Immunization of acute leukemic children with a live varicella vaccine (Oka strain)

A total of 52 acute leukemic children have been safely and effectively vaccinated with live varicella (Oka strain) vaccine given under close clinical and immunological observation. The incidence of zoster in the vaccinated children group was slightly less than that in the group that had experienced natural varicella.

Lymphocyte subpopulations and T-cell subsets in human oral cancer tissues: immunohistologic analysis by monoclonal antibodies

A series of T-cell-specific monoclonal antibodies (Leu-1, Leu-2a, and Leu-3a) and B-cell-specific monoclonal antibody (HLB-1) were used to detect the localization and intensity of infiltration of lymphocyte subpopulations and T-cell subsets in frozen sections of 17 patients with the oral cancer. The vast majority of the lymphocyte infiltrates in the oral cancer tissues were reactive with Leu-1. In contrast, B cells were detectable with HLB-1 in only 2 of 17 cases. Leu-2a-positive cells were dominant in four cases, whereas Leu-3a positive cells were dominant in only three cases. In seven cases, both cells infiltrated to the same degree. Leu-2a positive cells tended to be dominant in the cases with earlier clinical stages.

Cytolytic factor in eggs of the sea hare Aplysia kurodai

A cytolytic factor partially purified from eggs of the sea hare Aplysia kurodai was examined for cytolytic activity against various target cells. All kinds of tumor cells tested were lysed in vitro by the cytolytic factor in the range of 10-100 ng protein/ml. In contrast, normal spleen cells were lysed by 10 micrograms/ml of this factor and red cells were not lysed even at this higher concentration. Tumor lysis was time-dependent and was complete within 10 hr. This factor inhibited DNA and RNA syntheses of tumor cells but not protein synthesis. The cytolytic activity was lost on heat-treatment (60 degrees) and at pH 2, and was partially inhibited by treatment with 8M urea and at pH 12, but the factor was resistant to treatments with trypsin, periodate and 2-mercaptoethanol. Neutralizing activity was observed in vivo on pretreatment of MM46 and L1210 cells with the factor. This cytolytic factor also inhibited the growth of solid-type MH134 tumor and ascitic-type MM46 tumor. These results indicate that Aplysia eggs contain a novel cytolytic factor that lyses tumor cells in vitro and inhibits tumor growth in vivo.

Circumoval precipitin (COP) test using air-dried eggs of Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni

In an attempt to establish a simplified circumoval precipitin (COP) test for the diagnostic purpose of schistosomiasis, air-dried eggs of both Schistosoma japonicum and S. mansoni were tested as antigens for this assay. Twenty-six sera from mice infected with S. japonicum showed positive COP reactions as assessed by air-dried eggs. Among 36 serum samples from patients with schistosomiasis japonica, five exhibited false negative reaction when assessed with air-dried eggs and showed a minimum level of COP reaction when assessed with lyophilized eggs. Similarly, all of 30 serum samples from jirds (Meriones unguiculatus) infected with S. mansoni gave positive COP reaction when assessed using air-dried egg. Diagnostic sensitivity of air-dried egg-system was comparable to those of fresh egg-or lyophilized egg-systems. A simple COP technique employing air-dried eggs, instead of lyophilized or fresh ones, would be thus useful for the serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis in local endemic areas, where sophisticated laboratory facilities are not available.

[Immunohistological studies on the identification of T cells and T cell subsets infiltrating in human stomach cancer tissues]

T cells and T cell subsets in human gastric cancer tissues were identified using the immunoperoxidase technique with anti-T cell monoclonal antibodies (Leu-1, Leu-2, Leu-3 and Leu-4), anti-HLA-DR(Ia) monocronal antibody, and anti-Ig sera. The majority of lymphocytes infiltrating into gastric cancer tissues were Leu-1 and Leu-4 positive T cells; they consisted of a Leu-2 positive T cell subset (Tc/s) and a Leu-3 positive T cell subset (Th/i). Leu-2 positive T cells infiltrated the gastric cancer tissues of 6 patients with a moderate or marked degree of lymphocyte infiltration; Leu-3 positive T cells infiltrated these tissues of 11 patients. These results show that the degree of T cell and T cell subset infiltration may effect the host-tumor relationship.

