Basis for natural resistance to methotrexate in human acute non-lymphocytic leukemia

The basis of intrinsic resistance of blasts from patients with acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) to methotrexate was studied. MTX polyglutamate formation was measured in blast cells from 19 patients with ANLL and in 7 pediatric patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), after in vitro incubation for 24 h with 3H-methotrexate. There was no significant differences seen in the total amount of MTX plus polyglutamates measured between ANLL and ALL blasts, indicating that transport defects do not account for intrinsic MTX resistance in ANLL. However, there were significant differences between the amounts of long chain MTX polyglutamates found in ANLL cells as compared to ALL cells. Most, but not all, ANLL blasts were unable to form long chain polyglutamates. In as much as the level of MTX polyglutamates found in blast cells after MTX administration allows for retention of this drug, this property may explain, at least in part, the refractoriness of most patients with ANLL to methotrexate.

[The marrow granulocyte reserve in lung cancer patients]

The marrow granulocyte reserve (MGR) of patients with lung cancer have been estimated by measuring the maximum neutrophil increment after administration of hydrocortisone. The MGR was found to have decreased in four of 19 untreated patients, but the reason for this decrement was not clear. Further, there were no differences in the MGR between the cell types or cancer stages. The MGR in patients 70 years old or older tended to be decreased. After chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the MGR depressed significantly. However, on administration of OK 432, the MGR significantly increased in two patients who had received radiation therapy and whose MGR had been deficient initially.

[Post-transfusion hepatitis in operated uterine cancer patients]

We examined the incidence of non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANB) in post-transfusion hepatitis in uterine cancer patients treated by surgery at our hospital. The diagnosis of NANB was based on the diagnostic standards for post-transfusion hepatitis of the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology 1985. In 587 patients with blood transfusions from 1978 to 1988, 80 patients (13.6%) were diagnosed as NANB. The proportions of blood components were, preserved whole blood 44.1%, concentrated red blood cells (CRBC)+ fresh frozen plasma 31.2%, and CRBC 12.8%. The proportions of blood components changed over the years, but since 1987 those of blood components in blood transfusion have been greatly decreased. No difference in the incidence of NANB was seen in patients with up to 10 units of blood transfused, but a high incidence was observed to patients who had received over 10 units. The number of patients treated by radical hysterectomy was five hundred and sixty-two (95.7%) out of a total of five hundred and eighty seven. The average blood loss in the operation was 1,392 ml.

[Purification and characterization of beta-N-acetyl hexosaminidase from Aspergillus tamarii]

A beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from mycelium-free culture filtrate of Asp tamarii S215 was purified to PAGE homogenous by ammonium sulfate and polyethylene glycol fractionation precipitation followed by Sephadex G-50 desalt, DEAE-Sephadex A-25 chromatography, hydroxyapatite chromatography and DEAE-Sephadex A-25 rechromatography with 170-fold purification and 24.7% recovery. The ratio of the beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase was 2.5 and remained constant throughout the purification. The Mr estimated with concentration gradient PAGE was 140,000 and subunit Mr determined with SDS-PAGE was 72,000, the number of subunit were 2. The pI was 4.2 determined by PAGIEF. The optimum pH was 5.5-6.5 and 5.0-6.0 for beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase respectively with stable pH range 5.5-8.3 for both. The optimum temperature was 60 degrees C for beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase. The residual activity of beta-GlcNAcase was 52.7% after treated at 50 degrees C for 8 h and it was 44.9% for beta-GalNAcase. The residual activities of both were down to 1% after treated at 62 degrees C for 10 min. The activity was slightly activated by Mn2+ or Fe2+, while strongly inhibited by Hg2+ and slightly by Ag+, Cu2+, Pb2+, Cd2+ or Zn2+. Analyses of amino acids composition showed that the beta-HexNAcase contained about 24.2% acidic amino acids and 14.9% basic amino acids and only 0.6% methionine.

[Screening of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase forming strains and conditions for enzyme production]

About 1200 strains of microorganisms were screened including fungi, actinomyces, and bacteria, in which 237 strains producing the enzyme desired. The results showed that the beta-GlcNAcase and beta-GalNAcase always co-existed in one strain, though may be in different ratio. From strains mentioned above the authors screened out a potent beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase producing strain, Aspergillus tamarii S215, from the soil sample. The optimal conditions for enzyme production were as follows: the microorganisms was inoculated in a 5% wheat bran suspension, cultured at 28-30 degrees C on shaker for 5-6 days. The productivity can be moderately enhanced by the addition of cellobiose or glucosamine or galactosamine or by the extra supplement of (NH4)2SO4 and NH4NO3 as N sources. In the culture filtrate of Asp. tamarii, the alpha, (beta)-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, alpha-mannosidase and beta-fucosidase were also found.

[A case of ovarian germ cell tumor]

PVP (CDDP, VBL, PEP) regimens were administered to a case of ovarian embryonal carcinoma (Higuchi-Kato) Group C, which had metastatic lesions of liver, lumbar bones, and paraaortic lymph nodes soon after operation, with good results.

