Autopsy results of a case of ingestion of sodium hydroxide solution.

Sodium hydroxide is a strongly corrosive alkali. We describe herein a case of suicide by ingestion of sodium hydroxide. A man in his 80s was found dead with a mug and a bottle of caustic soda. Macroscopically, liquefaction and/or disappearance of esophagus, trachea and lung tissue and a grayish discoloration of the mucosa of the stomach were seen along with blackish brown coloration of the skin, mouth, and oral cavity. The contents of the gastrointestinal tract showed a pH level of 7-8 on pH indicator strips. Histopathologically, liquefactive necrosis of remnant lung tissue and the stomach were seen. As biological reactions such as vasodilatation and inflammation were not detected in these organs, only a short number of hours must have passed between ingestion and death. This human case provides valuable information concerning the direct irritation induced by systemic exposure to corrosive substances.

A spontaneously occurring malignant ovarian Sertoli cell tumor in a young Sprague Dawley rat.

Primary ovarian tumors are generally uncommon in rats used in toxicologic studies. A malignant Sertoli cell tumor was present in the ovary of a 19-week-old female Sprague Dawley rat. Macroscopically, the mass was white and firm, 10 × 13 × 17 mm in size, and located in the right ovary. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of nests of pleomorphic cells, which formed seminiferous-like tubules separated by a thin fibrovascular stroma. The tubules were lined by tumor cells, which had basally located nuclei and abundant eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm. In some areas, the tumor cells were arranged in a retiform growth pattern, mimicking a rete testis/ovarii. Disseminated metastases to the surfaces of the mesentery, spleen and liver were also present. Immunohistochemically, many tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin, estrogen receptor α and Ki 67. Some tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratin and inhibin α. These findings closely resemble those of an ovarian-derived human malignant Sertoli cell tumor. From our review of the literature, we believe this is the first report of a spontaneous malignant Sertoli cell tumor in the ovary of a young laboratory rat. This case might provide useful historical control information for rat toxicity studies.

Comparison of neutrophil infiltration between type 1 and type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Characteristics of type 2 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is granulocyte epithelial lesions, called idiopathic duct-centric pancreatitis (IDCP). To clarify pathogenesis of IDCP, we investigated mechanism of neutrophil infiltration in type 1 AIP, called lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis (LPSP) and IDCP. METHOD: This study was performed on resected pancreata from patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis (ACP, n = 10), LPSP (n = 10) and IDCP (n = 12). The number of neutrophils around the pancreatic ducts was counted. The expression of neutrophils chemoattractants granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in the pancreatic duct epithelia was examined using immunohistochemistry. The cell staining intensity is scored as negative (0), weak (1), moderate (2) or strong (3). RESULTS: The median number of neutrophils around the interlobular pancreatic ducts was significantly higher in IDCP (15.16; interquartile range [IQR]: 9.74-18.41) than in ACP (2.66; IQR: 1.33-4.33) (P < 0.05) and LPSP (3.16; IQR: 2.74-4.57) (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the median number of neutrophils around the intralobular pancreatic ducts among ACP (1.16; IQR: 0.33-3.41), LPSP (3.16; IQR: 0.74-5.5) and IDCP (3.00; IQR: 1.08-7.91). The median score of GCP-2 in the interlobular pancreatic duct epithelia was significantly higher in IDCP (1.5; IQR: 0.25-2) than in ACP (0; IQR: 0-0.75) (P < 0.05) and LPSP (0; IQR: 0-0.75) (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the median score of IL-8 in the interlobular pancreatic duct epithelia among ACP (0; IQR: 0-0.75), LPSP (1; IQR: 0-1.75) and IDCP (0.5; IQR: 0-1). CONCLUSIONS: Significantly increased neutrophil infiltration around the interlobular pancreatic duct in IDCP may depend on GCP-2.

