[Intrathecal infusion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor protects nigral dopaminergic neurons from degenerative changes in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced monkey parkinsonian model]

Protective effect of BDNF on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons was evaluated with MPTP-induced parkinsonian model in monkey. Twelve adult female Japanese monkeys weighing about 7kg were lesioned with systemic infusion of MPTP according to the following dosing schedules. Group I: normal control (n = 2), group II: continuous infusion of 15mg of MPTP with osmotic minipump (Alzet: 2ML2, mean pumping rate 5 microliters/hour) for 14 days (n = 2), group III: bolus injections of 5mg of MPTP on day 0, 4 and 7 (n = 2), group IV: bolus injections of 5mg of MPTP on day 0 and 4 (n = 6). Half of the animals in each groups except groupI were treated with BDNF, and the other half served as control. In BDNF-treated animals, total 6.5 ml of conditioned culture medium of Chinese hamster ovary containing 1 micrograms protein/ml of BDNF was administered into cisterna magna by osmotic minipump (Alzet: 2ML2) implanted on day 0. Culture medium without BDNF activity was also administered to control animals in the same manner. Neurological findings were evaluated with the Monkey Parkinsonism Rating Scale (MPRS) by Kurlan et al. The animals were sacrificed on day 14 and histological findings of the pars compacta was investigated. All the animals in group I and II showed no symptoms during the experimental periods. Severe parkinsonism was observed in animals regardless of BDNF treatment in group III. In group IV, non-treated animals suffered parkinsonism at the end of the 1st week and deteriorated in the 2nd week. In contrast, BDNF-treated animals stayed asymptomatic during the 1st week and developed parkinsonism in the 2nd week. There were significant differences for MPRS between BDNF-treated and non-treated animals after day 6. Severe neuronal loss was observed in the parkinsonian animals in accordance with clinical symptoms. Neuronal loss was significantly milder in the BDNF-treated animals. These results revealed a protective effect of BDNF on dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-lesioned primates.

Effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced parkinsonism in monkeys

The effects of intrathecal infusion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were examined in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced parkinsonian model in monkeys. Nine Japanese monkeys were divided randomly into three groups, an untreated control (n = 3), a BDNF group (n = 3), and a non-BDNF group (n = 3). Animals in the BDNF group received continuous intrathecal infusion of 10 ml of cell culture medium containing 10 micrograms of BDNF protein; the non-BDNF group received intrathecal infusion of the same culture medium without BDNF. To induce parkinsonian syndromes, a total of 1 mg/kg 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine was administered intravenously to each monkey in both the BDNF and non-BDNF groups. The neurological signs in the monkeys were monitored for 2 weeks and were scored according to the monkey parkinsonism rating scale; histological changes in the substantia nigra were evaluated after the 2-week observation period. The BDNF-treated animals remained asymptomatic during the 1st week and showed mild parkinsonism during the 2nd week, whereas the non-BDNF group showed typical parkinsonian syndrome during the 1st week, with deterioration in the 2nd week. Histological damage in the substantia nigra correlated well with the clinical features. Severe neuronal cell loss in the substantia nigra was observed in animals with severe parkinsonism (those in the non-BDNF group), whereas significantly less damage was observed in this region in the BDNF group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Establishment of vasopressin-responsive early proximal tubular cell lines derived from transgenic mice harboring temperature-sensitive simian virus 40 large T-antigen gene

A little is known about vasopressin receptor in early proximal tubule (S1). The purpose of this study is to establish the vasopressin-responsive S1 cell line derived from transgenic mice harboring temperature-sensitive(ts) simian virus (SV) 40 large T-antigen gene. The cells showed a temperature-sensitive cell growth characteristic of encoding tsSV40. The S1 cells retained a unique morphology specific to proximal tubule. The cells showed the vasopressin-induced increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) mediated by both V1a and the putative Vp receptor. Of nineteen clonal cell lines established from the parental cells, three expressed only V1a receptor, and five retained both V1a and Vp receptor. In conclusion, these immortalized S1 cell lines may be useful for studying vasopressin receptor subtypes in S1.

