41 μM to 0.73 μM, whereas [-]-EMD 60264 (30 μM) was ineffective. In Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts, [+]-EMD 60263 and [-]-EMD 60264 induced concentration-dependent positive and negative inotropic effects, respectively; both enantiomers reduced spontaneous heart rate but did not influence perfusion pressure. The maximum increase in force of human atrial trabeculae was 35 % of pre-drug control with [+]-EMD 60263 in comparison to 113 % with forskolin. In guinea-pig papillary muscles, [+]-EMD 60263 and [-]-EMD 60264 had opposite inotropic responses, however, both agents similarly prolonged action potential duration. Both enantiomers concentration-dependently blocked the rapidly activating component I_Kr of the delayed rectifier in guinea-pig myocytes. The block saturated at potentials positive to +30 mV, closely resembling the effects of the antiarrhythmic agent E-4031 which had been originally used to define I_Kr. It is concluded, that the positive inotropic action of [+]-EMD 60263 can be explained by prevalence of the Ca²⁺-sensitizing effect. The accompanying prolongation in action potential duration is caused by block of the I_Kr component of the delayed rectifier. While the inotropic effects are stereoselective, most of the electrophysiological actions are clearly independent of sterical configuration. The combination of Ca²⁺-sensitizing with class-III antiarrhythmic action may provide an interesting pharmacological profile of potential therapeutic use. Received: 7 January 1997 / Accepted: 25 February 1997     

Auditory brainstem responses after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Are they useful for outcome prediction?

We evaluated whether we could predict the neurologic outcome in 55 out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). ABR patterns were classified into one of 3 types by evaluation of 5 components: type 1, with all 5 components; type 2, lack of at least one response between the 2nd and 5th components; type 3, with only the first component or no response. The relation between the ABR patterns on the 3rd day following resuscitation and the neurologic outcome on hospital discharge was evaluated. The specificity that the 5 awake patients had type-1 ABR was 38%. The sensitivity that the 10 brain dead patients had type-3 ABR was 60%. In the type-1 ABR patients, the negative predictive value that the patients were awake was 100%. In the type-3 ABR patients, the negative predictive value that the patients became brain dead was 90.9%. These results suggest that ABR on the 3rd post-resuscitation day may not be useful for predicting if patients are awake or become brain dead, although the loss of components may be a sign of morbidity, and the presence of the 2nd or later components indicates possible future prevention of brain death.     

bFGF对人毛囊黑素细胞增殖、活化和黑素合成作用的研究

目的　研究碱性成纤维细胞生长因子 (bFGF)对人毛囊黑素细胞 (Hairfolloclemelanocyte ,HFM )增殖活化和黑素合成的影响。方法　体外培养正常人HFM ,观察不同浓度bFGF(0 3～ 1 2ng ml)对HFM形态、增殖、酪氨酸酶活性和黑素含量的影响。结果　bFGF处理HFM 7d后 ,HFM树突增多延长 ,酪氨酸酶活性和黑素含量增加显著高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,以 0 6ng ml组为著。结论　bFGF能诱导HFM增殖、酪氨酸酶活性和黑素合成增加     

硒对紫外线诱导HLF细胞凋亡的保护作用

目的：探讨紫外线诱导人HLF细胞凋亡时DNA降解特点，以及硒对紫外线诱导细胞凋亡的保护作用。方法：紫外线分别照射体外培养的人肺成纤维细胞3min和5min，同时添加亚硒酸钠（8ng/ml），设立对照组。利用吖啶橙荧光染料染色鉴定凋亡细胞，利用琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测DNA ladder。结果：紫外线可以诱导人肺成纤维细胞（28代）凋亡，作用存在时间效应关系。紫外线诱导人肺成纤维细胞凋亡时，未出现典型的DNA ladder现象。硒对于紫外线诱导的细胞凋亡有显著的抑制作用。结论：DNA ladder不能作为细胞凋亡的唯一的标志，紫外线诱导的细胞凋亡与DNA ladder的出现并不总是一致的。硒具有拮抗紫外线诱导的细胞凋亡作用。     

TAXUS支架治疗急性冠状动脉综合症的疗效评价

目的评价紫杉醇洗脱冠状动脉支架(TAXUStmBoston公司产品)应用于急性冠状动脉综合症病人的临床疗效及安全性。方法自2003年5月至2004年12月接受TAXUS支架治疗的94例急性冠状动脉综合症患者,观察术后即刻效果、术后6个月心脏性死亡、心肌梗塞、再次血管重建及冠状动脉造影复查情况。病例中包括ST段抬高的急性心肌梗塞27例,非ST段抬高的急性心肌梗死8例,不稳定心绞痛59例。结果支架植入成功率为99%,术中和随访期间无死亡,术后1例出现亚急性血栓,1例晚期血栓致心肌梗塞,另有5例随访中进行了血管重建术,6个月主要心脏不良事件(MACE)发生率7.4%。术后6～7个月23例的冠状动脉造影复查再狭窄率为13.0%(支架内为8.6%),靶病变重建率为2.7%。结论应用TAXUS支架治疗急性冠状动脉综合症是安全和有效的,支架内再狭窄率明显低于普通金属支架。     

Warfarin or Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin Therapy does not Prolong Pig-To-Primate Cardiac Xenograft Function

Microvascular thrombosis is a prominent feature in cardiac delayed xenograft rejection (DXR). We investigated the impact of warfarin or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) anti-coagulation on xenograft function using a heterotopic pig-to-primate model. Donor hearts were from CD46 transgenic pigs and baboon immunosuppression included tacrolimus, sirolimus, anti-CD20 and TPC, an alpha-galactosyl-polyethylene glycol conjugate. Three groups of animals were studied. Group 1 (n = 9) was treated with warfarin, Group 2 (n = 13) with LMWH and Group 3, received no anti-coagulant drugs. The median duration of xenograft function was 20 days (range 3-62 days), 18 days (range 5-109 days) and 15 days (range 4-53 days) in Groups 1 to 3 respectively. Anti-coagulation achieved the targeted international normalized prothrombin ratio (INR) and anti-factor Xa levels consistent with effective in vivo therapy yet, no significant impact on median xenograft function was observed. At rejection, a similar histology of thrombosis and ischemia was apparent in each group and the levels of fibrin deposition and platelet thrombi in rejected tissue was the same. Anti-coagulation with warfarin or LMWH did not have a significant impact on the onset of DXR and microvascular thrombosis. However, a role for specific anti-coagulant strategies to achieve long-term xenograft function cannot be excluded.