[Diagnosis of pancreatic cancer with simultaneous detection of a pancreatic-cancer-associated antigen and pancreas-specific antigen]

We reported the purification and characterization of a pancreatic cancer-associated antigen from normal colonic mucosa (PCAAc) and pancreas-specific antigen (PaA) according to Kitada's and Loor's methods as well as the established method of double antibody enzyme-linked immunoassay for the detection of serum PaA and PCAAc; respectively. In our study, 155 serum samples were detected (including normal controls 40; pancreatic cancer 31; other malignant disease 56 and benign diseases 28). The results indicated that the overall sensitivity and specificity of a single PCAAc test for pancreatic cancer were calculated to be 70.98% and 96.43%; a single PaA to be 80.65% and 95.23%, respectively. Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity of combined tests (PCAAc and/or PaA) for pancreatic cancer were calculated to be 96.77% and 90.91%. The diagnostic efficiency was 90.91%. None of 84 cases of nonpancreatic cancer and benign diseases has been found elevated PCAAc and PaA simultaneously. The results suggest that simultaneous detection of PCAAc and PaA would have increased the sensitivity of diagnosis for pancreatic cancer.

Influence of liver tumor promoters and structurally related chemicals on survival of normal adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture

The influence of four liver tumor promoters and two structurally related chemicals (non-promoters) on survival of normal adult rat hepatocytes was examined in primary culture. Of the four promoters, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), barbital sodium and phenobarbital sodium, only phenobarbital efficiently prolonged the hepatocyte survival and maintained the morphological features of the cells. Both BHT and DDT were toxic to hepatocytes within the dose ranges tested. Barbital was also ineffective for maintenance of primary cultured hepatocytes but not toxic to the cells. Of the two non-promoters, barbituric acid and amobarbital, barbituric acid also showed no maintenance effect on hepatocytes. However, amobarbital resembled phenobarbital in its effect on the maintenance of hepatocytes in primary culture. DNA synthesis of primary cultured hepatocytes was severely suppressed by phenobarbital in a dose-dependent manner. The results clearly show that the ability to support long-term survival of primary cultured hepatocytes is a common property of some barbiturates but not of liver tumor promoters, and that the maintenance of hepatocytes by phenobarbital is not due to a counterbalance of stimulated proliferation and death of the cells.

[Effects of 2[p-(dimethylamino)styryl] pyridine methiodide on mouse and rabbit]

The effects of 2[p-(dimethylamino)styryl] pyridine methiodide on mouse and rabbit ECG and on the contraction of isolated rabbit atrial muscles were studied. DSPM produced long-lasting bradycardia and A-V block in a dose-dependent manner, but did not effect intraventricular conduction. DSPM antagonized the positive chronotropic and dromotropic effects of isoprenaline (Iso) in vivo, and antagonized the inotropic effects of Iso and CaCl2 non-competitively in vitro. The pD'2 were 4.49 and 4.52, respectively. It is suggested that DSPM may be a Ca2+ antagonist.

[Surface accuracy of hydrophilic impressions. 1]

The purpose of this study was to examine detail reproducibility and surface roughness of stone models made from silicone, polysulfied rubber, alginate and agar impression materials using stainless steel test block (ISO). In addition, the influence of artificial saliva was studied. The following results were obtained: 1. Silicone impression materials showed the best detail reproducibility of all materials. 2. When artificial saliva was dropped on the stainless steel test block, hydrophilic silicone impression material showed the best detail reproducibility. 3. In the test using artificial saliva, alginate and agar impression materials showed better surface roughness, but poorer detail reproducibility than silicone impression ones. 4. Hydrophilic silicone material indicated the highest detail reproducibility, and the lowest surface roughness in the test using artificial saliva.

[COMVp regimen in the treatment of small cell lung cancer--report of 106 patients]

One hundred and six consecutive small cell lung cancer patients were treated by a combination regimen COMVp (CTX 1,000-1,400 mg IV D 1,8; VCR 1-2 mg IV D 1,8; MTX 20-40 mg IV or IM D 3,5,10,12; VP-16 100 mg IV drip D 3-7; three weeks as a cycle and 2-3 cycles as a course) in our hospital during 1983 to 1984. Among the 95 patients who were evaluated, 10 (10.5%) gave CR, 57 (60%) PR, 19 (20%) no change and 9 (9.5%) progression. The overall response rate was 70.5%. In this paper, factors influencing the response and side effects are also analysed. The data show that COMVp regimen is one of the good front line combination chemotherapy regimens currently available in the management of small cell lung cancer.