Scintigraphic dissociation of reticuloendothelial and hepatocyte function in chronic vitamin A hepatotoxicity

A discordant hepatic uptake between Tc-99m sulfur colloid and Ga-67 citrate has occurred in an adult patient with hepatotoxicity due to hypervitaminosis A. The authors believe this is a scintigraphic phenomenon related to the characteristics of the radiopharmaceuticals used and does not necessarily represent a true dissociation of various cellular functions of the liver.

Induction by monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies of an anti-poly(Glu60 Ala30 Tyr10) (GAT) immune response in GAT-responder and GAT-nonresponder mice

Two different monoclonal anti-idiotypic (Id) antibodies, HP-Id20 and HP-Id22, recognizing two discrete idiotopes characteristic of the anti-poly(Glu60 Ala30 Tyr10) (GAT) response were used to immunize BALB/c (GAT-responder) and DBA/1 (GAT-nonresponder) mice. The monoclonals were injected either copolymerized with keyhole limpet haemocyanin or polymerized with glutaraldehyde. The specific response was studied by two assays: (a) inhibition of binding of monoclonal anti-GAT antibody G5Bb2-2 to HP-Id20 and HP-Id22 and (b) GAT binding assays. In BALB/c GAT-responder mice, HP-Id20 and HP-Id22 immunization led to the preferential stimulation of immunoglobulin idiotypically related to anti-GAT antibodies (Ab1') and expressing anti-GAT activity. The results obtained with BALB/c nu/nu mice indicated that this response is T-cell-dependent. By means of the same experimental protocol GAT-nonresponder animals could be induced to produce anti-GAT antibodies after HP-Id immunization. This last result indicates that anti-Id immunization can bypass Ir gene control and does not preferentially stimulate the induction of GAT-specific T suppressor cells.

Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against prostaglandin E2: fine specificity and neutralization of biological effects

The specificity and heterogeneity of the immune response of BALB/c mice immunized with prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) coupled to thyroglobulin was studied. All the animals (n = 50) responded to PGB2, a transformation product of PGE2. However, following repeated injections most of the animals (n = 30) were also able to respond to PGE2. Cellular hybridizations were performed and five anti-PGE2 monoclonal antibodies were isolated and analysed. They are mainly directed against the ring and the omega-chain of PGE2 but their specificity toward the alpha-chain is more limited. The association constants are greater than to 1 X 10(9) M-1. The monoclonal antibody 8E.57.71 (Ka = 1.3 X 10(10) M-1) is particularly convenient for sensitive radioimmunoassays (detection limit 25pg/ml, when iodinated tracer is used). Anti-PGE2 monoclonal antibodies were found to neutralize the specific binding of [3H]PGE2 to rat brain hypothalamic receptors and to inhibit the PGE2 induction of rat fundus muscular contraction.

The internal image and the structural idiotypic network (Ab1, Ab2, Ab3) in the GAT system

The GAT repertoire expressed at the different levels of the classical idiotypic cascade Ag----Ab1----Ab2----Ab3 has been analysed by direct nucleotide sequencing of H- and L-enriched mRNA. Ab1 and Ab3 expressing the major public idiotypes used similar, if not identical, VH and VK genes. The VH Ab3 of the Ab1 type (Ab1') appeared highly conserved. Ab2 also use a small number of germ-line genes. The D region of Ab2 is of particular interest since it contains either a Tyr-Tyr-Glu or a Glu-Glu-Tyr sequence, characteristic of the GAT major determinants. It is therefore suggested that this D region contains the internal image of the antigen. A large number of VH germ-line genes have been isolated and sequenced. They all pertain to the VH-II family, which contains a large number of members, some of them being very close in sequence.

Cholera toxin treatment stimulates tumorigenicity of Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells

Chinese hamster ovary cells transformed by Rous sarcoma virus form tumors poorly in nude mice. Tumorigenicity was markedly stimulated by pretreatment of the cells with cholera toxin, which raises cyclic AMP levels and activates cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Increased tumorigenicity was manifested by a severalfold increase in the rate of tumor formation, as well as earlier appearance and more rapid growth of tumors. In contrast, spontaneously transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells showed decreased tumorigenicity after cholera toxin treatment. The activation of tumorigenic potential in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed Chinese hamster ovary cells by cholera toxin correlated with increased phosphorylation of the viral oncogene product pp60src and stimulation of its tyrosine kinase activity.

