The uptake of oxalate by rat liver and kidney mitochondria

Oxalate, a metabolic end product, forms calcium oxalate deposits in the tissues under a variety of pathological conditions. In order to determine whether oxalate is able to penetrate the mitochondrial matrix, the uptake of oxalate by rat liver and kidney cortical mitochondria was characterized. Mitochondria did not swell in an iso-osmotic medium of ammonium oxalate unless a small amount of phosphate was provided. This phosphate-induced swelling was prevented by N-ethylmaleimide. The uptake of [14C]oxalate by liver and kidney mitochondria followed first order kinetics and was inhibited by mersalyl an inhibitor of the phosphate and dicarboxylate carriers. Accumulation of [14C]oxalate at equilibrium was significantly higher by mitochondria energized with succinate than by rotenone-inhibited mitochondria due to higher matrix pH as determined by the [14C]5,5'-dimethyloxazolidine-2, 4-dione distribution ratio. The velocity of oxalate accumulation by mitochondria was temperature dependent. The activation energy was 81.5 and 86.5 J/mol for liver and kidney mitochondria, respectively. In both types of mitochondria, the rate of oxalate uptake was hyperbolic with respect to the concentration of oxalate. The apparent Km was 28.8 +/- 0.6 and 13.4 +/- 1.2 mM and the Vmax 87.1 +/- 1.1 and 66.1 +/- 3.1 nmol X mg-1 X min-1 at 12 degrees C for liver and kidney mitochondria, respectively. Phenylsuccinate exhibited mixed inhibition of the rate of oxalate uptake. Oxalate exhibited also a mixed inhibition of the uptake and oxidation of malate by mitochondria. The data obtained provide evidence that oxalate is transported across the mitochondrial membrane by a phosphate-linked, carrier-mediated system similar to or identical to the dicarboxylate transporter.

Correlation of surface marker expression with morphologically and immunologically defined subclasses of acute myeloid leukaemias

The expression of myeloid-associated cell surface antigens detected by monoclonal antibodies (MoAb: MCS-2, MCS-1, MY7, MY9, Leu-M1, OKM1, VIM-D5, Mol, My-1, MY8, MY4, Leu-M3, VIM-D2, Mo2) of the HLA-DR/Ia-like antigen and of the Fc-receptor was determined on the blast cells from 91 patients with acute myeloid leukaemias classified as M1-M5 in the French-American-British (FAB) system. The surface antigen analysis revealed a highly heterogeneous reaction profile. Nevertheless, distinctive patterns of marker expression referring to morphologically defined subgroups were delineated. Several MoAb (especially MCS-2 and MY7 which were positive in most cases of the five FAB subgroups) appear to be useful for the recognition of myelomonocytic cells regardless of the commitment to either the granulocytic or monocytic cell lineage whereas other Mo Ab (especially MY4, Leu-M3, VIM-D2, Mo2) react predominantly with the monocytic variants and are helpful in the identification of monocytic commitment. The 91 cases could be divided into three immunologically defined phenotypes (Types I-III) corresponding to sequential differentiation levels. Correlations of these MoAb-defined phenotypes with the FAB subtyping showed that immunological and morphological classifications are not completely concordant and that only the parameters Type I and FAB M1 were significantly related. A scheme of early myeloid differentiation sequences based on the expression of surface antigens is presented.

A case of TdT-positive B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The phenotypic marker profile of a patient with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is described. The blast cells showed typical FAB L3 morphology, had the characteristic t(8;14) chromosomal abnormality, and were monoclonal in the expression of surface immunoglobulins. The clinical course of this patient is consistent with the poor prognosis described for B-ALL cases. Surface marker analysis identified cells positive for surface immunoglobulins, Ia-like antigen, common ALL-antigen, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase. This marker profile shows immunologic characteristics of the two B-cell leukemia subtypes, pre-B-ALL and B-ALL. This "intermediate" immunologic phenotype might either be the result of an uncoupling of the sequential immunologic maturation processes or of an arrest of the cells at an intermediate stage between the two otherwise clearly defined leukemia subtypes, but closer to the typical B-ALL stage. This latter observation is supported by isoenzyme marker analysis, as the cells were negative for the hexosaminidase I isoenzyme, which is positive in pre-B-ALL but negative in B-ALL.

Binding of oxalate to mitochondrial inner membranes of rat and human kidney

Oxalate bound specifically to homogenates of rat kidney and liver but not to homogenates prepared from heart, lung, skeletal muscle, spleen, stomach, small or large intestine. In the renal cortex, binding was localized to the inner mitochondrial membrane where it was enriched fourfold when compared to homogenate. Binding of the oxalate reached equilibrium in two minutes at 23C. Analysis of the binding sites by Scatchard plot indicated that the maximum binding capacity was 49 pmol./mg. protein and the apparent dissociation constant (Kd) was 43 nM. The IC50 of oxalate was 0.25 microM. Among the inhibitors studied the IC50 was in the following order: oxalate less than oxamate less than parabanate less than glyoxalate less than oxaloacetate less than malate less than citrate = glycollate. Heat and treatment with lubrol abolished the binding completely. Binding was not enhanced by the presence of calcium in the incubation medium; neither was it inhibited by the presence of calcium together with its transport inhibitors. A binding substance with some characteristics similar to the rat mitochondrial binding factor was also found in the human renal cortex.

