RESUMEN
We report the first evidence for isospin violation in BâK^{*}γ and the first measurement of the difference of CP asymmetries between B^{+}âK^{*+}γ and B^{0}âK^{*0}γ. This analysis is based on the data sample containing 772×10^{6}BB[over ¯] pairs that was collected with the Belle detector at the KEKB energy-asymmetric e^{+}e^{-} collider. We find evidence for the isospin violation with a significance of 3.1σ, Δ_{0+}=[+6.2±1.5(stat)±0.6(syst)±1.2(f_{+-}/f_{00})]%, where the third uncertainty is due to the uncertainty on the fraction of B^{+}B^{-} to B^{0}B[over ¯]^{0} production in Ï(4S) decays. The measured value is consistent with predictions of the standard model. The result for the difference of CP asymmetries is ΔA_{CP}=[+2.4±2.8(stat)±0.5(syst)]%, consistent with zero. The measured branching fractions and CP asymmetries for charged and neutral B meson decays are the most precise to date. We also calculate the ratio of branching fractions of B^{0}âK^{*0}γ to B_{s}^{0}âÏγ.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Genetic markers of susceptibility to asthma exacerbations in adults remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To identify genetic markers of asthma exacerbations, particularly in patients with type-2 inflammatory endotype. METHODS: In this observational study of patients enrolled in the Kinki Hokuriku Airway disease Conference multicenter study, frequency of exacerbations requiring systemic corticosteroids during 2 years after enrolment and associated risk factors was determined. For genetic marker analysis, interleukin-4 receptor α (IL4RA) rs8832 and a disintegrin and metalloprotease 33 (ADAM33) S_2 (rs528557), T_1 (rs2280091), T_2 (rs2280090), and V_4 (rs2787094) variants were included. Elevated serum periostin levels at enrolment (≥95 ng/mL, defined as type-2 inflammatory endotype) were considered in the analysis. RESULTS: Among 217 patients who were successfully followed up for 2 years after enrolment, 60 patients showed at least one asthma exacerbation during the 2 years. Airflow limitation (%FEV1 <80%) and recent exacerbations but not genetic variants were identified as risk markers of exacerbations. A total of 27 patients showed type-2 inflammatory endotype (serum periostin ≥95 ng/mL at enrolment) and subsequent exacerbations; risk factors in these patients were airflow limitation (odds ratio, 6.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.37-18.6; P=.0003), GG genotype of IL4RA rs8832 (odds ratio, 4.01; 95% CI: 1.47-11.0; P=.007), and A allele of ADAM33 T_2 (odds ratio, 2.81; 95% CI: 1.05-7.67; P=.04) by multivariate analysis. In addition, GG genotype of IL4RA rs8832 was associated with type-2 endotype, whereas A allele of ADAM33 T_2 was associated with mixed type of eosinophilic/type-2 and neutrophilic inflammations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: IL4RA and ADAM33 variants may be risk markers of asthma exacerbations in type-2 inflammatory endotype. Precise endotyping may facilitate the identification of genetic risk markers of asthma exacerbations.
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Proteínas ADAM , Asma/sangre , Asma/genética , Subunidad alfa del Receptor de Interleucina-4 , Proteínas ADAM/sangre , Proteínas ADAM/genética , Adulto , Anciano , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Estudios de Seguimiento , Marcadores Genéticos , Humanos , Subunidad alfa del Receptor de Interleucina-4/sangre , Subunidad alfa del Receptor de Interleucina-4/genética , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Disruption of the third zinc finger domain of specificity protein 6 (SP6) presents an enamel-specific defect in a rat model of amelogenesis imperfecta (AMI rats). To understand the molecular basis of amelogenesis imperfecta caused by the Sp6 mutation, we established and characterized AMI-derived rat dental epithelial (ARE) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ARE cell clones were isolated from the mandibular incisors of AMI rats, and amelogenesis-related gene expression was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Localization of wild-type SP6 (SP6WT) and mutant-type SP6 (SP6AMI) was analyzed by immunocytochemistry. SP6 transcriptional activity was monitored by rho-associated protein kinase 1 (Rock1) promoter activity with its specific binding to the promoter region in dental (G5 and ARE) and non-dental (COS-7) epithelial cells. RESULTS: Isolated ARE cells were varied in morphology and gene expression. Both SP6WT and SP6AMI were mainly detected in nuclei. The promoter analysis revealed that SP6WT and SP6AMI enhanced Rock1 promoter activity in G5 cells but that enhancement by SP6AMI was weaker, whereas no enhancement was observed in the ARE and COS-7 cells, even though SP6WT and SP6AMI bound to the promoter in all instances. CONCLUSION: ARE cell clones can provide a useful in vitro model to study the mechanism of SP6-mediated amelogenesis imperfecta.
