Phase I study of continuous venous infusion of floxuridine (5-FUDR) chemotherapy

Floxuridine (5-FUDR) was administered by continuous venous infusion using an ambulatory portable pump in a phase I study designed to establish the optimal (maximal) daily dose rate to deliver a minimum of 14 days of drug therapy. The major determinant of toxicity was dose rate rather than cumulative dose. Patients receiving greater than 0.15 mg/kg/day developed dose-limiting diarrhea at 7-14 days (median, 10), while patients receiving 0.1-0.125 mg/kg/day were treated for 18-78 days without adverse effects. The recommended daily dose rate for continuous-infusion schedules of 14 days is 0.15 mg/kg/day.

Cancer chemotherapy via ambulatory infusion pump

One hundred twenty-four patients with metastatic malignancy were treated with four different single agent infusion programs by constant intravenous infusion for 30 or more days. Drug was administered via a tunneled subclavian line by a battery-driven peristaltic pump (Cormed model ML6) on an ambulatory basis. This schedule allowed for increased cumulative drug dose for 5-Fu, decreased tolerated dose for vinblastine, and comparable doses for adriamycin and mitomycin-C relative to that delivered with the standard intermittent bolus schedule. Therapeutic effects were observed for three of four drugs studied: 5-Fu 13/31 colorectal cancer; adriamycin 7/29; and vinblastine 4/12, including 2/4 melanoma. Adverse effects were significantly reduced, particularly with regard to gastrointestinal toxicity, but also in adriamycin-associated cardiac effects and hair loss. Phase III comparative trials of intermittent bolus therapy with protracted infusion therapy are in progress for 5-Fu in advanced colorectal cancer and for adriamycin in specific tumors. Ambulatory pump infusion (API) chemotherapy is technically feasible and has improved patient tolerance to chemotherapy while demonstrating similar, if not comparable, antitumor effects.

A strategy for control of bovine leukemia virus infection: test and corrective management

Test and corrective management was applied in one dairy herd (130 milking cows) to control bovine leukemia virus infection. It consisted of: raising uninfected calves in order to establish a pool of uninfected replacement heifers, preventing transmission of bovine leukemia virus through transfer of blood from animal to animal and closing the herd. Regular herd testing was combined with selected changes in herd management. These procedures have been followed since January 1979. Prevalence of antibodies (as determined by gel-immunodiffusion) has declined markedly since the program was implemented.

Antagonism of the anxiolytic action of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide by the novel imidazopyridines, EMD 39593 and EMD 41717

The imidazopyridines EMD 35993 and EMD 41717 antagonized the anticonflict actions of diazepam and chlordiazepoxide in rodent models which are predictive for anxiolytic action in man. In contrast to other described benzodiazepine antagonists, these compounds did not antagonize either the anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant properties of either benzodiazepine. Both EMD 39593 and EMD 41717 competitively inhibit the binding of [3H]diazepam to brain membranes, but do not exhibit regional differences in potency. These observations suggest that both EMD 39593 and EMD 41717 display some selectivity in antagonizing the anxiolytic properties of benzodiazepines, and as such may be useful tools in identifying neuronal substrates of anxiety.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for sperm antibody detection and antigenic analysis

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for estimation of antibodies against human sperm and for determination of antigenic reactivity of spermatozoal proteins were established. Sperm immobilized on PHA-coated microtiter plates or solubilized spermatozoal antigens adsorbed on poly(L)-lysine coated microtiter plates were used as the solid phase. Assay of sperm antibodies was performed by incubation of the test samples with the solid phase followed by incubation with anti-Ig conjugated to peroxidase. Sigmoidal antibody dilution curves were obtained with rabbit and mouse anti-sperm sera. The ELISA was effectively used to screen production of anti-sperm antibodies by mouse myeloma x splenocyte hybridomas. The sensitivity of this ELISA for sperm antibodies was more than 1000-fold greater than the classical tray sperm immobilization test, and was comparable in sensitivity to a radioimmunoassay using 125I-labeled protein A as the tracer. Sperm immobilized on PHA-coated plates exhibited significantly greater antigenic reactivity in both the ELISA and RIA compared with methanol fixed sperm. In a competitive inhibition ELISA, linear Logit-log dose-response curves were obtained with detergent solubilized spermatozoal antigens. The assay was used to monitor the purification of the solubilized spermatozoal antigens by chromatofocussing; a more than 60-fold increase of antigenic potency of purified sperm antigen compared with unfractionated sperm extract was evident in the competitive ELISA.

