Mean SF Research Articles

Regional Subcutaneous‐Fat Loss Induced by Caloric Restriction in Obese Women

With anthropometric models using skinfolds and circumferences, we studied changes in the percentage of subcutaneous fat in the total cross-sectional area (SF%) at four body sites in obese women, before and after weight loss induced by 6 months of caloric restriction. In 61 obese women [31 African Americans and 30 whites; ages, 24 to 68 years; body mass index (BMI), > or =28 kg/m(2)], we measured SF% at the midpoint of the upper arm and thigh and the waistline and hipline, and we measured the percentage of total body fat by DXA before (Obs#1) and after (Obs#2) a 6-month nonintervention control period and then after 6 months on a 1200 kcal/d diet (Obs#3). The mean body weight and BMI increased (1.8 kg and 0.61 kg/m(2); p = 0.0001), but there were no significant changes in any other body composition measurements from Obs#1 to Obs#2. The means of Obs#3 for weight and BMI decreased by 11%, and the percentage of total body fat decreased by 13% of Obs#2 mean values (p = 0.0001). The mean SF% at each site decreased 7.6% to 18.0% of the Obs#2 mean values (p < 0.001). The SF% decreases were greater at mid-arm and mid-thigh than in the cross-sectional regions at the waistline and hipline (p = 0.05). There was no interaction between age or ethnicity (p > 0.2). In obese women, caloric restriction alone reduces anthropometrically measured subcutaneous fat proportionally more in peripheral than in central regions.

Reference values for 99mTc-MAG3 renography determined in healthy, potential renal donors.

Reference values for 99mTc-MAG3 renography were determined and the influence of sex and age (< 50/ > or = 50 years) was elucidated. Sixty-eight potential renal donors were evaluated by renography among other tests. Through examination of their records 41 healthy subjects with a normal renal arteriography were included in this study and the reference values of the functional distribution (the split function, SF), the time to peak renal parenchymal activity (Tmax) and the residual activity (RA) were calculated. For Tmax there was no significant influence of sex or age. Mean RA increased significantly with age (20.5 vs. 23.2%, P = 0.03), but no difference was found between sexes. Mean SF (right kidney) was significantly higher among males. When a diuresis of at least 2 ml min-1 is demanded we found the following normal ranges: SF > 41%, Tmax < 4.3 min and RA < 33.7%.

Iron Stores in Low-Income Pregnant Mexican Women at Term

Background Iron stores can be depleted during pregnancy. Serum ferritin is the most useful non-invasive test to assess iron stores in women of reproductive age. Iron status of pregnant Mexican women at term from a low-income group was investigated through serum ferritin determinations. Methods Hemoglobin and serum ferritin were measured in 201 low-income urban women with at-term pregnancy receiving attention at a public university hospital. Hemoglobin cut-off value was 110.0 g/L. Depending on their serum ferritin concentration, women were divided into three groups: group I, iron deficiency, serum ferritin <12 μg/L; group II, borderline iron stores, serum ferritin ≥12 μg/L and <30 μg/L, and group III, normal iron stores, serum ferritin ≥30 μg/L. Results Mean SF value in the entire group was 7.0 ± 6.4 μg/L, with a mean Hb of 110.1 ± 15.8 g/L. One hundred seventy-two women (85.6%) had empty iron stores. Ninety-two women (46%) in the entire group had iron deficiency anemia, as did 79 (46%) of the 172 iron-deficient women. During their pregnancy, 165 women (82%) did not ingest any supplemental iron and 131 (65%) did not receive any prenatal care. Conclusions We documented a high prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia, together with practically no prenatal care utilization and no supplemental iron ingestion in this low-income group. A serum ferritin concentration ≥12 μg/L was always accompanied by a normal hemoglobin concentration. These data suggest that prenatal care and iron supplementation may be considered as major determinants of maternal iron stores to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

A role for chromosomal instability in the development of and selection for radioresistant cell variants.

