Long non-coding RNAs: From disease code to drug role

Enormous studies have corroborated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) extensively participate in crucial physiological processes such as metabolism and immunity, and are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors, cardiovascular diseases, nervous system disorders, nephropathy, and other diseases. The application of lncRNAs as biomarkers or intervention targets can provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. This paper has focused on the emerging research into lncRNAs as pharmacological targets and has reviewed the transition of lncRNAs from the role of disease coding to acting as drug candidates, including the current status and progress in preclinical research. Cutting-edge strategies for lncRNA modulation have been summarized, including the sources of lncRNA-related drugs, such as genetic technology and small-molecule compounds, and related delivery methods. The current progress of clinical trials of lncRNA-targeting drugs is also discussed. This information will form a latest updated reference for research and development of lncRNA-based drugs.

Natural products, PGC-1 , and Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) is a transcriptional coactivator that binds to a diverse range of transcription factors. PPAR coactivator 1 (PGC-1) coactivators possess an extensive range of biological effects in different tissues, and play a key part in the regulation of the oxidative metabolism, consequently modulating the production of reactive oxygen species, autophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Owing to these findings, a large body of studies, aiming to establish the role of PGC-1 in the neuromuscular system, has shown that PGC-1 could be a promising target for therapies targeting neuromuscular diseases. Among these, some evidence has shown that various signaling pathways linked to PGC-1 are deregulated in muscular dystrophy, leading to a reduced capacity for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. In the light of these results, any intervention aimed at activating PGC-1 could contribute towards ameliorating the progression of muscular dystrophies. PGC-1 is influenced by different patho-physiological/pharmacological stimuli. Natural products have been reported to display modulatory effects on PPAR activation with fewer side effects in comparison to synthetic drugs. Taken together, this review summarizes the current knowledge on Duchenne muscular dystrophy, focusing on the potential effects of natural compounds, acting as regulators of PGC-1.

Warming needling combined with decoction for arteriosclerosis obliterans with stasis / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect difference of warming needling combined with decoction and ciloprost for arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) with stasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 96 ASO patients with stasis were randomly assigned into a combination group and a western medication group, 48 cases in each group. Anti-hypertension, glucose-lowering and lipid lowering therapies were applied in the two groups. Ciloprost was prescribed orally in the western medication group, twice a day, 100 mg a time. The main acupoints in the combination group were Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Guanyuan (CV 4), and Xuehai (SP 10), matched with Yanglingquan (GB 34) and Weizhong (BL 40). Warming needling was used at Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Xuehai (SP 10) and Guanyuan (CV 4), 5 times a week, once a day, 20 min a time. At the same time, self-made decoction was applied in the combination group, 1 dose a day, twice a day. All the treatment was given for continuous 3 courses, 1 month as a course. The indexes were the symptom scores for cool limb skin, sour swelling, numbness, pain, abnormal complexion, ankle brachial index (ABI) and blood biochemical indexes, including fasting blood-glucose (FPG), triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol total (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (AST), serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The adverse reactions were recorded. The clinical effect was evaluated. Two-month follow-up was carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the symptom scores for cool limb skin, sour swelling, numbness, pain, abnormal complexion and total score decreased in the two groups (all <0.05), with better results in the combination group (all <0.05). The bilateral ABI were higher than those before treatment in the two groups (all <0.05), with better results in the combination group (both <0.05). The FPG, TG, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, ALT, AST, Scr, BUN before and after treatment had no statistical significance in the two groups (all >0.05). There was no adverse reaction on acupuncture and moxibustion. The total effective rate of the combination group was 95.8% (46/48), which was better than 91.7% (44/48) of the western medication group (<0.05). The recurrence and aggravation rate in the combination group was 8.7% (4/46), which was lower than 18.2% (8/44) in the western medication group (<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Warming needling combined with decoction for ASO are better than simple oral ciloprost, with safety.</p>

Above-Knee Femoropopliteal Arterial Bypass for Lower Limb Ischemia Associated with Bilateral Persistent Sciatic Arteries / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

