Acid ribonuclease activity of hepatoma cells

Activities of intracellular RNase of the liver cytoplasm, normal liver cells exposed to 3'-Me-DAB and heaptoma cells, have been studied in correlation with the contents of RNA and DNA and morphologic changes of the cells with or without treating RNase. The data showed that in hepatoma cells the intracellular acid RNase activity decreases with the decrease of RNA and unchanged DNA contents and alkaline RNase activity. Morphologic observation proved that hepatoma cells show a small low massed vesicular or vacuolar endoplasmic reticulum having ribosomes. For the exposure to RNase the hepatoma cells proved to be much less resistant comparing to normal liver cells. The former lost the granules and was destroyed in its endoplasmic reticulum, whereas the latter retained ribosomes and ER. From these experiments it has been speculated that acid RNase in the cell may be involved in RNA synthesis and alkaline RNase in RNA decompostition, though the effect of the difference in concentration in the case given RNase experimentally can not be neglected.</p

Leukemia autopsies in Japan

For the purpose to know whether the annual increase of leukemia incidence in Japan is due to some leukemogenic factors or due to the increased detection rate, the authors made some statistical survey of autopsy cases in which the diagnosis is reliable and not any type of leukemias escape the detection. The results showed that acute leukemias, which are found mostly in younger age, is actually increasing. In addition, it has been deduced that among the suspected factors the increase in ionizing radiation will be one of the most probable factors for the increase in leukemia incidence</p

Otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding fertility preservation in young cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: an anonymous questionnaire survey

Background: It is well known that chemotherapy for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer can reduce fertility regardless of the regimen. A decline in fertility greatly affects the quality of life of cancer survivors in the AYA age group; however, few patients are thought to be receiving fertility preservation measures. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the current understanding and consideration of fertility among otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons who treat AYA patients with cancer, and to inform them of the guidelines for fertility preservation. A total of 275 otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons working at our hospital in Ehime, Japan, six neighboring universities, and their affiliated facilities were included in this study. The questionnaire was mailed and requested to be returned by fax. Twenty questions were asked about respondents’ years of experience as physicians, specialties, experience in medical care and chemotherapy for AYA patients with cancer, and knowledge and experience in fertility reduction measures. Results: Although 58.7% of the physicians were aware that cryopreservation of eggs and sperm prior to chemotherapy was recommended, only 7 out of 40 physicians (17.5%) had referred AYA patients with cancer to an appropriate medical facility (department) after obtaining informed consent for chemotherapy. Conclusions: Although fertility preservation has been discussed at professional conferences and seminars, consideration and actions in the field of otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery have not been sufficient. We hope that the results of this survey will help raise awareness of fertility preservation