Anti-inflammatory effect of antiplasmin agents,ε -aminocaproic acid and trans-4-aminomethyl-cyclohexane carboxylic acid, in rats

1. Both EACA and AMCHA clearly showed an anti-inflammatory effect, by intravenous, intramuscular, or oral route, against inflammatory edema produced in rats by intracutaneous injection of rabbit's anti-rat serum, carrageenin, histamine, serotonin, or bradykinin, as tested by the punch method. 2. The two compounds also showed inhibitory action against the cotton pellet granuloma when used in a larger dose. 3. There was virtually no difference between the two compounds in their anti-inflammatory activity, in spite of the fact that antiplasmin activity of AMCHA is evidently greater than that of EACA. In addition, there was no increase in fibrinolysis at the site of antiserum inflammation in rats. Therefore, it would be difficult to presume that the anti-inflammatory action of these compounds is due to their antiplasmin activity. 4. Salicylates, pyrazolidine derivatives, and non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents like flufenamic acid inhibited degranulation of isolated rat mast cells induced by compound 48/80 and also inhibited ATP-32Pi exchange reaction in rat liver mitochondria, but such actions were not observed in EACA or AMCHA. 5. Anti-inflammatory effect of EACA and AMCHA did not decrease after adrenalectomy but did become weak in hypophysectomized rats. EACA did not increase blood sugar level in normal rats so that its antiinflammatory action is not due to hyperglycemia, and the effect of hypophysectomy may not be correlated to carbohydrate metabolism. 6. Anti- inflammatory effect of EACA and AMCHA appeared more rapidly after intramuscular or oral administration than by intravenous injection but the effect was not fortified after their in vitro incubation with tissues of stomach, intestine, or liver.</p

Remedy for improving ICC prognosis

The prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is still poor, and the 5-year survival rate in patients undergoing radical surgery (R0) is less than one-third. Since the prognosis depends mainly on tumor factors, so early diagnosis is necessary. To extend the survival time of these patients with a poor prognosis, cases of long-term survival were examined based on the results of our experiences and the literature. It was found that the hepatitis virus was highly involved in the carcinogenesis of ICC, and patients who were infected with hepatitis virus had rather good survival

R&D and non-R&D in the innovation process among firms in ASEAN countries: Based on firm-level survey data

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to identify factors promoting innovation in the framework of R&D based on surveys conducted on firms in five ASEAN countries, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach - The analytical method divided sample firms into two categories, namely, “the R&D group” and “non-R&D group.” The analysis attempts to identify which of the internal capabilities, consisting of technology, human factors and organization factors, promote innovation. Ordered probit analysis is employed. Findings - Findings from the estimations indicate that the two groups pursue product innovation differently. The R&D group promotes innovation by cross-functional teams of production, engineering, and marketing and IT use, whereas the non-R&D group promote product innovation by HRD programs for workers, group awards for suggestions or QC, and ISO9000 series. Research limitations/implications - The number of samples related to the non-R&D group is too small to conduct statistical analysis. External linkages played an important role in the authors’ previous studies. The introduction of external linkages into the model may yield different results, though the analysis would become more complex. Practical implications - The results of this paper provide the solid basis of policy to promote innovation and upgrading SMEs in the region. Social implications - Many ASEAN SMEs successfully achieve innovation without owning specified in-house departments or sections to conduct R&D. Originality/value - The features of this paper lie in the original firm-level survey data and rigorous estimation method using ordered probit analysis, which are new to this literature

Gene expression of liver-specific proteins in hepatocyte spheroids in primary culture.

Adult rat hepatocytes assemble to form multicellular spheroids under non-adherent environments such as immobilized chondroitin sulfate-proteoglycan in primary culture. Previously, we demonstrated that hepatocyte spheroids exhibited various differentiated structures as observed in the liver tissue. It was also shown that hepatocyte growth was highly suppressed and several differentiated functions, including albumin production and gluconeogenesis, were well preserved in spheroids. To investigate the differentiated functions of cultured hepatocytes in relation to cell morphology, we compared the expression of the albumin and transferrin genes in spheroids with those in monolayers by Northern blot analysis. Production of these proteins in the culture medium was simultaneously examined by ELISA. Gene expression and protein production of both albumin and transferrin were better preserved in spheroids. We also examined changes in the expression of liver-specific genes in response to IL-6. Reduced mRNA levels of both albumin and transferrin was only found in spheroids and no change was observed in monolayers. These results suggest that the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression is better preserved in spheroids, in which hepatocytes are in close contact with each other

