The toxicity of metabolites of sodium valproate in cultured hepatocytes

Sodium valproate is hepatotoxic in both humans and rat hepatocytes. The toxicity is dose related and frequently associated with simultaneous ingestion of drugs which induce the drug metabolizing system. For these reasons, metabolites of sodium valproate were tested for toxicity using rat hepatocyte cultures. The sodium salts of three metabolites, 2-propylpent-4-enoate, 4-hydroxyvalproate, and perhaps 5-hydroxyvalproate, were toxic in this system. In addition, 2-propylpent-4-enoate was toxic in a dose-related fashion. All are omega and omega-1 oxidation products in the microsome-mediated pathway of valproate metabolism.

Stress-induced responses and open-field behavior in estrous and nonestrous mice

Three experiments were performed to compare the reactions of estrous and nonestrous female CD-1 mice to stressful stimuli. These experiments revealed no effect of estrous state on (a) response latencies to thermal pain in the mouse hot-place test, (b) immediate, active responses to electric foot shock, or (c) open field ambulation under no stress condition or under stress conditions provided by foot shock or bright light. Estrous mice were found to defecate less in a small open field, and to ambulate more in the center of a large open field, than nonestrous mice, but neither of these effects interacted with an effect of stress condition. An incidental finding was a diurnal effect on response latencies in the mouse hot-place test. These experiments, combined with previous experiments with female CD-1 mice, support the conclusion that estrus results in decreased avoidance of potentially dangerous or stressful places, but does not affect the animal's reactivity to unavoidable stressful stimuli.

Evidence for the role of androgens in the feedback control of gonadotrophin secretion in the human female

The effect of androgens on the luteinizing hormone (LH) response to LH-releasing hormone (LH-RH) is fairly well documented. However, the evidence concerning the effect on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is less convincing and clear-cut. We administered LH-RH to a patient with an androgen-producing adrenal tumour both before and after removal of the tumour. Before operation, testosterone levels were elevated and oestradiol levels reduced. There was no response of either LH or FSH levels to LH-RH on two separate occasions. Postoperatively LH and FSH values rose sharply, to 404% and 170% above basal levels respectively. The data suggest that androgens do play a role in the feedback control of both LH and FSH secretion.

"Developmental lag" in the evolution of technique for psychoanalysis of neurotic conflict

The practice of psychoanalysis of neurotic conflict has not--to the extent that might be expected--evolved a consistent use in technique of available knowledge of the ego's mechanisms of defense. This is primarily related to a general resistance that can usefully be regarded as a "developmental lag." The evidence for this, particularly in Freud's writings, is reviewed as are the observations of others who have made note of this phenomenon. Some of the reasons that have contributed to this resistance among analysts are discussed.

A comparison of endocrine function and semen analysis in fertile and subfertile men

We studied 122 normozoospermic, 62 oligozoospermic and 22 azoospermic patients and compared serum testosterone, LH and FSH with semen analysis. Testosterone was similar in all three groups studied. FSH rose significantly in the oligozoospermic and azoospermic groups (p less than 0.01). LH was similar in the normozoospermic and oligozoospermic groups but rose significantly in the azoospermic group (p less than 0,01). The rise in FSH is in accordance with the theory of inhibin release during the maturation states of spermatogenesis. The rise in LH might indicate a separate feedback mechanism mediated by the early stages of spermatogenesis and not by testosterone alone.

Leukocyte and fibroblast interferon genes are located on human chromosome 9

At least eight leukocyte interferon genes (IFL) and the single fibroblast interferon gene (IFF) have been located on chromosome 9 in humans. In somatic cell hybrids of human and mouse cells containing a normal complement of mouse parental cell chromosomes but reduced numbers of human chromosomes, the human leukocyte and fibroblast interferon DNA sequences were present only when human chromosome 9 was also present.

A possible relationship between prolactin and spermatogenesis in humans

In order to investigate the effect of prolactin on spermatogenesis, we studied 205 consecutive male patients in whom 121 were normozoospermic (counts greater than 20 x 10(6)/ml), 62 were oligozoospermic (counts less than 20 x 10(6)/ml), and 22 were azoospermic. We compared prolactin with semen analysis. There was an increased incidence of high prolactin levels in the oligozoospermic and azoospermic group of patients. We noted an increase in the number of morphologically normal spermatozoa within the hyperprolactinaemic groups of patients. This may suggest that prolactin plays a regulatory role in spermatogenesis.

Counting efficiency of some commercially available liquid scintillators compared

We investigated four commercially available liquid scintillators as to overall counting efficiency and quenching effect of added phosphate-buffered isotonic saline. They differed significantly in these respects. Evidently, characteristics of the scintillator used in radioimmunoassays where β-particle emitters are counted should be carefully examined if results are to be optimal.

Counting efficiency of some commercially available liquid scintillators compared

We investigated four commercially available liquid scintillators as to overall counting efficiency and quenching effect of added phosphate-buffered isotonic saline. They differed significantly in these respects. Evidently, characteristics of the scintillator used in radioimmunoassays where beta-particle emitters are counted should be carefully examined if results are to be optimal.

Integration of hepatitis B virus sequences and their expression in a human hepatoma cell

Hepatitis derived from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic throughout the world, but it is particularly prevalent in Asia and Africa. In these areas, demographic studies show a strong coincidence between HBV infection (assayed by HBV antigenic markers) and the incidence of primary liver cancer. On these grounds, a causal link between HBV infection and primary hepatocellular cancer has been proposed. Recently, a human hepatoma cell line (PLC/PRF/5; Alexander cells) has been shown to produce hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We show here that the Alexander cell line contains at least six (four complete and two partial) hepatitis B viral genomes integrated into high molecular weight host DNA. An analysis using specific probes to fragments of the HBV genome suggests that integration of the virus in most cases occurs at the nicked cohesive end region of the virus. Expression of viral sequences using Northern blots demonstrates the presence of RNA transcripts specific for the surface antigen sequences of HBV DNA and the absence of detectable transcripts corresponding to the hepatitis B core antigen.

A radio-immunoassay of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone

A method is described for the determination of 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) in plasma. Antisera were raised in rabbits against 11-deoxycortisol-21-hemisuccinate-bovine serum albumin (11-DOC-21-HS-BSA) and 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone-3-carboxymethyloxime-bovine serum albumin (17-OHP-3-CMO-BSA). An antiserum to 11-DOC-21-HS-BSA exhibited cross-reaction with progesterone (29%), 11-deoxycortisol (100%), cortisol (17%) and testosterone (10%) and was therefore not appropriate for quantitation of 17-OHP in plasma. An antiserum to 17-OHP-3-CMO-BSA cross-reacted with progesterone (9,7%), 11-deoxycortisol (50%) and less than 1% with all other major naturally occurring steroid hormones. A radio-immunoassay (RIA) was developed using the antiserum to 17-OHP-4-CMO-BSA. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation were 7,2% and 10,5% respectively. The normal ranges (nmol/l plasma) of samples extracted with hexane:benzene (1:1) and purified by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography were 0,28-4,7 for men, 0,84-3,0 for women (follicular phase), 3,0-11,0 for women (luteal phase), 4,6-22,1 for pregnant women, 18,5-123,9 for cord blood, 0,12-5,0 for children and 56,3-1 032 for persons with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to a 21-hydroxylation enzyme defect. Sephadex LH-20 purification of plasma extracts could be omitted when using the RIA as a screening procedure for CAH due to a 21-hydroxylation enzyme defect.