[Coronary arterial revascularization in dialysis patients]

It is recently reported that among chronic renal dialysis patients myocardial infarction accounts 7.4% of all the cause of death in Japan. In order to improve the mortality of dialysis patients the treatment of ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a major problem. We review previous reports and discuss about the treatment of IHD in dialysis patients. The collected data from the previous reports written about CABG in dialysis patients shows that the mortality of CABG is 7.8% (30/387), the probability of perioperative myocardial infarction (PMI) 8.6% (21/243), brain infarction 1.6% (4/243) and major infection 5.8% (14/243). 3-year and 5-year mortality rate after CABG is reported to be 69-80% and 48-56%, respectively. The result of CABG is excellent and shows that this procedure improves the mortality of dialysis patients with IHD. The procedural mortality of PTCA is 5.6% (8/143), the probability of PMI is 7% (10/143). Many reports shows the high probability of the recurrence of chest pain (60-86%). This procedure when performed in dialysis patients is incomplete because of the calcification of the coronary artery. Even among the dialysis patients it is preferable to perform CABG positively.

Synthesis of N-linked pentasaccharides with isomeric glycosidic linkage

As part of a program to explore the structural requirement of N-glycans in the carbohydrate-mediated biological interactions, N-linked pentasaccharide core structure was stereochemically modified in terms of glycosidic linkage. Three isomers, alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Man-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-L-Asn, alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1-->6)]-beta-D-Man-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-L-Asn, and alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-man-(1-->6)]-alpha-D-Man-(1-->4)-alpha-D-GlcNAc-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNAc-L-Asn, were synthesized. Synthesis of the pentasaccharide with natural linkage is also described.

Upstream regions directing heart-specific expression of the GATA6 gene during mouse early development

The expression of murine transcription factor GATA6 is restricted to tissues including the heart and gastrointestinal systems during embryogenesis, and is maintained throughout postnatal life. We have characterized the 5' upstream region (6.4 kb) of the mouse GATA6 gene, and identified two closely spaced transcription initiation sites. The flanking sequence lacks a typical TATA-box, and is rich in guanine and cytosine. The role of the 5' upstream region was examined using the lacZ reporter gene in transgenic mice. A construct containing the 5' flanking sequence (4.9 kb), untranslated exon 1 and 1.3 kb intron 1 could drive the gene expression in the embryonic and adult heart regions. Weak expression was also observed in the stomach, liver, and bronchial arch in addition to the cardiac region. Deletion of the 5' upstream region ( approximately 1.2 kb) or intron 1 abolished all this expression, indicating that at least two cis-acting control elements are necessary for heart-specific expression of GATA6 in vivo.

Sex difference in the daily rhythm of hepatic P450 monooxygenase activities in rats is regulated by growth hormone release

Daily fluctuations have been observed in the hepatic cytochrome P450 monooxygenase activities of rodents. It was confirmed in our previous study that the P450 activities assessed by measurement of 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase (ACD) showed obvious daily fluctuations in male rats with high values during the dark period. However, there is still very little information about the daily fluctuation of P450 activities in female rats. In the first experiment of the present study, the daily fluctuation of ACD activities in female rats was examined. The results indicated the absence of any apparent daily fluctuation in the hepatic ACD activities of the females, so the study confirmed a sex difference in the daily rhythm of the ACD activities. In the second experiment using hypophysectomized (Hpx) rats, it was investigated whether this sex difference in daily rhythm was attributable to growth hormone (GH) release, an activity which is known to affect the sex difference in the expression of P450 isoforms. It was found that the Hpx rats, given subcutaneous injections of GH twice during the light period to mimic a male pattern of GH secretion, showed obvious light-dark fluctuation in ACD activities with high values in the dark period, and similar results were obtained in sham-operated males. Conversely, the Hpx rats given continuous infusion of GH to mimic a female pattern of GH secretion did not show the light-dark fluctuation in ACD activities, and similar results were obtained in sham-operated females. In conclusion, there is a sex difference in the daily rhythm of the hepatic P450 activities in rats and this difference is apparently influenced by the difference in the patterns of GH secretions.

