Nephron Sparing Surgery for De Novo Renal Cell Carcinoma in an Allograft Kidney: A Case Report

De novo renal cell carcinoma in a renal allograft is rare and has special implications in renal transplant recipients. We describe a patient with a renal allograft who developed a de novo renal cell carcinoma in the functioning renal allograft 258 months after transplantation. The patient underwent enucleation of the tumor because preoperative MRI showed it was well-encapsulated. A DNA banding study showed that the tumor originated from the donor. Indications for conservative renal surgery in renal cell carcinoma have been increasing. Accordingly, 1 option in the treatment of de novo renal cell carcinoma in a functioning renal allograft is enucleation as a method of nephron sparing surgery.     

Visualization of left bronchial-to-coronary artery communication after distal bronchial artery embolization for bronchiectasis

We present a 44-year-old woman in whom a bronchialto-coronary artery communication via the conus branch was discovered after distal bronchial artery embolization with gelatin sponge for hemoptysis. If this bronchial-to-coronary artery anastomosis, not visible prior to embolization, had been inadvertently embolized, the patient could have developed a myocardial infarction. To reduce the likelihood of a serious complication, the possibility of this anastomosis should be kept in mind and angiography should be repeated before attempting proximal bronchial artery embolization.     

Quality of the life in hypertensive outpatients]

In order to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in hypertensive outpatients, we selected 78 patients with hypertension of various degrees of severity (WHO Classification I: 29 cases, II: 15, III: 34), 59 not ill healthy persons (N1) and 22 normotensive outpatients (N2) aged at 50 years and over, using the self-completed questionnaire (QUIK) which we developed. QUIK covers four domains including physical functioning (20 questions), emotional adjustment (10), interpersonal relationships (10) and attitudes toward life (10) totaling 50 questions. In this study the internal consistency of QUIK was alpha = 0.95 by the Kuder-Richardson formula 20 and it's repeatability was r = 0.89 by the Spearman-Brown formula. The QOL in hypertensive outpatients was definitely worse in terms of total score (N1 5.1 +/- 4.4 vs WHO II 9.3 +/- 7.2 and III 12.1 +/- 5.6, p < 0.05), for physical functioning (N1 2.5 +/- 2.1 vs WHO I 3.7 +/- 2.8, II 4.7 +/- 3.8, III 5.4 +/- 2.8 p < 0.05), for emotional adjustment (N1 1.2 +/- 1.4 vs WHO III 2.3 +/- 1.7, p < 0.01), for interpersonal relationships (N1 0.8 +/- 1.3 vs WHO III 1.6 +/- 1.5, p < 0.01) and for attitudes toward life (N1 0.7 +/- 1.2 vs WHO III 2.7 +/- 2.0 p < 0.01). The total QUIK score increased according to the severity of symptoms (WHO I 5.8 +/- 4.4, WHO II 9.3 +/- 7.2 and WHO III 12.1 +/- 5.6), respectively. The total score of WHO I was significantly lower compared with that of WHO III (p < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Anti-Candida albicans activity of essential oils including Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) oil and its component, citral]

The effects of 12 essential oils, popularly used as antifungal treatments in aromatherapy, on growth of Candida albicans were investigated. Mycelial growth of C. albicans, which is known to give the fungus the capacity to invade mucosal tissues, was inhibited in the medium containing 100 micro g/ml of the oils: lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) and cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica). Not only lemongrass oil but also citral, a major component of lemongrass oil (80%), in the range of 25 and 200 micro g/ml inhibited the mycelial growth but allowed yeast-form growth. More than 200 micro g/ml of citral clearly inhibited both mycelial and yeast-form growth of C. albicans. These results provide experimental evidence suggesting the potential value of lemongrass oil for the treatment of oral or vaginal candidiasis.     

Light microscopy of GTP-binding protein (Go) immunoreactivity within the retina of different vertebrates

To examine species differences in the distribution pattern of guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein (Go) within the vertebrate retina, paraffin-embedded retinae from a number of vertebrate species, including the goldfish, frog, turtle, chicken, monkey, and human, were immunohistochemically stained with affinity-purified antibody against the alpha-subunit of Go. Go-immunoreactive products were found to be located in the neuropil, but not in the cell bodies of neurons, in the retina of all these species. However, some species differences were observed. In the frog, monkey and human, the inner plexiform layer (IPL) was homogeneously stained with this antibody, but in the goldfish, turtle and chicken, the IPL was heterogeneously stained. In the frog, chicken, turtle and human, the outer plexiform layer (OPL) was densely stained with this antibody, but in the goldfish and monkey, the OPL was rather faintly immunoreactive to the antibody. In the goldfish, monkey and human, the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was not immunoreactive to the Go-antibody, whereas in the frog, turtle and chicken, the ONL was immunoreactive to it. The implications of these species differences in Go localization in the vertebrate retina are discussed.     

Identification and viability assessment of dermatophytes infecting nail based on quantitative PCR of dermatophyte actin (ACT) mRNA]

The diagnosis and choice of treatment for dermatophytoses are usually based on the result of microscopic observation of hyphal elements and culture. However, false negative cultures have sometimes been encountered and appropriate timing of discontinuation of treatment has not been formulated. In this study, we attempted the identification and viability assessment of dermatophytes based on the quantitative measurement of dermatophyte actin (ACT) mRNA. An internal fragment of the ACT, 725 to 762 bp, was isolated by PCR from the genomic DNA of dermatophytes and sequenced. ACT intron-based primers were dermatophyte species-specific and primer pairs crossing the intron were dermatophyte genus-specific. The LightCycler (LC) instrument, employing the two-step RT-PCR/fluorescent hybridization system, was used to quantify the actin mRNA (ACT) of dermatophytes. A 669 bp ACT cDNA fragment was used as a quantification standard. Several mg of samples were collected from skin scales or nail plates before and after the treatment using oral terbinafine. The results indicated that quantification of ACT mRNA correlated with the results of culture and KOH examination and that copy numbers of dermatophyte ACT mRNA per mg sample decreased with progression of the therapy. This method comprises a sensitive (1 fg), specific, rapid (< 4 h) and quantitative assessment of the viability and identification of dermatophytes in skin tissue.