[Splenic autotransplantation restores the immune function of the spleen]

Splenectomy has been reported to reduce the immune function. Fischer rats were subjected to 1), splenectomy, 2) splenectomy and autotransplantation and 3) sham control, respectively and examined for the production of antibodies against heterogeneic red blood cells, natural killer (NK) activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), and the effects against tumor metastasis. Autotransplanted spleen started to produce antibody against the intravenously injected the sheep red blood cells (SRBC) even 2 weeks after autotransplantation and produce high titer of antibody as like sham operated rats 8 weeks after the operation. NK activity was decreased 2 weeks after splenectomy, but not after splenic autotransplantation. Immunohistopathological examination with monoclonal antibody against rat's lymphocytes showed the similar regeneration of B cells and T cells with normal spleen. Fischer rats which had been inoculated with FMC7 (fibrosarcoma) had their tumors resected 12 days after the inoculation and were divided into the 3 groups according to the operative procedures mentioned above and were operated on respectively. Then FMC7 were challenged intravenously or intraperitoneally, and their survival times were examined. No significant difference was found in the groups of intraperitoneal inoculation. But in the case of intravenous challenge, averaged survival time was significantly prolonged in the group of sham operation. These results suggested the spleen worked against intravenous antigens including even tumor cells. Heterotopic splenic autotransplantation is a method to restore some parts of the splenic immune function.

Protein chemotaxonomy of genus Datura: identical amino acid sequence of ferredoxin from two varieties of Datura stramonium

The complete amino acid sequence of the respective [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins from two varieties of Datura stramonium, D. stramonium var. stramonium and D. stramonium var. tatula, have been determined by automated Edman degradation of the entire Cm-protein and of the peptides obtained by tryptic digestion and CNBr treatment. The ferredoxins from the two plants exhibited identical amino acid sequences, suggesting a very close taxonomic relationship between the two. This result supports the proposal by Blakeslee and others that these plants, at first named by Linnaeus as two distinct species, i.e. D. stramonium L. and D. tatula L., should be considered two varieties of a single species.

Studies on the conformational aspects of inulin oligomers

The conformational studies of inulin oligomers from G-F2 to G-F9, which isolated from Platycodon grandiflorum, suggested a plausible conformational change between G-F7 and G-F8 from the trends in their chemical shift patterns and molecular rotation; the oligomers higher than G-F8 would form some secondary conformations more rigid than shorter oligomers. On the other hand, spin-lattice relaxation (T1) studies of the protons proposed through-space interactions of 2- and 4-H's of glucose moiety in G-F5, presumably with some atom(s) of the terminal fructose moiety. This would reflect that the inulin molecule adopts a 5/1 helix.

[Prognostic significance of internal mammary lymph node metastases in breast cancer patients]

Examination was made of clinical, histological and biological prognostic factors in 207 patients with invasive breast cancer, and determination was made as to whether variable prognostic factors, especially internal mammary lymph node metastases, would serve as a basis for the prognosis of breast cancer. In a univariate study, overall survival was significantly corrected with tumor size, axillary lymph node status, axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases and DNA ploidy status. In a multivariate study, however, only axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases were recognized as important, and independent prognostic factors on survival. Neither axillary lymph node status nor DNA ploidy status appeared an important prognostic factor. Axillary and internal mammary lymph node metastases could not be predicted from their clinical assessment. Only axillary lymph node dissection and biopsy of first and second intercostal spaces were concluded to be useful for accurately indicating the status of these lymph nodes.

Heterotopic brain tissue of the soft palate

Heterotopic brain tissue is an unusual substance which is very difficult to diagnose correctly preoperatively. We report on a 7-month-old male infant with heterotopic brain tissue of the soft palate, and describe the results of preoperative examinations including brain scintigraphy, angiography, brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI was found useful to show that the tumor had no junction with the intracranial space. The patient was treated successfully without complication or recurrence after 1.5 years follow-up.

Inorganic chemical approaches to pharmacognosy. VII. X-ray fluorescence spectrometric studies on the inorganic constituents of crude drugs. (5). The relationship between inorganic constituents of plants and the soils on which they are grown

Inorganic constituents of the leaves of several kinds of plants growing on different soil types were investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) Each plant exhibited a characteristic metals profile, even if they were grown on similar soil types. (2) As we would expect, the metals profile of the plant leaves depends on the inorganic constitution of the soil on which it is grown. However, the degree of the influence of the soil types on the metals profile of the plant differs according to the kind of inorganic element: Ca and Cu are almost independent of the soil types, but the Ti and Fe content is dependent upon the soil types. (3) Sr content of plant leaves is closely related to the ratio of Sr to Ca of the soil on which the plants are grown. (4) This information should be helpful in identifying the producing district or original plant of a crude drug by its metals profile.

Inorganic chemical approaches to pharmacognosy. VIII. Determination of selenium in crude drugs by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry following sample decomposition and preconcentration was developed to determine selenium in crude drugs. Samples were decomposed with conc. HNO3 and conc. H2SO4 in a flask with a reflux condenser. Evaporation of HNO3 had to be avoided to prevent serious loss of this element. Selenium was preconcentrated from the digestion liquid by two-step reduction with 4M HCl and ascorbic acid, the elemental selenium formed was adsorbed on activated carbon and then collected on a Nuclepore membrane filter for direct irradiation in an X-ray spectrometer. This analytical method (detection limit, 0.03 ppm) was used to determine selenium in many kinds of crude drugs. The analytical results indicated vegetable drugs to be low in selenium content: more than 0.5 ppm in only a limited number of samples and less than detection limit (0.03 ppm) in nearly all the samples. Animal drugs contain selenium at higher levels, Lumbricus and Cantharis being 7.46 and 1.67 ppm, respectively.

