A novel red-emitting K2Ca(PO4)F:Eu2+ phosphor with a large Stokes shift

We report a K₂CaPO₄F:Eu²⁺ phosphor with a new crystal structure. This phosphor has a large Stokes shift and converts near-ultraviolet light to red luminescence without absorption of other visible light. The mechanism was elucidated by applying a constrained density functional theory to the solved crystal structure.

Double cancers of the lung and esophagus associated with a sarcoid-like reaction in their regional lymph nodes: report of a case

A case of double cancers of the lung and esophagus associated with a sarcoid-like reaction in their regional lymph nodes is reported. A 73-year-old man with hemosputum was found to have a mass in his right lower lung field on a chest X-ray. Based on a diagnosis of lung cancer, a right middle and lower lobectomy with a dissection of the lymph nodes was performed. Microscopically, a well developed granulomatous reaction was seen in the dissected mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. Three years after the pulmonary resection, he was admitted to our hospital because of dysphagia. A diagnosis of lower esophageal cancer was made. A lower esophagectomy with a total gastrectomy was performed. A sarcoid-like reaction comprising epithelioid cells and giant cells was seen in the regional lymph nodes. No clinical findings indicative of systemic sarcoidosis were observed. This rare condition may therefore help to improve our overall understanding of the relationship between malignant neoplasms and sarcoid-like reactions in the regional lymph nodes.

The augmenting effect of OK432-stimulated B cells on the in vitro generation of anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes from tumor-draining lymph node cells: the possible role of interleukin-12

Effect of a local injection with a streptococcal preparation OK432 on the in vitro generation of anti-tumor cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) from tumor-draining lymph nodes (LN) was investigated. A peritumoral injection with OK432 on days 2, 4, 6 and 8 significantly increased both the total cell number and the proportion of B cells in the draining LN cells on day 10 after a subcutaneous inoculation with B16 melanoma. In an in vitro proliferative assay, OK432 showed a stimulatory effect on both normal splenic T and B cells. In a cytolytic assay, the OK432-injected B16-draining LN cells showed a higher level of anti-B16 CTL activity than the B16-draining LN cells after in vitro restimulation. This augmenting effect of OK432 was dependent on the B cells. Moreover, nonadherent cells from the OK432-injected B16-draining LN cells showed a low but significantly higher level of anti-B16 CTL activity than those from the B 16-draining LN cells after in vitro restimulation, whereas this augmenting effect of OK432 was abolished by the in vitro addition of anti-interleukin (IL)-12 monoclonal antibody. Collectively, these findings suggest that the augmenting effect of a local injection with OK432 on the potential of tumor-draining LN cells to turn into anti-tumor CTLs after in vitro restimulation was at least in part due to IL-12 derived from the OK432-stimulated B cells.

The concurrent administration of OK432 augments the antitumor vaccination effect with tumor cells by sustaining locally infiltrating natural killer cells

The effect of a local injection with a streptococcal preparation OK432 on the antitumor vaccination with tumor cells was investigated. Natural killer (NK) cells, which were detected by anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), increased in the peritoneal exudate cells after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with syngeneic B16 melanoma cells. Furthermore, a concurrent i.p. injection with OK432 efficiently sustained the locally infiltrating NK cells. The OK432 treatment also sustained the augmented NK and lymphokine-activated killer activities in the peritoneal exudate cells. This treatment also increased the ability of the locally infiltrating NK cells to produce interferon gamma in response to the tumor cells. In addition, the concurrent i.p. injection with OK432 in combination with the tumor cells enhanced the capacity of the spleen cells to turn into anti-(B16 melanoma) cytotoxic T lymphocytes after in vitro restimulation. This augmenting effect of OK432 was dependent on NK cells. Moreover, the concurrent injection with OK432 at the time of anti-tumor vaccination significantly enhanced the protective immunity against B16 melanoma at the rechallenge. Taken together, these findings indicate that a concurrent local injection with OK432 in combination with tumor cells efficiently augments the antitumor vaccination effect, in part, by sustaining the locally infiltrating activated NK cells.

