Studies of H-2 restriction in cell-mediated cytotoxicity and transplantation immunity to Leukemia-associated antigens. H-2 dependency of T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and transplantation immunity to leukemia-associated antigens has been investigated. Through the use of a 20-hr 125IUdR release assay, it was found that the induction of T cell-mediated cytotoxicity against Friend virus-induced leukemias of different H-2 haplotype orgins could be produced by immunization with both syngeneic and allogeneic tumor cells; the effector cells that were generated by syngeneic immunization could also provide effective killing of allogeneic tumor cells, although the killing of allogeneic targets might require a longer incubation time (20 to 40 hr). Furthermore, in vivo transplantation immunity against Friend virus-induced leukemias also was induced by immunization with both syngeneic and allogeneic tumors and syngeneic immunization could induce specific protection against the challenge with a-logeneic tumor in x-irradiated hosts. These findings clearly indicate that, both at the sensitizing phase and effector phase of the immune response, there is no strict H-2 dependency for T cell-mediated cytotoxicity or in in vivo transplantation imunity to leukemia-associated antigens.


Regulation of lipopolysaccharide-induced granulopoiesis and macrophage formation by spleen cells. I. Relationship between colony-stimulating factor release and lymphocyte activation in vitro. Addition of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a B cell mitogen, to mouse spleen cultures strongly stimulated production of colony-stimulating factor (CSF), the humoral regulator of granulopoiesis, and macrophage formation in vitro. Secretion of CSF from LPS-stimulated spleen cells coincided with cellualr DNA synthesis and cell transformation and both activities could be attributed to the lipid A moiety of the molecule. Different experimental approaches were used to study the relationship of CSF release and lymphocyte activation in response to LPS: a) modification of LPS with polymyxin B, an antibiotic bactericidal for most Gram-negative bacteria, caused a marked reduction in mitogenic activity, although the ability to induce CSF was not significantly altered; b)spleen cells from CBA/N mice, a mutant strain with an x-linked genetic defect in immunologic and mitogenic responses to polyclonal activators including LPS, showed diminished mitogeinc responses; however, high levels of CSF were produced; c) mitotic and DNA inhibitors (colchicine and cytosine arabinoside) did not affect CSF release although they completely inhibited mitogenicity. Thus, the spleen cell population participating in the process of LPS-induced CSF generation is probably a nondividing, terminally differentiated one without need for DNA synthesis. In addition, it was also shown that active RNA and protein synthesis are needed in this process.


Quantitation of antibody-complement mediated lysis of tumor cells. An assay for quantitating antibody-complement mediated killing based on the release of 125I from 125IUdR labelled target cell is described. The temporal delay between antibody--complement damage and the release of nuclear material was shortened by treatment of the cells with a combination of trypsin and DNase. This treatment increased the rate of release of the labelled nuclear material from damaged cells without causing labelled nuclear material to be released from undamaged cells. The low level of spontaneous release of 125I from the target cells allows this assay to be used for experiments carried out over long time periods or in experiments involving extensive manipulations of the cells.


Prostaglandin biosynthesis in the epidermis and dermis of young mouse skin, and the effects of calcium and cyclic nucleotides. Homogenates of skin from 2- to 3-day old mice converted labeled eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acid to prostaglandins (PGs) PGE1, D1, and F1alpha. For several reasons PGD2 has been overlooked as a possible major PG in skin. The relative formation of each PG was modified by the presence of reduced glutathione (GSH), chelating agents (EDTA, EGTA), and L-epinephrine. Chelating agents and l-epinephrine increased conversion, espeicially to PGE1 but this effect was not due to inactivation of Ca++ which was shown to have no control over the reaction. Cyclic nucleotides including cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) were also ineffective. The conversion occurred mostly in the epidermis. Epidermal preparations were more efficient in the conversion than those from whole skin. Indomethacin (0.2 mM) completely inhibited the reaction.


Outbreak of pox disease among carnivora (felidae) and edentata. An outbreak of pox disease in Carnivora of the family Felidae occurred in the Moscow Zoo. Two forms of the disease were found: (1) fatal, fulminant pulmonary without skin lesions and (2) dermal with rash. The severity of the dermal form varied from subclinical to lethal. The pulmonary form was characterized by pneumonia and exudative pleuritis, and large concentrations of virus were observed in the lungs and exudate. In addition to Carnivora of the family Felidae, two giant anteaters had a severe form of the disease (dermal with hemorrhages) and died. The agent of the outbreak appeared to be very closely related to cowpox virus; however, pocks developed at a lower temperature than do those that result from infection with cowpox virus. Strains isolated from sick animals were identical to the virus previously isolated from an outbreak of pox among elephants and okapi. The most probable sources of infection were rats that were fed to some of the animals. During the outbreak, a female attendant at the zoo became infected.


Junín virus infection of guinea pigs: electron microscopic studies of peripheral blood and bone marrow. Thin sections of peripheral white blood cells and samples of bone marrow from guinea pigs infected with Junín virus were examined by electron microscopy. In peripheral blood cells, 40% of the granulocytes showed cytoplasmic lysis seven days after viral infection. After day 11 up to 80% of these cells showed morphological alterations. However, no intra- or extracellular viral particles were detected in these samples. Microscopy of bone marrow preparations revealed that 10% of the cells were altered five days after infection, and approximately 50% were affected after nine days. At this stage the megakaryocyte channels were seen to contain pleomorphic particles with a mean diameter of 80-100 nm. These particles had a unit membrane envelope and internal dense granules similar to those observed during other arenavirus infections. Therefore, it is suggested that the effect of Junín virus upon megakaryocytes may be a factor responsible for the acute thrombocytopenia observed in Argentine hemorrhagic fever.


Endogenous reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus infections. In a prior systematic community survey, 20 adults were found to have antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen (EA) OF Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in serum. The presence of the latter antibody suggested a recent response to EBV. In the present study the significance of antibody to EA was more extensively evaluated by examination of the sera of these adults for the presence of EBV-specific IgM antibodies (EBV-IgM) and antibodies to EBV nuclear antigen (EBVNA). Sera of a matched group of adults with antibodies to VCA but without antibodies to EA were compared with those of the 20 adults with antibodies to EA (anti-EA-positive). In the anti-EA-positive group, 19 specimens of serum contained EBV-IgM, 16 contained elevated titers of antibodies to VCA, and 20 contained antibodies to EBVNA. The sera of the matched group had neither detectable EBV-IgM nor elevated titers of antibodies to VCA; however, all sera had antibodies to EBVNA. None of the individuals gave a history of an infectious mononucleosis-like illness. It was suggested that the majority, if not all, of the anti-EA-positive group were manifesting a host immune response to endogenous reactivation of latent EBV. It is of interest that the presence of EBV-IgM was part of this response.


Specific impairment of cell-mediated immunity in mothers of infants with congenital infection due to cytomegalovirus. Specific lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in eight infants (six to 27 months old) with congenital CMV infection and in the mothers of six of these infants was evaluated with use of a 51chromium (51Cr)-release microassay. The control population consisted of 25 normal newborns, children, and adults. The titers of indirect hemagglutinating (IHA) antibody to CMV in the infected infants ranged from 1:16 to 1:1,024. All of these infants had detectable specific immune release of 51Cr that ranged from 3.3% to 48.9% (mean +/-SE, 21.0%+/-5.6%). The mothers of these infants demonstrated significantly elevated titers of IHA antibody to CMV (geometric mean titer, 1:410) as compared with a mean titer of 1:22 in controls (t = 5.71; P less than 0.001) but showed significantly depressed specific immune release (9.2% +/- 3.2%) compared with that of normal seropositive controls (24.8% +/- 2.8%; t = 3.31; P less than 0.001). In addition, two adult nulliparous women with persistent CMV viruria were also found to have depressed specific immune release to CMV (10.8% and 16.2%). These data suggest that a specific impairment in cell-mediated immunity to CMV occurs in mothers of infants with congenital CMV infection and in some persons who persistently excrete CMV.


Effect of adenine arabinoside on Epstein-Barr virus in vitro. The effect of adenine arabinoside (ara-A) on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in cultures of lymphoid cells was examined with use of an EBV-producing cell line, P3HR-1, and a nonproducing cell line, Raji. The presence of EBV-associated viral capsid antigen (VCA) and early antigen (EA) was detected by indirect immunofluorescence. Ara-A inhibited the expression of VCA in P3HR-1 cells at concentrations fivefold below those that inhibited cell multiplication; there was no concomitant accumulation of EA. Ara-A did not inhibit superinfection of Raji cells with EBV and did not induce EA until high concentrations of the compound were reached. The inhibition of the expression of VCA but not EA is consistent with a postulated inhibition by ara-A of viral-directed synthesis of DNA. At low concentrations, ara-A may exert a more specific antiviral effect than that reported for idoxuridine and cytosine arabinoside in this system.


Interaction of adenine arabinoside and host defense factors in experimental infections due to Herpesvirus hominis. The role of host immune functions in relation to the antiviral effects of adenine arabinoside (ara-A) and/or humoral antibodies in Herpesvirus hominis infection was studied in four different mouse models (newborn Swiss mice, three-week-old Swiss mice, athymic nude [nu/nu] mice, and phenotypically normal [nu/+] littermates of nude mice). Although the overall beneficial effects afforded by the administration of ara-A and/or humoral antibodies were similar, the degree of protection varied among the four host systems. The data indicate that host defense factors play an important role in modulating the effect of humoral antibodies and/or an antiviral agent. Combined use of ara-A and humoral antibodies resulted in enhanced protection against H. hominis infection. Our data suggest that control of viral infection, particularly in compromised hosts, may require chemoimmunotherapy.


Progressive inhibition of T-cell function preceding clinical signs of cytomegalovirus infection in mice. Groups of mice that received a predominantly lethal or a nonlethal dose of murine cytomegalovirus (CMV) were studied prospectively to correlate clinical observations with detection of virus in spleen cells and with the response of spleen cells to the thymus-derived (T-) cell mitogen concanavalin A (con A). In both groups of mice, virus was virtually cleared from spleen cells by day 8 after infection. Depression of the spleen cell response to con A preceded clinical signs of infection, was more severe in the lethally infected group, and improved as clinical signs cleared in the few surviving mice. Serum from infected mice depressed the response of uninfected spleen cells to con A. These findings support the hypothesis that clinical illness and death from CMV infection of mice are a consequence of events that follow the depression of T-cell function by CMV. This depression is at least partially mediated by a humoral mechanism.


Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 in clinical infections: differences observed by electron microscopy. Microtubule-like structures have been observed ultrastructurally in BHK-21/4 cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) but not in cells infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). BHK-21/4 cells were infected with two known strains of HSV-2 and one known strain of HSV-1, as well as with vesicular fluid from 50 clinical isolates (47 perioral, two penile, and one from the leg) in an examination of the accuracy of electron microscopy for differentiation between clinical isolates of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Cells infected with the known strains of HSV-2 or with material from the genital or leg lesions demonstrated microtubule-like structures. Cells infected by a known strain of HSV-1 or by material from perioral lesions did not show evidence of microtubule-like structures. Typing by indirect hemagglutination of these same 50 clinical isolates gave identical results.


Inhibitory and lethal concentrations of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine and its hypoxanthine-derivative versus herpes simplex virus, type 1. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A, adenine arabinoside, vidarabine) and a purified preparation of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine (arabinoslhypoxanthine, ara-Hx) at end points of 50% MIC50) and 100% (MIC100) reduction to challenges of approximately 50 p.f.u. of herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) were determined in vero renal tissue cultures. Adenosine deaminase is universally present in tissue cultures and serum. These same tests were repeated in the presence of a potent inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, R-3-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-3,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo-4,5-d)-(1,3)-diazepin-8-ol (co-vidarabine, co-ara-A). Addition of co-ara-A to assays of MIC50 or MIC100 for ara-A ensures standard reproducible results which can be compared in different laboratories. After incubations of HSV-1 in infected cultures for 96 hours, 35 degrees C., with concentrations of ara-A or ara-Hx at the MIC100 and over, cells were scraped and sonicated. Supernates were then reinoculated into vero flasks free of antiviral agents to determine minimum lethal concentrations (MLC's). Standard values (microng/ml.) for ara-A with co-ara-A are 11.3 (MIC50), 17.0 (MIC100), and 34.0 (MLC) but are 68.1 (MIC50), 170.4 (MIC100) and 375 (MLC) for ara-Hx. These data confirm that as a virustatic agent (MIC100) ara-A is 10 times more active than ara-Hx. Ara-A and ara-Hx have virucidal potentials which require approximately two times the respective MIC100.


Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal-induced chemotactic factor: subcellular localization, role of protein synthesis and phagocytosis. A factor with chemotactic properties for polymorphonuclear leukocytes appears in their lysosomal fraction following phagocytosis of CCPD crystals. The factor, whose appearance was blocked by inhibition of protein synthesis, was estimated to have a molecular weight of 8,400 daltons. Inhibition of crystal phagocytosis by cytochalasin B was also shown to inhibit the generation of chemotactic factor activity, indicating that ingestion of the crystals by the cell is essential for the generation of the CPPD crystal-induced chemotactic factor. This latter finding provides a clue in the understanding of the development and termination of the acute pseudogout attack.


Interaction of cholesterol ester and triglyceride in human plasma very low density lipoprotein. The properties of human plasma very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and their extracted lipids were compared using calorimetric, X-ray scattering, and polarizing microscopy techniques. Intact LDL, and cholesterol esters isolated from LDL and VLDL each undergo reversible changes in their physical state around body temperature. These transitions are associated with ordered liquid crystalline to liquid phase changes of the cholesterol esters. In contrast to LDL, VLDL has no reversible transitions and shows no evidence of ordered liquid crystalline structures between 10 and 45 degrees C. Therefore, unlike LDL, VLDL does not contain a separate cholesterol ester region capable of undergoing cooperative melting. Solubility studies at 37 degrees C of cholesterol esters and triglyceride isolated from VLDL show that even at a weight ratio of 1:1, which greatly exceeds the relative amount of cholesterol esters in VLDL, cholesterol ester is completely soluble in triglyceride. Thus, the cholesterol ester in VLDL is not sequestered in a separate domain within VLDL, but is dissolved in the liquid core of the particle.


Chylomicron remnant cholesteryl esters as the major constituent of very low density lipoproteins in plasma of cholesterol-fed rabbits. Feeding rabbits 500 mg of cholesterol daily for 4 to 15 days greatly increased the concentration of esterified cholesterol in lipoproteins of d less than 1.006 g/ml. The origin of hypercholesterolemic very low density lipoproteins was investigated by monitoring the degradation of labeled lymph chyomicrons administered to normal and cholesterol-fed rabbits. Chylomicrons were labeled in vivo by feeding either 1) [3H]cholesterol and [14C]oleic acid or 2) [14C]cholesterol and [3H]retinyl acetate. After intravenous injection of labeled chylomicrons to recipient rabbits, [14C]triglyceride hydrolysis was equally rapid in normal and cholesterol-fed animals. Normal rabbits rapidly removed from plasma both labeled cholesteryl and retinyl esters, whereas cholesterol-fed rabbits retained nearly 50% of doubly labeled remnants in plasma 25 min after chylomicron injection. Ultracentrifugal separation of plasma into subfractions of very low density lipoproteins showed that chylomicron remnants in cholesterol-fed animals are found among all subclasses of very low density lipoproteins. Analysis of cholesteryl ester specific activity-time curves for the very low density lipoproteins subfraction from hypercholesterolemic plasma showed that nearly all esterified cholesterol in large very low density lipoproteins and approximately 30% of esterified cholesterol in small very low density lipoproteins was derived from chylomicron degradation. Apparently, nearly two-thirds of the esterified cholesterol in total very low density lipoproteins from moderately hypercholesterolemic rabbits is of dietary origin.


Influence of dietary trans-fatty acids on swine lipoprotein composition and structure. Four groups of 20 weanling swine each were fed either (a) basal diet, (b) basal plus hydrogenated fat (13% trans), (c) basal plus hydrogenated fat (13% trans) and 0.4% cholesterol, or (d) basal plus beef tallow (all cis). After six months of feeding, the animals were killed and the blood and aortas were removed. Very low density, low density, and high density lipoproteins were then isolated from the plasma by ultracentrifugal flotation. Although the fatty acid composition of the basal diet was different from the diets supplemented with either hydrogenated fat containing trans-fatty acid or beef tallow containing all cis, the lipid and fatty acid compositions of each of the isolated lipoprotein classes for the four groups of animals were remarkably similar. Elaidate was clearly incorporated into the lipoproteins of animals fed hydrogenated fat, but the level of incorporation was generally less than 5%. In a direct comparison of the structure of the lipoproteins from the different groups, we did not find any significant differences in their physical properties as determined by pyrene fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance methods. Grossly visible fatty streaks and fibrous plaques were not found in any of the swine aorta. However, light and electron microscopy indicated the presence of atherosclerotic lesions in the distal abdominal aorta and bifurcation. These studies demonstrate that a diet containing a substantial amount of trans-fatty acid leads to a small but definite incorporation into the swine lipoproteins. However, such changes had relatively little effect on lipoprotein structure or the presence of atherosclerotic lesions in these 6-month-old swine.


Characterization of plasma low density lipoproteins on nonhuman primates fed dietary cholesterol. LDL from animals of three nonhuman primate species, Macaca mulatta, Macaca fascicularis, and Cercopithecus aethiops, were studied. A standard preparation of 125I-LDL was added to isolated lipoprotein mixtures just prior to separation of plasma lipoproteins by agarose gel chromatography. A relative size index, rI, was determined by dividing the elution volume of the iodinated LDL by the elution volume of the sample LDL, both volumes being determined simultaneously during chromatographic elution. Comparison of rI with molecular weights measured by flotation equilibrium analysis in the analytical ultracentrifuge showed a linear relationship across a molecular weight range of 2.5-8.0 X 10(6), r = 0.985. A regression equation describing this relationship was used to calculate molecular weights of LDL from a group of M. fascicularis that were fed cholesterol-containing diets. In these animals, plasma cholesterol concentration ranged from 100 to over 700 mg/dl and was highly correlated with LDL molecular weight and with the micromolar concentration of the LDL. Using multiple regression analyses, the two variables of plasma LDL could be shown to account for 94% of the variation in plasma cholesterol concentration in the M. fascicularis of this study. Micromolar concentration and molecular weight of LDL were not correlated with each other, suggesting that in M. fascicularis at least two independent types of controls are operative in the response of plasma LDL to dietary cholesterol. The increase in LDL molecular weight was associated with a large increase in cholesteryl ester content and concomitant smaller increases in protein, phospholipid, and free cholesterol. As molecular weight increased, these components appeared to be added to the LDL particles together as discrete increments of fixed composition. The data are consistent with a spherical model of LDL structure with a core of cholesteryl ester and triglyceride and a 21.3 A-thick coat of phospholipid, free cholesterol, and protein.


Microdetermination of cholesterol in serum lipoproteins. A two-step procedure for the microdetermination of cholesterol in serum lipoproteins is compared with cholesterol quantitation after density gradient ultracentrifugation. Serum lipoproteins from 10 mul of serum are separated by electrophoresis on agarose and visualized by precipitation with dextran sulfate--CaCl2. The lipoprotein bands are cut off from the plates, the agarose slices are hydrolyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. The comparison between the two procedures reveals satisfactory correlations for beta-and pre-beta-lipoproteins and total serum. There is excellent recovery of cholesterol in fractionated lipoproteins.


Restricted mandibular movement. Report of 2 unusual causes. Hypomobility of the temporomandibular joint has a variety of causes. Two patients are presented in whom restricted jaw movement was the only clinical manifestation of serious underlying disease. The importance of submitting all tissues removed from patients for histopathological diagnosis is stressed.


Signal propagation in 2-dimensional threshold cellular space. A two-dimensional network of uniformly connected McCulloch-Pitts neurons is considered and signal propagations in the network are analyzed. The problems are set up in the framework of cellular space such that each cell is a copy of any given McCulloch-Pitts neuron and is connected to the nearest neighboring cells. It is assumed that the threshold value is positive and that there exists only one firing cell at the beginning. Then it is shown that essentially there are only four signal propagation patterns and a firing pattern at any time t can be obtained by such a superposition of the propagation patterns that includes the newly defined concept of dominance and assimilation. The exact formulae representing firing patterns at any time t are obtained for any finite rectangle cell space with constant 0 (i.e., non-firing) boundary condition and for the entire two-dimensional cellular space.


