Concanavalin A-induced resistance to Listeria monocytogenes and activation of macrophages: defect in mice treated with 89Sr

89Sr-treated mice injected with concanavalin A (Con A) 24 h prior to infection with Listeria monocytogenes (LM) could not enhance the clearance of LM from the spleen. Adoptive transfer of normal syngeneic spleen cells together with Con A rendered these animals more resistant. Spleen cells of 89Sr-treated or age-matched control mice were stimulated with con A for 24 h, and supernatant fluids were assessed for macrophage-activating factor (MAF), i.e. the ability to activate resident peritoneal macrophages to kill LM intracellularly in vitro. A defective MAF production by spleen cells was observed in 89Sr-treated, 2 week-old, and athymic nude mice. Also, treatment of spleen cells with anti-Thy-1.2 antiserum plus complement inhibited MAF production. Synergism between spleen cells from 89Sr-treated and nude mice did not occur. The cells required for MAF production were relatively resistant to gamma irradiation. Nylon wool filtration did not modify the ability of spleen cells to make MAF. 89Sr-treated mice possess macrophages responsive to MAF derived from normal spleen cells. The data suggest that the failure of 89Sr-treated mice to develop an anti-LM response observed in thi system could be due to a defective capacity to produce protective humoral factors and/or cells in response to Con A.

Extradural nasal and orbital extension of glioblastoma multiforme without previous surgical intervention

A case of extradural nasal and orbital extension of a glioblastoma multiforme in the absence of previous surgical intervention is presented. Such penetration by a glioma is rare due to the natural resistance of the dura mater.

Peripheral blood monocyte function in leprosy patients

The activities of monocytes from lepromatous (LL) and tuberculoid (TT) leprosy patients were studied in a variety of in vitro systems. In assays of receptor activity, increased densities of Fc and C3b receptor sites were observed in monocytes of LL and TT patients as compared to normals. No differences were observed between the polar forms of the disease. Similar results were obtained in the nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test. Glucosamine incorporation by monocytes from LL and TT patients was not significantly different from that by monocytes from normal controls. A diminished monocyte spontaneous migration and chemotactic activity to lymphocyte derived chemotactic factor (LDCF) was found in both forms of the disease. Plasma inhibitory factor of monocyte chemotaxis was more evident in the lepromatous form of the disease.

The role of extracellular calcium ions in HVJ (Sendai virus)-induced cell fusion

The biochemical and biophysical roles of extracellular calcium ions in HVJ (Sendai virus)-induced cell fusion were studied. (1) Various kinds of cell, such as Ehrlich ascites tumor cells, mouse melanoma cells (B16-CW1 cells) and human epidermoid carcinoma cells (KB cells), could fuse in Ca2+-free medium containing a cheletor, glycoletherdiaminetetraacetic acid, in the same way as in Ca2+-containing medium. (2) The ATP content in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells decreased rapidly when the cells were treated with the virus in Ca2+-free medium but not in Ca2+-containing medium. (3) Intracellular adenine nucleotides leaked out into the reaction medium when the cells were treated with the virus in Ca2+-free medium but not in Ca2+-containing medium. (4) On addition of the virus, O2 consumption of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells decreased in Ca2+-free medium, but not in Ca2+-containing medium. (5) HVJ (Sendai virus) did not affect production of lactate by Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in both Ca2+-free medium and Ca2+-containing medium. These observations suggest that the role of extracellular Ca2+ in virus-induced cell fusion is to maintain the ATP and other intracellular metabolite contents at normal levels instead of triggering the fusion reaction itself.

[A case of Maffucci's syndrome with intracranial chondroma (author's transl)]

A rare case of Maffucci's syndrome with intracranial chondroma was reported and the literature reviewed. A 16-year-old female high-school student was reffered to our service with 2 month history of diplopia and headache. She had been noticed to have multiple subcutaneous blueish nodules in the lower extremities and multiple body deformities in the four extremities since 6 months old. A biopsy of a skin lesion revealed cavernous hemangioma with calcified thrombi. Another biopsy from the deformed right femur showed it to be enchondroma. Skull series, carotid and vertebral arteriographies, and CT scan revealed a left parasellar mass, which had brought her sensory impairment of the left V1 and the left abducens palsy. The biopsy of the extradural mass in the medial portion of the left middle fossa proved it to be chondroma identical with the right femur lesion. So far as one year postoperative follow-up, she has been doing well with the postoperative sequela of mild left oculomotor paresis, having no evidence of malignant degeneration.