<p>Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital vascular anomaly with an incidence ranging from 0.025 to 0.06% of the general population. We report a 65-year-old male patient with bilateral PSA suffering from intermittent right-calf claudication. Peripheral pulsations could be palpated well at the right common femoral artery but not at the right popliteal artery. His ankle brachial index (ABI) was 0.79 on the right and 0.99 on the left. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography demonstrated that the bilateral PSAs were branched from the internal iliac arteries and the right PSA was completely occluded, whereas aneurysmal change was not evident. Both superficial femoral arteries were incompletely developed. Blood flow to the peroneal artery, anterior and posterior tibial arteries were maintained in both lower legs via a network of collateral arteries. Arterial bypass from right common femoral artery to the above-knee popliteal artery using knitted Dacron graft was performed and postoperative ABI of the right lower limb improved to 1.06. Ten months after the intervention, the patient was then suffered from intermittent left-calf claudication caused by complete occlusion of left PSA, therefore, above-knee femoropopliteal arterial bypass using knitted Dacron graft was performed. PSA is often asymptomatic until a complication develops and the careful monitoring to prevent the risk of thromboembolic and aneurysmal events are recommended.</p>

Nucleophosmin mutation analysis in acute myeloid leukaemia: Immunohistochemistry as a surrogate for molecular techniques.

Background & objectives: Mutation of nucleophosmin (NPM1) gene in the absence of FLT3-ITD (FMS related tyrosine kinase 3 - internal tandem duplications) mutation carries a good prognosis in cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). NPM1, a multifunctional nucleolar phosphoprotein that shuttles between nucleus and cytoplasm, gets trapped in the cytoplasm when mutated. Immunohistochemical (IHC) demonstration of its aberrant cytoplasmic location (NPMc+) has been suggested as a simple substitute for the standard screening molecular method. This study was aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of IHC on formalin fixed bone marrow biopsies in comparison with the reference molecular method (allele specific oligonucleotide - polymerase chain reaction; ASO-PCR) to predict NPM1 mutation status in AML patients. Methods: NPM protein IHC was performed using mouse anti-NPM monoclonal antibody on 35 paraffin-embedded bone marrow biopsies of patients with primary AML of any French-American-British (FAB) subtype. Results of IHC were compared with those of ASO-PCR. Results: Of the 35 AML patients, 21 (60%) were positive for NPM1 exon 12 gene mutation by ASO-PCR, 19 (90.47%) of these 21 were NPMc+. Thirteen of the 35 patients were negative by both the methods. One NPMc+ patient was not detected by ASO-PCR. IHC had a sensitivity and specificity of 90 and 93 per cent, respectively, compared to the molecular screening gold standard. Interpretation & conclusions: Mutation of NPM1 determined by the widely available and inexpensive IHC agrees closely with results of the standard molecular methods. Thus, technically and financially not well endowed laboratories can provide the prognostically and potentially therapeutically important information on NPM1 mutation using IHC.

Valores referenciales de antiestreptolisina O y portadores asintomáticos de estreptococos β-hemolíticos en adolescentes y adultos del Municipio Francisco Linares Alcántara, Venezuela / Reference valúes antistreptolysin O and asymptomatic carriers of β-hemolytic streptococci in adolescents and adults at Municipality Francisco Linares Alcántara, Venezuela

Introduction: β-hemolytic streptococci (Streptococcus pyogenes) groups A, C or G, secretes streptolysin O, toxin which causes in the infected individual an adaptive humoral immune response with production of serum antibodies called anti-streptolysin O (ASO). Objectives: To determine the reference value of ASO in a sample of 159 individuals aged 16-72 years from municipality Francisco Linares Alcántara, Aragua state, applying indirect (passive) agglutination test. By using a throat swab sample which was sown in blood agar 5% the frequency of asymptomatic carriers of β-hemolytic streptococci was also determined. Results and Discussion: As reference value for determining ASO by agglutination method a title of up to 200 IU/mL was obtained, this reference value differs from that recommended by the commercial equipment. Asymptomatic carriers frequency was 21.2% (n = 34). The distribution of β-hemolytic streptococci isolated were: group A (17.6%), group B (32.3%), group C (20.5%), group D (2.9%), group F (8.8%), group G (14.7%) and unclusterable (2.9%). Conclusions: The new ASO reference value for teens and adults of the mentioned municipality is up to 200 IU/mL. β-hemolytic Streptococcus group B was the most frequently isolated.

