[Results of radiation therapy of nasopharyngeal cancer]

The results of irradiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in 49 patients treated at the Department of Radiology, Jikei University of Medicine, between 1968 and 1981 are reviewed. The CR rate increased in proportion to increased dosage, especially in well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. The five-year cumulative survival rate was 40% in all stages. Severe late radiation injury occurred in two patients.

Abnormally large placenta associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

A 37-year-old G1-P1 was diagnosed by ultrasonography at 26 weeks of gestation as having an abnormally large placenta with hemangiomas and a fetus associated with exomphalos. Placental protein 5 levels were relatively high in placental protein levels in maternal serum. The infant, delivered by cesarean section at 34 weeks, had the typical clinical features associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. The abnormally large placenta weighed 1,492 g, measured 25 X 25 X 5.1 cm, and featured multiple hemangiomas. Microscopic placental features included edematous villi, increased fibrin deposition, intervillous thrombi, and multiple angiomatous and cellular chorangiomas.

Formation of varicella-zoster virus antigens in infected Vero cells

The formation of varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus-associated antigens was studied in V-Z virus-infected Vero cells by means of indirect immunofluorescence. Early antigen (EA) was first detected inside V-Z virus-infected Vero cells 4 to 6 hr after infection, whereas surface membrane antigen (SMA) was expressed on the outer surface of infected cells 2 to 3 hr later than EA, and intranuclear late antigen (LA) was detected several hours later than SMA antigen. EA expression was not inhibited by cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C) treatment, whereas LA formation was completely blocked by Ara-C. The presence of two components of SMA early SMA (ESMA) and late SMA (LSMA), was suggested by this difference in susceptibility to Ara-C. The formation of all viral antigens, EA, SMA, and LA, was blocked by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis.

Cytological and histopathological studies of otitis media with effusion

Middle ear fluid contains such cells as neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes. There have been numerous reports dealing with these cellular components in the fluid. This study was undertaken to investigate interrelation between the type of predominant cells in the fluid and the stage of disease in adults and children. The study also included bacterial isolation from fluid for comparison of detection rates between adults and children, and microscopic examination of temporal bone from 2 adult patients with otitis media with effusion complicating tumors of head and neck. Thirty-two ears of adult patients and 40 ears of children both having received myringotomy were studied. The fluid specimens were obtained from middle ears examined microscopically with May-Giemsa stain and with alpha-Naphthyl butyrate esterase and Naphtohol AS-D chloroacetate double stains for identification of macrophages. Histopathological studies of the temporal bone were examined with hematoxylineosin stain. In adults, neutrophils were predominant in the fluid of 54.5% of subacute cases while the predominant cell type was macrophages in 45% of chronic cases. Neutrophils were the predominant type in 62.2% of children with chronic stage. Bacteria were demonstrated in 26.0% of the adult cases and in 21.6% of the children. By histopathological examination of the temporal bones, neutrophils were found in the fluid of case 1, and a large number of macrophages in the fluid and fibrosis of the tympanic cavity were found in case 2.

Circulating levels of placental protein 5 in normal and abnormal pregnancies

Serum concentrations of PP5 were measured by radioimmunoassay in 219 women with normal pregnancies and 163 women whose pregnancies were complicated. PP5 in serum disappeared rapidly after delivery, with a half-life of 5-10 min in the first 10 min. Serum PP5 levels were higher in uterine than in antecubital venous blood. In normal pregnancies, PP5 was detectable at 7-8 weeks of gestation; its mean concentration rose gradually to a maximum of 17.8 +/- 10.2 ng/ml at 34-35 weeks of gestation. Elevated serum PP5 concentrations were noted in patients whose pregnancies were complicated by toxemia of pregnancy with appropriate-for-date baby or by twin pregnancy. Low serum PP5 concentrations tended to be found in patients whose pregnancies were complicated by abortion, intrauterine fetal death, and hydatidiform mole. Marked abnormal PP5 levels were not found in patients with maternal diabetes and placenta previa. These findings suggest that the assay of serum PP5 concentrations can be a useful parameter in determining the prognosis of abnormal pregnancies.

