Effects of the in vivo administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor following cytotoxic chemotherapy on granulocytic precursors in patients with malignant lymphoma

We examined the effects of the in vivo administration of recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on granulocytic precursors in the bone marrow of 4 patients with malignant lymphoma who received chemotherapy. Patients were treated with rhG-CSF at doses of 100-800 micrograms/m2/day intravenously for 14 days only in the first course of chemotherapy (G-CSF course) followed by the second course of chemotherapy without rhG-CSF which was used as a control course. In the G-CSF course, white blood cell counts (WBCs) demonstrated a biphasic response consisting of a first peak observed within a few days after the initiation of rhG-CSF administration, and a second peak observed on the last day of rhG-CSF injection or the day after. In the second peak, the incidence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GM) in mononucleated bone marrow cells did not change significantly after treatment with rhG-CSF as compared with a control. However, since the number of nucleated cells in the bone marrow increased, the absolute number of CFU-GM in the bone marrow increased. The number of mature and immature granulocytes in the bone marrow increased. These findings suggest that G-CSF stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of granulocytic precursors in the bone marrow in granulocytopenic patients who received cytotoxic drugs and causes mature granulocytes to be released from the bone marrow.

Zinc ion enhances the blocking potency of synthetic analogs of spider toxin (JSTX) on the glutamate receptor

The effect of synthetic spider toxin analogs containing aza-crown in combination with zinc and copper was studied on the lobster neuromuscular synapse. The suppressive action of N4-type spider toxin analog (N4) on excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) was markedly enhanced in the presence of 10(-5)-10(-4) M Zn2+. Cu2+ (10(-4) M) also had a potentiating effect on the suppression of EPSPs by N4 but to a lesser degree than Zn2+. While N6-type spider toxin analog (N6) suppressed EPSPs more effectively than N4, additional suppression was not pronounced in the presence of Zn2+ or Cu2+. The results suggest that chelatable divalent metal ions play an important role in the blocking mechanism of glutamate receptor by the spider toxin.

[Coma, hyperviscosity syndrome, hyperammonemia and myelofibrosis in a patient with IgG, lambda type multiple myeloma]

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with tremor and somnolence, followed soon by coma. Anemia and retinal bleeding were observed. The blood smear exhibited rouleaux formation and leukoerythroblastosis. A bone marrow aspiration resulted in dry tap. The biopsy specimens revealed remarkable infiltration of myeloma cells with fibrosis. The M-component of IgG-lambda type and hyper-ammonemia were detected in the serum. Liver and renal functions, however, were within normal range. His consciousness recovered after plasmapheresis. Two courses of VMCP (vincristine, melphalan, carboquone and prednisolone) did not affect the paraproteinemia. Five courses of VAD (vincristine, adriamycin and dexamethasone) could lower the level of IgG. He died of pneumonia. The plasma of some patients with multiple myeloma may contain unidentified factors which increase the plasma ammonia.

Effects of a spider toxin (JSTX) on hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

The effect of a toxin (JSTX) obtained from Nephila clavata (Joro spider) on the CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus was studied using slice preparations. JSTX blocked the excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in the pyramidal neuron evoked by Schaffer collateral stimulation but was without effect on the antidromic action potentials or on the resting conductance. Depolarization induced by ionophoretic application of glutamate was readily suppressed by JSTX but aspartate-induced depolarization was much less sensitive to the toxin. Among preferential agonists activating 3 receptor subtypes for excitatory amino acids, quisqualate responses were most effectively suppressed by JSTX. Kainate responses were similarly suppressed but in some cells higher concentration of the toxin was needed to block the responses. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) responses were the least sensitive to JSTX but they were suppressed by +/- 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV). Long term potentiation (LTP) once it had taken place was not completely inhibited by APV. In the presence of JSTX, however, LTP was blocked and tetanic stimuli produced only a short-lived potentiation. In Mg2+ free solution, an orthodromic stimulation evoked repetitive spike responses which were superimposed on the depolarization following the initial spike. APV suppressed the depolarization and associated spikes leaving an orthodromic response which was sensitive to JSTX. The results suggest that JSTX blocks EPSPs in CA1 pyramidal neurons which are mediated by non-NMDA type receptors.

Comparative study of amino acid composition in an extract from hornet venom sacs: high content of neuroactive amino acids in Vespa

The amino acid compositions of extracts from the venom sacs of Vespa mandarinia, V. xanthoptera, V. tropica, V. analis and Vespula lewisi were analyzed. omega-Amino acids, which are inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as gamma-amino-n-butyric acid, taurine, beta-alanine and glycine, were predominant components in Vespa, but a minor component in Vespula. Glutamic acid, an aminergic excitatory neurotransmitter, was present in large quantities. Leucine, an insect autotoxin, was detected. Arginine was found in all the venoms and glutamine was also abundant. Tryptophan and histidine, precursors of serotonin and histamine, respectively, were also found. Thus, neuroactive amino acids that may exert inhibitory effects on insects neuronal axons and neuromuscular junctions were present in large amounts, and may facilitate paralysis of insect prey.

