Usefulness of multi-detector row computed tomography for accurate preoperative assessment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: report of a case

A 74-year-old female underwent surgical treatment for adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. Preoperative multi-detector row computed tomography (MD-CT) demonstrated tumor invasion into the accessory right colic vein and the branch of the middle colic artery (MCA); which was not detected by digital subtraction angiography. MD-CT showed anatomical variants in the left hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery; and the right posterior hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery. Three-dimensional reconstruction CT generated a clear picture of the anatomy of the region concerned; which is essential for a safe operation. The MD-CT findings were highly consistent with the intra-operative findings. We have demonstrated that MD-CT is an important and highly accurate modality for pancreatic surgery

Comparative studies on Philippine Paragonimus westermani and Japanese Paragonimus westermani

Paragonimus westermani in the Philippines has been reconfirmed to develop to sexual maturity in albino rats. The migration route of this species in albino rats have also been studied in detail and compared with that of Paragonimus westermani in Japan in ratsAs the result it was found that the course of migration of the larvae of Philippine P. westermani in rats was quite different from that of Japanese P. westermani in ratsIt has shown that it is possible to differentiate the species of Paragonimus westermani in the Philippines and Japan by means of immunoserological techniques such as compliment fixation test, double diffusion test and immunoelectrophoresis. The Philippine P. westermani from Japanese P. westermani not only morphology but also biological and immunological chararcteristics, therefore we reiterate the new name paragonimus philippinensis, (Ito, 1978) Philippine P. westermaniA new theory by Miyazaki (1977) concerning the taxonomy of Paragonimus westermani is also discussed. (Summary)

Three cases of human gnathostomiasis caused by Gnathostoma hispidum, with particular reference to the identification of parasitic larvae.

Human gnathostomiasis is well known to be caused by Gnathostoma spinigerum, G. hispidum, G. doloresi and G. nipponicum in Japan. In the present reported cases, skin biopsies were performed on three Japanese patients. As a result, cross sections of the larvae were clearly observed in the biopsied specimens. All cross sectioned larvae had an intestinal canal, which consisted from 25-35 cells. A large nucleus was observed at the center of each intestinal cell. The morphological features completely correlated with the characteristics of larval G. hispidum. Based on these findings, all three human cases were thus determined to be confirmed cases of gnathostomiasis caused by G. hispidum.

Three cases of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma occurring in the prostate, stomach, and pancreas.

Small cell carcinomas are fairly common neoplasms in the lung, but tumors featuring similar histological profiles may occur in extrapulmonary organs. Three cases of small cell carcinomas occurring in the prostate (case 1), stomach (case 2), and pancreas (case 3) are presented. Production of hormones was demonstrated immunohistochemically in all cases. In case 2 alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was elevated in the serum and observed immunohistochemically in tumor cells. Production of AFP is a distinctive feature, which has not been reported in the pulmonary and extrapulmonary cases of small cell carcinoma. Amplification and/or expression of myc gene family have been suggested to be related to the prognosis of pulmonary small cell carcinoma. Amplification of myc genes was not detected in any of our cases, but c-myc protein was demonstrated immunohistochemically in tumor cells of case 1.

Preparation of monoclonal antibody against Angiostrongylus cantonensis antigen.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against A cantonensis were produced through fusion of immunised spleen cells from BALB/c mice with NS-1 myeloma cells at a ratio of 10:1. The successful fusion rate on the 3rd day of fusion was 90.1%. Ten MAb were characterised, six of which were IgG1 and the remaining four were IgG2a, IgG2b, IgM and IgA respectively. Among 6 IgG1 MAb, four were A. cantonensis-specific, of which three reacted to adult worm antigen only and one reacted to both adult worm and juvenile worm antigens. Two other IgG1 MAb showed cross-reaction with other helminthic antigens of Toxocara canis. Ascaris suum. Paragonimus westermani, Dirofilaria immitis, Anisakis Spp, Gnatostoma Spinigerum and Clonorchis sinensis.

Studies on the inhibitory activities of human serum lipoproteins for Japanese encephalitis virus.

Human serum lipoproteins were purified by ultracentrifuging and their concentrations adjusted as required to be within the normal male/female serum range for all assays. The activities in inhibition of hemagglutination (HAI) for Japanese encephalitis virus were--low density lipoprotein (LDL) greater than very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) greater than high density lipoprotein (HDL). Heating (56 degrees C/30 minutes) caused the LDL titer to fall and freeze-thawing (20 degrees C/room temperature) the VLDL titer to rise slightly, possibly as a result of alteration in lipoprotein structure. The additon of lipoprotein depleted serum appeared to dampen these effects and there was no nett change in titer when it was added to a lipoprotein mixture. Similarly, unfractionated normal serum showed no significant change in titer after these treatments. The lipoproteins lacked significant virus neutralizing (VN) activity and this remained so in spite of fluctuations in HAI titer after heating and freeze-thawing.

Arbovirus infections in reptiles: studies on the presence of Japanese encephalitis virus antibody in the plasma of the turtle, Trionyx sinensis.

This study was undertaken to examine further the natural infection of poikilothermic animals e.g. turtles, to Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus. Plasma samples from 75 soft-shelled fresh water turtles (Trionyx sinensis Wiegman) from China were examined in virus neutralization (VN) and hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) tests for the presence of specific antibody. The total incidence of antibody detected by either test to a titer of 10 or greater was 89% while 77% and 60% were positive by VN and HAI tests, respectively. Forty-one per cent were jointly positive by both tests. Mean HAI and VN titers were similar and showed no obvious differences between spring/summer and autumn/winter seasons. The HAI reactivity was associated with a 7S component for both seasons. The significance of this inhibition in the serology of poikilothermic hosts and the possible behaviour of T. sinensis in the natural history of JE virus is briefly considered.