Polymorphonuclear leukocyte-mediated cytolysis induced by animal lectin

Nine animal lectins, i.e., Sarcophaga peregrina agglutinin, Balanus roseus agglutinin, Aplysia kurodai agglutinin, Balanus balanoides agglutinin, Tetraclita squamosa japonica agglutinin, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus lectin, Asterina pectinifera agglutinin, Helix aspersa agglutinin and Helix pomatia agglutinin, were tested for induction of cytolysis mediated by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Among them, S. peregrina agglutinin and B. roseus agglutinin lysed murine target cells in co-operation with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from the peritoneal cavity of mice. PMNs can lyse various tumor cells in the presence of S. peregrina agglutinin, although normal spleen cells were also lysed. This lectin-dependent cytolysis by PMNs was inhibited by galactose, a sugar which is specifically recognized by S. peregrina agglutinin. S. peregrina and B. roseus agglutinins were inhibitory to in vivo development of MM46 tumor cells. These results suggest that PMNs can lyse various target cells in the presence of appropriate animal lectins and that some animal lectins participate in tumor rejection.

[Experimental and clinical effect of hypertransfusion and OK-432 on granulocyte recovery]

The experimental and clinical studies were carried out to alleviate the bone marrow suppression by antineoplastic drugs. Faster recovery of granulopoiesis was observed by pretreating recipients with RBC hypertransfusion and/or OK-432 (Picibanil, biological products of beta-streptococci.) In experimental mice, higher granulocyte counts could be maintained with hypertransfusion in the peripheral blood, and the recovery of granulopoietic series and CFU-S of bone marrow cells were found to be more rapid after cyclophosphamide administration. OK-432 also resulted in higher peripheral granulocyte, whereas the total nucleated cell counts and CFU-S were decreased in the bone marrow, suggesting sparing bone marrow granulocyte reserve and its migration to the peripheral blood. The mechanism of higher granulocyte count after hypertransfusion was not clearly explained but it was considered that erythroid suppression caused colateral flow of multipotential stem cells to granulopoiesis. The effect of both combinations was unexpectedly less significant in the recovery of granulopoiesis, but it was thought that the optimal time interval should be sought between pretreatment and the administration of anti-neoplastic agents. The clinical use of hyper transfusion and OK-432 also proved the alleviation of granulocytopenia, and rapid granulocyte recovery at the time of consolidation therapy among children with AML.

Marine animal lectin-dependent tumor recognition by macrophages

Several lectins from marine animals, such as Balanus roseus hemagglutinin, B. balanoides hemagglutinin, Tetraclita squamosa japonica hemagglutinin and Aplysia kurodai agglutinin, were tested for induction of tumor lysis mediated by macrophages. Among them, B. roseus and B. balanoides lectins agglutinated several murine tumor cells and induced binding of macrophages to tumor cells. Binding of these cells was inhibited by galacturonic acid, suggesting that carbohydrate moieties on the cell membrane of the two types of cells are recognized by these lectins. These lectins did not induce tumor lysis in co-operation with various macrophages, but after inactivation of tumor cells with glutaraldehyde, they induced extensive lysis of target cells in the presence of macrophages. B. roseus lectin was also effective in vivo. These results suggest that tumor cells can be recognized via carbohydrate moieties on the cell membrane as well as tumor-associated antigen and that some animal lectins participate in macrophage-mediated cytolysis and tumor rejection.

