Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor is associated with resistance to cisplatin in a human bladder cancer cell line

To clarify the role of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) in the drug resistance of bladder cancer, we transfected the FGF-2 gene into HT1376, an FGF-2 negative human bladder cancer cell line. The FGF-2-transfected cell lines exhibited three- to four-fold higher resistant potential to cisplatin than the vector-only transfected control cell lines in vitro. When cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally after s.c. implantation of HT1376 sublines into nude mice, FGF-2 transfectants formed tumors about twice as large as did controls. In contrast, there was no significant difference in either cell proliferation in vitro or tumor growth in vivo among these cell lines without cisplatin treatment. Furthermore, DNA degradation following cisplatin treatment was markedly suppressed in FGF-2 transfectants compared to control cells. These results suggest that the expression of the FGF-2 gene plays an important role in the acquisition of the cisplatin-resistant phenotype of bladder cancer, probably through the protection against cisplatin-induced apoptosis.

Clinical effect of propiverine in patients with urge or stress incontinence. Kobe University Incontinence Study Group

The efficacy and tolerability of propiverine hydrochloride (20 mg/day) were evaluated in the treatment of a total of 49 Japanese patients (35 with urge incontinence and 14 with stress incontinence) in an open multicenter trial lasting 28 days. The effects on the frequency of urination, urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, and daily living activities were evaluated through the voiding diaries filled out by the patients. Moderate or greater degree of improvement was attained in micturition frequency by 52 and 54% of the patients with urge incontinence and with stress incontinence, respectively, in urinary urgency by 91 and 58%, in urinary incontinence by 97 and 71%, and in daily living activities by 94 and 64%. Although minor adverse reactions (5 patients) and abnormal values in blood chemistry (2 patients) were recorded in 7 patients, all of these patients completed the trial. These results suggest that propiverine hydrochloride is a safe and effective drug of choice for the treatment of not only urge incontinence but also stress incontinence in patients diagnosed in a clinical setting.

Construction and voiding functions of three types of orthotopic neobladders using colonic segments: the Kobe University experience

BACKGROUND

At Kobe University Hospital we have created orthotopic neobladders since 1988 by using several colonic segments. Various types of neobladders were compared and a detailed description of these procedures and the voiding function outcome is presented.

METHODS

Thirty-two men with invasive bladder carcinoma or recurrent carcinoma in situ underwent a radical cystectomy followed by orthotopic neobladder replacement using a right colonic, ileocolic or sigmoid colonic segment. The functional capacity, percentage of residual urine volume, configuration of the neobladder, and location in the pelvis were evaluated 1 year after surgery. Voiding function was evaluated using a questionnaire which included questions on diurnal and nocturnal continence, and by uroflowmetric analysis.

RESULTS

Operative time, blood loss, and functional neobladder capacity did not differ for the 3 types of neobladders. The configuration of the right colonic and ileocolic neobladders resembled the shape of a rugby ball. The configuration of the sigmoid neobladder was oval. The right colonic and ileocolic neobladders tended to be located along the right side wall of the pelvis. The sigmoid neobladder was located in the center of the pelvis. Daytime and nocturnal continence was not affected by either the type of neobladder or its configuration or position. Neobladders located in the center of the pelvis exhibited a better maximum flow rate than those located along the right wall of the pelvis.

CONCLUSION

The technical difficulty in constructing the 3 types of neobladders was approximately the same. For better voiding a neobladder should be located in the center of the pelvis.

Clinical evaluation of random biopsy of urinary bladder in patients with superficial bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Superficial bladder cancer has a tendency to recur in the urinary bladder. One reason for recurrence is the presence of concomitant carcinoma in situ (CIS) or dysplasia. However, the usefulness of random biopsy of the urinary bladder has been unclear.

