Lung fusion with the liver in chick and quail embryos

Even in mammals with the diaphragm, the lung and liver are likely to attach mutually without separation by any structure in embryos. The aim of this study was to examine whether or not the lung attaches to the liver in embryonic development of birds without diaphragm. First, we ensured the topographical relation between the lung and liver in 12 human embryos at 5 weeks. After the serosal mesothelium was established, the human lung sometimes (3 embryos) attached tightly to the liver without interruption by the developing diaphragm in the pleuroperitoneal fold. Second, we observed the lung-liver interface in chick and quail embryos. At 3-5 days' incubation (stages 20-27), the lung and liver were fused at bilateral narrow areas just above the muscular stomach. Therein, mesenchymal cells, possibly derived from the transverse septum, were intermingled between the lung and liver. The interface tended to be larger in the quail than the chick. At and until 7 days' incubation, the fusion of the lung and liver disappeared and, instead, a membrane connected them bilaterally. The right membrane extended caudally to attach to the mesonephros and caudal vena cava. At 12 days' incubation, bilateral thick folds, containing the abdominal air sac and pleuroperitoneal muscle (striated muscle), separated the dorsally located lung from the liver. Therefore, the lung-liver fusion occurred transiently in birds. Rather than the presence of the muscular diaphragm, whether the lung and liver were fused seemed to depend on a timing and sequence of development of the mesothelial coverings of these viscera.

Abstract P3-03-22: Prognostic impact of axillary lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND:

Patients were stratified by final pathological axillary status: ypN0, ypN1, pN0 or pN1.

The prognostic impact of lymph node involvement after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer is not straightforward. The aim of this study was to compare overall survival (OS) between pathologically

node-positive T1,T2 T3 breast cancer patients treated with NAC, with ypN0 or ypN1 and those treated without NAC with pN0 or pN1.

METHODS:

A total of 3903 consecutive patients with operable breast cancer were prospectively identified at our institution between April 2006 and December 2017. Patients with suspicious axillary LN of breast cancer were assessed using preoperative imaging, underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology or core needle biopsy.

The patients in this study were divided into four groups as follows: the ER(+), the ER(+)/HER2(+) , the HER2(+) and the Triple negative (TN) group.

We evaluate the prognostic impact of the ypN0, ypN1 (with one to three positive lymph nodes after NAC), pN0 and pN1 with no NAC.

The main outcome measures DFS and OS were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.

Result

A number of 270 and 3633 patients were included for NAC and non NAC, respectively. Pathologic nodal status was ypN0 in 58%, ypN1 in 42% for NAC and pN0 in 76%, pN1 in 24% of patients for non NAC.

Overall, 10-year DFS and OS was 81%, 93% in ypN0, 67%, 80% in ypN1, in 90%, 97%, in pN0 and 83%, 94% in pN1 (p <0.001).

In subgroup analysis, 10-year DFS of ypN0, ypN1, pN0 and pN1 was 86%,77%,95% and 80% in the ER group, 91%,56%,93%,and 76% in the ER/HER2 group,89%,55%,91% and 80% in the HER2 group, 85%,59%,92% and 80% in the TN group.

10 years DFS for the ER group were significantly different between ypN0 and pN0 (HR, 2.42 (1.03–4.86, p = 0.04) but were not significantly different between ypN0 and pN0 for the ER/HER2 group (HR 3.58 (0.2–6.88, p = 0.66), for the HER2 group (HR 2.6 (0.78–7.65, p = 0.10) and for the TN group (HR 1.22(0.56–2.38, p = 0.58), respectively).

In all group, DFS for ypN1 was inferior to ypN0.

Conclusions

In the ER group treated with NAC, DFS for ypN0 be inferior to pN0 with adjuvant treatment. In the HER2, the ERHER2 and the TN group treated with NAC, ypN0 is similar to pN0 with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Axillary nodal status ypN1 in each subgroup is associated with a less favorable prognosis compared to ypN0. In conclusion, the HER2 or TN group is highest for predicting ypN0, shown to be most prognostic of long-term survival similar to the patients with pN0. They could be omitted the axillary dissection.

Citation Format: Nakamura R, Yamamoto N, Miyaki T, Itami M. Prognostic impact of axillary lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-03-22.

A case of pancake kidney with a single ureter in the retroperitoneal space

The pancake kidney (PK) is a rare type of renal anomaly in which both kidneys completely fuse without an isthmus. In the previous reports, PKs have double ureters and are located in the pelvic cavity. We encountered a rare case of PK with a single ureter, which is located in the left retroperitoneal space, in a 95-year-old female cadaver, which was detected during a dissection course. In our case, the major calyces joined to form a single renal pelvis, which continued as a single ureter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on PK with a single ureter that is located not in the pelvic cavity but in the retroperitoneal space. The knowledge of such anomalous presentation is important to avoid any complications during retroperitoneal surgery.