Chromosome instability is a common occurrence in tumour cells. We examined the hypothesis that the elevated rate of mutation formation in unstable cells can lead to the development of clones of cells that are resistant to the cancer therapy. To test this hypothesis, we compared chromosome instability to radiation sensitivity in 30 independently isolated clones of GM10115 human–hamster hybrid cells. There was a broader distribution of radiosensitivity and a higher mean SF 2 in chromosomally unstable clones. Cytogenetic and DNA double-strand break rejoining assays suggest that sensitivity was a function of DNA repair efficiency. In the unstable population, the more radioresistant clones also had significantly lower plating efficiencies. These observations suggest that chromosome instability in GM10115 cells can lead to the development of cell variants that are more resistant to radiation. In addition, these results suggest that the process of chromosome breakage and recombination that accompanies chromosome instability might provide some selective pressure for more radioresistant variants. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

Nutrition during fetal life alters annual wool production and quality in young Merino sheep

The effect of maintenance v, submaintenance diets of pregnant ewes in 1991 and 1992 on establishment of the wool follicle population in their progeny, and its effect on the progeny's wool production (quantity, quality and variation across the body of the animal) to 1.4 years of age was examined. The experimental protocol used cloned animals created by bisecting embryos at day 6 of pregnancy. Each clone was placed in a ewe, which was subsequently fed from about day 50 to 140 of pregnancy at maintenance or submaintenance. Ewes on maintenance nutrition maintained liveweight throughout pregnancy, while submaintenance ewes were 12.1 kg lighter (P&lt;0.001) 10 days before lambing. In 1991, a total of 74 lambs were born, including 17 sets of surviving clones. In 1992, 102 lambs were born, including 18 sets of surviving clones. Only data for the 35 sets of genetically identical 'twin' progeny and their dams are reported. Birth weights of lambs born to ewes fed at the submaintenance rate were 0.5 kg lighter (P&lt;0.01) than their 'twins' born to ewes fed at maintenance. Midside secondary:primary (Sf: Pf) ratios for mature wool follicles were less (P&lt;0.01) at birth, lamb and hogget shearing (1.4, 1.5 and 2.1 units respectively) for the progeny born to ewes fed at submaintenance. Progeny from ewes on the submaintenance treatment produced less clean wool, 0.1 kg to 0.4 years of age (P&lt;0.01) and 0.14 kg between 0.4 and 1.4 years of age (P = 0.10), than their maintenance counterparts. Hogget wool was 0.1 pm broader (P&lt;0.05), with a 0.5% units lower coefficient of variation of fibre diameter (P&lt;0.01), and a position of break closer to the staple tip (P&lt;0.001) for progeny of submaintenance ewes than their maintenance counterparts. There were no significant differences in yield, staple length, staple strength and percentage of fibres greater than 30 pm in diameter. Differences in mean fibre diameter arose between 1 and 1.4 years of age, coinciding with the period that the animals were grazing high quality pasture. Effects of maternal undernutrition on mean fibre diameter and Sf: Pf follicle ratios of progeny were most pronounced on the hind leg (P&lt;0.01), and not significant on the front leg. However, variations in other wool quality traits across the body of the hoggets, expressed as a percentage of the midside value, were not significantly affected by maternal undernutrition. Clearly when evaluating management strategies for the pregnant ewe, the effect on lifetime production and quality of wool of their progeny needs to be considered. Merino hoggets that produce an extra 0.14 kg clean wool that is 0.1 pm finer will compensate for some extra management and feeding of their dams during pregnancy to prevent weight loss. If these effects continue throughout the life of the animal, then it will increase the cost effectiveness of feeding to maintain maternal weight over pregnancy.

