Differential effects of 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 and a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist on macrophage activation

Prostaglandin J2 metabolite 15-deoxy-delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15-PGJ2) appears to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Unlike other prostaglandins, it has no known plasma membrane receptor. Its effects have been thought to occur through activation of the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), but 15-PGJ2 may exhibit effects independent of PPARgamma. We hypothesized that 15-PGJ2 modulates macrophage (Mphi) mediator production by acting on cell signaling proteins upstream of PPARgamma. The effects of 15-PGJ2 on bacterial endotoxin LPS-induced rat peritoneal Mphi mediator production were compared with those of a specific PPARgamma agonist, BRL 49653 (BRL), and to the eicosanoids prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and cicaprost (CICA, a prostacyclin analogue). 15-PGJ2 inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, TNF-alpha, and thromboxane B2 (TxB2). Equimolar concentrations of PGD2 and CICA significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha but not NO, and CICA increased TxB2 production. BRL inhibited LPS-induced NO, but augmented LPS-induced TNF-alpha and TxB2. 15-PGJ2 also inhibited degradation of LPS-induced IkappaB alpha and phosphoactivation of ERK 1/2, but BRL had no significant effect on either protein. The cyclopentenone ring 2-cyclopenten-1-one also inhibited LPS-induced ERK 1/2 activation; however, neither 15-PGJ2 nor the cyclopentenone inhibited PMA-induced ERK 1/2 activation. Inhibition of LPS-stimulated mediator production by 15-PGJ2 differed from inhibition by PGD2, CICA, and BRL. The ability of 15-PGJ2 to inhibit LPS-induced Mphi mediator production and cell signaling may occur in part through reactivity of its cyclopentenone ring.

Colonisation status of Malassezia pachydermatis on the hair and in the hair follicle of healthy beagle dogs

Hair and hair follicle carriage of Malassezia pachydermatis was studied in 12 healthy beagle dogs. The yeast was isolated from hair clipped from the lip region at 13 sites in nine dogs but was less frequently recovered from the interdigital spaces on the forefeet and from two sites on the trunk. Population sizes at the lip were significantly greater (P < 0.01) than those at other sites. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained from the same sites and epidermal and follicular tissues dissected following immersion in 1 M CaBr(2). Epidermal carriage of M. pachydermatis was identified in nine biopsy specimens taken from five dogs. Hair follicle carriage was identified in five skin specimens (four foot, one lip) from three dogs. This study indicates that M. pachydermatis is readily recovered from the distal hair in healthy dogs and that hair follicle carriage is infrequent or that populations are low at that site.

Malassezia pachydermatis: a review

Malassezia pachydermatis is of importance in both veterinary and human medicine. Its taxonomic status and physiological characteristics are now better understood. Skin disease associated with this lipophilic yeast is now commonly recognized, especially in dogs. However, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanisms which allow this yeast to proliferate and induce disease. Skin colonization is common in pet carnivores which consequently constitute a source of M. pachydermatis for susceptible humans. In the future, the development of efficient typing systems should allow better understanding of the transmission mechanisms.

Routes of success: influences on the occupational attainment of young British males

Using data from the National Child Development Study, the paper develops a complex path model predicting the occupational grade achieved by 4,298 employed British males at age 33. Most British social mobility research has been based in the 'class structurationist' tradition, and the paper begins by comparing this with the 'status attainment' tradition, which is more common in the USA. The class structurationist approach has rarely analysed the factors influencing individual occupational attainment, and those working in this tradition in Britain have often assumed that people from working-class origins fare worse on average than those from the middle class because of factors associated with their class disadvantage rather than any difference in individual characteristics such as ability or ambition. Status attainment research, however, has generally found that individual ability and motivation are the key factors influencing occupational attainment, and that class origins count for comparatively little. Using various measures of class origins, parental support, qualifications, and individual ability and ambition, the paper goes on to develop a linear structural equations model which achieves a good fit to the data. The model demonstrates that individual ability is by far the strongest influence on occupational achievement, that motivation is also important, and that factors like class background and parental support, while significant, are relatively much weaker. The paper concludes that occupational selection in Britain appears to take place largely on meritocratic principles.

