Irinotecan Hydrochloride (CPT-11) in Dialysis Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer

We investigated changes in drug disposition and toxicities with CPT-11 in 15 dialysis patients with gastrointestinal cancers to clarify whether CPT-11 could be administered safely in such patients. For comparison, the same parameters were also investigated in 10 cancer patients not undergoing dialysis. Items investigated included (1) plasma concentrations of SN-38, SN-38G and CPT-11 at 0, 1, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72h after administration, together with a comparison of mean AUC values for 3 dose levels of CPT-11 (50, 60 and 70mg/m2) in dialysis patients and controls;and (2) occurrence of adverse events. Several findings emerged from this study:(1) No significant difference was observed in the AUC for SN-38 or CPT-11 between the dialysis and control groups;(2) The AUC for SN-38G at each dose was significantly higher in dialysis patients;and (3) Grade 1-4 leucopenia was observed in 11 of the dialysis patients. One patient developed grade 4 leucopenia and died due to sepsis. Anorexia, diarrhea, nausea, alopecia and interstitial pneumonia occurred in 6 dialysis patients. We found changes in drug dispositions of CPT-11, SN-38 and SN-38G in dialysis patients, suggesting that hepatic excretion, especially that of SN-38G, was increased. No significant difference in occurrence of adverse events was observed between the 2 groups. This indicates that CPT-11 can be administered safely in patients on dialysis.</p

Effect of Polyethylene Glycol Conjugated Superoxide Dismutase on Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Superroxide anion radical (02-) has been suggested as a causative factor of ischemia/reperfusion injury to the liver. Superxide dismutase (SOD)is a specific scavenger for 02, but its elimination half life in the blood is about five min. Polyethylene glycol conjugated SOD (PEG-SOD) has a chracteristics of long half life (14hr) in the circulating blood and low immunogenicity. In the present study, we compared the effect of PEG-SOD to conventional SOD in protecting the ischemia/reperfusion injury to the liver. In rats with an occluded inflow against 70% of the liver for 30min followed by 30min reperfusion, elevations of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase,and lipid peroxide concentrations in the liver were not significantly inhibited by intravenous administration of PEG-SOD, compared to those treated with conventional SOD. These results indicate that sustained presence of radical scavenger activity in the circulating blood has no more beneficial effects on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury than its temporary presence when reperfusion begins

A STUDY ON POSTOPERATIVE MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY AFTER PANCREATODUODENECTOMY

The early postoperative results of pancreatoduodenectomy performed in our institute during the last 20 years were reviewed, dividing the cases into two groups, from 1970 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1989. Among a total of 136 pancreatoduodenctomies, 52 were performed in the earlier decade and 84 in the latter decade. Patients were significantly older in the latter than in the earlier decade. In the earlier decade, postoperative complications developed in 28.8% of the patients with a 19.2% overall mortality rate. In the latter decade, the complications occurred in 27.4% with a 6.0% mortality rate. There was a significant decrease in overall mortality rate between the two decades. The most common complication was the dehiscence of pancreatojejunostmy, but life-threatening major leakage was decreased. It was considered that recent improvements in surgical techniques and intraoperative and perioperative management contributed to the improvement of the results of this procedure. However, continuing efforts are needed to reduce the morbidity rate, which remains high

Two new species of freshwater crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Potamidae) from Tokashiki Island, central Ryukyu Islands, Japan

10.1017/S1477200007002551Systematics and Biodiversity54409-41

Alternative Male Mating Behaviors Dependent on Relative Body Size in Captive Oval Squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana (Cephalopoda, Loliginidae)

We observed the reproductive behavior of the oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana in captivity. The male used three different mating behaviors: male-parallel (MP), male-upturned (MU) and sneaking. Male competition over females frequently occurred before and during the female egg-laying period, and the outcome of most fights depended on male body size. Larger males guarded their partners from other males and performed MP mating during the egg-laying period of the paired females. In contrast, there was no pairing and mate guarding in MU mating and sneaking, which were adopted by smaller subordinate males as alternative tactics outside female egg-laying period and during the period, respectively. MP matings were 95% successful, but more than half of MU matings were unsuccessful. Higher mating success in MP mating was achieved through pairing, whereas males in MU mating were less successful because mating attempts without pair formation were often foiled by escape of the female. Sneaking was successful in all cases but occurred less frequently. Spermatophores were attached at the opening of the oviduct in MP mating, whereas they were attached around the female buccal membrane in MU mating and sneaking. Considering the route of egg transportation, higher fertilization success can be expected in MP mating because of the advantageous location of the attached spermatophores. Our results suggest that MP mating is used by larger, paired males during the female egg-laying period, and that MU mating and sneaking are alternative tactics adopted by smaller, subordinate males. These alternative mating behaviors would be conditional strategy dependent on relative body size, because some individual males displayed both MP and MU mating behaviors