The mechanism of action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on tumor vascularity--study using a transparent chamber

Effects of human recombinant TNF on the tumor blood vessels and on the thrombus formation were investigated in relation to its mode of antitumor action against Meth-A sarcoma transplanted in BALB/c mice. The extent of the blood vessel lesion was evaluated by using transparent chamber placed in the mouse skin. Bleeding, hyperemia and congestion were observed at 1-2h, 4-6h and 24h after TNF (1 X 10(4)U/mouse) administration, respectively. In contrast, no histological changes in the normal blood vessels were observed microscopically following TNF injection. Thrombus formation was evoked in the tumor vessels 4h after TNF injection. However, when thrombus formation was prevented by heparin, no difference was observed among antitumor action of TNF against Meth-A fibrosarcoma necrotic response and the rate of complete cure. These results suggest that the direct effects of TNF causing lesions in the tumor blood vessels plays an important role in its antitumor action.     

St. Jude Medical valve replacement: clinical experience with 1,039 patients

St. Jude Medical valve replacement was performed in 1,039 patients; 320 had aortic (AVR), 543 mitral (MVR), and 176 had double valve replacement (DVR). There were 44(4.2%) early deaths. Follow-up extended in 995 patients from 10 to 130 months, with a cumulative period of 2,730 patients-years. The overall survival rates of AVR, MVR, and DVR patients at 10 years were 60.5%, 89.6%, 90.3% respectively. The linearized incidences of valve thrombosis, thromboembolism, anticoagulation-related hemorrhage, prosthetic valve endocarditis, and significant hemolysis were as follows: 0.11%/pt-yr, 1.33%/pt-yr, 0.04%/pt-yr, 0.18%/pt-yr, and 0.11%/pt-yr, respectively. There were no structural failure after 10 years follow-up. Reoperation (explant and re-replacement or suture repair) was required in 10 patients. Seven of them had periprosthetic leakage, 2 had valve thrombosis, and one underwent reoperation because of a technical error. Actuarially over 98% of patients were free of valve-related mortality at 10 years. St. Jude Medical valve is an excellent alternative for use in the surgical treatment of valvular heart disease.     

Case of severe ulcerative colitis successfully treated with intravenous cyclosporine without high dose corticosteroid]

A 44-year-old women developed marked myopathy one year earlier, when she was treated with intravenous prednisolone for acute severe exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. When she was admitted to our hospital for another severe exacerbation, intravenous cyclosporine A was administered as monotherapy because she could not tolerate corticosteroid. The treatment was successful and she obtained complete remission. Cyclosporine A monotherapy is considered to be a valuable alternative to proctocolectomy for severe ulcerative colitis patients who cannot tolerate corticosteroid.     

Influences of angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis on cancerous invasion in experimentally induced tongue carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although it is clear that dissemination via the blood system involves angiogenesis, it is uncertain whether tumors also induce lymphangiogenesis or simply invade existing peritumoral vessels. The purpose of this study was to elucidate changes in tumor blood and lymph vessels in cases involving the invasion of squamous cell carcinoma in the oral cavity, and its significance. Blood and lymph vessels densities in tongue carcinomas induced in hamsters were investigated. METHODS: Tongue cancer was induced by abrading the right margin of the tongue of each hamster with an endodontic barbed broach and subsequently applying 1.0% 9,10-dimenthl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) dissolved in acetone, three times a week, at the same site. Fresh frozen sections were prepared and blood vessels stained blue by perfusion with Coomassie Brilliant Blue and lymph vessels stained brown for 5'-nucleotidase. The effects on the blood vessels and lymph vessels were observed. RESULTS: The results showed that blood and lymph vessel densities were greater in the advanced carcinoma tissues than in normal tissue. These were compared in terms of the mode of cancer invasion. As tumor invasion progressed, the blood vessel density decreased but lymph vessel density tended to be higher in high-degree tumor invasion than in low-degree tumor invasion. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C was seen more frequently as tumor invasion progressed. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicated that angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are affected by cancerous invasion.