Influence of Rictor and Raptor Expression of mTOR Signaling on Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant signaling mediated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) occurs at high frequency in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), indicating that mTOR is a candidate for targeted therapy. mTOR forms two complexes called mTORC1 (mTOR complexed with raptor) and mTORC2 (mTOR complexed with rictor). There are minor studies of the expression kinetics of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in HCC. METHODS: We studied 62 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to identify factors that potentially influence disease and overall survival after hepatectomy. The mRNA and protein levels of mTOR, rictor and raptor in cancer and non-cancer tissues were analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: High ratio of the levels of rictor and raptor mRNAs in tumors was identified as independent prognostic indicators for disease-free survival. Low and high levels of preoperative serum albumin and mTOR mRNA in the tumor, respectively, were identified as independent indicators of overall survival. HCC is likely to recur early after hepatic resection in patients with high levels of mTOR and rictor mRNAs and high rictor/raptor ratios in cancer tissues. We conclude that analysis of mTOR expression in cancer tissues represents an essential strategy to predict HCC recurrence after curative treatment.

[A Case of Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Ascending Colon].

We report a case of adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon. A 70-year-old woman underwent a colonoscopic examination because of a positive fecal occult blood test. Colonoscopy demonstrated a type 2 tumor of the ascending colon, and a biopsy specimen showed poorly-moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. We performed a right hemicolectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. The histopathology of the tumor demonstrated adenosquamous adenocarcinoma. Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon is relatively rare and has a poor prognosis. Therefore, adenosquamous carcinoma of the colon may require strict follow-up.

Green tea extract suppresses N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced photoreceptor apoptosis in Sprague-Dawley rats.

BACKGROUND: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited neurodegenerative human diseases characterized by the loss of photoreceptor cells by apoptosis and eventual blindness. A single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) causes photoreceptor cell apoptosis within 7 days in rats. Green tea extract (THEA-FLAN 90S; GTE) is a common herbal supplement with pluripotent properties including antioxidant activity. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of GTE against photoreceptor apoptosis in 7-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats that received a single ip injection of 40 mg/kg MNU. METHODS: The oral administration of 250 mg/kg/day GTE was initiated 3 days prior to MNU injection and continued once daily throughout the experiment. Rats were sacrificed at 12, 24, and 72 h and 7 days after MNU injection, and the eyes were examined morphologically and morphometrically. The photoreceptor cell ratio, retinal damage ratio, and retinal preservation ratio were used to determine the structural and functional alterations. The number of apoptotic photoreceptor cells per mm(2) was determined in situ by TdT-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end labeling (TUNEL). Our results indicated that oral administration of GTE significantly suppressed the loss of photoreceptor cells morphometrically 7 days after MNU injection. The number of TUNEL-positive cells per mm(2) in MNU-exposed rat central retina with or without GTE administration was 981 vs. 2056 at 24 h after MNU injection. CONCLUSIONS: GTE structurally and functionally suppressed MNU-induced photoreceptor cell apoptosis. These findings indicate that GTE may help to ameliorate the onset and progression of human RP.

Similarity of GATA-3 Expression between Rat and Human Mammary Glands.

The GATA family members are zinc finger transcription factors involved in cell differentiation and proliferation. In particular, GATA-3 is necessary for mammary gland maturation and is a useful marker in the characterization of mammary carcinoma in humans. The expression of GATA-3 protein in normal mammary glands, fibroadenomas and carcinomas was immunohistochemically compared in female rats and humans. In normal mammary glands of rats and humans, scattered luminal cells in the acini and whole ductal epithelial cells were positive for GATA-3 in the nuclei. No positive cells were detected in rat or human fibroadenomas. In rat and human mammary carcinomas, the nuclei of proliferating luminal-derived cancer cells expressed GATA-3. Therefore, GATA-3 protein is a candidate marker for mammary carcinoma in rats as well as humans.

Two cases of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma without asbestos exposure: cytologic and immunohistochemical features.

