Normal tissue response to localized deep microwave hyperthermia in the rabbit's prostate: A preclinical study

Experiments were performed to determine the response of normal tissues of the rectal cavity and the prostate to localized 2.45 GHz microwave deep hyperthermia. Hyperthermia at 43°C was delivered by means of a coaxial probe in the rectal cavity for 30 min. once or twice at an interval of 2 days. Normal tissues of the rectum, urinary bladder, and prostate were histologically examined up to three months after treatments. In almost all of the treated animals no tissue and organ injury resulted from localized deep hyperthermia at 43°C. This treatment appears to be safe for the treatment of carcinoma of the prostate.     

Percutaneous transluminal recanalization of common iliac artery occlusions

Percutaneous transluminal recanalization of occluded iliac arteries was attempted in 25 patients (26 limbs). In 22, successful recanalization was achieved, although 4 patients required additional surgical thrombectomy. The remaining 4 patients had surgical bypass procedures. The early and late results of percutaneous recanalization are presented as well as the technique used. We conclude that percutaneous recanalization of iliac occlusion is an effective procedure in the majority of cases. The option of surgical treatment remains viable when the percutaneous approach is unsuccessful.     

Value of selective upper tract cytology for recognition of upper tract tumors after treatment of superficial bladder cancer

Background: The value of selective upper urinary tract (UT) cytology in patients who are asymptomatic and tumor free at control cystoscopy after being treated for superficial bladder carcinoma has not been studied. The present study was performed to evaluate the value of selective UT cytology in patients who are tumor free at control cystoscopy after being treated for superficial bladder cancer. Methods: Forty‐seven consecutive patients who had undergone definitive surgical treatment for superficial bladder cancer at least 24 months prior and were tumor free at control cystoscopy were evaluated with bladder wash for cytology as well as selective UT urine cytology by catheterization of both ureteral orifices. Of the 47 patients, disease was stage Ta in 30 (63.8%), T1 in 15 (31.9%) and Ta/Tcis in 2 (4.3%). Primary tumor was unifocal in 24 (51.1%) and multifocal in 23 (48.9%) patients. The time elapsed from the initial diagnosis to the last evaluation ranged from 2 to 21 years (mean 5.39). Results: UT cytology was positive in 2 cases. Although, excretory urography (IVP) revealed mild pelvicalicectasis in 1 of these 2 patients, ureterorenoscopy (URS) revealed no abnormality. In the other patient with normal IVP and retrograde pyelography (RGP), URS revealed a ureteral tumor 5 mm in diameter. Although the UT cytology was normal in the remaining 45 patients, IVP revealed right hydronephrosis in 1 patient and URS revealed multiple ureteral tumors. Conclusion: Given the normal appearance of the UT, it is highly unlikely that these patients have tumor in the UT. Thus, during the follow‐up of patients with superficial bladder cancer, it is not useful to perform UT select cytology in the absence of any identifiable filling defects in the upper urinary tract.     

Survey of accidents in a university day-care center

Accident reporting provides useful data for the analysis of injuries in day-care centers. This article reports the results of a survey study conducted to analyze accidental injuries in a large university day-care center in Southern California. Data were collected from individual student accident report forms filed by the teachers for the 1987 calendar year. A total of 103 accident reports were analyzed. Fifty-seven children ranging in age from 6 months to 6 years were involved in 103 accidents. The results of the study revealed that the highest number of accidents occurred among children 3 and 4 years of age. The majority of the accidents occurred during horseplay or while the children were running or fighting. Although no deaths or permanent disability occurred, this number of accidents do warrant the need for safety education.     

Selective vascular permeability to digoxin and the inhibition of Na,K adenosine triphosphatase in the brain stem

The purpose of the present investigation was to provide evidence that the area postrema served as a portal of entry into the caudal medulla for cardiac glycosides. In [studies utilizing] young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, indicator-dilution experiments suggested that digoxin, at cardiotoxic doses of 3 mg/kg, did not cross the blood-brain barrier. Assays of [³H]digoxin uptake, however, demonstrated significantly higher concentrations of digoxin in the brain stem compared with the cerebral hemisphere. In addition, microchemical assays of sodium-potassium activated adenosine triphosphatase (Na⁺,K⁺ATPase) activity, after intramuscular injection of digoxin (3 mg/kg), showed significant inhibition only in the brain stem. Finally, microchemical assays of Na⁺,K⁺ATPase activity were carried out in serial frozen sections of medulla in digoxin-treated rats. Only sections of medulla at the level of the area postrema showed significant inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺ATPase activity. Inhibition of Na⁺,K⁺ATPase activity has been used as a marker of cardiac glycoside binding to plasma membrane-bound proteins, and neurons possess a relatively high density of high-affinity receptors for cardiac glycosides with Na⁺,K⁺ATPase activity. Therefore, these studies suggest that the modified blood-brain barrier in area postrema serves as a portal of entry for cardiac glycosides into the caudal medulla, allowing them to bind to Na⁺,K⁺ATPase on the plasma membrane of neurons which, at least in part, play an important role in chronotropic regulation of cardiac function.     

The effect of serum from obese and normal weight men on glucose metabolism in leucocytes

The influence of pooled serum from either obese or normal weight males on glucose metabolism in human leucocytes has been studied. Leucocytes from normal weight males were incubated with 10-90% pooled serum and either [U-14C], or [1-14C]glucose. Compared to serum from the normal weight males, serum from the obese group had a more stimulating effect on the 14CO2 and [14C]lactate production from [U-14C]glucose and on the 14CO2 production from [1-14C]glucose. The two serum pools had the same stimulating effect on the Embden-Meyerhof pathway as indicated by the formation of [14C]lactate from [1-14C]glucose. Calculations revealed that the activity in the pentose phosphate pathway was stimulated more by serum from obese, than from normal weight males. It is a possibility that increased stimulation of the pentose phosphate pathway may contribute to the development of overweight.     

Developments in non-anticholinergic anti-ulcer agents

Since the introduction of belladonna alkaloids, drugs blocking the cholinergic nervous system have dominated therapeutics for peptic ulcer. Until recently, the only modification of this therapy has been the use of synthetic anticholinergic agents. Recent developments in neurohormonal relations to stomach secretions have suggested that other pharmacologic approaches may be practical: (1) A number of chemical entities are devoid of anticholinergic action but can decrease gastric secretions and protect animals against experimentally induced gastric lesions—eg, 2-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-thioacetamide (SC-15,396); 2,2-Bipyridine (CI-588); 3-(methylamino)-2,1-benzisothiazole (CI-624); and benzyltris-(2-propoxyethyl) ammonium iodide (U 247–51); (2) substances have been found that inactivate pepsin—ie, a sulfated polysaccharide (SN-263) or degraded carrageenin; (3) chemicals have been tested that demonstrate enhanced ulcer healing—eg, carbenoxolone sodium and geranyl farnesyl acetate; (4) antral mucosal local anesthetics are also available—eg, oxethazaine; (5) many agents that possess other pharmacologic actions also inhibit gastric secretion as an additional property; major tranquilizers (chlorpromazine), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (acetazolamide),-blocking agents (phenoxybenzamine), ganglionic blocking agents (hexamethonium), catecholamines, and others.     

Effects of ricinoleic and oleic acids on the digestive contractile activity of the canine small and large bowel.

Oleic and ricinoleic acids or their trans isomers, elaidic and ricinelaidic acids, were administered intraduodenally and evaluated for their effects on the digestive motor activity of the canine small and large bowel. Four dogs of mixed breed were implanted with duodenal cannulas and extraluminal strain gage transducers along the circular axis of the proximal and mid-jejunum, terminal ileum, and proximal colon. After feeding 200 g of canned dog food to induce continuous contractile activil of isotonic saline was given into the duodenum as a single bolus infusion and recordings were made for a 1-hr period. A 30-ml volume of saline served as control. Administration of each cis fatty acid produced an initial stimulation in jejunal areas of about a 2-min duration followed by a post-stimulatory inhibition. Both the initial stimulation and post-stimulatory inhibition were greater for ricinoleic acid than for oleic acid. Minimal or no effects were produced in ileal or colonic areas. In contrast, the trans isomers produced little or no effect on either the small or large bowel. Alterations in the digestive contractile patterns produced by oral administration of 10 ml of oleic, ricinoleic acid or their respective triglycerides were also tested. Triolein had no effects. Ricinoleic acid and castor oil poduced a brief initial stimulation followed by polonged inhibition of small bowel motor activity. Both cathartics had a mild laxative effect. Digestive motor patterns returned to control approximately 45 min after oleic acid. There was no indication at any time of an initiation of continuous contractile activity after ricinoleic acid or castor oil which could justify the use of the terms irritant of stimulant to describe their actions.