Inhibition of large intestinal cancers by celecoxib using a serial sacrifice technique

In this serial sacrifice experiment, celecoxib (C) was administered at a 0.1% dose level, in the diet of female Swiss Webster CFW outbred mice. The animals also received either 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (1,2-DMH) as ten weekly subcutaneous (s.c.) injections at 20 microg/g body weight or physiological saline (PS) as ten weekly s.c. injections at 0.01 ml/g body weight. Subsequently, the mice were sacrificed at 26 weeks or 35 weeks after the first injection of 1,2-DMH or PS. The number of mice with large intestinal tumors and the total number of these tumors were: Group 1 (1,2-DMH), 29 and 438; Group 2 (C + 1,2-DMH), 18 and 64; and Group 3 (PS), 1 and 1, in the mice sacrificed at 26 weeks. The corresponding tumor incidences in the mice sacrificed at 35 weeks were: Group 1 (1,2-DMH), 30 and 323; Group 2 (C + 1,2-DMH), 23 and 134; and Group 3 (PS), 0 and 0. Histopathologically, the tumors were diagnosed as polypoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the cecum, colon and rectum. Celecoxib treatment inhibited the development of large intestinal cancers in mice sacrificed at 26 or 35 weeks after the first injection of the carcinogen.

Effects of VPS extract of Coriolus versicolor on cancer of the large intestine using a serial sacrifice technique

VPS, a hot water extract of the Coriolus versicolor mushroom, was given at a 2% dose level in the diet of female Swiss Webster CFW outbred mice in a serial sacrifice experiment. The mice were also administered either 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (1,2-DMH) as ten weekly subcutaneous (s.c) injections of 20 microg/g body weight or physiological saline (PS) as ten weekly (s.c) injections of 0.01 ml/g body weight. The animals were sacrificed at 26 weeks or 35 weeks after the first injection of 1,2-DMH or PS. The number of mice with large intestinal tumors and the total number of these tumors were: Group I (1,2-DMH), 29 and 438; Group 2 (VPS + 1,2-DMH), 29 and 344; Group 3 (VPS + PS), 0 and 0; and Group 4 (PS), I and 1, in the mice sacrificed at 26 weeks. The corresponding tumor incidences in mice sacrificed at 35 weeks were: Group 1 (1,2-DMH), 30 and 323; Group 2 (VPS + 1,2-DMH), 29 and 521; Group 3 (VPS + PS), 1 and 2; and Group 4 (PS), 0 and 0. Histopathologically, the tumors were diagnosed as polypoid adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the cecum, colon and rectum. Contrary to expectations, the VPS treatment enhanced the development of large intestinal tumors induced by 1,2-DMH in animals sacrificed at 35 weeks after the first injection of the carcinogen.

Climate change, flow regulation and land-use effects on the hydrology of the Peace-Athabasca-Slave System; findings from the Northern Rivers Ecosystem Initiative

The Northern Rivers Ecosystem Initiative (NREI) was established in the late 1990s to address important science questions resulting from previous studies undertaken by the Northern Rivers Basin Study (NRBS). This manuscript summarizes the results from a number of reports on hydrologic research conducted on the Peace-Athabasca-Slave river and lake systems. Specific concerns expressed by the NRBS and subsequent NREI focused on how these systems were being affected by climate change, flow regulation and land-use changes. Issues addressed in this report include: the fate of aquatic perched basins within the Peace-Athabasca Delta under historical and future climate trends; the sources of major floods that replenish these basins and how the frequency, magnitude and source areas of such events have changed over time; the synoptic weather patterns and atmospheric teleconnections that are responsible for the generation of major snowmelt runoff that drive major floods; the potential effect that climate and land-use changes might have on basin runoff and delta lake levels; the specific hydro-climatic conditions required to produce major ice-jam floods on the Peace River and how these may be altered by climate change; remote-sensing methods to document delta flooding and vegetation change; and the dual effect of climate and flow regulation on the water levels of Great Slave Lake and how these may affect other nearshore processes, particularly wind seiches, that influence flooding of the Slave River Delta. A review of the major findings and recommendations for future research concludes the report.