Temporal relationships between the diurnal rhythm of hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing factor, pituitary corticotrophin and plasma corticosterone in the rat. Plasma corticosterone (fluorometric assay), pituitary ACTH (bioassay using isolated adrenal cells) and hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) (bioassay using isolated pituitary cells) were measured singly in groups of six female rats which were killed at 11.00, 15.00, 19.00, 21.00, 23.00, 01.00, 03.00, 05.00, 07.00 and 11.00 h, after 5 weeks of adaptation to a photoperiod of 12 h light: 12 h darkness. Locomotor activity was recorded continuously, using actographic cages, and the waking/sleep pattern was recorded by electroencephalography from chronically implanted control rats during the first hours of the light span. The three hormones msured fluctuated with a 24 h rhythmicity, with extreme values ranging between 4-12+/-1-42 and 31-78+/-194(S.E.M.) microng/100 ml for corticosterone, 4486+/-269 and 16629+/-882 micronu/mg pituitary for ACTH, and 439+/-20 and 1270+/-39 micronu. ACTH production/hypothalamus/10(5) pituitary cells. The onset of the ascending phase of the rhythm started during the first 2 h of light for CRF, 2 h later for ACTH, and again 2 h later for corticosterone. Similarly, the estimated acrophase of the rhythms occurred respectively, 9-4 (CRF), 10-3 (ACTH) and 14-4 h (corticosterone) after onset of light. These phase relationships point to a central origin of the adrenal rhythm. The diurnal activation of CRF at the very beginning of the light phase was concomitant with an almost immediate reduction of the locomotor activity and onset of sleep. These correlations favour the hypothesis of a common temporal control of both the adrenal and the sleep/waking rhythms.


The use of corticotrophin production by adenohypophysial tissue in vitro for the detection and estimation of potential corticotrophin releasing factors. The cytochemical assay for ACTH has been adapted into a method for the detection and determination of potential corticotropsin releasing factors. Of the many putative transmitter substances tested, only the posterior pituitary polypeptides resembled hypothalamic extracts in causing dose-related increases in both pituitary ACTH content and release. Vasotocin was the most active of the compounds studied and, unlike the vasopressins, its dose-response relationships closely resembled those of hypothalamic extracts. The increase in ACTH release induced by hypothalamic extract of vasopressin was reduced by corticossterone, cortisol or progesterone but not by testosterone or oestradiol, but the increase in pituitary ACTH content was not affected by any of these steroids.


Hypothalamic luteinizing hormone releasing factor and corticotrophin releasing activity in relation to pituitary and plasma hormone levels in male and female rats. Hypothalamic corticotrophin releasing (CR) activity and LH-releasing factor (RF) content, and pituitary and plasma LH, FSH and ACTH were measured in adult male and female Wistar rats maintained under 14 h light per day. Hypothalamic LH-RF and pituitary and plasma hormones were estimated by radioimmunoassay while CR-activity was assessed by the amount of ACTH released from hemipituitaries in vitro. Two experiments were carried out on male animals. In the first, some of the animals were kept in a room, distant from the animal house, in which the lighting was reversed with respect to the external environment. In animals exposed to the reversed lighting regime, hypothalamic LH-RF content and pituitary gonadotrophin concentrations were significantly lower than the values in male rats kept in the animal house where they were in close proximity to female rats. In the second experiment, which was carried out on animals which had all been kept in the animal house, there was no significant differences between the LH-RF contents measured at 3-4 h intervals throughout the day. Pituitary LH and FSH contents, but not concentrations, were significantly increased at 12.00 h. There was little differences between the experiments in CR-activity, plasma ACTH concentrations and profiles of pituitary ACTH content and concentration. As expected there was a diurnal rhythm in plasma corticosterone concentrations (determined by competitive protein-binding assay) with the peak occurring between 15.00 and 18.00 h. The profiles of plasma and pituitary ACTH were similar to that of plasma corticosterone. Corticotrophin releasing activity dropped significantly between 12.00 and 16.00 h, but remained steady at the other times. In female rats there were no significant differences between hypothalamic LH-RF content throughout the 4-day cycle. During pro-oestrus the mean LH-RF content rose to teach a high level at 18.00 h at which time plasma LH concentration had risen sharply to a level consistent with the peak of the preovulatory surge. Plasma FSH concentration also rose significantly between 15.00 and 18.00 h of pro-oestrus. At metoestrus and dioestrus, plasma FSH levels were lower in the morning than in the evening. These results suggest that (1) there is no diurnal rhythm in hypothalamic LH-RF, (2) there may be a diurnal rhythm in pituitary gonadotrophin content in the male and in plasma FSH concentration on the days of metoestrus and dioestrus in the female, (3) if a surge of LH-RF does occur on the afternoon of pro-oestrus, the rate of LH-RF synthesis exceeds its release, and (4) the mechanism which regulates gonadotrophin secretion in the male may be affected by factors in the environment other than daylength. The results provide further evidence for the view that the diurnal rhythm of corticosterone secretion is under hypothalamo-hypophysial control.


Releasing factor and hormonal changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotrophin and -adrenocorticotrophin systems before and after birth and puberty in male, female and androgenized female rats. The hypothalamic content of LH releasing factor (RF), pituitary ACTH and pituitary and plasma LH and FSH were measured by radioimmunoassay from foetal Day 15 to postnatal Day 65. Bioassayable corticotrophin releasing activity was also measured during the postnatal period. Hypothalamic LH-RF was detectable as early as foetal Day 15, increasing gradually until postnatal Day 2 and then steeply between Days 5 and 16. The levels of LH-RF were similar in both male and normal female rats until Day 41, after which the increase which had been occurring from Day 16 continued in the male but not the female. In female rats treated with testosterone propionate neonatally ('androgenized females') the hypothalamic content of LH-RF at Day 9 was significantly less than that in the male or normal female, levels reaching those found in the latter two groups by Days 16-22. The lower level of LH-RF in the androgenized female was associated with pituitary gonadotrophin and plasma FSH levels which were lower than in the normal female until Day 30. In the normal female, vaginal opening was associated with a marked drop in hypothalamic LH-RF content and in pituitary LH and FSH, but in the androgenized female, vaginal opening occurred while hypothalamic LH-RF and pituitary LH levels were still rising. The peaks in pituitary FSH and LH and in plasma LH seen on Days 22, 30 and 41, respectively, in the normal female were each delayed by 8-9 days in the androgenized female. In all three types of animal there was a significant drop in plasma FSH between Days 50 and 65 which was associated with a significant increase in pituitary FSH in the male and a significant decrease in pituitary FSH in the androgenized female rats. The day 17 foetal pituitary gland also contained ACTH, and again levels of this hormone rose steeply between Days 5 and 9. In contrast to the gonadotrophins, there was a marked divergence between the pituitary content and concentration of ACTH: content rose while concentration remained relatively steady after Day 9. There was no major difference in pituitary ACTH levels between the three types of animal throughout the study; however, around Days 16 and 50, corticotrophin releasing activity was higher in males and androgenized females compared with that in normal females.


Simultaneous radioimmunoassay for corticosterone and deoxycortisol in human serum: sex differences in the mean serum concentrations. A specific radioimmunoassay is described which allows the simultaneous determination of serum corticosterone and deoxycortisol. The method involves extraction with dichloromethane, purification by paper chromatography in a modified Bush-system and quantitation by radioimmunoassay. The normal serum concentration of both steroids were found to be dependent on sex and menstrual cycle. Mean concentrations (+/- S.D.) in males, females (follicular phase) and females (luteal phase) were 4210 +/- 2170 ng/1,2410 + 1480 ng/1 and 4390 +/- 2320 ng/1 for corticosterone and 499 +/- 273 ng/1, 207 +/- 152 ng/1 and 335 +/- 182 ng/1 for deoxycortisol. After adrenal stimulation by corticotropin itself or by insulin induced hypoglycemia, the serum concentrations of corticosterone became significantly higher than those of deoxycortisol. After oral administration of dexamethasone serum concentrations of both steroids were suppressed to levels below the limit of the normal range. One hour after oral metyrapone administration at midnight, serum corticosterone decreased, while serum deoxycortisol increased by a factor of about five. After eight hours serum concentrations of both steroids were increased considerably. Corticosterone attained levels slightly higher than the normal range and deoxycortisol rose to levels which were higher than the normal mean concentrations by a factor of about 500.


Turnover of cytochrome C in skeletal muscle of green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus, R.) during thermal acclimation. The concentration of cytochrome c in the skeletal muscle of the green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) increases with decreasing temperature of acclimation: 1.51 +/- 0.09, 1.17 +/- 0.03, and 0.98 +/- 0.07 nanomoles per gram wet weight from muscle of animals acclimated to 5 degrees, 15 degrees, and 25 degrees C, respectively. The roles of synthesis and degradation of cytochrome c during thermal acclimation were investigated by measurement of loss of specific radioactivity from cytochrome c and from total mitochondrial heme protein, and by analysis of the rate of change in concentration of cytochrome c. The radioisotope used was 14C-delta-aminolevulinic acid, a non-reutilizable heme precursor. At 25 degrees C, the half-life of cytochrome c was 7.1 days based on radioactivity measurements and 5.6 days based on change in concentration. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in half-lives obtained by the two methods. The half-life of total mitochondrial heme protein was determined to be 5.7 days on the basis of radioactivity data, under the same conditions. No significant difference was found between the rate of turnover of the heme protein pool from mitochondria and either measurement for cytochrome c at 25 degrees C. At an acclimation temperature of 5 degrees C, the half-life of cytochrome c from skeletal muscle was 13.7 days based upon changes in concentration. At low acclimation temperature, radioactive label was retained in acid-soluble form by fish for many days, precluding measurement of half-life by this technique. Transfer of fish from 25 degrees to 5 degrees C resulted in a rapid decrease of approximately 40% in rates in synthesis of skeletal muscle cytochrome c, and a concomitant decrease in the degradation rate constant for this molecule of approximately 60%. The disproportionality in temperature-sensitivities of these two processes leads to an approximately 50% net increase in the concentration of cytochrome c during acclimation. In transfer from 5 degrees to 25 degrees C, the converse, rapid readjustments in synthetic and degradative parameters occur, resulting in the observed decrease in cytochrome c content.


Cyclic AMP regulation of active chloride transport in the rectal gland of marine elasmobranchs. Active transport of chloride in the salt secreting rectal gland of the dogfish Squalus acanthias is markedly stimulated by the addition of theophylline (0.01 to 5 mM) or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0.05 mM) during in vitro perfusion. The effect occurs promptly and may persist for two hours. Specific hormonal effectors have not yet been identified. The isolated perfused rectal gland thus offers a unique opportunity to examine the cellular mechanisms of active chloride secretion.


