1 alpha(OH)D3 (ETALPHA) treatment and receptor studies in 16 patients with chronic and myeloproliferative disorders

10 patients with CLL and 2 with CML were treated with gradually increasing doses of 1 alpha(OH)D3, up to 4 micrograms daily during 6 wk. 3 patients with preleukemia and 1 with myelofibrosis were treated with 2 micrograms daily of 1 alpha(OH)D3 for a prolonged period up to 17 wk. The treatment with 1 alpha (OH)D3 did not result in changes of disease parameters in any of the patients under study. Receptor studies for 1,25(OH)2D3 were performed in 8 CLL patients and revealed only 1 patient with increased specific receptor binding capacity. The maximum tolerable dose of 1 alpha(OH)D3 varied individually, but was in the range of 2-4 micrograms daily.     

Surgical revision of biliopancreatic diversion

Biliopancreatic diversion is a very effective method for weight reduction. In some instances it is too effective and needs to be revised.     

Influence of bezafibrate and colestipol on LDL-cholesterol, LDL-apolipoprotein B and HDL-cholesterol in hyperlipoproteinaemia

A significant increase of LDL-apolipoprotein B by 13% and LDL-cholesterol by 19% was observed in a group of 9 patients with hyperlipoproteinaemia Type III after bezafibrate treatment. Additional administration of colestipol caused a significant decrease of both LDL-apolipoprotein B by 18% and LDL-cholesterol by 25%. In 10 patients of hyperlipoproteinaemia Type IIb a significant decrease of both LDL-apolipoprotein B by 28% and LDL-apolipoprotein B by 18% was observed after bezafibrate therapy. When bezafibrate was given together with colestipol a further decrease of both LDL-cholesterol by 17% and LDL-apolipoprotein B by 16% occurred. HDL-cholesterol concentration increased significantly in both groups of hyperlipaemic patients during therapy. This may be the effect of both bezafibrate and colestipol. It is concluded that bile acid resins may effectively prevent the LDL-cholesterol concentration increase observed sometimes after clofibrate analogues.     

Biochemical effects of two promoters of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats

The effects of two promoters of hepatocarcinogenesis--phenobarbital and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)--on five hepatic biochemical parameters were examined in adult female rats. Phenobarbital given orally in two doses each of 110 mg/kg 21 and 4 hr before the rats were killed caused large increases in hepatic ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity and cytochrome P-450 content. Extending the number of phenobarbital treatments to five increased the hepatic enzyme induction and also caused a minor decrease in hepatic glutathione and a small increase in serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Two oral doses of 700 mg BHT/kg (20% of the LD50) caused hepatic DNA damage and induction of both ODC activity and cytochrome P-450 content. When the dose of BHT was reduced from 700 to 140 mg/kg no significant effects on the biochemical parameters were found. Both promoters of hepatocarcinogenesis were identified by their induction of ODC, a marker for promotional potential, but only BHT showed a potential for carcinogenic initiation. The biochemical parameters examined, particularly the alkaline elution technique for DNA damage, ornithine decarboxylase activity and serum alanine aminotransferase, may constitute a useful assay system for examining a compound's potential for carcinogenic initiation, carcinogenic promotion and cellular toxicity.     

Body size, fatness, and leanness of Mexican American children in Brownsville, Texas: changes between 1972 and 1983.

Changes in the height, weight, body mass index, triceps skinfold, and arm and estimated midarm muscle circumferences in lower socioeconomic Mexican American children, 6 through 17 years of age, from Brownsville, Texas, were documented on the basis of surveys done in 1972 and 1983. With the exception of height in youths ages 14-17, all parameters show gains at most ages, and in particular an increase in fatness. Brownsville Mexican American youth are similar in height, weight, and the body mass index to Mexican American youth in other areas of Texas. These trends confirm the large proportion of relatively short but heavy children among Mexican Americans.     

New options for central venous access in cancer chemotherapy. Multiple lumen catheters

New technology has allowed the creation of single catheters with up to four separate luminal channels for access to the central venous system. Since cancer chemotherapy may be associated with local complications specifically related to the mode of intravenous administration, temporary central venous access with a multiple lumen catheter (MLC) offers distinct theoretical advantages over previously used peripheral venous sites. As part of a prospective study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of MLC, the authors have separately studied the usefulness of these catheters in providing venous access to patients receiving chemotherapy.     

Effect of chronic administration of different Bence Jones proteins on rat kidney

The role of Bence Jones proteins (BJPs) in the genesis of the renal dysfunction that develops in patients with multiple myeloma is not clearly defined. We previously evaluated renal function and morphology in a unique strain of rats (LOU/m) bearing tumors which synthesized BJPs with isoelectric points of 5.2, 4.3 and 6.7. Myeloma cast nephropathy developed in one tumor bearing group (pI 5.2), tubular necrosis was observed in another (pI 4.3), and renal function and histology remained normal in a third group (pI 6.7). To see if these renal outcomes were a function of the BJP being excreted or other factors which could be present in the tumor bearing animals, we have examined the effect of chronic intravenous administration of these three BJPs on renal function and histology in non-tumor-bearing LOU/m rats. Urine containing the BJP was collected from tumor bearing rats, sterilized by passage through a 0.2 mu millipore filter, concentrated to 50 mg/ml, and dialyzed extensively so as to remove material with a molecular weight less than 3500. Chronic indwelling-venous catheters were placed in non-tumor-bearing LOU/m rats and these rats were given 100 mg/day for five days of one of the three BJPs. Polyfructosan clearance (Cin) was measured prior to and following the five days of BJP administration. Renal histology was examined at the completion of the second Cin. In the pI 5.2 group (N = 6), a severe distal nephron cast nephropathy occurred and Cin fell from 2.88 +/- 0.24 to 0.90 +/- 0.17 ml/min (P less than 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The Busselton children's survey, 1983. Body size from five to 16 years of age

In 1983, 1623 primary and secondary schoolchildren took part in a health survey which was organized by the Busselton Population Studies Group. Age, sex, weight, height and country of birth were recorded for each child. Where possible, the country of birth of parents and the occupation of the father were extracted from previous Busselton surveys of adults. Compared with Perth schoolchildren, the difference in the attained weight and height of Busselton children at any age was small. This was so even though the two communities differ in location (rural compared with metropolitan), in ethnic origin (mainly British compared with diverse origins) and, probably, in social-rank distribution. Data from the two communities showed that a similar small secular increase in height had occurred since 1970/1971. This increase averaged at 1.2 cm for children at each year of age in Busselton and 1.5 cm to 1.6 cm for children in Perth.