Translocation of pancreatic juice after ischemia and reperfusion of the intestines and the effects of gabexate mesilate (FOY) in rats

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate pancreatic juice translocation after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA).

METHODS

Ischemia was induced by clamping the rat SMA for 40 minutes, after which flow was restored and the SMA reperfused for 300 minutes. The blood levels of amylase and lipase were measured to reflect the dislocation of pancreatic juice. Organ injury parameters, such as the blood concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, creatinine kinase, and creatinine and the lung weight/body weight ratio were measured as well as inflammatory parameters such as tumor necrosis factor, hydroxyl radical, and nitric oxide levels.

RESULTS

Organ injury and inflammatory parameters all increased significantly after I/R. Reperfusion of the intestine also induced a significant increase in the levels of pancreatic juice in the blood. After administration of the enzyme inhibitor, gabexate mesilate (FOY; 10 mg/kg), by injection into the duodenum, organ injury was significantly attenuated.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggested that I/R of the SMA induced multiple organ injuries that appeared to be dependent on the translocation of pancreatic enzymes.

Characterization of human ovarian carcinomas in a SCID mouse model

This study characterizes a murine model which is promising for the study of the growth and natural history of ovarian cancer and for testing of new therapies for its treatment. Intact portions of 20 different human ovarian cancer surgical specimens were implanted in over 60 severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice using techniques previously developed in our laboratory. Growth of xenografts was evaluated by gross examination and histopathologic analysis. Confirmation of the human origin of the tumor outgrowth was obtained using in situ hybridization analysis. By histological evaluation, all of the patients' tumors showed evidence of invasive growth in at least 1 of the mice implanted with portions of each surgical specimen and these tumors remained morphologically similar to the parent tumors for a long period of time. Furthermore, 65% (13/20) of the xenografts grew rapidly enough (i.e., reached a diameter of 1-2 cm within 2-6 months) to allow passage to subsequent SCID mice. Among the passaged xenografts, 3 eventually developed metastases in a distribution pattern similar to that of naturally occurring ovarian cancer and 2 developed ascites without evidence of further metastatic spread. Upon evaluation of sera from tumor-bearing mice, human antibodies presumably derived from immunoglobulin-secreting cells present in the original tumor specimen were identified. In support of this, human B cells and plasma cells could be seen within the tumor xenograft for more than 6 months following implantation. In summary, transplantation of surgical specimens from ovarian cancer patients into SCID mice results in an attractive model for the study of the natural history of ovarian cancer and may also be useful for analysis or new experimental therapeutic approaches for the treatment of this disease.

[The knowledge attitude and practice of cancer prevention among primary school teachers]

This study was based on the data collected through personal interviews by the Yang-Ming Crusade, organized by students of National Yang-Ming Medical College, during the summer vacations in 1983-1985. Arranged by 21 city/country Education Bureaus, the crusaders gave lectures on cancer education for primary school teachers in every city and town throughout the Taiwan area. Totally 36,426 questionnaires were filled out before the lecture meetings. This is a KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) study of cancer prevention among primary school teachers. The cognizance rates of cervical cancer as the leading cancer and as the most curable one for women in Taiwan were 75.5% and 43.0% respectively. Pap smear and Hemoccult Slide Test were known by 95.9% and 74.0% of the interviewees, mostly from TV (65.6% and 68.9%), followed by hospital and others. The necessity of "early diagnosis and early treatment" was accepted by 91.9% of the interviewees, a periodical check-up for cancer was thought essential by 93.4% of them, and cancer insurance was consent by 90.3% of them. It was agreed by 51.3% of the interviewees and disagreed by 46.7% of them that herbs are effective to cure cancer. Psychological fear (36.8%), physiological pain (30.2%) and worry of interfering family (15.3%) were considered the most dreadful situations by primary school teachers in case of having cancer. Totally 56.4% of the female interviewees had had a Pap Test, 63.8% of them were for prevention. The most frequently consulted person for a Pap Test was husband (30.1%) and, secondly herself (8.0%). The most influencial persons for having a Pap Test were husband (24.8%) and physician (11.1%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Community-based epidemiological study on hypertension and diabetes--community-based preventive medicine by Yang-Ming Crusade in 1989]

A community-based preventive medicine project was carried out by the Yang-Ming Crusade, organized by more than 180 students of National Yang-Ming Medical College, in July 1989. All of the registered residents over 40 years old of 13 villages (from 8 towns) were chosen for the study population. Their blood pressure, urine sugar, urine protein, high and weight were taken by the crusaders through door by door interviews. The screening positive cases were referred to the local Group Practice Center for confirm diagnosis and follow-up treatment. Among 7598 study population. 5088 (67%) were interviewed including male 48.9% and female 51.0%. About one third of the interviewee were in 50-59 age group. 762 hypertensive cases out of 3462 interviewee with blood pressure taken were found. The prevalence of hypertension was 21.0%. 334 diabetes cases out of 4713 interviewee with urine sugar taken were found. The prevalence of diabetes was 7.1%. Among 762 hypertensive cases, 560 (77.1%) were self-recognized and treated with the following methods: modern medicine 79.2%, traditional medicine 8.7%, drug stores 6.4%, and herbs 2.8%. Among 334 diabetes cases, 203 (60.8%) were self-recognized and only 171 (51.2%) were treated with the following methods: modern medicine 79.5%, traditional medicine 8.2%, drug stores 3.5%, and herbs 4.1%. Univariate analysis on hypertension showed that age, ethnicity, obesity, diabetes, hypertension history of mother, and hypertension history of siblings were significant variables. All of the above 6 variables were significant in multiple logistic regression analysis. Univariate analysis on diabetes showed that age, ethnicity, obesity, hypertension, diabetes history of father, diabetes history of mother, and diabetes history of siblings were significant variables. However only 4 variables, age, hypertension, diabetes history of mother, and diabetes history of siblings, were significant in multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results of surgical treatment in 6,123 cases of carcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia

Six thousand one hundred twenty-three cases of carcinoma of the esophagus and gastric cardia were treated surgically from 1965 to 1985. Overall resectability was 89.9%. Postoperative mortality was 3%, and incidence of postoperative complication, 10.3%. Follow-up rate was 91.3%, with 5 year survival of 36.8% (esophageal nearly twice that of gastric cardia), and 10 year survival of 17.2%. Factors affecting long-term survival were clinicopathologic staging and preoperative irradiation. Early discovery and timely treatment are the key to high resectability and improved long-term survival. More efficacious combined therapies are needed for the predominant late cases. We propose more radical resection because of the multifocal tendency of esophageal and extensive submucosal infiltration of cardia carcinoma. Continuing refinements of surgical technique helped to reduce postoperative leakage and structure.