Analysis of progesterone receptor in the quail oviduct. Correlation between plasmatic estradiol and cytoplasmic progesterone receptor concentrations

Specific binding sites for [3H]-progesterone are found in the cytosol fraction of the oviduct of castrated, immature and developing quails. The optimal conditions to accurately measure the total cytoplasmic concentration of this progesterone receptor are described. The dissociation constant (KD) at 0 degrees C is 3.6 +/- 0.6 x 10(-9) M (mean +/- SE) for [3H]-P and the concentration of binding sites is 13.4 +/- 2 pmol/mg DNA in immature animals. This binding capacity is not altered even 2 weeks after ovariectomy. During sexual development, although the dissociation constant remains unchanged, the number of binding sites increases to 74.5 +/- 1.6 pmol/mg DNA just before the beginning of the laying cycle. The concentration of cytoplasmic P receptor is under the inductive influence of estradiol. In castrated quails, estradiol 17 beta (E2) perfusion through the portal vein at a rate below or equal to 2 ng/min for 24 hr does not increase plasmatic E2 concentration and consequently does not change [3H]-P binding sites concentration in the oviduct. While E2 perfusion rate exceeds the metabolizing capacity of the liver (6.8 ng/min), both plasmatic E2 level and oviductal P receptor concentration are increased. When E2 is perfused through the jugular vein, plasmatic E2 level increases with the dose of E2 but P receptor concentration only increases when E2 perfusion rate reaches to 2.0 ng/min for 24 h.

Assessment of chemoprophylaxis in open-heart surgery patients

Regular assay of antibiotics in the sera of patients may be helpful in open-heart surgery patients, neurosurgery patients, immunosuppressed individuals, patients on antineoplastic therapy, or other high-risk patient groups. It may be especially helpful in regulating their antibiotic dosages and in giving forewarning about impending bacterial infections. A method for simultaneous serum assay of two antibiotics belonging to the same penicillin group of drugs is described here. Such combined assay procedures are usually not undertaken, largely due to the technical difficulties involved. The procedures described here should prove helpful in monitoring antibiotic therapy in patients on combined Ampi-Clox regimen, whenever necessary.

Effect of heating on the hardness of human bone

Specimens of dry human bone wee subjected to gradual or sudden heating up to different temperatures. After heating they were cooled suddenly or gradually to room temperature. Their hardness was studied by the Vickers and ball indentation tests. The deformation produced was studied by interferometric and phase-contrast techniques. Heating caused the bone to become brittle without any considerable changes in the surface features. Gradual cooling induced surface hardening. Heating was not found to affect indentation-induced surface distortion.

Micro-indentation hardness studies on human bones

Bones from different portions of human skeleton are polished and cut to suitable sizes and then subjected to micro-indentation at various loads using Vicker's diamond pyramidal indenter. The Vicker's hardness number is found to differ slightly from portion to portion of the skeleton. Interferometric studies of the indentation reveal that the applied stress of indentation causes a 'pile-up' of material near the corners of the pyramidal indents.

Possible antineoplastic agents I

A few thalidomide and glutarimide derivatives were synthesized. Several compounds possessed significant antineoplastic activity against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in Swiss albino mice.