Differential radiosensitivity among B cell subpopulations

We have previously shown that low doses of ionizing radiation selectively impair a functionally defined B cell subpopulation. Normal mice, after exposure to 200 rad of ionizing radiation, have normal or near normal splenic plaque-forming cell responses to thymus-independent type 1 Ag, but reduced responses to thymus-independent type 2 Ag. Here, we confirm and extend the original findings by using hapten-specific serum RIA to demonstrate this differential radiosensitivity is systemic. We also examined splenocytes stained with a panel of lymphocyte surface Ag by FACS analysis to determine if these functional changes are accompanied by a physical alteration of the B cell pool of irradiated mice. Single-parameter FACS analyses demonstrate a diminution in both B cell number and the heterogeneity of membrane Ag expression within the surviving B cell pool after irradiation. In contrast, T cells are relatively radioresistant as the relative percentage of T cells in the irradiated splenocyte pool increases, whereas the heterogeneity of membrane Ag expression remains constant. Multiparameter FACS analyses indicate that B cells with the sIgM much greater than sIgD phenotype are more radiosensitive than B cells of the sIgM much less than sIgD phenotype. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis of splenic sections stained with anti-IgM or anti-IgD reveal the enhanced radiosensitivity of marginal zone B cells.

Differential radiosensitivity among B cell subpopulations

We have previously shown that low doses of ionizing radiation selectively impair a functionally defined B cell subpopulation. Normal mice, after exposure to 200 rad of ionizing radiation, have normal or near normal splenic plaque-forming cell responses to thymus-independent type 1 Ag, but reduced responses to thymus-independent type 2 Ag. Here, we confirm and extend the original findings by using hapten-specific serum RIA to demonstrate this differential radiosensitivity is systemic. We also examined splenocytes stained with a panel of lymphocyte surface Ag by FACS analysis to determine if these functional changes are accompanied by a physical alteration of the B cell pool of irradiated mice. Single-parameter FACS analyses demonstrate a diminution in both B cell number and the heterogeneity of membrane Ag expression within the surviving B cell pool after irradiation. In contrast, T cells are relatively radioresistant as the relative percentage of T cells in the irradiated splenocyte pool increases, whereas the heterogeneity of membrane Ag expression remains constant. Multiparameter FACS analyses indicate that B cells with the sIgM much greater than sIgD phenotype are more radiosensitive than B cells of the sIgM much less than sIgD phenotype. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis of splenic sections stained with anti-IgM or anti-IgD reveal the enhanced radiosensitivity of marginal zone B cells.

A study on demyelinating effect of galactocerebroside in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

An experimental allergic encephalomyelitis was induced by bovine myelin basic protein (MBP) and bovine galactocerebroside (GC) on male guinea pigs. Animals were divided into five experimental and one control groups. Among the five experimental groups, three were inoculated with 75 micrograms, 150 micrograms and 300 micrograms of MBP, respectively, to see the dose dependency of demyelination. The fourth group was inoculated with mixture of 75 micrograms of MBP and 180 micrograms of GC and the fifth group with 180 micrograms GC. All inocula was injected intradermally in emulsion state mixed with equal amount of complete Freund adjuvant. Control group was injected with adjuvant only. Clinical symptoms began to appear from 15th day after inoculation and animals were sacrificed on maximum neurologic deficit or 4 to 5 days after the onset of symptoms. Demyelination was observed in 6 out of 8 animals inoculated with MBP/GC mixture, while only 3 out of 24 animals inoculated with various dosage of MBP showed demyelination. The difference was statistically significant. Serum antibodies to MBP and GC were measured by ELISA method. All of the eight animals inoculated with MBP/GC mixture and two animals inoculated with GC had low titer of anti-GC antibodies, while all animals inoculated with MBP, MBP alone or MBP/GC mixture, had high titer of anti-MBP antibodies. Therefor it is concluded that the demyelination is augmented by GC and is not significantly dose-dependent on MBP.

