Separate measurements of the flexoelectric and surface polarization in a model nematic liquid crystal p-methoxybenzylidene-p'-butylaniline: validity of the quadrupolar approach

The temperature dependences of the surface polarization have been measured at the interface of a conductive glass with both the homogeneously and homeotropically oriented nematic liquid crystal p-methoxybenzylidene-p(')-butylaniline. The polarization was found in the field-off regime from the pyroelectric response of a cell to a short laser pulse, absorbed in the bulk of the liquid crystal. The temperature increment was calculated from the measurements of the birefringence induced by the same light pulse. It has been shown that the surface polarization at the homeotropic (m(h)) and planar (m(p)) interfaces is directed from an interface into the bulk and from the bulk to an interface, respectively (with a magnitude m(h) approximately -0.3 pC/m and m(p) approximately +0.2 pC/m at 25 degrees C). The experimental data may be explained in terms of the quadrupole model of the order-electric polarization with account of some additional contribution from molecular dipoles. The same technique also allows for the measurements of the z component of the flexoelectric polarization using a pyroelectric response of a hybrid (homeoplanar) aligned nematic cell and proper subtracting of the surface contributions. The flexoelectric polarization has been shown to be opposite to the sum of the surface terms m(h)+m(p) and directed from the planar to homeotropic interface. This means that the sum of the flexoelectric coefficients e=(e(1)+e(3)) is positive (e congruent with 1.7 pC/m at 28 degrees C). The temperature dependence of e has been shown to involve a combination of both the quadrupolar and dipolar contributions.

Histopathology of a human allografted kidney with clinically sufficient function

To clarify the clinico-pathological significance of protocol biopsy and clinically silent rejection in the management of renal graft recipients, we selected a total of 139 (23%) from 604 biopsy specimens according to the following criteria: 1) less than 1.4 mg/dL of serum creatinine and 2) more than 1,500 mL/d of urine volume at time of biopsy. Clinical indications for the biopsy were classified into five categories: i) protocol biopsy (73 specimens), including 69 cases at discharge post-transplantation; ii) slight increase in serum creatinine (32); iii) proteinuria (20); iv) evaluation of pulse-therapy (13); and v) fever elevation (1). Except for the last category, the specimens were histopathologically diagnosed as being normal in 50 (68%), 6 (17%), 1 (5%), and 5 (38%) specimens, respectively. Even borderline changes, and mild acute rejection, as well as drug-induced nephropathy were included, implying the existence of clinically silent rejection or drug-induced nephropathy. Obvious diversity in the histopathological diagnosis was noted in category iii) showing proteinuria, which was mainly caused by chronic rejection, drug-induced nephropathy and glomerulonephritis. The graft survival rate was no different among the four categories, except for category v). These results indicate that biopsies obtained from functionally sufficient renal grafts could provide useful information in the management of the recipients. The clinical significance of protocol biopsy awaits further clarification by the analysis of a large number of cases.

Diagnostic value of MRI for the female urethral diverticulum

A woman, who discharged pus at the time of intercourse, was diagnosed to have a urethral diverticulum by combination of urethroscope and MRI. MRI provided clear view of the diverticulum in terms of the relationship with the surrounding organs.

Histological study of urinary bladder transplantation in rats

Patients who require cystectomy are usually treated with an ileal conduit or intestinal neobladder for urinary control. In some of them, however, the bowel segment cannot be used because of previous abdominal surgery or radiation treatment. Bladder transplantation from cadavers may be beneficial to these patients, if possible. To obtain basic knowledge about bladder transplantation, we developed an animal model of whole bladder transplantation in rats. Male Lewis rats weighing 270-320 g were used as both donors and recipients. Of the 23 recipients, 12 (52.2%) survived 7 days or longer after surgery. At 1 week after transplantation, the bladder showed loss of transitional epithelium and remarkable cellular infiltration. In the bladder at 5 weeks after transplantation, the transitional epithelium regenerated markedly and submucosal cellular infiltration was much improved. Regeneration of some smooth muscle cells was also noted. At 6 months after transplantation, the nerve fibers were recognized in the bladder and the volume of the transplanted bladder was well preserved (1.0-1.3 ml). This article describes an animal model of whole bladder transplantation in the rat which we produced and the results of our study. Because a large number of pure-bred animals can easily be used, we believe our rat model is very useful for basic studies of bladder transplantation.

