Malignant phyllodes tumour with a noninvasive ductal carcinoma component

 A malignant phyllodes tumour with a noninvasive ductal carcinoma component is reported. The patient was an 80-year-old Japanese woman with a breast tumour detected by routine physical examination. A simple mastectomy was performed. The excised tumour was 10.5×9.4×5.4 cm in size and bulged into the skin with ulceration. The macroscopic appearance was that of a phyllodes tumour. Histologically the tumour consisted mainly of stromal components with a leaf-like structure lined by atypical ductal epithelium. The epithelial component showed gradual evolution to intraductal papillary carcinoma in a few areas. The stromal component was composed mainly of fibrosarcoma with areas of osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Neither stromal invasion of intraductal carcinoma nor transition between the stromal and epithelial elements was seen. Three months after the operation, death occurred, with multiple pulmonary and subcutaneous metastases. This case probably represents malignant change in both the stromal and the epithelial components of a phyllodes tumour. Since the two elements were independent, the possibility that a phyllodes tumour may be one of the origins of true carcinosarcoma is raised. Received: 11 March 1997 / Accepted: 5 May 1997     

The inhibitory effect of oxatomide, an anti-allergic agent, on eosinophil-mediated and eosinophilic cell line-mediated natural cytotoxicity against bronchial epithelial cells

Recently, eosinophils have been implicated as inflammatory effector cells in allergic and inflammatory reactions such as bronchial asthma. In this study eosinophil-mediated and eosinophilic cell line-mediated natural cytotoxicity against bronchial epithelial cells and the effects of oxatomide, an anti-allergic agent, on their cytotoxicity were investigated. Treatment with oxatomide diminished both eosinophil-mediated and eosinophilic cell line-mediated natural cytotoxicity in vitro. We concluded from these results that oxatomide not only has anti-allergic activity but also anti-inflammatory properties for eosinophils. In addition this method for isolating eosinophils seems to well serve the purpose of evaluating eosinophil function as in this investigation, as we have reported previously.     

Sebaceous Gland and Sweat Gland Carcinomas of the Skin Clinicopathological Study and Significance of c-erbB-2 Oncoprotein Expression

Thirteen sebaceous gland carcinomas and 10 sweat gland carcinomas were examined to elucidate any important histological parameters influencing their prognosis, and the relationship between immunohistochemical expressions of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and survival of the patients was analyzed. Sebaceous gland carcinomas with vacuolated cytoplasm in more than 50% of whole tumor area, with necrosis, and without lymphoid cell infiltration in tumor nests and stroma had a higher incidence of tumor recurrence and tumor-related death than tumors with vacuolated cytoplasm in 50% or less of whole tumor area (p < 0.01), without necrosis, and with lymphoid cell infiltration in tumor nest and stroma (p < 0.05). Sweat gland carcinomas of all cases with fatal outcomes demonstrated tubular differentiation in 20% or less of whole tumor area, lymphatic permeation and desmoplastic reaction. Three sebaceous gland carcinomas and three sweat gland carcinomas were positive for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein. Two of three sebaceous gland carcinomas, and all three sweat gland carcinomas developed tumor recurrence and ended in tumor-related deaths. Sweat gland carcinomas with c erbB 2 expression had significantly shorter survival than those with negative immunostain (p < 0.01). Cytoplasmic appearance, tumor necrosis, and lymphoid cell infiltration in tumor nests and stroma of sebaceous gland carcinoma, and tubular differentiation, lymphatic permeation, and growth patterns of sweat gland carcinoma are considered to closely correlate to the prognosis. Immunohisto-chemically detected c erbB 2 oncoprotein may be an indicator of bad prognosis. Acta Pathol Jpn 42: 585–594, 1992.     

