Polymers containing stable free radicals, 6. Reactions of 2,4,6-triphenyl-3,4-dihydro-s-tetrazin-1 (2H)-yl (1,3,5-triphenylverdazyl) with organometallic compounds

2,4,6-Triphenyl-3,4-dihydro-s-tetrazin-1(2H)-yl ( 1 ) (1,3,5-triphenylverdazyl) was allowed to react with ethyl- and butyllithium, ethyl-, isopropyl-, and butylmagnesium bromide, as well as benzylmagnesium chloride to give the coupling products 2a–d . These results indicate that structures corresponding to 2 are present in the polymers resulting from vinyl monomers containing the verdazyl structure, if they are initiated with alkyllithium or a Grignard reagent. A reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Reduced-intensity unrelated cord blood transplantation for patients with advanced malignant lymphoma.

We report the results of reduced-intensity unrelated cord blood transplantation (RI-UCBT) in patients with advanced malignant lymphoma. Twenty patients (median age, 46.5 years; range, 27-66 years) underwent RI-UCBT with a preparative regimen consisting of fludarabine 125 mg/m2 , melphalan 80 mg/m 2 , and 4 Gy of total body irradiation. The median infused total cell dose was 2.75 x 10(7)/kg (range, 2.3-3.4 x 10(7)/kg). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was composed of cyclosporine or tacrolimus alone. Fifteen patients achieved primary neutrophil engraftment after a median of 20 days. Eight patients developed grade II to IV acute GVHD, and 2 developed chronic GVHD. Of the 16 patients with evaluable disease, 10 achieved a complete response. Primary disease recurred in 1 patient, and transplant-related mortality within 100 days occurred in 8 of 20 patients. The estimated 1-year probability of progression-free survival was 50%. These data suggest that RI-UCBT is a feasible option for patients with refractory lymphoma who lack an HLA-matched donor.     

Expression of connexin 32 gap junction protein in the kidneys during fetal development of the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

The expression of gap junction protein was examined immunohistochemically using affinity-purified antibody against rat liver gap junction protein, connexin 32 (Cx32), in the kidneys of fetal (gestation days 13–16) and adult Syrian golden hamsters. Phalloidin histochemical staining, PNA- and RCA I-lectin stainings, NCAM immunostaining, and alkaline phosphatase and Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase enzyme-histochemical staining were performed in combination with Cx32 immunostaining. The kidney sections were observed with a confocal scanning laser microscope. By gestation day 13, Cx32 immunoreactivity was observed in the differentiating tubules. The Cx32 staining was localized on the lateral cell membrane of the cells lining the developing proximal tubules, while the S-shaped bodies, developing distal tubules, and collecting tubules showed no positive immunostaining. As the kidney developed, the density of Cx32 immunoreactivity increased. As the gap junction provides pathways for cell-cell communication, the development of Cx32 expression may imply that this structure plays an important role in renal tubule development. Confocal scanning laser microscopy provided a clear image of the fluorescence-labeled cell structures, free from out-of-focus blur. Using the same sections, stereoscopic images were easily reconstructed from serial optical sections, and were helpful in understanding the spatial distribution of Cx32 expression in the developing fetal proximal tubules.     

Invasive fungal infection following reduced-intensity cord blood transplantation for adult patients with hematologic diseases.

Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a significant complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT); however, we have little information on its clinical features after reduced intensity cord blood transplantation (RICBT) for adults. We reviewed medical records of 128 patients who underwent RICBT at Toranomon Hospital between March 2002 and November 2005. Most of the patients received purine-analogbased preparative regimens. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was a continuous infusion of either tacrolimus 0.03 mg/kg or cyclosporine 3 mg/kg. IFI was diagnosed according to the established EORTC/NIH-MSG criteria. IFI was diagnosed in 14 patients. Thirteen of the 14 had probable invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and the other had fungemia resulting from Trichosporon spp. Median onset of IFI was day 20 (range: 1-82), and no patients developed IFI after day 100. Three-year cumulative incidence of IA was 10.2%. Four of the 13 patients with invasive aspergillosis (IA) developed grade II-IV acute GVHD, and their IA was diagnosed before the onset of acute GVHD. The mortality rate of IFI was 86%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of prednisolone >0.2 mg/kg (relative risk 7.97, 95% confidence interval 2.24-28.4, P = .0014) was a significant risk factor for IA. This study suggests that IFI is an important cause of deaths after RICBT, and effective strategies are warranted to prevent IFI.     

