Ovarian cancer: comparison of findings with perfluorocarbon-enhanced MR imaging, In-111-CYT-103 immunoscintigraphy, and CT

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of breath-hold gadolinium- and perflubron-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, immunoscintigraphy with indium-111-CYT-103 (planar and single photon emission computed tomography [CT]), and contrast material-enhanced CT for the detection of ovarian cancer prior to laparotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with primary (n = 3) or treated (n = 13) ovarian cancer underwent imaging of the abdomen and pelvis with each modality. All images were reviewed prospectively for tumor location, and results were compared with findings at surgery. RESULTS: With CT or MR imaging, tumor was detected in 11 of 13 (85%) patients compared with 11 of 12 patients (92%) with immunoscintigraphy. Per patient accuracy for CT was 81% compared with 75% for MR imaging and 86% for immunoscintigraphy. For detection of individual sites of tumor, the sensitivity of MR imaging was highest (81%) compared with CT (51%, P < .001) and immunoscintigraphy (50%, P < .01). The combination of MR imaging and immunoscintigraphy depicted 89% of sites of tumor involvement confirmed at laparotomy. CONCLUSION: MR imaging and immunoscintigraphy show promise for the evaluation of patients with ovarian cancer.     

Modification of the 5' position of purine nucleosides. 1. Synthesis and biological properties of alkyladenosine-5'-carboxylates

A series of esters of adenosine-5'-carboxylic acid has been prepared. Most of the compounds were nontoxic, causing prolonged increases in coronary sinus PO2 when administered to anesthetized dogs; the ethyl ester was most active. Nitrosation and oxidation of the ethyl ester 12 gave respectively inactive inosine ethyl ester 30 and the fairly active N1-oxide ethyl ester 29.     

Microcalorimetric determination of glucose in reference samples of serum

Ireport a detailed series of microcalorimetric measurement of glucose concentrations in five reference samples of serum. The method utilized (a) calibration in the actual medium of analysis and (b) a correction for interferences owing to the nonspecificity of the enzyme hexokinase. The microcalorimetric results are compared with the tentative results of analyses obtained by the spectrophotometric hexokinase/glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase method and by isotope-dilution mass spectrometry. In most cases, the microcalorimetric results appear to be in agreement with the results obtained by these latter two methods. A discussion of the basis of the microcalorimetric measurements is presented.     

Studies on the secondary structure of wheat 5.8 S rRNA. Conformational changes in the A + U-rich stem during ribosome assembly

The nucleotide sequence of wheat (Triticum aestivum) 5.8-S ribosomal RNA has been re-examined using partial chemical degradation with high-temperature sequencing gels and oligonucleotide analysis. The results clarify previously ambiguous residues and add two additional nucleotides, G127 and G135, to the sequence. Estimates of the secondary structure suggest that 5.8-S rRNAs of higher plants differ from previous examples in having more open G + C-rich and A + U-rich stems. S1 ribonuclease digestion was used to probe this secondary structure; the data generally support the 'burp gun' model proposed for all 5.8-S rRNAs but are also consistent with a more open A + U-rich stem. Diethyl pyrocarbonate reactivity was used to probe the topography of this RNA in wheat ribosomes. The results indicate that the G + C-rich and A + U-rich stems are accessible to chemical modification in the wheat ribosome and suggest that the A + U-rich stem undergoes a significant conformational change when the molecule associates into ribosomes.