Abstract P3-02-01: Impact of prognoses on the discrepancies in histological grade of breast cancer between core needle biopsy and surgical excision specimen

Purpose: The high reliability and utility of core needle biopsy (CNB) have been previously described. Histological grade in CNB is one of the main determinants of the need for neoadjuvant systemic therapy. Our aim in this study was to clarify the host and histopathological factors influencing the discrepancies in histological grade (HG) between CNB and surgically excision specimen (SES).

Methods: A total of 1342 operable invasive breast carcinoma biopsies were assessed and compared with surgical specimens in our hospital. Patients who required neoadjuvat chemotherapy were excluded. Histological grade (tubule formation, nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic index) was assessed between paired CNB and SET samples.

ER and PgR status were determined using immunohistochemistry(IHC). HER2 status was determined using IHC and scored from 0 to 3+. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization analysis was carried out in HER2 2+ cases. The cut off point for ER and PgR positivity was set at 1%.

Results: The clinicopathological characteristics of tumors showed in

Clinico-pathological characteristics of 1342 patients and tumors by discordance group between CNB and SES for histological grade  LL groupHH groupHL groupLLHgroupp valupTT1a31 (94%)0(0%)2(6%)0(0%)0.001 T1b162(92%)4(2%)1(1%)10(6%)  T1c421(79%)43(8%)14(3%)52(10%)  T2335(68%)63(13%)10(2%)82(17%)  T352(68%)8(10%)2(3%)15(19%)  T425(71%)4(11%)0(0%)6(17%) pNnegtive668(78%)73(9%)13(2%)101(12%)0.08 positive358(74%)49(10%)16(3%)64(13%) lynegative600(79%)6(4(8%)14(2%)85(11%)0.18 positive426(74%)58(10%)15(3%)80(14%) vnegative799(80%)81(5%)23(2%)98(10%)0.001 positive227(67%)41(12%)6(2%)67(20%) ER/PgRmegative82(33%)83(33%)13(5%)72(29%)0.001 positive944(86%)39(4%)16(1%)93(9%) HER2negative932(80%)86(7%)22(2%)121(10%)0.001 positive94(52%)36(20%)7(4%)44(24%) CNB;core needle biopsy, SES;surgical excision specimen, HH group (high grade in CNB/high grade in SES), LL group (low grade in CNB/low grade in SES), HL group (high grade in CNB/low grade in SES) and LH group (low grade in CNB/high grade in SES)

. The concordance rates of HG of luminal type, HER2 type luminal HER2 type and Triple negative type in CNB and SES were 91%, 64%, 73% and 66%, respectively (p>0.001). Factors of discrepancy were T size, vessel invasion and ER/HER2 status for HG. The discrepancy factors were assessed with univariate and multivariate analysis. The underestimate and overestimate rates of HG in CNB compared to SES were7.5% and 1.3% in ER(+)HER2(-) type, 32%, and 3.1% in HER2 type, 22% and 4.3% in ER(+) HER2(+) type and 29% and 5.5% in Triple negative type(TN), respectively. The concordance rates of tubule formation, nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic index in CNB and SES were 81%, 97% and 93% in luminal type, 85%, 66% and 33% in HER2 type, 77%, 87% and 83% in luminal HER2 type and 82%, 67% and 73% in TN type respectively.

Conclusions: Using the largest known dataset to date of paired samples from a single institution, we evaluated the accuracy of CNB and the discrepancy factors between CNB and SES in breast cancer patients.

We conclude that CNB for histological grade assessment in patients with HER2 positive or TN breast cancer before neoadjuvant treatment should be used with caution.

Citation Format: Nakamura R, Yamamoto N, Miyaki T, Teranaka R, Itami M. Impact of prognoses on the discrepancies in histological grade of breast cancer between core needle biopsy and surgical excision specimen [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-02-01.

Abstract P1-13-11: Neratinib in the extended adjuvant treatment of patients from Asia with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer after trastuzumab-based therapy: Exploratory analyses from the phase III ExteNET trial

Background: Current breast cancer knowledge is based largely on studies conducted in western populations. Their findings may not be generalizable to Asian women because of ethnic, genetic and lifestyle differences. Neratinib (N) is an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor of HER1, 2 and 4. The international, randomized, placebo (P)-controlled phase III ExteNET trial showed that 1 year (yr) of N after trastuzumab (T)-based adjuvant therapy significantly improved 2-yr invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) in patients (pts) with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer (HR 0.67; 95% CI 0.50–0.91; p=0.009) [Chan et al. Lancet Oncol 2016]. The significant iDFS benefit with N was shown to be durable after 5 yrs' follow-up (HR 0.73; 95% CI 0.57-0.92; p=0.008) [Martin et al. ESMO 2017]. We report efficacy and safety findings from pts enrolled from Asian centers (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan) on the ExteNET trial to better characterize the effects of N in Asian women.