Crystal structure of farnesyl protein transferase complexed with a CaaX peptide and farnesyl diphosphate analogue

The crystallographic structure of acetyl-Cys-Val-Ile-selenoMet-COOH and alpha-hydroxyfarnesylphosphonic acid (alphaHFP) complexed with rat farnesyl protein transferase (FPT) (space group P61, a = b = 174. 13 A, c = 69.71 A, alpha = beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 120 degrees, Rfactor = 21.8%, Rfree = 29.2%, 2.5 A resolution) is reported. In the ternary complex, the bound substrates are within van der Waals contact of each other and the FPT enzyme. alphaHFP binds in an extended conformation in the active-site cavity where positively charged side chains and solvent molecules interact with the phosphate moiety and aromatic side chains pack adjacent to the isoprenoid chain. The backbone of the bound CaaX peptide adopts an extended conformation, and the side chains interact with both FPT and alphaHFP. The cysteine sulfur of the bound peptide coordinates the active-site zinc. Overall, peptide binding and recognition appear to be dominated by side-chain interactions. Comparison of the structures of the ternary complex and unliganded FPT [Park, H., Boduluri, S., Moomaw, J., Casey, P., and Beese, L. (1997) Science 275, 1800-1804] shows that major rearrangements of several active site side chains occur upon substrate binding.

Humoral and cell-mediated responses to Malassezia pachydermatis in healthy dogs and dogs with Malassezia dermatitis

The in vitro proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from seven healthy basset hounds exposed to Malassezia pachydermatis antigen (500 micrograms/ml) exceeded (P < 0.05) those of seborrhoeic basset hounds with high populations of M pachydermatis and eight Irish setters with gluten-sensitive enteropathy. The stimulation indices in the latter two groups and in eight healthy beagles were comparable. The stimulation indices of the four groups after exposure to phytohaemaglutinin did not differ significantly. The serum titres of M pachydermatis-specific IgG and IgA measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in 21 seborrhoeic basset hounds and 11 affected dogs of various breeds exceeded those of 14 healthy basset hounds and eight healthy beagles (P < 0.01 for IgG, P < 0.05 for IgA). Total serum IgA concentrations measured by ELISA in the affected dogs were not lower than those of healthy dogs.

Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy for rectal carcinoma

Postoperative combined modality therapy with radiotherapy and 5-fluorouracil (5FU) chemotherapy is an effective adjuvant approach that reduces locoregional and distant metastatic disease in patients with high-risk rectal carcinoma. However, this approach results in a treatment regimen of at least 6 months' duration. The present prospective study investigates the integration of radiotherapy and 5FU chemotherapy in a protocol designed to minimize toxicity and reduce the overall treatment time. A total of 40 patients with TNM stage II or III disease received postoperative radiotherapy at four fractions per week with weekly 5FU bolus injections delivered on the fifth non-radiotherapy day. Patients also received systemic chemotherapy with leucovorin both before and after pelvic irradiation, with the total treatment duration extending for only 18 weeks. Patients were able to complete radiotherapy in 90% of cases, while the delivery of full-dose chemotherapy was achievable in the vast majority. The incidence of haematologic and gastrointestinal toxicities requiring the cessation of treatment was acceptable. With a median follow-up of 20.9 months among surviving patients, the estimated progression-free and overall survival at 2 years were 71% and 79%, respectively.

Comparison of media and conditions of incubation for the quantitative culture of Malassezia pachydermatis from canine skin

Fifty-five swab-wash specimens from dogs were cultured at 32 degrees C on Sabouraud's dextrose agar either with or without 1 per cent Tween 80. Ushijima's medium A and modified Dixon's and Leeming's media. The counts of Malassezia pachydermatis were not significantly different after three or seven days of incubation. Colony counts on contact plates were significantly greater after incubation for seven days on Sabouraud's dextrose (P < 0.001) and modified Dixon's agars (P < 0.05) than after three days at 26 degrees C, but not at 32 degrees C. Counts on Sabouraud's or modified Dixon's agars after incubation at 32 degrees C and 37 degrees C were not significantly different. When compared with aerobic culture, an atmosphere containing 5 to 10 per cent carbon dioxide significantly (P < 0.01) increased the frequency of isolation and colony counts on Sabouraud's dextrose agar but not on modified Dixon's agar.