Diffuse myocardial infarction caused by isolated bilateral coronary ostial stenoses in a young woman: report of a case

A young Japanese woman who appeared to be free from any coronary risk factors was admitted to a local hospital with chest pain. Serological tests showed no evidence of inflammation; however, an electrocardiogram revealed diffuse myocardial ischemia and a coronary angiogram demonstrated isolated bilateral coronary ostial stenoses. Moreover, her serum creatine phosphokinase level was high. On the day following admission, the patient developed severe cardiogenic shock, and she was transferred to our hospital where emergency coronary artery bypass grafting with the saphenous veins was performed using retrograde tepid blood cardioplegia. Recovery of cardiac function was immediate and her postoperative course was uneventful. We suspect that fibromuscular dysplasia was the most likely cause of the ostial stenoses in this patient.

Daily fluctuation of hepatic P450 monooxygenase activities in male rats is controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus but remains unaffected by adrenal hormones

Hepatic P450 monooxygenase activities, which strongly influence the efficacy and/or toxicity of drugs, are known to fluctuate daily. We also know that the P450 activities assessed by measurement of 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase (ACD) activities fluctuate daily, with apparently high values during the dark period in male rats. However, there is little knowledge about the factors that regulate daily fluctuation of P450 monooxygenase activities. In the present study using rats, we induced lesions in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the brain, the known site of the body's internal clock, and examined the effects on the daily fluctuation of the ACD activities to clarify the relationship between the SCN and the daily fluctuation of P450 monooxygenase activities. In addition, adrenalectomy was performed to re-evaluate the influence of adrenal hormones on the P450 activities. Our results indicated that daily fluctuations of the hepatic ACD activities were completely eliminated in the SCN-lesioned rats. However, the ACD activities in the adrenalectomized rats showed apparent daily fluctuations with high values during the dark period and low values during the light period. Therefore, this study demonstrated that the daily fluctuation of the hepatic P450 monooxygenase activities in male rats is controlled by the SCN but remains unaffected by the adrenal hormones.

Daily fluctuation of 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase activities in the liver of male F344 rats under ad libitum-feeding or fasting condition

It has been reported that drug metabolizing enzyme activities in the liver fluctuate daily, though the daily fluctuation of 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase (ACD) activities catalyzed by P450 has not been examined. The ACD activities are known to be useful to clarify the extensive induction of P450-dependent oxygenases. In the present study, the hepatic ACD activities, as well as P450 content, were investigated periodically in male F344 rats under ad libitum-feeding or fasting condition. The ACD activities in ad libitum-fed rats were found to follow obvious daily fluctuations with high values during dark periods and with low values during light periods. This agreed with the other previous results of drug metabolizing enzyme activities measured with other substrates. Because the daily fluctuation was also observed in fasted rats, the fluctuation in ACD activities was clearly not affected by feeding, an external factor. P450 content, however, showed different fluctuation patterns from the ACD activities. This suggests that the fluctuation of ACD activities might not be related to the quantitative variation of P450 proteins.

Increase in urinary excretion of 6beta-hydroxycortisol in common marmosets as a marker of hepatic CYP3A induction

The ratio of urinary 6beta-hydroxycortisol (6beta-OHF) to free cortisol (F), i.e., the 6beta-OHF/F ratio, has been reported to be a specific marker for human CYP3A induction by in vivo studies of human subjects. In the development of drugs, it is quite beneficial to predict human CYP3A induction in preclinical safety studies using urine samples from experimental animals. We examined the 6beta-OHF/F ratio in urine of common marmosets administered with rifampicin, a potent inducer of CYP3A, to evaluate the usefulness of common marmosets for the prediction of CYP3A induction. Rifampicin was orally administered to three groups of four male common marmosets at doses of 0, 10, and 20 mg/kg per day for 4 days. Amounts of 6beta-OHF and F in urine samples were determined by means of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) during the experimental period. One day after the 4th dosing, animals were killed, and P450 contents and P450-catalyzed. 7-alkoxycoumarin O-dealkylase (ACD) activities in the liver were measured. Western blot analysis of liver microsomes was also performed using anti-rat P450 (CYP1A1, 2B1/2, 3A, and 4A) antibodies. The results indicated elevations in the 6beta-OHF/F ratios that were dependent on both the dosing period and dose levels adopted. The ratios on day 4 reached 4.7- and 5.3-fold the pre-administration values in the 10 and 20 mg/kg per day groups, respectively. P450 contents and ACD activities were also elevated in all of the groups. Western blot analysis showed specific increases in the protein which cross-reacts with anti-rat CYP3A antibody in all of the groups. Furthermore, the 6beta-OHF/F ratio was well correlated with the CYP3A contents in liver (r = 0.906). These results indicated that increase in urinary excretion of 6beta-OHF is a specific marker of the induction of hepatic CYP3A in common marmosets just as in humans. Consequently, the present study suggested that human CYP3A induction elicited by chemical agents can be predicted in common marmosets by measuring the urinary excretion of 6beta-OHF.