Methods: Pts with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer were randomly assigned to oral N 240 mg/day or P for 1 yr after standard primary therapy and T-based adjuvant therapy. Antidiarrheal prophylaxis was not required by protocol. Data concerning disease recurrences were collected prospectively during yr 1-2 post-randomization, and from medical records during yr 3–5 post-randomization. Primary endpoint: iDFS. HR (95% CI) estimated using Cox proportional-hazards models stratified by nodal status, hormone-receptor status and prior T regimen. Data cut-off: 2-yr analysis, July 2014; 5-yr analysis, March 2017. Clinicaltrials.gov:NCT00878709.

Results: Of 2840 randomized pts (N, n=1420; P, n=1420), 341 (12%) were enrolled from Asian centers (N, n=165; P, n=176). Baseline characteristics: median age 53 yr; hormone receptor-positive 48%. Median treatment duration was similar in both groups (N, 351 days; P, 352 days). iDFS events in Asian vs ITT populations are shown in the Table.

 Primary 2-yr analysisa5-yr analysis NPNPAsian population, n165176165176iDFS events, n10151222HR (95% CI)b0.71 (0.31-1.57)0.54 (0.26-1.08)P-value (2-sided)0.4040.085ITT population, n1420142014201420iDFS events, n67106116163HR (95% CI)b0.66 (0.49-0.90)0.73 (0.57-0.92)P-value (2-sided)0.0080.008a. Primary study endpoint; b. Neratinib vs placebo

The incidence of grade 3/4 diarrhea with N was slightly higher in Asian pts (46.1% vs ITT, 39.8%). All other grade 3/4 adverse events with N were rare among Asian pts (elevated ALT, mucosal inflammation, 2 pts each; other events, 1 pt each). Compliance with N in Asian pts was also improved (71% vs ITT, 61%).

Conclusions: In Asian pts enrolled into ExteNET, compliance with N was better and the magnitude of N effect was similar or greater that that observed in the ITT population. Although N-related grade 3/4 diarrhea was more common in Asian pts than in the ITT population, all other grade 3/4 events were rare. Despite small pt numbers, our analyses suggest that the findings from ExteNET are applicable to Asian pts, and support the conclusion that N reduces disease recurrences in Asian pts with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer after T-based adjuvant therapy.

Citation Format: Iwata H, Masuda N, Kim S-B, Inoue K, Rai Y, Fujita T, Shen Z-Z, Chiu JW, Ohtani S, Takahashi M, Yamamoto N, Miyaki T, Sun Q, Yen-Shen L, Xu B, Yap YS, Bustam AZ, Lee JR, Zhang B, Bryce R, Chan A. Neratinib in the extended adjuvant treatment of patients from Asia with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer after trastuzumab-based therapy: Exploratory analyses from the phase III ExteNET trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-13-11.

A case of a cystic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery with abnormal branching of the celiac trunk

Objective

The celiac trunk normally has three branches; i.e. the left gastric, splenic, and common hepatic artery. It is known that the right hepatic artery occasionally branches from the superior mesenteric artery, while the cystic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery is extremely rare. A deeper understanding of cystic arterial variations is necessary for all physicians performing examinations and surgical procedures of the hepatobiliary system.

Results

The cystic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery was found in the cadaver of an 86-year-old woman during an anatomy dissection class at Aichi Medical University in 2015. In this case, the cystic artery ran along the dorsal side of the portal vein through Calot’s triangle to the gallbladder. The celiac trunk had four abnormal branches, one each to the left gastric, right hepatic, splenic, and left hepatic artery. The middle colic artery was absent and the left colic artery branching from the inferior mesenteric artery was distributed along the whole length of the transverse colon. In all cases of the cystic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery, the vessel ran along the dorsal side of the portal vein; in addition, the right hepatic artery arose from the superior mesenteric artery.

Demonstration of pelvic anatomy by modified midline transection that maintains intact internal pelvic organs

Gross dissection for demonstrating anatomy of the human pelvis has traditionally involved one of two approaches, each with advantages and disadvantages. Classic hemisection in the median plane through the pelvic ring transects the visceral organs but maintains two symmetric pelvic halves. An alternative paramedial transection compromises one side of the bony pelvis but leaves the internal organs intact. The authors propose a modified technique that combines advantages of both classical dissections. This novel approach involves dividing the pubic symphysis and sacrum in the median plane after shifting all internal organs to one side. The hemipelvis without internal organs is immediately available for further dissection of the lower limb. The hemipelvis with intact internal organs is ideal for showing the complex spatial relationships of the pelvic organs and vessels relative to the intact pelvic floor.

