[Clinical trial of high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in advanced breast cancer]

Sixty-two evaluable patients with advanced breast cancer were treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate (Farlutal. Erba) 500mg orally twice or three times a day. After thirty days, one patient had a complete response (1.6%), 33 patients had partial response (53.2%). 11 had stable disease (17.7%), and 17 progressive disease (27.4%). The response rates of bone, lung and chest wall metastasis were higher. And the older patients showed a better response than the younger. The response did not show significant correlation with KPS, menopausal status, disease-free intervals after operation, numbers of metastases and the dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate. The response rate in ER positive patients was higher than the ER negative, but the difference was not statistically different. The side effects of high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate were well tolerated and the most common ones were weight gain and excessive perspiration.

Population and employment densities: structure and change

"We examine spatial patterns and their changes during the 1970s for the Los Angeles region, by estimating monocentric and polycentric density functions for employment and population. Downtown Los Angeles is clearly identified as the statistical monocentric center of the region, and it is the most consistently strong center in the polycentric patterns. Polycentric models fit statistically better than monocentric models, and there was some shift in employment distribution toward a more polycentric pattern. These findings verify the existence of polycentricity in Los Angeles and demonstrate for the first time that employment and especially population follow a polycentric pattern based on exogenously defined employment centers. The results confirm that both employment and population became more dispersed during the 1970s."

Effects of long-term treatment of captopril and enalapril on rat intestinal angiotensin converting enzyme specific activities

OBJECTIVES

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) has been shown to be an important peptidasse that play a role in digestion and assimilation of protein rich in proline such as casein, gliadin and collagen. Despite that ACE inhibitors have been popular for various types of hypertension and congestive heart failure, the effects of their long-term treatment on intestinal ACE activities are not known. Therefore, we measured intestinal specific activities in rats after four weeks' treatment of ACE inhibitors.

METHODS

Thirty Wistar rats weighing about 200g in average were divided into three groups, and supplied with tap water, captopril solution and enalapril solution respectively for four weeks. After sacrificing, intestinal ACE specific activities were measured in homogenate and brush border membrane fraction respectively, which was prepared from three equally divided segments of removed small intestine.

RESULTS

ACE specific activities of proximal, middle and distal segments of control group were 178.6 +/- 64.2, 180.3 +/- 60.2 and 48.6 +/- 13.1 in brush border membrane (mean +/- SD, nmol/min/mg protein) respectively. Those of captopril group were 314.2 +/- 72.5, 281.0 +/- 69.8 and 67.7 +/- 21.8 respectively, showing tendency of increase in proximal and middle segments (p < 0.01 and 0.05 respectively). By contrast, those of enalapril group were 48.5 +/- 27.6, 70.7 +/- 15.6 and 11.6 +/- 4.4 respectively, which were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of control group.

CONCLUSION

Rat intestinal ACE specific activities were not inhibited by captopril treatment, but inhibited by enalapril treatment. This finding may explain why there has not been any case report of malabsorption in patients taking captopril. But the malabsorption of prolyl peptide could be possible in cases with long-term administration of enalapril.

Provocation of nonepileptic seizures by suggestion in a general seizure population

Nonepileptic seizures (NES) are common and are often diagnosed at epilepsy centers by video-EEG recording of both spontaneous and suggestion-induced episodes, but no study has evaluated provocative testing in a general seizure population. We studied consecutive patients with a tentative diagnosis of epilepsy using saline provocation during video-EEG recording, suggesting that this could produce a typical seizure. Of 52 patients, 40% had no response, 23% had responses unlike their seizures, and 37% had typical episodes (positive test). Patients whose usual episodes resembled complex partial seizures (CPS) were more likely to have NES than were patients with a history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTC). Of patients with positive provocations, the primary physician predicted NES in 68% of cases. This preliminary study suggests that NES are frequent in a general neurology setting, and that saline provocation is a sensitive method of identifying NES.

Unconstrained correlation filters

A mathematical analysis of the distortion tolerance in correlation filters is presented. A good measure for distortion performance is shown to be a generalization of the minimum average correlation energy criterion. To optimize the filter's performance, we remove the usual hard constraints on the outputs in the synthetic discriminant function formulation. The resulting filters exhibit superior distortion tolerance while retaining the attractive features of their predecessors such as the minimum average correlation energy filter and the minimum variance synthetic discriminant function filter. The proposed theory also unifies several existing approaches and examines the relationship between different formulations. The proposed filter design algorithm requires only simple statistical parameters and the inversion of diagonal matrices, which makes it attractive from a computational standpoint. Several properties of these filters are discussed with illustrative examples.

