Fibroblast growth factors induce hepatic tumorigenesis post radiofrequency ablation

Image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is used to treat focal tumors in the liver and other organs. Despite potential advantages over surgery, hepatic RFA can promote local and distant tumor growth by activating pro-tumorigenic growth factor and cytokines. Thus, strategies to identify and suppress pro-oncogenic effects of RFA are urgently required to further improve the therapeutic effect. Here, the proliferative effect of plasma of Hepatocellular carcinoma or colorectal carcinoma patients 90 min post-RFA was tested on HCC cell lines, demonstrating significant cellular proliferation compared to baseline plasma. Multiplex ELISA screening demonstrated increased plasma pro-tumorigenic growth factors and cytokines including the FGF protein family which uniquely and selectively activated HepG2. Primary mouse and immortalized human hepatocytes were then subjected to moderate hyperthermia in-vitro, mimicking thermal stress induced during ablation in the peri-ablational normal tissue. Resultant culture medium induced proliferation of multiple cancer cell lines. Subsequent non-biased protein array revealed that these hepatocytes subjected to moderate hyperthermia also excrete a similar wide spectrum of growth factors. Recombinant FGF-2 activated multiple cell lines. FGFR inhibitor significantly reduced liver tumor load post-RFA in MDR2-KO inflammation-induced HCC mouse model. Thus, Liver RFA can induce tumorigenesis via the FGF signaling pathway, and its inhibition suppresses HCC development.

[3D-Navigated Implantation of Pedicle Screws in the Cervical Spine - Experience and Analysis of Complications]

Background: Placing transpedicular screws in the cervical spine is a special challenge for spine surgeons, due to the anatomical features of this part of the spine. During the last 15 years, computer-aided navigation systems have been developed to facilitate this procedure and to make it safer for patients. One option is navigation by intraoperatively acquired data sets with the use of an 3D C-arm. Patients/Material and methods: Our retrospective study evaluates transpedicular screws in the cervical spine placed by 3D C-arm navigation, within a 6 year period in a level 1 trauma centre. We recorded epidemiological data, operation time and especially general adverse events, as well as revision surgery, including reasons for revision. We used a C-arm Arcardis Orbic 3D (Siemens, Munich), connected to a navigation system (VectorVision, Brainlab, Munich). Results: Between July 2007 and July 2013, 207 transpedicular screws were placed in 58 patients. The main indications were trauma (69 %), rheumatic diseases (20.7 %) and tumour (8.6 %). The most commonly instrumented cervical spine segments were C2 (53.5 %)%), C7 (10.3 %) and C5 (8.6 %). In nearly 95 % of the cases, we performed an intraoperative 3D scan after screw or k-wire placement to control the screw position. We found unacceptable malposition in 7.2 % of patients. This was corrected at once. Ten patients had to be revised: seven times due to wound problems, twice because of implant failure and once for treatment of CSF leakage. Three screws (1.5 %) led to injuries of the vertebral artery, once with a lethal outcome. Analysis of these cases showed that the 3D scan gave reduced data quality, due to reduced bone density or anatomical factors. Conclusion: Intraoperative 3D C-arm navigation seems to be a reliable option for transpedicular screw placement in the cervical spine. Complication rates were comparable to published values. 7.2 % of all screws were corrected intraoperatively after a control scan. Therefore possible revisions could be avoided during primary surgery. Analysis of problematic cases led to a change in our treatment strategy: in patients with poor bone quality and/or anatomical problems which lead to 3D scans of poor quality, we avoid transpedicular screw placement in C6 or higher, in order to prevent injuries of the vertebral artery.

Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt from Laterite Tailings by Reductive Dissolution under Aerobic Conditions Using Acidithiobacillus Species

Biomining of sulfidic ores has been applied for almost five decades. However, the bioprocessing of oxide ores such as laterites lags commercially behind. Recently, the Ferredox process was proposed to treat limonitic laterite ores by means of anaerobic reductive dissolution (AnRD), which was found to be more effective than aerobic bioleaching by fungi and other bacteria. We show here that the ferric iron reduction mediated by Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans can be applied to an aerobic reductive dissolution (AeRD) of nickel laterite tailings. AeRD using a consortium of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans extracted similar amounts of nickel (53-57%) and cobalt (55-60%) in only 7 days as AnRD using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The economic and environmental advantages of AeRD for processing of laterite tailings comprise no requirement for an anoxic atmosphere, 1.8-fold less acid consumption than for AnRD, as well as nickel and cobalt recovered in a ferrous-based pregnant leach solution (PLS), facilitating the subsequent metal recovery. In addition, an aerobic acid regeneration stage is proposed. Therefore, AeRD process development can be considered as environmentally friendly for treating laterites with low operational costs and as an attractive alternative to AnRD.

Inhibition of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) by a novel non-nucleosidic compound in a transgenic mouse model

BAY 41-4109 is a member of a class of heteroaryl-pyrimidines that was recently identified as potent inhibitors of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. We have investigated the antiviral activity of BAY 41-4109 (methyl (R)-4-(2-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-2-(3,5-difluoro-2-pyridinyl)-6-methyl-1,4-dihydro-pyrimidine-5-carboxylate) in HBV-transgenic mice (Tg [HBV1.3 fsX(-)3'5']). Bay 41-4109 was administered per os using different schedules (b.i.d. or t.i.d. for up to 28 days) and dosages ranging from 3 to 30 mg/kg. The compound reduced viral DNA in the liver and in the plasma dose-dependently with efficacy comparable to 3TC. In contrast to 3TC-treated mice, we found a reduction of cytoplasmic hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBcAg) in liver sections of BAY 41-4109-treated mice, which indicated a different mode of action. Pharmacokinetic studies in mice have shown rapid absorption, a bioavailability of 30% and dose-proportional plasma concentrations. We conclude that BAY 41-4109 is a new anti-HBV drug candidate.

Novel non-nucleoside inhibitors of cytomegaloviruses (BAY 38-4766): in vitro and in vivo antiviral activity and mechanism of action

For two decades it has been impossible to develop drugs with novel mechanisms of action against herpesviruses, and treatment has been confined largely to the use of inhibitors of viral DNA polymerase. As a representative of a novel inhibitory approach, the non-nucleosidic BAY 38-4766 was identified as a highly selective inhibitor of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). The compound selectively inhibits not only HCMV strains, including ganciclovir-resistant, ganciclovir/foscarnet and ganciclovir/cidofovir double-resistant clinical isolates, but also a number of monkey and rodent cytomegaloviruses. In a murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) pathogenicity model in mice, antiviral efficacy and excellent tolerability were demonstrated. BAY 38-4766-resistant HCMV and MCMV strains are not cross-resistant to the nucleoside analogues ganciclovir and cidofovir or the pyrophosphate analogue foscarnet, indicating a different mode of action. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that the high selectivity of this drug class is most likely due to the inhibition of a late stage of the viral replication cycle. Sequence analyses of resistant HCMV and MCMV strains revealed mutations in UL89 and UL104, proteins known to be involved in viral DNA cleavage and packaging. Consequently, the drug is highly specific for the viral as opposed to cellular functions, since UL89 is related to a bacteriophage terminase and no human equivalent exists. In addition, because some of the genes of the viral DNA cleavage and packaging complex are highly conserved among herpesviruses, development of broad-spectrum agents covering additional human herpesviruses might be possible using this approach.

