Population dynamics of Armigeres subalbatus (Diptera: Culicidae) across a temperate altitudinal gradient

Understanding the impacts of weather fluctuations, and environmental gradients, on the abundance of vectors is fundamental to grasp the dynamic nature of the entomological risk for disease transmission. The mosquito Armigeres subalbatus (Coquillet) is a common vector of filariasis. Nevertheless, its population dynamics have been relatively poorly studied. Here, we present results from a season long study where we studied spatio-temporal abundance patterns of Ar. subalbatus across the altitudinal gradient of Mt. Konpira in Nagasaki, Japan. Spatially, we found that abundance of adult Ar. subalbatus decreased with altitude and increased in areas where the ground was rich in leaf litter. Similarly, adult activity was observed only when relative humidity was over 65%. Temporally, we found that peaks in abundance followed large rainfall events. Nevertheless, this mosquito was under significant density dependence regulation. Our results suggest that Ar. subalbatus population peaks following large rainfall events could reflect the recruitment of individuals that were dormant as dry eggs. We did not find a clear signal of temperature on abundance changes of this mosquito, but only on its phenology. Since ground cover seemed more critical than temperature to its spatial distribution, we propose that this mosquito might have some degree of autonomy to changes in temperature.

[Nutritional assessment employing the malnutrition universal screening tool for patients with colorectal cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy]

OBJECTIVE

We surveyed the nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer undergoing outpatient chemotherapy using the malnutrition universal screening tool(MUST)to examine its usefulness and association with adverse events.

METHODS

We examined the use of the MUST and the incidences of adverse events in 34 patients with advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer who had undergone outpatient chemotherapy between April and December 2010.

RESULTS

The high-risk patients requiring nutritional care intervention comprised 47. 1%(16 patients)of the study population, and these patients exhibited significant decreases in body weight and body mass index. The incidences of appetite loss and fatigue were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group.

DISCUSSION

Precautions against adverse events may prevent a worsening of the nutritional status of patients with colorectal cancer. Thus, nutritional assessment is necessary in patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy. Furthermore, the MUST appears to represent a very useful simplified nutritional screening method for the nutritional management for these patients.

Evaluation of the effects of freeze-dried soybean curd intake on cholesterol levels using a novel biomarker

To evaluate the effects of freeze-dried soybean curd intake on serum cholesterol levels, we examined the subclasses of cholesterol for healthy adult volunteers who continued to eat a piece of freeze-dried soybean curd each day along with their ordinary diet for four weeks. Of 12 subjects, the soybean curd diet proved effective in 2 cases; small dense LDL (sd-LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly reduced in association with the decrease in LDL cholesterol levels. These results suggested that daily intake of freeze-dried soybean curd may lead to an improvement in cholesterol metabolism in subjects with originally higher cholesterol levels and that sd-LDL cholesterol can be a novel biomarker for evaluation of the cholesterol lowering-action of functional food.

Pharmacogenomics-based clinical studies using a novel, fully automated genotyping system

Clinical investigations into single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in drug metabolism have already been set out for clinical trials in subject groups classified as extensive metabolizers or poor metabolizers. In particular, the frequency of CYP2C19 in poor metabolizers within the Japanese population is relatively high, and genetic variations result in differences in kinetics and pharmacological action, e.g. clinical response to proton pump inhibitors which are mainly metabolized by 2C19 in the liver. We introduced a novel, fully automated genotyping system and used it in the genotyping of CYP2C19. The completed system is based on the analysis of a melting curve of probe DNA which is bound to the target SNP site using a fluorescence quenching probe. The system enables automated and multiple SNP-genotyping from sample preparation. This fully automated system of analysis can be adapted to clinical studies, e.g. classification of genes related to pharmacokinetics and target receptors by genetic variations.

Rapid, severe repigmentation of congenital melanocytic naevi after curettage and dermabrasion: histological features

BACKGROUND

Curettage and dermabrasion are effective in treating giant congenital melanocytic naevi (GCMN). We report two patients with rapid, severe postoperative repigmentation. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the histological features of such patients.

OBJECTIVES

We wish to call attention to histological features that may cause rapid, severe repigmentation after curettage and dermabrasion of medium to giant CMN.

PATIENTS/METHODS

From 1998 to 2002, we treated 23 patients with medium to giant CMN with curettage and dermabrasion. Patients being treated ranged in age from 1 month to 19 years. Histological samples were taken from the centre of naevi in all patients during surgery. Histological types were 12 intradermal and 11 compound. Follow-up after curettage lasted at least 3 years.

