Interference of antihistamines and anti-allergic drugs with antigen-induced paw edema in boosted and unboosted mice.

The protective effects of two antihistamines and two anti-allergic drugs against anaphylactic paw edema were studied in immunized animals that had or had not received a booster injection of antigen. The injection of 1 or 10 micrograms/paw ovalbumin induced acute paw edema of similar intensity in both groups. The antihistamine meclizine and the mixed anti histamine/anti-5-HT antagonist cyproheptadine reduced the anaphylactic reaction by 55 and 84% respectively, in non-boosted animals and were less effective against edema induced by 1 microgram antigen in boosted animals. The effectiveness of these drugs was also reduced when boosted mice were challenged with 10 micrograms antigen, where meclizine and cyproheptadine inhibited edema by 31 and 59%, respectively. The anti-allergic compounds ketotifen and azelastine, although effective against allergic inflammation in non-boosted mice, had a reduced or no effect in boosted mice. Our results suggest that allergic edema is less sensitive to antihistamine and anti-allergic drugs in boosted mice, which may be accounted for by an increased role of other mediators.     

Estimation of current maximum permissible levels of total specific activity of radionuclide mixture in the liquid forms of drugs and medicinal raw materials]

Algorithm of assessment of allowable levels of the total specific activity of radionuclides in liquid medicaments and medical raw materials was worked up. The key radionuclides were Strontium-90, Caesium-134 and -137.     

CT of the urinary tract after abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma.

Computed tomography (CT) after abdominoperineal (AP) resection for rectal carcinoma is a routine procedure for the detection of recurrent tumor and distal metastases. We reviewed sequential CT scans after AP resection in 52 patients in order to see whether the urinary tract as a neighboring organ is involved in recurrent malignancy. Bladder displacement in itself was not associated with hydronephrosis. Such hydronephrosis developed, however, in 14 patients--13 with a presacral mass, and one with retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. In 23 of the 52 patients a presacral mass appeared, either fibrosis, infection, or recurrence. Severe hydronephrosis was found only with malignancy. We suggest that marked hydronephrosis associated with a presacral mass after AP resection is an indirect sign of malignancy.     

Interactions of LDL and modified LDL with mesangial cells and matrix.

Hyperlipidemia may play a role in the progression of diabetic and other renal diseases. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) and other proteins including extracellular matrix components undergo nonenzymatic glycation in vivo. We examined the effects of glycation of LDL as occurs in diabetes (4 to 8%) on binding and uptake by mesangial cells and their proliferation. The glycation of LDL (g-LDL) significantly decreased its binding and uptake by mesangial cells by 15 to 20%, indicating that glycated LDL binds to the LDL receptor, but with lower affinity than LDL. Both LDL and g-LDL modestly stimulated [3H] thymidine incorporation into mesangial cells at 5 to 10 micrograms/ml. Native, oxidized (Ox-LDL) and glycated LDL all bound to the extracellular matrix generated by rat mesangial cells in culture. The binding of LDL, Ox-LDL and g-LDL to mesangial matrix was two to four times higher than to mesangial cells. Binding of LDL and g-LDL was significantly higher to glycolaldehyde modified matrix, which serves as an in vitro model for nonenzymatic glycation end-product cross-linking of matrix which occurs in long-standing diabetes. Based on these findings, we propose that glycation of LDL decreases its binding and uptake by the LDL receptor of mesangial cells and may slow its catabolism. Furthermore, LDL bound to extracellular mesangial matrix can undergo oxidation and generate cytotoxic LDL components. This process may be further enhanced by advanced glycation of the mesangial matrix in diabetes, contributing to glomerular pathology.     

The impact of coronary care unit on mortality from acute myocardial infarction in Hong Kong. A prospective randomized controlled study.

