Sensory determinants of stated liking for vegetable names and actual liking for canned vegetables: A cross-country study among European adolescents

Sensory properties are reported as one of the main factors hindering an appropriate vegetable intake by the young. In the present work the sensory determinants of likings for vegetables were explored in adolescents of four European countries (Denmark, n = 88; France, n = 206; Italy, n = 110 and United Kingdom, n = 93). A questionnaire was designed to study cross country differences in stated liking for and familiarity with a list of vegetables popular among European markets (between-vegetable approach). A within-vegetable comparison approach with actual tasting was used to analyze differences and similarities in liking for canned pea and sweet corn samples across the countries. A close positive relationship between stated liking and familiarity was found. Irrespective of the country, one group of highly liked vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, green salad) was identified, characterized by innately liked tastes (sweet, umami), delicate flavour and bright appealing colour. A second group of highly disliked vegetables consists of cauliflowers and broccoli, characterized by disliked sensations such as bitter taste and objectionable flavour. Internal Preference Maps from actual liking scores indicate that the generally disliked tastes (bitter, sour), are clearly correlated with a negative hedonic response for both peas and sweet corn. The hedonic valence of a generally well accepted taste such as salty and texture descriptors depends on the type of vegetable. Internal preference maps from actual liking data indicate that flavour and appearance descriptors of the distinct sensory properties of each type of vegetable positively affect liking, while the intensity of unusual flavours is related to sample disliking.

The impact of individual variations in taste sensitivity on coffee perceptions and preferences

Despite a few relationships between fungiform papillae (FP) density and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taster status have been reported for sensory qualities within foods, the impact on preferences remains relatively unclear. The present study investigated responses of FP number and PROP taster groups to different bitter compounds and how these affect coffee perception, consumption and liking. Subjects (Ss) with higher FP numbers (HFP) gave higher liking ratings to coffee samples than those with lower FP numbers (LFP), but only for sweetened coffee. Moreover, HFP Ss added more sugar to the samples than LFP Ss. Significant differences between FP groups were also found for the sourness of the coffee samples, but not for bitterness and astringency. However, HFP Ss rated bitter taste stimuli as stronger than did LFP Ss. While coffee liking was unrelated to PROP status, PROP non-tasters (NTs) added more sugar to the coffee samples than did super-tasters (STs). In addition, STs rated sourness, bitterness and astringency as stronger than NTs, both in coffee and standard solutions. These results confirm that FP density and PROP status play a significant role in taste sensitivity for bitter compounds in general and also demonstrate that sugar use is partly a function of fundamental individual differences in physiology.

[Peristomal laparocele: particular indications for the use of prosthetic materials]

The authors report the case of a female patient suffering from colic neoplasm and a vast peristomal laparocele, the long-term outcome of a rectal amputation that the patient underwent at a young age. After colic resection, a vast area of surgical mesh in dacron was modelled and positioned in a retromuscular scat, thus allowing the hernia pathology to be resolved relatively simply, owing to its particular location-in correspondence with a preternatural anus-until not long ago this would have represented an absolute contraindication to the use of prosthetic materials. A precise surgical approach, marked by a scrupulous respect for aseptic conditions, is essential in these circumstances owing to the persistent risk of septic complications.

[The use of prosthesis material in emergency surgery. Comments on a clinical case]

The authors briefly report the case of a patient in whom a double Mersilene graft was used to repair a strangulated umbilical hernia. This report is interesting for various reasons. Firstly, the fact that surgery was performed under emergency conditions and secondly, the position of the graft, which was certainly not ideal--even if obligatory owing to the circumstances under which the operation was performed--in the abdominal wall. In spite of the successful results obtained, the authors feel that graft should preferably be used in elective surgery in which additional operations are not required which may further contaminate the operating field. In particular, special attention should be paid to graft position in relation to the various layers of the abdominal wall.

