Effect of (2"R)-4'-O-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, a new antitumor antibiotic, on the cardiac function of hamsters

Cardiovascular effects of (2'R)-4'-O-tetrahydropylanyladriamycin X HCl (THP) and doxorubicin (adriamycin, ADM) were studied in hamsters. In experiments to observe acute effects, THP was administered intravenously at a dose of 12.5, 25.0 or 50.0 mg/kg, and ADM at 1.56, 3.13 or 6.25 mg/kg was given to different subjects. The THP caused slight ECG alterations at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg. At a dose of 25.0 mg/kg or 50.0 mg/kg, THP caused moderate to remarkable alterations in ECG like a widening of PR and PRc interval, A-V block, ST segment depression and T wave flattening. The ADM caused moderate to remarkable alterations in ECG at a dose of 3.13 mg/kg or 6.25 mg/kg, including arrhythmia, bradycardia, A-V block, ST segment changes and T wave flattening. These changes caused by THP and ADM recovered within 5 approximately 10 minutes after injection. Alterations in the ultrastructure of the myocardium caused by THP at a dose of 50.0 mg/kg included some cells with slight changes like swelling of mitochondria, focal intracellular edema, and enlargement of myofibrils. The ADM, at a dose of 3.13 mg/kg, induced severer swelling of mitochondria than THP, dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, intracellular edema, and disorganization of myofilaments. At a dose of 6.25 mg/kg of ADM, these changes became more pronounced. In experiments to observe subacute effects, hamsters were treated with THP or ADM by daily intraperitoneal injections for 15 consecutive days, and then allowed to be recovered for 15 days. Dose levels of THP or ADM were 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg. General toxicity, ECG, hematological and blood biochemical analysis, and electron microscopic examination were studied. In the ECG study, THP-treated hamsters showed a reversible elevation of R wave amplitude at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Widening of PR and PRc interval, elevation of R and S wave amplitude, and reduction of T wave amplitude were observed at a daily dose of 1.0 mg/kg of THP. Hamsters treated with ADM showed increase of heart rate, reduction of T wave amplitude, and shortening of PR and PRc interval at a daily dose of 0.5 mg/kg. Severe changes were observed at a daily dose of 1.0 mg/kg of ADM including an increase of heart rate, elevation of R wave amplitude, reduction of S and T wave amplitude, and shortening of QT interval. The electron microscopic examination revealed that THP-treated hamsters showed separation of intercalated discs, formation of myelin structure, and dilatation of T-tubules at a daily dose of 1.0 mg/kg. Similar changes were caused by ADM at a daily dose of 0.25 to 1.0 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Physical activity is associated with a low prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in the Royal Norwegian Navy: a cross sectional study

Background  

Despite considerable knowledge about musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) and physical, psychosocial and individual risk factors there is limited knowledge about physical activity as a factor in preventing MSD. In addition, studies of physical activity are often limited to either leisure activity or physical activity at work. Studies among military personnel on the association between physical activity at work and at leisure and MSD are lacking. This study was conducted to find the prevalence of MSD among personnel in the Royal Norwegian Navy and to assess the association between physical activity at work and at leisure and MSD.     

Characterization of the CAMPATH-1 (CDw52) antigen: biochemical analysis and cDNA cloning reveal an unusually small peptide backbone.

The CAMPATH-1 (CDw52) antigen has been purified from human spleen. The antigenic epitope is heat stable but sensitive to mild alkali treatment. Experiments with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C indicate that it is anchored by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. An N-terminal sequence of 11 amino acids was determined, followed by an abrupt stop. Using short overlapping mixed oligonucleotide primers, cDNA synthesized from the mRNA of a human B cell line was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. The product was used to isolate cDNA clones and the full amino acid sequence of the CAMPATH-1 antigen was deduced. It consists of 37 amino acid residues plus a 24-residue signal peptide. It has all the features expected for a GPI-anchored membrane protein except that the predicted mature protein is remarkably short, comprising no more than 18 residues and possibly as few as 12 (depending on the GPI linkage site). Potential attachment sites for carbohydrate are present and it is shown that the antigen contains N-linked oligosaccharide(s). This structure accounts for the known properties of the antigen, though the exact reasons why it is such a good target for cell lysis in vitro and in vivo are not yet clear.     