Effectiveness of a vaccine against red sea bream iridoviral disease in a field trial test

Since 1990, red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) has caused high mortalities in the summertime in cultured red sea bream Pagrus major in southwest Japan. To establish control measures for red sea bream iridoviral disease (RSIVD), the effectiveness of a formalin-killed viral vaccine was evaluated in a field trial. Two groups each consisting of 1000 juvenile red sea bream were either intraperitoneally inoculated with vaccine (vaccinated group) or were not vaccinated (non-vaccinated group). After vaccination, the fish were held for 1 wk, then transferred to a marine net pen and observed for 12 wk. The cumulative mortalities caused by RSIVD in the vaccinated group or control group were 19.2 and 68.5%, respectively. Additionally, the presence of virus antigen in the spleen was investigated and body weight was measured 6 and 12 wk post vaccination. In the vaccinated group, viral antigen was not detected. The increase in body weight of vaccinated fish was significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that of control fish. These results suggest that the vaccine against RSIVD was effective in 1 field trial.

Amelioration of osteopenia and hypovitaminosis D by 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVES

A high prevalence of hip and other fractures in elderly patients with Parkinson's disease has been linked to reduced bone mass arising from a defect of renal synthesis of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1, 25-[OH]2D). Treatment with 1alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha(OH)D3; an active form of vitamin D) was evaluated for maintaining bone mass and reducing the incidence of hip and other nonvertebral fractures in patients with Parkinson's disease.

METHODS

In a double blind, randomised trial, 86 elderly patients with Parkinson's disease (mean Hoehn and Yahr stage, 3; mean age 70.6 years) were randomised to receive either 1 microg 1alpha(OH)D3 daily (treatment group, n=43) or a placebo (n=43) for 18 months. Bone mineral densities in the second metacarpals were determined by computed radiographic densitometry. Serum bone turnover indices were measured serially, and incidence of nonvertebral fractures was recorded.

RESULTS

Bone mineral densities decreased 1.2% in the treatment group compared with 6.7% in the placebo group during 18 months (p<0.0001). At baseline in both groups, the serum concentration of 1, 25-[OH]2D was reduced. Parathyroid hormone was abnormally increased in 15 patients (17%) and correlated negatively with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, indicating compensatory hyperparathyroidism. Eight patients sustained fractures (six at the hip and two at other sites) in the placebo group, and one hip fracture occurred among treated patients (odds ratio 9.8; p=0.0028).

CONCLUSION

By increasing serum 1, 25-[OH]2D concentrations, treatment with 1alpha(OH)D3 can reduce the risk of hip and other non-vertebral fractures in osteoporotic elderly patients with Parkinson's disease by slowing the loss of bone mineral densities.

Solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis and related technologies

Research efforts directed at the development of methodologies effective for solid-phase synthesis of oligosaccharides have resulted in a number of impressive achievements. In addition, closely related technologies, such as soluble polymer-supported synthesis and fluorous synthesis of the same class of molecules, have proved to be quite promising.

Stress-induced increase in urinary isatin excretion in rats: reversal by both dexamethasone and alpha-methyl-P-tyrosine

The effects of acute food deprivation and acute cold exposure on 24-hr urinary isatin excretion in rats and a mechanism responsible for changes in urinary isatin excretion during stress were investigated. This is the first study to demonstrate by HPLC that urinary isatin excretion is increased by stress. Both types of stress induced a marked increase in urinary isatin excretion during the 24 hr following the initiation of stress. Dexamethasone administration prevented the increase in urinary isatin excretion induced by both of the different types of stress. Furthermore, administration of either the benzodiazepine receptor agonist diazepam or the tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine prevented the increase in urinary isatin excretion induced by acute food deprivation, whereas the dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate proved ineffective. These observations suggest that during stress, activated catecholamine-synthesizing cells and corticotropin-releasing factor cells, both of which play central roles in stress responses, may be involved in total isatin production. Isatin may serve as an endogenously generated marker for some types of stress.

