Oxidative stress induced by iron released from transferrin in low pH peritoneal dialysis solution

Background. Transferrin binds extracellular iron and protectstissues from iron-induced oxidative stress. The binding of ironand transferrin is pH dependent and conventional peritonealdialysis (PD) solutions have unphysiologically low pH values.Herein, we investigated whether conventional PD solution releasesiron from transferrin and if the released iron causes oxidativestress. Methods. Effects of PD solutions on iron binding to transferrinwere examined with purified human transferrin and transferrinin dialysates drained from PD patients. Oxidative stress inducedby iron released from transferrin was evaluated in terms ofthe formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS)and protein carbonylation in the human red blood cell (RBC)membrane. The iron deposition in peritoneal tissue from PD patientswas evaluated by Perls' staining with diaminobenzidine intensification. Results. Low pH PD solution released iron from transferrin.This iron release occurred within 1 min. Iron release was notobserved in neutralized PD solution. Iron released from transferrinin low pH PD solution increased TBARS formation and proteincarbonylation in the human RBC membrane. Iron deposition, whichis prominent in the fibrotic area facing the peritoneal cavity,was observed in the peritoneum of PD patients. Conclusions. Iron released from transferrin in low pH PD solutioncan produce oxidative stress in the peritoneum of a PD patient.Neutralizing PD solution can avoid this problem. Iron depositionin the peritoneum may participate in the pathogenesis of peritonealfibrosis in PD patients.     

Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor of the Breast: A Case Report

A 66-year-old woman time of 10 days. One month after radicalmastectomy, there was local recurrence, followed by multiplepulmonary metastases, and the patient died of respiratory failure5 months after surgery. The gray-white-colored tumor measured13x12x;10 cm, and its border was well defined. The tumor wascomposed of diffusely growing round or polygonal cells withvesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and ample cytoplasm containingeosinophilic inclusions. Lymph node involvement was widespread.Both vimentin and keratin were clearly demonstrated by immunohistochemicalstaining. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the MRT cellscontained cytoplasmic whorls of intermediate filaments.     

Alpha 2-adrenoceptor mechanisms in guinea-pig trachea

In the presence of propranolol tracheal strips from guinea-pigs were markedly contracted by norepinephrine and clonidine but only slightly by phenylephrine. The contractile responses to clonidine and norepinephrine were inhibited by yohimbine but not by prazosin. The specific binding of [3H]p-aminoclonidine to the microsomal fractions from guinea-pig tracheal muscle was much greater than that of [125I]BE2254. These results indicate that alpha 2-adrenoceptors are the predominant subtype of alpha-adrenoceptor in the guinea-pig trachea. The response to norepinephrine was abolished by cyclooxygenase inhibitors, suggesting the release of excitatory prostaglandins by norepinephrine. These results raise the possibility that norepinephrine interacts with alpha 2-adrenoceptors and releases prostaglandins to contract tracheal muscle.     

Significance of fiberoptic bronchoscopy after pulmonary resection of lung cancer for early detection in second lung cancer

By the end of 1988, seventy five cases after pulmonary resection for lung cancer and one case after pulmonary resection for basal cell hyperplasia were examined with fiberoptic bronchoscopy as postoperative follow up. Endobronchial tumor was detected in 14 cases. In seven cases, endobronchial tumor was located at site far from the surgical bronchial anastomosis. These tumors were suspected as second lung cancer as long as examined by fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Histological type of all of these was squamous cell carcinoma. Re-operations were performed in five cases and two of them were early lung cancer. In 6 cases (13.6%) among 44 cases examined with fiberoptic bronchoscopy after pulmonary resection for central type squamous cell carcinoma, second lung cancer was detected. In the case of central type squamous cell carcinoma, usually the tumor appears to be of same histological type and at same location. Among those cases those who smoke heavily should be separated as high risk group. If this group is followed with fiberoptic bronchoscopy or sputum cytological examination, it is more possible to detect second lung cancer at an early stage.     

Anal metastasis from carcinoma of the lung: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a 75-year-old man who developed anal canal metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. Initially, he underwent a right middle and lower lobectomy combined with left atrial wall resection under cardiopulmonary bypass. He presented 3 months later with an anal polyp which had prolapsed and bled, for which he underwent a transanal polypectomy. Histologically, the polyp was classified as squamous cell carcinoma and considered to be a metastasis from the primary lung cancer. He is presently well with no signs of recurrence 9 months after his initial operation. To our knowledge, there has been no other case of anal metastasis from lung cancer ever reported.     

A case-control study of breast cancer among Japanese women: with special reference to family history and reproductive and dietary factors

Summary To study the effects of family history and reproductive, anthropometric, and dietary factors on the risk of breast cancer among low risk populations, we conducted a hospital-based case-control study involving 908 patients with breast cancer and their matched controls, in Japan. A positive family history of breast cancer significantly increased the risk of breast cancer (odds ratio = 1.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.14–2.03). The risk further increased with increasing number of family members affected. Obesity, single marital status, fewer births, a late childbirth, and less consumption of green-yellow vegetables and dairy products were also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. These associations were independent in multivariate analyses. There was no increase in risk associated with consumption of high fat foods. When analyzed by menopausal status, the association with family history of breast cancer, especially in the first degree of relatives, was more evident for premenopausal breast cancer. The associations with obesity and lower consumption of dairy products were more pronounced for postmenopausal breast cancer, while those with lower parity and single marital status were stronger for premenopausal breast cancer.     

Cleft lip-nose repair technique: Sequential repair

The results of repairing cleft lip by aesthetic plastic surgery are now excellent. However, the cleft lipnose deformity is still very difficult to repair with the present techniques. A technique that can repair the cleft lip-nose deformity with good results is presented. The technique is divided into three parts: Part I consists of nasal repair of the primary cleft lip. Part II is nasal reconstruction as a secondary operation with or without lip repair. For example, nasal reconstruction may be secondary to repair of deformities of the sill, rim, limen nasi, septum, or nasal bones. Part III is an aesthetic nasal operation such as rhinoplasty, mentoplasty, or zygomaplasty.     

Dissecting aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery treated with proximal ligation.

A rare case of a dissecting aneurysm of the P3 segment of the right posterior cerebral artery is presented that seems to have occurred in association with mild head injury. The patient was treated surgically because of repeated intramural hemorrhage and enlargement of the aneurysm. Proximal ligation produced thrombosis of the aneurysm without resulting in infarction in the region of the posterior cerebral artery. The mechanisms of the dissection, diagnosis, and treatment are briefly discussed.