[Ectopic splenic tissue in connection with the testis]

A case of ectopic splenic tissue in the testicle is reported. This congenital anomaly has only ever been seen in the left scrotal compartment. The ectopic splenic tissue is separated from the testicle by a fibrotic capsule. When accessory splenic tissue is suspected on examination of a testicular biopsy a frozen section should be performed; orchiectomy can then often be avoided.

Different changes of n-6 fatty acids in lipoproteins from hyperlipemic subjects after diets supplemented with n-3 fatty acids

After diets supplemented with canned mackerel or herring, in a cross-over design, containing different amounts of long-chain n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5n-3-EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, C22(6)n-3-DHA) an increase of both EPA and DHA was confirmed in triglycerides (TG), cholesterol esters (CE) and phospholipids (PL) of very low density (VLDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL) as well as in high density lipoproteins (HDL) from hyperlipidemic subjects. An unexpected finding was the simultaneous increase of arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6-AA) in TG and CE and its constant portion in PL of lipoproteins, whereas linoleic acid (C18:2n-6-LA) appeared lower in CE and in PL of VLDL + LDL and HDL. In general, the changes were minor after a diet supplemented with canned herring providing a lower dose of n-3 fatty acids. The results indicate dose-related changes not only of n-3 fatty acids, but also of n-6 fatty acids in serum lipids after fish diets. This different behavior of LA and AA in serum lipids might be a new aspect in the interrelations and the dietary modulation of both families of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). The accumulation of AA in neutral lipids could be linked with an elevation of prostaglandin I2, which was found apart from an increased formation of prostaglandin I3 after diets supplemented with n-3 fatty acids. The concomitant increase of prostaglandins I2 and I3 spotlights widely ignored interrelations within the eicosanoid pathway, which become evident after diets enriched with long-chain n-3 fatty acids.

[Chemotherapy of prostatic carcinoma]

The overall results of chemotherapy of hormone-refractory prostate carcinomas are disappointing. In practical terms, only partial remissions are observed. Complete remissions are very rare. Prospective randomized studies revealed no advantage of primary chemotherapy over standard hormone therapy with regard to survival time of patients with metastasized prostate carcinoma. Furthermore, superiority of a combination therapy over therapy with a single cytostatic agent for prostate carcinoma has so far not been proved. These results indicate that chemotherapy of prostate carcinoma should only be applied within controlled studies, and that new substances or combination preparations should preferably be tested in such studies.

The current use of interferons, interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor in renal cell cancer

Cytokines such as interferons, interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor have been widely tested in the treatment of advanced renal cell cancer. However, the rates of objective remissions (PR and CR) are disappointing and rarely exceed 20% overall. Until now, a definitive cure of a patient with renal cell cancer treated with cytokines has not been reported in the literature. The combination of interferon-alpha and interleukin-2 in low-dose regimens seems to offer the best achievable results with the lowest morbidity of the patients in renal cell cancer. Since optimal treatment regimens are still not defined, treatment with these substances should only be carried out in prospective trials.

[Pharmacokinetic aspects of dosage increase of recombinant interferon alpha-2B in patients following intraperitoneal and intra-arterial application]

Interferon-alpha-2 b (IFN) was administered as an i.a. bolus at doses of 3 and 5 million international units (MIU), as an i.a. 24h long-time infusion at 3 and 5 MIU and as an i.p. 90 min short-time infusion at 5, 10 and 15 MIU. Dose escalation of IFN on i.p. administration leads to correspondingly elevated AUC values of IFN (correlating to the dose) in the peritoneal fluid (PF) and blood, with a shift of the steady-state at about 2h. Bioavailability of IFN is 30 times higher for PF than for blood. t1/2 el, Vd and total clearance are not influenced by dose escalation in both compartments due to their dose-independency. IFN is eliminated from the PF with t1/2 el = 10-32h and from the blood with t1/2 el = 5-13h. After an i.a. bolus at either dosage IFN is distributed from the blood with a half-life of below 2h. 24h infusion leads to a steady-state within 4-6h and a cmax of 8.5 or 12.5 units/ml, respectively. IFN is slowly eliminated during infusion with a t1/2 el of 16h.

Conformational differences between latent and active plasminogen activator inhibitor, PAI-1: a spectroscopic study

The protein conformation of latent and active PAI-1 has been studied with circular dichroism, absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy. The far ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrum of latent PAI-1 displays a more negative band at 220 nm than active PAI-1, crossing the baseline at a lower wavelength. Active PAI-1 shows an absorption maximum at lower wavelength (269 nm) than present in latent PAI-1 (278 nm). In consistency, slow denaturation of active PAI-1 by incubation for two hours at 37 degrees C induces a shift in the absorption maximum from 268 nm to 274 nm. The fluorescence emission maximum of latent PAI-1 is at lower wavelength (335 nm) than that of active PAI-1 (340 nm). These spectroscopic differences are interpreted as reflecting a more tight conformation, with the tryptophan residues in a more apolar environment, in latent PAI-1 compared to active PAI-1.