Approximately half a century has passed since asbestos was first reported to be the main cause of malignant mesothelioma; yet the incidence of this disease continues to increase worldwide. Twenty percent of cases occur without prior asbestos exposure, and in these patients, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is more common than malignant pleural mesothelioma. Here, we report the cytomorphologic and immunohistochemical features of 2 cases of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma where there was no history of asbestos exposure. Ascitic cytology showed that most cells were isolated and that clusters were rarely observed, but the findings were consistent with malignant mesothelioma in both cases. Immunohistochemical analysis for epithelial membrane antigen, calretinin, vimentin, ß-catenin, melan-A, glucose transporter-1, cytokeratin CAM5.2, Wilms tumor antigen-1, D2-40, CD146, progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor, and cytokeratin 5/6 was indicative of malignant mesothelioma. In malignant mesothelioma without prior asbestos exposure, the etiology and prognostic significance is still unclear. Further study is needed to clarify this point.

Histopathological and immunohistochemical characterization of spontaneously occurring uterine deciduomas in young adult rats.

Uterine deciduomas were found in two female virgin rats, a 15-week-old Lewis rat and a 7-week-old Sprague-Dawley rat. The firm white nodules were located at the base of unilateral uterine horns and were approximately 6 mm and 4 mm in diameter. Histopathologically, the nodules were composed of three areas, each with a distinct type of proliferating cells: large epithelioid decidual cells with round nuclei, prominent nucleoli and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm (antimesometrial region); compact spindle-shaped cells with oval nuclei and vacuolar cytoplasm (transitional region); and pleomorphic and spiny cells with round to oval nuclei and compact eosinophilic cytoplasm (mesometrial region). These cells proliferated in sheet-like arrangements and transformed into the other types of cells located in surrounding regions. Immunohistochemically, proliferating cells in all regions were strongly positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The proliferating cells were positive for vimentin, and large decidual cells were positive for common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen 10, a marker of uterine interstitial cells. Large decidual cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin and desmin, suggesting differentiation into muscular cells. Progesterone receptor was expressed in all cell types; however, estrogen receptor α was not expressed in the antimesometrial region. These extremely rare tumor-like nodules represent nonneoplastic lesions referred as decidual reactions of endometrial interstitial cells, and their biological behavior is that of a space-occupying benign tumor in young rats. Our cases might provide information as a historical control in toxicity and pharmacological studies in rats.

N -Methyl- N -nitrosourea-induced Renal Tumors in Rats: Immunohistochemical Comparison to Human Wilms Tumors.

N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced renal tumors in rats and Wilms tumors in humans were compared. Renal mesenchymal tumors (RMTs) and nephroblastomas (blastemal and epithelial components) in female Lewis rats treated with a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg MNU at birth and Wilms tumors (blastemal, epithelial and mesenchymal components) in humans were analyzed for the expression of pancytokeratin (CK), vimentin, p63, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, S-100, CD57, CD117/c-kit, Wilms tumor 1 protein (WT1) and ß-catenin. The mesenchymal components of rat RMTs and human Wilms tumors expressed vimentin, SMA and ß-catenin. The blastemal components of rat nephroblastomas and human Wilms tumors expressed vimentin, CD117/c-kit and ß-catenin. The epithelial components of rat nephroblastomas and human Wilms tumors expressed vimentin and ß-catenin. WT1 was expressed in different cellular components of rat tumors as compared with human Wilms tumors; the expression was seen in mesenchymal tumors and blastemal components of nephroblastomas in rats and epithelial components in human Wilms tumors. CK, p63 and CD57 were not expressed in rat RMTs or nephroblastomas, while CK and WT1 were expressed in epithelial components and CD57 was expressed in blastemal and epithelial components of human Wilms tumors. Rat and human tumors were universally negative for the expression of desmin and S-100. The immunohistochemical characteristics of rat renal tumors and human Wilms tumors may provide valuable information on the differences in renal oncogenesis and biology between the two species.

Case report of death from falling: Did heart tumor cause syncope?