The pattern of the arterial supply of the pancreas in anthropoid apes, catarrhine monkeys and platyrrhine monkeys

To get the full understanding of the arterial distribution to the pancreas, the analysis of the distribution of the variety of monkey species would be helpful. In this study, we studied the layout of the pancreatic artery in anthropoids (1 gorilla, 3 chimpanzees and 2 white-handed gibbons), in catarrhine monkeys (1 hamadryas baboon, 2 anubid baboons, 10 savannah monkeys) and in platyrrhine monkeys (6 squirrel monkeys). The pancreas of the monkeys was supplied by the arteries originating from the celiac trunk and/or superior mesenteric artery. There were three patterns in the arterial distribution; (1) the celiac artery supplied the major area of the pancreas. (2) the superior mesenteric artery supplied the major area of the pancreas. (3) the celiac artery supplied the whole pancreas. The pattern of the arterial distribution to the monkey pancreas had a wide variety. The result would be helpful for the elucidation of the development of the vascular distribution in the pancreas.

Anatomy of the human thoracolumbar Rami dorsales nervi spinalis

Medial, lateral, and intermedial ramifications have been described for the dorsal branch of the human spinal nerve (R. dorsalis n. spinalis, (RDNS)). Further branching has not been described. We report a ventral approach for dissecting the nerves around the thoracolumbar vertebral column to visualise the spreading of the nerves within the dorsal muscles and towards the skin. We defined three compartments of the deep back muscles in the thoracolumbar region: (A) the origin from the (1) transverse, (2) accessory, and (3) mammillary processes in the lumbar segments, (B) from the (1) ribs, (2)transverse and, (3) articular processes in the thoracolumbar segments. Each compartment was supplied by a ramification of the RDNS. The medial muscle compartment was reached by the descending medial branch of the RDNS. The lateral iliocostal compartment was innervated by an ascending lateral branch of the RDNS, and also by the descending distal branches of an intermedial branch of RDNS. This is a long nerve of the intermedial branch of the RDNS extended to the dorsal-caudal area, where the lateral and the intermedial nerve connected. This nerve, termed as the dorsal intermedial branch of the RDNS, innervated the skin in a more caudal region. Such nerve divided the lateral and the intermediate compartments. A short intermedial branch entered the intermediate segmental compartment from the ventral side. This is a ventral intermedial branch of the RDNS. The dorsal branches were often connected by a connecting branch of the RDNS. The lateral compartment represented the Iliocostalis. The medial and intermediate compartments comprised the Longissimus, part of the Iliocostalis, and additional dorsal muscles.

Light-weight plastination

Plastination is an excellent technique which helps to keep the anatomical specimens in a dry, odourless state. Since the invention of plastination technique by von Hagens, research has been done to improve the quality of plastinated specimens. In this paper, we have described a method of producing light-weight plastinated specimens using xylene along with silicone and in the final step, substitute xylene with air. The finished plastinated specimens were light-weight, dry, odourless and robust. This method requires less use of resin thus making the plastination technique more cost-effective. The light-weight specimens are easy to carry and can easily be used for teaching.

An anatomic study of the intermuscular septum of the lower leg; branches from the posterior tibial artery and potential for reconstruction of the lower leg and the heel

The anatomy of the intermuscular septum (IMS) of the lower leg has been studied in 10 legs of 10 cadavers. The IMS was well developed in the distal half of the lower leg and its vascular supply from the posterior tibial artery was frequently seen at 60mm proximal from the tip of the medial malleolus. We advocate that these anatomical features contribute to clinical applications of the IMS flap. It may be useful for reconstruction of the lower leg and heel as safer options with less morbidity.

Complete ureteral duplication associated with megaureter and ureteropelvic junction dilatation: Report on an adult cadaver case with a brief review of the literature

Although ureteral duplication, megaureter (MU) or ureteropelvic junction obstruction is a common anomaly of the urinary tract, complete ureteral duplication accompanied by MU and ureteropelvic junction dilatation (UPD) appears to be rare. In this paper, a case of a Japanese female cadaver with complete ureter duplication associated with MU in the upper pole ureter (UpU) and UPD in the lower pole ureter (LoU) is described. Besides describing and illustrating this case, we discuss the anatomy and etiology of these anomalous structures with a brief review of the literature.

A case of spontaneous splenorenal shunt associated with splenic artery aneurysm

A case of large spontaneous splenorenal (S-R) shunt accompanied with splenic artery aneurysm is reported in this paper. The large blood vessel, a shunt, anatomizing the splenic vein and left renal vein is macroscopically found during the autopsy of a 71-year-old male, accompanied with liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly. Though there are many reports demonstrating medical imaging, anatomical findings are relatively poor besides describing and illustrating the appearances of the S-R shunt, the splenic artery aneurysm and related branches of the splenic vein and left renal vein, the embryologic and pathogenetic origins of these anomalies are also discussed with the description of the relationship between the S-R shunt and the splenic artery aneurysm.

Surgical anatomy of the innervation of pylorus in human and Suncus murinus, in relation to surgical technique for pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM: To clarify the innervation of the antro-pyloric region in humans from a clinico-anatomical perspective.