Idiopathic orthostatic hypotension from failure of noradrenaline release in a patient with vasomotor innervation. A 26 year old man is described with life-long orthostatic hypotension unrelated to autonomic nerve degeneration and apparently due to failure of peripheral noradrenaline realese. Tests of parasympathetic and sympathetic cholinergic nerve function were normal, but sympathetic adrenergic activity was defective. Thus blood pressure regulation was abnoraml. There was no pressor response to tyramine, an indirect sympathomimetic drug, but a marked pressor response to the directly acting sympathomimetic drugs phenylephrine and noradrenaline. On standing there was a progressive fall rather than a rise in circulating noradrenaline concentrations, although adrenaline levels rose normally. The pupils showed diminished responses to ephedrine and cocaine, and a normal response to phenylephrine. Fluorescence microscopy of blood bessels showed that they were innervated with adrenergic nerves. His orthostatic hypotenstion responded well to oral phenylephrine (50 mg five times daily) but not to other forms of therapy. It is suggested that this patient's symptoms were due to failure of noradrenaline release even though sympathetic adrenergic nerves were present. We therfore wish to draw attention to a further cause of orthostatic hypotension, failure of peripheral noradrenaline release without autonomic neuropathy.


Prolonged conduction block with axonal degeneration. An electrophysiological study. Serial electrophysiological studies were performed in a case of 'tourniquet paralysis' of the upper limb after the application of an Esmarch bandage above the elbow. Three months after onset of paralysis, nerve conduction was reduced to a quarter of normal between elbow and and axilla along the few fibres still conducting through the lesion, but was normal distal to the block. Seven months after nerve damage, EMG showed evidence of reinnervation after Wallerian degeneration, and half the nerve fibres had recovered from the conduction block. Thirteen months after nerve injury clinical examination and nerve conduction were normal, but EMG still showed evidence of partial denervation.


Nerve, muscle, and serotonin.

Nerve, muscle, and serotonin. Effects of serotonin one neuromuscular transmission and muscle contraction were studied in the tibialis anterior of rabbits. Serotonin antagonised the Mg++-induced block of transmission, and also provided dual effects on the curare-induced block, anti-curare phase followed by curare-potentiating phase. Independent of transmission processes, serotonin caused a reduction in twitch tension, mainly associated with decreased acceleration of twitch development. These serotonin actions were independent of vascular changes; pharmacological mechanisms are discussed in comparison with those of adrenaline and isoprenaline. A possible role of serotonin in causing a myopathy is proposed.


Toxic polyneuropathies in Italy due to leather cement poisoning in shoe industries. A light- and electron-microscopic study. The peripheral nerve biopsy specimens of 4 cases of toxic polyneruopathies induced by exposure to leather cement in shoe industries were studied. Analysis of the cements used in the manufacturing process proved them to contain n-hexane as a volatile substance. Light- and electron-microscopic examination of nerve biopsies showed segmental swelling of axons due to the accumulation of packed filaments and thinning of the overlying myelin sheath. Neither active nerve fibre degeneration nor regeneration were frequently seen. It has been suggested that features of so-called giant axonal neuropathy are the most common pattern of peripheral nerve degeneration in chronic n-hexane intoxication.


Fingerprint inclusions. Ultrastructural demonstration of muscle fiber type specificity. Fingerprint inclusions were identified in the skeletal muscle of a child with severe hypotonia. The mean Z-line and M-line widths from each of 19 muscle fibers containing the fingerprint inclusions were calculated. The mean Z-line widths were 85-99 nm, and the mean M-line widths were 75-101 nm. According to out present system of fiber typing, all of these fibers would be classified as Type I. The possible pathogenesis and fiber type specificity of the fingerprint inclusion is discussed.


Hypobetalipoproteinemia with abnormal prebetalipoprotein. A 47-year-old man who had cerebellar ataxia and low plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels is reported. His tendon reflexes were hyperactive and the plantar responses were extensor. There was no acanthocytosis. Total lipids (380 mg/dl), total cholesterol (106 mg/dl), esterified cholesterol (74 mg/dl), triglyceride (58 mg/dl), phospholipids (124 mg/dl) and free fatty acids (303 muequiv./l) were generally decreased. A disturbance of lipid absorption due to a defect of chylomicron formation and hepatic steatosis were also disclosed. On lipoprotein electrophoresis, prebetalipoprotein was very faint and migrated more slowly than normal. Betalipoprotein and alphalipoprotein were moderately reduced in concentration but migrated normally. The concentration of isolated VLDL was only one-tenth of that in normal subjects and it migrated as slow prebetalipoprotein. Although the lipid composition of VLDL was similar to that of normal VLDL, the lack of minor components was disclosed by SDS-PAG electrophoresis. Incorporation of [1-14C]acetate into VLDL lipids was significantly reduced to a greater extent than that of LDL and HDL. From these findings, we discuss the possibility that hypobetalipoproteinemia results from impaired VLDL synthesis.


Functional organization of vestibular and visual inputs to neck and forelimb motoneurons in the frog. 1. Intracellular responses in neck and forelimb motoneurons to electrical stimulation of the vestibular nerve, the optic tectum, and the optic nerve were studied in frog. 2. Stimulation of the anterior branch of the vestibular nerve typically produced EPSPs, bilaterally, in neck, shoulder (DOR), and forelimb extensor (TRI, RAD) motoneurons, and bilateral IPSPs in forelimb adductor (PED) and flexor (ULN, COR) motoneurons. 3. Latencies of PSPs recorded in neck, shoulder, and proximal extensor motoneurons (TRI) were mostly in the disynaptic range, whereas many of those recorded in distal extensor (RAD) and in adductor and flexor motoneurons involved three synapses. 4. Lesion of the vestibulospinal fibers greatly reduced the vestibular nerve-evoked field potentials in the spinal cord and the occurrence of PSPs in forelimb motoneurons. These results as well as the latency measurements suggest that the pathway linking vestibular nerve and forelimb motoneurons mainly consists of vestibulospinal fibers, though involvement of other structures for production of later PSPs could not be completely ruled out. Hemisection of the brain stem at its most caudal level showed that the pathway to the contralateral motoneurons crosses at the level of brain stem as well as in the spinal cord. 5. Stimulation of the optic tectum produced EPSPs, IPSPs, and a mixture of EPSPs and IPSPs in neck, shoulder, and forelimb motoneurons, bilaterally. Most frequently, a combination of an excitation and inhibition was observed. The pathway from the optic tectum to neck and limb motoneurons is at least dysnaptic in nature. 6. Stimulation of the optic nerve produced IPSPs and a mixture of EPSPs and IPSPs in neck and forelimb motoneurons. Impulses originating from the optic nerve descend as far as to lumbar motoneurons producing EPSP-IPSP sequences bilaterally. 7. Interaction studies suggested that the vestibular and optic pathways to neck and forelimb motoneurons are separate from each other so that the site of integration of vestibular and visual input occurs at the level of motoneurons. 8. Evidence for electronic coupling among forelimb motoneurons and electrical synaptic transmission in th pathway linking vestibular nerve and forelimb motoneurons is presented.


Physiological and kinetic properties of cholinergic receptors activated by multiaction interneurons in buccal ganglia of Aplysia. 1. Neurons of Aplysia buccal ganglia contain three types of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors, each of which has been characterized by its sensitivity to inhibitors and kinetics of desensitization and by the properties of the conductance change it controls, including reversal potential, major ion, and functional consequence. The receptors are classified as depolarizing, slowly decrementing hyperpolarizing, and rapidly decrementing hyperpolarizing. Identified neurons are innervated by identified cholinergic multiaction interneurons; the form of the postsynaptic potential produced depends on the number and class of receptor found on each cell. 2. Interneuronal action potentials produce monosynaptic IPSPs by activating slowly decrementing hyperpolarizing receptors on seven cells in each ganglion. The IPSP reversal potential of 75 mV is shifted 42 mV in a depolarizing direction in Cl = free seawater. The ACh response has a reversal potential identical to that of the PSP; the PSP is blocked by 10(-4) g/ml curare but unaffected by hexamethonium. Interneuronal action potentials also produce monosynaptic EPSPs with a -14 mV extrapolated reversal potential by activating depolarizing receptors on one cell in each ganglion. This PSP is blocked by 10(-4) g/ml hexamethonium and mimicked by a Na-dependent ACh response. 3. Each interneuronal action potential also produces a diphasic depolarizing-hyperpolarizing synaptic potential in one cell in each ganglion as a result of released ACh acting on two classes of postsynaptic receptor on the same cell. One of these receptors is depolarizing; the other is a rapidly decrementing hyperpolarizing receptor. The two differ in their sensitivity to inhibitors, and the conductance changes they produce differ in their reversal potential, duration, and functional consequences. Both components can be mimicked by iontophoretic application of ACh. 4. Although the hyperpolarizing receptors on the inhibitory and diphasic follower cells have similar sensitivity to inhibitors and control similar conductance changes, they differ in their kinetics of desensitization. The hyperpolarizing receptor on the diphasic cell shows marked decrement to repeated presynaptic action potentials and to repeated iontophoretic application of ACh. This decrement is greater than that seen in either the hyperpolarizing receptor on the inhibitory follower cell or the depolarizing receptor on the dual follower cell. The shape of the PSP in the diphasic follower and its effect on firing of the cell are thus functions of both membrane potential and the degree of desensitization of the receptor. 5. Rate of desensitization is, therefore, an additional criterion for characterizing otherwise similar receptors for neurotransmitters.


