[Preoperative workup to assess indication for laparoscopic treatment in gastroesophageal reflux disease].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: antireflux surgery performed by an experienced surgeon is a maintenance option for patients with well-documented gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Well-documented GERD is difficult to find, as GERD is a multifactorial disease in which the gastroesophageal junction, with its special anatomical and functional components, is important. In order to examine patient preoperative workups, and their indication for surgical treatment in GERD, we retrospectively studied patients who underwent a laparoscopic antireflux procedure. METHODS: preoperative workups in patients from our health care area who underwent a laparoscopic antireflux procedure from December 1997 to February 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. Data related to epidemiological findings, symptoms, morphologic and functional evaluation, medical therapy, and indication for surgical treatment were recorded and statistically analyzed by means of a bivariate test. Differences were significant when the p value was equal to or less than 0.05. RESULTS: 100 patients (50 % female, 51.31 +/- 13.53 years of age) underwent a laparoscopic antireflux surgery after 56.47 +/- 61.33 months with symptoms. Ninety-five percent of patients had an anatomical abnormality. The pH monitoring test diagnosed three quarters of cases. The most frequent indication for GERD treatment was persistent or recurrent esophagitis despite adequate medical treatment (52 cases). CONCLUSIONS: based on our preoperative workup, as described, 100 percent of subjects were well documented and diagnosed with GERD (both non-erosive reflux disease and erosive reflux disease), and their indication for laparoscopic treatment was retrospectively assessed in 94% of cases.

Determination of the s-wave scattering length and the C6 van der Waals coefficient of 174Yb via photoassociation spectroscopy.

We report photoassociation spectroscopy of 174Yb for the 1S(0)-1P1 transition at 1 microK, where only the s-wave scattering state contributes to the spectra. The wave function of the s-wave scattering state is obtained from the photoassociation efficiency, and we determine that the C6 potential coefficient is 2300+/-250 a.u. and the s-wave scattering length is 5.53+/-0.11 nm. Based on these parameters, we discuss the scattering properties of s- and d-wave states.

Preventive effect of sulphated colominic acid on P-selectin-dependent infiltration of macrophages in experimentally induced crescentic glomerulonephritis.

Leucocytes infiltrate into renal tissue and are involved in the pathogenesis of crescentic glomerulonephritis. The initial event in the process of leucocyte infiltration is characterized by selectin-mediated leucocyte rolling on endothelial surface. Role of selectins in pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis has still been controversial. Sulphated glycolipids and sulphated polysaccharides interfere with the binding of P- and L-selectin with carbohydrate ligands on endothelial cells or on leucocytes. Here we evaluated the role of selectins and the preventive effects of sulphated colominic acid (SCA), a synthetic sulphated polysaccharide, on experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Crescentic glomerulonephritis was induced by injection of nephrotoxic serum (NTS) in WKY rats. Rats subsequently received intraperitoneal injection of saline, neutralizing or non-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) to rat P-selectin and L-selectin, SCA (5 or 10mg/kg/day) or nonsulphated colominic acid (CA) (10mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Localization of P-, E-selectin, ligands for L-selectin and intraglomerular leucocytes was examined by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) B chain in glomeruli was quantified using real-time RT-PCR. P-selectin was highly expressed on glomerular endothelial cells after injection of NTS, whereas E-selectin and L-selectin ligands were not detected. Anti-P-selectin mAb, but not anti-L-selectin mAb, significantly reduced glomerular infiltration of macrophages, crescent formation, and proteinuria. SCA also reduced proteinuria, macrophage infiltration, and crescent formation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SCA suppressed gene expression of PDGF B chain in glomeruli. Our results indicate that P-selectin partially mediates glomerular infiltration of macrophage in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis. Moreover, SCA may inhibit intraglomerular infiltration of macrophages by interfering with P-selectin-dependent adhesion pathway, and progression of experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis.

In vivo evaluation of platelet--endothelial interactions after transient retinal ischemia.