A possible contribution of decrease in free fatty acids to low serum triglyceride levels after diets supplemented with n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Intraindividual comparisons of diets supplemented with sunflowerseed oil (rich in linoleic acid, LA, C18:2n-6), linseed oil (enriched with alpha-linolenic acid, LNA, C18:3n-3) and canned mackerel (rich in eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, C20:5n-3 and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, C22:6n-3) were made in 30 patients with primary hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP) of phenotypes IIa (n = 9), IIb (n = 7), IV (n = 7) and V (n = 7). The lipid- and blood pressure-lowering effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly those of the EPA- and DHA-rich diet, were confirmed irrespective of the type of HLP. Apolipoproteins A-I and B remained unchanged. The most remarkable finding was a substantial depression of free fatty acids (FFA) within a standardized glucose tolerance test (GTT) associated with the fall of serum triglycerides after diets enriched with n-6 and especially after those supplemented with n-3 PUFA. It was suggested that the decrease of FFA indicates reduced peripheral lipolysis, which might be a hitherto ignored factor involved in the triglyceride-lowering action of n-6 and, more pronounced, of n-3 PUFA.

Effects of dietary oleic, linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids on blood pressure, serum lipids, lipoproteins and the formation of eicosanoid precursors in patients with mild essential hypertension

Forty-four male in-patients with mild essential hypertension were randomly allocated to three groups and put on diets supplemented with 60 ml/day of olive (n = 15), sunflowerseed (n = 15) or linseed oils (n = 14), respectively, for two weeks within a blind study. In the group receiving sunflowerseed oil an increase of linoleic acid in serum lipids could be observed, whereas arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids appeared unchanged in serum triglycerides and even significantly lower in cholesterol esters. The subjects ingesting the linseed oil-rich diet showed an increase of alpha-linolenic acid in serum lipids, whereas arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids remained unchanged in serum triglycerides. In cholesterol esters, however, arachidonic acid was significantly decreased and eicosapentaenoic acid appeared increased only to a low level of significance. In the group put on the olive oil-rich regimen only a significant fall of linoleic acid was obvious in serum triglycerides. The results might indicate a defective desaturation and elongation of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids and, consequently, a slow formation of arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids in patients with mild essential hypertension, which should be considered in dietary studies. After the sunflowerseed oil-rich diet a significant decrease of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and the LDL/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio was found. Systolic blood pressure during a psychophysiological stress test and urinary sodium excretion appeared significantly lower after the linoleic acid-rich diet. After the linseed oil-rich diet, in addition to total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and the LDL/HDL cholesterol ratio, serum triglycerides and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activity were significantly depressed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood pressure and serum lipids from SHR after diets supplemented with evening primrose, sunflowerseed or fish oil

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 4 weeks of age were fed a diet supplemented with sunflowerseed oil (SO), evening primrose oil (EPO), fish oil (FO) or EPO + FO for 22 weeks. A diet with commercially available pellets served as control. Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower during and after FO, EPO and EPO + FO, whereas the lower level after SO was not significant when compared with the controls. Serum triglycerides and total cholesterol were lowest after EPO followed FO. The combination of both EPO and FO resulted in unexpected high values of triglycerides and cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol was likewise highest after EPO + FO. The results indicate a quantitatively different depression of blood pressure and serum lipids from SHR by individual polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).

Extreme decrease of linoleic acid in renal medulla from rats after a diet supplemented with cod liver oil

Spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats were fed a diet supplemented with linseed oil or cod liver oil for 22 weeks. The most remarkable finding was an extreme fall of linoleic acid in lipids from renal medulla after cod liver oil supplementation. In free fatty acids (FFA) eicosatrienoic acid (C2): 3n-9) appeared increased as a sign of essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency.

