Effect of the mammary carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene on pineal melatonin biosynthesis, secretion and peripheral metabolism

The aim of this study was to establish whether the nocturnal peak concentrations of circulating melatonin are affected by a single dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in female Sprague-Dawley rats as used for mammary tumor induction. Prior to this, the circadian rhythms of melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, the main metabolic product of melatonin, were determined in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The cosinor analysis revealed significant circadian rhythms with very similar acrophases around 1.00 a.m. for both substances. To enable explanations for possible changes in plasma melatonin after DMBA treatment, the biosynthesis in the pineal and the major metabolic product in the liver, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, were measured 2 and 7 days after DMBA. Plasma melatonin was depressed by 31-37% (p less than 0.05) 2 and 7 days after DMBA but the pineal melatonin content remained unchanged. 2 days after DMBA, pineal serotonin and N-acetylserotonin showed a transient elevation of 35% (p less than 0.025) and 25% (p less than 0.05), respectively. The plasma concentrations of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin were the same in DMBA- and vehicle-treated animals. An elevation of the 6-sulfatoxymelatonin/melatonin ratio indicated a relative increase in the metabolism of melatonin due to DMBA. The absence of an absolute increase in 6-sulfatoxymelatonin after DMBA could be caused by an additional shift within the spectrum of different metabolic products of melatonin due to the carcinogen. Possible mechanisms are discussed.

Guillain Barré syndrome following herpes zoster: a case report and review of literature

Herpes zoster is known to exhibit various neurological complications. Guillain Barré syndrome following herpes zoster is rare and only 25 cases have been reported to date. In this report, a case is presented and the pertinent literature is reviewed.

Calcified hypernephroma. A case report

Pattern of classification in an renal neoplasm is variable. If calcium is located nonperipherally (within the mass) it is more likely to be a renal cell carcinoma. But peripheral calcification does not rule out malignancy.

Osteogenic sarcoma of the frontal sinus

Occurrence of osteogenic sarcoma in the craniofacial bones is limited. The case presented here is only the second reported case of osteogenic sarcoma of the frontal sinus, occurring in an 80-year-old woman who presented with proptosis and developed neurologic symptoms. The radiographic appearance was of a diffuse opacity with thickening of the calvaria. Tumor tissue was adherent to the dura, and there was a fairly good initial response with the methotrexate sodium-cisplatin combination chemotherapy used, but the outcome was fatal.

Standard of specular reflectance at near normal incidence for the infrared region

The development of a specular reflectance standard at near normal incidence employing aluminum, gold, and silicon for the 2.5-25-microm infrared region is described.

Tumor-inhibiting activity in the rat pineal gland displays a circannual rhythm

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the tumor-inhibiting activity present in the rat pineal gland undergoes seasonal fluctuations as do other pineal substances. Crude ethanol extracts of rat pineal glands were tested for tumor-inhibiting activity in an in vitro microbioassay using human erythroleukemia cells which could not be inhibited by melatonin. Highest activity was detected in summer and least inhibition and even stimulation were observed in winter. There were no differences in activity between animals of different age, sex, or strain. Therefore, season seems to be the factor that exerts the most important influence on the content of tumor-inhibiting activity in the rat pineal gland. Correlation with seasonality in the occurrence of cancer is discussed.

Sex- and age-dependent nature of the cytoplasmic 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding site/receptor in bovine pineal gland

Recent research has justified the presumption that the pineal gland plays a role in the regulation of the gonadal system in mammals. Evidence also exists for androgen receptors in pinealocytes. In the current study, our approach has been to assess the age- and sex-dependent nature of 5 alpha-DHT receptors in bovine pineal. Although no significant difference was noted between various groups of bulls, cows, peripuberal cows, and calves (male) for pineal weight, the cytoplasmic 5 alpha-DHT binding site/receptor content in the pineal gland differed significantly. While the males had a low androgen receptor concentration in the pineal (46 fmol/pineal), the females showed the highest (442 fmol/pineal). The peripuberal females without calves and calves (male) presented a 5 alpha-DHT receptor content in between (225 fmol/pineal; 138 fmol/pineal). When the data were related to unit weight of pineal tissue, the difference still existed. It is suggested that the concentration of cytoplasmic 5 alpha-DHT receptors reflects the cellular activity and they are inversely related. Further, low cytoplasmic receptors also indicate that most of it is confined to the nuclear sites, as generally suggested for other androgen-dependent tissues. In the light of these suggestions, it is possible that lowest cytosolic 5 alpha-DHT receptor concentration in the males, in reality, reflects a higher degree of cellular function and a high concentration of the receptors in the nuclear site. Similarly, the peripuberal cows and calves perhaps have more cellular activity in the pineal than the mature cows. The current investigation, for the first time, by directly estimating the androgen receptors/binding site in the bovine pineal gland, demonstrates the sex- and age-dependent nature.

Peritoneal encapsulation of small bowel--(a case report)

Peritoneal encapsulation is a rare congenital anomaly. Its occurrence in a female and association with intestinal obstruction are even rarer features which were present in the reported case.