Intravenous reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of cimadronate (YM175), a novel bisphosphonate, in rats and rabbits

Cimadronate (YM175) is a novel bisphosphonate with potent inhibitory activity on bone resorption under development for the treatment of tumor-induced hypercalcemia, metastatic bone disease and osteoporosis. We conducted intravenous reproductive toxicity and teratology studies (Segment I, II and III) of this compound in rats and teratology study in rabbits. The test compound was dissolved in physiological saline, which was also given as the vehicle control. Rats were administered at a dosage of 0.06, 0.16 and 0.62 mg/kg/day in the male Segment I study. Dose levels in the other studies in rats including the female Segment I were 0.16, 0.31 and 0.62 mg/kg/day. In the Segment I study, no treatment-related abnormalities were observed in reproductive parameters or fetuses. In the Segment II study, slightly retarded fetal ossification was noted at 0.31 mg/kg/day or more, but the incidence of malformation did not increase. In the Segment III study, death of the dams and abnormal tooth growth of offspring were observed at 0.16 mg/kg/day or more. Further Segment III study showed that the no toxic effect level was 0.003 mg/kg/day. In the rabbit teratology study, dose levels were 0.01, 0.025 or 0.05 mg/kg/day. No toxic effects on pregnant females or their litters were observed at up to 0.05 mg/kg/day.

[A study on the rhodopsin gene in Japanese retinitis pigmentosa--screening of mutation by restriction endonucreases and frequencies of DNA polymorphisms]

We analyzed 11 sites of the rhodopsin gene using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and restriction endonucleases in 30 unrelated Japanese patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP). No point mutation was found in any patient. The frequencies of the single nucleotide (nt) substitution at nt 269, nt 5145 and nt 5321 were examined in three groups, 38 unrelated patients with ADRP, 23 patients with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP), and 67 normal controls. There was no significant difference in the frequencies of substitution among these three groups. The frequencies of A269G, G5145A, and C5321A were 52%, 36%, and 5%, respectively. These values were different from those of the American population. The polymorphisms, A269G and G5145A, are useful as DNA makers for linkage analysis.

A novel pyridobenzazepinone derivative with long lasting thromboxane synthase inhibition

A novel pyridobenzazepinone derivative (Z)-11-(5-carboxypentylidene)-6-methyl-5, 11-dihydropyrido +ad4,3-C] [1] benzazepin-5 (6H)-one (CAS 127654-03-9, KF 13218), inhibited human and bovine platelet thromboxane synthase with IC50 values of 27 +/- 5.8 nmol/l (mean +/- S.E.M.) and 36 +/- 6.9 nmol/l, respectively. The compound did not inhibit cyclooxygenase or 5-lipoxygenase up to a dose of 100 mumol/l and did not antagonize thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors. KF13218 inhibited arachidonic acid-induced thromboxane B2 production by human intact platelets with an IC50 value of 5.3 +/- 1.3 nmol/l. The IC50 value of KF13218 for the intact platelets was about 5 times lower than that for the microsomal enzyme. The inhibition of thromboxane synthase in platelets by KF13218 was sustained after removal of the extracellular compound. After oral dosing in rat from 0.03 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg, KF13218 dose-dependently inhibited the thromboxane B2 production in serum, and the inhibition was retained for 72 h. KF13218, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg p.o. prevented mortality induced by sodium arachidonate in rabbit. It is concluded that KF13218 is a potent, selective and long lasting thromboxane synthase inhibitor.

Induction of DNA fragmentation by tannin- and lignin-related substances

A variety of tannin and lignin-related compounds were compared for their ability to induce nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation (a biochemical hallmark of apoptosis), using agarose gel electrophoresis and a fluorescence activated cell sorter. Monomeric, dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric hydrolysable tannins induced nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells, more potently than condensed tannins. The highest activity was detected in gallic acid, a component unit of tannins. Natural lignified materials, except for caffeic acid and its dehydrogenation polymer, showed much weaker activity. Protein-bound polysaccharide (PSK) was inactive. Gallic acid induced DNA fragmentation in four human myelogenous leukaemic cell lines, but not in human T-cell leukaemia and erythroleukaemia cell lines. Ca2+ depletion from the culture medium slightly, but significantly, reduced the apoptosis-inducing activity of gallic acid, but did not significantly affect that of tannic acid or caffeic acid. After treatment with gallic acid, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was significantly elevated. The apoptosis-inducing activity of polyphenols may further emphasize their medicinal efficacy.