[Female sexual response after hysterectomy]

A total of 214 patients who had undergone total hysterectomy were asked to answer a specially designed questionnaire. Those patients who had undergone bilateral oophorectomy, had no partner or who had received a high score on the Lie Scale were excluded from this study. Out of 171 patients, 67 patients (39.2%) complained of a deterioration of sexual desire. Coital frequency was found to have decreased in 65 patients (38.0%), while 80 patients (46.8%) stated that coital frequency had either not changed or had improved. Vaginal lubrication was seen to decrease in 79 patients (46.2%) and to increase or remain unchanged in 72 patients (42.1%). After hysterectomy, 77 patients (52.0%) felt a loss of femininity. In this group, 54 patients (70.1%) complained of a decrease in vaginal lubrication. On the other hand, in another group whose members felt no loss of femininity, a decrease in vaginal lubrication was found in only 25 patients (35.2%). There were 39 patients (27.1%) who had felt a loss of uterine sensation during coitus after hysterectomy. In this group, 27 patients (69.2%) complained of a decrease in the ability to climax. On the other hand, the patients who had not felt any loss of uterine sensation during coitus reported no difficulty in achieving orgasm after hysterectomy in 86 out of 105 cases (81.9%).

[Fundamental and clinical studies on T-1982 (cefbuperazone) in the field of pediatrics]

T-1982 (cefbuperazone), a new injectable cephamycin antibiotic, was studied for its antibacterial activity, concentration in serum and urine, penetration into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as well as clinical application. The following results were obtained. 1. Antibacterial activity: The susceptibilities of clinically isolated K. pneumoniae, E. coli and E. cloacae to T-1982 were superior to those of CEZ CMZ, and ABPC. T-1982 seemed to be useful for various infections due to Gram-negative rods. 2. Concentration in serum and urine: Subjects were 10 children with congenital heart failure but no abnormal renal and liver functions. T-1982 was given intravenously to 3 groups at 200 mg/kg by one shot (4 cases), 20 mg/kg by 1 hour drip infusion (3 cases) and 10 mg/kg by 1 hour drip infusion (3 cases). The half-lives were 60, 78 and 85 minutes, respectively. 3. Penetration into cerebrospinal fluid: Three children with malignant tumor were injected 20 mg/kg intravenously. A small amount of T-1982 was penetrated into CSF. 4. Clinical efficacy: T-1982 was administered daily 40-116 mg/kg t.i.d. or q.i.d. for 2-14 days to 17 children comprising 1 bronchopneumonia, 1 bronchitis, 4 tonsillitis, 1 lymphadenitis, 1 sepsis, 1 pharyngitis, 1 impetigo, 1 acute sinusitis and 6 pyelonephritis. Clinical efficacy was excellent in 10, good in 2, fair and poor in 3, and the efficacy rate was 70.6%. Bacteriological effect was as follows; eradicated in 9 cases and unknown in 8 cases. As side effect, GOT and GPT elevations unrelated to the drug were observed in 2 cases. Other abnormal findings were not found. T-1982 seems to be safe antibiotic in the field of pediatrics.

3H-imipramine uptake into rat striatal slices and imipramine-induced 3H-dopamine efflux

The effect of imipramine on spontaneous efflux of radiolabelled dopamine (DA) from slices of rat striatum was examined by a superfusion method. Imipramine at concentrations of 10 - 100 microM enhanced the efflux of DA accumulated in a high-affinity uptake system in a concentration-dependent manner. This efflux of 3H-DA was not affected by conditions (Ca2+-free medium, 100 microM bretylium and 30 microM tetrodotoxin) which inhibited the release of 3H-DA by electrical stimulation. Furthermore, this imipramine-induced 3H-DA efflux was temperature-dependent. The uptake of 3H-imipramine into striatal slices was determined. This uptake was concentration- and temperature-dependent and increased linearly. These results are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that 3H-DA efflux by imipramine is connected with uptake of imipramine.

