Genetic instability assessed by sister chromatid exchange analysis in the dunning R-3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma model and its relationship to metastatic potential

The original Dunning R-3327 tumor, described in 1961, has given rise to distinct sublines of different metastatic potentials. The different phenotypes cannot be explained by differences in chromosomal number, DNA content, or nuclear pleomorphism. Sister chromatid exchange is an interchange between two strands of DNA indicative of DNA damage. The frequency of sister chromatid exchanges is a well-accepted measure of genetic instability. To determine whether an assay of genetic instability could distinguish sublines capable of generating cells of the metastatic phenotype, cells from three sublines of low (<10%) metastatic potential and three sublines of high (>90%) metastatic potential were cultured in 10 μM 5-bromodeoxyuridine to label DNA. Chromosome preparations were made and sister chromatids were differentiated with Hoechst 33258 dye and Giemsa stain. Sixty metaphase spreads from each subline were scored for SCE and chromosome number. The low metastatic sublines G, AT-1, and AT-2 had 0.32 ± standard deviation 0.10, 0.38 ± 0.12, and 0.14 ± 0.05 sister chromatid exchanges per chromosome, respectively. The high metastatic sublines AT-3, MAT-Lu, and MAT-LyLu had 0.55 ± 0.17, 0.32 ± 0.1, and 0.33 ± 0.2 sister chromatid exchanges per chromosome, respectively. Subline differences in metastatic potentials cannot be explained by incidences of sister chromatid exchanges.     

Piggy-back pacing: implantation of pacemaker and defibrillator on top of each other.

Following the publication of several landmark trials, there has been a significant increase in the cardiac device implantation. Within this population there are a number of patients who have pre-existing cardiac devices that have been placed for a number of different conditions. While the usual approach is to remove the existing unit and replace it with a new device with the removal or capping of existing lead systems, this practice often sacrifices an existing unit that still possesses good battery longevity. We explored the possibility of separating the pacing and defibrillating functions by implanting a new device on the top of the old device in a 'piggy-back fashion'. We report a series of four cases (with various indications) with differing combinations of devices. The procedure was performed safely in every one of them, and no device-device interaction was noted. Combining the new with existing units in a 'piggy-back' manner may be a safe and cost-effective technique in the selected cases.     

Surface proteins of a transitional carcinoma cell line (KS-31E)

Summary Biosynthetic and post-synthetic labeling procedures have been used to examine the cell surface proteins of a cell line (KS-31) originating from a human transitional cell carcinoma. One isolate of this cell line (KS-31E) is epithelial in appearance and has retained the characteristic of the original tumour with regard to synthesis of a viscous mucin-like material. A 220–250, 000 (250K) dalton large external transformationsensitive (LETS) glycoprotein, and often a 95, 000 (95K) dalton glycoprotein, is released into the medium of KS-31E in association with the mucinlike material produced by the cell line. The finding of LETS and a 95K glycoprotein expressed on the cell surface and extruded into the growth medium of epithelial cells originating from a spontaneous human carcinoma is of interest in relation to the role of cell surface glycoproteins in normal cellular association and the antisocial behaviour exhibited by cancer cells.     

A Comparison of 2 Methods for Monitoring Gonadotrophin Therapy

One hundred and seventy nine (179) ovarian cycles from 52 patients treated with human menopausal gonadotrophins were retrospectively analysed. Eighty one (81) cycles were monitored by serial measurements of plasma oestradiol concentrations and 98 cycles were monitored by realtime ultrasound scanning of ovarian follicles. The results suggest that realtime ultrasonography, used alone, is a safe and effective method for monitoring gonadotrophin therapy.     

Effect of Saffron (Crocus sativus) on neurobehavioral and neurochemical changes in cerebral ischemia in rats

The modifying effects of Crocus sativus (CS) stigma extract on neurobehavioral activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and Na(+),K(+)-ATPase activities, and glutamate (Glu) and aspartate (Asp) content were examined in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (MCAO) model of acute cerebral ischemia in rats. The right MCA of male Wistar rats was occluded for 2 hours using intraluminal 4-0 monofilament, and reperfusion was allowed for 22 hours. MCAO caused significant depletion in the contents of GSH and its dependent enzymes while significant elevation of MDA, Glu, and Asp. The activities of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase, SOD, and CAT were decreased significantly by MCAO. The neurobehavioral activities (grip strength, spontaneous motor activity, and motor coordination) were also decreased significantly in the MCAO group. All the alterations induced by ischemia were significantly attenuated by pretreatment of CS (100 mg/kg of body weight, p.o.) 7 days before the induction of MCAO and correlated well with histopathology by decreasing the neuronal cell death following MCAO and reperfusion. The present results may suggest the effectiveness of CS in focal ischemia most probably by virtue of its antioxidant property.     

