A case of recurrent biliary cystadenocarcinoma successfully treated with 5FU/CDDP systemic chemotherapy]

We report a case of biliary cystadenocarcinoma which recurred 41 months postoperatively. A 60-year-old woman was admitted for further examination of multiple metastatic tumors and a large amount of ascites. Systemic administration of 5FU and CDDP caused her CEA level to decrease gradually and abdominal computed tomography revealed considerable reduction of the metastatic tumors and ascites. Since her general condition had improved, chemotherapy was continued in the outpatient clinic.     

Studies on the synthesis of antiulcer agents. VI. Synthesis and antiulcer activity of dihydrobenzofuranone derivatives

The derivatives (2) of 3-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl) acrylic acid (2b) were synthesized. The compounds (3a-g) in which bromo, methoxy, nitro, amino or acetamido group was introduced on the benzene ring of the derivatives (2) and the compounds (3h-k) in which acryloyl moiety was introduced on the 6- or 7-position of the benzofuranone skeleton also synthesized. Furthermore, propionic acid derivatives (4a-c), acetic acid derivatives (4d-g), formic acid derivatives (4h-k) and oxyacetic acid derivatives (5) were prepared by converting the acryloyl moiety of the derivatives (2) into propionyl, acetyl, formyl and oxyacetyl groups. These compounds were tested for antiulcer activities. Among these compounds, 1-[3-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl)acryloyl]piperidine (2d) and 4-[3-(2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-3-oxo-5-benzofuranyl)acryloyl] morpholine (2g) were found to have stronger antiulcer activities.     

Epidemiology of streptococcal pyoderma in an orphanage community of a tropical country

A group of 89 children residing in an orphanage, situated about 12 km from Vellore town, Tamil Nadu, India, were surveyed for streptococcal pyoderma, every month, from October 1976 through to December 1978. The prevalence rate of pyoderma as defined by the isolation of group A streptococci (GAS) was 10.1% with monthly variations from 2.1% to 17.1%. Three meteorological data, namely, temperature, humidity and rainfall did not show any significant relationship with seasonal patterns of pyoderma. However, a hot and humid climate, prevalent for most of the year in Vellore, may be linked to the endemicity of this condition. Studies performed on a limited number of GAS strains showed a variety of M types in the lesions. During this survey, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (PSGN) was not detected. In one child, a moderate albuminuria was observed; this resolved subsequently. We attest that an active surveillance of detection and treatment of pyoderma in a highly susceptible population plays an important role in the prevention of PSGN.     

DNA microarray analysis of white adipose tissue from obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats treated with a beta3-adrenoceptor agonist, KTO-7924.

We aimed to examine the effects of KTO-7924 (beta3-adrenoceptor agonist) on lipid metabolism and mRNA expressions in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RP WAT) in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats using DNA microarray. Oral KTO-7924 for 28 days significantly decreased RP WAT weight, plasma triglyceride, free fatty acid, and insulin, and improved insulin resistance in oral glucose tolerance tests. In RP WAT of KTO-7924-treated rats, DNA microarray analysis revealed specifically enhanced mRNA expressions of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIII-H (COX8H), which are reportedly highly expressed in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Since these mRNA expression levels in RP WAT were significantly lower in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats than in lean Zucker rats, these genes may be important in lipid metabolism. Our results imply that in obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats, continuous stimulation of beta3-adrenoceptors by KTO-7924 causes BAT-like adipocytes to appear in RP WAT, and improves lipid metabolism.     

Pharmacokinetic studies on aztreonam in late pregnancy in sheep and humans

The transplacental passage of single intravenous doses of aztreonam (AZT), 1 g or 2 g, was examined in 7 sheep and 14 women in late pregnancy, respectively and the obtained data were analyzed by a two-compartment model. The obtained results were summarized as follows. After single 2 g intravenous doses were given to pregnant sheep, the mean peak level of AZT in maternal blood was 83.79 micrograms/ml and the half-life of the beta-phase was 1.525 hours. After single 1 g intravenous doses were administered to pregnant women, the mean peak level of AZT in blood was 102.62 micrograms/ml and the half-life of beta-phase was 2.128 hours. The peak levels in umbilical venous blood and amniotic fluid were 14.43 micrograms/ml and 11.86 micrograms/ml, respectively.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection of solitary pulmonary metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma

We report a metastatic pulmonary tumor resected by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A 63-year-old female was found to have four nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in January 1991; after non-surgical treatment, the tumors had become necrotic. In June 1992, a new HCC nodule was found. After infusion chemotherapy, it became necrotic. In September 1993, a solitary lung tumor, 2.4 cm in diameter, appeared at the periphery of the right lung. Because the tumor was considered to be a metastatic HCC rather than a primary lung cancer, it was removed by thoracoscopic wedge resection. Although whether metastasectomy contributes to prolongation of survival is still controversial, thoracoscopic pulmonary resection may be indicated for solitary peripheral metastasis, if the primary HCC is well controlled by multidisciplinary treatment.     

Apoptosis-inducing protein derived from hepatocyte selectively induces apoptosis in lymphocytes

The liver is where lymphocytes undergo activation-induced cell death (AICD) at the resolution phase of an immune response, which is crucial for homeostasis of the immune system and prevention of autoimmunity. Exploring the machinery of AICD in the liver, we found that a primary culture supernatant of murine hepatocytes had an antiproliferative effect on antigen-stimulated T clone and T lymphoma cells. Biological study showed that the antiproliferation was due to induction of apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. The apoptosis-inducing potential was sensitive to trypsin, heat (> 70 degrees ) and acid (< pH 5) treatment but could not be neutralized by anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha, anti-Fas ligand, or anti-transforming growth factor-beta antibodies. Biochemical study of the isolated and purified apoptosis-inducing component from the supernatant showed that it was a protein with a molecular mass of about 68,000-70,000. It induced apoptotic change in murine T and B cells, and to a lesser degree, in human lymphoid cells, but not in macrophages. Biochemical and biological characteristics distinguish this protein from others that have been reported to induce apoptosis of lymphocytes. The identification of an apoptosis-inducing protein derived from murine hepatocytes, which selectively induces apoptosis in lymphocytes, suggests one possible mechanism for immune suppression in the liver.