RESULTS

Among our 23 patients only two showed repigmentation soon after surgery. Histological sections from these two patients indicated naevoid cells in the deep dermis along hair follicles or sebaceous glands. However, no such pigmented naevoid cells along hair follicles were observed in samples from patients successfully treated with curettage and dermabrasion with less repigmentation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we saw only two cases of repigmentation soon after curettage and dermabrasion, we suspect a correlation between pigmented naevoid cells around hair follicles and repigmentation. If histological sections of skin biopsies show pigmented cells along hair follicles in the deep dermis, other treatments such as total skin resection followed by skin grafting or tissue expansion may be better choices than curettage or dermabrasion.

Inhibitory effect of cinnamaldehyde, derived from Cinnamomi cortex, on the growth of influenza A/PR/8 virus in vitro and in vivo

We have investigated the inhibitory effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA), one of the principal constituents of essential oil derived from Cinnamomi cortex, on the growth of influenza A/PR/8 virus in vitro and in vivo. When 1-h drug treatment was initiated at various times post-infection (p.i.) in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells using a fixed dose of CA (40 microM), the maximum inhibitory effect (29.7% virus yield of control) was obtained when drug treatment was started at 3h p.i. Under the same treatment schedule, CA inhibited the virus growth in a dose-dependent manner (20-200 microM), and, at 200 microM, the virus yield was reduced to an undetectable level. RT-PCR and SDS-PAGE analyses showed that CA inhibited viral protein synthesis at the post-transcriptional level. In mice infected with the lung-adapted PR-8 virus, inhalation (50mg/cage/day) and nasal inoculation (250 microg/mouse/day) of CA significantly increased survival rates on the 8 days to 100% and 70%, respectively, in contrast to a survival rate of 20% in the untreated control group. Importantly, inhalation of CA caused virus yield reduction by 1 log in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on day 6 after infection, compared with that of the untreated control group. These findings might provide further support to the empirical indication of Cinnamomi cortex-containing Kampo medicines for acute respiratory infectious diseases.

Anatomical relationship between arteries and veins in the paraumbilical region

Veins in the paraumbilical region were investigated in eight fresh cadavers, in which radiopaque materials were injected into both the arterial and the venous systems, to determine their locational relationship to the arteries. Veins in the skin and subcutaneous tissue consisted of venae comitantes and non-venae comitantes. The main trunk of the non-venae comitantes was the superficial inferior epigastric vein, and it formed a polygonal venous network in the skin layer. A large communicating vein, which did not accompany an artery, connected the venous network to a vena comitans of a large paraumbilical arterial perforator. Venous blood that had perfused the dermis of the paraumbilical region had two kinds of pathways to a deep vein: through the superficial inferior epigastric vein to the femoral vein and through the vena comitans to the deep inferior epigastric vein.

Nitric oxide-mediated antitumor activity induced by the extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in a macrophage cell line, RAW264.7

We have investigated D-fraction (MDF) extracted from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) on the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-mediated nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 (RAW) cells, a murine monocyte/macrophage cell line, with special reference to antitumor activity of MDF against human hepatoma-derived huH-1 cells. MDF could induce iNOS mRNA expression in RAW cells in a dose range of more than 30 microg/ml, but the effect of 10 microg/ml of MDF was negligible. The iNOS mRNA expression induced by 100 microg/ml of MDF was 6 hrs later, but lasted for a longer time than that of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a representative iNOS inducer. Although iNOS mRNA levels in MDF-stimulated cells were almost equal to LPS-stimulated cells at the peak time, the cumulative amount of nitrite was only about 50% compared with that of LPS-treated cells. When huH-I cells were cultured in MDF containing media in a 24-well plate with inserted porous bottom in the presence or absence of RAW cells, the viability of huH-1 cells decreased significantly only in the presence of RAW cells in MDF dose-dependent manner. This antitumor activity of RAW cells in the presence of MDF was abolished or attenuated by the addition of L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor, confirming that this phenomenon is due to iNOS-mediated NO production by RAW cells, but not direct cytotoxic activity of MDF against huH-1 cells. These data suggest that MDF is a novel inducer for iNOS which contributes at least in part to antitumor activity of MDF.

Anatomical study of the venous drainage architecture of the scapular skin and subcutaneous tissue

Venous anatomy of the skin and subcutaneous adipofascial tissue in the scapular region was examined in 14 specimens of 12 fresh cadavers that had been injected systemically with contrast medium. Three-dimensional analysis was performed by radiographing the specimens stereoscopically and splitting them into the skin and subcutaneous adipofascial tissue layers. From the architecture, most of the venous blood that had perfused the dermis was considered to pool in a polygonal venous network, located in the skin layer; to flow chiefly through some large communicating veins; and to enter the scapular, parascapular, or circumflex scapular veins. Most of the venous blood that had perfused the subcutaneous adipofascial tissue was considered to enter the scapular or parascapular veins directly.

