Red blood cell membrane abnormalities during storage: correlation with in vivo survival

Experiments with citrate-phosphate-dextrose supplemented with adenine, 0.5 mM final concentration (CPD-A2), provided an opportunity for study of red blood cells (RBC) membrane storage lesions which could limit extension of storage. Impairment in drug-induced endocytosis in intact RBC occurred with storage, but the changes produced did not quantitatively predict or reflect the 24-hour in vivo 51Cr-labelled RBC survival. Abnormalities in RBC membrane protein did appear after storage, but these alterations neither paralleled nor predicted the in vivo 24-hour 51Cr-labelled RBC survival. The RBC membrance protein changes were not reminiscent of those produced by either acute adenosine triphosphate depletion, oxidative attack, or calcium accumulation. Therefore, while storage produces significant alterations in RBC membrane protein and function, the changes detected were not those that determined in vivo RBC survival.

Non-endocrine carcinoid tumour of the uterine cervix: aspects of diagnosis and treatment. Case report

A case of primary well-differentiated carcinoid tumour of the uterine cervix in a Chinese woman of 62 years without endocrine symptoms is reported and its clinico-pathological features, ultrastructure and response to radiotherapy discussed. To our knowledge, it is the first of such cases seen in Hong Kong. Clinically, it presented as a polypoid lesion. The initial diagnosis was squamous carcinoma of cervix stage Ib and the patient was treated with radiotherapy. The tumour disappeared after application of first intracavitary irradiation of 4500 mg h. After completion of 9000 mg h, Wertheim hysterectomy followed and no residual tumour was found. Retrospective staining of the pre-irradiation cervical tumour by Grimelius method was positive for argyrophil granules and electron microscopic study demonstrated neurosecretory granules in the cytoplasm and established the diagnosis.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein in rats after ligation of the common bile duct: relation to ductular cell (oval cell) proliferation

Serum AFP levels were measured by radio-immunoassay in rats at various periods after ligation and section of the common bile duct and after sham-ligation. Transient elevations of serum AFP reaching statistically significant levels occurred at 3 to 10 days, 17 days and 28 days after ligation of the common bile duct but not in sham-operated rats. The peak elevations of serum AFP followed waves of mitosis in both the ductular cells and the hepatocytes as measured by autoradiography. Proliferation of hepatocytes, however, remained minor when compared to ductular cell multiplication. Ultra-structural and histochemical studies of the liver clearly distinguished ductular (oval) cells from hepatocytes and provided no evidence of transition from ductular cells to hepatocytes. Our findings suggest that ductular cell proliferation in the rat induced by ligation of the common bile duct may produce elevations in the serum AFP.

The influence of electro-acupuncture on naloxone-induced morphine withdrawal. II. Elevation of immunoassayable beta-endorphin activity in the brain but not the blood

The effect of electro-acupuncture in the treatment of naloxone precipitated morphine withdrawal in mice was studied. Thirty minutes of acupuncture was enough to suppress withdrawal behaviors by more than 60%. Concomitant to the decrease of withdrawal behavior, there was a significant increase of brain beta-endorphin level in the acupunctured animals. Plasma beta-endorphin level of the treated and untreated group was not significantly different.

Acupuncture in narcotic withdrawal: a preliminary report on biochemical changes in the blood and urine of heroin addicts

Eight female heroin-addicted subjects were treated over a 10-day period by acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES). Their plasma ACTH, cortisol and c-AMP levels were reduced after initial AES treatment. The reduction of c-AMP was significant the most of the three. The suppression of these compounds may be associated with the temporary relief of withdrawl symptoms on and after each AES treatment in the first three days. On the third day, ACTH, cortisol and c-AMP levels did not show significant changes after AES. This was presumably due to the disappearance of withdrawal symptoms and possibly to the stabilizing effect of the treatment. Both the ACTH and c-AMP levels were generally lower at the end of the treatment period. Results of the present investigation suggest that plasma c-AMP may be the best parameter by which to gauge the response of heroin addicts to AES.

Reduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol in drug addicts treated by acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES)

Forty-two heroin addicts and 31 normal persons were examined for the effect of acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) on plasma ACTH, cortisol and cyclic-AMP levels. Both ACTH and cortisol levels were reduced significantly in the addicts after treatment whereas no such significant reduction was observed in the normals. Plasma cyclic-AMP level was not affected in either group. Taken together, results from the present study suggest that the mechanism of AES in the treatment of addiction may have a neuroendocrinological basis. This hypothesis is particularly attractive in view of the isolation of opiate-like peptides from the brain.

Changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels in drug addicts treated by a new and rapid detoxification procedure using acupuncture and naloxone

Plasma ACTH, cortisol, and cyclic-AMP levels of eleven heroin addicts were dertermined before and after treatment with a fast detoxification procedure using acupuncture and electrical stimulation (AES) together with the administration of limited doses of naloxone. At the end of the treatment period, the average plasma ACTH, cortisol, and cyclic-AMP level rose 130,83, and 24 percent, respectively. In view of the appearance of mild withdrawal signs during this method of treatment, the observed increases in ACTH and cortisol levels probably reflect the inability of AES to suppress withdrawal symptoms induced by naloxone completely. The mechanism underlying this new method of treatment is discussed in relation to AES's ability to stimulate the secretion of endorphins.

Purification and properties of choriogonadotropin from human term placenta

Affinity chromatography has been applied successfully to the isolation of human choriogonadotropin from human term placenta. In a single step, a 57-fold purification was achieved. Evidence is presented which indicates that the product contains intact hormone as well as its free alpha-subunit. Preliminary data suggest that a variant form of alpha-subunit is also present which has serine as its N-terminal and contains relatively little arginine and proline as compared to the authentic alpha-subunit.

Comparison of plasma hormonal levels between heroin-addicted and normal subjects

The serum concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, aldosterone, thyroxine, cyclic AMP and cholesterol were compared between normal and heroin-addicted subjects. Significantly lower ACTH, cyclic AMP and cholesterol levels were observed to be associated with the heroin addicts, but their plasma thyroxine level was significantly elevated. The possible physiopsychological effect resulting from these changes is discussed.

Lipid accumulation in a hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hypoglycaemia

Four serial specimens over 18 months from a hepatocellular carcinoma associated with hypoglycaemia were studied by light microscopy. Ultrastructural study was possible for two of the specimens. Progressive fatty metamorphosis of the tumour cells was observed. The mechanism postulated was that of diversion of carbohydrate metabolism to lipogenesis due to enzyme disruption and dextrose infusion. The possibility of a defect in lipid transport was also considered.