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Objectives Cytoreductive surgery combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS-HIPEC) has been established in the management of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Although it is still necessary to take adequate measures against major postoperative complications including acute kidney injury (AKI), consensus is lacking on how to assess and stratify risk for patients with postoperative AKI after CRS-HIPEC. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the association of intraoperative gross hematuria as a surrogate marker of ureter injury with postoperative AKI incidence. Methods This retrospective cohort study investigated patients without impaired preoperative kidney function who underwent CRS-HIPEC at a single referral center, and evaluated the relationship between intraoperative gross hematuria and incidence of postoperative AKI as defined by the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes practice guidelines. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratio of intraoperative gross hematuria for AKI, adjusting for confounding factors and other risk factors for AKI. Results We enrolled 185 patients (males, 37%). Twenty-five patients developed intraoperative gross hematuria. Postoperative AKI occurred in 10 (40%) of 25 patients with hematuria and 28 (17.5%) of 160 patients without hematuria. The crude odds ratio for exposure to hematuria was 3.14 (95% confidence interval, 1.30–7.60; p=0.020) for postoperative AKI. Adjusted odds ratio as estimated by multivariate logistic regression was 4.57 (95% confidence interval, 1.55–13.45; p=0.006). Conclusions Intraoperative gross hematuria is significantly associated with postoperative AKI incidence after CRS-HIPEC.

The first case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) simultaneously demonstrating various clinical manifestations, including retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF) causing hydronephrosis and membranous nephropathy (MN) leading to nephrotic syndrome, is presented. There have been no previous case reports demonstrating the simultaneous onset of these three disease categories with significant complex pathologies. This case was successfully managed by providing adequate combination therapies according to each disease category, leading to complete remission (CR) of all three diseases. In conclusion, we believe this case is extremely rare and clinically suggestive, and that these findings can be applied to a future phenotype-tailored treatment strategy for EGPA.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct hemoperfusion using a polymyxin B‐immobilized polystyrene column (PMX‐DHP) in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐positive pneumonia patients. Methods This study was a case series conducted at a designated infectious diseases hospital. Twelve SARS‐CoV‐2‐positive patients with partial pressure of arterial oxygen/percentage of inspired oxygen (P/F) ratio

Delirium is an independent predictor of death in patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, it is unknown whether delirium during hospitalization at the start of hemodialysis (HD) in elderly populations is associated with early mortality. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between delirium and early mortality in the elderly after starting HD. The cohort consisted of patients ≥ 75 years who started dialysis for ESRD at the National Center for Global Health and Medicine from 2010 to 2017 and at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital from 2007 to 2011. Delirium was defined as patients who showed new symptoms of transient confused thinking and reduced awareness of their environment and were prescribed antipsychotic medications. The primary outcome was death within 1 year. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models with adjustments for baseline characteristics. A multinomial logistic regression was used to identify the determinants of patients developing delirium. We enrolled 259 patients (males, 60%); 33 patients were diagnosed with delirium. The primary outcome was observed in 19 patients with delirium (58%) and 24 patients without delirium (11%) (p

Serum anion gap (AG) has recently been proven to represent a biomarker for predicting prognosis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, whether change in AG (ΔAG) at the time of starting hemodialysis predicts mortality after starting hemodialysis in elderly patients with ESRD remains unknown. This retrospective cohort investigated the association between ΔAG and mortality after starting hemodialysis in the elderly. The cohort comprised patients ≥ 75 years old who started hemodialysis for ESRD at National Center for Global Health and Medicine between 2010 and 2017 and at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital between 2007 and 2011. Patients were stratified into three groups (G1-3) based on ΔAG, calculated according to the equation: ΔAG = sodium − (chloride + bicarbonate) − 12. The primary outcome was death within 1 year of starting hemodialysis. Data were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models with adjustments for baseline characteristics. We enrolled 254 patients (59% male). Median ΔAG was 2.6 (G1: > 3, n = 111; G2: 0–3, n = 103; G3

We herein report a case of fulminant Legionnaires' disease with autopsy findings in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Chronic kidney disease is a strong risk factor for Legionnaires' disease, although there have been only a few reports in HD patients. Because most patients on HD are anuric, the use of rapid assay kits to detect antigens in urine samples for the diagnosis of Legionnaires' disease is not always feasible. We suggest the use of clinical predictive tools or the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method, which can be applied for anuric patients, such as those on HD, with pneumonia.

科学技術振興機構 戦略的創造研究推進事業では，平成20年度自己評価にあたり，海外の研究資金配分機関の研究成果との比較を行った。当事業の運営方法の特徴を考慮した条件設定のもと，比較対象となる研究課題の研究成果の一つである論文を抽出し，課題あたりの被引用数，課題あたりの被引用数上位1％の論文数という2つの指標を用い，比較を行った。本稿では，比較評価を行うにあたっての要点，手法・指標，その結果について紹介する。

Cotton genotypes, comprising the main cultivars and somebreeding lines available in Brazil, were evaluated under greenhouseconditions for the resistance to Verticillium wilt. In order to establishadequate conditions for re sistance expression, experiments examiningisolate pathogenicity and the most appropriate inoculum concentrationwere carried out first. Based on the obtained data, 25 genotypes werethen inoculated by the “dipping” method at 10 6 spores/mL inoculum Galbieri, R.; Cia, E.; Fuzatto, M.G.; Ito, M.F.; Luders, R.R.; Kondo, J.I. Cotton genotypes evaluation for resistance to V erticillium dahliae . Summa Phytopathologica, v.34, n.3, p.211-215, 2008 Additional keywords: Verticillium wilt, concentration inoculum, Gossypium hirsutum concentration and the plants were evaluated by considering both internaland external disease symptoms. Significant differences in resistance levelwere observed among the genotypes. Deltaopal, IAC 04/236, IAC 04/259, PR 0136 and Fibermax 966 were more resistant and Coodet ec 401,Distak, Coodetec 410 and EPAMIG 0316 more susceptible. Evaluationmethod was efficient by observing both internal and externalsymptoms, and the correlation between them was r = + 0,85**.

Foram realizados 16 experimentos em campo, no ano agrícola de 2001/02, nas principais regiões produtoras de algodão do Estado de São Paulo, objetivando avaliar o comportamento de 12 genótipos de algodoeiro em relação à produtividade, à qualidade da fibra e à resistência a seis doenças da cultura. Foi utilizado o delineamento de blocos completos ao acaso, com quatro repetições, cada uma delas representada por duas linhas de 5 metros de comprimento. Diferenças substanciais foram observadas entre os genótipos com respeito à produtividade, quer de algodão em caroço, quer de fibra. Apesar de se mostrar destacada em alguns genótipos, a porcentagem de fibra não constituiu fator predominante na produção de fibra por área. Entre as 12 cultivares estudadas, somente "CNPA ITA 90" e "BRS IPÊ" apresentaram bom índice de resistência à ramularia. Por outro lado, a "IAC 24" apresentou bom índice para murcha de Fusarium, nematóides e ramulose, as três doenças mais destrutíveis. A maioria das cultivares e linhagens estudadas revelou suscetibilidade a uma ou mais das doenças estudadas, não apresentando genótipo com resistência múltipla a todas as doenças consideradas. In the 2001/02 growing season 16 field experiments were conducted in the main cotton producing regions of the state of São Paulo to evaluate the performance of 12 cotton genotypes for yield, fiber quality and resistance to six diseases of the crop. A randomized complete block design with four replications, which were represented by two five-meter-long rows now used. Substantial differences between genotypes were observed for both cotton seed and fiber. Although outstanding in some genotypes, the fiber percentage was not a determining factor of fiber yield per area. Among the 12 genotypes studied, only 'CNPA ITA 90' and 'BRS IPÊ' presented good index of resistance to the ramularia. On the other hand, 'IAC 24' presented good index for Fusarium, nematodes and ramulose, the three more destructible diseases.Most of the evalueted cultivars and lines were susceptible to one or more diseases; none of them showed multiple resistance to all diseases.