Monocyte-associated acid phosphatase isoenzyme profiles as determined in acute myeloid leukaemia cells

The acid phosphatase (acP) isoenzymes from the blast cells of 102 cases of acute myeloid leukaemia were separated by isoelectric focusing on horizontal polyacrylamide gels. The cases were classified on the basis of the FAB cooperative group criteria. Several single bands were combined into groups (I-IV). An increase in the number of acP isoenzymes was noted which paralleled the assumed maturation along the granulocytic cell lineage from FAB M1 to FAB M3 and along the monocytic cell lineage from FAB M4 to FAB M5. One isoenzyme which was resistant to tartrate inhibition was found in 40% of the monocytic variants FAB M4 and M5, but not in the nonmonocytic cases FAB M1-M3 and M6. This particular isoenzyme, which has been described as being characteristic for hairy cell leukaemia, also appears to be a marker of the monocyte/macrophage system and the respective neoplastic counterparts. The FAB M4 and M5 patients expressed a characteristic profile of group I isoenzymes which allows for the discrimination between monocytic and nonmonocytic cells.

Phenotyping of malignant hematopoietic cells. Analysis of 1200 cases of leukemia-lymphoma

1255 cases of leukemia-lymphoma were tested between 1972 and 1984 by multiple marker analysis. Routine leukemia phenotyping was performed using standard morphological and cytochemical techniques in combination with clinical and histo-pathological information; the main emphasis was put on immunological surface marker analysis using erythrocyte rosette assays, TdT and a large panel of poly- and monoclonal antibody tests. The 1255 cases were divided into these major types and subtypes: 349 cases of ALL and related immature T- and Burkitt-lymphomas (cALL, pre B-ALL, B-ALL and Burkitt-lymphomas, T-ALL and immature, mostly leukemic T-lymphomas, Null-ALL), 454 cases of mature T- and B-cell malignancies (T-CLL, mycosis fungoides, Sezary-syndrome, T-lymphomas, B-CLL, hairy cell leukemia, multiple myeloma, B-lymphomas), 263 cases of acute myeloid leukemias (AML, AMMoL/AMoL), 182 cases of chronic myeloid leukemias (CML in chronic phase, CMoL, CML in blast crisis), 6 cases of erythroleukemia and 1 case of megakaryoblastic leukemia. A simplified classification scheme which has been used in our laboratories is presented. Phenotyping is of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic relevance, most evidently for patients with ALL. Routine leukemia phenotyping should be performed with highly standardized techniques and reagents and by combining information from several fields in the multiple marker analysis. New areas of leukemia research might become very useful for the routine procedure of phenotyping.

Inhibition of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in rat anterior pituitary monolayer cell cultures by danazol

To study possible cellular antigonadotropic effects of danazol, monolayer cultures of anterior pituitary cells from immature female rats were treated with danazol. Measurements of luteinizing hormone release in response to 10(-8) mol/L gonadotropin-releasing hormone challenge and iodine 125-labeled gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding activity were done after exposure to increasing concentrations of danazol and for increasing lengths of time. It was found that luteinizing hormone secreted by pituitary cells in response to gonadotropin-releasing hormone was inhibited after danazol treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner when compared to controls. Also, a 45% decrease in gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor binding capacity was observed in pituitary cells cultured in the presence of increasing concentrations of danazol in the range of 10(-8) to 10(-4) mol/L when compared to controls. Furthermore, exposure to danazol for 25 to 96 hours caused a marked decrease in gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding activity (p less than 0.005). Under these experimental conditions danazol treatment decreased the pituitary receptors for gonadotropin-releasing hormone in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Scatchard analysis of saturation curves for the binding of gonadotropin-releasing hormone to cellular gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors indicated that the observed decrease in gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding in the danazol-treated group was due to a change in the number of gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding sites rather than a change in the affinity. It is therefore concluded that the antigonadotropic activity of danazol appears to be related to a decrease in gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors in the pituitary.

Heterogeneity of marker expression in B-cell leukemias and its diagnostic significance

Lymphoproliferative disorders of B-cell origin are identified by surface immunoglobulin markers. Clinically, these include several types of leukemias and lymphomas. We have attempted to further characterize B-cell leukemias immunologically using monoclonal antibodies Leu-1 and FMC-7. While cases of classical B-CLL have been shown to react with Leu-1 monoclonal, most other B-cell leukemias often do not react with Leu-1. Our results show that use of an additional monoclonal FMC-7 does not contribute towards diagnostic reliability.

