Differences in carcinogenicity after transplacental and postnatal administration of drugs and pesticides

Comparative studies of the carcinogenic activity of procarbazine, methylphenylnitrosourea and ethylenethiourea after transplacental and postnatal administration showed that there were marked differences in frequency and spectrum of tumors induced. Possible causes of these differences are briefly discussed. It is suggested that transplacental experiments can provide special advantages in testing drugs and environmental chemicals for potential carcinogenicity and should be included in test programs.

Rosettes from Friend leukemia virus envelope: preparation and physicochemical and partial biological characterization

Rosette-shaped particles mainly containing gp85 were isolated from Friend leukemia virus. The isolation procedure comprised lysis of the virion by Triton X-100, affinity chromatography on concanavalin A-Sepharose, and velocity sedimentation. The rosettes displayed a mean sedimentation constant of 32S and a buoyant density of 1.21 g/ml. They contained 1% Triton X-100 and about 2% phospholipid. gp85 was identified by polyacrylamide electrophoresis, staining with periodic acid-Schiff reagent, and immunoprecipitation with antisera against Friend leukemia virus gp71 and p15(E). Rosettes completely blocked the cytotoxicity of the gp71 antiserum. The ability to hemagglutinate was inhibited by antibodies to gp71.

[The position of scintigraphy in traumatology]

A report on the findings of skeletal scintigraphy in 80 cases of traumatic bone lesions is discussed. After a short survey on the physiological process in the activity ensilage, the assertion of the scintigraphy is compared to the X-ray. The indication which has been approved in practice is discussed and described. In correct indication scintigraphy is a valuable diagnostic measure and it may influence the procedure.

[Erythrocyte concentrates as substitutes of whole blood; changes in transfusion methods in a regional hospital (author's transl)]

In Switzerland the amount of blood donations is determined by the demands for plasma; as a result there is a surplus of erythrocyte concentrates for which more uses should be found. Trials in a regional general hospital proved that these concentrates can be advantageously employed in the field of surgery and anasthesia: due to close cooperation between the clinical department and the blood donor sevice the demand for erythrocyte concentrates rose from 5 per cent to 80 per cent within 5 years.

[Scintigraphy in the diagnosis of osteitis]

The report on the experience with skeletal scintigraphy in case of osteitis discusses the clinical use of this method. It is shown that with correct indication scintigraphy can furnish early diagnosis and in many cases additional valuable information.

[Hemodilution--methodological problems]

To achieve normovolemic hemodilution two methods have established themselves: the acute preoperative hemodilution and the therapy with different blood constituents. The ever increasing consumption of blood and blood products shows the absolute necessity of using all the available constituents, especially the erythrocytes. A proved and standardized transfusion program is shown, which --allows blood substitution with specific hemodilution without additional expenses of time and organization or technical difficulties, --shows means of substituting 80% of the blood consumption with packed red cells (Erythrozytenkonzentrate), --helps save blood and blood products, --unites the plasma production with that of the erythrocytes.

Cell envelope and shape of Escherichia coli: multiple mutants missing the outer membrane lipoprotein and other major outer membrane proteins

Starting with an Escherichia coli strain missing the outer membrane lipoprotein, multiple mutants were constructed than in addition to this defect miss the outer membrane proteins II, Ia and Ib, or Ia, Ib, and II. In contrast to all single mutants or strains missing the lipoprotein and polypeptides Ia and Ib, drastic influences on the integrity of the outer membrane and cell morphology were observed in mutants without lipoprotein and protein II. Such strains exhibited spherical morphology. They required increased concentrations of electrolytes for optimal growth, and Mg2+ or Ca2+ were the most efficient. These mutants were sensitive to hydrophobic antibiotics and detergents. Electron microscopy revealed abundant blebbing of the outer membrane, and it could clearly be seen that the murein layer was no longer associated with the outer membrane.

Cryptorchidism and testicular neoplasia

A retrospective review of 20 cases of testicular neoplasia in cryptorchid patients is presented. These cases serve to emphasize the need for more effective diagnosis and management of the undescended testis. The various clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, prognostic indicators, and types of management are reviewed. Due to its inaccessibility and array of clinical presentations, the intraabdominal testies tumor continues to be a diagnostic challenge. Strict attention to diagnostic cues and adherence to the management practices presented here would hopefully result in an overall decrease in testis tumors in the post-pubertal male.