Color development upon reaction of ferric ion with the toxin JSTX, a glutamate receptor blocker present in the venom gland of the spider Nephila clavata (Joro spider)

A spider toxin, JSTX, derived from Nephila clavata, which blocks glutamate receptor was found to react with Fe3+. Mechanism of the coloration may be chelate formation since the green color completely faded upon the addition of EDTA. The colored JSTX significantly lost its neurophysiological activity. This unique coloration may be useful for not only detecting specific blockers of the glutamate receptor in spider venom but also for characterizing the glutamate receptor.

Resistance of nerves from certain toxic crabs to paralytic shellfish poison and tetrodotoxin

The inhibitory effect of paralytic shellfish poison and tetrodotoxin on nerves from toxic and nontoxic crabs was examined. The toxins at concentrations of 10(-3) - 10(-4) M partially or completely inhibited the action potential of nerves isolated from the legs of toxic crab species (Zosimus aeneus, Atergatis floridus and Platypodia granulosa), but had no effect at 10(-6) M, the concentration at which the action potential of nerves from a nontoxic crab (Plagusia dentipes) was inhibited completely. A xanthid crab Daira perlata was intermediate in respect to the resistance to toxins. These results agree with the previous results obtained by i.p. administration of both toxins into those crabs.

Primary hemangiopericytoma of the heart associated with pseudoaneurysm of the pulmonary artery--a case report

A thirty-three-year-old male with malignant hemangiopericytoma of the right ventricular outflow tract and the pulmonary artery associated with pseudoaneurysm formation at the latter is presented. Contrast computed tomography was helpful in diagnosing the pseudoaneurysm of the pulmonary artery. The positional change of the murmur, with a tumor plop caused by the pedunculated tumor of the right ventricular outflow tract, was detected.

Effect of a spider toxin (JSTX) on excitatory postsynaptic current at neuromuscular synapse of spiny lobster

1. We studied the blocking properties of a spider (Nephila clavata) toxin (JSTX) purified from venom on the spiny lobster neuromuscular junction. 2. When a small amount of JSTX was applied to the neuromuscular junction, the excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) was partially suppressed. The amplitude of EPSPs remained at a steady level for several hours during the washing of the preparation, showing that the action of JSTX is irreversible. 3. We recorded the excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) from synaptic site using a macro-patch electrode. The amplitude of EPSC increased linearly with hyperpolarization of the membrane potential in the presence and absence of JSTX. 4. The decay phase time constant of EPSC and spontaneous EPSC was decreased by hyperpolarizing the membrane potential both in the absence and in the presence of JSTX. The relationship between the decay time constant and the membrane potential was not modified by JSTX. 5. It is suggested that JSTX irreversibly blocks EPSC by acting on the site that is apart from the ionic channel of the glutamate receptor molecule.

Pertussis toxin blocks presynaptic glutamate receptors--a novel 'glutamateB' receptor in the lobster neuromuscular synapse

Topical application of L-glutamate to the neuromuscular synapse of the lobster walking leg induced K+-dependent hyperpolarization in the presynaptic membrane. This presynaptic glutamate potential (PGP) was insensitive to Joro spider toxin (JSTX), a spider toxin which specifically blocks the postsynaptic glutamate receptor, but was blocked by pertussis toxin island activating protein (IAP) in a dose-dependent manner. IAP had little effect on the resting conductance channels in pre- and postsynaptic membranes. GTP gamma S, a hydrolysis-resistant analogue of GTP, reduced the PGP supporting the involvement of G-protein in generation of K+ activation. The results suggest that a new type of glutamate receptor exists in the presynaptic membrane in the crustacean neuromuscular synapse.

Presynaptic glutamate receptor--possible involvement of a K+ channel

Intra-axonal recording was made from the excitatory axon of the lobster walking leg near the nerve terminal and the effects of L-glutamate were studied. Topical application of glutamate to the synapse produced hyperpolarization in the presynaptic membrane with increase in conductance. The glutamate-induced hyperpolarization was reversed to a depolarization at about -100 mV. The reversal potential was not significantly changed by altering the external Cl- but was shifted to more positive values by increasing the external K+. A spider toxin (JSTX), which specifically blocks the postsynaptic glutamate receptor, failed to block the presynaptic glutamate potential. The results suggest that the presynaptic membrane of the lobster neuromuscular synapse has a different type of glutamate receptor from those in the postsynaptic membrane.

