Methoxychlor Residue Studies in Caged and Wild Fish from the Athabasca River, Alberta, Following a Single Application of Blackfly Larvicide

On June 4, 1974, the Athabasca River was treated with methoxychlor for control of blackfly larvae. Pesticide was introduced into the water in a manner calculated to generate a 15-min pulse of treated water containing 300 μg methoxychlor/ℓ. A preliminary experiment with rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) indicated that liver or kidney residues of methoxychlor would be suitable for monitoring likely times and places to expect toxic effects on fish in the river. Fish (Salmo gairdneri, Catostomus commersoni, C. catostomus, and Hybopsis gracilis) were caged in order to observe residues and mortality. Caged fish were not killed by methoxychlor but they contained lower liver residues than wild fish of the same species captured near cages. Contaminated wild fish were found upstream of the treatment site after treatment. Residues were below detection limits by June 16. Residue measurements suggested that the most likely times to expect fish poisoning were the 2 wk following treatment and that the most likely places were those river areas extending a few kilometres in both directions from the point of application. Evidence of fish movements and low pesticide residues in caged individuals reduced confidence in residue methods as monitoring tools.

Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on uterine and vaginal cytology of ovariectomized rats

The estrogen-like activity of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), an active component of marihuana, as measured by uterine weight gain and vaginal smear techniques in ovariectomized rats, is reflected in histological examination of uterine and vaginal tissues. Doses of 1, 2.5, and 10 milligrams of delta9-THC per kilogram elicit hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the uterus; the dose of 2.5 milligrams per kilogram is most effective. There is an increase in stratification of vaginal epithelium with doses of 2.5 and 10 milligrams per kilogram; cornifying cells are seen with 2.5 milligrams per kilogram.

Effects of adrenalectomy on body weight and hyperglycemia in five months old Ob/Ob mice

Observation on body weight gain, blood glucose levels, and responses to a glucose challenge in ob/ob mice adrenalectomized at five months of age, demonstrate that removal of the adrenals of older mice retains the potential to lower serum glucose levels and depress body weight gain seen in young ob/ob mice adrenalectomized at two months of age. These findings suggest that the adrenals continue to play a role in body weight gain and hyperglycemia of the ob/ob mouse up to five months of age.

Effects of lithium on open field behavior in "stressed" and "unstressed" rats

Rats were tested for 3 min per day, for 4 successive days, in an open field apparatus, 20 min after injection of either lithium chloride (2 mEq/kg) or physiological saline. In the first experiment, the open field was illuminated with moderate white light for some rats (stress condition) and dim red light for others (non-stress condition). In the second experiment, some rats received an electric foot shock 5 h before each open field test (stress condition) and others received no foot shock (non-stress condition). In both experiments, lithium significantly reduced rearing behavior in the stressed, but not the unstressed, rats. Lithium also reduced horizontal locomotion, but this effect appeared in both stressed and unstressed rats. In the second experiment, defecation was measured, and it was found that lithium-treated rats defecated less than saline-treated rats in the first session, but not in subsequent sessions, due to habituation which occurred for the saline rats.

Treatment of advanced lymphomas with bleomycin (NSC-125066)

88 patients with far-advanced lymphomatous malignancy were treated with Bleomycin given by either intramuscular (i. m.) or intravenous (i. v.) injection according to a randomized treatment assignment. Response occurred most frequently in Hodgkin's disease (i. m. 7/24; i. v. 4/18), least often in histiocytic lymphomas (i. m. 0/8; i. v. 1/8), and with intermediate frequency in lymphocytic lymphomas (i. m. 3/16; i. v. 0/14). While toxicity was common (70%), severe toxicity was unusual (8%) with severe pulmonary toxicity occurring in four patients (three i.m.; one i.v.). All three drug associated deaths occurred in i. m. patients. Unexpected life-threatening pericarditis occurred in two i. m. treated patients. Although response and drug related deaths occurred more often in the i. m. patients, the comparison with i. v. patients was not statistically different.

Results with CCNU in resistant Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

72 patients with advanced malignant lymphoma resistant to standard chemotherapy were treated with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea (CCNU) at 130 mg/m2 orally every six weeks. Objective responses were noted in 13 of 39 evaluable patients with Hodgkin's disease, three of 15 patients with lymphocytic lymphoma, and one of seven patients with histiocytic lymphoma. Responses lasted one to 22 months (median: four months) and occurred in patients whose disease was resistant to alkylating agents, vinblastine, vincristine, corticosteroids, procarbazine, and bleomycin. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia were frequent toxic effects of therapy.

The effect of hypophysectomy and growth hormone replacement on albumin synthesis and catabolism in the rat

Albumin synthesis and catabolism were respectively measured by McFarlane's (1963) sodium [(14)C]carbonate method and I-labelled albumin in hypophysectomized rats, both untreated and treated with growth hormone. Hypophysectomy resulted in a decrease in both albumin synthesis and catabolic rates. These changes as shown by pair-feeding experiments could not be ascribed to decreased food intake alone. Growth hormone was shown to partially restore both albumin synthesis and catabolic rates. It is proposed that growth hormone stimulates albumin synthesis and that its effect on albumin catabolism is secondary to changes in the mass of the intravascular albumin pool.