Missense mutation of rhodopsin gene codon 15 found in Japanese autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa

Heterozygous missense mutation in codon 15 of the rhodopsin gene was detected in a patient with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP), where a transition of adenine to guanine at the second nucleotide in codon 15 (AAT-->AGT), corresponding to a substitution of serine residue for asparagine residue (Asn-15-Ser) was detected. None of the remaining unrelated 42 ADRP, 24 autosomal recessive RP (ARRP) and 34 normal individuals had this alteration. Her funduscopic findings were sectorial in type similar to that of the patients with the same mutation found in an Australian pedigree (Sullivan et al., 1993). This study shows phenotypic similarities in patients with the same mutation of a different ancestry.

Three ATP1 genes are present on chromosome II in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Chromosome fragmentation, ATP1 disruption, and Southern blot analyses of total DNAs and prime clones of chromosome II showed that three identical ATP1s are present, directing from the telomere to the centromere on the 35-55 kb far from the left telomere sequence of chromosome II. That is, the coding and 5'-, 3'-non-coding regions of ATP1 are repeated 3 times at approximately 7 kb intervals. These three ATP1s are expressed, and one and two ATP1s-disrupted strains, respectively, showed ca.70 and 40% decreases in their ATPase activities and alpha subunit contents, compared to those of the wild type, DC-5 or W303-1A strain, but could grow on glycerol.

Linkage and haplotype analysis of familial early-onset Alzheimer disease in Japanese population

Linkage and haplotype analysis of eleven early-onset Alzheimer disease (AD) families was performed in relation to D21S210 and microsatellite DNA polymorphisms localized on chromosome 14q24.3. Linkage analysis of eight informative families out of eleven early-onset AD families disclosed the highest LOD score of 3.45 (theta = 0.00) at D14S77, while the locus of beta/A4 amyloid protein precursor gene was formally excluded within 10 cM from D21S210, given the evidence of recombinations in five families. Transmission disequilibrium study between the patients and controls without dementia indicated significant differences at D14S43 (p = 0.0001) and D14S71 (p = 0.02). Association study between genotypes linked or related to onset of AD and those of control also revealed a significant difference at D14S43 (p < 0.05), suggesting the existence of linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, the haplotypes at D14S43 linked with the onset of AD indicated a significant relationship with the mean age at onset. These results support that the major locus of early-onset familial AD is located on 14q24.3, and its close linkage to D14S43 and the existence of allelic heterogeneity were suggested.

Expression of asparagine synthetase mRNA through asparagine independent signal transduction pathway that might involve protein kinase C in BALB3T3 cells

Basal level of asparagine synthetase mRNA in BALB3T3 cells was elevated when the cells were shifted from medium containing a high concentration (3.3 mM) of asparagine to one lacking asparagine. We then studied whether the expression of asparagine synthetase mRNA is also mediated through other asparagine-independent signaling pathways. BALB3T3 cells grown to near confluence were quiesced by serum-starvation, and various agents were then added to the culture to examine the enzyme activity and mRNA level of asparagine synthetase. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a direct activator of protein kinase C (PKC), elevated dose and time dependently the level of asparagine synthetase mRNA even in Eagle's minimum essential medium with alpha modification (MEM alpha) that contains protein-constituting 20 amino acids and is supplemented with 3.3 mM asparagine. Staurosporine and H-7, PKC inhibitors, strongly blocked the fetal bovine serum-dependent accumulation of asparagine synthetase mRNA. TPA could also enhance the activity of asparagine synthetase within 24 h at concentrations of more than 10 nM. These results suggest that expression of asparagine synthetase gene can be induced both through a pathway that involves PKC and through a pathway the origin of which is a reduced concentration of asparagine in BALB3T3 cells.

