A study of the effect of papaverine in neuroblastoma using the experimental C1300 murine system

The effect of papaverine on transplantable C1300 murine neuroblastoma model was evaluated. Subcutaneous inoculation of A/J mice with 10(6) C1300 cells resulted in predictable tumor growth and animal death in 36 +/- 5 days. In 33% of control animals, lung and liver metastases were observed. Subcutaneous injections of papaverine prior to tumor inoculation and during the tumor growth failed to show any detectable effect on local growth of the tumor. Benign transformation of the primary tumor was not observed. However, papaverine injection 21 days after tumor inoculation was associated with only 9% incidence of metastatic development. Papaverine treatment, when started one day prior to tumor inoculation or 10 days after tumor implant, resulted in complete prevention of all detectable metastatic growth, while having no apparent effect on local tumor growth. Further study of papaverine effect in the neuroblastoma murine model is indicated.

The management of arthrogryposis

Arthrogryposis has an evil reputation among orthopedic surgeons, for the deformities are known to be resistant to correction and relapse during growth is common. It is suggested that many of these difficulties have been due to a delay in initiating treatment, to the use of unsuitable methods such as manipulation, and to a lack of appreciation of the pathologic changes. The author's experience with a large number of personally treated cases has convinced him that aggressive surgical treatment in infancy and early childhood is more successful than previously accepted methods of care (Figs. 22, 23).

Mastomys natalensis as an experimental host for Leishmania mexicana mexicana

Young multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) can be readily infected when inoculated intradermally with the amastigotes of Leishmania mexicana mexicana. Lesions appear at the site of inoculation in the second week of infection and continue to increase in size for the first month; amastigotes can be detected during this period. In the second month, lesions begin to decrease in size and it is more difficult to detect amastigotes. Three months after inoculation, the rats show no sign of infection. The results suggest that M. natalensis could be a useful laboratory host for immunological studies on dermatotropic Leishmania and for chemotherapeutic assays.

Transferrin iron uptake by human synovium

55Fe-labelled transferrin was injected into the synovial fluid before synovectomy in 6 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The results show that transferrin iron is taken up by synovial macrophages.

Anorexia nervosa and the secretion of prolactin

Theoretically, one would expect to find increases in prolactin secretion in patients with anorexia nervosa: the evidence for this is reviewed. However, relevant work to date seems to indicate that this is not so. These paradoxical findings are discussed, and areas of further research are outlined.

Insect Growth Regulators: Some Effects of Methoprene and Hydroprene on Productivity of Several Stored Grain Insects

The effects of two insect growth regulators on the productivity of Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae and S. granarius were studied by exposing insects to wheat treated with methoprene (isopropyl 11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate) or hydroprene (ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate) at concentrations of 1, 5, 10 and 20 ppm. Parental adult mortality was generally higher on wheat treated with methoprene than with hydroprene, and this effect was usually enhanced under unventilated conditions. The productivity of the three species was markedly reduced, in some instances suppressed, under unventilated conditions, whereas only R. dominica productivity was depressed under ventilated conditions. When progeny were produced, their productivity was, in general, lower than normal.

E.E.G. alpha feedback--a comparison of two control groups

It is controversial whether or not veridical feedback is necessary to bring about increases in alpha activity in the feedback situation and has been suggested that the instructional variable may be a crucial determinant of outcome. In this experiment two groups of subjects were both given false feedback. One group was misled into believing that the feedback was contingent. Increases in alpha index occurred only in those subjects who believed that they were receiving contingent feedback, indicating that subjects knowledge and belief concerning the experiment were important in determining the outcome.

Personality and meditation

The relationship of psychoticism, extraversion-introversion, and neuroticism to the practice of Transcendental Meditation was studied. Male meditators (n = 39) were more introverted and more neurotic than the normal population, whereas the female meditators (n = 27) had a higher mean psychoticism score. Over a 6-mo. period of meditation, the males (n = 24) became less neurotic; the degree to which they did so was related to the frequency of meditation. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Seasonal variation in the incidence of mania

The seasonal variation of admissions to hospital with a diagnosis of mania (296.1) in England and Wales was examined. The results indicated that for females there was a significant seasonal trend, the peak being in August-September, while for males there was no significant seasonal pattern. The possible reasons for these findings are discussed.

Surface predominance of trace elements in airborne particles

A number of minor and trace elements including Be, C, Ca, Cr, K, Li, Mn, Na, P, Pb, S, Tl, V, and Zn present in coal fly ash are found to be preferentially concentrated on the particle surfaces. Environmentally effective concentrations of these elements are thus much higher than indicated by conventional bulk analyses.