The opposite effect of tumor-infiltrating natural killer cells on in vivo priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells

Natural killer (NK) cells, which infiltrated the tumor site, were examined for their effects on the in vivo priming of tumor-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. CD8+ T cells were responsible for the activity of B16 melanoma-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The in vivo depletion of NK cells with anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), prior to B16-immunization, significantly decreased the capacity of the spleen cells (s.c.) to generate B16-specific CTL after in vitro restimulation. However, the CD8+ T cells of the s.c. from NK cell-depleted and subsequently B16-immunized mice increased their potential to become B16-specific CTL compared with those from the B16-immunized mice. The tumor-infiltrating NK cells showed a low but significant degree of CTL activity against B16. In addition, the disrupted B16 melanoma cells demonstrated less of an ability to in vivo prime the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. These findings thus suggest the possibility that the quick disruption of tumor cells by tumor-infiltrating NK cells consequently interfered with the in vivo priming of the tumor-specific CD8+ T cells. On the other hand, the CD4+ T cells of the s.c. from NK cell-depleted and subsequently B16-immunized mice showed less of a capacity to induce the tumor-specific CTL compared with those from B16-immunized mice. In addition, the delayed-type hypersensitivity response against B16 was significantly diminished by the in vivo depletion of NK cells prior to B16-immunization. These findings thus suggest that NK cells have a promoting effect on the in vivo priming of CD4+ T cells. Overall, however, our findings indicate that early-appearing tumor-infiltrating NK cells have an opposite effect on the in vivo priming of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells.

Anti-metastatic activity induced by the in vivo activation of purified protein derivative (PPD)-recognizing Th1 type CD4+ T cells

The Th1 type Cd4+ T cell clone (MH2), which is capable of recognizing purified protein derivative from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (PPD), was examined for its anti-metastatic activity against melanoma. In using an in vitro proliferative assay, MH2 was able to recognize PPD-derived antigen in a major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted manner. MH2 showed neither any natural killer (NK) activity nor cytolytic activity against syngeneic B16 melanoma. This clone produced interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-2, but not interleukin-4, when co-cultured with PPD and irradiated syngeneic C57BL/6 spleen cells, suggesting that this clone could thus be assigned to the Th1 subset. An intraperitoneal (i.p.) co-injection of 2 x 10(6) MH2 and 50 micrograms PPD increased the NK activity of the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) and the percentage of NK1.1+ cells in the PEC. These activated NK cells showed a low but significantly cytolytic activity against B16 melanoma. The augmented NK activity induced by the co-injection of MH2 and PPD was maintained by the weekly additional i.p. injections of PPD alone. Using a murine metastatic model, and i.p. co-injection of MH2 and PPD-induced anti-metastatic activity against B16 melanoma. This anti-metastatic activity was then abrogated by the in vivo administration of anti-asialo GM1 serum. In addition, the NK activity in both peripheral blood and metastatic lungs was significantly augmented in the mice which were co-injected with MH2 and PPD. Taken together, these findings indicate that the in vivo activation of Th1 type CD4+ T cells augmented the NK activity in vivo and thus could potentially be an efficient immunotherapeutic weapon against metastasis of melanoma. These results also imply that adoptive immunotherapy could induce anti-metastatic activity through cytokine production but not through any direct cytolytic activity.

Early-appearing tumour-infiltrating natural killer cells play a crucial role in the generation of anti-tumour T lymphocytes

Natural killer (NK) cells that infiltrated into the primary tumour site at an early stage of tumour development, were examined for their participation in the generation of anti-tumour cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). NK cells, which were detected by anti-NK1.1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), increased in the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) on days 3 and 7 after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of syngeneic B16 melanoma cells. These tumour-infiltrating NK cells showed a high level of cytotoxic activity against NK-sensitive YAC-1 cells and an increased expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) mRNA and interleukin-2 (IL-2) mRNA. The in vivo depletion of NK cells with anti-NK1.1 mAb, prior to i.p. inoculation of B16 melanoma cells, resulted in an increased number of tumour cells in the PEC compared to NK cell non-depleted mice. Interestingly, the differences in tumour cell number between both groups were more prominent on days 7 and 14 than on day 3, which strongly suggested that early-infiltrating NK cells have a large influence on the subsequent anti-tumour response. The in vivo depletion of NK cells prior to immunization with melanoma cells abrogated the capacity of the spleen cells to generate CD8+ tumour-specific CTL after in vitro restimulation. This inability of generating anti-tumour CTL was partially restored by additional i.p. injections of recombinant IL-2 and/or IFN-gamma simultaneously with the immunization of melanoma cells. The in vitro depletion of NK cells prior to the in vitro restimulation with melanoma cells partially impaired the anti-tumour CTL generation from the spleen cells of the immunized mice. Lastly, the in vivo depletion of NK cells prior to immunization with melanoma cells abolished the protective immunity against melanoma cells at the rechallenge. Overall, these results indicate that early-appearing tumour-infiltrating NK cells not only participate in the anti-tumour early defence by themselves, but also play a crucial role in the generation of anti-tumour CTL.