PURPOSE: Accumulating evidence suggests that platelets play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion injury. To fulfill that role, platelets flowing in the bloodstream would have to interact with retinal endothelial cells and to accumulate in the postischemic retina. This study was designed to investigate quantitatively platelet-endothelial interactions in postischemic retina after transient retinal ischemia. METHODS: Transient retinal ischemia was induced in Long-Evans rats for 60 minutes by temporal ligation of the optic nerve. Isolated platelet samples labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester were administered intravenously to recipient rats after various reperfusion periods. Platelet-endothelial interactions in postischemic retina were evaluated in vivo with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. Anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibody (mAb) was administered 5 minutes before the injection of labeled platelets. P-selectin gene expression in the postischemic retina was studied by semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Under basal conditions, infused platelets showed minimal interactions with retinal endothelial cells. In contrast, postischemic retinas showed active platelet-endothelial interactions. Many platelets were observed rolling along and adhering to the major retinal veins. The number of rolling and adhering platelets reached a peak (555 +/- 65/mm per min and 25.8 +/- 3.2/mm(2)) 12 hours after reperfusion. However, the interactions between platelets and postischemic retinal endothelial cells were substantially inhibited by neutralizing P-selectin expressed on endothelial cells. In addition, P-selectin gene expression in postischemic retina corresponded with the time course of platelet-endothelial interactions during the reperfusion period. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that platelets actively interacted with retinal endothelial cells in the postischemic retina through P-selectin expressed on the retinal endothelial cells.

Calcium ions stabilize a protein structure of hemolytic lectin CEL-III from marine invertebrate Cucumaria echinata.

CEL-III, a galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine (Gal/GalNAc)-specific lectin purified from a marine invertebrate, Cucumaria echinata, has a strong hemolytic activity, especially toward human and rabbit erythrocytes in the presence of Ca2+. We evaluated the role of Ca2+ in hemagglutinating and hemolytic activities of CEL-III. We found that Ca2+ is closely associated with both activities of CEL-III. The fluorescence spectra of CEL-III upon binding to Ca2+ were measured. The result showed a structural change of CEL-III in the presence of Ca2+. The structural change of CEL-III upon Ca2+ binding was further demonstrated by stabilization against urea denaturation and by insusceptibility to protease digestions. CEL-III was completely unfolded at a low concentration of 2 M urea, while CEL-III complexed with Ca2+ was stable in 6 M urea. As for protease digestions, CEL-III monomer and oligomer were readily digested by trypsin, chymotrypsin, and papain in the absence of Ca2+, while they were insusceptible to the three proteases in the presence of Ca2+. The papain digestion of the decalcified oligomer produced a large C-terminal peptide, suggestting that the C-terminal region of CEL-III may participate in oligomerization of CEL-III as a core domain.

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.

Combined transcriptome and proteome analysis as a powerful approach to study genes under glucose repression in Bacillus subtilis.

We used 2D protein gel electrophoresis and DNA microarray technologies to systematically analyze genes under glucose repression in B:acillus subtilis. In particular, we focused on genes expressed after the shift from glycolytic to gluconeogenic at the middle logarithmic phase of growth in a nutrient sporulation medium, which remained repressed by the addition of glucose. We also examined whether or not glucose repression of these genes was mediated by CcpA, the catabolite control protein of this bacterium. The wild-type and ccpA1 cells were grown with and without glucose, and their proteomes and transcriptomes were compared. 2D gel electrophoresis allowed us to identify 11 proteins, the synthesis of which was under glucose repression. Of these proteins, the synthesis of four (IolA, I, S and PckA) was under CcpA-independent control. Microarray analysis enabled us to detect 66 glucose-repressive genes, 22 of which (glmS, acoA, C, yisS, speD, gapB, pckA, yvdR, yxeF, iolA, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, R, S and yxbF ) were at least partially under CcpA-independent control. Furthermore, we found that CcpA and IolR, a repressor of the iol divergon, were involved in the glucose repression of the synthesis of inositol dehydrogenase encoded by iolG included in the above list. The CcpA-independent glucose repression of the iol genes appeared to be explained by inducer exclusion.

Provisioned Parastrachia japonensis (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) nymphs gain access to food and protection from predators.

