Hepatic hemosiderosis in common marmosets, Callithrix jacchus: effect of diet on incidence and severity.

We examined the effect of dietary iron concentration on the incidence of hepatic hemosiderosis in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and assessed the impact of hemosiderosis on animal health. Thirteen young adult common marmosets were fed nutritionally balanced natural-ingredient diets formulated to contain either 100 or 500 ppm of iron. Six were fed the low-iron and seven received the high-iron diet. Baseline blood values and liver iron content were determined for each animal. Animals were weighted monthly, blood work (hematologic analysis, serum iron concentration, total iron-binding capacity, percent of transferrin saturation) was performed semi-annually, and liver biopsies for iron analysis were obtained after marmosets had consumed the test diets for 13 months or at necropsy. Midway in study, the high-iron diet was reformulated to contain 350 ppm of iron because of the death of a male which had consumed that diet for 7 months. Four of seven marmosets fed the high-iron diet died during the first year of the study, compared with one death in the low-iron cohort. The mean increase in liver iron content of the marmosets fed the high-iron diet was 6,371 micrograms/g, dry weight analysis. In contrast the low-iron cohort had a mean decrease of 621.5 micrograms/g. These results indicate that liver iron content can be affected by dietary iron intake. The increased mortality in the marmosets fed the high-iron diet also suggests that hepatic hemosiderosis can be detrimental to marmoset health.

Dietary restriction in nonhuman primates: progress report on the NIA study.

Rhesus and squirrel monkeys have been fed a semisynthetic diet at approximately ad libitum or 30% reduced levels for 3.5 (rhesus group 2) to 4.5 (rhesus group 1 and squirrel) years. Animals have maintained excellent health status as determined by physical examinations, hematology, and blood chemistry. While relative rates of body weight gain in restricted group 1 rhesus and squirrel monkeys have been markedly reduced, DR effects on crown-rump length (body height) have been variable. In addition, numerous physiological and biochemical parameters have been measured, and several exhibit significant cross-sectional age effects. Interestingly, several of these also exhibit possible species and genotype (group 1 and 2 rhesus) differences. A number of physiological parameters are emerging that might be altered by DR; however, further explanation of these effects awaits more extensive and detailed analyses.

Dietary trans fatty acids modulate erythrocyte membrane fatty acyl composition and insulin binding in monkeys.

The substitution of trans- for half of the cis-monounsaturated fatty acids in the diet of Macaca fasicularis monkeys resulted in alterations in erythrocyte fatty acid composition and insulin receptor properties but not in membrane fluidity. Both cis and trans diets contained 10% fat and similar fatty acid compositions, except that approximately 50% of the cis-octadecenoate (c-18:1) in the cis diet was replaced with trans-octadecenoate isomers (t-18:1) in the trans diet. Compared with the cis diet, the trans diet resulted in the incorporation of approximately 11% t-18:1, an approximately 50% decrease in c-18:1, an approximately 16% decrease in total saturated fatty acids, and an approximately 20% increase in 18:2(n-6) in erythrocyte membrane lipids. The increase in 18:2(n-6) may reflect on homeostatic mechanisms designed to maintain overall membrane fluidity, as no diet-related changes in fluidity were observed with diphenylhexatriene steady state fluorescence polarization. Values observed for insulin binding and insulin receptor number were higher and binding affinity was lower in monkeys fed the cis diet. In the absence of an effect on overall membrane fluidity, altered receptor activity suggests that insulin receptor activity is dynamic, requiring specific fluid membrane subdomains or highly specific fatty acid-protein interactions.

Verrucous carcinoma of the cervix: a report of two cases and literature review.

Verrucous carcinoma of the cervix, like verrucous carcinoma of the vulva, is commonly misinterpreted as condyloma accuminata, resulting in a protracted delay of appropriate treatment. Since the correct diagnosis depends upon histological criterion which frequently belies the malignant nature of this lesion, conveyance to the pathologist of the history, physical findings, and clinical behavior of the lesion may facilitate early recognition. Aggressive surgical procedures including exenteration should be considered as primary treatment for large lesions and recurrent lesions when local excision fails. Radiotherapy is not usually an effective treatment for verrucous carcinoma and may induce malignant transformation. To date, 27 cases of verrucous carcinoma of the cervix have been reported. Two additional cases managed in recent years by the authors and a review of the world's literature about this uncommon lesion form the basis of this report.

Hepatic metastases of choriocarcinoma: a report of 15 patients.

The presentation of illness, response to treatment, and complications of therapy of 15 patients with hepatic metastases of choriocarcinoma are analyzed. The majority of patients received multiagent chemotherapy concomitantly with whole-liver irradiation. Two patients are now in sustained remission. Hepatotoxicity of this combined treatment regimen directly contributed to only one death in the 13 nonsurviving patients. The diagnosis, management, and prognostic significance of choriocarcinoma metastatic to the liver are discussed.

Superior vena cava syndrome associated with gynecologic malignancy.

Superior vena cava syndrome is an infrequently noted complication associated with gynecologic malignancy. Three cases illustrate modern diagnostic and management methods. Patients developed superior vena cava syndrome secondary to mediastinal metastatic endometrial carcinoma, uterine leiomyosarcoma, and secondary to thrombosis induced by a subclavian hyperalimentation catheter. Awareness of this condition on oncology units and by physicians using central venous catheters is important to afford the prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of this life-threatening condition.

Chemotherapy with the modified Bagshawe protocol for poor prognosis metastatic trophoblastic disease.

The Southeastern Regional trophoblastic Disease Center has treated 126 patients with metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease from 1966 through 1979. Sixty-three cases were categorized as having a poor prognosis on the basis of criteria published previously. Since 1976, 18 patients have been treated with a modification of Bagshawe's multiagent chemotherapy protocol. Ten of 18 patients (56%) have achieved sustained remission. Seventy-eight percent of these patients encountered serious myelosuppression (white blood count 1000 cells or fewer) and 39% suffered severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 50,000 or fewer). There were no deaths related to drug toxicity. The courses of therapy and complications of modified Bagshawe chemotherapy are reviewed.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

As a result of modern diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, nearly 100 percent of patients with GTN can be cured of a disease thay only a few years ago had a high death rate. To achieve this, skillful mixing of chemotherapy, surgery, and irradiation, as well as supportive therapy, are necessary. Understanding and utilizing the HCG assay to monitor disease status is vital. With this approach, essentially all of these patients should survive, many to have successful future pregnancies.