UV resonance Raman and excited-state relaxation rate studies of hemoglobin

We have measured the UV resonance Raman (UVRR) spectra of human methemoglobin fluoride (metHbF) and examined the Raman saturation behavior of the metHbF trytophyl (Trp) and tyrosyl (Tyr) residues. Our high-quality UVRR spectra devoid of Raman saturation with 229- and 238.3-nm CW laser excitation allow us to determine small changes in Trp and Tyr residue Raman band frequencies and intensities caused by the hemoglobin R-T quaternary structural change induced by the allosteric effector inositol hexaphosphate. At 238.3-nm excitation, we observe a ca. 15 and 8% intensity increase for the Trp and Tyr bands, respectively, upon the R-T transition. In contrast, a small intensity decrease is observed with 225-nm excitation. These intensity alterations result from Trp and Tyr absorption and Raman excitation profile red-shifts which correlate with a strong 231.5-nm R-T absorption spectral change. These absorption and Raman excitation profile red-shifts and our model compound absorption studies together suggest a T-state increase in the hydrogen bond donation of the Trp-beta(2)37 and Tyr-alpha(1)42 residues at the alpha 1 beta 2 subunit interface. The Tyr-alpha 42 residue appears to be a hydrogen bond donor, rather than an acceptor. We determined the electronic excited-state relaxation rates of the Trp and Tyr residues in hemoglobin by using Raman saturation spectroscopy with 225-nm pulsed laser excitation. The observed average excited-state relaxation rate of the Trp residues is ca. 1/120 ps and is independent of the quaternary structure. This rate is slower that that observed for Trp residues of horse myoglobin. The average excited-state relaxation rate of the Tyr residues is ca. 1/60 ps for both the R and T quaternary forms. These are the first Tyr relaxation rates measured for any heme protein.

252Cf-plasma desorption mass spectrometry. II--A perspective of new directions

The 252Cf-PDMS method is a 'mature' technique, having survived 20 years of research, development and application. Recent advances in the application of the method have led to the use of the technique in clinical quantitation studies, the development of a microscopic method for measuring chemical homogeneity, in situ applications where serial modifications can be made and studied in a sequential fashion and the utilization of the primary fragmentation patterns to correlate with primary structure. Future directions in research, development and application will focus more attention on the chemistry of the 252Cf-PDMS process and the understanding and control of gas-phase reactions that occur in the ejection plume. Predictions are that the application of the in situ modification technique could lead to a new approach to pharmacokinetic studies as well as cell surface interactions where 252Cf-PDMS is effectively used to expand the capabilities of in vitro studies of biological processes.

Conformation of ATP and ADP bound to N10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase determined by TRNOE NMR spectroscopy

ATP and ADP bind to N10-CHO-H4folate synthetase from Clostridium cylindrosporum at four identical sites. Although both ADP and ATP bind to the enzyme with essentially the same Ka values as the Mg2+.nucleotide complexes, only the Mg2+.nucleotides are kinetically active. Using transferred nuclear Overhauser effect (TRNOE) NMR spectroscopy, we have measured the time-dependent NOE buildup rates of selected protons in ADP and ATP bound to N10-CHO-H4folate synthetase after preirradiating protons H1', H2', H3', and H4'. The results were used to calculate interproton distances. In order to define the conformations of ADP and ATP bound to the enzyme, we used the TRNOE distance constraints in a distance geometry algorithm. The results of the distance geometry calculations suggest that, within experimental error, the conformations of both ADP and ATP (with or without Mg2+) have an average glycosidic torsion angle X (O4'-C1'-N9-C8) of 100 degrees +/- 20 degrees and a sugar pucker angle psi' (C5'-C4'-C3'-O3') of 85 degrees +/- 5 degrees. These values are consistent with a nucleotide structure generated by computer modeling after energy minimization, which has X = 90 degrees +/- 6 degrees and psi' = 81 degrees, indicating a high-anti and C3'-endo conformation.