Down's syndrome associated with seminoma

A case of unilateral seminoma in Down's syndrome is reported. The relation of testicular cancer with Down's syndrome and the necessity of the follow-up biopsy of the contralateral testis are discussed.

Spider toxin (JSTX) blocks glutamate synapse in hippocampal pyramidal neurons

Effects of spider toxin (JSTX)--a specific blocker of glutamate receptors--on single pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus were studied using tissue slices in vitro. JSTX blocked the synaptic response in CA1 pyramidal cells evoked by Schaffer collateral stimulation without affecting the antidromic spike potential. The toxin suppressed glutamate-induced cell firings whereas it had little effect on aspartate-induced responses. The results suggest that glutamate is a neurotransmitter of the Schaffer collateral input to CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Renal adenoma incidentally found in removed kidney in a patient with transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis

Concurrent primary renoparenchymal or renal pelvic neoplasms of different histology in the same kidney appear to be unusual. We herein report on a 75-year-old man in whom a tiny renal adenoma, a transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis, ipsilateral ureter papillomas and transitional carcinoma of the urinary bladder were found. The clinicopathologic findings of this patient as well as the oncogenesis of renal tumours are discussed.

Evidence for L-glutamate as the neurotransmitter of the squid giant synapse

The effect of a spider toxin (JSTX), a specific blocker of glutamate receptors, was studied in the squid stellate ganglion. JSTX irreversibly blocked the excitatory postsynaptic potential in a dose-dependent manner. The toxin neither affected the spike in the postsynaptic nor the presynaptic fibers. Spontaneous miniature potentials recorded from thin stellate nerves were suppressed by the toxin. Iontophoretically applied L-glutamate depolarized the postsynaptic membrane of the giant axon and this potential was also blocked by JSTX. Kainic acid also depolarized the postsynaptic membrane but this was partially blocked by JSTX, indicating that JSTX differentiated kainate receptor from glutamate one. The results strongly suggest that L-glutamate is the neurotransmitter in the giant synapse of squid.

Induction of rat pancreatic B-cell tumors by the combined administration of streptozotocin or alloxan and poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) synthetase inhibitors

Streptozotocin and alloxan were administered to Wistar rats in combination with poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) synthetase inhibitors. Ten to 16 months after the injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight i.v.) and 3-aminobenzamide (345 mg/kg i.v.), streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (350 mg/kg i.p.), streptozotocin (50 mg/kg) and picolinamide (250 mg/kg i.p.), alloxan (40 mg/kg i.v.) and nicotinamide (350 mg/kg), alloxan (40 mg/kg) and 3-aminobenzamide (345 mg/kg), and alloxan (40 mg/kg) and picolinamide (250 mg/kg), pancreatic islet cell tumors developed in 100, 98, 60, 26, 22, and 20% of surviving rats, respectively. However, after the single injection of streptozotocin and alloxan, islet cell tumors developed in 42 and 11% of surviving rats, respectively. The tumors were rich in B-granules on electron micrographs and contained as large amounts of proinsulin messenger RNA as normal pancreatic islets. The results indicate that poly(adenosine diphosphate ribose) synthetase inhibitors enhance the tumorigenic effect of streptozotocin and alloxan on islet B-cells.

Membranous glomerulonephritis associated with enterococcal endocarditis

An autopsy case of membranous glomerulonephritis associated with enterococcal endocarditis was reported. Although enterococcal antigen was not identified in glomerular deposits, the eluate from the patient's renal tissue was shown to specifically recombine with cells of the enterococcus isolated from his own ante mortem blood. Hypocomplementemia, circulating immune complexes and antienterococcal antibodies were also observed. These findings suggest that enterococcus-related immune complexes played a role in the pathogenesis of glomerulonephritis associated with enterococcal endocarditis in this patient.

[KM 2210 therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia]

Two previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) were treated with KM 2210 50 mg/day orally for 30 and 14 days, respectively. They showed good responses: One achieved complete, the other partial, remission. Toxicity was not observed in either patient. KM 2210 was thought to be an effective drug for CLL.

Effects of a spider toxin on the glutaminergic synapse of lobster muscle

We studied the effect of neurotoxin (JSTX) separated from spider venom on the lobster neuromuscular junction. JSTX selectively suppressed excitatory post-synaptic potentials (e.p.s.p.s) without affecting the inhibitory post-synaptic potentials (i.p.s.p.s). The effect of JSTX was dose-dependent. The threshold dose for suppressing e.p.s.p.s corresponded to a small fraction of the toxin amount in a venom gland. At high concentration, JSTX irreversibly blocked e.p.s.p.s. The reduction in amplitude of extracellularly recorded e.p.s.p.s after JSTX application followed an exponential time course. The rate of suppression increased proportionally with the toxin concentration. JSTX blocked the glutamate potential in the post-synaptic membrane but it failed to affect the aspartate-induced depolarization. Kainic acid potentiated the glutamate-induced depolarization but it was without effect in the presence of JSTX. Depolarization produced by quisqualic acid is suppressed by the toxin. Our results suggest that the spider venom contains specific blockers of glutamate receptors in crustacean neuromuscular junctions.

