Schedule-dependent interaction of alpha-difluoromethylornithine and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) against human and hamster pancreatic cancer cell lines

The interaction of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (cisplatin) and alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) has been previously shown by us to be roughly additive in enhancing the growth-inhibitory effects of cisplatin and by another group of investigators to be antagonistic. Since two different schedules of administration were used, we sought to investigate systematically the role of schedule dependence in the interaction of cisplatin and DFMO in a panel of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (PANC-1, of human origin, and WD PaCa and PD PaCa, both of hamster origin). Dose-effect relationships of single drug alone and in combination were analyzed by the median-effect principle and by the combination indices for the quantitation of synergism or antagonism with the aid of a microcomputer. Pre-cisplatin administration of DFMO for 2 or 5 to 6 days at concentrations of 50 or 100 micrograms/ml (0.21 or 0.42 mM) was found to antagonize the effects of cisplatin to various degrees in the cell lines. In contrast, whenever post-cisplatin DFMO was administered, marked enhancement, which was synergistic in most instances, of cisplatin's inhibition of colony formation was found. Thus, the interaction of cisplatin and DFMO is felt to be schedule dependent with deleterious effects found only when DFMO is administered prior to and not following cisplatin. Furthermore, the combination shows promise as an approach to overcoming drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.

Cultured skin fibroblasts in schizophrenia: acute growth and susceptibility to damage

The study of cultured fibroblasts derived from skin biopsies of patients with inherited neurodegenerative disorders has aided in the elucidation of their pathological basis. This usefulness might be expected to extend to the study of fibroblast characteristics in schizophrenia in view of recent evidence of neurodegenerative changes in the disorder. In this study, the acute growth characteristics and response to toxic oxygen metabolites of fibroblast cell lines derived from skin biopsies of patients with schizophrenia (n = 9) are compared with those derived from psychiatric patients with various diagnoses not associated with a deteriorating course (controls = 11). No significant differences between the cell lines of the two patient groups are found.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a frequent cause of exacerbation of bronchial asthma in adults

The possible role of infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) in exacerbation of bronchial asthma in adults was studied in 95 patients hospitalized due to acute asthma. Twenty (21%) of these patients had evidence of a recent MP infection as determined by the presence of high levels of MP-specific IgM antibodies. In addition, high levels of both IgM and IgG but not IgA serum immunoglobulins were observed in the MP-infected group as compared to a control group of 20 non-MP-infected asthmatics. Five out of 20 MP-infected asthmatics exhibited rheumatoid factor (RF) in their sera while patients in the control group were all negative for RF. It is concluded that MP infection may be significant in exacerbation of asthma in adults.

Combined FSH and LH secreting pituitary adenoma in a young fertile woman without primary gonadal failure

A 28 year old fertile woman presented with a history of amenorrhoea and galactorrhoea, and an enlarged pituitary fossa. Serum FSH and LH were repeatedly elevated both basally (32 and 44 mIU/ml) and after LRH (peak values, 108 and 420 mIU/ml). One mg of oestradiol (E2) benzoate im daily for 5 days failed to lower basal or LRH-stimulated serum gonadotrophins. Serum E2 was 170 pg/ml, basal serum prolactin (Prl) was 30 ng/ml and responded briskly to TRH (peak value 103 ng/ml). An 0.8 X 0.8 cm tumour was selectively excised by transsphenoidal surgery. Menses reappeared soon afterwards accompanied by normalization of serum FSH and LH plus biochemical evidence of ovulation. Specific immunostaining of tumoural cells was achieved with either FSH or LH antiserum, and adequate suppression of staining was obtained after preabsorbing each antiserum with and excess of its respective antigen. Our patient appears to be the first documented female with a combined FSH and LH producing pituitary tumour and no prior evidence of primary gonadal failure.

The propriety of narcotic usage in hospitalized patients

The propriety of narcotic usage at the Hadassah Hospital has been studied in 35 cancer patients and 70 post-operative patients. Eighty-three per cent of the cancer patients and 66% of the surgical patients remained in moderate to severe distress in spite of the analgesic therapy. Insomnia and anxiety, plus depression in the cancer patients, were the major results of uncontrolled pain. The inadequacy of the treatment was attributed to the incorrect selection of medication, usage "as needed' policy and smaller daily doses than advocated. This resulted mainly because of exaggeration of the risk of tolerance and addiction by both patients and personnel.

