Experimental study of pulmonary artery infusion with cisplatin in a solitary pulmonary tumor model using a rat colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line

OBJECTIVES: We assessed a tumor model prepared by open lung injection to study metastatic lung tumors, and evaluated the efficacy of pulmonary artery infusion. METHODS: Subjects were 30 male F344 rats. In experiment 1, we evaluated chemosensitivity of a rat colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (RCN-9) using a colorimetric [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. In experiment 2, we injected RCN-9 cells into the left lung on day 0; on day 10, we measured tumor tissue blood flow before and after pulmonary arterial occlusion. In experiment 3, we injected RCN-9 cells into the left lung and conducted no further procedures in controls. The pulmonary artery infusion group underwent pulmonary artery infusion with 0.1 mg of cisplatin on day 3 and the sham group injection with saline solution alone. On day 10, rats were sacrificed and maximum tumor cross-section measured. RESULTS: In experiment 1, the drug concentration required to inhibit cell growth 50% was 2.45 x 10(-6) M. In experiment 2, tumor tissue blood flow decreased significantly after arterial occlusion (p = 0.003). In experiment 3, the maximum tumor cross-section in the pulmonary artery infusion group was significantly smaller than in shams (p = 0.0027) and controls (p = 0.0019). CONCLUSIONS: The pulmonary artery supplies tumors with blood, so this model appears useful in studying metastatic lung tumors, whose size was reduced significantly by pulmonary artery infusion with cisplatin. Pulmonary artery infusion is thus a promising modality in metastatic lung tumor treatment.     

Maternal Baseline Characteristics and Perinatal Outcomes: The Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study

BackgroundThe Tohoku Medical Megabank Project Birth and Three-Generation Cohort Study was launched in 2013 to evaluate the complex interactions of genetic and environmental factors in multifactorial diseases. The present study describes the maternal baseline profile and perinatal data of participating mothers and infants.MethodsExpectant mothers living in Miyagi Prefecture were recruited from obstetric facilities or affiliated centers between 2013 and 2017. Three sets of self-administered questionnaires were collected, and the medical records were reviewed to obtain precise information about each antenatal visit and each delivery. Biospecimens, including blood, urine, umbilical cord blood, and breast milk, were collected for the study biobank. The baseline maternal sociodemographic characteristics, results of screening tests, and obstetric outcomes were analyzed according to the maternal age group.ResultsA total of 23,406 pregnancies involving 23,730 fetuses resulted in 23,143 live births. Younger maternal participants had a tendency toward a higher incidence of threatened abortion and threatened premature labor, while older age groups exhibited a significantly higher rate of low lying placenta, placenta previa, gestational diabetes, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.ConclusionsThe present study clearly shows the distribution of maternal baseline characteristics and the range of perinatal outcomes according to maternal age group. This cohort study can provide strategic information for creating breakthroughs in the pathophysiology of perinatal, developmental, and noncommunicable diseases by collaborative data visiting or sharing.Key words: baseline profile, perinatal outcome, birth cohort, developmental origins of health and disease     

The Prevalence of Peyronie's Disease in Japan: A Study in Men Undergoing Maintenance Hemodialysis and Routine Health Checks

IntroductionThe incidence of Peyronie's disease (PD) in the general population is believed to be as high as 20%. However, most of the data concerning the prevalence of PD have been obtained from Caucasian populations.AimThe aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of PD in Asia and among men undergoing hemodialysis and discuss the pathophysiology of PD.MethodsA total of 1,090 men who received a routine health check at our hospital (control group) as well as 130 male patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled. The diagnosis of PD was based on a palpable penile plaque.Main Outcome MeasuresHemodialysis patients were asked about their sexual activity and completed the International Index of Erectile Function‐5 questionnaires. The differences between patients' and hemodialysis‐associated factors, comorbidities, and medications were statistically assessed for patients with and without PD.ResultsThe prevalence of PD was significantly increased among hemodialysis patients (12 patients: 9.2%) relative the control group (six men: 0.6%) (P < 0.0001, odds ratio: 18.4). In both groups, the plaques were primarily allocated dorsally. In the hemodialysis patients with PD, the frequency of masturbation (P < 0.05) and the incidence of moderate or severe erectile dysfunction (P < 0.01) were significantly higher than those among hemodialysis patients without PD. In comparison with patients without PD, the number of acetate dialysate users was significantly higher among patients with PD (P < 0.05), and none of the PD patients used angiotensin‐related antihypertensive drugs (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe prevalence of PD in healthy Japanese men is low (0.6%), which suggests the existence of racial differences in the prevalence of PD. Moreover, these results indicate that hemodialysis increases the incidence of PD. The differences in the characteristics between male hemodialysis patients with and without PD provide new insights into the pathophysiology and therapeutic window of PD. Shiraishi K, Shimabukuro T, and Matsuyama H. The prevalence of Peyronie's disease in Japan: A study in men undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and routine health checks. J Sex Med **;**:**–**.