METHODS: The stomach, duodenum and surrounding structures were dissected in 10 cadavers, and immersed in a 10mg/L solution of alizarin red S in ethanol to stain the peripheral nerves. The distribution details were studied to confirm innervations in the above areas using a binocular microscope. Similarly, innervations in 10 Suncus murinus were examined using the method of whole-mount immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: The innervation of the pyloric region in humans involved three routes: One arose from the anterior hepatic plexus via the route of the suprapyloric/supraduodenal branch of the right gastric artery; the second arose from the anterior and posterior gastric divisions, and the third originated from the posterior-lower region of the pyloric region, which passed via the infrapyloric artery or retroduodenal branches and was related to the gastroduodenal artery and right gastroepiploic artery. For Suncus murinus, results similar to those in humans were observed.

CONCLUSION: There are three routes of innervation of the pyloric region in humans, wherein the route of the right gastric artery is most important for preserving pyloric region innervation. Function will be preserved by more than 80% by preserving the artery in pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD). However, the route of the infrapyloric artery should not be disregarded. This route is related to several arteries (the right gastroepiploic and gastroduodenal arteries), and the preserving of these arteries is advantageous for preserving pyloric innervation in PPPD. Concurrently, the nerves of Latarjat also play an important role in maintaining innervation of the antro-pyloric region in PPPD. This is why pyloric function is not damaged in some patients when the right gastric artery is dissected or damaged in PPPD.

The medial branch of the lateral branch of the posterior ramus of the spinal nerve

In the needle insertion of epidural anesthesia with the paramedian approach, the needle can pass through the longissimus muscle in the dorsum of the patients. When the needle touches a nerve in the muscles, the patients may experience pain in the back. Obviously, the needle should avoid the nerve tract. To provide better anesthetic service, analysis of the structure and where the concerned nerves lie in that region is inevitable.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We studied five cadavers in this study. Two cadavers were fixed with Thiel's method. With these cadavers, we studied the nerve running of the posterior rami of the spinal nerve from the nerve root to the distal portion. Three of them were used for the study of transparent specimen, with which we studied the course and size of the nerve inside the longissimus muscle.

RESULTS

We observed there were three branches at the stem of the posterior rami of the spinal nerves between the body segment T3 and L5, i.e. medial branch, medial branch of the lateral branch and lateral branch of the lateral branch. The medial branch of the lateral branch supplied to the longissimus muscle. With the transparent specimen, we found that there were different nerve layouts between the upper thoracic, lower thoracic, upper lumbar, and lower lumbar segments in the medial branch of the lateral branch in the longissimus muscle. In the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments, the medial branch of the lateral branch of the upper lumbar segments produced layers nerve network in the longissimus muscle. L1 and L2 nerves were large in size in the muscle.

CONCLUSION

In the upper lumbar segments the medial branch of the lateral branch of the posterior rami of the spinal nerve produced dense network in the longissimus muscle, where the epidural needle has high possibility to touch the nerve. Anesthetists have to consider the existence of the medial branch of the lateral branch of the posterior rami of the spinal nerve when they insert the needle in the paramedical approach to the spinal column.

Left testicular artery arching over the ipsilateral renal vein

AIM

To report two cases of the left testicular artery arching over the left renal vein (LRV) before running downward to the testis.

METHODS

The subjects were obtained from two Japanese cadavers. During the student course of gross-anatomical dissection, the anatomical relationship between the testicular vessels and the renal vein was specifically observed.

RESULTS

The arching left testicular artery arose from the aorta below the LRV and made a loop around the LRV, which appeared to be mildly compressed between the arching artery and the psoas major muscle.

CONCLUSION

Clinically, compression of the LRV between the abdominal aorta and the superior mesenteric artery occasionally induces LRV hypertension, resulting in varicocele, orthostatic proteinuria and hematuria. Considering that the incidence of a left arching testicular artery is higher than that of a right one, an arching left artery could be an additional cause of LRV hypertension.

Three Cases of the Gastrosplenic and the Hepatomesenteric Trunks

Three common branches of the celiac trunk are the left gastric artery, the splenic artery and the common hepatic artery. The variation of the three branches of the celiac trunk has an importance for the arterial supply to the digestive organs of the upper abdomen. In this study, we present three cases of the gastrosplenic and the hepatomesenteric trunks in Japanese cadavers. Especially, in Case 1, the left inferior phrenic artery arose from the gastrosplenic trunk and the left hepatic artery arose from the left gastric artery. In Cases 2 and 3, the common hepatic artery penetrated the pancreatic parenchyma before reaching liver. In Case 3, the right hepatic artery arose from the hepatomesenteric trunk.

