Beta zeolite: a universally applicable catalyst for the conversion of various types of saccharides into furfurals

Beta zeolite having both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites universally promoted direct conversion of various types of saccharides into furfurals.

[The role of ATP-receptor in controlling the urinary bladder and urethral function in rats]

BACKGROUND

The detrusor contraction involves an atropine resistant, nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC), component. Since adenosine triphosphate (ATP) has been proposed as a NANC transmitter, the role of ATP-receptors in the lower urinary tract was examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The isovolumetric bladder contractions and the urethral pressure were monitored after intra-arterial administration of ATP analogues and other drugs in 52 female SD rats under intraperitoneal urethane anesthesia.

RESULTS

alpha beta metATP induced a rapid, phasic increase of the maximal bladder pressure immediately after the drug administration, which was followed by a decrease during the P 2 X-purinoceptor desensitization period, but it did not affect the resting bladder pressure. RB-2 did not affect both the maximal bladder pressure and the resting bladder pressure. As for the urethral functions, alpha beta metATP induced a decrease of the resting urethral pressure during the P 2 X-purinoceptors desensitization period, while RB-2 induced a increase of the resting urethral pressure in contrast. ATP, alpha beta metATP and RB-2 did not changed the maximal urethral relaxation.

CONCLUSION

The results will indicate that ATP produces detrusor contractions through the P 2 X-purinoceptor. Although ATP dose not affect urethral relaxation during voiding phase, it controls the urethral tone during collecting phase by both the excitation of P 2 X-purinoceptor and the inhibition of P 2 Y-purinoceptor.

Primary tumor of the ureteral stump following a nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

A 64-year-old man presented with asymptomatic macroscopic hematuria during a follow up for a localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which was treated by a right radical nephrectomy 6 years earlier.

METHODS

X-rays and a ureteroscopic examination revealed multiple papillary tumors filling the right ureteral stump. Surgery was performed to excise the ureteral stump and bladder cuff. The tumor was histologically a grade 2-3 transitional cell carcinoma without muscle invasion.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

Only four patients with a ureteral stump carcinoma, including the present case, have been reported after a nephrectomy for RCC. Considering that this patient had a past history of multiple cancers, genetic or environmental factors may have contributed to the etiology of the ureteral stump tumor.

[A case of bladder carcinoma representing leukemoid reaction]

A 60-year-old male with locally invasive bladder carcinoma (pT4 pNo Mo) had a remarkable leukocytosis of 64,900/mm3 in the peripheral blood count without any findings of inflammatory disease. The grade 3 transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) measuring 60 by 58 mm involved the prostate, but radiological examinations including abdominal CT scan and isotopic bone scan failed to prove distant metastasis. Serum calcium level was within normal level. Negative bone marrow finding for leukemia strongly suggested a leukemoid reaction by the bladder carcinoma. Preoperative arterial chemoembolization utilizing mitomycin C microcapsules and cisplatin infused into the tumor feeding arteries provided a normalization of leukocyte count (8,200/mm3) in association with a substantial tumor reduction, and was followed by radical cystoprostatectomy. Although the leukocyte count maintained a normal range for 2 months postoperatively, leukocytosis recurred and rapidly progressed to a leukocyte count of 51,300/mm3. CT scan revealed intrapelvic tumor recurrence, and serum analysis for granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) demonstrated an elevated value of 130.9 pg/ml (normal, less than 30 pg/ml). The patient is now on systemic chemotherapy. The laboratory data and the response to the treatments would indicate that the leukocytosis in this patient is a leukemoid reaction due to the bladder carcinoma which may release G-CSF. Ten cases of bladder tumor representing leukemoid reaction have been reported in the literature.

[Effect of YM-12617 (amsulosin hydrochloride) on lower urinary tract function in the female decerebrate dog]

The effect of YM-12617 on the lower urinary tract function was studied by combined recording of cystometry and external sphincter electromyogram (EMG) in 11 female decerebrate dogs. Reflex micturitions were induced by bladder filling before and after YM-12617 administration. Statistical analysis was carried out on the urodynamic parameters. YM-12617 in a dose of 10 micrograms/kg significantly decreased micturition threshold pressure during the collecting phase. In the urodynamic parameters of the emptying phase there was a significant decrease in contraction pressure at 10 and 30 micrograms/kg.