Anatomical relationship between arteries and veins in the scapular region

Veins in the scapular region were investigated in five fresh cadavers, in which radiopaque materials were injected into both the arterial and the venous systems, to determine their locational relationship to the arteries. This radiographic technique is very useful for comparing veins and arteries. Many veins not accompanying arteries were observed, and veins in the skin and subcutaneous tissue were considered to consist of venae comitantes and non-venae-comitantes. The non-venae-comitantes formed a mainly polygonal venous network in the skin layer, and large communicating veins connected the venous network to the scapular or parascapular veins. These veins played a role in the drainage of venous blood that had perfused the dermis and, in this sense, they should be named cutaneous veins.

Inhibitory effect of (+)-catechin on the growth of influenza A/PR/8 virus in MDCK cells

We investigated whether (+)-catechin, a building block of tannins contained in the extract of Ephedrae herba (EHext), exerts an inhibitory effect on the acidification of intracellular compartments such as endosomes and lysosomes (referred to as ELS), and thereby inhibits the growth of influenza A PR/8/34 (PR8) virus (H1N1 subtype) in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The vital fluorescence microscopic study with acridine orange showed that 1-h treatment with (+)-catechin inhibited the acidification of ELS in a concentration-dependent manner (1.0-10.0 mM). Moreover, the growth of PR8 virus was inhibited markedly when the cells were treated with (+)-catechin (1.25-10.0 mM) for 1 h immediately after infection, or treated within as little as 5 to 10 min after infection. Conversely, virus growth resumed within 3 h concomitantly with the reappearance of acidified ELS after removal of (+)-catechin. Similar to EHext, (+)-catechin inhibited both the acidification of ELS and the influenza virus growth. It suggests that (+)-catechin is one of the active components in EHext.

Sialyl Lewis X and anti-P-selectin antibody attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute renal failure in rabbits

BACKGROUND/AIM

Acute renal failure (ARF) is one of the common problems associated with sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). We have investigated the effects of inhibiting selectin-mediated cell adhesion on lipopolysaccharide-induced ARF in rabbits, using sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharide and PB1.3, an anti-human P-selectin monoclonal antibody, as inhibitors.

METHODS

ARF was induced by intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharide (0.3 mg/kg, i.v. bolus injection) to New Zealand White rabbits. Induction of ARF was characterized by increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and the number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltrating glomeruli, and by fibrin deposition in glomeruli, and tubular dilatation in the kidney. Sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharide (14 mg/kg, i.v. bolus injection immediately before lipopolysaccharide administration and 9 mg/kg/h, i.v. infusion) or PB1.3 (5 mg/kg, i.v. bolus injection before lipopolysaccharide administration), anti-P-selectin antibody, were treated.

RESULTS

Treatment with sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharide inhibited the increases in BUN, creatinine, and the number of infiltrating polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and attenuated histopathological impairments. Similarly, treatment with PB1.3 prevented some of the characteristics associated with lipopolysaccharide-induced ARF, not but the increase in creatinine.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that selectin inhibitors, including sialyl Lewis X oligosaccharide and PB1.3, may provide clinical benefits in the prevention of ARF associated with sepsis and MODS. To our knowledge, this is the first report that P-selectin is directly involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced ARF in rabbits.

Role of P-selectin in the migration of neutrophils to chemoattractant-induced cutaneous inflammation in mice

The role of P selectin in the accumulation of neutrophils at acute dermal inflammatory sites induced by chemoattractants, LTB4 and IL-8 was investigated in the mouse. A mouse P-selectin-human IgG chimera bound to mouse neutrophils in vitro in a calcium-dependent manner, as detected by flow cytometry. A rat monoclonal antibody (mAb) against mouse P-selectin, RB40.34 abolished P-selectin-IgG chimera binding to mouse neutrophils, but a control antibody did not. Intradermal injection of LTB4 at a dose of 100 ng/site caused neutrophil accumulation to increase by 3-4 fold, as detected by measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Neutrophil extravasation to perivascular tissue was detected by histochemical observation. The intravenous injection of RB40.34 or the specific LTB4 antagonist, SM-15178, at doses at 5 mg/kg attenuated the accumulation of neutrophils by 55.6% and 70.3%, respectively, but a control antibody showed no effect. Similarly, intradermal administration of IL-8 at a dose of 5 microg/site induced significant neutrophil migration into the interstitial tissue of the skin, as followed by measuring myeloperoxidase activity and histopathologic analysis. The intravenous injection of RB40.34 at a dose of 5 mg/kg reduced the neutrophil accumulation by 59.2% in contrast, a control antibody showed no effect. To our knowledge, this is the first direct demonstration that P-selectin plays a substantial role in LTB4- and IL-8-induced neutrophil accumulation in mouse skin.

