The treatment of mucous cysts: long-term follow-up in sixty-two cases

To determine the course of the so-called mucous cyst both after various modalities of treatment and without treatment, 56 patients with 62 cysts were contacted to participate in a study with an average follow-up of 6.2 years after initial evaluation. The mucous cysts primarily occurred in elderly women and were most prevalent in the index and long fingers. Longitudinal grooving of the nail was not uncommon and may hve preceded the appearance of the cyst. Degeneration of the distal interphalangeal joint was frequently found. The long-term results after treatment with simple aspiration or decapping, or by excision with skin grafts and flaps as needed or with observation only were similar. However, surgical excision or aspiration may eliminate earlier the cosmetic disfigurement and occasional discomfort that are associated with this lesion.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Methyldopa and Methyldopa-Thiazide Combinations in Tablets: Collaborative Study

A reverse phase liquid chromatographic method for the determination of methyldopa, methyldopa-hydrochlorothiazide, and methyldopachlorothiazide in tablets was collaboratively studied by 8 laboratories. Each collaborator received 20 samples that included drug substance, synthetic and commercial tablet compositions. The overall repeatability and reproducibility standard deviations for commercial tablets were 1.11 and 1.75% for methyldopa, 0.96 and 1.62% for chlorothiazide, and 1.21 and 2.15% for hydrochlorothiazide, respectively. The overall recoveries of methyldopa, chlorothiazide, and hydrochlorothiazide added to synthetic tablets were 100.78, 100.70, and 101.34%, respectively. The method has been adopted official first action.

Scapular reactivity to contact irritants: application-time and area variations

Twenty-two diurnally active, fair-skinned, male volunteers were repeatedly patch tested with 10, 15 and 20% lapyrium chloride (LC) and 0.3 and 0.5% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) for 5 consecutive days. A series of 5 patches containing SLS and LC were placed vertically once daily for 6 h on different sites of the scapula: paravertebral, lateral and medial. The sites of application were randomized over subjects for patch testing once a day per area at either 08%, 16% or 00%. Each patch was left in place 6 h; scoring of each site, using a 13-point scale, was done 2, 10 and 18 h after removal. The cutaneous reactivity varied in a statistically significant manner according to the time and area of patch application. For each day except the first, LC scores exhibited highest and lowest responses at 16% and 00%, respectively. For SLS, a statistically significant application-time difference in reactivity was detected only for the readings of day 2 when scores were highest at 00% and lowest at 16%. Intraregional variations in scapular reactivity were also exhibited. Strongest reactions to LC occurred in the center of each scapula; weakest reactions were elicited on either the lateral or paravertebral sites. For SLS, statistically significant intraregional differences in reactivity were detected only for the second day of patching, with strongest responses near the spinal column and weakest near the axilla.

Comparative trial of six methods for the detection of CMV antibody in blood donors

Six techniques were compared to find the most suitable method for determining the cytomegalovirus (CMV) antibody status of blood donors. Five hundred and ninety-six random sera were tested by immunofluorescence (IF), complement fixation (CFT), two enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), a commercial indirect haemagglutination test (IHA)--used as supplied, and a locally devised micromodification of the same IHA test. Five hundred and thirty-five sera shared total agreement of results by all tests. The ELISA tests were the most discordant with other methods (10.5% discordancies both positive and negative). IF and CFT correlated well with other tests (0.8% discordances each) but for different reasons are unsatisfactory for donor screening. The IHA test used as supplied and its micromodification gave the most consistent results (0.8% and 0.5% discordancies respectively). The micromodification is easy to perform and read; it compares very favourably with CFT and IF for material costs and expertise required, and readily lends itself to the testing of large numbers of sera in a reasonable time. Within certain provisos the micro-IHA technique described is recommended as the most suitable test for blood donor screening.

Audiometric monitoring of cis-platinum ototoxicity

A prospective study was performed on 37 patients receiving 50 mg/m2 of cis-platinum every 3 to 4 weeks. These patients received a baseline audiogram evaluation and subsequent testing before each dose. Ototoxicity was noted to occur in 46% of the patients during therapy. Fourteen percent of this group showed a hearing loss in the speech frequency range. Four variables were analyzed to determine their correlative value for subsequent ototoxicity: (i) Pretreatment (baseline) audiograms, (ii) cumulative dose in milligrams, (iii) dosage in milligrams per square meter, and (iv) mean serum creatinine. Of these parameters, only a pretreatment abnormal audiogram was shown to have a prognostic value at a level of P = 0.095. Recommendations for audiometric monitoring of this high-risk group are discussed.