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Amelogénesis Imperfecta/patología , Células Epiteliales/patología , Factores de Transcripción de Tipo Kruppel/genética , Factores de Transcripción de Tipo Kruppel/metabolismo , Amelogénesis Imperfecta/genética , Amelogénesis Imperfecta/metabolismo , Animales , Células Cultivadas , Expresión Génica , Incisivo/patología , Regiones Promotoras Genéticas , Ratas , Quinasas Asociadas a rho/genéticaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In steroid-naive patients with asthma, several gene variants are associated with a short-term response to inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) treatment; this has mostly been observed in Caucasians. However, not many studies have been conducted for other ethnicities. Here, we aimed to determine the relationship between the annual decline in forced expiratory flow volume in one second (FEV1 ) and the variant of the glucocorticoid-induced transcript 1 gene (GLCCI1) in Japanese patients with asthma receiving long-term ICS treatment, taking into account the effect of high serum periostin levels, a known association factor of pulmonary function decline and a marker of refractory eosinophilic/Th2 inflammation. METHODS: In this study, 224 patients with asthma receiving ICS treatment for at least 4 years were enrolled. The effects of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GLCCI1, stress-induced phosphoprotein 1 (STIP1), and T gene on the decline in FEV1 of 30 ml/year or greater were determined. RESULTS: Besides the known contributing factors, that is, the most intensive treatment step, ex-smoking, and high serum periostin levels (≥95 ng/ml), the GG genotype of GLCCI1 rs37973, and not other SNPs, was independently associated with a decline in FEV1 of 30 ml/year or greater. When patients were stratified according to their serum periostin levels, the GG genotype of rs37973 was significantly associated with blood eosinophilia (≥250/µl) in the high serum periostin group. CONCLUSIONS: A GLCCI1 variant is a risk factor of pulmonary function decline in Japanese patients with asthma receiving long-term ICS treatment. Thus, GLCCI1 may be associated with response to ICS across ethnicities.
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Asma/genética , Asma/fisiopatología , Variación Genética , Receptores de Glucocorticoides/genética , Administración por Inhalación , Corticoesteroides/administración & dosificación , Corticoesteroides/uso terapéutico , Anciano , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Asma/inmunología , Moléculas de Adhesión Celular/sangre , Eosinófilos/inmunología , Femenino , Volumen Espiratorio Forzado , Estudios de Asociación Genética , Proteínas de Choque Térmico/genética , Humanos , Recuento de Leucocitos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Pruebas de Función Respiratoria , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The current study was conducted to compare the effects of post-treatment with oestrogen on histological and neurological outcomes after short (7-day) and long (28-day) recovery periods in rats subjected to transient forebrain ischaemia. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of five groups: vehicle (7-day recovery period), vehicle (28-day recovery period), oestrogen (17ß-estradiol 200 µg/kg, 7-day), oestrogen (17ß-estradiol 200 µg /kg, 28-day), or sham surgical (n = 8 in each group). After forebrain ischaemia was induced with bilateral carotid artery occlusion and haemorrhagic hypotension (mean arterial pressure = 40 mmHg) for 10 min, the brain was reperfused for 7 or 28 days. Either 17ß-estradiol or vehicle was injected intravenously during the initial 2 min of reperfusion. To evaluate histological damage, the number of intact neurons per 1 mm in the hippocampal CA1 subfield was counted at 7 or 28 days after transient forebrain ischaemia. RESULTS: At 7 days after ischaemia, the number of intact neurons in the hippocampal CA1 subfield was significantly greater in the oestrogen group [57.5 (46.5)/mm: median (interquartile range)] than in the vehicle group [10 (19.5) /mm; P = 0.014]. However, there was no difference between groups at 28 days after ischaemia [vehicle: 11 (20)/mm vs. oestrogen: 6 (11)/mm]. The neurological deficit scores in the oestrogen and vehicle groups were not different from the sham group at any point post-ischaemia. CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that post-ischaemic administration of oestrogen provided short-term but not long-term neuroprotective effects in transient forebrain ischaemia in rats.
