Change in gonadotropin-binding sites in intracellular organelles and plasma membranes during luteal growth, development and regression

Changes in the gonadotropin-binding sites in plasma membranes and several intracellular organelles of bovine corpora lutea of days 3, 13 and 19 of the cycle were investigated. These three times represent periods of rapid luteal growth (early luteal phase), maturity (mid luteal phase) and the onset of regression (late luteal phase), respectively. The 5'-nucleotidase activity was highest in the fraction possessing a predominance of plasma membranes. It was undetectable in nuclear fractions and detectable to a varying extent in fractions enriched with mitochondria-lysosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi. The gonadotropin-binding sites, as measured by 125I-human choriogonadotropin (hCG) specific binding, were found in all the subcellular organelles. Whereas the affinities remained about the same, the total number of available gonadotropin-binding sites in all the organelles increased from day 3 to 13 and then declined by day 19 of the cycle. Occupancy of binding sites by endogenous luteinizing hormone was not detectable and therefore was unlikely to be responsible for the changes in total number of available binding sites. Thus, binding site changes observed in all the organelles of early, mid and late luteal phase corpora lutea probably reflect actual changes in the steady-state turnover of binding sites. Morphometrically determined relative membrane counts of various subcellular organelles varied with the luteal phase. The relative total gonadotropin-binding sites, calculated from the relative membrane counts and the total number of available binding sites, increased in all the organelles from early to mid and then declined by late luteal phase. Plasma membranes of all three luteal phases contained greater relative total gonadotropin-binding sites than any other single intracellular organelle. However, all the intracellular organelles combined contained 59% of the total luteal cell gonadotropin-binding sites in early luteal phase which decreased to 43 and 28% by mid and late luteal phases respectively.

Phase II evaluation of MGBG in non-small cell carcinoma of the lung. A Southwest Oncology Group study

One hundred and eight patients with non-small cell lung cancer were treated in a Phase II trial with MGBG at a dose of 600 mg/m2 i.v. weekly. Partial responses were noted in 3/43 patients with adenocarcinoma and 1/40 with squamous cell carcinoma. No responses were noted in 24 patients with large cell carcinoma. Overall, the drug was reasonably well-tolerated. At this dosage and schedule, MGBG has no substantial antitumor activity for patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Management of patients with metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown origin: a Southwest Oncology Group study

The Southwest Oncology Group evaluated 51 patients with a histologic diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma and an occult primary tumor. Even though all patients received an extensive diagnostic evaluation, only six (12%) primary sites were found. Thirty-six patients whose primary tumor sites remained occult were randomized to receive either 5-FU or combination chemotherapy (5-FU, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide [FAC]). There were no responses in either group. The median survival with 5-FU was 105 days and with FAC was 95 days. Toxicity with FAC was more common and more severe.

Adrenocorticotropin administration during early gestation on conceptus development in swine

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exogenous adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), administered to gilts during early stages of gestation, upon fetal survival and various maternal and conceptus parameters. Forty-eight gilts of approximately 6-7 months of age were bred by means of artificial insemination after detection of the second estrus and randomly allotted to one of 12 treatment-period groups. Treatment consisted of a daily intramuscular injection of 0, 40 or 80 U.S.P. units of a long acting ACTH preparation for a period of five days. The injection periods were 1-5, 6-10, 11-15 or 16-20 days of gestation with day one corresponding to 48 hours post-estrus detection. All gilts were slaughtered at approximately 37 days of gestation. Forty-two of the 48 inseminated gilts conceived. Conception rate was not different (P>.10) among the 12 treatment-period combinations. Percent fetal survival was greater (P<.09) in gilts receiving 80 U.S.P. units of ACTH (82 +/- 4.3%; X +/- SEM ) than in gilts receiving 40 U.S.P. units of ACTH (68.8 +/- 4.5%). The percent fetal survival in the control group (71.7 +/- 3.9%) was not different (P>.10) from either of the two ACTH treatment groups. A significant (P<.05) treatment by period interaction for percent fetal survival was observed. The lowest percent fetal survival (48.0 +/- 9.0%) was observed in gilts receiving 40 U.S.P. units of ACTH on day 11-15 of gestation. No significant (P>.10) differences were detected among the 12 treatment-period combinations for any of the maternal or conceptus parameters measured.

