Effects of radiofrequency and ultrasound on the turnover rate of skin aging components (skin extracellular matrix and epidermis) via HSP47-induced stimulation.

Skin aging cannot be escaped, being due to both intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. They lead to a reduced extracellular collagen matrix in the dermis, along with a higher degradation by metalloproteases (MMPs) activity, as well as a lower differentiation and function of epidermis keratinocytes, characterized by wrinkling and loss of skin elasticity. One of the recent technology to overcome this skin aging process is the use of radiofrequency (RF) and ultrasound (US) technologies which use thermal stimulation to induce neocollagenesis in the skin. But no explanations exist on the involved pathways. Our hypothesis is that RF-US generated heat increases the collagen formation via the heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) induction, a heat sensitive protein related to the collagen expression. To confirm this hypothesis, normal human skin substitutes were subjected to RF-US treatment and results were monitored after 24 and 44 h. RNA sequencing showed a significant induction for the genes related to the epidermis differentiation processes. Almost all keratin genes were thus found upregulated from 2 to 15 times, while collagen type XVII and collagen type IV were increased 12 and 5 times respectively. In parallel, most of MMP genes were observed downregulated. RF-US treatment significantly increased levels of HSP47 proteins, while collagen XVII proteins showed a tendency to be increased and glycosaminoglycans were found 1.4 times significantly enhanced. Finally, histology assessment showed a higher expression of cytokeratins 10 and 14 which can testify a possible reactivation of the skin proliferative state as a rejuvenation strategy.

Studies on post-transplant dyslipidemia in kidney transplant patients.

This study was performed to retrospectively compare changes in the levels of total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and immunosuppressive drugs, cyclosporine A and steroids in patients with living-relation renal transplants with those from non-heart-beating donors. We experienced 11 cases of kidney transplants from non-heart-beating donors during the period from April 1995 to May 2003. We evaluated 13 cases of kidney transplants from living-relation donors during the same period. The immunosuppressants used included mainly cyclosporine A as well as mycophenolate mofetil or azathioprine, steroid and ALG, or basiliximab. Over-night fasting lipids (total cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol) were studied before renal transplantation and repeated after renal transplantation at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides remained in the normal range before transplantation. However, the levels of total cholesterol increased siginificantly 1 and 3 months after transplantation from non-heart-beating donors and remained at higher levels up to 12 months after transplantation. A similar pattern in the levels of triglycerides was observed. The levels of HDL cholesterol remained unchanged and stayed in the normal range before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after transplantation from non-heart-beating donors. On the other hand, significant increases in non-HDL cholesterol were observed 3 and 6 months after transplantation from non-heart-beating donors. After transplantation from living-relation donors, levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol remained unchanged and remained in the normal range up to 12 months after transplantation. Although there were no significant differences in the total dosage of cyclosporine A between the patients with living-relation donors and those with non-heart-beating donors, a significant increase in the total dosage of methylprednisolone was observed in patients with non-heart-beating donors compared with those in the patients with living-relation donors. Renal function recovery in patients with living-relation donors was better than in those with non-heart-beating donors. These results may suggest that significant increases in total cholesterol, especially non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, were probably partly due to an increased use of immunosuppressants, steroids. It is necessary to aggressively control post-transplant hyperlipidemia and important to reduce or withdraw steroids in the selected, low-risk recipients as early as possible from the viewpoint of preventing post-transplant hyperlipidemia.

Theoretical Study on the Mechanism of Formation of Cyanate Resins.

Ab initio calculations of a formation reaction of a triazine ring were performed. From the model substrate, methyl cyanate, a concerted association path with C(3)(h)() symmetry was first examined. In terms of energy changes, this path was found to be unlikely. Second, a stepwise path assisted by a water cluster was tested. But, this path was found to be of a relatively high amount of activation energy in the first additional step. Third, a zinc formate was used as a catalyst, and the reaction was computed to have a reasonable stepwise route for formation of the six-membered triazine ring. Fourth, the reaction promoted by a hydronium ion was shown to generate a ring-closure mechanism similar to that caused by the zinc catalyst. Thus, the crucial role of catalysts coordinated to the sigma lone-pair orbital of the cyanate nitrogen atom was verified.

Studies on eleven kidney transplants from non-heart-beating donors.

This study was performed to analyze postoperative courses and complications, retrospectively, following transplants from non-heart-beating donors and to examine the correlation between early graft function and clinical parameters. We experienced 11 cases of kidney transplants from non-heart-beating donors during the period from April 1995 to May 2003. Warm ischemic time was less than 30 min in all cases, and total ischemic time ranged from 8.4 hours to 27.9 hours. Rejection reactions occurred in seven cases, two of which were vascular rejections. Infectious disease complications included CMV in two cases, interstitial pneumonia in one case and fungal infection in one case. One patient died from interstitial pneumonia, and three patients had to be restarted on dialysis due to loss of function of the grafted kidney. The remaining seven patients all made full recoveries. All of the 16 patients who underwent living related kidney transplantations during the same period made full recoveries. Both the donor's gender and the latest creatinine level of the donor influenced the posttransplant dialysis period. The posttransplant dialysis period significantly influenced the creatinine level one month after transplant. These results suggest that patients who undergo kidney transplants from non-heart-beating donors have higher rates of complications than patients who undergo living related kidney transplantation. It is important that, in cases where the donor's creatinine level is high, especially when the donor is male, the kidney is carefully retrieved and transported to the recipent hospital to shorten the ischemic period as much as possible.

[A case of primary hepatic lymphoma successfully treated by THP-COP therapy].

A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to epigastralgia. The presence of a tumor mass in the umbilical portion of the liver was recognized by abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography scan. Needle biopsy of the tumor showed non Hodgkin's lymphoma (diffuse large B cell type) by histology and histoimmunology. She was treated by the THP-COP protocol, and complete remission was achieved after the third cycle. Primary hepatic lymphoma is so infrequent that standard treatments are not established yet. Most cases of primary hepatic lymphoma are treated by surgical resection in Japan; however our conservative approach to remission is considered as very helpful for discussing how to treat primary hepatic lymphoma.

C-C chemokine receptor 2 expression by circulating monocytes influences atherosclerosis in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Mortality from cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease due to atherosclerosis is increased in patients on chronic hemodialysis. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and its receptor, C-C chemokine receptor 2, play an important role in recruiting monocytes to atherosclerotic lesions. The relationship between atherosclerosis in hemodialysis patients and C-C chemokine receptor 2 expression is unknown. Fifty-six patients on chronic hemodialysis and 27 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and expression of C-C chemokine receptor 2 by circulating monocytes were determined. Atherosclerosis was evaluated from the carotid intima-media thickness and cardio-ankle vascular index. Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and expression of C-C chemokine receptor 2 by monocytes were significantly higher in the hemodialysis patients than the controls. Multiple regression analysis showed a positive correlation between receptor expression and both indexes of atherosclerosis. C-C chemokine receptor 2 expression by circulating monocytes influences atherosclerosis in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

Computational study of epoxy-amine reactions.

Density functional theory calculations were carried out for the title reactions. Ethylene oxide and methylamine were adopted as reactants. Amine clusters (dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer) were considered, because the combination of one oxide and one amine molecule gave a large activation energy. An amine tetramer was found to react favorably with the oxide via various zwitterionic intermediates. A back-side S(N)2 nucleophilic attack of one amine and the subsequent proton relay up to the front side provide a stabilized reaction field. The amine-alcohol mixed reactant may react readily with the oxide, because the alcoholic O-H group is in contact with the oxide oxygen with the strong hydrogen-bond stabilization.