Our results demonstrate that the aberrant expression of B7-H1 in urothelial cancer is associated with aggressive tumors, suggesting a regulatory role of tumor-associated B7-H1 in antitumor immunity. Therefore, the manipulation of tumor-associated B7-H1 may become a beneficial target for immunotherapy in human urothelial cancer.

Japan. All men with a serum PSA level of > 4.0 ng/mL were categorized as PSA-positive and were further assessed, including a prostate biopsy. RESULTSThere was a statistically significantly greater increase in PSA level with age in the ESRD group than in the healthy controls. The rate of cancer detection among men with a PSA level of > 10 ng/mL was significantly higher in patients with ESRD than in healthy controls. Thirteen patients with ESRD and five healthy control men were finally diagnosed with prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONThe serum PSA level was slightly higher and the incidence of prostate cancer at higher PSA levels appeared to be greater in men with ESRD than in healthy controls. The findings of this large study suggest that PSA screening is useful for the diagnosis of prostate cancer in these patients.

Objective: To evaluate lower urinary tract dysfunction of type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) patients in Kumamoto, Japan. Methods: Lower urinary tract symptoms were evaluated in FAP patients. Urodynamic studies were evaluated in FAP patients as compared to those in control subjects. The location and distribution of amyloid deposits were evaluated in the urinary bladder in an autopsy case. Results: In lower urinary symptoms, 86%, 19% and 38% patients showed difficulty in urination, urinary frequency and urinary incontinence. In detrusor function during filling cystometry, 14% patients showed detrusor overactivity. Moreover, 43% patients showed low compliance bladder, 62% and 38% patients showed normal and reduced bladder sensation, respectively. First desire to void (FDV), strong desire to void (SDV) and post-voided residual urine (PVR) were increased in FAP patients as compared to those in control subjects. In the urethral pressure profilometry, 71%, 10% and 19% patients showed incompetent, normal functional and overactive urethral closure mechanism, respectively. Maximum urethral pressure (MUP), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional profile length (FPL) were decreased in FAP patients compared to those in control subjects. Conclusion: Autonomic, somatic nerve systems and bladder detrusor musculature might be impaired in lower urinary tract of type 1 FAP patients in Kumamoto, Japan.

Background: The effects of castration on nitric oxide- mediated relaxations and nitric oxide synthase activity in male rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscles. Methods: Eight-week-old male rats were assigned to two groups: control (sham operated) and castrated animals. After 8 weeks, corpus cavernosum smooth muscle strips were mounted in an organ bath for isometric tension recordings. Electrical field stimulation (EFS) was applied to the strips precontracted with 30 µM phenylephrine. The microdialysis probe was inserted into the strip, and Krebs-Henseleit solution was perfused into the probe. The dialysate during EFS and cholinergic stimulation was collected, and the amount of NO^–₂/NO^–₃ (NOx) released in the dialysate was measured by the Greiss method. Sodium nitroprusside and carbachol were cumulatively added to the strips precontracted with 30 µM phenylephrine. Results: EFS caused frequency-dependent relaxations and NOx releases in the strips. Pretreatment with N^ω-nitro-L-arginine (100 µM) and tetrodotoxin (1 µM) completely inhibited relaxations and NOx releases. The maximum relaxation in the castration group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The release of NOx was significantly greater in the castration group than in the control group. Sodium nitroprusside relaxed the tissues in both groups similarly. Carbachol failed either to relax the tissue or to increase the amount of NOx production in the tissue. Conclusion: The present data suggest that castration enhances nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide-mediated relaxations in the male rat corpus cavernosum.

A 67-year-old man received interferon α (IFN α ) therapy for lung metastases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Multiple pulmonary metastases disappeared completely. However, neurological toxicity was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as abnormal brain lesions. After discontinuation of IFN α therapy, his neurological symptoms and abnormal lesions on MRI disappeared completely. Complete remission of RCC has continued, and results of neurological study have remained normal for 5 years after discontinuation of IFN α therapy.