A healthy man in his 30s was working on the balustrade of stairs on the second floor. He suddenly fell downstairs without saying anything. On emergency hospitalization, chest echogram showed left hemothorax. Cardiac echogram showed a floating mass from the mitral valve in the left ventricle and severe mitral regurgitation. Surgery for hemothorax and pulmonary contusion was immediately undertaken. However, bleeding from pulmonary contusion could not be controlled and he underwent cardiopulmonary arrest. Autopsy showed a white, elastic, pendulous mass in the left atrium and a white mass in the lower lobe of the left lung. Tumor histology showed a reticular pattern, Schiller-Duval bodies, eosinophilic hyaline globules, and positive staining for α-fetoprotein. We diagnosed primary lung yolk sac tumor with metastatic intracardiac yolk sac tumor, a rare and highly malignant germ cell tumor. It usually arises in the ovaries and testes, and intracardiac yolk sac tumor is rare. Intracavitary tumors induce obstruction of inflow into and outflow from the ventricular cavity. The most common clinical presentation is dyspnea and syncope. In the present case, metastatic cardiac yolk sac tumor might have disturbed cardiac outflow and affected hemodynamics, probably causing syncope. Unfortunately, he was in a high place at that time and fell to receive pulmonary contusion that led to death. Autopsy may sometimes reveal latent diseases which might be related to the cause of death. We should perform autopsy thoroughly to diagnose not only the cause of death but also the factors leading to death.

Identification of oligosaccharides from histopathological sections by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry.

Direct tissue analysis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) provides the means for in situ molecular analysis of a wide variety of biomolecules. This technology--known as imaging mass spectrometry (IMS)--allows the measurement of biomolecules in their native biological environments without the need for target-specific reagents such as antibodies. In this study, we applied the IMS technique to formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples to identify a substance(s) responsible for the intestinal obstruction caused by an unidentified foreign body. In advance of IMS analysis, some pretreatments were applied. After the deparaffinization of sections, samples were subjected to enzyme digestion. The sections co-crystallized with matrix were desorbed and ionized by a laser pulse with scanning. A combination of α-amylase digestion and the 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid matrix gave the best mass spectrum. With the IMS Convolution software which we developed, we could automatically extract meaningful signals from the IMS datasets. The representative peak values were m/z 1,013, 1,175, 1,337, 1,499, 1,661, 1,823, and 1,985. Thus, it was revealed that the material was polymer with a 162-Da unit size, calculated from the even intervals. In comparison with the mass spectra of the histopathological specimen and authentic materials, the main component coincided with amylopectin rather than amylose. Tandem MS analysis proved that the main components were oligosaccharides. Finally, we confirmed the identification of amylopectin by staining with periodic acid-Schiff and iodine. These results for the first time show the advantages of MALDI-IMS in combination with enzyme digestion for the direct analysis of oligosaccharides as a major component of histopathological samples.

Utility of immunohistochemical analysis of KAI1, epithelial-specific antigen, and epithelial-related antigen for distinction of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, an eosinophilic variant from renal oncocytoma.

Distinction of renal oncocytoma (RO) from chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) is important because their clinical behavior is different. As part of a search for the best available immunohistochemical markers to distinguish ChRCC from RO, we investigated the immunohistochemical profiles of these tumors. We selected 30 renal tumors consisting of ChRCC, typical variant (n = 14), ChRCC, eosinophilic variant (n = 6), and RO (n = 10). Their expression of cytokeratin (CK) 7, KAI1, epithelial-specific antigen (ESA), epithelial-related antigen (ERA), Claudin- 7, and Claudin-8 was studied using an autostainer. Immunoreactivity was assessed based on a combined score of the extent and intensity of staining. Compared to RO, a significantly higher percentage of the total ChRCCs stained positive for CK7 (85% vs. 10%, respectively), KAI1 (90% vs. 10%), ESA (95% vs. 10%), ERA (95% vs. 10%), and Claudin-7 (95% vs. 20%) (P < 0.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference between the percentage of ChRCC eosinophilic variant (ChRCC-E) and RO that stained positive for KAI1 (100% vs. 10%, respectively), ESA (83% vs. 10%), and ERA (83% vs. 10%) (P < 0.001). We recommend immunohistochemical analysis of KAI1, ESA, and ERA to distinguish ChRCC-E from RO.

[Case with rupture of renal arterial aneurysm caused by fibromuscular dysplasia].

A 47-year-old women referred to our hospital with sudden left lower abdominal pain and state of shock in April 2006. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a retroperitoneal hematoma and we suspected a renal tumor or angio myolipoma but enhanced CT scan show bleeding from a left renal artery. We perfomed left renal artery angiography and admitted a arteryal stenosis. Finally we diagnosed renal artery aneurysm caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. We performed left radical nephrectomy on the same day. We report the details of this case.

