Evaluation of a strategy for identifying nodulation competitiveness genes in Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli.

Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli strain KIM5s is consistently much more competitive than strain CE3 in nodulation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the laboratory and in the field. To identify genes that contribute to the competitiveness of KIM5s, we transferred a cosmid library containing KIM5s DNA into CE3 and applied the transconjugants to bean plants to allow the plants to enrich for those with enhanced nodulation competitiveness.

Islet cell mass and the longevity of islet grafts in diabetic rats.

In an attempt to demonstrate that a limited beta-cell mass is able to maintain normoglycemia in streptozocin-diabetic rats, two groups of inbred rats received transplants of 500 or 1000 neonatal islets (corresponding to 10 and 20% of total islet cell mass, respectively) into the spleen. A close correlation was found between the functional longevity of the islet graft, and the total beta-cell mass transplanted into the diabetic animals. Although euglycemia was maintained for 4-12 mo, the islet transplants were insufficient to produce glucose tolerance tests equal to those observed in normal rats.

The pattern of sugar consumption in social class groups of young adolescents in Northern Ireland.

The pattern of sugar consumption in a sample of 350 11-12-year-old adolescents was examined. Their knowledge of the sugar content of a range of common foodstuffs was also investigated. There were only small differences between the social class groups in mealtime sugar consumption.

Intrapancreatic islet transplantation in experimental diabetes in the rat.

Pancreatic islets have been transplanted successfully to a variety of organs except the pancreas. Since this organ is the most physiologic recipient for islets in rodents with chemically induced diabetes, we have placed neonatal islets intrapancreatically in highly inbred Lewis rats with streptozotocin (ST) diabetes. Transplantation of 2,000 neonatal islets into the pancreas of diabetic rats reversed diabetes within 2 weeks in all of the treated rats (seven of seven).

Investigation of the c-neu proto-oncogene related protein, p185, in the serum of primary epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

The relatively high incidence of amplification and overexpression of the neu (c-erb B2/HER-2) oncogene in breast cancer, and its association with poor prognosis, particularly in node negative patients, may allow identification of patients who require aggressive therapy to prevent an early relapse. It's association with ovarian cancer, however, is less well defined than in breast cancer. An ELISA for the c-neu proto-oncogene related protein, p185, has been developed recently using the monoclonal antibodies NB3 and TA1.

Effect of cyclofenil on hormonal dynamics, follicular development and cervical mucus in normal and oligomenorrhoeic women.

Cyclofenil is a triphenylethylene derivative, similar in structure to clomiphene citrate, which is used to induce ovulation in anovulatory women. The effects of cyclofenil on a group of 10 normal cyclic and 10 oligomenorrhoeic subjects were examined in a double blind controlled cross-over study. Both groups of women were administered either cyclofenil or, following a washout cycle, a placebo in two treatment cycles.

Reversal of experimental diabetes by injection of syngeneic islets into peripheral veins.

This study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of intravenous (i.v.) injection of islets, via a peripheral vein, in the treatment of experimental diabetes in highly inbred Lewis rats.

Mucinous endometrial carcinoma in a patient with previous ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma presenting some 18 years after initial bilateral ovariectomy: a case report.

The association of endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary and primary carcinoma of the endometrium is well recognised. These tumours are often synchronous in occurrence. Oestrogen stimulation is often postulated as a significant factor in the development of the endometrial carcinoma in such cases.

Cisplatinum and prednimustine, an active regimen for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.

80 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated for 6 months with cisplatinum and prednimustine following initial surgery. Response to treatment was assessed by second-look surgery. The objective response rate was 69% with 38% achieving a complete response for up to 55 months.

Functional impact of attachment and purification in the short term culture of human pancreatic islets.

We have evaluated the effects on islet function of several manipulations of the substrate and tissue culture conditions in the short term culture of human islets. Specifically, we have studied the influence of several matrices, additions to the medium, and the use of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-saporin mitotoxins to eliminate fibroblastoid cells from the cultures. The human islets were obtained from the Human Islet Transplant Center at Washington University Medical Center (St.

The use of digital image processing to quantitate angiogenesis induced by basic fibroblast growth factor and transplanted pancreatic islets.

We have used digital image processing as a technique to quantify the formation of blood vessels in situ in response to the application of either an angiogenic peptide, basic fibroblast growth factor, or isolated pancreatic islets. The peptide or the islets were placed under the rat kidney capsule. For in vivo microscopy fluorescein-labeled dextran was injected intravenously and video images were made as deemed appropriate.

Angiogenic peptides in pancreatic islet transplantation to diabetic rats.

