A case of adefovir-induced membranous nephropathy related to hepatitis B caused by lamivudine-resistant virus after liver transplant due to Byler’s disease

We report on how adefovir-induced membranous nephropathy related to hepatitis B was caused by lamivudine-resistant virus after a liver transplant due to Byler’s disease. In 1980, a 2-year-old girl was diagnosed with Byler’s disease (familial progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis). In 1994 (at the age of 14 years) she underwent a liver transplant with her father as the donor. In 2003, hematuria and proteinuria appeared and shortly afterwards her renal function rapidly decreased. A renal biopsy showed atypical membranous nephropathy, which suggested the possibility of a secondary renal disease. The patient had suffered from chronic hepatitis type B (HBV). In 2001 she was administered lamivudine which is an antiviral drug; it was around this time that hematuria and proteinuria appeared as well as an increase of the virus titer. We believed the HBV-related membranous nephropathy was the cause of the virus titer and the renal histology. We concluded that the patient’s condition had become resistant to lamivudine medication. Therefore, in February 2004 we administered adefovir, a new drug at the time, to treat the HBV. In April 2004, the HB virus titer decreased and the hematuria and proteinuria decreased. The patient’s renal function also showed improvement. HBV-associated nephropathy is caused by HBV antigen deposition in the glomeruli. Generally the first choice of treatment is antivirus therapy. There are many reports demonstrating that administration of interferon and lamivudine are effective; however, there are few reports that show adefovir as an effective treatment for HBV-associated nephropathy.     

Setting of the soft X-ray field for the calibration of the dosimeters used in mammographic field

In order to produce a cheap and stable X-ray generator system for calibration of dosimeters used in mammographic field, a dummy source of mammographic X-ray was developed using a tungsten (W) target X-ray tube and a molybdenum (Mo) filter. The photon fluence spectra of mammographic equipment were calculated using Birch's formula and aluminum (Al) attenuation curves were derived. The Al attenuation curves of X-rays from W target with Mo filter of various thicknesses were similarly obtained. Comparing the similarities of attenuation curves, the best fit Mo filter thickness was chosen. Consequently, a 0.04 mm thick Mo plus a 4 mm thick poly-methylmethacrylate filter were chosen to be added to W target industrial X-ray tube. The similarity of Al attenuation curves were verified by ionization chamber measurements.     

Hazard assessment of manufactured nanoparticles: association of in vitro and in vivo examinations

Nanoparticles are defined as particles whose diameter is 1-100 nm. Many investigations about the toxicology of nanoparticles have been reported recently. The toxicity of nanoparticles has been examined both in vivo and in vitro and many results are being achieved. However, the results of in vivo and in vitro examinations are sometimes different. According to the in vitro examinations, it is suggested that solubility, adsorption ability and surface activity are involved in the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles. On the other hand, in in vivo, clearance is an important factor in the lung toxicity of nanoparticles. In the hazard assessment of nanoparticles, in vivo and in vitro examinations are necessary for an accurate evaluation of their biological influences, including the toxic mechanisms.     

High serum levels of CA125 and interleukin-6 in a patient with Ki-1 lymphoma

We report a 53-year-old-man with an aggressive Ki-1 lymphoma who had high serum CA125, a marker protein of the epithelial ovarian cancer, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations. Both CA125 and IL-6 levels decreased after chemotherapy and elevated with disease progression. The patient's lymphoma cells obtained before chemotherapy grew continuously in vitro , were IL-6 dependent and were found to secrete CA125 in culture medium. These results indicate that CA125 can be secreted by Ki-1 lymphoma cells and IL-6 may promote the growth of Ki-1 lymphoma cells.