18 S ribosomal RNA is degraded during ribosome maturation in irradiated HeLa cells

The effects of ionizing radiation (137Cs) on processing of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) were studied by pulse-labeling HeLa S3 cells with [3H]uridine immediately prior to irradiation. The 45 S rRNA precursor, and its two major daughter species, 28 and 18 S rRNA, were separated by gel electrophoresis and the extent of radiolabel incorporation into each was determined at various times after irradiation. This approach permitted kinetic analysis of processing of the 45 S rRNA which had been predominantly synthesized (radiolabeled) prior to irradiation. Since they both derive from the same 45 S pre-rRNA transcript, 28 and 18 S rRNA are produced with a stoichiometry of 1:1, as observed in control cells in the present studies. However, within 1 h following 10 Gy an altered stoichiometry of 28 S:18 S rRNA was apparent, reaching 1.6:1 by 5-7 h following irradiation. This alteration was also observed following the higher dose of 20 Gy, but not following exposures of 5 Gy or less. The 18 S portion of the 45 S pre-rRNA is transcribed prior to the 28 S portion. Consequently, an increase in the 28 S/18 S ratio can only be due to degradation of the 18 S species during or after processing. This alteration may represent a response to radiation-induced growth arrest, by reducing the number of newly synthesized ribosomes that would otherwise be required for cell propagation.

A study of HPV 1, 2 and 4 antibody prevalence in patients presenting for treatment with cutaneous warts to general practitioners in N. Ireland

Three hundred and seventy-six patients attending their general practitioner with cutaneous warts at five health centres in Northern Ireland were screened for human papilloma virus (HPV) types 1 and 2 IgM antibody using an indirect immunofluorescence test. Eight-eight (23.4%) patients were positive for HPV type 1 IgM and 156 (41.5%) for HPV type 2 IgM. HPV 1 IgM antibody was significantly more likely to be associated with plantar warts than warts elsewhere (P less than 0.0001). HPV 2 IgM was present in 45 (34.1%) patients with plantar warts and 99 (45.6%) patients with warts at other sites (P = 0.1). Evidence of multiple infection by HPV types 1 and 2 was demonstrated by the finding of HPV 1 and 2 IgM antibodies in the sera of 16 (4.3%). HPV 4 was found in only 1 out of 30 biopsies and HPV 4 IgM was undetectable in 50 randomly chosen sera.

Radioprotective properties of detoxified lipid A from Salmonella minnesota R595

In the past, the toxicity of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or its principal bioactive component, lipid A, has detracted from their potential use as radioprotectants. Recently, a relatively nontoxic monophosphoryl Lipid A (LAM) that retains many of the immunobiologic properties of LPS has been isolated from a polysaccharide deficient Re mutant strain of Salmonella minnesota (R595). The ability of the native endotoxic glycolipid (GL) from S. minnesota (R595) as well as diphosphoryl lipid A (LAD) and nontoxic monophosphoryl lipid A (LAM) derived from GL to protect LPS responsive (CD2F1 or C3H/HeN) and nonresponsive (C3H/HeJ) mice from 60Co gamma irradiation has been studied. Administration of GL, LAD, or LAM to CD2F1 or C3H/HeN mice (400 micrograms/kg) 24 h prior to exposure provided significant radioprotection. No protection was afforded to C3H/HeJ mice. Experiments were also conducted to determine the relative abilities of GL, LAD, and LAM to stimulate hematopoiesis as reflected by the endogenous spleen colony (E-CFU) assay. Protection was not correlated with the ability of these substances to increase E-CFUs or to induce colony-stimulating activity (CSA).

High rate of insufficient antibody titers after single-day immunization with human diploid-cell-strain vaccine against rabies

We examined the possibility of simplifying the currently recommended immunization schedule against rabies. Four groups of 11 healthy volunteers were each immunized with either one, two, four, or eight doses of 0.1 ml human diploid cell vaccine (HDCV) intradermally on 1 single day. Antibody titers in serum were determined using a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. Geometric mean antibody titers 10, 30 and 90 days after immunization were all greater than 0.5 IU/ml, which is considered protective. A dose-proportional increase in the geometric mean antibody titer was observed for all four groups. However, at each dose level, at least 1 of the 11 volunteers on day 30 and 2 of the 11 volunteers on day 90 had insufficient antibody titers less than 0.5 IU/ml. Single-day immunization against rabies with HDCV vaccine cannot be recommended because of the unacceptably high failure rate.

