Augmentative effect of sizofiran on the immune functions of regional lymph nodes in patients with cervical cancer

Twenty mg of sizofiran (Schizophyllum glucan: SPG) was i.m. administered one day prior to surgery, or the same dose was injected 8 days and one day before surgery to 40 patients with cervical cancer and 15 with a benign tumor. Frozen sections of fresh pelvic lymph nodes from these patients obtained during surgery were stained by the ABC (Avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex) method with several monoclonal antibodies to define the surface phenotype of mononuclear cells. SPG led to a great increase in the number of cells stained with interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and Leu 3a antibodies, mainly in PC, but with only a slight increase in the number of cells stained with Leu 2a, 7, 11, and M3 antibodies. This augmenting effect was more prominent in patients receiving two SPG injects that in those with a benign tumor. These results suggest that stimulus with some antigen (cancer antigen in the present study) may be required to induce immuno-augmentation by SPG which has no antigenicity. Interestingly, the above augmenting effects could be seen even in metastatic lymph nodes from advanced cervical cancer patients. SPG was thus revealed to be a potent biological response modifier leading to augmented helper T (Th) cell functions of pelvic lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients, among which an enhanced IL-2/IL-2R system was noted.     

Stage IV renal cell carcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein treated with multimodal treatment. A case report

A 63 year old man, having right renal cell carcinoma which was found after initial symptoms of left supraclavicular tumor and gross hematuria, is presented. The points to note with this case are; (1) An unusual production of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), (2) Being discovered at a very advanced stage and that the disease progressed rapidly (at initial presentation the patient had lymph nodes metastases from the paraaorta, mediastinum to the left supraclavicular region. Later the patient had a recurrent tumor in the left supraclavicular area and multiple cutaneous metastases), (3) Various modalities of treatment were given (right nephrectomy, abdominal lymph nodes dissection, resection of the supraclavicular and mediastinal lymph nodes metastases, hyperthermia combined with irradiation for the recurrent tumor in the supraclavicular region and systemically adoptive immunotherapy with tumor infiltrating lymphocytes). During this treatment course, the drift of serum AFP showed a good correlation. The possibility of AFP as a tumor marker of renal cell carcinoma in selected cases was presented and the suitability of the treatments performed to this patient was discussed.     

Fracture incidence and bone mineral density of the distal radius in Japanese children

Summary The incidence of fractures of the distal radius in Japanese persons under 20 years of age was determined, and the bone mineral density of the radius was measured in 236 healthy Japanese children. The peak incidence of fractures occurred at 13 years of age (807 per 100000) in boys and at 11(300 per 100000) in girls. Bone mineral density increased with age, but the rate of increase was not equal at the metaphysis and the diaphysis in the parapubertal period. The metaphyseal/diaphyseal ratio of bone mineral density was lowest at the age of 12–13 years in boys and 11 years in girls. The age at the peak incidence of fractures thus coincided with the age at which the metaphyseal/diaphyseal density ratio was lowest. Thus, it is suggested that low bone mineral density at the metaphysis may be the cause of the high incidence of these fractures in adolescence.     

Immobilization and reproducibility in radiotherapy for cancer of the larynx and pharynx using simplified shell and bite-block

In this paper we describe the comparative study concerning the immobilization during radiotherapy for cancer of the larynx and pharynx with or without shell and fixing device. Immobilization was continuously monitored by semi-conductor detector. Reproducibility was investigated by means of verification film. The result significantly indicated that better immobilization was obtained in the patients treated with use of the shell (p much less than 0.001). Reproducibility of the field arrangement was also sufficient throughout the course of radiotherapy.     

Activity of Di-β-Lysyl-Capreomycin IIA and Palmitoyl Tuberactinamine N Against Drug-Resistant Mutants with Altered Ribosomes

The effects of 61 synthetic tuberactinomycin derivatives on polypeptide synthesis were tested in bacterial cell-free systems. Di-beta-lys-capreomycin IIA was more effective than the natural product. Palmitoyl tuberactinamine N inhibited the growth of tuberactinomycin-resistant mutants and was not a ribosome inhibitor.     

A new hydrocolloid dressing prevents surgical site infection of median sternotomy wounds

Purpose  

This prospective and semi-randomized study was conducted to clarify the effectiveness of a new hydrocolloid dressing placed over median sternotomy wounds using an occlusive dressing technique.     

Changes in pulmonary epithelial permeability due to thoracic irradiation]

The changes in pulmonary epithelial permeability during and following radiation therapy were studied in 10 patients with malignant diseases of the chest; 9 patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and one with thymoma. 99mTc-DTPA aerosol was inhaled during tidal breathing with the patient in supine position, and radioactivity was measured anteriorly by a gamma camera and recorded on a computer. Half time clearance (t1/2) was calculated from exponential fitting of time activity curves by regression analysis in various regions of interest in the initial 7 min following completion of aerosol inhalation. Studies were made every two weeks. In patients who developed radiation pneumonitis, t1/2 values decreased and reached the nadir at the time of manifest pneumonitis, indicating increased pulmonary epithelial permeability. Increased pulmonary epithelial permeability was observed not only in the pneumonic regions but also in the contralateral normal lung regions. Steroid therapy reversed these changes. Increased pulmonary epithelial permeability was observed in 2 out of 5 patients who did not develop radiation pneumonitis. In summary, pulmonary epithelial permeability changes occur not only in regions of radiation pneumonitis but also in non-irradiated lung regions following radiation therapy. We consider that the judicious use of this method enables detection of changes in pulmonary epithelial permeability prior to the development of clinical manifestations of radiation pneumonitis.     

Effect of N-methionine-free, bacterially synthesized recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in a primate model

We demonstrate the in vivo effects of bacterially synthesized, N-methionine-free recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (rh GM-CSF) using a crab-eating monkey model. Monkeys were treated with cyclophosphamide (60 mg/kg) and administered with rh GM-CSF (30 micrograms/kg/d) subcutaneously (s.c.) for 7 days. Within 12 h, a transient increase of neutrophils (greater than 15.0 x 10(9)/l) was observed, and complete recovery of WBC counts was obtained by d 9 (d 16 in control monkeys). Neutrophils and eosinophils were absolutely increased (greater than 8 x 10(9)/l) on d 10. Readministration of rh GM-CSF (30 micrograms/kg/d, s.c.) for 3 d (including control monkeys) revealed absolute increases of neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes and platelets. A two-fold increase of granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming units was also seen in the bone marrow, while the number of burst-forming units-erythroid was not affected. These data indicate that rh GM-CSF of this type stimulates granulopoiesis and thrombopoiesis in vivo.