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.     

Serine protease inhibitors prevent alcoholic liver injury]

The hepatotoxic effects of alcohol have been described in detail, but factors responsible for its hepatotoxicity have only partially characterized. It now appears that Kupffer cell derived TNF-alpha participates in several aspects of alcoholic liver injury. On the other hand, protease inhibitors have been used successfully for treatment of intractable diseases in which TNF-alpha is involved in the pathogenesis, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Here, we will review new evidence for the proposal that serine protease inhibitors prevents alcoholic liver injury via mechanisms dependent on Kupffer cell derived TNF-alpha.     

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.     

Gender difference in alcoholic liver injury]

Gender differences of alcoholic liver injury have been described previously, but mechanisms have only partially characterized. For example, it is known that females develop alcoholic liver injury more rapidly and to a greater extent than males. It now appears that estrogen participates in several aspects of this phenomenon. On the other hand, attention has been directed towards the effect of ethanol ingestion on Kupffer cell function, which is stimulated by gut-derived endotoxins via mechanisms dependent on increased gut permeability and the possible relationship between Kupffer cell and alcohol-induced liver injury.     

Association between maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein levels in 8‐year‐old children: The Yamanashi Adjunct Study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS)

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy‐related complications; it is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic disorders in offspring, consistent with the concept of the developmental origins of health and disease. This cohort study of women without diabetes (n = 761), who were part of the Yamanashi Adjunct Study of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, aimed to explore the associations between maternal GDM and their offspring’s level of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP), a biomarker of inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. We analyzed the associations between GDM and the offspring’s hsCRP levels using a multiple logistic regression model. A mother with GDM significantly increased the risk for high hsCRP level by 4.07‐fold (≥2.0 mg/L) in the child. As such, maternal GDM was significantly associated with increased serum hsCRP levels in 8‐year‐old children.     

Diagnosis and treatment of pelvic lymph node metastasis in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: Bipedal lymphography and percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of pelvic lymph node was done in 200 patients with bladder cancer. RESULTS: A diagnosis of metastasis to the pelvic lymph node was obtained by this method in 34 patients. Of these 34 patients, only 12 (35%) were positive or suspected of having pelvic lymph node metastasis by computed tomography. Sixteen patients (47%) had unequivocally positive or highly suspicious lymphogram and 18 patients (53%) had normal lymphogram. Seventy-eight cases, including eight FNAB-positive cases, were treated by radical cystectomy and regional lymph node dissection. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of FNAB were 57, 100, 100 and 91%, respectively. Thirteen FNAB-positive M0 patients could be treated by multimodality therapy and evaluated after neoadjuvant therapy by repeated lymphography and FNAB. All were changed to N0 by FNAB after neoadjuvant therapy. In eight patients treated by total cystectomy and lymph node dissection, four had down staged to pN0 but four had one positive node. In five follow-up cases without surgery, one had recurrent pelvic lymph node metastasis 35 months later. Cause-specific survival of these patients was 76% at 5 years and 57% at 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment diagnosis of pelvic lymph node metastasis and multimodality therapy may improve the prognosis of regional lymph node-positive bladder cancer. Because it is difficult to diagnose pN1 using FNAB, radical operation should be performed even if neoadjuvant therapy is effective and down staging is obtained.     

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting using the gastroepiploic artery for reoperation after the cabrol procedure

Obstruction of the right coronary ostial anastomosis is a rare late complication after composite graft replacement of the ascending aorta and the aortic valve with separate Dacron coronary grafts (Cabrol method). Occlusion at the right coronary ostial anastomosis in a 36-year-old woman with aortitis syndrome who underwent a composite graft with a Dacron coronary graft is described. She underwent a third successful operation for right coronary reconstruction by minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting technique using the right gastroepiploic artery. This approach is likely to be extremely useful in avoiding resternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass in patients requiring coronary reoperation.