Malignant tumors among Koreans-relative frequency study on 19,140 cases during 1978 to 1986

A statistical analysis was made on 19,140 primary malignant tumors histopathologically diagnosed at Seoul National University Hospital during 9 year period from 1978 to 1986. The study was performed to understand the recent trend of the relative frequency of the primary malignant tumors among Koreans and to compare it with the previous studies using same hospital materials, twice presented in 1968 and 1978, respectively. Sex distribution of the cases was 10,025 (52.38%) males and 9,115 (47.62%) females. Among males the frequency rank was stomach (33.88%), lung and bronchus (8.73%), leukemia (7.02%), liver (4.79%) and oral cavity (4.70%). And among females it was uterine cervix (24.48%), stomach (20.45%), thyroid (7.87%), breast (6.48%) and leukemia (4.78%). The relative frequency of malignant tumors in this study was generally similar to the previous data published in 1978 at this department, except for the fact that stomach and lung cancers were more commonly seen in both sexes during this study period than the previous periods of years.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage from kidney causes

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hemorrhage is an uncommon entity and even rarer when the underlying cause is from the kidney. Renal tumors comprise the majority of atraumatic kidney rupture. Renal cell carcinoma and angiomyolipoma are the most common diseases in this group. Oral anticoagulant therapy and hemodialysis could be responsible for a few cases. In 3 reported cases no pathological explanation could be found. With the help of modern facilities, diagnosis can be made preoperatively and conservative surgery is indicated in these patients. However, nephrectomy is the treatment of choice for patients presenting with shock as the initial symptom or solid renal mass with perirenal hematoma.

Malignant lymphomas in Korea

A retrospective histological study of 540 malignant lymphomas diagnosed at the Department of Pathology of the Seoul National University from 1976 through 1986 is presented. Malignant lymphoma is the 10th most common malignant tumor in Korea, comprising 3.07% of all malignancy during period of study. Among malignant lymphomas non-Hodgkin's lymphoma accounted for 82% and accordingly the Hodgkin's disease was for 18%. The most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was diffuse histiocytic lymphoma of Rappaport. Follicular lymphoma was very rare, comprising only 2.3%. T-cell lymphoma accounted for 9.6% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, the most frequent type being lymphoblastic lymphoma. Immunoblastic sarcoma and mycosis fungoides were occasionally seen but there was no case of pleomorphic adult T-cell lymphoma. Among Hodgkin's diseases, mixed cellularity type was the most common type, and nodular sclerosis type was relatively rare.

Anterior stability of the glenohumeral joint. A dynamic model

This study defines the interaction of the rotator cuff musculature and the glenohumeral ligaments in providing anterior stability to the glenohumeral joint. Eight cadaveric shoulders were studied using a testing frame that individually simulated the forces of the subscapularis, the supraspinatus, and the infraspinatus/teres minor musculature. The application of these forces abducted the humerus to approximately 90 degrees. The cocking phase of throwing was then simulated through the use of an Instron. With random variation of the rotator cuff forces, we investigated the effects that each force had on the rotation of the humerus and the strain of the inferior glenohumeral ligament. Our results demonstrate that the infraspinatus/teres minor muscle group was the most effective in controlling external rotation of the humerus and in reducing ligamentous strain. These observations are pertinent in the treatment of anterior instability syndromes of the shoulder.

Ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules

A pathologic study was done on four cases of ovarian sex cord tumor with annular tubules. All four tumors occurred in young women (11-24 years of age) and were not associated with the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Two patients had evidence of hyperestrinism. One patient who had metastasis to the retroperitoneum, left supraclavicular lymph node, and liver confirmed the malignant potential of this tumor. Gross examination revealed tumors that were solid, yellowish, and unilateral, with varying degrees of cystic degeneration. Microscopic examination showed simple or complex annular tubules with prominent basement membranes. Many tumor cells contained lipid in the cytoplasm. Ultrastructural study showed Charcot-Bottcher filaments in all four cases, indicating Sertoli cell differentiation. True lumens and microvilli were identified in one case. The classification of the sex cord tumor with annular tubules as a Sertoli cell tumor, annular tubular type was proposed on the basis of ultrastructural findings.

