Effects of PIXY321, a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin 3 fusion protein, on human tumor colony-forming units taken directly from patients

PIXY321, a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor/interleukin 3 (GM-CSF/IL-3) genetically engineered hybrid, has shown greater biological activity in stimulating committed myeloid progenitors than either GM-CSF or IL-3 in vitro, in vivo, and in patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy. However, one concern is that PIXY321 may stimulate the proliferation of malignant cells which have functional GM-CSF or IL-3 receptors. Therefore, using a human tumor cloning assay, we have tested the effects of several concentrations of PIXY321 ranging from 0.1 to 100 ng/ml on tumor cells taken directly from 98 patients with solid tumors and Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Of the 34 evaluable specimens, including 15 breast cancers, 5 ovarian cancers, 5 lung cancers, and 9 lymphomas, none showed stimulation of tumor growth. Interestingly, a significant inhibition of the tumor proliferation was seen in one breast cancer and in one large cell immunoblastic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after continuous exposure of PIXY321. In conclusion, the use of PIXY321 to reduce myelosuppression after high-dose chemotherapy appears unlikely to result in stimulation of the growth of malignant cells in patients with lymphoma or cancers of the breast, lung, and ovary.

Fragmentation in the pursuit of quality: the dental dilemma

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Stability of the Le Fort I osteotomy in patients with cleft lip and palate

Relapse of the maxilla was studied retrospectively in a group of 61 patients with previously repaired cleft lip and palate who had undergone Le Fort I osteotomy. The extent of surgical move and relapse over a mean period of 28 months was measured with reference to the cranial base, and found to be similar to those in other studies. The use of direct bone plates for fixation of the maxilla is associated with a significantly more stable postoperative result.

Fluorescence-based enzymatic assay by capillary electrophoresis laser-induced fluorescence detection for the determination of a few beta-galactosidase molecules

beta-Galactosidase can be assayed by monitoring the generation of the fluorescent products, fluorescein-mono-beta-D-galactopyranoside and fluorescein, when the fluorogenic substrate fluorescein-di-beta-D-galactopyranoside is used. We have used capillary electrophoresis with ultrasensitive laser-induced fluorescence detection to monitor the formation of the fluorescent products of off-column enzymatic reactions. By analyzing as little as 40 pl of the enzymatic mixture we obtain limits of detection of 6.5 x 10(-14) M beta-galactosidase or 1.6 molecules based on the detection of fluorescein-mono-beta-D-galactopyranoside.

The mask rhinoplasty: a technique for the treatment of Binder's syndrome and related disorders

Congenital and acquired facial deformities in which the nose is small relative to the rest of the face present a problem in reconstruction. Binder's syndrome is the most common of such deformities, where the noise is both short and lacking tip projection. A method of reconstructing such deformities is described. By means of a coronal skin incision and an approach through the upper buccal sulcus, the nasal soft tissues including the alar cartilages are mobilized. Nasal lengthening and improved tip projection are achieved and supported by a cantilevered graft of lyocartilage. The defect created within the nasal vestibule is repaired by means of mucosal flaps raised from the upper buccal sulcus. Ten cases have so far been treated successfully using this technique we call mask rhinoplasty.

Late extrusion of alloplastic orbital floor implants

Complications following the use of alloplastic orbital floor implants are well documented but it is not widely recognised that these can occur many years after initial treatment. Three patients who presented with late extrusion of an implant through the facial skin are reported. This complication occurred 10, 16 and 17 years respectively after treatment of the orbital floor fracture. The tissue reaction to silicone rubber and Teflon inplants is reviewed and the possible cause for this late complication is discussed.

An unsupervised straight wire appliance--a case report

The remarkable potential of the straight-wire appliance to provide continuing tooth movement is demonstrated. A 14-year-old male patient was fitted with an upper appliance which remained in situ, unsupervised, for 14 months. An unexpected degree of space closure and overjet reduction occurred. Factors that may have contributed to this unexpected degree of improvement are considered.

Identification of an S-locus glycoprotein allele introgressed from B. napus ssp. rapifera to B. napus ssp. oleifera

Self-incompatible Brassica napus ssp. oleifera lines were generated by introgressing the S-locus from the self-incompatible B. napus ssp. rapifera Z line into the self-compatible cultivars, Topas and Regent, resulting in T2 and R2, respectively. Screening of a cDNA library made from R2 stigma RNA produced several candidate SLG (S-locus glycoprotein) cDNAs. One of the cDNAs, A14, was found to be represented in only the R2, T2 and Z lines. In addition, the corresponding A14 gene was demonstrated to segregate with the T2 self-incompatibility phenotype in an F2 population derived from a cross between T2 and Topas, and to exhibit high mRNA levels in the stigmas prior to anthesis. Sequence analysis of the A14 cDNA revealed close homology to B. oleracea SLG alleles associated with a Class I high activity self-incompatibility phenotype.

