Ameloblastoma ex calcifying odontogenic cyst (dentinogenic ghost cell tumor)

Calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) has shown to be of extensive diversity in its clinical and histopathological features, as well as in its biological behavior. In this report, a rare case is described of ameloblastoma ex COC (dentinogenic ghost cell tumor) and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.     

Polymorphism of renin-angiotensin system genes in progressive IgA nephropathy

Summary: Clinical studies revealed that angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor reduces proteinuria and attenuates progressive decline in renal function in IgA nephropathy. Recent studies by us and others have demonstrated that the homozygote of the D allele (DD) of the ACE insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism is a potential risk factor for poor prognosis in IgA nephropathy, and that this deletion polymorphism predicts the therapeutic efficacy of ACE inhibition on proteinuria and, potentially, on progressive deterioration of renal function in patients with the nephropathy.     

Jejunal carcinoma with adenoma —Report of a case and review of the Japanese literature—

A rare case of jejunal carcinoma coexisting with adenoma, situated 120 cm distal to the ligament of Treitz in a 53 year old male, is reported herein. We also review cases of adenoma and carcinoma in the jejunum and ileum from the Japanese literature, and discuss the histogenesis of carcinoma of the jejunum and ileum.     

Correlation of Nuclear Morphometry and Immunostaining for p53 and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Background :
In an attempt to determine the biological significance of nuclear morphometric findings, measurements of mean nuclear volume (MNV) and nuclear roundness factor (NRF) were compared to the immunoreactivityof p53 expression and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in human bladder cancer.
Methods :
MNV and NRF were measured using stereological methods. Expression of p53 and PCNA were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Specimens from 111 patients with previously untreated bladder cancer were analyzed.
Results :
The mean MNV was 235.8 ± 1 33.6 μm³ for the 81 patients with p53-labeling index (LI) less than 10% and 337.2 ± 141.0 μn³ for the 30 patients with p53 LI greater than 10% (P = 0.008). There was Resign if icant correlation between NRF and expression of p53. The mean MNV was 220.1 ± 1 20.5 μm³ for the 67 patients with PCNA LI less than 28% (the mean value of PCNA LI) and 328.9 ± 149.2 μm³ in 44 patients with PCNA LI greater than 28% (P= 0.0001). The mean NRF was 80.7 ± 4.2 for the 67 patients with PCNA LI less than 28%, and 82.3 ± 3.4 for the 44 patients with PCNA LI more than 28% (P= 0.04). Conclusion: Nuclear morphometric findings may reflect the proliferative potential of cancer eel Is of the bladder, as indicated by findings of immunostaining for p53 and PCNA.     

Comparison of Tympanic, Esophageal and Blood Temperatures during Mild Hypothermic Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Study using an Infrared Emission Detection Tympanic Thermometer

Objective. Tympanic temperature can be obtained instantaneously using an infrared emission detection (IRED) thermometer. Its accuracy has been documented in a variety of clinical settings, but its performance at low body temperatures is still unknown. In this study we evaluated its performance during coronary artery revascularization surgery in which mild hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was used. Methods. Thirty adult patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery were enrolled in the study. Tympanic temperature obtained using IRED thermometry (Tt1) was compared with core temperatures from the esophagus (Te), and venous blood of CPB (Tv) before, during, and after CPB. We also measured tympanic temperature using a thermocouple probe (Tt2) in 16 of the 30 patients in order to study the agreement between the two methods. Values for correlation coefficients and limits of agreement were computed to assess the degree of agreement among the temperatures obtained. Results. The highest agreement with Tv during CPB was obtained from Tt1 (r = 0.94, 0.41 ± 1.73, limits of agreement) and from Te (0.91, 0.36 ± 2.46). Tt1 also showed good agreement with Tt2 during surgery. Conclusions. Infrared tympanic thermometry is a reliable, alternative method to measure tympanic temperature and may be useful to assess core temperature in both normothermic and mild hypothermic conditions.     

