A case of sarcoidosis associated with bronchial asthma

A 54-year-old woman was treated for bronchial asthma for 14 yr. In March of 1989, chest roentgenography and computed tomography (CT) revealed development of bilateral pulmonary hilar lymph node enlargement. Positive 67Ga uptake was observed in bilateral pulmonary hili. Although levels of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and lysozyme were within normal range, biopsy specimen of scalene lymph nodes showed noncaseating epitheloid-cell granuloma, leading to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Steroid therapy ameliorated both sarcoidosis and bronchial asthma. Although the association of sarcoidosis and bronchial asthma is uncommon, there may be an etiological relationship between them.

Postpneumonectomy space control with SF6

Four cases of patients whose postpneumonectomy spaces had been controlled with SF6 were examined at autopsy, which showed that the spaces were entirely covered with thickening parietal pleura and that the mediastinum had moderate elasticity. Histologically, fibrotic changes with minimum inflammation patterns were seen in the pleura. We consider that mediastinal elasticity becomes a factor in improving pulmonary function and the above observations confirmed that SF6 prevents the proliferative reaction of postpneumonectomy spaces without any toxicity.

Effects of interferon on intrahepatic human leukocyte antigens and lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic hepatitis B and C

We investigated the effects of interferon therapy on hepatocyte human leukocyte antigen class I and class II antigen expression and intrahepatic lymphocyte subsets in patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (n = 11) and C (n = 10). Interferon-alpha was administered intramuscularly in doses ranging from 3 to 18 million international units daily for 4 wk. Liver biopsy specimens were obtained just before and immediately after treatment, and the specimens were stained by the indirect immunoperoxidase method for evaluation of human leukocyte antigen expression and lymphocyte subsets. Before therapy, no significant difference was noted between hepatitis B and C in human leukocyte antigen class I antigen expression on hepatocytes or in the lymphocyte subsets in the intralobular and portal areas. After interferon-alpha treatment, hepatocyte expression of human leukocyte antigen class I antigens and serum beta 2-microglobulin levels were virtually unchanged in chronic viral hepatitis C patients, but both were increased in chronic viral hepatitis B patients. Human leukocyte antigen class II antigens were not expressed during treatment. The mean number of intralobular CD3+ and CD8+ cells and the mean serum ALT level decreased significantly in chronic viral hepatitis C patients (p less than 0.05) but not in chronic viral hepatitis B patients. The mean number of intralobular CD4+ cells was unaffected by interferon therapy in both groups. In all 21 patients, the changes in CD8+ cell numbers paralleled the changes in serum ALT levels. Our findings suggest that T-cell cytotoxicity may play an important role in hepatocyte damage in both chronic viral hepatitis C and chronic viral hepatitis B and that the response to interferon-alpha differs in these two types of hepatitis.

Significance of antibody to hepatitis C virus in Japanese patients with viral hepatitis: relationship between anti-HCV antibody and the prognosis of non-A, non-B post-transfusion hepatitis

In a retrospective study, antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV antibody) was measured in 80 patients with acute viral hepatitis (type A, 18; type B, 21; type non-A,non-B, 41). Anti-HCV antibody was found in 12 of 20 patients (60%) with non-A,non-B post-transfusion hepatitis (NANB-PTH) and in 9 of 21 patients (43%) with sporadic NANB hepatitis (NANB-SPO). Patients with acute hepatitis type A or type B did not have anti-HCV antibody. The number of patients who developed chronic hepatitis was greater in the group with anti-HCV antibody than in the anti-HCV negative group in both NANB-PTH and NANB-SPO. The difference was significant in those with NANB-PTH (P less than 0.05). To investigate the relationship between the long-term prognosis of NANB-PTH and the course of anti-HCV, we studied anti-HCV antibody in 12 patients who developed chronic type C hepatitis (C-CH) after PTH and followed them for more than 5 years after the development of PTH. One year after the development of PTH, all 12 had anti-HCV antibody. Five lost anti-HCV antibody (group 1) while 7 remained positive (group 2) at the final examination. Four of the 5 patients in group 1 had normal serum transaminases; however, abnormal transaminase persisted in all 7 patients in group 2 until the end of follow-up (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Mediastinal ganglioneuroma with the secretive activity of catecholamines, visualized by 131-I-MIBG scintigraphy]