METHODS

Between September 1990 and March 1996, 83 patients with superficial bladder cancer underwent mucosal biopsy of 6 different sites in the urinary bladder with macroscopically normal findings (random biopsy). The relationship between a positive biopsy (CIS or dysplasia) and the tumor characteristics was examined. The disease-free survival of the patients according to the biopsy results was determined.

RESULTS

The positive biopsy rate was 24.1% (CIS, 14.5%; dysplasia, 9.6%). The incidence of positive biopsy in patients with high-grade (G3), pT1 tumors, 3 or more and non-papillary wide-based tumors was significantly higher than that in patients with 1 or 2 tumors, low-grade (G1, G2), pTa tumors and papillary tumors (P < 0.05). In patients with a single papillary tumor, positive biopsy was found in 9.5%. The disease-free survival in patients with a positive biopsy did not differ from that in patients with a negative biopsy, because intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin was instilled in patients with a positive biopsy.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate that random biopsy is useful for detecting concomitant CIS or dysplasia and in the choice of drugs for intravesical instillation.

Pitfalls of measuring residual urine volume in orthotopic neobladders

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pitfalls of measuring postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) in patients with orthotopic neobladders, in an out-patient clinic.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifteen patients with orthotopic neobladders were enrolled in the study; five patients had a colonic neobladder, five an ileocolic neobladder and five a sigmoid neobladder. The PVR was compared after measuring by catheterization under fluoroscopic monitoring after normal or forced voiding.

RESULTS

The PVR after forced voiding was always less than that after natural voiding, regardless of the type of neobladder.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with orthotopic neobladders may have a higher PVR after voiding naturally at home than when the PVR measured in hospital.

Relaxation to reduce nausea, vomiting, and anxiety induced by chemotherapy in Japanese patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) in reducing the nausea, vomiting, and anxiety induced by chemotherapy in Japanese patients. Subjects comprised 60 cancer chemotherapy patients who were hospitalized in a cancer center. These subjects were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control group. In addition to routine nursing care, subjects in the experimental received PMR training, while those in the control received contact with the investigator. Results from this study verified the effectiveness of PMR in reducing total scores used to measure nausea, vomiting, and retching; subscale scores of nausea; and subjective feelings of anxiety. The efficacy of PMR to reduce subscale scores of vomiting was not verified, partly due to an extremely low incidence of vomiting.

Characterization of a methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein gene, dmcA, from the oral spirochete Treponema denticola

A gene, dmcA, expressing a methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein (MCP) from the oral spirochete Treponema denticola has been characterized. The gene was initially identified as an open reading frame immediately upstream from the previously characterized prtB protease gene of strain ATCC 35405. Nucleotide sequencing of the dmcA gene revealed a potential 57-kDa protein product with extensive homology with the signaling regions of MCPs from a variety of bacteria. The protein expressed in Escherichia coli cross-reacted with anti-Trg (E. coli MCP) serum, confirming its homology with MCPs. Northern blot and primer extension analyses identified the transcription start site of the monocistronic dmcA mRNA. By utilizing a T. denticola gene inactivation system recently developed in this laboratory, a mutant defective in the dmcA gene, HL0501, was constructed. The mutant was demonstrated to be defective in chemotaxis toward nutrients. In addition, the methylation profiles of cellular proteins indicated altered MCPs in the mutant relative to those of the parental strain. These results indicate that we have identified an MCP gene in the oral spirochete which plays a significant role in the chemotactic response of the organism.

Recovery of leukocyte function after super-high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in testicular cancer patients

Leukocyte functions (superoxide production and phagocytosis) were evaluated in patients with testicular cancer who had undergone super-high-dose chemotherapy (SHDT) with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). In 5 patients with advanced or relapsed testicular cancer who received 8 cycles of SHDT with PBSCT, we measured superoxide production activity by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) stimulation, as well as phagocytic activity using latex particles before and after PBSCT. The median time to reach a leukocyte count of > or = 1,000/microl was 9 days after PBSCT. Superoxide production activity was significantly decreased on day 7 compared with the pre-chemotherapy level. However, it recovered by day 12 and sustained such a level thereafter. Phagocytic activity was within the normal range on day 7 but declined slightly on days 12 and 21 compared with the pre-chemotherapy level. Our results indicate that leukocyte function and leukocyte count recover promptly following PBSCT and that PBSCT is a safe and convenient adjunctive therapy after SHDT for patients with advanced testicular cancer.