Stage-dependent depression of melatonin in patients with primary breast cancer. Correlation with prolactin, thyroid stimulating hormone, and steroid receptors

Serum melatonin was determined over 24 hours in 35 patients with breast cancer with either a fresh primary tumor (n = 23) or a secondary tumor (n = 12) and in 28 patients with untreated benign breast disease (controls) having a fibroadenoma (n = 10), fibrocystic mastopathy (n = 14), or other breast diseases (n = 4). Circadian rhythms existed in all groups with acrophases at 2 a.m. A 50% depression of peak and amplitude occurred in the group of patients with primary breast cancer compared with age-matched controls (P less than 0.001, P less than 0.01). The peak declined with increasing tumor size: 27% at Stage T1, 53% at T2 (P less than 0.001), and 73% at T3 (P less than 0.05). In contrast, patients with secondary breast cancer, particularly those receiving antiestrogen therapy, had a melatonin peak similar to controls. These results demonstrated a transient depression of pineal melatonin secretion in primary breast cancer and indicated a dynamic role of the pineal gland in malignancy. To investigate some endocrine effects of a depressed melatonin peak, the 24-hour rhythms of prolactin (PRL) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined in patients with primary breast cancer and compared with patients with secondary breast cancer. The PRL had significant circadian rhythms in both groups; but acrophases occurred at midnight in patients with secondary breast cancer, and there were unusually high concentrations at noon in patients with primary breast cancer. Circadian rhythms were not seen for TSH, but the 24-hour average secretion was depressed by 45% (P less than 0.01) in patients with primary breast cancer. The abnormal concentrations of PRL and TSH in these patients could be due to a depressed melatonin peak normally serving as a central circadian synchronizer and modulator of the secretion of adenohypophysial hormones. Additionally, a positive correlation existed between the nocturnal melatonin peak and progesterone and androgen receptor concentrations in primary tumors indicating a direct involvement of melatonin in the growth control of breast cancer.

Toy weapons and firecrackers: a source of hearing loss

Although acoustic injury as a result of exposure to noisy toys and firecrackers has been reported previously, most of these studies have been conducted on adults. The purpose of this prospective study, conducted at the time of Deepawali, an Indian festival of fireworks, was two-fold: 1. to measure the acoustic output of representative samples of toy weapons and firecrackers and the intensity level at critical spectator points from the site of emission; and 2. to determine the auditory status of a cross section of the target population, involving 600 participants from various age groups, before and after exposure to firecracker noise at Deepawali. The average sound level at a distance of 3 m was 150 dB, thus exceeding the damage risk criterion for adults (i.e., 130 dB peak level). An average 30 dB persistent sensorineural hearing loss was found in 2.5% of the target population as a result of toy weapon/firecracker noise during Deepawali. The 9- to 15-year-old age group was most affected. A judicious approach in the manufacture and use of toy weapons and firecrackers, in addition to legal restraints, is advocated.

Rhythm development in pineal and circulating serotonin, N-acetylserotonin, and melatonin in Syrian hamsters

The ontogeny of diurnal rhythm patterns in the pineal and serum levels of melatonin, serotonin, and N-acetylserotonin was studied in Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) from birth to adulthood. The pineal and blood specimens were collected at 1100 h and 0200 h, and the compounds were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) procedures. Pineal melatonin and serotonin did not show any circadian rhythm at day 5 of postnatal age. At this age N-acetylserotonin was undetectable in the light phase but became manifest at night. By 10 days of age pineal serotonin registered an established rhythm pattern, with a higher level during the day. The occurrence of circadian rhythm in pineal melatonin was delayed and manifested first at 25 days of age. At this age, the first detectable daytime level of N-acetylserotonin also occurred. Circadian rhythm in serum melatonin was also established at this age. The serum serotonin did not evince any rhythm pattern throughout the observation period, except at day 17 of postnatal age. The massive concentration of daytime serotonin in the pineal was not reflected in the circulatory system. For serum N-acetylserotonin there was no discernable day-night rhythm in all age groups, except at 25 days of age. The results show that the timing of the appearance of various compounds in the neonatal pineal is variable; the release of the substances does not always reflect their synthesis; the ontogenesis of circadian rhythm is a part of the maturational process; and 25 days of age is a rather critical time in development.

Metabolic correction of defects in the lipid anchoring of Thy-1 in lymphoma mutants

Many plasma membrane proteins, including Thy-1, are anchored by a carboxyl terminal glycophospholipid. This unit is absent from the Thy-1 of several lymphoma mutants that synthesize the Thy-1 polypeptide but fail to express it at the cell surface. Recessive mutants of complementation groups A to C, E, and F contain Thy-1 mRNA of normal size, which suggests that their Thy-1 polypeptide is normal. To identify possible metabolic lesions, each mutant was grown with various supplements. The class F and B mutants exhibited a reversible induction of surface lipid anchored Thy-1 when grown with the aminoglycoside G418. Other aminoglycosides, sugars, and ethanolamine were inactive. These unexpected observations are discussed in the context of lipid anchor biosynthesis.