A new method for determining dose rate distribution from radioimmuno-therapy using radiochromic media

PURPOSE

To describe and evaluate a new, simple, inexpensive method for directly measuring the radiation dose and its spatial distribution generated from explanted tissues of animals previously injected with radiolabeled immunoconjugates or other agents.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

This technique uses the newly developed radiochromic dye medium (Gafchromic) which responds reproducibly for therapeutic dose exposures, has high spatial resolution, does not require film processing, and is relatively insensitive to ambient light. We have evaluated the dose distribution from LS174T tumors and selected normal tissues in nude mice previously injected with 90Y labeled anti-carcinoembrionic antigen antibodies. Individual tissues from sacrificed animals are halved and the flat section of the tissue is placed onto the dosimetry media and then frozen. The dosimetry medium is exposed to beta and Bremsstrahlung radiation originating from the frozen tissues. The relative darkening of the dosimetry medium depends on the dose deposited in the film. The dosimetry medium is scanned with a commercial flatbed scanner and the image intensity is digitally stored and quantitatively analyzed. Isodose curves are generated and compared to the actual tissue outline.

RESULTS

The absorbed dose distribution due to 90Y exposure show only slight gradients in the interior of the tissue, with a markedly decreasing dose near the edges of the tissue. In addition, the isodose curves follow the tissue outline except in regions having radii of curvature smaller than the range of the beta-particle (R90 = 5 mm). These results suggest that the shape of the tumor, and its curvature, are important in determining the minimum dose delivered to the tumor by radiation from 90Y monoclonal antibodies, and hence in evaluating the tumor response to the radiation. The dose and spatial dose distribution were calculated assuming that the total 90Y activity is distributed uniformly throughout a half ellipsoid. The calculated spatial dose distributions for the half ellipsoids were similar to those observed from the dosimetry media that had been exposed to radioactivity contained in the tumors.

CONCLUSION

This method provides direct dose evaluation without elaborate summary calculations based on activity measurements from serial slices. The measured radiation dose actually indicates the dose rate at the time of animal sacrifice. Quantitative analysis of radiation emitted from the tissues is relatively fast, making it feasible to examine a number of tissues under a variety of conditions.

Quantifying MRI geometric distortion in tissue

We present a method to quantify the MR field inhomogeneity geometric distortion to subpixel accuracy without using objects of known dimensions and without using an external standard such as CT. Our method may be used to quantify the geometric accuracy of MR images of anatomical structures of unknown geometry and also to test any geometry correction scheme. We have quantified the distortion in a tissue phantom and found the largest error to be approximately 2.8 pixels (1.8 mm) for Bo = 1.5 T, G = 3.13 mT/m and FOV = 160 x 160 x 70.7 mm3. We also found that our previously published correction technique reduced the largest error to 0.3 pixels (mu = 0.02 and sigma = 0.07 pixels).

Lower motor neuron dysfunction associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection

OBJECTIVE

The association of human immunodeficiency virus with a clinical picture of motor neuron disease is uncommon, with three cases reported to date. This case represents an additional case of a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient with apparent motor neuron disease.

DESIGN

Single patient case report.

SETTING

Large urban public hospital.

PATIENT

A 45-year-old human immunodeficiency virus-positive Hispanic man who presented with muscle wasting, fasciculations, areflexia, cranial nerve deficits, and weakness progressing to a complete quadriplegia.

RESULTS

Electrophysiologic data showed evidence of diffuse denervation with normal sensory and motor nerve conductions and no evidence of demyelination. Electromyography showed diffuse sharp waves and fibrillation.

CONCLUSIONS

This case demonstrates a progressive motor neuron dysfunction in a patient positive for the human immunodeficiency virus and provides additional evidence that infection with the human immunodeficiency virus should be considered in the differential diagnosis of apparent motor neuron disease.

Metastable CO binding sites in the photoproduct of a novel cooperative dimeric hemoglobin

The infrared absorption spectrum of the CO-photoproduct from Scapharca inaequivalvis hemoglobin (Hbl) at 10 K yields only a single line in the "B" state region at 2132 cm-1. This is the same frequency as the B1 line observed in photodissociated vertebrate HbCO and MbCO. No evidence was found for the B2 line detected in vertebrate hemoglobins and myoglobin in the 2118-2120 cm-1 region. These data demonstrate that the protein does not have the same conformationally accessible ligand-binding sites as do vertebrate hemoglobins and myoglobins. The absence of the B2 line indicates that only a single weak site is accessible to the photolyzed CO molecule. These results are in accord with geminate rebinding experiments and ligand escape pathway calculations which have shown that the distal properties of Hbl are distinct from those of tetrameric hemoglobins and vertebrate myoglobins.