Intrinsic radiation sensitivity may not be the major determinant of the poor clinical outcome of glioblastoma multiforme

Purpose : Many radiobiologic mechanisms may contribute to the clinical radiation resistance of Glioblastoma Multiforme. One of them is considered to be an unusually low intrinsic radiation sensitivity. This is a collaborative study between three laboratories to evaluate the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of 85 cell lines derived from human malignant gliomas as the major cause of the poor clinical results of radiation treatment to these tumors. Methods and Materials : Fifty-one cell lines were early passage. The distribution by histologic type was: 58 glioblastoma, 17 anaplastic astrocytoma, six oligodendroglioma and four astrocytoma grade 2. The intrinsic radiation sensitivity will be expressed by the surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF 2). The SF 2 has been determined for single dose irradiation for cell lines on exponential phase, under aerobic conditions, growing on plastic. The patient age, Karnofski Status, histological grade, survival, dose of irradiation for 50 patients are investigated for correlation with SF 2 of the corresponding newly established cell lines. Results : The mean SF 2 of the 85 cell lines was 0.46 (0.12 – 0.87). The mean SF 2 by histologic type was 0.50, 0.34, 0.54 and 0.38 for glioblastoma, anaplastic astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma grade 2 cell lines, respectively. No correlation was found between SF 2 and the patient age or Karnofski status. The difference in SF 2 between the 58 glioblastoma and 17 anaplastic astrocytoma cell lines was significant p = 0.002. The difference in actuarial survival between glioblastoma and anaplastic astrocytoma patients was borderline of significance ( p = 0.08). The difference in SF 2 of cell lines derived from these two groups of patients was of borderline significance ( p = 0.08). The difference in radiation sensitivity for anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma cell lines was clearly reflected in the difference in survival for the two groups of patients from where the cell lines were derived. However, no correlation was found between SF 2 and survival within each grade. In a multivariate analysis the age, grade and Karnofski status were found to be significant prognostic values for survival with a p values of 0.032, 0.03 and 0.038, respectively, however, the In SF 2 was not significant ( p = 0.40). The mean SF 2 of the 6 oligodendroglioma cell lines (0.54) was comparable to that of glioblastoma multiforme (0.50). The high SF 2 for oligodendroglioma does not accord with the much better clinical outcome of these tumors. Conclusions : These data on 85 malignant glioma cell lines show a very broad distribution of SFZ values for irradiation in vitro. SF 2 reflected the difference in sensitivity between AA (Grade 3) and GBM (Grade 4). This may suggest that the parameter SF 2 is useful to discriminate between the sensitivity of different grades or types of histology in vitro. However, SF 2 was not a predictor of the clinical outcome on individual basis for malignant gliomas. The in vitro studies will need to be supplemented by physiologic characterization of the tumors in vivo. Such conclusions would limit the predictive value of current radiation sensitivity assays based on in vitro dose-survival measurement for at least high grade malignant gliomas.

In vitro intrinsic radiation sensitivity of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most resistant of human tumors to radiation whether used alone or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. This resistance may be caused by one or more of several different factors. These include inherent cellular radiation sensitivity, an efficient repair of radiation damage, an increased number of clonogens per unit of volume, a high hypoxic fraction, high [GSH] concentration, and rapid proliferation between fractions. In the present study, we evaluate the intrinsic radiation sensitivity (surviving fraction at 2 Gy or mean inactivation dose) of malignant human glioma cells in vitro. The in vitro radiation sensitivity of 21 malignant glioma cell lines (early and long term passages) has been measured using colony formation as the end-point of cell viability. The survival curve parameters (SF 2 measured and calculated, α β, D 0,ñ, and MID) have been determined for single dose irradiations of exponential phase cells (18–24 hr after plating) under aerobic conditions and growing on plastic. The mean SF 2 of the 21 cell lines is 0.51 ± 0.14 (with a range of 0.19 to 0.76). This value may be compared to the mean SF 2 of 0.43–0.47 for SCC, 0.43 for melanoma, and 0.52 for glioblastoma as reported from other authors when using colony formation of cells in exponential phase on plastic. Although glioblastoma is almost invariably fatal, our data demonstrate a very wide range of intrinsic radiosensitivities. These broadly overlap the radiation sensitivities of cell lines from tumors that are often treated successfully. We conclude that standard in vitro measurements of cellular radiation sensitivity (SFZ) do not yield values that track in a simple manner with local control probability at the clinical level and that, for at least some of the tumors, other parameters and/or physiological factors are more important.