[Effects of Tsumura Chorei-to and Tsumura Chorei-to-go-shimotsu-to on patients with urethral syndrome]

Tsumura Chorei-to or Tsumura Chorei-to-go-shimotsu-to, was administered to 71 female patients with urethral syndrome 2.5 g three times a day for four weeks. Total efficacy rate of Tsumura Chorei-to in 34 cases was 71%. Tsumura Chorei-to was effective against pollakisuria, miction pain or discomfort, sense of residual urine and lower abdominal discomfort. Total efficacy rate of Tsumura Chorei-to-go-shimotsu-to in 37 cases was 57%. Tsumura Chorei-to-go-shimotsu-to was effective against dysuria, sense of residual urine and lower abdominal discomfort. Uutoward effect rates of Tsumura Chorei-to and Tsumura Chorei-to-go-shimotsu-to were 6% and 14%, respectively. Many of the untoward effects of these two drugs were epigastral discomfort. These two drugs are thought to be effective on patients with urethral syndrome.

[An approach to stoma-less continent urinary diversion by uretero-ileoceco-proctostomy (ileocecorectal bladder)]

The current practice of continent urinary diversion still places the patients under the restraint of the stoma and intermittent catheterization. To overcome these problems, we developed a new technique of urinary diversion of which continent is controlled by the anal sphincter. The isolated ileocecal segment is intussuscepted and interposed between the ureters and the rectum. The conjoined ureters are anastomosed to the stump of the ileal limb, and the antimesenteric portion of the cecal limb is joined to the anterior wall of the rectum. The surgical procedure is simpler than that of the continent reservoirs currently employed. The intussuscepted ileocecal segment prevents fecal reflux to the upper urinary tract and may also inhibit carcinogenesis at the uretero-intestinal junction. Additionally, the rectal capacity is augmented by the side to side anastomosis between the cecal limb and the rectum. Our preliminary experience in 10 cases were satisfactory with respect to voiding function, antireflux mechanism of the intussuscepted ileocecal segment and quality of life. The results will justify further trials with this stomaless continent urinary diversion for those in whom the urethra cannot be used.

[Effect of terazosin on lower urinary tract function in the male decerebrate dog]

The effect of terazosin on the lower urinary tract function was studied by combined recording of bladder and urethral pressures and external sphincter electromyogram in 8 male decerebrate dogs. Reflex micturitions were induced by bladder filling before and after terazosin. The statistical analysis was carried out on the urodynamic parameters. During the collecting phase, terazosin at doses of 10, 30 and 100 micrograms/kg produced a significant decrease in maximum urethral pressure in the dose dependent manner. Threshold pressure was significantly shown to decrease at doses of 30 and 100 micrograms/kg. In the urodynamic parameters of the emptying phase there was a significant decrease in maximum contraction pressure at 10 and 30 micrograms/kg, and in voided volume at 100 micrograms/kg. Terazosin seems to facilitate an initiation of the bladder contraction with a decrease in threshold pressure. In concludes that alpha 1 adrenergic activity seems to take an important role for the maintenance of the urethral pressure and to control the initiation of bladder contraction in modulation with threshold pressure.

[Transurethral microwave coagulation of bladder cancer in elderly patients]

Since April 1985, 72 patients with bladder cancer have been treated by transurethral microwave coagulation (TUMC). In this procedure, tumors were irradiated with microwave energy of 100 watts for 2-16 minutes. A total of 20 patients were 70 years old or older, including 5 who were more than 80 years old. These 20 patients have been followed for 6 to 32 months with a median follow-up of 14.7 months. After TUMC, tumors completely disappeared endoscopically and histologically in all patients. Four patients had heterotopic recurrences. In all patients, serious complications were not seen during and after TUMC. Our clinical experience revealed that TUMC was the useful therapeutic method for bladder cancer in elderly or poor-risk patients. In this paper, we describe the technique of TUMC and preliminary clinical results.