Constant infusion schedule for adriamycin: a phase I-II clinical trial of a 30-day schedule by ambulatory pump delivery system

Eighteen patients received a continuous intravenous infusion of adriamycin for 14-60 days in a phase I study in which the dose rates were escalated from 2 mg/sq m/day to 5 mg/sq m/day to establish the optimal dose to be delivered over a 30-day period. The drug was delivered via a tunneled subclavian catheter by a portable infusion pump (Cormed model ML-6) primed to provide a volume of diluted drug of 10 cc/day. Leukopenia and stomatitis were observed at 4 mg/sq m/day doses or greater in 50% of courses. At doses less than 4 mg/sq m/day, only 3/17 courses (18%) were associated with stomatitis. Partial alopecia developed in all patients, but less than 50% of scalp hair was affected. The cumulative dose of continuous infusion adriamycin at 30 days is comparable to the dose delivered by standard bolus intermittent schedules (60-90 mg/sq m g 21 days), but the adverse drug effects are eliminated or substantially reduced. Cardiac toxicity was assessed in selected patients treated to 450 mg/sq m or greater by cardiac biopsy and/or gated pool studies. No histopathologic lesions were noted in 3 patients receiving 450 mg/sq m or greater. The recommended daily dose rate of adriamycin in this protracted infusion regimen is 3 mg/sq m/day. The phase II study of this schedule and dose rate in 38 additional patients (a total of 52 evaluable patients) demonstrated objective responses in 1/9 soft tissue sarcoma, 1/3 mesothelioma, 1/3 hepatoma, and 2/13 breast cancer. Phase III studies of the protracted continuous infusion schedule for adriamycin are indicated in that clinical activity is demonstrated at a substantial reduction in toxicity. Pharmacologic studies expanding the existing data base are also necessary.

Unmasking by neuraminidase of specific chorionic gonadotrophin binding activity of human placental syncytiotrophoblast

Purified human placental syncytiotrophoblast consistently failed to bind specifically to 125I-labelled hCG. Treatment of the syncytiotrophoblast with neuraminidase resulted in the ability to bind 125I-labelled hCG that was displaceable by excess of unlabelled hCG. Neuraminidase treatment removed 73.8% of the total neuraminic acid of syncytiotrophoblast. The specific binding of 125I-labelled hCG increased linearly with increasing amount of neuraminidase-treated syncytiotrophoblast, was saturable and had a Ka = 1.6 x 10(7) M-1. Excess of GH, prolactin, placental lactogen or insulin did not inhibit the binding, whereas LH did so completely and FSH partly.

Inhibition of [3H]diazepam and [3H]3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline binding by irazepine: evidence for multiple "domains" of the benzodiazepine receptor

The binding of [3H]diazepam and [3H]3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline was examined in rat brain synaptosomal membranes treated with irazepine, an alkylating benzodiazepine. Under incubation conditions that resulted in a 25-33% reduction in the Bmax of [3H]diazepam binding, only modest (less than 8.5%) reductions in the Bmax of [3H]3-carboethoxy-beta-carboline were observed. The differential effects of irazepine on the binding of these two compounds may be explained by the presence of multiple areas or "domains" on the benzodiazepine receptor.

Blockade of 3-carbomethoxy-beta-carboline induced seizures by diazepam and the benzodiazepine antagonists, Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216

The benzodiazepine antagonists Ro 15-1788 and CGS 8216 blocked the clonic and tonic convulsions elicited by 3-carbomethoxy-beta-carboline (beta-CCM). The PD50 values for Ro 15-1788, CGS 8216, and diazepam were: 2.0, 0.6, and 2.0 mg/kg, respectively. Neither Ro 15-1788 nor CGS 8216 potentiated the effect of a threshold convulsant dose of beta-CCM. Moreover, these benzodiazepine antagonists neither attenuated nor potentiated the tremorigenic actions of another beta-carboline, harmaline. Diazepam, however, considerably reduced the tremorigenic actions of this drug.

