The high prognostic value of the histologic grade at the deep invasive front of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although many histopathologic factors in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue predict the prognosis, the major predictive factors have not been identified clearly. This study analyzed the prognostic value of the histologic grade at the deep invasive front of tongue squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: The clinicopathologic features of 124 consecutive patients seen between January 1985 and December 1999 with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were reviewed. Their mean age was 58.5 years (range: 23-90) and the male-female ratio was 1.8: 1 (79 men and 45 women). There were 41, 40, 30, and 13 cases at stage I to stage IV, respectively. The clinicopathologic factors, especially the histologic grade at the deep invasive front (invasive front grade, IFG), were analyzed to determine factors predicting prognosis. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free survival rate of the patients treated with curative aim only was 66.7%. Clinicopathologic factors significantly associated with the prognosis were T classification, tumor size, stage classification, tumor depth, macroscopic appearance, cervical lymph node metastasis (nodal metastasis), microvascular invasion, and IFG. In a multivariate analysis, patients with tumor depth >/=4 mm, IFG >/=8 points, and nodal metastasis had a reduced disease-free survival and IFG >/=11 points had a predictive value for nodal metastasis (odds ratio: 7.34; P = 0.0019). CONCLUSION: This study found that a high IFG malignancy score had a high prognostic value for squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.     

Peripheral analgesic actions of opioid peptides and morphine analogues

Opiates and opioid peptides were administered in the order of 10(-9)-10(-6) mol peripherally, and their action on pain sensitivity was investigated by the modified formalin test which has two characteristic pain responses (the first and the second phase) in the mouse hindpaw. Opioid peptides (20-500 pmol) had dose-dependent analgesia against both first and second phases, and their action ranked dynorphin greater than [D-Ala2, Met5]-enkephalinamide greater than [Met5]-enkephalin. EKC and morphine (0.4-2.5 nmol) inhibited pain response of the first phase, but produced hyperalgesia in the second phase dose-dependently. Lidocaine hydrochloride had peripheral analgesic action, but was about 500-10000 times weaker than these substances. So, these peripheral analgesic actions have a different mechanism from that of local anesthetic action. N-methyl levallorphan which is thought to be a peripherally selective narcotic antagonist reversed these peripheral analgesic actions at the first and second phases and also prevented the hyperalgesic effects of EKC and morphine at the second phase. Naloxone reversed analgesia at only the first phase. These results suggest that an analgesic mechanism by opioids may exist at the peripheral site as well. Furthermore, it is estimated that a receptor exists which is antagonized by N-methyl levallorphan but not by naloxone and that there is a system of hyperalgesia by EKC and morphine in pain modulation.     

Novel antifungal antibiotics maniwamycins A and B. I. Taxonomy of the producing organism, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological properties

Two antifungal antibiotics maniwamycins A and B were isolated from the culture broth of a strain of actinomycetes, which were classified as Streptomyces prasinopilosus. These antibiotics were isolated by resin absorption and extraction with EtOAc and purified by column chromatography. Both antibiotics were found to be new azoxy substances from their physico-chemical properties. They showed broad antifungal spectra.     

Three-dimensional identification of hemangiomas and feeding arteries in the head and neck region using combined phase-contrast MR angiography and fast asymmetric spin-echo sequences.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a proposed technique for the 3-dimensional (3D) detection of hemangiomas, including vascular malformation and their feeding arteries, in the head and neck. The new technique combines phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography (PCMRA) without contrast medium and 3D fast asymmetric spin-echo (FASE) sequences. METHODS: The technique was applied to 3 patients having hemangiomas in the head and neck region. In 1 patient the image obtained with the proposed technique was compared to that obtained by standard contrast angiography. RESULTS: In all 3 patients, the 3D presence of the hemangiomas and the feeding arteries were well defined in images created by the proposed technique. Additionally, the characterization of the hemangioma's 3D structure and distribution of the feeding arteries coincided with those observed using contrast angiography in the case for which contrast angiography was also performed. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary experience shows that the proposed technique combining 3D-FASE and 3D-PCMRA is useful to visualize both the 3D structure of hemangiomas and to identify the 3D distribution of the feeding arteries without using contrast medium.     

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the trachea.

Lymphoepithelioma is a lymphocyte-rich, poorly differentiated and non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx. Tumors arising outside the nasopharynx are rare and are designated as lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas (LELCs). This is the third reported case of LELC of the trachea. A 27-year-old woman was referred to our hospital on suspicion of bronchial asthma on August 2000. A polypoid tumor of the cervical trachea was recognized on neck X-ray, neck computed tomography (CT) scan, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. The protruding tumor was resected endoscopically by an electrosurgical snare. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations demonstrated large irregular polygonal cells extending in an islet or trabecular pattern among lymphoid stroma. These polygonal cells showed non-keratinization, atypia and prominent nucleoli. In situ hybridization showed these cells were infected with the Epstein-Barr (EB) virus. The infiltrating lymphocytes consisted of both T-and B-lymphocytes with no atypia. Thus the tumor was diagnosed as LELC. Blood examination revealed a past EB viral infection. Sphenoid resection of the tracheal cartilaginous portion was performed for residual tumor. We gave 50 Gy postoperative radiation, and she has been disease free in the 6-year follow-up period.     

Carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency in a patient with severe psychomotor retardation

A 13-year-old girl who had severe brain damage due to unknown prenatal cause presented rhabdomyolysis triggered by a mild viral infection. Her muscle biopsy revealed mild variation in fiber size and type 2 fiber atrophy without excess lipid storage. Biochemical analysis of the biopsied material showed decreased carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity (15% of the control). Serum and urinary carnitine levels were normal. Skeletal muscle CT scanning showed multiple low density spots. The patient was diagnosed as having CPT deficiency. She recovered from rhabdomyolysis without renal failure after a month with conservative therapy. CPT deficiency is usually found in young healthy persons. This is the first case report of CPT deficiency which presented severe psychomotor retardation since neonatal period.     

Surgical experience of subacute pulmonary thromboembolism with severe pulmonary hypertension.

Surgical treatment for subacute pulmonary arterial thromboembolism has previously been considered to be inappropriate. We undertook a pulmonary arterial thrombectomy and removal of a floating right heart thrombus in a patient who had been symptomatic for over a month. The pulmonary arterial pressure, which had been equal to the systemic pressure preoperatively, decreased gradually and almost normalized one month postoperatively. Pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy revealed a dramatic improvement and the patient returned to normal life activities.