Solvent oxygen is not incorporated into N10-formyltetrahydrofolate in the reaction catalyzed by N10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase

The mechanism of the reaction catalyzed by N10-formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase involves the formation of formyl phosphate as an intermediate which then formylates tetrahydrofolate at the N-10 position. Previous studies demonstrated that the non-enzymic formylation of tetrahydrofolate by formyl phosphate occurs exclusively at the more nucleophilic 5-nitrogen in the reduced pyrazine ring. The experiments described in this report were designed to determine whether N5-formyltetrahydrofolate might be the first product to be formed on the enzyme, followed by formyl transfer to the 10-nitrogen via the cyclic intermediate N5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate. If this were the case, oxygen from solvent H2O would be incorporated into the formyl group of the N10-derivative. By conducting the reaction in a 1:1 mixture of [16O]H2O and [18O]H2O and using 13C NMR spectroscopy we show that no 18O is incorporated into the product and conclude that the reaction proceeds via a direct formylation of the N-10 position by formyl phosphate.

Protein-heme interactions in hemoglobin from the mollusc Scapharca inaequivalvis: evidence from resonance Raman scattering

Resonance Raman spectra of the Scapharca inaequivalvis homodimeric hemoglobin (HbI) have been measured for the ligand-bound and ligand-free ferrous forms of the protein. In the deoxy derivative, the iron-histidine (Fe-His) stretching mode, proposed as a marker of the oxygen affinity and a conduit linking the hemes to the subunit interface, gives rise to a Raman peak centered at 203 cm-1, an unusually low frequency compared to that reported for other hemoglobins and myoglobins. In the CO-bound derivative, three isotope-sensitive lines at 517, 583, and 1945 cm-1 have been assigned to the Fe-CO stretching, Fe-C-O bending, and C-O stretching modes, respectively. From the frequencies of these modes and from their relative intensities, the Fe-C-O geometry appears to be tilted from axial coordination and shows a bending angle which has been estimated to be about 171 +/- 5 degrees. For the oxygen derivative, only one isotope-sensitive peak has been detected at 570 cm-1, in line with the values found for myoglobin and other hemoglobins. Resonance Raman spectra of HbI modified with p-(chloromercuri)benzoate (PMB) at Cys92 have been measured in parallel with those of the native protein. Despite the large increase in oxygen affinity produced by the PMB modification, the frequency of the Fe-His stretching mode is unshifted in the deoxy derivative.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of different doses of norethisterone on ovarian function, serum sex hormone binding globulin and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol

The ovarian effects of different doses of norethisterone (NET) were compared in 45 normally menstruating women in order to find the lowest effective dose of the Chinese NET "visiting pill". Subjects were randomly divided into 3 groups. Each subject in each group was taking 0.5, 1.5 or 3.0 mg per day from days 5 to day 18 of the cycle. Blood samples were taken on days 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 23, 26 and 29 of the cycle. Serum oestradiol (E2), progesterone (P), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), high density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and NET concentrations were measured. Ovulation, delayed ovulation, ovulation inhibition and follicular activity were classified by the analysis of the peripheral serum levels of sex hormones. Ovulation occurred in 7 women in the 0.5 mg group, in 2 women in the 1.5 mg group and in none of the 3.0 mg group. Mean serum SHBG levels were reduced progressively by 6.6% (Group 0.5), 15.5% (Group 1.5) and 23.4% (Group 3.0). There were no significant changes in HDL-C levels in any group. There was a significant correlation of mean serum NET concentrations with dose. The lack of complete inhibition of ovulation in most women in the 1.5 mg and 0.5 mg groups might suggest that the dose of NET required when used as a visiting pill could not be reduced below 3.0 mg.