Antidromic burst activity of locus coeruleus neurons during cortical spreading depression

The electrical activity of locus coeruleus neurons was investigated during cortical spreading depression in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Cortical spreading depression was induced by a direct application of 1-3 M KCl solution to the surface of the cerebral cortex. The occurrence of cortical spreading depression was assessed by recording negative d.c. shifts and in some experiments by monitoring the extracellular potassium concentrations. The mean spontaneous firing rate of locus coeruleus neurons was significantly reduced during cortical spreading depression. Approximately 60% of locus coeruleus neurons recorded during cortical spreading depression revealed anomalous burst activity consisting of multiple initial segment spikes as well as full initial segment-somatodendritic spikes with a marked initial segment-somatodendritic break. Each spike of the cortical spreading depression-related burst activity occurred at intervals ranging from 15.0 ms to 90.1 ms (34.9 +/- 0.5 ms). The burst activity appeared unpredictably at variable intervals in a phasic or tonic manner during cortical spreading depression. The cortical spreading depression-related burst activity of locus coeruleus neurons mimicked antidromic spikes induced by train stimulation of the cerebral cortex at short interspike intervals during iontophoretic application of GABA to locus coeruleus neurons, whereas it was totally different from synaptically-activated burst activity induced by tail pinch. The full spikes and initial segment spikes in the cortical spreading depression-related burst activity failed to collide with cortically elicited antidromic spikes, even when they appeared within the collision interval. The proportion of initial segment spikes in the cortical spreading depression-related burst activity was reduced following an increase in membrane excitability by iontophoretic application of glutamate, and increased during a decreased membrane excitability by GABA application. The antidromic burst activity of locus coeruleus neurons also appeared for a short time during cortical spreading depression prior to the occurrence of seizure waves induced by GABA antagonists, while the burst activity could not be observed during seizure activity. These results indicate that the cortical spreading depression-related burst activity was of antidromic origin and that the marked initial segment-somatodendritic break in spontaneous spikes of locus coeruleus neurons during cortical spreading depression was due to reduced excitability of the somatodendritic membrane. The cortical spreading depression-related burst activity may cause release of a large amount of noradrenaline in vast regions of locus coeruleus terminal fields through the numerous axon collaterals, thereby playing a role in functional changes of brain neurons related to cortical spreading depression.

Formation of reactive oxygen species by spermatozoa from asthenospermic patients: response to treatment with pentoxifylline

PURPOSE

We determined the incidence of reactive oxygen species formation by spermatozoa from asthenospermic patients, and the relationship between reactive oxygen species formation and sperm motion parameters. We also assessed the efficacy of in vitro and in vivo pentoxifylline treatment of asthenospermic patients whose spermatozoa generated high reactive oxygen species levels.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Reactive oxygen species formation by spermatozoa from asthenospermic patients and fertile volunteers was measured by chemoluminescence. Reactive oxygen species formation by the sperm preparations was investigated without stimulation (steady state), or after stimulation with N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP) or phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Spermatozoa from 15 asthenospermic patients whose spermatozoa produced high levels of reactive oxygen species at steady state were treated in vitro with pentoxifylline to determine its effect on reactive oxygen species generation and sperm motion parameters. These same 15 patients and 18 with asthenospermia whose spermatozoa did not produce reactive oxygen species at steady state were treated with pentoxifylline at 2 different dosages (300 and 1,200 mg. daily) to determine its effect on reactive oxygen species generation, sperm motion parameters and sperm fertilizing ability in vivo.

