A case with multiple myeloma in which serum forms gel precipitation upon exposure to air

We present the case of a 69-years-old man who was admitted to hospital with multiple myeloma. IgG-kappa type monoclonal protein was detected in the serum. When we separated the serum obtained from blood sample of the patient and the lid of the collecting tube was opened, the patient's serum became gelled immediately. When the lid of the collecting tube remained closed, the patient's serum did not become gelled even at 4 degrees C. Moreover, the gelled serum of the patient did not resolve at 56 degrees C. Taken together, these results indicated that gel formation of the patient's serum may not be due to cryoglobulin. It was found that the pH of the patient's serum elevated to pH 8.0 quickly after exposed to air. It was also found that the patient's serum, but not the sera of other IgG-kappa multiple myeloma patients, became gelled as soon as PBS of pH 8.0 was added. These results highly suggest that the patient's serum becomes gelled at pH 8.0. However, the isoelectric focusing of isolated precipitation in the patient showed fractions around the pH 8.5-8.7 zone, which was different from the pH at which the precipitation began to form. We think that this may be the first report of a multiple myeloma patient whose serum becomes gelled after exposed to air.     

Copolymerization of 1,6-anhydro-sugar derivatives with cyclic monomers, 1. Tri-O-benzyl ether and tri-O-methyl ether of 1,6-anhydro-ß-D-glucopyranose as sugar monomers

The cationic, ring-opening copolymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-ß-D -glucopyranose with epichlorohydrin, 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane and 1,3-dioxolane was investigated with phosphorus pentafluoride as catalyst at low temperatures. Besides, copolymerization of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-ß-D -glucopyranose with epichlorohydrin was studied. Structure and composition of the copolymers were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, indicating that copolymerization occurred in each combination of monomers. Number-average molecular weights of copolymers were in the range of 1 400 to 22 800. From the specific rotation and ¹³C NMR spectrum of copolymers, it was revealed that the ring-opening copolymerization of the benzylated 1,6-anhydro-glucopyranose with the cyclic monomers occurred in a stereoregular manner to give the C-1 carbon of glucose unit with α-configuration. Debenzylation of a copolymer prepared from 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-Obenzyl-ß-D -glucopyranose and 1,3-dioxolane gave a copolymer composed of free sugar units in the polymer main chain. Assignment of ¹³C NMR spectra of 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-ß-D -glucopyranan and of a copolymer of 1,6-anhydro-2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-ß-ß-glucopyranose with 1,3-dioxolane was attempted.     

Expression and localization of chromogranin A gene and protein in human submandibular gland

Human saliva chromogranin A (CgA) is clinically promising as a psychological stress marker. However, expression of CgA is poorly understood in humans, although salivary gland localization of CgA in other mammals, such as rodents and horses, has been demonstrated. In the present study, we investigated the expression and localization of CgA in the human submandibular gland (HSG) using various methods. CgA was consistently localized in serous and ductal cells in HSG, as detected by immunohistochemistry and in situhybridization. Reactivity was stronger in serous cells than in ductal cells. In addition, strong immunoreactivity for CgA was observed in the saliva matrix of ductal cavities. Western blotting gave one significant immunoreactive band of 68 kDa in the adrenal gland, HSG and saliva. Finally, CgA was detected in secretory granules of serous and ductal cells by immunoelectron microscopy. In conclusion, CgA in humans is produced by HSG and secreted into saliva.     

Detection of the putative E2 protein of hepatitis C virus in human liver

The question was asked whether a predicted envelope protein, considered to be processed from the polyprotein precursor encoded by the putative E2/NS1 region of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome, may be observed in HCV-infected humans. Two polyclonal antibodies against recombinant E2/NS1 proteins were prepared and their reactivity tested against liver extracts from HCV-infected patients by immunoblotting analysis. A band corresponding to a size of 44 kDa was detected in liver extracts from patients who were positive for the HCV-specific antibody anti-C100-3 but not in liver extracts from patients who did not have anti-C100-3 antibody. Additionally, no band was detected using preimmune sera or antisera which had been preabsorbed with recombinant E2/NS1 proteins. Deglycosylation studies demonstrated that the 44 kDa protein was a glycosylated form of a 38 kDa protein which corresponds to the predicted molecular weight of the putative E2/NS1 protein. These results suggest that the 44 kDa protein is a product of the E2/NS1 region. Frequent observation of the 44 kDa band in cases of chronic active hepatitis C suggests a correlation between the expression of this protein and the progression of hepatitis. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Increased migration of neutrophils to granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in rat carrageenin-induced pleurisy: Roles of complement,bradykinin, and inducible cyclooxygenase-2

