Tadashi Uemura

Effect of high energy shock waves on tumor cells

SummaryExposure of bladder tumor cell strain HT-1197, chronic bonemarrow leukemic cell strain K-562, and African green-turtle normal kidney cell strain Vero to high energy shock waves resulted in ultrastructural changes and a reduction in cell viability as determined by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay and flowcytometer. K-562 was the most sensitive while Vero was the most resistant to the high energy shock wave. By flowcytometry using anti BrdU antibody, described K-562 in the S phase was found to be inhibited by the exposure. Electron microscopy revealed destruction of microvilli over the cell surface and swollen mitochondria in K-562 and HT-1197. These effects were related to the number of high energy shock wave exposures. Our study demonstrates that a high energy shock wave has an anti-tumor effect in vitro.

Parathyroid Carcinoma in a Case of Chronic Renal Failure on Dialysis

The combination of chronic renal failure plus parathyroid adenocarcinoma is very rare. A 53-year-old female had been on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure for 7 years. For 2 years she has had bilateral knee joint pain, hypercalcemia and an increased parathyroid hormone level. Swelling of parathyroid gland was diagnosed and it was excised. Histological examinations of the excised right lower parathyroid gland revealed adenocarcinoma and the left lower gland showed hyperplasia.

Clinicopathological Study on End-Stage Reflux Nephropathy in Renal-Transplanted Children

Five children with end-stage reflux nephropathy underwent kidney transplantation at our clinic. Reflux nephropathy was studied clinically and histologically. All children had proteinuria before starting hemodialysis, and hypertension was present in 2 cases. Three children underwent antireflux operations prior to transplantation. The original kidneys exhibiting reflux were removed during renal transplantation. All original kidneys exhibited atrophy and scarring. Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis was found in 4 cases. PAS deposition in the interstitium, suggestive of Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein, was found in all cases. No recurrent signs of focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis have been found in the children who have been followed up from 1 to 6 years after transplantation.