Effects of BCG and cyclophosphamide on the spontaneous and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity of peritoneal and spleen lymphocytes of ACI/N rats.

The effects of BCG and cyclophosphamide on the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and natural killer (NK) activity of spleen and peritoneal lymphocytes were serially examined after treatment. The changes of ADCC and NK activity were different in peritoneal and spleen lymphocytes according to the route and timing of administration. The decrease of NK activity induced by cyclophosphamide is not marked, and the degree of decrease depends on the timing of cyclophosphamide administration.

Analysis of natural killer activity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in healthy volunteers and in patients with primary lung cancer and metastatic pulmonary tumors.

To clarify the contribution of ADCC and NK activities to host immune response against cancer, the characteristics of cells mediating these activities were examined in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of normal volunteers, and the changes of these activities were also evaluated in patients with lung cancer and metastatic pulmonary tumors before and after chemotherapy. OAT cells derived from small cell carcinoma of the lung and K-562 cells derived from erythroleukemia were used as target cells of ADCC and/or NK assay. ADCC and NK activities were not changed according to age, sex, and blood type.

Choledocholithotomy by Yag laser with a choledochofiberscope: case reports of two patients.

The Neodymium-Yag laser was successfully used with a choledochofiberscope for choledocholithotomy in two patients. The bile duct stones were crushed with the Yag laser and removed or pushed into the duodenum without causing any injury. This procedure is highly recommended for treatment of some patients with bile duct stones.

In vitro production of prostaglandins E, F, and 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha by human pregnant uterus, decidua and amnion.

The production of prostaglandins (PGs) E and F and 6-keto PGF1 alpha was investigated by using human decidua, amnion, and pregnant myometrium obtained before and after onset of labor, and human nonpregnant myometrium collected during luteal phase. PGs produced were measured by radioimmunoassay developed in our laboratory. The radioimmunoassay for 6-keto PGF1 alpha is specific and accurate.

New cryptic plasmid of Bacillus subtilis and restriction analysis of other plasmids found by general screening.

A new cryptic plasmid, pTA1030 (4.5 megadaltons, copy number 16), was characterized by restriction analysis, together with some other plasmids of Bacillus subtilis.

[Distribution, absorption and excretion of 198Au-colloid and Na251CrO4 in the chicken (author's transl)].

In order to clarify the suitability of 198Au-colloid and Na251CrO4 as a marker of transit of the gastrointestinal content of the chicken, the distribution, absorption and excretion of 198Au-colloid and Na251CrO4 in the chicken were examined. Orally administered 198Au-colloid was not absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract and excreted into feces. Intravenously injected 198Au-colloid was not excreted into the gastrointestinal tract through the gastrointestinal wall.

A new device for barium-enema examination following colostomy.

The authors developed a colostomy appliance for use during barium-enema examinations. It is 8 cm in diameter and 4 cm in height, and is made of acrylic resins. With the use of this device, 21 patients were fluoroscopically examined through the stoma; good contrast views of the lower intestinal tract were obtained in all cases without leakage of barium or air.

[An autoclavable stainless steel isolator for small scale gnotobiotic experiments (author's transl)].

A lightweight stainless steel autoclavable pentagon isolator was designed for experiments using gnotobiotic mice. The chamber, 400 x 450 x 350 mm, has an entry port 200 mm in diameter at the back and a window at the ceiling. The globes and two filters were equipped at the front and each side, respectively.

Purification of cohesive-end-producing restriction endonuclease from Bacillus subtilis G.

A new restriction endonuclease was partially purified from Bacillus subtilis G (IAM1247). This restriction endonuclease (endonuclease RBsuG) seems to produce cohesive ends at its cleavage site.

Molecular cloning and in vitro transcription of Bacillus subtilis plasmid in Escherichia coli.

A composite plasmid (pAT2010) has been constructed in vitro from RSF2124 and Bacillus subtilis IFO3022 plasmid (pAT1060) by covalent joining of the two DNA molecules by means of Escherichia coli DNA ligase through the cohesive ends generated by restriction endonuclease RI (EcoRI) cleavage. The composite plasmid was selected by transformation of E. coliC600r-m- with the ligated mixture after enrichment for composite plasmid by preparative agarose gel electrophoresis, and plating of the transformants on a medium containing ampicillin and colicin E1.

Deoxyribonucleic acid bacteriophage of methanomonas methylovora.

A new bacteriophage of low guanine plus cytosine (GC) content for Methanomonas methylovora has been isolated. Phage deoxyribonucleic acid contained 32 to 35% GC.