A 6-year-old girl with mediastinal ganglioneuroma was reported. Preoperative examinations revealed that the tumor had both secretive activity of catecholamine and uptake of 131-I-MIBG. Clinical symptom was only supraventricular premature beat on ECG. The tumor, which was located at the left upper mediastinum, was well encapsulated. Total surgical removal was accomplished. Subsequently serum and urine levels of catecholamine were normalized. Detailed histological examination of the tumor revealed benign ganglioneuroma. No blastic change was recognized. We postulate that secretive activity of catecholamine and uptake of 131-I-MIBG cannot suggest malignancy necessarily.

Constitutive production of novel macrophage-activating factor(s) by human T cell hybridomas

Human T cell hybridomas were constructed by somatic cell fusion in order to dissect molecular heterogeneity of human macrophage activating-factors (MAF). Two stable human hybridoma supernatants contained MAF activity capable of inducing human monocytes tumoricidal without the help of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These supernatants in the presence of LPS could also render mouse macrophages tumoricidal. In contrast, recombinant and natural human interferon-gamma (Hu-IFN-gamma) activated human monocytes, but not mouse peritoneal macrophages. The supernatants from the two clones could neither support the growth of human-granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor/human-interleukin-4-dependent (Hu-GM-CSF/Hu-IL-4) cell lines, such as AML 193 and TALL-101, nor stimulate the proliferation of human-interleukin-2-dependent human cell line and lectin-stimulated lymphoblast, which are responsive to human-interleukin-2 and human-interleukin-4. Rabbit or murine antibodies against human-interferon-gamma (Hu-IFN), human-granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, human interleukin-1 alpha, human-interleukin-1 beta, human-interleukin-6, human-tumour necrosis factor (Hu-TNF), human-lymphotoxin and human-macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Hu-MIF) could not absorb MAF activity. MAF activity in the hybridoma supernatants is associated with the two polypeptides of molecular weights of 70,000-80,000 and 20,000-30,000 daltons, as determined by gel filtration. These results indicate decisively that novel MAF molecule(s) is secreted by human T cell hybridomas.

Interrelationship of blood transfusion, non-A, non-B hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma: analysis by detection of antibody to hepatitis C virus

To clarify the relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma as sequelae of non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis, 231 patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis (96 with chronic hepatitis, 81 with cirrhosis and 54 with hepatocellular carcinoma) were analyzed for antibody to hepatitis C virus and were compared with 125 patients with chronic hepatitis B (50 with chronic hepatitis, 46 with cirrhosis and 29 with hepatocellular carcinoma). Antibody to hepatitis C virus was detected in 89.6%, 86.4% and 94.4% of patients with non-A, non-B hepatitis-related chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively, compared with 6%, 17.4% and 34.5% with similar diseases related to hepatitis B. A history of transfusion was documented in 52%, 33% and 42% of anti-hepatitis C virus-positive cases of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The mean intervals between the date of transfusion and the date of diagnosis of anti-hepatitis C virus-positive chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were 10, 21.2 and 29 yr, respectively. In 21 patients with transfusion-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, anti-hepatitis C virus was present in each serial sample available for testing, including samples obtained up to 14 yr before the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. These data suggest the slow, sequential progression from acute hepatitis C virus-related non-A, non-B hepatitis through chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis to hepatocellular carcinoma and support a causal association between hepatitis C virus and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Isolation and characterization of a tumor-derived human protein related to chromogranin A and its in vitro conversion to human pancreastatin-48

A protein with pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity has been isolated and purified from liver metastasis of a patient with insulinoma. NH2-terminal residue analysis, in conjunction with the use of antibodies that are specific for the C-terminal amide peptide of porcine pancreastatin, identified this protein as a 186-amino-acid protein corresponding to human chromogranin A-116-301 (the fragment corresponding to the positions from 116 to 301 of human chromogranin A). Digestion of this protein with trypsin yielded a 48-amino-acid peptide with the retention of full pancreastatin activity. Serum from patient with insulinoma contains a peptide specie(s) that comigrates with the 48-amino-acid pancreastatin, suggesting that this peptide might be a physiologically important circulation form of pancreastatin in humans. A sensitive radioimmunoassay was established using antibody developed against a synthetic 29-amino-acid peptide amide of pancreastatin. Immunocytochemical staining revealed that a major population of human pancreatic islet cells were immunoreactive to the antiserum but with varying intensity of staining. Pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity was not observed in exocrine acinar cells.