Lack of prevention of large intestinal cancer by VPS, an extract of Coriolus versicolor mushroom

Cancer prevention studies were conducted with VPS, a hot water extract of the Coriolus versicolor (CV) mushroom, in female Swiss mice. The extract was administered in the diet for life to the animals. Three groups of mice received the following treatments: a). 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (1,2-DMH) was administered as 10 weekly subcutaneous injections of 20 microg/g body weight, starting at 9 weeks of age; b). VPS was given at a 2% dose level starting at 7 weeks of age followed by 1,2-DMH, as described in group a; c). 1,2-DMH was administered as described in group a followed by VPS at a 2% dose level starting at 21 weeks of age. The number of animals with large intestinal tumors and the total number of these tumors were: a). 30,321; b). 29,359; and c). 28,415. These differences are not statistically significant. Because extracts of the CV mushroom are used by cancer patients as nutritional supplements in the U.S., and particularly in the Orient, the present negative result should caution its users.

Prevention of tumors of the large intestine by celecoxib in mice

Celecoxib (C), a COX-2 enzyme inhibitor, was administered at a 0.1% dose level in the diet of female Swiss Webster CFW outbred mice for life. The mice also received 1,2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (1,2-DMH) as 10 weekly subcutaneous injections at 20 microg/g body weight. The number of animals with large intestinal cancer and the total number of these cancers were 30 and 321 in the 1,2-DMH-treated group, while the corresponding figures in the C and 1,2-DMH-treated group were 29 and 156. This difference is statistically highly significant. The literature contains a limited number of publications concerning the cancer chemopreventive activity of C, particularly in mice. The present work, thus, provides additional proof in this field of interest.

Radiobiological results from the Bacillus subtilis Biostack experiments within the Apollo and the ASTP space flights

In order to check the results of earlier Biostack experiments, new experimental techniques were developed for the Biostack III experiment in the Apollo-Soyuz test project (ASTP). These techniques resulted in an increased accuracy of localization down to 0.2 micrometers for the determination of the impact parameter, accompanied by an increase in the sample size available for biological investigation. In addition, colony forming ability, metabolic mutations, and mutations affecting UV- and x-ray sensitivity were rendered observable by these methods. The biological and physical results obtained so far from the evaluation of the Bacillus subtilis experiment within Biostack III confirm and extend the findings of the previous Biostack experiments. They also add to the questions about the mechanisms of action of the radiation field under investigation, since the observed effects cannot be interpreted in terms of standard concepts.

Species susceptibilities to chemical carcinogens: a critical appraisal of the roles of sex hormones (endocrine status) and nutritional influences

The objective of the present evaluation was to assess the possible roles of the sex hormones (endocrine status), nutritional influences and other factors in regard to species susceptibilities to chemical carcinogens. By reviewing the experimental and epidemiological data, it was concluded that there are compelling indications, particularly in the fields of physiology and metabolism, to conclude the limited usefulness of the various animal species in sex hormone research. The findings allow only restricted inferences for the human species. On the other hand, as far as nutritional influences on cancer development are concerned, similar mechanisms operate with regard to high or low calorie, fat, protein and carbohydrate intakes in animals and humans. Consequently, the findings obtained in laboratory animals can be transmitted with some modifications to the human species. This assessment is the continuation of an earlier work, which appraised the roles of genetic and viral agents, concerning species susceptibilities to chemical carcinogens.

Oxygen saturation in healthy newborn infants immediately after birth measured by pulse oximetry

Pre- and postductal arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) rates were measured in 50 healthy vaginally delivered newborn infants to establish reference values of SpO2 rates immediately after birth. We compared the SpO2 values in the pre- and postductal areas and assessed the influence of oxitocin and analgetics applied during delivery. Fifty neonates were examined by the 2nd minute (min) of life using Nellcor N-3000 pulse oximeters on the right hand and foot. Measurements were carried out until a SpO2 of 95% was achieved. Heart rates were registered simultaneously. Two min after birth the mean preductal SpO2 was 73% (44-95%) and 67% (34-93%) in the postductal region. SpO2 rates of > 95% were reached after 12 min (2-55 min) preductally and after 14 min (3-55 min) postductally. Our results demonstrate that it takes 12-14 min for healthy neonates to reach an oxygen saturation of 95% prerespectively postductal, in some cases even 55 min. All neonates were in good clinical condition and didn't require any supplemental oxygen. Additionally, we were able to show that epidural anaesthesia (PDA) during delivery increases the heart rate of the newborn infant.

