Induction by ethanol of 'phenomenon of switching estrogen effect' and its correction]

Drinking of 5% ethanol in combination with estradiol induced genotoxic (G) changes in the rat uterine tissue. The changes could be prevented by N-acetylcysteine or melatonin. The data obtained suggest that ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol may be recommended in combination with N-acetylcysteine for repair of estrogen effect switching phenomenon.     

Correction of secondary immunologic deficiency by using yeast RNA

In patients with rheumatism, chronic alcoholism and peptic ulcer immune deficiency mainly with respect to T-lymphocytes has been detected. The injection of sodium nucleinate simultaneously with the use of traditional therapeutic remedies induces the correction of secondary immune deficiency for a period of 6-9 months.     

Enterically induced immunologic tolerance. I. Induction of suppressor T lymphoyctes by intragastric administration of soluble proteins.

Specific immune unresponsiveness was induced in inbred mice (BDF1) by the administration of soluble ovalbumin (OVA) by gastric intubation. Anti-hapten (DNP) responses likewise were specifically diminished when animals were fed autologous carrier (OVA or keyhole limpet hemocyanin). Adoptive transfer of spleen cells demonstrated that the tolerant state could be maintained in irradiated recipient mice, and specific anergy could be transferred to normal recipient animals. Adoptive suppression was mediated by T lymphocytes, as demonstrated by nylon wool fractionation and susceptibility of the cells to anti-Thy 1.2 and complement. Transferred B cells had neither suppressive nor augmentative effects. Enteric administration of OVA also specifically diminished antigen-induced DNA synthesis of primed lymph node T cells, although suppressor cells were not identified in the lymph nodes per se.     

Induction of the immunologic response in vitro

Immunological response (primary and secondary) was induced in a suspension of mouse splenic cells on nutrient media containing embryonic calf serum or serum against the erythrocytes of an animal--the lymphoid cells donor. The in vitro immunological response was accompanied by a specific increase in a number of the hemolysin-forming and rosette-forming cells. The optimal for induction of the immunological response in vitro was a dose of 10(7) erythrocytes per 1 ml of the culture. It was shown experimentally that antierythrocytic serum could be used instead of the embryonic calf serum to induce the immunological response in vitro. An increase in the count of rosette-forming cells and no increase of the hemolysin-forming cell count was observed on the nutrient media without 2-mercaptoethanol.     

The occurrence and correction of boron deficiency

Positive responses to B application, which provide clear evidence of B deficiency, have been reported in over 80 countries and on 132 crops over the last 60 years. It is estimated that about 15 million ha are annually treated with B. In a few regions in the world, B deficient soils exist over a wide area, as for example in eastern and southern China. Elsewhere B deficiency is restricted to particular soil types and crops. Acrisols and Podzols and to a much lesser extent Andosols, Luvisols and Ferralsols, appear to be the soil groups most likely to produce B deficient crops. Soil parent material and texture are considered to be the major soil factors associated with the occurrence of B deficiency. For many crops it is the B requirement for successful fertilisation that is of critical importance; even crops with a small B requirement, such as the cereals, can suffer impaired seed set due to B shortage at a critical time. Climate, particularly high light intensity and low temperature are factors that need to be considered in relation to the occurrence of B deficiency. Boron deficiency can be readily prevented and corrected by both soil and foliar applications. Most reliance is placed on refined sodium borates, but crushed ores are used both in the manufacture of boronated fertilisers and on their own. Depending on the ore, its particle size and method of application, B supply may be extended by using an ore which dissolves slowly.     

Impulsive neuron activity of several structures of the brain after administration of benzene and its homologues

The obtained findings have shown that dominating inter-impulse intervals in the area of 1000 and more ms, and multimodality of their distribution occur in benzene, toluol, xylol injection within time-structure of some neurons activity of sensomotor cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and lateral hypothalamus. The particularities of neuronal activity of the studied structures were revealed by the injection of chemical substances in natural and artificially produced food motivation. The mechanism of neurons activity blockade in benzene and its homologous injection was suggested to be linked with their influence upon mediator process, and perhaps, peptide factors participating in the formation of neuronal activity.     

Upper labial deficiency in Mobius syndrome: a previously unreported feature and its correction

Bilateral facial palsy in M?bius syndrome remains one of the greatest challenges in reconstructive plastic surgery. Facial reanimation is an invaluable aid to such patients because it allows for greater social interaction by means of the ability to smile. In performing facial reanimation surgery on patients with M?bius syndrome, it is the observation of the senior author (Harrison) that upper labial deficiency is a consistent and previously unreported feature of the syndrome. It has been the practice of the senior author to perform upper labial augmentation on M?bius syndrome patients by insertion of a lipodermal autograft, in addition to facial reanimation. Nine patients with M?bius syndrome who presented to the Department of Plastic Surgery during an 8-year period were reviewed. All nine possessed bilateral facial palsy and upper labial deficiency in addition to other abnormalities consistent with M?bius syndrome. Six patients underwent bilateral facial reanimation and upper labial augmentation alone. One patient refused facial reanimation surgery but consented to upper labial augmentation. One patient, with concomitant micrognathia, underwent bilateral facial reanimation, upper labial augmentation, and insertion of a Silastic chin implant. In one patient, a child who also exhibited micrognathia, bilateral facial reanimation alone was carried out, with further procedures for upper labial and chin cosmesis being postponed until adulthood. The indication for performing upper labial augmentation was cosmetic. The procedure improved upper labial appearance and restored balance to the mouth. Patients also expressed higher satisfaction with eating and drinking, which they related to the improved fullness of the upper lip. This was before the facial reanimation had become functional. Upper labial deficiency warrants addition to the list of facial features of M?bius syndrome and is something that must be assessed in the context of facial reanimation surgery.     

