Three types of swine immunoglobulin-producing tumours: lymphoplasmacytic lymphosarcoma, immunoblastic lymphosarcoma and plasmacytoma

Three types of swine immunoglobulin-producing tumours are described. Case 1 was a lymphoplasmacytic lymphosarcoma, in which IgG was intracellularly identified in the plasmacytoid cells. Case 2 was an immunoblastic lymphosarcoma, the large cells of which possessed intracytoplasmic IgG and well developed RER. Case 3 was diagnosed as a plasmacytoma. There were two distinct immunoglobulins, IgG and IgA, in single plasmacytoid cells and the RER was highly developed. The origins of the three cases are discussed according to the theory of B-lymphocyte differentiation sequences and the origins of B-cell lymphomas. The mechanism of "double producers" is discussed with reference to DNA and RNA.     

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide and the evaluation of volume overload in infants and children with congenital heart disease

This study was designed to explore whether it was possible to evaluate the severity of VSD, PDA, and ASD by measuring brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels. We also investigated normal BNP levels in children to provide a baseline for our study. We measured BNP levels in 253 normal children, including 11 normal neonates, and in 91 VSD patients, 29 PDA patients, and 34 ASD patients. BNP levels showed no age-related differences in normal children (the mean value: 5.3 +/- 3.8 pg/ml). In the healthy neonates, BNP levels rose from 10.4 +/- 11.9 pg/ml in cord blood to 118.8 +/- 83.2 pg/ml on day 0, then fell to 15.3 +/- 7.8 pg/ml by day 7. In VSD and PDA patients, BNP levels correlated significantly with Qp/Qs, LVEDV, and peak RVP/LVP. In ASD patients, BNP levels correlated with Qp/Qs and RVEDV. Especially, in VSD patients, as an index corresponding to 1.5-2.0 of the Qp/Qs ratio, BNP levels of 20-35 pg/ml were found to be best with regard to both sensitivity and specificity. In the healthy neonates, BNP levels changed rapidly after birth. In VSD, PDA, and ASD patients, BNP levels were well-correlated with the severity of the disease. Especially, in VSD patients, it that appears BNP levels may be useful in evaluating surgical indications, with 20-35 pg/ml levels being the appropriate cut-off value.     

Interaction between dyes and polyelectrolytes, 8. Effect of polyanions on the mixed dimer formation of cationic dyes

The effect of polyanions on the formation of mixed dimers of methylene blue ( 1 ) and trypaflavine ( 2 ), methylene blue ( 1 ) and phenosafranine ( 3 ), and methylene blue ( 1 ) and pyronine G ( 4 ) was investigated spectrophotometrically. The following polyanions were used: poly(potassium styrenesulfonate) (PSS), poly(potassium vinyl sulfate) (PVS), and poly(sodium acrylate) (PAA). On addition of polyanions, the formation of mixed dimers was enhanced largely. Thermodynamic parameters inferred that the enhancement of the formation of mixed dimers in the presence of polyanions resulted from an entropic factor.     

Interaction between dyes and polyelectrolytes, 2. Structural effect of polyanions on the methylene blue binding

The structural effect of polyanions on the binding type of methylene blue ( 1 ) was investigated spectrophotometrically. 1 was bound to poly(potassium styrenesulfonate) (PSS) and poly(sodium 4-vinylphenylsulfate) (SVS) in the dimeric or slightly aggregated form and to poly(sodium vinylsulfonate) (SVF) and poly(potassium vinyl sulfate) (PVS) in the highly aggregated (polymeric) form. It was found that the flexibility of polyanions plays an important rǒle in the aggregation of bound 1 and that the difference between ? SO and ? OSO as binding site is not a significant factor.     

Vinyl polymerization by metal complexes, 14. Synthesis of 2-substituted and 2,4-disubstituted imidazole-copper(II) complexes as initiator systems for vinyl polymerization

A series of the copper(II) complexes of the type CuL₄X₂ (L: ligand, X: anion) was prepared with the following substituted imidazoles as ligands 2-ethyl- ( 1a ), 2-ethyl-4-methyl- ( 1b ), 2-phenyl- ( 1c ), 2-undecyl- ( 1d ), and 2-heptadecylimidazole ( 1e ). The structures of these complexes were confirmed by elemental analysis, reflection spectra of the crystals as well as IR-spectroscopy. Polymerization of acrylonitrile was tested in the presence of each imidazole-copper(II) complex in dimethyl sulfoxide solution.     

Enhancement of lymphocyte response to PHA by lysosomal enzymes from polymorphonuclear leukocytes of RA joint fluid

The effect of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) granule lysates obtained from joint fluid of RA an the in vitro DNA synthesis of PHA-stimulated autologous lymphocytes from joint fluid was studied. Lymphocytes were cultured for 3 days with or without PMN lysates in 2 ml of RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated fetal calf serum (FCS). The lymphocytes were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA-M). The DNA synthesis was measured by counting the [³H]thymidine incorporation. Lymphocytes from RA joint fluid stimulated with PHA-M showed 19,466±987 cpm (mean±SE per 10⁶ cells in the absence of PMN lysates. Upon addition PMN lysates to the PHA-stimulated lymphocytes, the maximum in vitro DNA synthesis increased to 44,877±1338 cpm. The enhancing effect of PMN lysates was abolished by plasma inhibitors or by passage through a column of protease inhibitor (Trasylol). It was concluded, therefore, that the enhancing effect of PMN lysates on PHA-stimulated lymphocytes may be associated with lysosomal proteases. Based on experiments using separated T and B lymphocytes, the enhancing effect of PMN lysates was considered to result from the activation of T lymphocytes. The results obtained in the present study suggest an important role for lysosomal proteases in the perpetuation of rheumatoid synovitis.     

Purification of fully activated Clostridium botulinum serotype B toxin for treatment of patients with dystonia

Clostridium botulinum serotype B toxins 12S and 16S were separated by using a beta-lactose gel column at pH 6.0; toxin 12S passed through the column, whereas toxin 16S bound to the column and eluted with lactose. The fully activated neurotoxin was obtained by applying the trypsin-treated 16S toxin on the same column at pH 8.0; the neurotoxin passed through the column, whereas remaining nontoxic components bound to the column. The toxicity of this purified fully activated neurotoxin was retained for a long period by addition of albumin in the preparation.     

IgG-KAPPA-PRODUCING PRIMARY PLASMACYTOMA OF THE THYROID GLAND WITH PREOPERATIVE SERUM M PROTEIN

A case of primary plasmacytoma of the thyroid gland which occurred in a 63-year-old woman is reported. Histologic and ultramicroscopic examination revealed that the excised thyroid tumor was plasmacytoma superimposed on lymphocytic thyroiditis. Immunohistological study showed that the tumor cells produced intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin (IgG-kappa). Electropho-retic and immunoelectrophoretic studies disclosed the presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin (IgG-kappa) in samples of the patient's serum which had been obtained preoperatively. After completion of irradiation therapy to the neck following tumor removal, the serum monoclonal immunoglobulin disappeared. The patient is currently alive and well without any evidence of the tumor three years after surgery.     

Synthesis and properties of thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymers containing transition metals

New thermotropic, liquid-crystalline polyesters ( 5a, b, 6a, b ) with mesogenic bipyridinediyl units were synthesized. They form complexes with Fe(II) and Cu(II) salts. Homopolyesters 5a, b , containing no metal or less than a certain amount of metal, are smectic. A nematic mesophase was observed in the case of copolyester 6a, b . The structural properties of a polyester complex 5a with Cu, as crystal, liquid-crystal and isotropic liquid, were examined by ESR.