Phase I study of combination recombinant interleukin-2 and interferon gamma in patients with advanced malignancies

A phase I trial of interleukin-2 and interferon gamma combination treatment in patients with advanced malignancies was performed based on preclinical in vitro and in vivo data which demonstrated synergistic antitumor effect. The toxicities, immune parameters, and tumor responses are described. The clinical and biologic maximal tolerated doses were extrapolated from these data.     

Distance between the propylbenzilylcholine mustard attachment site and carbohydrates and thiol groups in muscarinic acetylcholine receptor protein from rat cerebral cortex.

When rat cerebral-cortex membranes were labelled with [3H]propylbenzilylcholine mustard ([3H]PrBCM), a single protein of Mr 68,000 was found to carry the atropine-sensitive covalent label. After trypsinolysis of the receptors solubilized in 0.075% SDS, the resulting fragments were submitted to size analysis in combination with wheat-germ agglutinin (WGA)-Sepharose and organomercurial-agarose chromatography. Peptides of Mr 75,000, 50,000, 30,000, 18,000 and 8000 were specifically released from the receptor. All fragments above Mr 8000 were able to bind WGA-Sepharose and therefore the peptide of Mr 18,000 was taken as the upper limit of the distance between the antagonist and the glycan moieties. The limit fragment of Mr 8000 carried chemical groups which were modified by N-ethylmaleimide and reacted with an immobilized organomercurial. About 65-80% of the labelled receptors were adsorbed on concanavalin A-Sepharose with low affinity, generating two further components after sequential application to WGA-Sepharose. About 50% of the receptors were susceptible to neuraminidase treatment, with a concomitant slight modification of the SDS/polyacrylamide-gel-electrophoretic pattern.     

Does a torn anterior cruciate ligament lead to change in the central nervous drive of the knee extensors?

Integrated surface electromyograms of the three superficial parts of the quadriceps and isokinetic knee extensor maximum torque and power production were recorded simultaneously and at different angular velocities in both legs in 11 male subjects with unilateral tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the thigh and its muscular components were measured by computerized tomography. The principal findings were a small but significant decrease in quadriceps CSA on the affected side; a decreased active, but not passive, range of movement; decreased mechanical output, whether or not corrected for differences in CSA; and decreased electromyographic activity--particularly in rectus femoris. These findings suggest that the reason for the decreased maximum and total knee extensor performance seen in these patients is a change in knee joint receptor afferent inflow.     

The neural basis of orienting behavior: a computational approach to the escape turn of the cockroach

Using computer simulation, we demonstrate that the information encoded by the ventral giant interneurons is particularly suited to orienting the escape turn of the adult cockroach with a degree of variation seen experimentally. The type of model we present for sensorimotor integration incorporates a simple comparator of sensory evoked GI activity and is extremely robust with respect to underlying assumptions.     

Bone morphometrics and tetracycline marking patterns in young growing American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Nine young American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) were injected at monthly intervals with tetracycline to determine the bone apposition rate and the resorption patterns over a 3-mo period. The periosteal apposition rate increased progressively over the 3-mo period from 2.99 microns/day to 5.94 microns/day. Endosteal apposition rate was much slower with incomplete tetracycline lines being observed on the endosteum. This suggests that most modeling-resorptive activities occur on the endosteal envelope.