Introducción: Los estreptococos β-hemolíticos del grupo A (Streptococcus pyogenes), C o G, secretan estreptolisina O, toxina que causa en el individuo infectado una respuesta inmune adaptativa humoral con producción de anticuerpos séricos denominados antiestreptolisina O (ASO). Objetivos: Determinar el valor referencial de ASO en una muestra poblacional de 159 individuos con edades comprendidas entre 16 y 72 años del municipio Francisco Linares Alcántara, estado Aragua mediante aglutinación (pasiva) indirecta. También se determinó la frecuencia de portadores asintomáticos de estreptococos β-hemolíticos utilizando una muestra de exudado faríngeo que se sembró en agar sangre de cordero al 5%. Resultados y Discusión: Como valor referencial para la determinación de ASO por el método de aglutinación se obtuvo un título de hasta 200 UI/mL, valor que difiere del recomendado por el kit comercial. La frecuencia de portadores fue 21,2% (n = 34). La distribución de los estreptococos β-hemolíticos aislados fue: grupo A (17,6%), grupo B (32,3%), grupo C (20,5%), grupo D (2,9%), grupo F (8,8%), grupo G (14,7%) y no agrupable (2,9%). Conclusiones: El nuevo valor referencial de ASO para adolescentes y adultos del municipio mencionado es hasta 200 UI/mL. Streptococcus β-hemolítico del grupo B fue el grupo más frecuentemente aislado.

Safety and Mechanism of Action of Licensed Vaccine Adjuvants.

Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvants are included in vaccines for a variety of reasons: to increase the breadth of response, to lower antigen dose, to overcome limited immune response in some populations, or to enable complex combination vaccines. This study aims to review the safety of licensed vaccine adjuvants and describe their mechanism of action. Potential publications for inclusion were identified through a direct search of PubMed/Medline database. Results of online literature searches were supplemented by relevant papers cited in published studies along with the authors’ knowledge of published studies. To date, there are 5 licensed vaccine adjuvants in US and Europe: Aluminum salts (EU, US), MF59 (EU), AS03 (EU), AS04 (EU, US), and virosomes (EU). AS03 is not available as an adjuvant in other vaccines but included within the US government’s National Stockpile. All vaccines that contain these adjuvants have been proven safe in clinical trials and post-marketing studies, with the exception of the AS03, for which the rare events of narcolepsy have been reported in some countries. Every adjuvant has a complex and often multifactorial immunological mechanism, usually poorly understood in vivo. The safety profile of an adjuvant, including the actual and hypothetical risks, is a critical component that can speed up or impede adjuvant development. The increasing understanding in adjuvant sciences is fundamental to the further development of new adjuvants.

Safety and Mechanism of Action of Licensed Vaccine Adjuvants.

Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvants are included in vaccines for a variety of reasons: to increase the breadth of response, to lower antigen dose, to overcome limited immune response in some populations, or to enable complex combination vaccines. This study aims to review the safety of licensed vaccine adjuvants and describe their mechanism of action. Potential publications for inclusion were identified through a direct search of PubMed/Medline database. Results of online literature searches were supplemented by relevant papers cited in published studies along with the authors’ knowledge of published studies. To date, there are 5 licensed vaccine adjuvants in US and Europe: Aluminum salts (EU, US), MF59 (EU), AS03 (EU), AS04 (EU, US), and virosomes (EU). AS03 is not available as an adjuvant in other vaccines but included within the US government’s National Stockpile. All vaccines that contain these adjuvants have been proven safe in clinical trials and post-marketing studies, with the exception of the AS03, for which the rare events of narcolepsy have been reported in some countries. Every adjuvant has a complex and often multifactorial immunological mechanism, usually poorly understood in vivo. The safety profile of an adjuvant, including the actual and hypothetical risks, is a critical component that can speed up or impede adjuvant development. The increasing understanding in adjuvant sciences is fundamental to the further development of new adjuvants.