The antitumor effect of tumor-draining lymph node cells activated by both anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody and activated B cells as costimulatory-signal-providing cells

To establish an efficient cell-culture system for adoptive immunotherapy, we attempted to use lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated B cells (LPS blasts) as costimulatory-signal-providing cells in the in vitro induction of antitumor effector cells. Both normal and tumor-draining lymph node cells were efficiently activated by both anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and LPS blasts, and subsequently expanded by a low dose of interleukin-2 (IL-2; anti-CD3 mAb and LPS blasts/IL-2). The expanded cells were predominantly CD8+ T cells and showed a low level of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. The adoptive transfer of B16-melanoma-draining lymph node cells expanded by anti-CD3 mAb and LPS blasts/IL-2 showed significant antitumor effect against the established metastases of B16 in combination with intraperitoneal injections of IL-2. This treatment cured all B16-bearing mice. In addition, these mice also showed tumor-specific protective immunity against B16 at the rechallenge. Considering that activated B cells express several kinds of costimulatory molecules, these findings thus indicate an efficacy of costimulation that is derived from activated B cells for the in vitro induction of tumor-specific CTL, in co-operation with anti-CD3 mAb. The culture system presented here may thus be therapeutically useful, providing potent effectors for adoptive immunotherapy against various types of cancer.

The antitumor activity induced by the in vivo administration of activated B cells bound to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody

We examined the immunotherapeutic ability of activated B cells which bound to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) to enhance antitumor T cell immunity in vivo. A flow cytometric analysis revealed that LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-activated B cells (LPS blasts) expressed Fc receptor (FcR) which can bind to anti-CD3 mAb. LPS blasts were also stained with CTLA-4Ig, which can bind to costimulation molecules with high affinity, which suggested that LPS blasts expressed costimulation molecules on their surface. In an in vitro assay, T cells remarkably proliferated in the presence of LPS blasts and soluble anti-CD3 mAb, whereas this proliferation was blocked by the addition of CTLA-4Ig. In a model of metastasis established by the intravenous inoculation of melanoma cells, the in vivo administration of LPS blasts incubated with anti-CD3 mAb and followed by treatment with polyethylene glycol, to reinforce the binding, induced a low but significant antitumor activity against melanoma. The antitumor activity induced by the in vivo administration of LPS blasts which bound to anti-CD3 mAb was also detected in the spontaneously established model of metastasis. These results therefore suggest that the in vivo administration of activated B cells which bound to anti-CD3 mAb was able to enhance the antitumor T cell response against metastatic melanoma.

Antitumor effects of intraarterial infusion of tumor necrosis factor/lipiodol emulsion on hepatic tumor in rabbits

Human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) suspended in lipiodol (TNF/lipiodol emulsion) was injected via the hepatic artery, and its antitumor effects on VX2 tumor inoculated into the liver were evaluated. In TNF/lipiodol-treated rabbits, soft-X-ray study revealed an accumulation of lipiodol in the liver tumor and the TNF concentration in the tumors was significantly higher than in rabbits treated with free TNF. 7 days after the various treatments, the tumor growth ratio evaluated macroscopically was found to be significantly lower in TNF/lipiodol emulsion-treated rabbits compared to rabbits treated with either free TNF or lipiodol (p < 0.05). Microscopically, the necrotic-area ratio of the tumors in the TNF/lipiodol emulsion-treated group was also significantly greater than in any other group (p < 0.01). Pathohistologically, liver tumors treated with TNF/lipiodol emulsion revealed massive necrosis associated with occlusive thromboangitis in the tumor vessels and fibrous capsule formation around the tumor. In these rabbits, the elevation of serum transaminase after the treatment was transient and tissue damage in the surrounding noncancerous liver tissue was minimal. These findings therefore suggest that the intraarterial infusion of TNF/lipiodol emulsion may produce prominent antitumor effects, possibly due to the retention of TNF in the tumors, which causes damage to the endothelium of the tumor vessels.

