Serum concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules in patients with colorectal cancer

The concentrations of the soluble adhesion molecules E-cadherin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) were investigated in 48 patients with colorectal cancer before treatment, and their relation to clinical, histological and routine laboratory parameters was examined. Data were collected on tumour stage at presentation, presence and sites of metastatic disease, tumour pathology and results of routine laboratory tests. Serum concentrations of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were significantly elevated in the patients with colorectal cancer in comparison with a group of healthy subjects (P < 0.00001). Levels of circulating ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were increased both in patients with local and those with metastatic disease. Although elevated in some patients soluble E-cadherin and E-selectin concentrations were not significantly elevated compared with the control group (P = 0.71 and P = 0.052 respectively). The levels of circulating ICAM-1 were significantly correlated with those of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. A correlation was also found between the serum concentrations of E-selectin and ICAM-1 and alkaline phosphatase, total white cell count and platelet count. VCAM-1 was positively correlated with age and negatively with degree of tumour differentiation and haemoglobin concentration. The biological implications and possible clinical relevance of these findings are discussed.     

Thymic alterations in feline GM1 gangliosidosis

GM1 gangliosidosis is an inherited metabolic disease characterized by progressive neurological deterioration with premature death seen in children and numerous animals, including cats. We have observed that thymuses from affected cats greater than seven months of age (GM1 mutant cats) show marked thymic reduction compared to age-matched normal cats. The studies reported here were done to describe alterations in the thymus prior to (less then 90 days of age) and during the development of mild (90 to 210 days of age) to severe (greater than 210 days of age) progressive neurologic disease and to explore the pathogenesis of the thymic abnormality. Although histologic examination of the thymus from GM1 affected cats less than 210 days of age showed no significant differences from age-matched control cats, thymuses from GM1 mutant cats greater than 210 days of age were significantly reduced in size (approximately 3-fold). Histologic sections of lymph nodes, adrenal glands, and spleens from GM1 gangliosidosis-affected cats showed no significant differences. Flow cytometric analyses showed a marked decrease in the percentage of immature CD4+CD8+ thymocytes (p < 0.001) and significantly increased CD4-CD8+ cells (p < 0.01) in GM1 mutant cats greater than 210 days of age when compared to normal age matched cats. Co-labelling with CD4, CD8, and CD5 indicated an increase in the percentage of GM1 mutant cat thymocytes at this age which were CD5high, suggesting the presence of more mature cells. Cytometric analyses of subpopulations of peripheral lymphocytes indicated an increase in CD4-CD8+ cells (p < 0.05) with concurrent decreases in CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8- cells (which were not significant). Similar analyses of thymocyte and lymphocyte subpopulations from cats < 210 days of age showed no significant differences between GM1 mutant and normal cells. GM1 mutant cats at all ages had increased surface binding of Cholera toxin B on thymocytes, indicating increased surface GM1 ganglioside expression. Increases were highly significant in GM1 mutant cats greater than 210 days of age. In situ labelling for apoptosis was increased in GM1 mutant cats between 90 to 200 days of age when thymic masses were within normal limits. In GM1 mutant cats over 200 days of age, decreased labelling was observed when thymic mass was reduced and the CD4+CD8+ subpopulation, known to be very susceptible to apoptosis, was significantly decreased. These data describe premature thymic involution in feline GM1 gangliosidosis and suggest that increased surface GM1 gangliosides alters thymocyte development in these cats.     

International intercomparison of horn gain at X-band

An international intercomparison of horn gain and polarization measurements at X-band has previously been completed. There were seven participating laboratories with the National Institute of Standards and Technology serving as the pilot laboratory. Two X-band pyramidal standard gain horns with a nominal gain of 22 dB served as the traveling standards. Quantities measured included on-axis fixed frequency gain at 8, 10, and 12 GHz, swept frequency gain between 8-12 GHz and polarization characteristics at the three fixed frequencies. All laboratories performed the fixed frequency-gain measurements. The swept-frequency and polarization measurements were optional, with four laboratories performing swept-frequency measurements and three laboratories measuring polarization. The results of the gain measurements generally agreed within the reported uncertainties which were of the order of 0.1 dB or less     

The role of estrogen and progesterone in the regulation of reproductive behaviour in female ring doves(Streptopelia risoria) under long vs. short photoperiods

The role of estrogen and progesterone in the regulation of reproductive behavior was studied in female ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) under long vs. short photoperiods. The doves held under long (16 hours/day) or short (8 hours/day) photoperiods were treated for 15 days with saline, estrogen, or progesterone, alone or in combination. 7 days after the start of hormone therapy, the doves were placed with reproductively active males for 4 hours/day for 9 days. No difference was seen in egg-laying, courtship or nest-building by control birds under the 2 photo regimes. Ovarian follicles remained small in all doves receiving hormone treatment. Oviducts of doves receiving progesterone alone remained small in the short-photoperiod group but at long photoperiods the oviducts became enlarged. Estrogen stimulated oviduct growth at both photoperiods wheras the combined hormone treatment resulted in greater oviduct development than estrogen alone (p less than .02). Female soliciting and nest-building activity remained low in progesterone-treated doves under short photoperiod but increased rapidly under long photoperiod. Doves treated with estrogen and estrogen plus progesterone performed considerable soliciting and nest-building. No marked tendency was seen for doves under long-photoperiod conditions to be more active in nest-oriented behavior. Copulatory behavior by the female occurred infrequently in all hormone-treated doves.