Spindle and Giant Cell Type Undifferentiated Carcinoma of the Proximal Bile Duct

Undifferentiated spindle and giant cell carcinoma is an extremely rare malignant neoplasm arising in the extrahepatic bile duct. We herein present the case of a 67-year-old male who developed an undifferentiated spindle and giant cell carcinoma of the proximal bile duct. A nodular infiltrating tumor was located at the proximal bile duct, resulting in obstructive jaundice. Histologically, the tumor was composed of mainly spindle-shaped and giant cells and showed positive immunoreactivity for both cytokeratin and vimentin. Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered following extrahepatic bile duct resection, and he has been doing well for 16 months since the surgical treatment. The literature on this rare malignancy is also reviewed and discussed

The Efficacy of PAF Antagonist TCV-309 in a Canine Single Lung Allotransplantation after 24 hour . Preservation

To evaluate the efficacy of TCV-309, platelet activating factor (PAF) antagonist, we investigated the use of this agent when added to the Euro-Collins solution or administered to the donor and the recipient as well as the Euro-Collins solution in the preservation of a canine lung for 24 hours. The function of the graft was assessed before harvesting and one hour after reperfusion by a unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion test. In the ECS group, donor lungs were flushed with 500 ml of the Euro-Collins solution containing 375 μg TCV-309. In the TCV group, donor and recipient dogs were pretreated with TCV-309, and donor lungs were flushed as the ECS group. Donor dogs received TCV-309 100 μg/kg bolus followed by continuous infusion of 500 μg/kg/hr for one hour. Recipient dogs received TCV-309 100 pg/kg bolus followed by continuous infusion of 500 μg/kg/hr for two hours, encompassing two hours of reperfusion. Better posttransplantation pulmonary function was obtained in the TCV group. In conclusion the PAF antagonist TCV-309 is a beneficial agent when it is administered to the donor and the recipient and added to the Euro-Collins solution in a canine model of a single lung transplantation after 24 hr preservation

CEA in Esophageal Cancer Tissues

The presence of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) was assessed in cancer tissues of 53 patients with esophageal carcinoma. Positive rates of CEA staining in tissues were 81.1%. Well differentiated carcinomas tended to be well stained. The survival time in positive tissue CEA patients was longer than that in negative one. The measurement of a presence of tissue CEA is of help to judge the prognosis

Availability of Low Potassium UW Solution for a 24 Lung

A comparative study of preservation solution was made in a 24 hour storaged donor lung between original UW (University of Wisconsin) solution (k = 120mEq/l) and Low potassium UW (k = 30mEq/l) solution. Preservation of a donor lung with low potassium UW solution was superior to that with original UW solution in terms of static compliance and pulmonary vascular resistance. In conclusion, the use of low potassium UW solution is of great value to storage a donor lung

Model experiment of magnetic field amplification in laser-produced plasmas via the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability

A model experiment of magnetic field amplification (MFA) via the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) in supernova remnants (SNRs) was performed using a high-power laser. In order to account for very-fast acceleration of cosmic rays observed in SNRs, it is considered that the magnetic field has to be amplified by orders of magnitude from its background level. A possible mechanism for the MFA in SNRs is stretching and mixing of the magnetic field via the RMI when shock waves pass through dense molecular clouds in interstellar media. In order to model the astrophysical phenomenon in laboratories, there are three necessary factors for the RMI to be operative: a shock wave, an external magnetic field, and density inhomogeneity. By irradiating a double-foil target with several laser beams with focal spot displacement under influence of an external magnetic field, shock waves were excited and passed through the density inhomogeneity. Radiative hydrodynamic simulations show that the RMI evolves as the density inhomogeneity is shocked, resulting in higher MFA

Surgery for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Elderly over 80 Years of Age

The surgical outcome was evaluated in 14 patients over 80 years of age with non-small cell lung cancer. The satisfactory results are predicted as far as surgical indication is limited to favorable candidates. Further postoperative cares for age-related diseases are required in a follow-up study. It is documented in 1989 that the mean survival age of 70 years old is 15.8 years in life and that of 80 years old is 8.67 years in Japan.1) However, the mean survival age is now tremendously increasing. The major items of concern include therapeutic choice for elderly patients with malignant disease. The surgical indication for lung cancer patients of the aged is shifting from 70 years of age to 80. In this study, the validity of surgery for patients over 80 years of age is assessed on the basis of a result of clinical experience

Surgery for Early Esophageal Carcinoma

Early esophageal carcinomas are clinicopathologically evaluated in 11 patients whose carcinomas are limited to the epithelium (ep) and the mucosa (mm). Most of ep and mm carcinomas were detected by mass-screening without any symptom. Even when mass examination for gastric lesion is attempted, precise examination of the esophagus should be made at the same time. It is assured that a ep and mm esophageal carcinoma ensured satisfactory outcome. It is emphasized that early detection is only a way to improve the surgical outcome of the treatment for esophageal carcinomas