Pseudosarcoma of the esophagus

A 64-year-old man with pseudosarcoma of the esophagus is described. Morphologic examinations of this rare tumor were made, and the origin of the sarcoma-like cells of the tumor is discussed. The findings for the sarcoma-like cells of the tumor support the idea that the sarcoma-like elements arose through transformation of epithelial cells. The patient was unable to undergo surgical treatment and died of a generalized fungal infection.

Induction of maturation in cultured human monocytic leukemia cells by a phorbol diester

Suspension cultures of a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, were treated with 0.16 to 160 nM 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). In an original cell line, THP-1-O, cultured again from -80 degrees cryopreservation, more than 80% of the cells adhered to the glass substrate with marked morphological change within 3 hr of TPA treatment. Adherent cells became flat and amoeboid in shape, and many microvilli and flaps of the cell surface disappeared. Well-developed Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticula, and a large amount of free ribosomes were seen in the cytoplasm. On the other hand, in THP-1-R cells cultured continuously without cryopreservation for 26 months, approximately 80% of the cells adhered to the substrate 48 hr after TPA treatment. Round and ovoid shapes were kept in THP-1-R cells treated with TPA. Surface Fc receptors for immunoglobulin G were present on more than 90% of THP-1-O and THP-1-R cells and were little affected by treatment with TPA. Sixty to 70% of the TPA-treated THP-1-O and THP-1-R cells were able to phagocytize yeasts and immunoglobulin G-coated sheep erythrocytes. Less than 20% of the untreated THP-1 cells were able to phagocytize yeasts and immunoglobulin G-coated sheep erythrocytes. In histochemical staining, alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase was enhanced after treatment with TPA. Lysozyme activity in culture supernatants was not affected by TPA treatment. When exposed to latex beads and TPA, increased 14CO2 production from [1-14C]glucose in THP-1-O cells was observed. These results indicate that, after treatment with TPA, human monocytic leukemia cells may be converted into mature cells with functions of macrophages.

Clinical and urinary characteristics of urolithiasis in ulcerative colitis

In a group of 112 patients with ulcerative colitis, eight patients (7.1%) developed the complication of urolithiasis. A higher incidence was found in those with total colitis (15.4%) and in postoperative patients (20%). The mean period between the onset of colitis and the initial urinary symptoms was 5.4 yr. All the analyzed stones contained oxalate and seven of eight patients had hyperoxaluria, which was believed to be one of the important lithogenic factors. Increased urinary Ca/Mg ratio, steroid, and sulfasalazine are suggested as the other lithogenic factors in patients with ulcerative colitis.

[Physiological effects and antitumor efficiency of ACNU in postoperative patients with stomach cancer--an evaluation of the treatment combined with FT-207 or 5-FU dry syrup]

In 26 patients with cancer of the stomach, bone marrow function, cell mediated immunity and plasma CEA level were examined after administration of ACN-U. ACNU was given intravenously and intermittently with 5-FU given orally daily. Results 1) Delayed myelosuppression was observed in every cases and reached to the nadir in 2-7 weeks after ACNU administration. 2) Bone marrow suppression and recovery therefrom were observed earlier in platelet counts than in RBC and WBC counts. 3) Suppression of cell mediated immunity was not observed later than 4 weeks after ACNU administration. 4) Plasma CEA level decreased or stopped to increase after ACNU administration in 5 out of 8 patients having a high CEA level before treatment. 5) Regression of tumor size was observed in 4 out of 5 patients in whom a tumor was palpable. Conclusion ACNU has a strong antitumor activity and may be more effective if combined with antimetabolite agent, such as 5FU. Total dosage of ACNU given safely in one series was considered to be 150-200mg. Next series of ACNU administration should be started after restoration of platelet counts more than 100,000/mm3 was obtained.

Estimation of B-cells transformed by Epstein-Barr virus in patients with congenital agammaglobulinemia

In vitro immunoglobulin synthesis was measured in lymphocytes from four patients with congenital agammaglobulinemia (cA gamma) stimulated by two different polyclonal B-cell activators, pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). In PWM-stimulated cultures, patient T-cells treated with mitomycin C (MMC) were able to help the immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis of normal B-cells. Patient B-cell-enriched fraction not containing surface Ig positive cells did not produce Ig in combination with MMC-treated autologous or allogeneic T-cells. Patient lymphocytes were infected with EBV and the subsequent production of Ig was measured. In lymphocytes from control subjects, exponential growth of the cells having EBV-associated nuclear antigen (EBNA) was shown to be associated with an exponential increase in Ig secretion within 1 week after EBV infection. However, in lymphocytes from three of the four patients, it took 2, 4 and 10 weeks, respectively, until lymphocyte-transformation and subsequent Ig-secretion were observed. Lymphocytes from one patient were not transformed nor did they secrete Ig after EBV infection. These results may imply that a small number of B-cells are present in peripheral blood of most of patients with cA gamma, and that they are able to produce the Ig after transformation by EBV which takes a much longer time than in controls.