Clinical efficacy of sulbactam/ampicillin in the field of pediatrics

Sulbactam (SBT) is a new derivative of the basic penicillin nucleus. It effectively and irreversibly inhibits several important bacterial beta-lactamases and displays synergistic effects against the resistant organisms when co-administered with ampicillin (ABPC). SBT/ABPC, which is a fixed combination of SBT and ABPC in a 1:2 ratio, was studied for clinical efficacy in the field of pediatrics. Patients treated were infants and children ranging from 12 days to 13 years and 2 months old suffering from acute tonsillitis in 2 cases, acute bronchitis in 2 cases, septicemia in 2 cases, acute enteritis, acute pyelonephritis and osteomyelitis in 1 case each, a total of 9 cases. SBT/ABPC was administered 100-300 mg/kg in daily doses and durations of treatment ranged from 4 to 17 days. Clinical results were "excellent" in 6 and "good" in 2: the efficacy rate was 88.9% or 8 cases out of 9. Neither clinical side effects nor abnormal laboratory findings obviously attributable to SBT/ABPC were observed in any cases.     

Use of buccal cells collected in mouthwash as a source of DNA for clinical testing

CONTEXT: To maximize the participation rate in population genetic studies, alternatives to invasive whole blood collection are increasing. One such alternative is buccal epithelial cell collection, which, in contrast to venipuncture and finger sticks, is painless. Buccal cells, if collected and purified efficiently, offer an acceptable source for DNA to be used in research and clinical applications. OBJECTIVE: To develop a noninvasive sampling method for collecting cells for routine DNA testing in a clinical laboratory setting. DESIGN: Five factors were used to evaluate several brands of mouthwash: (1) compatibility with the DNA purification chemistry, (2) DNA yield, (3) DNA quality, (4) DNA stability at room temperature, and (5) mouthwash taste. Next, an optimization study was undertaken to maximize DNA yield. Finally, a validation study was undertaken with the optimized protocol to test a panel of 14 donors for DNA yield and performance and to test for the stability of DNA held in mouthwash. SETTING: Industrial research and development laboratory. RESULTS: Of 5 mouthwashes tested, Scope brand mouthwash received the highest overall ranking. The addition of proteinase K and glycogen to the protocol significantly enhanced DNA yields, with a test panel (n = 14) giving a range of 12 to 60 microg of DNA per donor. In a 4-week room temperature stability study, the DNA in mouthwash samples was found to be stable for at least 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: A clinically validated DNA purification chemistry was adapted to a noninvasive specimen collection method. This method used a commercially available mouthwash, Scope, to collect buccal epithelial cells for the preparation of high-quality DNA in high yield.     

Induction of NK1.1(+) alpha beta TCR(+) T cells by bypassing TCR signals in ZAP-70 deficient mice

The mechanism of development of a unique subset of T cells, thymic NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cells, has been poorly understood. We found that the development of thymic NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cells was defective in mice deficient in ZAP-70. Instead, an accumulation of NK1.1(+) TCR beta(-) NK-like population was detected in the thymus and spleen of the ZAP-70 deficient (ZAP -/-) mouse. In the present report, we examined whether biochemical treatments that replace TCR-mediated positive selection signals could restore the generation of thymic NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cells in ZAP -/- mice using the thymus organ culture. We found that a higher concentration of phorbol ester (PMA) than that required for CD4(+) T cell generation and ionomycin induced the generation of NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cells. Phenotypic analysis of the induced NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cell population suggested that these cells expressed CD8 but not CD4 molecules, which is a different characteristic from ordinary thymic NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cells. These results suggest that differential signaling is required for the generation of mainstream T cells and thymic NK1.1(+) alpha beta T cells.     

Genetic alterations of the tumour suppressor gene regions 3p, 11p, 13q, 17p, and 17q in human breast carcinomas.

Fifty-nine primary breast carcinomas and 11 metastases were examined to identify genetic alterations in the tumour suppressor gene regions 3p, 11p, 13q, 17p, and 17q. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was frequently observed on chromosome arms 17p (p144D6 lost in 75%, pYNZ22.1 in 55%, and TP53 in 48% of the primary tumours), 13q (RBI lost in 40% of the primary tumours), and 17q (pRMU3 lost in 35%, pTHH59 in 29%, and NM23HI in 26% of the primary tumours). Loss of all the markers except p144D6 was observed even more frequently in the metastases. Pairwise comparisons for concordance of allele losses on 17p indicated that there might be two genes on 17p implicated in breast cancer development; the TP53 gene and a gene located close to the p144D6 and pYNZ22.1 markers. LOH of the RBI gene was associated with LOH of pYNZ22.1 and p144D6, but not with LOH of TP53. LOH of RBI and TP53 was associated with occurrence of ductal carcinomas, RBI and p144D6 losses with tumour size, and p144D6 losses with positive node status as well. LOH of TP53 and the three 17q markers NM23HI, pTHH59, and pRMU3 was most frequently observed in tumours from postmenopausal women. p144D6 losses occurred most frequently in progesterone receptor-negative tumours, whereas pTHH59 losses occurred most frequently in oestrogen receptor-negative tumours. LOH of the investigated loci was not associated with ERBB2 protooncogene amplification, with positive family history of breast cancer, or with survival.     