Dynamics of rheumatoid joint

In the present communication the recent works done by the Rheumatism Research Group of Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University, are described. The principal findings may briefly be summarized as follows. 1. Pathohistological pictures of the synovial membrane are classified into six types. Among them, Fibrinoid type and Follicular-Fibrosis type are the representative ones of chronic rheumatoid arthritis. 2. For the evaluation of the systemic as well as the local activities in rheumatoid arthritis and for judging the therapeutic effect, some indices have been established. 3. Injection of steroid hormones into the local joints fails to give satisfactory results in advanced, chronic rheumatoid arthritis. In such instances the flushing of the joint with physiological saline solution is effective. 4. In the case of chronic rheumatoid arthritis where the inflammation of hand and phalangeal joints is marked, RA-test gives rapid and more intense reaction, and most of such cases are of Follicular-Fibrosis type. 5. When lymph follicles appearing in the synovial membrane are stained when methyl green pyronine, the arrangement of lymphoid cells and plasma cells becomes distinctly clear. By micro-autoradiographic observations it can be seen that ³H-thymindine injected into the joint cavity is mostly ingested by the lymphoid cells in lymph follicles. 6. In the observation by the fluorescent antibody method multinuclear leucocytes found in the joint fluid and in the peripheral blood react with 19S and 7S-gamma-globulins. 7. When the serum and the joint fluid of the patient with rheumatoid arthritis are fractionated, they separate into three peaks at 19S, 7S, and 4S. Both S. S. C. A.-test and L. F. T. tests reveal the peak at 19S. The serum of chronic hepatitis positive to RA-test and the serum of rheumatoid arthritis are found to react immunologically the same to anti-&#946;2 M globulin sheep serum. 8. When the reticulo-endothelial system of rat is blocked by 900,000 molecules of poly-vinyl-pyrroridon, the ability of antibody production is diminished. 9. Chemical synovectomy of injecting osmic acid is effective to FibrinoidCoating type. Its action mechanism lies in the complete cleaning of the surface of synovial membrane. 10. By radiating synovectomy with 193Au a fairly good result can be expected. 198Au is ingested by those cells in the surface layer of the synovial membrane and also by histiocytes in the synovial membrane. When 5 mc of 198Au are injected into the knee joint, a marked necrosis of the synovial membrane occurs. When 198Au is added to the ascites cells of rabbit during the tissue culture, in the concentration of over 14 &#956;C degeneration of these cells can be recognized. 11. From the examination results of prognosis on those 25 cases with 41 rheumatoid knee joints after surgical synovectomy, it is considered that this method is indicated for Follicular-Fibrosis type. Ones with rheumatoid knee joint of Fibrinoid-Coating type gold sol treatment should be resorted to. In the cases of hand joints, surgical synovectemy is to be recommended at a relatively early stage.</p

The Effects of Chlormadinone Acetate on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Erectile Functions of Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Prospective Multicenter Clinical Study

Purpose. To evaluate the effects of chlormadinone acetate (CMA), progesterone-derived antiandrogen, on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile functions of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods. A multicenter, single-cohort prospective study was conducted. A total of 114 patients received CMA for 16 weeks. The endpoints were changes in International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), IPSS-QOL, International Index of Erectile Function-5, Qmax prostate volume, and residual urine volume. Results. Significant improvements were observed in IPSS from week 8 to week 48 (32 weeks after treatment). IPSS-QOL improvements were also significant from week 8 to week 48. Qmax increased to a maximum at Week 16 and remained elevated throughout the study. Moreover, a decrease of 25% in prostate volume was observed at Week 16. IPSS, QOL, and Qmax changes during the study were not different between the previously treated and untreated patients. IPSS storage subscore changes differed between the age groups. Few severe adverse reactions were observed, except for erectile dysfunction. Conclusions. CMA rapidly and significantly reduced prostate volume and improved voiding and storage symptoms and QOL. Our results suggest that CMA is safe and beneficial, especially for elderly patients with LUTS associated with BPH