Species susceptibilities to chemical carcinogenes: a critical appraisal of the roles of genetic and viral agents

The carcinogenesis literature concerning the susceptibilities of the various animal species and humans to chemical carcinogens is reviewed. The fundamental issue is whether the different laboratory animal species used in the past and at the present are the appropriate systems to detect the carcinogenic properties of chemicals. It was concluded that the main problem is the presence of high to moderate incidences of spontaneously-appearing cancers in laboratory animals. These tumor incidences are, to a significant extent, either caused by genetic factors and/or viruses which render the systems excessively-susceptible to the carcinogenic action of a large proportion of chemicals. The same types of genetic factors and/or viruses do not exist in the human species. Consequently, the data obtained in the various animal species are exaggerated to an unrealistic proportion due to the inherent flawed designs, therefore, it has little bearing in the human species. It is further concluded that a new animal breeding program should be initiated with the specific aim of developing several tumor-free or near tumor-free species and strains of laboratory animals. Until then, a healthy state of mind is required to separate the reality from the fiction.

Systems of evidence-based healthcare and personalised health information: some international and national trends

In Europe, North America and elsewhere, growing interest has focussed on evidence-based healthcare systems, incorporating the deployment of practice guidelines, as a field of application for health telematics. The clinical benefit and technical feasibility of common European approaches to this task has recently been demonstrated. In Europe it is likely that, building on recent progress in electronic health record architecture (EHRA) standards, a sufficient state of maturity can be reached to justify initiation within CEN TC251 of a prestandards process on guideline content formats during the current 5th Framework of EC RT&D activity. There is now a similar impetus to agree standards for this field in North America. Thanks to fruitful EC-USA contacts during the 4th Framework programme, there is now a chance, given well-planned coordination, to establish a global consensus optimally suited to serve the world-wide delivery and application of evidence-based medicine. This review notes three factors which may accelerate progress to convergence: (1) revolutionary changes in the knowledge basis of professional/patient/public healthcare partnerships, involving the key role of the Web as a health knowledge resource for citizens, and a rapidly growing market for personalised health information and advice; (2) the emergence at national levels of digital warehouses of clinical guidelines and EBM knowledge resources, agencies which are capable of brokering common mark-up and interchange media definitions between knowledge providers, industry and healthcare organizations; (3) the closing gap in knowledge management technology, with the advent of XML and RDF, between approaches and services based respectively on text mark-up and knowledge-base paradigms. A current project in the UK National Health Service (the National electronic Library of Health) is cited as an example of a national initiative designed to harness these trends.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and neonatal outcome--a six years experience

BACKGROUND

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is important for proper perinatal and neonatal management, as CHD occurs in approximately eight of 1000 live births. Antenatal detection of cardiac malformations is crucial as altered obstetric and neonatal management may be required and the neonate will benefit from delivery at a tertiary care center.

METHODS

A retrospective comparison between pre- and postnatal diagnoses was accomplished. All fetal echocardiographic scans performed and CHD's detected postnatally between January 1994 and December 1999 by the department of obstetrics and gynecology and pediatric cardiology - Grosshadern, Munich University Hospital were reviewed.

RESULTS

The incidence of CHD was 1.5% (116/ 7913). CHD was suspected by prenatal ultrasound in 57 fetuses. Postnatally, 116 congenital cardiac anomalies were diagnosed. Overall, the intrauterine detection rate was 38% (44/116). 72% (84) of the diagnosed anomalies were Septal Defects, 16% (19) disorders of the Atrioventricular Valves and 11% (13) Anomalies of the Great Vessels. In 10% (11) of fetuses chromosomal abnormalities were found. 8% (9) newborns suffered from congenital syndromes. In 55% (64) children were delivered preterm (<37 weeks of gestation). 5% (6) of the neonates required surgery within their first year of life. 28% (33) of children with CHD did not survive the first year of life.

