A novel translocation, t(9;17)(q34;q23), in aggressive childhood lymphoblastic lymphoma

In a chromosome study of childhood lymphoblastic lymphoma, we found a novel translocation, t(9;17)(q34;q23), in three patients. They presented with mediastinal mass and no bone marrow involvement. Despite intensive chemotherapy, one patient had no response, the other two relapsed after a brief remission, and all progressed to death. The 9;17 translocation may have a clinical implication for lymphoblastic lymphoma patients in predicting a poor prognosis. Since, in addition to our cases, involvement of the 9q34 breakpoint, together with 2q33, 14q11, or 7q34, has been reported in the literature in four lymphoblastic lymphoma patients, a gene located in 9q34 and referred to as tcl-3 may participate in the genesis of the T cell malignancies carrying these translocations. Furthermore, as is the case in other lymphomas, the reciprocal breakpoint, 17q23, might be the site of a yet unidentified T cell function gene.     

A comparison of protective effects between L-histidine and hypothermia against ischemia-induced neuronal damage in gerbil hippocampus

An increase in the histamine concentration in the brain has been demonstrated to provide protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion brain injury. Since hypothermia and barbiturates are also regarded to protect ischemic brains, effects of postischemic treatments were compared in gerbils between mild hypothermia and intraperitoneal administration of L-histidine, a precursor of histamine. Furthermore, effects of thioperamide, a histamine H(3) receptor antagonist, were evaluated in histidine-treated gerbils after 60 days. Transient forebrain ischemia for 4 min at 37 degrees C provoked severe neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells after 7 days. Postischemic hypothermia (33 degrees C) for 3 h under pentobarbital anesthesia alleviated neuronal death, and the number of preserved neurons was 77+/-56/mm (mean+/-S.D., n=14). The effect of L-histidine injected three times, immediately, 6 h, and 24 h after reperfusion (1,000 mg/kg, i.p., each), was more prominent than that of hypothermia, and the number of preserved neurons was 142+/-55/mm (n=14). When the histologic outcome was evaluated after 60 days, most neurons were damaged in both the hypothermic and histidine groups. The improvement of the histologic outcome was observed even after 60 days in animals injected with thioperamide, immediately and 6 h after reperfusion (5 mg/kg, s.c., each), with three injections of l-histidine. The number of preserved neurons was 133+/-88/mm (n=10), while that in the hypothermic group was 7+/-15 (n=10). Activation of the central histaminergic system provides beneficial effects against cerebral ischemia.     

Endoscopy-guided subretinal fluid drainage in vitrectomy for retinal detachment

PURPOSE: To study the usefulness of endoscopy-guided subretinal fluid drainage in pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). PARTICIPANTS/METHODS: A prospective non-comparative study of a small number of RRD cases. The study involved examining 10 eyes of 10 patients with RRD that received PPV. Two eyes had hazy corneas, which hindered the observation by surgical microscopy. Fluid-gas exchange was performed and then subretinal fluid was drained through a primary retinal break guided by an endoscope. No drainage retinotomy was made. Each clinical feature was studied and the surgical outcome and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: All eyes had retinal reattachment by a single operation. No serious complication related to surgery was experienced. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopy-guided subretinal fluid drainage is the safe and effective procedure in PPV for RRD.     

Operative indications for relatively small (2-5 cm) gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach based on analysis of 60 operated cases

BACKGROUND: Removal of the primary lesion with a clear operative margin is the standard treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach. However, there are few reports on the operative indications for relatively small GIST. METHODS: Clinicopathologic features and survival data of all 60 patients with GIST of the stomach treated at Keio University Hospital from 1993 to 2004 were analyzed. Laparoscopic wedge resection was used as the primary procedure for tumors between 2 to 5 cm. Tumors larger than 5 cm were resected by laparotomy or laparoscopy-assisted operation. RESULTS: Thirty-five lesions (58.3%) were resected by laparoscopic wedge resection, 3 by laparoscopic operation with a small skin incision and 22 by conventional open procedures. The mean size of the tumors was 42.5 mm, with a range of 18 to 150 mm and a median value of 35.5 mm. All operative margins were clear, but 1 patient had liver metastases at the time of resection of the primary lesion. The median follow-up period was 53 months and the 5-year disease-free survival rate (DFS) was 96.1%. No local recurrence or distant metastasis was encountered in patients with tumors smaller than 4 cm. A statistically significant correlation was observed between tumor size and mitotic count in this cohort (P = .010). Tumors from the intermediate- (n = 14) and high-risk (n = 10) groups as classified by the Risk Assessment Classification showed significantly worse DFS than the low-risk and very low risk group (n = 35) (89.9% vs 100% in 5-year DFS, P = .045). Even among tumors smaller than 3 cm, 2 of 14 cases (14.3%) were classified into the intermediate-risk group. CONCLUSIONS: Although a prospective randomized trial remains to be performed, this study provides additional evidence suggesting that the early removal of GIST, at 5 cm or less in size, provides better DFS than later removal of the tumor at a larger size.     

Effects of tetraacetyl-bis-dehydroascorbic acid, a derivative of ascorbic acid, on Ehrlich cells and HeLa cells (human carcinoma cells).

Derivatives of ascorbic acid were synthesized, and the studies were made on their effects in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells, in regard to the inhibition and the prolongation of survival time as well as on the morphological degeneration in HeLa cells. In a model infection study carried out by using tetraacetyl-bis-dehydroascorbic acid in dd mice infected with Ehrlich cells, it was proved that the prolongation of survival time was nearly double in comparison to the control group mice. Also, it was noted that hypertrophy due to abdominal dropsy and body weight were reduced much more than in the control group. From these results, the inhibiting effect of tetraacetyl-bis-dehydroascorbic acid was confirmed. While in the case of DHA and other derivatives, almost no inhibition and prolongation of survival time were observed. As for HeLa cells in a tissue culture, tetraacetyl-bis-DHA, in a dosage of 125-250 mug/ml, demonstrated definitely its morphological degeration. After 125 mug/ml of tetraacetyl-bis-DHA was added to a tissue culture solution of HeLa cells, the cells were washed and recultured. No growth of the cells was observed. Consequently, this substance was confirmed to be anti-HeLa substance with a low toxicity.     

Taurolithocholate impairs bile canalicular motility and canalicular bile secretion in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets

INTRODUCTIONThe concept that pericanalicular actin f ilaments may sub-serve a contractile function to facilitate bile ? ow was f irst proposed in 1974[1]. Contractile proteins are found to be present throughout the cytoplasm in hepatocytes and are particu…