Diagnostic value of transrectal ultrasound in tumor staging and in the detection of incidental prostatic cancer

To evaluate the accuracy of transrectal ultrasonography in staging and detection of prostatic cancer, a prospective study was initiated. In 466 patients transrectal ultrasonography was performed before transurethral resection, suprapubic adenomectomy, or radical prostatectomy. The findings were compared with the histopathologic results. In 160 of the 466 patients a carcinoma of the prostate was proven by histology. In 21 patients the cancer was an incidental finding after transurethral resection. In 133 of the 160 patients (83.1%) the tumor was detected by ultrasound prior to surgery. The analysis of the results revealed, however, great differences in the accuracy in the different tumor stages. In those patients where the tumor was confined to the prostate, the carcinoma was identified only in 37.5% of the cases. Especially prostatic cancer stage pT1a-b (incidental) was detected only in 3 out of 21 patients. Thus, it can be concluded that transrectal ultrasonography is not more sensitive than the rectal palpation for detection of prostatic cancer stage T1a-b.

[Tumor diagnosis by immunoscintigraphy with anti-CEA antibodies (Tc-99m MAK BW 431/26)]

We evaluated the clinical application of the monoclonal antibody MAb, BW 431/26, which is easy to label with Tc-99m for tumor localization. This is an anti-CEA antibody and a murine immunoglobulin (Ig G1, Isotype). We investigated patients with colorectal carcinoma (n = 14), with colorectal carcinoma recurrences (n = 24), breast carcinoma (n = 2), stomach carcinoma (n = 1), carcinoma of the urinary bladder (n = 3), lung carcinoma (n = 2) and patients with an elevated CEA level. In primary colorectal tumors (n = 14) all carcinomas were correctly localized by IS and ECT technique. In these patients the diagnosis was already known. The planar pictures showed a false negative result in 3 patients. In patients with colorectal recurrences the investigations were performed twice in 2 patients and three times in 1 patient. In these 31 ECT investigations we found 17 true positive results, 12 true negative results, 1 false positive result and 1 false negative result. The lesions were already visualized within 4 to 6 hours, but 24-hour pictures are desirable. SPECT pictures are absolutely necessary because sensitivity is considerably improved thereby. Elevated CEA levels increase the probability of a positive IS low CEA levels do not exclude positive tumor visualization. HAMA was found in only 1 patient, but follow-up investigations are indicated.

Isolation of overproducing recombinant mammalian cell lines by a fast and simple selection procedure

The expression of genes transfected into mammalian cells is critically dependent on both the copy number and the site of integration. This conclusion was derived from the transfection of a plasmid containing three linked genes, which guarantees the same dose of each gene in the recipient cell clones. The selection pressure imposed by the usual concentrations of the neomycin analogue G418 or puromycin alone is low and yields cell clones with widely differing transcription rates. Time-consuming screening procedures, which are generally applied to obtain high-yield cell lines, can be obviated by the simultaneous transfer of two drug-resistance genes (neo plus dhfr, or neo plus pac). By a combined selection procedure only cells with high-level expression for the first marker will survive upon exposure to increasing concentrations of the second antibiotic. Generally, these cells also exhibit high expression levels for the non-selected gene. Many of the selected clones exhibit increased copy numbers of the respective gene but some of them owe their high productivity to a favorable position of only one or a few copies of the gene. Screening for high-yield clones using the combined selection protocol introduced here provides rapid and simple access to authentic and mutant gene products.

Efficient expression system for human antithrombin III in baby hamster kidney cells

A DNA fragment carrying the enhancer of an immediate early gene of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) was tested as a transcriptional control element by fusion downstream of a transcription unit for human antithrombin III (AT III) driven by the Simian virus (SV40) enhancer and promoter. Measurement of transient AT III expression in baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) shows that by the presence of the hCMV enhancer the synthesis of AT III is increased considerably (three to fourfold). The AT III expression vectors carrying the hCMV enhancer were used to establish stable BHK cell-lines by a new and fast G418/methotrexate selection protocol, which express up to 12 micrograms AT III/10(6) cells/24h after 40-50 days. The given system might be generally useful for the fast expression of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells, e.g. the screening of altered AT III molecules obtained by site directed mutagenesis.

Isolation and localization of N4-methylasparagine in phycobiliproteins from the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus

The occurrence of post-translationally methylated asparagine residues in beta AP from Anabaena variabilis, Synechococcus PCC 6301 and Porphyridium cruentum has recently been reported (Klotz, A.V., Leary, J.A. & Glazer, A.N. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 15891-15894). We reinvestigated the amino-acid compositions of all phycobiliproteins from Mastigocladus laminosus. During total hydrolysis of beta AP, beta 16.2 and beta PC one mol methylamine per mol protein was released. These proteins were chemically and enzymatically fragmented and the sequences of the fragments containing the modified asparagine residue were determined by automated Edman degradation. Residues beta AP72, beta 16.2 72 and beta PC 72 were identified as N4-methylasparagine. This derivative of asparagine was also found at a homologous position in beta PE of Calothrix. In the x-ray structure model of C-phycocyanin (PC) the residue beta PC 72 points towards the chromophore beta 84, presumably having an effect on the spectroscopic characteristics of this light harvesting pigment protein complex.