[Present and future cancer risk assessment of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines in humans]

Heterocyclic amines are formed during high temperature cooking of foods such as meat and fish. Although heterocyclic amines are known mutagens and some of them are shown to be carcinogenic to experimental animals, the carcinogenic potential of heterocyclic amines in humans has yet to be established. The most important criteria in determining the relationship between heterocyclic amines and human cancers are the strength and consistency of the association, the presence of a dose-response relationship, and the biological plausibility of heterocyclic amines being human carcinogens. To date, there are too few data to evaluate the strength, consistency, and dose response of this relationship in humans. To investigate cancer risk posed by heterocyclic amines to humans, an accurate estimation of exposure is needed. Validated methods for exposure assessment of heterocyclic amines are not available. At present, without any available long-term biomarkers of heterocyclic amines, it is crucial to improve exposure assessment. Most studies concerning the cancer risk assessment of heterocyclic amines are based on the exposure levels calculated only by information on the consumption of cooked foods and the mean levels of heterocyclic amines in cooked foods. Inaccurate exposure assessment can lead to incorrect cancer risk. This review describes the present and future problems of the exposure assessment and cancer risk assessment of heterocyclic amines.

Evaluation of third generation anti-HCV test kit (SYNPEP HCV-EIA II) using sera of inhabitants from HCV hyperendemic area

We examined the characteristics and usefulness of a third generation anti-HCV test kit, SYNPEP HCV-EIA II (Kyokuto Pharmaceutical Inc., Tokyo, Japan). The sera of inhabitants from a hepatitis C virus (HCV) hyperendemic area were used. The kit had even or more anti-HCV detection sensitivity and reproducibility than ORTHO HCV III ELISA Test System (Ortho-Clinical Diagnostic K.K., Tokyo, Japan) or HCV PHA 2nd Generation (Dinabot Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan). SYNPEP HCV-EIA II needed less total reaction time than other EIA kits, resulting in a simple procedure. Also, HCV RNA was detected in 90% of subjects who had a 7.5 or greater cut-off index (COI) of SYNPEP HCV-EIA II kit. In conclusion, SYNPEP HCV-EIA II require cheap cost and simple procedure and it could be applied to mass screening to find out HCV RNA positive persons who may need clinical care.

[Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting in elderly patients]

Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in elderly patients still remains to be a therapeutic challenge for cardiac surgeons. The purpose of this study was to review the operative results of our emergency CABG in elderly patients and evaluate it's problems comparing with younger patients. Consecutive forty-three patients underwent emergency CABG for the past ten years were divided into two groups, that is 13 patients aged 75 years or older (group 1) and 30 younger than 75 years old (group 2). There were three in-hospital deaths (mortality rate: 23.1%) in group 1 and three (10.0%) in group 2. The lowest postoperative Ccr (19.1 +/- 8.9 ml/ min) in group 1 was significantly lower (p < 0.02) than that (35.6 +/- 14.4 ml/min) in group 2. Respiratory Index on the first postoperative day, which indicates lung dysfunction when it comes up to 2.0 or more, showed 2.65 in mean value in group 1 compared with 1.31 in group 2 (p < 0.05). Severe infections like sepsis were developed in 4 patients (30.8%) in group 1 and 2 (6.7%) in group 2 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it was clearly suggested that kidney protection by earlier myocardial revascularization, prevention of severe infection and earlier introduction of respiratory physiotherapy in the postoperative period were advisable to improve the operative results of emergency CABG in elderly patients.

Determination of isatin in urine and plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for the detection and determination of isatin (indole-2,3-dione) in urine and plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography has been developed. It consists of a two-step purification using two different columns with UV detection. With this method, we have reconfirmed that isatin is present in human urine. We have also demonstrated that isatin is present in human plasma and that the isatin levels in spot urine samples reflect the plasma isatin levels. In the present report we describe a rapid and sensitive means of determining urine and plasma isatin for laboratories equipped with a high-performance liquid chromatography system.