Poly(Glu60,Ala30,Tyr10) (GAT)-specific T cells do not express B cell public idiotopes but can be primed by monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies

Eight monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against public idiotopes have been further characterized: (a) they bind to public idiotopes with a high affinity; (b) they recognize all anti-poly(Glu60,Ala30,Tyr10) (GAT) antibodies as measured by inhibition of the anti-GAT plaque-forming cell response. This has been verified in three strains of mice. These reagents were not able to detect idiotope expression on eight GAT-specific helper T cell lines and clones. This result was obtained by two techniques: (a) idiotope expression at the T cell surface was measured by indirect immunofluorescence using a cell sorter with surface antigens H-2D, Thy-1.2, Lyt-1 and L3T4 as positive controls; (b) after immunoadsorption of [35S] methionine-labeled cellular extracts from two lines, no unique molecule was retained by the HP-idp22 monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody coupled to Sepharose. Despite these negative results, this antibody was found to prime lymph node cells in vivo, which were able to proliferate specifically in response to GAT. Two T cell lines derived from this lymphocyte population do not express any of the idiotopes tested. These results suggest that monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies may be influencing T lymphocyte activity indirectly.

Public idiotopes and/or internal images in the anti-poly(Glu60Ala30Tyr10) response: analysis by monoclonal antibodies

From BALB/c mice immunized with BALB/c polyclonal anti-GAT antibodies, we have obtained monoclonal antiidiotypic antibodies directed against public idiotopes expressed following GAT (Glu60Ala30Tyr10) immunization in all individuals of all mouse strains tested. Nine monoclonal anti-Id antibodies were studied in detail. One of these monoclonals recognizes only polyclonal anti-GAT antibodies; the other eight recognize polyclonal anti-GAT antibodies and monoclonal anti-GAT antibodies. The distribution of the structures recognized by the different monoclonal anti-Id on a battery of twenty monoclonal anti-GAT antibodies allows a definition of two families of public idiotopes. The significance of the existence of these two families is discussed in light of the hypothesis recently proposed by Jerne et al. (EMBO J., 1982, 1, 243-247) who consider that the induction of internal images of antigen during immunization leading to the production of antiidiotypic reagents is responsible for the existence of public idiotopes. Our present results may be interpreted to indicate that even though certain monoclonal anti-Id reagents could be internal images of the antigen, the others do, in fact, recognize public idiotopes. Therefore, the notion of internal image does not exclude the existence of public idiotypic specificities.

Public and individual idiotopes in the anti-poly(Glu60, Ala30, Tyr10) response: analysis by monoclonal antibodies

From BALB/c mice immunized with anti-GAT monoclonal antibody (mAb) G5, we have obtained anti-idiotypic mAb against individual (or private) idiotopes, expressed by G5 as well as anti-GAT mAb, that are heteroclitic because they recognize poly-(Glu50, Tyr50) (GT) better than poly(Glu60, Ala30, Tyr10) (GAT). From BALB/c mice immunized with BALB/c polyclonal anti-GAT antibodies, anti-idiotypic mAb directed against public idiotopes expressed following GAT immunization in all individuals of all mouse strains tested have been obtained. Nine anti-idiotypic mAb were studied in detail. One of these mAb recognizes only polyclonal anti-GAT antibodies; the other eight recognize polyclonal anti-GAT antibodies and anti-GAT mAb. The distribution of the structures recognized by the different anti-idiotypic mAb on a battery of 20 anti-GAT mAb allows definition of two families of public idiotopes.

