Spatial distribution of elements, environmental effects, and economic potential of waste from the Aksu ferroalloy plant [Kazakhstan]

The utilization or secondary use of technogenic waste is a relevant problem for the current economy. To assess the environmental influence and economic potential, it is necessary to study the elemental content of technogenic objects and to reveal the tendencies of the spatial distribution of elements, components, and indices such as the pollution coefficient. In this study, we performed elemental analysis, and calculation of indicators: average gross content, hazard quotients, concentration coefficients of metals, and total pollution coefficients of ground samples taken from the ash-slag storage of the Aksu ferroalloy plant [Aksu, Pavlodar region, Kazakhstan]. Maps of the spatial distribution of concentrations of elements and total pollution coefficients were created. The territory of the studied ash-slag storage by the level of soil contamination should be considered as an environmental disaster zone. The given statistical data on the number of oncological and respiratory diseases indirectly indicated the negative influence of open storage of ash-slag waste. The studied ground was of chromium-manganese geochemical specialization. The calculated volume of the accumulated waste mass by the approximating method was 1 054 638.0 m3. The calculated approximate weight of the accumulated waste was 23 679 576.0864 tons, including 1 822 972.2 tons of chromium, 1 727 354.0 tons of manganese, and 953 813.3 tons of iron. The large amounts of valuable components retained in the waste mass led us to conclude that the studied technogenic object can be considered as a secondary field to produce various technological products. Moreover, valuable metals can be extracted as metal concentrates.

Assessment of the right ventricular-pulmonary circulation unit during stress in ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis patients

Background

Cardiopulmonary complications are common in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and arthritis psoriatica (APs), which have an unfavourable impact on mortality and quality of life. APs may be connected with pulmonary hypertension, while AS is linked to interstitial lung disease and chest wall restriction.

We aimed to assess the response of the pulmonary circulation unit during stress in AS and APs patients.

Methods

A total of 71 patients were enrolled in the study: 28 of them had AS (age 50.8±11.8 years), 17 APs (age 52.1±13.5 years), and 26 were healthy individuals (age 54.23±9.9 years). To the maximally tolerated workload, all subjects underwent resting and exercise stress echocardiography on a supine bicycle ergometer. Echocardiographic measurements were taken at rest, at 50 watts workload, and at maximal exercise.

Results

AS patients had significantly higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP; AS: 32.6±16.8 mmHg, APs: 21.6±12.7 mmHg, p<0.05) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; AS: 1.3±0.4 WU, PsA: 1.1±0.3 WU, p<0.05) at maximal workload, while the right ventricular-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling at peak stress was higher in APs patients (AS: 1.2±0.6 mm/mmHg, PsA: 1.8±1.1 mm/mmHg, p<0.05). Comparing to the control group, AS and PsA patients had significantly higher resting PASP (control: 12.6±6.4 mmHg; AS: 22.8±7.6 mmHg, p<0.001; PsA: 21.4±7.0 mmHg, p<0.001), lower resting RV-PA coupling (control: 2.7±1.4 mm/mmHg; AS: 1.3±0.4, p<0.001; PsA 1.3±0.4 mm/mmHg, p<0.001), and higher peak PVR (control: 0.6±0.4 WU; AS: 1.3±0.4, p<0.001; PsA: 1.1±0.3 WU, p<0.005). One-way analysis of variance of the three groups also showed significant differencies in the resting PASP (p<0.001), peak PASP (p<0.05), resting RV-PA coupling (p<0.001), peak PVR (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Stress echocardiography is a promising, radiation-free method for assessing the subclinical cardiopulmonary changes among AS and PsA patients. The changes of PVR during stress may highlight the pulmonary complications in the subclinical stage.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Trends in Opioid Utilisation in Hungary, 2006-2020: A Nationwide Retrospective Study with Multiple Metrics

BACKGROUND

Opioid use is well-documented in several countries: some countries struggle with overuse while others have almost no access to opioids. For Europe, limited data are available. This study analysed Hungarian opioid utilisation in ambulatory care between 2006 and 2020.

METHODS

We obtained national drug utilization data on reimbursed opioid analgesics (ATC code: N02A) from a national health insurance database for a 15-year period. We investigated utilisation trends, using three volume-based metrics (defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), oral morphine equivalent per 1000 inhabitants per day, packages dispensed per 1000 inhabitants per year). We stratified data based on administration routes, analgesic potency and reimbursement categories.

