Plasma components which mediate cellular defences in the gastropod mollusc Biomphalaria glabrata

Blood plasmas from certain strains of Biomphalaria glabrata are known to have components which facilitate a hemocyte-effected cytotoxic response against encapsulated Schistosoma mansoni sporocysts. The possible identity of the factor(s) has been investigated. Sporocysts placed in snail plasma rapidly acquire a wide variety of host plasma antigens, at least some of which are displayed on the parasite surface. Plasmas from strains of snail resistant to the parasite agglutinate fixed sporocysts, while plasmas from susceptible strains fail to do so. Fixed sporocysts incubated in plasma bind selectively a subpopulation of plasma antigens; some are bound uniquely in resistant plasma. Another resembles a hemagglutinin from snail plasma. These and other recently acquired data are discussed in light of increasing evidence for defensive roles of multivalent lectins.     

One stage repair for an oesophageal fistula after pneumonectomy using an omental pedicle flap.

A 67 year old man developed an oesophageal fistula after a pneumonectomy that was complicated by an empyema. An omental pedicle flap was brought through the diaphragm to repair the fistula and to fill the empyema space. The outcome was successful.     

Two cases of adenocarcinoma of the lung in which thallium-201 gave a better delineation of metastatic lesions than gallium-67

The authors report two cases of adenocarcinoma of the lung in which Tl-201 gave a better delineation of metastatic lesions than did Ga-67. In the case of multiple bone metastases, the metastatic lesion of the skull was clearly demonstrated by Tl-201 but not by Ga-67. In another case of multiple brain metastases, the lesions were also visualized by Tl-201 but not by Ga-67. Tl-201 is occasionally superior to Ga-67 for visualizing metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung.     

Acute promyelocytic leukemia with a history of RAEB in transformation and the 15/17 translocation

A 34-year old female was admitted to our clinic because of fever and general fatigue on March 26, 1987. On admission, peripheral blood (PB) revealed pancytopenia. Bone marrow smears revealed 9. 0% of promyelocytic cells with or without Auer rods. Diagnosis of RAEB in transformation was made. Chromosome study of the bone marrow cells showed t(15; 17) in 3 out of 20 cells analysed. After 3 months, the leukemic cells were observed in PB and increased in number. Then the patient showed bleeding tendency and fibrin degradation products (FDP) increased up to 40 micrograms/ml. And the leukemic cells were over 30% in PB at the end of July, 1987. The diagnosis of APL with DIC was made. To our knowledge, this is the first case of APL with a history of MDS with t(15; 17).     

Chemotherapy of disseminated germ cell testicular tumors with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum and other drugs

The effect of single CDDP therapy and PVB therapy was examined in 7 cases of stage III germ cell testicular tumors with measurable metastases. The mean age of the patients was 30.6 years old, and their histological types of primary sites were seminoma in 3 cases, embryonal carcinoma in 2, immature teratoma in 1 case and embryonal carcinoma + teratoma in 1 case. In 1 case of seminoma, 375 mg of CDDP was administered. In 1 case of embryonal carcinoma + teratoma, 100 mg of CDDP and then 2 courses of PVB therapy were performed, and 3 courses of PVB therapy were given in all other cases. Three cases showed complete response, 2 cases partial response and 2 cases no change. Pulmonary metastatic nodules were extirpated after the PVB therapy in 1 of the cases showing no change, and the histological examination of these nodules was found to be mature teratoma. As a result, the effectiveness of the chemotherapy alone was 71.4%, and that of chemotherapy + surgical operation was 85.7%. Significance of intensive chemotherapy and necessity of extirpation of residual metastatic nodules after intensive chemotherapy in the management of advanced germ cell testicular tumors are stressed.     

Mucinous colorectal carcinoma: clinical pathology and prognosis

Mucinous carcinomas accounted for 37 (6.4%) of 540 cases of colorectal carcinoma. The clinical and pathological features of these mucinous carcinomas were compared with those of the 510 well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas. Mucinous carcinoma was more common in the patients 39 years of age or under (P less than 0.05) and was more frequent in the female patients. A large number of mucinous carcinomas were located in the rectum, followed by the right colon. However, the right colon showed a higher relative incidence (40.5% vs 12.5%, P less than 0.005). Mucinous carcinoma was characterized by infiltration of the surrounding tissues (24.3% vs 7.8%, P less than 0.005), positive lymph node involvement (75.7% vs 48.6%, P less than 0.005), and peritoneal implant (21.6% vs 4.1%, P less than 0.005). The cumulative five and ten year survival rates after resection of mucinous carcinoma were 45.5 per cent and 39.8 per cent, respectively, and those after curative resection, 72.4 per cent and 63.5 per cent, respectively. These survival rates were lower, without significant differences, than those for the well or moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas. The results suggest the need for aggressive lymph node dissection and wide excision of the surrounding tissues for mucinous carcinoma, with special attention paid to local recurrence.     

An electron microscopic study on enkephalin-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the celiac ganglion of guinea pigs

Enkephalin-like immunoreactive nerve fibers in the celiac ganglion of guinea pigs were characterized by a high population of large granular vesicles mixed with small clear vesicles. The immunoreactive material is confined to the large granular vesicles. The immunoreactive nerve fibers formed many axo-dendritic as well as axo-somatic synapses and also formed a few synapses with presumed preganglionic axons containing numerous vesicles. The immunoreactive fibers were regarded as presynaptic at these synapses. These findings suggest that enkephalin might play a role as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the ganglionic transmission of this prevertebral ganglion.