Inhibition of murine cytomegalovirus and human cytomegalovirus by a novel non-nucleosidic compound in vivo

Novel non-nucleosidic compounds have recently been identified as potent inhibitors of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) in vitro. We have now investigated the antiviral activity of these compounds in MCMV-infected NOD/LtSz-scid/j mice that lack functional T, B and, in contrast to C.B-17/Icr scid/scid mice, natural killer cells, and represent a novel model for cytomegalovirus infection in immunocompromised hosts. BAY 38-4766 (3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-N-[4(([5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthyl]sulfonyl)amino)- phenyl]propanamide) was identified as the most potent representative of this class of antiviral compounds. Per os administration of BAY 38-4766 at dosages > or = 10 mg/kg body weight led to antiviral effects that were comparable to ganciclovir 9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)-guanine (Cymevene) as measured by survival and levels of viral DNA in organs of infected mice. In order to assess the anti-HCMV activity of BAY 38-4766 in vivo, we used a model, in which HCMV-infected human cells were entrapped in hollow fibers and subsequently transplanted into immunodeficient mice. Using this model, we demonstrated antiviral activity of BAY 38-4766 similar to that of ganciclovir. We conclude that BAY 38-4766 shows potential as an anti-HCMV drug.

Molecular mode of inhibition of glycogenolysis in rat liver by the dihydropyridine derivative, BAY R3401: inhibition and inactivation of glycogen phosphorylase by an activated metabolite

The racemic prodrug BAY R3401 suppresses hepatic glycogenolysis. BAY W1807, the active metabolite of BAY R3401, inhibits muscle glycogen phosphorylase a and b. We investigated whether BAY R3401 reduces hepatic glycogenolysis by allosteric inhibition or by phosphatase-catalyzed inactivation of phosphorylase. In gel-filtered liver extracts, racemic BAY U6751 (containing active BAY W1807) was tested for inhibition of phosphorylase in the glycogenolytic (in which only phosphorylase a is active) and glycogen-synthetic (for the evaluation of a:b ratios) directions. Phosphorylase inactivation by endogenous phosphatase was also studied. In liver extracts, BAY U6751 (0.9-36 micromol/l) inhibited glycogen synthesis by phosphorylase b (notwithstanding the inclusion of AMP), but not by phosphorylase a. Inhibition of phosphorylase-a-catalyzed glycogenolysis was partially relieved by AMP (500 micromol/l). BAY U6751 facilitated phosphorylase-a dephosphorylation. Isolated hepatocytes and perfused livers were tested for BAY R3401-induced changes in phosphorylase-a:b ratios and glycogenolytic output. Though ineffective in extracts, BAY R3401 (0.25 micromol/l-0.5 mmol/l) promoted phosphorylase-a dephosphorylation in hepatocytes. In perfused livers exposed to dibutyryl cAMP (100 micromol/l) for maximal activation of phosphorylase, BAY R3401 (125 micromol/l) inactivated phosphorylase by 63% but glucose output dropped by 83%. Inhibition of glycogenolysis suppressed glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) levels. Activation of glycogen synthase after phosphorylase inactivation depended on the maintenance of G6P levels by supplementing glucose (50 mmol/l). We conclude that the metabolites of BAY R3401 suppress hepatic glycogenolysis by allosteric inhibition and by the dephosphorylation of phosphorylase a.

Transplant activities in Germany in 1998--a survey facilitated by the National Registry for Hemopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

To improve the infrastructure of hemopoietic stem-cell transplantations in our country, the German Registry for Hemopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantations (DRST) was established in 1998. The present paper summarizes the current status of the DRST and gives a survey of transplant activities in Germany in 1998 in terms of transplant units, transplant types, transplant frequencies and underlying diseases.

Allosteric inhibition of glycogen phosphorylase a by the potential antidiabetic drug 3-isopropyl 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-1-ethyl-2-methyl-pyridine-3,5,6-tricarbo xylate

