A case of a small hepatoma with multicentric development in precirrhotic fibrosis

Multicentricity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis. This paper describes an operative case of a male patient with probable multicentric development of HCC in precirrhotic fibrosis. The main tumors inside the capsule were completely necrotic due to transarterial embolization (TAE). Histologic examination disclosed discrete tiny nodules of HCC that were not detected grossly. They showed highly differentiated trabecular arrangements: Edmondson I. A scirrhous type was noted in the center of the tumors. At the borders of the tumors the carcinoma cells exhibited replacing growth patterns and it was thought that they developed multicentrically. Partial resection must be performed as extensively as possible in a case such as the present one.     

The effect of psychosocial factors on lung cancer mortality at one year

In this study newly diagnosed male and female lung cancer patients admitted to two Ontario Cancer Foundation treatment clinics were interviewed. Information was obtained on demographic variables, presence of other chronic illness and the following psychosocial attributes: locus of control, social support and personality traits. From the clinic charts, information on stage of disease and pathological diagnosis was obtained. After controlling for the effects of stage and pathological diagnosis, the following psychological variables were found to increase the odds of death from lung cancer among males and females combined at one year after diagnosis: a high need for one aspect of social support, a reserved personality and the extremes of the personality trait soberness vs enthusiasm.     

Comparison of blood glucose and insulin responses in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Studies with spaghetti and potato taken alone and as part of a mixed meal

Recently, we demonstrated that spaghetti caused significantly lower glycaemic response than rice and potato in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) subjects and that this difference was also present when spaghetti and potato were taken as part of a mixed meal. We have now compared the blood glucose and insulin responses to 50 g of carbohydrate in the form of white bread, potato and white spaghetti in 6 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients. The blood glucose response after white spaghetti observed over a 3-h period was only 60 +/- 10 per cent (P less than 0.02) of that seen in response to potato (395 +/- 116 mmol/l x 180 min vs 641 +/- 108 mmol/l x 180 min) and 47 +/- 9 per cent (P less than 0.01) of that seen in response to white bread (395 +/- 116 mmol/l x 180 min vs 805 +/- 93 mmol/l x 180 min). Insulin responses showed an identical pattern reflecting the glycaemic responses. To see if the difference in the glucose responses in NIDDM patients is preserved if these carbohydrate-rich foods are taken as part of a mixed meal we looked at the blood glucose and insulin responses to 50 g of carbohydrate in the form of potato and white spaghetti when ingested together with bolognese sauce (167 g) in 7 NIDDM patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Penetration and distribution of three lipophilic probes in vitro in human skin focusing on the hair follicle.

Fluorescent model substances of increasing lipophilicity (Oregon Green) 488, Bodipy, FL C5 and Bodipy 564/570 C5) were selected to enable the visualization in the skin using confocal laser scanning microscopy. After measuring the penetration for 18 h, the nonfixed human scalp skin was imaged from the bottom parallel to the stratum corneum and in a cross-section view perpendicular to the skin surface. The images were evaluated by calculating relative accumulation values for different penetrants. The studies indicate that the penetrated amount is highest for Bodipy FL C5 (medium lipophilicity) and lowest for Bodipy 564/570 C5 (high lipophilicity) whereas Bodipy 564/570 C5 (high lipophilicity) reveals the highest relative accumulation in parts of the hair follicle compared to Oregon Green 488 (low lipophilicity). The addition of 30% (v/v) ethanol to the donor phase of substance with a low lipophilicity increases the follicular delivery. From our results we conclude that delivery to the hair follicle can be improved by increasing the drugs lipophilicity and optimizing the composition of the donor phase. However, no conclusion can be drawn about the actual route of transport to the hair follicle.     

Molecular cloning of agonistic and antagonistic monoclonal antibodies against human 4-1BB.

Previously, we prepared two different monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human 4-1BB (CD137): an agonistic mAb BBK-1 and an antagonistic mAb BBK-2. In this paper, we describe the molecular cloning of these two mAbs and present comparisons of their amino acid sequences. cDNAs encoding the heavy (H) and light (L) chains of the two mAbs were cloned by screening of cDNA libraries constructed from hybridomas secreting these mAbs. Comparisons of amino acid sequences of the two mAbs showed that, while the constant regions of the H and L chains were identical between the two mAbs, the variable region showed 45% identity in H chains and 48% identity in L chains. This suggests that these two mAbs recognize different epitopes of 4-1BB and may have different effects on the activity of 4-1BB.     

Delivery of therapeutic doses of doxorubicin to the mouse lung using lung-accumulating liposomes proves unsuccessful

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - Addition of solid doxorubicin or solutions to pre-formed liposomes proved to be the optimal method for incorporating the drug into liposomes whilst...