Longitudinal study on Schistosoma japonicum infections in the Philippines. 3. Incidence and environmental modification at Dagami, Leyte

The yearly change of incidence of schistosomiasis japonica was observed among 1800 children enrolled in 9 schools situated within a 5 km radius around Dagami Poblacion, Leyte, Philippines from School Year (SY) 1974/75 to 1979/80. The purpose of this observation was to know the effect of environmental modification undertaken in about 50 ha of snail-infested and abandoned rice field which is the most depressed and central portion of this project area. Children were examined by egg detection from stool and by circumoval precipitin test. Coverage of examination among the school population ranged from 40 to 80% yearly and the ratio of re-examination after about 1 year was from 30 to 60%. The annual incidence in the different schools differed greatly from 12.15 to 42.86% in contrast to the annual prevalence which differed only slightly. There was corresponding increase of incidence with age from 18.6% at age 7 to 33.9% at age 12 while no significant difference was observed between sexes. The overall annual incidence rates for 9 schools during the 5-year follow-up period (SY 1975/76 to 1979/80) were 22.2, 24.2, 26.9, 9.6 and 28.4%, respectively. Those of Dagami Central II, the nearest school to the reclaimed site, were 15.7, 18.2, 19.3, 5.2 and 11.6%, respectively, for the same period. Obviously, the incidence was increasing while the reclamation was going on except in SY 1978/79. Analysis of the sudden drop of incidence in that year in all the 9 schools showed that it was not due to the effect of reclamation, but was most likely due to scanty rainfall in the previous year (1977). These observations indicated that small scale environmental modification had doubtful effect on outlying endemic areas in reducing the danger of Schistosoma infection but may have a little effect on the immediate surroundings as shown by a lesser elevation of incidence after the abrupt decrease at the nearest school as compared to those of schools located farther from the reclamation area.

[Diphyllobothrium latum infection in Akita Prefecture. Infections occurring from 1974 to 1981 and the clinical effect of paromomycin sulfate]

Forty-one patients, aged 2 to 68 years old, infected with Diphyllobothrium latum in Akita prefecture were treated using paromomycin sulfate from 1974 to 1981. Paromomycin sulfate was administered orally in a single dose of 20, 30 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg. Twenty-three cases expelled tapeworms. However, only 9 (28.1%) out of 32 tapeworms expelled had their scolex. It can be said that all cases were successfully treated with paromomycin sulfate, since they showed the egg-negative on 3 weeks or 1 month after the treatment. The drug was well tolerated and no side effects were encountered in any patients. It was suggested that paromomycin sulfate was effective and also safe therapeutic agent for the treatment of D. latum infection.

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity against varicella-zoster virus-infected targets

Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) against cryopreserved varicella-zoster virus-infected human foreskin fibroblasts was detected in a 51Cr release assay. Target cells, samples of seropositive or seronegative sera, and mononuclear cells obtained by Ficoll-Hypaque centrifugation of human peripheral blood were added to microtiter plate wells and allowed to incubate at 37 degrees C for 4 h. Fibroblasts infected for 48 to 96 h were susceptible to ADCC. Effector cells from seropositive and seronegative normal children were equally active in the assay. Antibody titers were determined by testing serial dilutions of sera in the ADCC assay. Zoster immune globulin had a titer of 204,800. Sera from 40 naturally seropositive individuals were compared by assays for ADCC and fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen. All sera that were negative by fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen (less than 2) were also negative by ADCC (less than 20). All sera that were positive by fluorescent antibody to membrane antigen were also positive by ADCC, but titers of individual sera were frequently 5 to 20 times higher in the ADCC assay.

An ultrastructural study of subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis

Fifteen cases of a unique lymphadenitis called subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis were studied electron-microscopically. The large lymphoreticular cells proliferating at cortical or paracortical areas of the lymph nodes mainly consisted of immunoblasts and histiocytoid cells, which were characterized by numerous intracytoplasmic myelinlike inclusions. Such histiocytoid cells seemed to be derived from the immunoblasts. Tubuloreticular structures, which had been often noticed within endothelial cells or lymphocytes of the patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or SLE-related diseases, were also observed with high frequency in most cases examined. They were present within the cytoplasm of immunoblasts, endothelial cells, and histiocytoid cells. Immunoblasts in mitosis occasionally contained these structures. We offer the hypothesis that subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis with still unknown etiology may reflect a self-limited SLE-like autoimmune condition induced by virus-infected transformed lymphocytes.