Serum amyloid protein SAA, C-reactive protein and lysozyme in leprosy

Serum amyloid protein (SAA) appears to be the precursor of amyloid protein AA, the non-immunoglobulin fibril protein of secondary amyloidosis. Since amyloidosis is known to occur in high frequency associated with lepromatous leprosy (LL), we have examined the SAA levels in untreated LL patients and compared them to the levels observed in patients with tuberculoid leprosy (TT) and a large number observed in healthy controls. We found that SAA is markedly elevated in LL when compared to TT and controls. No clear correlation could be established with C-reactive protein, a well-documented acute phase reactant, or serum lysozyme levels that reflect the presence of monocyte activity. This study showed that SAA levels in leprosy do not appear to be a reflection of inflammatory activity or monocyte turnover. Whether amyloidosis will be more prevalent in patients who have higher SAA levels remains to be determined.

[Diagnosis of abnormal spine motion with cineradiography (author's transl)]

For the past one year, 13 patients were studied 20 times with cineradiography to diagnose abnormal spine motion, which was quite informative compared to usual plain spine X-ray pictures. The direct radiation dosis was only 2.35 rem/min on taking cineradiography at the speed of 60 frames/sec. The camera used was Cardoskop-U and the X-ray generator was Pandoros Optimatic, both of which were of Siemens make. It was keenly recognized that cineradiography was useful to diagnose 1) solidity of spine fusion, 2) effect of spinal traction, 3) efficacy of immobilizing apparatus for spine and 4) abnormal spine motion on dynamic way.

In vitro binding of 2-acetaminofluorene to RNA and protein with rat liver microsomes

Covalent binding of 2-acetaminofluorene[9-14C] with exogenous Torula yeast RNA and endogenous protein was investigated in liver microsome system in vitro. The binding to protein was 100 times higher than that to RNA. Requirement of NADPH, effectiveness of methylcholanthrene treatment, and inhibition by 7,8-benzoflavone suggest possible involvement of mixed-function oxidases in this binding. The binding was not due to contaminated cytosol in the microsome fraction. Addition of cytosol, sulfate ion, and ATP diminished the binding. Parallel experiments using N-hydroxy-2-acetaminofluorene[9-14C] denied major contribution of this metabolite to the binding of 2-acetaminofluorene in the microsome system. Ring-hydroxylated product was suggested as a possible metabolite for the binding.

Monocyte function in patients with solid neoplasms during immunotherapy with Corynebacterium parvum

The present studies were performed in order to evaluate monocyte function in patients with solid neoplasms before and after administration of C. parvum. The results demonstrate that monocytes from cancer patients display increased numbers of C3 and Fc receptor sites after administration of C. parvum. It is concluded that characterization of monocyte receptor activity may be helpful in monitoring the effects of immunotherapy in the immune system.

The use of the Björk-Shiley prosthetic valve in children under 10 years of age

Five children under 10 years of age were operated on with a Björk-Shiley disc valve. The mitral valve was replaced in four patients and the tricuspid valve in one. No hospital death, late death or thromboembolic episode was observed during the 155 patient-months of the follow-up. Moreover, a marked reduction in cardiomegaly was demonstrated to parallel the clinical improvement and low risk seen in adults. We feel that our experience might justify a more aggressive approach in the management of valvular disease in children of the younger age group.

Myocardial protection during open-heart surgery: preservation of myocardial metabolism and ultrastructure by cold coronary perfusion

Myocardial protection by means of selective, continuous coronary perfusion with cold oxygenated blood of low flow rate and of low perfusion pressure is an excellent procedure both clinically and experimentally. This method should be particularly useful in poor-risk patients, for whom a maximal preservation of the myocardium is imperative.

Total rupture of the left main bronchus successfully repaired nine years after injury

A patient who sustained a traumatic rupture of the left main bronchus that was successfully repaired nine years later is presented, and reference is made to reports of similar instances in which operation has been performed more than five years after injury. Pulmonary function following operation improved progressively and proved the delayed repair to have been a reasonable decision.