Record linkage strategies, outpatient procedures, and administrative data

By understanding the range of approaches implicit in modern record linkage, epidemiologists and health services researchers can better decide its suitability for their needs. The authors discuss a small record linkage project, providing a sense of where mistakes were made. The research first uses existing identification numbers as a gold standard for linking hospital abstracts and physician claims to investigate whether or not coronary angiography was performed on a given individual. Even if identification numbers are not available, a successful linkage (with more than 95% of the cases matched) may be possible under some circumstances. The linkage process highlights problems with the consistent recording of coronary angiography in inpatient and outpatient hospital abstracts. Our approach should prove useful when the same procedure is recorded in more than one place on a single file and when validating a procedure (or other event) across files is important. Given the growing number of health care databases and ongoing changes in the delivery of care, record linkage often can provide quality control and expand research opportunities in a timely fashion.

Isolation of Malassezia sympodialis from feline skin

Carriage of Malassezia yeasts was investigated in 17 cats in two colonies using a lipid-supplemented culture medium. Malassezia pachydermatis was isolated from one cat. Lipid-dependent Malassezia yeasts with electrophoretic karyotypes consistent with M. sympodialis were isolated from all six cats in one group and from one of 11 in the second group. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of lipid-dependent yeasts from cats.

Factors associated with elevated cutaneous Malassezia pachydermatis populations in dogs with pruritic skin disease

The prevalences of breeds and concurrent diseases in a group of 40 dogs with pruritic skin disease associated with elevated cutaneous Malassezia pachydermatis populations were compared with samples of a dermatological hospital population. The ages and genders of the affected dogs were comparable to those of the dermatology population. Basset hounds, cocker spaniels and West Highland white terriers were significantly overrepresented. Concurrent diseases were diagnosed in 27 dogs, of which 15 were atopic. However, the prevalences of atopic disease, primary keratinisation defects and endocrinopathies in dogs with elevated cutaneous M pachydermatis populations were comparable to those in the dermatology population as a whole. These results indicate that certain breeds are predisposed to the development of elevated cutaneous M pachydermatis populations and that concurrent skin diseases can frequently be identified in affected dogs. However, the relationship between these concurrent diseases and abnormal M pachydermatis populations remains unclear.

Novel tricyclic inhibitors of farnesyl protein transferase. Biochemical characterization and inhibition of Ras modification in transfected Cos cells

Ras protooncogenes encode 21-kDa membrane-associated guanine nucleotide-binding proteins, which play a critical role in control of cellular proliferation and differentiation. Oncogenic, activated forms of Ras proteins are associated with a broad range of human cancers. The elucidation of the post-translational modifications that occur at the carboxyl terminus of Ras and the demonstration that farnesylation of Ras by farnesyl protein transferase is essential for Ras-induced cellular transformation has opened up a new and promising approach to the development of anti-Ras therapeutics. We report here a novel series of potent farnesyl protein transferase (FPT) inhibitors, represented by SCH 44342. This compound inhibits both rat brain and recombinant human FPT with an IC50 of approximately 250 nM, while it is only weakly active against rat brain geranylgeranyl protein transferase-1 (IC50 > 114 microM). FPT inhibition has been observed using both Ha-Ras protein and Ki-Ras-derived peptide substrates in two different assay formats. SCH 44342 and its analogs also inhibit farnesylation of Ras in Cos cells transiently expressing [Val12]Ha-Ras with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. At these concentrations they do not inhibit sterol biosynthesis or geranylgeranylation of protein. In addition, we observed that Cos cells undergo pronounced morphological changes upon overexpression of [Val12]activated forms of Ha-Ras containing COOH-terminal sequences allowing farnesylation (CVLS) or geranylgeranylation (CVLL) but not upon overexpression of activated Ras lacking the isoprenylated Cys (SVLS). Ras-induced morphological changes can be partially reverted with lovastatin. Importantly, SCH 44342 can block morphological changes induced by [Val12]Ha-Ras-CVLS but not [Val12]Ha-Ras-CVLL. Recently, a number of other FPT inhibitors have been reported. Most of the compounds reported to have cell-based activity are peptidomimetic analogs of the CAAX substrate. Our FPT inhibitors are novel in that although they compete with Ras protein in kinetic experiments they are entirely nonpeptidic in nature, they do not have oxidizable sulfhydryl functions, and they are active in cells at low micromolar concentrations.