Studies and characterization of a murine neuroblastoma model

Clinical chemotherapy in the treatment of neuroblastoma is undergoing further evaluation. Chemotherapeutic agents, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and hexamethylmelamine, were investigated in a murine neuroblastoma model that, in part, histologically and morphologically resembles the human tumor. The tumor was inoculated subcutaneously (SC), intramuscularly (IM), intraperitoneally (IP), intrarenally (IR). Growth of tumor was observed at all sites, as well as the appearance of metastases. Maximal survival of 32 +/- 1 days was seen (SC) and the minimum was 15 +/- 1 days (IR) (p less than 0.05). Corresponding survival rate for IM was 26 +/- 1 days and IP 21 +/- 1 days. For this reason SC was selected for drug testing. Cyclophosphamide 100 mg/kg/week showed the most favorable results, as determined by autopsy status with fewer tumors and a greater tumor weight decrease over time. This agent also showed a significantly longer survival in comparison to all other drugs (p less than 0.0001). The results with vincristine and hexamethylmelamine in the dose ranges employed differed little from the placebo, except for the finding of a slight decrease in body weight at autopsy.

Plasmid ColE1 DNA replication in Escherichia coli strains temperature-sensitive for DNA replication

Mutants of the dnaA, dnaC, dnaD, polC, dnaF and dnaG gene loci were tested for their capacity for colicinogenic plasmid E1 (ColE1) replication at a non-permissive temperature. It was found that ColE1 replication was independent of the dnaA gene function and dependent on dnaC, D, F and G. ColE1 replication in the polC mutant E486 continued for several hours but at a greatly reduced rate. No effect was found of the dnaG mutation on thymine-deprivation-induced "priming" of ColE1 replication at the non-permissive temperature. The mutants also were tested for aberrant replication intermediates of plasmid DNA as well as a temperature sensitive supercoiled DNA-protein relaxation complex. RNA-containing supercoils were found to accumulate in a poIC mutant also blocked for protein synthesis.

The comparative ophthalmic toxicology of 1-chloroacetophenone (CN) and dibenz(b.f)-1:4-oxazepine(CR)

Rabbit eyes were contaminated with 1-chloroacetophenone (CN) and dibenz(b.f)-1:4-oxazepine (CR) in solution (1 to 10% in polyethylene glycol 300), as a solid (0.1 to 5 mg), and as aerosols (15 min exposure to 360 to 719 mg/m3). In solution, CN caused marked and persistent inflammatory effects, the severity and duration being related to the concentration used. Corneal damage was marked and persistent with 5 and 10% solutions; the lowest concentration causing just detectable keratitis in a small proportion of animals was 2%. Solid CN was even more damaging to the eye than similar amounts in solution. In marked contrast, CR in solution caused mild to moderate inflammatory effects, usually of only a few days duration, even at the higher concentrations. With 1 and 2%, these effects were just detectable to mild, lasting for 24 hrs or less. 10% CR caused just detectable keratitis of usually only a few days duration; the lowest concentration causing just detectable keratitis in a small proportion of treated animals was 5%. Solid CR merely caused minor irritation of the conjunctivae and eyelids for about 1 hr. Aerosols of CN and CR did not damage the eye, but irritation of the lids and conjunctivae was more marked and persistent with CN. Solutions of CN and CR caused concentration-related increases in corneal thickness and intraocular tension, being more marked and sustained with CN.

EEG responses to photic stimulation in persons experienced at meditation

The EEG responses to intermittent photic stimulation were examined in a group of subjects experienced in meditation, and compared with those of a control group. The meditators exhibited a significantly smaller decrement in alpha activity and alpha blocking over the course of the experiment than did the control group, and alpha induction occurred earlier and more frequently in the meditators. These findings support the hypothesis that experienced meditators spontaneously enter the meditative state on closing the eyes, and also the view that physiologically the meditative state is one of prolonged drowsiness. An alternative interpretation, that meditation is a state of sustained attention, is discussed.