Combined effects of alpha-difluoromethylornithine and doxorubicin against pancreatic cancer cell lines in culture

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma presents a clinical and experimental challenge because of its relative resistance to conventional modes of therapy. The present study explores a novel, biologically based approach to enhancing its chemosensitivity and to overcoming its chemoresistance in a panel of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines (two human lines: PANC-1 and COLO-357; and two hamster lines: WD PaCa and PD PaCa). Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) that produces antiproliferative effects by polyamine depletion, was combined with the cytotoxic agent doxorubicin (DOX) in vitro. The inhibitory effects of DFMO were cytostatic and roughly additive to those of DOX. Although the response to the combination varied as a function of the cell lines studied and the response to DFMO as a single agent, all cell lines studied showed some increased inhibition with the combination. The most striking enhancement was seen in our most DOX-resistant cell line, WD PaCa, and also in PANC-1, a relatively sensitive cell line. Thus, the combination of DFMO and DOX shows promise as an experimental approach to the problem of drug resistance and the limited chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer.

Diazoxide prevents the development of hormonal and metabolic abnormalities present in rats fed a sucrose rich diet

We have previously reported that normal Wistar rats fed an isocaloric, sucrose-rich (63%) diet (SRD) developed glucose intolerance and elevated triglyceride levels in plasma (P) as well as in heart (H) and liver (L) tissue. This metabolic state was accompanied by hyperinsulinism both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that a state of insulin resistance has developed. In order to gather information on the role of hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance in the development of the above lipid metabolism abnormalities, diazoxide, a known insulin release blocking agent was administered (120 mg/kg/day) together with the diet (SRD + DZX) for 22 days. Control groups fed a standard chow (STD) or the STD plus diazoxide (STD + DZX) were included in the study. Under the present experimental design, DZX was able to prevent the development of hyperinsulinism, glucose intolerance and elevated levels of triacylglycerol in plasma, heart and liver present in animals fed on a sucrose rich diet. Our results suggest that mechanisms involved in the development of this nutritionally induced syndrome may include an interaction of hyperinsulinemia, with a direct effect of sucrose on several steps of lipid metabolism.

Effect of brominated vegetable oils on heart lipid metabolism

Normal rats fed for 105 days on an experimental diet made up of standard laboratory chow supplemented with 0.5% of a mixture of brominated sunflower-olive oil (BVO) developed a significant increase in the triacylglycerol content of the heart, liver and soleus muscle compared to controls. In addition, BVO-treated rats had a decrease in plasma levels of triacylglycerol and total and HDL cholesterol. Plasma fatty acid levels and plasma post-heparin lipolytic activities, such as H-TGL, LPL, T-TGL and MGH were similar to those of control animals fed the standard chow alone. Heart PDHa (active portion of pyruvate dehydrogenase) was dramatically decreased in the BVO-fed rats. A faster rate of spontaneous lipolysis was recorded in the isolated perfused preparation of hearts from the experimental animals. The addition of 10(-7) M of glucagon to the perfusate, however, revealed a lipolytic effect comparable to the one observed in the control rats. In summary, our findings of normal fatty acids and low triacylglycerol plasma levels associated with normal activities of the various PHLA (post-heparin lipolytic activity) enzymes suggest that accumulation of triacylglycerol in heart muscle may not be explained essentially in terms of an elevated uptake and/or increased delivery of plasma fatty acids or plasma triacylglycerol. A decreased in situ catabolism of tissue triacylglycerol also appears unlikely because the spontaneous as well as the glucagon induced lipolysis in the heart both were found to be unimpaired.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effects of tiadenol and clofibrate on plasma post heparin lipolytic hepatic, extrahepatic and monoglyceride hydrolase activities in rats with hypertriglyceridemia induced by a sucrose rich diet

Normal rats fed an isocaloric sucrose-rich diet (SRD) for 3 weeks developed high levels of triacylglycerol in plasma (P) (mmol triacylglycerol I-1) heart (H) and liver (L) tissues (mumol triacylglycerol mg DNA-1) as compared to control rats fed the standard chow (STD) (X +/- SEM; P: SRD 1.32 +/- 0.06 vs STD 0.49 +/- 0.05, P less than 0.001; H: SRD 2.1 +/- 0.17 vs STD 0.94 +/- 0.01, P less than 0.001; L: SRD 8.48 +/- 1.47 vs STD 1.71 +/- 0.12, P less than 0.001). A simultaneous drop in the activities (mumol glycerol ml-1 hr-1) of several plasma post heparin lipolytic enzymes was observed; total triglyceride lipase (T-TGL): SRD 5.32 +/- 0.34 vs STD 7.48 +/- 0.64, P less than 0.01; lipoprotein lipase (LPL): SRD 1.61 +/- 0.26 vs STD 2.42 +/- 0.41, P less than 0.05; hepatictriglyceride lipase (H-TGL): SRD 3.71 +/- 0.28 vs STD 5.05 +/- 0.69, P less than 0.05 and monoglyceride hydrolase (MGH) (mumol glycerol I-1 min-1): SRD 558 +/- 108 vs STD 1165 +/- 45, P less than 0.001. Rats fed the SRD presented glucose intolerance after i.v. glucose (Kg X 10(-2); 1.06 +/- 0.09 vs 2.61 +/- 0.14 of STD, P less than 0.001) in spite of the presence of hyperinsulinism (sigma plasma IRI microU/ml from 0 to 30 min: 184.6 +/- 23.6 vs 100.5 +/- 9.7 of STD, P less than 0.01) suggesting that a state of insulin resistance had developed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of growth of human or hamster pancreatic cancer cell lines by alpha-difluoromethylornithine alone and combined with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