Heme-heme interactions in a homodimeric cooperative hemoglobin. Evidence from transient Raman scattering

The comparison of the resonance Raman spectrum of the deoxy dimeric hemoglobin (HbI) from the Arcid clam, Scapharca inaequivalvis, to its CO photoproduct at 10 ns reveals several significant differences in the low frequency vibrational modes including those involving motions of the peripheral substituents on the heme such as the propionates. This finding reflects the involvement of the propionates in a hydrogen bonding network which connects the two heme groups across the subunit interface and is sensitive to ligand binding. A frequency difference in the iron-histidine stretching mode of 6 cm-1 in this invertebrate hemoglobin is substantially smaller than that detected in tetrameric vertebrate hemoglobins under similar conditions. Time evolution studies of the vibrational modes from the photoproduct demonstrate that the transient form relaxes to the deoxy structure concertedly with a half-life of 1 microseconds, the time scale in which tertiary relaxations of tetrameric hemoglobins occur. These data establish that the tertiary and quaternary structural changes take place on the same time scale and confirm a mechanism of cooperativity involving direct interaction between the two heme groups through the peripheral substituents. This direct structural communication provides a very tight linkage between the heme groups prohibiting modulation of the oxygen affinity by factors in the physiological milieu.

Theoretical framework for the design of purely real synthetic-discriminant-function-type correlation filters

A general algorithm for synthesizing purely real correlation filters in the frequency domain is developed by using the method of Lagrange multipliers. This method can be applied to filters that are derived by using linearly constrained quadratic minimization. The synthesis of purely real versions of minimum average correlation energy filters, minimum-variance synthetic discriminant functions, and other synthetic-discriminant-function-type filters is discussed to illustrate this approach. Their performance is found to be somewhat less than that of the original complex filters but still adequate for practical applications. The main advantage of this approach is that optimum purely real filters can be generated that are easy to implement in spatial light modulators without holograms and that yield the correlation output on the zero-order beam.

Isolation of a Drosophila gene encoding glutathione S-transferase

We have isolated a Drosophila gene, DmGST-2, that encodes glutathione S-transferase, a homo- or heterodimeric enzyme thought to be involved in detoxification of xenobiotics, including known carcinogens. The encoded protein has a primary sequence that is more similar to mammalian placental and nematode GSTs than that of a previously described Drosophila GST gene, herein referred to as DmGST-1. We provide a physical map of the gene and show that it specifies at least two mRNAs, measuring 1.9 and 1.6 kb, which differ only in the lengths of their 3' untranslated regions. Both of the mRNAs are present during all developmental stages. In situ hybridization of the DmGST-2 gene to larval polytene chromosomes places it within the 53F subdivision of chromosome 2, and Southern blotting to chromosomal DNA indicates that the gene has no close relatives within the Drosophila genome. Our results make possible molecular genetic approaches for further elaborating the function of glutathione S-transferases in insect development and physiology, in the metabolism of plant toxins, and in conferring insecticide resistance.

A cross-over study of three oral contraceptives containing ethinyloestradiol and either desogestrel or levonorgestrel

A randomised cross-over trial was performed to compare the pharmacodynamic actions of three low-dose oral contraceptives (OCs): Marvelon (150 micrograms desogestrel (DSG)+ 30 micrograms ethinyloestradiol (EE)), Mercilon (150 micrograms DSG + 20 micrograms EE) and Microgynon (150 micrograms levonorgestrel (LNG) + 30 micrograms EE). None of the OCs produced any significant changes in serum cholesterol, LDL-C and apoprotein B. Triglycerides were increased by the desogestrel OCs but not by Microgynon. The latter however increased the glucose and insulin responses to a glucose tolerance test whereas Marvelon and Mercilon had no effect. HDL-C increased with Marvelon, was unchanged with Mercilon and was decreased with Microgynon. Apoprotein AII was increased by all three OCs but only the DSG OCs increased apoprotein AI. All OCs produced similar increases in caeruloplasmin but the increase in SHBG was much greater with Marvelon and Mercilon than with Microgynon. Testosterone was reduced more with Microgynon than with the DSG OCs. Many of the changes reflect the strong anti-oestrogenic action of LNG on metabolic parameters compared to DSG. Except for the effect on HDL-C, there was little difference between Marvelon and Mercilon on metabolic parameters and this complements the findings from large-scale clinical trials of the two OCs. Mercilon, therefore provides a very satisfactory alternative to Marvelon.