[Giant schwannoma in the pelvic cavity presenting as renal failure: a case report]

A case of giant schwannoma in the pelvic cavity detected with renal failure is reported. A 50-year-old man was referred to another clinic with chief complaints of general fatigue and edema of the face and dorsa of the feet. On March the 4th 1994, he was hospitalized in the clinic because of renal failure. Bilateral hydronephrosis and a giant pelvic tumor were found by computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography. Because bilateral percutaneous nephrostomies failed to recover his renal function, he was referred to our clinic for the purpose of hemodialysis and the further examination of the tumor on March 16, 1994. The pelvic angiography showed that the tumor was fed by the vessel from the left internal iliac artery. After the chemo-embolization from the feeding artery, tumor resection was performed on May 9, 1994. The tumor was 16x13x10 cm in size, and 1,110 g in weight. The histological findings of the tumor revealed the mixed type schwannoma of Antoni A and B. Six months after the operation, he has had no tumor recurrence. This is a rare case of pelvic schwannoma which was detected with renal failure. We reviewed and discussed 56 cases of schwannoma in the pelvic cavity, including our case, in the Japanese literature.

Clinical efficacy of fluvastatin in the long-term treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia

The long-term clinical efficacy of fluvastatin was assessed in 24 patients with familial hypercholesterolemia over a total treatment period of 104 weeks. Patients received an initial fluvastatin dose of 20 mg/day for 8 weeks, which was increased to 30 mg/day for a further 16 weeks. From week 24, if serum total cholesterol remained > or = 230 mg/dL, the fluvastatin dose could be increased to 40 or 60 mg/day, as necessary. By the end of treatment, 4 patients were receiving 30 mg/day fluvastatin, 1 patient was receiving 40 mg/day, and 19 patients were receiving 60 mg/day. Serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels showed a significant decrease from baseline at week 104 (total cholesterol, -26.8 +/- 2.4%; LDL-C, -33.1 +/- 3.3%; p < 0.001). The reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-C were dose-related. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were observed at week 24 (12.1 +/- 5.0%) and at week 76 (11.0 +/- 3.3%), although the effect was variable. Nevertherless, at the end of treatment the LDL-C: HDL-C ratio showed a 35% reduction from baseline. Changes in triglyceride levels failed to achieve statistical significance, with a reduction from baseline of -13.9 +/- 7.3% at week 104. Changes in apolipoprotein A-I were variable, with statistically significant (p < 0.01) increases observed at week 24 (7.6 +/- 2.3%) and week 76 (8.4 +/- 2.7%). By contrast, a significant reduction from baseline in apolipoprotein B was achieved by week 12 (-15.0 +/- 2.3%; p < 0.001) and was maintained throughout the study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Calcium signaling in cultured rat oligodendrocytes

The syntax of neuronal-glial or axonal-glial interaction is frequently communicated through transient changes in internal calcium (Cai). We examined mechanisms for Cai signaling and intercellular propagation of Cai responses in cultured oligodendrocytes (OLGs) derived from adult spinal cord (SC), postnatal day 21 (P21) SC, and P21 brain. We found that (1) cultured OLGs exhibited a heterogeneous response to norepinephrine, carbachol, ATP, histamine, and glutamate; (2) receptor-mediated Cai increases were derived from both Ca2+ influx and intracellular Ca2+ release; (3) the percentage of responders to neuroligands varied as a function of cell origin; (4) cultured OLGs exhibited a thapsigargin-sensitive, but not a caffeine-sensitive, intracellular Ca2+ pool; and (5) gap junctional contacts between OLGs permitted limited intercellular propagation of mechanically stimulated Cai responses. Receptor-mediated Cai signaling appears to occur not only in cultured OLGs but also in acutely dissociated OLGs. The heterogeneity in Cai responses as a function of cell origin may reflect the existence of OLG subsets or differences in the maturation stage of OLGs.

Stability of sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate

The stability of sodium 5,6-benzylidene-L-ascorbate (SBA), consisting of two diastereomers, was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography. In extensively acidic buffer, the acetal in SBA was immediately cleaved to liberate ascorbic acid and benzaldehyde. At higher pH, the cleavage of SBA was significantly reduced, but the degradation (due to possible opening of the lactone ring) of SBA was stimulated. The degradation rate of SBA was significantly increased with increasing temperature, and was higher than that of ascorbic acid or benzaldehyde. SBA was degraded with incubation time in culture medium, with accompanying loss of its biological activity, but only a marginal concentration of benzaldehyde, but not of ascorbic acid, was produced from SBA. The amount of SBA extracted from the apoptosing leukemic cells by 70% acetonitrile amounted to about 0.04% of that present in the medium fraction. These data suggest that SBA itself, but not contaminating ascorbic acid nor benzaldehyde, is responsible for the antitumor activity of SBA.

