Pharmacokinetic studies of passively administered ovine anti-testosterone antibodies given to cattle by the subcutaneous and intravenous routes

Passive immunization of cattle with ovine anti-testosterone antiserum can result in an increased ovulation rate, but the effect is variable and may be influenced by the route of administration. Investigations were made into the pharmacokinetics of these antibodies in cattle when given intravenously (i.v.), subcutaneously (s.c.) or via a combination of these two routes. Serum levels of free residual binding sites were measured by testosterone radioimmunoassay, whilst total circulating ovine IgG was determined using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay which shows no cross-reactivity with bovine IgG. The biological half-life of the administered antibodies was longer when it was calculated by measuring titre than when it was calculated by measuring IgG. Subcutaneous injection resulted in a significantly longer half-life of IgG than intravenous injection or the combined route, with a concomitant increase in the area under the curve. No significant differences between the half-lives as measured by titre were noted following the various routes of administration, but the mean value following s.c. injection was longest. The choice of route of administration of antiserum for passive immunization can be used to control the timing and duration of effective antibody levels. The results of the present study suggest that the s.c. or combined i.v. and s.c. routes are the preferred methods of passive immunization if an effect of long duration is required. It may be that it is the period over which the maximum level is maintained, rather than the absolute maximum level, which is important for successful immunomodulation of ovulation rate.

Encephalitogenic T cells in the B10.PL model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) are of the Th-1 lymphokine subtype

T helper cells reactive to myelin basic protein are clearly implicated in the pathogenesis of murine EAE. We have developed a T cell line, BML-1 that (1) is reactive to the encephalitogenic amino terminal nonapeptide (1-9NAC) of MBP, (2) is I-Au restricted, and (3) induces relapsing EAE in B10.PL (H-2u) mice. Measurement of the lymphokine profile of BML-1 revealed secretion of IL-2, interferon-gamma and lymphotoxin but not IL-4. This profile is consistent with the Th1/DTH subtype. Coculture of BML-1 with MBP-primed B cells shows that BML-1 does not provide significant helper function in vitro. In addition, BML-1 secretion of interferon-gamma was found to inhibit LPS-induced anti-MBP antibody responses. This suggested that anti-MBP antibodies may not be necessary for induction of EAE. Sera from mice, in which severe disease was induced with the 1-9NAC peptide and Bordetella pertussis, showed no development of serum antibodies to MBP. These data show that MBP-reactive Th cells of the Th-1/DTH subtype can induce EAE and do not provide Th function for anti-MBP responses and that serum anti-MBP antibodies are not found in peptide 1-9NAC-induced disease. T cell lines specific for encephalitogenic epitopes and characterized for lymphokine secretion will provide a useful tool for understanding the role of T cells in the induction of EAE.

Vitamin D metabolism in myeloma

We measured serum concentrations of vitamin D metabolites in 27 patients with myeloma, 16 of whom were hypercalcaemic. Serum values were compared with values from normal controls. Serum concentrations of calcitriol (1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D; 1.25(OH)2D3) were decreased in both hyper- and normocalcaemic patients, but more markedly so in hypercalcaemia. These findings were not solely due to impaired renal function nor due to an inadequate supply of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and in hypercalcaemic patients were reversed by diphosphonate treatment. We conclude that hypercalcaemia in myeloma is not mediated by abnormalities in vitamin D metabolism. Decreased serum concentrations of 1.25(OH)2D3 may adversely affect both skeletal and tumour metabolism.

Physiological growth hormone secretion and response to growth hormone treatment in children with short stature and intrauterine growth retardation

Physiological growth hormone (GH) secretion was examined in 31 children (8 girls, 23 boys) with short stature secondary to intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Seventeen (4 girls, 13 boys) had dysmorphic features of Russell-Silver syndrome. Four of the 31 children had GH insufficiency with peak GH levels of less than 20 mU/l during the night. Nine of the patients (8 of whom had Russell-Silver syndrome) had a single nocturnal GH pulse. Twenty-three children (6 girls, 17 boys) were randomized into two groups treated with either 15 or 30 U/m2/week of GH by daily subcutaneous injections. Age, sex distribution, pretreatment height velocity SD score (SDS), and distribution of dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic children were similar in both groups. The group treated with 15 U/m2/week for a mean of 0.82 years showed an increase in mean height velocity SDS from -0.61 to +1.09, and the group treated with 30 U/m2/week for a mean of 0.92 years showed an increase in mean height velocity SDS from -0.69 to +3.48. The results suggest that physiological GH insufficiency is probably common in children with Russell-Silver syndrome and that both dysmorphic and non-dysmorphic children with short stature secondary to IUGR will respond to GH treatment. Initial evidence suggests that the increase in short-term growth velocity does not result in an improved final height prognosis.