Oral iron chelating therapy. A single center interim report on deferiprone (L1) in thalassemia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Deferiprone (L1) is a largely studied oral chelator in clinical setting, however, no definite conclusions concerning efficacy and toxicity still could be drawn. In an ongoing prospective trial with L1, we evaluated the efficacy and tolerance-toxicity in patients with thalassemia major previously treated by desferrioxamine (DFO); the specific aim of the study is to demonstrate that L1 could be an alternative to DFO in some patients with an acceptable toxicity.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Sixty-nine patients over 13 years of age with poor compliance to DFO were considered for the study. The design included a liver biopsy before starting L1 in all patients in order to define liver siderosis either by histologic grading or by hepatic iron concentration (HIC); only patients with a minimum HIC of 4 mg/g dry weight entered the study. A repetition of the liver biopsy after one year of L1 was planned; further evaluations included serum ferritin, plasma iron, transferrin TIBC and iron urine excretion. L1 was given at 70 mg/kg/day in three divided doses. Toxicity was monitored either clinically or by controlling liver, kidney and marrow function by specific tests. Concerning clinical characteristics 52 patients showed hypogonadism (78%), 39 growth retardation (58%), 6 diabetes (9%), 4 cardiomyopathy (6%), 9 hypothyroidism (12%); 45 patients had chronic liver damage (65%).

RESULTS

We focus this report on data collected in a group of 29 patients with a minimum follow-up of one year (14-33 months). The mean ferritin value was 3748 ng/mL (range: 200-10,000) and 2550 ng/mL (range: 80-14,500), before and while on L1 therapy, respectively (p = 0.001); the mean sideruria changed from 17.25 mg/dL (range: 5.4-50) to 20.98 mg/dL (range: 10-40), on DFO and L1, respectively (p = 0.078); the ratio between plasma iron (sideremia) and transferrin TIBC changed from 0.96 with DFO to 0.86 with L1 (0.014). A correlation with grade of liver siderosis and serum ferritin (p = 0.069) and iron urine excretion (p = 0.008) was recorded. The judgement of efficacy showed that L1 was effective (EF) in 9 patients, no assessable (UN) in 11 patients, not effective (NE) in 2 patients and with no advantages with respect to DFO in 7 patients. Liver biopsy was repeated in 20 patients showing a reduction of grade of liver siderosis and iron content in 7 patients. Clinical toxic effects of L1 were gastric intolerance (one patient), joint pain (three patients) and mild and temporary neutropenia (one patient).

INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary experience shows that L1 is effective in several patients with thalassemia with poor compliance to DFO and to improve iron burden and iron excretion with generally minor side effects. L1 could be an alternative to DFO in some patients, however the recognition of neutropenia warrants a careful evaluation of patients and efforts finalized to early recognition of those to be addressed with this new and still experimental therapy.

Hepatic iron overload in thalassemic patients: proposal and validation of an MRI method of assessment

BACKGROUND

A simple, accurate, reproducible and noninvasive method of body iron overload assessment would be of great clinical use. Objective. The purpose of the study was the implementation of a 0. 5-T MRI method for liver iron overload measurement.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with thalassemia major took part in the study. Liver and paraspinal muscle signal intensity (SI) measurements were performed on T1-weighted images and normalized on a standard phantom, and a subjective hemochromatosis grading scale was made on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Serum ferritin levels and tissue iron from liver biopsy specimens were determined for comparison.

RESULTS

A close correlation was found between bioptic liver iron and both the liver-to-phantom SI ratio (r = -0.88) and the subjective grading scale (rho = 0.89). Serum ferritin correlated poorly with liver iron deposition, whether assessed by biopsy (r = 0. 62) or MRI (r = -0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Both the subjective and the quantitative MRI methods proposed here are clinically valuable, with the former being adequate for a gross, the latter for an accurate estimation of tissue iron overload.