Organization of visual inputs to interneurons of lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat. 1. Two groups of interneurons that are involved in the organization of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) are described. The cell bodies of one group lie within the LGN; these units are referred to as intrageniculate. The cell bodies of the other group are found immediately above the LGN at its border with the perigeniculate nucleus; these units are referred to as perigeniculate. 2. Intrageniculate interneurons have center-surround receptive fields that resemble those of relay (principal) cells. They can be subdivided into brisk or sluggish and sustained or transient categories. They are stimulated transsynaptically from the visual cortex and have a characteristic variation in the latency of their spike response to such stimulation both at threshold and for suprathreshold stimuli. The pathway for this stimulation appears to be via cortical efferents to the LGN. Intrageniculate interneurons receive direct, monosynaptic retinal inputs, as determined by recording simultaneously from such interneurons and from the ganglion cells which provide excitatory input to them. Similar to relay cells, they are shown to have one or two major ganglion cell inputs. 3. Perigeniculate interneurons are generally binocularly innervated and give on-off responses to small spot stimuli throughout their receptive field. They respond well to rapid movement of large targets. They respond to electrical stimulation of the retina with a spike latency that falls between that of brisk transient and brisk sustained relay cells. This latency is one synaptic delay longer than that of brisk transient relay cell activation and suggests that they are excited by axon collaterals of these relay cells. Electrical stimulation of the visual cortex is also consistent with this model; the latency of the response of perigeniculate interneurons is approximately one synaptic delay longer than the latency of the response of brisk transient relay cells. 4. The interneuronal pathways described are consistent with proposed circuits that subserve the generation of IPSPs that arise in response to optic nerve and visual cortical stimulation. We now show that such inhibition has feed-forward (intrageniculate) and feed-back (perigeniculate) components that are mediated by two different classes of geniculate interneurons. It is suggested that the intrageniculate interneurons are involved in precise, spatially organized inhibition and that the perigeniculate interneurons are part of a more general, diffuse inhibitory system that modulates LGN excitability.


Immunobiology of primary intracranial tumors. Part 1: studies of the cellular and humoral general immune competence of brain-tumor patients. Cellular and humoral immune parameters were evaluated in a series of brain-tumor patients, 42 with glioblastoma multiforme, 17 with other anaplastic gliomas, and 17 with meningiomas. A degree of anergy was found, which seems in the group as a whole to be proportional to the degree of anaplasia. In addition, serial bimonthyl testing in individual cases revealed further reduction in certain immune responses coincident with clinical decline.


Cyclic AMP and adenyl cyclase in brain tumors. Some of the regulatory mechanisms of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (AMP) production in human brain tumors were investigated by assessing both cyclic AMP levels and adenyl cyclase activity. A large disparity was found between the levels of cyclic AMP of normal brain and brain-tumor tissue. Cyclic AMP levels were much lower in brain tumors (25.8 pmoles (picomoles)/mg protein) than in normal brain (98.8 pmoles/mg protein). These studies also show that the abnormally low levels of cyclic AMP in tumors parallel those of adenyl cyclase. The mean adenyl cyclase activity of brain tissue was found to be 111.0 pmoles of cyclic AMP/min/mg protein, while that of the tumor was only 23.0 pmoles/min/mg protein. Levels of cyclic AMP and adenyl cyclase activity were inversely related to the degree of malignancy. Attempts to stimulate adenyl cyclase in homogenates of human brain and brain tumors resulted in a similar response in both tissues. Norepinephrone was the most effective stimulant and produced a two- to threefold increase in cyclic AMP production, while histamine had no effect. It is concluded that one of the factors governing tumor growth may be a defect in the adenyl cyclase system.


Effects of cyclic AMP and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism in the baboon. Adenosine 3',5'-cycle monophosphate (cyclic AMP) (0.5 mg/kg) was infused into the carotid artery of baboons anesthesized with sodium pentobarbital, causing a biphasic increase in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduction in cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) associated in each phase with stimulation of cerebral metabolism evidenced by increased cerebral oxygen consumption (COMRO2) and cerebral glucose consumption (CMRG1). Intracarotid dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0.5 mg/kg) caused a monophasic increase in CBF and reduction of CVR but failed to alter cerebral metabolism. This may be due to its rapid removal from the circulation with ineffective passage across the blood-brain barrier since intracisternal infusion of dibutyryl cyclic AMP caused sustained increase in CBF, CMRO2 and CMRG1 and reduction in CVR. Intracarotid AMP (0.4 mg/kg) and adenosine (0.3 mg/kg) caused an immediate and more marked increase in CBF and decrease in CVR unassociated with cerebral metabolic change making it unlikely that the observed effects of cyclic AMP can be attributed to its breakdown products. Cyclic AMP or its dibutyryl derivative may alter cerebral metabolism secondary to neuronal activation but increase in glucose/oxygen utilization ratio after intracarotid cyclic AMP and intracisternal dibutytyl cyclic AMP also suggests an influence on enzymatic regulation of glucose metabolism.


Radionuclide imaging, computed tomography, and gray-scale ultrasonography of the liver: a comparative study. Transmission computed tomography (CT), gray-scale ultrasonography, and scinitillation-camera imaging were compared for detection of intrahepatic space-occupying processes. Fifty patients with suspected liver disease were studied by the three modalities. In the 35 cases with confirmed abnormalities, the madalities were rated on a scale of 0 to 5 in terms of their detection value; Each modality was found to have definite advantages and disadvantages. The mean score of ultrasound was highest (3.61), followed by nuclear medicine (3.11) and then CT (2.77). The combination of ultrasound and nuclear medicine identified all lesions, whereas CT alone or in combination with another technique occasionally failed to detect abnormal foci. In the future, the relative efficacy of these procedures may change with improved imaging technology and increased interpreter experience.


Localization of 99mTc-Sn-pyrophosphate in left ventricular aneurysms. Concentration of 99mTc-pyrophosphate (99mTc-PPi) in the area of left ventricular aneurysms is discussed. In three cases clinical, laboratory, and electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence did not indicate that these patients currently had an acute myocardial infarction, but each patient had a clinical history and an ECG picture compatible with an old myocardial infarction. Cardiac catheterization revealed a large left ventricular aneurysm in all three cases. The reason for the preferential uptake of the radionuclide in the area of these aneurysms is not certain at this time.


Renal displacement visualized on myocardial scintigram: case report. Myocardial scinitgrams, using 99mTc-stannous pyrophosphate, showed an acute posterior infarction and an abnormally placed left kidney in a 24-year-old hypertensive man; Further study revealed that the kidney was displaced by a mass later proven to be a pheochromocytoma. The latter was the cause of his hypertension and probably instigated the acute myocardial infarction.


Chick brain calcium binding protein: response to cholecalciferol and some developmental aspects. Following oral administration of 3H-cholecalciferol to rachitic chicks, the radioactive metabolites found in brain tissues were separated by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography. The parent vitamins and two biologically important metabolites, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol were detected in the brain, although at relatively low levels. A comparison with other tissues suggested the brain was much less permeable to the vitamin D steroids than were other tissues. However, chronic cholecalciferol administration for 4 weeks to severely vitamin D deficient chicks elicited a significant increase in the cerebellar content of a calcium-binding protein (CaBP). The lowest level administered, 2 IU/day (130 pmole), increased the CaBP content by more than 50%, while 16 IU/day (1.04 nmole) doubled the CaBP content. Chick brain CaBP has the same physical characteristics and is immunologically identical to the vitamin D-induced CaBP present in chick intestine, it differs in that single acute doses of vitamin D do not increase the content of brain CaBP while intestinal CaBP synthesis is stimulated significantly. The time course of appearance and content of brain CaBP in embryonic chicks was monitored. It was first detectable in the brain at day 15 of incubation and increased to a near post-hatch level by day 20. It differed in its initial time of appearance from both kidney CaBP which first appears at day 10 and intestinal CaBP which is not detectable until hatch day.


Changes in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and selected blood parameters after injection of massive doses of cholecalciferol or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in non-lactating dairy cows. Plasma levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, free hydroxyproline, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium were determined in non-lactating, pregnant dairy cows injected intra-muscularly with 15 X 10(6) IU of cholecalciferol or 25 mg of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. A lag in the conversion of cholecalciferol to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was observed in the cows injected with cholecalciferol, while an immediate increase was observed when cows were injected with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol directly. The increased plasma levels of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol following injection of cholecalciferol were directly related to rises in plasma free hydroxy-proline, calcium, and phosphorus, while plasma magnesium was inversely related to plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. Injection of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol caused an immediate increase in plasma calcium which persisted for the duration of the experiment. The biological half-life of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in the injected cows was found to be 34 days. The data indicate the possibility of a feedback mechanism in which massive doses of cholecalciferol inhibit hydroxylation at the 25ths carbon preventing its conversion to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol until after 8 days post injection. The increase in plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol after 8 days  resulted in increased bone resorption as indicated by plasma free hydroxyproline.


The carbohydrate metabolism of Brugia pahangi microfilariae. Evidence is presented that the microfilariae of Litomosoides carinii, Dipetalonema viteae and Brugia pahangi have an aerobic requirement for motility, but possibly not for survival. In addition, the data suggest that in an in vitro anaerobic environment, B. pahangi microfilariae ferment glucose only as far as lactate. In an aerobic environment, however, the data are consistent with a portion of glucose being dissimilated via a one step oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate formed from glycolysis to acetate and CO2. In addition, a low level of complete oxidation, possibly via a tricarboxylic acid cycle pathway, may be occurring. Finally, if B. pahangi microfilariae are immobilized with levamisole in an aerobic atmosphere, the drug appears to alter the aerobic glucose metabolism of the parasite both qualitatively and quantitatively. A decreased glucose utilization occurs, together with a shift to a more nearly homolactate fermentation. It is suggested that the effects of levamisole on the metabolism of the microfilariid are secondary to the observed paralysis.


Diagnostic and operative problems in multiple pheochromocytomas. Two children, aged 14 yr, with multiple pheochromocytomas are presented. Both patients had a positive family history. In the preoperative aortographies the intra-adrenal pheochromocytomas of both patients were well visualized, but not the extra-adrenal tumors of the first case. Chlorpromazine as an adrenergic blocking agent was successfully used in the preoperative treatment. Postoperative catecholamine excretion in the first case was repeatedly slightly increased indicating residual pheochromocytoma. In addition to the bilateral adrenal pheochromocytomas, multiple islet cell adrenomas and cholecystolithiasis were revealed at the operation of the second case. After bilateral adrenalectomy and total pancreaticoduodenectomy, regular follow-up examinations were carried out for 28 months. Hyperparathyroidism and signs of possible medullary thryoid carcinoma were discovered. Thus the patient had an unique pattern of MEA syndrome.