Rapid incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid from dietary sources into brain microsomal, synaptosomal and mitochondrial membranes in adult mice

This study examined the incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) from several dietary sources into the brain tissue and intracellular organelles in mice which had been fed a 5% palm oil (low n-3 fatty acid level) diet for 8 or 11 weeks. The percentages of DHA in the tissues of mice fed 5% representative oils for 30 days or 5% purified n-3 fatty acid diets for 6 days were analyzed using gas chromatography. The percentage of DHA in the brain was ranked in the following order: the salmon oil diet group > the sardine oil diet group > > the perilla oil diet group > > the lard and palm oil diet groups for the 30 day feeding trial; and the DHA diet group > > the eicosapentaenoic acid and alpha-linolenic acid diet groups for the 6 day feeding trial. The percentage of arachidonic acid showed a more dramatic decrease than that of docosapentaenoic acid. These results reflected the plasma fatty acid concentrations, but were not as pronounced as the changes observed in the plasma. The majority of the DHA incorporated into the brain was recovered in microsomal, synaptosomal, and mitochondrial fractions separated by density gradient centrifugation. These membrane fractions took up DHA within several days. These results suggest that the intake of DHA itself increases the DHA level of brain membranes more rapidly than intake of the precursors in animals fed a low n-3 fatty acid level diet.

Rapid induction of more malignant tumors by various genotoxic carcinogens in transgenic mice harboring a human prototype c-Ha-ras gene than in control non-transgenic mice

In this study, we investigated the carcinogenic response of transgenic mice carrying the human prototype c-Ha-ras gene, namely Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mice, to various genotoxic carcinogens and compared it with that of control non-transgenic CB6F1 mice (non-Tg mice). The present studies were conducted as the first step in the evaluation of the Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mouse as a model for the rapid carcinogenicity testing system. Short-term (< or = 6 months) rapid carcinogenicity tests of various genotoxic carcinogens, 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide, cyclophosphamide, N,N-diethylnitrosamine, N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine and methylazoxymethanol, revealed that Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mice are more susceptible to these genotoxic carcinogens than control non-Tg mice. Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mice developed tumors more rapidly compared with non-Tg mice. Malignant tumors were observed only in the carcinogen-treated Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mice, but not in non-Tg mice treated with the same carcinogens. Each carcinogen induced tumors in corresponding target tissues of the Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mice. Only a very few lung adenomas but no other tumors were seen as spontaneous tumors during the 6 months of carcinogenicity tests. These results demonstrate that more rapid onset and higher incidence of more malignant tumors can be expected with high probability after treatment with various genotoxic carcinogens in the Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mice than in control non-Tg mice. The Tg rasH2/CB6F1 mouse seems to be a promising candidate as an animal model for the development of a rapid carcinogenicity testing system.

Age-related accumulation of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3- carboxylic acid in human lens

A fluorescent beta-carboline, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline-3- carboxylic acid (MTCA) was identified in human normal lenses and cataractous lenses. The mean total amounts of MTCA in normal lenses (n = 7), diabetic cataractous lenses (n = 15), and senile cataractous lenses (n = 15) were 0.64 +/- 0.76 ng, 1.79 +/- 0.94 ng, and 3.66 +/- 1.04 ng, respectively. The MTCA levels in human lenses increased linearly with the age of the lenses, and there was a significant correlation between the total amount of MTCA in human lenses and the age of the lens. In all types of lenses, the concentrations of MTCA in the insoluble-protein fraction [pg (mg protein)-1] were significantly higher than those in the water-soluble protein fraction. These results suggest that MTCA may be one of the age-related fluorogens. In vitro experiments revealed that MTCA, a condensation reaction product of tryptophan with acetaldehyde, can be formed in the mixture of tryptophan and glucose by low temperature heating. Furthermore, the MTCA levels in the homogenate of cataractous lenses were significantly increased with the heating time, when the homogenate without addition of glucose and tryptophan was heated at 60 degrees C. This indicates that enough material such as tryptophan for MTCA formation is present in human cataractous lenses. Therefore, it may be that MTCA is formed in human lens. However, we can not rule out the possibility that MTCA in the lens may be derived from other sources, and deposited in the lens since MTCA is reported to be present in various foodstuffs and alcoholic beverages.

