Hepatocellular carcinoma combined with hepatic sarcoma

An autopsy case of hepatocellular carcinoma combined with hepatic sarcoma was presented. There were three main tumor nodes in the liver. They showed necrosis due to therapeutic embolization of the hepatic artery. Histologically, one of the three was a hepatocellular carcinoma, and the other two were of spindle cell sarcomas. Extrahepatic metastases all showed characteristics of sarcoma. In the present case report, some problems concerning hepatic sarcoma and sarcomatous representation of hepatocellular carcinoma were proposed in reviewing the literatures.     

Bronchial response to methacholine and histamine in monkeys with beta adrenergic blockade

The possibility has been investigated that propranolol administration could alter bronchial reactivity to methacholine and histamine in monkeys (Macaca fuscata and Macaca fascicularis). The impedance of the total respiratory system was measured by the forced 3-HZ oscillation method through an endotracheal tube. Methacholine and histamine dose-dependently increased the impedance in monkeys irrespective of the route of administration (inhalation of aerosol or intravenous injection). Propranolol treatment increased the bronchial response to intravenously injected methacholine and caused no significant change in the bronchial response to aerosolized methacholine. No marked difference was observed in the bronchial response to histamine due to treatment with propranolol regardless of whether administered by intravenous injection or aerosol challenge.     

Combined treatment with CDDP and radiation effective against neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder: a case report]

A case of neuroendocrine carcinoma (small cell carcinoma) of the urinary bladder is presented. A 76-year-old man complaining of dysuria visited our clinic on October 31, 1997. On physical examination, a huge mass was palpable in the lower abdomen. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a huge mass, 6.7 x 6.0 cm in size, with extravesical extension in the anterior wall of the urinary bladder and no metastatic lesions. Percutaneous biopsy of the tumor revealed undifferentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma. The value of serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) was 220 ng/ml (normal range: 0-10 ng/ml). Twenty days after the first CT scan, the tumor had grown to be 12.5 x 11.0 cm in size. He was treated with combination therapy of systemic cisplatin and external pelvic radiation and then achieved complete remission on CT scan and biopsy. The value of serum NSE was normalized. Four months later, abdominal CT scan revealed a huge metastastic lesion in the paraaortic and parahepatic regions, but, no local recurrence in the bladder. The value of serum NSE was 240 ng/ml. He was treated with 4 cycles of systemic combination therapy of cisplatin and etoposide. He achieved partial remission (regression rate: 77%) on CT scan after completion of the first 2 cycles, but the tumor showed rapid re-growth and he died of cancer 1 month later despite another 2 cycles. These combination therapies were effective against neuroendocrine carcinoma of the urinary bladder, although, the duration of the effect was short.     

New era of research on cancer‐associated glycosphingolipids

Cancer‐associated glycosphingolipids have been used as markers for diagnosis and targets for immunotherapy of malignant tumors. Recent progress in the analysis of their implications in the malignant properties of cancer cells revealed that cancer‐associated glycosphingolipids are not only tumor markers, but also functional molecules regulating various signals introduced by membrane microdomains, lipid rafts. In particular, a novel approach, enzyme‐mediated activation of radical sources combined with mass spectrometry, has enabled us to clarify the mechanisms by which cancer‐associated glycosphingolipids regulate cell signals based on the interaction with membrane molecules and formation of molecular complexes on the cell surface. Novel findings obtained from these approaches are now providing us with insights into the development of new anticancer therapies targeting membrane molecular complexes consisting of cancer‐associated glycolipids and their associated membrane molecules. Thus, a new era of cancer‐associated glycosphingolipids has now begun.     

A MATE Family Multidrug Efflux Transporter Pumps out Fluoroquinolones in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron

We cloned a gene, bexA, that codes for a multidrug efflux transporter from the chromosomal DNA of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron ATCC 29741 by using an Escherichia coli DeltaacrAB DeltaacrEF mutant as a host. Although the initial recombinant construct contained other open reading frames, the presence of bexA alone was sufficient to confer to the E. coli host elevated levels of resistance to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ethidium bromide. Disruption of bexA in B. thetaiotaomicron made the strain more susceptible to norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ethidium bromide, showing that this gene is expressed in this organism and functions as a multidrug efflux pump. The deduced BexA protein sequence was homologous to the protein sequence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus NorM, a multidrug efflux transporter, and thus, BexA belongs to the multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) family.     

The frequency of papillomavirus infection in cervical precancerous lesions in Japan: an immunoperoxidase study

In order to establish the frequency of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in cervical precancerous lesions of Japanese patients, cervical materials routinely biopsied in the past year were examined immunohistochemically for the papillomavirus genus-specific antigen. Of a total of 832 cervical biopsy specimens, 46 (5.5%) were immunohistochemically positive for HPV. In this study, 206 patients were diagnosed as having dysplasia or carcinoma in situ (CIS), and HPV antigen was found in 15% of these patients. It was found in 13% of patients with mild dysplasia, 28% of those with moderate dysplasia, 17% of those with severe dysplasia and 4.5% of those with CIS. However, HPV antigen was detected only in the epithelium with dysplastic change, not in cancerous areas.     

Congenital coronary artery fistula draining into the superior vena cava with giant saccular aneurysm--report of a case

A 42-year-old woman who had a coronary artery fistula, associated with a giant coronary saccular aneurysm was reported. The coronary artery fistula originated from the proximal portion of the right coronary artery drained into the superior vena cava. The chief complaint was heart murmur which was detected at the 2nd intercostal space of the right sternal border. No other symptoms were present. The aneurysm was approximately 5 X 7 cm in size. In the operation using cardiopulmonary bypass, the proximal and distal portions of the coronary artery fistula were ligated successfully without aneurysmorrhaphy. The postoperative conditions was even without any complications. Congenital coronary artery fistulas with a giant saccular aneurysm should be surgically treated as soon as possible because of potential risk of aneurysmal rupture.     

Experimental intraocular lens implantation in the rabbit eye and in the mouse peritoneal space. Part III: Giant cell formation on the implanted lens surface

Among the cell components appearing on an implanted intraocular lens (IOL), the macrophage is the most active participant in the foreign-body response. The morphological stages of the macrophage in the response include not only an activated form and a flat epithelioid cell, but also a giant cell observed in the later stage of the response. The giant cells on the IOLs implanted in the rabbit eye and in the mouse peritoneal space were investigated by means of Wolter's implant cytology staining and scanning and transmission electron microscopic observation. Differences in the two biological environments as the site of IOL implantation are discussed.