Sequential bilateral minimum incision endoscopic radical nephrectomy in dialysis patients with bilateral renal cell carcinomas

Since 1998, we have performed minimum incision endoscopic surgery (MIES) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For seven dialysis patients with bilateral RCC, we have performed sequential bilateral MIES radical nephrectomy. It was carried out by retroperitoneal approach through a single minimum incision that narrowly permitted extraction of the specimen using endoscopy and direct stereovision, without trocar ports, without gas insufflation and without the insertion of the hands of operators into the operative field. Although six of the seven patients had multiple complications in addition to chronic renal failure (CRF), bilateral kidneys were successfully removed by sequential MIES radical nephrectomy without major operative complication. Postoperative recovery was prompt with all patients resuming oral feeding and walking by the second postoperative day. Sequential bilateral MIES radical nephrectomy, leaving the peritoneal cavity intact and without imposing circulatory stress caused by gas insufflation, is a feasible treatment for bilateral RCCs in dialysis patients.     

Portsite and intraabdominal metastases of unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Report of a case

We herein report a rare case of portsite metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma which occurred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A 64-year-old man underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at another hospital for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. The histological examination revealed an adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder infiltrating the entire wall. Despite the physician's advice the patient refused any additional treatment. Thirteen months after surgery he visited our hospital because of a palpable mass at the scar of the right trocar incision. The nodule was removed and histological examination confirmed metastasis from the gallbladder carcinoma.     

Effect of solvents on the thermal isomerization of 1 alpha-hydroxyprevitamin D3 diacetate to 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 diacetate

The thermal conversion of 1 alpha-hydroxyprevitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3) diacetate to 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3) diacetate was investigated in five solvents. The fraction of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate was calculated from the HPLC peak areas (UV detection) of 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate and 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate. When 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate was dissolved in ethanol, benzene, toluene, isopropyl ether, or n-hexane, and heated at 60 degrees C, the yield of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate increased during the first 4 h, and reached an equilibrium level after 8.5 h. Differences in the ratio of 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate to 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate at thermal equilibrium, and in the rate of the thermal isomerization were observed among these five solvents. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations were performed in order to estimate solvent effects on conformation for 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate and 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate. The solvent effect was treated by specifying a dielectric constant representative of each of the three solvents: ethanol (polar), n-hexane (nonpolar), and benzene (aromatic). The dielectric constants used were 24.3 for ethanol, 1.5 for n-hexane, and 2.3 for benzene. It is suggested that the conformation of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate is stabilized in polar solvent. However, the order of conformational stability when solvent effects are included in the calculations is: ethanol greater than benzene greater than n-hexane. This order does not follow the experimental results. The proton NMR chemical shifts of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate are different in deuterated n-hexane, ethanol, and benzene. The downfield shift of the C-6 vinyl proton of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate, when compared to the chemical shift in benzene, is 0.15 and 0.11 ppm relative to the chemical shift in n-hexane and ethanol, respectively, and that of the C-7 proton was 0.30 and 0.33 ppm, respectively. No significant proton shift of 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate is recorded in these three solvents. To account for the increased ratio of 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate to 1 alpha-OH-previtamin D3 diacetate ratio in benzene, we suggest that 1 alpha-OH-vitamin D3 diacetate may be stabilized via specific solute-solvent interactions in benzene.     

Synthesis,characterization and photoreaction of side-chain liquid-crystalline polymers and copolymers comprising alkenyloxy-biphenyl mesogen

Photoreactive (meth)acrylate monomers having mesogenic groups based on 4-hexyloxy-4′-(3-methyl-2-butenyloxy)biphenyl and 4-hexyloxy-4′-(2-butenyloxy)biphenyl were synthesized. Methacrylate monomers ( 3c, d ) and acrylate monomer having 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy group ( 3b ) were polymerized by free radical mechanism; the acrylate monomer having 2-butenyloxy group ( 3a ) caused gelation during the polymerization. To obtain photoreactivity, 4-benzoylphenyl (meth)acrylates were radically copolymerized with monomers 3b and 3d . Thermal behavior of (co)polymers was determined by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and temperature-controlled X-ray analysis. (Co)polymers showed liquid-crystalline behaviour with nematic and smectic phases. UV-irradiation was used to photochemically crosslink copolymer films, and the resultant films were insoluble in organic solvents. The uniaxially oriented copolymer thin film was photo-crosslinked and showed thermally stable orientation.     