Background This study was undertaken to investigate whether coronary flow reserve (CFR) using coronary sinus flow (CSF), which can be measured by transesophageal Doppler echocardiography (TEDE), especially when contrast enhanced, is useful in evaluating microvascular dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods and Results CSF recordings using contrast enhanced TEDE were performed before and after adenosine triphosphate infusion (0.15 mg · kg-1 · min-1) in 16 patients with type 2 DM and diabetic retinopathy and in 13 non-DM patients (control). Coronary angiography revealed normal epicardial coronary arteries. CFR was defined as the ratio of the antegrade flow velocity time integral in hyperemic conditions and basal levels. Clear envelopes of CSF were obtained in all DM patients using contrast-enhanced TEDE. CFR using CSF in the DM group was significantly decreased compared with the control group (1.4±0.4 vs 2.1±0.5, p

Objectives We sought to clarify the mechanism for neovascularization by ultrasonic microbubble destruction (US/MB) and its ability to improve the function of ischemic limbs. Background In tissue, US/MB can cause capillary rupture, leading to angiogenesis and arteriogenesis. Methods Seven days after removal of the femoral artery (day 0) in mice, microbubble/ultrasound treatment was performed by intermittent insonation (1.6 MHz, mechanical index 1.1) to the ischemic limbs after intravenous infusion of phospholipid-stabilized microbubbles BR14 (US/MB group). Effects were compared with those in untreated mice with ischemic limbs (control group). Results Immunostaining of the treated muscles revealed a greater leukocyte (CD45-positive cell) count in the US/MB group on days 3 and 7. These cells included F4/80-positive cells (macrophages) and CD3-positive cells (T-lymphocytes), both of which were immunoreactive to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibody. Muscular VEGF content by Western blotting was elevated in the US/MB group on day 3, which declined but remained greater until day 21. The US/MB group showed a greater capillary density by alkaline phosphatase stain on day 7 without further increase at day 21. Surface vascularity of the muscles and blood flow were greater in the US/MB group on day 7, which further increased by day 21. Moreover, the US/MB group showed a two-fold longer treadmill time compared with the untreated control group on day 21. None of these favorable effects were observed in mice treated with ultrasound only or microbubbles only. Conclusions Ultrasonic destruction of microbubbles delivered to the ischemic limbs can recruit inflammatory cells producing VEGF, which is followed by neovascularization and functional improvement, and thus has a therapeutic potential.

Objectives We examined whether ultrasonic microbubble destruction (US/MB) enables therapeutic myocardial gene transfer of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for acute myocardial infarction (MI). Background Hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer provides cardioprotective effects in MI, which requires direct intramyocardial injection or special vectors. Although US/MB was used in myocardial gene transfer, its feasibility in transfer of a therapeutic gene with non-viral vector remains unknown. Methods In a rat model of acute MI, naked plasmid (pVax1) encoding human HGF (1,500 μg) was infused into the left ventricular (LV) chamber during US/MB (HGF-US/MB) or insonation only (HGF-US) or alone (HGF-alone), while control MI rats received empty pVax1 during US/MB (pVax1-US/MB). For US/MB, transthoracic intermittent insonation with a diagnostic transducer (1.3 MHz) was performed for 2 min at a peak negative pressure of −2,160 kPa during intravenous 20% Optison. Results Baseline risk area was comparable among the groups. Immunohistology seven days after treatment revealed significant myocardial expression of HGF protein only in HGF-US/MB. At three weeks, LV weight in HGF-US/MB (0.89 ± 0.03 g) was significantly lower than those in HGF-alone (1.09 ± 0.08 g), HGF-US (1.04 ± 0.07 g), and pVax1-US/MB (1.04 ± 0.05 g). Moreover, scar size was significantly smaller (16 ± 6% vs. 39 ± 5%, 41 ± 6%, and 40 ± 4% of total myocardial circumferential length, respectively), while capillary density (49 ± 8 vs. 34 ± 5, 37 ± 6, and 36 ± 4 capillaries/high-power field, respectively) and arterial density (37 ± 7 vs. 15 ± 9, 18 ± 4, and 14 ± 11 arterioles/high-power field, respectively) in the risk area were higher in HGF-US/MB than the other groups. Conclusions Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction may enable myocardial HGF gene transfer with systemic administration of naked plasmid, which enhances angiogenesis, limits infarction size, and prevents LV remodeling after MI.

Background— Repetitive endomyocardial biopsies are necessary to monitor the effects of immunosuppressants after cardiac transplantation. Contrast ultrasound with microbubble targeting of leukocytes detects acute leukocyte infiltration. We examined whether leukocyte-targeted myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) could provide for the quantitative assessment of acute cardiac rejection. Methods and Results— Hearts from Brown Norway rats or Lewis rats were transplanted into other Brown Norway rats. Isografts and groups of allografts either untreated or treated with cyclosporin A (CsA) at a low dose (3 mg · kg −1 · d −1 ) or high dose (10 mg · kg −1 · d −1 ) from 3 days before transplantation were compared at posttransplantation day 3. Echocardiography-derived left ventricular wall thickening was comparable among the 4 groups. Myocardial blood flow assessed with MCE, relating pulsing intervals with signal intensity (SI), was slightly decreased only in untreated allografts. However, myocardial SI (in gray levels) obtained after a 10-minute period allowing microbubble–leukocyte interactions after contrast injection exhibited a clear gradient in these groups (12±2 in untreated allografts, 9±5 in allografts treated with low-dose CsA, 6±3 in allografts treated with high-dose CsA, and 2±1 in isografts, P P P Conclusions— Leukocyte-targeted MCE can noninvasively assess the degree of rejection in transplanted hearts by directly revealing the magnitude of intramyocardial infiltration of macrophages and T lymphocytes.

To confirm that BR14 microbubbles (MBs) can be phagocytosed by activated leukocytes, to determine their stability after phagocytosis, and to evaluate how such characteristics influence the fate of neutrophils containing MBs after insonation.BR14 and human albumin MBs (2 x 10(7)/mL) were incubated with activated human neutrophils (2 x 10(6)/mL) to allow phagocytosis. Deflation rate of the phagocytosed MBs after pulsed insonation (one burst per second for 5 seconds) at 1.8 MHz with peak negative pressure of -540 kPa or -1,340 kPa, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling stain-positive cell count after insonation were compared between the two agents.At -540 kPa, phagocytosed MBs remained nearly unchanged for both agents after insonation. At -1,340 kPa, although human albumin MBs were disrupted on the first or second burst, BR14 MBs remained undisrupted. After -540-kPa insonation, a similar number of apoptotic cells appeared in neutrophils containing human albumin and BR14 MBs. At -540 kPa, LDH leakage was limited in human albumin MBs and BR14 MBs. At -1,340 kPa, LDH leakage was significantly increased in human albumin MBs and BR14 MBs (P.01, both vs -540 kPa). Apoptotic cells were significantly decreased in human albumin MBs and BR14 MBs (P.01, both vs -540 kPa). LDH leakage was lower and apoptotic cell count was greater in BR14 MB-containing neutrophils than in human albumin MB-containing neutrophils (both P.01).Compared with human albumin MBs, BR14 MBs were more stable after phagocytosis with insonation. This stability is associated with less disruption and greater induction of apoptosis in leukocytes after relatively high-pressure insonation in the range for diagnostic use.

