Effect of adding albumin to solutions of secretin on pancreatic volume and bicarbonate response

In six conscious dogs with gastric and pancreatic Thomas fistulas, we studied the pancreatic bicarbonate response to intravenous bolus injections of synthetic secretin dissolved either in 5 ml of 0.15 M NaCl alone or in the same amount of NaCl to which dog albumin had been added, to give a 0.1% solution. The pancreatic bicarbonate (micromol . 10 min-1) response to the four lowest doses of secretin (12.5, 25, 50, 100 ng . kg-1) used was significantly (p less than 0.05) higher when secretin was dissolved in NaCl plus albumin than in NaCl alone. The pancreatic response to higher doses of secretin (200, 400, 800, 1600 ng . kg-1) was not significantly altered by the addition of albumin. The D50 of secretin was about 2.6 times greater in the absence than in the presence of albumin. This study suggests that albumin should be added to dilute solutions of secretin to preserve biological activity.

Seasonality of fertility in Matlab, Bangladesh

From matched birth and census records in the Matlab area of Bangladesh, monthly fertility rates for the period 1970–74 are studied for seasonal patterns by age and parity. Trigonometric regression techniques are used to summarize and compare the multiple series. Pronounced seasonal patterns are apparent for all age and parity groups. The general fertility rate peaks in December with a seasonal variation of 42% above and below the mean level. For younger women at low parities the peak is in late October, while for older women of higher parity it is in January. The shift progresses linearly with age and parity though the age effect is the more pronounced. A seasonal pattern of fecundability which varies by age group could explain the shift.

Defective cytotoxic T-cell generation in Moloney murine sarcoma virus-infected A/Sn mice

Cytotoxic T-cells (CTL) could not be detected in spleen cell suspensions from Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MuSV)-induced tumor-bearing A/Sn and (A/Sn X C57BL/6) F1 mice, with the A/Sn-derived natural killer (NK)-sensitive YAC-1 lymphoma cells used as targets. However, spleen T-cells from tumor-bearing (A/Sn X C57Bl/6)F1 mice were efficient killers against C57BL/6-derived RBL-5 cells. When tested for viral antigens by sera from mice with regressing atumors, YAC-1 and RBL-5 cells cross-reacted. The anti-RBL-5 effect of spleen cells from A/Sn X C57BL/6)F1 tumor bearers was blocked in cold target competition experiments by YAC-1 cells, which suggested the expression of a CTL target structure on YAC-1 cells. The activity against YAC-1 cells in spleen suspensions of both tumor-bearing and control (A/Sn X C57BL/6)F1 mice seemed to be an NK phenomenon entirely, because blocking occurred neither with RBL-5 cells nor with freshly prepared YAC lymphoma cells, both of which have low sensitivity to NK effects. Spleen cells from (A/Sn X C57BL/6)F1 regressors were stimulated to a secondary CTL response in vitro by YAC-1 and RBL-5 cells, which further indicated that YAC-1 cells express the M-MuSV-specific CTL target structure. These experiments also showed that YAC-1 cells could be lysed by CTL. YAC-1 cells did not induce a secondary response in A/Sn regressors, which indicated a lack of M-MuSV-induced CTL memory cells in this strain. The result was not due to a general unreactivity of A/Sn mice against YAC-1 cells, because spleen cells from YAC-1-immunized mice exhibited strong T-cell-mediated anti-YAC-1 activity after in vitro cultivation. Thus tumor regression seems to occur without the production of CTL in A/Sn mice.

Non-T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in mice with tumors induced by Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MuSV). II. Granulocyte-mediatd cytotoxicity against autochthonous target cells isolated from M-MuSV-induced tumors

Experiments were performed in A/Sn and A/WySn mice to determine the specificity, organ distribution, and further characteristics of the small non-T-cells that infiltrate Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MuSV)-induced tumors and are capable of killing the autochthonous M-MuSV-infected tumor target cells. Continuous bovine serum albumin density gradient separation proved to be the most effective method of enriching the cytotoxic cells. Increase in cytotoxic activity, measured by both the 51Cr release assay and the microcytotoxicity test, paralleled the increase in the proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in mice bearing M-MuSV-induced tumors also contained myeloperoxidas-positive cytotoxic effector cells. The cytotoxic activity appeared to be nonspecific. Various mouse tumor lines as well as allogeneic fibroblasts were sensitive to these effector cells. The only target cell type not affected was the syngeneic fibroblast. In addition to the tumor mass, cytotoxic cells were found in the bone marrow, blood, and spleens of mice bearing M-MuSV-induced tumors. Only bone marrow cells from normal mice exhibited cytotoxic activity. Thus cells of the myelopoietic series may be important in fighting M-MuSV-induced tumors by way of their direct cytotoxic effects on the infected cells.