[Preparation and preliminary identification of the monoclonal antibody against esophageal carcinoma]

A series of monoclonal antibody against esophageal carcinoma was prepared by ECa109 cells immunizing Balb/c mice. Hybrids secreting antibodies reacting to ECa109 were isolated and further cloned. One monoclonal antibody, 4C3, reacted only to an esophageal cancer cell line, gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Purified 4C3 was used in ELISA test to detect tumor cells in the esophageal epithelial cells obtained by friction balloon. The result showed that the concordance rate to the result of balloon cytosmear was 62.4% (73/117). Patients, diagnosed cytologically as dyskaryosis, were often positive in ELISA test. It is proposed that 4C3 be useful in detecting pre-cancerous lesions.

Fractionation and quantitation of egg antigens from Schistosoma japonicum by the single-tube kinetic-dependent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (k-ELISA): higher antigenic activity in urea-soluble than in aqueous-soluble fractions

To identify sources of high potency antigens for use in serodiagnosis, aqueous-soluble egg antigens from Schistosoma japonicum were extracted with Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline. Residual particulates were solubilized with Tris-buffered 8 M urea, yielding a urea-soluble egg antigen fraction. The urea-soluble fraction was further fractionated with Bio Gel A50m and QAE-Sephadex. All fractions were quantitatively assayed for their specific antigenic activities against serum specimens from infected rabbits by the single-tube enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (k-ELISA). In antigen rate-limiting conditions, the urea-soluble particulate fractions were more antigenically active than the aqueous-soluble fraction. In antigen-excess and antibody-limiting assay conditions, the ideal conditions for serologic assays, the urea-derived antigens also showed superior activities against sera from infected humans. Analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) on gradient gels revealed numerous low molecular weight protein bands in the aqueous-soluble fraction, whereas the urea-soluble fractions appeared to be much simpler with the majority of their proteins concentrated in one or two high molecular weight bands (greater than or equal to 200 kdaltons). Electro-transfer blots of the SDS-PAGE onto nitrocellulose papers and subsequent visualization of antigens by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbence confirmed these findings. The above data suggest that the urea-soluble fraction of S. japonicum eggs is antigenically active and has potential use in the development of a diagnostic reagent.

A tracheal culture model of respiratory tract infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa for the respiratory tract has been examined using hamster tracheal organ cultures. Tracheal rings prepared from male Syrian hamsters, strain LSH/LAK, were infected with P. aeruginosa for 4 h and processed at 4-h intervals for 24 h for examination by light- and electron microscopy. Tissue destruction was observed within 8 h after infection with 10(8) colony-forming units (cfu)/ml and within 12 h after infection with 10(4) or 10(6) cfu/ml. Ciliated cells that contained abnormal subcellular organelles were expelled from the epithelium. By 20 h the epithelial borders were composed primarily of nonciliated cells. Transmission- and scanning electron microscopy revealed details of the cellular destruction and attachment of P. aeruginosa to the ciliated epithelium. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a rapid destruction of the epithelium of hamster trachea in cultures. Hamster tracheal organ cultures have been shown to be useful in studying the pathogenesis of P. aeruginosa for the respiratory tract.

Systematic fractionation of Schistosoma mansoni urea-soluble egg antigens and their evaluation by the single-tube, kinetic-dependent, enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assay (K-ELISA)

The application of a single-tube, kinetic-dependent, enzyme-linked, immunosorbent assay (k-ELISA) is described. The k-ELISA is simple, highly sensitive, and quantitative. With this test, the antigenic activities and cross-reactivities of several fractions from Schistosoma mansoni eggs were quantitated and compared. Particulate egg components were solubilized readily by 8 M urea, yielding antigenic fractions of high specific activities and low corss-reactivities. SDS-PAGE and activity profiles of these antigens clearly showed that they were separate and distinct form the soluble egg antigens (SEA) group. The urea-solubilized antigens appeared to be composed of two major protein bands of high molecular weights. The yield for these antigens was significantly greater than the SEA group, thus making them worthwhile candidates for serological antigens. The systematic and quantitative nature of the present study allows for the critical comparison of every antigenic fraction from S. mansoni eggs. From data of this type, a diagnostic antigen of high efficacy can be selected.

The management of extratesticular seminoma without gonadal involvement

Diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of 8 patients from 1955 to 1975 with extratesticular seminoma are presented. In 5 patients, the neoplasm developed in the mediastinum and in 3 in the retroperitoneum. All the patients were treated by radiation therapy after resection or biopsy. In the entire group, no tumor was diagnosed in the testes. Two patients expired with disease, one after 2 months due to pneumonia, and the other 5 years after diagnosis (10 months after treatment) due to cerebral metastases. Two patients died 12 and 16 years after diagnosis and treatment. At death, they were free of seminoma and the cause of death was a second malignancy. Four patients are alive and healthy, free of disease, 5, 10, 13, and 17 years after diagnosis and treatment. In essence, of the 8 patients, only one actually died of disease, and he was not adequately treated. We feel that this is an entity with an excellent prognosis if adequately and appropriately treated with radiation. We recommend not to perform an orchiectomy when the testes are clinically normal, and to follow the patient closely after treatment.