Anatomic study of the venous drainage architecture of the forearm skin and subcutaneous tissue

The venous anatomy of the forearm skin was examined radiographically in 15 fresh cadavers that had been injected systemically with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture. In 10 specimens, the forearm skin was divided into the skin and superficial adipofascial layer and the deep adipofascial layer. Five specimens were radiographed stereoscopically. Despite the thinness of the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the forearm, the cutaneous vein was seen three-dimensionally. Judging from the architecture and direction of the venous valves, most of the venous blood that had perfused the dermis was believed to: (1) pool in a venous network located in the superficial zone of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, (2) flow chiefly in the accessory cephalic and median antebrachial veins, and (3) enter the cephalic and basilic veins near the antecubital fossa. Venae comitantes of the septocutaneous and musculocutaneous perforators of the radial or ulnar arteries were thought to be only bypasses to the deep vein.

Angiographic study of the subdermal plexus: a preliminary report

The subdermal plexus was pictured angiographically in five fresh cadavers injected systemically with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture. Subdermal plexus was found either in the subdermal plane or in the deep part of the dermis. Diameters of vessels in the subdermal plexus are not uniform and there are differences in vascular continuity, which means that the subdermal plexus does not always have a random pattern. This observation is important when designing a thin flap.

The effects of delayed treatment with sialyl Lewis X against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rabbits

The therapeutic effects of a selectin inhibitor against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury were studied in rabbits by using sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide. Lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury, as characterized by an impairment of pulmonary gas exchange, clinically resembles that of the acute respiratory distress syndrome. Delayed treatments with sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide (55 mg kg(-1) i.v. bolus injection 0.5, 1 or 2 h after lipopolysaccharide administration+36 mg kg(-1) h(-1) i.v. infusion for 5.5, 5 or 4 h, respectively) prevented the lipopolysaccharide-induced impairments in pulmonary gas exchange, as well as the accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the lung tissue. In contrast, this agent had no significant effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic hypotension, the decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells and platelets or the decline in blood pH. This is the first demonstration that sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide is effective against the impairments in pulmonary gas exchange even if administered 0.5, 1 or 2 h following the lipopolysaccharide injection.

Therapeutic effect of anti-macrophage inflammatory protein 2 antibody on influenza virus-induced pneumonia in mice

We investigated the effect of anti-macrophage inflammatory protein 2 immunoglobulin G (aMIP-2 IgG) on the progression of influenza virus-induced pneumonia in mice. When mice were infected with a mouse lung-adapted strain of influenza A/PR/8/34 virus by intranasal inoculation, neutrophil counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased in parallel with the kinetics of MIP-2 production, which peaked 2 days after infection. After intracutaneous injection of a dose of 10 or 100 microg of aMIP-2 IgG once a day on days 0 and 1, neutrophil counts in BALF on day 2 were reduced to 49 or 37%, respectively, of the value in the control infected mice administered anti-protein A IgG. The antibody administration also improved lung pathology without affecting virus replication. Furthermore, by prolonged administration with a higher or lower dose for up to 5 days, body weight loss became slower and finally 40% of mice in both treatment groups survived potentially lethal pneumonia. These findings suggest that MIP-2-mediated neutrophil infiltration during the early phase of infection might play an important role in lung pathology. Thus, MIP-2 was considered to be a novel target for intervention therapy in potentially lethal influenza virus pneumonia in mice.

Vaginal reconstruction with the femoral veno-neuroaccompanying artery fasciocutaneous flap

The arterial anatomy of the anteromedial thigh was investigated in ten fresh cadavers that had been systemically injected with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture. The arteries accompanying the great saphenous vein and the anterior cutaneous branches of the femoral nerve were found to have branches not only to the cutaneous vein and nerve, but also to the skin. On the basis of the anatomy of these accompanying arteries, a pedicled fasciocutaneous flap containing them was developed consisting of an adipofascial pedicle and a skin island. This flap has been named the femoral veno-neuroaccompanying artery fasciocutaneous flap (the femoral V-NAF flap, the great saphenous-femoral V-NAF flap) and has been applied in three cases of vaginal reconstruction.