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Estrógenos/farmacología , Hipocampo/patología , Ataque Isquémico Transitorio/tratamiento farmacológico , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/farmacología , Prosencéfalo/irrigación sanguínea , Animales , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Ataque Isquémico Transitorio/patología , Masculino , Aprendizaje por Laberinto/efectos de los fármacos , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-DawleyRESUMEN
We examined the role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the development of ischemic tolerance induced by cortical spreading depression against transient, focal brain ischemia. Cortical spreading depression was continuously induced for 2 h with topical KCl (13+/-1 depolarizations/2 h) in male Wistar rats. At 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 days following recovery, the middle cerebral artery was transiently occluded for 120 min. Four days later, the animals were killed and infarct volume was determined. Additionally, cyclooxygenase-2 levels in the cerebral cortex and 15 deoxy-Delta(12, 14) PGJ2 levels in cerebrospinal fluid were determined at these times with Western blotting and immunoassay, respectively. Infarct volume was reduced compared with non-cortical spreading depression control animals (274.3+/-15.3 mm3) when cortical spreading depression was performed 3 and 4 days before middle cerebral artery occlusion (163.9+/-14.2 mm3, 154.9+/-14.2 mm3) but not at 1, 2 and 5 days (280.4+/-17.3 mm3, 276.3+/-16.9 mm3 and 268.5+/-17.3 mm3). Cyclooxygenase-2 levels increased most dramatically starting at 2 days, peaked at 3 days, and started to return toward baseline at 4 days after cortical spreading depression. 15 Deoxy-Delta(12, 14) PGJ2 levels increased from 134.7+/-83 pg/ml at baseline to 718+/-98 pg/ml at 3 days. Administration of N-[2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl] methanesulphonamide (10 mg/kg, i.v.), a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, at 1 h prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion in cortical spreading depression preconditioned animals did not affect infarct volume (162.6+/-62.1 mm3). However, administration of N-[2-cyclohexyloxy-4-nitrophenyl] methanesulphonamide given three times prior to middle cerebral artery occlusion prevented the reduced infarct volume induced by cortical spreading depression preconditioning (272.9+/-63.2 mm3). Administration of L-nitro-arginine methyl ester (4 mg/kg, i.v.) prior to cortical spreading depression blocked increases in cyclooxygenase-2 normally seen at 3 and 4 days. We conclude that NO-mediated cyclooxygenase-2 upregulation by cortical spreading depression protects the brain against ischemic damage.
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Corteza Cerebral/enzimología , Depresión de Propagación Cortical/fisiología , Ciclooxigenasa 2/metabolismo , Ataque Isquémico Transitorio/enzimología , Precondicionamiento Isquémico/métodos , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Animales , Corteza Cerebral/fisiopatología , Infarto Cerebral/tratamiento farmacológico , Infarto Cerebral/enzimología , Infarto Cerebral/fisiopatología , Inhibidores de la Ciclooxigenasa 2/farmacología , Citoprotección/efectos de los fármacos , Citoprotección/fisiología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Infarto de la Arteria Cerebral Media/enzimología , Infarto de la Arteria Cerebral Media/fisiopatología , Ataque Isquémico Transitorio/fisiopatología , Masculino , NG-Nitroarginina Metil Éster/farmacología , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa/antagonistas & inhibidores , Óxido Nítrico Sintasa/metabolismo , Cloruro de Potasio/farmacología , Prostaglandina D2/análogos & derivados , Prostaglandina D2/metabolismo , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Regulación hacia Arriba/efectos de los fármacos , Regulación hacia Arriba/fisiologíaRESUMEN
The GGNG peptides are excitatory neuropeptides identified from earthworms, leeches and polychaeta. Two structurally related peptides were purified and characterized from a mollusk, Thais clavigera (prosobranch gastropod). The peptides designated as Thais excitatory peptide-1 (TEP-1) (KCSGKWAIHACWGGN-NH2) and TEP-2 (KCYGKWAMHACWGGN-NH2) are pentadecapeptides having one disulfide bond and C-terminal GGN-NH2 structures, which are shared by most GGNG peptides. TEP augmented the motilities of Thais esophagus and penial complex. TEP-like immunoreactivity is distributed in both the neurons of the central nervous system and nerve endings in the penial complex. Thus, the involvement of TEP in the contraction of the digestive and reproductive systems is suggested. Substitution of amino acids in TEP revealed that two tryptophan residues in TEP are important for maintaining bioactivity.
