[Computed tomography and ultrasonography of lymphoma involving urogenital systems]

Fourteen cases of lymphoma involving urogenital systems (10 kidney, 1 bladder and 3 female genital system) were studied as to their image manifestations. In all 10 kidney cases of diffuse non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, multiple parenchymal nodules were found in 4, single mass in 3, perirenal involvement (Halo sign) with multiple nodules in the kidney in 2 and diffuse infiltration in the other one. The main ultrasonographic findings were hypoecho solid lesions without sharp margins. On pre-contrast CT scans, most of the lesions had similar attenuation as the normal renal parenchyma. After contrast, the normal parenchyma was enhanced much more than the lesion. The lesion may be missed if scan was performed without contrast enhancement. In the 3 cases with involvement of the female genital organs, the involved uterus and cervix were obviously enlarged and vaginal wall became thickened as hypoecho in B-ultrasound. Multi-planned scanning ultrasound is very helpful in showing the relation between pelvic mass and uterus.

[Atypical X-ray manifestations of primary lung adenocarcinoma]

The X-ray appearances of 722 proved cases with primary lung adenocarcinoma were reviewed. 74.5% had typical X-ray findings: peripheral pulmonary nodule (less than 4 cm). Atypical X-ray manifestations were variable. 54 cases (29.2%) had airway obstruction (obstructive pneumonitis and atelectasis), (179.2%) had hilar and/or mediastinal adenopathy as the main finding, 87 (47.0%) had pulmonary mass greater than 4 cm in diameter, 22 (11.9%) had mass with single or multiple cavities, 4 had lesions mimicked pneumonitis and 1 case had trachea and main bronchi involvement. Of the 56 poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 88% (49 cases) had Various X-ray findings. There were 35 cases (71.4%) had big masses (greater than 4 cm in diameter) with 5-6 cm for 19 cases and more 6 cm for 13 cases. Most of the masses with sharp margin and prompt enlargement in short period. There were 2 cases of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with very big mediastinal adenopathy misdiagnosed as lymphoma.

Vaginal reconstruction with an axial subcutaneous pedicle flap from the inferior abdominal wall: a new method

A new method of vaginal reconstruction is reported. In the procedure, the left inferior abdominal wall flap with the subcutaneous pedicle containing epigastric superficial blood vessels and/or the circumflex iliac superficial vessel and the external pudendal vessel and their branches is raised and passed through an immediate extraperitoneal tunnel to be the artificial vagina. The operation is straightforward, quick, and safe. Thirty consecutive patients suffering from congenital absence of vagina have been treated. All flaps in the group, which were less bulky, survived completely. The follow-up survey was carried out from 6 months to more than 4 years postoperatively. There was no occurrence of hernia after surgery. The reconstructed vaginas in all patients were clean, soft, elastic, and expansible. Married patients indicated satisfaction with their sexual life.

Homing receptors and metastasis

As discussed in the preceding sections, there are several indications that the lymphocyte homing receptors involved in the normal process of lymphocyte recirculation are also relevant to the behavior of metastatic cells. Cell fusion experiments indicate that previously nonmetastatic cells can acquire metastatic capacity from fusion with normal lymphocytes. Murine T lymphomas that bear high levels of functional homing receptors can metastasize to peripheral lymphoid organs, whereas those lymphomas lacking homing receptors cannot. Virtually all lymph node metastases of lymphomas contain a high proportion of MEL-14hi cells, even if the primary tumor has been selected to be relatively deficient in these cells. Further investigations of the biology of lymphocyte homing receptors will reveal whether or not there are additional lymphocyte homing receptors and will clarify the role of lymphocyte homing receptors in metastasis. Antibodies against three lymphocyte homing receptors could therefore be useful for diagnosis and treatment of metastatic disease.

[X-ray features of primary non-squamous cell carcinoma and other malignant neoplasms in the trachea and main bronchi--analysis of 23 cases]

X-ray features of 23 cases (25 foci) of non-squamous cell carcinoma and other malignant neoplasms in the trachea and main bronchi were reviewed. They were 15 (17 foci) adenoid cystic carcinomas, 3 carcinoids, 2 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, 1 well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, leiomyosarcoma and extramedullary plasmocytoma each. The symptoms were non-specific leading to a delayed diagnosis more than one year in 52% of cases. The X-ray findings were classified into 3 types: intraluminal polypoid (11 tumors), sessile mass without and with extraluminal invasion (3 and 11 tumors). These tumors were prone to extraluminal invasion and can be demonstrated by X-ray. The air lumen involved appeared as localized expansion in 3 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 1 of which was proved by operation. Routine chest films were of limited value with 30% false negative chest film, 26% mediastinum mass and 30% obstructive pneumonitis/atelectasis. Lesions of posterior tracheal wall and carina were better revealed by lateral tomography. Of the 10 cases with lateral tomography, images were superior to those of AP tomography in 5. Three cases had CT scan, by which intra-tracheal/bronchial lesions, invasions of mediastinum and regional lymph nodes were shown. CT scan is more accurate compared with the other imaging modalities in visualizing these lesions and more helpful in selecting treatment.

