Tumor degeneration by human embryonic fibroblasts and its enhancement by interferon

KB cells from a human nasopharyngeal tumor were cocultivated with human embryonic fibroblasts (HF 8101 cells); 7 to 14 days after incubation, "spongy degeneration"-like changes developed in the target cell-growing area. These changes developed in other target cells [HeLa cells from human cervical cancer, human hepatoma cells (PLC/PRF/5), and human amnion FL cells] cocultured with several kinds of human embryonic fibroblasts [HF 8101 cells, HF 8103 cells, and HEL cells]; however, HF 8101 cells did not cause degenerative changes in murine L929 cells. The degenerative changes were enhanced by treatment with human leukocyte interferon or human fibroblast interferon at a dose of 1,000 or 10,000 IU/ml, but there was no significant difference in the enhancing effect between human leukocyte and human fibroblast interferons. Mouse L929 interferon did not enhance the degenerative changes in KB cells caused by HF 8101 cells. It was concluded that human fibroblasts caused the degenerative changes in the human tumor cells and the continuous cell line and that the changes were enhanced by treatment with either human leukocyte interferon or human fibroblast interferon.

The double balloon cannula in the treatment of ruptured abdominal aneurysms

Two cases of ruptured abdominal aneurysm were successfully treated, using the double balloon cannula, which was devised in our surgical department. After cross-clamping of the descending thoracic aorta and both common iliac arteries, a small incision was made in the aneurysm and the cannula was inserted through this incision into the lumen of the abdominal aorta and positioned at the proximal end of the aneurysm. Then the double balloon was inflated, blocking the blood flow just above the aneurysm. The aneurysm was incised, and grafting was performed, in the usual manner, in a bloodless surgical field. The double balloon cannula was beneficial not only in preventing massive blood loss during surgery, but also in maintaining the blood supply to various abdominal organs.

Experience with a left gastric venacaval shunt for esophageal varices

A left gastric venacaval shunt for esophageal varices was performed in six patients in attempts to selectively decrease left gastric venous pressure without decreasing portal venous pressure. The left gastric venous pressure decreased from 140-390 mmH2O to 140-200 mmH2O after the left gastric venacaval shunt, while the portal venous pressure remained at 140-370 mmH2O, postoperatively. Even when the portal venous pressure increased up to 320-400 mmH2O with a temporary occlusion of the portal vein, there were no significant changes in the left gastric venous pressure. Five patients are doing well, one to 36 months postoperatively. One patient died of hepatic failure with bleeding on the 21st postoperative day. The left gastric venacaval shunt decreased the incidence of rebleeding and prevented postoperative hepatoencephalopathy and hepatic failure.

Separation of cathepsin D-like proteinase and acid thiol proteinase of squid mantle muscle

When the proteinases of the squid mantle muscle were extracted in the presence of dithiothreitol (DTT), the acid proteinase activity increased, indicating that the squid mantle muscle contains a considerable amount of the acid thiol proteinase. The crude extract hydrolyzed neither alpha-N-benzoyl-D,L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA) nor azocasein, thus refuting the presence of cathepsins B and L in the mantle muscle. The cathepsin D-like proteinase and the acid thiol proteinase were separated by Sephadex A-50 column chromatography. Each of the above partially purified proteinases was able to degrade carp actomyosin at pH 2.5 and 5.0, respectively.

Long-term results of omental transplantation for chronic occlusive arterial diseases

Twenty cases of thromboangitis obliterans (21 limbs) and five cases of atherosclerosis obliterans (five limbs) were treated with omental transplantation. Angiographic findings in these patients showed poor distal run-off, and direct reconstructive surgery was not indicated. Follow-up studies were conducted for an average of five years and one month (3 mos to 9 yrs. and 8 mos.). The long-term follow-up of 19 cases with thromboangitis obliterans (TAO) (20 limbs) revealed excellent results in 62%, good results in 19% and poor results in 19%. The results of the five cases with atherosclerosis obliterans (ASO) (5 limbs) were good in 20% and poor in 80%. Long-term results of omental transplantation show it to be remarkably effective in treating TAO but not ASO.