Development of a serum-free medium which supports the long-term growth of human and nonhuman primate lymphoid cells

The ability to grow lymphoid cells in serum-free media affords the advantage of separately analyzing those components found to be involved in proliferation and differentiation. Iscove's medium (IMDM) supplemented with bovine serum albumin or casein, cholesterol, ferrous chloride, insulin, beta-mercaptoethanol, L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine, and transferrin supported the long-term proliferation of a gibbon ape lymphoma T-cell line, MLA144. These cells continue to produce interleukin 2 (IL-2, T-cell growth factor) constitutively in the serum-free medium. IL-2-dependent human T cells initiated and maintained in culture in serum-free medium containing IL-2 have continued to replicate for over 3 months with two population doublings every 3 to 4 days. A normal, IL-2-dependent marmoset T-cell line, OH-1, also proliferated on the serum-free medium when supplemented with IL-2. Several established primate B-cell lines which do not require IL-2 for growth were able to proliferate in the serum-free medium. These B-cell lines included B95-8, an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed marmoset cell line, HuCo/R-H, a human cord B-lymphocyte line transformed with EBV, and Namalwa, an EBV-positive B-cell line established from a Burkitt's lymphoma. B95-8 cells grown on serum-free medium showed high levels of EBV antigen-positive cells after induction with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA).

The effect of T cell growth factor on the cell cycle of primate T cells

The effect of T cell growth factor (TCGF) on the cell cycle of four T cell lines that differed in their response to TCGF was studied. Activated normal marmoset T cells (OH-1) were totally dependent on the addition of TCGF for long-term proliferation. In the absence of TCGF, the cells were incapable of traversing the cell cycle and became arrested in G1. The addition of TCGF to arrested OH-1 cells stimulated them to enter the S phase after a lag phase of 24 to 33 hr. The TCGF-stimulated cells reached a maximum of cells in the S phase by 12 hr after the initiation of DNA synthesis. TCGF was required for a minimum of 18 hr before cells would enter the S phase. In the absence of TCGF, activated owl monkey (8I) and human (RG) lymphocytes displayed a TCGF-sensitive block; addition of TCGF stimulated these cells to enter the S phase after 12 and 16 hr, respectively. In contrast, an owl monkey tumor-derived T cell line (OMT-1), not dependent on exogenous TCGF for proliferation, was able to progress slowly through the cell cycle without a TCGF-sensitive block. These cells responded to TCGF by showing an initial increase in cells that entered the S phase after a lag of 6 hr and a continuing movement of additional cells into S over the course of the next several hours.

The effect of T cell growth factor on the cell cycle of primate T cells

The effect of T cell growth factor (TCGF) on the cell cycle of four T cell lines that differed in their response to TCGF was studied. Activated normal marmoset T cells (OH-1) were totally dependent on the addition of TCGF for long-term proliferation. In the absence of TCGF, the cells were incapable of traversing the cell cycle and became arrested in G1. The addition of TCGF to arrested OH-1 cells stimulated them to enter the S phase after a lag phase of 24 to 33 hr. The TCGF-stimulated cells reached a maximum of cells in the S phase by 12 hr after the initiation of DNA synthesis. TCGF was required for a minimum of 18 hr before cells would enter the S phase. In the absence of TCGF, activated owl monkey (8I) and human (RG) lymphocytes displayed a TCGF-sensitive block; addition of TCGF stimulated these cells to enter the S phase after 12 and 16 hr, respectively. In contrast, an owl monkey tumor-derived T cell line (OMT-1), not dependent on exogenous TCGF for proliferation, was able to progress slowly through the cell cycle without a TCGF-sensitive block. These cells responded to TCGF by showing an initial increase in cells that entered the S phase after a lag of 6 hr and a continuing movement of additional cells into S over the course of the next several hours.

Spontaneous release of a factor with properties of T cell growth factor from a continuous line of primate tumor T cells

A continuous lymphoid cell line had been previously established from a gibbon with spontaneous lymphosarcoma. This cell line, designated as MLA144, when tested after several years in culture was shown to release spontaneously a factor biologically and biochemically similar to human T cell growth factor (TCGF). Conditioned media (CM) from MLA144 cells support growth and DNA synthesis of T cells from humans, several other species of primates, and also from mice and rabbits. The activity in the MLA144 CM is resistant to 60 degrees C and to low and high pH, has a m.w., as determined by gel filtration, of 21,500, elutes from DEAE-cellulose at 0.04 to 0.06 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.6, and has an isoelectric point of about 6.45. Surface-marker analysis of MLA144 cells by rosetting techniques indicates that they are T cells lacking in the receptor for the Fc portion of IgG. The release of TCGF by MLA144 cells should have practical value in terms of ease of TCGF production and should be of great help in the facilitation of studies on the cell biology and molecular biology of TCGF production.

Rate Constants for H-atom Transfer Reactions by the BEBO Method

A detailed discussion of the calculation of rate constants for hydrogen atom transfer reactions based on the BEBO method is presented. Linear transition state models are used. A computer program using this method for determining rate constants is provided.