CA125-producing adenocarcinoma of the seminal vesicle

A case of primary seminal vesicle carcinoma is reported. The tumor was a CA125-producing adenocarcinoma consisting of fine papillary-tubular, intricate branching or anastomosing glandular structures and was composed of small cuboidal, but occasionally hobnailed, cells with mostly clear, but occasionally granular, cytoplasm. Some tumor cells showed evidence of secretion of seromucinous materials into the interpapillary and cystic space. Immunohistochemically, almost half of the tumor cells expressed a positive reaction with anti-CA125, a common serological marker for ovarian epithelial carcinomas; however, no tumor cells expressed any other serological tumor markers such as carcinoembryonic antigen, alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, prostatic specific acid phosphatase, or prostatic specific antigen. The patient showed a high level of serological CA125, which fluctuated parallel with the growth, removal and recurrence of the tumor. The morphological and immunohistochemical findings suggested a close relationship between the present tumor and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary, which is thought to be of a Müllerian-Wolfian duct origin.

View from beneath: pathology in focus. Renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the tongue

Metastases to the tongue from distant primaries are very rare. A case of renal cell carcinoma metastasis to the tongue, occurring in a 58-year-old man, is presented and previously reported cases are reviewed.

Fourth branchial pouch anomaly

We present an extremely rare case of fourth branchial fistula in a 23-year-old male. The characteristic clinical feature was a recurrent left lower neck abscess which did not respond to appropriate medical and surgical therapy. Radiography and a computed tomographic scan with contrast material revealed a fistula running from the apex of the left pyriform sinus (internal opening) to the left lower neck abscess. The fistula tract was excised surgically. Histological examination of the excised fistula revealed a squamous epithelial lining and subepithelial lymphoid tissue. This pyriform sinus fistula is thought to be of fourth pharyngeal pouch origin, because of its surgical aspects and the histological findings of the excised fistula.

Adrenal medullary hyperplasia. Hyperplasia-pheochromocytoma sequence

We present a case of unilateral adrenal medullary hyperplasia in a 63-year-old woman with clinical signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma unassociated with multiple endocrine neoplasia. The surgically removed adrenal gland revealed diffuse medullary hyperplasia with multiple micronodules measuring up to 2 mm. The micronodules were composed of enlarged chromaffin cells with atypia, histologically similar to those of pheochromocytoma, forming small solid alveolar patterns separated by a fibrovascular stroma. Removal of the hyperplastic adrenal gland resulted in disappearance of paroxysmal nocturnal hypertension and palpitation. These results suggest that diffuse and nodular medullary hyperplasia is the precursor of pheochromocytoma.

Flow cytometric evaluation of Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen on transitional cell cancer using monoclonal antibody

In 31 transitional cell cancer (TCC) tissues and 5 normal bladder mucosae (NBM), we compared the results of flow cytometry (FCM) and immunohistochemical examination in evaluating the expression of Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T-Ag) using a monoclonal antibody. On immunohistochemical examination, 14 (45%) cancer tissues showed T-Ag, while 7 (23%) cancer tissues and all NBM showed only cryptic T-Ag, which was detected only after neuraminidase treatment. Ten (32%) high grade cancer tissues showed neither T-Ag nor cryptic T-Ag. ON FCM the T-Ag positive cells (TPC) and the T-Ag positive cells after neuraminidase treatment (nTPC) were counted in fresh cell suspensions. FCM was more sensitive than immunohistochemical study in detecting T-Ag. Additionally, FCM revealed that some tumors had both T-Ag and cryptic T-Ag at the same time. The ratio of nTPC to TPC was well correlated with the stage or grade of the tumor and may be a more reliable marker of TCC than the expression of T-Ag assessed by immunohistochemical techniques.

Osteomyelitis of temporal bone associated with tonsillar focal infection

We report here on two cases wherein it is conceivable that the osteomyelitis of the temporal bone was brought on by secondary complications associated with tonsillar focal infection. The main change to the bone was non-specific osteomyelitis. Cryptitis of the tonsils or fibrosis surrounding the blood vessels (onion skin lesion) was characteristic findings in the pathological studies.

[A case of primary right ureteral squamous cell carcinoma with intraperitoneal invasion]

A case of primary right ureteral squamous cell carcinoma with intraperitoneal invasion was studied. The patient was a 38-year-old male with chief complaints of right lumbago and gross hematuria. He was admitted to our clinic suspected of having calculi. However, the radiogram was negative. As the patient was suffering from severe hypogastric pain, indicating acute abdomen, an investigative celiotomy was performed. The tumor that was subsequently revealed formed a mass engulfing the furcation of the right internal and external iliac arteries, ureter, ileum and sigmoid colon. As a radical resection was considered impossible, as much of the tumor as possible was excised and a colostomy was performed. After the operation, a regimen of polypharmacy, including bleomycin, was administered against the residual tumor. This therapy has proved to be remarkably effective. At present, the patient is under regular medical observation, and the postoperative course has been favorable.

