Radiographic study of osteoarthritic elbows in professional basebal pitchers

We examined radiographs of the elbows of the pitching arms of 79 professional baseball pitchers (mean age, 25.1 years; mean duration of professional career, 4.7 years) and noted the frequency and size of spurs, bone fragments, and intra-articular loose bodies according to site. The influence of duration of professional baseball career on these osteoarthritic changes was also investigated. The olecranon tip was the most frequent site of spurs (62/79; 78.5%), and fragmentation of the spur was detected in 17 joints. The frequency of spurs was also high at the medial margin of the olecranon, the tip of the coronoid process, the medial margin of the sigmoid notch, the medial margin of the trochlea and the olecranon fossa. In 38 subjects, spurs were observed at the distal portion of the radial notch of the ulna. However, few pitchers had osteoarthritic changes in the humeral capitellum or radial head. Intra-articular loose bodies were detected in 4 of 79 joints (5.1%), and bone fragments were present below the medial humeral epicondyle in 25 of 79 joints (31.6%). Osteoarthritic changes in the elbow joint appeared to be attributable mainly to traction stress and impingement associated with extension and valgus strain. Significant osteoarthritic changes were often found in professional pitchers whose careers exceeded 5 years.     

Endocrinology: High incidence of embryo transfer cancellations in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

This study was aimed at assessing the outcome of in-vitro fertilization(IVF) and embryo transfer in patients with polycystic ovariansyndrome (PCOS). The results of IVF and embryo transfer in PCOSpatients (PCOS group, 78 cycles of 26 patients) were comparedwith those of a control group (423 cycles in 202 patients withoutmale factor; age and ovarian stimulation protocol were matched).Although the pregnancy rate per transfer was not different inthe two groups of patients (25 versus 34%, PCOS versus controlgroup), the PCOS group had a significantly lower pregnancy rateper follicle aspiration (19 versus 31%, P < 0.05). A notableresult was a significantly higher incidence of embryo transfercancellations in the PCOS group (22 versus 8%, P < 0.01),which resulted from unpredictable failure of either oocyte recoveryor fertilization. The incidence of unexplained complete failureof fertilization was significantly higher in the PCOS group(18 versus 5%, P < 0.01). These results may reflect a reducedquality of the oocytes in the PCOS group, and there was a subgroupof PCOS patients who repeatedly produced poor results of treatment.Although the ovarian stimulation regimen best suited to PCOSpatients remains to be determined, special care should be takenduring ovarian stimulation, especially when the PCOS patientshad experienced unexplained failure of oocyte recovery or fertilizationin the previous treatment cycle(s).     

Ruptured congenital aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva in the aged

Ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva is a rare cardiac lesion. A ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva in the right ventricle of a 64-year-old man was successfully repaired. The patient was admitted to the hospital with high fever and chest oppression. Diagnosis was made by two dimensional echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and cardiac angiography. An aortotomy, main pulmonary arteriotomy, and right ventriculotomy were performed. There was no VSD, and the aneurysm originated from the right coronary sinus, rupturing into the right ventricle inlet portion. The ruptured aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva was closed with a Dacron patch from inside the aorta. He is doing well after surgery. There was no heart murmur. CTR decreased and pulmonary blood flow fell to a normal value. As far as we know, this patient is the second oldest patient in Japan with surgical repair.     

Expression of matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (mmp-7) was induced by activated ki-ras via ap-1 activation in sw1417 colon cancer cells

The matrix metalloproteinase matrilysin (MMP-7) is a member of the matrix metallo-proteinase gene family, which is believed to play an important role in tumor invasion and metastasis. We have previously found that matrilysin mRNA is specifically expressed in colorectal cancers and adenomas and that its message is localized in the tumor cells themselves. We examined the effects of activated Ki-ras oncogene on the expression of matrilysin in colon cancer cells. We showed that both mRNA and the enzymatic activity of matrilysin were induced by the introduction of activated Ki-ras into SW1417 colon cancer cells. To understand the mechanisms regulating this induction, we analyzed alterations of AP-1 activity induced by activated Ki-ras, using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay. AP-1 activity in SW1417 cells expressing activated Ki-ras was higher than that in control cells. The gel-shift assay also showed higher levels of AP-1 binding protein in SW1417 cells expressing activated Ki-ras than those in control cells. Our results suggest that activated Ki-ras may play a role in inducing expression of matrilysin through an AP-1-dependent pathway in colon cancer cells.     

Comparison of histopathological characteristics of allograft biopsy between responder and non-responder to antiproteinuric effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)

Abstract:  Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) has become recognized as agents that have renoprotective effects in the treatment of progressive renal diseases including post-transplant kidneys. Previously we demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of ACEI treatment on the hypertensive proteinuric post-transplant patients ( N  = 10) who had been followed up for 12 months. However, not all patients show good response in urinary protein reduction. We aimed to analyse the histopathological factor(s) affecting the responsiveness of proteinuria to ACEI treatment. Fourteen post-transplant patients with proteinuria who were treated with ACEI and underwent allograft biopsy were analysed. Eight patients showed 50% or more reduction in proteinuria (responder). The other 6 patients showed less (< 50%) reduction in proteinuria (non-responder). There was no difference in clinical characteristics (BP, renal function, donor age, recipient body mass index), dietary sodium or protein intake, and diuretic use between the two groups. As a histopathological characteristic, glomerular size in responder group was significantly larger than that in non-responder group. This suggests that the large glomerular size at least partly contributes to the responsiveness in urinary protein reduction to ACEI treatment in kidney allograft recipients with proteinuria.     

Metabolic fate of 125I-labeled batroxobin in rats and dogs

125I-Labeled batroxobin was prepared and following its intravenous and subcutaneous administrations to rats and dogs, the blood radioactivity was determined. In the both species following the intravenous injections, the decrease in radioactivity was biexponential. Following subcutaneous administration, radioactivity became maximal at 6h and decreased in a manner similar to that of the beta-phase of the intravenous injection. The blood concentration of fibrinogen in dogs was also determined. After the intravenous injection, fibrinogen became undetectable 1h later, and appeared again in the blood at 24h. After the subcutaneous injection, the decrease was not so rapid. Fibrinogen resumed its original levels at 7 day after the administration in both the routes. Radioactivity after the both injections was excreted generally in the urine in about the same amounts. The total urinary and fecal excretions in rats and dogs were 80 and 95%, respectively. The distribution of radioactivity in the tissues was examined by counting technique and whole-body autoradiography. Radioactivity predominantly accumulated in the thyroid and stomach and could also be found in the kidneys and liver in fair amounts. The distribution patterns of radioactivity for both the routes of administrations and also for male and pregnant rats were basically the same. In fetus rats, a slight distribution was noted. From the results of gel filtration chromatography and trichloroacetic acid fractionation, [125I] batroxobin was metabolized soon after the administration to afford low molecular substances such as 125I-ion in the plasma and urine.