Th1 type CD4+ T cells may be a potent effector against poorly immunogenic syngeneic tumors

We examined the possibility that Th1 type CD4+ T cells may be an effector against three kinds of syngeneic tumors such as highly immunogenic B16 melanoma (B16) and two poorly immunogenic lines of MCA fibrosarcoma (MCA) and 3LL carcinoma (3LL). In a proliferation assay, the Th1 type CD4+ T cell clone (MH2) recognized the purified protein derivatives (PPD) derived from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In a tumor-neutralizing assay, MH2 showed anti-tumor activity against both B16 and MCA. In a model of pulmonary metastasis, MH2 also showed anti-tumor activity against both B16 and 3LL. In an assay of cytolysis, MH2 showed a moderate level of tumor necrosis factor-dependent cytolytic activity only against MCA. In a cytostasis assay, MH2 showed a high level of interferon gamma-dependent cytostatic activity against the three tumors in the presence of macrophages. The anti-tumor activity of MH2 against B16 and 3LL was suggested to be, at least in part, attributable to the augmented natural killer activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that we may potentially be able to utilize Th1 type CD4+ T cells as an effector for immunotherapy against poorly immunogenic tumors.

Generation of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo by combined treatment with inactivated tumor cells and recombinant interleukin-2

In order to search for a new therapy that would maximize the effect of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in evoking antitumor immunity in vivo, the therapeutic effect of a combination of mitomycin-C(MMC)-treated tumor cells and recombinant IL-2 was examined for its induction of antitumor activity against established melanoma metastasis. In C57BL/6 mice intravenously (i.v.) injected with B16 melanoma cells on day 0, the combined treatment with an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of MMC-treated melanoma cells on day 6 and 2500 U rIL-2 (twice daily) on days 7 and 8 markedly reduced the number of pulmonary metastases. This antitumor activity was more effective than that in untreated controls and mice that were injected with MMC-treated melanoma cells alone or rIL-2 alone. When the i.p. injection of MMC-treated tumor cells was replaced by other syngeneic tumor cells, antitumor activity against metastatic melanoma was not induced. The antitumor activity induced by this treatment increased in parallel with an increase in the dose of rIL-2 injected. In contrast, an i.p. injection of soluble tumor-specific antigens alone could induce only a marginal level of antitumor activity, and this activity was not augmented by subsequent i.p. injections of rIL-2. In vivo treatment with anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (mAb), but not with anti-CD4 mAb or anti-asialo-GM1 antibody, abrogated the antitumor activity induced by this combined therapy. This suggests that the antitumor effect was dependent on CD8+ T cells. Lung-infiltrating lymphocytes from mice that had been i.v. injected with melanoma cells 11 days before and were treated with this combined therapy, showed melanoma-specific cytolytic activity. This combined therapy also showed significant antitumor activity against subcutaneously inoculated melanoma cells. These results demonstrate that the combined therapy of an i.p. injection of MMC-treated tumor cells and subsequent and consecutive i.p. administration of rIL-2 increases antitumor activity against established metastatic melanoma by generating tumor-specific CD8+ CTL in vivo.

[A case of simple hepatic cyst accompanied with dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct]

Here we report a rare case of simple hepatic cysts causing dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct. A 75-year old female was admitted to Kyushu University Hospital because of liver dysfunction. Ultrasonogram and CT scan showed two neighboring cysts in the liver (S2, S4), and dilatation of the peripheral bile duct in left lateral segment of the liver. Echo-guided percutaneous aspiration of cyst fluid showed the elevated levels of CA19-9, but malignant cell were not seen. These findings suggested that the compression by these neighboring simple hepatic cysts caused the stenosis of the bile duct. The dilatation of the bile duct disappeared after the percutaneous ethanol sclerosing therapy for cyst.

Nonfamilial turcot syndrome presenting with astrocytoma--case report

A nonfamilial case of Turcot syndrome (glioma-polyposis syndrome) is described. A 16-year-old male with no siblings first developed a frontal astrocytoma, and was later found to have colonic polyposis with adenocarcinoma. The family history was negative for the syndrome, but his parents were first cousins.

Role of surgery in hypertensive intracerebral hematoma. A comparative study of 305 nonsurgical and 154 surgical cases

The indications for surgery in hypertensive intracerebral hematoma are still controversial. The reason for this may be: 1) lack of adequate and comparable data in conservative and surgical therapy from the same institution; 2) lack of adequate close follow-up monitoring over an extended period of time; or 3) lack of proper classification of hematomas for comparison of results from different institutions. The authors have treated 459 cases of hypertensive intracerebral hematoma between October, 1975, and July, 1983. The hematomas have been classified according to their mode of extension on computerized tomography. The long-term outcome was assessed on the basis of activity of daily living. Putaminal hematomas were classified as mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. In general, there was no significant difference in outcome between the surgical and nonsurgical cases; however, the outcome in the moderate and severe hematomas was found to be a little better for the surgical cases in some restricted areas. Thalamic and pontine hemorrhages were classified as mild, moderate, or severe. If the hematoma is localized to the thalamus or pons, and if it extends to the midbrain, there is no indication for surgery; however, in patients with moderate hematomas, the prognosis showed a variable outcome, and the indications for surgery were questionable. In cerebellar hematomas, the authors propose that even a hematoma with a diameter greater than 3 cm might show a good outcome with nonsurgical therapy.

