Pancreatic acinar cell carcinoma curatively resected by pancreaticoduodenectomy

The incidence of acinar cell carcinoma among malignant pancreatic tumors is about 1%, and the prognosis is reported to be poor. We resected an acinar cell carcinoma that had arisen on the pancreatic head by pancreaticoduodenectomy in December 1983. This tumor occupied the pancreatic head, and it measured 10 X 9.5 X 9.5 cm. The microscopic findings showed that the tumor cell was well-differentiated and acinar formation was uniform. The growth of the tumor was expansive, and the lesion was clearly capsulated by fibrous tissue. There was no lymph node metastasis, so the curative operation was performed by the enbloc resection of the tumor. Zymogen granules in the tumor cells were confirmed by electron microscopy. Consequently, we concluded that the origin of the tumor was acinar cells.     

Modulation of the incidence of hamster pulmonary endocrine cell hyperplasia by unilateral collapse of the lung.

We evaluated the effects of the unilateral collapse of the left lung on the formation of pulmonary endocrine cell hyperplasia (PECH) induced by 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4NQO) in Syrian golden hamsters. Ten hamsters were injected subcutaneously with 20 mg/kg body weight of 4NQO, once a week for 4 weeks and treated with injection of silicone rubber into the left thorax at the 8th experimental week. Another 30 animals were divided into three groups: treated with 4NQO only, left lung collapse only, and vehicle only. All animals were sacrificed at the 30th week. The lung tissues were embedded in paraffin; 50 serial sections were made from the tissues of each animal and were studied histologically and immunohistochemically. PECH showed a positive immunostain for calcitonin and/or serotonin. In the uncollapsed right lungs of the animals treated with both 4NQO and unilateral collapse, the mean incidence of PECH was 12.2 x 10(-2)/mm3 lung volume; the incidences of PECH in the animals treated with 4NQO only, collapse only, and vehicle only were 4.1, 3.8, and 1.4 x 10(-2)/mm3, respectively. In the collapsed left lungs, PECH did not form, regardless of 4NQO treatment. This study demonstrates that unilateral collapse of the lung modulates the incidence of PECH induced by 4NQO in hamsters.     

Urethrectomy is harmful for preserving potency after radical cystectomy

Twenty-three patients who underwent conventional total cystectomy were examined regarding postoperative potency. Two patients who were subjected to simple cystectomy and whose partial prostate and whole seminal vesicles were left showed full erection and normal ejaculation 1-2 months after surgery, thus giving 100% potency after simple cystectomy. In contrast, of 12 patients who underwent radical cystectomy alone, only 3 (25%) regained potency postoperatively, and the strength and duration of erection were not satisfactory for 1 of the 3 patients. Nine patients who received radical cystectomy and urethrectomy did not show signs of potency postoperatively. The sum total postoperative potency rate in the 21 patients subjected to radical cystectomy was 14.3% (3/21). The facts may indicate that urethrectomy is harmful for postoperative potency because damage of the cavernous nerves probably takes place during surgery. To avoid nerve damage, the urethra should be left intact during radical cystectomy employing the nerve-sparing technique developed by Walsh and Donker unless the posterior urethra is invaded by bladder carcinoma. In addition, it was demonstrated that pelvic irradiation might cause impotency as neither pelvic lymph node dissection nor cisplatin administration had any influence on postoperative potency.     

The supracloacal chromolipoid body of the black vulture (Coragyps atratus): anatomical, histological and histochemical considerations

During histological and physiological investigations of black vultures (Coragyps atratus) dissection revealed the presence of an "organ", the supracloacal chromolipoid body, which has no counterpart among other warm blooded animals.The organ occurs in both sexes and in birds of different ages. It is located in the median sagittal plane dorsal to the cloaca. It is enveloped by a smooth muscle-connective tissue capsule and has a rich blood supply.The supracloacal body is yellow-brown in color being composed chiefly of islands of pigment cells.Histochemically, the pigment is a chromolipoid as defined by Ciaccio.     

Health-related quality of life of Japanese patients with overactive bladder treated with extended-release tolterodine or immediate-release oxybutynin: a randomized,placebo-controlled trial

Overactive bladder (OAB) has a significant impact on a patients health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study assessed the HRQoL of Japanese OAB patients following 12 weeks treatment with tolterodine extended release (ER) or oxybutynin. A total of 293 patients with symptoms of OAB were randomized for treatment with tolterodine ER 4 mg once daily (n=114), oxybutynin 3 mg three times daily (n=122) or a placebo (n=57). Treatment efficacy and safety assessments were made over the 12-week period. HRQoL was assessed using the Kings Health Questionnaire (KHQ). Patients receiving tolterodine ER or oxybutynin showed a significant (P<0.05) improvement in the Incontinence Impact, Role Limitations and most other KHQ domains compared with the placebo. These changes in HRQoL corresponded with significant (P<0.05) improvements in micturition diary variables for patients receiving tolterodine ER and oxybutynin compared with placebo. Our findings demonstrate that Japanese OAB patients receiving tolterodine ER or oxybutynin experienced overall improvement in their quality of life.