Antral gastrin concentration in gastric ulcer disease. The finding of high concentrations in a few patients

Antral gastrin concentratin (AGC) was measured in forceps biopsy specimens of prepyloric mucosa obtained at endoscopy in 65 patients with various kinds of gastric ulcer and in 31 nonulcer control patients. AGC in 32 patients with a lesser curvature gastric ulcer, 10.0 +/- 2.0 (mean +/- 1 SE) ng gastrin/mg tissue was significantly less (P < 0.01) than AGC in 31 nonulcer control patients, 14.4 +/- 1.4. AGC was similar to the control values in 23 patients with a pyloric channel ulcer, 15.2 +/- 1.7; 5 patients with a greater curvature ulcer, 15.0 +/- 4.8; and 3 patients with both duodenal and gastric ulcers, 15.8 +/- 0.7. AGC was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than the control values in 3 patients with a vagotomy and pyloroplasty and a gastric ulcer, 29.8 +/- 5.0. In contrast with most lesser curvature gastric ulcer patients who had low AGC, 3 gastric ulcer patients had antral gastrin values which were about three times the mean AGC of the controls. Two of these patients had fasting serum gastrin values which were more than twice the mean control fasting serum gastrin. Meal-stimulated integraed gastrin responses in these 3 patients ranged from three to nine times the mean control response. These findings suggest that a high AGC may account for a few instances of increased serum gastrin concentrations in gastric ulcer patients.

Mathematical model of steroidogenesis in rat and rabbit testes

The purpose of this study was to develop a mathematical model of testicular steroidogenesis which could not only predict steroid secretion but also could be implemented to test the validity of assumptions used in studies of testicular testosterone biosynthesis in rats and rabbits. Since the two predominant fates of testicular steroids are metabolism and secretion, we hypothesized that the data for construction of the model could be observed testicular steroid secretions and that these data could then be used to elucidate intratesticular steroid conversions. Equations based on steroid secretion by testes perfused in vitro were developed to estimate transition probabilities corresponding to steroid secretion or conversion. The model was tested by comparing the predicted steroid secretion rates with those observed for control testes perfused in vitro. In addition, the transition probabilities determined by the model were used to indicate the predominant series of reactions for converting pregnenolone to testosterone. The results presented herein confirm the capability of the model to predict steroid secretion rates and to predict preferred pathways for testosterone biosynthesis in maximally stimulated testes perfused in vitro. Moreover, the model construction required only algebra and steady-state measurements.

Characterization of the presumptive sarcoma cells in primary MSV tumors

Presumptive sarcoma cells have been isolated from primary MSV tumors induced in normal, immunosuppressed (ALG) and athymic nude mice. These cells were atypical in appearance, induced tumors in secondary hosts and expressed the viral antigens gp70, p30 and p12. In vitro growth characteristics of the MSV cells were tested in a variety of assays defining cell transformation. None of these indicated that the virus-positive cells were transformed. Sex chromosome marker studies were carried out to determine if secondary tumor arose solely from proliferation of donor cells or through infection of host tissue. Tumors from female irradiated mice induced by injections of tumor cells derived from male mice contained a high proportion of metaphases of non-donor origin, indicating that infection is an important but not the sole mechanism involved in tumor transfer. These data also demonstrated that many of the sarcoma cells are damaged as a result of infection as shown by the presence of chromosome breaks and aneuploid metaphases. Histologic sections of both regressor and progressor tumors showed that the virus-positive cells were scattered as single cells surrounded by inflammatory cells, rather than as masses of dividing virus-positive cells found in the MSV-induced transplanted tumor. Collectively, these data support the contention that the MSV tumor is the manifestation of a response to a highly noxious virus infection rather than a tumor of dividing, transformed malignant cells.

