Divergent effects of interferons on the growth of human benign prostatic hyperplasia cells in primary culture

Epithelial cells from human benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues were grown in primary cultures for up to 21 days and the effects of interferons on the growth of the cells were investigated. Interferon-alpha (Wellferon) showed growth inhibition both in the presence and in the absence of 3 x 10(-10)M testosterone propionate (TP) whereas interferon-gamma stimulated growth in a dose dependent manner under similar conditions. Interferon-beta had little effect on growth at the dose levels used in the study. The growth inhibition by interferon-alpha can be induced after stimulation of growth is achieved either with TP or with interferon-gamma. Implications of these findings for clinical use of these lymphokines is discussed.

Regulation of polypeptide-chain initiation in rat skeletal muscle. Starvation does not alter the activity or phosphorylation state of initiation factor eIF-2

In rats, 48-h starvation causes a decrease in the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal (e.g. gastrocnemius) muscle, due largely to impairment of peptide-chain initiation. In other cell types inhibition of initiation is associated with decreased activity and recycling of initiation factor eIF-2, and increased phosphorylation of its alpha-subunit. However, 48-h starvation has no effect on the activity or recycling of eIF-2 measured in extracts of gastrocnemius muscle, or on the level of alpha-subunit phosphorylation. The effects of starvation on peptide-chain initiation in skeletal muscle must therefore involve alterations in other components of the translational machinery.

Evaluation of APHA and AOAC methods for phosphatase in cheese

Varieties of market cheese were analyzed for alkaline phosphatase by the modified rapid colorimetric method of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the official AOAC method, 16.304-16.306. In the APHA method, 5 g cheese (pH less than 7.0) is macerated with 2 mL 1:1 carbonate buffer, or 2 mL water (for cheese with pH greater than 7.0). Addition of 0.1 mL magnesium acetate (1 mg magnesium) to test portions of cheese extracts yielded reproducible and quantitative recovery of added phosphatase. In the AOAC method, macerating 0.5 g cheese with 1 mL borate buffer before adding milk phosphatase improved recovery among cheeses. Addition of magnesium ion increased phosphatase activity in some cheeses. Phosphatases in blue mold-ripened and Swiss cheeses were inactivated by heat faster than was milk phosphatase, yet milk phosphatase added to various soft cheeses was completely inactivated at 60 degrees C for 10 min. The lability of phosphatase was due to the heat-denaturing effect of NaCl present in finished cheeses. Some Mexican style soft cheeses contained both heat-labile and heat-stable phosphatases. These data suggest that the phosphatase test to differentiate milk and microbial phosphatases on the basis of repasteurization and analysis of cheese is no longer valid.

The effect of ethanol on polypeptide chain initiation in reticulocyte lysates. Inhibition of recycling of initiation factor eIF-2

Using the reticulocyte cell-free system, we have investigated the mechanism by which ethanol inhibits the initiation of protein synthesis. Ethanol inhibited the formation of 40S-initiation complexes, and this effect correlated well with the inhibition by ethanol of overall peptide-chain initiation. Ethanol was a more potent inhibitor of translation at 37 degrees than at 30 degrees. The inhibition of peptide-chain initiation and 40S-initiation complex formation in reticulocyte lysates under other conditions is associated with increased phosphorylation of the alpha-subunit of protein synthesis initiation factor-2 (eIF-2 alpha) and the inhibition of recycling of this factor. Recycling of eIF-2 is mediated by another protein factor GEF (= guanine nucleotide-exchange factor). The addition of ethanol to reticulocyte lysates led to increased phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha and to a decrease in the rate of exchange of guanine nucleotides bound to eIF-2. This second finding indicated that recycling of eIF-2 was impaired probably due to decreased availability of GEF. Using purified components it was found that ethanol inhibited the ability of GEF to stimulate eIF-2 and that this inhibition showed a similar temperature dependence to the effect of ethanol on overall protein synthesis. Taken together, these results suggest that ethanol leads to inhibition of peptide-chain initiation both through increased phosphorylation of eIF-2 alpha and by directly inhibiting the productive interaction of eIF-2 and GEF.

Acute effects of aerobic exercise on mood

Thirty-two female students participated in a single-session experiment during which they carried out two 8-min trials of high-intensity exercise and two 8-min trials of low-intensity exercise. One high- and one low-exercise trial were accompanied by music; the other two trials were accompanied by metronome. Mood was assessed with a modification of the Profile of Mood States before and immediately after each trial. The purpose of the experiment was disguised to reduce the influence of subject expectations on mood responses. Participants were divided into fit and unfit groups based on heart rate responses during high-exercise trials. Overall, high-intensity exercise led to increases in tension/anxiety and fatigue, whereas positive mood changes (vigor and exhilaration) were seen following low-intensity exercise only. No group differences in mood responses were observed. Explanations of these results are considered in light of other literature concerning the acute effects of exercise on mood.

