Differential sensitivity of functional subsets of T cells to the cytotoxicity of natural T-lymphocytotoxic autoantibody of systemic lupus erythematosus

A naturally occurring T-lymphocytotoxic autoantibody (Hu-NTA) in serum from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) showed a differential cytotoxic effect on functionally different T cell subsets as did natural thymocytotoxic autoantibody (NTA) of NZB mice. When the normal peripheral blood lymphocytes were treated, in the presence of complement, with Hu-NTA at a dilution that eliminated 25 to 30% of Hu-NTA-sensitive T cells, there was a marked reduction or a total depletion in the ability of resultant cells to show Con A-activated suppression on the proliferative response of responder cells in mixed lymphocyte reaction. The treatment of PBL in the same manner also resulted in a marked reduction in its responsiveness to Con A and PHA. However, the responder cells to allogeneic stimulator cells in MLR were found to be much more resistant to the cytotoxicity of Hu-NTA than other functional T cell subsets tested. These results suggest that Hu-NTA is responsible for the selective loss of certain functional T cell subsets including suppressor T cells in patients with SLE.

Estimation of urinary kininogenase activity using bovine serum low molecular weight kininogen

Estimation of urinary kininogenase activity by radioimmunoassay of generated kinin was studied. Bovine serum low molecular weight kininogen was proved not to cross-react with kallidin antibody and also bradykinin antibody. This kininogen was used as substrate measuring urinary kininogenase activity. Separation of released kinin from the kininogen was not required in the present method. Urinary kallikrein activity was found to be significantly decreased in essential hypertension, in chronic glomerulonephritis and in patients who had received renal transplantation. On the contrary, an increase in urinary kallikrein was found in primary aldosteronism and in Bartter's syndrome. The present method was very useful for measuring kininogenase activity.

[Deep Sylvian psammomeningioma, report of a case (author's transl)]

The authors reported a case of 31-year-old female who had episodes of fainting attack. She had no significant neurological deficit but had EEG abnormality. Carotid angiography showed a tumor stain, ca. 1.7 cm in diameter, near the right insula. CT scan also revealed a high density area at the same site. At the time of operation, a small tumor located deeply in the right sylvian fissure was found out and successfully removed. Histologically, this tumor was diagnosed as a meningioma having some typical psammomatous features. This type of meningioma, named as deep sylvian psammomeningioma dy Cushing and Eisenhardt, is extremely rare; we could found only 19 cases in the literature.

Dose-related response of mouse mamma to some phenothiazine drugs

The dose-related response of the mammary growth was studied in immature ICR-JCL female mice given 0.03 micrograms of estradiol per animal subcutaneously, and 0.005-1.0mg of either of the following phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, levometh iomeprazine, promethazine, perphenazine, thioridazine and propericiazine) per 10g of body weight was given orally once a day for 9 days starting on the 5th day after ovariectomy. The right second mamma of the chest was used to compare the hypertrophic affects. All the phenothiazines used produced mammary growth in the intensity sequence of thioridazine greater than chlorpromazine greater than promethazine greater than propericiazine greater than perphenazine greater than levomethiomeprazine. An optimal dose of each of the phenothiazines required to produce the maximum hypetrophy of the mammary gland was examined. From the results obtained, the relationship between the side-chain moiety of the compounds and the mammary growth activity could not be revealed.

Surgical treatment of annuloaortic estasia: experience in 7 consecutive patients

Seven patients with annuloaortic ectasia were treated according to the method described by Bentall and De Bono. A Björk-Shiley valve in a composite graft was the prosthesis of choice and was used in all patients except 1, who received a Starr-Edwards valve. Profound topical cooling without selective coronary perfusion was applied in 5 patients for myocardial preservation during aortic occlusion. The was 1 operative death and 1 late death, the latter from cerebral thromboembolism. Five survivors have been followed from 1 year 5 months to 2 years 10 months with an average follow-up of 2 years. Excellent results were obtained in all survivors, their physical capabilities putting them in Class I of the New York Heart Association Functional Classification. Postoperative aortograms showed no signs of kinking or compression of vascular prostheses nor abnormalities of prosthetic calves. A modified technique to secure graft fixation is discussed.

Blood flow and pressure measurements of right coronary artery to left ventricle fistula

A case of a dilated and tortuous right coronary artery to left ventricle fistula was surgically repaired. Preoperative intracoronary pressure measurements showed a sudden depression of diastolic pressure in the terminal part of the right coronary artery. Intraoperative mean right coronary flow was recorded as 315 ml/min. After repair of the fistula, blood flow measurements showed only 35 ml/min, which suggested that a large amount of blood was stolen by the fistula. Although systolic and diastolic murmurs only were heard in our patient, continuous murmurs have been noticed by some observers. From a study of the preoperative physical findings, intraoperative coronary flow measurements, and other operative findings, the genesis of heart murmurs relating to this type of anomaly is discussed.

Production of several substances by medullary carcinoma of the thyroid

Two patients with the typical morphology of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid are reported. Biochemical analysis of the tumor tissue demonstrated the presence of calcitonin, ACTH and MSH, although symptoms referable to these hormones were hardly manifested. Serum CEA levels were elevated and CEA immunofluorescences in the tumor cells were positive. Moreover, in one patient, serotonin concentration was raised in the tumor tissue, and gastrin level was also elevated in the peripheral blood. These results suggest that the tumors may produce several substances.