No evidence for sex ratio distortion in relation with feto-maternal HLA-DR compatibility

Two separate studies have shown a distortion in the sex ratio of first born children from HLA-DR compatible parents (Ober et al. 1985, Radvany et al. 1987). Kilpatrick (1987) was unable to confirm this distortion on an independent family data set. The question of the HLA-DR related sex ratio distortion still remained open. In the data set, "Provinces Françaises" families from 15 French provinces and Quebec were tested for a number of genetic markers including HLA-DR. In 1304 of these families, the HLA-DR results and family structure information were sufficient to allow the testing of this hypothesis. There were 2265 male and 2156 female children (overall sex ratio: 1.05); 1307 males and 1237 females were HLA-DR typed. In this group, the sex ratios are little different from those in the overall set, except for the firstborns which exhibit an apparent increase in the sex ratio. When dividing the sample between children fully HLA-DR compatible with their mother and those incompatible (i.e. having one antigen not present in the mother), the sex ratios in the two groups are little different whatever the birth order. This analysis has failed to observe any significant distortion in the sex ratio related to fetomaternal compatibility in agreement with the study of Kilpatrick. We conclude that, if such a distortion exists, it must be small.

Restricted use of T cell receptor V genes in murine autoimmune encephalomyelitis raises possibilities for antibody therapy

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a paralytic autoimmune disease induced in susceptible animals by active immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) or by passive transfer of MBP-specific T helper (TH) lymphocytes. We have analyzed the T cell receptor genes of 33 clonally distinct TH cells specific for a nonapeptide of MBP inducing EAE in B10.PL (H-2u) mice. All 33 TH cells used two alpha variable gene segments (V alpha 2.3, 61%; V alpha 4.2, 39%), the same alpha joining gene segment (J alpha 39), and two V beta and J beta gene segments (V beta 8.2-J beta 2.6, 79%; V beta 13-J beta 2.2, 21%). The anti-V beta 8 monoclonal antibody F23.1 was found to block completely recognition of the nonapeptide by V beta 8 TH cells in vitro and to reduce significantly the susceptibility of B10.PL mice to peptide-induced EAE.

A bovine monoclonal antibody to oestrone/oestradiol prepared by a (murine x bovine) xbovine interspecies fusion

A heterohybridoma was produced by the fusion of sensitized peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) with a previously derived heteromyeloma, generated by the fusion of bovine PBLs with murine myeloma cells. The sensitized bovine PBLs were collected from a steer immunized with an oestradiol-ovalbumin conjugate. The cell lines resulting from the fusion were screened for the production of bovine antibodies to oestradiol. A stable heterohybridoma was isolated which secreted a bovine IgG1 to oestrone/oestradiol. The use of sensitized PBLs together with heteromyeloma fusion partners has proved to be a reliable and simple way of producing monoclonal antibodies against specific haptens.

Preparation of a bovine monoclonal antibody to testosterone by interspecies fusion

This communication reports the first successful attempt to produce a hybridoma cell line secreting bovine immunoglobulin to a small hapten, starting with peripheral blood lymphocytes, rather than spleen or lymph node cells. A heteromyeloma line, sensitive to selective media, was made by fusing NS1/1-Ag4-1 mouse myeloma cells with bovine peripheral blood lymphocytes. This cell line was then fused with blood lymphocytes from a steer immunised with a testosterone immunogen. Cell cultures were screened using an ELISA specific for bovine antibodies to testosterone. Following repeated cloning, a cell line was established which secretes moderate levels of a specific, high affinity antibody to testosterone. This particular cell line has significant potential for veterinary application and the successful fusion demonstrates the possibilities of heteromyelomas for the development of non-murine monoclonal antibodies.

Production of an ovine monoclonal antibody to testosterone by an interspecies fusion

Hybridomas were made between NS1/1-Ag4-1 mouse myeloma cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes from a sheep immunized with a testosterone-protein conjugate. ELISAs were developed to detect ovine IgG and specific ovine anti-testosterone and these were used to screen the colonies. Although the cells fused acceptably only 3% of colonies secreted detectable quantities of antibody. The antibody was secreted at low levels (2.5 ng/ml) but was of high affinity (KD = 7.63 x 10(-12) M/1). One line, O/M 4.22, continued to secrete in culture for four months until the termination of the experiment.