Papillomavirus DNA in warts of immunosuppressed renal allograft recipients

Renal allograft recipients were shown to have an increased incidence of warts and skin cancers. We examined 148 patients for evidence of wart virus infections and tested for papillomavirus types, which are known to be associated with human malignancies. Of the 148, 36 (24.3%) patients were afflicted with warts at the end of our study period, in contrast to 5 of 148 (3.3%) before transplantation. DNA from 16 different biopsies was extracted by phenol treatment for further virological studies. DNA of human papillomavirus (HPV) 2 was detected three times, DNA of HPV 4 and 10 twice, and DNA of HPV 3 and 16 once each by blot hybridization. One probe led to strong signals with HPV types previously found only in epidermodysplasia verruciformis patients. A correlation between histology and virus type existed in cases of HPV 2, 3, 4, and 10 infections.

[Comparative studies of contractile heart function using impedance, echo-, radio- and apex cardiography]

89 patients (31 healthy subjects, 31 hypertensives, and 27 patients with coronary heart disease) were examined simultaneously by means of impedance (ICG)-, ultrasonic (UCG)-, radio (RCG)-, and calib. and diff. apex cardiography (cACG). There were found significant correlations between the ICG-, UCG-, and RCG-parameters, all describing the heart function in the auxotonic ejection phase. Whereas there were no significant correlations between the methods mentioned and the cACG. Of all investigated parameters in hypertensives only the quotient A/S of cACG is significantly increased compared with persons with healthy heart and circulation. In patients with coronary heart disease all the parameters of the auxotonic ejection phase are significantly decreased, the isometric contraction time and the quotient A/S are increased.

Effects of phencyclidine and analog drugs on acetylcholine receptor of cultured muscle cells

Myotubes grown in culture provided a convenient experimental system for the study of the effects of phencyclidine (PCP) and analog drugs on both acetylcholine receptor (AChR) function and on its binding properties. The extent of PCP retention by these cells was studied on the same preparations. PCP, N-ethyl-l-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCE), PCP methiodide (PCPMeI), 1-[1-(3-aminophenyl)-cyclohexyl] piperidine (NH2PCP) and 1-[1-(2-thienyl)cyclohexyl] piperidine (TCP) were found to inhibit carbamylcholine (CbCh)-induced 22Na and 45Ca ion fluxes with 50% inhibition (I50) at 2-6 microM drug concentration. The I50 for CbCh-induced 42K+ efflux was 8-20 microM. Ketamine was less efficient with an I50 of 100 microM. Binding of [125I] alpha-bungarotoxin [( 125I]alpha-BGT) was not affected at drug concentrations that cause 100% inhibition of ion fluxes. Retention of [3H]PCP by the myotubes was a saturable process with half-maximal saturation at approximately 20 microM PCP. It was inhibited by PCP and several tertiary analogs, with and I50 of approximately 20 microM. PCPMeI was much less effective, with an I50 of 1 mM. PCPMeI was, however, as potent as PCP in its inhibition of the AChR function although the amount retained by the cells was 50-fold lower than that of PCP. These results are consistent with the theory that PCP and analog drugs affect AChR at a site other than the alpha-BGT binding site, possibly at the ionic channel of the nicotinic receptor.

The determination of presynaptic KA values of methacholine and pilocarpine and of a presynaptic receptor reserve in the rat perfused heart

Rat isolated perfused hearts with the right sympathetic nerves attached were loaded with [3H]-noradrenaline. The nerves were stimulated with up to 11 trains of 10 pulses at 0.1 Hz. The evoked increases of [3H]-noradrenaline overflow into the perfusate were measured in the presence of cocaine, corticosterone and propranolol. Activation of presynaptic muscarinic receptors by methacholine or pilocarpine inhibited the evoked transmitter release in a reversible and concentration-dependent manner. Preperfusion with phenoxybenzamine (5 microM) for 15 min (followed by a washout of 35 min) changed neither resting nor evoked overflow of [3H]-noradrenaline. The concentration-response curve of methacholine was shifted to the right after exposure of the hearts to phenoxybenzamine (1 microM) without depression of the maximum effect. Pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine (5 microM) reduced the maximum inhibition of release by about 50%. Analysis of the data gave a dissociation constant for the agonist-receptor complex (KA) of 4.0 microM and a receptor reserve of roughly 70%. Half-maximal inhibition of [3H]-noradrenaline release occurred when about 2% of the total receptor population was occupied. Comparison of the concentration-response data for methacholine and pilocarpine revealed a relative efficacy (methacholine/pilocarpine) of 16, a KA of 10 microM for pilocarpine and no receptor reserve for this agonist. The results show that KA values for methacholine and pilocarpine obtained at presynaptic receptors are similar to those obtained at postsynaptic muscarinic receptors. This is in agreement with the idea that muscarinic receptors located on postganglionic adrenergic nerves are not different from those located on effector sites of non-neuronal tissue.