Impact study of curcumin on ASO and IL-8 level changes in serum of psoriatic mice model induced by TPA / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To explore the impact of curcumin on antistreptolysin“O”(ASO)and interleukin 8 (IL-8)level changes in serum of psoriatic mice model induced by phorbol ester(TPA).Methods 132 SCID mice were selected and divided into three groups.43 mice in normal group, 46 mice in model group,and 43 mice in intervention group.The mice of model group and intervention group were set up psoriasis model induced by TPA. Mice of the three groups were bred in the same environment,curcumin was injected in the intervention group mice,0.02 g/100 g,once a day,two weeks for a period of treatment.ASO and IL-8 level were compared amorg the three groups of mice after treatment.Results Before the treatment,compared with the normal group,positive rate of ASO in model group and intervention group increased significantly,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05 );after treatment,the level of intervention group was significantly lower than model group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05 );before the treatment,compared with the normal group,IL-8 level in intervention group and model group increased significantly,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05 );after treatment,level of the intervention group was significantly lower than model group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Curcumin could effectively reduce ASO and IL-8 level in serum of psoriatic mice model, improve the clinical symptoms of psoriasis mice,it is an effective drug for treatment of psoriasis.

A Case of Persistent Sciatic Artery with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a very uncommon congenital malformation. Its incidence is estimated to be 0.01-0.06%. In this article, we have described the case of 59-year-old woman presenting with a left lower limb ischemia. She had a good pulse in her femoral artery. However, no pulsation of her left popliteal, pedal and posterior tibial artery was observed. The ankle brachial index (ABI) was 1.05 on the right side and 0.65 on the left side. Preoperative angiography and CT scan showed that persistent sciatic artery had been branched from left internal iliac artery and the distal side had completely occluded. This persistent sciatic artery had no aneurysmal changes. The left superficial femoral artery was hypoplastic. Blood supply to the left peroneal artery, anterior and posterior tibial arteries by collateral arteries was detected. The left leg ischemia was diagnosed due to chronic occlusion of the persistent sciatic artery. Then, the bypass grafting was performed from the left common femoral artery to the above-knee popliteal artery using an ipsilateral reversed great saphenous vein graft. Postoperatively, ABI improved to 0.89 on the left side.

D8/17 Expression on B Lymphocytes of Children and Adolescents with Tic Disorder

OBJECTIVES: It has been reported that higher percentage of B cells react with monoclonal D8/17 antibody in patients with rheumatic fever, childhood onset obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's disorder, or prepubertal anorexia nervosa. The purpose of this study is to replicate the previous studies in a Korean young population with tic disorder and to identify any relationship between D8/17 and clinical symptoms. METHODS: The binding of D8/17 to B cells was determined in patients with tic disorder (N=21) and healthy controls (N=9) by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorter analysis. RESULTS: In the sample examined by this study, the average percentage of B cells expressing D8/17 in tic disorder was 2.05%; healthy controls was 3.15%. No statistically significant differences were found in the mean percentages of D8/17 between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The expression of D8/17 in B cells was very low in this study. No subjects with tic disorder or healthy controls was above 12% in D8/17 positive proportion. Further studies, including higher number of patients and control group members, should be performed.

Psoraisis In Kashmir Valley: A Clinico-Epidemiological Study.

A cross sectional observational clinico epidemiological study on psoriasis was done on one thousand ethnic Kashmiri patients attending the Out patient Department of Dermatology,STD and Leprosy,Government Medical College Srinagar Kashmir over a period of six years (1999-2005).The patients were evaluated as regards the demographic profile,morphological or clinical type of psoriasis,involvement of joints,exacerbating factors especially infections (streptococcal sore throat),drug intake and winter exacerbation.The study revealed a male preponderance with peak age of occurrence in second or third decade of life.The predominant clinical type was seen to be Psoriasis vulgaris.Joint involvement was seen in 9.5 %of patients.Araised Anti Streptolysin titre was seen in 46.2% of acute guttate type.Drugs seen to be associated with exacerbation of disease included withdrawal of systemic corticosteroids,intake of Unani medicines and ACE inhibitors.An increased severity of the disease was seen in winter in 16.7 % of patients.The results of this study were consistent with the trend observed in other studies done in North India.