Immunophenotype predicts radiation resistance in T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia and T-lineage non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

In the preclinical arm of our study, the radiobiologic features of primary malignant cells from newly diagnosed and relapsed T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia/non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients were analyzed using clonogenic assays. A marked heterogeneity existed relative to the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of clonogenic T-lineage ALL/NHL cells from 42 patients. The mean SF 2 (surviving fraction at 200 cGy) and α values (initial slope of the survival curve) were 0.36 ± 0.04, and 0.558 ± 0.079 Gy −1. Fourteen cases had SF 2 values of ≥ 0.50 and α values of ≤ 0.2 Gy −1, consistent with a marked intrinsic radiation resistance at the level of clonogenic leukemia/lymphoma cells. Of these 14 radiation resistant cases, 12 were CD3 +. Furthermore, the SF 2 and D 0 values of the 28 CD3 + cases were significantly higher than the SF 2 and D 0 values of the 14 CD3 − cases (SF 2: 0.441 ± 0.048 versus 0.189 ± 0.045, p = 0.002; D 0: 189.6 ± 26.3 cGy versus 108.7 ± 18.2 cGy, p = 0.047) and CD3 + cases had smaller α values than CD3 − cases (0.454 ± 0.087 versus 0.765 |+- 0.152, = 0.06). Thus, clonogenic cells from CD3 + T-lineage ALL/NHL patients were more resistant to radiation than clonogenic cells from CD3 − T-lineage ALL/NHL patients. In the clinical arm of our study, 33 T-lineage ALL/NHL patients received autologous bone marrow transplants during remission. Pretransplant conditioning consisted of total body irradiation combined with high dose chemotherapy. The expression of CD3 antigen predicted the outcome of relapsed T-lineage ALL/NHL patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation following total body irradiation plus high dose chemotherapy. Overall, the Kaplan-Meier estimate and standard error of the probability of remaining in remission at 3.5 years was 11 ± 9% with a median relapse-free interval of 102 days. The disease-free survival at 3.5 years was 8 ± 7% with a median disease-free survival time of 96 days. Notably, the expression of CD3 antigen on T-lineage ALL/NHL cells correlated with the probability of relapse after bone marrow transplantation. While 16 of 19 CD3 + patients relapsed after bone marrow transplantation, only 3 of 8 CD3 − patients relapsed. The Kaplan-Meier estimates and standard errors of the probability of remaining in remission at 1 year after bone marrow transplantation were 7 ± 6% (median relapse-free interval = 74 days) for CD3 + patients (n = 19) and 63% 17% for CD3 − patients (n = 8) ( p = 0.006). Two of the 5 CD3 − T-lineage ALL/NHL patients, who did not relapse, remain alive and in remission at 2.3 years and 3.6 years post-bone marrow transplantation, respectively. Taken together, our preclinical and clinical results prompt the hypothesis that CD3 surface antigen expression in T-lineage ALL/NHL is associated with in vitro as well as in vivo radiation resistance.

Radiosensitivity testing of primary cervical carcinoma: evaluation of intra- and inter-tumour heterogeneity

Biopsies from 89 patients with cervical carcinoma were studied using a clonogenic assay to obtain values for the surviving fraction at 2 Gy (SF 2). Heterogeneity in intrinsic radiosensitivity was investigated by independently processing multiple biopsies from 18 tumors. No significant differences between intra-tumour SF 2 values were demonstrated ( p = 0.30). The results have shown that intra-tumour heterogeneity is not a limitation to radiosensitivity testing using the Courtenay-Mills assay. A wide range of values (0.13–0.97) for SF 2 was obtained with a mean value of 0.47 ± 0.18 (±1 S.D., CV = 38%) for 52 squamous cell carcinomas and 0.59 ± 0.27 for four adenocarcinomas. There were statistically significant differences between the individual tumours ( p < 0.001). From the analysis-of-variance of all the SF 2 results it appears to be the surviving fractions below about 0.40 and those above about 0.7 which show significant differences in radiosensitivity between pairs of tumours ( p = 0.05). Also 36% of the values of SF 2 show significant differences from the mean SF 2 of all tumours. The storage of tumour cell suspensions in liquid nitrogen improved the colony-forming efficiency (CFE) but it did not alter the radiosensitivity.