Crosslinking of phycobiliproteins from the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus with bis-imidates: localization of an intrasubunit and an intersubunit crosslink in C-phycocyanin

The light-harvesting pigment-protein complexes allophycocyanin (AP), C-phycocyanin (PC) and phycoerythrocyanin (PEC) of the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus consist of alpha- and beta-subunits containing about 170 amino-acid residues each. These two subunits form an alpha,beta-monomer, three of which build up a disc-shaped trimer. In this study these phycobiliproteins were crosslinked with bis-imidates. Various spacer lengths of the reagent and various aggregation states of the phycobiliprotein were tested. An intersubunit crosslink could be verified in all three phycobiliproteins. PC-trimers were crosslinked with the homobifunctional reagent dimethyl pimelimidate having a maximal crosslinking distance of 10 A. Two crosslinks could be identified: an intramonomer intersubunit crosslink with a yield of 48% and an intrasubunit crosslink within alpha PC (57%). These products were chemically and enzymatically fragmented and the small crosslinked peptides were isolated and then identified by amino-acid analysis. The following amino acids were crosslinked: alpha-Val 1 with beta-Ala 1 and alpha-Lys 62 with alpha-Lys 134. Both crosslinks could be localized within the known three-dimensional structure of PC.

Changes of N-6 and N-3 fatty acids in liver from spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats after diets supplemented with alpha-linolenic or eicosapentaenoic acids

In spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and normotensive rats (WKY), diets supplemented with n-3 fatty acids of different chain length (alpha-linolenic acid, LNA-C 18:3, n-3 with linseed oil and eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA-C 20:5, n-3 with cod liver oil) were fed over a period of 22 weeks. A diet with commercially available pellets served as control. After the LNA-rich diet the augmentation of LNA was most pronounced in liver triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA), whereas the increase of EPA was most marked in phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) when compared with the controls. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was decreased mainly in neutral lipids. Of the n-6 fatty acids linoleic acid (LA) appeared significantly depressed in TG and FFA, but increased in phospholipids. Arachidonic acid (AA), however, was lower in all lipids. In SHR and WKY fed the EPA-rich diet EPA and DHA were significantly higher as compared to the controls on a pellet diet. On the contrary, LNA was not detectable in all lipid classes. LA and AA were markedly depressed. Docosenoic acids were significantly increased. The p/s-ratio did not reflect the changes in the 20:5/20:4- and n-3/n-6-ratios. The data indicate a differential effect of dietary n-3 fatty acids of different chain length on the supply of other n-3 fatty acids. Moreover, after an LNA-rich diet divergent alterations of LA in neutral lipids and phospholipids occurred. The results are dissimilar to those obtained in adipose tissue. Blood pressure was not influenced by the diets in either SHR or WKY.

The phycobiliprotein beta 16.2 of the allophycocyanin core from the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus. Characterization and complete amino-acid sequence

The minor phycobiliprotein beta 16.2 was isolated from the APC-core of phycobilisomes from the cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus. Its complete amino-acid sequence and some spectral characteristics are presented. beta 16.2 consists of 169 amino acids and its molecular mass is 19,390 Da. A phycocyanobilin chromophore is covalently bound to a cysteine at position 84 as in all other phycobiliproteins. The first 138 amino acids are highly homologous to the N-terminal part of beta AP (62.5%), whereas the C-terminal part has no homology. The absorption maximum is situated at 624 nm, the fluorescence emission maximum at 644 nm in phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. Both values are slightly redshifted compared with alpha AP and beta AP.

Synthesis, tissue distribution and cytostatic properties of two new daunorubicin derivatives of 2-thiouracil containing a guanidine bridge

In further attempts to utilize the affinity of 2-thiouracil for melanin-producing tissues in the design of drugs active against malignant melanomas, guanidine-bridged adducts of the anthraquinone drug daunorubicin (1a) with 2-thiouracil were prepared (Scheme 3). The expected adduct (4), and a by-product in its preparation (5) (Scheme 3), were inactive against murine melanoma, in vivo, and did not show affinity for melanin-producing tissues. They were efficient DNA intercalating agents, but were much less cytostatic than daunorubicin against Cloudman melanoma, and were inactive, in vitro, against human cervical carcinoma MS 751. The coupling chemistry employed may have application in current attempts to effect binding of drugs to high molecular weight targeting antigens.

Slow desaturation and elongation of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids as a rationale of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich diet to lower blood pressure and serum lipids in normal, hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects

In normal, hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects, diets supplemented with linoleic acid (LA) or alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) resulted in an increase of the corresponding fatty acids in serum lipids. However, their C20-derivatives, the prostaglandin precursors arachidonic acid (AA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), respectively, were not or only slightly augmented. On the other hand, an EPA-rich diet produced a marked increase of this fatty acid, especially in cholesterol esters. After this diet the decreases of blood pressure and serum lipids were more pronounced when compared with LA- and LNA-rich diets containing a 20-fold higher dose of the polyunsaturated fatty acids. The slow formation of AA and EPA from LA and LNA seems to be a characteristic finding in humans, being different from preferred laboratory animals, for instance, rats. This observation was independent of the presence of risk factors, like arterial hypertension or hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP).

Serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol from SHR after evening primrose oil and other polyunsaturated fats

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were fed diets enriched with evening primrose (EPO), sunflower (SO) and linseed oils (LO) as well as palm kernel fat (PKF), the latter being deficient in polyunsarated fatty acids (PUFA). In SHR fed EPO serum triglycerides were lowest and HDL1 cholesterol was highest as compared to the other groups of animals. Total cholesterol was not different. The data suggest that - as with blood pressure - serum lipids and lipoproteins might be influenced most effectively by EPO in comparison to other polyunsaturated fats.

[Changes in blood pressure and serum lipids with fish diets in patients with mild essential hypertension]

14 male patients with moderate essential hypertension were treated in the cross-comparison with a mackerel and herring diet, respectively, for two weeks. The mackerel diet contained double as much eicosapentaenic (EPA) and docosahexaenic acid (DHA) as the herring diet which served as control. In the serum triglycerides particularly DHS, in the cholesterol esters above all EPA were enriched. In the phospholipids the increase of the two fatty acids was approximately the same. At the end of the mackerel period the serum triglycerides, the total and LDL-cholesterol, the activity of the lecithin-cholesterol-acyl-transferase (CALT) and the serum sodium were significantly decreased. On the other hand, the HDL-cholesterol and the uric acid in the serum significantly increased. Under influence of the herring diet the parameters mentioned appeared only slightly changed. After the mackerel diet also a significantly lower systolic blood pressure was found. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure during a standardized psychophysiological stress test was more diminished at the end of the mackerel period than after the herring diet. The plasma renin activity (PRA) was increased after the mackerel diet. Its increase under the stress test could no more be proved at the end of the mackerel diet. In similar way the stress-conditioned increase of thromboxane B2 could no more be observe both after mackerel and after herring diet. When the results should confirm themselves in long-term studies, a mackerel diet in practicable dosage can be recommended as non-medicamentous treatment of moderate hypertension.

Blood pressure- and lipid-lowering effect of mackerel and herring diet in patients with mild essential hypertension

Fourteen male patients with mild essential hypertension were put on a mackerel and herring diet within a prescribed isocaloric regimen in a cross-over design for 2 weeks. After mackerel diet eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-C20:5, n-3) appeared more in cholesterol esters (1.7-11.0%), whereas docosahexaenoic acid (DHA-C22:6, n-3) was predominantly incorporated into serum triglycerides (1.0-8.3%). After herring diet, which contained half as much EPA and DHA, their increase was of minor degree. After mackerel diet serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activity were significantly decreased (by 28%, 9%, 14% and 14%, respectively), returning to the initial levels 3 months later. On the contrary, HDL cholesterol appeared significantly increased (by 12%). After herring diet the differences were not significant. Serum sodium was significantly lower (by 2%) at the end of the mackerel diet as compared to the initial values. On the other hand, uric acid in serum appeared transiently increased (by 24%) at the end of both dietary periods. A significant decrease (by 8%) in casual systolic blood pressure, measured in recumbent position, could be observed only at the end of the mackerel period. Moreover, the level of systolic and diastolic blood pressure before and during a standardized psychophysiological stress test was significantly lower after mackerel diet. Nevertheless, the increments after stress were similar. Plasma renin activity was increased (by 64%) after mackerel diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Influence on serum lipids, lipoproteins and blood pressure of mackerel and herring diet in patients with type IV and V hyperlipoproteinemia

Eight patients with type IV and V hyperlipoproteinemia were put on a mackerel and herring diet of an isocaloric regimen for 2 weeks, in a cross-over design. At the end of the dietary periods a predominant increase of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA - C20:5, n-3) in cholesterol esters and of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA - C22:6, n-3) in serum triglycerides, being more pronounced after mackerel as compared to herring diet, could be confirmed. After mackerel diet serum triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly lower, returning to basal levels 3 months later. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol appeared slightly increased after mackerel diet and decreased to initial values thereafter. After herring diet, which contained half as much EPA as compared to mackerel diet, the differences were minor. The decline of free fatty acids (FFA) and insulin at the end of the mackerel period reached the level of significance 60 min and 120 min, respectively, after glucose load. A significantly lower systolic blood pressure in recumbent and upright position after the mackerel period could be found, whereas diastolic pressure and blood pressure after herring diet remained unchanged.