Reactivity patterns of monoclonal antibodies positive on myelomonocytic leukemia cells as defined by esterase isoenzyme analysis

The reactivity with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for myelomonocytic cells and the expression of a particular esterase isoenzyme were analyzed in 159 cases of acute myeloid leukemias. The incidence of positivity of 16 MoAbs (MCS-2, MCS-1, OKM1, My-1, Leu-M1, Leu-M3, CA-2-38, MY4, MY7, MY8, MY9, VIM-D2, VIM-D5, Mo1, Mo2, 63D3) was studied using the indirect immunofluorescence technique. A carboxylic esterase isoenzyme which can be inhibited completely and selectively by sodium fluoride (NaF) was demonstrated by isoelectric focusing on horizontal polyacrylamide gels. This NaF-sensitive isoenzyme indicated the monocytic origin of the blast cells as it is specific for this cell lineage. Prior to the immunological-isoenzymatic analysis all cases were categorized into two subtypes according to morphological criteria of the FAB classification system: 147 cases of AML (FAB M1-3) and 12 cases of AMMoL/AMoL (FAB M4/5). However, 15 out of 147 cases of AML expressed the NaF-sensitive isoenzyme and were therefore assigned to the group AMMoL/AMoL. Likewise, 1 case, diagnosed morphologically as AMMoL, was negative for this marker isoenzyme and was assigned to the other leukemia subtype. The incidence of reactivity varied widely for the MoAbs tested regarding the overall results on all cases and the positivity of cases of either AML or AM-MoL/AMoL. The MoAbs were grouped into four classes depending on the pattern of reactivity with myeloblastic or monoblastic or both subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia. The MoAbs MCS-2, MY7, Leu-M1, and MY9 detected the vast majority of cases with either myelocytic or monocytic involvement (group-I: "pan-myelomonocytic" reactivity). The MoAbs MCS-1, OKM1, VIM-D5, and Mo1 showed a predominance in their staining pattern for monocytic variants, but were also positive on a substantial percentage of nonmonocytic cases (group-II: predominantly reactive with monocytic, but also myelocytic cases). The MoAbs Leu-M3, MY4, VIM-D2, Mo2, and MY8 reacted with the large majority of AMMoL/AMoL cases and with a small number of AML cases (group-III: monocyte-"specific" reactivity). The MoAbs of group-I are useful in differentiating acute lymphoid from acute myeloid leukemias. The MoAbs of group-III, and to a lower extent those of group-II, will be of considerable value in the subtyping of acute myeloid leukemias. The results show that accuracy of leukemia classification might not always be achieved by morphology alone, but that immunological and biochemical aspects should be included as well, and several MoAbs are very useful tools for classification and subtyping of acute myeloid leukemias.

Incidence of TdT positivity in cases of leukemia and lymphoma

The expression of the enzyme marker terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) was examined by immunofluorescence assay in the cells from 333 cases with various types and subtypes of leukemia or lymphoma. More than 90% of cALL and T-ALL, 70% of Null-ALL and 80% of pre-B-ALL were TdT-positive. One case in the commonly TdT-negative group of B-ALL showed TdT-positive cells. All cases of mature B-cell malignancies (B-CLL, hairy cell leukemia, B-cell lymphoma) have been TdT-negative. In the group of mature T-cell malignancies, T-CLL and mycosis fungoides were negative and 2 out of 6 mature T-cell lymphomas were TdT-positive. 13% of acute myeloid leukemias and 36% of CML in blast crisis expressed TdT. Therefore, these TdT-positive cases of CML in blast crisis also carrying the common ALL-antigen belong to the lymphoid subtype. CML and erythroleukemia were invariably TdT-negative. TdT has become an indispensable indicator of immature lymphoid leukemia cells and is particularly valuable as part of the panel of markers used in leukemia phenotyping.

Reactivity pattern of 'myeloid monoclonal antibodies' with emphasis on MCS-2

The reactivity pattern of the murine monoclonal antibody (MoAb) MCS-2 was tested on a panel of 724 cases of leukemia-lymphoma. MCS-2 was positive in 178/185 (96%) cases of AML (FAB M1-3), 10/10 cases of AMMol/AMoL (FAB M4/5), 42/45 (93%) cases of CML, 1/1 case of CMoL, 37/38 (97%) cases of CML-myeloid blast crisis, 0/9 cases of CML-lymphoid blast crisis. No positive staining was seen in 238 cases of T-CLL, mycosis fungoides, Sèzary-syndrome, B-CLL, hairy cell leukemia, multiple myeloma and T- and B-lymphoma nor in 32 cases of B-ALL, Burkitt-lymphoma, Null-ALL and immature T-lymphoma. A positive expression was found in 8/110 cases of cALL, 1/6 cases of pre B-ALL and 1/35 cases of T-ALL. Fifteen other MoAbs (MCS-1, OKM1, My-1, Leu-M1, Leu-M3, CA-2-38, MY4, MY7, MY8, MY9, VIM-D2, VIM-D5, Mol, Mo2, 63D3) which are associated with the myelomonocytic cell lineages were tested by indirect immunofluorescence on 60 or more patients (62-149 cases). A wide variability in the frequency of positivity was seen for the panel of cases studied and for the blast cell populations per individual samples: 21-96% of the AML cases (FAB M1-3) and 31-100% of the AMMoL/AMoL cases (FAB M4/5) were positive for the various MoAbs. None of the analysed MoAbs stained only myelocytic or only monocytic leukemias, but a certain degree of preference for the monocytic variants was noted for Leu-M3, CA-2-38, MY4, VIM-D2, Mo2 and 63D3. The detection of MCS-2 on immature ALL blast cells might indicate a coexpression of lymphoid and myeloid markers on very immature cells, or an abnormal gene expression by malignant cells, or the identification of a so far undetected subclass of acute leukemias.

