Cyclic nucleotide levels in human breast cancer and in rat mammary tissues during tumor development

The levels of cyclic adenosine 3:5-monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine 3:5-monophosphate (cGMP) were studied in dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumors of Sprague-Dawley rats and in human breast cancer. In the rat carcinomas, these levels were significantly lower than in non-malignant tissues when calculated on the basis of DNA content, but higher (cAMP) or equal (cGMP) when calculated on the basis of weight. In human breast cancer the cyclic nucleotide levels were higher than in non-malignant tissues according to both methods of calculation. No correlation was found in human carcinomas between the cyclic nucleotide levels and mitotic index, nuclear grade, tumor size, or lymph node involvement. The rat tumors were subclassified according to state of differentiation, mitotic index, and state of development. Not all the sub-groups had cAMP levels different from normal values. Differences in cAMP levels between the sub-groups could not be correlated with tumor growth rates and/or mitotic index. Thus, cyclic nucleotides may not be useful in prognosis of breast cancer.     

New computed radiography using scanning laser stimulated luminescence

Summary This short paper summarizes the basic concept and the technology of a new computed radiographic system which uses an energy-storage phosphorus panel called Imaging Plate as an image sensor. The Imaging Plate can be used to obtain radiographs in exactly the same way as the screen-film combination is used in conventional radiography. The system eliminates the drawbacks of conventional screen-film radiography by combining digital image processing and digitization of the x-ray energy pattern utilizing scanning laser stimulated luminescence.The major part of this paper was originally delivered at the 1984 AAPM Annual Summer School which was held on July 22–27 at University of Notre Dame, USA. Modified for the publication in the Neurosurgical Review.     

Rolipram forms a potent discriminative stimulus in drug discrimination experiments in rats

Long Evans rats were trained to discriminate 0.2 mg/kg IP (±)-rolipram from vehicle injection in a food-motivated two-lever operant task. Eight out of nine rats acquired the discrimination after an average of 91 sessions (min 65, max 137). The ED₅₀ of (±)-rolipram was 0.06 mg/kg IP. Generalization tests with (–)- and (+)-rolipram showed that the (–)-isomer was 8 times more active than (+)-rolipram with an ED₅₀ of 0.06 and 0.4 mg/kg IP respectively. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor RO 20-1724 partially (83%) generalized to (±)-rolipram in doses of 0.6 and 1.0 mg/kg IP. IBMX 5 mg/kg IP showed 63% generalization. Tests with imipramine and the (+)- and (–)-isomer of the noradrenaline uptake inhibitor oxaprotiline suggest that NA-uptake inhibiting drugs do not form an interoceptive cue which is (±)-rolipram-like. dbcAMP 12.5 mg/kg SC and 100 mg/kg SC dbcGMP did not generalize to the training drug. The nature of the discriminative stimulus produced by this dose of (±)-rolipram in rats remains to be elucidated. Offprint requests to: R. Ortman     

Update on Calcium and Phosphorus Requirements of Preterm Infants and Recommendations for Enteral Mineral Intake

Background: With current Ca and P recommendations for enteral nutrition, preterm infants, especially VLBW, fail to achieve a bone mineral content (BMC) equivalent to term infants. During the first 3 years, most notably in light at term equivalent age (<−2 Z score) VLBW infants’ BMC does not catch up. In adults born preterm with VLBW or SGA, lower adult bone mass, lower peak bone mass, and higher frequency of osteopenia/osteoporosis have been found, implying an increased risk for future bone fractures. The aim of the present narrative review was to provide recommendation for enteral mineral intake for improving bone mineral accretion. Methods: Current preterm infant mineral recommendations together with fetal and preterm infant physiology of mineral accretion were reviewed to provide recommendations for improving bone mineral accretion. Results: Current Ca and P recommendations systematically underestimate the needs, especially for Ca. Conclusion: Higher enteral fortifier/formula mineral content or individual supplementation is required. Higher general mineral intake (especially Ca) will most likely improve bone mineralization in preterm infants and possibly the long-term bone health. However, the nephrocalcinosis risk may increase in infants with high Ca absorption. Therefore, individual additional enteral Ca and/or P supplementations are recommended to improve current fortifier/formula mineral intake.     