Cystic pulmonary hamartoma

A case of cystic pulmonary hamartoma is reported and the literature is reviewed. According to the literature, only 6 well-documented cases have been previously reported, and all the patients including our patient fared well after operation.

[A surgical case report of acute pyogenic pericarditis in a 9-month infant]

A surgical case of acute pyogenic pericarditis in a 9-month old infant who developed pericardial tamponade rapidly is reported. An anterior pericardiectomy through a left lateral thoracotomy was performed. The baby subsequently made an uncomplicated recovery and was discharged on the 16th postoperative day.

[Study on cefotaxime in respiratory surgery: transfer to lung tissue and kinetics in serum]

Cefotaxime (CTX) was intravenously administered in a dose of 1 g to patients just prior to lung surgery. Lung tissue specimens were collected at 1, 2 and 3 hours after the CTX administration, and the concentration of CTX in each specimen was determined. At the same time, the concentration of CTX in the serum was also measured. The results are summarized below. 1. Determination of the CTX concentration in the lung tissue using bioassay showed values of 3.78 +/- 1.93 micrograms/g at 1 hour after CTX administration, 1.91 +/- 0.92 microgram/g at 2 hours, and 1.19 +/- 1.04 micrograms/g at 3 hours. 2. Determination of the CTX concentration in the serum using bioassay showed values of 36.9 +/- 14.4 micrograms/ml at 30 minutes after CTX administration, 22.5 +/- 10.5 micrograms/ml at 1 hour, 12.8 +/- 6.32 micrograms/ml at 2 hours, 8.52 +/- 5.54 micrograms/ml at 3 hours, and 3.98 +/- 3.19 micrograms/ml at 6 hours. The serum half-life was calculated to be 1.82 hours. 3. The CTX concentration of 3.78 +/- 1.93 micrograms/g in the lung tissue at 1 hour after CTX administration was more than 10 times higher than the MIC80 values for Streptococcus pneumoniae (MIC80 less than or equal to 0.025 microgram/ml) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (0.05 micrograms/ml), 2 of the principal causative organisms of respiratory tract infections. The pattern of change in concentrations of CTX in the serum of these surgical patients was concluded to be similar to the pattern in healthy adult subjects. On the basis of the results summarized above, it appears that CTX is a useful antimicrobial agent for application in the field of respiratory surgery.

Isolation and characterization of a tumor-derived human pancreastatin-related protein

A protein with pancreastatin-like immunoreactivity has been isolated and purified from liver metastasis of a patient with insulinoma. NH2-terminal sequence analysis in conjunction with the use of antibodies specific for the C-terminal structure of pancreastatin identified this protein as a 186-amino acid residue protein corresponding to human chromogranin A-116-301. Using a sensitive radioimmunoassay it was found that serum from the patient with insulinoma contains two peptide species; one comigrates with the 186-amino acid residue pancreastatin and the other the 48-residue pancreastatin.

