A comparative dynamic study of the effectiveness of gastric cytoprotection by vitamin A, De-Nol, sucralfate and ulcer healing by pirenzepine in patients with chronic gastric ulcer (a multiclinical and randomized study)

The gastric cytoprotective effects of vitamin A, De-Nol and sucralfate were compared with the effectiveness of pirenzepine in healing ulcer in patients with chronic gastric ulcer. A total of 100 patients was randomized into different groups: the patients were treated with antacids, vitamin A (3 X 50.000 IU), De-Nol liquid (4 X 5 ml), sucralfate (4 X 1 g) or pirenzepine (3 X 50 mg). The treatment was continued for 4 weeks. At the beginning, 2 and 4 weeks after starting treatment the patients were subjected to endoscopy and the size of the ulcer was measured planimetrically. The ulcer-healing effect of De-Nol liquid was significantly better than that of the antacids (p less than 0.01). Ulcer size was reduced significantly in all groups (p less than 0.01), however, at the end of the study the gastric ulcers were smallest in the De-Nol treated group (p less than 0.001). The dynamics of ulcer healing in the second week was most favourable in the patients receiving vitamin A (p less than 0.01). The present data point to the cytoprotective effects of De-Nol liquid, vitamin A and sucralfate and to their ability of healing chronic gastric ulcers.     

Studies in vitro of the nature and synthesis of the cell wall ofChlamydia trachomatis

The possibility thatChlamydia trachomatis contains peptidoglycan was examined by three methods. Preincubation of chlamydia with enzymes known to cleave peptidoglycan had no adverse effect on the subsequent development. Immunofluorescence studies with antistreptococcal peptidoglycan antisera failed to show any cross reactions with chlamydial antigens. The antichlamydial activity of anti-cell-wall antimicrobials was examined; lactams proved the most active, and cycloserine and bacitracin also showed antichlamydial activity. Alaphosphin, phosphomycin, and vancomycin showed no antichlamydial activity at the concentrations tested.     

A radioimmunoassay for 6-keto- prostaglandin F1α

A radioimmunoassay for 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α has been developed. The assay is accurate and sensitive but since the antiserum cross-reacts 5–10% with prostaglandins (PGs) of the E and F series, solvent extraction and thin layer chromatography are required fo absolute specifity. The assay has been validated by comparison with a radiochemical assay and by the use of an inhibitor of 6-keto PGF_1α formation, 15-hydroperoxy arachidonic acid. 6-Keto PGF_1α was found to have a low cross reaction with antisera directed against PGE₂, PGF_2α and thromboxane B₂.     

In vitro induction of tumor-specific immunity. III. Lack of requirement for H-2 compatibility in lysis of tumor targets by T cells activated in vitro to oncofetal and plasmacytoma antigens.

Many recent studies have demonstrated that cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CL) activated to various antigens other than those of the H-2 complex, will lyse target cells only when H-2 compatibility exists between the CL and target cell. From these observations, it has been inferred that T lymphocytes might only be capable of responding to H-2 antigen or antigens that become associated with H-2 region gene products. Our results suggest that this is not the case, and that in some situations, cytotoxic T lymphocytes can specifically lyse target cells of different H-2 types. Two in vitro systems are described where primary induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes to oncofetal and plasmacytoma antigens results in CL capable of lysing suitable targets bearing these antigens, of either syngeneic or allogeneic derivation. Thus it is proposed that although interaction antigens involving H-2 components may preferentially activate T lymphocytes, this does not imply a restriction on the recognition potential of T lymphocytes.     

Solubility of carbon dioxide in lipid bilayer membranes and organic solvents

Partition coefficients of carbon dioxide into lipid bilayers (liposomes) and organic solvents were measured as a function of temperature. The molar partition coefficient of CO2 into liposomes of egg lecithin at 25 degrees C was 0.95 (ml CO2/ml lipid)/(ml CO2/ml saline). The addition of an equimolar amount of cholesterol to the egg lecithin decreased the partition coefficient by about 25%. The partition coefficients for CO2 into liposomes at 25 degrees C were lower than the partition coefficients into octanol (1.3), hexadecane (1.5) and olive oil (1.7). The results are discussed in terms of the solubility-diffusion model of non-electrolyte transport through lipid bilayer membranes.     