Several digital watermarking methods proposed for the purpose of copyright protection embed signature data or images in the original images. Thus, they unavoidably produce degradation of the original images. Authors who create art works, however, desire to distribute their own originals unaltered. Therefore, this paper proposes a system for authentication of original images distributed without embedding any watermarks. The proposed method is based on fractal image coding, an image coding method. The IFS parameters obtained in fractal image coding are utilized as authentication parameters, and signature images for authentication are extracted using these parameters. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(9): 1–9, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10468

Objectives: Long-term intravenous infusion of high-dose C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is known to prevent neointimal formation after vascular injury. Ultrasound (US) irradiation during microbubbles (MBs) infusion (US/MBs) has been used for local delivery of bioactive agents. We examined whether short-term infusion of CNP could also inhibit neointimal development and whether combined US/MBs treatment at the beginning of the CNP infusion could enhance its effect. Methods: In the rat carotid artery-balloon injury model, the intima/media area (I/M) ratio 14 days after injury was compared among various short-term post-injury treatments. For combined US/MBs, a commercial echocardiograph (1.8 MHz, mechanical index 1.0) and albumin-coated octafluoropropane gas MBs were used. Results: Infusion of high-dose CNP (1.0 μg/kg/min) immediately after injury for only 24 h successfully reduced the I/M ratio (0.18±0.05) to 18% of the ratio in control rats (1.00±0.13) that underwent only balloon injury. Although low-dose CNP (0.1 μg/kg/min for 24 h) alone was not effective in reducing the I/M ratio (0.83±0.18), combined US/MBs treatment for the first 80 min of the infusion markedly reduced the I/M ratio (0.17±0.07), which persisted until 28 days after injury (0.16±0.04). Conclusions: The effects of CNP on the events occurring early after arterial injury may be important in preventing subsequent neointimal development. Thus, intravenous infusion of CNP with US/MBs at its initiation may provide a clinically feasible anti-restenosis therapy applicable immediately after vascular interventions.

We sought to propose a simplified method to measure flow velocity based on ultrasonic microbubble destruction, and investigated the effect of microbubble shell fragility on such measurement. Acoustic density (AD) from the second harmonic short axis image of flow was obtained at variable velocities (2 to 73 mm/s) in an in vitro model during long (1000 ms) and short (33 ms) interval ultrasound (US) pulsing, allowing complete and partial microbubble replenishment between pulses, respectively. Microbubbles with shell elastic modulus of 0.4 MPa and 16 MPa were tested. By shortening pulsing interval, AD diminished gradually, rather than abruptly, to a plateau level for both microbubbles. The extent of AD decay was greater for the fragile than the strong microbubbles. A linear relationship existed between the magnitude of AD decay and flow velocity only in the higher and lower velocity range for the fragile and the strong microbubbles, respectively. Thus, difference in contrast intensities during long and short pulsing intervals, respectively, allowing complete and partial replenishment may provide for velocity measurement, in which choice of optimal microbubble fragility for the range of velocity to measure may increase the accuracy.

We studied the synergism of resolution and gray-scale levels in image recognition in relation to the precise phase detection in vernier acuity. Humans who have a 1.0 visual acuity candetect 1.0 minute-size (1/60 degree) objects. Video systems are designed based on this data. On the other hand, it has been reported that human can detect an approximately 2.0-second (2/60/60 degree) phase shifts. We found that precise position detection is possible with a low resolution detector if the number of gray-scale levels is sufficient. We applied this principle to the position adjustment on a multi-screen display system.

We tested whether the duration of myocardial opacification by harmonic power Doppler imaging after intravenous bolus microbubble injection (with a definition of "the end of opacification") would reflect the remaining vascular bed in infarcted segments. In 28 patients with previous myocardial infarction and 20 control patients, we performed harmonic power Doppler imaging after intravenous bolus injection of 1.5 g of Levovist. Using multiframe trigger mode in which 4 consecutive frames were imaged at every sixth end systole, which formed 1 "burst," we recorded anterior/septal and inferior/posterior walls separately on the center of each apical view with individual boluses. The duration of segmental opacification was measured as the number of "bursts" in which color signals persisted until the fourth frame. The duration was similar between the anterior/septal and inferior/posterior walls (13 +/- 3 vs 13 +/- 3 bursts, not significant) in the control group. In myocardial infarction patients, the duration was significantly shorter in the infarcted than in the control segments (6 +/- 6 vs 14 +/- 3 bursts, P.001) and their ratio and difference exhibited significant correlations (r = 0.82, P.001 and r = 0.91, P.001, respectively) with the activity ratio on thallium Tl 201 single-photon emission computed tomography at rest. Thus, the duration of opacification by harmonic power Doppler imaging after intravenous bolus microbubble injection, the measurement of which was standardized by using multiframe trigger mode, may be useful in assessing regional myocardial viability in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

Although ST segment shift is a marker of myocardial ischemia, some patients have no ST segment shift during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The aim of this study is to investigate myocardial perfusion and metabolism in adaptation for ischemia using 201TI and 123I-BMIPP dual exercise stress myocardial single photon emission computed tomog raphy (SPECT) (dual stress SPECT). In 28 patients with coronary artery disease, dual stress SPECT was performed 3 weeks before PTCA. Early and delayed images were obtained at 5 minutes and at 3 hours after termination of ergometer stress, respectively. During PTCA, 12- lead ECG was recorded, and a significant ST segment shift was defined as more than 1 mm elevation or a depression of the J-point at the first ballooning. No collateral circulation on the coronary angiogram or 201TI filling on the delayed images were observed on any of the target regions of PTCA. Patients were divided into 2 groups: with (Group A: n = 15) and without (Group B: n = 13) significant ST segment shift during PTCA. A redistribution of TI was observed in 14 (93%) of Group A and 10 (77%) of Group B patients. Incidence of BMIPP redistribution was significantly higher in Group B (11 [85%]) than in Group A (3 [20%]) (p < 0.05). Redistribution of BMIPP means suppression of fatty acid metabolism during exercise stress. Augmentation of glucose metabolism is speculated to be an energy source in ischemic preconditioning.

Recent technological advances in transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE) have provided noninvasive measurement of coronary flow velocity reserve (CFVR). We aimed to quantitate a correlation between endothelial dysfunction and fat distribution. In 36 patients with obesity, 16 with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM) and 12 healthy volunteers, coronary flow velocity was measured at the distal site of the left anterior descending branch. CFVR was defined as the ratio of hyperemic (IV infusion of 0.15 mg/kg/min adenosine) to basal peak diastolic flow velocity. Abdominal wall fat index (AWFI) was estimated by ultrasonography. Insulin resistance was quantified by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clump method. AWFI was significantly related to CFVR (r = -0.46, p = 0.011) and insulin resistance (r = -0.71, p < 0.0001). CFVR could be noninvasively evaluated using TTDE. Coronary endothelial dysfunction indicated as CFVR, body fat distribution and insulin resistance was quantitatively correlated in obesity.