Synergistic regulatory effects of interleukin 6 and interleukin 1 on the growth and differentiation of human and mouse myeloid leukemic cell lines

We analyzed the effect of recombinant human interleukin 6 (IL-6), in combination with human recombinant interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), on the growth and differentiation of several human and mouse myeloid leukemic cell lines, specifically U937, HL-60, M1, and its subclone M1-3b-N, into macrophage-like cells. IL-6 and IL-1 inhibited the growth of U937, M1, and M1-3b-N in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of these cells with both IL-6 and IL-1 resulted in either an additive or a synergistic growth inhibition. IL-6 alone induced moderate differentiation of U937 and M1-3b-N, but the combination of IL-6 and IL-1 synergistically augmented this differentiation. In M1, only the combination of IL-1 and IL-6 resulted in differentiation. These two cytokines, whether alone or in combination, did not influence the growth and differentiation of HL-60. Therefore IL-6 in conjunction with IL-1 can induce differentiation in several human and mouse myeloid leukemic cell lines, although this effect varies with cell type. IL-6 did not stimulate the expression of IL-1 mRNA or IL-1 activity in U937 cells. IL-1 also failed to stimulate IL-6 production. Furthermore, the differentiation of U937 cells induced by IL-6 was not neutralized by antibody against either IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta. The minimal differentiative effect of IL-1 was not affected by anti-IL-6 antibody. Therefore IL-6 and IL-1 appear to provide distinct signals for differentiation.

Monoclonal antibodies that specifically inhibit GM-CSF- and IL-3-dependent growth of human monocytic leukemia cells

We describe monoclonal antibodies (mAbs: anti-MaG-1, TGI-1, TGI-5, and TGI-6) that block the proliferation of AML-193 cells in response to GM-CSF or IL-3 and do not affect the proliferation of AML-193 cells in response to G-CSF and IL-2-driven proliferation of Kit 225 cells. However, none of the mAbs tested had any stimulative effect on the proliferation of AML-193 cells. The mAbs (anti-MaG-1, TGI-1, -5, and -6) could inhibit the binding of [125I]GM-CSF to AML-193 cells. We were able to purify MaG-1 Ag by anti-MaG-1 affinity chromatography. Thus, the MaG-1 Ag and the Ags recognised by mAbs (TGI-1, -5, and -6) may be associated with the receptor for GM-CSF or IL-3 or a structure close to the receptor for GM-CSF or IL-3.

Mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with defective vacuolar function

Mutants of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that have a small vacuolar lysine pool were isolated and characterized. Mutant KL97 (lys1 slp1-1) and strain KL197-1A (slp1-1), a prototrophic derivative of KL97, did not grow well in synthetic medium supplemented with 10 mM lysine. Genetic studies indicated that the slp1-1 mutation (for small lysine pool) is recessive and is due to a single chromosomal mutation. Mutant KL97 shows the following pleiotropic defects in vacuolar functions. (i) It has small vacuolar pools for lysine, arginine, and histidine. (ii) Its growth is sensitive to lysine, histidine, Ca2+, heavy metal ions, and antibiotics. (iii) It has many small vesicles but no large central vacuole. (iv) It has a normal amount of the vacuolar membrane marker alpha-mannosidase but shows reduced activities of the vacuole sap markers proteinase A, proteinase B, and carboxypeptidase Y.

Dynamic aspects of vacuolar and cytosolic amino acid pools of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

By using the Cu2+ method (Y. Ohsumi, K. Kitamoto, and Y. Anraku, J. Bacteriol. 170:2676-2682, 1988) for differential extraction of the vacuolar and cytosolic amino acid pools from yeast cells, the amino acid compositions of the two pools extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, grown in synthetic medium supplemented with various amino acids, were determined. Histidine and lysine in the medium expanded the vacuolar pool extremely. Glutamate also accumulated in the cells, but mainly in the cytosol. The composition of amino acids in the cytosolic pool was fairly constant, in contrast to that in the vacuolar pool. Cells grown in synthetic medium supplemented with 10 mM arginine accumulated arginine in the vacuoles at a concentration of about 430 mM. This large arginine pool was metabolically active and was effectively utilized during nitrogen starvation. Arginine efflux from the vacuoles was coupled with K+ influx, with an arginine/K+ exchange ratio of 1, as judged by the initial rate. The vacuolar arginine pool was exchangeable with lysine added to the medium and was decreased by treatment of the cells with the mating pheromone, alpha-factor.