Behavioral and histologic neuroprotection of aqueous garlic extract after reversible focal cerebral ischemia

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous garlic extract (AGE) on neurobehavioral activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and sodium-potassium ATPase (Na(+),K(+)-ATPase) activities, and glutamate and aspartate content in a middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion (MCAO) model of acute cerebral ischemia in rats. The right MCA of male Wistar rats was occluded for 2 hours using intraluminal 4-0 monofilament, and reperfusion was allowed for 22 hours. MCAO caused significant depletion in GSH and its dependent enzymes (GPx, GR, and GST) and significant elevation of MDA, glutamate, and aspartate. The activities of Na(+),K(+)- ATPase, SOD, and CAT were decreased significantly by MCAO. The neurobehavioral activities (grip strength, spontaneous motor activity, and motor coordination) were also decreased significantly in the MCAO group. All of the alterations induced by ischemia were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with AGE (500 mg/mL/kg of body weight, i.p.) 30 minutes before the induction of MCAO and correlated well with histopathology by decreasing the neuronal cell death following MCAO and reperfusion. These findings suggest that AGE effectively modulates neurobehavioral and neurochemical changes in focal ischemia, most probably by virtue of its antioxidant properties.     

Attenuation by Nardostachys jatamansi of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced parkinsonism in rats: behavioral, neurochemical, and immunohistochemical studies

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the commonest neurodegenerative diseases, and oxidative stress has been evidenced to play a vital role in its causation. In the present study, we evaluated whether ethanolic extract of Nardostachys jatamansi roots (ENj), an antioxidant and enhancer of biogenic amines, can slow the neuronal injury in a 6-OHDA-rat model of Parkinson's. Rats were treated with 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight of ENj for 3 weeks. On day 21, 2 microl of 6-OHDA (12 microg in 0.01% in ascorbic acid-saline) was infused into the right striatum, while the sham-operated group received 2 microl of vehicle. Three weeks after the 6-OHDA injection, the rats were tested for neurobehavioural activity and were sacrificed after 6 weeks for the estimation of lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione content, the activities of glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase, quantification of catecholamines, dopaminergic D2 receptor binding and tyrosine hydroxylase expression. The increase in drug-induced rotations and deficits in locomotor activity and muscular coordination due to 6-OHDA injections were significantly and dose-dependently restored by ENj. Lesioning was followed by an increased lipid peroxidation and significant depletion of reduced glutathione content in the substantia nigra, which was prevented with ENj pretreatment. The activities of glutathione-dependent enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase in striatum, which were reduced significantly by lesioning, were dose-dependently restored by ENj. A significant decrease in the level of dopamine and its metabolites and an increase in the number of dopaminergic D2 receptors in striatum were observed after 6-OHDA injection, and both were significantly recovered following ENj treatment. All of these results were exhibited by an increased density of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (TH-IR) fibers in the ipsilateral striatum of the lesioned rats following treatment with ENj; 6-OHDA injection had induced almost a complete loss of TH-IR fibers. This study indicates that the extract of Jatamansi might be helpful in attenuating Parkinsonism.     

Canine urinary bladder epithelial cells: Preparation for cell culture by enzyme dispersion

Summary In a qualitative and quantitative study of enzymic dispersion of cells from the mucosal layer stripped from canine urinary bladder, trypsin was found to be equal or superior to the other enzymes tested for dispersal of urothelial cells specifically. Collagenase or collagenase plus trypsin served to disperse the whole tissue. A procedure for recovering the urothelial cells as a single-cell suspension and establishing them in culture is presented. The morphology, culture behaviour, and chromosome complement of these cells is described.