Non-T-cell-mediated cytotoxicity in MSV tumor-bearing mice. III. Macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity against autochthonous MSV tumor-isolated target cells

Cytotoxic macrophages have been isolated from Moloney sarcoma virus (MSV) tumors induced in uncompromised, immunosuppressed and athymic nude mice. Macrophages from compromised mice were at least as active as those from uncompromised mice when tested against the autochthonous MSV target cells. Although both cytolytic and cytostatic activity could be demonstrated with all tumor-derived macrophages, cytostatic and cytolytic effects could be distinguished from each other only at high effector target-cell ratios. A variety of target cells were compared for sensitivity to the various tumor-associated macrophages. The autochthonous virus-infected MSV-target cells appeared to be more sensitive to the macrophage effects than fastgrowing, established cell lines. Normal embryo fibroblasts were only slightly affected. Peritoneal exudate cells from tumor-bearers were much less active than either the tumor-isolated macrophages or bone-marrow culture-derived macrophages. Both were more active than control peritoneal cells. Although no quantitative or qualitative differences in macrophage activity could be detected in mice with regressing lesions and immuno-compromised mice with progressing lesions, the ratio of macrophages to "sarcoma" cells was three to five times higher in regressing tumors.

Studies of the psychosocial adjustment of the hearing-impaired: I. Adolescents and their families a pilot study

There is a general pessimistic view found in the literature that defends a hypothesis that the consequences of a severe hearing impairment on psychosocial development aare many and severe. This pilot study of 20 adolescents who had experienced a profound hearing impairment from birth had the purpose of clarifying this issue. The findings of the study were not compatible with such pessimism. It is concluded that the teaching of an oral means of communication which facilitates education within a mainstreamed system, is compatible with good psychosocial adjustment. To confirm this optimism and to delineate the variables in good development, further study employing comparison groups is needed.

[Differential diagnosis of the tetralogy of Fallot (author's transl)]

The differential diagnosis of the tetralogy of Fallot includes three main types of condition: 1) Malformations which differ from Fallot in their extent, such as interventricular communications of type IV and pulmonary atresia with an open septum. 2) Malposition of the large vessels with pulmonary stenosis (double opening in the right ventricle, complete or corrected transposition). 3) Malformations associating an intraventricular shunt and another type of pulmonary stenosis (double chambered ventricle, interventricular membranous and muscular communication, common atrioventricular canal, single ventricle). An analysis of the findings in angiographic images can provide precise differential diagnosis of these pseudo-Fallots.

Imitation in EMR boys: model competency and age

The effects of model age and competence on the imitation behavior of 80 EMR boys were investigated. Subjects viewed a videotape in which either an adult or a peer performed a motor task with either high or low competence. In addition, the models engaged in four different kinds of off-task social behavior. The results indicated that the boys imitated the off-task social behavior emitted by high-competent and peer models more than low-competent and adult models. In addition, high-competent models were imitated more than were low-competent models on the motor-skill task, but no significant age effect was found. The efficacy of modeling as an instructional strategy was discussed, and we concluded that EMR boys should be exposed to competent models, especially peers, who emit a repertoire of adaptive behavior.

Modulation of sensitivity to natural killer cell lysis after in vitro explantation of a mouse lymphoma

On the basis of studies indicating that natural killer (NK) cells of the mouse can selectively kill certain syngenetic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic tumor cells in short-term Cr release assays and that cell lines established in vitro are more sensitive than the corresponding ascites tumor cells passaged in vivo, the kinetics of the modulation to increased sensitivity was studied after in vitro explanation of the A/Sn mouse-derived YAC ascites lymphoma. Sensitivity to NK lysis appeared after 3 weeks of culturing and reached the level of the continuously cultured line after 2 months. With the more sensitive competition assay, a change could be demonstrated as early as 2--24 hours of culture. The expression of the Moloney murine leukemia virus-determined, cell-surface antigen, measured by quantitative absorption with intact cells, increased in parallel with the NK sensitivity. In contrast, the H-2 alloantigen concentration decreased during in vitro culture.

Demonstration of high-affinity binding sites for C3a anaphylatoxin on guinea-pig platelets

3H-serotonin release from guinea-pig platelets was demonstrated to be the consequence of C3a binding to these cells. A Scatchard analysis of dose-response data of the 125I-C3a binding pattern to guinea-pig platelets pointed to the existence of binding sites with high and low affinity for the C3a molecule (HA and LA receptors). HA receptors are specific for C3a with intact C-terminal arginine. whereas C3adesarg only interacts with LA receptors. The release of serotonin may be induced by a combined reaction of C3a with HA receptors and LA receptors on the platelet membrane.

