Role of cyclin E and p53 expression in progression of early gastric cancer

Background. To elucidate the role that cyclin E overexpression plays in the progression of early gastric cancer, we examined the expression of cyclin E and p53, as abnormal p53 expression is linked with cyclin E overexpression in exerting adverse affects on the cell cycle. Methods. Specimens from 108 early gastric cancers were stained by an immunohistochemical method, using anti-cyclin E and anti-p53 antibodies. Results. The positivity rate of cyclin E expression in early gastric cancer was 33% (36/108). Cyclin E-positive tumors invaded more deeply (P < 0.05), infiltrated lymphatic vessels more frequently (P < 0.01), showed a higher incidence of differentiated cancer (P < 0.01), and more often expressed p53 (P < 0.01) than cyclin E-negative tumors. Differentiated cancers showing coexpression of cyclin E and p53 were more likely to metastasize to the lymph nodes. Conclusions. Overexpression of cyclin E may promote the progression of early gastric cancer. Received for publication on Apr. 27, 1998; accepted on Nov. 17, 1998     

Pronounced synergistic promotion of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine-initiated thyroid tumorigenesis in rats treated with excess soybean and iodine-deficient diets.

We have reported that excess soybean treatment and iodine deficiency synergistically interact, resulting in remarkable induction of thyroid hyperplasias in rats. In the present study, modifying effects of excess soybean and iodine-deficient diets were investigated in the post-initiation phase of N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine [DHPN]-initiated thyroid tumorigenesis in rats. AIN-93G in which casein was replaced with gluten was used as a basal diet to avoid possible iodine contamination. In Experiment 1, F-344 rats of both sexes were sc injected with DHPN at a dose of 2800 mg/kg body weight and then fed a diet containing 0%, 0.8%, 4%, or 20% defatted soybean for 12 weeks, with proportional replacement of gluten by soybean flour. Although no thyroid proliferative lesions were found in any group, the absolute thyroid weights were significantly (p < 0.01) elevated with the 20% soybean treatment. In Experiment 2, after similar sc injection of DHPN, rats were fed a basal diet or a diet containing 20% soybean under iodine normal or deficient conditions for 12 weeks. Soybean feeding to both sexes under iodine deficient but not normal conditions dramatically enhanced the development of thyroid follicular adenomas (p < 0.01) and adenocarcinomas (p < 0.05), in good agreement with decrease in thyroxine and increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone. Thus co-exposure to excess soybean and iodine deficiency results in synergistic promotion of DHPN-initiated thyroid tumorigenesis in rats, of which mechanisms appear to primarily involve effects on serum hormone levels.     

A Novel Characterization Method for Graft‐Polymer Structures Chemically Attached on Thermally Stable Polymer Films

Most polymer grafts in grafted polymer films obtained by radiation‐induced solid graft polymerization are not analyzed in detail due to difficulties in isolation of the grafts without structural decomposition. Herein, a novel structural and molecular weight characterization method is reported for polymer grafts that are chemically attached to thermally and chemically stable polymer substrates, based on a swelling‐induced graft detachment in hot water. Polymer grafts prepared by the radiation‐induced polymerization of alkyl acrylate into poly(ethylene‐co‐tetrafluoroethylene) (ETFE) followed by a sulfonation reaction are found to have a ternary copolymer structure whose monomer units contain –COOH or –SO₃H groups, or both.     

Extraocular sebaceous carcinoma accompanied by invasive squamous cell carcinoma: The first case report and consideration of histogenesis

A 61‐year‐old man presented with a dome‐shaped nodule, 1.2 cm in size, with a central crater covered by keratinous material near the left lateral malleolus. Histological findings demonstrated a basophilic circular cone in the center, surrounded and sharply demarcated by a broad eosinophilic area. The central conical mass was composed mainly of atypical basaloid cells intermingled with scattered atypical sebaceous cells with scalloped nuclei and microvesicular cytoplasms, suggesting sebaceous carcinoma. The peripheral area consisted of atypical keratinizing squamoid cells without sebaceous cells, suggesting invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Atypical sebaceous cells were positive for adipophilin. Atypical basaloid cells were positive for 34βE12 and CAM5.2. Peripheral squamoid cells were positive for 34βB4 and 34βE12 throughout, and were positive for LHP1 in the superficial layer. We herein describe the first case of extraocular sebaceous carcinoma accompanied by invasive squamous cell carcinoma, which might have arisen from biphasic differentiation of cancer stem cells.     