Determination of porosity and pore-size distribution of aspirin tablets relevant to drug stability. Total porosity and pore-size distribution of aspirin tablets prepared from aspirin, starch USP, and precipitated colloidal silicon dioxide were determined using mercury porosimetry. The model represented a hydrolyzable drug substance in combination with simple excipients. The role of starch and silicon dioxide on the microstructure of the tablets was investigated, as was the chemical stability of various systems. In general, the porosity of tablets containing a constant quantity of starch increased linearly with silicon dioxide concentration. Examination of the pore-size distribution, however, revealed that a low concentrations silicon dioxide functioned primarily to reduce the size and volume of coarse pores representing the spaces between the agglomerates of starch and aspirin particles. This effect was optimum at 3%. A further increase in silicon dioxide concentration produced tablets with relatively larger pore sizes. Studies of changes in the porosity characteristics of tablets as influenced by water vapor over time showed distinct differences in this complex parameter. A unique trend in the change of the pore-size distribution was noted with tablets containing 3% silicon dioxide. These observations are discussed relative to the stability of aspirin tablets in which this concentration of silicon dioxide produced a maximum stabilizing effect.


Phenobarbital actions in vivo: effects on extra cellular potassium activity and oxidative metabolism in cat cerebral cortex. Extracellular potassium activity and changes in the reduction levels of intramitochondrial pyridine nucleotide (NAD) and cytochrome-a,a3 were monitored in the cerebral cortex of cats at rest and during electrical stimulation, before and after administration of sodium phenobarbital. Stimulation of the cortical surface evoked a transient increase in the level of oxidized NAD which was proportional in magnitude to the associated transient elevation of extracellular potassium. Phenobarbital (i.v.) produced, within minutes, a persistent shift in NAD to a more reduced level indicative of decreased oxygen consumption. Electrical excitability of the cortex also decreased within minutes, although there was no concomitant change in the resting extracellular potassium activity. Cortical stimulation produced transient elevations of [K+]0 and NADH oxidation and these responses returned to base lines more slowly following the barbiturate administration. However, the proportionality between NADH oxidation and [K+]0 elevation was not altered by phenobarbital. The kinetics of the cytochrome-a, a3 response to cortical stimulation mirrored those of NADH, implying that phenobarbital was not blocking electron transport in the respiratory chain between NADH and cytochrome-a, a3 even at doses where "resting" tissue oxygen consumption was decreased. The prolongation of recovery metabolism following phenobarbital was interpreted as being the result of protracted elevation of extracellular potassium activity. The slow return to "resting" levels of extracellular potassium is probably caused by interference with passive clearance mechanisms.


Mixed lacrimal gland tumor arising from ectopic lacrimal gland tissue in the orbit. An unusual case of lacrimal gland tumor from ectopic lacrimal gland tissue was presented and discussed. Grossly, the tumor was encapsulated and a distinct entity from the surrounding tissues. There were no connections to the lacimal gland and the tumor histologically appeared to be totally encapsulated even though some areas revealed early invasion. The location of the tumor in the orbit was unique, particularly in lieu of its histology, being located nasally and superiorly. A new and rare addition is now added to the differential diagnosis of unilateral exophthalmos.


The effects of neomycin upon transmitter release and action. These experiments were designed to determine the site and mechanism of action of neomycin on cholinergic transmission. These agents depressed the response of rat diaphragm preparations to phrenic nerve stimulation and to injected acetylcholine (ACh); however, equi-effective neuromuscular blocking concentrations of neomycin (6 x 10(-4) M), streptomycin (1.2 x 10(-3) M) or d-tubocurarine (6.5 x 10(-7) M) reduced the muscle response to injected ACh to 54,27 and 15% of control, respectively, suggesting that neomycin and streptomycin have a presynaptic effect. This finding was confirmed by measuring ACh release from the diaphragm during phrenic nerve stimulation; neomycin (6x10(-4) M) and streptomycin (1.2 x 10(-4) M) depressed ACh release to 29 and 41% of control, respectively. In the cat superior cervical ganglion neomycin (2 x 10(-3) M) blocked ganglionic transmission, did not reduce the response of ganglion cells to injected nicotine and depressed ACh release during preganglionic nerve stimulation to 61% of control in normal Ca++ (2.5 mM) medium and to less than 10% of control in low Ca++ (0.5 mM) medium. The increased accululation of 45Ca induced in rat isolated ganglia by preganglionic nerve stimulation was not changed by d-tubocurarine (2 x 10(-4) M), but was abolished by neomycin (2 x10(-3) M). It is concluded that neomycin blocks ACh release by blocking the influx of Ca++ necessary for transmitter release. This conclusion suggested that neomycin should block noradrenaline release, and this was shown using the anococcygeus preparation from the rat.


Norepinephrine- and isoproterenol- induced changes in cardiac contractility and cyclic adenosine 3':5' -monophosphate levels during early development of the embryonic chick. Changes in contractility and cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cAMP) levels in response to norepinephrine and isoproterenol were monitored in isolated 4-day-old (noninnervated) and 7-day-old (innervated) embryonic hearts to determine whether a relationship between beta adrenergic receptor, adenylate cyclase and altered cardiac function is established at a very early stage in embryonic development before innervation takes place. Norepinephrine and isoproterenol promoted rapid time- and dose-dependent rises in cAMP levels which were greater in the 4-day-old hearts. These increases paralleled observed functional alterations within a specific range of drug concentrations and time. The elevation of cAMP levels and effect on cardiac function produced by isoproterenol (10(-7)M) were blocked by propranolol (10(-6)M). Dissociations between changes in tissue cAMP levels and cardiac function were also uncovered. Maximal increases in contractility were achieved with lower drug concentrations than were required to promote maximal accumulation of cAMP. Relatively high concentrations of norepinephrine or isoproterenol were less effective than lower concentrations in stimulating contractility but were more effective in promoting cAMP accumulation, The results indicate that both cardiac beta receptors adenylate cyclase are present and functionally related early in embryogenesis before sympathetic innervation occurs and that cAMP accumulation is associated with modulation of contractile activity whithin a certain concentration range and time course.


Metabolite studies of methamphetamine effects based upon mitochondrial respiratiory state in rat brain. Methamphetamine-induced changes in metabolite levels were studied based upon a new approach to tissue sampling. In this procedure, the noninvasive, autoindicated redox state of intramitochondrial NADH was used to determine the point at which samples were taken rather than the time after drug injection. By this combination of in situ microfluorometry and tissue assay, a complex sequence of rapid changes in cerebral intermediary metabolism and associated mitochondrial redox shifts were observed. These changes were found to occur over a wide range of time course among animals after drug administration, and this temporal variation in response to the drug may be the factor for previously reported inconsistencies in metabolite patterns after methamphetamine. This finding emphasizes the potential difficulties that temporal variability produces in certain cerebral pharmacological responses and the value of the noninvasive, autoindicated redox keyed technique (NARK analysis) for metabolite sampling.


The influence of ketamine on inotropic and chronotropic responsiveness of heart muscle. The influence of ketamine on the inotropic and chronotropic responsiveness of heart muscle was examined in spontaneously beating right atrial preparations and in electrically driven left atrial preparations of guinea pigs. Ketamine (2.63 X 10(-5) to 4.2 X 10(-4) M) decreased heart rate of right atria and decreased contractile tension and its maximum rate of increase in both right and left atrial preparations (right atria greater than left atria). Ketamine did not prevent the heart rate increase produced by norepinephrine (NE; 1 X 10(-8) to 1 X 10(-4) M) in right atria; however, the maximum heart rate was consistently lower in ketamine-treated than in control muscles even after exposure to NE. Although contractile tension was decreased by ketamine, the maximum inotropic response to NE was consistently greater in ketamine-treated atria than in control atria. An inhibitor of the slow Ca++ current in heart muscle, D600, depressed the contractile effects of NE but did not prevent the positive inotropic interaction of ketamine and NE. Ketamine similarly enhanced the inotropic responses to norepinephrine (1 X 10(-6) M), epinephrine (1 X 10(-6) M), isoproterenol (1 X 10(-7) M) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (AMP; 4 X 10(-3) M) in left atria electrically paced at a constant frequency of contraction of 1 Hz; however, ketamine inhibited the positive inotropic response to increased frequency of stimulation (0.1-3.0 Hz) and to ouabain (3 X 10(-7) M). These findings demonstrate that ketamine can exert a selective positive inotropic influence in heart muscle independent of heart rate or direct or reflexogenic autonomic nervous system changes, and suggest that this activity could in some way be associated with an alteration of the intracellular disposition of cyclic AMP.


Cytotoxicity of ricinoleic acid (castor oil) and other intestinal secretagogues on isolated intestinal epithelial cells. Epithelial cells were isolated from hamster small intestine by a technique of vibration and used to measure cytotoxicity in vitro of certain substances known to stimulate intestinal fluid secretion. These secretagogues have laxative properties and produce mucosal damage in vivo. Compounds tested were ricinoleic acid (caster oil), dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, oleic acid, sodium deoxycholate and sodium cholate. Cytotoxicity was assessed by: 1) exclusion of trypan blue; 2) release of intracellular (prelabeled) 51Cr; and 3) inhibition of cellular uptake of 3-O-methylglucose. Ricinoleate produced a dose-dependent (0.1-2.0 mM) cytotoxicity as assessed by all three methods. Oleic acid, a nonhydroxylated analog of ricinoleate, was less potent. The dihydroxy bile acid, deoxycholate, was equipotent with ricinoleate, was less potent. The dihydroxy bile acid, deoxycholate, was equipotent with ricinoleate but its trihydroxy congener, cholate, was less potent. Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate had cytotoxicity similar in magnitude to that of ricinoleate and deoxycholate. Cytotoxicity of these agents to isolated cells may relate to their secretory potential in vivo, their abilities to produce structural change at the mucosal surface and their laxative properties.