A prospective concurrent study was made on 2 groups of patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction admitted at random into the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) or general wards (GW). After excluding those older than 70 years of age, the two groups were similarly matched according to their ages and clinical severity. Those who were initially treated in the CCU had a higher chance of survival from myocardial infarction as compared with those in the GW. The overall mortality was 15.3% (17/111) and 29.3% (27/92) respectively (P less than 0.02), and the risk of dying in the GW comparing to that in the CCU was 2.3 (95% confidence interval 1.1-4.8). Sudden death was more frequently encountered in those treated in the GW. Our findings strongly support the use of the CCU for patients below 70 years.

     

RETINOBLASTOMALACTIC DEHYDROGENASE OF AQUEOUS HUMOUR AND ITS ISOENZYMES

Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in aqueoushumour and serum was measured of 24 patients withretinoblastoma, senile cataract, glaucoma, and cho-roid melanoma in addition to LDH isoenzyme fractions. The results were compared with those of the20 normal children. The ratio of aqueous humourLDH to serum LDH was 4.32+2.80, and that ofisoenzymes LDH4 to LDHl was greater than l. Theresults of our study suggested that the total LDHactivity and isoenzyme fractions in the aqueoushumour is of value in the diagnosis of retinobla&toma.     

Energy metabolism, pH changes, and lactate production in RIF-1 tumors following intratumoral injection of glucose.

The metabolic consequences of increased glucose availability were examined in subcutaneous RIF-1 tumors in vivo, using 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy. Significant increases in the levels of nucleotide triphosphates and phosphocreatine relative to low energy phosphates and in tumor pH were observed within 30 min following injection of 1 g/kg of glucose directly into the tumor. These changes did not occur following an equivalent intratumoral dose of the non-metabolizable sugar alcohol, mannitol. When [1-13C]-glucose was administered, [3-13C]-lactate and [3-13C]-alanine were the only labeled metabolites detected in the in vivo 13C NMR spectra during the period of bioenergetic improvement. Biochemical analysis revealed a substantial increase in tumor and plasma glucose concentration, but no increase in either tumor or plasma lactate, consistent with the absence of acidosis. Evaluation of the distribution of glucose in the tumor by quantitative autoradiography of [1-14C]-2-deoxyglucose administered with the glucose indicated that, on average, 7 mM of the added glucose distributed over the entire tumor within 10 min. The significant improvement in overall metabolic status of the tumors following glucose administration is attributed to the existence of substrate limited regions within the tumor.     

Differential effects of octreotide on motor responses to nicotine in rats.

We tested the hypothesis that brain somatostatin levels modify two motor behaviors evoked by ICV infusions of nicotine. Unrestrained, awake rats were given fixed-concentration infusions of nicotine until the prostration/immobility (PI) syndrome and convulsions were produced. Infusion duration ranged from 0.9 to 1.2 min for the PI syndrome and 2.5 to 4.9 min for the convulsions. Octreotide, a stable somatostatin analog (4.5 micrograms, ICV), significantly raised the threshold for nicotine convulsions 1.0 and 5.5 h after pretreatment but not at 24 or 48 h. Cysteamine, a somatostatin releaser and depletor (0.35-0.75 mg/rat, ICV), also caused a dose-dependent increase in seizure threshold. Similarities in the response to octreotide and cysteamine suggest that depression of nicotine convulsions by cysteamine may be mediated by release of endogenous somatostatin. Neither octreotide nor cysteamine altered the threshold for the PI syndrome. These results support the view that one motor behavior evoked by nicotine is subject to control by somatostatin whereas another is not.     

Radionuclide 13m in scanning pelvic congestion syndrome after tubal ligation]

Here are reported 83 cases with pelvic congestion syndrome after tubal ligation. Radionuclide 113m in blood-pool scanning was found to be a valuable method in detecting this syndrome in 72 cases who were proved by operation with a correct diagnosis rate of 98.6%. The mild cases received non-operative treatment. The relationship between the modalities of tubal ligation and this syndrome was discussed and preventive measures suggested.