Comparative studies between a new human rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, JR-1 and its tumour of origin

A new human embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line, designated JR-1, is described that closely resembles the tumour from which it was derived. Comparative studies, by light and electron microscopy reveal morphological features such as myofibre formation, that are concordant with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunohistological investigations using a panel of monoclonal antibodies indicate that the cell surface antigen profile of the JR-1 cell line is similar to other embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas. In addition the cell line expresses the cytoplasmic intermediate filament protein desmin, only found in cells of rhabdoid origin. Karyotyping JR-1 shows the cells to contain variable numbers of chromosomes (range 44-100). DNA flow cytometry indicates that cells have an DNA content which is approximately twice normal. The JR-1 cell line has a doubling time of 29 h in culture and, in common with several other human cell lines, produces xenografts in nude mice within 6 weeks of inoculation. With detailed studies on the original tumour and the JR-1 cell line, the latter should prove an excellent model system for investigating the biology of rhabdomyosarcoma.

A multipoint linkage analysis program for X-linked disorders, with the example of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and seven DNA probes

The analysis of linkage data with multiple markers is a complex problem, only soluble with the help of computer programs. A package of programs is presented which allows the analysis of X-linked data with reasonable speed. Published data relating Duchenne muscular dystrophy and seven X-specific DNA probes are analysed. The results presented are the maximum likelihoods of the eight possible orders and the interlocus distances of the most likely order. Also calculated are the mean and standard deviation of risk for selected cases with information derived from both single probes and pair of probes bridging the disease locus.

Acute cigarette smoke exposure increases alveolar permeability in rabbits

We measured lung clearance of aerosolized technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (99mTcDTPA) as an index of alveolar epithelial permeability in rabbits exposed to cigarette smoke. Eighteen rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 equal-size groups: control, all smoke exposure (ASE), and limited smoke exposure (LSE). Cigarette or sham smoke was delivered by syringe in a series of 5, 10, 20, and 30 tidal volume breaths with a 20-min counting period between each subset of breaths to determine 99mTcDTPA biologic half-life (T1/2). Mean T1/2 minimum (i.e., the smallest T1/2 observed) was significantly lower (p less than 0.05) for ASE and LSE rabbits than by control rabbits. We observed a significant difference at 20 and 30 breath exposures between the control and ASE group mean values (% baseline) for T1/2, arterial blood pressure, and peak airway pressure. A combination of light and electron microscopy showed focal alveolar edema and hemorrhage in the ASE and LSE groups but no alveolar-capillary membrane damage. In summary, acute cigarette smoke exposure increases alveolar permeability as measured by 99mTcDTPA clearance, but there was no detectable ultrastructural alteration of the alveolar-capillary membrane.

Characteristics of the residency interview process preferred by medical student applicants

This study elucidates the characteristics of the interview day preferred by medical students applying to family practice residencies. Interviews and informal meetings with residents were regarded as being the most helpful, followed by interviews with the director or faculty. Perceptions of other components of the interview day are also described. October was the month most students preferred, and two interviews each lasting 20 to 30 minutes were considered ideal. Group interviews were regarded negatively. The results of this survey are generalizable to other residency programs and could be helpful in planning the interview day.

GEL, a DNA sequencing project management system

We have developed an automated system for management of DNA sequencing projects. The system, named GEL, can handle data from both random sequences and from fragments whose relative positions are known. The system is highly interactive, self-documenting, and forgiving; it is designed for use by computer-naive molecular biologists. An editor designed specifically for sequences allows simple entry of data. Special functions allow direct checking and immediate editing of paired readings of the same gel. Merging of new random fragment sequences into the project as a whole is semi-automated. The user is shown probable overlaps if they exist, and can edit either the sequences or the consensus. Heuristic approaches to limiting the kinds of searches made in the merging process reduces the problem of combinatoric data overload as sequencing projects grow large. Complete histories of all entries, editing changes, and generation of consensus sequences are automatically prepared.

SEQ: a nucleotide sequence analysis and recombination system

SEQ is an interactive, self-documenting computer program that contains procedures for the analysis of nucleotide sequences and the manipulation of such sequences to allow the simulation and prediction of the results of recombinant DNA experiments.

Quantitative optics: the control of perspective in comparative photography

Although angle of view is only one of several factors that influence the reliability with which judgments can be made in comparing one photograph with another, application of this concept in taking photographs of patients will permit the surgeon, no matter what camera equipment is used, to achieve a high degree of standardization in preoperative and postoperative photographs.

Trophic Analysis of Juvenile Pink and Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and O. keta) in Puget Sound

Pink and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha and O. keta) fry and Clarke–Bumpus plankton tows were collected from three beach areas in Puget Sound in spring 1970. Chum fry and benthic pump samples were taken in 1971. The diets of the young of the two species were similar. Epibenthic harpacticoid copepods were the chief prey of the chum and pink salmon (57 and 36%, respectively, in 1970). Distinct differences were apparent, the more notable being the preference for invertebrate eggs exhibited by the pinks and the higher preferences for small gammarid amphipods and harpacticoids exhibited by the chums. The stomach contents showed no resemblance to the plankton hauls taken in the same area. The onshore stage of development appears to be a distinct ecological stage in the life cycles of these species.