We aimed to investigate whether the improvement of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function by cibenzoline, a class Ia antiarrhythmic drug, in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) is due to LV afterload reduction or a primary lusitropic effect on LV. Twenty-three patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (11; HOCM, 12; non-obstructive HCM; HNCM) were examined. Pulsed-wave Doppler, color M-mode and tissue Doppler echocardiography were performed before and 90 minutes after oral administration of cibenzoline (300 mg), and were compared with a treatment of bisoprolol (5 mg/day, 10 days). Early (E) and late diastolic LV inflow velocity, E flow propagation velocity (FPV) and early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (Ea) were measured. E/FPV and E/Ea were calculated as indices of LV filling pressure. LV outflow pressure gradients estimated using continuous-wave Doppler in HOCM markedly decreased after cibenzoline (83 ± 42 to 40 ± 33 mmHg, p < 0.005) and bisoprolol (44 ± 40 mmHg, p < 0.005). Following cibenzoline, E/FPV and E/Ea were significantly decreased in both HOCM (1.75 ± 0.53 to 1.32 ± 0.28, p < 0.05, 18.9 ± 6.2 to 14.8 ± 5.0, p < 0.05, respectively) and HNCM (1.75 ± 0.58 to 1.41 ± 0.73, p < 0.05, 13.0 ± 4.3 to 9.7 ± 3.6, p < 0.01, respectively). Those in HNCM did not change by bisoprolol. Cibenzoline improved LV diastolic function in HCM, whereas bisoprolol did not affect it. Thus, the primary lusitropic effect of cibenzoline rather than LV after load reduction might have contributed to the improvement of diastolic function in HOCM.

Neste trabalho é relatado o esquema utilizado para obtenção da cultivar IAC 21 realizado durante o período de 1981/82 a 1993/94. A cultivar foi originada por resseleção da IAC 19, direcionada principalmente para resistência a Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides e nematóides, através do melhoramento genealógico. No início dos estudos as seleções e respectivas progênies foram comparadas à cultivar original IAC 19 e, posteriormente, a 'IAC 20'. Além das características econômicas de produção e qualidade da fibra, a linhagem foi avaliada para resistência múltipla às doenças: murchas de Fusarium e Verticillium, mancha-angular, ramulose e nematóides. A cultivar IAC 21 foi superior a 'IAC 19' em 6,2%, em produtividade, na média geral dos experimentos, chegando a 18,1% em solos altamente infectados por patógenos; 4,6% em produção de sementes, 2,4% em tenacidade da fibra e 6,9% em tenacidade do fio, sem perdas significativas em outras características, com exceção da porcentagem de fibra que decresceu 2,6%. Com respeito às doenças, apresentou melhores índices para murcha de Fusarium e ramulose mantendo-se, entretanto, no mesmo nível para as demais. Estudos preliminares mostraram que 'IAC 21' apresentou índices inferiores a 'CNPA ITA 90' para a anomalia "murchamento avermelhado". Devido às vantagens verificadas em relação a 'IAC 19' e 'IAC 20', 'IAC 21' foi recomendada para plantio em todas as áreas do Estado de São Paulo, excluindo-se as de ocorrência do "murchamento avermelhado". It is described the program to obtain cotton cultivar IAC 21 developed over the period of 1981/82 to 1993/94. The cultivar IAC 21 was originated from selections in 'IAC 19' population using the pedigree procedure taking into account some agronomical characteristics, and complemented with two specific breeding cycles for resistance to Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides and to nematodes. Initially, comparisons of results were made to 'IAC 19', later to 'IAC 20'. Economical characteristics of production, fiber quality and multiple resistance to diseases (Fusarium wilt, Verticillium wilt, bacterial blight, ramulosis and nematodes) were evaluated. When compared to 'IAC 19', the cultivar IAC 21 showed the following overall gains: 6.2% in yield, being of 18.1% on highly infected soil; 4.6% in seed yield; 2.4% in fiber tenacity and 6.9% in yarn tenacity, with no losses in other characters except to fiber that was lowered by 2.6% (about 1% in absolute value). There was an improvement in Fusarium wilt and ramulosis resistance, and no changes as to resistance to other diseases. A preliminary study revealed that the new anomaly called, in Brazil, "murchamento avermelhado" (reddish wilt or bronze wilt) affected 'IAC 21' more than the resistant cultivar CNPA ITA 90. By its advantages over 'IAC 19' and 'IAC 20', the cultivar IAC 21 was released in 1993, recommended for all the cotton areas of the State of São Paulo, except those where "murchamento avermelhado" occurred.

The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine whether oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a major phospholipid component of oxidized LDL, stimulate the production of endothelin-1 (ET)-1 in cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and (2) to examine the possible effect of an antiatherogenic agent, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), on oxidized-LDL- and lyso-PC-stimulated ET-1 production in these cells. Oxidized LDL (10–50 µg/ml) and lyso-PC (10–7 to 10–5 mol/l) stimulated ET-1 production in a concentration-dependent manner. By contrast, the effects of native LDL and phosphatidylcholine were modest or absent. Lyso-PC (10–7 to 10–5 mol/l) and oxidized LDL (10–50 µg/ml) significantly induced particulate protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Lyso-PC- and oxidized-LDL-stimulated ET-1 production was significantly inhibited by PKC inhibitor, PKC (19–36). EPA (80–160 µmol/l) clearly suppressed ET-1 production stimulated by oxidized LDL and lyso-PC in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, EPA (160 µmol/l) significantly inhibited lyso-PC (10–5 mol/l)- and oxidized LDL (50 µg/ml)-induced particulate PKC activation. Results suggest that oxidized LDL and lyso-PC stimulate ET-1 production by a mechanism involving activation of PKC, and that EPA suppresses ET-1 production stimulated by lyso-PC as well as oxidized LDL probably through the modulation of PKC in human coronary artery SMCs. EPA may exert an antiatherosclerotic effect, in part, through these mechanisms.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease is an ocular inflammatory disease and is considered to be a cell-mediated, autoimmune disease against melanocytes. To learn more about the mechanisms involved in VKH disease, the identification of the antigens specific to the disease and the development of an animal model are critically important. We have expressed and purified the melanocyte specific proteins, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1) and 2 (TRP2). Lewis rats developed an ocular and extraocular inflammatory disease 12 days after immunization with TRP1 or TRP2 that was characterized clinically by the infiltration of inflammatory cells and accumulation of massive fibrin in the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. Histologically, inflammatory cells were found in the anterior and posterior chambers, iris, ciliary body, the choroid, subretinal space and vitreous body. In severe cases, a serous detachment of the retina was observed. In mild cases, focal inflammatory lesions surrounded by normal chorioretinal architecture were observed and the inflammation persisted for more than 42 days after the injection. Some eyes showed accumulation of epithelioid cells in the choroid or the retinal pigment epithelium which were similar to the Dalen-Fuchs nodules found in patients with VKH disease. The alterations of the photoreceptor outer segment and the outer nuclear layer were less severe than in experimental autoimmune uveitis induced by retinal antigens. Extraocular manifestations such as skin lesions and meningitis were also observed. The clinical course and histological findings in these rats resembled the changes in patients with VKH disease.