Use of the polymerase chain reaction to isolate an S-locus glycoprotein cDNA introgressed from Brassica campestris into B. napus ssp. oleifera

A self-incompatible canola-quality Brassica napus ssp. oleifera line (W1) was generated by introgressing the S-locus from a self-incompatible B. campestris plant into the Westar cultivar. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers derived from conserved regions in S-locus glycoprotein (SLG) alleles, the central region of the active SLG gene (910) was obtained. The remaining portions of the cDNA for this 910 gene were subsequently cloned using the PCR-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) procedure. Sequence analysis revealed that the 910 cDNA show a high degree of sequence similarity to SLG alleles associated with Class I self-incompatible lines. The 910 gene was found to be absent in the original self-compatible cv. Westar (B. napus) and segregated with self-incompatibility in a mixed population generated from a cross between self-incompatible W1 and self-compatible Westar. RNA blot analysis indicated that high levels of 910 mRNAs were present in the stigma as buds approached anthesis. Thus, the SLG allele of W1 transferred from B. campestris via backcrosses to a line of cv. Westar has been identified.

4-pregnene-3-one-20 beta-carboxaldehyde: a potent inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase and of 5 alpha-reductase

The pregnene derivative, 4-pregnene-3-one-20 beta-carboxaldehyde (22-A) was evaluated as an inhibitor of 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase in rat testicular microsomes and of 5 alpha-reductase in human prostatic homogenates. The effect of the compound in vivo was studied in adult male rats. The 22-A demonstrated potent and competitive inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase with Ki values 8.48 and 0.41 microM, respectively, significantly below the Km values for these two enzymes (33.75 and 4.55 microM). This compound also showed potent inhibition of 5 alpha-reductase with a Ki value of 15.6 nM (Km for this enzyme is 50 nM). By comparison, ketoconazole, a currently studied 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase inhibitor for the treatment of prostatic cancer, showed less potent inhibition of 17 alpha-hydroxylase (Ki 39.5 microM) and C17,20-lyase (Ki 3.6 microM) and did not inhibit 5 alpha-reductase. Progesterone which has been reported to inhibit the 17 alpha-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase, did not significantly reduce the production of testosterone by rat testes in vitro in comparison to controls, while the same concentration of 22-A demonstrated a 42% reduction of testosterone biosynthesis. When the adult male rats were injected s.c. with 22-A at 50 mg/day/kg for a 2 week period, the testosterone concentrations in the rat sera were significantly lower than control values (P less than 0.05), whereas serum corticosterone levels did not change. These results suggest that 22-A is a selective potent inhibitor for 17 alpha-hydroxylase and C17,20-lyase, but is more potent for the C17,20-lyase. The compound also inhibits 5 alpha-reductase, and therefore may reduce biosynthesis of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone effectively. Thus, 22-A may be useful in the treatment of problems associated with the androgen excess and prostatic cancer.

Effects of recombinant human interleukin-1 alpha on clonogenic growth of primary human tumors in vitro

Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) is a low-molecular-weight cytokine that regulates proliferation and differentiation of lymphatic and myeloid cells. It also has pleiotropic activity on a variety of other target cells and acts as an important mediator of inflammation and septic shock. Recombinant human IL-1 alpha (rhIL-1 alpha) is undergoing clinical evaluation of its potential as an anticancer agent. We have studied the growth modulating effects of rhIL-1 alpha on a variety of freshly explanted human tumor specimens using an in vitro soft agar cloning system. Final concentrations of 0.01-100 ng/ml were used in continuous incubation experiments. Of 139 specimens tested, 56 (40%) were evaluable for determination of tumor growth modulating activity. The most common tumor types examined included breast, nonsmall cell lung, ovarian, colorectal cancer, and melanoma. Stimulation of tumor colony-forming units (colony formation greater than or equal to 1.5 x controls) was observed in only 1/56 (2%) tumors. No evidence was found for increased size of individual colonies after incubation with rhIL-1 alpha. At a concentration of 100 ng/ml, colony formation of 9/56 (16%) tumor specimens was significantly inhibited (colony formation less than or equal to 0.5 x controls). We conclude that rhIL-1 alpha is not a major modulator of tumor colony formation in vitro. However, some antitumor effects may be observed at high concentrations.

Para-Fluorophenylalanine-induced chromosome number changes in higher plants. II. Tomato and rape

Germinating seeds of rape (Brassica napus L.) and of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), and 1-month-old tomato seedlings, were treated with para-fluorophenylalanine to change chromosome numbers. A number of morphological aberrations were found in treated plants of both species, some of which were also observed in progeny of treated tomatoes. Aneuploids and polyploids were confirmed cytologically in treated plants of both species. The investigations confirm the suggestion previously made for maize, that para-fluorophenylalanine is capable of changing chromosome numbers and the resulting morphology of plants of widely different phylogenetic categories.Key words: Para-fluorophenylalanine, chromosome number changes, plants, tomato, rape, aneuploids, polyploids, morphological changes.

A ganglion of the temporomandibular joint: a case report

Ganglion cysts of the TMJ are rare and accurate preoperative diagnosis is not usually made, although theoretically this might be possible with arthrography. Treatment of the condition is surgical but, if a positive diagnosis can be made, a period of conservative management could be attempted if the cyst is not excessively painful or surgery is contraindicated for any reason.