Iron overload in thalassemia: comparative analysis of magnetic resonance imaging, serum ferritin and iron content of the liver

BACKGROUND

Iron overload in patients with thalassemia is a common feature which requires continuous chelation therapy and monitoring. Serum ferritin determination is widely accepted as a simple method for following iron load in patients with primary hemochromatosis; however, several reports on thalassemic patients emphasize that ferritinemia is not accurate and that other methods such as direct measurement of iron in the liver (HIC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are more precise.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In order to contribute to the general understanding of iron load in thalassemia we used liver MRI to study 33 thalassemic patients, most of whom were also evaluated for iron content by liver biopsy. The data were then compared with serum ferritin levels.

RESULTS

Ferritin levels ranged between 276 and 8031 ng/mL, and liver iron content ranged from 1.6 to 31.0 mg/g dry weight; grade III or IV liver siderosis was recorded in 23/33 patients, just as 23/33 patients were found to have severe or very severe siderosis at MRI. Significant correlations with ferritin levels were recorded between grade IV and grades III, II and I (p < 0.01, p = 0.02, and p = 0.03, respectively). Ferritinemia also showed significant linearity with liver iron content (r = 0.603, p = 0.001). No significant differences of levels were recorded, however, between patients found to have severe and those with mild iron load at MRI (p = 0.073).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that serum ferritin levels exhibit a tendency to be significantly correlated with the true status of hemochromatosis in thalassemic patients; however, the discrepancies recorded in several patients and the scarce or total lack of correlation with MRI suggest exploring other approaches to this problem in order to make proper decisions about therapy.

[Current trends in the treatment of voluminous eventrations]

The authors speak about their experience on the giant incisional hernias. The surgical treatment of these lesions in not always easy, especially when exist some conditions such as the loss of parietal substance and the loss of residence right. In these cases the use of prosthetic meshes and the Goni Moreno's pneumoperitoneum are very helpful. The Authors point out how important is, for a successful treatment, as well as a correct surgical procedure and opportune pre and post operative management.

[Polyps of the gallbladder. Considerations on their real clinical significance]

The authors review all the cases of polyps of the gallbladder observed during the period 1964 to 1992 at the Institutes of Pathology and General Surgery at the University of Florence. On the basis of their experience, the authors affirm that these phenomena always cause more or less evident, even if not specific clinical symptoms; moreover, since they are considered high-risk lesions for the onset of malignant tumours, the authors emphasize the need for cholecystectomy in all cases.

[Anatomic and surgical considerations regarding the recurrent laryngeal nerve in thyroidectomy]

The majority of surgeons view the preliminary identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) as an essential stage in thyroidectomy in order to preserve thyroid integrity. This conviction is based on the fact that the anatomical relations of the recurrent nerve during the cervical tract with adjacent structures are highly variable. The preparation of the RLN in a series of 42 thyroidectomies performed by the 1st Department of Pathological Surgery of the University of Florence confirmed this variability above all with regard to relations with the trachea, Berry's ligament and the branches of the lower thyroid artery. As a result, it is justified to consider the identification and preliminary preparation of the RLN on both sides as a fundamental and unavoidable stage in thyroidectomy.

[Diverticular disease of the vermiform appendix. Anatomo-clinical observations]

The authors describe a case of diverticular disease of the appendix. The diagnosis is intraoperative and histological while therapy is based on surgical treatment. The authors seem to be favorable to surgical treatment in case of diverticulosis of the appendix in order to avoid dangerous complications.

