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Aim The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the short-term surgical results of single-port surgery ( SPS) with those of multiport surgery ( MPS) for colorectal cancer. Method We studied 673 consecutive patients who underwent SPS or MPS for colorectal cancer in our department from January 2008 to December 2013. The operative parameters and oncological outcome were analysed and compared between the SPS and the MPS groups retrospectively. Results The SPS and MPS groups did not differ significantly in terms of preoperative evaluation. The median operative time was significantly shorter with SPS than with MPS (176 min vs 193 min; P < 0.001). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of postoperative complications. Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter with SPS than with MPS (8 days vs 10 days; P < 0.001). Oncological resection was similar in the two groups. The disease-free survival rates at 2 years according to the TNM stage did not differ significantly between the two groups (Stage I, 98.5% vs 94.7%; Stage II, 93.4% vs 90.7%; and Stage III, 70.8% vs 68.4%). Conclusion Our experience demonstrates that SPS is safe and can provide oncological outcomes equal to those of MPS in patients with colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian soybean rust ( ASR), caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most serious diseases of soybean. The soybean landraces PI 594767A, PI 587905 and PI 416764 previously showed high levels of resistance to a wide range of ASR fungus, while the genetic basis of the resistance has yet to be understood. In this study, the ASR resistance loci were mapped using three independent mapping populations, POP-1, POP-2 and POP-3 derived from crosses BRS184 × PI 594767A, BRS184 × PI 587905 and BRS184 × PI 416764, respectively. In each population, the resistance to ASR segregated as a single gene, but the resistance was dominant in PI 594767A and PI 587905 and incompletely dominant in PI 416764. The resistance genes from both PI 594767A and PI 587905 were mapped on chromosome 18 corresponding to the same location as known resistance locus Rpp1. Quantitative trait locus ( QTL) analysis performed on POP-3 identified the putative ASR resistance locus in PI 416764 on the defined region of chromosome 6 where Rpp3 was located. The QTLs detected by the mapping explained about 67-72% of the phenotypic variation in POP-3. Cluster analysis based on disease reactions to 64 ASR populations demonstrated the presence of at least two types of functional resistant Rpp1 alleles: strong and weak allele(s), e.g. soybean accession PI 594767A and PI 587905 carry the strong resistant Rpp1 allele(s). Introducing or pyramiding strong Rpp1 allele(s) in elite soybean cultivars is expected to be useful against the South American rust population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on recent Suzaku results on cluster outer regions. Relaxed clusters show a monotonous temperature decline to the virial radii, reaching 1/3 to 1/4 of the central levels. Significant temperature jumps have been confirmed for a number of radio relics, including A 3667, A 3376, and CIZA J2242.8+5301. This confirms that the radio relics generally correspond to shock fronts with the Mach numbers around 3. New filament junctions are identified by a new algorithm applied to the SDSS galaxy distribution and show significant X-ray emission with Suzaku. The emission agrees with the LX- kT relation for elliptical galaxies and galaxy groups, and the junctions can be a important baryon reservoir. We propose a small X-ray mission DIOS (Diffuse Intergalactic Oxygen Surveyor), equipped with microcalorimeters with a wide field of view (∼50′), which will detect the emission from warm-hot intergalactic medium (WHIM) and measure detailed thermal and dynamical properties of the gas accreting onto clusters from the filaments. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophils play a crucial role in the antibacterial host defence system. Edaravone is used in critically ill patients who are often immuno-compromised secondary to concomitant disease or immunosuppressive therapy. The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of edaravone, a novel free-radical scavenger, on several aspects of human neutrophil function using anin vitrosystem.Chemotaxis, phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophil (cellular) and xanthine-xanthine oxidase (acellular) systems, and intracellular calcium ion levels ([Ca2 + ]i) were measured in the absence and in the presence (at a clinically relevant concentration, and 0.1-fold, and 10-fold this concentration) of edaravone.The clinically relevant concentration of edaravone did not inhibit chemotxais, phagocytosis, or superoxide production of neutrophils. Even at its ordinary clinical plasma concentration, the drug inhibited hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH·) generation in the cellular (neutrophil) as well as in the cell-free (xanthine-xanthine oxidase) system (P < 0.05). Edaravone did not affect elevation of[Ca2 + ]i in neutrophils stimulated by a chemotactic factor.These findings suggest that edaravone quenched H2O2, and OH· generated rather than impaired the ability of neutrophils to produce the ROS. However, further studies usingin vivosystems are required to elucidate the effects of edaravone on neutrophil function in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subjects studied were 22 pediatric patients newly diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD); 11 were treated with acid electrolytic water (AEW), which has a strong bactericidal activity (AEW group), and the other 11 with tap water (placebo group). AEW or tap water 1 ml/cm² (body surface area), was sprayed on their skin lesions with a spray gun each twice a day for a week. There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to sex, age, serum IgE, peripheral eosinophil counts, grading scores of AD, and duration of AD. The study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Colony counts of Staphylococcus aureus on skin lesions in the AEW group, both 3 min after spraying (P<0.05) and after 1 week of skin treatment (P<0.01), were significantly decreased as compared with colony counts before treatment, while there was no significant difference in the placebo group before and after treatment. Grading scores of AD also decreased in the AEW group (P<0.01), but not in the placebo group. Both the subjects' guardians' evaluation and a referee physician's evaluation of treatment effect were significantly higher in the AEW group than in the placebo group (P<0.01 ). AEW may be potentially effective in preventing a staphylococcal chronic inflammation in AD because of its strong bactericidal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to a study which shows that naloxone inhibits superoxide production from neutrophils, by K. Mikawa, H. Akamatsu, K. Nishina, T. Uesugi, and Y. Niwa.