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Neuropéptidos/fisiología , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Aplysia , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Esófago/efectos de los fármacos , Femenino , Gastrópodos/química , Genitales/efectos de los fármacos , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Neuropéptidos/química , Neuropéptidos/aislamiento & purificación , Péptidos Cíclicos/inmunología , Distribución TisularRESUMEN
The efficacy of sparfloxacin (SPFX) for the control of bronchial asthma was evaluated in 26 patients with suspected Chlamydia pneumoniae infection. Patients were randomly allocated to receive SPFX 200 mg/day (n = 14) or control treatment (n = 12) for 21 days. Significant improvements in serum C-reactive protein levels, and significant decreases in peripheral eosinophil counts, serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) and sputum ECP were observed in the SPFX-treated group at day 21. SPFX-treated patients also had a significantly reduced frequency of asthma symptoms, reduced inhalant beta2-stimulant use, and significant increases in morning peak expiratory flow. At the end of the study, C. pneumoniae was undetectable in two SPFX-treated patients who underwent polymerase chain reaction testing, but one control patient who was tested still had detectable levels of C. pneumoniae. These results suggest that SPFX could be used to control bronchial asthma in patients with suspected persistent C. pneumoniae infection.
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Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Infecciones por Chlamydophila/tratamiento farmacológico , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/patogenicidad , Fluoroquinolonas/uso terapéutico , Administración por Inhalación , Anciano , Antiasmáticos/administración & dosificación , Antiasmáticos/uso terapéutico , Anticuerpos Antibacterianos/sangre , Asma/complicaciones , Proteína C-Reactiva/efectos de los fármacos , Proteína C-Reactiva/metabolismo , Infecciones por Chlamydophila/etiología , Infecciones por Chlamydophila/microbiología , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/inmunología , Chlamydophila pneumoniae/aislamiento & purificación , Proteína Catiónica del Eosinófilo/sangre , Proteína Catiónica del Eosinófilo/efectos de los fármacos , Femenino , Humanos , Inmunoglobulina A/sangre , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Recuento de Leucocitos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ápice del Flujo EspiratorioRESUMEN
In Japan the incidence of atypical mycobacteriosis has steadily increased, with Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) the most common infecting organism. A standard chemotherapy regimen for MAC infection has not been established because of significant resistance to anti-mycobacterial drugs. Sparfloxacin has good antimicrobial activity against several acid-fast bacteria and is expected to be an effective drug for treating mycobacteriosis. We examined the effects of adding sparfloxacin to anti-tuberculotic combination therapy in six patients with MAC pulmonary disease. Drug susceptibility was also assessed using the agar dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for sparfloxacin, levofloxacin, isoniazid, rifampicin, streptomycin, ethambutol and clarithromycin was measured in clinical isolates from all patients; sparfloxacin showed the lowest MIC. Bacteriological and clinical improvements were observed in the four patients who completed the study. Dosing was discontinued in two patients because of pruritic skin eruptions. Sparfloxacin shows promise as an anti-mycobacterial agent for treating MAC pulmonary disease.