Metabolic epidermal necrosis in two dogs with different underlying diseases

Two dogs with metabolic epidermal necrosis had hyperkeratosis of the footpads accompanied by erythematous, erosive and crusting lesions affecting the muzzle, external genitalia, perineum and periocular regions. Histopathological examination of skin biopsies revealed a superficial hydropic dermatitis with marked parakeratosis. Both dogs had high plasma activities of alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase and high concentrations of glucose, and also a marked hypoaminoacidaemia. Despite these similarities, the cutaneous eruptions were associated with different underlying diseases. One dog had a pancreatic carcinoma which had metastasised widely; the primary tumour and the metastases showed glucagon immunoreactivity on immunocytochemical staining, and the dog's plasma glucagon concentration was markedly greater than that of control dogs. The other dog had diffuse hepatic disease; its plasma glucagon concentration was similar to that of control samples and cirrhosis was identified post mortem. Metabolic epidermal necrosis in dogs is a distinct cutaneous reaction pattern which may be associated with different underlying systemic diseases; however, the pathogenesis of the skin lesions remains unclear.

Characterization of markedly lipid-dependent Malassezia pachydermatis isolates from healthy dogs

When 244 Malassezia colonies which had been isolated from a colony of Beagle dogs using modified Dixon's agar were sub-cultured on Sabouraud's dextrose agar to determine their lipid dependence, 30 showed poor growth resembling M. furfur, whereas the remainder were typical of M. pachydermatis. Eight of the 10 poor growing isolates selected for further study formed colonies typical of M. pachydermatis after five passages on Sabouraud's dextrose agar at 4 d intervals and two continued to show poor growth. Nine isolates had enzyme profiles identical to those of typical M. pachydermatis isolates, and one resembled M. furfur. However, seven of the poor growing isolates which were karyotyped had patterns typical of M. pachydermatis. Poor growing isolates and their non-lipid-dependent 'revertants' had identical restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns and poly(GT) hybridization profiles. These observations show that some M. pachydermatis isolates grow poorly when sub-cultured onto Sabouraud's dextrose agar and may be incorrectly identified as M. furfur if further studies are not performed.

Population sizes and frequency of Malassezia pachydermatis at skin and mucosal sites on healthy dogs

Skin and mucosal carriage of Malassezia pachydermatis was studied in 20 healthy pet dogs of various breeds and in 20 kennelled beagles. Using swabs, anal carriage was detected in 10 pet dogs and 11 beagles and the nose, mouth, prepuce and vulva were shown to be infrequently colonised. M pachydermatis was isolated from the external ear canal of 11 beagles and two pet dogs; both the population sizes and frequency of isolation were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in the beagles. The yeast was infrequently isolated from the axilla and groin in low numbers using contact plates and detergent scrub samples but was often cultured from the lower lip and the dorsal interdigital spaces; isolation frequencies and population sizes in the two groups of dogs were not significantly different. These results demonstrate that the anus, external ear canal and lip and interdigital skin of healthy dogs are frequently colonised by M pachydermatis.