Generation of monoclonal antibodies against human spermatozoa and seminal plasma constituents

Five mouse myeloma X splenocyte hybridoma cell lines synthesizing monoclonal antibody against human sperm were generated. Antibodies from three clones (VII 5, A-24 and B-20) exhibited high reactivity with sperm, as well as with seminal plasma in enzyme-lined immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) tests, and two clones (VI 1 and VI 16) showed high reactivity only with sperm. Seminal plasma competitively inhibited binding of the monoclonal antibodies (VII 4, A-24 and B-20) to sperm in ELISA. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that the three monoclonal antibody types (VII 5, A-24 and B-20) stained only 5-30% of the sperm strongly, and the rest weakly. Monoclonal antibody types VI 1 and VI 16 showed weak staining of nearly all sperm. None of these monoclonal antibodies possessed sperm-agglutinating or sperm-immobilizing activity. As determined by ELISA the class and subclass specificity of the monoclonal antibodies was: A-24, IgG1 (kappa); B-20, IgG1 (kappa); VI 1, IgG3 (kappa); VI 16, IgG1 (kappa); and VII 5, IgG1 (kappa).

Lysis of placental syncytiotrophoblast by allogenic leukocytes in vitro: effects of neuraminidase and chorionic gonadotropin

51chromium-labeled syncytiotrophoblasts purified from human placentae were lysed by allogenic leukocytes in vitro. The extent of syncytiotrophoblast lysis was dependent upon the dose of the leukocytes, occurred after a lag period of 42 h, and was inhibited by excess of unlabeled syncytiotrophoblasts. Autologous leukocytes failed to lyse syncytiotrophoblasts. Neuraminidase pretreatment of the syncytiotrophoblasts significantly enhanced their lysis by leukocytes. HCG failed to influence the extent of lysis of untreated syncytiotrophoblasts but significantly reduced the lysis of neuraminidase-treated targets. The significance of these observations in relation to the "immunologic privilege" of the trophoblast in vivo is discussed. (Am J Reprod Immunol. 1982; 204-207.)

Effect of anti-HCG sera on purified syncytiotrophoblast from full-term human placenta

Heterologous anti-HCG and anti-beta-HCG sera failed to effect complement-dependent lysis of purified 51chromium-labeled syncytiotrophoblast in vitro. The progesterone synthetic activity of syncytiotrophoblast was also preserved in the presence of the anti-HCG sera. Binding of the anti-HCG antibodies to the syncytiotrophoblast was demonstrated in an immunofluorescence test. The potential of the anti-HCG sera to participate in complement dependent lysis of other HCG-bearing cell types was revealed using BeWo cells as the targets; 53%-68% of the latter were killed by exposure to anti-HCG sera and complement. The possible mechanism(s) whereby syncytiotrophoblast resists damage by the anti-HCG sera are considered.

Differential electrophysiological and behavioral responses to optically active derivatives of phencyclidine

Dextro- and levorotatory isomers of 1-(1-phenylcyclohexyl)-3-methylpiperidine (PCMP) were synthesized. Both isomers inhibited spontaneous cerebellar Purkinje neuron firing when applied locally by pressure ejection. This effect was dose-dependent, with the (+)-isomer about 5--7 times more potent than the (-)-isomer. Both isomers also depressed rotarod performance in mice. Again, the (+)-isomer was about 5 times more potent than the (-)-isomer. Both rotarod performance and Purkinje cells discharge were depressed maximally 10--15 min after i.p. injection of drug. Our results suggest a correlation between behavioral performance and central neuron electrophysiological activity and suggest that the central actions of PCP or its derivatives are probably mediated at one locus, by a stereospecific mechanism.

'Brain-specific' benzodiazepine receptors are localized in the inner plexiform layer of rat retina

Saturable, high affinity binding sites for [3H] diazepam have recently been characterized in rat brain. A significant component of this binding was determined to occur to a population of receptors which is pharmacologically similar to receptors present in mammalian brain and spinal cord. Neonatal treatment of rats with monosodium glutamate (MSG), intraocular administration of kainic acid, and the use of pink-eyed, tan-hooded (PETH) rats with a genetic retinopathy (degeneration of photoreceptor cells) suggests that these 'brain-type' receptors are highly localized on neuronal elements of the inner plexiform layer and/or ganglion cells.