RESULTS

Total opioid utilisation increased during the study period according to all three metrics (74% in DID) and reached 5.31 DID by 2020. Upward trends were driven by an increase both in weak and strong opioid use (79% vs. 53%). The most commonly used opioids were fentanyl (in the strong category; 0.76 DID in 2020) and tramadol (in the weak category; 2.62 DID in 2020). Overall, tramadol was also the most commonly used opioid throughout the study period. Oral administration of opioid medications was dominant. Based on reimbursement categories, musculoskeletal pain was becoming a more frequent indication for opioid use (1552% increase in DID), while opioid use for cancer pain declined significantly during the study period (-33% in DID).

CONCLUSIONS

Our low utilisation numbers might indicate underuse of opioid analgesia, especially for cancer pain.

Assessment of pulmonary circulation unit during exercise in patients with ankylosing spondilitis and sporiatic arthritis

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background  Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic multisystem inflammatory disorders that present with articular and extra-articular features. Cardiac dysfunction and pulmonary disease are well-known and commonly reported extra-articular manifestations of AS and PsA.  The inflammatory process can induce respiratory complications, including chest wall restriction, significantly impacting patients" cardiorespiratory status.

We aimed to assess pulmonary circulation and right ventricle behaviour during exercise in patients with AS and PsA and to detect the possible effect of chest wall restriction on right heart function.

Methods  A total of 45 spondylarthritis patients were enrolled in the study (age 51.5 ± 12.3 years, 82.2% men): 27 of them were diagnosed with AS (20 of them had ankylosis at the time of the study), while 18 had PsA (2 of them in ankylosis). According to a standardized protocol, all subjects underwent resting and exercise stress echocardiography on a semi-recumbent cycle ergometer with an incremental workload up to the maximal tolerated workload. Basic echocardiographic measurements were taken, focusing on the right and left ventricular functions and the systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PASP) at rest, at 50 watts workload, and maximal exercise. During the examination, non-invasive blood pressure measurements, transcutaneous capillary oxygen saturation and continuous ECG recording were performed. 

Results PASP did not differ between the AS and PsA patients at rest (15.6 ± 6.7 mmHg vs 13.7 ± 8.3 mmHg; p = ns); however, PASP measured at the maximal workload was significantly higher among AS patients  (31.4 ± 15.9mmHg vs 21.6 ± 12.7mmHg; p < 0.05; Figure 1). PASP did not correlate with the age or the time that passed since the diagnosis. Parameters describing the left and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function did not differ significantly between AS and PsA patients at rest and peak stress. Comparing the LV diastolic parameters of ankylosing patients with non-ankylosing patients irrespective of the underlying disease showed significantly different values in peak E/e"ratio (8.9 ± 3 vs 7.4 ± 1.6; p < 0,05; Figure 2).

Conclusion  Exercise stress echocardiography is a promising diagnostic modality in autoimmune diseases. In AS patients, the chest wall restriction may results in elevation of PASP during the exercise. The noninvasive indice of left ventricular filling pressure increases significantly in patients with ankylosis in both groups, explaining the effect of the rigid chest wall on the left ventricular filling. Abstract Figure.  Abstract Figure.

AB0107 INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF KYNURENIC ACID ANALOGS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Background:

The investigation of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions of kynurenic acid (KYNA) is now in focus. Previously, we demonstrated the opposite effects of KYNA and different KYNA analogs on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) production and tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) expression in U-937 monocytic cells. The potential effect of KYNA analogs on further immune mediators including alarmins (S100A12=EN-RAGE and S100A8/9=calprotectin), and on human neutrofil peptide 1-3(α-defensin) production has not been investigated.

Objectives:

Therefore, in the present study, we compared the effects of newly synthesized KYNA analog on the TNF-α, alarmins and α-defensin production, correlation with the effects on the TSG-6 expression in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods:

93 RA patients were involved and divided subgroups based on DAS28 activity score. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was isolated from RA patients and healthy controls. As cytokine inducers heat inactivatedStaphylococcus aureus(SA1) were used. In parallel in vitro experiments, the SA1 induced PBMCs were pretreated with a newly synthesized KYNA analog (compound SZR-72 was synthesized by direct amidation of KYNA). The concentrations of the above mentioned inflammatory mediators in the supernatants were quantified by using ELISA kits and the TSG-6 expression was also determined by RTqPCR method.

Results:

The SA1 induced TNF-α, EN-RAGE, calprotectin and α-defensin production was significantly higher in RA patients’ group than in healthy controls. KYNA analog attenuated the SA1 induced TNF-α, EN-RAGE, calprotectin and α-defensin production, and increased TSG-6 production and TSG-6 mRNA expression in PBMC cells from RA patients. The SA1 induced TNF-α and TSG-6 production correlated with the DAS28 activity score. The TNF-α inhibitory effect of the KYNA analog correlated inversely with the TSG-6 stimulatory effect in all subgroups of RA patients based on DAS28 activity score.

