An anti-IL-2 antibody increases serum half-life and improves anti-tumor efficacy of human recombinant interleukin-2

We examined the ability of anti-human recombinant interleukin-2 (hu rIL-2) monoclonal antibody DMS-1.10 to increase serum half-life of hu rIL-2, and the effect of this complex on inhibition of tumor progression in a B16-F10 murine melanoma model. In C57B1/6 mice, intravenous (i.v.) injection of DMS-1.10 premixed with 1 x 10(4) units (U) of hu rIL-2 at a 1:1 molar ratio extended serum half-life greater than 10-fold (222 min) when compared to the same dose of hu rIL-2 alone (20 min). In a murine tumor model, multiple intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of non-neutralizing DMS-1.10 premixed with hu rIL-2 at a 5:1 molar ratio reduced the growth rate of subcutaneous (s.c.) B16-F10 tumor in C57B1/6 mice by 64% when compared to PBS and irrelevant antibody treated controls. Although similar treatment with hu rIL-2 alone reduced tumor growth rate by 46%, it was significantly less effective than the premixed treatment. Results from a flow cytometry assay confirm B16-F10 does not have IL-2 receptors, precluding direct inhibition of tumor growth by hu rIL-2 treatments. We propose that therapeutic efficacy of hu rIL-2 is improved by prolonging the in vivo half-life with an anti-IL-2 antibody, thus augmenting hu rIL-2 bioactivity and enhancing the hosts immune response against tumor.     

Knowledge about asthma among Danish primary school teachers. Results of a questionnaire study

An anonymous questionnaire inquiry performed among 324 school teachers in the Randers area with the purpose of elucidating teachers' knowledge about asthma is presented. To a series of statements about asthma, the teachers should answer yes, no or don't know. A limited knowledge about asthma in children was found. The knowledge about medicamental treatment was particularly limited. Only 57 per cent knew that wheezing after physical exertion is a strong indicator of asthma. Only five per cent had received proper instruction. This latter group had a significantly better knowledge of medical treatment (p < 0.0001-0.05). It is recommended that instruction in children's diseases, especially asthma should be reintroduced in teachers' training colleges.     

Acid-base and electrolyte effects of shortening steeplechase in a three-day-event

This study was designed to characterise the acid-base and electrolyte effects of shortening the distance required during steeplechase (Phase B) in the face of hot and humid weather conditions during a treadmill-simulated Speed and Endurance test. Eight conditioned Thoroughbred horses underwent 3 randomised permutations of a standardised exercise test on a high speed treadmill. Each test consisted of trotting at 3.7 m/s for 10 min (Phase A); galloping at 11 m/s (Phase B) for 4 (cool laboratory conditions), 3 (hot and humid), or 2 (hot and humid) min; trotting at 3.7 m/s for 30 min (Phase C); and walking at 1.8 m/s for 10 min (Phase X). The treadmill slope was 4% for trotting and galloping and 0% for walking. Cool versus hot and humid conditions were 20 degrees C and 50-60% relative humidity vs. 26-28 degrees C and 80-85% relative humidity, respectively. Pulmonary artery blood samples were obtained at rest prior to exercise (Rest); at the end of Phases A (A10) and B (B2-4); at 10 (C10), 20 (C20) and 30 (C30) min through Phase C; and at 5 min into Phase X (X5). Additional samples for lactate (LA) and glucose (GLC) analysis were obtained 5 min into Phase C (C5) and at the end of Phase X (X10). Samples were analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (HB), total plasma protein (TP), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), anion gap (AG), plasma glucose (GLC) and lactate (LA), pH, PCO2, bicarbonate (HCO3) and base excess (BE). Shortening steeplechase distance by 50% under hot and humid conditions (2 min B) resulted in a consistent return to control measurements (4 min B) only for plasma LA. Changes in PCV, HB, TP, K and Cl were related more to the longer galloping distance in the 4 min B trials than to hot vs. cold laboratory conditions. Alternatively, changes in LA, GLC, pH, PCO2 and AG were more related to hot and humid laboratory conditions than they were to galloping distance. These latter variables, when combined with physical measures such as core temperature, bodyweight loss, point of fatigue on Phase C and recovery heart rates may serve as the best monitors of positive responses in future studies of proposed modifications to Phase C, rather than those variables which were more distance than weather-related.     

Presence of Epstein-Barr virus in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the middle ear

AIM: To examine the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) with carcinoma of the ear. METHODS: Five non-keratinising squamous cell carcinomas and two undifferentiated carcinomas of the ear were examined. In situ hybridisation was used to localised EBV-encoded RNAs (EBER). Immunohistochemical methods to detect LMP-1 and EBNA2 were performed in the EBER positive cases. RESULTS: Two cases were EBER positive, including one non-keratinising and one undifferentiated carcinoma. Both showed identical morphology to those arising from the nasopharynx, with abundant lymphoid stroma. They were both negative for LMP-1 and EBNA2. CONCLUSIONS: EBV associated carcinoma with the morphology of lymphoepithelioma can also arise from the middle ear.     

Phase diagram of the Co-VC-NbC system

Conclusions The eutectic in the Co-VC system corresponds to the composition with 14% VC and a temperature of 1340 ± 20°C and the maximum solubility of vanadium carbide in cobalt is 6%. The Co-VC section is not a quasibinary section of the Co-V-C phase diagram.The eutectic in the Co-NbC system melts at 1360°C and contains 11–12% NbC.The as-cast alloys of the Co-VC-NbC system are in the metastable two-phase condition and the only carbide phase is a carbide of complex composition which is a three-component solid solution of vanadium and niobium monocarbides.The fusibility diagram of the equilibrium phase diagram of the Co-VC-NbC system is characterized by the four-phase eutectic equilibrium L Co + VC + NbC with the point of the ternary eutectic at 1330 ± 20°C and a composition of 11% VC, 4% NbC, and 85% Co. The Co-VC-NbC equilibrium phase diagram does not contain ternary compounds and the equilibrium phases are cobalt- and vanadium- and niobium carbide-base solid solutions. The total volume share of the carbide constituents of the ternary eutectic somewhat exceeds the share of carbide phases in the boundary eutectics Co-VC and Co-NbC.The total solubility of the carbides in cobalt does not exceed 2–3%.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya. No. 3(315), pp. 80–87, March, 1989.     

Sex pheromones of male yellowfin Baikal sculpin (Cottocomephorus grewingki): Isolation and chemical studies

Three components of the male yellowfin Baikal sculpin pheromonal signal have been isolated from urine by diethyl ether extraction, thinayer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Using mass spectrometry, we have identified two of them as testosterone (T) and 11-hydroxytestosterone (11HT). These steroids are synthesized in testes during full spermatogenesis, and they are excreted in male urine with milt. The third component is not a steroid. It is more likely to be a polyene alcohol (farnesol). 2Z,6E-Farnesol possesses behavioral activity.     

Nitriding in magnetic field

Conclusions Magnetic field accelerates gas nitriding in pure ammonia by a factor of 3–4, eliminates brittleness of the nitrided case, substantially increases the wear resistance and seizing resistance of the case, and increases the fatigue strength. The nitriding process is accelerated to the maximum with a magnetic field strength of 25–30 Oe.Scientific-Research Institute of Technology of the Automobile Industry. Translated from Metallovedenie i Termicheskaya Obrabotka Metallov, No. 3, pp. 37–41, March, 1978.     

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