Malignant lymphomas in Korea

A retrospective histological study based on biopsy material of 341 cases of malignant lymphoma diagnosed at the Department of Pathology of the Seoul National University from 1976 through 1983 was conducted, to reveal some characteristics of malignant lymphomas occurring in Korea. Malignant lymphoma was the seventh most common malignant tumor (4.03%) among Koreans. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma predominated over Hodgkin's disease, accounting for 87% of all malignant lymphomas. Follicular lymphoma was rarely seen in Korea (3%), and among types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma the diffuse histiocytic type (57%) and the poorly differentiated lymphocytic type (26%) of Rappaport were common. Follicular center cell lymphomas (Lukes-Collins) were most commonly seen, whereas T-cell lymphoma was found in approximately 10% of the non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Not a single case of pleomorphic adult T-cell lymphoma was encountered in this series. Among subtypes of Hodgkin's disease the nodular sclerosis type was particularly rare, comprising only 15% of the Hodgkin's disease cases.

Simultaneous identification and determination of species origin, ABH antigens and isoenzyme markers in the same bloodstain

A reliable procedure for the simultaneous identification of blood, determination of species origin and ABH antigens, and typing of isoenzyme markers from a sample of three 1-cm threads is described. Results obtained from known control as well as from casework bloodstains using this procedure were consistent with those obtained in parallel, conventional, individual tests under blind trial conditions.

Pulmonary sarcoidosis in Singapore

Eight cases of pulmonary sarcoidosis with a mean age of 27.8 years were seen in our Department since May 1974. There were 5 males and 3 females and 5 of our patients were Chinese. 75% of cases were symptomatic at initial presentation. Extra pulmonary manifestation was seen in only one patient who had a right facial palsy. Hilar adenopathy was the principal radiological finding. (Bilateral hilar adenopathy was present in 6 and unilateral hilar adenopathy was seen in 1 patient) 50% of our patients had x-ray evidence of pulmonary parenchymal involvement and received steroid therapy. Though sarcoidosis is rare among Asians especially among Chinese, we feel an increase in prevalence can be expected in future.

A multi-touch three dimensional touch-sensitive tablet

A prototype touch-sensitive tablet is presented. The tablet's main innovation is that it is capable of sensing more than one point of contact at a time. In addition to being able to provide position coordinates, the tablet also gives a measure of degree of contact, independently for each point of contact. In order to enable multi-touch sensing, the tablet surface is divided into a grid of discrete points. The points are scanned using a recursive area subdivision algorithm. In order to minimize the resolution lost due to the discrete nature of the grid, a novel interpolation scheme has been developed. Finally, the paper briefly discusses how multi-touch sensing, interpolation, and degree of contact sensing can be combined to expand our vocabulary in human-computer interaction.

The user friendly card catalog

The changing roles and relationships of professional staff in Reference and Cataloging departments in the catalog creation process are discussed. Specific examples are given for handling classification, subject headings and cross references. The article stresses the importance of interface between the two departments in making the catalog more accessible to the users of the library.

Selective effect of irradiation on responses to thymus-independent antigen

Low doses of ionizing radiation have a selective immunosuppressive effect on in vivo B cell responses to thymus-independent (TI) antigens. The B cell response, assayed as direct anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific plaque-forming cells (PFC), induced by type 2, TI antigens (TNP-Ficoll or TNP-Dextran), was reduced, on the average, by 10-fold in animals exposed to 200 rad of ionizing radiation 24 hr before antigen challenge. In contrast, PFC responses to type 1, TI antigens (TNP-lipopolysaccharide or TNP-Brucella abortus) are unaffected in mice exposed to the same dose of radiation. Adoptive transfers showed that this selective immunosuppression is a result of the specific inactivation of the B cell subpopulation responding to type 2, TI antigens. These experiments suggest that physiologic differences exist in the B cell subpopulations of normal mice which respond to type 1, or type 2, TI antigens.