The Clinical Effectiveness of Traditional Japanese Harbal-medicine, Tokishigyakukagoshuyushyokyoto for Vascular Intermittent Claudication / 日本東洋医学雑誌

The clinical effects of tokishigyakukagoshuyushyokyoto for vascular intermittent claudication were investigated by treadmill test with 2.4 km/hour and 12 degree. Thirty three patients with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans (ASO) chose either administration of cilostazol (Group I) or tokishigyakukagoshuyushyokyoto (Group II). After limitation of improvement by cilostazol in Group I, tokishigyakukagoshuyushyokyoto was administered (Group III). The distance where patients were able to walk to the limit was assumed to be the maximum walking distance. Change rate of absolute claudication distance (ACD) was calculated as ratio of maximum walking distance after and before treatment.The median of change rate of ACD in Group I one and three month after treatment were 130.5% and 145.5%, respectively. The median of change rate of ACD in Group II one and three month after treatment were 111.6% and 122.7%, respectively. Finally, the median of change rate of ACD in Group III one and three month after treatment were 112.0% and 112.3%, respectively.Either cilostazol or tokishigyakukagoshuyushyokyoto was effective for vascular intermittent claudication. Moreover, tokishigyakukagoshuyushyokyoto showed additional effect after limitation of improvement by cilostazol.

Trans-Thoracic Aortic Insertion of Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping for the Patient of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy with Severe Arteriosclerotic Disease / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

A 58-year-old man with diabetic nephropathy had been on hemodialysis for 15 years. He had lost his left leg below the knee and whole right leg due to atherosclerotic necrosis. During the past 3 years, his cardiac function had also gradually deteriorated. For the past 2 years, echocardiography showed progressively worsening mitral valve regurgitation. Coronary angiography showed severe stenosis in the left main trunk and left descending artery. Ischemic cardiomyopathy with mitral regurgitation were diagnosed. He underwent coronary artery bypass grafting and mitral valve annuloplasty. Because of difficulty in weaning him from cardiopulmonary bypass, he required intra-aortic balloon-pump (IABP) support. An IABP was inserted through the ascending aorta via a tube graft. It was removed on the 4th postoperative day with a small skin incision, under local anesthesia. The postoperative course was uneventful. This IABP insertion technique was useful for a patient with severe arteriosclerotic disease.

Frecuencia de antiestreptolisina O y antidesoxirribonucleasa B como indicador de infección estreptocócica en estudiantes de una unidad educativa del estado Aragua

En este estudio se determinó la frecuencia de anticuerpos antiestreptolisina O (ASO) por neutralización y nefelometría y anticuerpos antidesoxirribonucleasa B (antiDNasa B) mediante nefelometría en 177 estudiantes seleccionados de manera aleatoria de una unidad educativa del municipio Francisco Linares Alcántara, estado Aragua. El porcentaje de títulos elevados para ASO por neutralización obtenido en los escolares fue 8,5% y por nefelometría 39,6%, estableciéndose que el método nefelométrico detectó mayor porcentaje de individuos con títulos altos. Con respecto a la antiDNasa B, 28,3% de los estudiantes presentaron títulos por encima del valor normal. Los escolares con edades entre 8 a 10 años exhibieron el mayor porcentaje de títulos elevados. La alta prevalencia de ASO observada revela que la infección por S. pyogenes es importante. Las complicaciones y secuelas no se estudiaron, por lo que las medidas de prevención y control deben dirigirse a prevenir las posibles secuelas. Tomando en cuenta que la mayoría de los estudiantes estaban asintomáticos se hace necesario realizar estudios en los cuales se aísle S. pyogenes, como también estudios en los cuales se establezcan los valores referenciales para las diferentes pruebas realizadas en este estudio.

