Liver parenchymal cells from adult rats were isolated by treatment with collagenase and cultured as monolayers in Williams medium E with 10% fetal or calf serum. The additions of dexamethasone and insulin to the medium were essential for maintaining liver functions of the cells. These cells synthesized and secreted various serum proteins into the medium. Gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis were enhanced by glucagon, and lipogenesis was stimulated by insulin. Many enzymes were also induced by various hormones. These activities were very low in freshly isolated cells, but were restored when the cells were cultured for a few days. Markers of plasma membranes, such as 5'-nucleotidase and insulin receptors, were reduced to half the normal levels on freshly isolated cells, but they were restored to the normal levels during culture of the cells without added hormones. Analysis of the profile of amino acids in the medium showed that freshly isolated cells were in a catabolic state of protein turnover and released branched chain amino acids into the medium, but that cultured cells consumed amino acids, not only for protein synthesis, but also for other metabolic processes, such as gluconeogenesis. These findings show that freshly isolated cells have impaired functions and are unsuitable for use in studies of liver metabolism, but that after culture for a few days the cells regain the activity of normal liver and hance become useful for studies of liver functions. Studies with these cells are simpler and give clear results than studies in vivo.
A 40-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with abnormal findings on chest X-ray. Her medical history was remarkable in that she had presented with a pleomorphic adenoma in the right parotid gland treated by surgical removal approximately 12 years previously. Chest computed tomography showed well-defined non-calcified nodules of the bilateral lobes, so she underwent segmentectomy of the right upper lobe and middle lobe. The histopathological diagnosis was metastasizing pleomorphic adenoma of the lung, a rare entity.
Lumbar hernia, a defect of the posterior abdominal wall, is a very rare condition. The repair of a posterior abdominal wall hernia by simply closing the hernia port with sutures may not be adequate, especially when the herniation is due to a weakness in the abdominal wall. Recently, a simple, logical method of tension-free repair has become a popular means for the treatment of various abdominal wall hernias. Previous studies have advocated the use of tension-free repair for lumbar hernia; the technique uses a mesh replacement and requires an extensive incision. Herein we present a case of superior lumbar hernia. Our technique consisted of a laparoscopic tension-free hernioplasty with the application of a Prolene mesh. This technique, which provides an excellent operative view, is safe, feasible, and minimally invasive. We conclude that laparoscopic tension-free repair should be the preferred option for the treatment of lumbar hernia.
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