Females of the shield bug Parastrachia japonensis Scott progressively provision nymph-containing nests with drupes of the host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora (Olicaceae: Rosidae: Santales). The majority of nests are 5-15 m from the host tree, a distance thought to have been a major impetus for the occurrence of provisioning in this species. However, the function of provisioning is not well understood. We carried out two field experiments to determine whether provisioning is nutritionally important and whether it affords protection against predation. Development of nymphs was significantly delayed and their survival was low in the absence of provisioning, even when nests were within the area of ground on to which the drupes fell, apparently because of the poor quality of the majority of the drupes. Selective provisioning of good-quality drupes by female P. japonensis, a semelparous species, was thus necessary for young nymphs to obtain enough food for their development. Furthermore, even without a female in attendance, having drupes in the nest significantly reduced early mortality in the presence of a predator. Copyright 2000 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

P-selectin participates in cardiopulmonary bypass-induced inflammatory response in association with nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production.

OBJECTIVES: P-selectin participates in the development of inflammatory disorders. Cardiopulmonary bypass is thought to induce inflammatory response and increase nitric oxide production. To evaluate the role of P-selectin in bypass-induced inflammatory response and its association with nitric oxide production, we examined the effect of P-selectin monoclonal antibody in a rat model of cardiopulmonary bypass. METHODS: Twenty adult Sprague-Dawley rats undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass for 60 minutes were divided into 2 groups. A 3-mg/kg dose of anti-rat specific P-selectin monoclonal antibody (ARP2-4; Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals, Osaka, Japan) was administered into the priming solution before bypass in group P (n = 10) and a 3-mg/kg dose of PNB1.6 (nonblocking monoclonal antibody) was added in group C for control (n = 10). RESULTS: At the termination of bypass and 3 hours after the termination of bypass, plasma levels of interleukins 6 and 8, nitrate/nitrite, the percentage ratio of nitrotyrosine to tyrosine (an indicator of peroxynitrite formation), and the respiratory index were significantly higher than before bypass in both groups, and they were significantly lower in group P than in group C. Plasma P-selectin level in group C and exhaled nitric oxide concentration in both groups at termination of bypass were significantly lower than those before bypass, and they were significantly higher 3 hours after termination of bypass than before bypass in both groups. Plasma P-selectin level and exhaled nitric oxide concentration in group P were significantly higher than those in group C at the end of bypass, but they were significantly lower 3 hours after the termination of bypass. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that P-selectin may participate in the augmentation of bypass-induced inflammatory response in association with nitric oxide and peroxynitrite production.

Involvement of both granular cells and plasmatocytes in phagocytic reactions in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.

Although it has been previously found by most authors that only plasmatocytes are involved in phagocytosis of non-self in the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, in the present study we demonstrate that in vitro, both granular cells and plasmatocytes are involved in this reaction, using monolayers of these haemocytes prepared from larval haemolymph by a differential cell fractionation method. The adhesion of granular cells to glassware and phagocytosis by granular cells of FITC-labelled silica beads were both greatly reduced by the presence of p-NPGB, a serine proteinase inhibitor, which is known to inhibit the activation of the prophenoloxidase cascade, but the reactions were only partly influenced by PTU, an inhibitor of phenoloxidase. These results suggest that an enhancing factor for both reactions is phenoloxidase itself or a component induced during the course of activation of the prophenoloxidase cascade, but not the melanised substance produced by the action of this reaction. For plasmatocytes, attachment to non-self was totally blocked by the absence of CaCl(2) or by the presence of EDTA at concentrations greater than 20 mM, and phagocytosis was greatly enhanced by CaCl(2), but suppressed by EDTA. These results suggest that calcium is a factor required for adhesion of plasmatocytes, and that it also functions to enhance their phagocytic action.

P-selectin monoclonal antibody may attenuate the whole body inflammatory response induced by cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is known to induce an inflammatory response in association with neutrophil mediated lung injury. P-Selectin has been reported to be involved in the initiation of this inflammatory response by promoting the adhesion of neutrophils to endothelial cells in postcapillary venules. However, the role of P-selectin in the inflammatory response induced by CPB has never been clarified. To elucidate its role, we evaluated the effect of an anti-rat specific P-selectin monoclonal antibody (ARP2-4; Sumitomo Pharmaceutical) on the response of inflammatory cytokines and lung injury in a rat-CPB model. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats underwent CPB for 30 minutes (80 ml/kg per minute, 34 degrees C) under one of two conditions. In group P, ARP2-4 (3 mg/kg) was added to the priming solution of the bypass circuit (n = 10). Saline alone was given to group C (n = 10). Inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin[IL]-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8) and respiratory index (RI) as a marker of pulmonary gas-exchange ability were measured 1) before the initiation of CPB, 2) at the termination of CPB, and 3) 2 hours after the termination of CPB. Neither TNF-alpha nor IL-1beta was detected during the experimental period in either group. The plasma levels of IL-6 and IL-8 increased after CPB in both groups, but they were significantly lower in group P than in group C. The RI value increased in a pattern similar to that of the inflammatory cytokines and was significantly lower in group P. These data demonstrate that the addition of an anti-rat specific monoclonal antibody inhibits the abnormal release of inflammatory cytokines and attenuates CPB induced lung injury in rats. Thus, P-selectin may play a role in the augmentation of CPB induced inflammatory response, and the use of its inhibitory monoclonal antibody seems to be a promising strategy for the treatment of CPB induced lung injury.