Evidence for the involvement of multiple signalling pathways in C5a-induced actin polymerization and nucleation in human monocyte-like cells

The signal transduction mechanisms involved in complement fragment C5a-induced recruitment of actin to the cytoskeleton have been investigated using U-937 cells differentiated by exposure to dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Two parameters of cytoskeletal activation were compared: F-actin formation and nucleation of polymerization of pyrenyl-actin in whole cell lysates. The dose dependency of these responses to C5a was clearly different to that observed for [3H]inositol phosphate formation and also markedly different from that observed for the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Further evidence to dissociate inositol lipid hydrolysis from these cytoskeletal responses was obtained by treating cells with neomycin, phorbol myristate acetate and pertussis toxin and by modulating the levels of intracellular Ca2+ using quin 2. Inhibition of [3H]inositol phosphate and ROI production was not correlated with effects on actin recruitment or nucleation. In addition, these agents had differing effects on F-actin formation and nucleation activity. The results show that the production of inositol phosphates is not required for stimulating either F-actin formation or nucleation activity and also that ligand-induced polymerization of actin depends primarily upon an increase in the availability of G-actin rather than nucleation sites. These cytoskeletal responses are apparently controlled by different signalling pathways which diverge at an early stage.

The regulation of actin polymerization in differentiating U937 cells correlates with increased membrane levels of the pertussis-toxin-sensitive G-protein Gi2

Undifferentiated U937 cells appear to lack a capacity of increase cellular F-actin. However, electropermeabilized cells gain the ability to respond in this way to a guanine nucleotide analogue, guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]trisphosphate (GTP[S]) after 1 h of treatment with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP). The results reported here show that the levels of membrane association of the G-protein Gi2 alpha increase with a time course identical with that of the GTP[S]-sensitivity of electropermeabilized cells. These results suggest that Gi2 alpha may be involved in the signal-transduction pathway leading to actin polymerization in db-cAMP-differentiated U937 cells.

The role of protein kinase C activation and inositol phosphate production in the regulation of cell-surface expression of Mac-1 by complement fragment C5a

The adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial and other cell types is an essential part of the acute inflammatory response. One means by which adherence can be increased is by activation of the CD11/CD18 family of leukocyte glycoproteins. Chemotactic peptides, lipid mediators, phorbol esters and tumour necrosis factor are all able to increase the cell surface expression of one member of this family, CD11b/CD18 or Mac-1, by an unknown signal transduction mechanism. In this report, regulation of Mac-1 expression by C5a is shown to be independent of protein kinase C (PK-C) activation. The inhibitor of PK-C, H-7, has no effect on the action of C5a and only a slight effect on phorbol ester-induced up- and down-regulation of Mac-1, at a concentration that inhibits superoxide production in response to both factors by 40%. Inositol phospholipid hydrolysis, an important pathway leading to PK-C activation, and the transient increases in cytosolic Ca2+ associated with inositol phosphate production, are also shown to be not essential processes in C5a-stimulation of Mac-1 expression.

Spindle cell neoplasms of lymph nodes of probable reticulum cell lineage. True reticulum cell sarcoma?

Primary spindle cell neoplasms involving hematolymphoid organs are extremely rare. We present four cases of spindle cell neoplasms of unusual phenotype arising within lymph nodes. Two of the four cases showed morphologic and immunophenotypic features suggestive of interdigitating reticulum cell lineage; these cases expressed several macrophage antigens and S-100 protein but not CD1. The other two cases showed evidence suggestive of dendritic reticulum cell lineage. Both cases expressed HLA-DR, several macrophage antigens, complement receptors C3b and C3d; one case expressed R4/23; both showed the presence of desmosomes on ultrastructural examination. A germline configuration for the immunoglobulin heavy chain and beta-T--cell receptor genes was detected in all four cases. Of the two patients in the first group, one had local recurrence of tumor; the other died of widespread metastases. Of the two patients in the second group, both are alive and well at 12 and 27 months follow-up, respectively.

Para-Fluorophenylalanine-induced chromosome number changes in higher plants. I. Maize

Excised maize embryos and germinating maize seeds were treated with para-fluorophenylalanine to induce chromosome changes. Aneuploidy and changes in ploidy levels were observed. Identified hypoploid changes involved the loss of a single chromosome and, in one case, the loss of one arm of a chromosome. Hyperploids included trisomics, double trisomics, and probably tetrasomics. The use of karyotype analysis demonstrated that at least 6 of the 10 maize chrosssmosomes were involved in these modifications. Analysis of chromosome numbers in progeny indicated the "likely" chromosome number of the reproductive tissue of treated plants. In some treated plants the likely chromosome number of the reproductive tissue was the same as that observed in adventitious roots, while in others it was different from that of their adventitious roots. The use of para-fluorophenylalanine may be of value in plants other than maize for purposes of chromosome number engineering.Key words: aneuploids, chromosome number changes, maize, para-fluorophenylalanine, Zea mays.