Selective effect of irradiation on responses to thymus-independent antigen

Low doses of ionizing radiation have a selective immunosuppressive effect on in vivo B cell responses to thymus-independent (TI) antigens. The B cell response, assayed as direct anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-specific plaque-forming cells (PFC), induced by type 2, TI antigens (TNP-Ficoll or TNP-Dextran), was reduced, on the average, by 10-fold in animals exposed to 200 rad of ionizing radiation 24 hr before antigen challenge. In contrast, PFC responses to type 1, TI antigens (TNP-lipopolysaccharide or TNP-Brucella abortus) are unaffected in mice exposed to the same dose of radiation. Adoptive transfers showed that this selective immunosuppression is a result of the specific inactivation of the B cell subpopulation responding to type 2, TI antigens. These experiments suggest that physiologic differences exist in the B cell subpopulations of normal mice which respond to type 1, or type 2, TI antigens.

Raman study of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide bound to liver alcohol dehydrogenase

We report the first Raman spectra of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) when bound to an enzymatic active site, that of liver alcohol dehydrogenase (LADH). This was obtained by subtracting the Raman spectrum of LADH from that of the binary LADH/NADH complex. There are significant changes in the spectrum of bound NADH as compared to that in solution. The data indicate that both the nicotinamide moiety and the adenine moiety are involved in the binding. At least one of the two NH2 moieties of NADH also participates.

Phosphorylation of rat C6 glioma cell DNA-dependent RNA polymerase II in vivo. Identification of phosphorylated subunits and modulation of phosphorylation by isoproterenol and N6,O2'-dibutyryl cyclic AMP

Evidence is presented that isoproterenol treatment of rat C6 glioma cells, under conditions that increase glioma cell cAMP levels, causes the phosphorylative modification of several RNA polymerase II subunits. RNA polymerase II in control and isoproterenol-stimulated 32Pi-labeled confluent glioma cells was immunoprecipitated from ribonuclease-treated nuclear extracts with hen anti-calf RNA polymerase II antiserum conjugated to Sepharose. The immunoprecipitated RNA polymerase II was analyzed for 32P-labeled subunits by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. Using this technique, we have shown that isoproterenol causes a time-dependent increase of phosphate incorporation into RNA polymerase II subunits of 214,000, 180,000, 140,000, 35,000, 28,000, and 16,500 daltons. Phosphate incorporation occurred exclusively on serine in all of the six subunits. About 0.5-2 mol of phosphate/mol of RNA polymerase II subunit were incorporated. Dibutyryl cAMP (10(-3)M) mimics the stimulatory action of isoproterenol and mediates increased phosphate incorporation into the six subunits. (RS)-propranolol (10(-4)M) prevents the isoproterenol-mediated phosphorylative changes. These data indicate that isoproterenol, via cAMP, mediates a transient structural modification of RNA polymerase II subunits in rat C6 glioma cells which may possibly lead to a modulation of RNA polymerase II function(s).

Vesico-ureteric reflux in Singapore children--a survey of surgically treated children

A survey of 29 cases of vesico-ureteric reflux treated surgically at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, between 1974 and 1981 was carried out to assess the Singapore experience with the disease. There was a 2:1 female predominance but proportionately more males presented before 6 months of age (sex ratio 1:1). In contrast to Caucasian children, the peak incidence is below one year of age, and demonstrates the importance of recognising the condition early in infancy. Correspondingly, the most frequently presenting symptom is fever, as a result of urinary tract infection. In contrast, enuresis is uncommon (unlike in Caucasian children, where the peak incidence is at a later age). There is no predilection to unilateral, bilateral or side of involvement. Ectopia lateralis and patulous ureteric orifices were the most commonly identified structural defects. E. Coli and Klebsiella were the most commonly occurring organisms among those with urinary tract infections, and Ampicillin or Bactrim was adequate for most cases.

Actin-induced reticuloendothelial phagocytic depression as mediated by its interaction with fibronectin

