A case of acquired smooth muscle hamartoma of the scrotum

We report a case of acquired smooth muscle hamartoma (ASMH) of tunica dartos, believed to be only the fifth so far reported. A 24-year-old man had a 6-month history of an asymptomatic tight and thickened scrotum. The skin was difficult to pinch. A biopsy specimen from the skin showed increased and proliferated smooth-muscle bundles composed of well-differentiated and uniform spindle cells that showed typical features of acquired smooth muscle hamartoma. Interestingly, dilatations of the lymph vessels were noted in the upper dermis above the proliferated smooth muscles. It has been reported recently that long-standing severe lymphoedema may cause histological features mimicking ASMH. As the present case was not preceded by oedema of the scrotum, we consider this case to be true ASMH.     

Relationship of Diet to Small and Large Adenomas of the Sigmoid Colon

The relation of dietary factors to the risk of adenomas of the sigmoid colon was examined in men receiving a retirement health examination at the Self-Defense Forces Fukuoka Hospital between October 1986 and 1990. A total of 187 adenoma cases and 1557 controls with normal colonoscopy were identified in the series. Cases were further classified into small-adenoma (<5 mm, n=78) and large-adenoma (≥5 mm, n=67) groups. The consumptions of selected foods and beverages were ascertained before colonoscopy by means of a self-administered questionnaire. After adjustment for smoking, alcohol use, rank and body mass index, low rice consumption and high meat intake were independently associated with an increased risk of large adenomas. The risk of small adenomas was not related to either rice consumption or meat intake. Adjusted odds ratios of large adenomas for the low, intermediate and high consumption levels of rice were estimated to be 1.0 (referent), 0.83 and 0.43, respectively (trend P = 0.08), and the corresponding figures for meat consumption were 1.0 (referent), 1.58 and 2.38, respectively (trend P =0.02). The findings suggest that low rice consumption and high meat intake may promote the growth of colon adenomas, thereby increasing the risk of colon cancer.     

Changes in the arrangement of actin filaments in myoid cells and sertoli cells of rat testes during postnatal development and after experimental cryptorchidism

Background: Abundant actin filaments are present in myoid cells and Sertoli cells in the testis. In the adult rat, the filaments form a lattice arrangement within the myoid cell, and show a hexagonal pattern in the basal junctional regions of Sertoli cells. Methods: Isolated seminiferous tubules and frozen sections were prepared from juvenile to adult Wistar rat testes, stained with FITC-conjugated phalloidin, and observed by confocal microscopy. Unilateral cryptorchidism was induced in adult rats, and seven days later, their testes were also examined. Results: In the myoid cell, parallel actin filaments running circularly around the seminiferous tubules were observed at 15 and 20 days of age. Then, at 30 days, actin filaments arranged longitudinally along the tubular long axis appeared in addition to the circular bundles. A lattice arrangement of actin-filament bundles in myoid cells became obvious at 40 days, when elongated spermatids are found in the tubule. Actin filaments in the basal junctional regions of Sertoli cells did not acquire the hexagonal pattern seen in the adult testis until 30 days of age. In the cryptorchid testes, the arrangement of actin filaments in the both cells showed a remarkable change compared to the control testis; the filaments became thinner and disrupted. Conclusions: A lattice arrangement of the actin filaments in the myoid cell appear at around 30 days, before the completion of spermatogenesis. A hexagonal pattern of the filaments in the junctional regions of Sertoli cells has already developed at this age. Cryptorchidism affects the actin filaments of the both cells. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A case of type IIa early gastric cancer complicated with multiple endocrine cell micronests in pernicious anemia

The patient, a 5-year-old male, was diagnosed as having pernicious anemia at our hospital in 1969. By means of an upper G-I series, he was found to have a gastric protruded lesion on the greater curvature of the upper corpus in 1983. After an endoscopic polypectomy, a type II a early gastric cancer was diagnosed which, histologically, showed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma and a total gastrectomy was performed. From the histologic findings of the resected stomach, the were multiple endocrine cell micronests, that coincided with the distribution of intestinal metaplasia localized in the fundic gland area.     

Adsorption of plasma proteins and adhesion of platelets onto novel polyetherurethaneureas--relationship between denaturation of adsorbed proteins and platelet adhesion

Novel polyetherurethaneureas which have been synthesized by the present authors were chosen for the substrate polymers, on which adhesion of platelets was investigated. The number of adhered platelets and the amount of serotonin released from platelets adhered on the polymers and the protein-coated polymers were determined by radioisotope method. Both of them were enhanced with increasing content of urea linkages in the polyetherurethaneureas. The platelet adhesion was discussed in terms of the denaturation of plasma proteins upon adsorption, which was determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. With increasing degree of protein denaturation, the platelet adhesion and the serotonin release were enhanced. This relationship was particularly evident in the case of albumin adsorption. It was shown that the surface properties of substrate polymers affect the protein adsorption, which in turn influences the adhesion of platelets.     

A new dog ear correction technique.

When moving a local flap, a dog ear sometimes appears at the base of the flap. If we try to correct the dog ear primarily, the blood supply to the flap may be disturbed. In such a case, the dog ear is prone to be corrected secondarily. In the present report we show a new technique for correcting a dog ear that enables correction to be done primarily and sufficiently. The principle of the technique is to de-epithelialise the dog ear portion and dig it in to the dermis to preserve the subdermal plexus at the base of the flap intact. This method is useful especially at the base of a transposition flap because the pedicle tends to be narrowed by the conventional correction.