Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor exhibits hypocalcemic effects in normal mice and in hypercalcemic nude mice carrying tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy

Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is a novel secreted protein that inhibits osteoclastogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the effects of OCIF on serum calcium (Ca) concentrations in normal mice and in hypercalcemic nude mice carrying tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In normal mice, a single intraperitoneal injection of OCIF reduced serum Ca levels in a dose-dependent manner. Significant decrease in serum Ca (by 1.6 ± 0.3 mg/dL, n = 5) was observed 2 h after the injection of OCIF at 20 mg/kg and the hypocalcemic effect continued for up to 12 h. Serum phosphate (Pi) concentrations also decreased in response to OCIF. Urinary excretion of Ca, Pi, and creatinine did not change significantly after injection of OCIF or vehicle. In hypercalcemic, tumor-bearing nude mice, a single intraperitoneal injection of OCIF at 20 mg/kg resulted in a dramatic decrease in serum Ca (maximal decrease 2.8 ± 0.37 mg/dL, n = 11), which continued for up to 24 h. The results suggest that OCIF decreased serum Ca through its inhibitory effect on bone resorption. Furthermore, it is suggested that OCIF has therapeutic potential for the treatment of hypercalcemic conditions such as malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.     

A dominantly inherited malformation syndrome with short stature,upper limb anomaly,minor craniofacial anomalies,and absence of TBX5 mutations: Report of a Thai family

We report on a Thai family with dominantly inherited malformation syndrome with upper limb anomalies, short stature, quadricuspid aortic valve, and minor craniofacial anomalies. The affected individuals comprised a mildly affected mother, a moderately affected daughter, and a most severely affected son. The daughter and son had short stature. The craniofacial abnormalities comprised frontal bossing, hypoplastic nasal bones, depressed nasal bridge, and broad nasal alae. The upper limb defects varies among the patients, ranging from radial ray defects in the mother through radial and ulnar ray defects with unilateral humeral hypoplasia in the daughter to radial ray defects with severe oligodactyly and bilateral humeral hypoplasia in the son. All patients in this family had hypoplasia of the shoulder girdle and resembled what is observed in many families with Holt‐Oram syndrome. Moreover, the son showed quadricuspid aortic valve with mild aortic regurgitation. However, the present family did not show any mutation of the TBX5 gene, a disease‐causing gene of Holt‐Oram syndrome. The present family deserves further investigation on other genes that play a role in the development of the upper limbs, particularly of radial rays. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Influence of differences in tumor vascularity upon the effects of hyperthermia

Summary Utilizing two types of human renal carcinoma heterotransplanted in nude mice, we investigated the variations in hyperthermic effects (42.5°C for 30 min) caused by differences in tumor type with special reference to variations in tumor vascularity. In the hypovascular JRC1 strain, sporadic vascular dilation was observed throughout the tumors after heating. Destruction of tumor cells was observed mainly in the region of dilation. In the hypervascular JRC11 strain, homogenous vascular dilation was observed immediately after heating, mainly at the periphery of tumors. There was a decrease in the viability of cells in the center of the tumor. Therefore, the hypervascular tumors showed greater destruction mainly at the center where blood circulation was reduced. The range of necrosis was also greatly affected by the extent of vascular dilation caused by heating in hypovascular tumors.     

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the temporal bone with endocranial extension.

Cranial malignant fibrous histiocytomas are rare tumors. Most are hypervascular, destructive masses that are similar to other malignant lesions and to malignant fibrous histiocytomas found elsewhere in the body. We describe a myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the temporal bone, possibly of dural origin, with features that more closely resembled a meningioma at CT, MR imaging, and angiography.     

Effects of vancomycin and ofloxacin on rabbit ERG in vivo

The retinal toxicity of vancomycin and ofloxacin was studied by electroretinogram (ERG) before and after intravitreal injection in rabbits. Vancomycin is known to be effective on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. A dose of 1mg vancomycin caused no ERG change for at least eight weeks after injection. The feature that ERG became non-recordable during one to four weeks after an intravitreal injection of 10mg vancomycin, with recovery of only the c-wave was conspicuous. A dose of 200 micrograms ofloxacin did not cause deterioration of the b-wave, the c-wave or the oscillatory potentials throughout the follow-up period up to eight weeks. Judging from the susceptibility of each ERG component to antimicrobials and taking into account the difference of vitreous volume between rabbits and humans, clinical doses of intravitreal single-shot injection should be less than 1mg for vancomycin and 200 micrograms for ofloxacin.     

Clonorchiasis complicated with duodenal papillary cancer in a visitor from China]

It is well known that long-term infection with Clonorchis sinensis often causes bile duct cancer, usually. It occurs in the intrahepatic bile duct. We encountered a rare case of clonorchiasis complicated with duodenal papillary cancer. The patient was a woman from China. Although clonorchiasis is rarely found in Japan, the promotion of international exchange may increase the number of visitors from endemic areas. Thus we must pay sufficient attention to this disease. Also, we reported that the microplate ELISA technique was useful in the diagnosis of clonorchiasis with high accuracy in this case.     

Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in the rat: A study of inflammatory and immunological mechanisms

Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) can be produced by systemic injection of endotoxin (ET). It is not clear yet why exclusive ocular involvement occurs in this model. To clarify this question and to establish the sequence of inflammatory events, EIU was induced in Lewis rats by footpad injection of Salmonella ET. Ocular inflammatory response (anterior chamber cells and proteins), aqueous inflammation mediators (thromboxane B₂, prostaglandin E₂, leukotriene B₄ and substance P) and MHC class 2 (Ia) antigen expression in the ciliary body were monitored for 72 hours. Thromboxane B₂ was detected early in the aqueous humor, peaking already 1 hour after ET injection. Prostaglandin E₂ & leukotriene B₄ peaks and a second peak of thromboxane B₂ were recorded 18 hours after ET-injection, at the time of maximal ocular inflammation. MHC-class 2 expression was first detected in the ciliary body stroma at the vascular level 6 hours after ET injection and was massively expressed in the ciliary body epithelium at 18 and 72 hours. It is hypothetized that ciliary body endothelium is particularly sensitive to the effect of ET and is the site of thrombocyte adherence. Vascular damage leads in succession to cellular infiltration, release of inflammation mediators and disruption of blood-ocular barrier. MHC-class 2 expression is a secondary phenomenon and is probably at the origin of additional tissue damage from immune effector mechanisms.     

Successful Repair of the Right Atrial Isomerism, Double Outlet Right Ventricle, Cornmon Atrioventricular Canal, Pulmonary Stenosis, and Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection

A 6-year-old boy was successfully operated on for double outlet ventricle, common atrioventricular canal with severe valvular regurgitation, right atrial Isomerism, L-loop ventricles, total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, and pulmonary stenosis with hypoplastic left pulmonary artery. The Interventricular rerouting from the left ventricle to the ascending aorta was performed with a spiral patch, the lnteratrlal switching was performed by a Mustard patch, the common atrioventricular orifice was partitioned and valve repair was performed, and an 18-mm valved conduit was inserted between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. Although the patient had a small residual ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosls, the patient Is alive and well.