Synergistic antitumor activity of cisplatin and UFT in nude mice bearing transplantable nasopharyngeal hybridoma

Combination therapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and UFT, a drug prepared with 1-(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)-5-fluorouracil and uracil at a mixing molar ratio of 1:4, was examined in nude mice bearing transplantable human nasopharyngeal hybrid cell (A2L/AH). The tumor growth of A2L/AH was inhibited in the group administered UFT 20 mg/kg, but was not in 10 mg/kg group in comparison with the control group. An inhibition rate (IR) of the tumor growth at 20 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg doses was 80.2 and 21.3%, respectively. The group received CDDP (5 mg/kg, q7d x 3, 2 mg/kg, q7d x 3, and 1 mg/kg, qd x 6) by intraperitoneal injection, resulted in 75.2, 37.4, and 23.1% inhibitions, respectively. While, the response rate in the group treated with CDDP (1 mg/kg, qd x 6) and UFT (10 mg/kg) showed a synergistic effects (IR, 66.3%) which was higher than in the group administered CDDP (2 mg/kg, q7d x 3) and UFT (10 mg/kg) (IR, 58.3%).

[Combination chemotherapy with cisplatin and UFT malignant tumors of the head and neck--experimental study of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (A2L/AH) xenografted to nude mice]

Combination therapy with cis-platinum (CDDP) and UFT was examined with human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (A2L/AH) implanted in nude mice. The tumor growth of A2L/AH was inhibited in the group administrated UFT 20mg/kg, but was not in 10mg/kg group in comparison with the control group. An inhibition rate (IR) of the tumor growth was 80.2 and 21.3% respectively. The group received CDDP (5mg/kg, q7d X 3, 2mg/kg, q7d X 3 and 1 mg/kg, qd X 6) by i. p. injection, resulted in 75.2, 37.4 and 23.1% inhibitions respectively. While, the response rate in the group treated with CDDP (1 mg/kg, qd X 6) and UFT (10mg/kg) showed a synergistic effect (IR; 66.3%) which was higher than in the group administrated CDDP (2mg/kg, q7d X 3) and UFT (10mg/kg) (IR; 58.3%).

Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen in bladder cancer tissues detected by monoclonal antibody

Monoclonal antibodies against Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (T-Ag) were obtained by the hybridoma technique. The expression of T-Ag in 73 specimens of bladder cancer was examined by the immunofluorescence method using these monoclonal antibodies. Seventeen (53%) of grade I, 18 (44%) of grade II and 5 (50%) of grade III were diffusely stained with anti-T. Of the T-negative tumors, 14 (44%) of grade I and 13 (32%) of grade II showed positive staining after neuraminidase treatment (cryptic T-positive) while only 1 (10%) of grade III was cryptic T-positive. On the contrary, only 1 case (3%) of grade I was cryptic T-negative while 10 (24%) of grade II and 4 (40%) of grade III (were. The T-antigen expression and the histological grades correlated significantly (p less than 0.05). Twenty-eight (70%) of the T-positive cases and 9 (60%) of the cryptic T-negative cases recurred while only 3 (11%) of the cryptic T-positive cases did (p less than 0.01). The monoclonal antibodies were more useful than peanut lectin (PNA) or conventional polyclonal antibodies on the detection of T-antigen.

Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen in bladder tumors as detected by specific antibody: a possible marker of recurrence

TUR specimens of non-invasive transitional-cell carcinomas were examined for their expression of Thomsen-Friedenreich (T) antigen by indirect immunofluorescence staining using rabbit IgG antibody which was raised with desialated glycophorin. Nine (45%) out of 20 tumors of low grade (Grade I and II), and 5 (56%) of 9 tumors of high grade (III) were diffusely stained with anti-T (T-positive), whereas T-antigen in normal tissue was cryptic and stained only after neuraminidase treatment (cryptic T-positive). Of the T-negative tumors, 9 (45%) of the low grade but only one of the high grade tumors, were stained positively for the cryptic T-antigen. The rest of the tumors were devoid of the cryptic T-antigen. Eighty percent of both Tumors expressing T-antigen and those lacking the cryptic T-antigen recurred within two years. Recurrence was not influenced by initial histological grade.

In vitro protein synthesis using D-amino acids and its evolutionary significance

The in vitro incorporations of D-Trp or -Ala into peptides were investigated using a crude system. Although none of aminoacylation to the former was observed under the present condition, the latter was utilized for peptide synthesis at the same rate as the opposite enantiomer. The results of analyzing the peptides showed that the peptides, which were synthesized with either D-, L- or DL-Ala as the substrate, were composed of mostly similar molecular size. The study of incorporations of radioisotopes (14C-D- and 3H-L-Ala) into peptides also indicated that D-Ala was by no means inferior to L-Ala for the substrate. Basing upon the present experiment, the evolutionary significance for utilizing D-amino acids is discussed.