The immune response of inbred mouse strains to DNP-BGG

The immune response of six inbred mouse strains (SJL, A, C57BL/6, CBA, BALB/c, and DBA/1) to DNP₅₆BGG was tested under three separate immunization schedules: 1 Μg DNP-BGG in 1 mg Al(OH)₃ adjuvant, 50 Μg DNP-BGG in 1 mg A1(OH)₃ adjuvant, and 1 Μg DNP-BGG in complete Freund's adjuvant. Individual serum samples were titered using a modified Farr assay. It was found that the first schedule allowed classification of the mice into responder (SJL, A) and nonresponder (C57BL/6, CBA, BALB/ c, DBA/1) strains. The second schedule produced quantitative as well as qualitative differences among the strains and allowed classification of the mice into higher-responder (SJL, A), intermediate-responder (C57BL/6, CBA, BALB/c), and low-responder (DBA/1) categories. When complete Freund's adjuvant was used in the third schedule, the differences among strains became insignificant. The sera from each strain were pooled and assayed for relative antibody affinity and IgM content. Both of these parameters were dependent largely on the dose of antigen and type of adjuvant used, rather than on the particular mouse strain being studied. The mechanism of adjuvant action, and possible cell interactions in the genetic control of the immune response, are discussed.     

Effect of methabenzthiazuron on growth and nitrogenase activity in Vicia faba

The effects of the herbicide methabenzthiazuron (175 and 220 g ha^-1) on vegetative and reproductive growth, nodulation and nitrogenase activity of Vicia faba were studied in the field under Mediterranean conditions. Nitrogenase activity of excised nodules was estimated using the acetylene reduction assay four times during the developmental period. Leaf area index, dry weight and nitrogen content of the different parts of the plants were measured. Methabenzthiazuron-treated plants showed an increase in nodulation, nitrogenase activity and vegetative growth at early pod fill. Methabenzthiazuron also caused an increase in leaf N content and fruits. These were transient effects found during early and mid pot fill. Nevertheless, plants treated with these sublethal doses of herbicide improved seed production and nitrogen content of seeds at harvest time. The stimulatory effect of methabenzthiazuron on N₂ fixation and vegetative growth seems not be related with the transient stimulatory effect on photosynthetic capacity, also caused by the herbicide, since the stimulatory effect on N₂ fixation was apparent during pod fill, when photosynthetic capacity declined and was not modified by methabenzthiazuron.     

Immunodetection of thiol proteinase levels in various populations of Artemia cysts and during development

An immunodetection assay on Western blots has been used to determine the thiol proteinase content and composition in cysts from 12 populations of the brine shrimp Artemia. Our results showed no differences in the subunit composition of the thiol proteinase among cysts from eight bisexual strains and four parthenogenic strains, and confirmed an earlier finding that the proteinase is composed of two subunits of 25.9 and 31.5 kilodaltons. In contrast, we found that Artemia cysts from parthenogenic strains contain 17.1 ng/cyst of the thiol proteinase, while cysts from bisexual strains contain 8.2 ng/cyst of the thiol proteinase. Also, there was a good linear correlation (r = 0.863; p less than 0.001) between the thiol proteinase content and cyst mass. Embryo fractionation experiments showed that 82% of the thiol proteinase was in the cytosol, while 14 and 4%, respectively, were in the nuclei/yolk platelets and mitochondria/lysosome fractions. Measurements of the thiol proteinase content of developing Artemia embryos showed that the proteinase content was relatively constant during early development, suggesting that the activity of the thiol proteinase gene(s) may be constitutive and not developmentally regulated in Artemia embryos.