Conclusion:

TSG-6 expression could participate in the suppression of inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, EN-RAGE, calprotectin and α-defensin. We suppose that the elevation of the TSG-6 expression by KYNA and especially by new KYNA analogs might be one of the mechanisms that are responsible for their suppressive effect on TNF-α production as a feedback mechanism in RA. KYNA and KYNA analogs have an important role in influencing TSG-6 expression, and there is a possible benefit with potential therapeutic consequence of targeting TSG-6 expression by kynurenines in inflammatory conditions in RA.

References:

[1]Mándi Y, Endrész V, Mosolygó T, Burián K, Lantos I, Fülöp F, Szatmári I, Lőrinczi B, Balog A, Vécsei L, The Opposite Effects of Kynurenic Acid and Different Kynurenic Acid Analogs on Tumor Necrosis Factor-a (TNF-a) Production and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Stimulated Gene-6 (TSG-6) Expression. Frontiers in Immunology. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01406

Acknowledgments:

This work was supported by GINOP 2.3.2-2015-16-00034

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

'Bottom-up' effects in a tritrophic plant-aphid-parasitoid system: Why being the perfect host can have its disadvantages

In this study the host plant genotype effect on cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae (L.)(Hemiptera: Aphididae) preference and performance, the effect of aphid genotype on parasitoids performance, as well as the indirect effects of plant genotypes on aphid parasitoid performance, were tested using different population samples of the aphid and its primary endoparasitoid wasp, Diaeretiella rapae (M'Intosh) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae). Experiments were run as fully-factorial randomized block design in a greenhouse. Accordingly, host plant cultivar had significant effects on the total number of aphids and aphid-load whilst the fitness of the aphid genotypes were also influenced by plant cultivar. The effect of parasitism on cabbage aphids was significantly different between plant cultivars. Overall, the results revealed that cabbage aphid is under different selective pressures arising from both higher (parasitoid) and lower (host plant cultivar) trophic levels. The host plant cultivar had a significant effect on both aphid fitness and parasitism rate on particular aphid genotypes. This indicates that host-plant-adapted aphid species can create much context-dependency in the nature and strength of 'fitness benefits parasitism', which may in turn alter the costs and benefits of host specialization.

Characterization of the thrombin generation profile in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic inflammatory autoimmune disorder. Thrombotic events occur at a higher incidence among SLE patients. The investigation of thrombin generation (TG) with calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) test as a global hemostasis assay is applicable for the overall functional assessment of the hemostasis. The aim of this study was to characterize the hemostatic alterations observed in SLE by CAT assay. In this study, CAT parameters and basic coagulation parameters of SLE patients (n = 22) and healthy control subjects (n = 34) were compared. CAT area under the curve (i.e., endogenous thrombin potential) was lower than normal in SLE (807 vs. 1,159 nM*min, respectively), whereas other CAT parameters (peak, lag time, time to peak, and velocity index) and the basic coagulation tests were within the normal range. The presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies and the applied therapy was not associated with hemostasis parameters in SLE. We concluded that the reported high risk of thrombosis is not related to TG potential.

Predation drives stable coexistence ratios between red and green pea aphid morphs

We conducted field surveys and experiments to evaluate the hypothesis that predation is an important driving factor determining the degree of coexistence between red and green morphs of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Theory suggests that the different colour morphs are differentially susceptible to natural enemies and selection by predation which in turn leads to variable relative abundances of red and green morphs among host plants across landscapes. Our field surveys on pea and alfalfa revealed, however, that the colour morphs tended to coexist closely in a ratio of one red to three green aphids across fields with different host plant monocultures. Experimentation involving manipulation of the relative abundances of the two colour morphs on host plants pea and alfalfa with and without predator presence revealed that red morphs had higher or same fitness (per capita reproduction) than green morphs on both pea and alfalfa only when in the proportion of one red/three green proportion. Moreover, experimentation evaluating predator efficiency revealed that red morphs are safest from predation when in a 1 : 3 ratio with green morphs. These results suggest that in addition to predation selection effects, red morphs may behaviourally choose to associate with green morphs in a narrow 1 : 3 ratio to maximize their fitness. This evidence, along with existing published data on red and green morph anti-predator behaviour indicates that a 1 : 3 red and green morph coexistence ratio is driven by a balance between predation pressure and behavioural assorting by red morphs across landscapes. In this way predators may have ecological-evolutionary consequences for traits that affect the colour morphs' proportion and tolerances to selective pressure.

