Supernumerary lactate dehydrogenase isozymes in human gliomas

Supernumerary bands in agarose gel electrophoresis of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were frequently observed in extracts of human gliomas. The supernumerary fractions which migrated cathodic to LDH-2 and/or cathodic to LDH-3 were designated LDH-2' and LDH-3'. These extra bands were clearly seen in certain gliomas and less distinctly in others, being more frequent in primitive or undifferentiated tumours. The extra bands seen in gliomas differ from the LDH-X of the testis, but LDH-2' seemed correspond to LDH-Z in placenta, hydatidiform mole, and choriocarcinoma. These sub-bands are interpreted as being produced by gliomas and as oncofetal enzymes.     

Age related changes in morphology of the thymus of the fish,Oryzias latipes

The thymus of the teleost fish Oryzias latipes is a paired structure found at the dorsoposterior part of the gill chamber. In 3-month-old fish, the thymus shows a great development. The thymus displays atrophy during aging, and the thymus involution continues until 5 years of age. Male thymus shows heavier involution than female thymus of the same age. Emigration of thymus cells takes place at all ages but increases with age.     

Remission of a non-haemophilic patient with acquired factor VIII inhibitor treated with infusion of factor VIII and corticosteroid

A 61-years old woman who had been healthy without history of abnormal bleeding, developed widely spread ecchymosis and intramuscular bleeding in March, 1987. She was hospitalized for this hemorrhagic diathesis in May, 1987 and the following laboratory data were revealed: activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), 76.7 seconds; factor VIII procoagulant activity, 2%; factor VIII inhibitor, 27 Bethesda units/ml. The inhibitor was an immunoglobulin of IgG type. Her clinical data of the blood were normal, and tests for antibodies, such as RA test, LE test and thyroid test were negative. Physical examination revealed ecchymosis over her right arm and swelling and pain in the right arm. She was first treated with a large dose of factor VIII concentrates, but the effect was insufficient. Then prednisolone was given, which resulted in decreasing of the inhibitor and improvement of the coagulation profiles. This treatment appeared to offer effective control on severe hemorrhage in patients with factor VIII inhibitors.     

Immunohistochemistry of Human Gastrointestinal Cancer-associated Antigen Detected by Monoclonal Antibody PA 8-15

A murine monoclonal antibody (MAb), PA 8-15, was produced against a newly established human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, SUIT-2. With the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase technique, PA 8-15 MAb reacted strongly with 27 of 28 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues. All six gall bladder carcinomas and all nine biliary tract carcinomas also showed positive reactions. In addition, PA 8-15 MAb reacted with gastric carcinomas (6/10), colorectal carcinomas (7/11), and some other primary adenocarcinomas. The distribution of PA 8-15 antigen on the same tissues of pancreatic cancer was different from those of CA 19-9 and DU-PAN-2 antigens and CEA. PA 8-15 MAb stained only the epithelium of the pancreatic duct, gall bladder and bile duct in normal adult tissues, and some normal fetal glandular epithelial cells. However, PA 8-15 MAb was not reactive with inflammatory or benign tumors of the digestive system except for the epithelium, as was seen in normal adults. Reactivity of PA 8-15 MAb with tissue specimens largely disappeared after treatment with neuraminidase, while oxidation with periodate or trypsin digestion did not alter the staining intensity, indicating that antigenic determinants may be at least partly of sialylated carbohydrate nature. These results suggest that PA 8-15 MAb detects a new oncofetal antigen in gastrointestinal cancers, especially of the pancreatico-biliary tract.     

Practical procedure of totally implanted venous access system for outpatient cancer therapy

Some outpatient cancer chemotherapy has been replacing inpatient chemotherapy. A totally implanted venous access system is now available for patients who undergo cancer chemotherapy on an outpatient basis. All eleven outpatients who underwent cancer chemotherapy with this system underwent placement of the port and administration of chemotherapy. Complications were observed in two of these eleven patients (18%). Because a subcutaneous abscess occurred in one patient between the placement of the port and her first chemotherapy session, we had to remove the port system once. Another patient developed fungemia, so we discontinued the system after 95 outpatient chemotherapy sessions. When the infection healed, we set up the system again, and no trouble was observed later in these two cases. According to the patients' survey, all patients were satisfied with outpatient chemotherapy using this system. Therefore, we concluded that this system contributes to enhanced quality of life among outpatients who undergo cancer chemotherapy.