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.

Lipid composition in long-day and short-day forms of the black bean aphid, Aphis fabae.

Long-day reared winged (alate) virginoparae from laboratory stock cultures which had been reared throughout larval development on bean stipules were significantly smaller (0.46+/-0.02 mg; mean+/-SEM) than short-day-reared gynoparae (0.69+/-0.04 mg; the winged autumn migrant) which completed development on intact beans. When winged virginoparae were raised from the third stadium on bean seedlings they grew larger (0.86+/-0.02 mg) but the gynoparae contained proportionally more total lipid (12.1+/-0.4%, gynoparae; 7.4+/-0.6%, stipule-reared virginoparae; 9.2+/-0.8%, seedling-reared virginoparae). Wingless aphids (apterae) were heavier, whether reared in short (0.99+/-0.03 mg) or long days (0.95+/-0.04 mg) but the lipid content was low (4.5+/-0.7% and 4.9+/-0.6%, respectively). The triacyl-, diacylglycerol and the phospholipid contents followed this trend but analysis of the fatty acid moieties of the triacylglycerides showed phenotypic differences. The ratios of myristic acid:palmitic acid were significantly higher in the winged forms than the wingless forms and were much higher in the gynoparae than the winged virginoparae. Short-day-reared wingless females also had a higher myristic acid:palmitic acid ratio than long-day-reared apterae, possibly reflecting the embryonic gynoparae maturing in their ovaries.

Relating X-ray absorption and some quality characteristics of mango fruit (Mangifera indica L.).

X-ray absorption was used as an index to detect the quality of mango based on its relationship with density, moisture content, soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH. A regression equation was obtained between the computed tomography (CT) number and the physicochemical properties based on the principle of X-ray absorption capacities of the fruit. The CT numbers of intact mangoes were positively correlated with density, moisture content, and titratable acidity. The soluble solids and pH were inversely related with CT number. The results suggest that CT number measurements on intact fruit can be used as a nondestructive indicator of the quality of mango.

In vivo evaluation of platelet-endothelial interactions in retinal microcirculation of rats.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to develop a new method to evaluate the dynamics of platelets in the retinal microcirculation in vivo and to investigate quantitatively the platelet-endothelial interactions in rat retina with the use of this system. METHODS: Isolated platelet samples were labeled with carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester. After intravenous administration, platelet behavior in the retinal microcirculation was evaluated with a scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The images were recorded on S-VHS videotape and analyzed with a computer-assisted image analysis system. The platelet- endothelial interactions in the retinal microcirculation were also investigated with the use of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated endothelium or platelets activated with thrombin. RESULTS: Fluorescent platelets were recognized as distinct dots in the retinal microcirculation and could be traced frame by frame. The velocity of platelets in the retinal arteries, capillaries, and veins was 26.1+/-6.4, 1.6+/-0.4, and 19.9+/-8.2 mm/sec, respectively. In control rats, even the activated platelets showed minimal interaction with retinal endothelial cells. In contrast, stimulated retinal endothelium showed active platelet- endothelial interactions; many platelets were observed rolling and adhering along the major retinal veins. The interactions between platelets and stimulated endothelial cells were substantially inhibited with the injection of P-selectin monoclonal antibody. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated a new method to visualize platelet behavior in the retinal microcirculation in vivo. This method will allow quantitative evaluation of platelet dynamics and platelet- endothelial interactions in retinal pathologic conditions.