Evaluation of a detergent scrub technique for the quantitative culture of Malassezia pachydermatis from canine skin

A detergent scrub technique using wash fluid consisting of 0.075 M phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.9 containing 0.1 per cent Triton X-100 was evaluated for the quantitative culture of Malassezia pachydermatis from canine skin. Preliminary studies showed that the detergents Triton X-100, Tween 40 and Tween 80 were equally able to disperse suspensions of pure cultures of M pachydermatis, but that the yeast counts were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) after suspension in saline, Triton X-100 or Tween 40 for two hours. The counts in skin washings were also reduced (P < 0.001) after suspension for three hours in 0.1 and 0.05 per cent solutions of Triton X-100. Vortexing, or manual or mechanical shaking of the samples yielded comparable counts. The correlation between the counts on diseased skin measured by using detergent scrubs and a contact plate technique was highly significant (P < 0.001). The detergent scrub technique was suitable for the quantitation of M pachydermatis on canine skin provided that the samples were processed without delay.

Comparison of two shampoos for treatment of Malassezia pachydermatis-associated seborrhoeic dermatitis in basset hounds

A randomised-double-blind parallel study compared the clinical and antimicrobial efficacies of a miconazole-chlorhexidine shampoo with a selenium sulphide shampoo for the treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis associated with Malassezia pachydermatis in 33 basset hounds. All 16 miconazole-chlorhexidine treated hounds and 11 of 17 selenium sulphide treated hounds improved when shampooed at three-day intervals for three weeks. The miconazole-chlorhexidine treated hounds showed significantly greater reductions in pruritus (P < 0.01), erythema (P < 0.001), exudation (P < 0.01) and overall severity (P < 0.001), and in counts of M pachydermatis (P < 0.001), total bacteria (P < 0.001) and coagulase-positive staphylococci (P < 0.001), when compared to the selenium sulphide treated group. Improvements in scaling and coat condition did not vary significantly between the two groups. These results indicate that seborrhoeic dermatitis in basset hounds is often associated with elevated cutaneous populations of M pachydermatis and bacteria, and that the miconazole-chlorhexidine shampoo is more effective than the selenium sulphide product for the treatment for this disease.

Canine eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis in three cases

The historical, clinical and histopathological features of three dogs with eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis are described. The disease was characterised by the rapid development of pruritic, papular, pustular and ulcerative lesions on the dorsum of the muzzle. Skin lesions were confined to the face in two cases. The third dog had more generalised pustular lesions. Skin biopsy specimens showed marked eosinophil infiltration particularly centred on pilosebaceous units. Dermal collagen necrosis was evident in two cases. Similar facial lesions have previously been described as 'nasal pyoderma'. The three dogs failed to respond to initial antibacterial therapy but showed a rapid clinical response when prednisolone was given orally at doses ranging from 1 to 2.2 mg/kg, in addition to the antibacterial therapy, suggesting that glucocorticoids are indicated for the treatment of eosinophilic folliculitis and furunculosis. The aetiology of the disease was not determined.

Evaluation of two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the diagnosis of canine atopy

Serum samples from 10 dogs without skin disease, 10 with non-atopic pruritic skin disease, and 10 atopic dogs were tested blind by using two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAS) (Veterinary Allergy Test Kit; All-Vet [test A] and Elisarest; Bloxham Laboratories [test B]) designed to detect immunoglobulin E antibodies to environmental allergens. All the dogs tested had at least three positive reactions when using test A, and 28 of the dogs had at least one positive reaction when using test B. The median numbers of positive reactions observed in the three groups of dogs were not significantly different for each test. Significantly more reactions were observed with test A in each group (P < 0.001) than with test B. The sensitivity of both the tests was 100 per cent, but the specificity of test A was 0 per cent and the specificity of test B was 10 per cent. The positive predictive values of tests A and B were 33.3 per cent and 35.7 per cent, respectively, and the negative predictive values were 0 and 100 per cent. The poor specificities and low positive predictive values indicate that the positive results obtained when using these ELISAS are of no diagnostic value in canine atopy.