A conversational information computer system for health and safety operation: the occupational surveillance interactive system (OSIS)

Collection, storage and retrieval of health and safety information is critical in occupational settings in making decisions about safety of employees and the healthful nature of the work environment. Computer surveillance programs have been utilized previously, but have been too complicated, too mathematical, and not directly accessible to health and safety personnel. This paper discusses the Occupational Surveillance Interactive System (OSIS), a conversational system which utilizes English instead of a computer language, and which provides immediate feedback to the health and safety practitioner through fact retrieval and statistical inference. Additionally, an algorithm is introduced which provides a predictive cueing for the development of some disease processes. The hypothetical example illustrated herein introduces a prototypal computer surveillance system, operating under an interactive mode, to provide the health and safety professional with a decision-making tool in occupational settings.

Spontaneous release of a factor with properties of T cell growth factor from a continuous line of primate tumor T cells

A continuous lymphoid cell line had been previously established from a gibbon with spontaneous lymphosarcoma. This cell line, designated as MLA144, when tested after several years in culture was shown to release spontaneously a factor biologically and biochemically similar to human T cell growth factor (TCGF). Conditioned media (CM) from MLA144 cells support growth and DNA synthesis of T cells from humans, several other species of primates, and also from mice and rabbits. The activity in the MLA144 CM is resistant to 60 degrees C and to low and high pH, has a m.w., as determined by gel filtration, of 21,500, elutes from DEAE-cellulose at 0.04 to 0.06 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.6, and has an isoelectric point of about 6.45. Surface-marker analysis of MLA144 cells by rosetting techniques indicates that they are T cells lacking in the receptor for the Fc portion of IgG. The release of TCGF by MLA144 cells should have practical value in terms of ease of TCGF production and should be of great help in the facilitation of studies on the cell biology and molecular biology of TCGF production.

Sequence of events in the transformation process in cells infected with a temperature-sensitive transformation mutant of Moloney murine sarcoma virus

Normal rat kidney cells infected with the temperature-sensitive transformation mutant of Moloney murine sarcoma virus were used to study the biochemical and morphological changes that occur during transformation. The infected cells exhibited a normal morphology at the nonpermissive temperature (39 degrees C) and a transformed morphology at the permissive temperature (33 degrees C). A new viral protein was detected 2 hr after shift to the permissive temperature as a polyprotein with an estimated Mr of 85,000 (p85). Scanning electron microscopy of the cells within 5 hr after shifting them to the permissive temperature showed that they became smaller and rounded with numerous elongated microvilli. In an earlier study, changes in hexose uptake were found to occur 8-12 hr after the shift [Horn, J. P., Wood, T. G., Blair, D. G. & Arlinghaus, R. B. (1980) Virology 105, 516-525]. By 48 hr, the cells had the morphology of a fully transformed cell. Concomitant with the changes in the morphology were alterations in the cytoplasmic microtubule complex. At the nonpermissive temperature, the complex consisted of a lacy network of microtubules. Within 5 hr at the permissive temperature, the lacy network was still present but the microtubules were more diffusely stained and less discernible. By 48 hr, the microtubules were so diffuse that the lacy network could not be recognized. Alterations in the F-actin cables did not occur until 24 hr after shifting the cells to the permissive temperature. Enucleation of the cells at the nonpermissive temperature and shifting the cytoplasts to the permissive temperature did not result in the synthesis of detectable p85 or in any alteration of the cytoplast morphology or microtubule complex, suggesting that the temperature-sensitive lesion affects some event occurring in the nucleus.

A Method of Calculating Tunneling Corrections For Eckart Potential Barriers

A method is presented for the direct calculation of tunneling corrections for unsymmetrical Eckart type potential barriers. It is based on a modified 6-point Gaussian quadrature formula. Accuracy is better than 1 percent over a wide range of tunneling parameter values.

The value of breast self-examination

In this study of 2092 women with cancer of the breast, those who had practiced breast self-examination (BSE) had earlier cancer than did those who had not practiced BSE. This was true for both black and white races, all educational and economic levels, each age group, and within each period of delay between first symptom and medical consultation. The practice of BSE increased as the educational level rose and diminished as age advanced. A higher percentage of whites than blacks used the procedure. Breast self-examination is safe and without cost to the women who practice it. It has the potential for helping more women to find their breast cancer early than any other method now available and feasible for widespread use.

Genetic manipulation by means of microcell-mediated transfer of normal human chromosomes into recipient mouse cells

Microcell-mediated chromosome transfer is an innovative approach to the production of karyotypically simple hybrids. This method of gene transfer, employing micronuclei formed by prolonged Colcemid treatment, has been utilized for rodent systems. Expansion of this technology to include transfer of normal human genetic material has been hindered because large micronucleate populations from diploid human cells have been unobtainable. This report describes the production of micronuclei in 40-60% of normal human fibroblasts. These micronucleated cells have been enucleated by combining centrifugation and cytochalasin B treatment, and the resultant microcells have been purified and fused to recipient mouse (LMTK-) cells. Microcell hybrid clones containing a single human chromosome have been isolated from three separate fusion experiments. The time course for production of these hybrids, from fusion to karyotypic analysis, was 6 weeks. With a transfer frequency of about 2 x 10(-6), a single intact human chromosome has become a functioning element of the murine genome.