Clinical Experience with an Activity Sensing DDDR Pacemaker Using an Accelerometer Sensor

The rate adaptive characteristics and pacemaker mediated tachycardia protection algorithm of an accelerometer based DDDR pacemaker were evaluated in 11 patients with bradycardia (seven atrioventricular block, four sick sinus syndrome). Rate adaptive programming was effected by collecting the acceleration level during a 3-minute moderate exercise ("tailoring" of sensor). In comparison with an externally attached piezoelectric sensor, the accelerometer sensor showed lower rate changes during external tapping of the pacemaker (16 +/- 3 vs 29 +/- 4 ppm, P less than 0.02) and applied direct pressure (1 +/- 1 vs 40 +/- 3 beats/min, P less than 0.001) on the pacemaker. At nominal setting, the accelerometer sensor showed improved rate stability and higher rate response to jogging and standing, although responses to other daily activities and treadmill exercise were similar. Apart from changing the rate responsive slope, rate response could be improved by repeat "tailoring" of the sensor at a lower exercise level, resulting in better overall rate response characteristics. The ability of the rate monitoring software to collect acceleration levels for an activity and profile the projected rate response at different rate responsive settings allowed programming to be effected with the minimum amount of exercise testing. The pacemaker also discriminated atrial tachyarrhythmias from normal sinus response using the sensor to judge the appropriateness of the atrial rate, which correctly identified and prevented rapid ventricular tracking in two patients during atrial flutter/fibrillation.

The Use of Implantable Sensors for the Control of Pacemaker Mediated Tachycardias: A Comparative Evaluation Between Minute Ventilation Sensing and Acceleration Sensing Dual Chamber Rate Adaptive Pacemakers

The role of implantable sensors to control pacemaker mediated tachycardias was investigated in 16 patients with two different dual chamber rate adaptive (DDDR) pacemakers, which sensed eiter minute ventilation (DDDR-Meta, nine patients) or body acceleration (Relay, seven patients). Successive atrial sensed events beyond a programmable rate occurring in the absence of detection of exercise by the sensors were considered to represent retrograde conduction or atrial arrhythmias, and the pacemakers responded by either a mode shift from DDDR to ventricular rate adaptive (VVIR) pacing (DDDR-Meta) or by tracking at an interim rate, the so-called conditional ventricular tracking limit (CVTL, Relay). In the unipolar atrial sensing mode, myopotential sensing (MPI) and external chest wall stimulations (CWS) at 250 beats/min were induced to be preferentially sensed by the atrial channel to simulate the conditions of atrial arrhythmias. In the DDD mode, these maneuvers resulted in ventricular responses of 88 +/- 3 beats/min and 110 +/- 3 beats/min for MPI and CWS, respectively. The pacing rate was significantly reduced in the DDDR mode with the sensors correctly detecting and responding to the sensed abnormal atrial signals (68 +/- 5 beats/min during MPI and 71 +/- 5 beats/min during CWS, P less than 0.005 compared with the corresponding DDD rate). One patient with a Relay pacemaker developed spontaneous atrial flutter and the ventricular tracking responses were 140 and 85 beats/min in the DDD and DDDR pacing modes, respectively. Thus MPI and CWS are useful bedside testing methods to assess pacemaker response during atrial arrhythmias. The use of implantable sensors to judge the appropriateness of atrial rate is a new approach to the management of pacemaker mediated tachycardias.

21-aminosteroids interact with the dopamine transporter to protect against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced neurotoxicity

U-78518F, a 21-aminosteroid from the novel family of lipid peroxidation inhibitors (lazaroids), increased survival of dopamine (DA) neurons in mesencephalic cell cultures incubated with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Protection against DA neuron death occurred with increasing concentrations of U-78518F up to 30 microM. Non-specific toxicity produced with higher concentrations of MPP+ was not affected by the lazaroid. U-78518F inhibited cellular uptake of [3H]MPP+ and [3H]DA, but not that of gamma-[3H]aminobutyric acid. In human striatal membrane preparations, U-78518F competed with [3H]mazindol for binding to the DA transporter, with a calculated Ki value of 10 microM. Two of four lazaroids tested inhibited [3H]DA uptake in the cell culture system. The protective effects of 21-aminosteroids in MPP(+)-induced neurotoxicity are, in part, a function of the interaction of these agents with the DA transporter.

