Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and/or cirrhotic livers of Japanese patients in Japan was investigated by molecular hybridization utilizing a 32P-labeled cloned HBV DNA of adr subtype. Among 24 HCC cases, 9 (37.5%) were positive for serum HBsAg and 10 (41.7%), including 2 cases which were negative for serum HBV markers, were positive for tissue HBsAg in noncancerous portions of the liver. In the latter 10 cases, integrated HBV DNA was detected in HCC. The restriction pattern of integrated viral DNA was different from one case to another. In the noncancerous portion of these 10 HCC cases, free (3/10), random integration (2/10), or clonal integration (1/10) of viral DNA was demonstrated; no hybridization was detected in the remaining 14 HCC cases, either in cancerous or noncancerous portions. Of 6 cases of liver cirrhosis, 2 were positive for serum and histochemical HBsAg; viral DNA was in free state. Viral DNA was not detected in pancreatic tissue in 5 HBsAg-positive cases. The present results are in agreement with previous reports indicating a high frequency of integrated viral DNA in HBV-associated HCC and heterogeneity in the mode of integration. Our results differ in finding no HBV DNA in HCC cases not associated with HBV markers and in finding clonal populations of hepatocytes with integrated HBV DNA less frequently in the noncancerous portion of the liver of HBsAg carriers.

Base Sequence↗

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Development of lymphosarcoma lines with high metastatic ability to lymph nodes and visceral organs in BALB/c mice.

A metastatic tumor population was isolated in BALB/c mice during routine s.c. passage of the colon 26 adenocarcinoma. The tumor metastasized to lymph nodes, liver, spleen, ovary and kidney. A primary culture established from the s.c. growing tumor was composed of both adherent and nonadherent cells. These two cell types were successfully separated from the primary culture and designated CMS (suspension cells) and CMA (adherent cells). The CMS and CMA cell lines are morphologically distinct in culture; however both formed similar histopathologic tumors when inoculated s.c. Furthermore, both tumor lines showed identical metastatic patterns in BALB/c mice with involvement of lymph node, liver, spleen, ovary and kidney. CMS and CMA expressed T-antigen as revealed by FITC-labeled-anti-Thy 1.2 antibody. Chromosome analysis and morphologic studies by light and electron microscopy indicated that the present metastatic lines have no relationship with the colon 26 adenocarcinoma and seem to be non-thymic T-cell lymphosarcomas which developed spontaneously in BALB/c mice.

Animals↗

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Comparative histologic study of adenomas of the large intestine in Japan and England, with special reference to malignant potential.

The malignant potential of large-intestinal adenomas varies with size, histologic type, and grade of epithelial atypia in the same way in England and in Japan. Adenomas in England have greater malignant potential than those in Japan because they grow larger and more often show a villous growth pattern. Although the adenoma--carcinoma sequence operates in the same way in the two countries it is suggested that the higher incidence of colorectal cancer in England is due to the greater prevalence as well as the greater size of English adenomas. More studies of the epidemiology and geographic pathology of large-intestinal adenomas are needed to clarify their importance as a predisposing cause of colorectal cancer in low-risk as well as high-risk areas.

Adenoma↗

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Disappearance of wheezing during epidural lidocaine anesthesia in a patient with bronchial asthma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Local anesthetics in blood absorbed from the epidural space attenuate bronchial hyperreactivity to chemical stimuli. However, it is not documented whether local anesthetics at clinically relevant concentrations improve active wheezing in patients with bronchial asthma. CASE REPORT: We managed a 60-year-old man with bronchial asthma and active wheezing under continuous epidural anesthesia using plain lidocaine. The wheezing gradually diminished 20 minutes after the epidural injection of 13 mL 2% lidocaine and completely disappeared over 155 minutes during continuous epidural injection of 2% lidocaine (6 mL/h). The plasma concentrations of lidocaine in arterial blood during the epidural anesthesia ranged from 2.5 to 3.9 microg/mL. Wheezing reappeared 55 minutes after termination of the continuous epidural injection of lidocaine. The plasma concentration of lidocaine at this time was 1.9 microg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: At clinically relevant concentrations, lidocaine in the blood absorbed from the epidural space may improve bronchospasm in patients with bronchial asthma.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of shear stress on platelet adhesion to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, a silicone sheet, and an endothelial cell monolayer.