The effect of the potential antidiabetic drug (-)(S)-3-isopropyl 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-1-ethyl-2-methyl-pyridine-3,5,6-tricarbox ylate (W1807) on the catalytic and structural properties of glycogen phosphorylase a has been studied. Glycogen phosphorylase (GP) is an allosteric enzyme whose activity is primarily controlled by reversible phosphorylation of Ser14 of the dephosphorylated enzyme (GPb, less active, predominantly T-state) to form the phosphorylated enzyme (GPa, more active, predominantly R-state). Upon conversion of GPb to GPa, the N-terminal tail (residues 5-22), which carries the Ser14(P), changes its conformation into a distorted 3(10) helix and its contacts from intrasubunit to intersubunit. This alteration causes a series of tertiary and quaternary conformational changes that lead to activation of the enzyme through opening access to the catalytic site. As part of a screening process to identify compounds that might contribute to the regulation of glycogen metabolism in the noninsulin dependent diabetes diseased state, W1807 has been found as the most potent inhibitor of GPb (Ki = 1.6 nM) that binds at the allosteric site of T-state GPb and produces further conformational changes, characteristic of a T'-like state. Kinetics show W1807 is a potent competitive inhibitor of GPa (-AMP) (Ki = 10.8 nM) and of GPa (+1 mM AMP) (Ki = 19.4 microM) with respect to glucose 1-phosphate and acts in synergism with glucose. To elucidate the structural features that contribute to the binding, the structures of GPa in the T-state conformation in complex with glucose and in complex with both glucose and W1807 have been determined at 100 K to 2.0 A and 2.1 A resolution, and refined to crystallographic R-values of 0.179 (R(free) = 0.230) and 0.189 (R(free) = 0.263), respectively. W1807 binds tightly at the allosteric site and induces substantial conformational changes both in the vicinity of the allosteric site and the subunit interface. A disordering of the N-terminal tail occurs, while the loop of chain containing residues 192-196 and residues 43'-49' shift to accommodate the ligand. Structural comparisons show that the T-state GPa-glucose-W1807 structure is overall more similar to the T-state GPb-W1807 complex structure than to the GPa-glucose complex structure, indicating that W1807 is able to transform GPa to the T'-like state already observed with GPb. The structures provide a rational for the potency of the inhibitor and explain GPa allosteric inhibition of activity upon W1807 binding.

The structure of glycogen phosphorylase b with an alkyldihydropyridine-dicarboxylic acid compound, a novel and potent inhibitor

BACKGROUND

In muscle and liver, glycogen concentrations are regulated by the reciprocal activities of glycogen phosphorylase (GP) and glycogen synthase. An alkyl-dihydropyridine-dicarboxylic acid has been found to be a potent inhibitor of GP, and as such has potential to contribute to the regulation of glycogen metabolism in the non-insulin-dependent diabetes diseased state. The inhibitor has no structural similarity to the natural regulators of GP. We have carried out structural studies in order to elucidate the mechanism of inhibition.

RESULTS

Kinetic studies with rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase b (GPb) show that the compound (-)(S)-3-isopropyl 4-(2-chlorophenyl)-1,4-dihydro-1-ethyl-2-methyl-pyridine-3,5, 6-tricarboxylate (Bay W1807) has a Ki = 1.6 nM and is a competitive inhibitor with respect to AMP. The structure of the cocrystallised GPb-W1807 complex has been determined at 100K to 2.3 A resolution and refined to an R factor of 0.198 (Rfree = 0.287). W1807 binds at the GPb allosteric effector site, the site which binds AMP, glucose-6-phosphate and a number of other phosphorylated ligands, and induces conformational changes that are characteristic of those observed with the naturally occurring allosteric inhibitor, glucose-6-phosphate. The dihydropyridine-5,6-dicarboxylate groups mimic the phosphate group of ligands that bind to the allosteric site and contact three arginine residues.

CONCLUSIONS

The high affinity of W1807 for GP appears to arise from the numerous nonpolar interactions made between the ligand and the protein. Its potency as an inhibitor results from the induced conformational changes that lock the enzyme in a conformation known as the T' state. Allosteric enzymes, such as GP, offer a new strategy for structure-based drug design in which the allosteric site can be exploited. The results reported here may have important implications in the design of new therapeutic compounds.

