A Case of Pneumocytoma (So-Called Sclerosing Hemangioma) With Lymph Node Metastasis

A case of "sclerosing hemangionia" (pneumocytoma) of the lungwith lymph node metastasis is reported. A 22-year-old Japaneseman was found to have a well-defined round lesion in the rightlung (S⁷), which increased in size slightly during a 2-yearfollow-up period. He underwent right lower lobectomy with a preoperative diagnosisof a benign lung tumor. The pulmonary tumor revealed histologicalfeatures characteristic of "sclerosing hemangioma" of the lung,in addition to which there were many large polygonal foamy cells,forming tubular or papillary structures. These cells were foundby electron microscopy to contain numerous cytoplasmic lamellarbodies and showed a positive reaction with anti-surfactant apoproteinantibody immunohistochemically. Therefore, they were consideredto be cells differentiating toward type II pneumocytes. Reviewof 21 typical "sclerosing hemangionia" disclosed a few or somesuch foamy cells in 10 cases. A single hilar lymph node wasthe site of microscopic metastases, which consisted of "largeclear foamy cells" and smaller polygonal or round cells withslightly eosinophilic cytoplasm, both of which were componentsof the pulmonary "sclerosing hemangioma" This case supportsthe theory that "sclerosing hemangioma" is a neoplasm of typeII pneumocyte lineage. Although it is said to be benign, rarecases apparently show metastatic potential.     

An Attempt to Assess the Replacement Dose of Human Growth Hormone in the Treatment of Growth Hormone Deficient Children

Hibi, I., Tanaka, T., Yano, H., Umezawa, S., Kagawa, J., Tanae, A. and Ishikawa, E. (National Children's Medical Research Center, Tokyo, the National Children's Hospital, Tokyo and the Department of Biochemistry, Miyazaki Medical College, Miyazaki, Japan). Acta Paediatr Scand [Suppl] 337:87, 1987.
In 25 patients with hGH deficiency, who had been treated long-term with hGH, the mode of hGH administration was switched from the conventional method (0.3–0.5 IU/kg/week, in two or three divided doses, intramuscularly) to daily subcutaneous injection at 1900–2100 hours with a dose of 0.46 ± 0.07 IU/kg/week (equivalent to 14.7 ± 2.0 IU/m²/week). After 1–3 months of this new mode of hGH administration, blood and urine were sampled at 0900 hours after overnight fasting. Blood glucose, plasma insulin, plasma IGF-1 and plasma total IGF (after extraction) were analysed in blood samples. IGF-1 and hGH were measured in urine samples. These measurements indicated that the dose studied was close to a replacement one, but might be slightly higher than the exact replacement dose.     

AP-811, a novel ANP-C receptor selective agonist

AP-811 is a derivative of the Phe8-Ile15 region of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and is one of the smallest linear ligands for ANP receptors. The binding and agonist activities of AP-811 have been compared with those of other ANP analogs for the ANP-A and ANP-C receptors. AP–811 binds with a high binding affinity to and is a strong agonist for the ANP-C receptor, indicating that the binding and agonist sites for this receptor are the same or near each other in the ANP sequence. In contrast, AP-811 showed no agonistic effect for the ANP-A receptor, although it could bind to this receptor. Comparing the biological activities of AP-811 with those of other ANP analogs, we propose that the binding and agonist sites for the ANP-A receptor may consist of separate regions of ANP. In conclusion, AP-811 is the smallest C-receptor-selective agonist.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis associated with transitional cell carcinoma in the renal pelvis and the bladder

We report a case of mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis associated with bladder carcinoma in situ (CIS). Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the renal pelvis and CIS were also observed adjacent to the adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical assessment of the pelvic adenocarcinoma revealed positive expressions for mucin, epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 19 and carcinoembryonal antigen, but not vimentin or chromogranin. Based on the histopathological examinations, the adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis in the present case may have a similar biological nature to conventional TCC and probably originated by development of pre-existing TCC of the renal pelvis.     

Transient P300 abnormality of event-related potentials following unilateral temporal lobectomy

Abstract Event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded during auditory oddball tasks for a patient prior to and soon after left anterior temporal lobectomy. The N100 amplitude decreased bilaterally although the latency did not change after the lobectomy. The P300 amplitude decreased in the left hemisphere at 1 and 2 weeks after surgery, then recovered to the pre-operative level at 4 weeks. These findings suggest that the medial temporal structure participates in the generating system of P300.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine inhibits Na absorption and stimulates C1 secretion across canine tracheal epithelial sheets

Background 5-Hydrozytryptamine (5-HT) can be released from mast cells and platelets through an IgE-dependent mechanism and may play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic bronchoconstriction. However, the effect of 5-HT on ion transport by airway epithelium remains uncertain. Objective To determine whether 5-HT alters electrical and ion transport properties of C1-secreting epilhelia and, if so, what subtype of 5-HT receptors is involved, we studied canine tracheal epithelium under short-circuit conditions in vitro. Methods Canine tracheal mucosa was mounted in Lucite half-chambers and the responses of short-circuit current (lsc), transepithelial potential difference (PD) and tissue conductance (G) were measured. ln addition, ion fluxes were directly measured using ²²Na and ³⁶C1. Results Mucosal addition of 5-HT caused a rapid increase in lsc, which was accompanied by the increases in PD and G, whereas submucosal 5-HT had no effect. In the presence of amiloride, 5-HT and its receptor agonists dose-dependently increased lsc, with the rank order of potency being 5-HT > α-methyl-5-HT>2-methyl-5HT>5-carboxamidotryptamine. The effect of 5-HT was inhibited by ketanserin and spiperone but not by ondansetron. 5-HT increased C1 flux from the submucosa to the mucosa with a slight inhibition of Na flux to the opposite direction. Conclusion 5-HT inhibits airway epithelial Na absorption and stimulates C1 secretion. The latter action predominates the former and is mediated by 5-HT₂ receptors. These effects may result in the increase in water movement toward the airway lumen.     

Preliminary Phase II Study of Adriamycin (ADM) in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

A phase II study of adriamycin (ADM) (60 mg/m² was performedin 22 patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Therewere no responders in the 19 evaluable patients (16 with adenocarcinoma,two with squamous cell carcinoma and one with large cell carcinoma).The major side effects were alopecia (89%), leukocytopenia (73%),thrombocytopenia (58%) and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Although ADM at 60 mg/m² did not appear to have sufficient antitumoractivity against NSCLC in this study, it is necessary to evaluatefurther the efficacy of ADM against NSCLC with another treatmentschedule.     

Interleukin 8 and granulocyte elastase α1 proteinase inhibitor complex in the tracheobronchial aspirate of infants with chronic lung disease following intra-uterine infection

In order to elucidate the role of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in the development of chronic lung disease (CLD) of neonates with intra-uterine infection, serial and simultaneous measurements of the concentration of IL-8 and granulocyte elastase α₁ proteinase inhibitor complex (E-α₁PI) in the tracheobronchial aspirate of low birth weight infants were conducted. Infants with a high serum IgM level at birth, and who subsequently developed CLD, showed significantly high concentrations of IL-8 and E-α₁PI in the first 48 h. It seemed that IL-8 stimulated neutrophils to release neutrophil enzymes which, in turn, caused the lung tissue injury, resulting in the development of CLD following intra-uterine infection.