Efficacy of nasal cytology

Nasal Cytogram is a simple, economical and reliable investigation. Although its utility was recognised as early s1927, it has not gained much popularity. Here an attempt is madeto assess the efficacy of nasal cytology in the light of histology, to diagnose various nasal conditions.127 cases of common rhinological problem were studied at Govt. Medical College, Nagpur. This investigation was found to be simple, reliable & economical.     

Poly(hydroxy acids) in drug delivery

Poly(hydroxy acids) so far have been examined for use in drug delivery in limited number, while the advantageous use of the polymers has been recognized due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Homo- and copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid have been studied in drug delivery by many workers, while homo- and copolymers of epsilon-caprolactone have been studied by only one group of workers. Although poly-hydroxybutyric acid had been found to be a naturally occurring polymer, examination as to the use of the polymer in drug delivery is rather recent and reports are still limited. In the present article, the use of poly(hydroxy acids) including homo- and copolymers of lactic acid and glycolic acid, polycaprolactone, and poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid in drug delivery is reviewed. Physicochemical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility of the polymers, and evaluations in vitro and in vivo of specific dosage forms using the polymers, are included. The most recent work in our laboratories on the use of polyactic acid and poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid is also included.     

Monoclonal antibody to human pancreatic carcinoma cells

A monoclonal antibody (MoAb, SK-930) of the IgG2a subclass to human pancreatic carcinoma cells (MIA-PaCa 2) was obtained by hybridization of spleen cells from immunized Balb/c mice with murine myeloma cells. SK-930 was investigated for reacting in indirect immunofluorescence on FACS against a panel comprising 12 types of different origin. SK-930 reacted with seven out of 11 tumor cells and with one PBL. Immunoperoxidase techniques (ABC method) showed that SK-930 antigen was present on pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, but could not be detected on normal pancreatic tissue. Immunoprecipitation experiments and SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that SK-930 recognized 134K dalton peptide on tumor cells. These results suggest that SK-930 reacts with a novel pancreatic cancer-associated antigen.     

Decreased sensitivity to phalloidin of aged F344/DuCrj rat hepatocytes

The phalloidin sensitivity of hepatocytes resulting in the formation of cytoplasmic blebs was examined with cells isolated from 73- to 74-week-old and 99- to 100-week-old F344/DuCrj rats of both sexes by a collagenase perfusion method. The cells isolated from aged rats were less sensitive to the toxin than those obtained from 10- to 14-week-old rats. The decrease in the sensitivity was more marked in males than in females, and it appeared at an earlier age in the former than in the latter. Phalloidin consumption experiments showed decreases in the cellular uptake of the toxin in aged rats, and these were more marked in males than in females. The low cellular uptake of the toxin seemed to play an important role in the low sensitivity of the cells in aged rats. Although histological and histochemical examinations showed the development of foci of altered hepatocytes in the aged rat liver, the foci were estimated to account for less than 1.5% of liver tissues. Thus, the decrease in the sensitivity of the cells isolated from whole liver tissues might mainly be attributed to the decrease in the sensitivity of otherwise normal-looking hepatocytes.     

Myeloid regeneration after bone-marrow transplantation monitored by serum measurements of myeloperoxidase, lysozyme and lactoferrin

Bone-marrow regeneration after chemo- and radiotherapy-induced aplasia can be monitored by serum levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lysozyme (LYS) and lactoferrin (LF). In 10 patients with leukemia, serum measurements were performed before and after bone-marrow transplantation. Bone-marrow regeneration was suggested by increments in serum MPO and LYS 5 and 4 days prior to the increase in mononuclear cells (Mono) and 10 and 9 d before the increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the peripheral blood. LF started to rise 4.5 d before detectable circulating PMNs. 2 patients with early relapses of leukemia post transplantation are shown to display atypical patterns of serum MPO and LYS. We conclude that serum measurements of MPO, LYS and LF may be used as early and sensitive means to monitor bone-marrow activity during hematological regeneration. However, the findings also strongly support the earlier proposal that MPO alone may be used to reflect myeloid activity in the bone-marrow in general.     

Aldosterone production and hormone responsiveness in adrenal glomerulosa cells from cows of different ages

Aldosterone production by suspensions of adrenal glomerulosa cells obtained from young and old cows was measured. Basal steroidogenesis was lower in cells from old cows, as were the responses to angiotensin II (AII), potassium, ACTH and dibutyryl cyclic AMP. Receptors for AII and aldosterone production from added progesterone were the same in old and young cells. Synthesis of pregnenolone from endogenous precursor, the 'early pathway' of aldosteronogenesis, was lower in old cells than in young. AII-stimulated incorporation of 32P into phosphatidylinositol and the change in 45Ca2+ flux induced by AII were diminished in old cells. Overall protein synthesis, measured by 3H leucine incorporation, was lower in old cells than young, but was not affected by AII in either. Diminished responsiveness of adrenal glomerulosa cells from old animals results from a change in postreceptor events that affect the early pathway of aldosteronogenesis.