RESULTS

When reactive oxygen species formation was detected in the steady state that was not stimulated by f-MLP, the source of reactive oxygen species could be attributed to the spermatozoa themselves. Spermatozoa from 15 of 71 asthenospermic patients generated reactive oxygen species at steady state. Pentoxifylline decreased reactive oxygen species generation by spermatozoa in these patients, and preserved the decrease of curvilinear velocity and beat cross frequency for 6 hours in vitro. For these patients orally administered pentoxifylline failed to decrease reactive oxygen species generation by spermatozoa, and had no effect on sperm motility, sperm motion parameters and sperm fertilizing ability at low dosage (300 mg. daily). However, it increased motility and beat cross frequency at high dosage (1,200 mg. daily) but it had no effect on sperm fertilizing ability.

CONCLUSIONS

Stimulation of sperm preparations with f-MLP can identify the source of reactive oxygen species generated at steady state. Among asthenospermic patients there were some whose spermatozoa produced detectable steady state levels of reactive oxygen species. In this group pentoxifylline appeared to be effective for decreasing reactive oxygen species formation and preserving sperm motion parameters in vitro. Orally administered pentoxifylline had no effect at low dosage but it increased sperm motility and some sperm motion parameters without altering sperm fertilizing ability at high dosage.

Basic fibroblast growth factor regulates matrix metalloproteinases production and in vitro invasiveness in human bladder cancer cell lines

PURPOSE

This study was designed to investigate the effect of endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) on matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) production and in vitro invasive potential of human bladder cancer cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The human bladder cancer cell lines, HT1376 and KoTCC-1, were used in this study. The mRNA for FGF receptor has been shown to be expressed in both cell lines; the mRNA for FGF-2 is expressed in only KoTCC-1. The effects of FGF-2 expression on HT1376 by gene transfection and those of FGF-2 antisense oligonucleotides treatment on KoTCC-1 were analyzed by zymography and in vitro tumor cell invasion assay.

RESULTS

The introduction of human FGF-2 gene into HT1376 cells markedly enhanced both the MMP-2 and MMP-9 production, and the in vitro invasive potential was also increased. In contrast, the exposure of KoTCC-1 cells to FGF-2 specific antisense oligonucleotides decreased the MMP-2 production and in vitro invasive potential, but the exposure to FGF-2 sense oligonucleotides did not.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that FGF-2 plays an important role in the invasive process of human bladder cancer in part through the regulation of MMPs production.

Image cytometry for quantitative analysis of DNA in the testes of infertile men with varicocele: comparison with flow cytometry

PURPOSE

The first aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of image cytometry comparing flow cytometry to analyze the spermatogenesis using testicular biopsy specimens obtained from infertile male. The second is to investigate the spermatogenesis of infertile men with varicocele by image cytometry.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 76 biopsy specimens of testicular tissue were obtained from 38 infertile men with varicocele and 6 specimens of normal testicular tissue controls were obtained from 6 volunteers at vasectomy. They were evaluated by image cytometry and pathohistological examination. Out of 76 specimens, 21 biopsy tissues were also analyzed by flow cytometry, and the results by both image cytometry and flow cytometry were compared. Two specimens from Sertoli cell only testes were also examined by image and flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In comparative study, image cytometry revealed a decrease in the proportion of haploid and diploid cells (18.8 +/- 6.6% and 32.4 +/- 7.4%), and an increase in that of tetraploid cells (21.8 +/- 5.6%) vs. the flow cytometry findings (haploid, 25.9 +/- 9.2%; diploid, 36.8 +/- 6.5% and tetraploid, 15.1 +/- 5.9%). Image cytometric analysis of the testes of varicocele patients showed 15.9 +/- 5.6% haploid, 31.7 +/- 7.9% diploid and 16.2 +/- 8.9% tetraploid cells in the left testis of infertile men, while their right testis showed 16.6 +/- 5.4% haploid, 30.0 +/- 7.6% diploid and 17.2 +/- 6.4% tetraploid cells. The testes of normal men showed 37.6 +/- 8.3% haploid, 19.4 +/- 4.8% diploid and 17.4 +/- 5.8% tetraploid cells. The left and the right testes of the patients with varicocele showed a lower proportion of haploid cells and a higher proportion of diploid cells vs. the testes from normal men. The proportions of the haploid and diploid cells are correlated with sperm concentration.