N-allyl analogues of phencyclidine: chemical synthesis and pharmacological properties

Several N-allyl derivatives of 1-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCA) were prepared, and their pharmacology was briefly characterized. The mono- and diallyl derivatives had phencyclidine-like activities in mice but were less potent behaviorally than phencyclidine (PCP). None were PCP antagonists. In vitro these compounds were competitive inhibitors of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and protected against inhibition by DFP. In addition, these agents displaced tritiated N-methyl-4-piperidyl benzilate from mouse-brain homogenates and inhibited the effects of acetylcholine on isolated guinea pig ileum. None of these in vitro effects correlated with their PCP-like behavioral activity in vivo in mice.

[Pericaval intravasation of contrast media in the changed indication for hysterosalpingography]

Today the indication of hysterosalpingography is supplied via radiography in the diagnosis of female infertility patients. Hence, a different group of patients is now selected in contrast to the previous indications. The venous intravasation in uterine and adnexal vessels among infertility patients was observed in only 0.4% of our cases. The relationship between the changed indication, the technique of HSG, the changed permeability of the vessels after surgery, and the rare occurrence of intravasation is discussed.

Sendai virus causes a rise in intracellular free Ca2+ before cell fusion

1. Sendai virus caused a large increase in the concentration of free Ca(2+) within human erythrocyte ghosts detected by the Ca(2+)-activated photoprotein obelin. 2. The increase in intracellular [Ca(2+)] preceded fusion. However, fusion could also be observed in the absence of a detectable rise in intracellular free [Ca(2+)]. 3. It was concluded that the increase in intracellular free [Ca(2+)] was not an absolute requirement for cell fusion, but may be necessary to produce fusion at the maximum rate.

Interaction of phencyclidine with mouse neuroblastoma cells

Growth of mouse neuroblastoma (Nb) cell (clone M1) was not affected by phencyclidine (PCP) concentrations of 10(-6)M up to 2 x 10(-4)M, whereas 10(-3)M PCP caused a 100% inhibition of cell growth. Several PCP analogs, including the quaternary PCP methiodide, exerted effects similar to those of PCP. The uptake of [piperidyl-3,4-3H]PCP ([3H]PCP) by the Nb cells was studied using cell monolayers in Petri dishes. Non-specific entry of PCP into the cells was linear with added substrate but specific uptake exhibited saturation kinetics. The concentration for half-maximum specific uptake was 2 x 10-(5)M, and the capacity of the cells at saturation was 2-3 nmoles [3H]PCP/mg protein, at 22 degrees. The uptake rate constant was 0.2 +/- 0.05 x 10(5) (M-1 min-1) and the dissociation constant was 0.25 +/- 0.05 (min-1). Uptake was temperature dependent and was inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP). This may indicate that this binding represents (at least in part) an active uptake process of PCP into the cells.

[Selection of antibiotics and practice and the clinic]

The multiplicity of antibiotics currently available for the treatment of bacterial infections in outpatients and inpatients has led to considerable confusion and uncertainty in recent years. An attempt is made to establish indications for the use of the various groups of antibiotics, paying due regard to cost as well as other aspects. This means drawing a distinction between the respective needs of out- and inpatients. In treating outpatients, where resistance is less of a problem than in hospitals, use is made principally of oral substances. In the light of current knowledge the vast majority of bacterial infections occurring in ambulatory practice can be optimally treated with pyrimidine-sulfonamide combinations, penicillins, tetracyclines and erythromycin. In contrast, the range of broad-spectrum antibiotics administered in hospitals, for the most part parenterally, in infections of a life-threatening nature or due to organisms exhibiting multiple resistance, is quite different. Most important are the more recent penicillins and cephalosporins and the aminoglycosides. By combining betalactam antibiotics with aminoglycosides and attempt is made to extend the therapeutic spectrum and intensify antibacterial activity. A conclusive judgement on the therapeutic differences between the more recent penicillins and cephalosporins as single-substance therapy or in combination with aminoglycosides is not yet possible at present. There seems good reason, however, to combine the more recent penicillins with aminoglycosides in infections in which enterococci, pseudomonas and anaerobic bacteria are also involved. In infections in which there is a possibility of Klebsiella involvement or in which penicillin allergy or penicillin resistance is present, treatment tends to be a combination of cephalosporins and aminoglycosides.