Human lymphocyte and lymphoma homing receptors

The migration of normal and malignant lymphocytes is controlled in part by selective lymphocyte recognition of high endothelial venules (HEV) at sites of lymphocyte exit from the blood. Recirculating lymphocytes appear to utilize structurally related, yet functionally distinct, 90-kD receptors to interact in an organ-specific manner with HEV in peripheral lymph nodes, in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (Peyer's patches, appendix), and in inflamed joint tissue (synovium). These lymphocyte "homing receptors" constitute a family of glycoprotein endothelial cell recognition elements that regulate the extravasation of circulating normal and neoplastic lymphocytes into different organs of the body, and thus play an important role in determining the characteristics of local immune responses and the patterns of dissemination of lymphoid neoplasms.

Control of Aedes aegypti larvae in household water containers by Chinese cat fish

In 1980-81 an outbreak of dengue fever occurred in Guangdong province and in Guangxi-Zhuang autonomous region in the central-southern part of China. Subsequently, a nationwide survey indicated that the vector of the disease, Aedes aegypti, was confined to the coastal strip of Guangdong and Guangxi-Zhuang. Since the first case in the outbreak occurred in Guangxi-Zhuang, a community-based programme to control A. aegypti was set up in eight fishing villages of this region where the mosquito was breeding in household water containers. The principal method of control was use of the indigenous edible fish Clarias fuscus (Chinese cat fish), which is highly larvivorous and tolerant of harsh environmental conditions. Each container was stocked with a young fish, which could survive there for periods of up to a year. A team of primary medical personnel (barefoot doctors) made sure that the programme was correctly implemented. The programme was monitored from 1981 to 1985 in three of the villages, and the results indicated that the Breteau index remained at a low level throughout this period.

Interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes

We present evidence that specific receptors are utilized by neutrophils to control their interaction with endothelial cells at sites of acute inflammation and that these receptors are related if not identical to lymphocyte "homing receptors" for lymphoid tissue high endothelium. We speculate that such receptors play a fundamental but not exclusive role in controlling the extravasation and tissue localization of all bone marrow-derived nucleated cells. In addition, we emphasize the active role of endothelial cells in the process of lymphocyte migration and leukocyte extravasation. By the expression of as yet unidentified organ-specific determinants for lymphocyte recognition, endothelial cells control the exit of particular lymphocyte subsets into mucosal versus nonmucosal sites, thus helping to determine the unique features of mucosal versus nonmucosal immune responses. Furthermore, we argue that endothelial cells are exquisitely responsive to local immune reactivity and present evidence that specific lymphokines, including gamma-interferon, play an important role in inducing postcapillary venules to express differentiated features required for the support of lymphocyte traffic into lymphoid organs and into sites of chronic inflammation. Leukocytes, endothelial cells, and probably other tissue cell classes appear to interact at multiple levels by a variety of mechanisms to regulate the local extravasation of immune effector cells.

Nucleotide sequence of the rice cytochrome f gene and the presence of sequence variation near this gene

The rice (Oryza sativa L. var. Labelle) chloroplast (cp) gene encoding cytochrome f has been isolated and sequenced. The coding region of this rice gene displays 95.1%, 85.3% and 85.2% nucleotide sequence homology with that of wheat, pea and spinach, respectively. To examine the cpDNA sequence variation in rice, cpDNA from Labelle and its parents, Belle Patna and Dawn was compared. Using the cytochrome f gene as the probe for hybridization, we found several differences in the size and number of restriction fragments in the cp genome of three rice varieties. An additional restriction fragment found in the Belle Patna cp suggests that this cp genome is either heterogeneous or contains two copies of cytochrome f gene per cpDNA.

Genetic evidence that chloroadenosine increases the specific activity of choline acetyltransferase in PC12 cells via modulation of an adenosine-dependent adenylate cyclase

Both chloroadenosine (EC50 = 3 X 10(-7) M) and cholera toxin, like nerve growth factor, increase the specific activity of choline acetyltransferase in PC12 cells over a period of several days. The increase in choline acetyltransferase activity in response to chloroadenosine appears to be caused by the ability of chloroadenosine to increase adenosine 3':5'-phosphate synthesis by binding to an adenosine receptor that activates adenylate cyclase. To test this hypothesis we determined if chloroadenosine can cause an increase in choline acetyltransferase activity in adenosine kinase-deficient PC12 cells. We have previously shown that adenosine analogues are significantly less effective at regulating adenosine 3':5'-phosphate in adenosine kinase-deficient PC12 cells than in wild type cells [Erny and Wagner (1984) Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 81, 4974-4978]. Adenosine kinase-deficient PC12 cells are resistant to the induction of choline acetyltransferase in response to chloroadenosine, but not cholera toxin, supporting the role of adenosine 3':5'-phosphate in mediating the effects of chloroadenosine. The increase in choline acetyltransferase activity in wild type cells was accompanied by an increase in acetylcholine levels, demonstrating that chloroadenosine also regulates storage of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine levels were quantitated using an assay based on the ability of acetylcholine to compete with [125I]bungarotoxin for binding to the acetylcholine receptor.

Clinical applications of the radioimmunoassay of secretory tuberculoprotein

A radioimmunoassay that measures a specific secretory tuberculoprotein was used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 9 of 30 liquid cultures of sputum. The accumulation of immunoreactive material in liquid cultures containing isoniazid was shown to reflect in vitro susceptibility of mycobacteria to the antibiotic effects of the drug.

Radioimmunoassay of tuberculoprotein derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A radioimmunoassay was developed for constituent of the purified-protein derivative obtained from cultures of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Crossreacting immunoreactive material was detected in cultures of other mycobacterial species, but no immunoreactivity was present in cultures of various fungal and bacterial species. The development of specific radioimmunoassays for tuberculoproteins offers a new research and diagnostic approach.