A case of severe summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis treated with high-dose administration of steroid]

A 40-year-old man who lived in a wooden house built 30 years ago presented with complaints of fever, dry cough and dyspnea. Chest X-ray findings showed interstitial shadows throughout bilateral lung fields. After admission, high-dose administration of 3000 mg of methylprednisolone was performed because of deterioration of chest X-ray shadows and symptoms. In a week, clinical data and symptoms improved. Findings of BAL fluid on admission revealed a relative increase of lymphocytes, neutrophils and mast cells, and pathological findings of transbronchial lung biopsy revealed non-caseous granulation and alveolitis. Precipitating antibodies and indirect fluorescent antibodies against Trichosporon cutaneum and Cryptococcus neoformans had positive reactions and T. cutaneum was isolated and identified from the patient's house. A diagnosis of summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis was made according to the criteria advocated by Ando et al. This seemed to be a rare case of summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis prolonged after isolation from his normal living environment, successfully treated by high-dose administration of steroid.     

Pulmonary sequestration associated with asymptomatic aspergillosis.

Intralobar pulmonary sequestration associated with asymptomatic aspergillosis is a rare case. We describe the case of a 65-year-old woman with intrapulmonary sequestration, anomalous systemic arterial supply to the left lower lobe and aspergillosis who underwent left lower lobectomy and ligation of an anomalous artery by Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Pathological examination showed the parenchymal distortion and chronic inflammation. Aspergillus were found in the cyst. VATS lobectomy for intralobar pulmonary sequestration is a safe and valid procedure.     

Pressure overload-induced transient oxidative stress mediates perivascular inflammation and cardiac fibrosis through angiotensin II.

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. We have shown that in Wistar rats with a suprarenal aortic constriction (AC), pressure overload-induced transient perivascular inflammation (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1] induction and macrophage accumulation) in the early phase is the determinant of reactive myocardial fibrosis and resultant diastolic dysfunction in the late phase. Thus, we investigated the role of reactive oxygen species production in cardiac remodeling in AC rats. Superoxide production and the footprint of lipid peroxidation were assessed using dihydroethidium staining and immunohistostaining against 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), respectively. In sham rats, dihydroethidium and 4-HNE signals were scarcely found in the heart. At day 3, AC rats showed dihydroethidium signals mainly in the intramyocardial arterial wall, whereas modest 4-HNE staining was observed diffusely in the myocardium. These signals declined to lower levels by day 14 despite sustained hypertension. Chronic administration of a subdepressor dose of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker candesartan reduced the pressure overload-induced dihydroethidium and 4-HNE signals at day 3. Moreover, candesartan decreased MCP-1 induction and macrophage infiltration at day 3 and prevented myocardial fibrosis at day 14, without affecting left ventricle and myocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, acute pressure overload induced self-limited superoxide production mainly in the vascular wall. The reactive oxygen species production would contribute to the perivascular inflammation and subsequent myocardial fibrosis. Angiotensin II was suggested to have a pressure-independent effect on the reactive oxygen species production.     

A case of antiphospholipid syndrome associated with left subclavian artery thrombosis and left external iliac vein thrombosis]

Arterial thrombosis is one of the major symptoms of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, thrombosis in a primary branch of the aorta has rarely been reported in APS. We report here a case of APS complicated by thromboses in both the left subclavian artery and the left external iliac vein. A 32-year-old woman was admitted in May, 1990 complaining of no pulse in the left superficial arteries (e.g., left radial artery) for the past 5 years and acute swelling of the left lower extremity. A left ascending phlebography showed an occlusion of the external iliac vein and arteriography revealed obstruction in the left subclavian artery. Collateral circulations were developed at the site of each thrombus. Clotting and immunological studies revealed a prolonged APTT, a high titer of anticardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant positive. We ruled out various diseases and clinical risk factors predisposing to both arterial and venous thromboses. Accordingly, we concluded that both thromboses were based on APS. Following treatment with anticoagulants, aspirin and corticosteroid, the swelling of her left thigh was diminished and the antibody titer was decreased within 3 months.