Clinicopathological features of in situ follicular neoplasm and relations with follicular lymphoma in Japan

Annals of Hematology - This study aims to investigate the clinicopathological features of in situ follicular neoplasm (ISFN) in Japan. ISFN is a rare condition formerly considered as an early...     

Saturated Salt Solution Method: A Useful Cadaver Embalming for Surgical Skills Training

This article evaluates the suitability of cadavers embalmed by the saturated salt solution (SSS) method for surgical skills training (SST).SST courses using cadavers have been performed to advance a surgeon''s techniques without any risk to patients. One important factor for improving SST is the suitability of specimens, which depends on the embalming method. In addition, the infectious risk and cost involved in using cadavers are problems that need to be solved.Six cadavers were embalmed by 3 methods: formalin solution, Thiel solution (TS), and SSS methods. Bacterial and fungal culture tests and measurement of ranges of motion were conducted for each cadaver. Fourteen surgeons evaluated the 3 embalming methods and 9 SST instructors (7 trauma surgeons and 2 orthopedists) operated the cadavers by 21 procedures. In addition, ultrasonography, central venous catheterization, and incision with cauterization followed by autosuture stapling were performed in some cadavers.The SSS method had a sufficient antibiotic effect and produced cadavers with flexible joints and a high tissue quality suitable for SST. The surgeons evaluated the cadavers embalmed by the SSS method to be highly equal to those embalmed by the TS method. Ultrasound images were clear in the cadavers embalmed by both the methods. Central venous catheterization could be performed in a cadaver embalmed by the SSS method and then be affirmed by x-ray. Lungs and intestines could be incised with cauterization and autosuture stapling in the cadavers embalmed by TS and SSS methods.Cadavers embalmed by the SSS method are sufficiently useful for SST. This method is simple, carries a low infectious risk, and is relatively of low cost, enabling a wider use of cadavers for SST.     

Dose dependency of γ-H2AX formation in the rat urinary bladder treated with genotoxic and nongenotoxic bladder carcinogens

We previously reported that immunostaining for γ-H2AX, a biomarker of DNA damage, in the rat urinary bladder is useful for early detection of bladder carcinogens in 28-day toxicity studies. Here, we aimed to examine the dose dependency of γ-H2AX formation in the urinary bladder of rats. Male F344 rats (aged 6 weeks) were orally administered N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN; 0%, 0.0001%, 0.001%, 0.01%, 0.02%, or 0.05% in drinking water), a genotoxic bladder carcinogen, and melamine (0%, 0.3%, 1.0%, or 3.0% in the diet), a nongenotoxic bladder carcinogen, for 2 days or 4 weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that γ-H2AX- and Ki67-positive epithelial cells in the bladder urothelium were significantly increased, with a clear dose dependency, in both BBN- and melamine-treated groups. Additionally, γ-H2AX formation was detected from the lower-dose group, without increased Ki67 expression or histopathologic findings. The ratios of γ-H2AX-positive cells at week 4 in both BBN- and melamine-treated groups were higher than those on day 2, indicating the time-dependent increase in γ-H2AX formation. Immunofluorescence double-staining revealed that γ-H2AX single-positive cells without Ki67 expression were often found in the urothelium of BBN-treated rats, whereas most γ-H2AX-positive cells were Ki67-positive in the melamine group. Our results demonstrated that γ-H2AX formation in the urinary bladder increased in a clear dose-dependent manner and that γ-H2AX immunostaining has the potential to detect bladder carcinogens after a 2-day administration. Furthermore, the association of genotoxic mechanisms in bladder carcinogenesis could be determined by analyzing the colocalization of γ-H2AX and Ki67 in the urothelium.     