Seedling leiomyoma of the esophagus and esophagogastric junction zone

The esophagus was totally excised for histopathological examination in 276 autopsy cases and 66 surgical cases (total, 342 cases). Leiomyoma of the esophagus was observed in 27 of the 342 cases. The tumors were present in 22 of the 225 male cases and in 5 of the 117 female cases. There were 38 leiomyomas among the 27 cases. Most of the leiomyomas originated in the inner circular muscle. None of the tumors was more than 7 mm. in length. Twenty-five of the 38 leiomyomas were located in the esophagogastric junction zone. Thus, subserial histological examination revealed leiomyomas at a higher frequency than that in previous reports.

Dysplasia and reserve cell hyperplasia-like change in human esophagus

The esophagus was totally examined in 264 autopsied cases and 61 operated cases, for a total of 325 cases, to clarify the histogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus. Epithelial dysplasia of the mucosa was present in 27% and subclinical carcinoma was found in 2.4%. Hyperplasia of the duct of the esophageal gland proper was present in 34% and cysplasia of the ductal epithelium in 3%. Reserve cell hyperplasia-like change of the islet of the ectopic gastric mucosa was found in 4% and reserve cell hyperplasia-like change of the esophagogastric junction zone in 13%. Of the seven cases of microcarcinoma, two showed dysplasia and gradual transition and one presented dysplasia and abrupt transition. Another two were considered to have originated in the ductal epithelium. These findings suggested that they could all be the sites of origin of cancer development.

Reflectance variation of human blood under a magnetic field at the Ar-ion laser line: feasibility for clinical diagnosis

Measuring the reflectance variation DeltaR under dc magnetic field at Ar(+) 0.5017-microm laser line for both corpuscle and plasma human blood samples and applying statistical processing to a 2-D display of DeltaR, we can obtain useful information on whether the disease is malignant or benign. Furthermore, for indistinguishable samples within the critical region the correlation between DeltaR and conventional blood-analysis parameters gives supplemental information. Applicational feasibility of these experimental results to clinical diagnosis is described together with qualitative considerations of the characteristics obtained.

Establishment and characterization of a cell line (Br-NHF-1) derived from human mammary carcinoma

A new human cell line, Br-NHF-1, was established from the pleural effusion of a patient with advanced mammary carcinoma. The cells survived 52 subcultivations during more than 33 months. The cells possess epithelial features, showing rosettes, acinar formation and domes in or among the compact colonies. The modal chromosome number is 51 with some marker chromosomes. Xenografted tumors retained a similar histology to the original tumor. No estrogen-binding protein was detectable in the culture, but there was a significant amount of basic fetoprotein. Production of casein in the cells was detected by immuno-fluorescence testing.

Assignment of circular dichroism spectra of 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid induced by bovine serum albumin to the azo form

In the displacement study, the effects of tolbutamide on the absorption spectra and induced CD spectra of 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid(HABA)-bovine serum albumin (BSA) complex were investigated using the samples obtained from equilibrium dialysis at pH 7.40. The binding of tolbutamide to BSA enhanced the binding of the azo form in spite of the displacement of the hydrazone form of bound HABA at the molar ratio of HABA to BSA of 0.65, causing the increase in the negative ellipticity at 445 nm, which was termed the C band. The C band could be assigned to the azo form of bound HABA.

Effects of phenylbutazone and mefenamic acid on two classes of binding sites of 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid on bovine serum albumin characterized by absorption spectra and circular dichroism spectra

The competitive binding of phenylbutazone (PB) and mefenamic acid (MF) with 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA) on bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by the investigation of the effects of these drugs on two bound forms of HABA, the azo and hydrazone forms. PB displaced preferentially the hydrazone form. MF displaced both the azo and hydrazone forms, though the azo form was preferentially displaced at the small molar ratio of MF to BSA. The binding constants of PB and MF obtained from the convenient spectrophotometry were dependent on the concentration of added drugs. These facts reflect the selective displacement of the azo and hydrazone forms. In connection with the absorption spectra of bound HABA, induced circular dichroism (CD) spectra of HABA-BSA complex were investigated. The induced CD spectra varied with the change of the molar ratio of HABA to BSA, indicating the presence of at least three different perturbed HABA molecules by BSA. The addition of PB and MF caused dramatic changes of the induced CD spectra of HABA-BSA complex. These spectral changes were discussed with the displacement of the azo and hydrazone forms.