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Antibacterianos/farmacología , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Fluoroquinolonas/farmacología , Fluoroquinolonas/uso terapéutico , Complejo Mycobacterium avium/efectos de los fármacos , Infección por Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare/tratamiento farmacológico , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Quimioterapia Combinada , Femenino , Humanos , Japón , Pulmón/diagnóstico por imagen , Pulmón/microbiología , Masculino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Persona de Mediana Edad , Radiografía , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
Gastropods and bivalves were collected at 15 sites at Vancouver and Victoria, Canada between 24 May and 7 June, 1999, to establish tissue concentrations of butyltin and phenyltin compounds, to record imposex symptoms in gastropods, and to assess the present status of organotin contamination around Vancouver. No neogastropods (such as Nucella lima) were found around Vancouver. Neogastropod populations could have been extirpated by severe TBT contamination in Vancouver, as relatively high concentrations of TBT were detected in tissues of Mytilus trossulus from Vancouver, and the neogastropods distributed in Vancouver might be sensitive to TBT. Recovery from imposex, however, was observed in neogastropod populations from three sites at Victoria and Mission Point. TBT contamination has continued around Vancouver, arising from continuous use of TBT in antifouling paints for vessels larger than 25 m in length; however, TBT has decreased around Victoria and Mission Point. Different patterns of TBT accumulation in tissue were observed among the bivalve species from Vancouver. The highest TBT concentration detected in Tresus capax suggested some possible adverse effects. TBT was the most predominant butyltin component in almost all bivalve specimens surveyed, suggesting a low rate of TBT metabolism. Phenyltin compounds were not detected in any molluscan specimens in this study.
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Trastornos del Desarrollo Sexual/etiología , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Moluscos , Compuestos de Trialquiltina/envenenamiento , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad , Animales , Colombia Británica , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Compuestos de Trialquiltina/metabolismo , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/metabolismoRESUMEN
Synucleins (Syn), a family of synaptic proteins, includes alpha-Syn, which plays a pivotal role in Parkinson's disease and related neurodegenerative diseases (synucleinopathies) by forming distinct brain pathologies (Lewy bodies and neurites). Since traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a poorly understood risk factor for Parkinson's disease, we examined the effects of TBI in the young and aged mouse brain on alpha-, beta-, and gamma-Syn. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that brains from sham-injured young and aged mice had normal alpha- and beta-Syn immunoreactivity (IR) in neuropil of cortex, striatum, and hippocampus with little or no gamma-Syn IR. At 1 week post TBI, the aged mouse brain showed a transient increase of alpha- and beta-Syn IR in the neuropil as well as an induction of gamma-Syn IR in subcortical axons. This was associated with strong labeling of striatal axon bundles by antibodies to altered or nitrated epitopes in alpha-Syn as well as by antibodies to inducible nitric oxide synthase. However, these TBI-induced changes disappeared by 16 weeks post TBI, and altered Syn IR was not seen in young mice subjected to TBI nor in alpha-Syn knockout mice while Western blots confirmed that TBI induced transient alterations of alpha-Syn in the mouse brains. This model of age-dependent TBI-induced transient alterations in alpha-Syn provides an opportunity to examine possible links between TBI and mechanisms of disease in synucleinopathies.
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Envejecimiento/patología , Lesiones Encefálicas/patología , Encéfalo/patología , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/fisiología , Animales , Axones/patología , Western Blotting , Corteza Cerebral/lesiones , Corteza Cerebral/patología , Epítopos/genética , Inmunohistoquímica , Isomerismo , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Conformación Molecular , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/genética , Enfermedad de Parkinson/metabolismo , Enfermedad de Parkinson/patología , SinucleínasRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The pharmacological effect of vitamin E ointment at high dose levels was investigated in rats and mice during the development of contact dermatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Allergic or irritant contact dermatitis was induced in sensitized or unsensitized animals by topical application of chemical agent(s). Cultured keratinocytes were prepared from dorsal skin of rats. RESULTS: The vitamin E ointment at 20-40% suppressed allergic and irritant contact dermatitis, exerting a comparable effect to that of 0.5% prednisolone ointment. Microscopic findings revealed that 20% vitamin E ointment reduced the keratinocyte damage, whereas 0.5% prednisolone was ineffective. The protective action of vitamin E on keratinocyte damage was also confirmed in a cell culture experiment. Furthermore, 20% vitamin E ointment blocked down-regulation of skin barrier function induced by contact dermatitis, although 0.5% prednisolone ointment was inactive. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that 20% vitamin E ointment suppresses contact dermatitis by stabilizing keratinocytes, concomitantly with novel, interesting properties.