Oral submucous fibrosis--a new treatment regimen

Successful treatment of oral submucous fibrosis with local injections of chymotrypsin, hyaluronidase, and dexamethasone is reported. In resistant cases, surgical excision of the fibrotic bands with submucosal placement of fresh human placental grafts was found to be successful.

The bridging of large osteoperiosteal gaps using 'Decalbone'

'Decalbone' was prepared by partial decalcification of human bones obtained from recently amputated specimens. It was then stored in 80 to 90% ethanol in a domestic refrigerator. The decalbone was used to fill large osteoperiosteal gaps in 25 patients. The commonest lesion was a giant cell tumour (21 cases) and various long bones were affected. There were 6 failures with recurrence of the tumour in 3 and uncontrolled infection in 3. The remaining 19 cases were followed up for from 2 1/2 to 7 years. In 10 the decalbone incorporated well, but further reconstructive procedures were needed in 9. Our studies showed that incorporation began at around 6 to 9 months and was complete at about 2 years in the upper limb and 4 years in the lower limb. There was no clinical evidence of an immune response.

Growth hormone, somatomedin levels and growth regulation in Turner's syndrome

In a total of 56 children and adolescents with Turner's syndrome (41 with karyotype 45,X) basal serum levels of somatomedin bioactivity, Sm-C/IGF-I (RIA), IGF II (RIA), GH response to arginine and GHRH (GRF(1-29)NH2), and spontaneous GH secretion during 5.5 h of deep sleep were determined in a cross-sectional manner. GH responses to GRF and arginine as well as IGF-II levels were found to be in the normal range. Levels of somatomedin bioactivity were higher than normal before a bone age of 10 years, in the low-normal range thereafter, and below normal in some patients. Levels of Sm-C/IGF-I were found normal before and low-normal after a bone age of ten years. There was a trend towards increasing Sm-C/IGF-I levels with age. In contrast to the normal pattern, spontaneous sleep-related GH secretion was declining with age and did not show the puberty-associated rise. These findings suggest a normally functioning growth hormone-somatomedin axis in Turner's syndrome with alterations of its functioning level occurring secondarily as a result of absent gonadal activation. In single patients abnormally low growth hormone and/or somatomedin secretion may be present.

Superior orbital fissure syndrome in trigemino-facial zoster

A case of trigemino-facial zoster presenting as Superior Orbital Fissure Syndrome is reported. Geniculate ganglion involvement was limited to the vestibular branch of the cochleo-vestibular nerve, without any hearing impairment or facial palsy. This case clearly illustrates that herpes zoster cranialis is a polyneuropathy of multifocal asynchronous viral activity and can present in numerous forms.

Plasma adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone response to corticotropin-releasing factor in normal children during pubertal development

The adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone responses to synthetic human corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) were studied in 28 endocrinologically healthy children (age 1-16 yr) and in six adult volunteers (age 24-42 yr). CRF was given as an intravenous bolus (1 microgram/kg body weight) between 0900 and 1000 hr. Significant increments in ACTH and cortisol levels after CRF were observed in all subjects, with an ACTH peak value of 48.2 +/- 3.4 pg/ml at 10 min (p less than 0.001). The ACTH and cortisol response patterns after CRF did not change with age or pubertal maturation and did not differ in children and in adults. In contrast, the dehydroepiandrosterone response to CRF clearly was related to the stage of pubertal development. The peak value after CRF significantly increased from puberty stage 1 to puberty stage 5 (164 +/- 18 versus 779 +/- 86 ng/100 ml, p less than 0.001). In adults, the mean dehydroepiandrosterone peak value after CRF did not differ from that of P5 children. These results show that CRF can be given safely to children. The absence of age-dependent ACTH and cortisol responses and a dehydroepiandrosterone response changing with pubertal maturation points to the existence of factors involved in the control of adrenal androgen production other than ACTH.

Determination of aspirin by pre-column transacetylation reaction of 3-aminophenol and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography: simultaneous determination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine

The accuracy of the measurement of aspirin by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is reduced by its hydrolysis into salicylic and acetic acids during sample preparation. The ready and quantitative transacetylation of 3-aminophenol by aspirin, giving 3-hydroxyacetanilide (which is stable), has been utilized as a pre-column reaction for the determination of aspirin either alone or in the presence of acetaminophen and caffeine by reversed-phase HPLC.

Anatomic basis of Arnold's ear-cough reflex

A clinical survey of 500 patients revealed 4.2% incidence of Arnold's ear-cough reflex. The reflex was bilateral in 2.8% of the patients. It was also elicitable from the anterior meatal wall in 2% of the patients, thus questioning the classically taught distribution of Arnold's nerve. Arnold's nerve also mediates the auriculo-palatal, auriculo-lacrimal, auriculo-cardiac and the ear-vomiting reflexes; but these are less apparent and not so commonly encountered.