CONCLUSION

Image cytometry could exclude interstitial cells, Sertoli cells, and sperm on the static image, so produced an accurate assessment of spermatogenesis. The alteration in the germ cell population in the testes of infertile men with varicocele suggested that the impairment mostly affected the cells in the meiotic stage.

Neuroendocrine cells in the prostatic carcinomas after neoadjuvant hormonal therapy

Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that is likely to increase in incidence in Japan. The most troublesome facet of this tumor is its conversion from a hormone-sensitive status to an insensitive one. Neuroendocrine differentiation may help explain this phenomenon. We studied the prevalence of neuroendocrine cells in prostate carcinoma after androgen ablation therapy. Radical prostatectomy specimens from 28 patients who had undergone neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue were retrospectively studied. Immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the localization of neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine differentiation index, defined as the sum of the immunoreactivity scores of the specimens against anti-chromogranin A and anti-neuron specific enolase antibodies, was developed. Overall, 46.4% and 53.6% of the prostate carcinomas contained chromogranin A and neuron-specific enolase positive cells, respectively. Localization of these neuroendocrine cells in tumors was patchy. Two specific types of neuroendocrine cells were identified: a closed type and an open type based on the location of the neuroendocrine cells. The neuroendocrine differentiation index correlated with tumor grade, but not with tumor stage. The prevalence of neuroendocrine cells in higher grade prostatic carcinoma may help to explain the insensitivity of these cancers to hormonal therapy.

[Successful direct thrombolysis in a patient with extensive dural sinus thrombosis induced by danazol]

A 43-year-old woman was suffered from an increasing headache with nausea and vomiting for nine days. She had received danazol 400 mg daily for endometriosis last two months. CT scan and neurological examinations revealed no evidence of abnormality. MRI showed isosignal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in the superior sagittal, right transverse, sigmoid and straight sinuses suggesting thrombosis. With angiography, we confirmed extensive dural sinus thrombosis in the superior sagittal, straight, right transverse and sigmoid sinuses. She, then, developed progressing neurological deterioration with dysarthria and drowsy. Microcatheter was placed directly into the thrombus at dural sinus via transfemoral route. Thrombolytic therapy with urokinase was performed in right transverse, confluens sinuum, superior sagittal and straight sinuses. Successful recanalization with remarkable improvement of symptoms was achieved except right transverse sinus. We believe danazol played a role in the occurrence of dural sinus thrombosis. MRI and MRV were noninvasive and useful for diagnosis and follow-up of dural sinus thrombosis. Direct thrombolysis should be considered for dural sinus thrombosis, especially when clinical symptoms are rapidly deterioration with conventional anticoagulant therapy.

Treatment of crush syndrome patients following the great Hanshin earthquake

Five of 8 patients with rhabdomyolysis treated at our hospital following the Great Hanshin Earthquake were diagnosed with crush syndrome. One patient with crush syndrome and 3 patients with rhabdomyolysis and no renal dysfunction recovered with conservative therapy, while 1 crush syndrome patient recovered with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Of the 3 patients who died, 2 had undergone continuous arterio-venous hemofiltration (CAVH). We examined the laboratory data to identify any factors that may be prognostic for crush syndrome. The serum amylase levels were significantly higher and the levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) tended to be higher from the patients who died. Examination of the serum amylase, AST and LDH levels may be useful for assessing the prognosis in patients with crush syndrome.