[Cerebral germinoma]

16 cases of cerebral germinoma are reported. This tumor is comparatively rare. Since it is usually located in pineal and easily be confused with pineloma or ectopic pinealoma, its terminology, source of the tumor tissue, histopathological characteristics, diagnosis and differential diagnosis are discussed by the authors. According to the high mortality of the operative treatment, the radiotherapy is suggested.

A pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic study of the Chinese No. 1 pill

A pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic study of the Chinese No. 1 pill, a combined oral contraceptive containing 35 micrograms ethynyloestradiol (EE) and 600 micrograms norethisterone (NET), was performed in 29 women over a period of six months. Blood samples for analysis were taken during a pretreatment cycle, the first and 6th treatment cycles and post-treatment. Minor changes in carbohydrate metabolism occurred and these were particularly noticeable when the incremental areas under the serum concentration-time curves for both glucose and insulin in response to a glucose tolerance test were calculated. No changes occurred in the serum glycosylated haemoglobin levels. The serum concentrations of all the lipids measured (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C and apolipoproteins AI, AII and B) were significantly increased on treatment as were levels of Factor X, SHBG and caeruloplasmin whereas antithrombin III decreased. In 38 of the 40 treatment cycles, ovulation was suppressed. In one cycle serum oestradiol and progesterone levels showed a typical ovulatory pattern and in another there was evidence of follicular activity without ovulation. Serum EE concentrations showed a similar pattern in both treatment cycles showing that co-administration of NET did not affect EE metabolism. Serum NET levels were higher in the 6th than in the first treatment cycles. On comparing pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters, the only statistically significant correlations were between the percentage change in triglycerides and SHBG and serum NET, but not EE concentrations, and between apolipoproteins AI and serum EE.

Cat-P300 present after association cortex ablation

The cat-P300 is a positive endogenous potential, larger to a stimulus when rare than when frequent, with a latency of 200-500 msec. The role of polysensory association cortex, postulated to be important in human P300 generation, was assessed in the cat. EEG was recorded in 13 awake cats from a skull screw at the vertex. Stimuli included frequent (P = 0.80) 1 kHz and rare (P = 0.10) 2 kHz tone pulses with probabilities counterbalanced across 260-trial blocks. After 12 preoperative sessions, bilateral ablations were made of pericruciate cortex (4 cats), anterior lateral and medial suprasylvian gyri (4 cats) and all 3 areas (5 cats). Postoperatively, all 13 cats showed a P300 across 12 recording sessions. Thus polysensory association cortex is not essential for generation of the cat-P300.

Retinoic acid regulation of the expression of retinoic acid receptors in wild-type and mutant embryonal carcinoma cells

The embryonal carcinoma cell line P19 undergoes terminal differentiation upon induction by retinoic acid (RA). The effects of RA on the retinoic acid receptor (RAR) mRNA level were investigated in P19 cells and an RA non-responsive mutant RAC65. RA induced a rapid accumulation of RAR alpha within 2 h and this was followed by an increase in the RAR beta mRNA. RAC65 cells differed from P19 cells in that the accumulation of RAR alpha mRNA was delayed and that an aberrant pattern of RAR alpha transcript was observed.

Determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of HBV adr NC-1 DNA

On the basis of sequencing the large DNA-fragments which have been inserted into M13mp8, we design a simple strategy to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of HBV adr NC-1 DNA with chain termination method. The whole genome is 3195 nucleotides long. Five reading frames are observed. The gene location and organization are shown.

Molecular cloning and expression of salmon pituitary hormones

A cDNA library was prepared from chinook salmon pituitaries. Growth hormone (GH), prolactin (PRL) and the β subunit of gonadotropin (GTH) genes were screened using synthetic oligonucleotides as probes. Full size cDNA clones coding for these polypeptide hormones were isolated and characterized. The cDNA sequences for PRL and βGTH have been reported earlier from our laboratories. The cDNA clone for GH contains 1148 bp and codes for a preGH of 210 amino acids. The chinook salmon GH, reported in the present investigation, differs from chum salmon GH in only 1 amino acid, and from coho salmon GH in 5 amino acids. Plasmids containing modified nucleotide sequences coding for GH, PRL and βGTH were constructed individually into an expression vector using the heat-inducible λ pL promotor. Mature PRL, GH and unglycosylated βGTH were expressed in the bacteria at elevated temperature.