Involvement of NF-kappaB and mitochondrial pathways in docetaxel-induced apoptosis of human oral squamous cell carcinoma

Apoptosis induced by docetaxel that interferes with microtubule polymerization dynamics and is used clinically to treat advanced cancers, has not been fully defined in squamous cell carcinoma. In this study, apoptotic events involved in docetaxel treatment were investigated. When the human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC-3 was exposed to docetaxel for 72 h, a dose-dependent effect was observed in apoptosis using the TUNEL method. We observed activation of caspase cascade including activities like caspase-3, -8, and -9. And the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk prevented apoptosis induced by docetaxel (0.1 microM), showing participation of caspases in this process. Since an antagonistic CD95-antibody (ZB4) exerted no effect on docetaxel-induced apoptosis, CD95/CD95L interaction was not involved in this pathway. The caspase-8-like activity was inhibited not only by IETD-fmk (caspase-8) but also by DEVD-fmk (caspase-3). The results indicate that the caspase-8-like activation occurred downstream of DEVDase. Docetaxel promoted the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, and preincubation of cells with anti-oxidants such as N-acetyl cysteine and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, protected against apoptosis mediated by docetaxel. Furthermore, treatment with docetaxel elicited reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome c to cytosol, after 48 h of treatment. We observed binding activity to NF-kappaB consensus site and interference with the mitochondrial function via NF-kappaB after docetaxel treatment. Preventing pro-apoptotic property of NF-kappaB inhibited docetaxel-induced apoptosis. Thus, these results suggest that, following the activation of NF-kappaB by docetaxel, apoptosis is elicited through a mitochondria-dependent pathway.     

Detection of genetic alterations in advanced prostate cancer by comparative genomic hybridization

In this study, we examined nine cases of advanced Japanese prostate cancer by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) to detect chromosomal imbalances across the entire genome and to identify several new regions likely to contain genes important to the development and progression of this disease. These cases had been previously examined for numerical chromosomal aberrations by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). By CGH, the following regions were found to be over-represented (gains), with fluorescence ratio values higher than the threshold: 4p, 6p, 8q, 11q, 12q, 15q, 16p, 17q, 20, and 21 (>4 cases); underrepresentation (losses) involved: 1q, 4q, 5q, 6q, 13q, 14q, and 22 (>4 cases). The shortest regions of overlap (SRO) of gains were noted at 8q24.1 through q24.3, 12q23, and 17q23 through q24 (>5 cases). The SRO of losses were seen at 5q14 through q21, 6q16.1 through q21, 13q21.3 through q22, and 14q21 (>5 cases). Notably, the gain of chromosomes 8 and 12 by CGH was in agreement with the FISH data, suggesting that the gain of chromosomes 8 and 12 may play an important role in prostate carcinogenesis. The genes on the SRO regions were also discussed in relation to oncogenes and bone metastases.     

Importance of luxury flow for critically ill patients receiving a left ventricular assist system

The presence of a significant organ dysfunction does not immediately exclude patients from consideration for treatment with a left ventricular assist system (LVAS). However, in treating morbid circulatory shock patients with multiple organ failure, it is important to know the preoperative and postoperative factor or factors related to the recovery of the damaged organ function. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed patients receiving a LVAS at our institution and tried to determine the important factors related to the survival of patients with multisystem failure. Twenty-seven patients who underwent LVAS placement at Saitama Medical School Hospital between 1993 and 2003 were included in this study. The preoperative risk factors analyzed were renal dysfunction, respiratory dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, the existence of active infection, and the combination of all four factors. As a postoperative factor, the pump flow index (mean LVAS pump flow during the first 2 weeks after LVAS surgery divided by the body surface area) was analyzed. None of the analyzed preoperative factors could predict survival after LVAS surgery, but a pump flow index of less than 2.5 l/min/m² had a significant relationship with death after LVAS surgery. Further analysis revealed that all the patients with a pump flow index of 3.0 l/min/m² or more could overcome preoperative organ dysfunction. Congestive heart failure patients with multisystem failure need luxury pump flow for successful LVAS surgery; this factor could be especially important in device selection and postoperative management.     

Combination therapy of cyclosporine with steroid inhibits γ-interferon and interleukin-1 gene expression at the level of mRNA synthesisin vivo

The present study examined the effect of cyclosporine (CsA) administered with steroidin vivo on the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from kidney transplant recipients to generate cytokines and their gene expression at the level of messenger RNA (mRNA). PBMC from CsA-prednisolone (Pred)-treated recipients displayed 66.9% inhibition (54.3±12.4 IU/ml;N=42;P<0.01) of -interferon (-IFN) production compared with normal individuals (134.6±18.6 IU/ml;N=23). Azathioprine (Az)-Pred-treated recipients displayed significantly less inhibition of -IFN generation (96.0±16.1 IU/ml;N=22;P<0.05) than CsA-treated patients. Macrophages (m) from CsA-Pred-treated recipients displayed 60.0% inhibition (5.1±0.7 U/ml;N=20;P<0.01) of interleukin-1 (IL-1) production compared with normal individuals (13.0±2.9 U/ml;N=21). These results were confirmed by the experiments using cDNA probe for -IFN or IL-1 (, ). High levels of -IFN mRNA in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated PBMC or IL-1() mRNA in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated m were present in normal individuals but not in CsA-treated recipients as judged by hybridization to a cloned human -IFN or IL-1() cDNA probe. These studies demonstrated that combination therapy of CsA with steroid inhibits both -IFN and IL-1 gene expression at the level of mRNA at physiological concentrations.     