Circulating fibronectin, also known as opsonic alpha 2 surface binding glycoprotein or cold-insoluble globulin, modulates phagocytosis of tissue debris, fibrin microaggregates, and gelatin-coated colloids by the reticuloendothelial (RE) system. Opsonically active fibronectin has an actin binding site and a demonstrated in vitro affinity for actin. Since actin potentially released into blood and tissue fluids following tissue injury could complex with fibronectin, the present study evaluated the effect of actin on plasma opsonic activity and Kupffer cell phagocytosis. Intravenous injection of actin did not acutely decrease plasma immunoreactive fibronectin levels although fibronectin levels increased at 6, 12, and 24 hr postinjection. However, intravenous actin injection did depress RE phagocytic activity in vivo as measured by decreased blood clearance of test colloid and impaired hepatic uptake of colloid particles as well as retention of the particles in the circulation. In vitro, preincubation of plasma with actin depressed the opsonic activity of plasma with respect to its ability to support phagocytosis, but such treatment of plasma did not alter the detection of fibronectin by immunoassay. Utilizing purified fibronectin with demonstrated opsonic activity, it was also observed that actin interaction with fibronectin would block its biological ability to enhance phagocytosis. This effect appeared to be mediated at the humoral level, since no direct depressant effect of actin on Kupffer cell function was observed. Thus, actin, if released into the blood following injury, may contribute to bioassayable opsonic fibronectin deficiency and phagocytic dysfunction, but this disturbance would remain undetectable by immunoassay of fibronectin levels.

Rh(D) fraction incompatibility causing hemolytic disease of the newborn. Report of two cases in a Chinese family

Two cases of hemolytic disease of new born in a Chinese family are reported. The hemolysis was due to the production in the mother of antibodies against fractions A, C, and D of Rh(D) antigen. The fractions were absent in the mother's red blood cells which are Rh(DB) but present in her babies. Rh(DB) may be detected by the use of two types of anti-D sera, one with and the other without anti-DB activity. For transfusion purpose, all DB patients so tested, would be regarded as Rh(D) negative.

Cerebral metastasis in bronchial carcinoma

A prospective study of 61 consecutive cases of bronchial carcinoma was done to detect cerebral metastasis and study their clinical presentations. Computerised tomography (CT Scan) was utilised as a screening procedure in 36 cases along with electroencephalography to detect cerebral secondaries. Of the cases studied with CT Scan and autopsy, 55% had brain secondaries. 18% of these cases had silent cerebral secondaries. 30% of the 61 cases studied has signs and symptoms referable to brain secondaries. An interesting clinical presentation was a dysequilibrium which in many of them was an extreme truncal ataxia, confining them helplessly to bed and relieved to some extent by a shunt operation.

Allotype suppression induced in the adoptive transfer system: the variables of the system and an apparent absence of a role for T cells

A study has been made of the variables concerned in allotype suppression of adult spleen cells in the adoptive transfer system. These are; SRBC (antigen) dose; the dose and timing of injection of anti-allotype serum IgG; the number of spleen cells transferred and whether these cells were taken from primed or unprimed donors. Adoptively transferred primed cells are considerably less susceptible to suppression by concomitantly injected anti-allotype serum IgG than are unprimed spleen cells. Injection of anti-allotype serum during the period after adoptive transfer, has shown that primed cells loose their susceptibility sooner (2 days) than the unprimed cells (4 days). Allotype heterozygous CBA spleen cells are less susceptible heterozygous CBA spleen cells are less susceptible to allotype suppression than either allotypically homozygous or heterozygous non-H-2k cells (H-2b,d, or s). Allotype suppression of the TI IgG response to DNP-Ficoll was measured 7 days after adoptive transfer of allotype-homozygous cells from both normal and nude CBA mice (unprimed). The results indicate that T cells do not play a role in the initiation of short-term allotype suppression in the adoptive transfer system.

Allotype suppression of the responsiveness of adoptively transferred adult spleen cells induced by affinity prepared anti-allotype antibody

In an adoptive transfer assay it has been shown that a form of allotype suppression can be induced in adult spleen cells. Use of SPF congenic mice, and either anti-allotype serum freed of IgM rheumatoid factor or affinity prepared antibody, has helped to eliminate the possibility of a role for non-specific factors in allotype suppression. Both memory-cell development and a conventional primary response are more susceptible to suppression than memory expression in a secondary response. Non-specific suppressive effects on isotypes other than that of the target allotype (CH) are present but are much smaller than for specific suppression.

Experiments with banana trunk juice as a neuromuscular blocker

The juice of the banana trunk produces a non-depolarising neuromuscular block. Oxygenation of the extract enhances its potency. Reversals with anticholinesterases are transient. Partial reversals in isolated preparations indicate these could be both specific and non-specific binding which could account for blockade after washing. It could be specifically bound to ACh receptors in an irreversible way since its action appears similar to that of alpha-BuTX.