Dosimeter inhalation test with lysine acetylsalicylate for the detection of aspirin-induced asthma

Inhalation challenge with lysine acetylsalicylate (L-ASA) is often used to diagnose aspirin-induced asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the specificity and safety of performing L-ASA inhalation challenge with a dosimeter. Twenty-four subjects entered the study: ten ASA-sensitive asthmatic patients, seven non-ASA-sensitive asthmatic patients, and seven normal control subjects. The investigation was performed on two consecutive days. On day 1 a dosimeter inhalation test with methacholine was performed to establish the provocation dose (PD20). On day 2, patients underwent the L-ASA inhalation test, whereby increasing doses of L-ASA (from 1 to 32 mg cumulative dose) were inhaled using a dosimeter and a dose response curve was constructed. In subjects negative to the top dose, an additional oral dose of 500 mg of aspirin was administered to exclude aspirin sensitivity not revealed with the inhaled drug. The ten ASA-sensitive asthmatic patients developed early reactions within 30 minutes of PD20 administration. Recovery time from induced bronchoconstriction varied from two to three hours to six hours or longer resulting in an "early prolonged reaction." The response was limited to airways. No clear late reactions were observed. There was no correlation between PD20 with methacholine and PD20 with L-ASA. The L-ASA challenge was negative in the seven non-ASA-sensitive asthmatic patients and in the seven normal control subjects. In conclusion the dosimeter method is sensitive, specific, and safe for the detection of aspirin-induced asthma.

[Progressive pneumoperitoneum in the surgical treatment of conspicuous ventral hernias. Importance of the procedure to restore a good respiratory function]

A recent clinical report regarding a patient with a voluminous laparocele treated using progressive pneumoperitoneum justifies this short paper on the use of this method as a preparatory act to reparative surgery. The paper emphasises the undoubted advantages deriving from the use of this technique, especially in the case of those subjects with a particularly poor respiratory function secondary to hernia.

[Therapeutic approach in ventral hernia]

Laparoceles are diseases of the abdominal wall and their repair does not usually involve technical problems which are difficult to resolve. The use of classic surgical methods, such as direct suture and plastic surgery, enables the parietal defect to be easily repaired in most case. However, cases do occur in which the surgeon is faced with considerable technical and tactical difficulties largely due to anatomopathological causes: the "loss of the right of domicile" of herniated viscera and the loss of musculo-aponeurotic substance. In the former case it is necessary to prepare the peritoneal cavity using pneumoperitoneum. In the event of the extensive destruction of the muscular component, or when the parietal breech is located next to bone or cartilagenous structures, it is essential to use a prosthesis. The paper goes on to describe the indications for the use of various techniques and their respective methods of use under different anatomo-clinical conditions.

[Pneumoperitoneum in preparation for surgery of large ventral hernia]

Reparative surgery of ventral hernia may be relatively simple or, on the other hand, the surgeon may be confronted with a number of tactical and technical problems. Many of these are caused by the "loss of the right of domicile". In order to avoid this particular condition it is useful to resort to preoperative pneumoperitoneum. This method entails the gradual and progressive introduction of air into the peritoneal cavity. In this way abdominal capacity is increased and it is therefore possible to re-insert all the viscera into their natural cavities avoiding all the harmful consequences for respiratory and cardio-circulatory organs following forced replacement. Preoperative pneumo-peritoneum is a relatively well consolidated surgical technique in large scale eventration. The methods is simple to perform and has a low incidence of complications.

[Progressive pneumoperitoneum in the preparation for surgical intervention for voluminous ventral hernias]

The paper report three patients suffering from voluminous ventral hernias who were treated using progressive pneumoperitoneum as a preparative method prior to reparative surgery. On the basis of the results obtained, the authors sustain the rationality, safety and efficacy of the procedure, in particular given its ability to reestablish good respiratory and circulatory function in those cases where the latter were severely affected by hernia. Since this method needs a longer application time and therefore involves a greater economic burden, pneumoperitoneum should probably be reserved for selected cases, and alternative techniques should be used in patients where hernia is more easily resolved.