Specific antagonism of the glutamate receptor by an extract from the venom of the spider Araneus ventricosus

A venom sac extract selectively and irreversibly suppressed excitatory postsynaptic potentials in the lobster neuromuscular junction without affecting inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. Glutamate-induced depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane was blocked by the venom extract, whereas membrane depolarization by aspartate was unaffected.

Hyaline globules in yolk sac tumor. Histochemical, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic studies

Four cases of yolk sac tumor of the testis and ovary were examined by histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy, and particular attention was directed toward the close relationship between hyaline globules and alpha fetoprotein (AFP). The hyaline globules were easily identified as eosinophilic globular structures located in the cytoplasm of the tumor cell as well as in the extracellular space. They were considered to be of glycoprotein in nature by their histochemical staining property. By an indirect immunoperoxidase method, the majority of intracytoplasmic hyaline globules were positive for AFP. Electronmicroscopically, the hyaline globules appeared as electron dense bodies with no limiting membranes. They were divided into two types by their electron density and inner structure: one is an electron high dense body consisting of homogeneous or fine granular materials and the other is a moderately electron dense body composed of fine filamentous structures similar to the basement membrane materials. It is suggested that the former corresponds with the AFP positive hyaline globules produces by the tumor cells of visceral type, while the latter represents the AFP negative globules formed by the cells of parietal type in non-neoplastic counterparts.

Histopathological study of early lesions of pancreatoduodenal cancer

The early lesions of pancreatoduodenal cancer, which was defined as those in which the site of origin is confined in a single certain anatomical part and the mode of early extension can be pursued, were found in 28 of 52 surgical specimens examined; 12 in the pancreatic portion of the common bile duct (PCBD), 12 in the common channel, 1 each in the terminal portion of the common bile duct and the terminal portion of the pancreatic duct, and 2 in the peripapillary zone of the duodenum. There were roughly two types of tumor growth; one annular flat-raised, histologically scirrhous tubular adenocarcinoma, principally found in PCBD and the other polypoid, histologically papillary or papillotubular adenocarcinoma, found everywhere. The staining properties of mucin was of no value in differential diagnosis for the site of origin. One typical carcinoid was observed in PCBD. The surface spread of carcinoma beyond the originating part was seen in 10 cases (36%), lymphatic invasion in 23 cases (82%), node metastasis in 9 cases (32%), and venous invasion in 6 cases (21%). Only 2 cases were mucosal carcinomas. From these figures it can be concluded that the carcinoma of this region is of high grade malignancy.

[An autopsy case of primary intracranial melanoma associated with dermoid cyst (author's transl)]

Primary malignant melanoma of the cerebral nervous system is an uncommon entity. A case of primary intracranial melanoma associated with dermoid cyst is reported. The patient was a 40-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital on May 2, 1979 complaining of headache, double vision, left hemiparesis and Jacksonian seizure. On admission he had a slight degree of papilledema. Left abdominal reflex was absent. Lumbar puncture showed high pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid which was otherwise normal. Plain skull films showed a calcification in the pineal region. CT scan demonstrated multiple high density areas with slight enhancement after contrast medium infusion in the right fronto-parietal region and a well defined high density area associated with an irregular low density area without contrast enhancement in the right pulvinar and the atrium and temporal horn of the right lateral ventricle. However, no tumor stain was seen on angiograms. On May 8, 1979 partial removal of the tumor was performed. Areas of black discoloration were seen in the leptomeninges of the right fronto-parietal lobes. Histopathological examination of this tumor revealed primary intracranial melanoma. Postoperatively DTIC, ACNU and Vincristine were administered intravenously but the tumor showed only little sensitivity. He died 5 months after operation. Autopsy was performed on October 8, 1979. Malignant melanoma in the right fronto-parietal lobes was invading the cerebellar hemisphere and spinal cord, but any tumor was not found in any other parts of the body except for this central nervous system. The tumor in the right pulvinar extending to the atrium and temporal horn of the right lateral ventricle was a dermoid cyst with calcification histopathologically. A case of primary intracranial melanoma associated with dermoid cyst has not been reported in any other associated with dermoid cyst has not been reported in any other literature yet.