Protective effect of anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody in lipopolysaccharide-induced lung hemorrhage

Excessive leukocyte accumulation is involved in the pathogenesis of the sepsis-induced acute lung injury. Selectins are essential to the interaction between leukocytes and endothelial cells. In this report, we investigated the role of selectins in the severe lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Significant lung hemorrhage was observed 24 h after the intravenous administration of LPS (1 mg/kg). First, we evaluated the effect of sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide (SLeX-OS), a derivative of sialyl Lewis X which is one of the ligands for E-, P- and L-selectins. The treatment with SLeX-OS (26.5 mg/kg iv bolus + 19.8 mg/kg iv infusion) resulted in a decrease of lung hemorrhage by 49.5% (P<0.05 versus the control group). Second, we tested the effect of anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody (MAb), PB 1.3, to investigate the role of P-selectin. The bolus administration of PB1.3 at a dose of 5 mg/kg attenuated the lung hemorrhage by 74.6% (P<0.05 versus the control group). In addition, we also detected an increase of soluble P-selectin in plasma 24 h after the injection of LPS. These results suggest that P-selectin has a substantial role in the pathogenesis of the lung injury induced by LPS.

Protective effects of sialyl Lewis X and anti-P-selectin antibody against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rabbits

The prophylactic effects of selectin inhibitors on lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury were studied in rabbits by using sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide and PB1.3, an anti-human P-selectin monoclonal antibody. Lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury resembles that of the acute respiratory distress syndrome, in which there is a decrease in arterial blood oxygen tension (PaO2) and an increase in the difference between alveolar and arterial oxygen tension (A-aDO2). Prophylactic treatment with the selectin inhibitors, sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide (55 mg kg(-1) i.v. bolus injection immediately before lipopolysaccharide administration + 36 mg kg(-1) h(-1) i.v. infusion for 4 h) and PB1.3 (5 mg kg(-1) i.v. bolus injection immediately before lipopolysaccharide administration), prevented the lipopolysaccharide-induced impairments in pulmonary gas exchange. In contrast, these agents had no significant effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced systemic hypotension, the decrease in the number of circulating white blood cells and platelets, the decline in blood pH, or the increase in arterial CO2 tension (PaCO2). These results indicate that selectin inhibitors including sialyl Lewis X-oligosaccharide and the anti-P-selectin antibody, PB1.3, attenuate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rabbits. This is the first demonstration that P-selectin is directly involved in the development of lipopolysaccharide-induced impairments in pulmonary gas exchange.

Venous drainage of the distally based lesser saphenous-sural veno-neuroadipofascial pedicled fasciocutaneous flap: a radiographic perfusion study

The drainage pathway of the distally based lesser saphenous-sural veno-neuroadipofascial pedicled fasciocutaneous flap using accompanying arteries of the lesser saphenous vein and sural nerve as nutrient vessels of the flap was radiographically investigated using five fresh cadavers. Small long veins existed along the lesser saphenous vein, and they were considered to be concomitant veins of the accompanying arteries of the lesser saphenous veins. They anastomosed with the lesser saphenous vein in some places and played a role in bypassing valves in the lesser saphenous vein.

Accompanying arteries of the lesser saphenous vein and sural nerve: anatomic study and its clinical applications

The arteries adjacent to the lesser saphenous vein and sural nerve were investigated in 10 fresh cadavers that had been systemically injected with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture. The accompanying arteries were found to lie along the lesser saphenous vein and sural nerve and to nourish the skin through venocutaneous and neurocutaneous perforators. On the basis of the anatomy of these accompanying arteries, the lesser saphenous venoadipofascial (VAF) pedicled fasciocutaneous flap and the lesser saphenous-sural veno-neuro adipofascial (V-NAF) pedicled fasciocutaneous flap have been developed and applied to 23 cases of various reconstructions of the lower extremity with proximal and distal bases. Survival of the flaps has been extremely good, and the flaps have been clinically useful.

Synthesis of the selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist (+)-(S)-2-chloro-5-methoxy-4-[5-(2-piperidylmethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-y l]aniline

In a search for novel 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) agonists focusing on the linker group of benzamide derivatives, 2-chloro-5-methoxy-4-[5-(2-piperidylmethyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl]a niline (2) was prepared and its optical isomers were separated. The S isomer 2(S) showed high affinity for the human 5-HT4 receptor without affinity for the human 5-HT3 receptor, and potent 5-HT4 agonistic activity in longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus (LMMP) preparations of guinea pig ileum. The R isomer 2(R) showed opposite selectivity. As a result of other receptor binding studies, 2(S) (YM-53389) was shown to be a highly selective 5-HT4 agonist.

Accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins and cutaneous nerves in the extremities: anatomical study and a concept of the venoadipofascial and/or neuroadipofascial pedicled fasciocutaneous flap

The arterial anatomy of the accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins and cutaneous nerves in the extremities was investigated in 10 fresh cadavers that had been injected with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture throughout the entire body. It is well known that cutaneous nerves have neurocutaneous perforators, but it was found that cutaneous veins also have their own accompanying arteries as well. The accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins had branches not only to the vein wall, but also to the skin, i.e., venocutaneous perforators. Based on these findings, the concept of the adipofascial pedicled fasciocutaneous flap using the accompanying arteries of the cutaneous veins, cutaneous nerves, or both was proposed.

Three-dimensional analysis and classification of arteries in the skin and subcutaneous adipofascial tissue by computer graphics imaging

To develop new types of surgical flaps that utilize portions of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (e.g., a thin flap or an adipofascial flap), three-dimensional investigation of the vasculature in the skin and subcutaneous tissue has been anticipated. In the present study, total-body arterial injection and three-dimensional imaging of the arteries by computer graphics were performed. The full-thickness skin and subcutaneous adipofascial tissue samples, which were obtained from fresh human cadavers injected with radio-opaque medium, were divided into three distinct layers. Angiograms of each layer were introduced into a personal computer to construct three-dimensional images. On a computer monitor, each artery was shown color-coded according to the three portions: the deep adipofascial layer, superficial adipofascial layer, and dermis. Three-dimensional computerized images of each artery in the skin and subcutaneous tissue revealed the components of each vascular plexus and permitted their classification into six types. The distribution of types in the body correlated with the tissue mobility of each area. Clinically, appreciation of the three-dimensional structure of the arteries allowed the development of several new kinds of flaps.

Novel 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) receptor agonists. Synthesis and gastroprokinetic activity of 4-amino-N-[2-(1-aminocycloalkan-1-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzamide s

A novel series of 4-amino-N-[2-(1-aminocycloalkan-1-yl)ethyl]-5-chloro-2-methoxyb enzamides. derivatives (1), which had amines conformationally restricted due to the effect of repulsion by neighboring substituents, were prepared and evaluated for 5-hydroxytryptamine 4 (5-HT4) agonistic activities by using the contraction of longitudinal muscle myenteric plexus (LMMP) of guinea pig ileum. One of the most potent compounds in this series was 4-amino-5-chloro-N-[2-(1-dimethylamino-1-cyclohexyl)ethyl]-2-methoxybenz amide (1c, YM-47813) with an EC50 value of 1.0 microM on LMMP. This compound effectively enhanced gastric motility and gastric emptying in conscious dogs by oral administration (1-3 mg/kg).

[The effects of YM26818: 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)urea and derivatives on pulmonary surfactant secretion and lung compliance]

To discover a novel compound which has an effect on pulmonary surfactant (PS) secretion, we studied the effects of various compounds on PS secretion by measuring the contents of PS in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in guinea pigs. In the chemical modification study of ambroxol, which is known as a PS secretagogue, and a compound we discovered from our compounds library, 1-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)-1-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)urea: YM-26818 (the increasing effect on PS in BALF, 34.7% at 50 mg/kg, i.p.). In the surfactant deficient model induced by BAL in guinea pigs, YM-26818 (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly increased the contents of PS in the BAL fluid compared with that of control animals (5 mg/kg: 60.3 +/- 8.0, 10 mg/kg: 59.4 +/- 4.3% increase). Concomitantly by these effects, the recovery of lung compliance was observed in this model (AUC of lung volume, control: 560 +/- 15, YM-26818 5 mg/kg: 898 +/- 51, YM-2681 10 mg/kg: 956 +/- 11 ml.min). These results may indicate that YM-26818 is useful for the therapy of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and obstructive pulmonary diseases.

Effects of topical antiandrogen and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors on sebaceous glands in male fuzzy rats