A major problem in the therapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma is its inherent resistance to most chemotherapeutic agents. Previously, we have reported that the four pancreatic cancer cell lines studied here have elevated levels of ornithine decarboxylase, a growth-regulating enzyme, and further that the degree of elevation tends to parallel the degree of chemoresistance. On the basis of these prior findings, we investigated the effects of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), a specific inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, alone and in combination with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin), to which two of the four cell lines display relative resistance. The cell lines studied were: two of human origin, PANC-1 and COLO-357; and two of hamster origin, WD PaCa and PD PaCa. Colony formation (clonogenic) assays were used to evaluate drug effects. Cells were exposed continuously to DFMO in medium. For the combined treatments, cells were exposed to cisplatin for 1 hr, washed, and then plated in DFMO-containing medium. The inhibitory effects of DFMO were predominantly cytostatic, were reversible by putrescine, and were roughly additive when combined with cisplatin. Our panel of cell lines responded heterogeneously to DFMO, with PANC-1 and WD PaCa showing the most sensitivity. The combination of DFMO and cisplatin appears to be a promising experimental approach to overcoming drug resistance in pancreatic cancer.

A nodule of adrenocortical tissue within a human placenta: light microscopic and immunocytochemical findings

A case of adrenocortical tissue within a human placenta is described, this being the second example of such a phenomenon. Immunocytochemistry showed that the adrenal tissue reacted positively for DHEA-S but negatively for 17-OH progesterone and cortisol. This suggests that the heterotopic adrenal tissue resembled metabolically the fetal zone of the adrenal cortex.

Lung abscess caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae type 3. The importance of counterimmunoelectrophoresis in laboratory diagnosis

We are reporting the case of an 18-month-old girl with a post-pneumonic lung abscess. The counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) of the patient's urine during the bacteremic phase of the disease gave a precipitation line with pneumococcal antiserum. Later in the course of the disease, after the diagnosis of lung abscess had been established, the pus drained from the abscess gave positive reactions with pneumococcal omnivalent serum and type 3 pneumococcal antiserum. At this stage, the pus was sterile and blood cultures were negative. This case demonstrates that the CIE test is a simple procedure which gives a rapid and exact diagnosis up to the serotype level.

Effect of sucrose diet on insulin secretion in vivo and in vitro and on triglyceride storage and mobilisation of the heart of rats

Basal heart triacylglycerol (TG) (mumole triacylglycerol/g of dry weight) (- before "in vitro" Langendorff perfusion -) was significantly higher in animals rendered chronically hypertriglyceridaemic (H) by a 63% sucrose-rich diet than in controls (C, standard diet); 28 +/- 2.6 means + SEM vs. 19.3 +/- 1.2; respectively (p less than 0.01). After 40' perfusion with Krebs-Henseleit buffer + 5.5 mM glucose, 2.5 mM Ca++, TG content fell to 14.2 +/- 0.6 in C and 14.9 +/- 1.9 in H (n.S.). Administration of 1 n mol x min-1 of glucagon (Gn) from min 20 to 40 reduced TG to 9.0 +/- 0.5 in C (p less than 0.05). In contrast no effect of Gn was observed in H (TG at min 40: 16.7 +/- 2.5). Glycogen (Gly) content (mumol/g of dry weight) after Gn perfusion fell from 30 +/- 1.9 to 17 +/- 2.1 (p less than 0.01) in C, while again no effect was recorded in H. "In vivo" plasma glucose fractional coefficient disappearance rate was lower (p less than 0.001) in H: 1.01 x 10(-2) +/- 0.09 x 10(-2) vs 2.61 x 10(-2) +/- 0.14 x 10(-2) in C, in spite of H showing hyperinsulin secretion. Hyperinsulinism was further documented by "in vitro" Iri release studies from incubated pancreas pieces. In the absence of glucose (G) from the incubation medium H produced 541 +/- 19.8 mU/mg weight Tissue/20', while C produced 91.2 +/- 12.7 (p less than 0.001). With 100 mg% G, H released 1058 +/- 259 and C 377 +/- 82.5 (p less than 0.001). It is suggested that hyperinsulin secretion plus insulin resistance may account for the above findings.