A comparative endoscopic evaluation of the damaging effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents on the gastric and duodenal mucosa

Twenty-five normal volunteers were randomized into five equal parallel groups. Groups I received ibuprofen (2,400 mg./day); group II received tolmetin (2,000 mg./day); group III received indomethacin (150 mg./day); group IV received naproxen (750 mg./day) and group V received placebo (four tablets daily). All drugs were given on a q.i.d. basis except naproxen which was given b.i.d. The doses selected represented the manufacturer's highest recommended dosage for the treatment of arthritic disorders. A single-blind technic was used in which the investigators were unaware of which drug each volunteer was taking. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and photography were carried out before and after seven days of administration of each medication. Gastric and duodenal mucosal injury was graded on a 0-4 + scale. Three of the four drugs studied produced essentially equal gastric and duodenal mucosal injury with tolmetin producing the most damage followed by naproxen and indomethacin. Ibuprofen produced gastric mucosal injury equivalent to that seen with naproxen and indomethacin but no duodenal mucosal injury was seen with this drug. Extremely poor correlation was found between subjective symptomatology and endoscopic findings.

Sebum production and plasma testosterone levels in man after high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate treatment and androgen administration

In 47 healthy male volunteers, the administration of 100 mg of oral medroxyprogesterone acetate daily for 42 consecutive days caused a modest 16.7% decrease in sebum production from a baseline mean of 2.28 mg to a post-treatment mean of 1.90 mg. This represented a considerably smaller decrement than had been reported in the literature. Immediately following the period of medroxyprogesterone acetate administration, the addition of daily oral doses of either 50 mg of fluoxymesterone, methyltestosterone, or calusterone to the 100 mg daily dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 42 additional days resulted in the return of sebum production to essentially pre-suppression values.

A statistically significant decrease in serum testosterone levels, from a pre-treatment mean of 862 ng/100 ml to a post-treatment mean of 251 ng/100 ml, was seen in all groups treated during the first 42 days with 100 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate daily (P < 0.05). The addition of 50 mg of fluoxymesterone, methyltestosterone, or calusterone to the 100 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for another 42 day period caused a further decrease in serum testosterone levels (P < 0.001); the fluoxymesterone-medroxyprogesterone acetate combination produced the greatest decrease of serum testosterone levels, from a pre-treatment mean value of 932.8 ng/100 ml (Day 1), to a post-treatment mean value of 70.6 ng/100 ml (Day 85).

The daily dose of 20 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate for 42 consecutive days caused less suppression of serum testosterone levels (from 831 ng/100 ml to a mean of 585 ng/100 ml) than 100 mg of medroxyprogesterone acetate (from 831 ng/100 ml to a mean of 214 ng/100 ml), but more than that of placebo (pre-treatment mean of 886 ng/100 ml to a post-treatment mean of 871 ng/100 ml). Except for changes in haemoglobin, haematocrit and haptoglobin values, no other medically significant changes were seen in the routine screening chemistries and urineanalyses for any of the drug groups. These changes were not unexpected, as they are known to occur with androgen therapy. Of potentially clinical importance was the absence of any effect of antithrombin-3 levels during the study period.

No major side effects were reported other than in one patient who developed gynaecomastia of his right breast on Day 42 of medroxyprogesterone acetate therapy. After his being removed from the study, the gynaecomastia disappeared rapidly.