Effect of azelastine on the seasonal increase in non-specific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in pollen allergic patients. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, crossover study

Azelastine, a phthalazinone derivative, is a new potent, long acting, orally active anti-allergic compound with particularly strong H1-histamine receptor antagonistic effects which has been proven to possess in vitro and in vivo a number of anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether azelastine would be able to prevent and/or reverse the seasonal increase in non-specific bronchial responsiveness to methacholine in pollen allergic patients. Twelve atopic patients (5 males, mean age 31 years), skin positive exclusively to grass and/or Parietaria pollen extract, with rhinitis and mild asthma occurring in the spring for at least two years previously, were studied. After a 2 week run-in period, oral azelastine, 4 mg twice daily, or placebo, was given for 2 weeks from the start of the pollen season, according to a randomized, double-blind design. After 2 weeks, the treatments were crossed over. During both the run-in and study periods, patients recorded rhinitis and asthma symptoms, additional antihistamine and bronchodilator drugs taken and peak expiratory flow measurements. A methacholine inhalation test was carried out on four occasions in each patient: before the run-in period, before the start of the treatment, and at the end of the two 2 week treatment periods. Azelastine significantly reduced rhinitis symptoms and the need for antihistamine drugs, whereas asthmatic symptoms, use of bronchodilator drugs, peak flow recordings and bronchial responsiveness to methacholine were unaffected by the treatment. Compliance level and adverse side-effects were not significantly different between active treatment and placebo. In the final subjective evaluation of the two treatments, eight out of 12 patients preferred azelastine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[A case of anomalous outlet of the cystic duct]

The paper reports a case of anomaly affecting the extrahepatic biliary tract. Brief comments are made regarding the practical importance of this pathology.

Aspirin-induced asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness

The inhalation challenge with lysine-aspirin (L-ASA) using the dosimeter method allows the construction of a dose-response curve and the quantitative estimation of airway responsiveness to the drug. We assessed the modifications of airway responsiveness to methacholine in four groups of subjects: aspirin-sensitive asthmatics, aspirin-sensitive subjects with urticaria/angioedema, subjects with an equivocal history of aspirin intolerance and normal control subjects. The L-ASA challenge was positive in all aspirin-sensitive asthmatics. The pattern of bronchial response to the challenge was different from that observed after challenge with allergens or occupational sensitizers. The main difference was found in the recovery from induced bronchoconstriction. The recovery lasted from 3 to 6-8 hours, and a peculiar dose-response curve was obtained that we call "early prolonged reaction". In five of 18 ASA-sensitive subjects there was a significant increase in airway responsiveness. Airway responsiveness was normal in aspirin-sensitive nonasthmatic subjects and in the other two groups studied. We conclude that L-ASA inhalation challenge may increase bronchial hyperresponsiveness in some ASA-sensitive asthmatics. This presence of enhanced bronchial hyperesponsiveness seems to be a marker with which to distinguish ASA-sensitive asthmatics from ASA-sensitive subjects with urticaria/angioedema.

[Malignant tumors of the small intestine. Comments concerning 21 observed cases]

Patients affected by malignant tumors of the small intestine observed by the Department of Clinical and Pathological Surgery at the University of Florence were studied from 1964 to 1989. The most important aspects of the disease were studied, on the one hand emphasising its low incidence and on the other the poor prognosis which accompanies it. Greater attention should be focused on these lesions in order to enable an early diagnosis to be made since this currently represents the sole possibility for carrying out an efficacious therapy.

[Endometriosis]

On the basis of two recently treated cases of endometriosis, the main aspects of this unusual pathology are examined; in particular its aetiopathogenesis, clinical picture and treatment still provide reasons of uncertainty. On the basis of an albeit limited experience, stress is laid on the importance of radical surgery, the only way to resolve the situation. Medical or conservative surgical measures are left to the early stages of the disease.

[Frequency and clinical significance of ectopic pancreas]

Ten cases of ectopic pancreas are presented. The literature on the subject is reviewed and the more controversial aspects of the disorder are discussed, in particular the clinical and anatomic-pathological significance, its diagnostic recognition, and the necessary treatment.

