Patient immobilization during CT for treatment planning of head and neck cancer

Immobilizers are described that have been used during computed tomography (CT) to ensure reproducibility of patient position during all phases of radiation treatment planning and delivery. The immobilizer causes no degradation or artifact on CT images; hence, the value of the images in radiation treatment planning is not compromised.     

A simplified serum-free method for preparation and cultivation of human granulosa-luteal cells

A simplified method for the preparation and long-term cultivation of granulosa-luteal cells in serum-free medium is described. The cells were harvested from women undergoing in-vitro fertilization, enriched by sedimentation and dissociated by enzymatic treatment. We demonstrated, by introducing a synthetic serum replacement (SSR2), that these primary cell cultures cultivated in monolayers on an extracellular matrix may be used in experiments exceeding 7 days with low cell loss and cell death. No adverse effect on progesterone production was found. There was a high diversity in progesterone production between cells from individual patients. After several days in culture, the cells were challenged with human chorionic gonadotrophin which revived the rapidly decreasing progesterone production. We were unable to demonstrate an increase in cell number after 7 days of cultivation when the cells were grown in medium supplemented with either serum or SSR2. The mitogens epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor had no influence on proliferation. We also found that the present method prevents leukocyte contamination in the granulosa-luteal cell cultures. Compared with the common method based on the enrichment of granulosa-luteal cells on a density gradient (Ficoll/Percoll), this method saves time, labour and expense, in addition to augmenting purity.      

Characteristics and Bioefficacy of Monoclonal Antigonadotropin Releasing Hormone Antibody

ABSTRACT: Mouse hybrid cell clones secreting antigonadotropin releasing hormone monoclonal antibody were developed by fusion of SP2/O-Ag 1.4 myeloma cells with splenocytes of mouse immunized with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) tagged to tetanus toxoid. The product of hybrid cell clones obtained as ascites fluid from mouse peritoneal cavity had a titre of 10⁶ (30–40% binding of ¹²⁵I-GnRH) in radioimmunoassay. The antibody was IgG_2a and Kappa. The association constant (Ka) of the product of hybrid cell clone P₈16₆₂ for binding with GnRH was 1.2 × 10⁹ L/mole. The monoclonal antibody (P₈16₆₂) was highly specific for the native GnRH and devoid of reactivity with thyroid releasing hormone as tested in competitive radioimmunoassay. The recognition for GnRH agonists by monoclonal was 387-fold less with D-Ser (Bu^t)⁶ des Gly¹⁰ GnRH ethylamide and 608-fold less with Bz1-His⁶ GnRH. Monoclonal anti-GnRH antibody was competent to neutralize the in vivo bioactivity of the hormone as evident by the block of estrus cycle and termination of pregnancy in mice. Termination of pregnancy in animals receiving anti-GnRH monoclonal could be prevented by administration of progesterone.     

Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of Kigelia pinnata flowers extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective

To evaluate antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of Kigelia pinnata methanolic flowers extract in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic wistar rat.

Methods

Rats were made diabetic by a single dose of STZ at 60 mg/kg body weight i.p. The blood glucose level was checked before and 72 h after STZ injection to confirm the development of diabetes. The flower extract and glibenclamide were administered orally at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight for 21 days.

Results

Daily oral treatment with the extract and standard drug for 21 days significantly reduced blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels. High density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was found to be improved (P<0.01) as compared to diabetic control group.

Conclusions

It is concluded that Kigellia pinnata flowers extract have significant antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effect.     

Antibody-induced modulation and intracellular transport of CD10 and CD19 antigens in human B-cell lines: an immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy study

Antibody-induced antigenic modulation (AIAM) of CD10 and CD19 was studied on NALM-6, RAJI, and JOK-1 cell lines using fluorescence microscopy (FM), flow cytometry (FCM), and immunoelectron microscopy (IEM). Cross-linking with monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) induced rapid redistribution of CD10 and CD19 on the cell surface (FM) followed by internalization involving uptake through plasmalemmal pits, transfer through endosomal compartment (receptor-mediated endocytosis), and, finally, delivery to lysosomes for degradation or exocytosis and recycling (IEM). Significant quantitative differences regarding modulation and intracellular processing were shown by FCM and IEM. Thus, 35%, 30%, and 25% of CD10 compared with 80%, 60%, and 40% of CD19 were internalized in NALM-6, RAJI, and JOK-1 cells, respectively. Also, the rate of intracellular transfer as well as externalization and recycling was more pronounced in the case of CD19 than of CD10 and in the NALM-6 and RAJI cells compared with the JOK-1 cells. These differences may possibly reflect the functional significance of CD10 and CD19 as well as the stage of differentiation of the malignant B cells. Although both antigens can be useful in MoAb-targeted immunotherapy, our findings suggest that anti-CD19 MoAbs would be preferable for delivery of cytotoxic agents to malignant B cells.     

Follow-up of basal cell carcinomas: an audit of current practice

BACKGROUND: Follow-up of patients after treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) allows for monitoring of recurrence and detection of new tumours, but adds a significant burden to outpatient clinics. At the skin tumour clinic in the dermatology department, the Royal Hospitals, Belfast, all patients are reviewed for 2 years after surgical excision of a low-risk primary BCC. OBJECTIVES: An audit was undertaken to determine the quality of data set recorded relating to prognostic factors for BCCs to determine the rate of recurrence and number of new primary tumours detected and to determine the completeness of follow-up by patients. METHOD: Patients who had primary BCCs treated by excision were identified from a database held at the clinic. Medical charts were reviewed to determine data recorded about lesions, the number of recurrent BCCs and new tumours detected, and the number of patients completing follow-up. RESULTS: Between January 1999 and December 2000, 114 patients had 121 primary BCCs excised. BCC location and size were recorded in 100% and 35% of cases, respectively. Histological type was stated for morphoeic or multifocal lesions. Two years of follow-up was completed by 53% of patients and 1 year by 78% of patients. The rate of recurrence was low, with 2 BCC recurring within 2 years of excision. The risk of developing a new BCC was 11.6% in the first year and 6.3% in the second year. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of patients after excision of a low-risk BCC at the clinic has been reduced to 1 year. A proforma has been developed to encourage documentation of prognostic factors.     

Pharmacognostic study and anti-inflammatory activity of Callistemon lanceolatus leaf

Objective

To study detail pharmacognosy and anti-inflammatory activity of Callistemon lanceolatus (C. lanceolatus) leaf.

Methods

Leaf sample was studied by organoleptic, macroscopical, microscopical, phytochemical and other WHO recommended methods for standardizations. The methanolic leaf extract of the plant was also screened for anti-inflammatory activity on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, orally. The detail pharmacognostic study of the C. lanceolatus leaf was carried out to lay down the standards which could be useful in future experimental studies.

Results

C. lanceolatus methanolic leaf extract showed significant (P<0.05) anti-inflammatory activity at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg. This significant anti-inflammatory of C. lanceolatus methanolic leaf extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg was comparable with diclofenac sodium.

Conclusions

The pharmacognostic profile of the C. lanceolatus leaf is helpful in standardization for quality, purity and sample identification. The methanolic extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg shows a significant activity in comparison with the standard drug diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg).