Report on the Computer Software Contest at 38th Congress of the Japan Society of Anesthesiology

We held a computer software contest at 38th Congress of the JSA, held in March, 1991. The aim is to encourage the members of the Society to write softwares and to help distribute them, especially as Freewares. We received 25 entries for the contest; two-thirds of these are for computers of NEC PC9801 series and a third are for Macintosh. We received donations 3 million yen worth of instruments and goods for prizes plus some cash, which as prizes were distributed to those who made entries for the contest.Most of these programs have been registered as freewares at various computer networks, including our Ether-Net, one of the common computer network SIGBBSs among Japanese anesthesiologists.(Suwa K, Miyasaka K, Tanaka Y, et al.: Report on the computer software contest at 38th congress of the Japan society of anesthesiology. J Anesth 5: 441–444, 1991)Executive Committee of the Computer Software Contest at 38th Congress of the Japan Society of Anesthesiology     

Induction of active melanocytes in mouse skin by carcinogens: a new method for detection of skin carcinogens

Application of potent skin carcinogens, such as 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene,3-methylcholanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide,induced numerous dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa)-positive cellsin the interfollicular epidermis of C57BL/6 mice in a dose-and time-dependent fashion. Chrysene, a weak skin carcinogen,and croton oil, a tumor promoter, also induced 3–4 timesmore dopa-positive cells than acetone. Liver carcinogens, suchas 3'-methyl-4-di-methylaminoazobenzene and N-2-acetylaminofluorene,and non-carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as anthracene,fluoranthene, fluorene and pyrene, did not induce increase inthese cells. These results indicate that increase in the numberof dopa-positive cells after application of chemicals is wellcorrelated with the abilities of these compounds to induce skincarcino-genesis and suppress sebaceous glands.     

Plasma cell leukemia with lobulated nuclei: One case report

The case of an 80-year-old man with plasma cell leukemia characterized by basophilic cytoplasm, and extensive lobulated nuclei is described. In spite of the peculiar morphologic nuclei, the diagnosis was based on the presence of M protein and Bence Jones protein in the serum and urine, immunophenotypic characteristics, immunoglobulin gene rearrangement, and findings of transmission electron microscopy.     

Occurrence of saxitoxins as a major toxin in the ovary of a marine puffer Arothron firmamentum.

Eleven male and 14 female specimens of a marine puffer Arothron firmamentum were collected from Oita and Iwate Prefectures, Japan. The toxicity assay using mouse showed that only ovary and skin of the female specimens were toxic, the toxicity scores being 5-740 as paralytic shellfish poison and <5-30 MU/g as tetrodotoxin (TTX), respectively. The toxin extracts from the both tissues were then treated with cartridge columns, and subjected to high performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectral analyses. In the analyses, saxitoxin (STX) and decarbamoylSTX (dcSTX) were identified as the major toxins in the ovary, while the skin contained only TTX.     

Stress sensitization induced by stressor and methamphetamine]

Repetitive or acute treatment of methamphetamine (MAP) or amphetamine (AMP) induces sensitization to both subsequent challenge treatment of the drugs, and exposure to emotional and physiological stress. In addition, chronic treatment of AMP enhanced DA utilization/release in striatum. Similarly, repetitive exposure to footshock or tail shock stress induces sensitization of noradrenaline or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) to subsequent mild stress and to small amounts of AMP or MAP injection. Striatum, nucleus accumbens and prefrontal dopaminergic systems have an important role in the development of this sensitization. Immediate early gene (IEG) expression in the hypothalamus, nucleus accumbens and striatum may be involved in this process. Neurobiological vulnerability to schizophrenia may be induced by the interaction of multiple gene disposition and environmental insult, and schizophrenia onset and/or relapse in response to mild, non-specific stress. Stress-sensitive systems therefore are postulated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this regard, mesolimbic DA systems may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In contrast to MAP- or AMP- and stress-induced sensitization, haloperidol and clozapine induce IEG expression in the caudate-putamen and amygdala. Collectively, MAP- or AMP-induced sensitization may, in part, share an early functional process of neurobiological mechanisms.     

Brain activation by the umami taste substance monosodium L-glutamate via gustatory and visceral signaling pathways,and its physiological significance due to homeostasis after a meal

Monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) elicits a unique taste sensation termed umami and is widely used as a flavor enhancer in various cuisines. In addition, recent studies have suggested the existence of receptors for l-glutamate (Glu) and transduction molecules in the gut mucosa as well as in the oral cavity. The gastric afferent vagal nerve responds specifically to luminal stimulation by Glu in the stomach and regulates autonomic reflexes. The intragastric infusion of MSG also activates several brain areas (insular cortex, limbic system, and hypothalamus) and is able to induce flavor-preference learning in rats. These results suggest that Glu signaling via the gustatory and visceral pathways plays an important role in digestion, absorption, metabolism, and other physiological functions by activating the brain.     

Subcutaneous porocarcinoma clinically presenting as a soft tissue tumor

Porocarcinoma is a rare malignancy with glandular adnexal differentiation. A 38‐year‐old Japanese man noticed a subcutaneous mass in right inguinal region about 20 years prior to being examined. Radiological examinations demonstrated the mass, 11 × 10 cm in size, was in the subcutaneous fat tissue. Recently, the mass grew rapidly, and it was biopsied by an orthopedist based on clinical diagnosis of primary soft tissue tumor. Histopathological examination of the resected specimens also revealed that the tumor lacked involvement to the skin. Microscopically, the tumor was mainly composed of poroid cells with partially obvious squamous differentiation, accompanied by focal ductal structures immunoreactive for CEA and EMA. The tumor contained a low‐grade area consisting of poroid cells and high‐grade area with squamous differentiation. This histopathological heterogeneity suggested malignant transformation from poroma. The patient had the tumor in almost same size over the period of 20 years, which is the longest in the previous reports. This unique case of subcutaneous porocarcinoma is reported.