Extracorporeal circulation with perfluorochemicals (Fluosol-DA)

Experimental studies on extracorporeal circulation (ECC) with perfluorochemicals (Fluosol-DA) as a perfusate was performed to examine oxygen carrying capacity and its organ distribution using eight calves. Approximately 80% of the circulating blood volume was withdrawn before ECC and reinfused after completion of ECC. ECC time was 60 minutes in five of the calves and 120 minutes in three of the calves. Hct and Hb decreased to 4-12% and 1.7-6.6 g/dl during ECC. Fct (Fluorocrit: volume percentage of Fluosol-DA) ranged between 5 and 10%. PaO2 and PvO2 were 432-543 mmHg and 93-164 mmHg. Sixty-seven to 86% of the oxygen consumed by the tissues was delivered by Fluosol-DA. One of the complications of ECC with Fluosol-DA, hemolysis was observed in four of the calves which had a relatively high level of Fluosol-DA retention (13.9 g/kg) in the body after ECC. The retention volume of the other four calves which did not show hemolysis was 10.0 g/kg. Retention of Fluosol-DA after ECC was found to be greater in the reticuloendothelial system of the calves sacrificed earlier and became trace or minimal after 10 months.

Production and characterization of human T leukemic lymphoblastoid cell interferon

Although human lymphoblastoid cells (Namalva and BALL-1 cells) which have the characteristics of B lymphocytes are known to be good producers of human lymphoblastoid interferon (Hu IFN-alpha (Ly) ), there is only one report on IFN production by human T lymphoblastoid cells. The present study showed that Sendai virus could induce human T lymphoblastoid cells (RPMI 8402 cells) to produce IFN. On incubation with virus, IFN was detected after 9 h, and increased until 24 h. The IFN yield depended on the dose of Sendai virus. No superinduction was observed on treatment with BUdR or antimetabolites or on irradiation with ultraviolet light. The T cell line produced IFN even in serum-free medium. The IFN produced by RPMI 8402 cells (8402-IFN) was as stable at pH 2 and on heating at 60 C for 30 min as Hu IFN-alpha and Hu IFN-beta. 8402-IFN, Hu IFN-alpha and Hu IFN-beta showed the same kinetics of induction of the antiviral state of FL cells. The 8402-IFN was neutralized by anti-Hu IFN-beta serum, but not anti-Hu IFN-alpha serum, indicating that it was antigenically identical with Hu IFN-beta. MDBK cells were very sensitive to Hu IFN-alpha, but not to this IFN or Hu IFN-beta, but L929 and RK-13 cells were equally sensitive to 8402-IFN, Hu IFN-alpha and Hu IFN-beta. The molecular weight of this IFN was estimated as 21,000 and 16,500 daltons by SDS-PAGE and Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography, respectively.

Antigenic types of various human lymphoblastoid cell interferons

There are two antigenic types of human virus-induced interferon (IFN): human leukocyte IFN (Hu IFN-alpha) and human fibroblast IFN (Hu IFN-beta). Production of IFNs in various human T, B and non-T non-B lymphoblastoid cell lines were induced with Sendai virus and the antigenic types of these IFNs were determined. All the IFNs produced in human T lymphoblastoid cell lines (RPMI 8402, Peer, JM and CCRF-CEM cells) were antigenically identical to Hu IFN-beta. On the other hand, the antigenic type of IFN produced in human B lymphoblastoid cell lines was different in each cell line. IFNs produced in BALL-1 and RPMI 6410 cells were Hu IFN-alpha, but IFN produced in B35M cell was Hu IFN-beta. IFNs produced in DG-75 and ARH-77 cells consisted of both Hu IFN-alpha and Hu IFN-beta. IFNs produced in non-T non-B lymphoblastoid cell lines (NALM-16 and U-937 cells) also consisted of Hu IFN-alpha and Hu IFN-beta. Thus the antigenic types of IFNs produced in human lymphoblastoid cells reflect certain characteristics of the producer cells. The factors that determine which antigenic type of IFN is produced have not yet been clarified.