Induction of sister-chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes by microsomal activation of benzene metabolites

Metabolic activation of the benzene metabolites, catechol, hydroquinone, and phenol, by rat-liver microsomes and an NADPH-generating system (S9 mix) caused an increased induction of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in cultured human lymphocytes. There were different optimal concentrations of S9 mix for converting each benzene metabolite into further reactive forms that could induce SCE-forming lesions. The data indicate that catechol and hydroquinone can be optimally metabolized to produce reactive species, presumably benzo(semi)quinones, under conditions of lower metabolic activity than those necessary for phenol and benzene.     

Induction of abortion by intra- and extra-amniotic prostaglandin F2 administration

PGF2 alpha was administered intrauterine in 115 patients during the 11th to 20th week of pregnancy for abortion induction. An intra-amniotic method was used in 61 cases, an extra-amniotic one in 54 cases. Average total dose administered was 35.1 (range 5 to 65 mg) in the amniotic group and 6358 mcg (range 1500 to 14000 mcg) in the extra-amniotic group. The intra-amniotic group had an abortion rate of 92% and a 74% rate of side effects, mainly gastrointestinal irritation. Corresponding figures for the extra-amniotic group were 72% and 54% respectively. In the extra-amniotic group, doses of 4750 mcg or more increased the abortion rate up to 80% and side effects up to 64%. There were no serious complications. The intra-amniotic approach of prostaglandin induction is suitable for second trimester therapeutic abortions. The extra-amniotic approach is useful in cases of fetus mortuus and hydatiform mole.     

Genotoxicity of benzene and its metabolites

The potential role of genotoxicity in human leukemias associated with benzene (BZ) exposures was investigated by a systematic review of over 1400 genotoxicity test results for BZ and its metabolites. Studies of rodents exposed to radiolabeled BZ found a low level of radiolabel in isolated DNA with no preferential binding in target tissues of neoplasia. Adducts were not identified by 32P-postlabeling (equivalent to a covalent binding index <0.002) under the dosage conditions producing neoplasia in the rodent bioassays, and this method would have detected adducts at 1/10,000th the levels reported in the DNA-binding studies. Adducts were detected by 32P-postlabeling in vitro and following high acute BZ doses in vivo, but levels were about 100-fold less than those found by DNA binding. These findings suggest that DNA-adduct formation may not be a significant mechanism for BZ-induced neoplasia in rodents. The evaluation of other genotoxicity test results revealed that BZ and its metabolites did not produce reverse mutations in Salmonella typhimurium but were clastogenic and aneugenic, producing micronuclei, chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and DNA strand breaks. Rodent and human data were compared, and BZ genotoxicity results in both were similar for the available tests. Also, the biotransformation of BZ was qualitatively similar in rodents, humans and non-human primates, further indicating that rodent and human genotoxicity data were compatible. The genotoxicity test results for BZ and its metabolites were the most similar to those of topoisomerase II inhibitors and provided less support for proposed mechanisms involving DNA reactivity, mitotic spindle poisoning or oxidative DNA damage as genotoxic mechanisms; all of which have been demonstrated experimentally for BZ or its metabolites. Studies of the chromosomal translocations found in BZ-exposed persons and secondary human leukemias produced by topoisomerase II inhibitors provide some additional support for this mechanism being potentially operative in BZ-induced leukemia.     

Molecular detection and correction of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency

The application of new diagnostic techniques has led to improvement in carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Progress has also been made towards somatic gene therapy.     

Induction of immunologic tolerance in nursing neonates by absorption of tolerogen from colostrum.

Deaggregatedhuman gamma-globulin (DHGG) injected into female mice within 24 hr after delivery of a litter enters the colostrum and is absorbed intact through the intestine by nursing neonates. This absorbed HGG was present in the neonatal circulation at concentrations of 0.3 to 0.6 mg/ml of serum under the experimental conditions used. This absorption of HGG by the nursing neonate resulted in a complete, specific, tolerant state to HGG. This tolerant state was stable upon adoptive cell transfer and could not be abrogated by transfer of normal syngeneic spleen cells.     

Induction of flowering by nitrogen deficiency in Lemna paucicostata 441

Lemna paucicostata 441, a short-day plant, flowered even undercontinuous light in nitrogen-deficient, half-strength Hutner’smedium, when the endogenous level of nitrogen was decreasedto 1.4µg/mg fr wt or lower, but no flowering occurredin nitrogen-deficient, modified Hoagland medium when the endogenouslevel of nitrogen was similarly reduced. The failure to flowerin this medium can be ascribed to the presence of high concentrationsof calcium, the absence of EDTA, and low pH. Daylength-independent flowering induced by nitrogen deficiencywas greatly enhanced by the addition to the growth medium ofmicronutrients and EDTA at high concentrations. Among the micronutrients,zinc seemed to be the most important. (Received May 30, 1988; Accepted September 22, 1988)     

Post-resuscitation toxemia and possibilities of its correction by albosorb

Albumin with enhanced sorption capacity (albosorb) was infused in animals after 10 min long clinical death caused by blood loss to correct endogenic intoxication. The albosorb infusion enhanced the blood plasma astringency both with respect to hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecules.