Intracystic papilloma in the breast of a male given long-term phenothiazine therapy: A case report

We experienced a very rare case of intracystic papilloma in a 57-year-old man who came to our hospital complaining of a left subareolar mass and nipple discharge. The patient had a history of chronic schizophrenia, necessitating long-term treatment with phenothiazines. His serum prolactin levels were elevated. Mammography demonstrated a well defined mass with microcalcifications. Ultrasonography revealed a cyst with an intracystic component. The inner lesion of the mass enhanced on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. The carcinoembryonic antigen concentration of the cyst fluid was 400 ng/mL and no malignant cells were found by aspiration biopsy cytology. Excisional biopsy was performed under local anesthesia. Pathological examination revealed the intracystic component to be intracystic papilloma. There are ten reports of male intracystic papilloma including ours. We report the second case of a patient given long-term phenothiazine therapy, which is known to increase serum prolactin levels.     

Practical synthesis and evaluation of the biological activities of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 antagonists, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-26,23-lactams. Designed on the basis of the helix 12-folding inhibition hypothesis

A practical synthetic route to novel vitamin D antagonists of DLAM (1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)-26,23-lactam) was developed from vitamin D(2) via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction as a key step. Six DLAM derivatives (24 compounds) with a variety of nitrogen substituents and stereochemistries at C23 and C25 were synthesized. Among these new derivatives, (23S,25S)-DLAM isomers bound effectively to VDRs and showed antagonistic activity in the HL-60 cell differentiation inhibition assay. The importance of the substituent on the nitrogen of DLAMs for antagonistic activity was also suggested by computational docking studies.     

Asbestos exposures during reprocessing of automobile brakes and clutches

Asbestos exposures of workers in three small factories reprocessing automobile brakes and clutches in Japan were investigated. Airborne asbestos was collected on a membrane filter using an air sampler. From 1982 to 1989, asbestos counting was performed on 295 samples (198 personal and 97 stationary), using phase contrast microscopy. Only chrysotile asbestos was detected. Workers who reprocessed automobile brakes and clutches were exposed to asbestos concentrations of 0.025-76.4 fibers/cm3. Geometric mean asbestos concentrations during attaching linings to brake shoes and attaching facings to clutch disks were 0.859 fibers/cm3 and 0.780 fibers/cm3, respectively. Concentrations during stripping worn brake linings and clutch facings were 0.484 fibers/cm3 and 0.382 fibers/cm3, respectively. Machine grinding and leveling of new brake-lining surfaces represent potential sources of heavy asbestos exposures, unless enclosures and local ventilation are efficient.     

The relationship between coping with stress and employment in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis

The goal of this study was to assess the relationship between emotion- and task-oriented coping (EOC/TOC) with stress and employment in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. Individuals aged 18 to 64 yr who had uremia and had been undergoing hemodialysis regularly for at least three months were evaluated according to sociodemographic and clinical factors. Work status was defined using the most recent International Labour Organization definitions. Patients were requested to complete the following questionnaires: the Japanese version of the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, the Short Form-36 Health Survey, an item on itchiness, the Self-Efficacy on Health-Related Behavior Scale, the Japanese version of the Health Locus of Control Scale, the Social Support Scale, and the Japanese version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A total of 317 individuals participated in this study. Among men, age, physical functioning, EOC, and depression differed significantly (p<0.05) depending on employment. Among women, marital status, household composition, EOC, depression, and anxiety differed significantly (p<0.05) depending on employment. TOC was not significantly associated with employment in either sex. Multiple logistic regression analyses, including possible confounders, indicated that when EOC increased by 10 points, the associated adjusted odds ratio of an unemployed or economically inactive status changed by 1.48 (95% confidence interval, 1.04-2.11; p=0.030) in men and by 1.88 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.46; p=0.042) in women. These results suggest that EOC is associated with employment in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis.     

The novel hypoglycemic agent YM440 improves hepatic insulin resistance in obese Zucker fatty rats

The novel hypoglycemic agent YM440 ((Z)-1,4-bis{4-[(3,5-dioxo-1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl)methyl] phenoxy}but-2-ene) is a ligand of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma. YM440 has unique pharmacological profiles both in vitro and in vivo, but, it is not clear whether the compound has a significant effect on hepatic or peripheral insulin response throughout the body. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of YM440 on hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats using the euglycemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp technique. Treatment of ZF rats with YM440 (300 mg/kg per day) for 2 weeks significantly decreased plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin without inducing obesity. YM440 caused a 2-fold increase in the glucose infusion rate during euglycemic clamping compared with the vehicle control. YM440 also decreased the percent change in hepatic glucose production rate caused by intravenous insulin infusion in ZF rats. YM440 had no significant effect on the glucose disposal rate. These results indicate that YM440 ameliorates hepatic, but not peripheral insulin resistance in ZF rats. These findings strongly suggest that the main target organ of YM440 is the liver, unlike other PPARgamma agonist.     