Y chromosome (Yq11) microdeletions in idiopathic azoospermia

BACKGROUND

Cytogenetic anomalies and molecular deletions of the Y chromosome in idiopathically sterile men suggest that genetic factor(s) controlling spermatogenesis are located in the distal portion of Yq11. We studied Y chromosome microdeletions in the Yq11.23 region in idiopathic azoospermia.

METHODS

We studied 25 azoospermic male patients with a cytogenetically normal 46XY karyotype; 13 exhibited Sertoli-cell-only syndrome and 12 exhibited maturation arrest. Microdeletions in the Yq11 region were examined using the PCR technique with 4 pairs of primers from DNA loci in Yq11.23.

RESULTS

Microdeletions in Yq11.23 were detected in 4 of the 25 azoospermic men. The most common deletion was of the Y6HP52pr sequence, which was detected in 3 of 13 men with Sertoli-cell-only syndrome but in only 1 of 12 with maturation arrest.

CONCLUSION

Detection of microdeletions within the Yq11 sequence is an important clue to the genetic factor(s) underlying azoospermia.

Nitric oxide production by cultured rat Leydig cells

Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an intracellular and intercellular messenger in a number of biological systems. In the present study, we demonstrated that NO was produced by cultured rat Leydig cells, and that inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) messenger RNA (mRNA) was expressed in Leydig cells. NO was measured as nitrite with the method of Griess. Although unstimulated Leydig cells produce little NO, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) markedly increased NO production. NO production was inhibited by the NOS inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-L-arginine. Northern blot analysis showed that iNOS mRNA was little expressed in freshly isolated immature Leydig cells, but that iNOS mRNA levels were increased by the addition of IL-1 beta in a dose-dependent manner at the concentration up to 10 ng/ml. The levels of iNOS mRNA were increased as early as 3 h after the addition of IL-1 beta and persisted for up to 24 h. In adult Leydig cells, IL-1 beta stimulated iNOS mRNA expression. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated iNOS-like immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells. These results indicate that NO is produced in Leydig cells and suggest that NO might be involved in the physiological function of Leydig cells.

Percutaneous treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the long-term effect of percutaneous resection in 2 Japanese patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis, and reviewed the medical literature on similar patients, to determine the appropriate indications for percutaneous treatment of transitional cell carcinoma in the upper urinary tract.

RESULTS

Indications for endoscopic resection in the 2 patients were renal insufficiency and unsuitability for major open surgery. The patients had no recurrence during follow-up. Seven previous reports described percutaneous resection of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma in 82 patients. Although 72.6% of the patients were successfully treated by percutaneous resection, half of the patients with grade 3 carcinoma developed recurrence.

CONCLUSION

These results, together with those of the 7 published reports, suggest that percutaneous resection should be limited to selected patients with low-grade transitional cell carcinoma.

Enzymes involved in DNA synthesis in the testes are regulated by temperature in vitro

OBJECTIVE

Temperature is considered to be an important local regulating factor of testicular function. We investigated whether a high temperature would affect the activity of DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and gamma (EC2.7.7.7) and DNA topoisomerase I in the testes which are required for germ cell differentiation.

METHODS

An in vitro rat testis tissue culture system was used to evaluate the activity of DNA polymerases alpha, beta, and gamma and DNA topoisomerase I after incubation at 31 and 37 degrees C. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen was evaluated immunohistochemically in the testis.

RESULTS

Incubation at 37 degrees C significantly reduced the activity of all four enzymes as compared with incubation at 31 degrees C. Reducing the temperature to 31 degrees C after prior incubation at 37 degrees C partially restored DNA polymerase alpha activity. Expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen demonstrated a reduction in DNA synthesis in the seminiferous tubules after incubation at 37 degrees C CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that a high temperature of 37 degrees C reduces the activity of the enzymes involved in the testicular synthesis of DNA which may cause the impairment of spermatogenesis.