Possible infectious causes in 651 patients with acute viral hepatitis during a 10-year period (1976-1985)

Six hundred and fifty-one patients with acute viral hepatitis were identified serologically between January 1976 and December 1985. Of these, 109 (17%) had hepatitis A, 135 (21%) had hepatitis B, and 407 (62%) had hepatitis non-A, non-B. The possible infectious causes for acquisition of viral hepatitis occurring within 6 months before the onset of hepatitis were analysed. Approximately 80% of cases of hepatitis A and 70% of hepatitis B had no known risk factor, while in 67% of cases of hepatitis non-A, non-B possible risk factors for infection were documented. Infectious causes for hepatitis A were ingestion of raw shellfish (11%) and previous familial contact with patients with hepatitis A (10%). For hepatitis B, risk factors included medicare (24%), such as transfusion, surgical operation, accidental needle stick and acupuncture, and sexual contact (6%). For hepatitis non-A, non-B, the most important infectious cause was medical procedures (65%). The numbers of hospital employees were 2 (2%) with hepatitis A, 15 (11%) with hepatitis B and 14 (3%) with hepatitis non-A, non-B. These data suggest that hepatitis non-A, non-B can be a kind of nosocomial disease.

[Statistical analysis of urolithiasis]

During the 13 years from July, 1971 to August, 1984, 1896 patients were diagnosed as urolithiasis at our University Hospital. These cases were retrospectively analyzed. The male to female ratio was 2.4 to 1. The peak age incidence of urinary calculi occurred in the third decade. The ratio of upper urinary tract stones to lower urinary tract stones was 18 to 1. As to the laterality of the upper urinary tract stones, the ratio of left to right was 1.3 to 1. Analysis of the stone components revealed that the frequency ob calcium oxalate mixed with calcium phosphate and pure calcium oxalate was 80 percent and struvite, uric acid & cystinine were 14.1%, 2.6%, 1.6% respectively.

High blood pressure as risk factor in diabetic retinopathy development in NIDDM patients

The correlation between diabetic retinopathy and blood pressure was analyzed in 742 type II diabetic patients. Systolic and pulse blood pressures were significantly higher in the patients with retinopathy than in those without (mean systolic pressure 142 vs. 139 mmHg, P less than .01; mean pulse pressure 60.5 vs. 56.4 mmHg, P less than .001). There was no difference in the diastolic blood pressure between these two groups. The correlation between blood pressure and the components of retinopathy (including microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and exudates) was also analyzed. Even when the patient with microaneurysms or dot hemorrhages, blot hemorrhages, or hard or soft exudates were separately evaluated, systolic and pulse blood pressures were higher in those with one of these diabetic changes than in patients without them. To avoid the influence of nephropathy, the patients were divided into nonproteinuric or proteinuric groups. In the nonproteinuric group, pulse blood pressure was higher in patients with retinopathy than in those without. In the proteinuric group, systolic blood pressure was also higher in patients with retinopathy than in those without. However, these observed differences in blood pressure were slight after the division of the patients. With respect to the components of retinopathy, systolic and pulse blood pressures were significantly higher in the patient with blot hemorrhages than in those without in both nonproteinuric and proteinuric groups (nonproteinuric: systolic pressure 142 vs. 137 mmHg, P less than .005, and pulse pressure 60.4 vs. 55.5 mmHg, P less than .001; proteinuric: systolic pressure 155 vs. 146 mmHg, P less than 0.01, and pulse pressure 69.0 vs. 63.5 mmHg, P less than .05).

Lumbosacral extradural spinal arteriovenous malformation with blood supply from branches of internal iliac arteries

A case of extradural spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is described. The feeding arteries were branches from both internal iliac arteries. The pre-operative diagnosis was confirmed by myelography, selective angiography and plain and enhanced CT. The AVM was demonstrated in the ventrolateral epidural space by CT scan, providing an excellent pre-operative localisation related to dural sac and nerve roots. The clinical signs and symptoms are considered to originate from the venous congestion due to the high venous pressure caused by the AV shunt. The possible predisposing factors are also briefly discussed.

