Antiproliferative constituents in the plant 8. Seeds of Rhynchosia volubilis.

The MeOH extract of the seeds of Rhynchosia volubilis (Leguminosae) showed antiproliferative activity against human gastric adenocarcinoma [MK-1, 50% growth inhibition (GI50): 25 microg/ml], human uterus carcinoma (HeLa, GI50: 30 microg/ml), and murine melanoma (B16F10, GI50: 8 microg/ml) cells. Bioactivity-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of gallic acid methylester (1), gallic acid (2), 7-O-galloylcatechin (3), 1,6-di-O-galloylglucose (4), 1-O-galloylglucose (5), and trigalloylgallic acid (6), and their antiproliferative activity was estimated. All showed much stronger inhibition against B16F10 cell growth than against HeLa and MK-1 cell growth. Compound 2 and its tetramer (6) with a free carboxyl group showed higher activity than those which did not have a free carboxyl group. In relation to the gallic acid tetramer (6), two gallic acid dimers (ellagic acid and dehydrodigallic acid) and trimers (tergallic acid dilactone and flavogallonic acid dilactone) were tested for their activity, and compared with those of the isolates.     

Immunological function in head-injured patients. Relationship with severity of injury and age

The immunological function of 29 head-injured patients was investigated, with special reference to the relationships between changes in immunity and both severity of head injury and age. The patients were classified according to Glasgow Coma Scale scores (15, 9 to 14, and 3 to 8) and age (under 35, 35 to 65, and over 65 years). T cell subsets (OKT4 and OKT8) and Leu-11a cells were studied by flow cytometry with the use of monoclonal antibody. Lymphocyte stimulation indices were also evaluated. The percentage of OKT4 cells was significantly decreased in the young patients with severe head injury, whereas the percentage of OKT8 cells remained almost within the normal range. Thus, the ratio of OKT4 to OKT8 cells was decreased. The percentage of Leu-11a cells showed no correlation with severity of injury or age. Lymphocyte stimulation indices were reduced in cases of severe head injury. In this study, patients with severe head injury were immunosuppressed, particularly those under age 35.     

Nuclear changes in skeletal muscle extend to satellite cells in autosomal dominant Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy/limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1B

Autosomal forms of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (AD-/AR-EDMD) and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B (LGMD1B) are caused by mutations in the gene encoding A-type lamins (LMNA). A-type lamins are major components of nuclear lamina and known to have important roles in maintaining nuclear integrity. LMNA mutations are also suggested to cause reduced myogenic differentiation potentials, implying that satellite cell nuclei in AD-EDMD/LGMD1B are likewise affected. We examined nuclear changes of skeletal muscles including satellite cells from four patients with AD-EDMD/LGMD1B by light and electron microscopy. We found that 92.5 ± 5.0% of myonuclei had structural abnormalities, including shape irregularity and/or chromatin disorganization, and the presence of peri-/intranuclear vacuoles. Chromatin changes were also observed in 50% of the satellite cell nuclei. Increased number of Pax7-positive nuclei, but fewer number of MyoD-positive nuclei were seen on immunohistochemical analyses, suggesting functional alteration of satellite cells in addition to the nuclear morphological changes in AD-EDMD/LGMD1B.     

Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in adults by the modified protocol of L-10M (Sloan-Kettering)

We have treated 20 adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 2 patients with lymphoblastic lymphoma with a protocol modified from L-10M of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Eighteen patients (81.8%) entered complete remission (CR). Eight of them eventually relapsed (only 1 patient had a meningeal relapse) and died. Median CR duration was 19 months (median overall follow-up of 35 months and 50% remission duration was not yet determined. Median overall survival was 19 months. Three patients died of sepsis during remission induction, but all of other deaths were due to resistant or relapsed leukemia. The four patients who completed 3.5 year's modified L-10M protocol were free from relapse for 6-11 months (mean 8.7). Although further follow-up is necessary, we suggest that modified L-10M protocol is effective for adult ALL and long-term survival may be available.     

An autopsy case of lung cancer in a young adult dwarf

A 31-year-old man with peripheral squamous cell carcinoma is reported. By nature he was very small. On admission he was 140 cm tall, weighed 28 kg, and was complaining of chest pain of five years duration. A giant tumor in the right lung was found to be moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. He also had congenital anomalies, such as crossed ectopic kidney with fusion, café-au-lait spots, inguinal hernia, simian line, etc. He had never been exposed to cancer-causing agents. In conclusion, genetic factors related to intrauterine growth retardation might have been linked to his oncodevelopmental mechanisms.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of ceftriaxone in acute suppurative otitis media and acute exacerbation of chronic suppurative otitis media. A comparative study with cefotiam as the control

In order to objectively evaluate the efficacy and the safety of ceftriaxone (CTRX) using once daily administration of 1 g to cases of acute suppurative otitis media and acute exacerbation of chronic suppurative otitis media, a group comparison study by the envelope method was conducted using cefotiam (CTM) as the control drug (2 g twice daily). The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1. Clinical efficacies evaluated by the committee were 71% in the CTRX group and 86% in the CTM group for acute suppurative otitis media, and 63% and 60%, respectively, for chronic suppurative otitis media. When all cases were considered both groups evidenced a clinical efficacy of 64%, and no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. 2. Clinical efficacies evaluated by the physician in charge were 65% in the CTRX group and 86% in the CTM group for acute suppurative otitis media, and 72% and 60%, respectively, for chronic suppurative otitis media. When all cases were considered efficacies were, respectively, 70% and 64%, showing no significant difference between the 2 groups. 3. Bacteriological efficacies were 88% in the CTRX group and 86% in the CTM group for acute suppurative otitis media, and 74% and 62%, respectively, for chronic suppurative otitis media. With all cases bacterial eradication rates were, respectively, 76% and 67%. Bacterial eradication rates were always higher for the CTRX group than for the CTM group, but the difference was not significant between the 2 groups. 4. Against infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus alone, CTRX showed equal clinical and bacteriological efficacies to CTM. 5. As side effects, dermatitis, vomiting, and malaise were observed in 5 cases (4%) of the CTRX group and 3 cases (3%) of the CTM group. As clinical testing abnormalities, elevations of GOT, GPT, and Al-P, and thrombocytopenia were noted only in 3 cases (5%) of the CTRX group. Furthermore, all of these abnormalities were temporary and of moderate degree or mild, thus the safety of either drug was considered high. 6. Clinical utilities were 71% in the CTRX group and 86% in the CTM group for acute suppurative otitis media, and 72% and 62%, respectively, for chronic suppurative otitis media. When all cases were included, they were 72% and 66%, respectively, and there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. It is concluded from the above results that CTRX is a highly useful drug with once daily administration of 1 g in the treatment of suppurative otitis media.