Sjogren's Syndrome With Carcinoma of the Tongue

A quite rare case of Sjögren's syndrome with squamous cellcarcinoma of the tongue was presented. Although autoimmune diseaseshowing disturbance in T and B cells tends to be associatedwith malignant tumors, and the association between Sjögren'ssyndrome and lymphoproliferative disorders is well established,the occurrence of tongue cancer together with Sjögren'ssyndrome has not, to our knowledge, been reported. The patientwas not treated with any immunosuppressive drugs other thanglucocorticoids. The association seems not to be incidental;however, there are not enough cases to warrant a valid conclusion.     

Protective effect of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma agonists on diabetic and non-diabetic renal diseases

SUMMARY:   Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist has not only antidiabetic effect but also a protective effect against various types of injury of the kidney. The protective effects of PPARγ agonists are observed in diabetic nephropathy and non-diabetic renal diseases such as 5/6 ablation model of renal failure, experimental glomerulonephritis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, hypertensive nephropathy and cyclosporin-induced renal injury. The mechanism of renoprotection by PPARγ agonist is multifactorial. Anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects, suppression of renin-angiotensin system, vascular protective effect and antiapoptotic effect were proposed.     

Immunochemical Studies on Carcinoembryonic Antigen: (1) Quantitative Determination in Carcinomatous and Noncarcinomatous Tissues

Anti-CEA serum was prepared by immunizing rabbits with a crudeCEA fraction obtained from perchloric acid soluble extractsof adenocarcinoma of the stomach. After absorption, the antiserumproved to be monospecific for CEA. With Mancini's technique,CEA concentrations in perchloric acid extracts of carcinomatousand noncarcinomatous tissues were quantitatively determinedand expressed in terms of unit/ml, equivalent to mg/ml proteinconcentration of standard CEA solution. Finally, ratios of CEAunits per mg protein (CEA/P) of tissue extract were calculated. The CEA/P ratios tended to be higher in extracts from colonic,rectal and pancreatic carcinomas than in those from gastriccarcinoma, whereas they were lower in those from primary hepatomaand lung cancer. In the same patients with cancer, the ratiosfor carcinoma tissues were remarkably higher than those forthe noncarcinomatous counterparts. However, the ratios werenot related to the histological types of cancers. Relativelyhigh ratios were also observed in diseased intestinal mucosaof colonic polyposis and Crohn's disease, as well as in partsof gastric mucosa with a marked intestinal metaplasia obtainedfrom a cancerous stomach. More studies will be required to evaluatethe significance of occurrence in precancerous changes in tissues.     

A Case of Large Nonfunctioning Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

An autopsy case of a nonfunctioning adrenal cortical carcinomais presented and the features of 16 cases with this tumor reportedbetween 1953 and 1977 in Japan are reviewed. This tumor predominantly afflicted males and the average ageof admission was 46.5 years. A palpable mass and abdominal painwere common symptoms. The average levels of 17-KS and 17-OHCSin the urine were 8.3 mg/24 hr and 4.6 mg/24 hr, respectively.The most common sites of distant metastases were the liver andlung. It was also noted that the only available mode of treatmentwas surgery.     

Suppression of a Demand Pacemaker in the Presence of Redundant Transvenous Right Ventricular Leads

A ventricular inhibited demand cardiac pacemaker was inhibited in the presence of intimate contact between the active temporary bipolar electrode ring and a retained inactive permanent bipolar electrode tip. Electromagnetic interference effects, lack of insulation, lead breaks, and loose connections were all ruled out as the cause of pacemaker suppression.     

In Vivo Localization of Heterologous Anti-Erythrocyte Antibodies in the Rat Bone Marrow and Their Effect on the Proliferative Capacity of Immature Erythroid Cells

The in vivo localization of heterologous anti-erythrocyte antibodies in therat bone marrow was determined by the I¹³¹-labeled antibody technic. I¹³¹-labeled anti-erythrocyte antibodies localized specifically in the bone marrowindicating the presence of localizing antibody. Both the localizing antibodyand the incomplete antibody were thermostable, whereas hemolysins andhemagglutinins were thermolabile. Following an intravenous injection of antierythrocyte antibodies in rats, hemolysins and hemagglutinins were clearedrapidly from the plasma. The incomplete antibodies became attached to circulating red cells within 6 hours and red cell sensitization persisted for 1 week.The localizing antibody localized in the bone marrow within 30 minutes, leaving no activity in plasma.

The anti-erythrocyte antibodies markedly reduced the uptake of tritiatedthymidine by erythroblasts in vitro, demonstrating their inhibitory effect onthe proliferative capacity of erythroblasts.

Submitted on February 3, 1964 Accepted on May 12, 1964     

A Patient With Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Associated With Polyneuropathy

A 41-year-old female with sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC) had a sensorimotor polyneuropathy manifested by progressivenumbness and muscle weakness in all of her extremities. Therewas marked improvement in the neurological disorder followingremoval of the MTC. Her endocrine and neurological findingsand the possible relationship between MTC and polyneuropathyare discussed.     

Reutilization of DNA Breakdown Products from Lymphocytes in Lumen of Intestine

Migration of a very large number of lymphocytes (211.8 x 10⁶ per day)into the intestinal canal of rats, which weighed about 100 Gm., was found.Lymphocytes in the lumen of the intestine were 80.2 per cent small, 15.9 percent medium and 3.9 per cent large. Any recycling of instilling cells intothe intestine could not be observed. Lymphocytes labeled with H³-thymidine,obtained from both thymus and mesenteric lymph nodes of donor rats, werewashed and injected into the intestine of recipient rats. H³ activity of the bloodand thoracic duct lymph plasma after administration of labeled lymphocytesshowed that DNA breakdown products from the lymphocytes in the gut wereabsorbed and transferred by way of both the portal vein and the thoracic duct.Evidence that the activity was actually incorporated into the DNA of proliferating cells of the recipient was demonstrated by autoradiographic means.

Submitted on July 15, 1965 Accepted on October 8, 1966