Genetic influence on serum igd levels

In order to better understand the factors determining serum levels of IgD, total serum IgD and IgE were studied in 23 nonallergic twin pairs, consisting of 16 monozygotic (Mz and 7 same-sex dizygotic (Dz) pairs. Both immunoglobulins were measured by a paper disc solid phase radioimmunoassay, sensitive to 1 microgram/dl of IgD and 1 I.U./ml of IgE. Also studied were 10 paired sera taken at different times from 10 healthy subjects of similar mean age to the twins and 21 randomly paired sera from unrelated subjects. The intrapair variance of both serum IgD and serum IgE levels were significantly less in Mz than in Dz twins (P less than 0.05). Thus, there appears to be a genetic influence over serum IgD levels, probably to a similar degree to that previously shown to exist for serum IgE levels. Heritability was calculated to be 0.759 for IgD and 0.697 for IgE. Also, the intraclass correlation coefficient (rI) for IgD in monozygotic twin pairs was 0.9370 (P less than 0.001) and for IgE was 0.8602 (P less than 0.001). It appears likely that the number of genetic loci controlling serum IgD levels is similar to, or less than, the number controlling serum IgE levels because the random pair/Dz pair variance ratio was lower for IgD than for IgE.

[Population trends in rural and urban areas]

"The rapid industrialization of Korea since 1960 has brought rapid urbanization and recently many rural areas have begun to show depopulation in which particularly the young men and reproductively active women are leaving for the cities. In rural areas, population reduction is accelerated by migration and fertility reduction owing to decrease of young reproductively eligible women. In urban areas the number of migrants exceeded the number of births in 1965, but the number of births gradually exceeded the number of migrants." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

Autologous leukemia-specific T-cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity in patients with acute myelogenous leukemia

Short-term culture of acute myelogenous leukemia patient's remission lymphocytes with inactivated autologous leukemic blast cells plus allogeneic lymphocytes, generated effector T lymphocytes which were cytotoxic for the specific autologous blast cell in 11 of 14 patients studied. Experiments using Daudi and Molt 4 lymphoblastoid cell lines as third-party helper cell suggest that an HLA D locus incompatability is necessary to provide effective help in this system. Cold target inhibition experiments, crossover studies between pairs of patients, and experiments with allogeneic leukemic blast cells as priming stimulus suggest that the target antigen is only present on the specific autologous blast cell.

Reappraisal of intracutaneous tests in the diagnosis of reaginic allergy

In an attempt to determine the clinical relevance of positive intracutaneous tests when epicutaneous tests are negative, 34 patients with symptoms of perennial rhinitis who had negative epicutaneous but positive intracutaneous tests were evaluated by radioallergosorbent (RAST) test, nasal provocation (NP) tests and leukocyte histamine release (LHR) assay. Nineteen patients with perennial rhinitis who had positive epicutaneous tests and 13 normal healthy volunteers were also studied as positive and negative controls, respectively. None of the 34 patients with negative epicutaneous but positive intracutaneous tests had positive RASTs or LHR assays, but 1 patient had a positive NP test. In contrast, of the 19 patients with positive epicutaneous tests, 12 patients had positive RASTs, 17 had positive LHR assays, and 17 had positive NP tests. In the negative control group of 13 subjects, none had positive RAST, LHR assays, or NP tests, although 3 subjects showed positive intracutaneous tests. These results indicate that when epicutaneous tests are negative in patients with perennial rhinitis, positive intracutaneous tests are not likely to indicate the presence of reaginic allergy.

Respiratory obstruction due to relapsing polychondritis in a Chinese male

A case of relapsing polychondritis in a 30-year-old Chinese male is reported. The patient showed the following features: dyspnoea; hoarseness of voice; cauliflower deformity of the right ear; upper tracheal stenosis; swelling of the lower part of the sternum; pain in the costal cartilages. Airway obstruction as a presenting feature (as in this case) is unusual. The aetiology, clinical features and management of relapsing polychondritis are briefly discussed.