Diagnostic value of immunological leukemia phenotyping

The diagnostic value of immunological leukemia phenotyping using a panel of reagents in immunofluorescence assays was assessed in 309 consecutive patients. The cells from 307 patients could be clearly phenotyped and assigned to one of the subgroups with a definite immunophenotype. Each phenotype was characterized by a distinct marker profile. A simplified classification scheme based on surface antigen expression is presented. A combination of complementary reagents ('first panel') was used for the first-line screening. The application of selected reagents from the 'second panel' allowed for further subtyping and confirmation of the primary diagnosis. The contribution of different key reagents to the identification of distinct immunophenotypes is discussed. Multiple marker analysis, i.e. the combination of information from several disciplines, is a necessary and very useful tool in the routine investigation of patients with hematopoietic malignancies.

Expression of a monocyte-specific esterase isoenzyme in cases of acute myeloid leukemias

The carboxylic esterase (E.C. 3.1.1.1) isoenzymes from cases of acute myeloid leukemias were separated by analytical isoelectric focusing on horizontal thin-layer gels. One isoenzyme consisting of one or two components (bands) could be completely and selectively inhibited by addition of 40 mM sodium fluoride (NaF) to the staining bath. The 105 cases were classified into the groups M1-M6 according to the FAB proposals. The NaF-sensitive isoenzyme was not detected in cases of FAB groups M1/2 (acute myeloblastic leukemia without or with maturation), group M3 (acute promyelocytic leukemia) or group M6 (erythroleukemia). Thirty-one out of 33 cases in the FAB group M4 (acute myelomonocytic leukemia) and 9/9 cases in FAB group M5 (acute monocytic leukemia) expressed the NaF-sensitive isoenzyme. The NaF-sensitive isoenzyme was found at different staining intensities; all M5 cases showed the isoenzyme at strong or very strong intensity, whereas most of the M4 cases displayed the isoenzyme at weak, medium or strong staining intensity. The data presented are further evidence that the presence of the NaF-sensitive esterase isoenzyme indicates monocytic involvement or differentiation in cases of myeloid leukemias. The easy and fast to perform method of isoelectric focusing can be used to distinguish the monocytic variants among the acute myeloid leukemias and can supplement the morphological analysis of these cases.

Association of decreased natural and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and production of natural killer cytotoxic factor and interferon in neonates

Cord blood lymphocytes (CBL) were compared with adult peripheral blood lymphocytes (a-PBL) for their: (i) natural killer (NK) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxic (ADCC) activities, (ii) target-binding capacity, (iii) ability to induce soluble natural killer cytotoxic factor (NKCF), (iv) interferon (IFN)-, interleukin 2 (IL-2)-, and lectin-induced augmentation of NK activity, and (v) ability to produce IFN against tumor targets in vitro. CBL depleted of adherent cells and Percoll-separated, NK-enriched subpopulations demonstrated significantly lower NK, ADCC, and target-binding activities compared to a-PBL. CBL produced significantly lower levels of NKCF directed against K562 tumor targets in comparison with a-PBL. Although the NK activity of CBL was not stimulated by either IFN or IL-2 to the same levels shown by a-PBL, the percentage enhancement of cytotoxicity of CBL by IFN and IL-2 was greater than that of a-PBL. Lectin-induced enhancement of cytotoxicity was significantly greater for CBL in comparison with a-PBL. Further, the ability of CBL lymphocytes to produce IFN-gamma in vitro against K562 target cells was significantly lower than that of adult PBL. These studies suggest an association between decreased NK, ADCC, and target-binding activities, induction of NKCF and IFN production by CBL, and increased susceptibility of neonates to infection.

Effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose on glycolysis, proliferation kinetics and radiation response of human cancer cells

The effects of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) on energy metabolism, cell proliferation kinetics, radiation-induced DNA repair, and micronuclei formation in HeLa cells have been studied. Results show that the 2-DG induced modifications of the radiation effects are biphasic: at high 2-DG concentrations (greater than 2.5 mM), DNA repair is inhibited and manifestation of radiation damage is enhanced as observed by an increase in the radiation (X ray) induced micronuclei formation; lower concentrations of 2-DG (less than 2.5 mM) do not inhibit DNA repair and a decrease in the frequency of micronuclei formation is observed. These data, in correlation with the effects of 2-DG on glycolysis and cell proliferation kinetics, can be explained by the hypothesis that 2-DG induced modifications of radiation effects arise as a result of energy linked differential inhibitions of pathways of repair and fixation of DNA damage. Implications for cancer therapy are discussed.

