Histologic typing of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas by in situ hybridization with DNA probes of oncogenes

Expression of six proto-oncogenes (fos, myc, myb, Ki-ras, Ha-ras, and N- ras) in 43 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was analyzed by means of in situ hybridization. Biotinylated DNA probes of the six oncogenes and those of immunoglobulin H (IgH) gene and T-cell receptor beta (TCR beta) chain gene were used. The results of in situ hybridization performed under blind conditions by IgH gene and TCR beta chain gene probes were compatible with those of typing by cell surface markers. The nuclear protein-related proto-oncogenes, fos, myc, and myb, were expressed in about 70% to 80% of all cases regardless of phenotype, histology, or histologic grade. On the contrary, genes of ras family were expressed in more limited numbers of cases except for the Ki-ras gene, which was more frequently expressed by cases of the T-cell immunophenotype with a high malignancy grade. The results of dot hybridization with RNA extracted from some cases were compatible with those of in situ hybridization, further demonstrating the specificity of in situ hybridization.     

Influence of breast-feeding on the production of cytokines

PROBLEM: Recently, we reported increases in the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and IL-4 during the postpartum period. The present study was undertaken to investigate whether these increases might be explained by increased prolactin while breast-feeding. METHOD: Whole blood from 41 women who were breast-feeding, 13 women not breast-feeding, and 31 healthy non-pregnant women was stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, and the levels of cytokines in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Their serum levels of prolactin were measured by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Increases in IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10 production were observed in women who were breast-feeding but not in women who were not breast-feeding. Serum levels of prolactin correlated with the levels of IFN-gamma in culture supernatant. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that breast-feeding induces production of cytokines and that IFN-gamma production is enhanced by physiological concentrations of prolactin.     

Development of enzyme-labeled oligonucleotide probe for detection of mecA gene in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A DNA hybridization method with an enzyme-labeled oligonucleotide probe (mecA-ELONP) was developed to detect the methicillin-resistant gene (mecA) in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. For rapid identification, bacterial colonies were transferred from agar plates directly onto nylon membranes. Lysis of cells, denaturation of DNA, and hybridization were performed on the membranes. These procedures required only 3 h for completion. The results obtained by this test closely corresponded with those obtained by determining the MICs of oxacillin against S. aureus. The results of the mecA-ELONP also correlated well with those of a commercially available PCR test. Thus, mecA-ELONP proved to be a reliable and convenient method for the rapid identification of methicillin-resistant S. aureus, which could be useful in clinical microbiology laboratories.     

Effect of distance and population size on patient trips in a prefecture of Japan: Application of a transportation distribution model to the demand for and supply of health services

The gravity model, a method for analyzing transportation distribution in transportation engineering, was used to explain patient trips between ten health service regions in a Japanese prefecture. The OD (Origin-Destination) tables were constructed with zoning by regions, distinguishing between out- and inpatients. The observed trips were determined from the data of a survey conducted in 1992 that reported the locations of patient residences and chosen medical facilities. The base values used in the model calculations were the population size of each region and the road distance between the centers of regions. Problems of intrazonal trip were avoided by setting a mean intrazonal movement distance. This model was calibrated by the linear regression method with simultaneous validation by the index of correlation coefficients. The model was found to accurately simulate the effect of distance on the choice of medical facilities and the differences between the characteristics of in- and out-patients. The population value in use showed the relation not only with demand but also the supply of clinical services. It was suggested that the model presented here was useful in the allocation of medical resources and would help explain the relationship between suppliers and consumers of medical services.     

Colokinetic effect of somatostatin in the spinal defecation center in rats

Somatostatin and its receptors are expressed in the spinal cord, but the functional roles of the peptide remain unknown. In this study, we examined the colokinetic effect of somatostatin in the spinal defecation center in anesthetized rats. Intrathecal application of somatostatin into the lumbo-sacral cord caused propulsive contractions of the colorectum. However, somatostatin administered intravenously or intrathecally to the thoracic cord failed to enhance colorectal motility. Transection of the thoracic cord had no significant impact on the colokinetic action of somatostatin. The enhancement of colorectal motility by intrathecal administration of somatostatin was abolished by severing the pelvic nerves. Our results demonstrate that somatostatin acting on the spinal defecation center causes propulsive motility of the colorectum in rats. Considering that somatostatin is involved in nociceptive signal transmission in the spinal cord, our results provide a rational explanation for the concurrent appearance of chronic abdominal pain and colonic motility disorders in IBS patients.     