Studies on neurotransmitter markers and neuronal cell density in the cerebellar system in olivopontocerebellar atrophy and cortical cerebellar atrophy

Glutamate, aspartate and gamma-aminobutyrate (GABA) concentrations and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity were measured in postmortem cerebellar cortical areas and brainstem nuclei of 10 normal controls, 5 patients of olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and 2 patients of cortical cerebellar atrophy (CCA). In addition, the neuronal cell density in the cerebellar cortex and the brainstem nuclei was determined, and the correlation between neurotransmitter markers and the neuronal cell densities were investigated. Glutamate and aspartate concentrations in the cerebellar cortical tissues were markedly varied from case to case of MSA (OPCA) and CCA patients. However, glutamate concentration in the anterior vermis showed a positive correlation coefficient with the density of granule cells (r = 0.554, 0.05 less than P less than 0.10) and, those in the posterior vermis and in the cerebellar hemisphere were positively correlated with cells in the inferior olive (r = 0.707 and 0.607, P less than 0.05, respectively). Aspartate concentration in the anterior vermis also has a positive correlation coefficient (r = 0.571, 0.05 less than P less than 0.10) with the density of cells in the inferior olive. GABA concentrations in the dentate nucleus were decreased in all cases of MSA (OPCA) and CCA, and were positively correlated with the degree of loss of Purkinje cells (r = 0.765, P less than 0.01). ChAT activities were decreased in certain cases of MSA (OPCA), but conversely, increased in CCA patients. ChAT activity in the posterior vermis has a positive correlation coefficient (r = 0.613, 0.05 less than P0.10) with the cell density in the pontine nucleus. A possibility of a compensatory increase of ChAT activity in CCA patients was discussed.

Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-type and non-TPA-type tumor promoters in macrophages and its inhibition by cycloheximide

The effects of TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate)-type and non-TPA-type tumor promoters on prostaglandin E2 production by peritoneal macrophages of rats were examined. Among the TPA-type tumor promoters, aplysiatoxin was most potent in stimulating prostaglandin E2 production followed by dihydroteleocidin B, teleocidin, TPA and debromoaplysiatoxin. Prostaglandin E2 production by aplysiatoxin treatment was stimulated at doses up to 0.1 ng/ml. Palytoxin, a non-TPA-type tumor promoter, also stimulated both prostaglandin E2 production and the release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled macrophages. However, the dose required for the expression of these effects by palytoxin was up to 3 pg/ml. It was suggested that the tumor promoters are associated with the activity to stimulate arachidonic acid metabolism, irrespective of their type. Cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, inhibited both prostaglandin E2 production and the release of radioactivity from prelabeled macrophages stimulated either by the TPA-type tumor promoters or by the non-TPA-type tumor promoter. It is possible that the tumor promoters may induce the synthesis of some proteins responsible for the stimulation of arachidonate metabolism.

Diabetic complications and their relationships to risk factors in a Japanese population

The relationship between diabetic complications and age, sex, duration, mode of therapy, body weight, control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and serum triglyceride and cholesterol was analyzed in a population with non-insulin-dependent diabetes in Japan. The prevalences of complications in the subjects varied from 6.5% for cerebrovascular strokes to 85.1% for sclerotic changes in retinal vessels; 35.8% of the patients had diabetic retinopathy and 19.8% had proteinuria. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that control of diabetes (blood glucose, mode of therapy, and duration) was closely correlated with retinopathy and proteinuria. However, blood glucose did not correlate with coronary insufficiency or cerebrovascular strokes. These macrovascular complications were related to aging and blood pressure. The data suggested that not only good glycemic control but also sufficient antihypertensive therapy was necessary for treating diabetic patients. The coefficient of determination of the risk factors was calculated for each diabetic complication. Except for sclerotic changes in retinal vessels, the coefficients were too small to fully explain the development of diabetic complications, especially for macrovascular diseases. The current data suggest that susceptibility of the individual patients to the diabetic complications is an important determinant.