The therapeutic effects of aspoxicillin on various infectious diseases in children

Clinical application to ascertain the effects of aspoxicillin (ASPC), a new semisynthetic penicillin antibiotic, upon several infectious diseases of children was performed in 7 cases with pneumonia, 5 cases with acute bronchitis, each case with tonsillitis, enterocolitis, urinary tract infection and suspected sepsis. ASPC was injected by drip infusion and the dosage was 63-117 mg/kg/day in 3 and 4 times a day. Clinical efficacy obtained as "excellent" was in 7 cases, "good" in 8 cases "poor" in 1 case, and efficacy rate was 93.8%. From the bacteriological point of view, eliminated in each of H. influenzae, H. parainfluenzae, group A beta-Streptococcus and unchanged in a case of E. coli. There were transient thrombocytopenia in 2 cases and eosinophilia in 3 cases.     

Effects of pirarubicin,an antitumor antibiotic,on the cardiovascular system

Summary In the present study we examined the effects of pirarubicin [(2R)-4-0-tetrahydropyranyladriamycin, THP] on a cardiovascular system. An injection of THP (0.39–3.13 mg/kg, i. v.) reduced the mean blood pressure and caused an increase in the respiratory air rate in anesthetized rats. At 1.5×10^–6–1.5×10^–5 m, THP markedly relaxed a contraction induced by 10^–7 m norepinephrine in rat aorta with endothelium but not in that without endothelium. At a dose of 0.02–0.5 mg, THP produced an increase in the contractile force and the perfusion flow of isolated perfused guinea pig hearts. At a higher concentration (4.5×10^–5–1.5×10^–4 m), it produced a slight increase in the contractile force of the left atria in guinea pigs. This positive inotropic action of THP was inhibited by diphenhydramine (10^–6–5×10^–5 m), chlorpheniramine (3×10^–7–3×10^–5 m), and tripelennamine (3×10^–7–3×10^–5 m) but not by propranolol (10^–6 m), cimetidine (10^–5 m), diltiazem (10^–6 m), or ryanodine (10^–8 m). THP given i. v. at 2.5 mg/kg elevated the plasma histamine level in anesthetized dogs. From these data, we conclude that THP mainly relaxed the rat aorta in the presence of endothelium and that at higher concentrations, it increased the contractile force in the cardiac muscle, probably mediated through the release of histamine.     

Multicenter phase II study of Nordic fluorouracil and folinic acid bolus schedule combined with oxaliplatin as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: This Nordic multicenter phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of oxaliplatin combined with the Nordic bolus schedule of fluorouracil (FU) and folinic acid (FA) as first-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty-five patients were treated with oxaliplatin 85 mg/m(2) as a 2-hour infusion on day 1, followed by a 3-minute bolus injection with FU 500 mg/m(2) and, 30 minutes later, by a bolus injection with FA 60 mg/m(2) every second week. The same doses of FU and FA were also given on day 2. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 82 assessable patients achieved a complete (n = 4) or partial (n = 47) response, leading to a response rate of 62% (95% CI, 52% to 72%). Nineteen patients showed stable disease, and 12 patients had progressive disease. Thirty-eight of the 51 responses were radiologically confirmed 8 weeks later (confirmed response rate, 46%; 95% CI, 36% to 58%). The estimated median time to progression was 7.0 months (95% CI, 6.3 to 7.7 months), and the median overall survival was 16.1 months (95% CI, 12.7 to 19.6 months) in the intent-to-treat population. Neutropenia was the main adverse event, with grade 3 to 4 toxicity in 58% of patients. Febrile neutropenia developed in seven patients. Nonhematologic toxicity consisted mainly of neuropathy (grade 3 in 11 patients and grade 2 in another 27 patients). CONCLUSION: Oxaliplatin combined with the bolus Nordic schedule of FU+FA (Nordic FLOX) is a well-tolerated, effective, and feasible bolus schedule as first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer that yields comparable results compared with more complex schedules.