Detection of Philadelphia Chromosome in Chronic Neutrophilic Leukemia

Chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) is a rare myeloproliferativedisorder, differentiated from chronic myelogenous leukemia byseveral features. A case of CNL which was found by long-termculture to involve the Philadelphia chromosome is reported.     

Specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor ameliorates thioacetamide-induced liver injury in rats

Background and Aims:  Rolipram is a specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitor that suppresses the activity of immune cells and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we assessed the effect of rolipram on acute liver injury using thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury in rats as a model.
Methods:  Rats were treated with rolipram (0.5–5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or vehicle and injected 30 min later with TAA (100 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Serum transaminase concentrations and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and growth related oncogene/cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (GRO/CINC-1) levels were measured and livers were examined for microscopic changes. Dose-dependent protection against TAA liver injury was based on transaminase levels and inflammatory cytokine production, and was measured 9 h after TAA when the peak release of cytokines occurred.
Result:  Rolipram suppressed liver injury based on serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and histology and reduced TNF-α, IL-1β and GRO/CINC-1 levels. Rolipram, at doses of 0.5–5 mg/kg, suppressed serum transaminase and TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner, and these effects were significant at doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg.
Conclusion:  In our rodent model of acute liver injury, rolipram clearly reduced liver damage and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These results suggest that specific type IV phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as rolipram, have potent hepatoprotective effects that are associated with suppressing inflammatory cytokine production.     

Carcinosarcoma of the Penis: A Case Report of Its Development after Radiotherapy

Carcinosarcoma is a rare disease and postirradiation sarcomais seldom seen in the urogenital organs. A case of penile tumor,which is thought to have consisted of recurrent cancer and postirradiationsarcoma, is described.     

Relation of Exocrine Pancreatic Function to the Diameter of the Pancreatic and Common Bile Ducts

One hundred and thirty-nine patients were examined for possible chronic pancreatitis by means of both pancreozymin-secretin test and endoscopic pancreatography of pancreatocholangiography. Pancreatic function as assessed by the pancreozymin-secretin test was impaired in 89 (64%) of the entire group. No significant relationship was demonstrated between pancreatic secretion of fluid, bicarbonate and amylase and the diameter of main pancreatic duct in both the entire group of the subgroup of patients with pancreatic dysfunction. On pancreatogram no gross morphological abnormalities were found in a high proportion of patients whose pancreatic function was impaired in minimal to moderate degree. There was a significant linear correlation between the diameters of the main pancreatic duct and common bile duct. These data question the value of endoscopic pancreatography in the diagnosis of low to moderate grade chronic pancreatitis.