Secretion of fluid and amylase in the perfused rat pancreas. 1. The isolated rat pancreas was perfused with physiological salt solutions of varying composition. Flow of pancreatic juice and output of amylase during rest and after stimulation with pure secretin, pure cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ), caerulein or acetylcholine (ACh) were measured. 2. Basal fluid secretion was abolished replacing perfusion fluid NA+ or Cl- by Tris+ or SO42- respectively. Readmission of Na+ or Cl- caused a transient increase above the normal control level of both fluid and amylase output. Exposure to K+-free solution severely reduced fluid output and K+ readmission resulted in a transient increase in secretory rate. 3. Maximal stimulation with ACh (10(-7) M), CCK-PZ (1-5 X 10(-10) M) or caerulein (10(-10) M) caused marked sustained fluid and amylase secretion. Maximal secretin stimulation (5-7 X 10(-9) M) caused marked sustained fluid but only a small sustained amylase secretion following an initial transient. 4. Under continuous secretin stimulation, replacement of the CO2/HCO3-buffered control fluid by a CO2/HCO3-free Tris buffered solution caused a sharp decrease in pancreatic juice flow. In the absence of extracellular CO2/HCO3-secretin did not evoke fluid or enzyme secretion. In contrast the effects of ACh, CCK-PZ or caerulein were independent on CO2/HCO3-. Monobutyryl cyclic AMP (10(-3) M) caused marked sustained fluid secretion and transient enzyme secretion. The effect was entirely dependent on the presence of CO2/HCO3-in the perfusion fluid. 5. Ouabain (10(-4)-10(-3) M) markedly inhibited both secretin- and caerulein-evoked fluid secretion while caerulein-evoked amylase secretion was hardly affected. Similar findings were made with K+-free solution. 6. The effect of maximal secretin stimulation on amylase secretion was greatly augmented in the presence of a maximally stimulating concentration of caerulein. The effects on fluid secretion of secretin and caerulein were simply additive. The effects of secretin on both amylase and fluid secretion, in the presence of caerulein, were entirely dependent on the presence of CO2/HCO3- in the perfusion fluid. 7. We conclude that two different fluid secretion processes occur in the rat exocrine pancreas. One stimulated by ACh and CCK-PZ, that is independent of extracellular CO2/HCO3- and another stimulated by secretin involving H+ or HCO3-transport. Only the effects of secretin seem to be mediated by intracellular cyclic AMP.


Rat adrenocortical dynamics.

Rat adrenocortical dynamics. 1. The dynamics of the adrenocortical response to adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was studied in anaesthetized, acutely hypophysectomized male rats. 2. ACTH test-signals were applied either in a jugular vein ('intact infused preparation') or in the aorta through the coeliac artery with the aorta ligated below this artery ('isolated in situ perfused preparation'). The adrenocortical responses were measured directly in samples serially taken from the left adrenal vein. 3. Tested ACTH signals were either impulses (injections of 0-05--1-2 mu. ACTH) or step functions (constant infusions of 0-025--1-6 mu. ACTH/min). 4. All responses showed a 3-6 min delay, larger delays corresponding to smaller input signals. The step responses reached steady-state level without overshoot. 5. The impulse responses of the isolated perfused and of the intact infused glands, as well as their step responses, were similar as to dynamic form. 6. It is concluded that there is an inherent delay in the responses of both the isolated perfused and of the intact infused rat adrenal gland. Further, unlike what has been reported for the canine adrenal gland, the intact rat adrenal gland does not appear to be appreciably 'faster' in its response than the isolated gland. Finally, the amplification factor from ACTH to corticosterone could be estimated for both preparations in the case of ACTH injections; a value of 1-3 X 10(6) (one ACTH molecule activates synthesis and release of 1-3 million corticosterone molecules) was found.


The formation and regression of synapses during the re-innervation of axolotl striated muscles. 1. A study has been made of the formation and regression of synapses formed by spinal nerves 16 and 17 in axolotl hind-limb flexor muscles following the severing of nerve 16, using histological, ultrastructural and electrophysiological techniques. 2. Axolotl hind-limb flexor myofibres possessed 'en plaque' end-plates from either spinal nerve 16 or 17 or both at intervals of about 1000 micronm along their length; the myofibre's length constant was about 700 micronm allowing electrophysiological observations of at least two of these synapses during a single impalement; transmitter release at these synapses could be described by binomial statistics and in a given set of ionic conditions the binomial statistic parameter n was directly proportional to the size of the nerve terminals whilst the binomial statistic parameter p was invariant to changes in nerve terminal size. 3. The distribution of synapses formed by spinal nerves 16 and 17 in different sectors of the axolotl hind-limb flexor muscles was determined from a study of evoked end-plate potentials; the middle and proximal sectors of the flexor muscles contained myofibres which received an innervation from nerve 16 only, whereas the sectors surrounding these contained myofibres innervated either by nerve 16 or nerve 17 or by both nerves. 4. Six days following the severing of spinal nerve 16, evoked transmitter release from the synapses formed by this nerve had failed; transmission was subsequently recorded at a few synapses formed by nerve 17 in the middle and proximal sectors of the flexor muscles which are not normally innervated by this nerve and these synapses had a low n; during the succeeding four weeks the value of n at the synapses increased to a size about 70% that of the terminals normally formed by nerve 16 at these sites. 5. Four weeks after severing nerve 16, myofibres which possessed synapses formed by nerve 17 also possessed synapses from re-innervating nerve 16 and these were sometimes formed at the same synaptic sites as those occupied by nerve 17. 6. In the subsequent sixteen weeks, the n value of synapses formed by nerve 17 declined whilst the n values of synapses formed by re-innervating nerve 16 on the same myofibres matured to their control size. 7. It is suggested that on  severing nerve 16 collateral sprouting of nearby intact nerve 17 occurs and these collateral sprouts innervate the denervated synaptic sites, although the sprouts arenot as well matched to the denervated synaptic sites as are the original nerve terminals; thus if nerve 16 returns it preferentially forms synapses at its original synaptic sites, and the collateral synapses formed by nerve 17 regress.


A review of psychogenic aspects and treatment of bruxism. The signs and symptoms of bruxism are detectable, but unfortunately, the hypothesized etiologies and mechanisms of their action have not been satisfactorily substantiated. 2. Researchers emphasize the significance of the oral cavity in expressing emotions and that occlusal adjustments and other mechanical types of treatment may be inadequate. 3. The treatment of bruxism involves the management of psychic tension, signs and symptoms, occlusal irritations, and neuromuscular habit patterns. 4. With the greater sophistication in the social sciences, therapy for bruxism in the future may become largely behavioral in nature, rather than mechanical.


Family therapy: using a transactional approach. The family can be viewed as a natural group which includes a mutual influence phenomenon. Intervention follows relationship building and assessment and is geared towards helping the family members challenge and change dysfunctional coding, decoding and structural transactions which inhibit the family group from meeting its idividual psychological needs.


Sequential changes associated with the degeneration of preovulatory rat follicles. In 26-day-old rats, follicles capable of ovulation were present 48 h after PMSG injection and they degenerated if not exposed to an ovulating dose of HCG. In such follicles 125I-labelled LH bound to the thecal and granulosa cells. By 60 h after PMSG, LH binding to the granulosa cells was reduced by 46% although these follicles retained their ability to ovulate. LH binding to the granulosa cells was lost in most follicles by 72 h and ovulation could not be induced. The thecal cells still possessed LH binding sites at 72 h after PMSG. HCG stimulation of these follicles resulted in disruption of the granulosa and the invasion of blood cells into the antrum.


Studies on factors affecting release of gonadotrophins during the superfusion of isolated rat pituitaries. Isolated pituitary glands from adult male rats were maintained in a continuous flow system. Gn-RH (1000 pmol/ml) caused a characteristic release of cyclic AMP, LH, and FSH. Cyclic AMP (1000 nmol/ml) liberated a similar amount of both gonadotrophins. Theophylline (1 mmol/ml) enhanced the effect of cyclic AMP by 21% for LH and 41% for FSH. The infusion of oestradiol (184 pmol/ml) alone or before Gn-RH infusion did not produce a significant effect on the secretion of either gonadotrophin or cyclic AMP. In contrast, there was a significant reduction in the amount of LH (P less than 0-025) and FSH (P less than 0-05) released by pituitaries infused with oestradiol and cyclic AMP.


99m Technetium-pyrophosphate scintiphotography in bone sarcoidosis. Comparative studies between routine roentgenograms and scintiphotographs using 99mTc-pyrophosphate, of the hands and feet are documented in three cases of bone sarcoidosis. All the abnormal roentgenographic findings were also detected by 99mTc-pyrophosphate bone imaging. However, several areas of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake were found in areas with normal roentgenographic studies. These results suggest that the 99mTc-pyrophosphate bone scintiphotographs might be more sensitive than radiographs in the localization of the bone involvement in sarcoidosis.


Bis-basic-substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds. A new class of antiviral agents. 8. Bis-basic derivatives of carbazole, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene. A series of bisalkamine esters, bis-basic ethers, and bis-basic ketones of carbazole, N-ethylcarbazole, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene was synthesized and evaluated for antiviral activity. The series also included two bis-basic alkanes of N-ethylcarbazole and one bis-basic carboxamide of dibenzofuran. Structure-activity relationships indicated that within the carbazole and N-ethylcarbazole series the bisalkamine esters gave the most active derivatives while the bis-basic ketone derivatives of dibenzofuran and dibenzothiophene afforded the more potent compounds within the respective series. The [6,5,6]heterocyclic nuclei were compared with the [6,5,6] aromatic nuclei (fluroene and fluoren-9-one) including tilorone with respect to antiviral activity against encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus. Maximum activity was associated with the bis-basic ketone side chain and fluoren-9-one nucleus.


2-Substituted derivatives of 9-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyladenine and 9-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl-8-azaadenine. 2-Substituted derivatives of 9-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyladenine were prepared via the fusion of tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-arabinofuranose with 2,6-dichloropurine followed by stepwise displacement of the chloro groups. A different approach, the reaction of 2,3,5-tri-O-benzoly-D-arabinofuranosyl bromide with 2,6-bis(methylthio)-8-azapurine in refluxing toluene in the presence of molecular sieve followed by stepwise reaction of the blocked nucleoside with methanolic ammonia and then other nucleophiles, gave 2-substituted derivatives of 9-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl-8-azaadenine; In contrast to the parent compounds, none of these 2-substituted derivatives showed significant antiviral activity.


Potential antitumor agents. 21. Dialkanolamine dialkanesulfonic esters. Homologous dialkanesulfonic esters of 2,2'-iminodiethanol, 3,3'-iminodi-1-propanol, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol, and N-(3-hydroxypropyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol were prepared via the N-trityl derivatives and screened for L1210 activity. For each active agent significant increases in life-span in L1210 tests (ILS) were correlated by linear least-squares regression with the corresponding log doses. The maximum ILS, taken from this regression line at the determined LD10, was used as a quantitative measure of antileukemic effectivenss. Within each homologoud series log ILSmax could be correlated with a binomial expression in lipophilic-hydrophilic balance, as measured by Rm values, but all active members from the four series could not be successfully included in a single correlation. By modification of Rm values with an ionization factor, log (H+/H+ + Ka), all active compounds could then be included in a significant correlation equation.


