In vivo enhancement of NK-cell activity by thymopentin

Natural killer (NK) activities of fresh and IL-2-precultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were investigated in 13 elderly subjects before and after thymopentin (TP-5) treatment and in 12 age-matched controls. The NK activity of fresh PBMC was found to be significantly higher in subjects given TP-5 at 50 mg s.c. three times per week for one month. Conversely, this type of treatment with TP-5 did not significantly modify the cytotoxic capacity of IL-2-precultured PBMC.

[An epidemiologic survey of cataract in Shunyi County, Beijing]

The report presents the findings of an epidemiologic study of cataract in Shunyi County, Beijing, conducted in 1985, revealing that the general prevalence of senile cataract was 5.99%, and in people over 40 years of age, 18.58%; the rate obviously increased with age. Cataract accounted for 14.54% of the blind and 20.51% of the low-vision. The diagnostic criteria for senile cataract in surveys and the strategy for the prevention and treatment of senile cataract are recommended.

[An epidemiologic survey of trachoma in Shunyi County, Beijing]

The report presents the results of an epidemiologic survey of trachoma in Shunyi County, Beijing, conducted in 1985, revealing that trachoma was the major eye disease in Shunyi County with a prevalence of 38.68%, which obviously related with age. Most of the trachoma patients were mild cases; only 2.88% were of the severe type, while trachomatous complications occurred in 10.50% of the patients. The morbid characteristics of trachoma in rural areas and measures of treatment and prevention are discussed.

NK cells in patients with peripheral neuropathy and IgM monoclonal protein reacting with the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG)

We studied Leu 7+ cell distribution and natural killer (NK) activity in the peripheral blood of six patients who had peripheral neuropathy and monoclonal IgM protein directed against myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG IgM). We did not find any difference between patients and control subjects (healthy or polyneuropathic, some with IgM monoclonal paraprotein but without anti-MAG activity). The presence of autologous sera did not interfere with these results. We noted an increase in Leu 11+ cell percentages after pre-incubation of the patient cells with autologous sera but the phenotypes of cells from control subjects did not change after incubation with autologous or patient sera.

[Pathologic study on the treatment-effect of hematoporphyrin derivative in carcinoma of the gastric cardia]

42 patients with carcinoma of gastric cardia treated by HPD are reported. The endoscopic biopsy specimens of these patients were classified histologically before treatment. There were 2 papillary adenocarcinoma (PAC), 14 well differentiated adenocarcinoma (WDAC), 11 moderate differentiated adenocarcinoma (MDAC), 5 poor differentiated adenocarcinoma (PDAC), 6 mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC), 1 undifferentiated carcinoma (UDC) and 3 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). After four weeks' treatment, reexaminations by endoscopy and biopsy were done in 39 patients and operation were performed on three. Histologic changes following the treatment were degeneration, necrosis of tumor cells, and infiltration of lymphocytes and plasmacytes in the stroma to different degrees. The histologic changes were graded into H0, H1, H2 and H3 by the authors. Grades H0, H1 are considered as noneffective and grades H2, H3 as effective. Of 42 patients, 10 were H0, 21 H1, 8 H2 and 3 H3. The overall effective rate was 26.2% (11/42) which was correlated with the histologic type of carcinoma. Thus, 21.4% (3/14) of WDAC, 18% (2/11) of MDAC, 40% (2/5) of PDAC, 50% (3/6) of MAC and 100% (1/1) of UDC responded well to the treatment, but all SCC and PAC were refractory. It should also be noted that the HPD treatment was effective in patients with tumor infiltrations relatively limited and superficial in the gastric wall, but was unsatisfactory in patients with wider and deeper infiltrations.

Production and Preliminary Characterization of Monoclonal Antibodies against Cationic Peanut Peroxidase

Ten monoclonal antibodies (McAbs) have been produced against the cationic peroxidase from peanut suspension cell culture. Eight of these antibodies were found to be of the immunoglobulin (Ig)G(1) subclass and two were of IgA subclass. A combination of competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting analysis, and direct antigen-binding assay revealed that the antibodies are directed against four different epitopes on the cationic peroxidase and the McAbs can be subdivided into four groups. Only group A inhibits peroxidase activity. Group B and D bind equally well to the native and the denatured form of cationic peroxidase, whereas the remaining McAbs react with more or less reduced affinity to the denatured antigen. Group C probably recognizes a conformation-dependent epitope. All the McAbs cross react weakly with the anionic peanut peroxidase, suggesting a structural nonidentity as well as some similarity between these two peroxidase isozymes. Cross reactivities of these McAbs with peroxidases of various plant species were also demonstrated.