An autopsy case of Aspergillus pneumonia after inhalation of a great deal of dust in a mushroom factory]

A man in his forties with alcoholic liver injury was referred to our hospital because of progressive dyspnea and diffuse infiltrative shadows in both lung fields. Two weeks before admission he had carried a lot of rotten Enoki mushrooms in his factory, and then inhaled a great deal of airborne dust. Serological examination showed extremely elevated beta-D-glucan and positive Aspergillus antigen. Culture of dust collected from the floor of the factory proved to be positive for Aspergillus fumigatus. Aspergillus pneumonia was diagnosed and treatment with anti-fungal drugs was started. In spite of intensive treatment he died of respiratory failure. The autopsy disclosed multiple abscess formation containing hyphae of Aspergillus fumigatus and granulomatous reaction with multinuclear giant cells. However, there was no Aspergillus invasion in other organs. This was a rare case of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis that developed after inhalation of organic dust in a non-immunocompromised host.     

Effects of home-based combined resistance training and walking on metabolic profiles in elderly Japanese

Background: To evaluate the effects of home‐based combined resistance training and walking on metabolic profiles in elderly Japanese subjects. Methods: Two hundred and forty‐four elderly Japanese participants were divided into two groups (184 training group and 60 controls). Each exercise training session consisted of one set of 10 repetitions of 11 different resistance exercises, and the training lasted 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained for measurements of serum levels of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), triglycerides, hemoglobin A_1c, insulin and plasma glucose, before and after the training period. We estimated insulin resistance using the homeostasis model assessment. Five subjects further underwent a two‐step hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp to evaluate insulin action directly before and after the training. Results: Training resulted in a significant increase in HDL‐C (60 ± 1–62 ± 1 mg/dL, mean ± SE, P < 0.01) and a significant decrease in triglycerides (115 ± 5–106 ± 4 mg/dL, P < 0.05), while no significant changes were observed for total cholesterol, plasma glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment or hemoglobin A_1c. Glucose infusion rates during the hyperinsulinemic‐euglycemic clamp increased by 30% (P < 0.05) at the 40 mU/m² per min infusion rate, from 5.4 ± 0.9 to 7.0 ± 1.1 mg/kg per min and by 15% (P < 0.01) at the 400 mU/m² per min infusion rate, from 9.4 ± 1.0 to 10.8 ± 1.2 mg/kg per min. In the control group, no significant changes were noted except for a significant decrease in HDL‐C. Conclusions: Our home‐based exercise program for elderly is safe and effective for improving metabolic profiles.     

Micro-mechanical bond strength tests for the assessment of the adhesion of GIC to dentine

Abstract Background. The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the bond strength (BS) of Glass-Ionomer Cements (GIC) to dentine with microtensile (μTBS) and microshear (μSBS) BS tests by assessing their rankings and failure patterns. Methods. Samples were made on flat dentine surfaces and submitted to μTBS and μSBS. The materials used were: high viscosity GIC (Ketac(?) Molar Aplicap-KM), resin-modified GIC (Fuji II-FII), nano-filled resin-modified GIC (Ketac(?) N100-N100) and an etch-and-rinse adhesive system with a composite resin (Adper(?) Single Bond 2 and Z100(?)-Z100). All tests were performed with a Universal Testing Machine (24 h water storage, crosshead speed of 1 mm/min). Debonded surfaces were examined with a stereomicroscope (×40) to identify the failure mode. The data was analyzed with two-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) and LSD test. Results. Means were statistically different regarding the tests and materials, indicating that values for BS obtained for each material depend on the test performed. Failure analysis revealed that failures produced by μTBS were mainly cohesive for KM and FII. μSBS failures were mainly adhesive or mixed for all materials. For the μTBS, the rank was Z100 > FII > KM = N100, whereas for the μSBS it was Z100 = FII = KM > N100. Conclusion: It may be concluded that distinct micro-mechanical tests present different failure patterns and rankings depending on the material to be considered.     

Definitive diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix by laparoscopic appendectomy

We report a 62-year-old woman with a primary adenocarcinoma of the appendix mimicking ovarian tumor. We had diagnosed it definitively by laparoscopic appendectomy, and additional surgery was required in this case. However, the present case suggests that, in some cases, if cancer of the appendix can be diagnosed early, laparotomy can be avoided and the cancer treated with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery alone.