Summary Tenascin-C is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein produced in response to epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during organogenesis and tissue remodelling. It has therefore been proposed as a stromal marker for epithelial malignancy. To test this hypothesis, 30 human lung cancers, presenting a variety of clinicopathological features, and six specimens of normal tissue were examined by Western and Northern blotting of tenascin-C protein and mRNA. The results obtained were: (1) elevated tenascin-C expression was detected in all 30 cases by Western blotting, with mRNA increase in 22 of them; (2) mRNA for a large isoform of tenascin-C, including an alternatively spliced sequence, was expressed in lung cancer tissues but not in normal lungs; and (3) metastasis to lymph nodes was frequently found in cases whose tenascin-C was degraded into small fragments. These results suggest that tenascin-C degradation can be used as a marker for metastatic potential of a tumour.
Background-Transluminal stent-graft placements (TSGPs) are a new, less invasive procedure now recognized as the choice for aortic disease repair. Treatment of aortic dissections with TSGPs has resulted in good early results, but the long-term results and changes in the false lumen have not been elucidated in detail. Methods and Results-TSGPs were performed in 49 patients with primary tears in their descending aortas, and the follow-up period ranged from 4 months to 6 years. The patients were divided into 32 acute-onset and 17 chronic dissections; of the acute-onset cases, there were 15 Stanford type A retrograde dissections. Periodic enhanced spiral CT was conducted after TSGP. The false lumen in the ascending aorta in 14 (93%) of the Stanford type A cases was obliterated completely within 3 months. The CT study was continued for Ͼ2 years for 17 acute-onset dissection and 11 chronic dissection patients. The average false lumen diameters of the proximal, middle, and distal descending aorta before treatment were 15.9, 16.2, and 15.6 mm in the acute-onset dissection group and 28.1, 25.2, and 21.0 mm in the chronic dissection group, respectively. The false lumen diameters 2 years after treatment were 3.0, 3.7, and 3.1 mm in the acute-onset dissection group and 10.6, 10.5, and 11.9 mm in the chronic dissection group, respectively. Two years after TSGPs, the false lumen of the thoracic aorta totally disappeared in 76% of the acute-onset dissection group and 36% of the chronic dissection group. No cases showed rupture after TSGP. Conclusions-Complete obliteration of the false lumen is more likely in acute-onset cases than in chronic cases.
Background: Subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) with a two-port system utilizing screw-type ports, CO 2 insufflation and an ultrasonic coagulation system, is a useful procedure that does not require burdensome apparatus and techniques. SEPS was accepted as a national advanced medical system by the Japanese
A comparative study of a newly developed impeller-type centrifugal pump, Nikkiso HMS-15, was made to assess the effects on hemolysis, platelet function, and renal function for extracorporeal circulation (ECC) during open heart surgery. The Bio-pump (cone-type, Medtronic) and the roller pump were used as controls. The increase of serum hemoglobin level in the Nikkiso pump was significantly lower than that in the other pumps. The decrease of platelet counts was recognized after the initiation of ECC in the three pumps whereas the levels of platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin in the Nikkiso pump group increased by far less than in the other two groups. Moreover, renal function was better maintained in the Nikkiso pump group; in particular, a significantly higher urine output was recorded during ECC and for 1 h after the termination of ECC. The results of our clinical studies suggest that the Nikkiso centrifugal pump is suitable for ECC during open heart surgery.
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