[Transurethral punch resection of the prostate (cold punch). Results and complications]

In 1965 the cold punch technique of transurethral prostatic resection was introduced in Germany. The principal differences between the electroresectoscope and the punch resectoscope are explained. This report on the results and complications of cold punch resection of the prostate is based on 3030 patients who were operated upon by this technique. The average age was 71,6 years. 8,2% of the patients were 80 years or older. In 33,6% the operative risk was increased. Intraoperative, early and late complications of the procedure are reported. The mortality of 1,4% over the entire 20 year period was decreased to 0,65% for the last 10 years.

Functional properties of natural killer cells in carcinoma of the prostate

Functional properties of natural killer cells were analyzed in a 51chromium-release assay by modulating their activity with human beta-interferon using 1) peripheral mononuclear cells of 16 patients with carcinoma of the prostate and 7 healthy male donors, and 2) mononuclear cells from the periprostatic lymph nodes of 6 patients with stage pT2N0M0 prostatic cancer and 5 without malignancy. Cell lines EB 33, PC 3, DU 145 and CaKi 1 were used as target cells. Spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity of peripheral mononuclear cells was depressed in patients with advanced prostatic cancer; however, the natural killer cells responded as those of the healthy controls to beta-interferon. The beta-interferon effect was time and dose dependent. In mononuclear periprostatic lymph node cells virtually no spontaneous cell-mediated cytotoxicity was detected. The reactivity of mononuclear periprostatic lymph node cells from patients with prostatic cancer was significantly less improved by beta-interferon stimulation than the mononuclear periprostatic lymph node cells of healthy subjects. The stimulation of mononuclear periprostatic lymph node cells by beta-interferon was reduced significantly compared to simultaneously tested autologous peripheral mononuclear cells.

CHOP-firstline treatment in NHL with unfavorable prognosis--evaluation of therapeutic response and factors influencing prognosis

58 NHL-patients (9 large cell centrocytic, 18 centroblastic, 16 immunoblastic, 15 lymphoblastic lymphomas) were treated immediately after diagnosis with CHOP-chemotherapy regardless of the extent of disease. Because of the advanced age of the majority of patients (median age 61 years, range 22-85 years) a reduced dose in the first two cycles was administered. Statistically significant prognostic variables influencing survival were the following: histologic subtypes according to the Kiel-classification (p less than 0,05), B-symptoms (p less than 0,001), blood sedimentation rate (p less than 0,02) and LDH (p less than 0,0005). With regard to prognosis there was no difference between patients over 60 years of age and younger ones (p less than 0,4). Patients achieving complete remission survived significantly longer (p less than 0,0001). Ann Arbor stages were of limited value, since patients with CS II disease and accumulation of risk factors (B-symptoms, abdominal disease, bulky tumor masses) showed a poorer outcome than patients with CS III who did not have these risk factors. A risk factor score summarizing features influencing prognosis is described and might be a useful tool in stratifying the heterogeneous group of NHL with unfavorable prognosis.

Blood pressure lowering effect of eicosapentaenoic acid-rich diet in normotensive, hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects

A mackerel diet or a herring diet in which two cans of fish fillet were consumed daily over 2 weeks within a prescribed regimen, in a crossover design, were given to 15 normotensive volunteers, 14 patients with mild essential hypertension and eight patients with type IV and V hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP). In normotensives a markedly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the end of the period on the mackerel diet could be observed, whereas in hypertensive and hyperlipemic subjects only systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased. After the herring diet, which served as control, changes in blood pressure were of a minor degree.

The carbohydrates of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) A59: structures of the O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides of glycoprotein E1

Two size classes of O-glycosidically linked oligosaccharides were liberated from glycoprotein E1 of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) A59 by reductive beta-elimination and separated by h.p.l.c. The structures of the reduced oligosaccharides were determined by successive exoglycosidase digestions and by methylation analyses involving combined capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and mass fragmentography after chemical ionization with ammonia. Oligosaccharide A (Neu5Ac alpha 2----3 Gal beta 1----3 GalNAc) comprised 35% of the total carbohydrate side chains, while the remaining 65% of the oligosaccharides of E1 had the branched structure B: Neu5Ac alpha 2----3 Gal beta 1----3 (Neu5Ac alpha 2----6) GalNAc. Both oligosaccharides were linked to the E1 polypeptide via N-acetylgalactosamine, and 20% of the sialic acids present in E1 glycopeptides were found to consist of N-acetyl-9-mono-O-acetylneuraminic acid. The reported structures of the O-linked glycans are discussed in the context of the amino acid sequence of E1, which exhibits a cluster of four hydroxyamino acids (Ser-Ser-Thr-Thr) as potential O-glycosylation sites at the amino terminus. Oligosaccharides with identical structures and an identical O-glycosylated tetrapeptide sequence are present in the blood group M-active glycophorin A of the human erythrocyte membrane.