The fuzzy rat, a genetic mutant between hairless and hairy albino rats, expresses androgen-dependent hypersecretion of sebum and hyperplastic sebaceous glands. Using this model for human acne, we examined the effects of inhibitors of human steroid 5 alpha-reductase isozymes, type I (MK 386) and type II (finasteride), and an androgen receptor blocker (RU58841) on regression of glandular and ductal hyperplasia. The above three agents, 1% weight volume, were dissolved into the vehicle (propylene glycol, alcohol and water) and applied on the backs of peripubertal male rats for 2 months. Control and castrate groups received vehicle alone. At 8 weeks, we examined the size the sebaceous glandular lobules and ducts in split epidermal preparations as well as in frozen sections of skin stained with osmium-potassium dichromate solution. The number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells was counted in the glandular lobes in split-skin tissues stained with BrdU immunochemistry. The results revealed that the sizes of both lobes and ducts in castrates were 40-60% smaller than in controls. RU58841 induced glandular and ductal regression equivalent to that in castrates. Finasteride induced a moderate degree of lobular and ductal reduction, whereas MK386 caused only ductal regression. Reduction of BrdU-positive cells in the sebaceous lobes was found in the skin treated with finasteride and RU58841. Serum concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone showed no significant changes in all drug-treated rats. The weight of the prostatic lobes was reduced significantly in rats treated with finasteride but not by the other two agents. RU58841 effectively counteracted endogenous androgens resulting in a suppression of growth of the sebaceous glands but not the prostate. This rodent model for androgen-dependent hyperplasia of the sebaceous glands is useful for the study of many pharmacological aspects comprising the rate of percutaneous absorption, stability and affinity to target organs of the testing compounds, and selection of adequate vehicle for topical application.

Venous drainage of the radial forearm and anterior tibial reverse flow flaps: anatomical and radiographic perfusion studies

The anatomy of the venous system in the pedicles of the radial forearm and anterior tibial reverse flow flaps was investigated in fresh cadavers (n = 6) and their drainage pathways were observed in a radiographic perfusion study of the veins of 2 radial forearm and 2 anterior tibial pedicles. The venous system was found to consist mainly of three types of veins: venae comitantes, communicating veins between the venae comitantes, and vasa vasorum. Valves were identified in all three types of vein. In the venous system, including the vasa vasorum, there was no route of reverse flow that did not pass directly through valves. Valve incompetence was demonstrated in the radiographic perfusion study. However, valve incompetence did not occur in all valves and a difference in valve resistance against reverse flow pressure existed. Veins with relatively weak valve resistance became the drainage pathway. A possible cause of the difference in valve resistance was differences in the anatomy of the valve sinuses.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of cutaneous arteries of the back by computer graphic imaging

Computer graphics using a personal computer were introduced to demonstrate the three-dimensional architecture of cutaneous arteries of the back in humans: the direct cutaneous artery of the circumflex scapular artery and the perforating cutaneous branches and musculocutaneous perforators of the superficial cervical, posterior intercostal, and thoracodorsal arteries. The entire thickness of the skin and underlying subcutaneous tissue over the deep fascia was obtained from five fresh cadavers injected systemically with lead oxide-gelatin mixture, and the integument was divided into the three layers; the skin, superficial adipofascial layer with the superficial fascia, and the deep adipofascial layer. Computer graphic reconstruction of the cutaneous arteries was performed using data based on angiograms of the three layers. The computer graphic depictions demonstrated in which layer cutaneous arteries branched and how the vessels were running in each layer by displaying each layer in different colors: red, yellow, and blue. Knowledge of the three-dimensional structure and architecture of the cutaneous arteries will aid in the development of flaps that use a portion of the skin and subcutaneous adipofascial tissue.

Arterial anatomy of the ear

The arterial anatomy of the ear was investigated using seven auricles of seven fresh cadavers that had been injected systematically with a lead oxide-gelatin mixture. The blood supplies of the upper portions of the helix, antihelix and scapha, triangular fossa, tragus and lobule were from the branches of the superficial temporal artery. The blood supplies of the chonca, the middle and lower portions of the helix and scapha, the lower part of the antihelix and most of the posterior auricular surface except the lobule were from the branches of the posterior auricular artery. The posterior auricular artery found to be the dominant blood supply for the ear.

A radiographic perfusion study of the cephalic venous flap

The circulatory anatomy of the arterialized cephalic venous flap was investigated radiographically in five fresh cadavers. Microfil, which was dripped from the caudal end of the cephalic vein, flowed first into the concomitant veins and then into an intimate vascular network around the cephalic vein. The Microfil then flowed to a septocutaneous perforator of the radial artery through the vascular network around the cephalic vein. This suggests that in the arterialized cephalic venous flap there is a circulatory pathway by means of the cephalic vein to the venous network around the cephalic vein, to the arterial network around the cephalic vein, to the arterial system, and to the venous system returning to the cephalic vein.