Inhibition of thyroid hormone uptake by calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine class

A series of substituted 4-phenyl-1,4-dihydropyridines 2a-m was tested for their inhibitory effects on L-triiodothyronine (L-T3) uptake by human HepG2 hepatoma cells. The most potent compounds were the nitro-substituted derivatives 2,6-dimethyl-4-(4'-nitrophenyl)-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid 3-ethyl ester 5-methyl ester (2m) and the well-known calcium antagonists nitrendipine (2k) and nifedipine (2j) with an uptake inhibition between 80.5 and 85.8% at an application dose of 10(-5) M. On the basis of a theoretical conformational analysis (ab initio MO theory, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics) of the dihydropyridine derivatives, a unifying stereochemical concept was derived postulating an angular arrangement of the two rings where the phenyl ring of the calcium antagonists, which corresponds to the outer phenyl ring of the thyroid hormones, is bisecting the dihydropyridine ring as a prerequisite for inhibitory potency. This model includes also inhibitors of the N-phenylanthranilic acid type. The interaction of the calcium antagonists with transthyretin (TTR) is discussed in relation to thyroid hormones. The influence of hydrophobicity was estimated by the experimental determination of the 1-octanol/water partition coefficients.

A new type of Ca-channel modulation by a novel class of 1,4-dihydropyridines

Both Ca-antagonistic as well as Ca-agonistic 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHPs) have become extremely important tools to investigate the role of Ca-channels under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. While Ca-antagonists stabilize the inactivated state of the Ca-channel without influencing the voltage dependent open and closed times, Ca-agonists prolong the mean open time of the channel. We here report for the first time the effects of a novel DHP, BAY Y 5959, which modulates Ca-channel gating in a unique manner: It increases both the mean open time and the mean closed time of the Ca-channel by binding to the DHP receptor. This results in a reduced rate of Ca-current activation, an increased peak current, and a strongly prolonged tail current decay. All these effects are strongly voltage dependent. Therefore it depends on resting membrane potential and shape of the action potential whether and how the Ca-influx into the cell is influenced. This novel mode of action of BAY Y 5959 results in an interesting pharmacological profile: It has a strong positive inotropic effect in the heart without influencing vessel tone. Therefore the term Ca-promoter is suggested; it could become a new approach for the drug treatment of congestive heart failure.

Determination of the absolute configuration of the active amlodipine enantiomer as (-)-S: a correction

The active (-) enantiomer of amlodipine was originally reported to have R configuration. This does not concur with other 1,4-dihydropyridines with known absolute configuration. This configuration has now been determined by X-ray structural analysis using (1S)-camphanic acid and (S)-2-methoxy-2-phenylethanol as chiral probes. Both determinations gave the S configuration for the amlodipine (-) enantiomer with the greater Ca-antagonistic activity.

Pharmacologic and radioligand binding studies of 1,4-dihydropyridines in rat cardiac and vascular preparations: stereoselectivity and voltage dependence of antagonist and activator interactions

The pharmacologic and radioligand-binding properties of 1,4-dihydropyridines in an activator (Bay K 8644) and an antagonist (nifedipine) series were studied in rat tail artery, heart membrane, and neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. The S-enantiomers of the activator series contracted rat tail artery in the presence of 15 mM K+ (EC50 values of 10(-8) to 10(-5) M). (S)-Bay K 8644 (I) and its o-difluoromethoxy analog (III) were the most potent members of the activator series examined. The abilities of the activators to stimulate maximum tension response of the artery differed with structure; thus, the efficacy of (S)-Bay K 8644 was 70% that of the analog lacking the 3-carbomethoxy group. The R-enantiomers of the activator series and a series of achiral nifedipine analogs were inhibitory in the same tissue. The intact-cell binding assay revealed the binding affinities of 1,4-dihydropyridine antagonists in depolarized cells (50 mM K+) to be higher than those in polarized cells (5 mM K+). The ratio KD (polarized)/KD (depolarized) was 77 for nifedipine (IC50 = 5.4 x 10(-9) M) but was only 2.9 for the weak 3-methoxy nifedipine analog (IC50 = 4.8 x 10(-6) M); an approximately linear relationship exists between this ratio and the antagonist potency. In marked contrast, and in confirmation of previous work [Mol. Pharmacol. 35:541-552 (1989)], the binding affinities of activators were not significantly affected by membrane potential, regardless of potency. We conclude that the S-enantiomers of Bay K 8644 analogs are activators with different potency and efficacy and that the R-enantiomers are antagonists, that the binding of 1,4-dihydropyridine antagonists is voltage dependent, whereas binding of the activators is not, and that the voltage-dependence of binding of the antagonists is correlated with the potency of the antagonist.