Mouse T lymphocytes proliferative responses specific for human MHC products in mouse anti-human xenogeneic MLR

It has been reported that human T cells recognize the polymorphism of murine Ia antigens in the human anti-mouse xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). In this study, murine T cell recognition of human Class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was analyzed in mouse anti-human xenogeneic MLR responses. The xenoreactive murine T cell proliferative response was blocked by adding anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody to the xenogeneic MLR culture. The specificity of xenoreactive murine T cells was examined with regard to the secondary and tertiary xenogeneic MLR system. The xenoreactive murine T cells were restimulated by distinct human stimulator cells that had no shared HLA antigens with the stimulator used in the primary MLR. The data presented here show that the murine xenoreactive T cells recognize the shared determinant(s) of HLA-DR antigen on non-T, non-B stimulator cells. The xenoreactive murine T cell proliferative responses were mediated by Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, and Lyt-2- cells. Furthermore, the xenoreactive T cell responses required Ia+ cells, and Ia antigen on accessory cells plays a crucial role in eliciting the xenoreactive responses against human stimulator cells, while Ia+ accessory cells in the responding cell population are not essential for the elicitation of allogeneic MLR responses, as reported previously.

Mouse T lymphocytes proliferative responses specific for human MHC products in mouse anti-human xenogeneic MLR

It has been reported that human T cells recognize the polymorphism of murine Ia antigens in the human anti-mouse xenogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions (MLR). In this study, murine T cell recognition of human Class II antigens of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) was analyzed in mouse anti-human xenogeneic MLR responses. The xenoreactive murine T cell proliferative response was blocked by adding anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody to the xenogeneic MLR culture. The specificity of xenoreactive murine T cells was examined with regard to the secondary and tertiary xenogeneic MLR system. The xenoreactive murine T cells were restimulated by distinct human stimulator cells that had no shared HLA antigens with the stimulator used in the primary MLR. The data presented here show that the murine xenoreactive T cells recognize the shared determinant(s) of HLA-DR antigen on non-T, non-B stimulator cells. The xenoreactive murine T cell proliferative responses were mediated by Thy-1+, Lyt-1+, and Lyt-2- cells. Furthermore, the xenoreactive T cell responses required Ia+ cells, and Ia antigen on accessory cells plays a crucial role in eliciting the xenoreactive responses against human stimulator cells, while Ia+ accessory cells in the responding cell population are not essential for the elicitation of allogeneic MLR responses, as reported previously.

Solution synthesis of [ASN76]-human parathyroid hormone (1-84)

Human parathyroid hormone, hPTH(1-84), was synthesized by the conventional solution procedure applying the maximal-protection approach. All protecting groups were removed simultaneously by the HF method. The product was purified by CM-cellulose column chromatography, gel-filtration on Sephadex G-50 and in the final stage, by reversed phase HPLC. The structure of the final product was confirmed not only by HPLC analysis but also by peptide mapping of tryptic digests on HPLC. The present product showed 350(249-480) IU/mg on in vitro rat renal adenylate cyclase assay.

A case of membranous glomerulonephritis in which positive to negative change of hepatitis B e antigen in glomeruli was observed

9-year-old boy suffering from membranous glomerulonephritis (GN) associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was observed. In this case seroconversion from hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) to hepatitis B e antibody (HBeAb) could not be confirmed, but a change from HBeAg positive to negative in the glomeruli was observed, and electron-dense deposits (EDD) became translucent and urinary protein also turned negative. These findings apparently suggest the possibility that membranous GN in this case is closely concerned with the causation and development of HBeAg.

[Safety evaluation of NK 631. Antigenicity, effect on delated hypersensitivity, irritative effect on eye mucous membrane and mutangenicity of pepleomycin (NK 631) (author's transl)]

