Ability of bivariate cytokeratin and deoxyribonucleic acid flow cytometry to determine the biologic aggressiveness of resectable non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the significance of bivariate cytokeratin and DNA flow cytometry for analysis of the biologic aggressiveness of resectable non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: In 92 patients who underwent curative operations, the DNA ploidy status and S-phase fractions of the cancer cell populations inside the tumors were analyzed by a cytokeratin gating technique with paraffin-embedded specimens and were correlated with the surgical results. RESULTS: Ninety tumors yielded assessable DNA histograms. DNA diploidy was detected in 25 tumors with a mean S-phase fraction of 14.3% +/- 4.7%, and DNA aneuploidy was detected in 65 tumors with a mean S-phase fraction of 15.1% +/- 7.1%. The 5-year overall and recurrence-free survivals were 73.3% and 70.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that only TNM staging was a prognostic factor after surgery. There was a negative correlation between the logarithms of S-phase fraction and the disease-free interval for 22 patients with proven recurrence (P =.006). The tumors with high S-phase fractions recurred more rapidly than did those with low S-phase fractions. CONCLUSION: In a bivariate analysis of cytokeratin and DNA flow cytometry in resectable non-small cell lung cancer, the S-phase fraction appeared to be correlated with the disease-free interval. However, DNA ploidy and S-phase fraction were not predictive of either recurrence or survival after operation. Thus DNA flow cytometry may be of limited use for the analysis of the biologic aggressiveness of lung cancer.     

Arterial Mg2+ concentrations and ECG. Changes in patients with cerebral aneurysms

Arterial Mg2+ concentrations were analyzed in 108 patients with cerebral aneurysms. There was no difference in Mg2+ concentrations between patients with ruptured and unruptured aneurysms. Mg2+ concentrations in patients with ST depression or elevation were lower than in those without ST changes (0.34 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.07 mmol.l-1). Decreased arterial Mg2+ could be caused by cardiac ischemia rather than subarachnoid hemorrhage. For prevention of fatal arrhythmias, perioperative brain protection and ameliorating vasospasm, correcting the depressed Mg2+ concentrations is suggested.     

Toxicity of dichloropropanols

A rare outbreak of acute hepatic damage in workers exposed to dichloropropanols was reported in 1992. As there are no detailed reports of dichloropropanols (DCPs) toxicity and its mechanism, we reviewed the toxicity of dichloropropanols using our results. 1) A marked elevation of serum AST and ALT with massive necrosis of the liver was noted in the 1/2 x, the 1 x and 2 x LD50 (0.149 mg/kg) of 1, 3-dichloro-2-propanol(DC 2 P). Hepatic malondialdehyde level was significantly increased, and associated with a decrease in liver glutathione S-transferase activity and reduced glutathione content. It is suggested that the free radical is associated with DCPs. 2) A reduction of leukocytes, platelets and fibrinogen, and prolonged prothrombin time were observed in the 1 x LD50 of DC 2 P. 3) In the CA1 area of the hippocampus, inhibition of population spikes was reduced by the 1 x LD50 of DC 2 P. This research was completed with the assistance of several other papers concerning dichloropropanols toxicity.     

Pharmacokinetic study of CPT-11, SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide in the ascites,plasma and bile after intraperitoneal administration of CPT-11

We studied the pharmacokinetics of CPT-11 with intraperitoneal administration in a patient with a PTCD tube. The patient had advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis. CPT-11 was administrated in a dose of 40 mg and the intraperitoneal, plasma and bile levels of CPT-11, SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38 GLU) were measured periodically. The results showed that the periodical concentration pattern of CPT-11, SN-38 and SN-38 GLU in the bile was closely related to that of CPT-11 in the abdominal cavity.     

Airway stent for airway obstruction caused by esophageal carcinoma

The result of airway stent and adjuvant therapy for airway obstruction caused by advanced esophageal carcinoma was evaluated. In Tokyo Metropolitan Ohkubo Hospital, four cases of esophageal carcinoma with airway obstruction were treated by tracheo-bronchial stent. Two were primary cases and the others were recurrent cases. Three of the patients demonstrated progressive dyspnea due to airway obstruction, and the other complained of bloody discharge. An ultraflex non-covered stent was used cases. After insertion of the airway stent. The patients' dyspnea improved immediately. One patient was discharged without adjuvant treatment, and died of the cancer one month later. Adjuvant treatment was adopted in the other three cases. The size of the tumor decreased, but fistula formation was observed in two cases. An airway stent is an effective treatment with immediate results for dyspnea caused by airway obstruction. Adjuvant treatment after stent placement is often associated with fistula formation. It should be considered carefully.     

Complex partial status epilepticus induced by a microinjection of kainic acid into unilateral amygdala in dogs and its brain damage

OBJECTIVE: In order to investigate kainic acid (KA)-induced amygdaloid seizure and seizure-induced brain damage in dogs, and to compare these findings with that in other species, a KA-induced seizure model in dogs was produced. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Normal beagle dogs were used. A Teflon cannula for KA injection was inserted into the left amygdala, and cortical or depth electrodes were positioned. One week after surgery, 1.5 microg of KA was microinjected into the left amygdala. EEGs and the behavior of the animals were monitored for 2 months after KA injection. In addition, neuron-specific enolase levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF-NSE) were measured intermittently. At 2 months after the injection, histopathological studies were performed. RESULTS: KA-treated dogs showed limbic seizures that started from the left amygdala within 30 min after injection. The seizures developed into complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE), and started independently from the bilateral amygdala during the CPSE. The CPSE lasted for 1-3 days, and the animals showed no spontaneous seizures during the 2-month observation period. A significant increase in CSF-NSE was observed immediately after CPSE. Histopathologically, extensive necrosis, which formed large cavity lesions, was observed around the bilateral amygdala. SUMMARY: A microinjection of KA into unilateral amygdala in dogs induced CPSE. The seizures elicited independently from bilateral amygdala, and bilateral limbic structures suffered extensive injury. In addition, CSF-NSE was demonstrated as a useful marker of acute neuronal damage.     

Endoscopic comparison of two cases: distal resection of reconstructed gastric tube

Recently, with the improvement of the prognosis of esophageal cancer, subsequent gastric cancer has increased. However, the standard surgical treatment for such patients has not been established as of yet. Since the patient's physical condition is relatively poor after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy, it is important that surgical strategies must be decided according to both physical and cancerous conditions. Hence, various surgical procedures have been reported to date. The authors experienced two cases with cancer occurring in the reconstructed gastric tube after Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy. One was subsequent primary gastric cancer, and the other was metastatic gastric cancer. Distal resection of the gastric tube including the dissection of the right gastroepiploic vessels was carried out in both cases. Vascular reconstruction by utilizing microsurgery technique was attempted for each case, but failed in one case. After surgery, four sessions of endoscopic examinations were carried out. In the early period, we could identify mucosal ischemic change in the remnant gastric tube in the case without successful vascular reconstruction. On the contrary, no ischemic change was revealed in the other with successful vascular reconstruction. Hence, we came to the conclusion that vascular reconstruction must be added to the cases, which undergo distal resection of the reconstructed gastric tube with regional vascular dissection.     

Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma: a case report

A primary retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma was found incidentally in a 44-year-old man. Computed tomography revealed a homogeneous mass just above the right kidney. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the homogeneous mass, but T2-weighted imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass with a markedly high intensity area. The tumor was resected through a transabdominal approach. The resected specimen measured 11 x 9 x 4.5 cm and weighted 270 g. Histological examination showed that the lesion was a ganglioneuroma composed of mature ganglion cells and nerve fibers.