CONCLUSION

As the prenatal diagnosis is important for pre-, peri- and postnatal management, diagnostic accuracy is essential. Nevertheless, the accuracy of postnatal pediatric echo still exceeds that of the prenatal scan.

A review of the natural occurrence, synthetic production and use of carcinogenic hydrazines and related chemicals

This writing details the natural occurrence, synthetic production and use of the carcinogenic hydrazines and related chemicals. Twenty-three such chemicals were found in nature in mushrooms, tobacco, bay leaves, antibiotics, soil and other sources. The synthetically-produced hydrazines and related chemicals include 61 compounds which were or are in use as pharmaceutical drugs, agricultural substances, industrial chemicals and fuels for military and space vehicles and rockets. Because there is an overlap between the naturally-occurring and synthetically-produced compounds, their total number is 76. Altogether, 98 hydrazines and related chemicals were studied for carcinogenic action thus far, of which 84 were found to be carcinogenic and the remaining 14 were inactive. This means that the human population is exposed in various degrees to a substantial number of these agents. Therefore, the hydrazine class, unlike the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitroso compounds, and aromatic amines, poses a greater environmental risk to the human population. In view of these considerations, it appears reasonable to proceed with additional experimentation in this field of interest.

Immunophenotyping of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in routinely processed bone marrow biopsy specimens

AIMS

To assess the value of immunophenotyping of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in routinely processed bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens and to establish a minimum panel of antibodies to assess lymphoid lineage and enable differentiation from acute myeloid leukaemia.

METHODS

45 routinely processed bone marrow biopsy specimens (formalin fixed, paraffin embedded and mildly decalcified in EDTA) reported to contain leukaemic infiltrates on the basis of cytomorphological and enzyme-cytochemical analysis of bone marrow smears (22 c-ALL, 11 T-ALL, 2 B-ALL, 10 u-ALL (unclassified)) were immunostained by the ABC method with a broad panel of 26 antibodies against various haemopoietic antigens.

RESULTS

Staining with antibodies directed against myeloperoxidase and lysozyme showed that seven cases were either biphenotypic or mixed leukaemias (2), or of myelogenous origin (acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)-M1 (2); AML-M4 (2); AML-M5a (1)). Five of these seven cases had been diagnosed initially as u-ALL. Three further cases with no compact leukaemic infiltrates were excluded. ALL was confirmed in the remaining 35 cases. Because of revised diagnoses, the total numbers of ALL subtypes changed (23 c-ALL, 8 T-ALL, 2 B-ALL, 2 u-ALL). Immunostaining of more than 10% of blast cells in at least one case was found with 19 of the 26 antibodies. The most sensitive lineage specific antibodies for diagnosis were found to be anti-CD10 for c-ALL (22/23) and beta F1 for T-ALL (6/8). Expression of aberrant antigens was fairly common--for example, 7/23 cases of c-ALL stained with antibodies against T cell associated antigens.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunohistochemical investigation of routinely processed bone marrow biopsy specimens enables reliable detection of ALL subtypes c-ALL and T-ALL. A minimum panel of antibodies, against TdT, CD34, myeloperoxidase, lysozyme, CD10, CD79a, and CD20, and the antibody beta F1, is proposed for the immunophenotyping of acute leukaemia.

Increased blood vessel density in decidua parietalis is associated with spontaneous human first trimester abortion

Spontaneous pregnancy loss affects 15-18% of couples, and a number of potential causes are being discussed. The purpose of the present study was to assess if angiogenic disorders in the decidua of early human pregnancy could be related to spontaneous abortions. First trimester human decidua from elective terminations of normally progressing pregnancies and from missed abortions were investigated immunohistochemically. We quantified vessel density in decidua from normal pregnancies and from abortions by von Willebrand factor (vWF), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1) and CD34 staining. Decidual blood vessel expression of alphavbeta3 integrin was also investigated. Significant increase (P < 0.02) in vessel density was observed in decidua parietalis of abortions, compared to decidua basalis. This increase was detected on slides stained for vWF and CD34, but not for PECAM-1. We observed a 15% increase analysing with vWF and a 77% increase with CD34 staining. alphavbeta3 integrin expression was not significantly different, neither in decidua parietalis from abortion, nor parietalis from normal pregnancies. Our data suggest that the increased vascularization in decidua parietalis from abortions could reflect complex disorders, such as specific cytokine expressions and hypoxia phenomena during the development of the decidua.