Color M-mode Doppler echocardiography (CMD) has been utilized in assessing left ventricular (LV) filling dynamics. We tested a novel CMD index, the depth of the spatiotemporal maximum of early diastolic inflow (D-maxV) in the left ventricle, to clarify its significance in assessing LV diastolic function. In 26 normal subjects and 32 patients with ischemic heart disease, D-maxV was determined with CMD as the distance from the mitral valve opening point to the center of the aliasing area in early diastole. Transmitral flow velocity was measured with pulsed Doppler. During routine catheterization, high-fidelity LV pressure measurements yielded diastolic variables in patients. D-maxV was significantly lower in the patients than the normals (13.0 ± 7.0 vs 23.4 ± 6.8 mm, P < 0.0001). D-maxV exhibited significant linear correlations with the minimal first derivative of LV pressure (r = 0.72, P < 0.01), the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (r = −0.67, P < 0.01), and LV minimal pressure (r = −0.53, P < 0.02) in the patients with wide ranges of peak early to late inflow velocity ratio (0.43–3.9) and deceleration time of early filling (79–293 ms). D-maxV showed an inverse correlation with LV end-diastolic pressure (r = −0.53, P < 0.02) and no significant correlation with mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis focusing on the patients with myocardial infarction revealed that the group with D-maxV < 10.4 mm (n = 13) exhibited a lower cumulative cardiac event-free rate than that with D-maxV ≥ 10.4 mm (n = 14) (49.4% vs 92.9% at 5 years, P < 0.05). The depth of the spatiotemporal maximum of early diastolic LV inflow velocity reflects LV relaxation and is free of pseudonormalization. Evaluation of the LV relaxation separately from preload may have a prognostic value for myocardial infarction.

Background: Cibenzoline, a class la antiarrhythmic drug, can be used to relieve left ventricular (LV) outflow obstruction in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). However, the mechanism of this agent in HOCM has been controversial. Hypothesis: This study was designed to investigate the effect of cibenzoline on regional LV function and the acoustic properties in HOCM using ultrasonic integrated backscatter. Methods: Ten patients with HOCM and 16 healthy volunteers were examined. In patients with HOCM, wall thickening (%WT) and the magnitude of cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (mag-CVIBS) in the interventricular septum (IVS) and LV posterior wall were measured before and after oral administration of cibenzoline. To assess asynchrony of contractile elements, the phase difference between CVIBS and%WT were measured from the LV posterior wall. Pressure gradients at the LV outflow tract were estimated using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography. Results: Although%WT decreased significantly in the LV posterior wall, %WT and mag-CVIBS remained unchanged in the IVS. The phase difference in the LV posterior wall was significantly greater in patients with HOCM than in healthy volunteers (HOCM:healthy volunteers, 1.57 ± 0.23:1.00 ± 0.03, p < 0.001) at baseline. After administration of cibenzoline, the phase difference shifted to normal value (from 1.57 ± 0.23 to 1.28 ± 0.27, p = 0.0382), and pressure gradients at the LV outflow tract decreased (from 109 ± 55 to 58 ± 48 mmHg, p = 0.0063). Changes in pressure gradients at the LV outflow tract and the phase difference were closely related. Conclusions: Regional function and the acoustic properties of myocardium in HOCM were altered by cibenzoline in the LV posterior wall but remained unchanged in the IVS. The normalization of the phase difference in the LV posterior wall was closely related to the decrease in pressure gradients at the LV outflow tract. These findings suggest that negative inotropic action and the improvement of asynchrony in the LV posterior wall rather than in the IVS may contribute to the reduction of pressure gradients at the LV outflow tract in HOCM.

Although the enhancement of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) induced thrombolysis by ultrasound has been reported to be augmented by ultrasound contrast agents (UCA), few data exist regarding its process. The present study evaluated the effect of a galactose based UCA on the efficacy of ultrasonic enhancement of tPA thrombolysis and observed the serial changes in the acoustic property and histopathology. A catheter-type transducer capable of ultrasound emission in both continuous (CW) and pulsed wave (PW) was used. The tPA thrombolysis was studied in 30 artificial white thrombi, which were assigned to 4 study groups based on insonation modes and with and without UCA. Each sample was suspended in 100 ml saline in a beaker. Five minutes after tPA (8000 U) administration, ultrasound was applied for 10 min. For the UCA-treated groups, UCA (0.25 g) was added 5 min after the start of ultrasound exposure. The alteration of the thrombus was monitored with echography. Weight reduction of the thrombus was -25±6% in PW and -30±7% in CW, which was significantly enhanced by UCA treatment, -40±3% (p

A linhagem de algodoeiro IAC 20-233 e as variedades comerciais IAC 21 e IAC 22 foram caracterizadas morfologicamente pelo número e pelo ângulo de convolução de suas fibras, utilizando-se microscopia óptica. A variedade IAC 21 apresentou fibras com menor número e ângulo de convolução que a IAC 20-233 e a IAC 22, enquanto estas foram semelhantes entre si. Os três genótipos apresentaram fibras de maturidade similar. O índice Micronaire (medida do complexo finura + maturidade) da variedade IAC 21 foi maior que o dos demais, correspondendo, portanto, a fibras mais grossas. Isso pode ter contribuído para diminuir o número e o ângulo de convolução e, como conseqüência, deprimido a elongação da fibra e do fio de algodão produzido.

Instalou-se um ensaio de adubação boratada do algodoeiro, de longa duração, pela primeira vez, em 1983, em Guaíra (SP), visando avaliar os efeitos de sucessivas aplicações de boro. Aplicaram-se doses anuais de 0; 0,2; 0,4; 0,8; 1,6 e 3,2 kg/ha de B, como bórax, na mistura de adubos de semeadura, em esquema estatístico de quadrado latino. Utilizou-se uma gleba de latossolo roxo, distrófico, argiloso, anteriormente cultivado, corrigido no aspecto de acidez e adubado com NPK. As parcelas foram calcariadas no quarto, sexto e nono ano de estudo, enquanto, no sétimo ano, cultivou-se guandu, em rotação. O efeito de boro sobre a produção de algodão aumentou com o passar dos anos e com a realização das calagens; na fase inicial, obteve-se a maior produção, com a dose de 0,4 kg/ha de B e, nas etapas posteriores, com a de 0,8 kg/ha. A concentração de boro no limbo foliar mostrou-se muito sensível à aplicação do micronutriente, destacando-se as diferenças com as adubações sucessivas e após as aplicações de calcário. As doses de 1,6 e 3,2 kg/ha de B proporcionaram decréscimo de produtividade das plantas em relação à produção máxima mesmo nos primeiros anos. Após as calagens, os níveis de boro no limbo foliar, associados a essas doses, mostraram-se superiores a 50 mg/kg de B. Análise química, efetuada durante o nono ano de estudo, indicou acúmulo de boro na superfície do solo e uma lixiviação do micronutriente para camadas até 60 cm de profundidade, proporcionais às doses usadas. A long term trial of boron fertilization was conducted with cotton in a latin square design, firstly installed in 1983 on a low fertility Dusky Red Latosol, limed and frequently fertilized without boron. Rates of 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 3.2 kg/ha of B as borax (11% of B), were applied annually at planting time. The cotton variety used was the IAC-20. The plots were limed in the fourth, sixth and nineth years. In the seventh year Canajus indicus was cultivated, in crop rotation, to control the increasing incidence of nemathodes. After the eighth year, there was intense attack of Anthonomus grandis Boheman. Thus, cotton yield diminished from the first period, of three years, to the last, while the effect of boron accumulation increased in this sense. In the first period, there was an enchance of yield at rate of 0.4 kg/ha of B, but after lime reaction the best responses were obtained with 0.8 kg/ha of B. The plants were more sensitives to fertilization in terms of boron concentration in the leaf blade, specially after liming. Rates of 1.6 and 3.2 kg/ha of B were injurious starting from the beginning of the study. After liming, yield decreases were related with B concentration higher than 50 mg/kg in leaf blades. Results of soil analysis in the nineth year, indicated a great residual effect of boron accumulation in the 0-20 cm soil layer, as well as leaching of the micronutrient at least down to 40-60 cm deep, in proportion to the rates applied.

The herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to has been widely used in Japan as an oral medication in the treatment of viral liver cirrhosis and its clinical efficacy is well established. Sho-saiko-to is believed to generally strengthen the biophylactic functions of the body and improve immunological functions. However, its mode of action has not been fully described. General practitioners in Japan most frequently administer Sho-saiko-to to patients with liver cirrhosis. Physicians empirically know that this drug is useful in improving the general condition of patients with this disorder. Yet, it is not known how Sho-saiko-to works to improve the immunological disorders in liver cirrhosis patients and how it achieves such good clinical results. This study examined in vitro cytokine production capability of the peripheral mononuclear cells obtained from 25 patients with viral liver cirrhosis utilizing pokeweed mitogen stimulation. The in vitro capability of these cells to produce cytokines such as interleukin-β, interleukin-6, and granulocyte-macrophage, colony-stimulating factor, was specifically investigated. To obtain cultures, peripheral blood was collected from patients with viral liver cirrhosis, as well as from healthy volunteers as controls. Cytokine levels with or without pokeweed mitogen were examined via incubation of each sample for 1 to 5 days. To the samples in which pokeweed mitogen was not added, Sho-saiko-to or Sho-seiryu-to solutions were added and incubated. After this culture period, each sample was centrifuged and a supernatant was collected for measurement. As a result, there was no difference in the cultures without pokeweed mitogen: production of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor of patients' cells and cultures of healthy subjects remained the same. However, production of all three cytokines was significantly lower in the patient group than the control in the cultures with pokeweed mitogen. The production of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, in the cultures containing the control drug Sho-seiryu-to was the same as those in the cultures with only the control medium. However, cytokine production levels in cultures with Sho-saiko-to concentrations 6 μg/ml or higher significantly increased. The findings of this study suggest that Sho-saiko-to's clinical efficacy could be the result of improvement in the immunological mechanism in patients with liver cirrhosis.

A method for determining serum HBs antibody applying the principle of integrating sphere turbidimetric assay (ISTA) by latex agglutination was developed. The minimum detectable level of HBs antibody by this method is 12.5 IU/L, indicating that this method is 3 times or more sensitive with better reproducibility and specificity than the passive hemagglutination (PHA) method. With a cut-off level of 25 IU/L, the possible highest simultaneous reading by this method was 1,000 IU/L Serum HBs antibody can be readily measured in 10 or so minutes by this method if a fully automated EL-1000 analyzer is used. This rapid and simple method for determining serum HBs antibody will be useful not only clinically, but also in preventive medicine. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Em dezesseis experimentos de campo desenvolvidos com o cultivar IAC 20 em diferentes regiões paulistas, de 1984 a 1987, estudou-se a competição de adubos nitrogenados na cultura algodoeira. Sulfato de amônio e uréia foram aplicados em cobertura incorporada nas doses de 0, 25, 50, 75 e 100 kg/ha de N, em esquema fatorial, com quatro repetições distribuídas em blocos ao acaso. Em dois anos agrícolas, testou-se a não-incorporação da cobertura, na dose de 75 kg/ha de N, com o auxílio de tratamentos extras. Nos solos em pousio, ou seja, que estiveram anteriormente cobertos com pastagens antigas ou com leguminosa, ocorreram altas produtividades associadas às baixas respostas das plantas ao N mineral aplicado. O aumento da produtividade, de certa forma, relacionou-se com o N-inorgânico e com o P-resina da análise do solo. Esse último índice mostrou-se útil na discriminação dos ensaios sobre solos cultivados. Estudo econômico efetuado por grupo de resposta esperada indicou valores de doses mais econômicas entre 17 e 88 kg/ha de N, crescentes em função da intensidade de cultivo das glebas. Não houve diferença significativa entre o uso de sulfato de amônio ou de uréia, tampouco entre modo de aplicação do produto, se incorporado ao solo ou não, em termos de produção e de concentração foliar de N. A concentração de S no limbo foliar, no entanto, diminuiu significativamente com o uso de uréia. É proposto valor em torno de 3,8% de N - na análise do limbo das quintas folhas colhidas da haste principal, aos 80-90 dias de idade do algo-doeiro - como indicativo da probabilidade de resposta à adubação nitrogenada. In order to compare the effect of ammonium sulfate and urea, when sidedressed and incorporated just after thinning, on cotton cv IAC 20, sixteen field experiments were conducted in different soils of the State of Silo Paulo, Brazil. The experiments were carried out during the growing seasons of 1984/85 to 1986/87. Rates of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 kg/ha of N were used in a factorial design (2 x 5), with four replications in randomized blocks. Two extra treatments were added in some experiments, in which the N sources were sidedressed without incorporation at the rate of 75 kg/ha of N. The highest yields and the smallest responses of cotton to N application occurred in soils previously covered with old pastures or grown with legumes in rotation. The most profitable rate of nitrogen fertilization, calculated for groups of experiments based on expected yields, varied from 17 to 88 kg/ha of N, the highest rates for soils more intensively cultivated. Yield responses to N could be reasonably predicted in soils grouped according to P extracted by ion exchange resin and, in some way, with the inorganic-N content of the 0-60cm soil layer. Soils with high available P, long under cultivation, showed high responses to N application than soils with median P levels. Nitrogen sources or methods of fertilizer application did not affect cotton yield and total N content of leaves; however, total S concentration in leaves decreased linearly with the increase of urea application. Total N around 3.8% is suggested as the critical limit for N in cotton, determined in blades of the most recently matured leaf, collected from the main stem, 80 to 90 days after planting.

A case of an 81-year-old woman with a left ventricular diverticulum who underwent myocar dial contrast echocardiography is reported. After administration of the contrast agent, a pulsed Doppler flow measurement clearly revealed the biphasic waveform of the ejection flow in the pre-systolic and systolic phase at the ostium of the diverticular cavity. A harmonic power Doppler image showed that part of the diverticulum wall had similar acoustic proper ties to the ventricular septal wall. Intracardiac blood flow and myocardial perfusion could be clearly evaluated and a ventricular diverticulum was correctly diagnosed using contrast echocardiography.

