Glycolipid markers of astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas

Neutral glycolipids and gangliosides were analyzed in 149 astrocytomas (A), 46 oligodendrogliomas (O), and 21 oligoastrocytomas (OA) to determine if specific glycolipids correlate with histologic diagnosis and grade. Positivity for asialoGM1 (GA1) and negativity for paragloboside by immuno-TLC correlated with histological diagnosis of O and OA, whereas the reverse pattern correlated with A. High levels (over 5 microg hexose per mg dry weight) of CMH generally correlated with an O component, but the association was not as strong as for either GA1 presence or paragloboside absence. Pilocytic astrocytomas and pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas had high proportions (> 15%) of globoside, low ratios (< 0.5) of GD1a: GD1b, and identifiable ceramide trihexoside (CTH). Three gangliosides of the 1b pathway were progressively lost with increasing grade of A, but a similar correlation with grade was not seen in O or OA. A high proportion of cases expressing sialosylparagloboside (3'LM1; 6'LM1) were grade 4 A. Glycolipids are synthesized by glycosyltransferases that add specific sugars to the nascent oligosaccharide. Correlation of specific glycolipids with histological diagnoses and grades indicate that these tumor types express specific patterns of glycosyltransferases, several of which have been cloned. It is possible that critical genes coding for these enzymes are deleted, overexpressed, or mutated in certain tumor types and grades, thus leading to the patterns of glycolipids that we found to be associated with these tumors.     

A quantitative autoradiographic comparison of binding to glutamate receptor sub-types in hippocampus and forebrain regions of a food-storing and a non-food-storing bird

In two species of birds, food-storing marsh tits, P. palustris, and non-storing blue tits, P. caeruleus, quantitative receptor autoradiography was used to localize NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)-sensitive [3H]glutamate, [3H]MK801, and [3H]AMPA binding sites, in six regions of the forebrain: hippocampus and parahippocampus, hyperstriatum accessorium (vision) and ventrale (sensory integration), neostriatum (auditory), and lobus parolfactorius (basal ganglia). In both species high levels of labelling to both NMDA and AMPA receptors were observed throughout the forebrain. However, a marked difference in receptor labelling was apparent between the two species, with levels of binding to NMDA ion channel sites being significantly lower (20%) in both the hippocampus and parahippocampus, in food storers compared to non-food storers. The levels of binding to other forebrain regions were remarkably similar in the two species. No differences were seen in the binding to AMPA receptors in forebrain regions of either species.     

Treatment and prevention of use and abuse of illegal drugs: progress on interventions and future directions

State-of-the-art downstream interventions are generally successful for half of drug-abusing clients. But, only one in four abusers actually receives treatment. In the midstream, one setting (schools), one type of prevention ("one size fits all"), and a limited age-range focus (adolescence and preadolescence) have predominated. Accumulating evidence casts doubt on the effectiveness of widely disseminated school-based prevention approaches, although theory-based programs that emphasize skills training and adjunctive parent and neighborhood interventions fare better. Newer pursuits include intervening very early with higher risk children and expanding to primary health care settings and workplaces. Popular but unproven community approaches need more rigorous evaluation. Upstream national and state public policy and environmental interventions should be reexamined in light of their success for preventing tobacco and alcohol use.     

Development of a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) orbital implant allowing direct muscle attachment and tissue ingrowth.

PURPOSE: To develop a poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) orbital implant that allows tissue ingrowth and direct muscle attachment to minimize the risk of extrusion and to enhance cosmesis. METHODS: Assessment of clinical outcomes and histologic findings after implantation of 18 prototype prostheses into rabbits. The implants were not wrapped with other tissues or materials. RESULTS: One case of infection was observed but there were no extrusions, with up to 21 months follow-up. Biocolonization was confirmed histologically. Good movement was observed when a cosmetic shell was fitted. CONCLUSIONS: The prototype prosthesis appears promising, with particular advantages being the direct attachment of extraocular muscles, good cosmesis and movement, and a low complication rate in this pilot study.     

Quantitative studies on the urinary metabolic fate of 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline in the rat using 19F-NMR spectroscopy and directly coupled HPLC-NMR-MS

1. The metabolism and urinary excretion of 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline has been studied in the rat using 19F-NMR spectroscopy and directly coupled HPLC-NMR-MS methods. The compound was dosed to three male Sprague-Dawley rats (50 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and urine collected over 0-8, 8-24 and 24-48 h post-dosing. 2. A total urinary recovery of 56.3+/-2.2% of the dose was achieved up to 48 h after dosing. The major metabolite in the urine was identified as 2-amino-3-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylsulphate accounting for a total of 33.5+/-2.2% of the dose. 3. Further metabolites detected and characterized included 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenylhydroxylamine glucuronide (13.2+/-0.5% of the dose), 2-amino-3-chloro-5-trifluoromethylphenylglucuronide (3.8+/-0.4% of the dose) and 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylaniline-N-glucuronide (3.6+/-0.1% of the dose). Several minor metabolites were also found and identified, including 2-chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenylsulphamate, which together accounted for 2.1+/-0.4% of the dose. 4. Directly coupled HPLC-NMR-MS and 19F-NMR spectroscopy is shown to provide an efficient approach for the unequivocal and rapid determination of the quantitative urinary metabolic fate and excretion balance of a fluorinated xenobiotic without the necessity for specific radiolabelling.     

The effect of exogenous testosterone on total and free prostate specific antigen levels in healthy young men

Purpose

We evaluated the effect of exogenous testosterone administration on serum total and free prostate specific antigen (PSA) in healthy young men.

Materials and Methods

Nine volunteers received either 100, 250 or 500 mg. testosterone by intramuscular injection each week for 15 weeks. Blood was drawn every other week for 28 weeks and at week 40. Serum total and free PSA, and total and free testosterone were measured and compared to baseline values.

Results

Significant elevations in total and free testosterone occurred but no significant change in serum total and free PSA was detected.

Conclusions

Serum PSA is not responsive to elevated serum testosterone levels in healthy young men. PSA metabolism in the normal prostate is unclear but our findings may have implications for differentiation of pathological conditions of the human prostate.     

Collecting mental health self-evaluations. Effectiveness and cost of three third-party techniques

The effectiveness and cost of three techniques for obtaining client ratings of their own levels of functioning were assessed in a private, outpatient, mental health clinic. Seventy-five clients were asked to rate the adequacy of their own functioning on vocational, family, social, personal, and overall dimensions. Clients were randomly assigned to (a) mail, (b) telephone, or (c) mail followed (if necessary) by telephone administration of the ratings questionnaire. Mail followed if necessary by phone administration was found to be more cost effective than either mail alone or telephone alone.