Lipoteichoic acid-induced neutrophil adhesion via E-selectin to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

We investigated whether lipoteichoic acid (LTA) induces the expression of E-selectin and neutrophil adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). LTA (0.01-30 micrograms/ml) induced the expression of E-selectin in a concentration-dependent manner with maximal response at 10 micrograms/ml. The expression level of E-selectin increased from 2 h after stimulation by LTA with the maximal level at 4-8 h. Neutrophil adhesion to LTA-treated HUVECs correlated with the levels of E-selectin expression. In addition, the adhesion was clearly inhibited by anti-human E-selectin monoclonal antibody CY-1787 as well as a sialyl Lewis X (SLeX) oligosaccharide. LTA-induced expression of E-selectin was inhibited by protein kinase C inhibitors, H-7 and staurosporine. These results indicate that LTA induced the expression of E-selectin and neutrophils adhered to HUVECs via E-selectin.

Sialyl Lewis X moiety on rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes responsible for binding to rat E-selectin

We investigated the presence of the carbohydrate ligand for E-selectin on the cell surface of rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN). Rat PMN, isolated from peripheral blood, adhered to recombinant rat E-selectin-coated microplates. The adhesion was inhibited either by an anti-rat E-selectin monoclonal antibody (MAb), a sialyl Lewis X (SLex) oligosaccharide or neuraminidase digestion. FACS analysis revealed the expression of SLex as well as other adhesion molecules such as L-selectin, CD11a, CD11b and CD18 on the cell surface of rat PMN. The binding of an anti-SLex MAb KM93 to rat PMN was inhibited competitively by a SLex but not by a Lewis X (Lex). The reactivities of two anti-SLex MAbs, KM93 and CSLEX-1, or an anti-Lex MAb BC90/45 to rat PMN differed from those to human PMN. These results suggest that rat PMN contain the SLex-moiety, which binds to rat E-selectin and is different from that of human PMN.

The arterial anatomy of the temporal region and the vascular basis of various temporal flaps

The arterial anatomy of the temporal region was examined macroscopically and radiographically in 10 fresh cadavers which had been injected with lead oxide. The blood supply of the temporal region is derived from the superficial temporal, middle temporal, deep temporal, posterior auricular, transverse facial, zygomatico-orbital, zygomaticotemporal, zygomaticofacial, and middle meningeal arteries. The vascular network formed by these arteries can be divided into four arterial networks corresponding to the different layers of the temporal region. With a new understanding of the arterial networks and their anastomoses, the techniques for elevating various flaps in the temporal region are discussed.

Arterial anatomy of the nipple-areola complex

The blood supply of the nipple-areola complex was investigated radiographically in five fresh cadavers that had been systemically injected with lead oxide. The blood supply of the breast is derived from the external mammary, internal mammary, intercostal, and thoracoacromial arteries. We found that branches of the external and internal mammary arteries provided the dominant blood supply to the nipple-areola complex. These branches provide small vessels that traverse the subcutaneous tissue to the nipple-areola complex. Branches are given off to the areolar skin. These ascended, arborizing in the upper and middle thirds of the nipple.

Effects of platelet activating factor receptor antagonists on intracellular platelet activating factor function in neutrophils

We investigated the effects of the platelet activating factor (PAF) receptor antagonists, SM-12502 ((+)-cis-3,5-dimethyl-2-(pyridyl)- thiazolidin-4-one hydrochloride), WEB-2086 (3-(4-(2-chlorphenyl)-9-methyl-6H-thieno(3,2-f)-(1,2,4)triazolo(4, 3- a)(1,4)diazepin-2-yl)-1-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone) and RP-48740 (3-(3-pyridyl)-1H,3H-pyrrolo[1,2-c]thiazole-7-carboxamide) on the PAF-mediated activation of rat neutrophils. These antagonists inhibited PAF-induced degranulation and chemotaxis in neutrophils at a dose that correlated well with PAF-induced platelet aggregation based on the statistical analyses. N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L- phenylalanin (fMLP)-induced cellular responses were also inhibited by the PAF receptor antagonists, but their inhibitory potencies did not correlate with those for PAF-induced platelet aggregation. In addition, the doses required for inhibition were higher than those required against PAF-induced responses (i.e. IC50 ratio of WEB-2086, SM-12502 and RP-48740 in fMLP-induced/PAF-induced degranulation was 40.0, 2.8 and 5.6, respectively). PAF receptor antagonists inhibited inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate production and the release of Ca2+ from the intracellular store site after stimulation with PAF. In the fMLP-induced responses, PAF receptor antagonists did not inhibit IP3 production and Ca2+ release, but did inhibit transmembrane Ca2+ influx. These results suggest the presence of distinct PAF receptor subtype, to which exogenously added PAF binds, while endogenously produced PAF binds to the other. Intracellular PAF, which was produced by fMLP-stimulation, may play an important role in the late phase of signal transduction, and may participate in the transmembrane Ca2+ influx.