Dynamic expression of chemokines and the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the HSV-infected cornea and its associated tissues

BACKGROUND: The chemotactic signals regulating cell trafficking in the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infected cornea are well documented, however, those in the cornea-associated tissues, such as the trigeminal ganglion (TG) and draining lymph nodes (LNs), are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine chemokine expression and subsequent cell infiltration in the HSV-1 infected cornea and its associated tissues. STUDY DESIGN: Eight-week-old female BALB/c mice were infected with 10 mu l HSV-1 (CHR3 strain: 5 x 106 PFU/ml) by corneal scarification. Total RNAs were extracted from the corneas, TGs, and LNs at pre-inoculation, 3 days post-inoculation (P.I.) and 7 days P.I. The mRNA for 28 different chemokines in the extracts was amplified by RT-PCR. Infiltrating cells were identified by immunohistochemistry. RESULT: After the HSV-1 infection, the corneal stroma became edematous by infiltrated cells under the eroded epithelium. The TG and LNs were markedly swollen. The cornea was infiltrated with granulocytes and CD11b+ cells at 3 days P.I., followed by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at 12 days P.I. In the TG, CD11b+ cells, but no granulocytes, infiltrated throughout the observation period. T cells migrated into the TG earlier than into the cornea. Gene expressions of neutrophil-attracting chemokines (CXCL1, 2, 3, and 5) increased in the cornea, but they did not enhance in the TG or LNs. On the other hand, gene expressions of chemokines which attract CD11b+ cells such as CCL2, 8, 7, 12, CCL3, 4, and CCL5, increased in the cornea and TG with its peak at 3 days P.I. Gene expressions of chemokines those work on T cells and B cells, such as CCL19, CCL21, CXCL9, CXCL13, CXCL10, XCL1, and CXCL16, were up-regulated and peaked at 3 days P.I. in the cornea and in the TG. Thus, pattern of chemokine gene expression was similar in the cornea and in the TG. On the contrary, gene expressions of chemokines in the draining LNs affecting CD11b+ cells and T cells were temporarily down-regulated. CONCLUSION: Upon HSV-1 infection, dynamic gene expression of chemokines was observed not only in the inoculated cornea but also in its associated tissues.     

Optimum preparation of levocarnitine chloride solution in the hospital pharmacy

Levocarnitine chloride is used for the therapeutic purpose of levocarnitine deficiency. For infants, however, levocarnitine chloride tablets must be crushed to avoid difficulties associated with swallowing, and also to administer an appropriately low dosage. Since the tablet is extremely hygroscopic and sour, it is dissolved in water containing simple syrup after crushing. In this study we investigated the stability of the drug after dissolution to optimize its preparation for clinical use. It was shown to be stable for at least 90 days after preparation, and microbes did not grow in 1-10% (w/v) solutions (pH 2.0-2.5) regardless of the presence or absence of simple syrup. Furthermore, the autoclaved levocarnitine chloride solution was as stable as the non-autoclaved one. In conclusion, the method employed in our hospital for the preparation of levocarnitine chloride for infants is appropriate and is recommended as a standard medicine supply method among different facilities.     

Mode of action of a new nalidixic acid derivative, AB206.

A new chemotherapeutic agent, AB206, shows potent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria, including most of the nalidixic acid-resistant strains tested. It strongly inhibits deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in Escherichia coli, but only slightly inhibits ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis. Its activity on DNA synthesis in vivo and in vitro is greater than that of nalidixic acid. AB206 also strongly inhibits in vivo DNA synthesis in nalidixic acid-susceptible and -resistant clinical isolates of Proteus and Serratia. AB206 shows high penetrability into E. coli cells, as demonstrated by antibacterial activity with or without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, inhibition of in vivo and in vitro DNA synthesis, and uptake of the drug into cells, as compared to nalidixic acid. It appears that the high antibacterial activity of AB206 may be explained both by its potent inhibitory action against DNA synthesis and also by its high penetrability into bacterial cells.     

Dengue tetravalent DNA vaccine inducing neutralizing antibody and anamnestic responses to four serotypes in mice

We developed a dengue tetravalent DNA vaccine consisting of plasmids expressing premembrane and envelope genes of each of four serotypes of dengue viruses. BALB/c mice immunized twice with the tetravalent vaccine at a dose of 100 microg (25 microg for each serotype) using a needle-free jet injector developed neutralizing antibodies against all serotypes. There was no interference among the four components included in this combination vaccine. Tetravalent vaccine-immunized mice showed anamnestic neutralizing antibody responses following challenge with each dengue serotype: responses to challenges from serotypes different to those used for neutralization tests were also induced.