"Pan-myeloid" reagent: the monoclonal antibody MCS-2 in the routine immunodiagnostic service of leukemia phenotyping

This retrospective analysis describes the reactivity of several monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) which detect myelomonocytic antigens of the cells of 182 leukemias. These leukemias were assigned to definite subtypes of lymphocytic and myelo(mono)-cytic leukemias on the basis of standard leukemia phenotyping using morphological, cytochemical, isoenzymatic and mainly immunological criteria. The MoAb MCS-2 was negative in all cases of lymphocytic leukemia, whereas two of the three other commonly used "myeloid MoAbs" MCS-1, OKM-1 and 1/12/13 showed positivity in B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL), B-lymphoma (MCS-1), T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and Sézary syndrome (OKM-1). MCS-2 was positive in all samples of acute myelomonoblastic leukemia (AMMoL), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) and CML-myeloid blast crisis, which was not the case for MCS-1, OKM-1, or 1/12/13. In 14 cases (11 acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), 3 CML-myeloid blast crisis) where MCS-2 was positive and one or all of the three other MoAbs were negative, the cells were mainly Ia-positive and peroxidase-negative. MCS-2 is a diagnostically important MoAb in the routine leukemia phenotyping of myelomonocytic leukemias. After having tested a large number of normal and malignant specimens, we would like to term MCS-2 a "pan-myeloid MoAb" reacting with the myelomonocytic cell lineage from the earliest myeloblast to granulocytes and monocytes.

The role of plasma lipoproteins in steroidogenic response of rat luteal cells during gonadotropin-induced refractory states

Administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin--hCG primed rats results in the loss of in vitro responsiveness of the ovaries to exogenous gonadotropins for progesterone production. This state is associated with a loss of membrane receptors for hCG and a concomitant increase in lipoprotein receptors. Although lipoproteins potentiated gonadotropin response in ovaries from saline-injected rats, no stimulation was observed in hCG-desensitized ovarian cells. Examination of the time course for the loss of lipoprotein response after hCG injection revealed that injection with 50 IU of hCG results in a loss of gonadotropin response as early as 1 h after injection, but exogenous cholesterol-carrying lipoprotein fractions, LDL and HDL, were capable of stimulating progesterone production up to 4 h after hormone injection. Measurement of endogenous cholesteryl ester content showed that there was a 72% decline during this period with a concomitant increase in the basal progesterone production. One hour after hCG injection there was no stimulation of steroidogenesis by hCG in the presence or absence of exogenous lipoproteins. The refractoriness to exogenous hCG appeared only 4 h later when the hCG dose was reduced to 10 IU, whereas with 25 IU of hCG, the effect was similar to that observed using 50 IU of hCG. Such diverse steroidogenic stimuli as hCG, LH, LDL, cAMP, and cholera enterotoxin failed to stimulate progesterone synthesis in vitro in luteal cells of rats injected with 50 IU of hCG 48 h prior to sacrifice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Estradiol potentiation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone responsiveness in the anterior pituitary is mediated by an increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors

In order to investigate the mechanism by which 17 beta-estradiol potentiates the action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on the anterior pituitary in vitro, cultured pituitary cells from immature female rats were used as the model system. Cultures exposed to estradiol at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-6) mol/L exhibited a significant augmentation of luteinizing hormone release in response to a 4-hour gonadotropin-releasing hormone (10 mumol/L) challenge at a dose of 10(-9) mol/L compared to that of control cultures. The estradiol augmentation of luteinizing hormone release was also dependent on the duration of estradiol exposure. When these cultures were incubated with tritium-labeled L-leucine, an increase in incorporation of radiolabeled amino acid into total proteins greater than that in controls was observed. A parallel stimulatory effect of estradiol on iodine 125-labeled D-Ala6 gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding was observed. Cultures incubated with estradiol at different concentrations and various lengths of time showed a significant increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding capacity and this increase was abrogated by cycloheximide. Analysis of the binding data showed that the increase in gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding activity was due to a change in the number of gonadotropin-releasing hormone binding sites rather than a change in the affinity. These results suggest that (1) estradiol treatment increases the number of pituitary receptors for gonadotropin-releasing hormone, (2) the augmentary effect of estradiol on luteinizing hormone release at the pituitary level might be mediated, at least in part, by the increase in the number of binding sites of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and (3) new protein synthesis may be involved in estradiol-mediated gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor induction.

High concordance between marker profiles of 22 human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines tested with the same monoclonal antibodies before and during the second international workshop on human differentiation antigens

Our laboratory participated in the Second International Workshop and Conference on Human Leucocyte Differentiation Antigens. In this international study the reactivity profiles of monoclonal antibodies were analyzed on normal and malignant hematopoietic cells. The Workshop was divided into three categories: the T-cell, B-cell and myelomonocytic cell studies. We blindly tested 159 coded monoclonal antibodies of the panel for the T-cell study on 22 permanently established leukemia cell lines. The monoclonal antibodies were provided by the Workshop Committee and their reactivity with the target cells was visualized by standardized indirect immunofluorescence. After decoding it was recognized that 11 monoclonal antibodies had been examined on these cell lines prior to the Workshop. The reactivity of these 11 monoclonal antibodies was analyzed and compared with the earlier results. From a total of 217 paired tests done blindly in the Workshop study and prior to the Workshop, 191 tests (88%) did not show significantly different data. The possible reasons for discrepancies include nonspecific Fc-receptor-binding on some cell lines and a relatively nonspecific reactivity of some monoclonal antibodies. This analysis demonstrates the stability of the antigen expression on human leukemia-lymphoma cell lines grown at consistently optimal conditions, for the tests, using the same monoclonal antibodies as in the Workshop, had been performed 0.5-5 years prior to the Workshop study. On the other hand, nonspecific Fc-binding, wide "specificity" of monoclonal antibodies and a shift in antigen expression of the cells (due to poor growth conditions, involuntary induction of differentiation and other factors) must be taken into consideration upon immunological analysis.