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Antioxidantes/uso terapéutico , Dermatitis por Contacto/tratamiento farmacológico , Queratinocitos/efectos de los fármacos , Vitamina E/uso terapéutico , Administración Tópica , Alérgenos/toxicidad , Animales , Antiinflamatorios/administración & dosificación , Antiinflamatorios/uso terapéutico , Antioxidantes/administración & dosificación , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Barrera Alveolocapilar/efectos de los fármacos , Células Cultivadas , Dermatitis por Contacto/patología , Dinitroclorobenceno/toxicidad , Excipientes , Irritantes/toxicidad , Queratinocitos/patología , Masculino , Pomadas , Prednisolona/administración & dosificación , Prednisolona/uso terapéutico , Ratas , Ratas Wistar , Piel/efectos de los fármacos , Piel/metabolismo , Vitamina E/administración & dosificación , Vitamina E/metabolismoRESUMEN
Two-month flow-through exposure experiments of tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPhT) were conducted with abalone, Haliotis gigantea. Nominal concentrations of 100 ng TBT/l and 100 ng TPhT/l caused significant spermatogenesis in ovaries of exposed females. There were also significantly more contracted primary oocytes observed in females exposed to either TBT or TPhT than controls. The incidence of two types of unknown cells was also significant in females exposed to TPhT. No significant histological changes were observed in testis of exposed males. This ovarian spermatogenesis caused by TBT and/or TPhT resembles gastropod imposex. Remarkably high concentrations of TBT and TPhT were observed in the head (including central nervous system ganglia), compared to muscles concentrations. Accumulation of TBT and TPhT in the head may disturb reproductive hormonal regulators through neuropeptides released from ganglia. This, as well as possible aromatase inhibition, may be one of the inducers for spermatogenesis in the abalone ovaries.
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Antiinfecciosos/efectos adversos , Trastornos del Desarrollo Sexual/etiología , Trastornos del Desarrollo Sexual/veterinaria , Moluscos/fisiología , Compuestos Orgánicos de Estaño/efectos adversos , Ovario/fisiología , Espermatogénesis/efectos de los fármacos , Compuestos de Trialquiltina/efectos adversos , Animales , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Femenino , MasculinoRESUMEN
Suplatast tosilate (IPD) is a Th2 cytokine inhibitor that lowers the titer of the IgE antibody through specific inhibition of the production of IL (interleukin)-4 and IL-5 by T cells and inhibits tissue infiltration by eosinophils. In this clinical trial, suplatast tosilate (300 mg/day) was administered orally for 4 weeks to 25 patients (13 patients with atopic asthma, 12 patients with nonatopic asthma) whose bronchial asthma was staged in step 1 or step 2 according to the Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bronchial Asthma, 1998. Before and after administration, the parameters of airway inflammation, that is, peripheral blood eosinophils count, serum level of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), ECP level in induced sputum, airway hyperresponsiveness (Dmin), and morning peak expiratory flow (PEF), were measured. The peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum level of ECP, and ECP level in induced sputum decreased significantly. Of these parameters, the ECP level in induced sputum was the most sensitive. Furthermore, suplatast tosilate significantly inhibited Dmin. These results were especially significant in patients with atopic asthma. Suplatast tosilate was considered to have inhibited airway eosinophilic inflammation through decreases in peripheral blood eosinophils counts and in ECP levels in induced sputum, which resulted in inhibition of airway hyperresponsiveness.
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Antialérgicos/uso terapéutico , Arilsulfonatos/uso terapéutico , Asma/tratamiento farmacológico , Hiperreactividad Bronquial/tratamiento farmacológico , Ribonucleasas , Compuestos de Sulfonio/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Anciano , Asma/inmunología , Proteínas Sanguíneas/metabolismo , Hiperreactividad Bronquial/inmunología , Proteínas en los Gránulos del Eosinófilo , Eosinofilia/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , Inflamación/tratamiento farmacológico , Inflamación/inmunología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ápice del Flujo Espiratorio/efectos de los fármacos , Esputo/inmunologíaRESUMEN
We describe the configuration and size of the artificial fascial dome created in 57 cadavers. This dome protrudes into the thoracic cavity from the esophageal hiatus. This dome was a potential space realized by finger dissection (i.e., a specific but common surgical procedure during surgery of the upper part of the stomach). The vagus nerves penetrated the top of the dome and ran down along the esophagus. The height of the ventral wall of the dome ranged from 10-60 mm, while the dorsal wall was 10-40 mm longer than the ventral one since the dorsal wall attached to the lower, dorsal limb of the esophageal hiatus. Accordingly, the dorsal wall separated the "thoracic" aorta from the "abdominal" esophagus. We considered that the upper leaf of the phreno-esophageal membrane forms the fascial dome, although the lower leaf of the membrane was not identified in this study. According to the results, we proposed a schematic representation of the phreno-esophageal membrane.