Pharmacologic and behavioral effects of EMD 28422: a novel purine which enhances (3H) diazepam binding to brain benzodiazepine receptors

A novel purine, (N6-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-bicyclo 2.2.2.-octyl-(3)-adenosine) EMD 28422 increases the binding of (3H) diazepam to benzodiazepine receptors in vivo within 10 min after intraperitoneal administration. This increase in (3H) diazepam binding is due to an increase in the number of benzodiazepine receptors (Bmax) rather than an altered affinity of the radioligand for receptor (Kd), EMD 28422 protects mice against pentylenetetrazole and caffeine-induced seizures and potentiates the anticonvulsant action of subeffective doses of diazepam in a dose-dependent fashion. Furthermore, EMD 28422 also produces a significant increase in punished responding in a conflict situation (rats), and a long-lasting, dose-dependent decrease in spontaneous motor activity (mice). In contrast, neither EMD 39011 nor adenosine (the two component molecules of EMD 28422) possess anticonvulsant properties at doses up to five mole-equivalents of EMD 28422. These data indicate that the purine EMD 28422 produces a spectrum of pharmacologic effects similar to the benzodiazepines, yet in contrast to the benzodiazepines (and other purines), increases benzodiazepine receptor number. Thus, EMD 28422 may represent the prototype of a class of synthetic purines exerting a unique neurochemical effect on benzodiazepine receptors and possessing several therapeutic actions of the benzodiazepines.

Resistance of human syncytiotrophoblast to hypotonic and thermal stress

Human placental syncytiotrophoblast was not lysed when exposed to acutely hypotonic environments (distilled water) or during repeated freeze-thawing. The ability of the syncytiotrophoblast to synthesize and secrete hCG was not blocked after exposure to hypotonic stress (0.055 osmol) and elevated temperature (47 degrees C), treatments which caused lysis of erythrocytes and lymphocytes. The stress-resistant property of the syncytiotrophoblast may be an important element in enabling its survival as a barrier between the maternal environment and the conceptus.

Ord River arboviruses--serological epidemiology

This paper presents the results of haemagglutination-inhibition tests carried out on sera from 441 persons, 1,080 cattle and 335 birds in the Kimberley area. Two Alphaviruses (group A) (Ross River and Sindbis) and one Flavivirus (Murray Valley Encephalitis) were used for the preparation of haemagglutinins in the haemagglutination-inhibition tests. The tests showed a high percentage of antibody of Murray Valley Encephalitis in humans, birds and cattle, with an obvious focus of infection in the study site when cattle sera from different geographic areas were compared. These results are discussed in relation to the evolution and ecology of arboviruses in the Ord River area.

Ord River arboviruses--isolations from mosquitoes

One hundred and thirty presumptive viruses have been isolated from 485 pools made from 23,872 mosquitoes collected in the Ord River area of North-West Australia. One hundred and eleven of the virus isolates isolates came from pools of Culex annulirostis, the dominant mosquito species caught in the vicinity of Kununurra. Forty-five of the viruses pathogenic for newborn mice have been further characterized-19 as Flaviviruses, 1 Alphavirus, 9 Koongol, 1 Mapputta and 15 non-haemagglutinating viruses of which 6 are Corripata. Thirty-seven isolates were from Culex annulirostis, 7 from Aedomyia catasticta and 1 from aedes tremulus. All Corriparta isolates were from Aedomyia catasticta. The Flaviviruses comprised 13 Kunjin and 6 MVE isolates.

Suppressor thymus-derived lymphocytes in fungal infection

Thymus-derived lymphocyte (T-cell) function, as determined in vivo by cutaneous reactivity to several antigens and in vitro by responsiveness to mitogens and antigens, was assessed in 14 patients infected with a variety of fungal organisms. While all patients manifested a normal frequency of peripheral blood T cells, only seven patients reacted to at least one of the antigens used for cutaneous testing and demonstrated normal in vitro T proliferative responses. Three patients exhibited cutaneous anergy but normal in vitro T-cell reactivity while four patients demonstrated persistent anergy and marked in vitro T-cell hyporeactivity which was independent of activity of infection, concurrent medication, or any associated disorders. The marked diminution of in vitro T-cell reactivity noted for these later four patients was not due to a deletion of antigen- or mitogen-reactive cells. Thus, patients' cells which had been initially cultured for 7 days without any mitogenic or antigenic stimulus and which were subsequently washed and recultured with phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, or histoplasmin demonstrated a marked increase in their responsiveness. Moreover, this reactivity noted for recultured cells could be suppressed by a nonphagocytic, nonadherent, nonimmunoglobulin-bearing, sheep red blood cell rosette-forming population of cells isolated from the fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the same patient. While these "regulator" T cells were capable of suppressing T-proliferative responses to antigens and mitogens, they did not diminish pokeweed mitogen-induced immunoglobulin synthesis by normal bone marrow-derived lymphocytes. Patients in whom suppressor "T" cells were found were at risk for relapsing, disseminated fungal infection.