Influence of repeated administration of cimetidine on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of adinazolam in healthy subjects

Adinazolam is a new triazolobenzodiazepine bearing an alkyl-amino side chain. A cross-over double-blind placebo controlled study was carried out in 12 healthy volunteers, in order to check the possible interaction between cimetidine and adinazolam after repeated co-administration. Cimetidine or placebo were given during 17 days. Beginning on Day 8 of each treatment, adinazolam was given in the increasing doses following sequence of doses for 3 days: 10 mg b.i.d., 20 mg b.i.d. and 20 mg t.i.d. A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study was performed on the third day at each dose. A wash-out of three weeks was included between the two treatments. Cimetidine increased significantly the AUC values of both adinazolam and N-desmethyladinazolam, reduced the oral clearance of adinazolam, and prolonged adinazolam's half-life. The digit symbol substitution test was significantly affected at each dose level while the manual dexterity was marginally impaired by adinazolam plus cimetidine. Saftee-up interview and Clyde mood scale indicated an increased sedation under adinazolam plus cimetidine in four subjects.

The effects of interferons on the activity of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase in benign prostatic hyperplasia cells in primary culture

Human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissues were obtained from patients undergoing transurethral resection of the prostate and viable cells from these were successfully maintained in primary cultures grown on collagen gel. The prostatic origin of the cells was confirmed by the measurement of prostate specific acid phosphatase and by scanning and transmission electron microscopy before and after immunostaining with human prostate specific antigen-antibody. The cell cultures were treated with various interferons (IFNs), both in the presence and absence of testosterone propionate (TP), for 72 hours and the activities of seven enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism were estimated in the cytosolic fraction of the cells. Treatment with TP induced a significant decrease in the activity of alpha-glycerolphosphate dehydrogenase (alpha-GPDH). Using this enzyme activity as a marker, the effects of various types of IFNs were investigated. IFN-alpha (wellferon) increased the activity of the enzyme both in the presence of one microgram./ml. of TP and in its absence whereas IFN-gamma inhibited the activity under similar conditions. The effect of treatment with IFN-beta in the presence of TP was biphasic in that there was an increase in the activity of the enzyme at the lowest concentration while at higher concentrations an inhibition of enzymic activity was observed. In the absence of TP IFN-beta inhibited the activity. The significance of these findings in terms of the clinical usefulness of IFNs is discussed and it is postulated that IFN-alpha (wellferon) might be effective in the treatment of metastatic carcinoma of the prostate in selected patients.

Carbamazepine plasma concentration. Relationship to cognitive impairment

Neuropsychological function was assessed before and after carbamazepine monotherapy in children with newly diagnosed complex partial epilepsy. Simultaneous video-electroencephalographic monitoring examined the influence of subclinical abnormal electrical discharges on performance. Total and unbound plasma carbamazepine concentrations were examined in relation to changes in performance at low (carbamazepine level, less than or equal to 32 mumol/L [less than or equal to 7.5 mg/L]) and moderate (carbamazepine level, greater than 34 mumol/L [greater than 8.0 mg/L]) drug levels. The data suggest a mild beneficial effect of carbamazepine on speeded eye-hand coordination and, at low drug levels, more rapid processing of items in memory. Efficiency of learning new information and memory-scanning rate displayed a concentration-dependent relationship with carbamazepine level, with poor performance significantly associated with higher carbamazepine plasma concentrations. Carbamazepine free levels were equivalent to total levels in predicting cognitive side effects.

Nitroprusside abolishes the deleterious effects of surface cooling-induced hypothermia on immature pigs with ventricular septal defects

The efficacy of systemic hypothermia in combination with cardiopulmonary bypass for the repair of congenital cardiac malformations is established. Surface cooling in infants with ventricular septal defects as a prebypass adjunct has been associated with visceral ischemic complications. Surface cooling in infant pigs with ventricular septal defects results in increased systemic vascular resistance and unchanged pulmonary vascular resistance with increased left-to-right shunting and a maldistribution of blood flow away from the viscera and kidneys. This study was to determine whether nitroprusside ameliorates the deleterious effects of increased systemic vascular resistance during hypothermia in infant pigs with ventricular septal defects. Nine neonatal pigs (4 weeks, 4 kg) had experimental ventricular septal defects resulting in a 2.3 +/- 0.3: 1 shunt. Systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances were determined by the flow probe and microsphere techniques. Systemic and pulmonary blood flow distributions were measured by the microsphere technique. Left-to-right shunt ratios were determined by oximetry, flow probe, and microsphere. The pigs were cooled to 28 degrees C and measurements were made at 37 degrees, 32 degrees, and 28 degrees C. We found that nitroprusside abolishes the deleterious effects of surface cooling by blocking the rise of systemic vascular resistance without significant changes in aortic pressure. As a result, the animals maintained control pulmonary-to-systemic flow levels and maintained control levels of oxygen delivery while showing a decline in oxygen consumption. Additionally, the vasodilatory effect allowed the animals to cool twice as fast as animals without nitroprusside. Regional blood flow distribution as percent cardiac output and absolute tissue flow were protected during surface cooling. This technique may have a role in cardiac operations on infants with left-to-right shunts.