Impaired myocardial perfusion reserve in patients with Fatty liver disease assessed by quantitative myocardial perfusion magnetic resonance imaging

Background:?The purpose of this study was to determine whether the presence of fatty liver is associated with an alteration in myocardial perfusion reserve (MPR). Methods and Results:?A retrospective analysis of 65 asymptomatic subjects who underwent both plain abdominal computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and who had normal left ventricular wall motion, no regional myocardial ischemia and no myocardial scar on MRI was performed. Stress and rest myocardial perfusion MRI were analyzed by Patlak plot method to quantify myocardial blood flow (MBF) and MPR in 16 myocardial segments. Fatty liver was detected in 18 (28%) of the 65 subjects. No significant difference was found in rest-MBF between subjects with and without fatty liver (1.2±0.75 vs. 1.1±0.67ml·min(-1)·g(-1), P=0.59). However, MPR was significantly lower in subjects with fatty liver than the non-fatty liver subjects (2.3±0.74 vs. 3.3±1.4, P<0.001). Subjects with fatty liver had a higher prevalence of MPR <2.5 (78% vs. 38%, P<0.005) and higher triglyceride levels (206±61 vs. 92±37mg/dl, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed the presence of fatty liver as a significant predictor of reduced MPR with an odds ratio of 8.2 (P<0.01). Conclusions:?Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is related to reduced MPR, suggesting impaired coronary microcirculation. (Circ J?2012; 76: 2234-2240).     

ADAMTS13 activity may predict the cumulative survival of patients with liver cirrhosis in comparison with the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score

Aim: Decreased plasma ADAMTS13 activity (ADAMTS13:AC) results in accumulation of unusually large von Willebrand factor multimers and platelet thrombi formation. Our aim was to evaluate whether ADAMTS13:AC is a prognostic marker in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Plasma ADAMTS13:AC and its related parameters were examined in 108 cirrhotic patients. Results: ADAMTS13:AC decreased as the severity of liver disease increased (means: controls 100%, Child A‐cirrhotics 79%, Child B‐cirrhotics 63%, and Child C‐cirrhotics 31%). ADAMTS13:AC markedly decreased in the cirrhotics with hepatorenal syndrome, refractory ascites and hepatic encephalopathy. The cumulative survival time was the shortest (median: 4.5 months) in the cirrhotics with severe to moderate ADAMTS13:AC deficiency (<3–25%), followed by those with mild ADAMTS13:AC deficiency (25–50%), and was the longest in those with normal activity (>50%). In contrast, based on the Child‐Turcotte‐Pugh (CTP) score, Child C‐cirrhotics had the worst survival, but the survival probabilities did not differ between Child A and B cirrhotics. Based on the Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, the survival was the worst for the cirrhotics in the fourth quartile, but it was not different among cirrhotics in the first three quartiles. Cox proportional‐hazards regression analysis showed that ADAMTS13:AC and serum albumin were independent factors affecting the survival. Conclusions: ADAMTS13:AC concomitantly decreases as the functional liver capacity decreases. This activity may be a useful prognostic marker that is equal or superior to the CTP score and the MELD score to predict not only the short‐term prognosis but also the long‐term survival of the cirrhotic patients.     

Use of on-site immunoassay devices to screen urine absorbed in disposable diapers for methamphetamine: a preliminary study with artificial urine

The aim of this preliminary study was to establish a simple, rapid method for recovering urine absorbed in disposable diapers in order to test for methamphetamine (MAP) using the Instant-View™ M-1 and Triage^? DOA on-site immunoassay devices. A 4-ml aliquot of drug-free artificial urine was absorbed into a disposable diaper (Pampers^?) that had been cut into 3 × 3 cm pieces. Further addition of 4 ml of saturated KCl solution to the piece of diaper led to the recovery of substantial amounts (c.a. 2 ml) of fluid sample within 3–5 min. After diluting recovered fluids two-fold with distilled water, both immunoassays showed all samples were negative for all drug classes. After absorption of artificial urine containing 500–5,000 ng/ml of MAP in similar-sized pieces of diaper using the identical processing method, positive results were observed with Instant-View™ M-1 for artificial urine containing 2,000 ng/ml or more of MAP and with Triage^? DOA for urine containing 4,000 ng/ml or more of MAP. Diapers dosed with artificial urine containing 500, 2,500, and 5,000 ng/ml of MAP were further examined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, with recoveries of MAP of 98.6 ± 36.7 % (n = 6), 115 ± 22.4 % (n = 6), and 102 ± 15.1 % (n = 6), respectively. Use of this new sample preparation method may be applicable for analyzing infant urine absorbed in disposable diapers. Additionally, the sensitivity of the method along with the availability of Instant-View™ M-1 screening suggests the potential usefulness of this technique in clinical settings.