Distribution and stability in the rat of a 76Br/125I-labelled polypeptide, epidermal growth factor.

A positron-emitting isotope of bromine, 76Br, with a half-life of 16.2 h, was produced using the reaction natBr(p, xn)76Kr. Labelling of mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) with 76Br was optimized, using the chloramine-T method, obtaining a maximal radiochemical yield of 53%.

Studies on Pf155/RESA and other soluble antigens from in vitro cultured Plasmodium falciparum.

Spent culture medium from in vitro cultures of Plasmodium falciparum was used as the source for immunoadsorbent enrichment of soluble parasite antigens. IgG obtained from P. falciparum-hyperimmune Liberian serum was used as the ligand in the immunoadsorbent.

Binding of epidermal growth factor (EGF) to a cultured human glioma cell line.

We have studied binding of 125I-EGF to the human malignant glioma cell line U-343 MG aCl2:6, which is planned to be used as a model system in studies of toxic effects of EGF conjugates. Special care has been taken to fulfil the requirements for a correct Scatchard analysis of binding parameters. Binding as a function of time, temperature and pH was investigated as well as dissociation and internalization of bound EGF.

Radioimmunolocalization of human colonic cancer xenografts; aspects of extensive purification of monoclonal anti-CEA-antibodies.

Tumour-to-normal tissue ratios of i.p. injected 125I-labelled monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), reacting with CEA were determined in nude rats xenografted with human colonic cancer cells (LS 174 T).

Oxygen and the sugar metabolism in oral streptococci.

Streptococci have several ways of adapting themselves to the constantly changing environment of the human oral cavity. This paper discusses the adaptation of sugar metabolism to variations in oxygen levels. In all streptococci the Embden-Meyerhof pathway of glycolysis works under aerobic as well as anaerobic conditions, but pyruvate is converted into different metabolic end products depending on the oxygen levels.

Backscatter radiation at tissue-titanium interfaces. Analyses of biological effects from 60Co and protons.

It has been claimed that implanted metals can cause backscatter radiation in radiation therapy with a dose enhancement at the bone-metal and tissue-metal interfaces on the beam entrance side. Theoretical calculations and experimental measurements with ionization chambers have indicated that such effects might be significant. Titanium implants are increasingly used in oral and maxillo-facial surgery for reconstruction purposes.

The narrow proton beam therapy unit at the the Svedberg Laboratory in Uppsala.

The synchrocyclotron at the The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) in Uppsala is now reconstructed and can presently operate with fixed frequency and proton energies up to 100 MeV. A first treatment room with a narrow proton beam unit for therapy of eye tumours is now in operation. Therapy of eye melanomas started in April, 1989 and during 1989 and 1990, 19 patients were treated with 72 MeV protons.

Effects of 131I-EGF on cultured human glioma cells.

Malignant glioma cells often have more epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors than normal cells and targeting of toxic substances to the receptor might therefore be an attractive therapeutical approach. Radiation effects were analysed on human glioma cells growing as monolayers after exposure to 131I-EGF. Unspecific effects were analysed with 131I-BSA or after presaturation with nonradioactive EGF.

Plasmodium falciparum: differential parasite reactivity of rabbit antibodies to repeated sequences in the antigen Pf155/RESA.

For selection of immunogens capable of inducing high levels of antibodies reactive with the Plasmodium falciparum antigen Pf155/RESA, rabbits were immunized with synthetic peptides corresponding to sequences based on the repeat subunits EENVEHDA and (EENV)2 from the C-terminus of this antigen. The antibodies obtained were analyzed with regard to binding to synthetic peptides in ELISA and to reactivity with parasite antigens by immunofluorescence or immunoblotting. All antisera reacted with both the peptides EENVEHDA and (EENV)2 as well as with Pf155/RESA.

Health status in patients with tension headache treated with acupuncture or physiotherapy.

Sixty-two female patients with chronic tension headache were randomly divided into two treatment groups--acupuncture and physiotherapy. Their overall function (Sickness Impact Profile), and mental well-being (Mood Adjective Check List) and the intensity and frequency of headache were assessed before and after treatment. Before treatment the patients showed significantly more dysfunction and less positive mental well-being than a general population sample.

The formation of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan by oral bacteria.

The capacity to form volatile sulfur compounds was tested in bacteria isolated from subgingival microbiotas and in a representative number of reference strains. A majority of the 75 tested oral bacterial species and 7 unnamed bacterial taxa formed significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide from L-cysteine. The most active bacteria were found in the genera Peptostreptococcus, Eubacterium, Selenomonas, Centipeda, Bacteroides and Fusobacterium.