Effects of calcium antagonists, especially nifedipine, on variant angina, resting angina, and unstable angina

The effects of drugs were evaluated in 47 cases with variant angina (VA), 19 with resting angina showing ST depression (RA), and 84 with unstable angina (UA). In VA patients, calcium antagonists were effective in 87.1% of the cases, while other drugs were effective in 56.3%. The difference was statistically significant. In RA patients, calcium antagonists were effective in 80.0% of the cases and other drugs in 44.4%. Nifedipine was effective in all 5 cases with coronary stenosis of more than 75.0%. All cases of RA had multiple vessel disease and nifedipine was effective in 80.0% of the patients. Nifedipine was effective in 83.3% of VA cases showing ST elevation during an exercise test, and was particularly effective in all patients having attacks only at rest. The effects of nifedipine were confirmed in 83.3% of UA cases. These results indicate that calcium antagonists are effective in VA, RA, and UA.

Concentrations of SP1 and beta-hCG in serum and cerebrospinal fluid and concentrations of hCG in urine in patients with trophoblastic tumour

Using immunological techniques urinary hCG, pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein (SP1) and beta-subunit of hCG (beta-hCG) levels were measured in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with trophoblastic tumours. After removal of hydatidiform moles, urinary hCG, beta-hCG and SP1 levels were similar, but SP1 levels tended to exceed serum beta-hCG levels. SP1 usually disappeared first. In patients with metastatic choriocarcinoma, SP1 levels appeared to be lower than beta-hCG values in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, but urinary hCG, beta-hCG and SP1 concentrations all decreased during chemotherapy. Measurements of SP1 levels may well be useful in the monitoring of patients being treated for trophoblastic tumours.

A single serum dilution method for the quantitation of neutralizing antibodies to varicella-zoster virus

A one-point serum dilution method for determination of neutralizing antibody in human sera to varicella-zoster (V-Z) virus instead of the serial serum dilution method was investigated. Focus counting was performed under a microscope on day 5 to 6 after inoculation of V-Z virus into 6-well plastic trays in which human embryonic lung cells were grown. A table was constructed to estimate the ND50 titers by the per cent reduction of the focus count from the control at only one dilution of test sera. The estimated ND50 values agreed well with those determined by the serial serum dilution method. Test sera showed a slight nonspecific reactivity at low serum dilutions, but reliable results could usually be obtained at a serum dilution of 1:8 or more. This method, which saves materials and labor, was applied to the quantification of neutralizing antibody against V-Z virus in human sera with satisfactory accuracy and reproducibility.

Radioimmunoassay of hCG as an early diagnosis of cerebral metastases in choriocarcinoma patients

To determine the early cerebral involvement of choriocarcinoma, the following studies were employed. By comparing hCG titers in measurements of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hCG-beta through radioimmunoassay (RIA), serum/CSF ratios of titers were calculated in patients with normal pregnancies and in those with trophoblastic neoplasia. In normal pregnancies, the mean ratio of serum/CSF hCG was more than 45.5 +/- 6.0 (mean +/- SEM):1. In neoplasia without metastases to the brain, the ratio was more than 41.0:1. However, 2 patients with cerebral choriocarcinoma showed low ratios of 23.0:1 and 20.9:1, respectively. This suggests that determination of the beta-hCG concentration ratio of serum to CSF using RIA might give a more reliable evaluation for the early detection of choriocarcinoma metastasized to the brain.

Purification and some properties of deoxyribonuclease whose synthesis is controlled by gene 49 of bacteriophage T4

An enzyme which specifically cleaves very-fast-sedimenting DNA of bacteriophage T4 is synthesized after infection of T4, and its synthesis is controlled by gene 49 [1,2]. This enzyme has been proved to be a DNase [2]. We have purified this DNase 3000-fold from extracts of E. coli infected with T4. The purified preparation was practically free from other DNases, and the DNase activity was not detectable in cells infected with a mutant defective in gene 49. The enzyme activity from cells infected with a temperature-sensitive mutant of gene 49 was also temperature-sensitive, suggesting strongly that gene 49 is a structural gene of the DNase. The molecular weight of the wild-type enzyme was estimated to be 50 x 10(3) by gel filtration chromatography. The purified DNase did not cleave native and denatured DNAs of T3 and T4, but cleaved renatured T3 DNA with enzymatically fragmented T3 DNA, indicating that gaps in the DNA duplex are structures susceptible to the DNase. Cleavage of the hybridized T3 DNA occurred when the fragmented DNA was phosphorylated at either the 3' or 5'-strand termini.