Effect of some oral contraceptives on serum concentrations of sex hormone binding globulin and ceruloplasmin

Serum SHBG and ceruloplasmin (CP) concentrations were measured in women throughout a cycle of treatment with four oral contraceptives. In women receiving 150 micrograms levonorgestrel (LNG) daily both SHBG and CP decreased. SHBG also decreased, but CP increased, in women receiving ethynyloestradiol (EE) 30 micrograms with LNG 150 micrograms. In women taking 35 micrograms EE with either 600 micrograms or 1000 micrograms norethisterone, increases in CP were similar but SHBG increased more with the lower dose. Serum concentrations had not returned to pretreatment levels by eight days after cessation of dosing. The findings are compared with similar results for women taking 30 micrograms or 50 micrograms EE or an EE,LNG triphasic formulation. Serum concentrations of the gestagens were also measured. Increases in these concentrations when the gestagen was administered with EE to levels higher than expected from administration of the gestagen alone cannot be explained by increased binding to SHBG but are more likely to be due to changes in their metabolism. Differences in the responses of ostensibly closely related proteins of hepatic origin such as SHBG and CP to the oral contraceptives demonstrate that neither can be extrapolated to other pharmacodynamic responses.

Molecular cloning and expression of salmon prolactin cDNA

Prolactin was purified from chum salmon pituitaries. It was resolved into two variants by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. A cDNA library was prepared from Pacific chinook salmon pituitaries. Salmon prolactin gene was screened using a synthetic oligonucleotide based on partial protein sequence. A positive clone (PRL-10) was identified and sequenced. It is a full-size clone containing 1.1 kb and coding for a preprolactin of 211 amino acids. A modified prolactin plasmid (PRL-10A), in which the 5' untranslated sequence and the nucleotide sequence coding for the signal peptide of prolactin were deleted, was reconstructed into an expression vector using the heat-inducible lambda pL promotor. Mature prolactin, a single polypeptide of 22 kDa, was efficiently expressed in the bacteria at an elevated temperature.

Effect of Anordrin on serum levels of sex hormone binding globulin, caeruloplasmin and ovarian function

Ten doses of 7.5 mg Anordrin were administered on alternate days from day 5 of the menstrual cycle to 20 women. Serum concentrations of both SHBG and CP were significantly increased after the fourth dose but the increases were minor compared to those produced by ethynyloestradiol. Two weeks after stopping Anordrin, serum concentrations of the proteins were still elevated in most women. Ovarian activity was studied in 8 women; serum oestradiol and progesterone concentrations indicated that ovulation occurred at the normal time in three women but was delayed for two weeks or more in the remaining five. The findings suggest that in humans, Anordrin acts as a weak oestrogen and may also have antioestrogenic activity.

A cavernous sinus cavernous hemangioma. Case report

The case of a Turner's syndrome patient with an intracavernous hemangioma is presented. The rarity of this lesion is stressed, as is surgical removal without postoperative deficit, the role of estrogens in the pathogenesis, and the clinical and radiological findings.

A pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic study of a 'visiting pill' containing norethisterone

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of two doses of norethisterone (5mg and 3mg) used as a 'visiting pill' were investigated. There were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of the two doses except for the peak concentration achieved and the bioavailability as assessed by the area under the serum norethisterone concentration - time curve. Both doses were rapidly absorbed. Pharmacodynamic effects were minor. No change occurred in serum concentrations of total cholesterol, total triglycerides or HDL-cholesterol. The area under the serum glucose concentration--time curve and particularly the area under the serum insulin concentration--time curve were significantly increased as a result of treatment but no change occurred in the serum levels of glycosylated haemoglobin. SHBG concentrations in serum decreased on treatment whereas those of ceruloplasmin increased.

Sudden death in a patient with Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis

Sudden death caused by tumors is uncommon. Death attributable to an unsuspected primary intracranial neoplasm is especially rare. An undiagnosed brain tumor is particularly unusual in a patient with Von Recklinghausen's neurofibromatosis (NF). A young man with known NF, with no manifest central nervous system involvement, died less than 24 hours after plastic surgery. A glioblastoma multiforme was discovered at autopsy.