A 6-day subrenal capsule assay for predictive testing of primary esophageal cancers

Subrenal Capsule Assay (SRCA) as a chemosensitivity test was performed on 14 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas in order to select a more effective form of chemotherapy. Of the 14 assays, 12 were evaluable. Mice were treated with anticancer agents (e.g. Cisplatin, Bleomycin, Methotrexate, Vindesine) on days 1 and 3 after transplantation, and on day 6, the sensitivities were determined. Fresh esophageal cancers yielded an evaluable assay rate of 74%. The implant grew progressively for six days in the remaining group of control mice. Histologically, host cell infiltration at the border of the implant was observed from day 3 after transplantation, and cells had degenerated or had been partially replaced by scar tissue by day 6. The results of chemosensitivity tests differed according to the anticancer agent used or from case to case. Clinically, correspondence between the assay results and clinical results was obtained in 5 out of 7 cases. SRCA is a new promising chemosensitivity test which is clinically useful, and the present results indicated the feasibility of its use in developing an effective chemotherapy for esophageal cancer.     

The localization of CD44 and moesin in osteoclasts after calcitonin administration in mouse tibiae

We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of CD44, hyaluronate receptor, and moesin, of the ezrinradixin-moesin (ERM) family, in osteoclasts after calcitonin adminstration using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to clarify the role of CD44 and moesin in their cytoskeletal organization and cell polarity. We also elucidated the localization of osteopontin (OPN) to confirm its possible role in cell-matrix recognition via CD44. In untreated mice, intense immunoreactivities for CD44 and moesin were detected on the basolateral plasma membrane of osteoclasts. Rhodamine-phalloidin reactivity was seen in a bandlike pattern on the region of contact between osteoclasts and bone and was also detected moderately along their basolateral plasma membrane. At 30 min after calcitonin administration, osteoclasts did not show either clear zones or ruffled borders. The bandlike reactivity of rhodamine-phalloidin in the contact region was diminished, although labeling was seen along osteoclasts. CD44 and moesin were colocalized along their plasma membranes, including the region facing the bone surface. Electron microscopic observation revealed that the microvillus processes in the contacting region with bone surface, as well as the basolateral plasma membrane, showed immunoreactivities to CD44 and moesin. At 60 min, some osteoclasts attached to bone and showed a bandlike pattern of rhodamine-phalloidin. On the other hand, OPN was localized under CD44-positive cytoplasmic processes and the clear zone of osteoclasts. These findings suggest that calcitonin effects on the cell polarity of osteoclasts and the CD44-moesin-actin filament system in osteoclasts plays an imporant role in cell polarity and cell-matrix recognition.     

Extensive replacement of the aorta from the ascending aorta to the supraceliac abdominal aorta during a one-stage operation

A successful replacement of the aorta from the ascending aorta to the supraceliac abdominal aorta in one operation is herein reported. The patient was 66-year-old woman who had DeBakey type I chronic aortic dissection with a pre-disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) condition. The image diagnosis revealed a markedly enlarged false lumen with a narrow true lumen in the ascending aorta extending to the diaphragm level while below the diaphragm level, the aortic dilatation was mild. The operation was performed through both a thoracoabdominal incision and a median sternotomy to expose the whole thoracic aorta, and the aorta was replaced from the ascending aorta to the supraceliac abdominal aorta. Selective cerebral perfusion was used for cerebral protection and this was a useful adjunct since no time limitations were thus required during repair of the aortic arch. Although the patient developed several complications postoperatively, she eventually recovered and was discharged from the hospital without any neurological disorders.     

Screening of H-ras Gene Point Mutations in 50 Cases of Bladder Carcinoma

Background Mutation converts the H-ras gene into an activated oncogene in about 10% of human bladder cancers. Codons 12 and 61 are the major "hot spots" for activation. A simple and accurate method to detect point mutations in these codons may be clinically useful for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.
Methods Bladder cancer samples from 50 patients, plus 10 samples of normal bladder mucosa, were analyzed for possible point mutation of the H-ras gene at either codon 12 or codon 61. The H-ras gene DNA segments that include these 2 codons were amplified by PCR methods, then the possible presence of a point mutation was evaluated at each codon by susceptibility of the respective DNA segments to digestion with the restriction enzyme and by dot blot hybridization assay. A bladder cancer patient who had an H-ras gene mutation was examined to see whether the mutation was also detectable in the cells released in the urine.
Results Definite or possible point mutations were found in 6 (1 2%) out of 50 bladder cancer patients, while no mutation was detected in normal mucosa. A point mutation could also be detected in cells isolated from the patient's urine sample.
Conclusion The prevalence of point mutations at codon 1 2 or codon 61 of the H-ras gene found in this study was similar to that previously estimated for human bladder cancer by DNA transfection assay. The method we have used for detecting point mutations of the H-ras gene provides a simple and highly accurate way to detect mutated cancer cells even in the urine. It may be clinically usable for early diagnosis of bladder cancer.     

Ross procedure in an infant weighing 4.5 kg

A 6 month-old male infant (weight: 4.5 kg) with congenital aortic stenosis underwent aortic valve replacement with a pulmonary autograft (Ross procedure). The right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was reconstructed with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-valved equine pericardial conduit. At the age of 5, re-RVOT reconstruction with an equine pericardial patch bearing a PTFE monocusp was required because of severe pulmonary stenosis resistant to 2 attempts of percutaneous transluminal pulmonary valvotomy. Currently, at the age of 8, the degree of aortic regurgitation is trivial and the pulmonary autograft is free of functional deterioration despite somatic growth.     

Therapeutic effect of SF-2103A, a novel carbapenem antibiotic, in combination with cefotaxime, cefoperazone and other cephalosporins

Combinations of SF-2103A with cefotaxime, cefoperazone or cefazolin showed synergistic efficacy at a wide range of combination ratios against experimental infection in mice due to Proteus vulgaris GN76/C-1, producing type Ic cephalosporinase, Escherichia coli No. 29/36 RGN823, producing type IIIa (TEM-2) penicillinase and E. coli GN206, producing type Ib cephalosporinase. These effects by SF-2103A were greater than those seen with sulbactam. The in vitro and in vivo synergistic activities were roughly correlated. Potent in vivo activity of SF-2103A was related to good pharmacokinetic properties, with blood half-life of 30 minutes and urinary recovery of 55.2% after parenteral administration to rats. Furthermore, SF-2103A was stable to rat kidney homogenate. The high stability of SF-2103A in aqueous and biological media was correlated with the sulfonate group at C-3.     

Determination of the phylogenetic relationships among Pacific salmonids by using short interspersed elements (SINEs) as temporal landmarks of evolution.

Several subfamilies of the salmonid Hpa I short interspersed element (SINE) family were isolated from salmonid genomes and were sequenced. For each genomic locus that represented the subfamily, amplification by PCR of the orthologous loci in the 12 fish allowed us to determine the order of branching of the Pacific salmonid species. The deduced phylogeny suggests three evolutionary lines, namely, a line of chum salmon, pink salmon, and kokanee; a line of coho salmon and chinook salmon; and a line of steelhead trout. Our data also support a change in the phylogenetic assignment of steelhead trout from Salmo to Oncorhynchus. We present here an extensive phylogenetic tree constructed from an analysis of differential insertion of SINEs, and we propose that SINE insertion analysis is one of the best available methods for clarifying the order of divergence of closely related species.