Lipoprotein augmentation of human chorionic gonadotropin and prolactin stimulated progesterone synthesis by rat luteal cells

A collagenase dispersed cell suspension from PMSG-hCG primed immature rats responded to exogenously added hCG, cholera enteroxin, prolactin, and 8-Bromocyclic-AMP with increase in progesterone production in a dose dependent manner, and this stimulation was augmented by the plasma lipoprotein fractions hHDL and hLDL. The responsiveness to low doses of prolactin was not apparent when lipoprotein fractions were not included in the assay mixture. When the incubation mixture contained either LDL or HDL, the stimulatory effect of prolactin on progesterone production was evident at 5 and 10 micrograms prolactin/ml of the incubation mixture. Progesterone production, both basal and hormone stimulated, was maximum on day 7 of pseudopregnancy. Although the extent of hCG and prolactin stimulation of progesterone production and its potentiation by lipoprotein fractions was observed to be higher on days 3 and 5 than that seen on day 7, the net amount of progesterone produced was highest on day 7. The basal as well as hormone and lipoprotein stimulated progesterone production started to decline after day 7, reaching a nadir on day 14. These experiments show that prolactin is effective in stimulating progesterone production by rat luteal cells in vitro and that lipoprotein fractions, LDL and HDL further potentiate this response. This study further suggests that it is important to include LDL or HDL as a source of cholesterol for in vitro experiments in which the steroidogenic response of luteal cells to exogenous stimuli is tested.

Effect of orchiectomy and ovariectomy on oxalate production, transport and excretion in rats

The role of sex hormones on oxalate synthesis by liver, transport by renal cortical mitochondria and urinary excretion was studied in adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Orchiectomy decreased the hepatic synthesis of oxalate whereas ovariectomy increased it by 10 per cent. Castration inhibited oxalate transport by the renal mitochondria uncompetitively in both sexes. Urinary levels of oxalate were unaffected after orchiectomy whereas ovariectomy resulted in an initial elevation in the urinary oxalate levels which returned to control values by 21 days. The results are discussed in light of recent data.

Sterilization failures with bipolar tubal cautery

From a consecutive series of 105 patients undergoing bipolar tubal sterilization (BPS), ten pregnancies were reported, and a tubal patency rate of 16% was found at hysterosalpingography. There were no significant clinical variables separating the BPS failure patients from those with successful sterilization. Ninety percent of the BPS failures were intrauterine, and 90% occurred within three cycles of BPS. The results of this investigation suggest that (1) BPS tubal occlusion may be associated with an increased failure (pregnancy and tubal patency) rate; (2) the majority of BPS failures are intrauterine gestations; (3) delayed fibrosis, rather than immediate tubal destruction, may be the mechanism of BPS tubal occlusion; (4) for maximum effectiveness, patients undergoing BPS should use alternative contraception for two to three cycles; and (5) surgeons employing BPS require precise training in the application of this modality of female sterilization.

Collection and handling of 24-hour urine specimens for measurement of analytes related to renal calculi

Analysis for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, oxalate, uric acid, and creatinine in 24-h urine collections is often needed for the differential diagnosis of patients with renal calculi. Considerable attention has been given to improving the methods of analysis, but improper sample collection and processing can cause significant errors for calcium and oxalate in urine samples not treated with acid and for uric acid in urine samples not treated with base. The errors are related to the concentration of the analyte, the interval the sample is stored before analysis, and the original pH of the urine sample. We describe here a system of sequential acidification (to pH 1.5) and alkalinization (to pH 9) of 24-h urine samples, followed by heating at 56 degrees C for 10 min. This procedure allows accurate analysis for all the above analytes in the same 24-h collection of urine. We validated the sample-treatment protocol for 80 24-h urine collections.

Collection and handling of 24-hour urine specimens for measurement of analytes related to renal calculi

Analysis for calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, oxalate, uric acid, and creatinine in 24-h urine collections is often needed for the differential diagnosis of patients with renal calculi. Considerable attention has been given to improving the methods of analysis, but improper sample collection and processing can cause significant errors for calcium and oxalate in urine samples not treated with acid and for uric acid in urine samples not treated with base. The errors are related to the concentration of the analyte, the interval the sample is stored before analysis, and the original pH of the urine sample. We describe here a system of sequential acidification (to pH 1.5) and alkalinization (to pH 9) of 24-h urine samples, followed by heating at 56 degrees C for 10 min. This procedure allows accurate analysis for all the above analytes in the same 24-h collection of urine. We validated the sample-treatment protocol for 80 24-h urine collections.