The Influence of Dysphagia on Nutritional and Frailty Status among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Malnutrition is a core symptom of the frailty cycle in older adults. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dysphagia influences nutrition or frailty status in community-dwelling older adults. The study participants were 320 Japanese community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years. All participants completed a questionnaire survey that included items on age, sex, family structure, self-rated health, nutritional and frailty status, and swallowing function. Nutritional status was categorized as malnourished, at risk of malnutrition, and well-nourished based on the Mini Nutrition Assessment-Short Form. The participants were then classified into a malnutrition (malnourished/at risk) or a well-nourished group (well-nourished). Frailty was assessed using the Cardiovascular Health Study criteria. The participants were then divided into a frailty (frail/pre-frail) or a non-frailty group (robust). Dysphagia was screened using the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine whether dysphagia was associated with nutritional or frailty status. The results revealed that dysphagia influenced both nutrition (odds ratio [OR]: 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9–8.2) and frailty status (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.0–5.2); therefore, the swallowing function would be an important factor for community-dwelling older adults on frailty prevention programs.     

Association between central sensitivity syndrome and psychological factors in people with presurgical low back pain: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a major problem; it causes significant burden, incurs considerable economic and human costs, and adversely affects the quality of life (QoL). Central sensitivity syndrome (CSS) is known as a group of overlapping conditions that share a common pathophysiological mechanism of central sensitization. Previous studies have shown that CSS is present in several disorders. However, it has been studied for people with presurgical LBP. The purpose of the study was to investigate the proportion of patients with CSS for presurgical LBP and to analyse the association of CSS with clinical symptoms and psychological factors.MethodsData of demographics, the central sensitization inventory (CSI), psychological measures, clinical symptoms of 238 patients with presurgical LBP were evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the CSI scores (≥40 and < 40). The two groups were compared, and the correlation between the CSI scores and other outcomes was analysed. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was performed to identify factors contributing to the CSI scores.Results13.0% of participants were CSS. All outcomes were significantly different between the groups and significant associations were found between the CSI scores and all other outcomes. In addition, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) was most significant associated scale for the CSI scores.ConclusionWe found that certain patients had CSS with presurgical LBP. The CSI scores were significantly associated with the majority of the factors. The PCS was the factor with the most influence on the CSI scores.     

All-in-One Silk Fibroin Sponge as the Vitrification Cryodevice of Rat Pancreatic Islets and the VEGF-Embedded Scaffold for Subrenal Transplantation

Islet transplantation is a promising option for the clinical treatment of insulin-dependent diabetes, but a reliable islet cryopreservation/transplantation protocol should be established to overcome the donor shortage. The current study reports that a silk fibroin (SF) sponge disk can be used as a cryodevice for vitrification of large quantity pancreatic islets and the scaffold for subsequent subrenal transplantation in a rat model. The marginal islet mass (550 islet equivalents [IEQs]) on an SF sponge disk was vitrified-warmed and transplanted beneath the kidney capsule of a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat with or without vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Subrenal transplantation (no scaffold) of 550 IEQ fresh islets and post-warm islets vitrified on a nylon mesh device resulted in achieving euglycemia of recipient rats at 60% and 0%, respectively. Transplantation of 550 IEQ islets vitrified-warmed on an SF sponge disk failed to achieve euglycemia of recipient rats (0%), but the VEGF inclusion in the SF sponge disk contributed to acquiring the euglycemic recipients (33%). All cured recipient rats regained hyperglycemia after nephrectomy, and the histopathologic analysis exhibited a well-developing blood vessel network into the islet engrafts. Thus, an SF sponge disc was successively available as the cryodevice for islet vitrification, the transporter of the angiogenic VEGF, and the scaffold for subrenal transplantation in the rat model.