Reports on the study conducted on post-coital anaphylaxis disease caused by Immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitization to human seminal plasma (HSP) allergens. Medical history of the patient diagnosed with anaphylactic symptoms; Reasons for the test performed on the patient's husband; Method used to perform the test; Advice given to the patient by the physicians; Possible allergens of human seminal plasma.

Compares the role of plasma inducible protein-10 (IP-10) in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis vulgaris. Significance of IP-10 in patients suffering from type I and II diabetes; Level of IP-10 in patients suffering from psoriasis vulgaris.

Hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) are localized in the bulge region of the hair follicle and play a role in producing hair. Recently, it has been shown that the number of HFSC decreases with age, which is thought to be a cause of senile alopecia. Therefore, maintaining HFSC may be key for the prevention of age-related hair loss, but the regulatory mechanisms of HFSC and the effects of aging on them are largely unknown. In general, stem cells are known to require regulatory factors in the pericellular microenvironment, termed the stem cell niche, to maintain their cell function. In this study, we focused on the extracellular matrix proteoglycan decorin (DCN) as a candidate factor for maintaining the human HFSC niche. Gene expression analysis showed that DCN was highly expressed in the bulge region. We observed decreases in DCN expression as well as the number of KRT15-positive HFSC with age. In vitro experiments with human plucked hair-derived HFSC revealed that HFSC lost their undifferentiated state with increasing passages, and prior to this change a decrease in DCN expression was observed. Furthermore, knockdown of DCN promoted HFSC differentiation. In contrast, when HFSC were cultured on DCN-coated plates, they showed an even more undifferentiated state. From these results, as a novel mechanism for maintaining HFSC, it was suggested that DCN functions as a stem cell niche component, and that the deficit of HFSC maintenance caused by a reduction in DCN expression could be a cause of age-related hair loss., (© 2018 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