We visualized in real-time platelets adhering to the surface of three representative biomaterials, by using an apparatus consisting of a modified cone and plate rheometer combined with an upright epifluorescence microscope under two shear flows (0.1 and 5.0 dyne/cm2). The materials were expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), silicone sheet, and a monolayer of bovine endothelial cells (ECs) formed on glass, all of which are opaque materials used for artificial blood vessels and medical devices. According to quantitative analysis, the monolayer of ECs formed on glass had better blood compatibility than did either the ePTFE or the silicone sheet under shear flow conditions. Under a shear flow condition of 0.1 dyne/cm2, platelet adhesion was silicone sheet > ePTFE. In contrast, under a shear flow condition of 5.0 dyne/cm2, ePTFE > silicone sheet. These results indicate that the intensity of shear stress could modify the order of hemocompatibility of the materials. Therefore, direct observation of platelet adhesion under shear flow conditions is indispensable for testing and screening biomaterials and for providing a precise quantitative evaluation of platelet adhesion.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A longitudinal study of some physiological parameters and autogenic training.

Physiological parameters were studied over 4.5 months in normal high-school girls. One group frequently practised autogenic training (AT) whereas the other (control) did not. After 4.5 months the physiology of the AT, but not the control group had changed to some extent. The mean increase in finger skin temperature in the final session was significantly greater in the AT group than in the control group, especially in subjects who experienced hand warmth during AT. No significant differenced between groups were apparent for finger blood flow, but within the AT group the girls who experienced hand warmth showed a significantly greater blood flow than those who did not experience hand warmth. The electroencephalogram (EEG) of the AT group showed significantly more 'slow' (delta and theta) and less fast (alpha and beta) activity than at the beginning of the project. Microvibration (MV) of the thumb did not differ significantly in any comparisons. Both in the AT and control group means there were no significant differences between the periods before, during and after AT although significant changes did occur in some individuals of the AT group in the final session. In particular, in 3 of 14 AT subjects respiration rate decreases markedly even though weekly training had not included any breathing exercies. The results suggest that the effects of AT are predominantly long-term, resulting in gradual physiological changes that are maintained to some extent between practice periods.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The cancer problem--carcinogenesis and prevention from the viewpoint of the natural history of cancer.

Cancer is mostly environmental in origin and therefore is theoretically preventable by control of environmental conditions. From the viewpoint of the natural history of cancer, the multi-step nature of neoplasia and the generally long latent period are stressed. The molecular biology of cancer tells us that neoplasia is a disease of the genes, with each tumor having its own series of gene alterations. Numerous carcinogens, mutagens and others, have been identified, and we are now in a good position to promote cancer prevention. The aim is to postpone clinical manifestation of latent cancer to an older age, and has two aspects: one is elimination of carcinogens from the environment and the other is active efforts to improve the lifestyle and develop effective chemopreventive agents. For understanding of prevention, elucidation of molecular mechanisms of interactions between genes and environmental or dietary compounds for each cancer is essential.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

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Extended intestinal metaplasia. A survey of 1392 gastrectomies from dwellers of the Pacific basin.

BACKGROUND: To assess the extent of gastric intestinal metaplasia (IM) in gastrectomy specimens in populations of the Pacific basin having different incidence of gastric carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand three hundred and nine-two gastrectomies were investigated: 1088 had a gastric carcinoma and 304 miscellaneous gastric diseases. Twenty-one thousand three hundred and fourteen histological sections were reviewed under low-power (4X). IM was either spotty (SIM) or extended (EIM= encompassing one or more entire low-power fields/section). Widespread IM (WIM) was regarded as EIM if present in > or =5 histological sections. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The percent of gastrectomies harboring a carcinoma increased significantly with increasing age more notably in those with diffuse carcinomas (DC) than in those with intestinal carcinomas (IC). The percent of gastrectomies with EIM was significantly higher in specimens with IC than with DC, particularly among elderly patients, and in specimens from countries with a high cancer incidence. The percent of gastrectomies with WIM was higher in specimens having IC than in those having DC. Migration per se did not influence the frequency of specimens with EIM in elderly Japanese patients: Japanese migrants to Hawaii had a similarly high frequency of EIM as those dwelling in Japan. Japanese patients with a gastric carcinoma showed atypical mitoses in areas with EIM far from the tumor, suggesting that cellular mutation(s) play a role in the evolution of EIM towards gastric dysplasia and carcinoma in that ethnic group. The drawback of gastric biopsies in assessing the extent of gastric intestinal metaplasia and, thereby, estimating possible cancer risk in long-term studies has been stressed.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative microscopic study on response of Ehrlich carcinoma to BNCT vs. chemo- and radiotherapy.

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Animals↗