The enhancer sequence of human hepatitis B virus can enhance the activity of its surface gene promoter

The transcriptional enhancer sequence has recently been demonstrated in the hepatitis B viral genome. This enhancer sequence has also been shown to increase the activity of HBcAg gene promoter. Using the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression system, we demonstrated that the intrinsic promoter activity of HBsAg gene promoter was stronger than that of HBcAg gene promoter in both human hepatoma cell lines, Hep3B and HuH-7. Furthermore, we showed that the HBV enhancer sequence not only stimulated the HBcAg gene promoter activity, but also stimulated the HBsAg gene promoter activity in both Hep3B and HuH-7 cells. The enhancer sequence increased the HBsAg gene promoter activity 20-fold in both Hep3B and HuH-7 cell lines, while the increase of the HBcAg gene promoter was 2- and 8-fold in Hep3B and HuH-7 cells, respectively.

Clinical superiority of a new nonionic contrast agent (iopamidol) for cardiac angiography

The hemodynamic and electrophysiologic alterations induced by ionic contrast agents during cardiac angiography are well described. Recently nonionic contrast agents have become available for cardiac angiography. To evaluate the safety of these new agents, a double-blind randomized study was performed comparing a new nonionic agent (iopamidol) with a commonly used ionic contrast agent (Renografin-76). Eighty-one patients undergoing left ventriculography and coronary angiography were included; 41 received iopamidol and 40 received sodium meglumine diatrizoate (Renografin-76). After left ventriculography, there was a decrease in the arterial pressure with both contrast agents. However, the severity and the duration of hypotension were both significantly greater with Renografin-76 compared with the new nonionic agent (p less than 0.001). After selective injections of the coronary arteries, electrocardiographic analysis demonstrated that the increase in the QT interval (p less than 0.0002) and the changes in both the ST segment and T wave amplitude (p less than 0.001) were significantly greater in the Renografin-76 group compared with the iopamidol group. During coronary angiography, 8 of the 40 patients receiving Renografin-76 required temporary pacing for sinus pauses of 2.5 seconds or more, and 2 of the 40 also developed ventricular fibrillation. None of the 41 patients receiving iopamidol had these complications. This report demonstrates that the electrocardiographic changes, the severity and duration of hypotension and the incidence of serious arrhythmias are significantly greater with Renografin-76 than with iopamidol. Thus, this new nonionic agent appears to enhance the safety of cardiac angiography.

Long-term follow-up of solitary hemangioma of the choroid

Three cases of solitary hemangioma of the choroid are reported. One patient, followed for 22 years, was untreated, and the natural course was chronic and progressive. Although the tumor itself did not enlarge markedly, the serous detachment of the retina was extensive. Cystoid degeneration and deterioration of visual acuity was the final result. Two patients were treated with argon green laser and then followed for eight years and one year, respectively. Laser photocoagulation is the method of choice. Clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis are discussed. Early diagnosis and early treatment are important for preserving vision in an eye affected with hemangioma of the choroid.

Immunologic characterization of a granulocytic leukemia of inbred strain 13 guinea pigs: presence of Ia-positive myeloblasts

Membrane markers expressed by a transplantable granulocytic leukemia induced in inbred strain 13 guinea pigs by N-nitroso-N-butylurea have been investigated by serologic and immunochemical methods. Although the leukemic myeloblasts have no detectable surface immunoglobulin or Fc receptors, they have been found to synthesize and express membrane antigens encoded for by the I-region of the major histocompatibility complex. Despite the presence of Ia antigens, these cells do not stimulate allogeneic T lymphocytes in the mixed lymphocyte reaction nor are they able to present soluble antigen to immune T cells. The presence of Ia antigens on immature myeloid cells suggests that these proteins may be important in cellular functions beyond those identified in the cellular immune system.

Serotherapy of avian reticuloendotheliosis virus-induced tumors

Immune serum, obtained from animals that had survived sublethal challenge with RE virus, was very effective in achieving tumor cures in chickens infected with this virus. The therapeutic effect could also be obtained by the immunoglobulin fraction of immune serum. The serum did not influence the development of an unrelated malignancy. Serotherapy studies in Bx and Tx recipients indicate that the B-cell or T-cell system of the host does not significantly contribute to the curative activity of immune serum. Absorption studies show that the curative effect is mediated by antibodies to tumor-associated transplantation antigens on tumor cells, not by antiviral antibodies.

New thermooptical measurement method and a comparison with other methods

A simple and sensitive method of measuring the thermally induced index changes arising from absorption of a laser beam in a low-loss material is described. The sample is placed outside the laser cavity, but at the position of minimum radius of curvature of the wavefront, which is a confocal distance behind the waist. It is estimated that the method is sensitive enough to measure absorption coefficients of the order of 5 x 10(_6) cm(_1) and it is shown experimentally to have good accuracy on low-loss materials. A detailed comparison of sensitivity and accuracy estimates is given for the various published thermal-lens methods for measuring low absorption coefficients.Although the method is illustrated for the thermal effect, it is applicable to other nonlinear index changes induced by laser beams.