The Guidelines for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris of the Japanese Dermatological Association was first published in Japanese in 2008 and revised in 2016 and 2017. These guidelines (GL) indicate the standard acne treatments in Japan and address pharmaceutical drugs and treatments applicable or in use in Japan. In these GL, the strength of the recommendation is based on clinical evidences as well as availability in Japanese medical institutions. In the 2016 and 2017 GL, some of the clinical questions were revised, and other questions were added in accordance with approval of topical medicines containing benzoyl peroxide (BPO). Rather than monotherapies of antibiotics, the 2017 GL more strongly recommend combination therapies, especially fixed-dose combination gels including BPO in the aspects of pharmacological actions and compliance in the acute inflammatory phase to achieve earlier and better improvements. The 2017 GL also indicate to limit the antimicrobial treatments for the acute inflammatory phase up to approximately 3 months and recommend BPO, adapalene, and a fixed-dose combination gel of 0.1% adapalene and 2.5% BPO for the maintenance phase to avoid the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant Propionibacterium acnes. The 2017 GL also discuss rosacea, which requires discrimination from acne and a different treatment plan., (© 2018 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

A placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, comparative, multicenter study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) gel, administrated once daily for 12 weeks to Japanese patients with acne vulgaris. Efficacy was evaluated by counting all inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions. Safety was evaluated based on adverse events, local skin tolerability scores and laboratory test values. All 609 subjects were randomly assigned to receive the study products (2.5% and 5% BPO and placebo), and 607 subjects were included in the full analysis set, 544 in the per protocol set and 609 in the safety analyses. The median rates of reduction from baseline to the last evaluation of the inflammatory lesion counts, the primary end-point, in the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups were 72.7% and 75.0%, respectively, and were significantly higher than that in the placebo group (41.7%). No deaths or other serious adverse events were observed. The incidences of adverse events in the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups were 56.4% and 58.8%, respectively; a higher incidence than in the placebo group, but there was no obvious difference between the 2.5% and 5% BPO groups. All adverse events were mild or moderate in severity. Most adverse events did not lead to study product discontinuation. The results suggested that both 2.5% and 5% BPO are useful for the treatment of acne vulgaris., (© 2017 The Authors. The Journal of Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

To clarify the relationship between major cutaneous microorganisms (Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus and Malassezia spp.) and acne vulgaris (acne), we examined the microbiota quantitatively in the follicular contents of inflammatory acne and on the facial skin of patients with acne. Fifteen Japanese untreated acne outpatients were studied. The follicular contents from inflammatory acne lesions of the face were collected using a comedo extractor. The skin surface samples were obtained by the swab method from 10 cm(2) of facial skin. The microbiota was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction. The microbiota in follicular contents was similar to that on the skin surface, namely, there were large populations of Propionibacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Malassezia spp. Moreover, the number of Malassezia spp. on the skin surface was correlated with that of inflammatory acne and that in follicular contents. This study clarified that there are large populations of Propionibacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Malassezia spp. in follicular contents. These results suggest the possibility that not only Propionibacterium acnes but also other cutaneous resident microorganisms are related to acne. Particularly, we considered that Malassezia spp. is closely related., (© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

According to recent studies, stem cells are found in various tissues in our bodies. It has been reported that stem cells can reside in the skin tissues, including the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles and subcutaneous tissues. Homeostasis of the skin is maintained because these stem cells collaborate with each other to form new cells. We previously identified the CD271(p75NTR)(+) cell as a stem cell that was present in the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue, and further investigated the role of stem cells in wound healing and their association with skin disease. In this study, we investigated the localization of CD271(+) cells in human skin (epidermis and dermis) and its age-related changes in stem cells using CD271(+) cells. The study revealed that the number of CD271(+) cells in the epidermis and dermis decreased with aging. It is possible that such an age-related decrease in stem cells causes impaired regenerative ability and is associated with various skin diseases. If the relationship between stem cells and skin aging and diseases can be elucidated by investigations such as this study, it may lead to the development of novel anti-aging technologies and medical treatments for skin diseases in the future., (© 2015 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