EFFECTS OF ACUTE SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLIONECTOMY ON CEREBRAL BLOOD FLOW AND METABOLISM IN STROKE-PRONE SPONTANEOUSLY HYPERTENSIVE RATS SUBJECTED TO CEREBRAL ISCHAEMIA

1. The effects of acute bilateral superior cervical ganglionectomy on cerebral blood flow and metabolism were investigated in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRsp), before and during cerebral ischaemia. 2. The resting cerebral blood flow was comparable between the control and denervated animals. 3. There was no significant difference in cerebral blood flow or concentration of tissue energy metabolites (adenosine triphosphate [ATP], lactate and pyruvate) between the sham-operated control and denervated animals during ischaemia. 4. The results suggest that sympathetic innervation of cerebral vessels originating from superior cervical ganglia may not play a major role in the progression of cerebral ischaemia in SHRsp.     

Segmental hyperintensity on T1-weighted MRI of the liver: Indication of segmental cholestasis

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between segmental hyperintensity of the liver on T1-weighted images and segmental cholestasis in patients with obstructive jaundice. T1-weighted and T2-weighted MR images were obtained of 73 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by various diseases. Fat-suppressed T1-weighted images were also obtained of 10 patients. Eleven patients with segmental intra-hepatic bile duct dilatation (cholestasis) showed segmental hyperintensity on T1-weighted images and/or fat-suppressed T1-weighted images and no signal intensity difference on T2-weighted images. Sixty-two patients with widespread intrahepatic bile duct dilatation showed no intensity difference on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images (P < .01). Segmental hyperintensity on T1-weighted images was correlated with intrahepatic cholestasis.     

Phorbol ester, not growth hormone releasing factor, consistently stimulates growth hormone release from somatotroph adenomas in culture

In order to study the mechanism of GH secretion from somatotroph adenoma cells, we have compared the effect of 12–O-tetradecanoyl phorboi-13-acetate (TPA) with that of growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) on GH secretion from human somatotroph adenoma cells cultured in monolayer. Pituitary adenoma cells were obtained from 13 patients with acromegaly undergoing surgery. On the 7th day of culture, the cells were exposed for 2 h to secretagogues. All 13 adenoma cell cultures (100%) responded to TPA (1·6–16·0 nmol/I) with a two- to six-fold increase in GH release (240·37% Increase of control: mean±SE). The response was detectable within 10 min, and was maximal at 2 h. Phosphollpase C (7·7 mmol/I) also stimulated a two-to ten-fold Increase In GH release in all four adenomas examined (100%). GH release was stimulated by GRF (2·0 nmol/I) in eight out of 12 adenoma cells (67%), but the magnitude of the responses to GRF (60·18% Increase of control: mean ± SE) were much smaller than that of TPA. Five out of 13 adenomas secreted detectable amount of PRL Into the medium and these five adenomas (100%) responded to TPA (16·0 nmol/I) with a two- to six-fold Increase. These observations indicate that the activation of protein kinase C is the consistent stimulator in GH and PRL secretion In human somatotroph adenoma cells. However, It is not determined whether the protein kinase C     

Surgical treatment of metastatic lung tumors — Recent changes in techniques and indications

Between 1969 and 1995, 180 patients underwent complete resection of lung metastases during initial thoracotomy at our institute, involving the resection of 917 pulmonary nodules at 202 thoracotomy procedures. The overall postmetastasectomy 5- and 10-year survival rates were 46% and 30%, respectively. Of 111 patients who underwent segmentectomy and/or local excision, 57 had multiple metastases, 39 of whom were treated by Nd:YAG laser after 1986, and 18 by conventional procedures before 1985. The average number of tumors resected per patient treated with the Nd:YAG laser was significantly greater than that of those treated with conventional procedures. However, the survival curve of the laser-treated group was better than that of the laser-nontreated group. Moreover, slightly better survival was achieved in patients operated on after 1992 compared with those operated on before 1991. We conclude that the laser technique may be warranted to afford complete resection of metastases and adequate pulmonary reservation in combination with a selected approach for thoracotomy under the exact detection of tumor localization using the most recent high-quality computed tomography (CT) scan. Furthermore, a one-stage operation to control synchronous intra- and extrapulmonary malignamcies may become a possible option in combination with selective adjunctive therapy.