Kidney dysfunction induced by protein overload nephropathy reduces serum sulfatide levels in mice

We recently proposed serum sulfatides as a novel biomarker for cardiovascular disease in patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF), based on the possible antithrombotic properties of this molecule. In this earlier study, the level of serum sulfatides was gradually decreased in parallel with kidney dysfunction; however the precise mechanism underlying this decrease was unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the decrease in serum sulfatide levels caused by kidney dysfunction in an experimental animal model. To produce a kidney dysfunction animal model, we prepared a mouse model of protein overload nephropathy. Using high-throughput analysis combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry, we measured the levels of sulfatides in the sera, livers, small intestines and kidneys of protein overload nephropathy mice. As the disease progressed, the levels of sulfatides in sera decreased. Also, the levels in livers and small intestines decreased in a similar manner to those in sera, to approximately 60% of the original levels. On the contrary, those in kidneys increased by approximately 1.4-fold. Our results indicate that kidney dysfunction affects the levels of sulfatides in lipoprotein-producing organs, such as livers and small intestines, and lowers the levels of sulfatides in sera.     

Sarcomatoid transitional cell carcinoma originating from a duplicated renal pelvis

A case of sarcomatoid transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis is reported. It was distinguished from carcinosarcoma by immunohistochemical study. The tumor was difficult to distinguish from a renal parenchymal tumor in imaging studies because it originated from a duplicated renal pelvis.     

Clinical Structural Anatomy of the Inferior Pyramidal Space Reconstructed Within the Cardiac Contour Using Multidetector‐Row Computed Tomography

Although many studies have described the detailed anatomy of the inferior pyramidal space, it may not be easy for cardiologists who have few chances to study cadaveric hearts to understand the correct morphology of the structure. The inferior pyramidal space is the part of extracardiac fibro‐adipose tissue wedging between the 4 cardiac chambers from the diaphragmatic surface of the heart. Many cardiologists have interests in pericardial adipose tissue, but the inferior pyramidal space seems to have been neglected. A number of important structures, including the coronary sinus, atrioventricular node, atrioventricular nodal artery, membranous septum, muscular atrioventricular sandwich (previously called the “muscular atrioventricular septum”), atrial septum, ventricular septum, aortic valvar complex, mitral valvar attachment, and tricuspid valvar attachment are associated with the inferior pyramidal space. We previously revealed its 3‐dimensional live anatomy using multidetector‐row computed tomography. Moreover, the 3‐dimensional understanding of the anatomy in association with the cardiac contour is important from the viewpoints of clinical cardiac electrophysiology. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate extended findings regarding the clinical structural anatomy of the inferior pyramidal space, which was reconstructed in combination with the cardiac contour using multidetector‐row computed tomography, and discuss the clinical implications of the findings.     

Pacemaker Syndrome Induced by the Mode Switching Algorithm of a DDDR Pacemaker

A patient with marked first-degree AV block and a DDDR pacemaker presented with a history of paroxysmal narrow QRS tachycardia, subsequently identified as sinus tachycardia (with a very long PR interval), causing a clinical problem similar to pacemaker syndrome because of loss of AV synchrony. The latter resulted from an excessively long postventricular atrial refractory period (PVARP) that prevented sensing of sinus P waves. The unfavorable hemodynamics caused reflex sinus tachycardia. The long PVARP was mandated by the mode switching algorithm of this particular device and was automatically set according to the selected tachycardia detection rate. The patient became asymptomatic when the mode switching function was turned off and the PVARP shortened.     

Comparative Efficacy of Subcutaneous Mesh and Plate Electrodes for Nonthoracotomy Canine Defibrillation

To determine the optimal configuration for the subcutaneous placement of electrodes for the performance of ventricular defibrillation without thoracotomy, internal defibrillation using four different subcutaneous electrodes was performed in 13 anesthetized dogs (7-12 Kg, mean +/- SD: 9.2 +/- 1.5 Kg). An electrode (7 cm2) was positioned transvenously in the superior vena cava with the following electrodes randomly implanted subcutaneously on the left chest: small mesh electrode (14 cm2), large mesh electrode (28 cm2), small titanium plate electrode (14 cm2), and large plate electrode (28 cm2). Ventricular fibrillation was induced by applying alternating current; a monophasic defibrillation wave was administered between the superior vena cava and the subcutaneous electrodes 10 seconds later. The energy level associated with a 50% successful defibrillation, as predicted by logistic regression analysis, was defined as the ED50. After the completion of the defibrillation protocol using the four subcutaneous electrodes, the small mesh electrode was sutured to the epicardium and the ED50 measurements were repeated. Energy ED50s were lower when the superior vena cava electrode was used as the cathode rather than as the anode. Of the subcutaneous electrodes, the large plate electrode showed the lowest energy ED50 (3.3 +/- 0.9 joules). The plate electrodes had lower energy ED50s than the mesh electrodes, and the large electrode had a lower energy ED50 than the small electrodes. Using the epicardium electrode, transient arrhythmias and ST elevation were observed following successful defibrillation; however, no arrhythmias or ST-T changes were observed following defibrillation using the subcutaneous electrodes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Comparison of two in vivo models for prostate cancer: Orthotopic and intratesticular inoculation of LNCaP or PC-3 cells

BACKGROUND: The critical events in the clinical course of prostate cancer are the occurrence of metastasis and the induction of the hormone-refractory status of the disease. In order to investigate the factors responsible for these events, we need appropriate in vivo models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Orthotopic and intratesticular models were created by the injection of LNCaP cells or PC-3 cells into the prostate or testis of severe combined immunodeficient mice. RESULTS: LNCaP cells in the intratesticular model showed a higher incidence of tumor formation and lymph node metastasis when compared with those in the orthotopic model, while PC-3 cells were highly tumorigenic and metastastic in both models. A high concentration of androgens might play a role in tumor aggressiveness of LNCaP cells, given that enhanced mRNA expressions of integrin alphaV and vascular endothelial growth factor was induced by dehydrotestosterone administration in vitro. The high expression of metastasis-related genes, including the urokinase plasminogen activator system, metalloproteinases and vascular endothelial growth factor-C, might be attributed to the high metastatic potential in both models. Interestingly, testicular xenografts of LNCaP cells were able to survive on the subcutis back of castrated male mice as well female mice. CONCLUSIONS: Intratesticular models of prostate cancer appear to be suitable for studying the mechanisms of metastasis and for evaluating various treatment strategies.     

Intestinal-type mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from the prostatic duct

We present a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of intestinal type arising from the prostatic duct in a 72-year-old Japanese man. The patient presented with macroscopic hematuria. Cystourethroscopy exhibited a mucus deposit at the 5 o'clock position of the verumontanum portion. A transurethral biopsy specimen revealed mucinous adenocarcinoma. A radical retropubic prostatectomy was performed. In the prostatectomy specimen, the cancer lesion mainly showed intraductal growth in the prostatic ducts with scattered mucin lakes in the prostatic stroma. There were no abnormalities in the urethral epithelium. The cancer cells resembled the intestinal epithelium rather than either the prostatic duct or the acinar epithelium, which showed diffusely positive immunohistochemical staining for carcinoembryonic antigen, but showed negative staining for prostate-specific antigen. Therefore, these findings suggest mucinous adenocarcinoma of intestinal type arising from the prostatic duct. A number of cases with mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from the prostatic urethra resembling the present case have been reported, but this is the first known case of carcinoma arising from the prostatic duct.