To clarify the influence of the fatty acid composition of sebum in acne vulgaris, we investigated the amounts and fatty acid compositions of triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA), and the amounts of cutaneous superficial Propionibacterium acnes in acne patients and healthy subjects. The foreheads of 18 female patients, 10 male patients, 10 healthy females and 10 healthy males were studied in a Japanese population. There were significant differences in the amounts of sebum, TG and cutaneous superficial P. acnes, as well as the fatty acid compositions of TG and FFA between acne patients and healthy subjects in females. Their fatty acid compositions were correlated with the amount of TG with or without acne. It was clarified that the fatty acid compositions of TG and FFA depended on the amount of TG, and there were no differences in the fatty acid composition in the presence and absence of acne., (© 2014 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Morphea is a type of localized scleroderma. It is a skin disease involving the development of fibrosis in the dermis and subcutaneous fat tissue beneath without a visceral lesion, and the cause is still unclear. An involvement of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been reported as a cause of tissue fibrosis, but this was mostly observed in pulmonary and hepatic fibrosis, and the involvement of EMT in a skin disease, morphea, has not been studied . Thus, we analyzed the involvement of EMT in skin fibrosis in morphea patients using pathological techniques. Skin lesions of six morphea patients were analyzed (five female and one male patient). As a control, non-light-exposed skin lesions of 11 healthy females were analyzed. Concretely, tissue samples were prepared from these subjects and subjected to immunostaining of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin, which have been reported to be associated with fibrosis, and Snail1 and E-cadherin, which are considered to be involved in EMT, and expressions of these were analyzed. In morphea patients, dermal expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA and fibronectin, which are involved in fibrosis, was enhanced, and, at the same time, enhanced expression of Snail1 and reduced expression of E-cadherin, which are involved in EMT, were observed in the dermal eccrine glands. These findings suggested the progression of EMT in the dermal eccrine glands in morphea., (© 2013 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

We investigated the optimum application for evaluating skin irritation response by using samples of irritants commonly used as additives in cosmetics and other common household products. We studied 47 volunteers (16 men and 31 women). We selected three types of surfactant, one moisturizer, one anti-infective agent and one oil solution. Using Finn chambers on Scanpor tape, we performed the patch test. A total of 0.015 mL of each sample was applied to the Finn chamber. For liquids, circular filter paper was soaked in 0.015 mL of the sample. Samples were placed on the upper back of participants, and closed for 4, 24 or 48 h. A patch application time of 24 h is sufficient to detect primary skin irritation from irritants in cosmetics and other common household products. In addition, we found that skin irritation reactions were strongest at 24 h after patch removal and that the reaction tended to be weaker at 48 h after patch removal. Patch testing to evaluate irritants should be performed by means of a 24-h patch test with a follow-up reading at 24 h after patch removal. An application time of 24 h places less of a burden on patients than a 48-h patch test., (© 2013 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

