Chondroitin Sulfate Iron Colloid-Enhanced MR Imaging in Patients with Small Hepatocellular Carcinomas: Correlations with Hemodynamic and Pathologic Examinations

To determine the usefulness of chondroitin sulfate iron colloid (CSIC)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of the histologic grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we performed a comparative study with computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP) and CT arteriography. Twenty-one surgically resected HCCs 3 cm or less in diameter were examined. There were five well- differentiated, six well- to moderately-differentiated and ten moderately- or poorly-differentiated HCCs. T2-weighted spin echo images (repetition time: 2,000 ms, echo time: 90 ms) were taken before and after intravenous injection of 23.6 ?mol Fe/kg of CSIC. The differences between precontrast and postcontrast contrast-to-noise ratios (enhancement index) was correlated with the findings of CTAP, CT arteriography and histological examination. The enhancement index increased with statistical significance as the intranodular arterial perfusion increased (P < 0.01), and as the intranodular portal perfusion decreased (P < 0.01). Though the enhancement index tended to increase as the grade of malignancy increased, no statistical significance was found. CSIC-enhanced MRI allowed a noninvasive evaluation of the intranodular reticuloendothelial function. We consider this procedure as a supplementary method for evaluation of the histologic grade of HCC prior to performing invasive procedures such as angiography and biopsy

A new perfusion culture method with a self-organized capillary network

A lack of perfusion has been one of the most significant obstacles for three-dimensional culture systems of organoids and embryonic tissues. Here, we developed a simple and reliable method to implement a perfusable capillary network in vitro. The method employed the self-organization of endothelial cells to generate a capillary network and a static pressure difference for culture medium circulation, which can be easily introduced to standard biological laboratories and enables long-term cultivation of vascular structures. Using this culture system, we perfused the lumen of the self-organized capillary network and observed a flow-induced vascular remodeling process, cell shape changes, and collective cell migration. We also observed an increase in cell proliferation around the self-organized vasculature induced by flow, indicating functional perfusion of the culture medium. We also reconstructed extravasation of tumor and inflammatory cells, and circulation inside spheroids including endothelial cells and human lung fibroblasts. In conclusion, this system is a promising tool to elucidate the mechanisms of various biological processes related to vascular flow

In-Stent Yellow Plaque at 1 Year After Implantation Is Associated With Future Event of Very Late Stent Failure The DESNOTE Study (Detect the Event of Very late Stent Failure From the Drug-Eluting Stent Not Well Covered by Neointima Determined by Angioscopy)

AbstractObjectivesThis study examined whether coronary angioscopy-verified in-stent yellow plaque at 1 year after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation is associated with future event of very late stent failure (VLSF).BackgroundAtherosclerosis detected as yellow plaque by angioscopy has been associated with future events of acute coronary syndrome. Development of in-stent neoatherosclerosis is a probable mechanism of VLSF.MethodsThis study included 360 consecutive patients who received successful angioscopic examination at 1 year after implantation of a DES. They were clinically followed up for VLSF defined as cardiac death, acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina, or need for revascularization associated with the stent site.ResultsThe follow-up interval was 1,558 ± 890 days (4.3 ± 2.4 years). The incidence of VLSF was significantly higher in the patients with yellow plaque than in those without (8.1% vs. 1.6%; log rank p = 0.02). Multivariable analysis revealed the presence of yellow plaque (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.38; p = 0.02) and absence of statin therapy (HR: 3.25; p = 0.02) as risks of VLSF.ConclusionsIn-stent atherosclerosis evaluated by yellow plaque at 1 year after the implantation of DES and the absence of statin therapy were risks of VLSF. The underlying mechanism of VLSF appeared to be the progression of atherosclerosis as demonstrated by the yellow plaque

Biological significance of unmethylated DNA in human testicular cancer.

科学研究費補助金研究成果報告書研究種目: 基盤研究(C)研究期間: 2003～2004課題番号: 15591682研究代表者: 成田 充弘（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助手）研究代表者: 川上 享弘（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助手）研究分担者: 岡本 圭生（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助手）研究分担者: 岡田 裕作（滋賀医科大学・医学部・教授）研究分担者: 杉原 洋行（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助教授）研究分担者: 坂野 祐司（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助手

Multistep Ion Channel Remodeling and Lethal Arrhythmia Precede Heart Failure in a Mouse Model of Inherited Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background: Patients with inherited dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) frequently die with severe heart failure (HF) or die suddenly with arrhythmias, although these symptoms are not always observed at birth. It remains unclear how and when HF and arrhythmogenic changes develop in these DCM mutation carriers. In order to address this issue, properties of the myocardium and underlying gene expressions were studied using a knock-in mouse model of human inherited DCM caused by a deletion mutation DK210 in cardiac troponinT. Methodology/Principal Findings: By 1 month, DCM mice had already enlarged hearts, but showed no symptoms of HF and a much lower mortality than at 2 months or later. At around 2 months, some would die suddenly with no clear symptoms of HF, whereas at 3 months, many of the survivors showed evident symptoms of HF. In isolated left ventricular myocardium (LV) from 2 month-mice, spontaneous activity frequently occurred and action potential duration (APD) was prolonged. Transient outward (Ito) and ultrarapid delayed rectifier K + (IKur) currents were significantly reduced in DCM myocytes. Correspondingly, down-regulation of Kv4.2, Kv1.5 and KChIP2 was evident in mRNA and protein levels. In LVs at 3-months, more frequent spontaneous activity, greater prolongation of APD and further down-regulation in above K + channels were observed. At 1 month, in contrast, infrequent spontaneous activity and down-regulation of Kv4.2, but not Kv1.5 or KChIP2, were observed