Purification to Homogeneity of the Major «4S» PAH Binding Protein from «Non Responsive » DBA/2N Mouse Liver by Affinity Chromatography

DBA/2N is a genetically non responsive inbred strain of mice in which administration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) does not induce microsomal monooxygenase activity. DBA/2N mouse liver cytosol contains a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-binding protein that sediments, in a sucrose gradient, at 4S (« 4S » PAH-BP). Its binding kinetic and physicochemical properties indicate that this protein is practically indistinguishable from the « 4S » PAH-BP identified and characterized in liver cytosol of rats and other PAH responsive rodents including C57 B1/6J mice. « 4S » PAH-BP was purified to homogeneity from DBA/2N mouse liver by ammonium sulfate fractionation of the cytosol, followed by Sephadex G-200 chromatography and, finally, affinity chromatography using 1-aminopyrene-Sepharose 6B. This procedure yielded about 50 μg of protein from 50–60 g of mouse liver, with a recovery of 18%. «4S » PAH-BP as a complex with3H-(benzo-a-pyrene) was more than 99% pure. A single band was seen on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non denaturing conditions. H-BaP comigrated with the protein band.3H-BaP bound to the protein was displaced by PAHs with a specificity identical to that obtained using crude cytosol. On electrophoresis in SDS gels, the purified protein migrated as a single protein band with an apparent molecular weight of 40,000.

«4S» Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Binding Protein. Its Role as a Benzo(a) Pyrene Cytosolic Carrier to the Microsomes of DBA/2N Mouse Liver

Rodent liver cytosol and other biological systems contain two proteins that bind polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in a non covalent manner and that sediment at a different rate when centrifuged on sucrose gradient. The role of the smaller protein (« 4S » PAH-BP) was studied. When DBA/2N mouse liver homogenate was incubated with3H-BaP, most of the radioactivity was found in the microsomal subcellular fraction. The cytosol binding activity apparently decreased but reincubation of the cytosol with the radioactive ligand completely restored « 4S » PAH-BP activity. The microsomal uptake of3H-BaP can be studied in a reconstituted system in which microsomes are incubated with radioactive benzo(a)pyrene in the presence of crude cytosol. In these conditions the microsomal uptake rate of3H-BaP increased with the temperature and at 37 °C ten minutes were required to reach the plateau. When cytosol was substituted by HEDG buffer, the amount of radioactivity found in the microsomes decreased drastically. 0.2 μM was the benzo(a)pyrene concentration required to saturate the microsomes. When microsomes were incubated with ammonium sulfate cytosolic fractions or with homogeneously purified « 4S » PAH-BP, the3H-BaP uptake was restored and reached the maximum with 3 μg/ml of purified protein. The radioactive benzo(a)pyrene bound to microsomes was oxidated in the presence of NADPH regenerating system. The oxidated products were discharged from microsomes only when « 4S » PAH-BP was either present during the incubation or added at its end. Thus, this protein is able to transfer benzo(a)pyrene to the microsomal metabolization sites and to facilitate the release of oxidized products and, presumably, bind them.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Binding Macromolecules. Identification, Characterization and Temperature Activation of a 4.5 S Binding Nucleoprotein