STORM RUNOFF CHARACTERISTICS OF GRAZED WATERSHEDS IN EASTERN OREGON1

ABSTRACT: Rainfall and runoff data from 485 storms during the summers of 1979–84 were evaluated to characterize storm runoff volumes (SF) and peak flows (QP) for 13 small watersheds in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon and to determine differences among grazing intensities and vegetation types. Storm hydrographs were separated by using watershed‐specific baseflow rise rates of 0.002–0.013 cfsm/hr. Median SF and QP were 0.0014 in and 0.43 cfsm, respectively, for all storms. Total storm rainfall (PPT) and initial flow (QI) were important stepwise regression variables in accounting for the variation in SF and peak flow above initial flow (QPI); 30‐ and 60‐mm rainfall intensities and rainfall duration were relatively unimportant. Two classes of vegetation were evaluated: (1) western larch‐Douglas‐fir (nine watersheds), and (2) other (four watersheds representing fir‐spruce, lodgepole pine, mountain meadow, and ponderosa pine). Mean SF and QP did not differ (P=0.05) among vegetation classes but significant differences were apparent in the relation of SF to PPT and QI, and QPI to PPT and QI. As PPT and QI increased, SF and QPI from larch‐Douglas‐fir watersheds increased at a slower rate than they did from the other watersheds. Four levels of grazing intensity had no effect on storm runoff.

The development and use of a standard symphysial-fundal height growth curve in the prediction of small for gestational age neonates

The symphysial-fundal height (SF) measurement has been routinely used in obstetrics, although its value in the prediction of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants remains controversial. A retrospective study was performed in order to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the SF distance and establish guidelines for its use. Local neonatal birthweight distribution and SF growth curves were developed. Eighty-six percent of 28 SGA infants demonstrated one measurement under — 1 S.D. of the mean SF growth curve as did 36% of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) neonates. Seventy-five percent of SGA infants subsequently demonstrated a second measurement below — 1 S.D. of the mean curve, 90% prior to 36 weeks. Only 16% of AGA exhibited such a SF growth pattern. A protocol for maximizing the use of this inexpensive and easily obtained parameter is proposed.

IRON DEFICIENCY AMONG INCARCERATED JUVENILE DELINQUENTS

A population of 163 incarcerated delinquents, 126 males and 37 females ages 12-18 years, was studied to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency; and to compare Hgb, MCV, SF, and EP/Hgb as predictors of response to iron therapy. Thirty-two percent of females and 6% of males had SF ≤ 12 ng/ml; 51% of females and 24% of males had SF ≤ 20 ng/ml. The mean SF was 17.7 ng/ml for females and 29.2 ng/ml for males. Of the 163 subjects, 53 were at risk for iron deficiency based on SF, Hgb, EP/Hgb, or MCV criteria. Twenty-one completed treatment with iron and 9 had a greater than 1 gm rise in Hgb. The following tests identified responders: SF ≤ 12 ng/ml -5/9; SF ≤ 20 ng/ml - 9/9; Hgb≤3rd percentile - 4/9; Hgb≤10th percentile - 7/9; MCV ≤10th percentile - 2/9; EP/Hgb≥3.0 ug/gm Hgb - 2/9; EP/Hgb≥2.5 ug/gm Hgb - 4/9. SF ≤ 20 ng/ml had a false positive rate of 57%. Hgb≤10th percentile and EP/Hgb≥ 2.5 ug/gm Hgb had no false positives. Iron deficiency and iron responsive anemia are common problems among incarcerated juvenile delinquents, particularly among women and Native Americans of both sexes. SF ≤20 ng/ml offers the most sensitive screening test for detecting iron responsive anemia, but has poor specificity. Hgb≤ 10th percentile is an alternative screening test which is more available, less expensive, nearly as sensitive, and more specific. EP/Hgb≥2.5 ug/gm Hgb, MCV ≤10th percentile, SF ≤12 ng/ml, and Hgb≤3rd percentile did not prove to be good screening tests because of poor sensitivity.