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Esófago/cirugía , Nervio Frénico/cirugía , Anciano , Diafragma/anatomía & histología , Esófago/anatomía & histología , Esófago/inervación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Nervio Frénico/anatomía & histología , Colgajos Quirúrgicos , Técnicas de Sutura , Nervio VagoRESUMEN
Not uncommonly, cerebral microaneurysms are found incidentally during surgery for another previously diagnosed cerebral aneurysm(s). The frequency and angiographic characteristics of such incidental microaneurysms are retrospectively summarized. Seventeen patients were identified as harboring incidental microaneurysms, comprising 4.9% of the whole series. The middle cerebral artery (MCA) was the most frequent location (seven cases, 41%) of these microaneurysms. There was a tendency for MCA microaneurysms to be contiguous to a previously known, larger aneurysm at the same location. Neurosurgeons as well as interventional neuroradiologists should be aware of the possible presence of these incidental microaneurysms while treating patients with a cerebral aneurysm(s). Although the actual clinical implications of these incidental microaneurysms have not been elucidated, the few additional risks to patients already surgically exposed for the treatment of another aneurysm, along with the possible benefit of preventing their rupture and growth, would justify the surgical treatment of these microaneurysms.
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Aneurisma Intracraneal/diagnóstico , Aneurisma Intracraneal/cirugía , Adulto , Anciano , Angiografía Cerebral , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Quirúrgico , Femenino , Humanos , Aneurisma Intracraneal/patología , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
Adhesion of neutrophil to the endothelium and subsequent transmigration has been reported to contribute to progression of focal ischemia. Hypothermia has been known to attenuate ischemic insult through various mechanisms of action. The authors evaluated the effect of hypothermia on expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein and on transmigration of neutrophil with immunohistochemical method. Transient focal ischemia model in rats was employed, and animals received 2 h of either normothermic or hypothermic ischemia. To confirm the effectiveness of hypothermia on neuroprotection, cortical infarct area was compared between the two groups. Our results demonstrated that hypothermia reduced both the number of microvessels expressing ICAM-1 and that of neutrophils migrating into ischemic tissue. Comparison of cortical infarct area showed persistent protective effect. This study indicates that reduction of ICAM-1 expression and subsequent reduction of migrating neutrophil in hypothermia can contribute to attenuation of ischemic damage.
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Isquemia Encefálica/fisiopatología , Movimiento Celular/fisiología , Corteza Cerebral/metabolismo , Hipotermia Inducida , Molécula 1 de Adhesión Intercelular/metabolismo , Infiltración Neutrófila/fisiología , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Animales , Isquemia Encefálica/patología , Isquemia Encefálica/terapia , Corteza Cerebral/patología , Corteza Cerebral/fisiopatología , Infarto Cerebral/metabolismo , Infarto Cerebral/patología , Infarto Cerebral/fisiopatología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Masculino , Microcirculación/metabolismo , Microcirculación/patología , Microcirculación/fisiopatología , Neutrófilos/inmunología , Ratas , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
The increasing use of thoracoscopy performed under local anesthesia has made contributions to the diagnosis of pleural disease with effusion. During the past 7 years, we have performed 100 such thoracoscopy procedures using a flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope. On the basis of our clinical findings, we are able to discuss the utility and safety of this procedure. The causes of pleural effusion were carcinomatous pleurisy in 72 cases, tuberculosis pleurisy in 15 cases, infection without tuberculosis in 4 cases, malignant pleural mesothelioma in 8 cases and one case of asbestosis. The success rate of thoracoscopic pleural biopsies were 97% for carcinomatous pleurisy, 100% for malignant pleural mesothelioma and 86% for tuberculosis pleurisy. This procedure was performed with no serious effect on blood pressure, oxygen saturation, monitored ECG or BGA data, and with no serious complications. Therefore, we concluded that this method is very useful for the diagnosis of pleural effusions and has few complications.