Treatment of root fracture by CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers: an in vitro study

The purpose of this in vitro study was to use scanning electron microscopy and polarized light microscopy to evaluate the feasibility of using either the CO2 laser or an Nd:YAG laser in combination with air/water surface cooling to effect fusion of fractured tooth roots. The experimental unit consisted of 81 single-rooted teeth, each with an induced root fracture. Fifty-six teeth that had been reapproximated in dental stone and 25 teeth that had been reapproximated with C-clamps were assigned to untreated control groups or groups for treatment using CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers. Laser treatment consisted of multiple passes along the line of fracture, which was inspected using a dissecting microscope after each pass until a visual indication of fusion or irreparable damage resulted. Scanning electron microscopy evaluation of the treated lines revealed heat-induced fissures and cracks, areas of cementum meltdown and resolidification, crater formation, and separation of cementum from underlying dentin. In no instance-regardless of reapproximation technique, laser type, energy, and other parameters-did the treatment effect fusion of the fractured root halves.

Two cases of small cell carcinoma of the prostate

We describe the clinical and pathological findings in two Japanese men with small cell carcinoma of the prostate; case 1 was 58 years old and case 2 was 24 years old. Case 1 was initially diagnosed as a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate, stage D2, with marked elevation of serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and CA 19-9 levels. The patient had undergone castration and systemic chemotherapy. After three courses of chemotherapy, tumour markers were normalized. However, 6 months later serum levels of tumour markers again rose, and biopsy of the prostate revealed a small cell carcinoma component in the adenocarcinoma of the prostate and benign prostate hypertrophy. The patient was again treated with systemic chemotherapy but died within 1 year after relapse. In case 2, the patient presented with initial symptoms of lumbago and dysuria, and an enlarged prostate was radiologically diagnosed. Shortly after admission he developed ileus, and an exploratory laparotomy revealed a large tumour arising from the prostate and invading the peritoneal cavity. This tumour was pathologically diagnosed as a small cell carcinoma. The patient died shortly thereafter without responding to chemotherapy. Immunohistological evaluation was done using a panel of antibodies against NSE, chromogranin A, CEA, CA 19-9, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), calcitonin, serotonin, gastrin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and glucagon. CEA was intensely positive in the tumour lesions from case 1, and NSE and ACTH were focally positive, and calcitonin, serotonin, CA 19-9, and PSA were weakly positive only in several cells in the tumour lesions from case 1. In the tumour lesion from case 2, NSE was intensely positive, and chromogranin A was weakly positive. These findings support the neuroendocrine nature of this neoplasm.

Assessment of germ-cell kinetics in the testes of patients with varicocele using image analysis of immunostained proliferating cell nuclear antigen

OBJECTIVE

To examine the germ-cell kinetics of varicocele testis using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining and image cytometry to evaluate the staining intensity, and to compare the proliferative index (PI) of varicocele and normal testes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-six testicular biopsy specimens were taken from 28 patients with varicocele during high ligation. The specimens were fixed and embedded in paraffin, and sections immunostained using an anti-PCNA antibody. The PI was measured using an image analyser and expressed as the percentage of the total nuclear area stained positively with PCNA monoclonal antibody, assessed from > 20 seminiferous tubules. Sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin were used to determine Johnsen's score using conventional microscopy. Normal control testicular biopsies were obtained from subjects undergoing vasectomy.

RESULTS

In patients with varicocele, both testes had a significantly lower PI than normal testes; the mean (SD) PI of the right and left testes was 11.3% (4.1) and 11.3% (4.8), respectively, and the PI of normal testes was 21.7% (3.1). There was no significant correlation between PI and sperm concentration or Johnsen's score.

CONCLUSION

PI is useful for assessing germ-cell kinetics; in patients with varicocele both testes showed a deterioration in DNA synthesis, suggesting that reduced DNA synthesis is one of the causes of spermatogenic dysfunction in the varicocele testes.