Changes of arachidonic acid in phosphatidylcholine different from other lipids in kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats after feeding a linoleic acid-rich diet

In spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) fed a linoleic acid-rich (LAR) diet over 22 weeks blood pressure could not be influenced when compared with SHR on linoleic acid-deficient (LAD) food. On the other hand, normotensive Wistar rats (WR) revealed a significantly lower blood pressure after feeding a LAR diet. The percentages of LA and AA were markedly increased in triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFA) in renal cortex and medulla of LAR-fed SHR and WR in comparison to LAD-fed animals. In renal phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) LA was also increased whereas AA remained unchanged. On the contrary, in phosphatidylcholine (PC) LA was only slightly augmented (in SHR) or even lowered (in WR), AA appearing decreased in SHR but increased in WR. These different changes in PE and PC indicate that individual phospholipids show a dissimilar behavior after dietary interventions, which can be masked by the evaluation of total phospholipids and might be of pathophysiological relevance.

Age-dependent alterations of linoleic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids in renal cortex and medulla of spontaneously hypertensive rats

The lipid content as well as the fatty acid pattern of triglycerides, free fatty acids (FFA), phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) were estimated in renal cortex and medulla of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar rats (WR) at 4, 8, 26 and 52 weeks of age. In general, the level of triglycerides in renal medulla appeared higher when compared with the cortex. On the other hand, PC and PE, increasing with age, were usually higher in the cortex. A decreased percentage of linoleic acid (LA) in triglycerides, of arachidonic acid (AA) in PC and of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in triglycerides, FFA, PC and PE could be found in the kidneys of SHR at 8 weeks of age, i.e. during the development of hypertension. This was accompanied with a rise of AA in FFA of SHR at 8 weeks of age, which occurred with delay in WR (at 26 weeks of age). From the data presented it can be concluded that systematic alterations in the availability of individual polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in various renal lipids might be related to the onset of hypertension in SHR which should be elucidated in more detail.

Human embryonal cell carcinoma in nude mice

A lymph node metastasis specimen from a human testicular embryonal carcinoma with elements of a choriocarcinoma was successfully xenotransplanted into nude mice and maintained until the tenth animal passage. Electron microscopy of the tumors in nude mice revealed details consistent with their epithelial origin. The xenotransplants retained the ability to synthesize human choriogonadotropic hormone during all animal passages, as evidenced by radioimmunoassay and immunoperoxidase staining techniques. The beta-human choriogonadotrophic hormone serum level correlated significantly with the tumor volume (p less than 0.05). The average amount of beta-human choriogonadotropic hormone measured in the serum of 94 animals was 587.8 ng/ml, ranging from 5 to 4000 ng/ml. The chromosomal analysis of tumors in nude mice revealed a human chromosomal pattern with modal numbers between 55 and 60 chromosomes, and a consistent trisomy of chromosome 1.

Acridine-psoralen amines and their interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid

A series of novel compounds in which a 9-acridinyl nucleus is linked to a psoralen nucleus in the 5- or 8-position via polyamines was prepared and examined. Their reversible binding to DNA and their irreversible binding to DNA and DNA cross-linking upon irradiation with UV-A light were examined. It was found that they were all less efficiently photoreactive than 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), both in cross-linking and photobinding to DNA, whereas the ratio between their photobinding and cross-linking was 40-400 times that of 8-MOP. Compounds in which the linker was attached to the 5-position in psoralen showed smaller cross-linking and photobinding efficiencies and larger ratios between photobinding and cross-linking than those of psoralens attached in the 8-position. This strongly indicates that the 9-substituents of the acridines are oriented toward the minor groove. Flow linear dichroism studies showed that the compounds were DNA intercalating with the acridine moiety, whereas the psoralen moiety in no case was clearly intercalating. This conclusion was further supported by viscometry which also strongly indicated monointercalation.