A Kampo prescriptions, hochuekkito (HET) has been utilized for treating functional conditions such as general fatigue, compromised state and gastrointestinal motility disorder. Recently, HET has attracted the attention of dermatologists because of its clinically positive effects in atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment. To explain this positive effect of HET, we examined its protective ability against oxidative skin stress using a murine model. The dorsal region of 8-week-old male HR-1 hairless mice, which were raised on a HET (0%, 2% and 10%) mixed diet, was irradiated once with 70 mJ/cm(2) of ultraviolet (UV)-B light. After 4 days, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum water content (SCWC), were determined as a measure of degree of skin dysfunction. To estimate the amount of active oxygen generated, the stratum corneum catalase activity (SCCA) and stratum corneum carbonylated protein (SCCP) content in the tape-stripped stratum corneum samples were measured. We also measured the H(2) O(2) scavenging ability of HET, and analyzed the changes in the expression levels of several inflammation and oxidative stress-related genes in the skin of HET-fed mice. In control mice, exposure to UV-B led to significant increases in TEWL and SCCP and significant decreases in SCWC and SCCA. These UV-B-induced changes were reduced in mice administrated HET, and the reduction was HET dose-dependent. Our results suggested that HET offered a protective effect against UV-B-induced skin damage. We also found that HET had relatively low ability to scavenge H(2) O(2) , and expression level of cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA decreased in HET-fed mouse., (© 2013 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Malassezia globosa is a major pathogen of Malassezia folliculitis (MF) and the predominant species on human skin. The aim of this study was to clarify the differences between M. globosa and other cutaneous Malassezia species, M. restricta, M. dermatis, M. sympodialis and M. furfur. The optimum growth temperature, effects of compounds of sweat and free fatty acids on growth, and lipase activities of five cutaneous Malassezia species were determined. The growth of M. globosa was promoted strongly by the compounds of sweat and high temperature unlike that of other cutaneous Malassezia species. This result clarified that M. globosa tended to grow actively in summer conditions more than other cutaneous Malassezia species. Furthermore, M. globosa showed high lipase activity. We consider these characteristics of M. globosa to relate to the pathogenesis of MF., (© 2012 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Malassezia is a component of normal cutaneous resident microbiota. The aim of this study was to quantitatively clarify the differences in cutaneous Malassezia microbiota in healthy subjects by sex, body part and season. Samples were collected from the forehead, cheek, upper chest and upper back of 20 healthy men and 20 healthy women (average age 32 years) in summer and winter by the swab method. Malassezia DNA was analyzed using a real-time PCR system. As a result, in sex, body parts and season, men, the upper trunk and summer showed the highest total numbers of cutaneous Malassezia species on average. There were also differences depending on the analytical method. The predominant species were M. restricta on the face of men, M. globosa and M. dermatis on the upper trunk of men, and M. globosa and M. sympodialis on the upper trunk of women. This study clarified that the cutaneous Malassezia microbiota of healthy subjects differed by sex, body part and season., (© 2010 Japanese Dermatological Association.)

Propionibacterium acnes is one of the most significant pathogenic factors of acne vulgaris. This bacteria relates to acne by various pathways. It has also been reported that P. acnes influences pro-inflammatory cytokine production in keratinocytes in vitro. However, the influence on the differentiation of keratinocytes by P. acnes has not been studied extensively. We analyzed the expression of keratinocyte differentiation-specific markers, keratins, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) exposed to P. acnes in vitro. All P. acnes strains used in this study increased transglutaminase (TGase), keratin 17 (K17) and interleukin (IL) mRNA expression levels in NHEK, and decreased K1 and K10 expression levels. Some P. acnes strains increased involucrin and K6 mRNA expression levels in NHEK and decreased filaggrin, K6 and K16 expression levels in vitro. This experiment clarified that P. acnes influences the differentiation of NHEK in vitro. As a result, P. acnes influenced the expression of not only pro-inflammatory cytokines but also some keratinocyte differentiation-specific markers and keratins in NHEK. Our results suggest that P. acnes relates to acne pathogenesis by not only the induction of inflammation but also in the differentiation of keratinocytes. Moreover, it was considered that the reaction of NHEK to P. acnes may be different depending on the type of bacteria.

Recently, we established an acne severity classification that is based on scientific evidence. Our classification allows three different methods for grading, which include general impression of consulted dermatologist, photograph-based estimation by independent experts, and grading by lesion counting. In our classification, we proposed standard photographs for the estimation of general severity to adjust the basis of judgments. In this study, we evaluated the validity of our classification. We made questionnaires of acne severity using acne patients' photographs, which were selected from the collection of representative photographs of our classification. Participants answered these questionnaires before and after our presentations about our classification of acne severity. We identified the conformity rate with our consensus decision. The results revealed that average conformity rates were raised from 67.0% to 88.9% among Japanese dermatologists and from 68.0% to 79.8% among Korean ones. These data show the adequacy of both our grading system itself and its presentation. We believe our classification will be one of the most effective and reasonable grading systems to classify acne severity.