Cytomegalovirus infections following umbilical cord blood transplantation using reduced intensity conditioning regimens for adult patients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT); however, we have little information on the clinical features of CMV reactivation after cord blood transplantation using reduced-intensity regimens (RI-CBT) for adults. We reviewed medical records of 140 patients who underwent RI-CBT at Toranomon Hospital between January 2002 and March 2005. All the patients were monitored for CMV-antigenemia weekly, and, if turned positive, received preemptive foscarnet or ganciclovir. Seventy-seven patients developed positive antigenemia at a median onset of day 35 (range, 4-92) after transplant. Median of the maximal number of CMV pp65-positive cells per 50,000 cells was 22 (range, 1-1806). CMV disease developed in 22 patients on a median of day 35 (range, 15-106); 21 had enterocolitis and 1 had adrenalitis. CMV antigenemia had not been detected in 2 patients, when CMV disease was diagnosed. CMV disease was successfully treated using ganciclovir or foscarnet in 14 patients. The other 8 patients died without improvement of CMV disease. In multivariate analysis, grade II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease was a risk factor of CMV disease (relative risk 3.48, 95% confidential interval 1.47-8.23). CMV reactivation and disease develop early after RI-CBT. CMV enterocolitis may be a common complication after RI-CBT.     

A histological evaluation for guided bone regeneration induced by a collagenous membrane

This study was designed to evaluate the histological changes during ossification and cellular events including osteogenic differentiation responding to collagenous bioresorbable membranes utilized for GBR. Standardized artificial bony defects were prepared at rat maxillae, and covered with a collagenous bioresorbable membrane. These animals were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the GBR-operation. The paraffin sections were subject to tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteopontin (OP) and osteocalcin (OC). In the first week of the experimental group, woven bone with ALP-positive osteoblasts occupied the lower half of the cavity. The collagenous membrane included numerous ALP-negative cells and OP-immunoreactive extracellular matrices. At 2 weeks, the ALP-, OP- and OC-immunoreactivity came to be recognizable in the region of collagenous membrane. Since ALP-negative soft tissue separated the collagenous membrane and the new bone originating from the cavity bottom, the collagenous membrane appeared to induce osteogenesis in situ. At 3 weeks, numerous collagen fibers of the membrane were embedded in the adjacent bone matrix. At 4 weeks, the membrane-associated and the cavity-derived bones had completely integrated, showing the same height of the periosteal ridge as the surrounding alveolar bones. The collagen fibers of a GBR-membrane appear to participate in osteogenic differentiation.     

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma arising in the big toe

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma (LGFMS) is a rare tumor. Reported herein is a case of LGFMS arising in the big toe. The patient was a 58-year-old man who underwent excision of the tumor. The tumor was well-demarcated. Histologically, there were proliferating spindle-shaped tumor cells arranged in a whorled growth pattern, and the stroma showed hyalinized collagen bundles and a myxoid matrix. Nuclear mitotic figures were conspicuous in part. A large rosette-like structure with hyalinized stroma was found, which is characteristic of LGFMS. The differential diagnosis included tumor occurrence in adults; tending to arise in distal extremities; and having bland fibromyxoid histological features, such as fibroma of tendon sheath, low-grade myxofibrosarcoma and acral myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma. It was not possible to detect the FUS/CREB3L2 and FUS/CREB3L1 fusion genes from the formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue, although the histological features of the present case were typical of LGFMS. LGFMS may become more common with time, and unique cases may accumulate.     

Kinetic studies on the reaction of formaldehyde with diphenyl sulfide. Formaldehyde resins. 99

Kinetic studies on the acid-catalyzed reaction of formaldehyde with diphenyl sulfide (DPS) were carried out in acetic acid in the presence of sulfuric acid. The rate of the initial stage of the reaction was found to be in agreement with the following equation. The relative rates of diphenyl sulfide and its homologous compounds in the reaction with formaldehyde gave a good correlation with BROWN -OKAMOTO 's σ^⊕ values and a large ρ value. The polar effects of substituents of the substituted diphenyl sulfides on the rates were found to be considerably large. From these results a plausible mechanism of the reaction has been deduced.     

EXFOLIATIVE CYTOPATHOLOGY OF ALVEOLAR RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

Exfoliative cytopathology of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is presented. A 34-year-old male was found to have alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the retroperitoneum at autopsy. Ascites was recognized in the course of this disease. Cytological features in the ascites were characterized by relatively small-sized ovoid cells observed singly or in loose clusters. The neoplastic cells possessed small amount of rather vesicular cytoplasm and an eccentric nucleus. The nucleus characteristically revealed multiple deep indentations in the nuclear membrane, a few prominent eosinophilic nucleoli and finely granular or evenly distributed chromatin pattern. These cytological findings, especially the nuclear features, might be useful to differentiate alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma from other neoplasms which consist of relatively small-sized ovoid cells even if the striated muscle origin cannot be confirmed by immunoperoxidase staining.