Chemotherapy of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: initial report on two transplantable models in the Syrian hamster

Experimental evaluation of chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer has been limited by the lack of suitable animal models, which have only recently become available. The present study is the first report on the chemosensitivity of two transplantable animal models of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The single-agent antitumor activity of 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, mitomycin C (MMC), methotrexate, actinomycin D, vincristine, and two dose levels of Adriamycin (ADR) were tested against established palpable tumors of well-differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (WD PaCa), a solid tumor model of the Syrian hamster. None of the agents or dosages of ADR were effective against palpable WD PaCa tumors. ADR, MMC, streptozotocin, and the combination of 5-fluorouracil, ADR, and MMC were similarly ineffective when administered 1 week after WD PaCA implantation, while tumors were still nonpalpable. The behavior of poorly differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PD PaCa), an ascitic model of the Syrian hamster, was studied for comparison. In vivo, with survival as the end point, PD PaCa is markedly sensitive to ADR, perhaps weakly sensitive to MMC, and resistant to streptozotocin. In vitro clonogenic assays from cultured PD PaCa and WD PaCa confirmed the pattern of response seen in vivo. The data suggest that these recently developed pancreatic cancer models can be profitably used and compared, both in vivo and in vitro, as examples of relatively chemotherapy resistant (WD PaCa) and more sensitive (PD PaCa) tumor models.

An outbreak (?) caused by Escherichia coli O126:K71:H5 in premature infants

The strain E. coli O126:K71:H5 was recovered during a 6 week period, from stool samples of 13 premature infants hospitalized in the Premature Infants Nursery Unit. Of a total of 147 tested stool samples, 69 were positive. This strain was also recovered for a long period from the respiratory tract of one of the infants. The strain had a low virulence for the infants. No clear relationship could be demonstrated between clinical status and recovery of the strain. The strain did not possess any of the well defined pathogenic mechanisms, namely enterotoxins LT and ST, and invasiveness. The production of a thermolabile substance toxic for Vero cells was demonstrated. The strain possessed both guinea pig mannose-sensitive and human mannose resistant hemagglutinins. In spite of the production of thermolabile toxic substance for Vero cells and in spite of its contagiousness and intestinal tract colonization capacity, the strain displayed the characteristics of an opportunistic pathogen rather than classic EPEC.

Reevaluation of the polyvinylpyrrolidone sedimentation test in the diagnosis of ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn

The rate of cord erythrocytes sedimentation in 1.5% polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution was investigated. Of 70 infants showing accelerated sedimentation rate, 49 had signs of hemolytic disease. Rh incompatibility did not affect the sedimentation rate. Infectious diseases might cause a slight increase in the rate of sedimentation. The test was found to be very sensitive. It could detect ABO incompatibilities even in absence of marked bilirubinemia. Furthermore, positive identification of incompatibilities were obtained in ABO-HDN cases where both direct and indirect Coombs tests were negative. High correlation was noted between anti A and B titer of maternal sera and the accelerated sedimentation of newborn red blood cells. The erythrocytes sedimentation test in PVP (PVP-ESR test) is recommended for the early detection of cases in which the red cells are affected by IgG anti-A or anit-B.

Studies on the biological activity of porcine proinsulin

The biological activity of purified porcine proinsulin was investigated in rats. In vivo studies revealed that proinsulin produced a hypoglycemic response similar to insulin but of lesser magnitude. Hypophysectomized and adrenalectomized animals proved to be more sensitive to proinsulin than normal. In vitro studies with rat hemidiaphragm were consistent with the in vivo findings. No competition with insulin action could be demonstrated. Experiments were carried out to determine whether proinsulin is converted to intermediate forms or insulin as a requisite to its biological activity. Labeled proinsulin injected in vivo or incubated in vitro remained intact by a variety of techniques (Sephadex column chromatography and polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis). An inhibitory action of Kunitz pancreatic trypsin inhibitor on proinsulin action in vitro was confirmed. No clarification of this effect could be ascertained.