BACKGROUND It has been reported that intramyocardial hemorrhage (IH) can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and IH correlates with the poor prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We examined whether integrated backscatter (IBS) can disclose IH in patients with AMI. We recorded IBS images in 34 patients with AMI who underwent coronary angioplasty within 12 hours of symptom onset. METHODS We measured calibrated IBS (C-IB) and cyclic variation (CV) in the center of the risk area on the third day after reperfusion. C-IB was calculated as: average IBS value of risk area--average IBS value of intraventricular blood. MRI was performed within 3 days after reperfusion. Regional wall motion score index (RWMSI) was calculated as follows: sum of scores (0 - 4) in risk area/number of segments of risk area. We evaluated left ventricular function using RWMSI shortly and one month after reperfusion. RESULTS RWMSI in the IH group (12 cases) was significantly higher than in the non-IH group (2.3+/-0.5 vs. 1.8+/-0.6: P

We examined whether ultrasonic microbubble destruction (US/MB) enables therapeutic myocardial gene transfer of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) for acute myocardial infarction (MI).Hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer provides cardioprotective effects in MI, which requires direct intramyocardial injection or special vectors. Although US/MB was used in myocardial gene transfer, its feasibility in transfer of a therapeutic gene with non-viral vector remains unknown.In a rat model of acute MI, naked plasmid (pVaxl) encoding human HGF (1,500 microg) was infused into the left ventricular (LV) chamber during US/MB (HGF-US/MB) or insonation only (HGF-US) or alone (HGF-alone), while control MI rats received empty pVaxl during US/MB (pVaxl-US/MB). For US/MB, transthoracic intermittent insonation with a diagnostic transducer (1.3 MHz) was performed for 2 min at a peak negative pressure of -2,160 kPa during intravenous 20% Optison.Baseline risk area was comparable among the groups. Immunohistology seven days after treatment revealed significant myocardial expression of HGF protein only in HGF-US/MB. At three weeks, LV weight in HGF-US/MB (0.89 +/- 0.03 g) was significantly lower than those in HGF-alone (1.09 +/- 0.08 g), HGF-US (1.04 +/- 0.07 g), and pVaxl-US/MB (1.04 +/- 0.05 g). Moreover, scar size was significantly smaller (16 +/- 6% vs. 39 +/- 5%, 41 +/- 6%, and 40 +/- 4% of total myocardial circumferential length, respectively), while capillary density (49 +/- 8 vs. 34 +/- 5, 37 +/- 6, and 36 +/- 4 capillaries/high-power field, respectively) and arterial density (37 +/- 7 vs. 15 +/- 9, 18 +/- 4, and 14 +/- 11 arterioles/high-power field, respectively) in the risk area were higher in HGF-US/MB than the other groups.Ultrasound-mediated microbubble destruction may enable myocardial HGF gene transfer with systemic administration of naked plasmid, which enhances angiogenesis, limits infarction size, and prevents LV remodeling after MI.

Objective: Cardiac complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) are frequently ascribed to microangiopathy. Therefore, we sought to directly correlate the serial changes in coronary arterial function with the extent of coronary arteriolar remodeling in a model spontaneously developing type II DM. Methods: Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and control Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used. At 5, 15 and 30 weeks of age, ten rats in each group were subjected to systemic and coronary hemodynamic measurements using the colored microsphere technique before and during maximal coronary hyperemia and histological assessment with Azan-Mallory stain of the coronary arterioles. Results: As early as 15 weeks of age, at which time fasting plasma glucose concentration remained normal, OLETF rats exhibited a lower coronary flow reserve and a greater coronary vascular resistance during hyperemia than did LETO rats. On histomorphometry, OLETF rats exhibited a greater wall-to-lumen ratio and a greater degree of perivascular fibrosis of arterioles at 15 weeks of age and thereafter, both of which exhibited a significant correlation with the minimal coronary vascular resistance. Conclusions: The degree of functional deterioration in coronary circulation was directly correlated with the severity of coronary arteriolar structural remodeling during the development of microangiopathy in early stage of DM.

Relationship between contrast intensity and ultrasound (US) pulsing interval has been utilized to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) during myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE). We tested if an MCE method employing a simple pulsing sequence during intravenous contrast infusion has the ability to quantify MBF in rats. We performed MCE in 17 rats using a 5- to 12-MHz broadband transducer during microbubble infusion via the femoral vein. Acoustic density (AD) from the anterior wall of the left ventricle imaged in the short axis plane was plotted against the frame number after shortening the pulsing interval (PI) from 1:20 to 1:1 end-systolic ECG gating. The relation between AD and frame number was fitted to a decay function. The rate of the AD decay was decreased during dipyridamole infusion, but was increased by causing coronary stenosis. The AD during long PI imaging remained unchanged during the interventions. Estimated MBF by MCE after correction by heart rate exhibited a close correlation (r = 0.83) with the present “gold standard” of colored microsphere-derived MBF. Thus, the decay rate of the contrast intensity obtained with the high-frequency transducer after abrupt shortening of PI during intravenous microbubble infusion may provide for noninvasive measurement of MBF in rats. (E-mail: komori@kms.ac.jp)

The migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are known to play roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Therapy with a reductase inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3 methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA)(“statin”) produces significant alterations in various SMC functions. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether pitavastatin, a new chemically synthesized and powerful statin, can affect angiotensin II (Ang II)- and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced migration and proliferation of cultured rat vascular SMCs. The effect of pitavastatin on cell viability was also examined in these cells. Migration was evaluated by the Boyden’s chamber method using microchemotaxis chambers. As expected, Ang II and PDGF BB potently stimulated cell migration in a concentration-dependent manner. Pitavastatin significantly inhibited Ang II (10-6mol⁄l)-induced migration at the concentrations of 10-8 and 10-7mol⁄l. Pitavastatin also inhibited PDGF BB (1ng⁄ml)-induced migration at concentrations between 10-9 and 10-8 mol⁄l in a relatively concentration-dependent manner. This statin modestly but significantly inhibited Ang II (10-6 mol⁄l)- and PDGF BB (1 ng⁄ml)-induced DNA synthesis at concentrations between 10-9 and 10-7 mol⁄l. In addition, pitavastatin clearly inhibited Ang II (10-6 mol⁄l)- and PDGF BB (1ng⁄ml)-induced increases of cell number at concentrations between 10-9 and 10-7mol⁄l. Pitavastatin did not affect lactate dehydrogenase release from these cells at the concentrations used in this experiment. In a trypan blue exclusion test, dead cells stained with trypan blue were not found 24 h after treatment with 10-9, 10-8 or 10-7 mol⁄l of pitavastatin. These findings suggest that pitavastatin suppresses the migration and proliferation stimulated by Ang II and PDGF BB without affecting cell viability. Pitavastatin may exert an anti-atherogenic effect, in part, through these mechanisms. (Hypertens Res 2002; 25: 279-285)

Since acoustic properties of the myocardium are sensitive to the myocardial structure and the contractile conditions of myocyte, the authors evaluated cardiac dysfunction based on the integrated ultrasonic backscatter in 18 hemodialysis (HD) patients (duration: 102 +/- 84 months, mean age: 57.6 +/- 9.7 years) and 11 age-matched normals. The cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CV-IB) at interventricular septum (IVS) and left ventricular posterior wall (PW) was measured and compared with percent fractional shortening (%FS) and percent wall thickening (%Th). The CV-IB of HD patients was smaller than that of control subjects (IVS: 6.2 +/- 1.1 dB vs 8.2 +/- 1.1 dB, p = 0.0003 and PW: 8.4 +/- 2.2 vs 10.3 +/- 1.3, p= 0.025). No significant difference was observed in %FS and %Th between HD patients and control subjects. In HD, the ratio of velocities of early diastolic inflow (E) to late atrial inflow was decreased (0.7 +/- 0.2 vs 1.1 +/- 0.7, p = 0.049) and deceleration time of E was prolonged significantly (200 +/- 28 msec vs 159 +/- 30 msec, p = 0.0082). In the absence of overt cardiac systolic dysfunction, myocardial damage indicated as a decrease in CV-IB and diastolic dysfunction identified on transmitral velocity waveform were detected, which may reflect from the myocardial fibrosis. As a mechanism, pressure overload, hyperparathyroidism, and anemia were neglected, and the other humoral factors may contribute to the myocardial damage in chronic renal failure.