Inorganic chemical approaches to pharmacognosy. V. X-ray fluorescence spectrometric studies on the inorganic constituents of crude drugs. (3). On the cinnamomi cortex

Inorganic constituents of many Cinnamomi Cortices (64 samples; almost all obtained commercially on the Osaka market) were investigated using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results can be summarized as follows: (1) The Cinnamomi Cortex contains K, Ca, and Fe (except for Japanese cinnamon) at lower levels than those of orchard leaves, while Mn and Sr are present at high levels. (2) A feature of the metals profile of Cinnamomi Cortex is high Mn-content. Especially, Chinese cinnamon (originated from Cinnamomum cassia) contains at extremely high levels, 300-900 ppm, whereas Mn concentrations of Java and Japanese cinnamons range from 100 to 300 ppm, and those of Ceylon cinnamon ranged from 50 to 150 ppm. (3) The contents of Mn and Rb depend on the kind of Cinnamomi Cortex, making identification possible.

Ultrasonographic features of hepatocellular pseudotumour in the cirrhotic liver

Eight cases of hepatocellular pseudotumours (HPT) were encountered in 6 years during which time 140 hepatectomies were performed for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All were found during screening of cirrhotic patients. The ultrasonographic pattern of HPT was similar to that of HCC and their correct diagnosis was impossible by ultrasonography alone. A space-occupying lesion in the cirrhotic liver which is detected by ultrasonography but not by computed tomography and angiography may be a hepatocellular pseudotumour. This diagnosis is particularly likely if the serum alpha-fetoprotein level is normal.

Hepatocellular pseudotumour (regenerating nodule) in the cirrhotic liver mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma

During a recent 6-year period we have encountered 10 patients with 'hepatocellular pseudotumour in the cirrhotic liver' (regenerating hyperplastic nodule). The patients were all male, aged 40-82 years. Seven were chronic alcohol consumers. None was positive for HBs-Ag but seven had either anti-HBs or anti-HBc. Serum AFP level ranged from 4 to 28 ng/ml in six patients who did not have hepatocellular carcinoma at the time of the diagnosis of the pseudotumour. The lesions were depicted by ultrasonography in seven, by computed tomography in two, and by angiography in one case. Liver scan was negative in all five cases investigated. The pre-operative diagnosis was definitely or highly suspicious of hepatocellular carcinoma in three, of pseudotumour in the cirrhotic liver in three, and of recurrent carcinoma in one. In another three patients, pseudotumour was coincidentally discovered in resected specimens with hepatocellular carcinoma. The histopathological and follow-up studies demonstrated synchronous or metachronous development of carcinoma in seven patients. Whether or not these lesions in the cirrhotic liver are premalignant remains to be elucidated.

Appraisal of hepatic resection in the treatment of minute hepatocellular carcinoma associated with liver cirrhosis

During the last 6 years, 205 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were admitted to our surgical departments. Thirty-eight had HCC smaller than 3 cm in diameter. There were 34 men and 4 women with an average age of 56.5 years. All patients had underlying hepatic disease: liver cirrhosis in 35 patients and chronic active hepatitis with fibrosis in the remaining 3. Pre-operative complications included: oesophageal varices in ten, cholelithiasis in five, peptic ulcer in two, gastric cancer in one, and severe hypersplenism in one instance. A radical resection was performed in 32 cases and palliative resection in 6. Simultaneous operations were carried out for the above mentioned associated conditions: distal splenorenal shunt in six, Hassab's devascularization procedure in one, splenectomy in one, cholecystectomy in four, cholecystolithotomy in one, and partial gastrectomy in one. Four patients had postoperative complications: liver failure, rebleeding, right haemothorax, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding from acute mucosal lesion of the stomach. One patient with liver failure died in coma within 1 month. The operative and in-hospital mortality rates were 2.6 and 7.9 per cent, respectively. Survival rates during the first 4 years in 32 patients with radical hepatic resection were 89.9, 67.2, 58.8, and 58.8 per cent, respectively. We suggest that hepatic resection should be the first choice of treatment for minute HCC even in the presence of liver cirrhosis.

[Operative fiberoptic nephroureteroscope--removal of renal and upper ureteral stones]

Two types of operative fiberoptic nephroureteroscopes were developed with the cooperation of the Olympus Optical Company mainly to remove the upper urinary tract calculi. Removal of the renal and upper ureteral stones was attempted in nine cases. The ureter was dilated with olive tip, balloon and Teflon dilators alone or in combination. The combination of balloon and Teflon dilators seemed the most promising. As a result of ureteral dilation, operative fiberoptic nephroureteroscopes, 4.5 mm and 3.5 mm in diameter, could be passed into the ureter in all the cases and the stones could be visualized clearly. Four of the 7 upper ureteral stones and 1 of the 2 pelvic stones could be removed. The success ratio was 56%. The method of stone removal still requires improvement. At present, application of the operative fiberoptic nephroureteroscope is indicated for upper ureteral and renal stones less than 1.0 cm in diameter. With the improved techniques of stone removal using this fiberscope, the indications of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy or percutaneous nephrolithotripsy will probably be greatly reduced in the near future.