Glomeruloid hemangioma.

A 64-year-old Japanese woman suffering from idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura was treated with prednisolone. During the course of steroid withdrawal she developed parotid gland enlargement and cervical lymph node swelling with multiple dome-shaped red papules on her trunk and upper limbs. On admission the patient was found to have numbness of her lower limbs (polyneuropathy), lymph node swelling (organomegaly), high glucose level (endocrinopathy), Bence-Jones protein-kappa in the urine (M protein) and skin with hyperpigmentation, hypertrichosis and multiple glomeruloid hemangiomas (skin abnormalities), indicating polyneuropathy-organomegaly-endocrinopathy-M-protein-skin abnormality (POEMS) syndrome. The patient was also found to have peripheral edema, ascites, and pleural effusion. The glomeruloid hemangiomas had intravascular capillary growth, which was composed of conglomerates of capillaries resulting in structures resembling renal glomeruli. Cells within the capillary loops were lined by endothelial cells with scant cytoplasm (CD31(+)/CD34(+)/CD68(-)/CD105(+)/UEA-1(+)) while the outer surfaces of the loops were covered by either swollen endothelial cells containing PAS- and immunoglobulin-positive eosinophilic hyaline globules (CD31(+)/CD34(-)/CD68(-/+)/CD105(-)/UEA-1(-)) or cells without globules. These two phenotypically different endothelial cells were separated by alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive pericytes. Pericytes and endothelial cells covering the outer surface of the loops were bordered by basement membrane. Biopsy of parotid gland and lymph node indicated Sjögren's syndrome and Castleman's disease of a hyaline-vascular type, respectively. Resumed prednisolone therapy has been successful, and the patient was left with minimal residual symptoms. Glomeruloid hemangioma is a specific marker of POEMS syndrome and is related to Castleman's disease. Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and Sjögren's syndrome may also be related.

[Neuroendocrine differentiation and metastasized to brain stem, intraorbit and base of tongue in prostate cancer during hormonal treatment: a case report].

Prostatic neuroendocrine (NE) carcinoma is a rare disease and the NE differentiation in prostate cancer is characterized by poor prognosis, rapidly progressing tumor and an androgen-independent state, for which there is currently no successful therapy. Herein, we report a case of NE differentiatiated prostatic cancer, which metastasized to the base of tongue, intraorbit and brain stem. This is the first Japanese report of prostate cancer metastasis to the brain stem and base of the tongue.

Effects of prepubertal indole-3-carbinol treatment on development of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinomas in female Sprague-Dawley rats.

BACKGROUND: Indole-3-carbinol (I3C), which is present in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to prevent the development of mammary cancer when administered to adult animals. However, no studies have been reported on the effects of prepubertal short-term I3C treatment on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced mammary carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prepubertal female Sprague-Dawley rats were administered the vehicle (Group 1) or I3C (Group 2, 250 mg/kg/day at 15 and 16 days of age; Group 3, 50 mg/kg/day at 15 and 16 days of age; Group 4, 50 mg/kg/day at 15, 16, 29 and 30 days of age; Group 5, 50 mg/kg/day at 29 and 30 days of age). All rats were administered 50 mg/kg MNU at 22 days of age. Rats were sacrificed at 34 weeks of age or when their largest mammary tumor reached a diameter of > or =1 cm. Body weight gain, vaginal opening, estrous cyclicity and mammary carcinogenesis were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Rats administered 250 mg/kg I3C exhibited acute toxicity, and 40% of that group died soon after administration of I3C. There was no significant difference in body weight and relative uterine-ovarian weight of surviving rats between groups at the end of the experiment. However, rats from Group 2 and Group 3 exhibited earlier vaginal opening and prolonged estrous cyclicity, respectively. I3C treatment before and after MNU administration (Group 4) tended to reduce mammary carcinoma incidence (percentage of mammary carcinomas with a diameter of > or =1 cm) and multiplicity (number of all-sized mammary carcinomas per rat), and prolonged the latency (time from MNU administration to point when mammary tumors grew to a diameter of > or =1 cm) compared with the vehicle (control) group. Mammary carcinogenesis was not altered by other I3C treatments. CONCLUSION: Prepubertal I3C treatment before and after carcinogen exposure appeared to provide an insignificant protection against MNU-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

Parous mammary glands exhibit distinct alterations in gene expression and proliferation responsiveness to carcinogenic stimuli in Lewis rats.

