Human hepatocellular carcinoma tumor xenografts

Castrated or sham-operated male athymic mice were inoculated with cells from the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the number of animals developing tumors, the time to tumor development, or the subsequent rate of increase in either tumor base area or mouse serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration. Androgen receptors were assayed in nuclei obtained from three separate liver cancer cell lines and from normal adult human liver. Similar concentrations, ranging from 235 to 550 fmol/mg DNA, of nuclear androgen receptors were detected in all tissues. Low percentages of androgen receptors were retained on DNA-cellulose. Although the presence of receptors implies the potential for metabolic effects of androgens in normal and malignant liver, our in vivostudies suggest that castration does not alter significantly the growth of liver cancer xenografts in athymic mice.     

Office versus Home-Based Family Therapy for Runaway, Alcohol Abusing Adolescents: Examination of Factors Associated with Treatment Attendance

There is a dearth of research examining treatment engagement and attendance among runaway youth and their families. Such research is needed in order to inform treatment providers on factors associated with engagement and maintenance of these difficult to engage families into counseling. This study examined differential treatment attendance for alcohol abusing runaway youth residing at a local shelter. A traditional office-based family systems approach, Functional Family Therapy (FFT), was compared to a non-traditional, home-based, multi-systemic family therapy approach, Ecologically Based Family Therapy (EBFT). As expected, treatment engagement and attendance was significantly higher for those assigned to EBFT (N = 37) compared to FFT (N = 40). Predictors of treatment attendance (income, family chaos, externalization problems and level of youth substance use) were examined within each treatment modality. Findings suggest that home-based (compared to office-based) treatment modalities may significantly increase treatment attendance and engagement of runaway youth and their families. Non-traditional forms of treatment may need to be considered in order to best meet the needs of highly chaotic and disorganized family systems.     

5-HT3 Receptor-independent Inhibition of the Depolarization-induced 86Rb Efflux from Human Neuroblastoma Cells,TE671, by Ondansetron

The 5-HT₃-receptor antagonist, ondansetron, has been shown to have positive effects in selected in-vivo models of memory impairment and anxiety. The exact mechanisms underlying such bioactivities are unknown. In the present work, an ⁸⁶Rb efflux bioassay was used to show that ondansetron has a unique ability to block voltage-gated potassium channels in TE671 human neuroblastoma cells. This intrinsic potassium-channel-blocking (KCB) property is relatively weak (IC50 20 (M), but is not shared by other 5-HT₃-receptor ligands including zatosetron, MDL 72222, LY 278, 584, zacopride, 1-phenylbiguanide, and ICS 205–930 (tropisetron). Pre-incubation of the target neuroblastoma cells with several 5-HT-receptor ligands including 5-hydroxytryptamine, 8-OH-DPAT, ketanserin, 2-methyl-5-HT, as well as a number of potent 5-HT₃ agonists and antagonists and two selective neurotoxins, failed to abolish the KCB action of ondansetron. A preliminary structure-activity relationship analysis indicates that the KCB activity of ondansetron is almost entirely attributable to its structural nucleus, 2,3-dihyro-9-methyl-4(lH)-carbazolone. It is hypothesized that the KCB action of ondansetron is mediated through receptors other than 5-HT₃ receptors. The KCB activity of ondansetron may be a significant factor in the in-vivo cognition-enhancing activities of this compound, conceivably due to depolarization of the hippocampal synaptic membranes and a consequent augmentation of neurotransmission.     

No Worries, No Cares: An Investigation into Self-Reported "Nondistress" in College Students

An important methodological issue in depressionanalog research is whether individuals who scoreextremely low on self-report measures like the BeckDepression Inventory (BDI) should be included innondepressed control groups. Joiner, Schmidt, and Metalsky(1994) found that college students with BDI scores of 0or 1 evidenced a fake-good test taking style as measuredby the MMPI validity scales. The present study investigated whether very low BDI scores (BDI= 0 or 1; n = 21) might be associated with an elevatedpositive mood state, extreme optimism, positiveattributional style or social desirability. Resultsindicated that the very low scoring BDI subjects scoredhigher on social desirability than the low scoring group(BDI = 2 9, n = 63). Significant differences on mood,symptom and cognitive measures disappeared when social desirability was entered as a covariate.Findings support Kendall, Hollon, Beck, Hammen, andIngram's (1987) recommendation that subjects who score0 or 1 on the BDI should be excluded from a nondepressed control group.     

The Alcohol Beverage Warning Label: When Did Knowledge Increase?

This article presents data on the awareness of the alcohol beverage warning label among a sample of 5,169 inner city African-American gravidas seeking prenatal care. While the label law was implemented in November 1989, a significant increase in knowledge of the label did not occur until March 1990. Women who predominantly consumed wine coolers and beer, and those under age 30 were more likely to know about the label than their counterparts.