In this study, the frequency of antistreptolysin O (ASO) antibodies was determined through neutralization and nephelometry and antidesoxiribonuclease B (antiDNase B) antibodies through nephelometry in 177 students from a teaching unit located in the Francisco Linares Alcantara Municipality of Aragua State. The percentage of elevated ASO titers by neutralization obtained in the school children was 8.5% and by nephelometry 39,6%, showing that the nephelometry method detects a higher percentage of individuals with high titers. Regarding antiDNase B, 28.3% of the students showed titers over the normal value. School children with ages between 8 and 10 years showed the greatest percentage of elevated titers. The high ASO prevalence observed reveals that infection by S. pyogenes is important. The complications and sequels were not studied, due to which prevention and control measures should be addressed to prevent possible sequels. Considering that most of the students were asymptomatic, it is necessary to carry out studies to isolate S. pyogene, well as studies to establish the referential values for the various tests done in this study.

Effect of Foot Baths containing Artificial CO2 on Peripheral Circulation / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

<b>Purpose</b>: We examined the effects of foot baths containing artificial carbon dioxide (CO₂) on peripheral circulation. Our goal was to obtain quantitative results bearing on the treatment and preservation of refractory leg ulcers and gangrene, which would occur in arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) and diabetic peripheral circulation disorders.<br><b>Procedures</b>: The lower legs of six healthy volunteers were placed for 10min into a 42°C bath of 10<i>l</i> in which 45g of artificial CO₂ “BUB” was dissolved. A laser Doppler blood-flowmeter was firmly attached. The measurements of blood flow were taken before, during, and 5, 15, 25, and 35min after each subject took a foot bath. Next, in order to examine the effects of peripheral blood flow on the whole body during the foot baths, each laser Doppler blood-flowmeters was attached on the subject's right arm, 10cm above the wrist joint.<br><b>Results</b>: The blood flow increased during the foot bath and decreased after the bath was removed; during in a 10min bath, the flow was 264±135 (%) (p<0.05) of the flow before the feet were placed into the bath. 5min after the bath was removed, the flow was 256±174 (%) of the original pre-bath rate. 15min later it was 146±60 (%), 25min later it was 112±23 (%), and 35min later it was 107±24 (%), as low as the flow before the feet were placed in the bath. The arm blood flow also increased during the foot bath and decreased after the bath was removed. During a 10min bath, the flow was 119±49 (%) of the rate before the feet were placed in the bath. 5min after the bath was removed, the flow was 120±66 (%) of the original pre-bath rate. 15min later it was 113±28 (%), 25min later it was 109±16 (%), and 35min later it was 95±14 (%), essentially the same as the flow before the feet were placed in the bath.<br><b>Discussion</b>: Our work demonstrates an increase in blood flow, by 2.6X, by using a foot bath containing artificial CO₂. The increase was maintained for 5min after removed of the foot from the bath. However, the blood flow decreased 15min after the baths were removed. We hope that this simple and effective foot bath will be used both at home and elderly care service stations. Its use could see prevention from refractory leg ulcers or gangrene, particularly as average life span continues to increase in Japan.

The Effects of High Concentration Artificial CO2 Warm Water Bathing for Arteriosclerotic Obstruction (ASO) / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

The ulcer of the foot induced by arteriosclerotic obstruction (ASO) is poor prognosis that often comes to amputation. In the meantime, the CO₂ warm water is reported with that it has the powerful vasodilator action. In this research, it was made that the effects for the foot ulcer using the high concentration CO₂ warm water bathing was examined to be a purpose.<br>The subjects are the 49 cases (average 66-years, male: female=20: 29) degree of Fontaine II-IV. We prepared high concentrated CO₂ warm water in approx. 1, 000ppm at 38— technically utilizing an artificial gas-permeable dialysis membrane (MRE-SPA, Mitsubishi Rayon Engineering Co., Ltd.). Using the partial bathing with this CO₂ warm water, the progress was observed on the improvement of foot ulcer in the bathing of 10min. as the period, and of 1-2time/day. In addition, the peripheral tissue bloodflow and the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure in dorsum pedis during the warm water bathing were observed.<br>The obvious improvement on each case of ulcer was confirmed within several months. The peripheral tissue blood flow (before bathing 1.1±0.5<i>ml</i>/min/100g) was increased after 1min and it rose to 4.4±1.8 after 10min from the beginning to bathing (p<0.01). Afterwards, it immediately returned to the previous value after the end. In the meantime, though the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure was 40.7±18.3mmHg prior to the bathing, it increases after 10min with 50.7±18.2mmHg (p<0.05), and it was maintained at 50.3±20.8mmHg in 20min after bathing (p<0.01). And, in each Fontaine groups it significantly increase with the peripheral tissue bloodflow and the transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure.<br>As a conclusion, the partial bathing of the foot with high concentration CO₂ warm water is effective as the therapy for the foot ulcer caused by ASO. The mechanism indicated that the rise of transcutaneous oxygen partial pressure and peripheral tissue bloodflow was concerned without relating to the seriousness of ASO.