Septic abortion in women using intrauterine devices

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Chemotherapy of a murine neuroblastoma model

The C1300 murine neuroblastoma model can be readily maintained by serial passage in A/J mice. Characteristics of the tumor, such as weight of the primary lesion, days of survival after tumor inoculation, or the number of metastatic foci at death, are relatively reproducible and permit experimental evaluation of various modes of treatment, including chemotherapy, that are not possible in man. In the present study, single-dose adriamycin chemotherapy was of significant benefit. Multiple dose treatment was too toxic and lethal. Cytosine arabinoside in various doses was without detectable merit. These results, from an animal model, are of benefit in evaluating further possible drug combinations in ongoing clinical trials seeking to improve the results from chemotherapy in children with advanced neuroblastoma.

Characterization of a Wilms' tumor model

Growth characteristics, survival time, sex differences and hormonal effects, and various biochemical parameters were evaluated in a transplantable Furth/Wistar rat Wilms' tumor model. Survival time was dependent on site of tumor transplant and ranged from a mean of 28 days for intrarenal implantation to 44 days intramusculary. Maximum tumor weight (130 g) was obtained via subcutaneous implant. Lung metastasis was evident in the majority of animals with the exception of those receiving the tumor implant intraperitoneally. The levels of erythropoietin and serum calcium and phosphatase were comparable to control values whereas hematocrit levels declined. Tumor tissue arginase or total protein remained unchanged during tumor growth. In these same tissues DNA, content and 5-alpha-reductase activity significantly and progressively increased with concomitant tumor growths. Measurements of lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and their isoenzymes indicated patterns of liver involvement which were not macroscopically evident. After 31 days of subcutaneous tumor transplant, male and female rats had tumors of comparable weights. Orchiectomy or estradiol treatment significantly reduced tumor weight in males. In female rats testosterone treatment significantly increased tumor weights. DNA concentration in tumor tissue was unaffected by treatment. Similiarly, although 5-alpha-reductase activity was higher in tumors from males, and arginase higher in females, these enzymes were not affected by surgical or hormonal treatment.

Serum ferritin concentration as an index of storage iron in rheumatoid arthritis

Serum ferritin concentration has been compared with semi-quantitative histochemical estimates of bone marrow iron deposits in 60 anaemic patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There was considerable variation in the visual assessment of iron stores made by different observers. Serum ferritin appears to be a particularly sensitive index of iron status when stores are low. The best means of detecting iron deficiency in rheumatoid arthritis are discussed.

Alanine stimulation of the pancreatic alpha- and beta-cell in the neonatal lamb

Alanine infusion in the newborn sheep produced a significant increase in plasma immunoreactive insulin concentrations without a change in plasma glucose or glucagon levels. In contrast, a brisk response of glucagon and glucose were seen in adult sheep after similar infusions. These data suggest that in newborn lambs pancreatic β-cell responsiveness matures earlier than the α-cell response.

Some Effects of Synthetic Juvenile Insect Hormones and Hormone Analogues on Tribolium Castaneum (Herbst)

The effects were studied of incorporating three synthetic insect juvenile hormones and five analogues in flour diets for T. castaneum. The synthetic hormones used were: methyl 10,ll-epoxy-7-ethyl-3,ll-dimethyltrideca- 2,6-dienoate (compounds I and II; these had the same structure but consisted of different isomer ratios), and methyl cis-l0,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyltrideca-trans-2,trans-6-dienoate (III). The analogues used were: 6',7'-epoxy-3',7'-dimethyloct-trans-2'-enyl 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl ether (IV); 3'-methyl-7'-ethylnona-2',6'-dienyl 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl ether (V); ethyl 3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate (VI); isopropyl 11-methoxy-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-2,4-dienoate (VII); 6',7'-epoxy-3',7'-dimethyloct-trans-2'-enyl 4-ethylphenyl ether (VIII). Compounds II-VII were incorporated in flour media at concentrations of 5 and 20 p.p.m. and I and VIII at 5 p.p.m. only. The number of eggs laid in various treated media did not differ significantly from that in the control. Egg to adult development was inhibited by VII and VIII at 5 p.p.m. and by II, IV and VI at 20 p.p.m. Development was completed in other treatments but with a high level of adult morphological deformity except with V and VI at 5 p.p.m. The compounds tended to increase the developmental period from egg to adult.

Spontaneous external rupture of an infected popliteal cyst in rheumatoid arthritis

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An unusual response to chlorpromazine therapy

The production of a catatonic-like state in animals by phenothiazines and related compounds (‘experimental catatonia’) is an important laboratory test in the assessment of neuroleptics (Joyce, 1968). This response is, however, uncommon in humans who are receiving therapeutic doses of this type of drug. Such a case is described, and some of the literature concerning this subject is reviewed.