Mass screening electroencephalography

From 1971 to 1978, 5,202 schoolchildren from the first to the 9th grade underwent mass screening EEG. Paroxysmal discharges were recognized in 1.7%. Focal paroxysmal discharges appeared most frequently and the temporal, occipital, and central areas were the most common sites. Children having autonomic seizures, psychomotor seizures, and absence seizures do exist among allegedly healthy children without being noticed. For the early detection of these, mass screening EEG was very useful. Abnormal EEGs, particularly abnormal basic activities were often found in epileptic children, but had no definite correlation with behavior disorders or with scholastic achievements. According to the mass screening EEG in 1978 involving 1,921 children from the first to the 6th grades of primary school, 2.5% had suspected epileptic seizures, and 7.9% had histories of febrile convulsions.

Intracytoplasmic lumina of human breast cancer--a microscopic study and practical application in cytological diagnosis

Intracytoplasmic lumina (ICLs) of breast carcinoma cells are dominantly noted as rather specific structures in various organella of carcinoma cells. The present study deals with the characteristic patterns of ICLs in the ultrastructural and cytological features of breast carcinomas. Ultrastructural analysis of benign and malignant breast lesions for ICLs revealed a high occurrence of such lumina in the carcinomas. Especially the lumina were frequently noted in cells of scirrhous carcinomas (scirrhous carcinoma: 42 ICLs, medullary tubular carcinoma: 24, papillotubular carcinoma: 17 per each 300 carcinoma cells, mastopathy: 7 ICLs, fibroadenoma: 3, normal mammary gland: 1 or 2 per each epithelial cell). In 55.6% of the cytological cases of scirrhous carcinoma, the tumor cells showed ICLs, whereas such lumina were found at a rate of only 3.4% in benign lesions. These results demonstrate that the detection of ICLs by cytological examination can be useful in the establishment of a diagnosis of scirrhous carcinoma, and in the decision on a breast origin for metastatic tumors.

S-Adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase activity in a lymphoblastoid cell line from a patient with adenosine deaminase dificiency disease

S-Adenosylhomocysteine (S-AdoHcy) hydrolase activity in a lymphoblastoid cell line from a patient with adenosine deaminase deficiency disease (ADA(-)LCL) was found to be approximately 60% of that in ADA (+)lymphoblastoid cell lines. S-AdoHcy hydrolase of ADA(-)LCL was more sensitive to inhibition by 2'-deoxyadenosine as compared with that of ADA(+)LCL. The inhibitory effect of 2'-deoxyadenosine was evident in cell growth and immunoglobulin production of lymphoblastoid cell lines.

Binding of 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid to bovine serum albumin characterized by optical spectroscopy and equilibrium dialysis

Binding of 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo)benzoic acid (HABA) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was studied by equilibrium dialysis, by the spectrophotometric method and by the absorption spectra of bound HABA. Comparison of equilibrium dialysis with the spectrophotometric method clarified the presence of a undisclosed class of binding sites, which do not cause the spectral change at about 480 nm to HABA, on BSA. Two bands observed on the absorption spectra of bound HABA were attributed to differently perturbed two HABA molecules by BSA, the azo and hydrazone forms, and these two forms correspond to HABA molecules bound to non-metachromasy sites and metachromasy sites, respectively. The concentration of each from was calculated by using estimated molar extinction coefficient.

Plasma levels of cyclic nucleotides in patients with essential hypertension

We studied plasma levels of cyclic nucleotides and their responses to submaximal exercise as an endogenous adrenergic stimulation in normal subjects, untreated and treated patients with essential hypertension to assess the roles of various hormones and the autonomic nervous system in essential hypertension. Plasma c-AMP level was significantly higher in untreated, diuretic-treated patients and those treated with propranolol than in normal subjects, but plasma c-GMP level was comparable in normal subjects and untreated patients. Plasma c-AMP decreased significantly, whereas plasma c-GMP increase significantly, after chronic propranolol therapy. Plasma c-AMP increased significantly after submaximal exercise in normal subjects, untreated patients and those treated with propranolol, but plasma c-GMP increased significantly only in normal subjects. The increase in plasma c-AMP was significantly higher in untreated patients than in normal subjects and patients treated with propranolol. Moreover, the percent increase in plasma c-AMP was significantly higher in untreated patients than in those treated with propranolol. Therefore, it is suggested that the sympathetic nervous system may be hyperactive, and that a hyperreactivity of the beta-adrenergic receptors may play an important role in essential hypertension.