To overcome the deleterious effects of hyperglycemia on islet transplantation, we have used recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), an angiogenic peptide, concurrently with the intrasplenic placement of neonatal islets in severely diabetic rats. In both experimental and control rats, a minipump, secured to the spleen with a small indwelling catheter, delivered either the basic FGF at 10 ng/hr, or only the diluent. The rate of cure in the animals receiving the islets plus the peptide was significantly higher (70%) than in control rats (20%).

Selective elimination of fibroblasts from pancreatic islet monolayers by basic fibroblast growth factor-saporin mitotoxin.

Fibroblast proliferation regularly impedes the initiation and maintenance of pancreatic islet monolayers in culture. We recently characterized a specific cytotoxin to cells expressing the basic fibroblast growth factor receptor by conjugating the growth factor to saporin-6, a ribosome-inactivating protein. In contrast to untreated islets, isolated adult rat islets grown on a substrate prepared from bovine corneal endothelial cells and incubated with the mitotoxin at 10-nM concentration for 96 h were free of contaminating fibroblasts.

Effects of prolactin and glycosylated prolactin on (pro)insulin synthesis and insulin release from cultured rat pancreatic islets.

In order to study the possible differential effects of the nonglycosylated and glycosylated forms of prolactin on insulin content and secretion in pancreatic islets, neonatal rat pancreatic islets were exposed for 6 days in vitro to 2 micrograms/ml of nonglycosylated ovine prolactin (oPRL), or to 2 micrograms/ml of glycosylated oPRL (G-oPRL). oPRL stimulated a significant increase (p less than 0.01) in the total amount of insulin released into the medium over the 6 day culture period; however, G-oPRL had no effect.

Autoregressive spectral estimation of fetal breathing movement.

Fetal breathing movement (FBM) in utero may be an indicator of fetal health. This paper provides a second-by-second estimate of FBM rate. In the absence of a statistical model for the fetal breathing movement, block data structured autoregressive spectral estimation is used.

Quantitative comparison of the laboratory and field competitiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar phaseoli.

Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli KIM5s outcompeted strain CE3 in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) root nodulation when plants were grown at any of three field sites, each with a different soil type and indigenous population, or in the laboratory in a sterilized sand, a sterilized peat-vermiculite mixture, or a nonsterile field soil.

Biological actions of 53 kDa nerve growth factor as studied by a blot and culture technique.

A blot and culture technique has been utilized to examine the biological actions of 53,000 Dalton (53 kDa) nerve growth factor (NGF) present in the submaxillary gland (SMG) of adult male and female mice. SMG-proteins were first resolved by sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) under reducing conditions and then transferred to a nitrocellulose (NTC) sheet by electroblotting. Specific areas corresponding to 53 kDa NGF were cut and cultured with the rat pheochromocytoma cell line, PC-12.

Enhancement of pancreatic islet cell monolayer growth by endothelial cell matrix and insulin.

The roles of glucose and insulin in the promotion of DNA synthesis in pancreatic islet cell monolayers were assessed using a variety of in vitro conditions. Several substrates including collagen, poly-l-lysine, Matrigel, and the extracellular matrix produced by cultured bovine endothelial cells (BCEM) were compared for their ability to promote monolayer growth. Islets grown on BCEM in combination with medium RPMI 1640 supplemented with 22.

Herpes simplex virus, Candida albicans and mouth ulcers in neutropenic patients with non-haematological malignancy.

Mouth ulcers are a frequent cause of morbidity in patients rendered neutropenic as a result of chemotherapy. We report here a series of 28 such patients from whom swabs were taken for viral isolation and mycological culture. In 13 patients, herpes simplex virus (type I) was isolated and in 17 patients Candida albicans was cultured.

Decrease in the number of neonatal islets required for successful transplantation by strict metabolic control of diabetic rats.

We have investigated the influence of glycemic control on the number of transplanted neonatal islets needed to cure streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Intrasplenic transplantation of 1000 neonatal islets to a group of STZ-diabetic rats with poor glycemic control cured only 30% of the rats. In a second group, insulin at doses of 10-15 U/day given for 5 days after transplantation improved the cure rate to 72%.

Diazepam ablates the constitutional side-effects of gamma interferon.

Unpleasant constitutional side-effects such as fever, rigors and sweating are commonly associated with the administration of interferons [Billiau A, Burke D C, Morris A G (eds): Interferons: from Molecular Biopsy to Clinical Application, p. 225. London & New York, Cambridge University Press (1983)].

An in vivo model for study of the angiogenic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor.

We have investigated the angiogenic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor following its implantation in slow release beads under the kidney capsule. The presence of basic fibroblast growth factor in the subcapsular space induced a marked angiogenic response maximal at 1 microgram dose per kidney. Histological examination at the site of treatment failed to reveal evidence of an inflammatory response, thus supporting the observation that basic fibroblast growth factor alone can stimulate in vivo neovascularization.