The effects of ibuprofen, indomethacin, aspirin, naproxen, and placebo on the gastric mucosa of normal volunteers: a gastroscopic and photographic study

The effects of various nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on the gastric mucosa were endoscopically evaluated in 40 normal volunteers. Eight groups, each containing five subjects were designed: aspirin (3600 mg/d); placebo; ibuprofen (1600 mg/d); ibuprofen (2400 mg/d); indomethacin (100 mg/d); indomethacin (150 mg/d); naproxen (500 mg/d); and naproxen (750 mg/d). All volunteers took medication for seven days and gastroscopy was carried out on day one and day eight. All findings were documented by photography. Severe gastric mucosal injury occurred with aspirin (P less than 0.05), both doses of indomethacin, and the higher dose of naproxen. Lesser changes were seen with the lower dose of naproxen, both doses of ibuprofen and placebo. The higher doses of ibuprofen, indomethacin, and naproxen caused a greater degree of gastric mucosal injury, but statistical significance was achieved only with naproxen (P less than 0.01). Subjective gastrointestinal complaints generally correlated with endoscopic pathology; however, nine volunteers had evidence of severe injury to the gastric mucosa with no symptomatology. This was confined to the patients on indomethacin, naproxen, and ibuprofen. Aspirin patients all had some degree of symptomatology but to a lesser degree than expected in view of the endoscopic findings.

Double Latin square study to determine variability and relative bioavailability of methylprednisolone

The variability and relative bioavailability of methylprednisolone tablets were evaluated utilizing a double Latin square crossover design in which each of 20 subjects was given four of five treatments. Three different lots of methylprednisolone tablets exhibited virtually identical absorption, with similar ranges and coefficients of variation of some selected bioavailability parameters indicative of lot-to-lot uniformity in bioavailability. Within-lot and between-lot uniformities in bioavailability also were similar, suggesting that the observed variability in serum methylprednisolone levels was not due to manufacturing process variables. With respect to intra-versus intersubject variability, no differences were found for the absorption rate or terminal half-life. In contrast, between-subject variability associated with extent of absorption was greater than that within subjects. Relative to an aqueous suspension, methylprednisolone tablets were fully bioavailable.

Community-based computerized donor record systems

Computer programs for management of donor information have been developed for the Champaign County Blood Bank, a division of the Regional Health Resource Center, Urbana, Illinois. The system provides the blood bank with reports from the donor files, incorporating the donor's last donation dates, ABO groups and Rh factors, memberships in assurance programs, and rare donor information to generate lists to meet either daily or emergency inventory needs. The system was designed to decrease time requirements for donor recruitment, improve donor base sampling, aid in support of special recruitment programs, and provide statistical profiles of the community donor base. Experiences in the development and use of the system indicate requirements for effective development of such systems include careful design, strict monitoring of performance, use of a versatile programming language, and incorporation of program modifications via staff-programmer interaction throughout implementation.

Cultivation of medulloblastoma cells derived from simian adenovirus SA7-induced hamster brain tumor

In vitro cultivation of medulloblastoma cells was successfully established from hamster brain tumors induced by simian adenovirus SA7. These tumor cells possess morphological features in cultures that are very similar to those of the original tumor. Both tubular and rosette growth patterns were evident. At the ultrastructural level only small numbers of cytoplasmic organelles could be detected in the tumor cells, typical of generally immature and/or undifferentiated cells. The proliferation of these tumor cells depended upon properly dense initial platings. In addition, it was found that single medulloblastoma cells could be stimulated to produce colonies if treated for 10 days with conditioned medium. Inoculation of these cells into synergenic animals resulted in 100% uptake. Survival of the hamsters was directly correlated with the number of cells injected. This new medulloblastoma cell line may prove to be a useful model for experimental brain tumor studies.

Quantitative cloning of malignant human glioma cells by conditioned medium

The use of conditioned medium (CM) obtained from monolayer cultures of human glioma cells induced colony formation from single glioma cells in culture. In contrast, no colonies were observed in cultures incubated with nonconditioned standard Eagle's basal medium. The number of colonies formed closely depended on the concentration of CM. The glioma CM not only stimulated colony formation but also induced the formation of fibrillary cell extensions. Culture conditions influencing the production of colony-stimulating factors included cell density and duration of culture medium contact with glioma cells. The colony-stimulating activity (CSA) was stable after freezing and thawing, but decreased 30-40% when CM was exposed to temperatures over 66 degrees C for 30 minutes. In addition, the CSA was filtratable (0.45 mu), dialyzable, and passable through an Amicon PM10 filter, which indicated a molecular weight less than 10,000. The use of CM provided an improved method for quantitative assays of neural tumor cells, based on their colony formation in culture.