Synthesis, pharmacological effects, and conformation of 4,4-disubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridines

4,4-Disubstituted 1,4-dihydropyridines are synthesized by intramolecular addition of sulfinyl carbanions to pyridines. These disubstituted derivatives show a loss of Ca antagonistic potency of up to three powers of 10 both in vitro on aortic rings and in vivo on anaesthetized dogs as compared to examples that are monosubstituted at the 4-position of the DHP ring. As the X-ray structure shows, the 4-aryl substituent is present not in the accustomed axial conformation, but in an equatorial one. This dramatic change in conformation could be the reason for the major loss of activity and would indicate the need for axial conformation of the aryl residue in pharmacologically active 1,4-dihydropyridines. The change in conformation was also confirmed by quantum chemical calculations (AM1).

Human BF*F-subtypes: segregation analysis with inclusion of MHC haplotypes

The segregation of factor B(BF)F subtypes was analyzed in conjunction with other MHC markers in 15 families with 89 offspring. Informative data for BF F subtypes were obtained from 11 families, 6 of them with known recombinant individuals for the HLA-B/DR/GLO region. The subtypes did not contribute further to the localization of the cross-overs, but followed the known segregation of conventional BF allotypes. In 2 families of one kinship, the recognition of heterozygous BF*FAFB individuals could be established following the inclusion of three generations. The rarer of the two BF F subtype alleles, BF*FA, is positively associated with the HLA haplotypes BW62, CW3, C4A*3 and A29, CWX, B44, C4A*3, B*1, DR7. BF F subtypes are regarded as a very useful additional tool for studies of MHC organization and disease association.

Human C4 polymorphism: pedigree analysis of qualitative, quantitative, and functional parameters as a basis for phenotype interpretations

Ten families with 82 members were investigated for C4A- and B polymorphism in a blind trial. Phenotyping was done on neuraminidase treated sera by immunofixation and simultaneously by hemolytic overlay electrophoresis. In addition Rg, Ch, BF, C2, HLA-A, B, C, DR, and GLO were determined. After decoding the samples the reliability of blind typing was found to be 84.4% according to segregation patterns. Inconsistencies occurred mostly when A4, A2, or A92 were present. The detection of silent A*Q0 and B*Q0 alleles was more critical than that of "difficult" allotypes. The quantitation of the C4A/B ratio by densitometry of stained gels or by conventional immunochemical measurements of serum C4 level could not substantially improve the identification of A*Q0 or B*Q0. C4 dependent activity in radial diffusion hemolysis showed satisfactory correspondence with the number of expressed C4B alleles. At least three haplotypes with two C4A genes (duplicated A genes) were observed as ascertained from offspring analysis in accordance with the MHC segregation pattern. Individuals with the duplicated C4A gene (C4A*3, A*2, in the absence of any other expressed A allele or together with C4A*92) showed only partial inhibition of Rodgers antisera. Partial inhibition of Chido antisera was seen in individuals with C4B 2 (in the absence of other B allotypes). The findings support the hypothesis of at least two structural C4 loci. They also demonstrate the inconsistency of quantitative data in the recognition of silent alleles.

