Effect of immunoglobulin preparations on the aggregation of human erythrocytes

The aggregation of human erythrocytes induced by four kinds of immunoglobulin preparations was examined by a low shear rheoscope. After removing anti-A+ and anti-B+ activities contaminated in all preparations by incubating with erythrocytes of different blood groups, the facilitating effect on the rouleau formation of erythrocytes was compared: (i) The effect of polyethyleneglycol-treated preparation was the same in A+-, B+-, AB+- and O+-erythrocytes. (ii) Sulfonation did not affect the velocity of rouleau formation. (iii) Some of pepsin-treated preparations showed the strongest facilitation for A+-, B+- and AB+-erythrocytes, but the facilitation was much weaker for O+-erythrocytes. The others showed the weak facilitation for all types of erythrocytes (especially O+-erythrocytes). (iv) Plasmin treatment markedly decreased the velocity of rouleau formation of AB+- and O+-erythrocytes, but was not of A+- and B+-erythrocytes.     

The effect of methamphetamine on histamine release in the rat hypothalamus

Abstract In the present study, the effect of methamphetamine (MAP) on histamine (HA) release measured by in vivo brain microdialysis in the rat hypothalamus was investigated. Administration of MAP (3 mg/kg) significantly increase HA release from 40 to 160 min after the injection. This finding suggests that a moderate dose of MAP activates the hypothalamic HA neuron system, which may be related to effects of MAP on intrinsic biological rhythms.     

Kinetics of serum cytokines in adults undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation

Summary. We investigated the serum cytokine levels (G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-l/?, IL-3 and IL-6) using an ELISA in 14 patients with haematological malignancies undergoing peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation (PBPCT). Serum G-CSF levels in all patients rose immediately after PBPCT, then gradually decreased as the neutrophil counts began to rise. No detectable serum levels of GM-CSF or IL-lp were observed, but serum levels of IL-3 rose transiently immediately following PBPCT. Serum levels of JL-6 rose transiently during a fever in four patients. These observations suggest that G-CSF and L 3 may contribute to the early haemopoietic reconstitution in PBPCT.     

Pregnancy outcome after treatment with etoposide (VP-16) for low-risk gestational trophoblastic tumor

The aim of this study was to evaluate subsequent fertility and pregnancy in patients treated for persistent trophoblastic tumors with single-agent VP-16. Records of all patients treated for persistent trophoblastic tumors at the Chiba University Hospital between January 1, 1986 and December 31, 1997 were reviewed. Of these, 85 patients were initially treated with single-agent VP-16. Subsequent pregnancy outcome of these patients was investigated. After remission with VP-16, 36 patients (92.3%) of those who wished for a pregnancy (45.9% of all patients studied) conceived, and 91.7% had at least one live birth. A total of 56 conceptions resulted in 42 (75.0%) term live births, seven (12.5%) first-trimester spontaneous abortions, one (1.8%) second-trimester spontaneous abortion, four (7.1%) therapeutic abortions, and two (3.6%) repeated moles. There were no congenital anomalies, no stillbirths, and the neonates' physical growth was comparable to that of the standard population in Japan. Single VP-16 regimen for patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic tumor appears to have no adverse effects on fertility potential and pregnancy outcome.     

Psychiatric manifestations accompanying interferon therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C: An overview of cases in Japan

Abstract  Thirty case reports published in Japan that refer to psychiatric symptoms accompanying interferon (IFN) therapy were examined. These papers covered a total of 49 cases. We categorized these 49 cases into 35 cases of mood disorder, 10 of delirium and four of psychotic disorder. The key findings of our study of these cases are as follows: (i) in total, 11 patients had psychiatric past histories: five patients in the mood disorders group were susceptible to the influence of social or psychological factors; (ii) whereas the symptoms of mood disorder or delirium appeared soon after IFN was administered, the symptoms of psychotic disorders appeared later. The patients with delirium displayed many neurological abnormalities, which were reduced by suspending IFN therapy. This suggests the neurological toxicity of IFN; (iii) the outcome of most patients was good; and (iv) we suspect that IFN-induced psychiatric symptoms other than delirium are connected with psychoneuroimmunological functions.