A Kinetic Determination of the Dissociation Energy of the C—O Bond in Anisole

The rate of dissociation of anisole into phenoxy and methyl radicals has been measured using a toluene scavenging technique. The rate was measured by the production of methane over the range of temperature 720−795 K and was shown to be first order in anisole concentration and homogeneous. The rate constant, expressed in the Arrhenius form, was[Formula: see text]The dissociation energy, D298(C6H5O—CH3), therefore equals 57 ± 2 kcal/mol, giving ΔHf(C6H5O) = 5 kcal/mol. The stabilization energy of the phenoxy radical is discussed.

Immune response to keyhole-limpet hemocyanin in the human

Delayed hypersensitivity was studied in twelve normal adults given a single intradermal dose of 100 <i>μ</i>gkeyhole-limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Minimal local reactions were observed, but no systemic reactions occurred. Eleven persons had (1) positive skin test, and/or (2) a small percentage of KLH-sensitized lymphocytes in the <i>in vitro </i>lymphocyte blastogenesis test 2 weeks after immunization and (3) hemagglutinins demonstrable by a passive hemagglutination test.

PATHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF LIVER FLUKE INFECTION OF SLAUGHTERED BLACK BENGAL GOAT IN A SELECTED AREA OF BANGLADESH

This study was conducted in Sylhet district of Bangladesh to investigate the pathological effect of liver fluke in Black Bengal goats of different age groups, sex and in seasons. In this study, livers of male and female goats were collected randomly from slaughter house during a period of 1 (one) year (November, 2007 to October, 2008). A total of 325 Black Bengal goat livers were examined, of which 70 livers were found infected with Fasciola gigantica. The common histopathological changes found in this study were the migratory tract with lymphocytic infiltration, atrophy, necrosis and fatty changes in the liver. The study revealed that age of the animal has significant effect on Fascioliasis in goats. Significantly (P<0.01) highest infection rate was found in 2-2.5 years old animals (50%). The sex of the animal was also found as important determinants for Fascioliasis. In this study out of 219 male goat livers 30 (13.70%) were infected with Fasciola. On the other hand, out of 106 female goat livers, 40 (37.73%) were found positive with Fascioliasis. The data of origin of animals also collected which was not statistically significant. DOI = 10.3329/bjvm.v8i1.7717 Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2010). 8(1): 35-40

A Comparative Study on Nutritional Status of Urban and Rural Early Adolescent School Girls of West Bengal, India

Objectives: Adolescents remain largely neglected and especially girl from a deprived section in our society. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the nutritional status of early adolescent school girl from rural and urban areas. The study was, therefore, carried out to determine and compare the nutritional status of adolescent girl attending urban and rural secondary schools in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India. Methods: Cross-sectional data based on anthropometric measurements (height, weight) was collected from 2545 girls aged 10 to 14 years attending Govt. approved schools in Kharagpur town and Dantan-II block. The nutritional status has been assessed with the help of some anthropometric indices. The weight and height were recorded for each girl, and converted to nutritional indices (weightfor- age, height-for-height, BMI-for-age Z-scores of the National Center for Health Statistics reference standrads). Results: The mean nutritional indices (underweight, stunting and thinness) were found to be much lower among the rural girl than urban girl. The overall prevalent rates of underweight, stunting and thinness were 27.9%, 32.5% and 20.2% respectively. In the rural area these were 35.4%, 35.7% and 26.3%, while in the urban they were 19.6%, 29.0% and 13.6% respectively. Conclusions: The present study shows that undernutrition constituted major health problems among early adolescent school girls in rural areas of India. Hence, the special emphases are needed to formulate various developmental and healthcare programmes for rural communities to prevent undernutrition. Key words: Nutritional status; Early Adolescent girls; Rural; Urban DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v31i3.5352 J Nep Paedtr Soc 2011;31(3):169-174