Methanoculleus chikugoensis sp. nov., a novel methanogenic archaeon isolated from paddy field soil in Japan, and DNA-DNA hybridization among Methanoculleus species

A strictly anaerobic, irregularly coccoid, methanogenic archaeon, strain MG62T (= JCM 10825T = DSM 13459T), was isolated from paddy field soil in Chikugo, Fukuoka, Japan. The cells stained gram-negative, were 1.0-2.0 microm in diameter, were lysed by SDS and hypotonic solutions and were flagellated. Motility was not observed. The strain was able to use H2/CO2, 2-propanol/CO2, formate, 2-butanol/CO2 and cyclopentanol/CO2 as substrates for methanogenesis, but did not utilize acetate, ethanol, methanol or methylamines. The optimum temperature and pH were 25-30 degrees C and 6.7-7.2. Analysis of lipid component parts (core lipids, phospholipid polar head groups and glycolipid sugar moieties) showed the characteristic pattern of members of the family Methanomicrobiaceae except for the absence of glucose as a glycolipid sugar moiety. The G+C content of the DNA was 62.2 mol %. Sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA revealed that the strain belonged to the genus Methanoculleus. The strain had DNA-DNA hybridization values of less than 50% with type strains of Methanoculleus species. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, the name Methanoculleus chikugoensis sp. nov. is proposed for strain MG62T (= JCM 10825T = DSM 13459T). The DNA hybridization study also revealed the close relationships of three species, Methanoculleus olentangyi, Methanoculleus bourgensis and Methanoculleus oldenburgensis, among Methanoculleus species.

[Morphology and significance of the left portal vein in human]

The aberrant course of a left gastric vein directly entering the liver has been reported as the left portal vein in a few cases. The authors adopted the name of 'left portal vein' for this vein and gave a brief historical summary of the left portal vein and its significance. The left gastric vein does not enter the gastropancreatic ligament from the lesser curvature, but the vein runs toward the liver alongside the hepatic ramus of vagus nerve in the hepatogastric ligament. The vein either joins the branch of the portal vein or supplies a small area of the liver after reaching the left side of the hepatic hilus. The left portal vein has already been described as the term of 'V. portae sinistra' in the bird. Many vascular vessels are found in the hepatogastric ligament. In this ligament the hepatic ramus of vagus nerve always runs toward the liver and the artery exists at a frequency of 30%. Either the left hepatic artery arising from a left gastric artery runs alongside the nerve in the ligament at a frequency of 20% or the accessory left gastric artery arising from a hepatic artery runs in a reverse direction at a frequency of 10%. Both arteries do not coexist. Moreover, the left gastric vein exits in the hepatogastric ligament in several cases and enters the liver as the left portal vein. Besides, an anastomosis of a portal vein with the renal vein rarely exists in front of the cardiac region of the ligament in cirrhosis. The aberrant left gastric vein is derived from the hepatic afferent vein through the hepatogastric ligament and exists as the left portal vein.

Familial occurrence of congenital bile duct cysts

Congenital bile duct cysts are now a well-documented anomaly of the biliary tree, and have become more common in Japan. Familial occurrence of congenital bile duct cysts, however, is extremely rare, with only six reported cases in the literature. We report a familial pattern of congenital bile duct cysts in a mother and her daughter. A 33-year-old female was admitted for evaluation of right upper quadrant abdominal pain and fever 6 days after an uneventful delivery of her second child. A computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound scan (US) revealed an obstructed biliary tract. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was then performed, and a cholangiogram revealed a Scholtz type B choledochocele without an anomalous connection of the pancreaticobiliary ducts. Endoscopic US demonstrated that the choledochocele was associated with a stone in the cyst. A pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenal resection was performed, and a histological study revealed that the choledochocele was lined by biliary mucosa without evidence of malignancy. The newborn infant had an abdominal tumour. An US and CT revealed a congenital bile duct cyst. An operation was performed and the intraoperative cholangiogram showed an Alonso-Lej type I congenital bile duct cyst with an anomalous connection of the pancreaticobiliary ducts. Whether congenital bile duct cysts are hereditary remains to be elucidated.

Peculiar archaea found in Japanese paddy soils

Archaeal 16S rDNA clones retrieved from paddy soil DNA were sequenced. Among 100 clones, 88 clones were assigned to methanogens and nine clones were assigned to crenarchaeota. However, three of the nine clones were phylogenetically far from the cultured crenarchaeota and closely related to marine planktonic archaea. The other three clones showed extremely novel 16S rDNA sequences and were phylogenetically far from both Crenarchaeola and Euryarchaeota. This paper reports the ubiquitous presence of crenarchaeotal and extremely novel clones in paddy soils.

A rare case of a kidney with an widely opened hilus and supernumerary renal vessels

This is an autopsy case reporting variation in the left kidney of a 87-year-old Japanese woman. The kidney in question possessed a widely opened hilus, was located in a lower position than usual, and was supplied and drained by multiple vessels. Major findings are as follows: 1. The left kidney, diamond-shaped, was situated lower than usual. 2. The hilus of this kidney was widely opened, facing anteriorly. 3. It was supplied by, in addition to an ordinal renal artery, 4 supernumerary arteries arising from the lower portion of the abdominal aorta and was drained by one ordinary and one supernumerary vein, the latter of which opened into the lumbar vein.