Factors affecting developmental changes in the speed of processing

Although many studies have found developmental changes in the speed of various processes, they have potentially confounded the subject's age with his knowledge of the task domain and use of strategies. In this study, the strategies used by the subject and his domain knowledge were independently assessed by a number of tasks. Subsequently, processing rate measures were obtained for a task (the "same/different" judgment task of simultaneously presented stimuli) in which domain knowledge was manipulated independently of age while controlling for strategy usage. It was found that the usual adult superiority in speed of processing could be markedly reduced if children possessed equivalent amounts of domain knowledge and this effect was domain specific. Further, it was found that differences in knowledge affected processing rates in both knowledgeable adults and children and to about the same extent. It was concluded that some part of the typical adult superiority in processing rate was due to knowledge differences.

Effective interactions for the configurations 3d34p + 3d24s4p + 3d4s24p in the first spectrum of titanium

Energy levels and Lande g-factors for the configurations 3d34p + 3d24s4p + 3d4s24p in the first spectra of titanium were calculated and compared with experimental values. The calculations were done in intermediate coupling taking into account explicitly the interactions between configurations, as well as complete effective interactions of the core, and effective interactions d–p.Due to the insertion of the various effective interactions and a successful starting point based on a general treatment of the odd configurations in the first spectra of the iron group, there was excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated levels.On fitting 164 levels using 28 free interaction parameters a mean error of only 117 cm−1 was obtained, i.e., about 0.3% average difference between the experimental and calculated levels. The experimental and calculated g-factors corresponded very closely.

Chest radiological features of pulmonary histiocytosis X: a report based on 50 adult cases

This study describes the chest radiographs of 50 adult patients with histologically verified histiocytosis X, proposes a radiological classification, and examines the role of radiology in assessing the prognosis of the disease. Radiologically the lesions predominate in the middle and lower lung fields, usually sparing the costophrenic angles, and are typically micronodular, reticular, or cystic. These features are especially suggestive of histiocytosis X if lung volume is normal or increased, there is an associated pneumothorax, they occur in a young male and there are no other intrathoracic changes (pleural or mediastinal). The three evolutionary patterns of improvement, stabilisation, and worsening are analysed with respect to the initial radiological features; one which carries a good prognosis is sparing of both costophrenic angles.

Bronchoalveolar cells in advanced pulmonary sarcoidosis

We performed bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 120 subjects: 94 patients with sarcoidosis, 11 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and 15 normal volunteers. By counting cells and comparing the results with those from control subjects, we found a high percentage of lymphocytes in BAL fluid from all patients with sarcoidosis and a high percentage of neutrophils (NE) in BAL fluid from patients with IPF. In addition, we observed a significantly higher proportion of NE in the 14 patients with advanced sarcoidosis (i.e., fibrosis and bullous radiological patterns), than was seen in the 80 patients with early stages of involvement (i.e., bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and/or pulmonary infiltrations) (p less than 0.001). The NE count exceeded the normal value of 3.5% in 9 of the 14 patients with advanced sarcoidosis but only in 1 of the 80 patients with early disease (p less than 0.001). We believe that advanced sarcoidosis is one of the conditions in which a simultaneous increase in both NE and lymphocytes in BAL fluid can be observed. The NE count in bronchoalveolar fluid in patients with sarcoidosis, as in patients with IPF, may indicate evolution of the granulomatous process toward pulmonary fibrosis. These phenomena point out the potential practical value of iterative BAL in patients with sarcoidosis in assessing the prognosis of their disease.

Heavy drug abuse in Sweden 1979 - a national case-finding study

An investigation was carried out as a case-finding study to estimate the scale of heavy drug abuse in Sweden. Just over 8200 persons were reported as heavy drug abusers, 80% of these as injecting. For the majority of those reported more than one type of drug was indicated. There was concurrent abuse of alcohol by a majority of the heavy drug abusers. After correction of non-response with a modified capture-recapture technique and for erroneous classification, the scale of heavy drug abuse was estimated at 10000 - 14000 persons.