Adjustments of cardiac function during prolonged exercise relative to lactate threshold

Alterations in cardiac function during prolonged submaximal exercise relative to lactate threshold (LT) were evaluated on 7 normal healthy males aged 30.3 +/- 5.7 years. Systolic time intervals were analyzed through simultaneous recordings of electrocardiogram, phonocardiogram, and impedance cardiogram at a paper speed of 50 mm/s. Determination of stroke volume (SV) was based upon the method described by Kubicek et al. ANOVA followed by the Scheffe post-hoc comparison revealed that SV and myocardial contractility indices (MSER and PEP/LVET) remained relatively unchanged throughout 40-min cycling exercise, although the changes in heart rate and oxygen uptake were statistically significant. In addition, systolic blood pressure remained almost unchanged during the exercise. These results may be interpreted as evidence of the "contractility reserve", i.e., the ability of maintaining heart muscle contractility during prolonged exercise at LT intensity.

Transport and metabolism of glutathione isopropyl ester in cerebrospinal fluid

The transport of glutathione (GSH) or glutathione isopropyl ester (GSH isopropyl ester) to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in rats was estimated by levels of GSH or GSH isopropyl ester and their metabolites in CSF 30 min after the intravenous administration of GSH or GSH isopropyl ester (300 mg/kg). Although the CSF uptake of GSH isopropyl ester was almost equal to that of GSH as evidenced by about a two-fold increase in the amount of non-protein sulfhydryl groups in CSF, the sum of GSH isopropyl ester and GSH concentrations in the CSF after GSH isopropyl ester treatment was increased by 32% compared with saline-treated controls. On the other hand, treatment with GSH had no significant increase in GSH levels in CSF but increased its metabolite levels, such as cysteinyl-glycine and cysteine. GSH isopropyl ester was less metabolized than GSH. GSH isopropyl ester had low affinity to purified gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, a key enzyme for metabolism of GSH in the choroid plexus, supporting the finding that GSH isopropyl ester is more stable than GSH in CSF. These results are compatible with our previous report (Yamamoto et al. (1993) showing that the protective action of GSH isopropyl ester against cerebral ischemia was greater than that of GSH in rats. GSH isopropyl ester may be a useful agent which protects the brain from the damage associated with oxygen-related toxicities by increasing GSH levels in the CSF.

External and interstitial radiotherapy in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The records of 165 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx treated at our hospital with external and/or interstitial radiotherapy between 1971 and 1990 were reviewed to evaluate the treatment results, focusing on primary control and complications. All cancers were restaged according to the UICC 1987 TNM staging system. Of these 165 patients, 11% were in Stage I, 55% in Stage II, 24% in Stage III and 8.5% in Stage IV. Local control and complications were analysed in 140 patients. The remaining 25 patients died of intercurrent or metastatic disease during the first 2 years following treatment and were excluded from the analysis. 70 patients were treated by interstitial implant using permanent implant seeds (Rn-222 in eight patients, Au-198 in 62 patients) with or without external radiation. 56 other patients received external irradiation alone and another 14 patients received pre-operative external irradiation plus surgery. 2-year recurrence-free rates were 73% (100% for T1, 76% for T2, 36% for T3 tumours) in the patients who received interstitial implant with or without external radiation and 36% (67% for T1, 48% for T2, 13% for T3 tumours) in the patients treated by external irradiation alone. The incidence of soft-tissue or bone complications requiring long-term treatment was 14%. Based on these findings, it is believed that an interstitial implant using Au-198 grains combined with external beam irradiation is a useful treatment modality for small lesions of the oropharynx.

