Effect of diisopropyl 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidinemalonate on rat liver and AFP-positive cells in 3'-Me-DAB hepatocarcinogenesis

The simultaneous administration of diisopropyl, 1,3-dithiol-2-ylidinemalonate (malotilate) suppressed the proliferation of AFP-positive oval cells, the formation of hyperplastic nodules and the appearance of clusters of AFP-positive cells in rat liver with hyperplastic nodules in 3′-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3′-Me-DAB) hepatocarcinogenesis. The development of hepatocarcinoma, induced by 3′-Me-DAB, was delayed in rats treated with malotilate; therefore, the simultaneous administration of malotilate worked as an inhibitory effect on 3′-Me-DAB hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Mechanism of the Pancreas-parotid Gland Interaction

In order to elucidate the mechanism of interaction between the pancreas and parotid gland, male Wistar rats of tlie same litters were used to produce parabiotic pairs. Six pairs which survived tlie procedure more than 30 days were available for experimentation. In one of each pair of rats, acute pancreatitis was induced. Amylase concentration in the sera, pancreas and parotid glands in these rats was estimated and histocytological studies of these organs were performed. The following results were obtained: 1. The serum amylase level was elevated in the rats with experimentally induced pancreatitis. It was slightly elevated in the rats without pancreatitis. 2. Organ amylase concentration in the pancreas and parotid gland was reduced in the rats with and without pancreatitis. The reduction of pancreas tissue amylase in the rats without pancreatitis was slight and insignificant. 3. In hght microscopy, the pancreas in the rats without pancreatitis was not significantly altered compared to that of the control rats. The parotid gland in the rats without pancreatitis showed apparent atrophie degenerative changes, which were less severe than in the rats with pancreatitis. Electron microscopy revealed that the pancreas in rats without pancreatitis showed similar findings with those of the control rats. In the parotid gland, the findings in the rats without pancreatitis were less severe, but similar to those in the rats with pancreatitis. A humoral transmission mechanism is participating in the development of an interactive response between the pancreas and parotid gland.     

Intestinal absorption of lithocholate and its sulfate and glucuronide in rats

The absorption of lithocholate and its sulfate and glucuronide in rat jejunum and terminal ileum was studied. Tracer amounts of radiolabelled bile acids were administered to the ligated intestinal segments, and their absorption was monitored by biliary excretion through a bile duct catheter. Absorption of lithocholate was faster in the terminal ileum than in the jejunum. Although the sulfation reduced lithocholate absorption in the jejunum, it did not affect lithocholate absorption in the terminal ileum. This was due to the Na⁺-dependency of ileal absorption of lithocholate-sulfate assessed by perfusion studies. In contrast, the glucuronidation markedly reduced lithocholate absorption both in the jejunum and the terminal ileum. These findings indicate that the glucuronidation is more effective than sulfation in detoxifying lithocholate as far as the prevention of its intestinal absorption is concerned.     

A New Diagnostic Test for Pancreatic Disorders by Examination of Parotid Saliva

The parotid saliva test was performed in 146 subjects, including 48 patients with pancreatic disorders, 82 with nonpancreatic disorders and 16 healthy persons. The following results were obtained: 1. The salivary output as well as the maximum bicarbonate concentration and amylase content in the parotid saliva of patients with pancreatic disorders were significantly less than those of patients with nonpancreatic disorders. 2. An abnormal saliva test was found in 83.3% of the patients with the pancreatic disorders. 3. Comparison was made of the parotid saliva test with the pancreozyminsecretin test in regard to diagnostic reliability in 44 subjects, including 22 with pancreatic disorders and 22 with nonpancreatic disorders. The data indicated that, in this series, an abnormal parotid saliva test was 88.6% accurate in diagnosing pancreatic disorders, whereas positive pancreozyminsecretin was only 65.9%.     

Severe, widespread vasculopathy in late-onset group B streptococcal meningitis

Although improvements in antimicrobial therapy during the last few decades have decreased mortality in childhood bacterial meningitis, some patients are left with neurologic sequelae. Cerebrovascular complications are often associated with unfavorable clinical outcome of the disease. We report a 36-day-old infant with severe, widespread cerebrovascular complications due to group B streptococcal meningitis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) contributed to a non-invasive demonstration of meningeal inflammatory changes and vascular lesions with the meningitis in this patient.     

Varicocele rupture due to sexual intercourse

Varicocele rupture was diagnosed in a 23-year-old man who presented with swelling and pain in the left scrotum after sexual intercourse. Color Doppler ultrasonography revealed blood flowing into the space surrounding the left testis, a hematoma and reflux of blood in the left spermatic vein. Varicocele rupture is a very rare condition and there have been only five reported cases.     

Use of soap in the management of atopic dermatitis

One hundred and thirty patients with atopic dermatitis, who had used no soap for at least a month, were allowed to use common toilet soaps when having a shower to keep the skin clean. Immediately after bathing, the skin lesions and areas of dry skin were treated with topical medications. When soap was used in this way topically applied medications were found to be more effective than before the use of soap. After I week, 119(91.5%)of the 130 patients showed a considerable improvement of the skin lesions. After 5 weeks, most patients had a progressive improvement of eczema. Deterioration of eczema or dry skin did not occur.
     

Central Pitting of Molluscum Contagiosum

Histological examination of 42 early lesions of molluscum contagiosum was performed. At the top of the molluscum papule, the epidermis cylindrically hung down into the dermis, thus forming an epidermal cylinder with a narrow canal. Acanthomatous change occurred at the bottom of the epidermal cylinder. Thirteen of the 42 molluscum lesions showed a direct connection with components of hair follicle. It is suggested that the central pitting of molluscum contagiosum may be the ostium of pilar infundibulum.