Characterization of cyclic AMP-resistant Chinese hamster ovary cell mutants lacking type I protein kinase

A group of three mutants of Chinese hamster ovary cells (10260, 10265, and 10223) which are resistant to cyclic AMP (Gottesman, M. M., LeCam, A., Bukowski, M., and Pastan I. (1980) Somatic Cell Genet. 6, 45-61) have been characterized in this work. By genetic analysis, these mutants are all recessive and fall into two complementation groups. Cycl AMP-stimulated protein kinase activity in crude extracts of these mutants using histone as a substrate is decreased to 10 and 7% (complementation group I), and 31% (complementation group II), respectively, of the activity found in wild type extracts. The binding of cyclic [3H]AMP by extracts of all of these mutants is decreased to 30 to 50% of the binding found in wild type extracts. We have used the photoaffinity label 8-azidoadenosine 3':5'-[32P]monophosphate to label the regulatory subunits of type I and type II protein kinase in wild type and mutant extracts analyzed by DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex chromatography. We find that all three mutants lack type I cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and have reduced amounts of type II kinase activity. The regulatory subunits of type I and type II kinase are present in both complementation groups. We conclude that type I protein kinase is not needed for normal growth of Chinese hamster ovary cells. The defect in both classes of mutants appears to be in the failure of the catalytic subunit to associate normally with its regulatory subunits.

Effect of methylxanthines on alloxan inhibition of insulin release

Isloated rat islets were maintained in vitro in a perifusion system, exposed to alloxan (20 mg/100 ml) for 5 minutes in the presence of agents which affect cAMP metabolism and subsequently stimulated with glucose. The rate of insulin secretion was monitored throughout the period of perifusion. Exposure to alloxan alone produces complete inhibition of glucose-induced insulin release [18] whereas concomitant exposure to carreine and theophylline for this brief interval provided almost complete protection of the islets from the inhibitory action of alloxan. Glucagon, cAMP and CBcAMP did not protect the islets form alloxan. Pre-treatment of the islets with either theophylline or glucagon and DBcAMP did not provide protection. These findings indicate that the protective action of theophylline and carreine against alloxan is unrelated to the effect of these agents on cAMP metabolism in the beta cell.

Effect of alloxan on permeability and hexose transport in rat pancreatic islets

The in vitro effect of alloxan exposure on the permeability of collagenase isolated rat pancreatic islets to sucrose, D-mannitol, and L-glucose has been investigated. Determination of changes in cell volume with a non-wash double label isotope procedure indicates that alloxan treatment exerts no measurable effect on permeability to sucrose, D-mannitol, or L-glucose as compared to nonalloxan-treated islets. In addition, neither prior exposure nor the concomitant presence of alloxan alters the rate of D-glucose or 3-0-methyl-D-glucose transport into rat pancreatic islets. It is concluded that the in vitro effect of alloxan on abolishing glucose-induced insulin release in isolated rat pancreatic islets does not appear to be the result of permeability changes to small organic molecules or alteration in the transport of D-glucose into the beta-cell.

Defense mechanisms in men and women alcoholics

The responses of men and women alcoholics to the Defense Mechanism Inventory showed that the women scored significantly higher in "turning against self" and the men in "turning against others." Although such differences may underlie reported sex differences in the incidence of depression and sociopathic personality disorder, they have also been found in studies of nonalcoholics and psychiatric outpatients.

A Theoretical Investigation of the Configurations (3d + 4s)6 4p in Neutral Manganese (Mn i)

Experimental levels of the configurations (3d + 4s)64p in Mn i were compared with corresponding calculated values. On fitting 228 experimental levels by means of 20 free parameters an rms error of only 170 cm-1 was obtained. It was shown that the correction parameters β and T were not significant.

A Theoretical Investigation of the Configurations (3d + 4s)44p in Neutral Vanadium (V i)

Experimental levels of the configurations (3d + 4s)44p in V i were compared with corresponding calculated values. On fitting 228 experimental levels by means of 20 free parameters an rms error in the calculated values of 216 cm-1 was obtained. All the 438 theoretically predicted levels and g-factors were calculated.

A Theoretical Investigation of the Configurations (3d + 4s)5 4p in Neutral Chromium (Cr I)

Experimental levels of the configurations (3d + 4s)54p in Cr I were compared with corresponding calculated values. On fitting 296 experimental levels by means of 20 free parameters a rms error of 183 cm-1 was obtained. All the 684 theoretically predicted levels and g-factors are calculated. It is shown that the correction parameters β and T are not significant here.

