Effect of progesterone and FSH on testes of immature chickens

The effect of progesterone (P), estradiol benzoate (EB) plus P, and FSH on the testicular weight, macromolecular content, and incorporation of 3H-leucine, 3H-uridine and 3H-thymidine into macromolecules was examined in the testes of immature chickens. Not P alone but EB plus P lowered the testicular weight, and content of protein and RNA in the tissues, whereas FSH brought about an increase in the weight, and content of the two macromolecular elements. The DNA content was not affected by any hormones used. P, EB plus P and FSH brought about a decrease in the incorporation of radioactive leucine, uridine and thymidine into the macromolecules in the testes, with the exception of no change in the incorporation of 3H-uridine after EB plus P treatment and 3H-thymidine after FSH treatment. These results suggest that P, alone or in combination with estrogen, and FSH cause several changes in metabolic activity in the testes of immature chickens.     

A case of non-curatively resected gastric cancer successfully treated over 3 years with biweekly paclitaxel therapy

We report a case of non-curatively resected gastric cancer successfully treated over 3 years with biweekly administration of paclitaxel. A 69-year-old man underwent non-curative resection with distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer with remarkable lymph node metastasis on June 10, 2002. The metastatic lymph node (No. 8 a, 8 p and 12 a) linked up with the retroperitoneal node, making resection impossible. Postoperatively, he was initially treated with weekly administration of paclitaxel 100 mg/body (68 mg/m(2)) per week. However, due to grade 3 neutropenia in the first course, weekly administration was changed to biweekly administration with dose reduction to 60 mg/body (41 mg/m(2)), resulting in the continuation of paclitaxel therapy. Since then, no grade 3 or more severe adverse reactions have been observed. He has maintained NC for 3 years, and is still being treated on an outpatient basis at present. We believe that, in paclitaxel therapy for advanced gastric cancer, it is important for long-term survival to continue it perseveringly by dose reduction or change of schedule, when major adverse reactions are seen.     

Distribution of bleomycin in sesame oil suspension in organs of rat with mammary carcinoma induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene and its effect on the tumors (author's transl)]

Distribution of the bleomycin A2 suspended in sesame oil (Oil Bleo Suspension) in rat organs and tumors after the intramuscular administration was investigated by bioassay, the effect of intratumor administration of the suspension on the growth of rat mammary carcinoma induced by 7, 12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene was also studied. The oil suspension showed a protracted concentration in either tumor or organ tissues, but showed similar inhibitory effects on rat mammary carcinoma to those by regular bleomycin solution. Further studies should be performed on the effect of bleomycin A, in sesami oil on mammary carcinoma.     

Angiotensin-II combined intra-arterial chemotherapy for locally advanced bladder cancer: a case series study at a single institution

Patients with locally advanced bladder cancer are at significant risk for metastases. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) combined with angiotensin-II (AT-II) in such patients. The possibility of bladder preservation is also discussed. Patients were enrolled if they had muscle-invasive bladder cancer (stage T2 to T4NxM0). Cisplatin, pirarubicin, and AT-II were infused through the tumor-feeding arteries. Cause-specific survival was the end point. We enrolled 37 patients who were treated with neoadjuvant IAC and 5 patients with adjuvant IAC. There were 7 patients (16.7%) with pathological complete remission. Overall 5-year and 10-year survival rates of the patients were 61.3% and 47.7%, respectively. The 5-year cause-specific survival rate was 100% for the clinical T2 group and 63% for the T3-4 group, and the 8-year survival rate was 33% and 63%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between these two groups (P=0.445). Multivariable analysis using tumor number, pattern of growth, and tumor size seemed to independently correlate with cause-specific survival, but there were no significant differences. Our results suggest that intra-arterial chemotherapy combined with AT-II is a useful treatment for patients with locally advanced bladder cancer, since this modality achieves a favorable response rate without severe toxicity or mortality.     

A new non-trocar system for 25-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To introduce a new non-trocar system for 25-gauge transconjunctival pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). DESIGN: Study of a new surgical instrument. METHODS: This new non-trocar system for 25-gauge transconjunctival PPV consists of a contact lens ring featuring four projections containing 1.0-mm diameter holes located 3.0 mm from the ring edge, a wedge-shaped 25-gauge infusion cannula, and two plugs. RESULTS: The ring is fixed with 7-0 silk sutures at the 3- and 9-o'clock positions on the limbus. Using the 25-gauge needle, three conjunctival and scleral incisions (n = 3) are made at the projection holes located inferotemporally, superonasally, and superotemporally. No intra- or postoperative complications were encountered in 14 patients treated by this non-trocar 25-gauge transconjunctival PPV. CONCLUSION: Using the system introduced here, 25-gauge transconjunctival PPV can be performed without suturing sclerotomies and without intra- or postoperative complications.     

The presence of Propionibacterium spp. in the vitreous fluid of uveitis patients with sarcoidosis

PURPOSE: An immunological reaction to a bacterial antigen, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis or Propionibacterium spp., is suspected to be an initial mechanism in the disorder known as sarcoidosis. We investigated whether or not P. acnes, P. granulosum or M. tuberculosis are present in the vitreous fluid of eyes suffering from uveitis with sarcoidosis. METHODS: Using polymerase chain reaction, we analysed the presence of P. acnes, P. granulosum and/or M. tuberculosis DNA in vitreous samples taken from six eyes with sarcoidosis and six control eyes. RESULTS: Among the six uveitis eyes with sarcoidosis, we detected P. acnes DNA in two eyes, P. granulosum DNA in four eyes, and both P. acnes and P. granulosum DNA in one eye, but no Propionibacterium spp. in the control eyes. M. tuberculosis DNA was not present in any of the patient or control eyes. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report indicating the presence of Propionibacterium spp. and/or its DNA in the vitreous fluid of sarcoidic eyes with uveitis. This, therefore, supports the idea that Propionibacterium spp. are involved in the aetiology of uveitis in sarcoidosis.     

Is newborn melatonin production influenced by magnetic fields produced by incubators?

Background

During permanence in most incubators, newborns are very close to the electric engine, which represents a source of electromagnetic fields (EMF). Previous studies demonstrated a decrease in melatonin production in adults and animals exposed to EMF.

Aims

To assess melatonin production in a group of newborns exposed to EMF, and to evaluate whether removing the babies from the source of MF can affect melatonin production.

Study design and subjects

We have recruited 28 babies (study group), who had spent at least 48 h in incubator where we had previously assessed the presence of significant EMF. We have measured their mean 6-hydroxy-melatonin-sulfate (6OHMS) urine excretion at the end of their permanence in the incubators, and compared it with their mean 6OHMS excretion after having been put in cribs, where EMF are below the detectable limit (< 0.1 mG). We have also measured urine 6OHMS twice, with an interval of 48 h, in a control group of 27 babies who were not exposed to EMF during both samples.

Results

Mean 6OHMS/cr values were respectively 5.34 ± 4.6 and 7.68 ± 5.1 ng/mg (p = 0.026) when babies were exposed to EMF in incubators, and after having been put in the crib. In the control group, mean 6OHMS/cr values in the first and in the second sample were respectively 5.91 ± 5.41 vs 6.17 ± 3.94 ng/mg (p = 0.679).

Conclusions

The transitory increase in melatonin production soon after removing newborns from incubators demonstrates a possible influence of EMF on melatonin production in newborns. Further studies are needed to confirm these data.     

Effects of bisphosphonates on osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 cells

Bisphosphonates are used as therapeutic agents for the management of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. However, the precise effects and mechanisms of bisphosphonates on osteoclastogenesis are unclear, as previous studies have reported contradictory findings and no studies have circumstantially assessed the effects of bisphosphonates on osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of bisphosphonates on osteoclastogenesis in RAW264.7 (RAW) cells. To examine the direct effects of bisphosphonates on osteoclast differentiation via receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL), RAW cells were cultured with bisphosphonates. Addition of bisphosphonates to RAW cells led to a significant decrease in the number of osteoclasts and large osteoclasts (≥ 8 nuclei) in a bisphosphonate concentration-dependent and time-dependent manner. The cytotoxicity of non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates was specific to osteoclasts, while nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates were cytotoxic and induced cell death in both osteoclasts and RAW cells. Resorption activity was significantly diminished by treatment with bisphosphonates, thus confirming that bisphosphonates impair the absorptive activity of osteoclasts. We also investigated the effects of bisphosphonates on the mRNA expression of genes associated with osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast-specific markers and apoptosis-related genes using quantitative real-time PCR. The results suggest that bisphosphonates suppress osteoclast differentiation and infusion, and induce osteoclast apoptosis. With regard to osteoclast apoptosis induced by bisphosphonates, we further investigated the detection of DNA fragmentation and Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay. DNA fragmentation was confirmed after treatment with bisphosphonates, while caspase-3/7 activity increased significantly when compared with controls. In conclusion, bisphosphonates directly inhibited RANKL-stimulated osteoclast differentiation and fusion in RAW cells. It was confirmed that bisphosphonates impair osteoclast resorption activity and induce apoptosis. The effects of non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates were also specific to osteoclasts, while nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates were cytotoxic and induced cell death in both osteoclasts and RAW cells.