Variation in the carcass characteristics of commercial british sheep with particular reference to overfatness

Classification records for 136,000 sheep carcasses, a1 in 20 sample of those classified by the Meat and Livestock Commission in 1977, were used to examine the variation in weight, fatness and conformation of commercial British sheep. Overall mean carcass weight was 17·4 kg. Mean subcutaneous fat percentage in carcass (SF e) was estimated from the distribution of carcasses between fat classifications. Overall SF e was 11·3% and the regression of SF e on carcass weight was 0·44 %/kg. There were important differences in the characteristics of carcasses from abattoirs in different regions of the country: carcass weights ranged from 15·5 kg (Wales) to 23·4 kg (north of Scotland). Lambs slaughtered in the north of Scotland were also fattest (mean SF e = 13·9). The classification records were used together with results from MLC dissection studies to estimate excess fat production nationally. On the assumption that the consumer eats five parts lean to one part fat, excess carcass fat production from lambs and hoggets in 1977 was estimated to be 25,000 t.

Lipoproteins in human atherosclerotic vessels: I. Biochemical properties of arterial low density lipoproteins, very low density lipoproteins, and high density lipoproteins

Lipoproteins extracted from the human aortic intima into 1.65 M NaCl were quantitated and characterized biochemically and by electron microscopy following separation in the preparative ultracentrifuge. The arterial lipoproteins, although separated and designated according to the density classes used for the serum lipoproteins, were distinctly different from their serum counterparts. The amount of lipoproteins in the low density range of d 1.063 to 1.006 (arterial LDL) and in the very low density range of d < 1.006 (arterial VLDL) extracted from arterial intima increased with increasing intimal lipid content. In contrast, the concentration of lipoproteins in the high density range of d 1.210 to 1.063 (arterial HDL) was small and did not change with the severity of atherosclerosis. Arterial VLDL, LDL and its subfractions, LDL 1 (d 1.006 to 1.019) and LDL 2 (d 1.019 to 1.063), were markedly heterogenous and contained unusually large particles, which were isolated by Bio-Gel A-150. These particles showed a pitted and cratered appearance by scanning electron microscopy and were immunochemically unreactive and had no electrophoretic mobility. The lipid and amino acid composition of the arterial VLDL and LDL fractions as well as their electrophoretic, chromatographic and analytical flotation behavior was distinctly different from that of their serum lipoprotein counterparts. Arterial VLDL, in sharp contrast to serum VLDL, was rich in cholesteryl ester and poor in triglycerides. Arterial VLDL also showed no electrophoretic mobility and only half of the preparations reacted to LDL antisera. Acid mucopolysaccharides were detected in the arterial VLDL and LDL fractions in association with the large size particles which lacked electrophoretic mobility and immunochemical reactivity and showed only a “saw tooth” pattern in the analytical ultracentrifuge. Arterial LDL and LDL 2 contained a smaller sized population of particles as separated by Bio-Gel A-150. These particles exhibited a reaction of complete identity with serum LDL when reacted against LDL antiserum. However these particles had a greater electrophoretic mobility and different amino acid composition than did serum LDL and LDL 2. An asymmetrical peak with a mean SF of 7.3 was demonstrated by these particles in the analytical ultracentrifuge. The over-all studies suggest that lipid deposition in atherosclerotic plaques is associated with the accumulation of lipoproteins with biochemical and ultrastructural properties unlike those of serum lipoproteins. The presence of these lipoproteins in the arteries may be a result of the interaction of serum and arterial lipoproteins with acid mucopolysaccharides and of lipoprotein synthesis and degradation in the arteries.

Interaction of rat plasma very low density lipoprotein with lipoprotein lipase-rich (postheparin) plasma.