For the epidemiological surveys and evaluations of therapy, it is essential to evaluate the severity of diseases. There are several reported methods of assessment for acne severity including lesion counting, comparison of the patient's to a photographic standard and comparison of the patient's to a text description. But all of these are based on opinions of specialists. In this study, we attempted to make an evidence-based grading criteria for acne severity, which was expected to yield consents from most dermatologists. The dermatologists consulted classified the global severity of acne patients without any standard and then counted the numbers of eruptions. Three independent expert dermatologists graded the photographs of these patients. We compared the verdicts of the consulted dermatologist and three experienced dermatologists, and analyzed the relationships between these classifications and numbers of eruptions. Our results showed that most of the dermatologists have similar latent recognitions of acne severity. We selected representative photographs as standards, which would contribute to making adjustments for judgments. Global classifications of dermatologists correlated with numbers of inflammatory eruptions (papules plus pustules), but did not with numbers of comedones. The appropriate divisions of inflammatory eruptions of half of the face to decide classifications were: 0-5, "mild"; 6-20, "moderate"; 21-50, "severe"; and more than 50, "very severe".

We have reported previously that the serum nm23-H1 level is a prognostic factor for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this study, we examined nm23-H1 expression in T- and natural killer (NK)-cell lymphoma in order to evaluate whether lymphoma cells produce the protein. The clinical significance of the cytotoxic molecules, T-cell intracellular antigen-1 (TIA-1) and granzyme B and nm23-H1 expression were also examined. Expression of nm23-H1, TIA-1, or granzyme B was examined by immunohistochemistry in 137 previously untreated lymphoma patients. The relationship between the results and clinical outcome was examined in 81 patients with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, anaplastic large cell lymphoma, or peripheral T-cell lymphoma, unspecified. The neoplastic cells of some lymphomas produced nm23-H1 and the expression rates of nm-23-H1, TIA-1 and granzyme B were 36.5%, 78.8% and 32.8% respectively. The nm23-H1-positive or TIA-1-positive groups had significantly shorter overall and disease-free survivals. Multivariate analysis confirmed nm23-H1 expression to be an independent prognostic factor. The nm23-H1 protein can be an important prognostic factor in the lymphomas studied here. New treatments that target nm23 overexpression could be developed as a result of nm23-HI production by lymphoma cells.

The subjects studied were 22 pediatric patients newly diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD); 11 were treated with acid electrolytic water (AEW), which has a strong bactericidal activity (AEW group), and the other 11 with tap water (placebo group). AEW or tap water, 1 ml/cm2 (body surface area), was sprayed on their skin lesions with a spray gun each twice a day for a week. There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to sex, age, serum IgE, peripheral eosinophil counts, grading scores of AD, and duration of AD. The study was designed as a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Colony counts of Staphylococcus aureus on skin lesions in the AEW group, both 3 min after spraying (P < 0.05) and after 1 week of skin treatment (P < 0.01), were significantly decreased as compared with colony counts before treatment, while there was no significant difference in the placebo group before and after treatment. Grading scores of AD also decreased in the AEW group (P < 0.01), but not in the placebo group. Both the subjects' guardians' evaluation and a referee physician's evaluation of treatment effect were significantly higher in the AEW group than in the placebo group (P < 0.01). AEW may be potentially effective in preventing a staphylococcal chronic inflammation in AD because of its strong bactericidal activity.

In an experiment dog model of acute biventricular failure, the effects of left ventricular (LV) assist on renal hemodynamics and function were evaluated. After the induction of severe cardiac failure by multiple ligation of the coronary arteries, LV assist with a 40 ml pneumatic pulsatile pump was initiated, and the aortic flow was maintained at control values. The right atrial pressure (RAP) rose to 21.3 mm Hg with the appearance of profound right ventricular (RV) failure. Renal arterial blood flow (RAF) decreased to about 60% of the control value after 2 h of LV assist. The urine volume decreased and renal function deteriorated progressively. RV assist decreased the RAP to 4.8 mm Hg, and the reduced RAF recovered. After 3 h of RV assist, the RAF returned to initial values and the urine volume increased, but renal function did not recover. Advanced biventricular failure with elevated RAP during LV assist reduced renal perfusion and impaired renal function and may be an indication for early RV assist.