HLA-DR-MT matching improves graft survival rate in cadaver kidney transplantation. A prospective multicenter analysis of the South German Cooperative Study Group for Kidney Transplantation

The influence of prospective HLA-DR matching on the graft survival rate was investigated in a multicenter analysis of 85 transplants. Simultaneously in a retrospective analysis of graft outcome the importance of matching for MT-antigens MT1, MT2 and MT3 as a newly defined B-cell alloantigen system was evaluated. HLA-DR antigens and MT-specificities were determined on B-cells enriched by nylon-wool filtration using locally well characterised HLA-DR antisera and the antiserum set of the 8th International Histocompatibility Workshop ("disease set") which allowed the definition of the HLA-DR specificities HLA-DR 1-9 and of the MT-antigens MT1-3. HLA-DR matching showed a significantly improved graft outcome only in HLA-DR identical donor-recipient combinations. In 11 of 60 patients with one HLA-DR compatibility additional matching for two MT-antigens, however, improved the two year graft survival rate from 60% to 91%. Altogether 17 patients were matched for two MT-specificities with their kidney donor and showed a superior prognosis of 94% at two years compared to 53% or 17% of recipients with one or zero MT compatibility. Graft outcome in this patient group was also superior to that of HLA-DR identical or HLA-AB identical grafts. These data suggested that the MT-system rather than the HLA-DR antigens may be of critical importance in cadaver kidney transplantation. In addition a favorable influence of pretransplant blood transfusions on less HLA-DR matched grafts was confirmed.

[Increased success rate of renal transplantation by HLA-DR-typing: a retrospective analysis of the South-German co-operative study group for renal transplantation (author's transl)]

Retrospective HLA-DR-typing and the influence of HLA-DR antigen on transplantation prognosis was studied in 90 kidney donor-recipient pairs. It was clearly demonstrated that HLA-DR compatible donor kidney provides a significantly better transplant prognosis than if there is HLA-DR incompatibility. Donor kidneys with only one identical HLA-DR antigen gave a six-month survival rate of 80%. Only HLA-AB identical cadaver kidneys ("full house identity") give similar survival times. Because of relatively lower polymorphism of the HLA-DR alloantigen system, HLA-DR identical donor organs are discovered more frequently than when HLA-AB antigens are taken into consideration. HLA-DR identical donor kidneys (identical for both HLA-DR antigens) have an even better transplant prognosis than "full house identical" kidneys, since the survival rate in the former is 87% after six months.

[Lysine requirement of fattening sows depending on their performance. 2. Relations between energy consumption and live weight increase]

105 growing sows in the live weight range were fed with 7 test rations with graduated energy and amino acid levels. The growth intensity was very much influenced by the daily energy consumption. On the basis of regression analysis the following linear relation between daily weight increase (y in g per kg live weight0,75) and the daily energy consumption (x in energetic feed units for pigs per kg live weight0,75) was calculated: y = -13,79 + 0,7037 x (r = 0,84, sb -0,0295). The interpolation with regard to live weight balance resulted in a maintenance requirement of 19,8 energetic feed units for pigs resp. 70 kcal net energy fat for pigs per kg live weight0,75. The methods of assessment chosen showed an increase of the energy requirement per 100 g additional live weight increase per day of a constant amount, independent of the live weight, of 142 energetic feed units for pigs resp. 497 kcal net energy fat for pigs.

[Performance dependence of the lysine requirement of fattening sows. 1. Effect of energy and amino acid consumption on fattening performance]

Seven variants with graduated energy and amino acid levels were tested at 105 growing sows in a live weight range between 30 and 120 kg. The weight increase and the energy expenditure showed a distinct dependence on the energy level of the ration and are mainly determined by the energy intake. Up to a live weight of 90 kg a 20% lysine over- or undersupply in comparison with the norm had no influence on the growth intensity of the animals. On the low and medium energy levels there was a tendency of superiority of the animals which received feeds rich in protein in the section between 90 and 120 kg. In the variant with a high energy level, however, a diminishing increase was detected in the last third of the fattening period in connection with the growing lysine level. The overall most suitable result was achieved in variant M 120 with a daily increase of 675 g and an energy expenditure of 2.04 kilo energetic feed units for pigs per kg increase.