Persistent infection of BSC-1 cells by defective measles virus derived from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis

A line of cells (IP-3), persistently infected with defective measles virus, was developed from co-cultures of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis-derived brain cells with monkey kidney cells (BSC-1). The line, carried for more than 45 serial passages, produced neither infectious virus nor hemagglutinin. Cultures consistently displayed a cycling focal cytopathic pattern of infection characterized by formation of syncytia, necrosis, and plaques followed by healing. Fluorescent measles antigen was present in damaged areas only, especially in syncytia. The development of syncytia was suppressed by measles antibody. Syncytia were lysed by antibody plus rabbit complement. A variant noncytopathic subline (IP-3-Ca) was derived from the 16th passage. Infectious virus was not detected. Cells were minimally positive for hemadsorption. Fluorescent measles antigen was present in all cells. Co-cultures of IP-3-Ca cells with normal BSC-1 cells developed massive syncytia and extensive destruction. The IP-3-Ca cells multiplied in the presence of measles antibodies and were destroyed by antibodies plus complement. The possible relevance of these findings to the pathogenesis of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is discussed.

Response of cultured human glioblastomas to radiation and BCNU chemotherapy

✓Individual and combined effects of ionizing radiation and chemotherapy with 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) on glial tumor cells were assessed in cultures derived from human glioblastomas. Drug and radiation exposures were performed on cell monolayers in 0.02 ml wells of microtest plates. Response to treatment was determined from serial observations on surviving populations in the original wells and comparisons with matched control cultures. Chemosensitivity was more variable than radiosensitivity in cell lines derived from five different glioblastomas: BCNU caused growth inhibition of 4% to 85% in doses of 8 µg/ml for 3 days compared to a 40% to 73% reduction after 400 rads of radiation. These findings were all significant statistically. Single doses above 600 to 800 rads appeared lethal, causing widespread loss of cells or transformation into giant forms that did not multiply. The doseresponse curves after BCNU and radiation treatment of cultured glial tumor cells were exponential, demonstrating that both modalities affected a constant fraction of the exposed cell populations according to dose. The observations on radiosensitivity of human glial tumor cells conformed to the generally known responses of cultured normal and neoplastic mammalian cells to ionizing radiation. BCNU in the higher doses tested acted as a possible radiosensitizing agent to potentiate the lethal effects of radiation since an increased rate of cell loss was demonstrated in glioma cultures exposed to this drug and radiation compared to those treated only by irradiation. These results in a controlled experimental environment support the concept that a combination of BCNU and radiation therapy should increase the time of survival of patients with malignant gliomas.

Effects of dexamethasone and methylprednisolone on cell cultures of human glioblastomas

✓ Eight biopsied glioblastomas were propagated in vitro through multiple, serial cell cultures which were exposed to dexamethasone and methylprednisolone in concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 400 µg/ml. The higher concentrations of both steroids produced inhibition of culture growth and cytotoxic damage which appeared relatively nonspecific. Although the responses observed were dose-dependent, the sensitivity among glioma cultures of different origins varied. Of the two steroids, Methylprednisolone was more injurious to glioma cells in vitro and was cytolytic in doses of 400 µg/ml. Growth inhibition was demonstrated after a 1-day exposure to this corticoid, but this effect was usually transient at lower doses. Thereafter, surviving resistant cells resumed their natural rate of growth in the continued presence of the steroid as well as under standard conditions of culture. Potential clinical applications of the antineoplastic properties of corticosteroids against the gliomas are discussed, emphasizing the need to investigate additional, possibly more efficacious compounds.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis: propagation of measles virus from brain biopsy in tissue culture

Measles virus was propagated in monolayer cultures established from brain tissue of a patient with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. Syncytial cells were rendered fluorescent with measles specific antiserums only, by means of an indirect technique. The ultrastructural appearance of the microtubular aggregates was identical in brain tissue and in the cultured cells. Fusion experiments produced a cytopathic effect in humnan embryonic kidney and VERO cell cultures. The virus was identified by hemiagglutination-inhibition, but only in the supernatant of disrupted cultured cells.