Non-IgG1 nature of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity factor in contact sensitivity. II. Demonstration of antigen-dependent basophil chemotactic activity of cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity factor

It was recently demonstrated that there was a specific activity to induce basophil-rich skin reaction in the sera of contact-sensitized guinea pigs (CBH factor, CBH-F). In the in vitro chemotactic assay system, CBH-F was shown to have weak basophil chemotactic activity but enhanced its activity in the presence of corresponding antigen(s). Furthermore, basophil chemotaxis in reaction to the antigen(s) was observed when the cells were preincubated with CBH-F. It worked mainly for Percoll-separated bone marrow basophils but not for oil-induced peritoneal macrophages. Immunological analysis revealed that CBH-F was a protein with a small molecular weight (MW 4-6 X 10(4] with an antigen binding site and isoelectric point of between 4.5 and 5.0. It did not show any characteristics of IgG1 or IgG2 on immunoadsorbent column and immunoelectrophoresis. Enzyme treatment with insoluble trypsin eliminated the chemotactic activity but this was not the case with neuraminidase treatment.     

Functional interleukin 2 receptors on B cells lacking Tac antigens

Human B lymphoblastoid line, SKW 6-4, cells were induced to IgM-secreting cells by high concentrations of interleukin 2 (IL 2). These cells were found to be unreactive with anti-Tac antibody and did not express mRNA detectable for Tac antigen. In Scatchard plot analysis, low-affinity IL 2-binding sites were found on SKW 6-4 cells. Moreover, analysis of the IL 2-binding molecules revealed ones (molecular weight 70,000 and 75,000) distinct from Tac antigen. It is conceivable that IL 2 exerts its effect through its interaction with these novel IL 2-binding molecules in SKW 6-4 cells.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on bacterial copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid

Copolyesters of 3-hydroxybutyric acid (HB) and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid (HV), P(HB-co-HV), were isolated from Alcaligenes eutrophus and characterized by solution NMR, solid-state ¹³C CP/MAS NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry. The ¹³C CP/MAS NMR analysis was compatible with that of a random copolyester of oxy-(1-methyl-3-oxotrimethylene) ( B ) and oxy-(1-ethyl-3-oxotrimethylene) ( V ) units which adopts a regular conformation of a 2₁ -helix in the solid state throughout a wide range of compositions varying from 0 to 90 mol-% V units. The chain dynamics of P(HB-co-HV) in chloroform was studied by analysis of the ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectra. The carbon-13 spin-lattice relaxation times (T₁) and nuclear Overhauser enhancements (NOE) indicated that the copolyester molecules in chloroform are not rigid but rather flexible. The conformational preferences of the copolyester molecules were determined by analysis of the ¹H NMR spectra.     

Structure of the functional interleukin-2 receptor: Evidence for the association of human p55 and murine p75 molecules in a mouse T cell line

The structural basis of the high affinity interleukin-2 receptorwhich was previously reconstituted in a cultured murine T cellline, EL4 by expressing either wild-type Tac antigen complementaryDNA (cDNA) or a chimeric cDNA was characterized. The chimericcDNA encodes a membrane portion whose extracellular portionconsists of that of Tac antigen whereas transmembrane and cytoplasmicportions consists of those the human insulin beta chain. TheTac antigen/anti-Tac antibody complex was treated by chemicalcrosslinking reagents, purified by goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin(lg), and was analysed by SDS–PAGE. We here demonstrated the presence in mouse EL4 transfectantsof a novel membrane protein which is closely associated withthe products of transfected cDNAs in the absence of interleukln-2.The protein is 75 kDa in size and is detected in cells whichexpress high affinity interieukln-2 receptor but not in cellswhich only express low affinity interleukin-2 receptor. Thetransmembrane region and the cytoplasmic region of Tac antigenis not necessary for the formation of the complex consistingof Tac antigen and 75 kDa molecule, indicating that a murine75 kDa molecule associates with Tac antigen extra-cellularly.     

Computerized detection of clustered microcalcifications in digital mammograms: applications of artificial neural networks.

Artificial neural networks have been applied to the differentiation of actual "true" clusters from normal parenchymal patterns and also to the differentiation of actual clusters from false-positive clusters as reported by a computerized scheme for the detection of microcalcifications in digital mammograms. The differentiation was carried out in both the spatial and frequency domains. The performance of the neural networks was evaluated quantitatively by means of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. It was found that the networks could distinguish clustered microcalcifications from normal nonclustered areas in the frequency domain, and that they could eliminate approximately 50% of false-positive clusters of microcalcifications while preserving 95% of the positive clusters, when applied to the results of the automated detection scheme. A large, comprehensive training database is needed for neural networks to perform reliably in clinical situations.     

Adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma with massive involvement of cardiac muscle and valves

An autopsy case of a 58-year-old woman with massive cardiac Involvement of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is reported. She developed cardiac failure due to aortic and mitral regurgitation with cardiac infiltration of ATLL cells, and underwent replacement of both aortic and mitral valves. Studies of the cut-surfaces revealed diffuse thickening of the subendocardial wall of the left chamber with widespread whitish-brown tumor infiltrates. In the regions surrounding the replaced aortic and mitral valves there was also massive tumor cell infiltration. The tumor cells infiltrating the cardiac muscle wall were T cell in origin and exhibited Leu-3a (CD4)-positive immunoreaction. Ultrastructurally, tumor cells contained markedly indented nuclei and some were attached directly to the muscle cells. These findings suggest that this was an unusual form of ATLL with widespread involvement of the heart.     

Experimental study and clinical use of poly(vinyl acetate) emulsion as liquid embolisation material

A new material, an emulsion of poly(vinyl acetate) was experimentally developed and clinically used to overcome several disadvantages in currently used liquid embolisation materials. The emulsion microparticles, 0.3–0.7 m in size, possessed cationic charge on the surface and hence aggregated immediately on contact with fluids containing anions. This inert polymer has the advantage that it does not induce a deleterious reaction in living tissue. Moreover, its medium is water and it is not adhesive, like the cyanoacrylates. Several concentrations of emulsion were injected into the renal arteries of dogs. For the investigation of tissue reactions and the possibility of recanalisation, the emulsion was injected into rats both subcutaneously and into the renal arteries. The renal artery injections in dogs showed adequate radiopacity and consistent complete occlusion. The lower the concentration of the emulsion, the smaller the arteries which could be occluded. Even at very low concentrations, however, venous occlusion did not occur. Histological study of the embolised rat kidney revealed no detectable damage in the vessel wall and no recanalisation for up to 6 months. The subcutaneously injected PVAc emulsion elicited mononuclear cell infiltration and gradual centripetal fibrosis, without any deleterious effect on the surrounding tissue. A cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) was embolised using the material. Histology of the resected nidus showed findings similar to those in the animal experiments.     

Giant testicular tumor: a case report

We report a case of giant testicular tumor. A 30-year-old man visited our department complaining of a painless swelling of the right scrotal contents. In chest X-ray and abdominal computerized tomography (CT) there were no abnormal findings. Serum alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase levels were normal. Right high orchiectomy was performed. The size of the removed specimen was 13.5 x 8.5 x 7.5 cm, and weight 530 g. The pathological diagnosis was immature teratoma. The patient has received no further therapy. There has been no recurrence for 7 months postoperatively.     

Urinary incontinence after non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy with neoadjuvant androgen deprivation

OBJECTIVES: The impact of non-nerve-sparing retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP) for prostate cancer combined with neoadjuvant androgen deprivation on urinary control is not well documented. We examined the incidence and severity of urinary incontinence after such therapy and determined the etiologic factors causing this complication. METHODS: We examined the postoperative continence status of 104 consecutive patients admitted to the National Cancer Center Hospital who underwent RRP with wide resection of the pelvic nerves after neoadjuvant androgen deprivation. Incontinence was scored according to the number of pads used daily by the patient for urinary leakage. The severity of incontinence was analyzed according to patient age, weight of resected specimen, status of cancer stage, duration of neoadjuvant androgen blockade therapy, preoperative length of membranous urethra, and duration of urethral catheterization after surgery. We also measured the configuration and diameter of the reconstructed bladder neck by retrograde cystourethrography. RESULTS: In 104 patients examined, the percentage of patients who became dry postoperatively was 22% at 1 month, 47% at 3 months, 69% at 6 months, and 78% at 1 year. Of 81 patients who became dry postoperatively at any interval, 22 (27%) became continent within 1 month of RRP, 49 (61 %) were continent within 3 months, 71 (88%) became continent by 6 months, and another 10 (12%) became continent between 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Of 48 patients who were followed up for more than 1 year and for whom continence status at 1 month after surgery was available, all patients who used 1 to 2 pads per day (13 of 13) at 1 month after surgery regained continence by 1 year after surgery. However, only 62% of patients (16 of 26) who required more than 3 pads per day at 1 month after surgery became dry by 1 year after surgery. Only age (older than 70 years) and large prostate size (weight of surgical specimen more than 40 g) temporarily influenced the recovery of urinary continence after surgery. Dilation of the bladder neck evaluated by retrograde cystourethrography was prominent in severely incontinent patients in the immediate postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience in patients who undergo non-nerve-sparing RRP after neoadjuvant androgen deprivation closely matches published surveys of patient-reported complications. Postoperative incontinence is not a major contraindication for non-nerve-sparing RRP after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy. Dilation of the bladder neck affected the recovery from incontinence, highlighting the importance of adequate reconstruction of the bladder neck.