A modified apparatus for dual, sterilized, isolated perfusion of the rat liver

The isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) has proven to be a useful model for the study of physiology and pathology of the liver. For research in nonparenchymal cell (NPC) function that includes measurement of cytokine production (eg, TNF), it is necessary to have a sterilized perfusion system. We have modified the IPRL apparatus so as to be able to perform sterile perfusions of two livers simultaneously. The perfusion apparatus is a recirculating closed system in which the oxygenator is a plastic container separated into two chambers by a fenestrated plastic wall. A disposable macropore filter functions as both a bubble trap and perfusate filter. The sterilization process is done by immersing the various components in Benz-All solution. The tubing is disinfected by irrigation with 10% Clorox followed by 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The perfusate used is filter-sterilized Krebs buffer solution containing 0.5 g Mandol/250 mL perfusate. Not only can two organs be conveniently perfused simultaneously, but the entire system can be reliably sterilized for up to 20 consecutive perfusions. Bile production is higher and more stable with less leakage of intracellular enzymes. Many of the components are disposable and can be altered to suit the needs of a particular experiment. © 1990 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted

Impact of perioperative chemotherapy on survival in patients with advanced primary urethral cancer: results of the international collaboration on primary urethral carcinoma

This is the first series that suggests a prognostic benefit of neoadjuvant treatment in a consecutive series of patients who underwent perioperative chemotherapy plus surgery for advanced primary urethral carcinoma. Further studies should yield a better understanding of how perioperative chemotherapy exerts a positive effect on survival in order to selectively advocate its use in advanced primary urethral carcinom

A prospective randomised trial to study the role of levamisole and interferon alfa in an adjuvant therapy with 5-FU for stage III colon cancer

The purpose of this trial was to examine the efficacy of the addition of levamisole (LEV) or interferon alfa (IFN) to an adjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in patients with stage III colon cancer. According to a 2 × 2 factorial study design, 598 patients were randomly assigned to one of four adjuvant treatment arms. Patients in arm one received 5-FU weekly for 1 year, patients in arm two 5-FU plus LEV, in arm three 5-FU plus IFN and patients in arm four 5-FU, LEV and IFN. The relative risk of relapse and the relative risk of death were significantly higher for patients treated with LEV compared with those without LEV treatment (HR 1.452, 95% CI 1.135–1.856, P=0.0028; HR 1.506, 95% CI 1.150–1.973, P=0.0027, respectively). No significant impact on survival was observed for therapy with IFN in the univariate analysis. The addition of LEV to adjuvant 5-FU significantly worsened the prognosis of patients with stage III colon cancer. Interferon alfa had no significant influence on survival when combined with adjuvant 5-FU, but increased the toxicity of therapy substantially