Change of the sex-dependent response to clofibrate in F344 rat liver during postnatal development

Although it has been reported that male rats are more responsive than females to peroxisome proliferation induced by clofibrate, these sex differences have been confirmed in young adult rats. Using 4-, 8-, and 12-week-old F344 rats, postnatal change of the sex-dependent response to clofibrate was investigated. These animals were administered 200 mg/kg body wt./day clofibrate by gavage for 7 days. In 4-week-old rats clofibrate-dependent changes (hepatomegaly, induction of hepatic microsomal and peroxisomal enzymes, proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and peroxisomes of hepatocytes) were slight in both sexes. In 8- and 12-week-old rats clofibrate-induced changes of males were moderate, whereas those of females were slight. These results suggest that the responsiveness of immature rat to clofibrate is weak and in males the susceptibility is gradually strong during postnatal development.

[Monoballism associated with internal carotid artery occlusion : a case report]

A 62-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with abrupt onset of monoballism in the left arm. Brain MRI showed a hemorrhagic lesion in the right subthalamic nucleus. MRA demonstrated occlusion of the right internal carotid artery occlusion. Cerebral angiogram indicated a leptomeningeal anastomosis to the right middle cerebral artery from the right posterior cerebral artery. SPECT with 99mTc-HMPAO demonstrated the reduction of cerebral blood flow in the right frontotemporal region. Right superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery anastomosis was performed 7 months after onset. Monoballism disappeared after surgery and the patient had a good clinical course during the postoperative period. Monoballism associated with internal carotid artery occlusion is rare, and we were able to show the subthalamic nucleus lesion with MRI soon after onset. We considered that the reason for this hemorrhage in the subthalamic nucleus was the hemodynamic stress to the posterior cerebral artery area caused by the ipsilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery.

Evaluation of cardiac function by echocardiography in dogs treated with doxorubicin

Cardiac functions were evaluated by echocardiography in dogs treated with doxorubicin. The dogs were administered 1.5 mg/kg body-weight doxorubicin intravenously at intervals of 3 weeks. Two-dimensional echocardiography of several sections of the heart was taken and fractional shortenings of chordal and papillary muscle levels were measured from M-mode echocardiogram to assess the left ventricular contractile function. And color Doppler and pulse Doppler examinations of mitral flow velocity were performed. Concomitantly, electrocardiogram (ECG) was also examined. The animals with decreased cardiac function were euthanized and the hearts were examined histologically. Fractional shortening was reduced gradually in the dogs treated with doxorubicin. And mitral regurgitation during systolic phase and changes of mitral flow velocity during diastolic phase were also revealed in the dogs with severe reduction of fractional shortening. These changes might indicate the reduction of cardiac functions, both of contractility and diastolic filling functions. ECG abnormalities, which were small changes, revealed only in the dogs that had severe reduction of fractional shortening and mitral regurgitation. In histological examination, myocardial degeneration was observed. And, the degree of myocardial damage might be relative to alteration of fractional shortening. Thus, the result demonstrates that the early alteration of cardiac function induced with doxorubicin can be detected by echocardiography in dogs. The result also indicates that cardiac function predicted by fractional shortening measured from M-mode echocardiogram might be correlated with histological changes of myocardium.

Removal of virus through novel membrane filtration method

To protect against virus infections, the new technology of the virus removal membrane has been developed. The novel virus removal filter PLANOVA is validated for virus removal, that is, reproducible and predictable. The removal is based on the sieving mechanism. The removal of viruses by PLANOVA with a given mean pore size ranging between 10 and 75 nm is predictable when the geometrical size and the deformability of the virus are known in advance under the given filtration conditions. The high removability of viruses originates from the unique pore structure, that is the structure of the multi-layer (or multi-screen) each of which is composed of two types of pores, the capillary and void pores. The good recovery rate of proteins is attained by using material with a good hydroscopic property such as regenerated cellulose. Designing the worst case of the process and selecting model viruses in the process validation experiment are important in the practical application of PLANOVA. The integrity tests by the membrane producer and by the user have been established. Although PLANOVA has already worked well in the field of drug manufacture, the combination of virus removal using PLANOVA and virus inactivation treatment gives potentially wide application.