VEMP recording by binaural simultaneous stimulation in subjects with vestibulo-cochlear disorders

To reduce the testing time of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) and the physical efforts of subjects, we studied if VEMP recording by binaural simultaneous stimulation in patients with vestibulo-cochlear disorders can be applicable as a screening test. Twenty-eight patients with vestibulo-cochlear disorders (12 men and 16 women, 22 to 77 years of age) were enrolled in this study. Patients were presented with binaural or monaural click (95 dBnHL) stimulation to record VEMPs. Their VEMP responses to binaural simultaneous stimulation were compared with those of monaural individual stimulation. Twenty-six of the 28 patients (93%) showed the same results in binaural simultaneous stimulation as in monaural individual stimulation. Amplitudes of p13-n23 to binaural simultaneous stimulation showed significant correlation to those of monaural individual stimulation ( r =0.774, P <0.0001 t -test). Peak latencies of p13 and n23 of binaural simultaneous stimulation also showed significant correlation to those of monaural individual stimulation (p13: r =0.684, P <0.0001 t -test, n23: r =0.657, P <0.0001 t -test). The binaural simultaneous stimulation method for VEMP recording is applicable for patients with vestibulo-cochlear disorders as a screening test in the clinic.     

Superselective intraarterial chemotherapy using low dose CBDCA and Pirarubicin with concurrent radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

To study the effects of superselective intraarterial chemotherapy with low-dose CBDCA, Pirarubicin, and concurrent radiotherapy on head and neck cancer, we compared primary cancer response and histopathological effective grades in 66 patients (more than T2) divided into radical and preoperative radiotherapy groups. The radical group (n=33) showed a 75.7% response in primary cancer, i.e. 54.5% complete remission and 21.2% partial remission. The preoperative group (n = 33) showed 39.4% complete remission when the histopathological effective grade was higher, and 57.6% partial remission when the grade was lower. Cancer response was better in the oral cavity, mesopharynx, and hypopharynx than in the parasinus. In the preoperative group, 5-year overall survival was 84.4% when the effective grade was higher, and 29.4% when the grade was lower. Survival differed significantly (P<0.01) between higher and lower grades. Additional postoperative therapy is thus essential in patients with lower grades of histopathological effectiveness.     

Primary culture of human bladder carcinomas and establishment of human bladder carcinoma cell line by serum-free culture

It was possible to cultivate cells from bladder carcinoma tissues in 4 cases out of 6 without the overgrowth of fibroblast. A new human transitional cell carcinoma cell line (HAMT-1) was established in longterm tissue culture by using serum-free medium (BEM-841) which had been developed by us. The tissue for culture was taken from a 61-year-old Japanese male with grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The microscopic features of the cell in cultures and of the tumors developed in nude mice resembled closely that of the original tumor. Electron microscopy of the cultured cells and the tumors developed in nude mice revealed characteristics of the epithelial origin of these cells with microvilli, junctional complex and scarce filament formation. Blood TPA level of the nude mouse with the transplanted tumor was equally high as that of the patient from whom the original tumor had been taken. The cells were anchorage independent in the serum-free medium but anchorage dependent in the medium containing 5% FCS. Anchorage dependency could not be restored by the addition of collagen and fibronectin. The doubling time of the cells were 18-20 hours. The chromosome counts of the cell line ranged from 59-78 with a modal count of 74.     

Factors influencing the prognosis of grade 1 renal cell carcinoma

Between 1960 and 1988, 65 patients with grade 1 renal cell carcinoma were nephrectomized in our institutions. To delineate potentially curable cancer, the host and tumor factors influencing the prognosis were analyzed. Factors that had unfavorable effects were the presence of tumor thrombi in renal veins, fever, and elevation of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum alpha 2-globulin and C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients who were under 39-years-old or with pT1-2a tumor had excellent prognosis. The ratio of tumor thrombi, pT, fever, ESR, serum alpha 2-globulin and CRP levels all increased with age. In conclusion, patients with normal levels of fever, ESR, serum alpha 2-globulin, CRP and no tumor thrombi and/or with pT1-2a tumor were considered to be the potentially curable cancer patients.     

Prevalence of disability in instrumental activities of daily living among elderly Japanese

The prevalence of disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was assessed for seven items of activity -- among them, using public transportation, using the telephone, and shopping -- in 7,735 elderly residents living in an urban Japanese community. The prevalence of disability generally was low (ranging from 6.1% in heating water to 15.9% in preparing meals), but increased significantly with age. The prevalence was higher, controlling by age, in females than in males, with the exception of preparing meals.     

The additive effect ofα-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) and radiation therapy on a rat glioma model

Summary The effects of -difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), radiation and the therapy of their combination were investigated in rats bearing G-XII glioma. DFMO treatment as well as radiation therapy prolonged the survival period when compared to the results in non-treated control rats. The combination therapy showed a greater effect on the survival rate than the single therapies, the effect being additive. The concentration of putrescine, spermidine, andN ¹-acetylspermidine in tumor tissues was lowered by DFMO, while that of spermine was slightly elevated. Radiation decreased the concentration of all the polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, spermine andN ¹-acetylspermidine. The concomitant treatment with DFMO and radiation further decreased the concentrations of putrescine andN ¹-acetylspermidine in tumor tissues. The survival period of glioma-bearing rats is inversely correlated with the tissue levels of putrescine plusN ¹-acetylspermidine.Abbreviations DFMO -difluoromethylornithine - BrdUrd bromodeoxyuridine