Lipid and blood pressure-lowering effect of mackerel diet in man

Fifteen healthy volunteers were put on a mackerel and herring diet, consisting of a prescribed daily isocaloric regimen in a cross-over design, for 2 weeks. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA - C20:5, n-3) was predominantly incorporated into cholesterol esters, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, n-3) appeared more in serum triglycerides, indicating that the function of the latter may be different from that of EPA. After mackerel ingestion, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activity were significantly decreased, returning to basal levels 3 months later. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and postheparin lipolytic activity (PHLA) remained unchanged at the end of the mackerel diet. Generally, after the herring diet the differences were minor, only LCAT activity being significantly decreased. A markedly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at the end of the mackerel period could be observed. After herring diet a slight diminution of blood pressure was not significant. Accordingly, plasma noradrenaline was only significantly decreased at the end of the mackerel period. Dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH) activity in serum had no differences before, during and after the study. From the data presented it can be said that a mackerel diet exerts a beneficial influence on cardiovascular risk.

Interaction between glucose and dehydroascorbate transport in human neutrophils and fibroblasts

Dehydroascorbate (DHA) competitively inhibits the uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose and of 3-O-methyl-D-glucose by human blood neutrophils; 2-deoxyglucose and 3-O-methylglucose competitively inhibit dehydroascorbate uptake. Ratios of Km to Kl are near unity for each of these ligands. Exposure of cultured human fibroblasts to insulin enhances cytochalasin B-inhibitable uptake of DHA and of 2-deoxyglucose, both to the same degree. These observations suggest that DHA transport is mediated by glucose transport systems in human neutrophils and fibroblasts.

Structural heterogeneity and subcellular distribution of nicotinic synapse-associated proteins

Peripheral membrane proteins (Mr = 43,000) are associated with Torpedo membranes highly enriched in nicotinic receptor. These 43,000-dalton proteins are not required for ion translocation or other known receptor functions, but they have been implicated in constraint of the nicotinic receptor within the plane of the membrane bilayer. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis allows partial resolution of the 43,000-dalton band into a doublet. We have carried out further analysis using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, which reveals the existence of at least seven Coomassie blue-staining spots in the isoelectric focusing dimension. Peptide maps of the individual spots serve to elucidate the observed electrophoretic complexity. Three different membrane-bound proteins, designated v1, v2, and v3, were identified on the basis of their characteristic peptide maps which show no apparent homology in amino acid sequence. Two of these proteins, v1 and v2, are resolved into multiple spots in the isoelectric focusing dimension, but each group of isoelectric focusing variants has nearly identical peptide fingerprints. Of relevance to the putative role of these proteins in synaptic or receptor supramolecular structures is the observation that only v1 is exclusively membrane bound, and co-purifies with receptor whereas both v2 and v3 are also prominent proteins of the cytoplasm and are depleted from membrane fractions most enriched in receptor. These proteins may interact in the formation or maintenance of synaptic and nicotinic receptor supramolecular structures.

Characterization of effector cells responsible for cell-mediated cytotoxicity in patients with carcinoma of the prostate

In earlier experiments it has been shown that cellular cytotoxicity of patients with prostatic carcinoma (CaP) as measured by cytolysis of EB 33 target cells correlates with the extent of their tumor lesion: a high grade of cytotoxicity was observed only when CaP was confined to gland. In order to define a possible in vivo immunological host-tumor interaction, further characterization of the type of effector cell responsible for in vitro killing has been attempted. Effector cells could be either tumor-specific sensitized T cells, K cells, macrophages or NK cells. Antibody-dependent K-cell activity could most likely be excluded, since autologous and homologous serum did not affect the extent of EB 33 killing when added to the test medium. Further separation of effector cells by nylon wool columns resulted in increased cytolysis of EB 33 target cells. This can be due either to tumor-specific T-cell-mediated mechanisms or to an increased natural killer cell activity, as macrophages and B cells were significantly removed by this measure. Separation of T and NK cells is necessary to ascertain the effector cell responsible for the in vitro killing of tumor cells derived from human CaP.

Detection of HBsAg and HBsAb in sweat

HBsAg was detected in the sweat of 9/18 seropositive, but 0/20 seronegative probands. Frequency of detection correlated to serum titer of HBsAg, blood contamination and efficiency of sweat concentrating. On base of quantitative evaluations it is assumed, that blood and/or plasma contaminations are responsible for the presence of HBsAg in sweat. Since HBsAg and hepatitis virus B are of similar diameter, this mechanisms should work on the infectious agent too. Thus HBsAg could prove a marker, to calculate the infectivity of sweat in comparison to the corresponding serum specimen (10(-6) to 10(-7). HBsAb was detected in sweat too and was confined to HBsAb-seropositive probands (4/5). It is discussed, that the presence of HBsAb in sweat could provide protection against reinfections by contact and thus contribute to homologous immunity in hepatitis B.