The effects of hemodynamic changes on intraaortic balloon (IAB) volumes were studied experimentally using a helium tachometer in a mock circulatory system. The IAB volume decreased with increases in the heart rate and mean aortic pressure, but the degree of reduction in the IAB volume was different among 4 commercially available IAB drivers. Improvements in IAB consoles are needed to compliment the progress made in percutaneous techniques for IAB insertion resulting in smaller balloons.

The in vitro susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus to eight fluoroquinolones, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, tosufloxacin, sparfloxacin, and nadifloxacin was established by agar dilution tests, 71 isolates of methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and 74 isolates of -resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from skin infections. Among all of the fluoroquinolones, nadifloxacin exhibited the lowest MIC for both MSSA and MRSA. In addition, there were no resistant S. aureus, neither MSSA and MRSA, to nadifloxacin. With the exception of nadifloxacin, the incidence of MRSA resistant to fluoroquinolones has gradually increased in recent years. Over half of the MRSA strains were resistant to norfloxacin, ofloxacin, enoxacin, ciprofloxacin, and lomefloxacin.

We studied the efficacy of antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) isolated from skin infections in 1992. For S. aureus, we measured the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the following 10 drugs: methicillin (DMPPC), cefaclor (CCL), gentamicin (GM), erythromycin (EM), clindamycin (CLDM), minocycline (MINO), vancomycin (VAN), fusidic acid (FA), ofloxacin (OFLX) and nadifloxacin (NDFX); for S. pyogenes, we determined the MICs of the following 9 drugs: ampicillin (ABPC), amoxicillin (AMPC), cefpodoxime proxetil (CPDX-PR), erythromycin (EM), clindamycin (CLDM), minocycline (MINO), norfloxacin (NFLX), of loxacin (OFLX) and nadifloxacin (NDFX). These drugs are frequently used to treat skin infections, either systemically or topically. NDFX is a new synthetic fluoroquinolone, recently developed for use as a topical acne medication in Japan. It is used NDFX for acne, but not for skin infections. There were no strains of S. aureus resistant to NDFX, VAN or FA. The resistance (> or = 12.5 micrograms/ml) of S. aureus was highest to GM and lowest to OFLX. Four strains of methicillin-resistant (> or = 12.5 micrograms/ml) S. aureus (MRSA) were found. In contrast, no resistant strains of S. pyogenes were found except to MINO. Only two strains of S. pyogenes were susceptible to MINO. The sensitivity of S. pyogenes to ABPC, AMPC, CPDX-PR, EM and CLDM was very good. All the strains were susceptible at a MIC below > or = 0.05 microgram/ml. However, the S. pyogenes strains were not very sensitive to the new quinolones, especially NFLX. We concluded that penicillins, cephalosporins and macrolides are still effective against streptococcal infections.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We studied the susceptibility of antimicrobial agents to Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) isolated from acne patients. We measured the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the following five drugs: roxithromycin (RXM), erythromycin (EM), clindamycin (CLDM), minocycline (MINO) and ofloxacin (OFLX), which are frequently used to treat acne and skin infections. We found many resistant strains of S. epidermidis and some resistant strains of P. acnes. There was a correlation between the resistance of S. epidermidis and the former therapy for acne, but no distinct correlation between the resistance of P. acnes and the former therapy for acne.

The effects of cepharanthin on inflammatory parameters such as neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, were examined. Cepharanthin significantly decreased the levels of O2-, H2O2, and OH. generated by neutrophils. H2O2 and OH. generated in a cell-free, xanthine-xanthine oxidase system were also reduced in the presence of cepharanthin. However, the drug did not affect neutrophil chemotaxis or phagocytosis. The present study indicates that cepharanthin is an effective ROS scavenger, exerting its anti-inflammatory action by reducing the potent ROS species excessively generated in tissues and organs, especially at the sites of inflammation.