Calbindin-D, a vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein of 28 kD, is found predominantly in the distal tubules of the kidney and central nervous system tissues in humans. To evaluate damage to the renal tubules caused by cisplatin-based chemotherapy, levels of urinary and serum calbindin-D were determined in patients treated with cisplatin- or carboplain-based chemotherapies using a highly sensitive enzyme immunoassay system developed in our laboratory. Levels of urinary 28-kD calbindin-D were also determined in patients with benign and malignant urological diseases. The mean urinary calbindin-D level was 2.44 ± 0.31 (mean ± SE) ng/mg creatinine in 40 healthy subjects. Urinary calbindin-D levels were elevated ( > 10 ng/mg creatinine) in 2 of 33 patients (6%) with benign and 1 of 50 (2%) with malignant urological diseases. Urinary calbindin-D levels were significantly increased after cisplatin-based chemotherapy in 14 patients, with peaks (71.8 ± 13.5 ng/mg creatinine) being found 8 days after administration of cisplatin, and then a gradual return to the baseline. On the other hand, 7 patients receiving carboplatin-based chemotherapy demonstrated no significant elevation (highest level 7.7 ± 2.5 ng/mg creatinine). In 7 patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy the serum calbindin-D level was also raised after treatment, with a good correlation to urinary values. These findings suggest that urinary and serum calbindin-D may be kidney-derived and that 28-kDa calbindin-D is a useful marker for damage to the distal renal tubules associated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

We developed a procedure to correct ureteral obstruction that consists of transurethral ureteroscopic balloon dilation of the stenotic segment followed by a ureteroscopic ureterotomy. Since February 1989 we treated 20 ureters in 19 patients with upper urinary tract obstruction, with an 85% success rate. Stenosis was primary in 4 patients, and secondary to a prior operation in 10, calculi in 4 and endometriosis in 2. The stenotic segment was pretreated with balloon dilation through an 11.5F rigid ureteroscope and then incised using a 12F optical ureterotome equipped with a cold knife. Thereafter, a 12F Double-J* catheter was left in situ for 6 weeks. Followup ranged from 4 to 55 months (mean 18). In these 19 patients obstruction resolved completely in 8 (8 ureters) and partially in 8 (9 ureters). Postoperatively, the obstruction remained unchanged in 2 patients and 1 experienced injury to the common iliac artery during the procedure. Our findings suggest that this procedure may prove beneficial in treating obstructive ureteral diseases.

These results suggest that the use of the Sapporo Medical University-sexual function questionnaire is valid for discriminating patients with sexual dysfunction from subjects with normal sexual function.

We developed a procedure to correct ureteral obstruction that consists of transurethral ureteroscopic balloon dilation of the stenotic segment followed by a ureteroscopic ureterotomy. Since February 1989 we treated 20 ureters in 19 patients with upper urinary tract obstruction, with an 85% success rate. Stenosis was primary in 4 patients, and secondary to a prior operation in 10, calculi in 4 and endometriosis in 2. The stenotic segment was pretreated with balloon dilation through an 11.5F rigid ureteroscope and then incised using a 12F optical ureterotome equipped with a cold knife. Thereafter, a 12F Double-J* catheter was left in situ for 6 weeks. Followup ranged from 4 to 55 months (mean 18). In these 19 patients obstruction resolved completely in 8 (8 ureters) and partially in 8 (9 ureters). Postoperatively, the obstruction remained unchanged in 2 patients and 1 experienced injury to the common iliac artery during the procedure. Our findings suggest that this procedure may prove beneficial in treating obstructive ureteral diseases.

Twenty-two patients with acute bacterial prostatitis were treated with cefmenoxime (CMX) or latamoxef (LMOX), which have susceptibilities against various gram-negative bacteria. First 11 patients received a 5- to 12-day course of cefmenoxime and the next 11 received a 6- to 13-day course of latamoxef. All patients were treated successfully except 1 patient with a drug allergy. Diffusion of CMX or LMOX into prostatic fluid in these patients and healthy controls were evaluated. The mean value of CMX in the expressed prostatic fluid was 12.8 µg/ml in the patients receiving 2 g of CMX intravenously and 0.7 µg/ml in the controls. The mean value of LMOX was 14.0 µg/ml in the patients receiving 2 g of LMOX intravenously and 1.2 µg/ml in the controls. The diffusion of CMX and LMOX into prostatic fluid in the patients with acute bacterial prostatitis was strikingly higher than that of controls.

The technics developed for suitable bisection of mouse and rabbit early embryos were described: 1) bisection by lateral incision of embryos, applying a sharp glass microblade at the side face, and wedging it in a horizontal direction, 2) bisection by vertical incision, moving down a metallic microneedle (made from Pt-Ir alloy wire, tip point of which is ground electrolytically)vertically to press the mid-part of embryos. These 2 methods were applied to bisection of bovine morulae.Methods of removal and transfer of the demi-embryos from and shell of Z.P. by using a glass microtube which had a slightly bevelled tip point was also discussed.In total, 25 out of 29 bovine morulae, using both methods, were successfully bisected. In conclusion, both methods are equally useful for the bisection of bovine morulae.By cultivation of bisected embryos using the medium of HER solution added to 18% calf serum at 37 C, under saturated humidity and 5% CO2 atmosphere, 22 out of 26 bisectomized demi-embryos in total (time required, about 2.5h from collection to the onset of operation) showed the following in vitro development; i.e., 2 out of 2 halved naked embryos cut by a glass microblade, 16 out of 18 naked demi-embryos cut by a Pt-Ir metallic microneedle and 4 out of 6 zona enclosed demi-embryos cut by the metallic needle and transferred successfully into alien Z.P., developed up to late morula stage at 12h culture and to early expanding blastocyst stage at 24 h culture.

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