A reverse dot blot method for genotyping of NAT2 in Chinese subjects / 中国药理学通报

Aim To establish a simple reverse dot blot m ethod (RDB) for detecting the genotype of NAT2 in Chinese people. Methods PCR was performed to obtain a biotin labeled DNA fragment. Allele specific oligonucleotide probes were spotted onto a nylon membrane. The DNA fragment hybridized with the membrane under stringent conditions. Finally, a nonradioactive colorimetric reaction was used to detect five mutants of NAT2. NAT2 genotypes of 48 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were detected with RDB.Results The results obtained from RDB were in consistent with those from allele specific amplification. The NAT2 allele frequencies of *5, *6, *7 were 1.04%, 22.9% and 15.6%, respectively.Homozygous wildtype,heterozygous mutant and homozygous mutant subjects were 33.3%, 54.2% and 12.5%, respectively.Conclusion RDB method was proved to be accurate and convenient, it can be u sed in rational drug therapy.

The Clinical and Laboratory Features of Kawasaki Disease with Nonresponsibility to the Acute Antiinflammatory Treatment

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical features and laboratory findings in Kawasaki patients with nonresponsibility to the acute antiinflammatory treatment, and identify the risk factors for the nonresponsibility, we reviewed the medical records of patients with Kawasaki disease. METHODS: A retrospective study of 177 patients with Kawasaki disease at Wonkwang University Medical Center from June, 1997 to June, 2002, was performed. High dose intravenous immune globulin(IVIG) and aspirin were all used for the initial acute antiinflammatory treatment. Two groups, group A(n=19) of initial nonresponders and group B(n=158) of initial responders were compared clinically and laboratorically. RESULTS: Nineteen(10.7%) of 177 patients hardly responded to the initial antiinflammatory treatment. Patients with failure to respond to initial treatment(group A) did not differ from the control group in terms of age, sex, WBC count, coronary abnormalities, and evidence of pyuria. Compared with initial responders(group B), the patients who were retreated(group A) had a significantly shorter fever- admission interval(P=0.041), and a higher level of both AST/ALT(P=0.011) and ASO titier(P=0.000). CONCLUSION: Among Kawasaki disease patients studied, retreatment group with initial nonresponders had significantly shorter fever-admission interval, and higher both AST/ALT level and ASO titer, than the initial response group.

Perioperative Coagulation Responses to Heparin and Dextran Following Arterial Bypass in Patients with Arteriosclerosis Obliterans / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The administration of low dose heparin and dextran therapy in patients with arterial bypass surgery is thought to prevent thrombosis and graft occlusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low dose heparin and dextran in atherosclerosis patients presenting hypercoagulability. METHODS: Whole blood coagulation was evaluated using thrombelastography and standard coagulation testing before and a day after surgery in nine atherosclerotic patients and nine control patients. Heparin 5000 U and dextran 500 ml were administrated in atherosclerotic patients during their operations. RESULTS: Atherosclerotic patients showed higher maximal amplitude compared to the control patients during preoperative thrombelastography. After surgery atherosclerotic patients revealed no significant change, but the control group became more hypercoagulable in status compared to the preoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous heparin and dextran prevented postoperative change to a more hypercoagulable state than the preoperative status in atherosclerotic patients undergoing arterial bypass surgery.