1. Whether NK 631 is antigenic to guinea pigs and rabbits was studied by the methods of active and passive anaphylactic shock tests, Schultz-Dale reaction, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, Ouchterlony, tanned red cell haemagglutination test and test according to the U.S. Appraisal of the Safety of Chemicals in Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics. However, none of the tests proved NK 631 to be antigenic. 2. The immunosuppressive effect of NK 631 was studied by delayed hypersensitivity to picryl chloride in normal and L-1210 tumor bearing mice. Therapeutic dosis of NK 631 was no immunosuppressed but toxic dosis of NK 631 was slightly decreased in ear thickness of delayed hypersensitivity. 3. The acute irritative effect of NK 631 and of bleomycin was studied by single instillation to the rabbit eye mucous membrane with 0.1 ml of either of 10, 33 and 100 mg/ml solution of the drugs in physiological saline. The irritative effect of NK 631 on the eye mucous membrane at each concentration was slightly severe than that of bleomycin at the same concentration. However, the manifestations were only mild to moderate dilatation of the conjunctival and nictating membrane blood vessels and eye mucous, and recovered or were mitigated 48 hours after the instillation. No severe changes such as corneal opacity, corneal desquamation, swelling and deaquamation of the conjunctival and nictating membrane were observed. The histopathological examination revealed no striking changes. 4. Mutagenicity of NK 631 and of bleomycin on Salmonella typhimurium strain TA 100 and TA 98 was studied. It was definitely shown that neither NK 631 nor bleomycin exerted any mutagenic action on either test strains.

Induction and repair of strand breaks and 3'-hydroxy terminals in the DNA of mouse brain following gamma irradiation

DNA was isolated from mouse brain after in vivo gamma-ray irradiation, treated with endonuclease S1 from Aspergillus oryzae if necessary, and analysed further by alkaline and neutral sucrose gradient centrifugation. In parallel, its template activity was determined by DNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.7, enzyme A of Klenow from Escherichia coli) assay as described previously. Similar experiments were performed with cultured mouse leukaemia cells (L5178Y) irradiated in vitro at 0 degrees C. Irradiation induced single- and double-strand breaks in the DNA of the brain with a yield of 1.0 and 0.1 break per 10(12) dalton per rad (100 eV/break and 770 eV/break), respectively. The yield of single-strand breaks in the brain was lower than that found in the cultured cells, whereas the yield of double-strand breaks was found to be almost the same in both cases. Treatment of irradiated DNA with single-strand-specific S1 endonuclease gave rise to further breaks detected on neutral sucrose gradient analysis. The yield of these breaks was also higher in the brain compared to the cultured cells. The increase per unit dose in the template activity of the DNA from the brain was found to be five times as much as that found in the cultured cells. Then, the average number of deoxyribonucleotides incorporated per break was determined on DNA which had experienced different treatments. The value for the brain DNA irradiated in vivo was found to be five times as much as that found for DNA treated with pancreatic deoxyribonuclease and 10 times as much as those found for DNA from the cultured cells and isolated brain nuclei irradiated in vitro at 0 degrees C. Thus, in vivo irradiation seemed to induce gaps with 3'-OH terminals in addition to simple breaks with or without 3'-OH terminals found in the cultured cells. Radiation-induced single-strand breaks and 3'-OH terminals in the DNA of the brain were repaired following irradiation. Approx. 20--40% of the terminals or breaks induced were, however, remaining at 3 h or more after irradiation, depending on the dose administered.

Difference in pituitary-thyroid feedback regulation in hypothyroid patients, depending on the severity of hypothyroidism

In an attempt to study pituitary-thyroid interplay during replacement therapy for hypothyroidism, T4 (75-150 micrograms/day) was administered for at least 3 months. A small dose of T4 (75 micrograms/day) significantly depressed basal and TRH-stimulated TSH levels in normal subjects without significantly elevating serum T4 and T3 concentrations. In patients with severe hypothyroidism and marked enlargement of the sella turcica, T4 (2.53 micrograms/kg BW) normalized the serum T4 and slightly elevated the serum T3 but failed to normalize basal and TRH-stimulated TSH levels. In patients with moderate hypothyroidism and moderate enlargement of the sella turcica, T4 (2.0 micrograms/kg BW) normalized serum T4, T3, and basal TSH concentrations but failed to normalize TRH-stimulated TSH levels. In patients with slight hypothyroidism and slight enlargement of the sella turcica, T4 (1.84 micrograms/kg BW) normalized serum T4, T3, and TSH (both basal and TRH stimulated) concentrations. In five patients, an apparent paradoxical increase of basal serum TSH level was found shortly after starting thyroid hormone treatment. It is suggested that pituitary-thyroid interplay during the first 3-6 months of replacement therapy for hypothyroidism varies greatly depending on the severity of hypothyroidism.