Early full-term pregnancy affords lifetime protection against the development of breast cancer. Parity-induced protection can be reproduced in a carcinogen-induced rat mammary carcinoma model, but the molecular mechanisms of this protection against carcinogenic stimuli in rat mammary glands have not been fully characterized. To gain a better understanding of these molecular mechanisms, we used an oligonucleotide microarray to examine gene expression in parous and age-matched virgin (AMV) mammary glands of Lewis rats before and after carcinogen (N-methyl-N-nitrosourea; MNU) treatment. Parous mammary glands before MNU treatment showed up-regulation of multiple differentiation-related genes, such as whey acidic protein (Wap), casein beta (Csn2), casein gamma (Csng), lipopolysaccharide binding protein (Lbp), secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1) and glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (Glycam1). Also, parous mammary glands before MNU treatment exhibited down-regulation of growth-related genes such as regenerating islet-derived 3 alpha (Reg3a), mesothelin (Msln), insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (Igfbp4). After MNU treatment, AMV mammary glands exhibited up-regulation of growth-related genes, such as Msln, cell division cycle 2 homolog A (Cdc2a), Igf2, Igfbp4, stathmin 1 (Stmn1) and homeobox, msh-like 1 (Msx1), whereas expression of these genes remained low in parous mammary glands. AMV mammary glands also exhibited marked up-regulation of Cdc2a and Stmn1 in response to MNU. After MNU treatment, the PCNA labeling index increased significantly in AMV mammary epithelial cells (13.7+/-1.1%), but remained low in parous mammary glands (3.6+/-0.4%). The response of AMV mammary glands to carcinogenic stimuli includes up-regulation of growth-related genes and increased cell proliferation. The lack of a similar response in parous mammary glands may explain parity-induced protection against mammary tumor development.

Effects of gender and gonad status on N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced cataractogenesis and retinopathy in Lewis rats.

BACKGROUND: The effects of differences in gender and gonadal status on the occurrence of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced cataract and retinopathy were studied using ovary-intact, ovariectomized, testis-intact and testectomized Lewis rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Castration was performed at 36 days of age, 50 mg/kg MNU was administered intraperitoneally at 50 days of age, and lens and retinal changes were evaluated at 260 days of age (210 days after MNU injection). RESULTS: Although there was little difference in the incidence of cataract and retinopathy among the groups, ovary-intact rats had a significantly higher cataract index and retinal damage ratio (both are indicators of disease severity) than ovariectomized rats and testis-intact rats, respectively. However, the cataract index and retinal damage ratio did not correlate with the serum 17beta-estradiol and progesterone levels, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of ovaries and female gender appear to be associated with greater severity of cataracts and retinopathy, respectively, but the severity of these diseases did not correlate with the serum hormone levels.

Autopsy report for chemical burns from cresol solution.

Cresol, which is used as a disinfectant and insecticide, has erosive effects on epidermal and epithelial tissues in the body. Oral exposure causes gastrointestinal corrosive injuries as a direct chemical burn. We report herein a case of suicidal poisoning by ingestion of cresol solution. An octogenarian man with depression was found dead approximately 14 h after exposure to less than 500 mL of saponated cresol solution. Macroscopically, corrosive lesions such as red-to-brown-colored epithelium and edematous thickening of walls were seen in the skin, mouth, oral cavity, esophagus, and stomach. Histopathologically, coagulative necrosis and vascular dilatation were detected from mucosal to muscular layers in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Congestive edema of the lungs, edematous changes in the brain, and proximal tubular necrosis of the kidneys were seen, suggesting acute circulatory disturbance due to shock. This human case offers valuable information on the direct irritation and shock induced by systemic exposure to corrosive substances.