Assay of urinary oxalate: six methodologies compared

To assess how well results by different methods for urinary oxalate determinations agree with each other in a clinical setting, we compared six different assays: Hodgkinson and Williams (Clin Chim Acta 36:127-132, 1972), enzymatic, modified Hodgkinson and Williams, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, and "high-pressure" liquid chromatography. For the entire group of samples, the mean value by each method agreed relatively closely, although the enzymatic procedure produced a somewhat higher value. All six methods had large coefficients of variation within (8-58%) and between (15-88%) assays. In addition, analytical recovery by most assays was more than 100% of the added oxalate. Analytical recovery of 10 micrograms of oxalate added per milliliter of urine specimen ranged from 86 to 237%; for 20 micrograms/mL it was 83 to 320%. Thus for the six methods evaluated, no single method appeared to be superior to the others.

Evaluation and medical management of the patient with calcium stone disease

About 80 per cent of renal stones seen in the western hemisphere are composed of calcium and oxalate. The authors discuss some of the metabolic disorders involved in calcium stone disease, describe a comprehensive metabolic work-up for the patient who forms stones recurrently, and suggest some guidelines for treatment.

Assay of urinary oxalate: six methodologies compared

To assess how well results by different methods for urinary oxalate determinations agree with each other in a clinical setting, we compared six different assays: Hodgkinson and Williams (Clin Chim Acta 36:127-132, 1972), enzymatic, modified Hodgkinson and Williams, gas chromatography, ion chromatography, and "high-pressure" liquid chromatography. For the entire group of samples, the mean value by each method agreed relatively closely, although the enzymatic procedure produced a somewhat higher value. All six methods had large coefficients of variation within (8-58%) and between (15-88%) assays. In addition, analytical recovery by most assays was more than 100% of the added oxalate. Analytical recovery of 10 micrograms of oxalate added per milliliter of urine specimen ranged from 86 to 237%; for 20 micrograms/mL it was 83 to 320%. Thus for the six methods evaluated, no single method appeared to be superior to the others.

Urinary citrate excretion in patients with renal calculi

Urinary citrate excretion was measured with a specific enzymatic technique in normal subjects and in an unselected group of patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones. Hypocitraturia (citrate levels less than those present in 95 per cent of the normal population) was detected in 7 of 46 patients with stones (15 per cent). Hypocitraturia was the only metabolic abnormality in 6 patients.

Pelvic lymph node status as predictor of extracapsular tumor extension in clinical stage B prostatic cancer

To examine the accuracy of normal pelvic lymph node status in identifying patients with clinical stage B prostatic cancer not having extracapsular tumor extension we reviewed 63 consecutive patients (39 stage B1 and 24 stage B2) treated with radical prostatectomy. Ten per cent of the patients with stage B1 lesions (tumor involving 1 lobe) and 38 per cent with stage B2 lesions (tumor involving both lobes) had extracapsular extension. Extracapsular tumor extension was more common in patients with larger, less differentiated lesions. The results suggest that a negative pelvic lymphadenectomy does not exclude with a high degree of confidence extracapsular tumor extension in patients with clinical stage B2 prostatic cancer.

Lack of value of radioimmunoassay for prostatic acid phosphatase as a screening test for prostatic cancer in patients with obstructive prostatic hyperplasia

We examined the incidence of prostatic cancer in patients with an elevated radioimmunoassay for prostatic acid phosphatase and clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia on digital rectal examination. Of 295 patients screened with prostatic acid phosphatase tests 17 fulfilled the criteria of having an elevated prostatic acid phosphatase, clinically benign prostate and histological examination of the prostatectomy specimen. None of the 17 patients had histological evidence of prostatic cancer. The results confirm the predictions of mathematical models that prostatic acid phosphatase is of no practical value as a screening test for prostatic cancer in patients with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Ion-chromatographic measurement of oxalate in unprocessed urine

We describe a sensitive, simple technique for determining urinary oxalate. Urine, diluted as necessary with distilled water, is injected into an ion chromatograph. Oxalate is detected conductimetrically as a distinct peak near the tail of the chromatogram. This peak specifically represents oxalate, because it is abolished if the sample is treated with oxalate decarboxylase. We have used this technique to measure oxalate in more than 3000 consecutively received urine samples. It has a CV of 6%.

Ion-chromatographic measurement of oxalate in unprocessed urine

We describe a sensitive, simple technique for determining urinary oxalate. Urine, diluted as necessary with distilled water, is injected into an ion chromatograph. Oxalate is detected conductimetrically as a distinct peak near the tail of the chromatogram. This peak specifically represents oxalate, because it is abolished if the sample is treated with oxalate decarboxylase. We have used this technique to measure oxalate in more than 3000 consecutively received urine samples. It has a CV of 6%.

Undiverting the ileal conduit

From 1975 to 1981, 46 patients were evaluated for urinary undiversion. Of these patients 27 completed urinary reconstruction. The patients have been followed for 6 to 80 months, with a mean followup of 32 months and a median followup of 23 months. There has been no death and no rediversion has been necessary, although in 1 patient renal function has deteriorated significantly following urinary reconstruction. Postoperative bladder function was normal in patients diverted for dysfunctional voiding or bladder outlet obstruction but children with meningomyelocele required intermittent catheterization postoperatively. With careful patient selection, meticulous surgical technique and compulsive followup urinary undiversion is a safe procedure.