The combination of ultrasound (US) exposure and ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) further increases the amount of drug-mediated thrombolysis. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of the combination of US and UCA on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis, and the dependence on the microbubble structure. A catheter-type transducer capable of US emission (10 MHz, spatial peak temporal average intensity = 1.02 W/cm2 and peak negative pressure = 0.33 MPa) in the continuous-wave mode was employed. In 28 artificial white thrombi, serial changes in acoustic properties monitored by echography and histopathology during the tPA-mediated thrombolysis were analyzed. The thrombi were assorted to 4 groups; UCA nontreated (Control), sonicated albumin (A)-, SH-U508A (SH)- and dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFP)-treated groups. Persistence of microbubble opacification and thrombus weight were also measured. After the sample was suspended in a beaker with tPA (8000U) and 100 mL of saline, the UCA was administered and the mixture exposed to US for 10 min. Weight reduction of the thrombus was greatest in the DDFP Group (-49 +/- 8%), and that in the A Group (-8 +/- 5%) was not significantly different from that in the Control Group (-5 +/- 1%). The persistence of the microbubbles expressed as the decay of the time-intensity curve, was longest in the DDFP Group. The echo intensity of the superficial layer of the thrombus exposed to US was high and weight loss was marked. Multiple cavity formation was observed histopathologically. The stability of the microbubbles was an important factor of the US and UCA enhancement effect on tPA-mediated thrombolysis. This combination therapy has potential for clinical application in patients with thrombotic arterial and venous occlusion and left arterial thrombus.

Composite ceramics of MgO mixed with SiC fine powder up to 90vol% were fabricated by the hot-pressing at 1700°-1900°C under 30MPa for 30min. The properties (bending strength, fracture toughness, hardness, oxidation-resistance et al.) of the hot-pressed bodies were measured. Fairly dense MgO-SiC composite ceramics with relative densities above 95% were obtained in the region of SiC content up to 50vol% at a sintering temperature of 1850°C. The composites containing 30-50vol% SiC had higher strength, hardness and thermal shock resistance than MgO monolithic compacts. Little decrease in the strength was observed at temperatures up to 1400°C because of surpressing the fracture of MgO at grain boundary by SiC particles. The fracture toughness (about 5MPa·m1/2) of composite with a SiC content of 30vol% was two and half times as large as that of hot pressed MgO at 1400°C. This is considered to be due to the crack deflection by SiC particles. This composite ceramics showed poor oxidation-resistance, so that the high-temperature uses must be limited in certain range.

Mixtures of hydroxyapatite and zirconia containing 3mol% Y2O3 (TZ-3 Y) or 2mol% Y2O3 (TZ-2 Y) were hot-pressed under the conditions of 1300°-1400°C, 10min and 20MPa, and the bending strength and fracture toughness of the hot-pressed bodies were measured. The reactivity between hydroxyapatite and zirconia was also examined. The zirconia content was up to 50vol%. The bending strength and fracture toughness increased with an increase in zirconia content. Properties were improved with zirconia (TZ-2 Y) than with zirconia (TZ-3 Y). Compacts containing 50vol% zirconia (TZ-2 Y) fired at 1400°C showed the highest mechanical properties: bending strength; about 400MPa and fracture toughnees; about 3.0MPa·m1/2. These values were two or three times as large as those of hydroxyapatite single compacts. The following two thermal transformations were observed in the present system: (i) decomposition of hydroxyapatite to α-tricalcium phosphate and (ii) transition of tetragonal zirconia to cubic phase.

O método de determinar a maturidade da fibra de algodão pelo fibrógrafo digital Mod. 230-A foi transposto para o novo modelo 430, que apresenta algumas inovações técnicas e opera com um pente único. A equação respectiva foi obtida através do estudo comparativo das funções L = f(p), L²/P = f(L) e M% = f(IM) obtidas para os dois aparelhos, e das relações n = p0/p e k = (IM230_A)/IM430, sendo L a leitura inicial em volts, p0 o peso da fibra de dois pentes do Mod. 230-A, p o peso da fibra do pente do Mod. 430, IM o índice de maturidade e M% a maturidade em porcentagem de fibras maduras. A expressão final obtida foi: log M% = 2,4123 - 1,37016.IM430 onde: IM430 = L2/P _ 0,04857.L + 0,3616 Comparando-se os resultados obtidos na análise de ensaios regionais de variedades, pelo emprego dos dois modelos, 230-A e 430, inclusive a equação de Worley Jr. (in 7) desenvolvida para o segundo modelo, concluiu-se que, entre os três métodos testados, a expressão apresentada permitiu maior sensibilidade para diferenciar variedades quanto à maturidade. The Digital Fibrograph method to estimate fiber maturity was converted for the new model 430, by direct studies of both models, without establishing correlations with data of other instruments based on different principles. Comparative studies were made on the functions L = f(p), L2/p = f(L), M% = f(IM) and the relations n = p0 / p and k = (IM230_A)/IM430 were estimated, where L is the amount reading, p0, the weight of fiber of both combs of Model 230-A, p, the weight of fiber of the comb of model 430, IM, the maturity index and M%%, the maturity expressed in percentage of mature fibers. The final equation obtained for model 430 was: log M% = 2.4123 _ 1,37016 . IM430 with IM430 = L2/p - 0.04857 . L + 0.3616 Evaluation of "F" values obtained by analysing regional variety tests, using both methods and also the equation proposed by Worley Jr. showed the above presented expression to be the most sensible in discriminating among varieties, as for maturity.

マウス有郭乳頭味蕾を支配する舌咽神経の両側切断を行ない, 味蕾の変性および再生過程の形態的変化と, その際の味細胞 (III型細胞) におけるモノアミン前駆物質の取り込み状態を螢光組織化学的, 電顕的に検索した。味蕾は神経切断後10日で, ほぼ完全に消失した。しかし神経支配の無い残存する変性味蕾の味細胞にも, モノアミン前駆物質の取り込みが認められた。再生神経が有郭乳頭上皮層に達する14日頃に分化しつつある再生未熟味蕾細胞を確認した。この時期の未熟味蕾細胞に, モノアミン前駆物質の取り込みが観察された。以上の結果より, 味神経の支配は再生時における味蕾の再分化とその構造の維持には不可欠であり, 同時に, 味細胞にモノアミン前駆物質の取り込み能を獲得させることが証明された。ひとたび, 取り込み能を獲得した味細胞は, 神経支配を失っても, その取り込み能は保持されることが明らかとなった。