C8-Arylguanine and C8-aryladenine formation in calf thymus DNA from arenediazonium ions

Arylhydrazides, arylhydrazines, and N-alkyl-N-arylnitrosamines are metabolized to arenediazonium ions which yield C8-arylpurine adducts in calf thymus and cellular DNA. The mechanism of adduct formation has not been fully elucidated. C8-Arylguanine adducts likely form from direct aryl radical (Ar*) addition to the C8 position of guanine. However, the amounts of C8-aryladenine adducts measured here are inconsistent with direct radical attack at the C8 position of adenine. An intermediate product, an aryltriazene, is likely formed which then decomposes to the C8-aryladenine adduct. We have demonstrated that N1-aryl-N3-purinyltriazene adducts are formed from a variety of para-substituted arenediazonium ions with adenine. Decomposition of the N1-aryl-N3-purinyltriazene, at high pH and elevated temperatures, has been shown to give C8-aryladenine derivatives, and a free radical mechanism for this process has been proposed. Here we show that this process can occur under physiological conditions and that the C8-aryladenine adduct can be quantitated by HPLC. ESR studies, in which DMPO was used as a spin trap, have been used to demonstrate the intermediacy of aryl radicals during the decomposition of the N1-aryl-N3-purinyltriazenes and to demonstrate that this process also occurs in calf thymus (ct) DNA treated with arenediazonium ions. These results suggest the involvement of an aryl radical in the formation of the observed DNA adducts. Finally, we have found that the treatment of ct DNA with arenediazonium ions produces a significant amount of depurination. Both the formation of C8-arylguanine and C8-aryladenine adducts and the generation of apurinic sites may contribute to the genotoxicity of arylhydrazides, arylhydrazines, N-alkyl-N-arylnitrosamines, and arenediazonium ions.

Cancer induction studies using different administrations of benzenediazonium sulfate in mice

Benzenediazonium sulfate (BD) was administered as 10 weekly subcutaneous injections at 25 micrograms/g b.w. and as 52 weekly oral gavages at 100 micrograms/g b.w. to Swiss mice, starting at 6 weeks of age. The subcutaneous administration induced tumors in the subcutis with an incidence of 8% in females. The oral treatment gave rise to lung tumors with incidences of 52% in females and 62% in males. In the untreated control female mice, no subcutaneous tissue tumor was observed, but the incidences of lung tumors were 28% in females and 38% in males. Histopathologically, the neoplasms were classified as fibrosarcomas of the subcutis and adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the lungs. In an earlier experiment, BD induced high incidences of subcutaneous tissue tumors in the same species when it was administered as 26 weekly subcutaneous injections at 10 micrograms/g. This indicates the length of treatment is paramount to the dose of carcinogen. The oral route, even though it was carcinogenic in the lungs, failed to elicit the development of cancer in the glandular stomach.

Carcinogenesis by benzenediazonium sulfate in mice

Benzenediazonium sulfate (BD) was given to Swiss mice by 26 subcutaneous injections of 10 micrograms/g body weight at weekly intervals. The treatment gave rise to tumors of the subcutis. The tumor incidences in the treated groups were 42% in females and 26% in males. The corresponding tumor incidences in the untreated controls were 0% in females and 2% in males. Histopathologically, the neoplasms were classified as fibrosarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, and osteosarcomas of the subcutaneous tissue. BD is formed during the cytochrome P-450 catalyzed metabolism of the carcinogenic 1-(phenylazo)-2-hydroxynaphthalene (Sudan I, Solvent Yellow 14), which was used as a coloring agent for food and other materials in several countries. Further, BD is a metabolic breakdown product of different classes of nitrogen-nitrogen bond- containing chemicals. BD is the fourth benzenediazonium salt found to be carcinogenic in this laboratory.