Determination of urinary oxalate by ion chromatography: preliminary observation

The technique of ion chromatography was applied to determine oxalate concentrations in unprocessed urine. The minimal detectable limits of oxalate was 1 microgram./ml. (11 mumole/liter), the within-run imprecision (Sw) was 2.3 per cent and the total imprecision (St) was 4.9 per cent. Ion chromatography can be used for the simple, accurate and direct measurement of urinary oxalate.

Oxalate metabolism and renal calculi

Changes in oxalate excretion (together with changes in urinary volume) constitute the most important factors in altering the probability of renal stone formation. However, investigations on oxalate metabolism have been sparse, perhaps because of the lack of an accurate method for measuring oxalate in biologic fluids. Available data clearly implicate increased urinary oxalate excretion as the etiological factor in stone formation in two groups of patients--those with primary hyperoxaluria and those with gastrointestinal malabsorption. Evidence for the existence of hyperoxaluria in the patient with the "garden" variety of calcium oxalate stones is less persuasive.

A comparison of ultrasonography and radiography in the localization of renal calculi: experimental and operative experience

The capabilities of radiography (mammography film) and ultrasonography (7 MHz. probe) were investigated in cadaver kidneys. Stones of varying size and composition were studied. Clinically, 11 patients then were studied with intraoperative radiography and ultrasonography. Both techniques appeared to localize calculi more than 3 mm. with high consistency in cadaver kidneys and in patients. Real-time B scan ultrasonography is a rapid and accurate technique that has the ability to identify lucent calculi. When used in association with intraoperative radiography, intraoperative ultrasonography can be a great aid in the surgical removal of renal calculi.

Receptor-mediated gonadotropin action in the ovary. Demonstration of acute dependence of rat luteal cells on exogenously supplied steroid precursor (sterols) for gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis

Incubation of luteal cells with human, horse and rat sera, but not bovine sera resulted in enhanced basal and hCG-stimulated progesterone accumulation. The stimulatory effect of human or rat sera on basal, hCG- or 8 Br-cyclic AMP-induced progesterone synthesis in luteal cells was evident within 15-30 min after incubation, reaching a maximum after 3-4 h. The stimulatory effects of hCG and/or sera were blocked by inhibitors of RNA and protein synthesis. Similarly, lysosomotropic agents, chloroquine (100 microM) and ammonium chloride (10 mM), partly blocked the steroidogenic response of luteal cells to hCG and/or human or rat sera. Incubation of cells in the presence of 2-deoxyglucose, sodium azide and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride resulted in partial inhibition of progesterone secretion in response to hCG or sera. Fractionation of human or rat sera into various lipoprotein fractions demonstrated that LDL and HDL most effectively supported and potentiated the steroidogenic response to hCG. Lipoprotein-deficient serum, however, did not alter gonadotropin-induced steroid production. Incubation of luteal cells with increasing concentrations of h-LDL and h-HDL enhanced both basal and hCG-mediated steroidogenesis in a dose-related manner, although very high concentrations of these lipoproteins were inhibitory. Further, [3H]cholesterol from [3H]cholesteryl linoleate-LDL was incorporated into luteal cell progesterone and the extent of this incorporation was enhanced by hCG. Addition of excess unlabeled h-LDL, h-HDL, as well as r-HDL, drastically reduced the incorporation of radioactive label into progesterone. These studies suggest that (a) serum potentiation of steroidogenesis was due to presence of lipoproteins, mainly LDL and HDL, and (b) the lipoprotein-bound cholesterol is delivered into the luteal cells and utilized for steroidogenesis.

In vitro effect of danazol on luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone-stimulated luteinizing hormone release in rat anterior pituitary cell cultures in vitro

Monolayer cultures of anterior pituitary glands from female rats were exposed to 5 X 10(-6) M danazol for 0, 4, 24, 48, and 72 h in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium supplemented with 10% horse serum and 2.5% fetal calf serum. After this treatment, the cell cultures were rinsed and challenged with 10(-8) M LHRH for 6 h. The media were collected and assayed for LH by a hormone-specific RIA using the double antibody precipitation technique. A control incubation was carried out by exposing cell cultures for the same length of time in the absence of danazol but in the presence of 0.5% ethanol in which danazol was dissolved, then challenging the culture with 10(-8) M LHRH, as was done in the experimental group, and assaying the LH released in the medium. The results showed that exposure of cell cultures to danazol caused a significant decrease in LH release in response to LHRH from 13,800 +/- 500 to 3,500 +/- 200 ng/ml. The inhibition of LH release was dependent on both the duration of danazol exposure and its concentration. Danazol exposure had, however, little effect on basal LH secretion by the pituitaries, which remained at about 600 ng/ml at all time points examined. Under the experimental conditions, danazol exerted no effect on the incorporation of amino acid into protein in the cell culture. These results suggest that one of the mechanisms of the antigonadotropic effect of danazol is inhibition of the responsiveness of the pituitary to LHRH-induced LH release.