Immunohistochemical expression of p63, Ki67 and ß-catenin in canine transitional cell carcinoma and polypoid cystitis of the urinary bladder.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is a urinary bladder tumour associated with high mortality in dogs. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of using p63, Ki67 or ß-catenin as a clinical marker for predicting biological behaviour and prognosis in canine TCC. Expression levels of these proteins in TCC (n = 25), polypoid cystitis (n = 5) and normal urinary bladder (n = 5) were scored after immunohistochemical staining. The staining scores for p63 (P < 0.01) and ß-catenin (P < 0.05) in TCC were significantly lower than those in normal urinary bladder and polypoid cystitis. In contrast, Ki67 (P < 0.01) staining scores in TCC were significantly higher than those in normal urinary bladder and polypoid cystitis. In TCC, low p63 expression was significantly related to the presence of vessel invasion (P < 0.05) and metastasis (P < 0.01) as well as short survival time (P < 0.05). These findings show that p63 could be a reliable marker for predicting prognosis in canine TCC.

Effects of suplatast tosilate on airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness.

Suplatast tosilate (IPD) is a Th2 cytokine inhibitor that lowers the titer of the IgE antibody through specific inhibition of the production of IL (interleukin)-4 and IL-5 by T cells and inhibits tissue infiltration by eosinophils. In this clinical trial, suplatast tosilate (300 mg/day) was administered orally for 4 weeks to 25 patients (13 patients with atopic asthma, 12 patients with nonatopic asthma) whose bronchial asthma was staged in step 1 or step 2 according to the Guidelines for Prevention and Management of Bronchial Asthma, 1998. Before and after administration, the parameters of airway inflammation, that is, peripheral blood eosinophils count, serum level of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), ECP level in induced sputum, airway hyperresponsiveness (Dmin), and morning peak expiratory flow (PEF), were measured. The peripheral blood eosinophil count, serum level of ECP, and ECP level in induced sputum decreased significantly. Of these parameters, the ECP level in induced sputum was the most sensitive. Furthermore, suplatast tosilate significantly inhibited Dmin. These results were especially significant in patients with atopic asthma. Suplatast tosilate was considered to have inhibited airway eosinophilic inflammation through decreases in peripheral blood eosinophils counts and in ECP levels in induced sputum, which resulted in inhibition of airway hyperresponsiveness.

Postoperative management following massive hepatectomy in a patient with Dubin-Johnson syndrome: report of a case.

We report herein the case of a 46-year-old man with Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) who was referred to our hospital to undergo a right hepatic lobectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. His complicated postoperative conjugated hyperbilirubinemia was successfully treated by hemopurification based on the increased level of serum hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). It is considered that hemopurification based on the early postoperative HGF levels has beneficial effects for patients with DJS; however, the specific role of hemopurification in the conjugated hyperbilirubinemia that develops postoperatively in these patients has not been determined.

[A case of primary amyloidosis with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage].

A 58-year-old man was admitted complaining of hemoptysis and dyspnea. Chest roentgenogram demonstrated bilateral alveolar infiltrates in the middle and lower lung fields. Diffuse alveolar filling shadows were seen on standard chest CT images. His symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates gradually resolved after administration of high-dose corticosteroids and erythromycin. Immunoelectrophoresis showed increased IgM of lambda type. Transbronchial lung biopsy specimens revealed amyloid deposits in the alveolar septa and blood vessel walls. Cervical lymph node biopsy specimen also showed amyloid deposits. The amyloid in this case stained positively with anti-A lambda type amyloid antibody. A diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis was made.