酸性神经肽1对小鼠大脑氨基酸类神经递质及cGMP影响的实验研究

目的 :探讨酸性神经肽 (bovineacidicneuropeptide 1BANP 1)对小鼠脑内氨基酸类递质 (谷氨酸和γ 氨基丁酸 )及cGMP的影响。方法 :将小鼠随机分为 6组 (每组 15只 ) ,其中 5组按 15mg/kg腹腔注射BANP 1,将小鼠在注射后 0 5h ,1h ,2h ,3h ,4h处死并取脑匀浆 ,另一组为注射生理盐水对照组 ,在注射盐水后 1h处死并取脑匀浆 ,用 75 %冰乙醇抽提氨基酸类物质及cGMP并沉淀蛋白质。应用滤纸电泳法对小鼠大脑谷氨酸 (glutamicacid ,Glu)和γ 氨基丁酸 (γ aminobutyricacid ,GABA)进行测定 ,应用放射免疫法对小鼠大脑环磷酸鸟苷 (cyclicmonophos phateguanosine ,cGMP)进行测定。结果 :腹腔注射BANP 1后 ,各项指标在不同时间的结果分别与对照组比较 :Glu浓度在 1h、2h时明显高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,0 5h、3h、4h时差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。GABA浓度在 2h、3h时显著高于对照组 (P <0 0 1) ,0 5h、1h、4h时差异无显著性 (P >0 0 1)。cGMP浓度有一定升高 ,1h 2h时显著升高 (P <0 0 1) ,其余各时间组差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :BANP 1急性用药后在一定时间可升高脑内Glu、GABA及cGMP水平     

放射自显影在移植器官低温保存研究中的应用

目的：研究外源笥三磷酸腺苷（adenosine triphosphate,ATP）是否能够进入低温保存大鼠肝脏细胞内。方法：采用大鼠肝脏持续低温机器灌流保存模型,利用放射自显影技术判定[α-^32P]ATP是否进入细胞内。结果：灌流液中不加[α-^32P]ATP的A组光镜照片显示大鼠肝细胞内外均未见特异性标记银粒显影,而灌流液中含37MBq[α-^32P]ATP的B组光镜照片显示大鼠肝细胞内可见多个大小不等的[α-^32P]ATP自显影银粒分布,而肝窦及肝小叶中央静脉等血管内则几乎无黑色自显银粒分布。结论：外源性ATP能够进入低温保存大鼠肝细胞内。     

Conformational features responsible for the binding of cyclic analogues of enkephalin to opioid receptors

Models of μ- and δ-receptor-bound backbone conformations of enkephalin cyclic analogues containing Phe⁴ were determined by comparing geometrical similarity among the previously found low-energy, backbone structures of -enkephalinamide, -enkephalinamide, -enkephalin and -enkephalin. The present μ-receptor-bound conformation resembles a β-I bend in the peptide backbone centred on the Gly³-Phe⁴ region. Two slightly different models were found for the δ-receptor-bound conformation; both of them are more extended than the μ-receptor-bound conformation and include a γ-turn (or a γ-like turn) on the Gly³ residue. Energetically favourable rotamers of Tyr and Phc side chains were also determined for the μ- and δ-conformations. The present models of μ- and δ-conformations share geometrical similarity with the low-energy structures of Leu-enkephalin and the analogue.     

Cyclical use of tamoxifen and high-dose medroxyprogesterone acetate in advanced estrogen receptor positive breast cancer

Summary One-hundred and seventy patients with estrogen receptor positive (10 pmol/g protein) advanced breast cancer have been treated in a prospective randomized study either with continuous tamoxifen 30 mg × 1 daily (TAM), or with TAM 30 mg × 1 daily for 8 weeks alternating with medroxyprogesterone acetate 500 mg × 2 daily for 8 weeks (TAM/HD-MPA). The response rate was 62% in the group treated with cyclic TAM/HD-MPA versus 41% in the TAM alone group (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in duration of remissions or survival.     

cGMP对大鼠心肌细胞葡萄糖摄取的抑制作用

目的：观察大鼠心脏两种负荷状况时环化鸟苷一磷酸（cGMP）对心肌细胞摄取葡萄糖的影响。方法：应用cGMP类似物8-BrcGMP、一氧化氮合酶（NOS）抑制剂L-NAME和NO供体SNAP灌注Wistar大鼠心脏,并用放免法测定组织内cGMP浓度。根据2-^3H标记率计算葡萄糖摄取量。结果：低负荷状况时8-BrcGMP使冠脉血流增加,细胞内糖原浓度升高。高负荷状况时8-BrcGMP使心排出量减少,心肌细胞对葡萄糖摄取减少和使糖原浓度降低。L-NAME降低心肌细胞cGMP逍度,并刺激葡萄糖摄取,而SNAP作用则相反。结论：心肌细胞内cGMP浓度升高,可抑制葡萄糖摄取;而NOS抑制剂L-NAME则能降低cGMP浓度,使心肌细胞葡萄糖摄取增加,糖原分解减少,使缺血心肌功能受到保护。