Diet modification and its influence on metabolic and related pathological alterations in the SHR/NDmcr-cp rat,an animal model of the metabolic syndrome

SHR/NDmcr-cp (SHR/NDcp) rats, which carry a nonsense mutation of the leptin receptor gene, are known to spontaneously develop hypertension, obesity and hyperlipidemia, and have therefore found use as an animal model of the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. However, some recent studies on SHR/NDcp rats revealed only mild elevation of blood glucose levels. To investigate whether metabolic factors including blood glucose and histopathological alterations of SHR/NDcp rats deteriorate with a diabetogenic diet, biochemical and histopathological examinations were conducted with animals fed normal or diabetogenic diets for 20 weeks. SHR/NDcp rats receiving the normal diet displayed obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and mild elevation of blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Urinary glucose excretion was noted in only 1 out of 6 animals. Histologically, macro- and micro-vesicular steatosis in the liver, glomerular and tubular damages in the kidney and islet hyperplasia mainly of beta cells in the pancreas were characteristically noted. In SHR/NDcp rats fed the diabetogenic diet, obesity was more severe, with higher blood glucose and HbA1c levels, increased numbers of animals with urinary glucose excretion, and more pronounced hepatic steatosis and renal tubular changes. However, elevation of blood glucose levels and urinary glucose excretion proved transient. These observations indicate that the diabetic state and associated histopathological alterations in SHR/NDcp rats are exacerbated by feeding a diabetogenic diet, but the effects are limited. Elevated islet function with compensative insulin secretion might be related to amelioration of the hyperglycemic state. Further diet modification could be needed to induce a more prominent and persistent diabetic state in SHR/NDcp rats.     

The dosimetric impact of respiratory breast movement and daily setup error on tangential whole breast irradiation using conventional wedge,field-in-field and irregular surface compensator techniques

To evaluate the dosimetric impact of respiratory breast motion and daily setup error on whole breast irradiation (WBI) using three irradiation techniques; conventional wedge (CW), field-in-field (FIF) and irregular surface compensator (ISC). WBI was planned for 16 breast cancer patients. The dose indices for evaluated clinical target volume (CTV_evl), lung, and body were evaluated. For the anterior-posterior (AP) respiratory motion and setup error of a single fraction, the isocenter was moved according to a sine function, and the dose indices were averaged over one period. Furthermore, the dose indices were weighted according to setup error frequencies that have a normal distribution to model systematic and random setup error for the entire treatment course. In all irradiation techniques, AP movement has a significant impact on dose distribution. CTV_evlD₉₅ (the minimum relative dose that covers 95 % volume) and V₉₅ (the relative volume receiving 95 % of the prescribed dose) were observed to significantly decrease from the original ISC plan when simulated for the entire treatment course. In contrast, the D₉₅, V₉₅ and dose homogeneity index did not significantly differ from those of the original plans for FIF and CW. With regard to lung dose, the effect of motion was very similar among all three techniques. The dosimetric impact of AP respiratory breast motion and setup error was largest for the ISC technique, and the second greatest effect was observed with the FIF technique. However, these variations are relatively small.     

Blepharoptosis in association with ipsilateral adduction and elevation palsy A form of fascicular oculomotor palsy

A 16-year-old girl hospitalized with a sudden onset of blepharoptosis and diplopia revealed a combined paresis of the elevator palpebrae, the superior rectus, and the medial rectus muscles of the left eye as quantitatively demonstrated by the Hess chart and levator action test. A small midbrain lesion confined to the left cerebral peduncle and tegmentum, presumably by an ischemic or demyelinative process, was identified on magnetic resonance imaging. Despite uncertainty in its pathology, the incomplete oculomotor palsy of this case is certainly a consequence of oculomotor fascicular involvement in the intra-axial nerve root which initially fans out and then converges into the peripheral compact bundle. We speculate on the revised version of the oculomotor fascicular arrangements by which the neurophthalmologic features of the current case are better explained.     

Association of Eating Alone With Depression Among Older Adults Living Alone: Role of Poor Social Networks

ObjectivesEating alone is associated with an increased risk of depression symptoms. This association may be confounded by poor social networks. The present study aimed to determine the role of poor social networks in the association of eating alone with depression symptoms, focusing on cohabitation status.MethodsSeven hundred and ten community-dwelling older adults were categorized according to their eating style and social network size, evaluated using an abbreviated version of the Lubben Social Network Scale, with poor social network size (defined as the lowest quartile). Living arrangements and depression symptoms, detected using the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, were also assessed.ResultsA mixed-design two-way analysis of covariance (eating style and social network size factors) for the depression scale score, adjusted by covariates, yielded significant effects of social network size and eating style without interaction. Greater depression scores were observed in eating alone and poor social network size. Analysis of participants living with others showed the same results. However, among older adults living alone, only a significant main effect of social network size was observed; poor social network size resulted in greater depression scores irrespective of eating style.ConclusionsPoor social network size, and not eating alone, was associated with greater depression symptoms among older adults living alone, whereas both factors may increase depression symptoms among older adults living with others. Poor social network size may show a stronger influence on depression than eating alone in older adults living alone; thus, social network size is an important health indicator.Key words: eating alone, social network, living alone, depression, older adults