[Gross morphology of the pancreas and distribution of pancreatic ducts in the rat]

Gross morphology of the pancreas and distribution of pancreatic ducts were investigated in 12 Jcl: Wistar rats. The pancreas consisted of a body and two (right and left) lobes. The pancreatic body was located along the cranial part of the duodenum. The right lobe extended into the duodenal ligament, while the left lobe extended toward the spleen into the gastrolienal ligament. In 9 animals, the number of ducts ranged between 3 and 10. Each duct joined the hepatoenteric duct. Two (right and left) large ducts found in all animals drained the right and left lobes. Other ducts observed in more than a half of the animals drained either the body or a part of the lobe.

Kibdelosporangium albatum sp. nov., producer of the antiviral antibiotics cycloviracins

A new species of the genus Kibdelosporangium is described. This soil organism forms long straight spore chains and numerous sporangium-like structures on the aerial mycelium. The new species has type IV cell walls and pattern A whole-cell sugars (meso-diaminopimelic acid, arabinose, and galactose are present), type PII phospholipids, MK-9(H4) as the major menaquinone, and no mycolic acids. On the basis of morphology and chemotaxonomy, the single isolate is assigned to the genus Kibdelosporangium. The isolate differs from two previously described species of the genus in fatty acid composition, the absence of melanin formation, and many physiological and biochemical characteristics and is identified as a new species. Accordingly, the name Kibdelosporangium albatum sp. nov. is proposed for this isolate. The type strain is R761-7 (= ATCC 55061).

[Innervation of the external ear in humans and the musk shrew]

The external ear appears only in mammals and possesses a great diversity of forms. In addition, multiple nerves are distributed in the external ear. The nerves which are distributed in the external ear were investigated in humans and in the musk shrew (Suncus murinus) in a macroscopic study. The following results were obtained. Cranial nerves (CN) V, VII, X and cervical nerves supply the auricle and the external meatus in both humans and the musk shrew. Branches of the third division of CN V supply an anterior part of the external meatus and the anterior part of the auricle in both humans and the musk shrew. A branch of CN X, together with a branch of CN VII, supply the posterior parts of the external meatus in humans. In the musk shrew, a branch of CN X, together with a branch of CN VII, supplies the posterior part of the external meatus and the central part and the anterior portion of the auricle. Branches of the cervical nerve supply the posterior part of the auricle. Branches of the cervical nerve supply the posterior part of the external meatus and the central and posterior parts of the auricle in the musk shrew.

Quartromicin, a complex of novel antiviral antibiotics. I. Production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and antiviral activity

A strain of Amycolatopsis orientalis No. Q427-8 (ATCC 53884) was found to produce a complex of new antiviral antibiotics, quartromicin which consisted of at least six components A1, A2, A3, D1, D2 and D3. Structural studies suggested that they are a novel type of molecules unrelated to any known antibiotics. Each component of quartromicin exhibited antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1, influenza virus type A and human immunodeficiency virus.

Dynemicins, new antibiotics with the 1,5-diyn-3-ene and anthraquinone subunit. I. Production, isolation and physico-chemical properties

Dynemicin A, a novel antibiotic containing the bicyclo[7.3.1]-1,5-diyn-3-ene and 1,4,6-trihydroxyanthraquinone functionalities, was isolated from the culture broth of Micromonospora chersina sp. nov. M956-1. The antibiotic exhibited potent in vitro antibacterial and cytotoxic activity, and in in vivo, it cured mice from lethal Staphylococcus aureus infection and prolonged survival time of mice inoculated with murine tumors. Three satellite components, dynemicins L, M and N, were also isolated from the culture broth and chemically characterized.

Fluvirucins A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5, new antibiotics active against influenza A virus. I. Production, isolation, chemical properties and biological activities

Five unidentified actinomycete strains produced a series of novel antiviral antibiotics which have a unique 2,6-dialkyl-10-ethyl-3(or 9)-hydroxy-13-tridecanelactam nucleus substituted with 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-L-talose or 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-L-mannose(L-mycosamine). The antibiotic components exhibited potent inhibitory activity against influenza virus type A Victoria strain infection in Madin Darby canine kidney cells by the cytopathic effect reduction assay.

Maduropeptin, a complex of new macromolecular antitumor antibiotics

Maduropeptin, a complex of new macromolecular antitumor antibiotics, is a metabolite of Actinomadura madurae H710-49. The active components maduropeptins A1, A2 and B are acidic chromopeptides with MW of around 22,500 and composed of 14 types of amino acids and an unstable chromophore. The antibiotics are active in vitro against Gram-positive bacteria and highly cytotoxic to tumor cells. They produced significant prolongation of survival time of mice implanted with P388 leukemia and B16 melanoma.

