Suppression of Natural Killer Cell Activity by Monocytes Following Immunotherapy for Recurrent Spontaneous Aborters

PROBLEM : Natural killer (NK) cell activity has previously been shown to decrease in normal pregnancy as compared with the nonpregnancy state. The purpose of this study was to determine NK cell activity in recurrent aborters and to investigate the kinetics of NK cell activity following immunotherapy. METHODS : Recurrent aborters (N = 17) were immunized with husbands' mononuclear cells (1 × 10⁸) twice during the early stage of current pregnancy. NK cell activity of recurrent aborters as well as that of normal pregnant (N = 12) and nonpregnant (N = 6) women (controls) was determined by ⁵¹Cr release assay. Monocytes were depleted from the mononuclear cell fraction and its effect on the NK cell activity was determined as well. RESULTS : At around 5 wk of gestation, NK cell activity in recurrent aborters before treatment was significantly higher (28.0 ± 5.1%) than that in normal pregnancy (18.9 ± 4.3%) (P < 0.01). Following immunotherapy, NK cell activity of recurrent aborters (N = 13) who maintained their pregnancy decreased significantly (21.7 ± 8.9%) (P < 0.05). In contrast, NK cell activity of recurrent aborters (N = 4) who aborted their current pregnancy did not decrease. Depletion of monocytes resulted in a significant increase in NK cell activity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS : This study suggests that the immunotherapy induces suppression of NK cell activity which may contribute for the maintenance of pregnancy. Moreover, monocytes may be involved in this suppression.     

Asthenospermia in hay fever patients improved by stopping treatment with histamine H1 receptor antagonists

We report two cases of asthenospermia, which appeared to be associated with exposure to histamine H1 receptor antagonists. A 44-year-old man and a 35-year-old man had continued the treatment with fexofenadine hydrochloride and cetirizine hydrochloride, respectively, under the diagnosis of hay fever. They and their wives had been examined as infertile couples. Infertility evaluations revealed no problems with their wives; the patients, however, were found to have a low sperm motility (<10%). On suspicion of adverse effects of the histamine H1 receptor antagonists, they stopped treatment with these drugs, which resulted in a complete reversal of spermatic dysfunction. Current information identifies the potential fertility hazards of histamine H1 receptor antagonists.     

A case of X-linked α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome: Analysis of hemoglobin by an automated glycated hemoglobin analyzer

A 5-year-old male patient with X-linked α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome is reported. He showed multiple minor anomalies including characteristic facial abnormalities, α-thalassemia, severe mental retardation, and hypogonadism. Analysis of his hemoglobin by high performance liquid chromatography using an automated glycated hemoglobin analyzer revealed an abnormal peak. Identification of an abnormal peak by an automated glycated hemoglobin analyzer will aid in the diagnosis of patients with X-linked α-thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome.     

A long-term follow-up study of serial magnetic resonance images in patients with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide poisoning

Abstract  Serial magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained for 18 months in the follow-up of a patient with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The characteristic findings on T2-weighted MR images (T2WI) were high intensity in the bilateral periventricular white matter and pallidal regions, and low intensity in the striatum. Although the neurological symptoms had improved by about 5 months after exposure, the high signal intensity In the white matter remained visible for 18 months. In addition, low signal intensity in the putamen seen on T2WI, which suggested iron deposition, was seen throughout the 18 months.     

Severely decompensated abdominal Wilson disease treated with peritoneal dialysis: A case report

A 12-year-old girl with severely decompensated abdominal Wilson disease was treated with abdominal dialysis in order to accelerate the excretion of chelated copper. Dialysate without human serum albumin or D-penicillamine was used and was able to accelerate the excretion of chelated copper, with an increment of 5.5–19.7% compared with urinary excretion only.     

Effects of the anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody on dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis in rats

Increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in the colon of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been reported. We evaluated the effects of monoclonal antibodies to ICAM-1 on acute colitis induced by dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) in rats. Colitis was induced by feeding rats 3% DSS for 7 days. Anti-ICAM-1 antibody or vehicle alone was injected intraperitoneally in rats daily from day 0 to day 6. On day 7 the rats were killed and colitis was evaluated histologically. Prophylactic treatment with anti-ICAM-1 significantly attenuated colonic damage, neutrophil infiltration and the shortening of the colon in DSS colitis. Our findings demonstrate that ICAM-1 plays an important role in this model of inflammatory bowel disease. Although this study does not directly address the effect of anti-ICAM-1 therapy in IBD, our findings encourage experiments using therapies that target ICAM-1 in rats with already developed disease.     

Endoscopic removal of primary B‐cell mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the cecum

A 61‐year‐old woman with a history of positive fecal occult blood test was referred for further evaluation. She was symptom‐free and had no family history of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy revealed a semipedunculated polyp with a surface of normal appearance. Although a biopsy specimen revealed inflammatory cells including numerous small lymphocytes in the mucosa, a definitive diagnosis was not made. Four weeks later, endoscopic removal using the submucosal injection method was performed for diagnosis as well as treatment. The tumor measured 14 × 13 × 6 mm. The pathological diagnosis was low‐grade B‐cell mucosa‐associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, and the depth of invasion was estimated as the submucosal layer. The case described here suggests that MALT lymphoma should be added to the differential diagnosis of colorectal submucosal tumors, and some cases of them might be resected endoscopically using the submucosal injection method.     

Lower urinary tract dysfunction in type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy in Kumamoto, Japan

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lower urinary tract dysfunction of type 1 familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) patients in Kumamoto, Japan. METHODS: Lower urinary tract symptoms were evaluated in FAP patients. Urodynamic studies were evaluated in FAP patients as compared to those in control subjects. The location and distribution of amyloid deposits were evaluated in the urinary bladder in an autopsy case. RESULTS: In lower urinary symptoms, 86%, 19% and 38% patients showed difficulty in urination, urinary frequency and urinary incontinence. In detrusor function during filling cystometry, 14% patients showed detrusor overactivity. Moreover, 43% patients showed low compliance bladder, 62% and 38% patients showed normal and reduced bladder sensation, respectively. First desire to void (FDV), strong desire to void (SDV) and post-voided residual urine (PVR) were increased in FAP patients as compared to those in control subjects. In the urethral pressure profilometry, 71%, 10% and 19% patients showed incompetent, normal functional and overactive urethral closure mechanism, respectively. Maximum urethral pressure (MUP), maximum urethral closure pressure (MUCP) and functional profile length (FPL) were decreased in FAP patients compared to those in control subjects. CONCLUSION: Autonomic, somatic nerve systems and bladder detrusor musculature might be impaired in lower urinary tract of type 1 FAP patients in Kumamoto, Japan.     

Progress report on phase I/II clinical trial of Ad-OC-TK plus VAL therapy for metastatic or locally recurrent prostate cancer: Initial experience at Kobe University

There is no effective therapy for hormone-refractory prostate cancer and a novel therapeutic modality, such as a gene therapy, should be actively pursued. Previously, Gardner and Chung conducted a phase I clinical trial of Ad-OC-TK (recombinant adenoviral vector containing osteocalcin promoter-driven herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene) plus VAL (valacyclovir) for the treatment of hormone-refractory prostate cancer at the University of Virginia. We report on our ongoing phase I/II clinical trial of Ad-OC-TK plus VAL for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer at the Kobe University Hospital, Japan.