Observations of aggressive, small, flat, and depressed colon cancer. Report of three cases

Three cases of small, flat, and depressed colon cancers are reported. One lesion is less than 1 cm in diameter with lymphatic invasion in the submucosa; the other measures 0.8 cm in the longest dimension and penetrates through the muscular layers to the subserosa. The third one, 1.2 cm in diameter, has had liver metastasis. The endoscopic appearances of two lesions with a resected specimen are presented in color to demonstrate some difficulties in visualizing these lesions for endoscopists. The biologic aggressiveness of these three lesions appears due to their rapid growth, which is expressed by a high mitotic rate of the cancer cells. Their histogenesis is considered to derive from (1) flat adenoma, from (2) serrated adenoma, and (3) from hyperplastic epithelium (or de novo in origin), respectively.

CMV viraemia demonstrated in the serum of a patient with cytomegalovirus pneumonia

We attempted to demonstrate the expression of cytomegalovirus (CMV) particles in the serum of an acute lymphocytic leukaemia patient with CMV pneumonia. The serum sample was applied to an affinity column coupled with human monoclonal antibody C23 which recognizes the envelope glycoproteins of CMV virus and neutralizes the viral activity. The DNA obtained from each fraction was amplified by double polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analysed by gel electrophoresis. Bands were clearly observed in the eluted fraction. These results strongly suggest that CMV particles exist in the sera of patients with CMV pneumonia.

[Intrascrotal fibrous pseudotumor accompanied by pelvic kidney with ectopic ureteral opening: a case report]

A case of intrascrotal fibrous pseudotumor accompanied by pelvic kidney with ectopic ureteral opening is reported. The patient was a 65-year-old man with the complaint of swelling of the right scrotal contents. Ultrasonography showed a heterogeneous mass with acoustic shadow from the right epididymis to right spermatic cord. Intravenous pyelography revealed a non-visualizing right kidney. Endoscopic examination was performed because of the right non-functioning kidney and right epididymectomy was performed. Endoscopic findings showed that the ureteral opening existed at 6 degrees of the bladder neck. Retrograde pyelography demonstrated the right kidney in the pelvic cavity. The tumor was stony hard and 30 x 50 mm in size. Pathological diagnosis of the tumor was a fibrous pseudotumor. We reviewed and discussed 22 cases of fibrous pseudotumor, including our case, in the Japanese literature.

[Recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma in bilateral upper urinary tracts and ileal conduit with invasion in the abdominal wall around nephrostomy after total cystectomy: a case report]

A case of recurrence of transitional cell carcinoma in bilateral upper urinary tracts and ileal conduit with invasion in the abdominal wall around nephrostomy after total cystectomy is presented. A 33-year-old man with right nephrostomy, after total cystectomy, construction of ileal conduit, bilateral partial ureterectomy and left nephrectomy for transitional cell carcinoma at another hospital was referred to our hospital because of further recurrence in the right renal pelvis and ileal conduit. He had had left nephrostomy before the left nephrectomy was performed. Right nephrectomy and total extirpation of ileal conduit were performed and hemodialysis was started from the day after the operation. However, several weeks later, transitional cell carcinoma was detected pathologically in the left abdominal wall around the left nephrostomy which had been inserted. The renal pelvis was inferred to have leaked urine around the nephrostomy and invasion arose in this region. After radiation therapy he was discharged but he died from recurrence of carcinoma 9 months after the operation. After total cystectomy, examinations by percutaneous puncture of the renal pelvis are very effective for evidence of recurrence in the upper urinary tract. However, we emphasize that the percutaneous technique carries the risk of tumor invasion through the percutaneous urinary tract.

Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy-like T-cell lymphoma displaying rearrangement of both IgH and TCR beta genes after 4-year follow-up of idiopathic eosinophilia

Immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL)-like T-cell lymphoma (IBL-T) occurred in a 60-year-old female after a 4-year follow-up of idiopathic eosinophilia and upper pharyngeal inflammatory tumor with infiltration of mature eosinophils. Gene analysis of tumor cells revealed rearrangement of both IgH and TCR beta genes. The patient died of lymphoma seven months after the onset of the illness, in spite of chemotherapy against lymphoma. The relationship between eosinophilia and the pathogenesis of IBL-T, as well as the significance of the rearrangement of both IgH and TCR beta genes are discussed.