Melanostatin, a new melanin synthesis inhibitor. Production, isolation, chemical properties, structure and biological activity

Melanostatin, a new antibiotic with melanin synthesis inhibitor activity, was isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces clavifer No. N924-2. Its structure was determined by spectral analysis and degradation experiments. Melanostatin strongly inhibited melanin formation in Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 and B16 melanoma cells.

A new screening method for melanin biosynthesis inhibitors using Streptomyces bikiniensis

A novel screening method for melanin biosynthesis inhibitors using Streptomyces bikiniensis NRRL B-1049 as the indicator organism has been developed. Several known compounds, including tyrosinase inhibitors, were found to inhibit melanin production of S. bikiniensis on agar plates. This screening method was applied to fermentation broths of actinomycetes and several cultures with melanin biosynthesis inhibitory activity were found.

New antifungal antibiotics pradimicins FA-1 and FA-2: D-serine analogs of pradimicins A and C

Pradimicin FA-1 was produced via directed biosynthesis with substitution of D-serine for D-alanine in the 15-position of pradimicin A. This substitution was achieved by the addition of D-serine to the culture medium of Actinomadura hibisca P157-2. Likewise, pradimicin FA-2 was co-produced along with pradimicin FA-1 when the pradimicins A and C producing strain, A. hibisca A2493 was grown in D-serine-supplemented medium. The new pradimicin analogs share a common core structure of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[a]naphthacenequinone substituted by D-serine at C-15, but differ in the disaccharide moiety at C-5. Pradimicin FA-1 has an N-methylamino sugar and D-xylose. Pradimicin FA-2 is the des-N-methyl analog of pradimicin FA-1. The in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of the analogs was comparable to that of pradimicin A.

Chemical and biological properties of rubiginone, a complex of new antibiotics with vincristine-cytotoxicity potentiating activity

A novel complex of isotetracenone (angucyclinone) group antibiotics was discovered from the cultured broth of Streptomyces griseorubiginosus No. Q144-2. The antibiotic consisted of six related factors, designated rubiginones A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. They significantly potentiated cytotoxicity of vincristine (VCR) against VCR-resistant P388 leukemia and Moser cells.

Pradimicins A, B and C: new antifungal antibiotics. I. Taxonomy, production, isolation and physico-chemical properties

New antifungal antibiotics, pradimicins A, B and C were isolated from the culture broth of actinomycete strains proposed as Actinomadura hibisca. They are orange to red pigments containing a benzo[a]naphthacenequinone chromophore substituted with a D-alanine, an aminosugar and a D-xylose (pradimicins A and C).

New antifungal antibiotics, pradimicins D and E. Glycine analogs of pradimicins A and C

New antifungal antibiotics pradimicins D and E were isolated from the culture filtrates of Actinomadura hibisca P157-2 (ATCC 53557) and its mutant A2660 (ATCC 53762). The structure of pradimicin D is N-[[(5S,6S)-5-O-[4,6-dideoxy-4-(methylamino)-3-O-(beta-D- xylopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-5,6,8,13-tetrahydro-1,6,9,14- tetrahydroxy-11-methoxy-3-methyl-8,13-dioxobenzo[a]naphthacen++ +-2-yl] carbonyl]glycine, based on spectral analyses compared to pradimicin A. Pradimicin E is the des-N-methyl analog of pradimicin D. Pradimicins D and E were equal in activity to pradimicin A in vitro against a variety of fungi and in vivo against Candida albicans A9540 in mice.

Pumilacidin, a complex of new antiviral antibiotics. Production, isolation, chemical properties, structure and biological activity

New antibiotic pumilacidins A, B, C, D, E, F and G were isolated from the culture broth of a strain of Bacillus pumilus. They are cyclic acylheptapeptide composed of a beta-hydroxy fatty acid, two L-leucine, two D-leucine, L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid and L-isoleucine (or L-valine). Pumilacidin components were inhibitory to herpes simplex virus type 1 and H+, K(+)-ATPase and demonstrated antiulcer activity in rat.

Cispentacin, a new antifungal antibiotic. I. Production, isolation, physico-chemical properties and structure

A new antibiotic, cispentacin, was isolated from the culture broth of a Bacillus cereus strain, L450-B2. The antibiotic is water-soluble and amphoteric; its structure was determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical synthesis to be (1R,2S)-2-aminocyclopentane-1-carboxylic acid. Cispentacin demonstrated only weak in vitro activity against certain fungi but strong protection of mice from lethal infection of Candida albicans A9540.

Lanthiopeptin, a new peptide antibiotic. Production, isolation and properties of lanthiopeptin

A strain of Streptoverticillium cinnamoneum produced a peptide antibiotic named lanthiopeptin, which contained four unusual amino acids, erythro-beta-hydroxyaspartic acid, mesolanthionine, threo-beta-methyllanthionine and lysinoalanine. Lanthiopeptin showed antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 KOS strain infection in Vero cells by cytopathic effect reduction assay. The structure of lanthiopeptin is similar to that of ancovenin.