Significance of histologic pattern of carcinoma and sarcoma components on survival outcomes of uterine carcinosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: To examine the effect of the histology of carcinoma and sarcoma components on survival outcome of uterine carcinosarcoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective study was conducted to examine uterine carcinosarcoma cases that underwent primary surgical staging. Archived slides were examined and histologic patterns were grouped based on carcinoma (low-grade versus high-grade) and sarcoma (homologous versus heterologous) components, correlating to clinico-pathological demographics and outcomes. RESULTS: Among 1192 cases identified, 906 cases were evaluated for histologic patterns (carcinoma/sarcoma) with high-grade/homologous (40.8%) being the most common type followed by high-grade/heterologous (30.9%), low-grade/homologous (18.0%), and low-grade/heterologous (10.3%). On multivariate analysis, high-grade/heterologous (5-year rate, 34.0%, P = 0.024) and high-grade/homologous (45.8%, P = 0.017) but not low-grade/heterologous (50.6%, P = 0.089) were independently associated with decreased progression-free survival (PFS) compared with low-grade/homologous (60.3%). In addition, older age, residual disease at surgery, large tumor, sarcoma dominance, deep myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, and advanced-stage disease were independently associated with decreased PFS (all, P < 0.01). Both postoperative chemotherapy (5-year rates, 48.6% versus 39.0%, P < 0.001) and radiotherapy (50.1% versus 44.1%, P = 0.007) were significantly associated with improved PFS in univariate analysis. However, on multivariate analysis, only postoperative chemotherapy remained an independent predictor for improved PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27-0.43, P < 0.001]. On univariate analysis, significant treatment benefits for PFS were seen with ifosfamide for low-grade carcinoma (82.0% versus 49.8%, P = 0.001), platinum for high-grade carcinoma (46.9% versus 32.4%, P = 0.034) and homologous sarcoma (53.1% versus 38.2%, P = 0.017), and anthracycline for heterologous sarcoma (66.2% versus 39.3%, P = 0.005). Conversely, platinum, taxane, and anthracycline for low-grade carcinoma, and anthracycline for homologous sarcoma had no effect on PFS compared with non-chemotherapy group (all, P > 0.05). On multivariate analysis, ifosfamide for low-grade/homologous (HR 0.21, 95% CI 0.07-0.63, P = 0.005), platinum for high-grade/homologous (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.22-0.60, P < 0.001), and anthracycline for high-grade/heterologous (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14-0.62, P = 0.001) remained independent predictors for improved PFS. Analyses of 1096 metastatic sites showed that carcinoma components tended to spread lymphatically, while sarcoma components tended to spread loco-regionally (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Characterization of histologic pattern provides valuable information in the management of uterine carcinosarcoma.

Nafamostat mesilate, a noncalcium compound, as an anticoagulant, induces calcium-dependent haemolysis when infused with packed erythrocytes.

BACKGROUND: Nafamostat mesilate (NM), a protease inhibitor, is available for acute pancreatitis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and is used as an anticoagulant for haemodialysis in Japan. Co-infusion of red cell concentrates (RCC) and intravenous drugs is usually contraindicated. Because of limited venous access, adherence to the guidelines may be compromised in some clinical settings. Therefore, we investigated the influence of co-infusion of RCC and various anticoagulants on haemolysis in vitro. METHODS: We investigated the effect of co-incubation of RCC and various anticoagulant drugs [NM, gabexate mesilate (GM), heparin] in packed erythrocytes. We evaluated haemolysis using lactate dehydrogenase and free haemoglobin. In addition, we also evaluated the influence of co-incubation on phosphatidylserine (PS) expression on the erythrocyte membrane. RESULTS: GM and NM induced haemolysis in a dose-dependent manner, which was inhibited by removal of citrate and pretreatment with the calcium chelator, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. In a dynamic experiment using an infusion pump, NM not only induced haemolysis during co-infusion with RCC but also elevated PS expression dependent on extracellular calcium. CONCLUSION: NM and GM induce haemolysis in packed erythrocytes in the presence of citrate that is dependent on extracellular calcium.

Simulation of effects of atmospheric ethylene on tree leaf shedding.

This study made a preliminary assessment of the possibility that ethylene contained in polluted atmospheres affects leaf shedding of trees. The effect of ethylene dosage (ppb x h) on leaf shedding at various temperatures was approximated by using a polynomial regression. The effect of ethylene dosage on shedding of tree leaves with various sensitivities to this hydrocarbon was simulated in connection with the relationship between ethylene concentrations (10-100 ppb), dosage periods (0-50 days) and temperature (10-30 degrees C). The simulated results indicated the possibility that, for the tree group having high sensitivity, the rate of leaf shedding due to a dosage of ethylene with a concentration as low as 20 ppb, which is commonly observed in urban atmospheres, increased with temperature. On the other hand, the same concentration scarcely influenced leaf shedding in the low sensitivity group even at a temperature as high as 30 degrees C. The results for the real atmosphere determined at the Tokyo metropolitan center indicated the possibility that, for trees having high sensitivity, the rate of leaf shedding increased with rises in both monthly ethylene concentrations and air temperatures and reached a maximum of 90% in July. But in December when the concentration again reached the same value as in July while the mean monthly air temperature was 9.3 degrees C, the rate was only 10%.

[A chronic encapsulated expanding hematoma with cyst formation caused by rupture of arteriovenous malformation: a case report].

A 57-year-old male was admitted to our hospital complaining of a headache with disturbance of consciousness on November 7, 1994. CT scans revealed an intracerebral hematoma of 25ml in volume in the left frontal lobe with adjacent spotty calcification. An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) with a nidus of 2.0 x 2.0cm in size was found to be the cause of the hematoma by cerebral angiography. Since the patient complained of mild right hemiparesis 10 days after the onset, CT scans were taken and a slightly enlarged hematoma with capsule formation was observed. On the 31st day after the onset, the hematoma had liquefied and the surrounding capsule was clearly visible on CT. Since the patient's only symptom was a slight headache, and he displayed no other serious conditions, a palliative operation was planned. The AVM was removed and the capsule was resected 41 days after the onset. The capsule or cyst wall of the liquefied hematoma was composed of three layers: a granulation layer with a neovascular system on the inside, a collagenous layer in the middle, and a reactive brain tissue layer on the outside. The structure of the capsule was the same as the structure of the cyst wall in chronic hematomas that have been reported as cystic AVM or encapsulated expanding hematoma in the literature. We would therefore like to propose that chronic encapsulated expanding hematomas form with time due to intermittent bleeding or exudation form the neovascular system of a cyst wall.