Tumor-specific genetically engineered murine/human chimeric monoclonal antibody

Murine variable and human constant region exons were fused to produce "chimeric" immunoglobulin gamma and kappa genes. These constructs were cotransfected into murine myeloma cells which then produced and secreted intact, functional antibody. Cells secreting the chimeric antibody were introduced into mice. The engineered immunoglobulin was subsequently harvested from ascites fluid and was purified by affinity chromatography. Its immunological properties were compared to those of the parental murine monoclonal (B6.2), which exhibits specificity for human breast, lung, and colon carcinoma cells. Competitive binding, immunofluorescent cell staining, and analysis of immunoprecipitated antigen gave similar results for the chimeric and murine B6.2. The biodistribution of chimeric and murine B6.2 after injection into mice bearing human tumors was found to be identical. These results suggest that murine/human chimeric antibodies may be viable clinical replacements for murine monoclonals with the potential for better immunological tolerance and pharmacological efficacy.     

The Health Status of Hispanic Agricultural Workers in Georgia and Florida

To examine the health status of Hispanic agricultural workers in Florida and Georgia. Health data from agricultural workers in the Farm Worker Family Health Program (June 2019) and research studies in Florida (May 2015 and May 2019) were examined. Data from 728 agricultural workers were collected through sociodemographic questionnaire and clinical data. In the Florida sample, 83% were overweight or obese, 70% elevated blood pressure, 60% met the definition of prediabetes. In Georgia, 64% were overweight or obese and 67% had elevated blood pressure. Weak correlations were observed between BMI and systolic blood pressure (unadjusted r?=?0.20), diastolic blood pressure (unadjusted r?=?0.19), and glucose (unadjusted r?=?0.14). Adjusting for age and gender did not show statistically significant correlation between BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure or glucose. While BMI has been shown to be strongly associated with high blood pressure and impaired glucose, we found a weak correlation among agricultural workers. Given the common and high use of pesticides and elevated rates of hypertension, impaired glucose, and adiposity in agricultural workers, the public health impact of this relationship may require and lead to occupational reform that protects the health of agricultural workers. Future studies should assess occupational and environmental factors and lifestyle differences between agricultural workers and the general population to better understand these discrepancies in health status.

     

Border disease virus: delineation by monoclonal antibodies

Summary Many ovine pestiviruses from Britain and a number of atypical porcine isolates are largely unrecognised by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for reference strains of classical swine fever virus and bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Additional mAbs have therefore been produced using some of these unreactive pestiviruses. Two of the viruses used were atypical porcine isolates (strains 87/6 and Vosges), whilst another had been isolated from a sheep (59386). Thirty-three mAbs were selected, none of which recognised two reference strains of BVDV, but three of which recognised the Alfort strain of classical swine fever. On the basis of radioimmunoprecipitation they were considered to be directed at one of three different pestivirus proteins (gp 53, gp 48 or p 125). Three virus subgroups were evident when the mAbs were used to type 16 ovine and two atypical porcine pestiviruses. One subgroup contained the Vosges and 59386 viruses and four ovine field isolates. The second subgroup comprised the 87/6 virus, the Moredun and Aveyron reference strains of border disease virus and four further ovine field isolates. Three of four ovine viruses making up the third subgroup had been previously categorised as BVDV-like and were largely unrecognised by the new mAbs. The findings were in agreement with previous attempts to segregate some of the same viruses using partial genomic comparisons or cross-neutralization tests.     

Malignant Cytological Washings from Radical Prostatectomy Specimens: A Possible Mechanism for Local Recurrence of Prostate Cancer Following Surgical Treatment of Organ Confined Disease

Purpose

Local recurrence of prostate cancer following complete and successful resection of organ confined disease has been variably reported in men. We hypothesized that observed secretions from the cut distal urethra during radical prostatectomy may contain malignant prostatic epithelial cells and contribute to this problem.

Materials and Methods

A prospective study was done of prostate cytology specimens from 50 consecutive men with clinically organ confined adenocarcinoma of the prostate undergoing radical retropubic or radical perineal prostatectomy. Direct cytological evaluation by 1 examiner was used to identify malignant or benign cells in these washings.

