Indium bone marrow scintigraphy as an aid in selecting marrow biopsy sites for the evaluation of marrow elements in patients with lymphoma

One hundred and two previously treated lymphoma patients were studied with 111Indium bone marrow scans and bone marrow biopsies. The biopsies were considered to represent sampling errors when the cellularity of the biopsy did not reflect the general state of the marrow organ cellularity as demonstrated by the scan. In each instance the accuracy of the scan was confirmed by either another biopsy or the subsequent clinical course of the patient. Sampling errors were infrequent (1/51) in patients with normal peripheral blood counts and whose marrow had never been involved with tumor. Errors were especially likely (17/51) in patients who had had marrow involvement or those who had anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia. The 111Indium bone marrow scan allows the clinician to avoid selecting a biopsy site with a high risk for sampling error.     

Correction of postoperative metabolic alkalosis and renal failure by hemodialysis

Arylamidase activity in human endometrium tissue, uterine fluid, and serum in uterine dysfunction induced by a copper IUD, steroidal contraception, and lactational amenorrhea was investigated. Arylamidase activity in cell-free preparation of endometrium increased steadily from the early proliferative phase attaining the maximum level at the secretory phase. The activity in the uterine fluid and serum showed similar trends. In uterine dysfunction, the activity decreased in different conditions. The distribution of the enzyme activity in the particular and soluble fractions was within a close range (1.4 to 1.7), indicating the absence of transfer of enzyme from particulate to the soluble fraction. The administration (in vitro) of 10 -4 M estrogen and progesterone caused an increase in the activity. Substrate affinity values of the enzymes in both fractions remained unaffected while the catalytic phase values were altered indicating a qualitative difference in the 2 enzymes.     

Grain dust-induced airflow obstruction and inflammation of the lower respiratory tract

To investigate the relationship between the physiologic and biologic effects of grain dust inhalation, we exposed 15 nonsmoking, nonasthmatic, nonatopic male grain handlers to buffered saline and aqueous corn dust extract by inhalation challenge in a crossover study. The inhalation challenges to buffered saline and corn dust extract were separated by at least 14 d. Compared with buffered saline, inhalation of corn dust extract resulted in significant airflow obstruction, which was observed within 30 min of exposure and persisted for 5 h. Inhalation of corn dust extract resulted in an acute inflammatory response characterized by higher concentrations of neutrophils (p = 0.001), IL-1 beta (p = 0.001), IL-1RA (p = 0.001), IL-6 (p = 0.001), IL-8 (p = 0.001), and TNF-alpha (p = 0.04) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. mRNA levels specific for IL-1 beta, IL-1RA, IL-6, and IL-8 from cells present in the BAL fluid were significantly greater after challenge with corn dust extract than after challenge with buffered saline. Importantly, no significant differences were observed in the concentration of lymphocytes or eosinophils in the BAL fluid following inhalation of corn dust extract, and the concentrations of histamine and 15-HETE were similar in BAL fluid after the two challenges. The maximal percentage decrease in FEV1 was significantly associated with the absolute neutrophil concentration in the BAL fluid (p = 0.001), as well as the concentration of TNF-alpha (p = 0.03), IL-1 beta (p = 0.005), IL-1RA (p = 0.001), IL-6 (p = 0.001), and IL-8 (p = 0.001) in the BAL fluid.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Long-term immunoglobulin G production by transplanted thymus cells

Two sublines of CBA/H mice congenic for the Igl allotype locus were used to study donor-allotype IgG2a concentrations in the serum of mice injected intravenously with thymus cells. High concentrations (up to several mg/ml) were found in x-irradiated recipients (exposed to 650 rad, or to 900 rad with a restorative injection of fetal liver cells). The highest concentrations were seen 1-2 months after injection, but detectable quantities were still present in most individuals after 377 days. No donor-allotype Ig was detected in non-irradiated recipients. Cell for cell, lymph node cells were about as efficient as thymus cells at transferring IgG production. Although pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells were found in the thymus, their concentration (about 10(-8)) was too low to account for the results. It is suggested that the thymus contains B lymphocytes, or their precursors, with considerably greater powers of self-maintenance and expansion than are possessed, on average, by the B lymphocytes in lymph nodes.     

BEHAVIOUR OF FLUORINE IN BLAST-FURNACE SMELTING Ⅰ.EFFECTS OF FLUORINE ON THE VISCOSITY,MELTING POINT AND DESULFURIZING POWER OF LIQUID BLASTFURNACE-TYPE SLAGS

在本文中,我们报告了含氟高炉型熔渣的的粘度、熔化性和脱疏力的研究结果。所用熔渣包括坩埚冶炼渣与合成渣,含氟化钙最高达40.7%。试验数据指出氟能显著地降低熔渣的粘度与熔化温度,但对硫在渣、铁间的平衡分配影响较小。因此作为初步估计,在计算硷度时可以将氟化钙视为中性。根据本文试验结果,我们从熔渣的离子结构观点讨论了氟影响熔渣性质的机理。     

Endogenous substance P inhibits the expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone during a chronic inflammatory stress

We have investigated the effects of a chronic inflammatory stress on substance P (SP) levels in the hypothalami of rats given adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). Fourteen days after injection of Mycobacterium butyricum, substance P concentrations in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and median eminence/arcuate nucleus were significantly increased. In AA rats injected intraperitoneally with the specific neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist RP67580, plasma ACTH and corticosterone concentrations were significantly elevated, and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA in the PVN was increased compared to the AA group which received saline alone. The increases in hypothalamic SP in AA, together with the data demonstrating that HPA axis activity is enhanced in AA following injection of a SP antagonist, are consistent with the hypothesis that SP is acting as an inhibitor of CRH expression in this model of chronic inflammatory stress.     

Metabolic pathways of WR-2721 (ethyol, amifostine) in the BALB/c mouse

This study investigated the metabolism of the radio- and chemoprotector compound, WR-2721 [amifostine; s-2-(3- aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioate], in the Balb/c mouse. The latter was selected for these studies because considerable radiation protection data have been published for this mouse strain using the WR-2721 dose, route of administration, and optimal time for protection following intraperitoneal injection used herein. It is known that protection requires conversion of the parent drug to its free thiol metabolite, WR-1065, in cultured cells. Because it is possible that metabolites of WR-1065 could be involved in protection and because thiols are metabolically very reactive molecules, we investigated the metabolism of WR-2721 using electrochemical detection-HPLC methods. The following are the major findings in this study: 1) WR-2721 drug was rapidly cleared from the bloodstream. Blood concentration of the parent drug decreased 10-fold 30 min after administration from the maximal observed value at 5 min 2) WR-1065 rapidly appeared in the perchloric acid (PCA)-soluble fraction of normal solid tissues. The highest WR-1065 concentrations in liver and kidney were 965 and 2195 mumol/kg, respectively, 10 min after parent drug administration, whereas for heart and small intestine the highest values were 739 and 410 mumol/kg at 30 min. 3) WR-1065 accumulated in the PCA-soluble fraction of two experimental tumors at a lower rate than for the other tissues.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)