Incubation of 125I-labeled very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) with lipoprotein lipase-rich (postheparin) plasma obtained from intact or supradiaphragmatic rats resulted in the transfer of more than 80% of apoprotein C from VLDL to high density lipoprotein (HDL), whereas apoprotein B was associated with lipoprotein of density less than 1.019 g/ml (intermediate lipoprotein). The transfer of 125I-labeled apoprotein C from VLDL to HDL increased with time and decreased in proportion to the amount of VLDL in the incubation system. A relationship was established between the content of triglycerides and apoprotein C in VLDL, whereas the amount of apoprotein C in VLDL was independent of that of other apoproteins, especially apoprotein B. The injection of heparin to rats preinjected with 125I-labeled VLDL caused apoprotein interconversions similar to those observed in vitro. The intermediate lipoprotein was relatively rich in apoprotein B, apoprotein VS-2, cholesterol, and phospholipids and poor in triglycerides and apoprotein C. The mean diameter of intermediate lipoprotein was 269 A (compared with 427 A, the mean Sf rate was 30.5 (compared with 115), and the mean weight was 7.0 X 10(6) daltons (compared with 23.1 X 10(6)). From these data it was possible to calculate the mass of lipids and apoproteins in single lipoprotein particles. The content of apoprotein B in both particles was virtually identical, 0.7 X 10(6) daltons. The relative amount of all other constituents in intermediate lipoprotein was lower than in VLDL: triglycerides, 22%; free cholesterol, 37%; esterified cholesterol, 68%; phospholipids, 41%; apoprotein C, 7%, and VS-2 apoprotein, 60%. The data indicate that (a) one and only one intermediate lipoprotein is formed from each VLDL particle, and (b) during the formation of the intermediate lipoprotein all lipid and apoprotein components other than apoprotein B leave the density range of VLDL to a varying degree. Whether these same changes occur during the clearance of VLDL in vivo is yet to be established.

Studies on sulfation factor (SF) activity of human serum. Serum SF in hypopituitarism and acromegaly.

ABSTRACT The sulfation factor activity (SF activity) of human serum has been estimated in patients with hypopituitarism and acromegaly using an improved assay method. Although occasional SF values were within the normal range, both groups differed significantly from normal. Two patients with metastatic breast cancer, one with acromegaly and five with juvenile diabetes mellitus had significantly decreased SF activity after hypophysectomy, and in six of these patients the serum SF activity could not be distinguished from zero. The serum SF fell to zero levels in three patients followed before and after hypophysectomy. The decreased serum SF activity in four patients with hypopituitarism was brought to normal by human growth hormone. Four of six pituitary dwarfs had decreased serum SF activity. In the other two dwarfs the SF levels were at least low normal but could not certainly be distinguished from normal. Four patients with selective or total hypopituitarism had normal or decreased serum SF levels. A group of 11 patients with acromegaly, in nine of whom the disease was considered active, had increased mean serum SF activity. Decreased serum SF levels in cases of hypopituitarism were found in patients with a normal production of adrenocorticotrophin, thyrotrophin or pituitary gonadotrophin or substituted with thyroid, adrenal or gonadal hormones.

Serum Lipoproteins in Psoriasis

Often in the past, with respect to psoriasis, observations have been made only to be disputed by equally competent observers. Such an observation was that of Grutz and Berger (1) who found an increase in the total fats in the serum of patients with psoriasis. These patients were obtained from the charity clinics of the Jefferson Davis Hospital and the Veterans Hospital in Houston, Texas, and from our private practice. The patients were not on special diets, nor were TABLE 1 Standard S/ 0-12 and standard Sf 1%-JfiO lipoprotein levels in the general population* and in psoriasis patients General Population (From Gofman) Psoriasis Patients Average age | No. of patients | J** Mean standard AwM_p A__ Sf 12-400 mg. %l AveraSe Age No. of patients Mean standard Sf 0-12 mg. % Mean standard Sf 12-400 mg. % Male 30-39 276 372.1 233.0 40-49 574 367.1 235.9 50-59 316 407.7 233.9 53 9 295.1 184.4 60-69 171 395.8 217.3 Female 30-39 340 301.7 142.5 40-49 374 347.6 181.4 45.5 10 335.6 136.2 50-59 265 369.2 234.3 60-69 59 392.2 274.4 * From Gofman et al. (4).