A case of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor producing gastric cancer]

We report a case of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor producing gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases. A 68-year-old woman who complained of epigastralgia visited our hospital. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examination revealed a type-2 gastric cancer. The laboratory data at admission indicated leukocytosis (35,900/microl) and a high level of serum granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (61 pg/mg). Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor producing gastric cancer was diagnosed by immunohistochemistry of biopsy specimen. Since we detected multiple liver metastases, chemotherapy was performed. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-producing gastric cancer is relatively rare and we summarize previous reports.     

Lacunar skull deformity and hydrocephalus in infants with myelomeningocele: is lacunar skull deformity a predictor of hydrocephalus development?

Objects We evaluated whether the presence of lacunar skull deformity (LSD) with myelomeningocele is a predictive factor for subsequent hydrocephalus development. Materials and methods We reviewed the clinical and radiological records of 18 infants with myelomeningocele, divided the patients into groups with (group A, n=9) and without (group B, n=9) ventriculomegaly at birth and assessed whether the presence of LSD was predictive of the necessity for ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement. Results LSD was present in five group A patients. All nine group A patients underwent VPS placement. Among the group B patients, five had LSD; they underwent VPS placement. A significantly higher proportion of those with ventricle enlargement or LSD at birth required VPS placement (p=0.0001). Conclusion Adding to the ventriculomegaly at birth, the presence of LSD alerts to the necessity to monitor these infants closely to determine the necessity for VPS placement.     

Amelioration by topical bunazosin hydrochloride of the impairment in ocular blood flow caused by nitric oxide synthase inhibition in rabbits.

We investigated whether topical instillation of an alpha(1)-adrenergic blocker would improve an insufficient blood supply in the optic nerve head (ONH) and visual function, in rabbits. The effect of systemic NOS inhibition on visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) and hemodynamics in ONH were determined. VEPs were recorded before and every 15 min during a 120-min observation period after an intravenous injection of 50 mg/kg N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Capillary blood flow in ONH was evaluated by the laser speckle method throughout the same period. Then, we investigated the effect of topical instillation of a recently developed alpha(1) adrenergic blocker, bunazosin hydrochloride (0.01%), 60 min prior to the intravenous L-NAME (50 mg/kg) on the changes by NOS inhibition. The VEP amplitudes were reduced by L-NAME (10, 20, and 50 mg/kg) in a dose-dependent manner, while the VEP implicit time was unchanged, and no significant changes were detected in the electroretinogram. The reductions in ONH capillary blood flow and VEP amplitudes caused by L-NAME (50 mg/kg) were significantly suppressed by an instillation of bunazosin hydrochloride. These results indicate that blocking alpha(1)-adrenergic receptors may ameliorate the impairments in blood flow and retinal function caused by NOS inhibition. The enhancement of basal vascular tone due to deprivation of continuous NO production may be diminished by this alpha(1)-adrenergic blocker.     

A study on the development of a filing system for funduscopic images with a personal computer for Twin AMHTS

A filing system for ocular fundscopic image data was developed by using a personal computer for the Twin AMHTS. The development of the system was tried as one of the data transfer system including image data between two similar AMHTSs named the Twin AMHTS through the information network system. The filing system is capable of storing 26782 data of ophthalmoscopic pictures with a data compression mode by using a magneto-optical disk (MOD) whose storage capacity of both sides is 616 MB. It takes no long time for retrieval and display of the image data in the filing system. Good quality of compression and decompression obtained and reproducibility of the ocular fundus picture is favorable regardless of normal or abnormal cases. As a result, it is suggested that the developed system has practical utility although it requires more improvement.     

Changes in pulmonary circulation during the early postoperative period following single lung transplantation

This study examines the pulmonary hemodynamics during reimplantation and rejection following unilateral lung transplantation in dogs. Nineteen mongrel dogs were divided into three groups according to the method of treatment used: group 1 (n = 6) underwent modified autotransplantation of the left lung; group 2 (n = 6), allotransplantation without immunosuppression; and group 3 (n = 7), allotransplantation with immunosuppression. The pulmonary arterial blood flow and ventilation scores, assessed by chest X-rays, were measured for 2 weeks postoperatively. Pulmonary blood flow to the transplanted lung decreased slightly in group 1, whereas in group 2, it decreased sharply from the 3rd postoperative day (POD) and was almost completely absent by the 14th POD. In group 3, it decreased by 28% on the 1st POD but recovered gradually to 37% by the 14th POD. Ventilation scores were the same among the three groups on the 1st POD but in group 2, they decreased rapidly from the 3rd POD. This change correlated well with that of the pulmonary arterial (PA) flow, although the ventilation score changed after the PA flow did. In conclusion, rejection was reflected earlier and more distinctly by the changes in PA flow than by chest X-rays.     

The localization of CD44 and moesin in osteoclasts after calcitonin administration in mouse tibiae

We investigated the immunohistochemical localization of CD44, hyaluronate receptor, and moesin, of the ezrinradixin-moesin (ERM) family, in osteoclasts after calcitonin adminstration using confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy to clarify the role of CD44 and moesin in their cytoskeletal organization and cell polarity. We also elucidated the localization of osteopontin (OPN) to confirm its possible role in cell-matrix recognition via CD44. In untreated mice, intense immunoreactivities for CD44 and moesin were detected on the basolateral plasma membrane of osteoclasts. Rhodamine-phalloidin reactivity was seen in a bandlike pattern on the region of contact between osteoclasts and bone and was also detected moderately along their basolateral plasma membrane. At 30 min after calcitonin administration, osteoclasts did not show either clear zones or ruffled borders. The bandlike reactivity of rhodamine-phalloidin in the contact region was diminished, although labeling was seen along osteoclasts. CD44 and moesin were colocalized along their plasma membranes, including the region facing the bone surface. Electron microscopic observation revealed that the microvillus processes in the contacting region with bone surface, as well as the basolateral plasma membrane, showed immunoreactivities to CD44 and moesin. At 60 min, some osteoclasts attached to bone and showed a bandlike pattern of rhodamine-phalloidin. On the other hand, OPN was localized under CD44-positive cytoplasmic processes and the clear zone of osteoclasts. These findings suggest that calcitonin effects on the cell polarity of osteoclasts and the CD44-moesin-actin filament system in osteoclasts plays an imporant role in cell polarity and cell-matrix recognition.