Results

Of 33 radical perineal and 17 radical retropubic prostatectomy specimens organ confinement was confirmed in 58 percent. Malignant prostatic epithelial cells were observed in 24 percent of all cytology specimens. Of cytological washings from prostates with pathologically confirmed organ confined cancers 17 percent showed malignant cells. While perineural invasion was noted in a majority of tumors with positive washings, only Gleason grade was a statistically significant predictor of recurrence (p = 0.009). Surgical approach did not alter the rate of positive cytology.

Conclusions

Malignant prostatic epithelial cells can be identified in the prostatic washings from men with pathologically organ confined prostate cancer. Surgical approach did not change the cytological findings. Gleason grade is a statistically significant predictor of cytological malignancy. These cells may represent a mechanism of failure following successful radical prostatectomy.     

A prospective longitudinal 10-year study of schizophrenia's three major factors and depression

This study investigated the nature, independence, and stability of schizophrenia's syndrome factors and depression at 2, 4.5, 7.5 and 10 years post-index hospitalization. At the four follow-ups, 71 patients (48 with schizophrenia and 23 with schizoaffective disorder) were assessed for symptoms hypothesized to constitute the reality distortion, disorganized, and negative factors of schizophrenia. At the last three follow-ups, the patients were also assessed for symptoms of depression. Factor analyses of schizophrenia symptoms revealed more than three syndrome factors at each follow-up. Longitudinally, reality distortion was a stable and relatively independent factor. The negative syndrome was independent but was bifurcated into two dimensions, interpreted as social/emotional withdrawal and diminished movement/expressiveness. Although signs of disorganization were not unified or independent early in schizophrenia's course, speech/thought disorder, disorganized affect, and poverty of speech content coalesced to form a disorganization factor by the 7.5-year follow-up. When depressive symptoms were added to the analyses, depression constituted an independent and stable dimension of schizophrenia over time. Each schizophrenia factor demonstrated a unique longitudinal course. Courses included stable symptom consistency (reality distortion), evolving symptom convergence (disorganization), and recurrent bifurcation and symptom instability (the negative syndrome).     

Positive correlation of insulin-like growth factor-II with proliferating cell index in patients with colorectal neoplasia.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) stimulates cell proliferation and is considered a potential risk factor for colorectal cancer. Tumor levels of IGF-II seem to positively correlate with colorectal cancer cell proliferation. This investigation examined the association of circulating IGF-II to the proliferating cell index (PCI) of tumor and matched normal mucosa in patients with colorectal neoplasia. METHODS: Circulating IGF-II level (ng/mL) was determined in the peripheral blood plasma by ELISA. The proliferating cells in tumor or matched normal mucosa were immunohistochemically stained using the primary antibody against Ki-67. Computer image analysis was used and PCI was expressed as the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells/total counted cells. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were evaluated; 45 had colorectal neoplasia (27 males/18 females; mean age, 66.8 +/- 11.8 years) and 19 had hyperplastic polyps (6 males and 13 females; mean age, 58.4 +/- 14.4 years). Among patients with colorectal neoplasia, blood IGF-II levels were positively correlated with PCI in the matched normal mucosa (r = 0.46, P < 0.05) but not in the tumor. In patients with hyperplastic polyps, blood IGF-II levels were not correlated with the PCI in the polyps. Blood IGF-II levels were higher in colorectal cancer patients with Dukes' C/D stage (P < 0.01) or with positive lymph nodes (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Circulating IGF-II positively correlated with PCI in normal colonic mucosa of patients with colorectal neoplasia, suggesting that IGF-II may have a role in initiating the carcinogenic pathway by stimulating cell proliferation. Blood IGF-II was increased in advanced colorectal cancer, indicating that it might enhance colorectal cancer progression and be a useful marker of poor prognosis.     

Round the Bend: A Brief History of Mental Health Nursing in Victoria,Australia 1848 to 1950's

This paper presents a history of mental health nursing in Victoria, Australia from 1848 to the 1950's, or the asylum years to the era of the mental hospital. The research for this historical overview was conducted as part of a literature review for a mental health nursing doctoral thesis, which included an account of the evolution of the profession from asylum attendant to the present time. The literature reviewed for this project revealed a distinct lack of a coherent, chronological account of the historical development of mental health nursing in Victoria, and this paper seeks to address that knowledge gap.