Marmoset lymphoblastoid cells transformed by NPC-KT-derived Epstein-Barr virus which possesses transforming and superinfecting characteristics

New world monkey (cotton-top marmoset; CTM) lymphocytes were transformed by two different strains of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) derived from human nasopharyngeal epithelial/hybrid cells (NPC-KT and A2L/AH). M-KT cells were a CTM lymphoblastoid cell line which was transformed by EBV derived from NPC-KT cells (NPC-KT EBV). M-BA2L cells were a CTM lymphoblastoid cell line which was transformed by EBV derived from A2L/AH cells (A2L/AH EBV). EBV obtained from M-KT cells, like parental NPC-KT EBV, could transform human cord blood lymphocytes (HCBLs) and superinfect Raji cells. EBV obtained from M-BA2L cells, like parental A2L/AH EBV, could transform HCBLs but could not superinfect Raji cells. We have compared the EBV-DNA associated with M-KT cells to NPC-KT EBV-DNA. The results obtained using a DNA restriction enzyme (Hind III) showed that virus DNA prepared from NPC-KT cells is different from EBV-DNA prepared from CTM lymphocytes transformed by EBV derived from infectious mononucleosis (B95-8), but that virus DNA prepared from M-KT cells is identical with parental NPC-KT EBV. These results indicate the possibility that a single NPC-KT EBV is associated with two biological activities.     

Sensitivity test for anti-tumor agents. 1. Application of human cord serum--as cellular growth factor

For the purpose to establish a rapid, accurate, in vitro drug sensitivity test, we have been working on surgical specimens and malignant effusions. For the primary cultures, we used cellular medium PRMI-1640 with 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). For the successful tissue culture, human cord serum (HCS) was in stead of FCS in this study. For the preparation of HCS, human cord blood was obtained aseptically just after the second stage of labor from the uncomplicated pregnant women. The serum was separated, filtrated, being confirmed negative Mycoplasma contamination, and inactivated by keeping in a water bath at 56 degrees C for 30 min. The experimental materials were T-24, HeLa and Vero cells. These cellular suspension samples in RPMI1640 with FCS or HCS were kept in 5% CO2 incubator at 37 degrees C for 120 hours. Estimation and evaluation of this test in comparison of FCS with HCS were made on the following points. 1. Cellular proliferation on the crystal violet staining. 2. Cellular function test by MTT assay. 3. Cellular morphologic changes on microscopic examination. Conclusions: 1. HCS, as well as FCS, seemed to be a good cellular growth factor. 2. 5% HCS is compatible with 10% FCS for good cellular development.     

A simple test for mothball component differentiation using water and a saturated solution of table salt: its utilization for poison information service.

All 651 cases of mothball ingestion received by a poison information center were studied. At each time of inquiry, the staff member asked the caller to test whether the mothball floated or sank in water and a saturated solution of table salt. With the results of the test the staff member identified the mothball ingredient. Though most of the callers were housewives with little knowledge of medicine, the differentiations were each completed within 5 min. Later, gas chromatographic analyses revealed that no errors in differentiations had been made. Our method proved a quick preliminary test for mothball component differentiation in poison information service.     

REFRACTORY DIVERTICULAR COLITIS WITH PROGRESSIVE ULCERATIVE COLITIS‐LIKE CHANGES EXTENDING TO THE RECTUM

A 68‐year‐old man visited our department because of diarrhea and bloody stools. Colonoscopy revealed diverticula scattered in the sigmoid colon with localized mucosal edema and reddening. The mucosa became somewhat rough 9 months later, and had an erosive, ulcerative colitis (UC)‐like appearance after a further 6 months, with these changes extending to the rectum. These findings led to a diagnosis of diverticular colitis (DC) with UC‐like changes. The condition was refractory to treatment including drug therapy and was thus surgically treated. No cases of DC have been reported in Japan, and a refractory case of DC with progressive UC‐like changes extending to the rectum is rare even in Europe and the USA.     

Three cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with bone metastasis]

We report three cases of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with delayed bone metastasis at least four years after initial surgery. One small intestinal and two rectal GISTs were all considered as high-risk according to the classification based on tumor size and mitotic count. GIST usually metastasizes to the liver and peritoneum, however bone metastasis should be considered in the patients with long prognosis.     

A case of gastric cancer with isolated brain metastasis successfully managed by gamma knife radiotherapy and chemotherapy

We describe a 51-year-old man case of a huge gastric cancer with an initial presentation of isolated brain metastasis. The patient was successfully managed by gamma knife radiotherapy, followed by chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. He has continued oral administration of TS-1 on an outpatient basis with disease free survival for more than one year.     

An aneurysm at the cannulation site discovered 40 years after cardiac surgery: report of a case

We report the successful surgical treatment of a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta in a 45-year-old man who underwent surgical closure of a ventricular septal defect at the age of 5. A computed tomography scan ordered for the investigation of a pulmonary mass happened to detect a pseudoaneurysm (20 mm diameter). The pseudoaneurysm protruded anteriorly from the ascending aorta at the previous aortic cannulation site. The ascending aorta, including the lesion, was replaced with a prosthetic graft uneventfully. The cause of the pseudoaneurysm was considered iatrogenic, since he had no prior history of postoperative mediastinitis or blunt chest trauma. A computed tomography scan is a useful means to detect a mass on the ascending aorta following cardiac surgery, and it provides important information to help define a surgical strategy.     

Morphological and Cytogenetic Characterization and N-myc Oncogene Analysis of a Newly Established Neuroblastoma Cell Line

A permanent cell line established from a xenograft of neuroblastoma which occurred in a 5 year old girl was investigated for its morphological and biological characteristics. The cultured cells were tumorigenic in nude mice. Microscopically, each tumor consisted of small round to polygonal cells with irregular nuclei and prominent nucleoli, corresponding to the features of the primary and xenografted tumor cells. Electron microscopic examination revealed that both the transplanted tumor cells and the cultured cells contained scanty microtubules and dense-core neurosecretory granules. Chromosome analysis of this cell line showed monosomy for chromosomes 1,10,19 and X, and structural rearrangements involving chromosomes 8, 17 and 20, in addition to numerous double minutes. The N- myc oncogene was found to be amplified 40 to 80 fold in the transplanted and cultured tumor cells, as well as in the primary tumor cells. In situ hybridization with a digoxigenin labeled uridine-triphosphate N- myc RNA probe detected abundant mRNA in the tumor cells. This neuroblastoma line may become a valuable in vitro experimental model system for studies aimed at better characterization of neuroblastoma. Acta Pathol Jpn 41: 507 515, 1991.     

Temporal bone histopathology in trisomy 18 syndrome: a report of two cases

Temporal bone histopathological findings of two patients with trisomy 18 syndrome are described. Many of the abnormalities previously described were seen in the present cases; namely, atresia of the external auditory canal, aberrant course of the tensor tympani muscle, malformed stapes, aberrant course of the facial nerve with an obtuse angulation at the first genu and displacement of geniculate ganglion cells into the internal auditory canal, shortened cochlea with decreased spiral ganglion cell population, and vestibular anomalies, such as bony and membranous blockage of the superior semicircular canal. Moreover, an extremely underdeveloped malleus and incus continuous with a persistent Meckel's cartilage were observed.