Effects of interleukin-12 on natural killer cell cytotoxicity and the production of interferon-7 and tumour necrosis factor-a in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

The effects of Interleukin 12 (IL-12) on natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and on the production of interferon-7 (IFN-7) and tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) were examined in 15 patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), which are well known to have immunologic defects, and in 11 normal subjects. The NK cell cytotoxicity of all of the normal subjects was augmented by incubation with IL-12 alone, and co-incubation with interleukin 2 (IL-2) further augmented it (type A response). The MDS patients showed varied responses to IL-12/IL-2. Seven patients showed the type A response, resulting in augmented NK cell cytotoxicity which was similar to that in the normal subjects. In five other patients the cytotoxicity was not increased by IL-12 alone, but the combination of IL-12 and IL-2 did augment the cytotoxicity (type B response). The augmented cytotoxicity in these type B patients was lower than that in the normal subjects. In the final three MDS patients the cytotoxicity was low and not affected by IL- 12 and/or IL-2 (type C response). AH patients with refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and patients with RAEB in transformation showed a type B or C response. Conversely, six of eight refractory anaemia patients showed a type A response. In MDS patients there was a positive correlation between the percentage of CD3CD56⁺ cells in pre-incubated cells and the cytotoxicity of cells incubated with IL-12/IL-2. The combination of IL-12 and IL-2 augmented IFN-7 and TNF-Q production by nonadherent mononuclear cells in a synergistic or cumulative manner, respectively, in most patients. These results suggest that IL-12, alone or with IL-2, may modulate these important immunologic functions in most MDS patients.     

Hypothermic effects of apomorphine homologues in mice

A single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection in mice of apomorphine (I) and its analogues norapomorphine (II), N-ethylnorapomorphine (III), N-n-propylnorapomorphine (IV) and apocodeine (V), caused dose-related decreases in deep-core body temperature. The neuroleptic agent haloperidol blocked the hypothermia produced by these apomorphines but α-methyl-p-tyrosine failed to do so. This indicated a direct post-synaptic stimulation of dopamine receptors. Methysergide potentiated the hypothermic effect of the apomorphine analogues. Taking the amount of apomorphine to produce a 3 °C fall in temperature at 30 min as unity, the approximate relative potencies were: I 1.00, II 0.06, III 47.50, IV 85.00, V 0.340. The doses of the apomorphines needed to produce hypothermia were much less than those needed to cause stereotypy. The ratios of the minimal doses required to produce hypothermia, to those producing stereotypy were: I 8.82, II 4.00, III 125.00, IV 28.50, V 1.43.     

A SURVEY OF OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF SUNGLASSES

The results of a survey of optical properties and dimensions of a sample of 135 different sunglass lenses commercially available in Australia are compared with the limits for optical properties and dimensions of sunglasses given by an existing specification for general purpose sunglasses.     

Biochemical Tests for Alcohol Abuse

The incidence of alcohol abuse is increasing in most countries.Despite this a reliable biochemical test for detecting and assessingalcohol abuse and monitoring the success of treatment is notyet available. Alcohol oxidation in the liver has profound metaboliceffects, eg enzyme induction, toxic damage, alteration of theredox state of the liver. These effects form the basis of themajority of currently employed biochemical tests. The relativemerits of commonly available tests, eg serum GGT, AspT, andthose employed less frequently, eg blood lactate/pyruvate, aresurveyed. Biochemical tests also play a role in detecting andmanaging alcohol-related pathologies and thes are also brieflyreviewed.