Pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio elevation was an independent poor prognostic factor for metastatic urothelial carcinoma undergoing salvage chemotherapy. Our newly constructed prognostic model including the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio proved to be an excellent discriminator of overall survival.

Prostaglandins are thought to play an important role in the proliferation of prostate cancer and are highly expressed in prostate cancer tissue. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), or prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase, is a key enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandin. In several cancers, COX-2 contributes to the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells. To assess the role of COX-2 in prostate cancer, we investigated whether the inhibition of COX-2 affected the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The human prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and PC 3, and a normal prostate stromal cell line (PrSC) were treated with COX-2 inhibitors NS 398 and Etodolac. The proliferation rate of the cell lines was examined using 3(4,5-dimethylethiazoly 1-2-) 2,5-diphonyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. A DNA fragmentation assay was also used for proof of apoptosis. COX-2 inhibitors could suppress the proliferation of LNCaP and PC 3 cells. In contrast, PrSC was not affected by COX-2 inhibitors. These suppressive effects occurred in a timeand dose-dependent manner. One of mechanisms responsible for cell death was apoptosis. COX-2 seems to play a significant role in the progression of prostate cancer. COX-2 may be a therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Since COX-2 inhibitors suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells, and have no effect in normal prostate stromal cells, COX-2 inhibitors will be useful for the treatment of prostate cancer.

One year of ADT significantly changed lipid and glucose metabolism in Japanese patients with prostate cancer. Patient characteristics or comorbidities at baseline may be associated with ADT-induced metabolic changes.

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The successful surgical treatment of an intrameatal aneurysm is reported, and the signs, symptoms, and neurootological findings discussed. Anatomical consideration of the course of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery and origin of internal auditory artery are emphasized. KEY WORDSintraeranial aneurysm anterior inferior eerebellar artery internal auditory meatus MONG aneurysms of the vertebrobasilar system, an aneurysm of the anterior inferior cerebeUar artery located in the internal auditory canal is very rare. In reviewing the literature, we could find only two surgical cases. 2,4,5 We are reporting a third case. Case ReportA 35-year-old woman was in good health until September 26, 1969, when she suddenly had a severe headache with subsequent nausea and repeated vomiting: after 1 week, the headache gradually improved. On October 22, she experienced a peculiar sensation as if stored water abruptly poured out of her left ear; shortly thereafter the severe headache and repeated vomiting returned. The next morning, she was admitted to a local hospital, where lumbar puncture was performed. The cerebrospinal fluid was bloody and the pressure 270 mm H20. On November 2, facial palsy appeared on the left side, and 2 days later she noticed a left hearing loss and tinnitus. The headache and tinnitus increased in severity, and on No-vember 21 she was transferred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Hospital.Examination. Vital signs and general physical examination were normal. The patient was fully alert and oriented, complaining of a continuous headache at the midportion of the left occipital region, which increased on body movement. She complained of a stiff neck but the neck moved normally on testing. Motor and sensory examination was normal; there was no dysdiadochokinesis or hypotonia or signs of pyramidal disease. Handwriting was normal. Although she felt unsteady on standing and walking, the Romberg was absent and gait was normal. Eye movements were normal but there was horizontal nystagmus on right lateral gaze. Pupillary reaction and fundi were normal. The left corneal reflex was diminished, but facial sensation was normal. There was a droop of the left corner of the mouth, and the left eye did not close fully. There was some hearing impairment on the left, and taste was impaired on the anterior two thirds of the left side of the tongue. Other cranial nerves were normal.