Early changes in the distribution and organization of microfilament proteins during cell transformation

During the onset of transformation, Rous sarcoma virus-infected cells undergo characteristic morphological changes that reflect the biochemical events induced by the viral src gene. Temperature downshift experiments using chick embryo cells infected with transformation-defective temperature-sensitive viral mutants have shown two major morphological changes occurring at different times in the transformation process: ruffle-like flowers appear on the dorsal cell surface as early as 15 min after temperature shift, while later, between 6 and 12 hr, cytoskeletal stress fibers disappear and the cells round up. We report that flowers contain large accumulations of the cytoskeletal proteins actin, alpha-actinin, myosin and tropomyosin. Furthermore, since flowers stain very intensely with fluorescein-labeled phalloidin, a cyclopeptide that selectively binds to F-actin and not to G-actin, we suggest that these structures result from an early reorganization of microfilaments.

An improved antigenic marker of human lung carcinomas and its use in radioimmunoassays

An antigenic activity in pleural effusions of patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the lung has been prepared in highly purified form by a 5-step fractionation scheme. The purified substance, designated LuCA (lung cancer antigen), was assessed during the course of the fractionation procedure by a radioimmunometric assay carried out with specific soluble reagents. Sensitive saturation-binding assays showed no or only weak uptake of the 125I-labelled antigen preparation by a panel of antisera specific for known bronchogenic tumour markers, and for normal human serum proteins. The preparation appeared to contain lung-tumour-associated antigens, one of them probably distinct for squamous-cell carcinomas. The antigen fraction consists of acid-soluble glycoproteins, and was demonstrated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis as a single band in the mol. wt region of 43,000. The gel-filtration elution volume appeared to indicate the occurrence of the antigenic activity in multiples of this smaller unit. Pilot radioimmunoassays performed with LuCA and an absorbed specific antiserum suggest the possible suitability of the marker preparation for screening lung-cancer patients.

[Influence of domperidone and metoclopramide on serum gastrin levels and gastric acid secretion (author's transl)]

The influence of Domperidone and Metoclopramide on the Serum Gastrin Level and Gastric Acid Secretion was investigated in a crossed, randomized double blind study in 12 male subjects aged 29 years on the average and presenting a healthy stomach. Neither after Domperidone nor after Metoclopramide could a significant change in Gastrin Level and Acid Secretion be observed. Since both Domperidone and Metoclopramide exert a motility promoting but not secretagogue effect on the upper gastrointestinal tract, both drugs are suitable for the treatment of disordered motility and evacuation related to ulcer disease, as well as for the treatment of postoperative gastroatonia.

[Longterm results of operative treatment of benign strictures of the extrahepatic biliary tracts (author's transl)]

With reference to choice of procedure and longterm results, 52 cases of benign stricture of the extrahepatic biliary tracts are presented. In 86.2% of the cases followed up, the aim of immediate biliary drainage and the formation of a permanent outflow into the intestine are achieved. But freedom from relapse and complaints was attained in only 62.1%. The danger of new obstructions, cholangitis and subsequent liver damage is not removed so that a definite cure cannot be spoken of. Since in most cases strictures in chronic gallstone diseases and iatrogenic stenoses after the first operation on the biliary tract or stomach are involved, an early operation for confirmed gallstone diseases and accurate operative technique achieve considerable prophylactic character.

[Experimental and clinical studies on the effect of combined treatment with cimetidine and somatostatin (author's transl)]

Spontaneous hemostasis in the upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage is inhibited by the influence of gastric acid on blood coagulation and platelet aggregation in the mucosal lesions. In a clinical trial with the H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine and the peptide hormone somatostatin, applied continuously, rebleeding occurred in 25%. That may be caused by an insufficient reduction of acid secretion. Therefore in 4 dogs with gastric fistula we studied the inhibition of maximal stimulated gastric acid secretion (histamine, pentagastrin, insulin hypoglycemia) after simultaneous application of the two drugs. We found an additive effect by combining cimetidine and somatostatin. That was observed not only in the degree of reduction of acid secretion but also in prolongation of the inhibiting effect. In 4 patients with acute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage and continuous bleeding after single cimetidine treatment we used the combined therapy (cimetidine and somatostatin) with good success. The patients could be operated after cessation of bleeding under good conditions.

[Speech and voice disorders seen in the ORL clinic (author's transl)]

Recommendations are made to otolaryngologists in the management of functional voice disorders, cluttering, stuttering, rhinolalia and disorders of speech development.

[Acid reduction after SPV and after H2 receptor blocking substance cimetidine. Comparative studies in Shay-rats)]

The effect of a complete selective proximal vagotomy on stomach acidity has been compared experimentally to that of the H2 receptor blocking agent cimetidine in the rat. Both methods produced a significant reduction of total acid as compared to controls, a reduction to 0.5 % for cimetidine and to 0.1 % for SPV. The acid reduction following SPV is a result of decreased production of stomach fluid as well as a decrease in degree of acidity. The acid reduction following administration of cimetidine is mainly a result of an increase in pH without any change in volume of stomach fluid production.

[Selective proximal vagotomy and pyloroplasty--long range experiments in the rat (author's transl)]

Following the evaluation of the result of SPV in rats by determination of reduction of acid production the effect of the same operation on gastric motility was compared to that obtained with both SPV and a simultaneous pyloroplasty in a one year study. As demonstrated radiologically, with SPV alone gastric stasis resulted in a greatly enlarged stomach with a high percentage of peptic ulcers. Animals who had SPV together with pyloroplasty showed good emptying of the stomach with few ulcers. In this group the incidence of ulceration was reduced from 45% to 5,5%.

Tissue-specific expression of onco-fetal antigens during embryogenesis

It has become evident from recent literature that especially in tumor virus systems, cell transformation leads to an arrest of differentiation or to a retrodifferentiation. This may be reflected by the expression of embryonic antigens and it is therefore particularly important to characterize such antigens according to their specificity as well as to their specificity during embryogenesis. We have demonstrated the expression of embryonic antigens which are cross-reactive in avian fibroblasts transformed either by Rous sarcoma virus or by methylcholanthrene. This paper is intended to demonstrate that these embryonic antigens are detected only at a certain period of embryogenesis and particularly in muscle cells. They are detected only occasionally or not at all in cells of other tissues such as brain, liver, lung, and the digestive organs. These antigens are absent from the target cells before transformation and are consequently induced by the transforming agent, either viral or chemical. Therefore, these results suggest that by transformation mechanism, cells become specifically reverted to an earlier stage of differentiation (retrodifferentiation).

Pemphigus vulgaris and lymphoma in a patient with scleroderma

The coexistence of scleroderma and malignancy is well documented. The case presented here is unique, however, as it is the first report of the occurrence of diffuse histiocytic lymphoma and pemphigus vulgaris in a patient with scleroderma. Because of this unusual triad of diseases, the possibility of a common pathogenetic basis was examined. A review of the literature confirms that each disorder does have immunologic abnormalities. It is suggested that an aberrant immune response, specifically impaired T-cell function, is responsible for the emergence of disease of this patient.