Hepatocyte growth inhibitory factor derived from HTLV-I(+) T cell lines: effect on the epidermal growth factor-dependent proliferation of rat hepatocytes

A human T cell leukemia virus-I infected T cell line, ATL-2, produces an interleukin-2 receptor inducing factor, adult T cell leukemia (ATL)-derived factor (ADF). In the conditioned medium (CM) of ATL-2, we found an inhibitory activity on the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-dependent proliferation of primary cultured rat hepatocytes, measured by cell number and [3H]thymidine incorporation. ATL-2 CM dose-dependently inhibited hepatocyte proliferation. This activity was fractionated by gel filtration at a molecular size of 15,000 to 40,000 and was tentatively called hepatocyte growth inhibitory factor (HGI). Further fractionation with the ion-exchange column indicated that HGI was separable from ADF. Nevertheless, there was a positive correlation between HGI and ADF production, because the HGI activity was also detected in the CM of another ADF producer cell line (HUT102), while no significant HGI activity was detected in the CM of low ADF producer cell lines, ED and MOLT4.     

Characterisation of [<Superscript>123</Superscript>I]iomazenil distribution in a rat model of focal cerebral ischaemia in relation to histopathological findings

Iodine-123 labelled iomazenil ([¹²³I]IMZ) has been reported to be a useful marker of neuronal viability. The brain distribution of [¹²³I]IMZ, however, has not been correlated with the pathophysiological response in detail after an ischaemic insult. To characterise [¹²³I]IMZ as a marker of neuronal viability, we compared its brain distribution with cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, DNA fragmentation and cellular integrity. [¹²³I]IMZ and [¹²⁵I]IMP were injected into rats with focal cerebral ischaemia for the purpose of dual-tracer autoradiography. COX-2 and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2, a marker of cellular integrity) were immunostained. In situ DNA polymerase-I-dependent dUTP incorporation into damaged DNA was used as an indicator of DNA fragmentation. Lesion to normal ratios (LNRs) for [¹²³I]IMP and [¹²⁵I]IMZ were calculated. [¹²³I]IMZ accumulation was preserved in several regions with impaired [¹²³I]IMP accumulation. COX-2 expression was occasionally observed, whereas neither DNA fragmentation nor MAP-2 denaturation was detected in these regions. DNA fragmentation and impaired MAP-2 immunostaining were observed only in the regions with reduced LNRs for both tracers. The LNR for [¹²³I]IMZ was significantly lower in regions with impaired MAP-2 immunostaining (0.120±0.152, P<0.0001), in regions positive for dUTP incorporation (0.488±0.166, P<0.0001) and in regions positive for COX-2 expression (0.626±0.186, P<0.001) than in histologically normal regions (0.784±0.213). Thus, neuronal DNA is still intact and cellular integrity is maintained in the ischaemic regions with preserved [¹²³I]IMZ accumulation. The impairment of [¹²³I]IMZ accumulation precedes DNA fragmentation and denaturation of cellular integrity. These results provide the molecular basis of [¹²³I]IMZ distribution.     

Recombination of a maternal pericentric inversion results in 22q13 deletion syndrome

We describe a 10-month-old boy with 22q13 deletion syndrome. Chromosomal analysis showed a partial duplication of 22p11.2-pter and a terminal deletion of 22q13.31-qter. Maternal chromosomal analysis showed a pericentric inversion of chromosome 22, with breakpoints at p11.2 and q13.31 [inv(22)(p11.2q13.31)]. The deleted chromosome resulted from a recombinant chromosome inherited from his mother. This is a rare case of 22q13 deletion syndrome associated with parental pericentric inversion of chromosome 22.     

Experience with endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy using needlescopic instruments in patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy using needlescopic instruments in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Five patients with breast cancer were treated by partial mastectomy and endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy. We evaluated the results of the surgical procedure and the postoperative course. RESULTS: In all the patients, endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy was performed successfully. The mean duration of the operation was 105.4 min, the mean blood loss 19.4 ml, and the mean number of dissected axillary lymph nodes 13. There were no intra- or postoperative complications. The mean amount of lymphorrhea was 131.2 ml, and the mean duration of drainage was 3.6 days. No postoperative analgesics were administered. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic axillary lymphadenectomy can be performed safely with needlescopic instruments, but further study is needed to establish this technique.     

Early gastric cancer located just above Dieulafoy's ulcer, with massive bleeding

In 2003, a 69-year-old man visited our emergency department because of hematemesis and anemia. Emergency gastroscopy revealed massive bleeding from Dieulafoy's ulcer in the upper body of the stomach. The arterial bleeding was successfully controlled by endoscopic clipping. Blood transfusion and a proton-pump inhibitor were administered and his condition recovered smoothly. Two weeks after the treatment, type IIa early gastric cancer was detected at the previous bleeding point by follow-up endoscopy. He underwent distal gastrectomy with systematic lymph node dissection (D2), and he had no sign of recurrence until 2005. Histopathological examination revealed an early gastric cancer with submucosal invasion located just above the Dieulafoy's disease. The characteristic finding of Dieulafoy's disease was an enlarged and tortuous artery arising from the subserosa, penetrating the muscle layer, and spreading in the submucosa. Abnormal Dieulafoy's artery coexisting with gastric cancer has been reported in only 17 cases until now. Our clinical and pathological findings led us to the following speculation on the pathogenesis in our patient. Repeated regeneration of the mucosal membrane would have been caused by circulatory disturbance in Dieulafoy's vessels. This regeneration and mucosal dysplasia may have been a factor in promoting the gastric cancer. In the previously reported cases of the coexistence of abnormal Dieulafoy's artery and gastric cancer, the initial gastroscopic examination rarely diagnosed the gastric cancer. Thus, follow-up gastroscopy is essential, so as not to miss such coexisting diseases.     

Liver transplantation for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in Australia

Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type 1 (FAP-1) is a type of systemic amyloidosis caused by mutant transthyretin (mTTR) that is mainly produced in the liver. Most patients have progressive peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Ten patients with FAP underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) at the Queensland Liver Transplant Service (Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia). Nine patients are still alive, and one patient died of cardiac failure 10 days after OLT. Some symptoms of FAP were alleviated in some of the patients. OLT seems to be a worthwhile treatment for FAP, because it halts the progression of symptoms and achieves improvement in some patients. Received for publication on July 15, 1999; accepted on April 14, 2000     

Technical report: a technique of rapidly re-establishing a pneumoperitoneum with use of a wound protector during laparoscopic-assisted surgery

The authors described a technique of rapidly reestablishing a pneumoperitoneum after laparoscopically assisted surgery by pulling up and clamping the edge of the wound protector. Our laparoscopic assisted surgical technique for the digestive tract is useful and easy to perform without using special devices.