11,12-Secoprostaglandins. 3. 8-Alkylthio(sulfinyl and sulfonyl)-12-hydroxyalkanoic acids and related compounds. A series of 8-alkylthio(sulfinyl and sulfonyl)-12-hydroxyalkanoic acids which embody structural features of 11,12-secoprostaglandins was synthesized and evaluated for their ability to mimic the E series prostaglandins in stimulating cAMP formation in the mouse ovary and in binding to the rat lipocyte prostaglandin receptor. A key member of the series, 8-methylsulfonyl-12-hydroxyheptadecanoic acid, markedly stimulated cAMP formation at reasonable pharmacological concentrations, shows significant affinity for a prostaglandin receptor, and effectively inhibits antigen-induced lymphocyte transformation. In contrast, this compound is not a substrate for 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase, the major prostaglandin-metabolizing enzyme.


Evidence for separate peptide sequences related to the lipolytic and magnesium-accumulating activities of ACTH. Analogy with adrenergic receptors. Native adrenocorticotropin [ACTH-(1-39)] and ACTH-(1-24) stimulate both lipolysis and magnesium accumulation in rat adipocyte plasma membrane vesicles. ACTH-(1-20) retains full lipolytic activity but has a minimal effect on magnesium accumulation. In contrast ACTH-(11-24) stimulates magnesium accumulation but not lipolysis. These findings indicate that within the ACTH molecule the peptide sequence responsible for stimulation of magnesium accumulation is distinctly separate from the core sequence (residues 4-10) essential for stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity and cAMP mediated lipolysis. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, blocks the bulk of magnesium accumulation stimulated by native ACTH and norepinephrine; propranolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, blocks the earliest phase of Mg2+ uptake by these hormones but has little effect on net uptake. Isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, stimulates magnesium uptake only minimally. The pattern of uptake stimulated by methoxamine, an alpha-adrenergic agonist, or ACTH-(11-24) is quite similar to that produced by native ACTH in the presence of propranolol. The receptor through which ACTH mediates stimulation of the bulk of magnesium appears to be analogous to the alpha-adrenergic receptor through which norepinephrine stimulates this same process.


Isolation and characterization of lymphocyte associated foamy virus from a red uakari monkey (Cacajao rubicundus). A syncytium-forming virus was isolated from the lymphocytes of a uakari monkey 70 days after establishing a lymphocyte/owl monkey kidney coculture in the wild. The morphology and morphogenesis of the virus, plus its physicochemical characteristics indicate that the agent is a foamy virus. An unusal cell alteration found in cultures infected with this foamy was the formation of eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion in association with the syncytia. The agent was found to be antigenically distinct to other known simian foamy viruses.


Human cells transformed in vitro by human cytomegalovirus: tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. Athymic nude mice were inoculated with human embryo lung cells transformed in vitro by human cytomegalovirus (CMV). Of the inoculated animals, 62% developed tumors after an average latent period of 19 days. The tumors were composed of small, polygonal cells with large nulei and scanty cytoplasm embedded in an abundant collagenous matrix. The cells were poorly differentiated but may have been of epithelial origin. Adjacent structures were rarely invaded. CMV-related intracellular and membrane antigens were detected by indirect and anticomplement immunofluorescence techniques in cells cultured in vitro from the tumors.


Contact transmission of avian leukosis virus. Intravenous inoculation of four age groups of White Leghorn chicks with ALV-F42, a group A field strain of avian leukosis virus (ALV), indicated that persistent tolerant infection could be induced as late as 2 weeks post hatch, though most birds responded with neutralizing antibody. Contact infection by environmental exposure to ALV was 100% effective in newly hatched and 28-day-old chicks. All contact-infected birds responded immunologically after transient viremia. A follow-up of immune birds from these six groups demonstrated that active multiplication of ALV continued despite neutralizing antibody. Infectious virus was shed by oral and cloacal routes, as well as through vertical transmission by hens to their embryos. Up to 10(8) infectious units of virus/g of feces was shed by 12-day-old viremic birds, and to a lesser extent virus was also shed in saliva as measured by oral washing. The cycle of contact transmission was also evaluated by the assessment of the efficacy of four portals of entry, where exposed skin was most effective in permitting infection, followed by oral, nasal, and conjunctival routes.


Surface antigens on transplantable tumor cell lines producing mouse type C viruses. A variety of transplantable mouse tumor lines were shown to contain murine type C viruses and virus-associated antigens. The type of virus isolated and antigens detected could not invariably be correlated with the original method of tumor induction, but testing of the majority of tumor lines for infectious virus at various levels of in vivo or in vitro passage yielded isolates that were consistent in tissue culture host range for each tumor. In contrast, during the course of in vivo transplantation, some of the lines underwent considerable change in the pattern of virus-associated cell-surface antigens. When the transplanted tumor lines were placed into culture, all showed some alteration in the detectable surface antigens. Upon retransplantation and passage of the cultured cells in mice, the surface antigens gradually returned to the original in vivo patterns and occasionally acquired additional type C virus-associated antigens not detected in the original tumor line. To test for association of antigens with infectious virus, appropriate tissue culture cell lines were infected with the viruses isolated from the tumors. In these infected indicator cells, some new virus-associated cell-surface and virion evelope antigens were detected, but the complete array of antigens found in the original tumor lines was not acquired. These findings indicated the presence of several different type C viruses in long transplanted cell lines and demonstrated that environmental and host cell factors may have major influences on expression of virus-associated antigens.


Specific simian virus 40 (SV40)-induced immunity against transplantable SV40 tumor in Syrian hamsters: abrogation by BCG vaccination. Syrian hamsters were immunized with simian virus 40 (SV40) and/or BCG (in different time and sequence combinations) and were subsequently challenged with SV40-induced transplantable tumor cells. Immunization of hamsters with some but not all BCG preparations alone induced high levels of resistance to SV40 transplantable tumor cells. The immunization with SV40 of hamsters preliminarily inoculated with BCG induced antitumor immunity, the level of which was equal to resistance induced by immunization of normal animals with SV40. No cumulative effects of BCG and SV40 immunizations were noticed in any of our experiments even when BCG prepartions alone induced considerable increase of antitumor resistance. Inoculation of animals with the mixture of SV40 and BCG was generally less effective than that with SV40 alone. Inoculation of BCG preparations into hamsters preimmunized with SV40 resulted in the complete or partial abrogation of the resistance induced by SV40. All preparations of BCG, independent from their antitumor activity per se, decreased the resistance induced by SV40. The effect of this BCG-induced abrogation of resistance was observed in animals immunized with SV40 7-427 days before inoculation of BCG. The effect was not short-term, as it was still observed 3 months after BCG inoculation.


Carcinogenic activity of petasitenine, a new pyrrolizidine alkaloid isolated from Petasites japonicus Maxim. The carcinogenic activity of petasitenine, a new pyrrolizidine alkaloid isolated from young flower stalk of Petasites japonicus, was studied in ACI rats. All rats that had received a 0.05% solution of petasitenine in drinking water died or were killed in moribund condition 72 days after the start of experiment. They showed necrosis, hemorrhage, and remarkable proliferation of the bile ducts in the liver. In another group that had received a 0.01% solution, 8 of 10 animals surviving beyond 160 days developed tumors in the liver, i.e., hemangioendothelial sarcomas in 5 rats and liver cell adenomas in 5 rats, 2 of which simultaneously developed hemangioendothelial sarcomas. No tumors were observed in the livers of the control animals.


Promotion of incidence of adenovirus type 12 transplantable tumors by carrageenan, a specific antimacrophage agent. Carrageenan, a sulfated polygalactose with known macrophage-toxic properties, was used to ascertain the role of macrophages in resistance to adenovirus type 12 transplantable tumors. A single ip injection of 5 or 10 mg carrageenan led to increased incidence and more rapid growth of tumors in C3H mice. Carrageenan was most effective if given 1 day before tumor inoculation; the effectiveness decreased with increasing intervals before or after tumor cell injection. The macrophage stabilizer poly-2-vinylpyridine N-oxide injected sc (150 mg/kg) 1 day before carrageenan was given reduced the incidence of tumors. These data lend further support to the importance of macrophages in tumor immunity.


Autoradiographic localization of prolactin receptors in 7,12-dimethylbnez[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary carcinoma. Prolactin receptors were localized by autoradiography in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors from rats by incubation of tumor slices with [125I]ovine prolactin. Specific prolactin binding was confined to tumor cells, and nonspecific binding was present in alveolar spaces and connective tissue. In some tumors, all cells contained receptors; in others, up to one-half the cells remained unlabeled. These results suggested that variation in receptor content in DMBA-induced mammary tumors may be caused by two distinct populations of cells--one which contains receptors and another which possesses very few receptor sites or none at all.


Human bladder carcinoma: characterization of two new tumor cell lines and search for tumor viruses. Two newly established human bladder carcinoma cell lines, designated HT-1197 and HT-1376, were characterized. Cells of both cultures exhibited fine structural microvilli and tonofibrils indicative of their epithelial origin. In addition, desmosomes were also present in HT-1197. Marker chromosomes present in HT-1197 and HT-1376 distinguished these from each other and from other known human tumor cell lines. Both cultures grew in soft agar, induced fibrinolytic activity, and were tumorigenic in mice and hamsters. No type C or other virus expression was detected in these cell lines nor in other human urothelial tumors tested.


Collateral sensitivity between methylene dimethane sulfonate and halogenated methotrexate derivatives in the Yoshida sarcoma in vivo and in vitro. A Yoshida lymphosarcoma line (YMDR8) resistant to methylene dimethane sulfonate (MDMS) showed collateral sensitivity against three halogenated methotrexates: 3'-bromomethotrexate (NSC-98580), 3'-bromo-5'-chloromethotrexate (NSC-98579), and 3',5'-dichloromethotrexate (NSC-29630); however, it was cross-resistant to methotrexate itself. Two other independently derived MDMS-resistant cell lines, YMDR7 and YMDR9, also demonstrated collateral sensitivity against 3'-bromomethotrexate, but with the latter, the origin of the "induced" sensitivity probably was not due to interference with antigenic or oncogenic properties of the cell line. When these agents were used in vivo (in Wistar rats) and in vitro, subpopulation changes within the tumor lines could be observed. The possible importance of this parameter in the development of such sensitivity is discussed.