Changes in a somatomedin-like factor and immunoassayable growth hormone during growth of normal and dwarf pullets and cockerels

Serum somatomedin-like factor (Sm) and growth hormone (GH) were determined in normal and dwarf Leghorn chickens during the growth period from 7 to 30 weeks of age. The serum Sm activity was reduced with the advance in age, although there was no distinct decrease in serum GH concentrations by strain or sex. In both strains, serum from male showed significantly greater Sm activity than that from females. In contrast, the GH level in male serum was lower than that in females. In dwarf chickens, serum GH levels were comparable to those in normal chickens but Sm activity was extremely low, from 1% to 33% of the normal male serum. The serum level of inorganic sulfate, butanol extractable inhibitor, and free fatty acids in the dwarf bird was in the normal range, indicating that the low Sm activity was not attributable to a change in these factors. The response to Sm of cartilages from both dwarf and normal chickens was similar. The results indicate that the cause of the dwarfism is not poor-response of cartilage to Sm, but mainly low Sm activity during the period of growth, suggesting a possible Laron-type dwarfism in chicken.

Ultrastructural demonstration of chemical modification of melanogenesis in hairless mouse skin

We investigated chemical and physical modifications of the genetically determined ultrastructure of melanosomes. The flank skin of hairless mice was treated with ultraviolet energy (UV) shorter than 320 nm or with a combination of a photosensitizer and UV (PUVA treatment). All melanosomes in the induced melanocytes and those in resident melanocytes in the ear skin showed eumelanogenesis, although the degree of melanin deposition differed considerably according to the induction process. Eumelanogenesis was most advanced in the resident melanocytes while PUVA-induced melanocytes showed more immature premelanosomes. We then topically applied 4-tertiary butyl catechol on the skin. The depigmenting agent caused an appearance of pheomelanosomes. The alteration in melanogenesis was seen most distinctly in premelanosomes of the PUVA-induced cells. Altered ultrastructure was also observed in matured melanosomes; this change was most apparent in the resident melanocytes. These findings indicate that cells with eumelanogenesis may undergo pheomelanogenesis. The present study demonstrated effects of chemicals on genetically determined function of melanocytes by quantitative analysis of melanosome ultrastructure.

Analysis of Extrusion or Drawing of Polygonal Sections Through Straightly Converging Dies

This paper describes a new method for obtaining optimal die shape which produces minimal stress in the extrusion or the drawing of nonaxisymmetric sections from round bar stock. The surface of the die is generated by an envelope of straight lines drawn from the points on the perimeter at the entry section to the corresponding points at the exit of the die. An upper bound technique based on the kinematically admissible velocity field is used to determine the forming stress for different regular polygonal sections (the number of sides is from three to infinite) for a given reduction of area, material property, and frictional condition. The theoretical results are compared with known experimental and theoretical data and are found to be in good agreement.

New simple dye-uptake assay for interferon

Using the spectrophotometer that the authors developed, the amounts of human leukocyte and mouse L cell interferons on FL cells and L929 cells were measured and values were compared with those measured by the cytopathogenic effect (CPE) reduction method (CPE method). The spectrophotometric method, which was simpler than the original dye-uptake method, was found to be more sensitive than the latter. When Sindbis virus was used instead of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), there were no significant differences in the sensitivities of the two methods or the interferon titers estimated. When FL cells or L929 cells were treated with interferon at the time of their dispersion, their interferon titers were almost the same as those of cells treated with interferon 2 days after dispersion. It is concluded that this new dye-uptake method is useful for assay of human and mouse interferons.

[Subacute toxicity study of cefotiam in three-week old beagle puppies (author's transl)]

A subacute (5-week) subcutaneous toxicity study of cefotiam (CTM) was carried out using 9 three-week old Beagle puppies. The puppies were assigned to one of three groups, each containing three. Puppies in group I (control) were given physiological saline; puppies in group II and III were given 300 mg/kg/day of CTM and cefazolin (CEZ), respectively. No behavioral abnormalities were seen in puppies in each group. The changes, considered to be drug-related, were histopathological changes at the sites of injection, which consisted inflammatory cellular infiltration, hemorrhage and hyperplasia of fibroblast in connective tissue of skin and skeletal muscle. In terms of severity, CTM was rather more irritating than CEZ. Except the histopathological changes described above, there observed no abnormalities which were considered to be related to CTM.