Methylnitrosophenylurea--a highly carcinogenic compound

In vitro, 1-methyl-1-nitroso-3-phenylurea (MNPU) was easily formed from 1-methyl-3-phenylurea (MPU) and sodium nitrite in an acid environment. In rats MNPU showed a strong carcinogenic effect, inducing tumors of the forestomach. MNPU was formed endogenously after combined administration of MPU and nitrite to rats, as indicated by the induction of forestomach tumors. MPU itself was not carcinogenic. In the metabolism of the herbicide 1,1-dimethyl-3-phenylurea (fenuron) MPU resulted as a demethylation product. The possible significance for preventive oncology and the role of MNPU as an environmental carcinogen are briefly discussed.

Open study with bromperidol (C-C 2489), a new neuroleptic, for the determination of the neuroleptic threshold and the neuroleptic-therapeutic range

In an open study involving 30 schizophrenic patients the neuroleptic threshold dose (measured via Haase's graphopathological test), the maximum dose, and the maintenance dose were determined. The neuroleptic threshold dose was 5.6 mg/day (0.08 mg/kg body weight); the maximum dose was 11 mg/day (0.16 mg/kg body weight); and the maintenance dose was 6 mg/day (0.09 mg/kg body weight). With reference to the effectiveness, good to very good results were obtained in 19 cases. Regarding side effects 15 patients complained of extrapyramidal disturbances, this was to be expected in view of the study design aiming at the determination of the maximum dose level. When administered in one single dose in the evening, bromperidol influenced the night sleep positively, so that sleep-inducing drugs could be reduced, and, in some cases, even dispensed with.

Properties of mouse leukemia viruses. XV. Electron microscopic studies on the organization of Friend leukemia virus and other mammalian C-type viruses

Further investigations on the structure of Friend murine leukemia virus (FLV) revealed that the transition from the “immature” (now termed “native”) to the structurally less organized “mature” (now termed “collapsed”) form occurs mainly as a result of the preparation for the electron microscope. A short pretreatment of virus with the detergent NP40 prior to negative staining with uranyl acetate is able to preserve the “native” structure of a high percentage of virus particles from standard preparations. Treatment with conventional fixatives was found to be in ­ effective.

Using this preparation technique, a more detailed electron microscopic analysis of the viral internal organization became possible. A thin layer designated “inner coat” was newly detected in close apposition to the viral membrane between the viral envelope and core. Removal of the unit membrane by more intensive detergent treatment suggests the existence of material extending be­ tween the viral surface knobs and the viral interior. The icosahedral core shell has an opening at one side and this opening matches with the hole in the apparently beehive-like arranged ribo-nucleoprotein (RNP) strand which represents the innermost structure.

A comparative study of a series of representative mammalian C-type viruses with the same technique indicated a close similarity to Friend virus in fine structure, although differences in stability were observed.

Based on these and earlier findings a model of the structure of mammalian C-type viruses is presented.

Neuroleptic potency of bromperidol

The following statements can be made on the basis of our study. 1. The butyrophenone bromperidol is an absolutely effective drug of the series of very high-potency neuroleptics, with a mean neuroleptic threshold dose of 5.6 mg/day. The mean optimum dose is 6 mg/day, and the mean maximum dose reaches 11 mg/day, i.e. twice the neuroleptic threshold dose. 2. The substance is generally well tolerated; when it was administered to one third of all cases in one single dose in the evening, it not only had the same beneficial neuroleptic-antipsychotic effect as on administration t.i.d., but also positively influenced sleep, so that sleep-inducing drugs could be reduced and, in some cases, even dispensed with. This relatively long-lasting effect confirms the finding made in animal experiments.

[The precision of scintigraphic evaluation of liver metastases]

In a prospective study 491 liver scintigrams are examined. In 139 cases the precision can be tested by a comparison with the records of operations and/or sections. The evaluation amounts to a 21.6% quota of mistakes. The point is discussed whether in oncological surgery liver scintigraphy should not be abandoned in favour of an invasive procedure such as laparoscopy or laparotomy.