Administration of human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, 100 g/kg/day, s.c) to rats for 4 days significantly increased circulating neutrophil counts (by 1130%), together with an increase in mononuclear leukocyte counts (by 119%). Infiltrated pleural neutrophil counts in G-CSF-treated rats (G-CSF-r) 5h after the intrapleural injection of zymosanactivated serum were significantly higher (by 155%) than those in control rats (Vehicle-r). In carrageenin-induced pleurisy, counts of infiltrated pleural neutrophils in G-CSF-r 5 and 7h after carrageenin were significantly higher (by 119% and 116%) than those in Vehicle-r. G-CSF treatment increased the volume of pleural exudate and the plasma exudation rate by 122% and 226%, compared to values in Vehicle-r 5h after carrageenin. Cobra venom factor (75 g/kg, i.v.) significantly reduced pleural neutrophil migration in G-CSF-r (by 53%) and Vehicle-r (by 49%). Bromelain (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and aspirin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) reduced pleural neutrophil migration and reduced exudate volume and plasma exudation. Intrapleural bradykinin-(1–5) and prostaglandin E₂ levels were significantly higher in G-CSF-r than in Vehicle-r. The increased neutrophil migration in G-CSF-r may be atributed to enhanced activation of the complement system facilitated by increased plasma exudation due to bradykinin and prostaglandins.accepted by M. J. Parnham     

Epidermoid Cyst Derived from an Accessory Spleen in the Pancreas

A rare case of splenic epidermoid cyst (SEC) of the pancreas discovered in a 32-year-old Japanese female is reported. The lesion, 5x6cm in size including caseous material and serous fluid in the lumen, was discovered by ultrasonography and computed tomography at the tail of the pancreas and was easily removed. Histopathologically, the cystic wall consisted of three components: the inside was lined by mature squamous epithelium with keratinization, the middle layer consisted of splenic pulp with a sinus structure, and the peripheral layer was dense fibrous connective tissue in which some involutional pancreatic ducts and islets were recognized. The literature about SEC of the pancreas is discussed in comparison with other types of epidermoid cyst including lymphoepithelial cyst and dermoid cyst in the pancreas. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 916 921, 1991.     

The Complete Nucleotide Sequence of the PanAsia Strain of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus Isolated in Japan

The complete nucleotide sequence of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) O/JPN/2000 strain, the PanAsia strain, was determined by cycle sequencing and primer walking. The 5 end of the genome upstream from homopolymeric poly(C) tract (S-fragment) was 367 nucleotides in length, and the remainder of the genome (L-fragment), excepting the poly(A) tail, was 7808 nucleotides. The L-fragment contains a single open reading frame of 6996 nucleotides terminating at a UAA codon 96 bases from the 3 poly(A) sequence. Comparison of sequences shows that the length of the structural and non-structural protein coding regions are identical to those in the O1/Kaufbeuren strain, and no striking differences such as deletion or insertion were observed between them.     

Autoimmune hepatitis associated with bile duct injury resembling chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) are representative autoimmune liver diseases in which hepatocytes and intrahepatic bile ducts, respectively, are selectively damaged by autoimmune mechanisms. Bile duct injury and loss is characteristic of PBC and chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis (CNSDC), in particular, is a histological hallmark of PBC. In this report, we present an unusual case of AIH accompanied by CNSDC-like bile duct injury in a 46-year-old woman. The patient's serum aminotransferase level was abnormally high. The serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-GTP and IgG were also elevated, but the IgM level was within normal limits. The titer of antismooth muscle antibody (SMA) was 1:80, while antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) and the M2 fraction of antimitochondrial antibody (AMA) were both negative. Liver biopsy disclosed CNSDC-like bile duct injuries and severe interface hepatitis and lobular hepatitis with perivenular zonal necrosis were observed. The aggregate score of the International Autoimmune Hepatitis Group corresponded to the category of probable AIH. Immunohistochemically, histocompatibility leukocyte antigen-DR, which is aberrantly expressed in the damaged bile ducts of PBC, was not found in the injured bile ducts of this case. Laboratory data were much improved by treatment with prednisone, but ursodeoxycholic acid was not effective. Although the possibility of an overlapping syndrome of AIH- and AMA-negative PBC could not be excluded, this case was diagnosed as AIH with CNSDC-like bile duct lesions.