<Abstract of published report>Stimulation of Nerve Growth Factor Synthesis/Secretion by 1,4-Benzoquinone and Its Derivatives in Cultured Mouse Astroglial Cells

AbstractPreviously we reported that astroglial cells cultured from mouse brain synthesize and secrete nerve growth factor (NGF) and that, in quiescent cells, catecholamines markedly increase the NGF content in the conditioned medium (CM). We wished to further assess the structural properties required for exhibition of such effect of compounds containing a ring structure analogous to that of catechol on astroglial NGF synthesis. During our study, we found that hydroquinone, which was confirmed not to stimulate NGF synthesis in mouse flbroblast cells in another of our investigations, is a potent stimulator of NGF synthesis in astroglial cells and that 1,4-benzoquinone, an oxidized form of hydroquinone, is a more effective stimulator than hydroquinone itself. In addition, the results of experiments with 1,2-benzoquinone derivatives indicated that the presence of a long aliphatic side chain in the molecule eliminates the stimulatory effect of 1,4-benzoquinone on NGF synthesis in astroglial cells

The Incidence of Proximal Extension of Ulcerative Proctitis in Japan and Factors Related to Proximal Extension

The incidence of proximal extension in patients with ulcerative proctitis is reported to be 18%-46%, but recent data on the incidence in Japan is inadequate. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of proximal extension of ulcerative proctitis and factors associated with the extension in Japan. This is a retrospective observational study involving a cohort of 53 patients with an initial diagnosis of ulcerative proctitis. Following verification of the diagnoses, demographic and clinical data were compiled. The cumulative incidence of proximal extension was estimated as ‘person-years’ and cumulative probability was calculated by the Kaplan-Meyer method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify association factors. During a mean follow-up of 6.8 years, proximal extension was observed in 14 patients (26.4%). The cumulative incidence of proximal extension was 4.22/100 person-years and the cumulative probability at 5 years was 20.1%, consistent with recent reports from Western countries and data obtained in Japan over 2 decades ago. Univariate analysis showed active smoking (P = 0.025) and corticosteroid therapy (P = 0.006) to be risk factors in proximal extension, however multivariate analysis revealed that corticosteroid therapy was the only significant factor (P = 0.005) separating patients with and without proximal extension. No patient underwent colectomy. The incidence of proximal extension in ulcerative proctitis in Japan is comparable to that in Western countries and has not changed significantly over the past two decades. Corticosteroid therapy was identified as the only significant factor in proximal extension

Metastatic Patterns of Myxoid/Round Cell Liposarcoma: A Review of a 25-Year Experience

Myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MRCL), unlike other soft tissue sarcomas, has been associated with unusual pattern of metastasis to extrapulmonary sites. In an attempt to elucidate the clinical features of MRCL with metastatic lesions, 58 cases, from the medical database of Keio University Hospital were used for the evaluation. 47 patients (81%) had no metastases, whereas 11 patients (11%) had metastases during their clinical course. Among the 11 patients with metastatic lesions, 8 patients (73%) had extrapulmonary metastases and 3 patients (27%) had pulmonary metastases. Patients were further divided into three groups; without metastasis, with extrapulmonary metastasis, and with pulmonary metastasis. When the metastatic patterns were stratified according to tumor size, there was statistical significance between the three groups (P = 0.028). The 8 cases with extrapulmonary metastases were all larger than 10 cm. Similarly, histological grading had a significant impact on metastatic patterns (P = 0.027). 3 cases with pulmonary metastatic lesions were all diagnosed as high grade. In conclusion, large size and low histological grade were significantly associated with extrapulmonary metastasis