Shared amino acid sequences in the NDβN and Nα regions of the T cell receptors of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within malignant glioma

The purpose of this study was to assess the V-(D)-J junctional region of the T cell receptor (TCR), the CDR3 region, which is responsible for glioma-specific antigen contact in αβ TCR-mediated recognition. We sequenced the TCR α and β chians of Vα7, and Vβ13.1 cDNA derived from tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) of 12 glioma patients and also the corresponding clones from the patients' peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). A shared Vβ13.1 DJ sequence of the CDR3 region, NDβN, was demonstrated in 49 of 66 Vβ13.1⁺ clones (74.2 %) from the glioma TIL, whereas only 4 of 33 clones (12.1 %) were observed in the Vβ13.1⁺ clones from the PBL (p < 0.001). A common VDJ sequence, FCASS (Vβ13.1)-YRLPWGTSDS (NDβN)-GELFF(Jβ2.2), was observed not only in the gliomas from each patient, but also among all the patients with a preference for Vβ13.1. In contrast, the amino acid sequences of the Vβ13.1⁺ PBL clones were diverse and random. Next, we sequenced subclones from other Vβ subfamilies randomly selected to compare their VDJ region rearrangements (Vβ3 and Vβ5.1). In contrast to Vβ13.1, the amino acid sequences of these junctional regions were completely different in these subclones. The V-J junctional region of the α chain is dominated by a few clones in some patients, and no shared amino acid sequences were detected in the TCR Vα junctional region. However, in the Nα region of the Vα7-bearing TIL clones, arginine was used in 27 of 44 clones (61.4%) compared to only 3 of 12 clones from the PBL (p < 0.05). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that a clonal expansion/accumulation of glioma lineage-specific T cells occurred in vivo at the tumor site and that these T cells may be recognizing glioma-specific antigens.     

Crystal Growth in Poly(L‐lactide) Thin Film Revealed by in situ Atomic Force Microscopy

Direct visualization of crystal growth in poly(L ‐lactide) thin films was carried out by using a temperature‐controlled atomic force microscopy (AFM). At the initial stage of crystallization, edge‐on lamellar crystals have nucleated and elongated. Subsequently, the edge‐on lamellar crystals showed S‐shaped morphology and changed their orientation from edge‐on manner to flat‐on one. The curvature of edge‐on lamellar crystal has been discussed in terms of inclination and distortion of polymer chains in the crystal. In addition, mechanism on the formation of flat‐on crystal from edge‐on lamellae was proposed as derivative growth on the basis of in situ AFM observation of crystal growth and enzymatic degradation.

     

In vivo efficacy of a novel double liposome as an oral dosage form of salmon calcitonin

A simple method for the preparation of the inner liposomes for double liposomes (DL) was developed. The encapsulation efficiency of erythrosine in liposomes prepared by this new method is superior to that of the previous method because of the concentration of the drug in the lipid membrane. To evaluate the usefulness of DL prepared by the glass‐filter method modified in this study as an oral dosage form of salmon calcitonin (SCT), a suspension of liposomes containing SCT was administered to rats at a dose of 10 μg SCT/kg. Each type of DL showed better efficacy than its inner liposomes alone. The decrease in plasma calcium level was dependent on the electrical charge and particle size of the inner liposomes. The hypocalcemic efficacy of DL encapsulating SCT‐loading cationic liposomes relative to that after subcutaneous administration of SCT at a dose of 1 μg/kg was 6.47%, which was the largest value obtained. These results indicated that not only the particle size but also the electrical charge of inner liposomes affect intestinal absorption. This study verified that the efficacy was increased because of the decrease in diameter of the inner liposomes and the use of lipid with a positive charge. These findings concluded that DL might be useful as an oral dosage form of SCT. Drug Dev. Res. 58:253–257, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

The Action of Group Bm or CisAB Sera on Group O Red Cells in the Presence of UDP-D-Galactose

Abstract. Group B and AB sera, acting on O red cells in the presence of UDP-galactose, each converted them into B active cells, which were agglutinated by anti-B human serum (1:512) at the titer of 128-fold, while group Bm and A₁ Bm sera, converted O red cells similarly incubated into B active cells, which were agglutinated by anti-B human serum (1:512) at the titer of 8- to 16-fold. This indicates that α-galactosyltransferase activity in B_m and A₁ Bm sera may be about ⅛-⅙ that in B and AB sera. Group CisAB sera, even after absorption of cold anti-B agglutinins with packed, washed group B red cells, did not convert O red cells in the presence of UDP-galactose in such a way that they might agglutinate against anti-B human serum.     

Spontaneous closure of macular hole after posterior vitreous detachment

Macular holes can be treated with surgically-induced vitreous detachment and gas tamponade. The authors report a case of a macular hole that closed spontaneously after the development of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed a small full-thickness macular hole with perifoveal cystic changes in a 25-year-old female with a central scotoma at her initial visit. There was no evidence of PVD. Five months later, PVD was observed and the macular hole disappeared. OCT performed three months later showed macular hole closure and resolution of the perifoveal cystic changes. The physiologic pit was restored in the fovea. OCT is useful to detect and monitor the morphologic changes of a macular hole.     

Papillary glioneuronal tumor with highly degenerative pseudopapillary structure accompanied by specific abortive glial cells: a case report

Recently, unusual examples of tumors of the mixed glioneuronal type have been reported, including the papillary glioneuronal tumor (PGNT). A 23-year-old woman with a 2-3 months history of headache and insomnia presented with a tumor. Neuroimaging showed a right temporal lobe cystic tumor with a mural nodule enhanced by contrast medium. She underwent gross total resection of the tumor. The tumor was histologically marked by a mixture of glial and neural components. A pseudopapillary component was comprised of highly hyalinized vessels surrounded by a single layer of thin spindle cells stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein. Specific abortive glial cells stained for vimentin/S-100 protein accompanied pseudopapillary structure. Intervening neural areas were occupied by neural cells of varying size, including neurocyte-like cell and ganglionic cells. Ganglionic cells demonstrated abnormal cluster, lack of normal polarity and epiperikaryal immunoreactivity for synaptophysin staining suggesting neural neoplastic nature. No mitotic activity or necrosis was noted. A MIB-1 labeling index was 1.8%. Our patient remains free of disease 33 months after surgical treatment.