Combined treatment with concentrated essential fatty acids and prednisolone in the management of canine atopy

Eleven perennially affected atopic dogs which had previously responded poorly to dietary supplementation with a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil were studied to determine whether a concentrated essential fatty acid supplement containing gammalinolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid would reduce their prednisolone requirements. The prednisolone dose required for satisfactory control of the dogs' clinical signs was reduced in eight of the 11 cases when assessed after 12 weeks of supplementation, but there were no significant differences in mean clinical scores during the same period. The mean plasma phospholipid linoleic acid concentrations after eight and 12 weeks of supplementation were significantly lower than the initial mean value but there were no significant differences in the mean plasma phospholipid concentrations of dihomogammalinolenic acid, arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

Coronary angiography and bypass surgery in Manitoba and the United States: a first comparison

OBJECTIVE

To compare the appropriateness of use of coronary angiography (CA) and bypass surgery (CABS) in the early 1980s in one Canadian hospital and several American hospitals using explicit case-based criteria. Procedure rates were much lower in Canada during this period.

SUBJECTS

Canadian subjects, 502 Manitoba residents undergoing CA at one hospital in 1981-82 were tracked forward to determine whether and when they underwent CABS. CA comparisons were made with 351 Canadian patients aged 55 years or older; 1677 American CA patients aged 65 years or older and were drawn in 1981 from three hospitals. Two hundred and forty-five patients undergoing CABS within 12 months of CA made up the Canadian sample. American CABS patients were sampled from three hospitals during 1979-82. Manitoba patients assigned to medical treatment after CA were also appraised.

METHODS

Criteria were derived by an American panel of clinicians following a Delphi process; indications were rated appropriate, equivocal and inappropriate. A trained abstractor reviewed charts and assigned ratings. Results of exercise electrocardiograms were not available in the Manitoba data set, hence sensitivity analyses were performed to determine how differing proportions of positive exercise electrocardiograms might affect the Manitoba results.

RESULTS

Even assuming only 50% of treadmill tests were positive in the Manitoba sample, the proportion of inappropriate CA was lower in Manitoba than for the American hospitals: 9% versus 15 to 18%. For CABS, only one of the three comparison American hospitals approached the Manitoba hospital level of appropriateness.

CONCLUSIONS

In the early 1980s, there was more appropriate use of CA and CABS in a Manitoba hospital compared with several American hospitals. Many Canadian patients undergoing CA and treated medically met American indications for appropriate use of CABS. Whether this represents underprovision of necessary care remains uncertain.

A double-blind comparison of olive oil and a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil in the management of canine atopy

A randomised double-blind parallel study lasting eight weeks was used to assess the effects of olive oil in a group of atopic dogs whose clinical signs were well controlled by dietary supplementation with a combination of evening primrose oil and fish oil. Nine of the 11 dogs which continued to receive this combination were considered unchanged at the conclusion of the study, whereas eight of the 10 dogs switched to olive oil had deteriorated. The mean plasma concentration of dihomogammalinolenic acid, a precursor of potentially antiinflammatory mediators, was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in the olive oil-treated group at the end of the study. There were no significant differences between the mean plasma linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acid concentrations in the two groups. These findings suggest that olive oil is not an effective therapeutic agent in the control of canine atopy.

Serial serum drug concentrations and prolonged anticholinergic toxicity after benztropine (Cogentin) overdose

A 38-year-old man overdosed on benztropine mesylate (Cogentin; Merck Sharpe & Dohme, West Point, PA) and developed anticholinergic poisoning syndrome, which lasted nine days. Serial serum benztropine concentrations were obtained during his hospitalization. Fluctuating benztropine levels suggested that his lengthy intoxication may have been secondary to prolonged, intermittent absorption rather than from slow plasma clearance. This is believed to be the first report of serial serum benztropine concentrations after overdose.

Monoclonal antibodies specific for ganglion cells in the embryonic chicken neural retina

Monoclonal antibodies have been produced which recognize antigens on the surface of embryonic chicken neural retina cells. Two monoclonal antibodies, obtained from separate fusions, have been shown by fluorescence-activated cell-sorter analysis to bind to antigens on a subpopulation of neural retina cells. Immunohistochemical methods demonstrate that both monoclonal antibodies bind to the nerve fiber and inner plexiform layers of the embryonic neural retina. These monoclonal antibodies also bind to cell bodies and neurites of cultured retinal neurons and therefore selectively recognize antigens localized to the surface ganglion cells. One of the monoclonal antibodies binds to a 260 kdalton polypeptide, which has been shown to be developmentally regulated by immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry, as it is not detected in late embryonic neural retina. The second monoclonal antibody appears to bind to different antigens in neural and non-neural tissue. In liver extracts the monoclonal antibody recognizes a trypsin-sensitive antigen, but the antibody reacts with trypsin-resistant molecules in neural tissue. This monoclonal antibody may therefore bind a glycolipid component in the neural retina, although this remains to be determined. These antibodies can be used to obtain cell populations highly enriched in retinal ganglion cells.