The anaphylatoxic peptide C3a of guinea pig complement. I. Purification, physicochemical and antigenetic properties

Highly purified guinea pig C3a was obtained after specific cleavage of isolated C3 by the alternative pathway enzyme VF-B in a one step procedure. It turned out to be a low molecular weight peptide with basic character (M.W. 9500; isoelectric point above 9.4). C3a represents an antigenetic determinant of its own in the native C3 molecule, different from the B determinant. Guinea pig C3a resistant to 100 degrees C for 10 minutes. Its smooth muscle contracting activity can be destroyed by trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. These findings indicate that guinea pig C3a is quite similar to human C3a.

Platelet activation: a new biological activity of guinea-pig C3a anaphylatoxin

3H-serotonin-release from labelled gp-platelets is established as a sensitive method for testing a new biological activity of gp-C3a anaphylatoxin in an autologous situation. Time-, dose- and temperature-dependent release reactions as well as specific inhibition by carboxypeptidase B and anti-C3a antibodies show that C3a is a potent and specific inducer of platelet activation. Inactive C3a does not induce 3H-serotonin-release but specifically inhibits the action of C3a on platelets.

Immune responses to weakly immunogenic virally induced tumors. I. Overcoming low responsiveness by priming mice with a syngeneic in vitro tumor line or allogeneic cross-reactive tumor

This report describes model systems which show low primary in vitro syngeneic cytotoxic responses to a Moloney-induced YAC tumor (syngeneic in A mice) and a Rauscher-induced RBL5 tumor (syngeneic in C57BL/6 mice) and examines different approaches to overcome these defects. Two major findings were obtained: (a) spleen cells from A mice, injected with tumor cells from an in vitro tumor line YAC-1, derived from YACL, could generate a significant syngeneic cytotoxic response. In contrast, spleen cells from A mice injected with tumor cells from the in vivo tumor line failed to generate a syngeneic cytotoxic response. Thus, tumor cells from the in vitro line were more immunogeneic that those from the in vivo line. (b) Spleen cells from A mice which were injected with the cross-reactive allogeneic tumor RBL5, could generate significant cytotoxic responses to the syngeneic tumors YAC and YAC-1. Similarly, spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice injected with the cross-reactive allogeneic tumor YAC-1, could generate a significant cytotoxic response to the syngeneic tumor RBL5. Thus, cross-reactive allogeneic tumors could stimulate syngeneic cytotoxicity. The theoretical and the practical implications of these studies are discussed.

Sensitization of rat T cells to syngeneic tumor cultures by cocultivation in diffusion chambers

Total population and T cell enriched fractions of rat spleen were cultivated in diffusion chambers implanted intraperitoneally to mice and rats. 10-16% of the input cells were recovered after 5 days. When the chambers were carried in the xenogeneic environment activation occurred as indicated by blastogenesis and non-discriminative cytotoxicity. Specific activation of the T population was induced by mixed lymphocyte-tumor culture in chambers implanted in rats. The presence of tumor cells induced blastogenesis, elevation of the proportion of Fc receptor positive cells and generated cytotoxic cells to the sensitizer tumor. The precursor of cytotoxic cells did not have Fc or C3 receptors since nylon wool colum passed fractions depleted from these cells by elimination of EA- or EAC-rosettes were also activated.

Tumors of the major salivary glands

Tumors of the major salivary glands are reviewed according to classification, location, surgical procedure and end results. Our data of the incidence of benign and malignant tumors show that the most commonly involved area is the parotid gland and the most frequent is of the mixed variety. In the parotid region 80 percent are benign and 20 percent are malignant; whereas, in the submandibular gland, the malignant and benign tumors are equally distributed. The need for an extensive surgical attack and inclusion of contiguous structure is dictated by the nature of the malignant disease. The role of postoperative irradiation is discussed as is the indication for neck dissection. Management of the facial nerve, relative to malignant tumors of the parotid gland, is considered in detail.

Bronchial obstruction by incorporation of aspirated vegetable material in the bronchial wall

The bronchoscpie, cytologic, and histologic features of a foreign body of vegetable origin embedded in the wall of a bronchus are described. The utility of bronchial biopsy in the diagnosis of this obscure cause of bronchial obstruction is emphasized, and the mode of treatment described.