Calcification of the vertebral artery

A series of 3,648 computed tomographic (CT) scans was reviewed to determine the incidence of intracranial vertebral artery calcification. Calcification was identified in one or both vertebral arteries in 3.4% and was more frequent in the higher age groups. Skull radiographs demonstrated vertebral artery calcification in only one of 48 patients in whom CT studies showed it. A high correlation was observed between vertebral artery calcification on CT and vertebral artery stenosis on cerebral angiography.

Enzyme immunoassay of the myelin basic protein

An enzyme immunoassay using a double-antibody solid-phase technique for myelin basic protein (MBP) has been developed. Antisera were prepared by immunizing rabbits with the purified MBP from chick brain. The conjugation of MBP with horseradish peroxidase was performed by the periodate oxidation method in triethanolamine-acetate buffer (pH 8.5). The sample, antiserum, and conjugate were incubated at 4 degrees C for 16 h, after which the insoluble second antibody was added and the reaction mixture was incubated at 4 degrees C for 3 h. The peroxidase activity of the insoluble conjugate was assayed fluorometrically with hydrogen peroxide and 3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid as substrates. The method had an analytical range from 50 pg to 1 ng (from 2.3 x 10(-15) to 4.5 x 10(-14) mol). The within-assay coefficient of variation (CV) was between 4 and 11% and the between-assay CV for 200 and 400 pg of MBP was 5.5 and 7.1%, respectively. A weak cross-reactivity was observed between chick MBP and bovine MBP, while no reactivity was shown with calf thymus histone. The MBP content of the brain during development increased markedly from the 3rd embryonic week to the 3rd post-hatch week (from 0.01 to 2.4 mg/g of fresh tissue), and the adult level was 3.2 mg/g of fresh tissue.

Prospection of chronic vasospasm by CT findings

Haematoma of the basal cistern was classified into five grades. A little or moderate haematoma (1+ or 2+) disappeared from the basal cistern in 3 or 4 days, however much or severe haematoma (3+ or 4+) remained over a week. Vasospasm occurred in a high number of the cases in which the haematoma was recognized in the basal cistern later than 4 days after SAH not only in operative case but also in conservative case. However vasospasm occurred rarely in cases with early operation within 24 hours after onset except for cases with severe packed haematoma (4+) in the basal cistern.

Spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula during pregnancy or in the postpartum stage. Report of two cases

The authors report two cases of spontaneous carotid-cavernous fistula that occurred during pregnancy. One patient was a 21-year-old woman whose symptoms improved and in whom disappearance of the carotid-cavernous fistula was confirmed by cerebral angiography after she aborted in the 12th week of pregnancy. The other patient was a 25-year-old woman in whom a carotid-cavernous fistula occurred at about the 28th week of pregnancy. The symptoms became aggravated 3 weeks after a normal delivery. Carotid-cavernous fistula was confirmed by cerebral angiography, and the clinical symptoms then improved. On the basis of cerebral angiographic findings, both patients were considered to have dural arteriovenous fistulas in the region of the cavernous sinus and both demonstrated spontaneous improvement.

Radioimmunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein in children with primary intracranial tumors

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured in 10 cases of primary brain tumors in children (4 cases of medulloblastoma, 4 cases of germ cell tumor and 2 cases of astrocytoma). As a result, elevation in AFP was observed only in a case of embryonal carcinoma that showed partial mixture of germinoma. The absence of AFP elevation in 3 other cases of pure germinoma (atypical teratoma; pinealoma) agrees with reports which describe that, in the germ cell tumor of the gonads, a rise in AFP is not observed in pure seminoma but is found in embryonal carcinoma and endodermal sinus tumor (yolk sac tumor). The fluctuations in AFP in serum and cerebrospinal fluid are considered to be of significance in the diagnosis and treatment of primary intracranial malignant germ cell tumors.