Muscle tenderness in tension headache treated with acupuncture or physiotherapy.

Sixty-two female patients with chronic tension headache were randomized into two treatment groups--acupuncture and physiotherapy. The intensity of headache, muscle tenderness and neck mobility was assessed before and after treatment. Thirty healthy women were used for comparison.

Oculomotor disturbances in patients with tension headache treated with acupuncture or physiotherapy.

Forty-eight female patients with chronic tension headache were randomized into two treatment groups--acupuncture and physiotherapy. The patients were examined using oculomotor tests. Intensity of the headache and tenderness of the trapezius muscles were assessed in accordance with graded scales.

Effects of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors AA-863 and U-60,257 on human glioma cell lines.

The effects of two specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors AA-863 and U-60,257 (piriprost) on the growth of two human glioma cell lines, U-343 MGa and U-251 MG were investigated. Both monolayer cultured cells and spheroids were studied. The results of the monolayer studies showed potent and dose dependent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of glioma cells (IC50/one week treatment/of AA-863: 9.

Production of volatile sulfur compounds by various Fusobacterium species.

In 12 species of Fusobacterium the following characteristics were studied; the desulfhydration of L-cysteine and L-methionine by resting cell suspensions, the formation of alpha-keto-acids from L-cysteine, D-cysteine and L-methionine by cell extracts, and the formation of hydrogen sulfide from L-cysteine, D-cysteine and L-cysteine by cell extracts separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Multiple forms of L-cysteine desulfhydrase activity were found in most of the species. In some of them also D-cysteine desulfhydrase activity was demonstrated.

Periodontitis in the primary dentition associated with Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans infection and leukocyte dysfunction. A 3 1/2 year follow-up.

2 siblings, aged 5 years (girl) and 7 years (boy), with periodontitis in the primary dentition were studied. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was isolated from the gingival pockets of both children. The titers of IgG antibodies against A.

Failure of betamethasone to alter the radiation response of two cultured human glioma cell-lines.

Glucocorticoids, such as betamethasone, are often used to prevent possible acute reactions during radiation therapy of intracranial tumors (for example gliomas). The effect of the glucocorticoids is probably due to vascular changes decreasing the development of edemas. The radiosensitivity of two studied cell-lines of human malignant glioma origin did not significantly change when they were continuously exposed to betamethasone in the concentration range of 1-25 micrograms/ml.

Effects of prostaglandin and leukotriene inhibitors on the growth of human glioma spheroids.

Established cell-lines of human glioma origin were cultured as multicellular spheroids or as monolayers. Volume growth and 3H-thymidine labelling were analysed for the spheroids after continuous exposure to drugs interfering with the release of arachidonic acid and the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Comparative measurements were made on monolayer cultures.

Heterogeneity in cell loss and frequency of slow growing colonies of human glioma cell lines. Some effects of radiation.

Changes in cell loss and in the relative number of slowly growing colonies were analysed after irradiation of five human glioma cell lines using a micro-colony assay. The cells were seeded at low density on small palladium covered islands which were separated by agarose barriers. The cell density at seeding was chosen to give, on the average, one cell per island.

Influence of ionizing radiation on oxygen profiles in different types of multicellular spheroids.

Human glioma (U-118 MG and U-138 MG), human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT-29), human thyroid carcinoma (HTh 7), and hamster embryonic lung (V79-379A) spheroids were irradiated with either single doses of 16 or 40 Gy or fractionated doses of eight times 5 Gy. Oxygen profiles in the spheroids were measured with microelectrodes at different times following irradiation, and these profiles were then compared with the oxygen profiles measured in parallel cultured nonirradiated spheroids. No significant radiation-induced changes in the oxygen profiles were seen in any of the spheroids within the first few days after irradiation.

The capacity of subgingival microbiotas to produce volatile sulfur compounds in human serum.

Hydrogen sulfide is formed by the subgingival microbiotas of periodontal pockets. The capacity of these microbiotas to form various volatile sulfur compounds in human serum was studied. Bacterial samples from nine deep periodontal pockets were incubated for 7 days in human serum and the amounts of volatile sulfur compounds and the degradation of serum proteins were determined.

Activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the presence of sulfide.

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) isolated from human blood were exposed to various levels of hydrogen sulfide. The effect on respiratory burst, myeloperoxidase activity, and capacity to phagocytose and kill bacteria were studied. A 1-h exposure of the PMN to 1 mM sulfide did not decrease their myeloperoxidase activity or their capacity to initiate a respiratory burst.