A macromolecule binding3H-methyIcholanthrene (3H-MCA) and3H-benzo(a)pyrene (3H-BaP) and sedimenting in the 4-5 S region of sucrose gradient (4.5 S) was identified in rat liver cytosol. The binding was displaced by 100-fold molar excess unlabeled ligands whereas 2,3,7,8-tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was ineffective. The dissociation constant for both polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was of the order of 10−3M or lower. Both3H-MCA and3H-BaP bound to 4.5 S in a non covalent manner, since 92 % of the bound radioactivity was extractable with ethyl ether. Furthermore the binding was stronghly reduced by urea 8 M and by guanidine. HCl 4 M (99 and 70 % respectively). Thin layer chromatography of the ehtyl ether-solubilized radioactivity showed a peak comigrating with PAHs used as standards. When chromatographed on Sephadex G-200, 4.5 S was eluted as a sharp peak with an apparent molecular weight of 50-60,000 daltons. Enzyme treatment of liver cytosol showed that the 4.5 S binding sites were destroyed by micrococcal nuclease (92 % of inhibition). Papain and phosphodiesterase I and II reduced the binding to 50 %, whereas DNase I, DNase II, RNase, phospholipase A2andC and trypsin were ineffective. These data suggest that the PAHs binding macromolecule of rat liver cytosol is a protein associated with a polynucleotide. The binding of both PAHs was enhanced by increasing the incubation temperature, the maximum being reached after 20-30 min at 37 °C. After 2.5 min at 65 °C, binding sites were completely destroyed. The same temperature-induced « activation » was obtained also by prewarming the cytosol at 37 °C in the absence of ligands.

Interaction of rat liver glucocorticoid receptor with heparin

When rat liver cytosol containing [3H]dexamethasone-glucocorticoid receptor complex is exposed to immobilized heparin (Sepharose-heparin; Seph-hep) the steroid receptor complex binds to the substituted Sepharose avidly [Kd = 3.5 (+/- 1.7) X 10(-10) M], and 80-90% of the receptor present is adsorbed to the solid phase after 40 min at 0 degree C. The binding is enhanced by Mn2+ (10 mM) and Mg2+, whereas Ca2+ and Sr2+ are ineffective. Sodium molybdate (10 mM) does not influence the reaction but enhances receptor stability. Moreover, binding of the receptor to Seph-hep is dependent on the ionic strength of the medium, because binding is totally reversed by 300 mM KCl. The bound [3H]dexamethasone-receptor complex can be recovered from Seph-hep with solutions (4 mg/mL) of heparin (95% release), dextran sulfate (88%), and chondroitin sulfate (63%); total calf liver RNA is less effective (9%), whereas dextran, D-glucosamine, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, D-glucuronic acid, and sheared calf thymus DNA are totally ineffective (less than 3%). Both "native" and temperature "transformed" forms of the glucocorticoid receptor interact with immobilized heparin. These results strongly suggest that the receptor site that binds heparin is distinct from that binding DNA. An immediate application of this newly found ability of the glucocorticoid receptor to interact with heparin is the use of Seph-hep for affinity chromatography purification of the glucocorticoid receptor. A purification of 10-fold, with a recovery of 55-65%, can be achieved by using either 4 mg/mL heparin or 300 mM KCl to elute [3H]dexamethasone-receptor bound to the resin.

Effects of streptozotocin in the WDHA syndrome not amenable to radical surgery

Two cases of Verner-Morrison syndrome due to pancreatic carcinoma were treated H. h streptozotocin (STZ) according to the schedule suggested by the Division of Cancer Treatment of the National Cancer Institute. In both patients the drug caused a remission of the WDHA syndrome: therefore, this finding seems to recommend such treatment when the syndrome is not amenable to radical surgery. Renal toxicity is, however, an important limitation. It occurs mostly when STZ is administered by iv infusion. In one of the patients, after a serious impairment of renal function caused by STZ, prednisone controlled the syndrome for a long period of time.

Effects fo streptozotocin in the WDHA syndrome not amenable to radical surgery

Two cases of Verner-MOrrison syndrome due to pancreatic carcinoma were treated H. h streptozotocin (STZ) according to the schedule suggested by the Division of Cancer Treatment of the National Cancer Institute. In both patients the drug caused a remission of the WDHA syndrome: therefore, this finding seems to recommend such treatment when the syndrome is not amenable to radical surgery. Renal toxicity is, however, an important limitation. It occurs mostly when STZ is administered by iv infusion. In one of the patients, after a serious impairment of renal function caused by STZ, prednisone controlled the syndrome for a long period of time.