Platelet collection using the IBM 2997 cell separator

Platelets were collected using the dual-channel module on the IBM 2997 Blood Fraction Separator. We carried out 320 procedures to harvest platelets for therapeutic purposes and yielded 5.1 +/- 1.5 X 10(11) platelets (mean +/- SD). Infusion into previously unsensitized recipients with hypomegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia achieved increments at 1 hr of 19 +/- 7.3 X 10(9)/liter/m2 (mean +/- SD) and at 24 hr of 15 +/- 6.3 X 10(9)/liter/m2. The only consistent donor reaction was mild hypocalcaemia, easily corrected by calcium gluconate infusion. Changes in donor packed-cell volume and white cell count were not statistically altered (p greater than 0.05) but donor platelet counts fell from 216 +/- 43.1 X 10(9)/liter to 162.5 +2- 41.7 X 10(9)/liter (mean +/- SD) (p less than 0.01). Additional plateletphereses were carried out in seven normal volunteers, using the same technique, in order that the function of the harvested platelets could be studied. Following radiochromium labelling and reinfusion into the same donors, normal in vivo recoveries were obtained at 10 min (59.4 +/- 3.4%; mean +/- SD) and platelet mean life span was also normal (218 +/- 12 hr; mean +/- SD). Furthermore, in vitro platelet factor III availability and aggregation patterns of the harvested platelets did not differ from control values and their ultrastructural appearance was normal.

Comparison of filtration to continuous-flow centrifugation for plasma exchange

The Asahi Plasmaflo Hollow Nylon Fibre Filtration System (n = 13) was directly compared to the NCI-IBM 2990 Continuous-Flow Blood Fraction Separator (n = 10) for plasma exchange. The systems were equally efficient in achieving plasma separation. There were significant differences favouring filtration for clearance of fibrinogen (P less than 0.05), and the fourth component of complement (P less than 0.01). Greater loss of urea (P less than 0.05) was found after plasma exchange, using the cell separator. The flow characteristics were markedly different. In a standardised 4-L plasma exchange, filtration took place at 35 ml/minute, with a procedure time of 109 +/- 45 minutes in contrast to centrifugation at a plasma flow collection rate of 19 ml/minute, requiring 208 +/- 17 minutes. This time advantage for the former procedure was offset by 195 minutes required to regenerate the hollow nylon fibre unit and a further 90 minutes required for cleaning under strictly controlled aseptic techniques prior to reuse. Each filter was regenerated at least twice and reused without infection, but there was incremental loss of filtration efficiency demonstrated by decreasing clearance of an intravascular marker dye. In two of the 13 procedures using the Plasmaflo system, serious reactions necessitated termination of the procedure; this did not occur using the cell separator. Restriction of the number of times that the filter unit could be regenerated without loss of efficiency, the prolonged time required for regeneration and cleaning, coupled with the need for artificial vascular access to meet high blood flow rates required, limit the usefulness of this technique for plasma exchange.

High Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Theobromine and Caffeine in Cocoa and Chocolate Products: Collaborative Study

Four duplicate samples of cocoa-containing materials, a practice sample, and standards were submitted to the collaborators for theobromine and caffeine analysis by HPLC. In the method the samples are defatted with petroleum ether, and dried. The fat-free residue is then extracted with water and an aliquot is injected into the chromatograph. Compounds are quantitated by comparison with internal or external standards, either by peak height or peak area. Results for all the analyses showed that few of the values were more than 2 standard deviations from the mean. The method has been adopted as official first action.