Study of the histochemical changes in mucus from normal and tumour bearing mucosa in patients with colorectal cancer

The prognosis in colorectal cancer is related to the stage of the tumour. Thus, early detection of developing tumours will significantly improve the overall prognosis. This study assessed the histochemical changes in mucus from normal and tumour bearing mucosa to determine possible premalignant changes. Eighty patients with colorectal cancer and ten normal subjects were studied. Biopsies were taken from the tumour and from adjacent 'normal' mucosa and from both resection edges. Sections were stained with high iron diamine-alcian blue to distinguish sulphated from sialomucins. All normal mucosal biopsies showed a predominantly sulphated mucin pattern. By contrast, all 70 tumour mucosal biopsies showed a marked sialomucin staining. In transitional mucosa adjacent to the tumour, 30 patients showed marked increase in sialomucin (2+), 42 a moderate increase (+) and the remaining eight a normal pattern (-ve). Twenty-one (15%) patients had increased sialomucin at either surgical resection margins, all of whom had similar changes adjacent to the tumour, suggesting a wide field change in the mucus pattern. Since these changes in mucus are associated with malignant transformation then estimation of mucus pattern may give early prediction of malignant change in patients at risk of developing primary or recurrent carcinoma.

The nature and assessment of general well-being

Data on self-reported symptoms of ill-health were collected from 1500 respondents, and factor analysed. The results of this analysis suggested a two factor orthogonal model of well-being: one factor reflecting fatigue, emotional fragility and confusion (worn-out) and the other tension, anxiety and agitation (up-tight). The reliability and validity of the model were tested and appeared acceptable, and scales were constructed for the assessment of the two factors. It is suggested that the model and the associated scales could offer new information in studies of occupational stress and health.

Enumeration of thioguanine-resistant lymphocytes using autoradiography

Strauss and Albertini (1979) proposed a method whereby the frequency of thioguanine-resistant lymphocytes could be measured by an autoradiographic technique and suggested that it would provide a measure of in vivo mutation frequency. A number of variables influencing the method were studied and concentration of thioguanine and duration of assay found to be particularly important. The modified method finally arrived at involved culture of PHA-stimulated lymphocytes for 64 h in the presence of 40 microgram/ml of thioguanine, lysis of cells with Nonidet and collection of nuclei on Nucleopore membranes. The frequency of TG-resistant cells was 1.5 x 10(-6) - 1.7 x 10(-5) in young adults and it showed an increase with age. The technique was also adapted for use with continuously cultured lymphocytes, by using a concentration of 60 microgram/ml of thioguanine and an incubation time of 72 h. The frequency of TG-resistant continuously cultured cells was less than 10(-6) - 2 x 10(-5). Consideration of the effect of different variables on the assay suggested that the above estimates for TG-resistant lymphocytes were more valid than the previously published substantially higher estimates.

Human lymphocytes resistant to 6-thioguanine increase with age

Using an autoradiographic technique we determined the number of circulating lymphocytes that were resistant to 6-thioguanine and which were presumably mutants at the hypoxanthine--guanine phosphoribosyl transferase locus. The number in normal individuals was found to increase exponentially with age. The data suggest a relationship between mutagenesis and ageing, perhaps by way of a decline with age in the fidelity of DNA replication or repair.

Organization development in a psychiatric hospital: creating desirable changes

The organization of the way in which hospitals and hospital staff provide a service to patients is obviously of critical importance to their effectiveness, yet it is clear that rigidities and inappropriate and ineffective procedures frequently intrude. It is commonly held that changing hospitals as organizations is difficult to acomplish, and indeed, reported attempts at such change reflect this. The project reported here was a successful attempt at changing a number of different aspects of the culture of a psychiatric hospital which included managerial practices and structure, aspects of patient care, multidisciplinary team work, and staff development. The present paper concentrates on some specific outcomes at ward level. The general pattern for bringing about change involves the collection of (valid) data and then feeding this back to the staff involved so that they can take appropriate action. The data discussed here concerned ward nursing staff's attitude to the 'climate' of the hospital, their job satisfaction and aspects of patient care. This was fed back to nursing, managerial and medical staff, and action plans were agreed to overcome the difficulties highlighted. Outcomes have included the production of ward and unit objectives and changes in treatment programmes and aspects of patient care on the wards.