Effects of 4-tertiary butyl catechol on melanocytes of hairless mice

Depigmentary effects of 4-tertiary butyl catechol (TBC) on UV-stimulated melanocytes on the flanks and naturally active melanocytes of ears were compared in Uscd strain hairless mice. UVB irradiation, twice a week for 1 or 2 mo, induced brown-black pigmentation on the flanks. A 1 M TBC application twice a week for 1 mo not only prevented the UV-stimulated pigmentation, but also promoted fading of the post-UV tanning. Dopa-stained split epidermal sheets showed a decrease in the number of melanocytes to less than one-half during the first month of TBC treatment. Melanocytes were often enlarged or lost their dendrites, and both premelanosomes and melanosomes showed ultrastructural changes. However, TBC application on the ears for 1 mo showed neither color change nor a decrease in the number of melanocytes. There were ultrastructural changes in melanocytes but the degree of abnormality was much less than those seen in UV-stimulated melanocytes. Continuation of TBC application for 2 mo with the UV irradiation on the flanks or the nonirradiated ears caused an increase in the number of melanocytes. These results suggest that the initial effect of TBC may be primarily cytotoxicity to melanocytes, and may correlate with their cellular functions. The stimulatory effects of TBC on melanocytes seen during the longer period of time requires further investigation.

[The diagnosis of left atrial thrombi by selective coronary arteriogram and two-dimensional echocardiogram (author's transl)]

In 14 patients with left atrial thrombi, coronary arteriography and real time, two-dimensional echocardiography were performed and compared with the surgical findings. Age of the patients with left atrial thrombi was relatively high, and their hemodynamic findings were severe. By the combined use of coronary arteriography and real time two-dimensional echocardiography, the prediction of left atrial thrombi was possible in 93%. Coronary arteriography provided a useful information as to the location of thrombi, especially in the left atrial appendage, while the size and shape of thrombi were not predictable by this method. On the contrary, two-dimensional echocardiography was useful to determine the size and shape of the thrombi.

Omental transplantation for chronic occlusive arterial diseases

Problems of surgical indication and technique for the treatment of chronic occlusive arterial diseases remain unresolved, especially in the cases which show poor angiogram run-off. To establish the surgical technique of omental transplantation, anatomical findings of the omental vessels were studied. The anatomical findings of the omentum were classified into two types. Type I (single layer) and Type II (double layer), and subdivided into seven subtypes according to the number of omental arterial branches. Omental transplantation was performed in our clinic in 19 cases (20 limbs) and surgical results were satisfactory. The examination of microscopic findings of the implanted omentum and the ischemic muscle of the implanted limb by consecutive serial sections suggested that the vessels of the omentum might invade the ischemic muscular tissue and supply blood to the muscle. Omental transplantation should be considered one of the most useful surgical techniques in cases with poor angiogram run-off.

Studies on hemodynamics and cardiac function in the immediate postoperative period following open heart surgery

Hemodynamics and cardiac function in the immediate postoperative period following open heart surgery were studied by means of a Swan-Ganz catheter and a thermodilution output computer. Pulmonary arterial pressure decreased at 3 hr after operation in congenital and mitral valvular diseases either with or without pulmonary hypertension. Then pulmonary arterial pressure maintained the decreased level subsequently in patients without pulmonary hypertension or with moderate pulmonary hypertension. However, in cases of severe pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary arterial pressure increased concomitantly with the increase of pulmonary arterial resistance in adult cases, but maintained the decreased level in juvenile cases. Pulmonary wedge pressure decreased to 3 hr after operation and maintained the decreased level. Right atrail pressure fluctuated within normal range. The cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work index increased between 3 to 6 hr after operation in congenital and mitral valvular diseases and decreased temporarily between 9 to 30 hr and then increased again. The cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work index in mitral valvular diseases showed values lower than those in congenital heart diseases. The increase of cardiac index and left ventricular stroke work index after open heart surgery was more remarkable in mitral valvular diseases than in congenital heart diseases.

A branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase from the rumen ciliate genus Entodinium

A branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase was extracted from rumen ciliates of the genus Entodinium and was partially purified by Sephadex G-200, DEAE-cellulose and DEAE-Sephasex A-50 column chromatography. The purified enzyme was active only with leucine, isoleucine and valine, and required pyridoxal phosphate as cofactor. The amino acids competed with each other as substrates. The enzyme had optimal activity at pH 6.0 in phosphate buffer. The Km values for the substrates and cofactor are as follows: 1.66 for leucine; 0.90 for isoleucine; 0.79 for valine; 0.29 mM for alpha-ketoglutarate; and 0.1 muM for pyridoxal phosphate. Enzyme activity was inhibited by rho-chloromercuribenzoate and HgCl2. Gel filtration indicated the enzyme to have a molecular weight of 34,000.