Angiographic measurement of posterior fossa in the Japanese

Measurement employing the concept of the centroid is the most accurate way to study the radiographic anatomy of the posterior fossa. The normal measurements in Japanese subjects and as reported by Ross and du Boulay correlated well. We have developed a new radiographic centroid based on the morbid anatomy of the posterior fossa. The normal measurement in the Japanese by this method is also presented.

A new enzymatic method for determination of serum choline-containing phospholipids

A new enzymatic method is presented for the determination of serum choline-containing phospholipids with a combined enzymatic method using phospholipase D (from Streptomyces species), choline oxidase (from Arthrobacter species) and peroxidase. The method is reproducible, and the results correlate well with those obtained by the conventional digestion method (Hoeflmayr, J. and Fried, R. (1966) Med. Ernaehr. 7, 9-10). The method affords better specificity, requires a smaller quantity of the sample and shorter time than those previously reported, and has excellent precision.

A method for incorporating labeled lacithin into serum low density lipoproteins in vitro

A sonicated dispersion of [14C]lecithin was incubated with high density lipoproteins (HDL) coupled to Sepharose. After washing the gels thoroughly with a buffer, the gels were incubated with low density lipoproteins (LDL); [14C]lecithin was transferred from the sonicated dispersion via HDL-Sepharose to the LDL. The LDL fraction thus prepared showed no contamination with lecithin dispersion or HDL. The lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) reaction could be completely inhibited during preparation, and the net recovery of radioactivity in LDL was 16% of that of the original lecithin dispersion. The [14C]lecithin in the washed HDL-Sepharose was shown to be a substrate of the LCAT reaction in vitro.

Serum gonadotropin levels in Japanese women

Plasma gonadotropin levels throughout the regular menstrual cycle in 10 Japanese women were measured daily using radioimmunoassay. At the peak of ovulation, mean FSH levels were 17.6 +/- 7.9 mlU/ml and mean LH levels were 75.2 +/- 26.0 mlU/ml. At midcycle, the mean gonadotropin levels were significantly lower in Japanese women than in Nigerian women who, as reported by Nylander (1973), had a high frequency of twinning. It is, therefore, suggested that the low frequency of dizygotic twinning in Japanese women might be related to their low output of gonadotropin.

Hormonal requirements for the maintenance of luteal function in hypophysectomized, pseudopregnant rats

Pseudopregnant rats with traumatized uteri were hypophysectomized on day 6 and injected with various hormones over the next 4 days. Luteal function was assessed on day 10 of pseudopregnancy by weighing deciduomata and determining luteal and plasma levels of progesterone by a competitive protein-binding assay. Daily treatment with 0·25 mg prolactin restored plasma and luteal levels to the values of intact pseudopregnant animals; however, the deciduomata weighed only 55% of control values. Combining oestrone with prolactin restored deciduomata weight to control values without affecting peripheral progesterone levels.

Either 200 μg of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or 5 μg luteinizing hormone (LH) could be substituted for oestrone, in conjunction with prolactin, to increase deciduomata weight to control values. Moreover, the combination of prolactin with FSH or LH significantly increased peripheral plasma levels of progesterone beyond the effects of prolactin alone. Higher doses of LH were luteolytic as shown by decreased deciduomata weight and considerable variation in plasma and luteal values of progesterone. LH given alone — either in saline or polyvinyl pyrrolidine — failed to maintain any of the parameters of luteal activity mentioned above.

The results reaffirm the primacy of prolactin in vivo as the principal luteotrophic hormone of the rat and indicate that selected doses of LH or FSH play an additive role in further increasing peripheral levels of progesterone.