A Theoretical Investigation of the Configurations (3d + 4s)74p in Neutral Iron

Experimental levels of the configurations (3d + 4s)74p were compared with corresponding calculated values. On fitting 248 experimental levels by means of 20 free parameters an rms error of 213 cm-1 was obtained. It was shown that the correction parameters β and T were not significant.

Odd Configurations in Singly-Ionized Copper

Experimental levels of the configurations 3d 94p, 3d 95p, 3d 96p, 3d 84s4p, 3d 94f, and 3d 95f of Cu ii were compared with corresponding calculated values. The electrostatic interactions between the configuration 3d 84s4p and the configurations 3d 94p, 3d 95p, and 3d 96p were considered explicitly. It was shown that the configurations 3d 94f and 3d 95f of Cu ii do not interact strongly with other configurations.

The Configurations (3d + 4s)n 4p in Neutral Atoms of Calcium, Scandium, and Titanium

Experimental levels of the configurations (3d + 4s) n 4p for neutral atoms of calcium, scandium, and titanium were compared with corresponding calculated values. The rms errors in the calculated values for Ca i, Sc i and Ti i were 23, 126, and 261 cm-1, respectively.

Configurations 3d n 4p in Singly Ionized Atoms of the Iron Group

Experimental levels of the configuration 3dn 4p in the second spectra of the iron group were compared with corresponding calculated values. Besides the electrostatic and spin-orbit interactions the α, β and T corrections were considered in the individual and general treatments. The insertion of the parameters β and T improved the results by about 21 percent. The rms error on fitting 703 levels by means of 21 free interaction parameters was 231 cm-1. Altogether 912 energy levels were predicted.

Configurations 3d n 4p + 3d n-1 4s4p in Sc II, Ti II, and V II

Experimental levels of the configurations 3d n 4p + 3d n-14s4p for Sc ii, Ti ii, and V ii were compared with corresponding calculated values. Electrostatic, spin-orbit interactions, as well as the α, β and T corrections, whenever possible, were considered for 3d n 4p and 3d n-14s4p. The electrostatic interaction between the configurations 3d n 4p and 3d n-14s4p was included explicitly. The rms errors for Sc ii, Ti ii and V ii were 4.6, 75 and 66 cm-1, respectively.

The Configurations 3d n 4p in Doubly Ionized Atoms of the Iron Group

Experimental levels of the configurations 3d ⁿ 4p in the third spectra of the iron group were compared with corresponding calculated values. Besides the electrostatic and spin-orbit interactions the αL(L + 1), βQ and T corrections were considered in the individual and general treatments. The insertion of the parameters β and T improved the results by about 25 percent. The root-mean-square (rms) error on fitting 581 experimental levels by means of 21 free interaction parameters was 138 cm^-1. Altogether 912 energy levels were predicted.

Plasmid-linked resistance to inorganic salts in Staphylococcus aureus

The penicillinase plasmids, a series of extrachromosomal resistance factors in Staphylococcus aureus, were found to carry determinants of resistance to a series of inorganic ions as well as resistance to penicillin and, in some cases, erythromycin. Most of the ions involved were inhibitory but not lethal to the bacteria; the resistance markers conferred an increase in resistance by comparison with susceptible organisms of between 3- and 100-fold, depending on the ion involved. Separate genetic loci for resistance to arsenate, arsenite, lead, cadmium, mercuric, and bismuth ions were demonstrated. Resistance to antimony and resistance to zinc were also found but were not separated genetically from resistance to arsenite and cadmium, respectively. The ion resistance markers appeared to form a cluster on the plasmid, with no other known marker within it. Naturally occurring plasmids were observed that lacked one or more of these ion resistance markers, as well as penicillinase-negative strains that were resistant to one or more of the ions. The patterns of markers carried by these various strains may provide some understanding of the evolution of a plasmid linkage group.

Dynamic optical path distortions in laser rods

Measurements were made of the thermally induced distortions occurring in laser rods as a result of flash lamp heating. Time-resolved interferograms were obtained by placing the sample in a Mach-Zehnder interferometer and utilizing a Q-switched laser as the interferometer-illumination source. It was observed that significant distortions occur during the pumping pulse leading to diverging-lens effects in the sample rods.