Effects of chitin and contact insecticide complexes on rove beetles in commercial orchards

A five-year research project was performed to explore the potential effects of contact insecticide applications on the change of abundance and species richness of predatory rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in conventionally managed orchards. Twelve blocks of nine orchards were used for this study in Central Europe. High sensitivity atomic force microscopic examination was carried out for chitin structure analyses as well as computer simulation for steric energy calculation between insecticides and chitin. The species richness of rove beetles in orchards was relatively high after insecticide application. Comparing the mean abundance before and after insecticide application, a higher value was observed before spraying with alphacypermethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, and a lower value was observed in the cases of diflubenzuron, malathion, lufenuron, and phosalone. The species richness was higher only before chlorpyrifos-methyl application. There was a negative correlation between abundance and stability value of chitin-insecticides, persistence time, and soil absorption coefficients. Positive correlation was observed with lipo- and water solubility.

Dominance, activity density and prey preferences of rove beetles ( Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) in conventionally treated Hungarian agro-ecosystems

Field experiments were conducted to investigate the mechanism underlying patterns of the rove beetle populations in apple and pear orchards (1998-2002) and winter wheat (2006-2007) in Hungary following treatment with broad-spectrum insecticide. The capacity of predatory staphylinid species to feed on cereal pests was measured, with six species tested in petri dishes, in the laboratory at room temperature. Almost 23% of the Hungarian and 13% of the European staphylinid fauna are represented in the investigated agro-ecosystems. In orchards, 5236 individuals, belonging to 253 species, were collected. The most widely occurring were Omalium caesum Gravenhorst, Drusilla canaliculata (F.), Dinaraea angustula (Gyllenhal), Palporus nitidulus (F.), Xantholinus. longiventris (Olivier), X. linearis (Olivier) and Aleochara bipustulata (L.). In winter wheat, 798 individuals and 20 species were collected, the most frequent were Staphylinus caesareus Cederh, Tachyporus hypnorum (F.), Philonthus cognatus (Stephens), Aloconota gregaria (Erichson), Tachyporus chrysomelinus (L.) and T. obtusus (L.). Species composition differed by crop (apple, pear and wheat), soil composition and surrounding habitat. Species diversity was also influenced by these parameters. In wheat, one acute change in species composition was observed with the decline of Tachyporus spp., which occurred equally across all farms. The consumption rate of prey by the dominant species occurring in wheat ecosystems was relatively high; however, we did not offer any fungal food to compare with insects' prey.

Efeito do cálcio na qualidade óssea e de ovos de poedeiras

Um experimento foi realizado com duração de 27 semanas, com poedeiras da linhagem Shaver Brown em produção, seu objetivo foi avaliar a mobilização de cálcio e fósforo ósseos para a formação da casca dos ovos, assim como, acompanhar as variações na qualidade óssea ao longo do ciclo de produção. Foram utilizadas 64 aves. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado com dois tratamentos (porcentagem de cálcio na dieta) e quatro repetições de oito aves cada. As dietas utilizadas foram isoprotéicas e isocalóricas, com níveis adequados (3,8%) e baixos (1,8%) de cálcio. Realizaram-se análises densidade mineral óssea (DMO) das tíbias e fêmures às 16, 22, 28, 34 e 40 semanas de idade. Após cada coleta radiográfica 4 aves por tratamento, foi abatida para realização de análise de resistência óssea (RO), índice Seedor (IS), teor de matéria seca (MS), teor de minerais totais (MIN) e os teores de cálcio e fósforo (Ca e P). Os valores de produção de ovos, produção de massa de ovos e qualidade da casca também foram avaliados. Foi possível concluir que as aves mobilizaram minerais ósseos para a produção de ovos, independentemente do tratamento e que as aves que receberam dietas com níveis baixos de cálcio tiveram a qualidade das cascas dos ovos prejudicadas.

Níveis de cálcio e avaliação óssea e de ovos de avestruzes reprodutoras

Realizaram-se análises da densidade óssea em tíbias e fêmures de 6 casais de avestruzes reprodutoras com idade entre 5 a 7 anos, alimentados durante 8 semanas, 3 casais com ração de reprodução (T1), e 3 casais com ração de manutenção (T2). Verificou-se que a produção de ovos não foi afetada pelas dietas, assim como a qualidade da casca dos ovos. No entanto a qualidade dos ossos foi pior para as aves do T2.

Polymorphism in the IL-8 gene, but not in the TLR4 gene, increases the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Activated granulocytes and inflammatory mediators of the innate immune response play fundamental roles in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis. We studied whether polymorphisms of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) genes correlate with the severity of acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

Patients with acute pancreatitis (n = 92) were grouped according to the severity of the disease on the basis of the Ranson scores. Healthy blood donors (n = 200) served as controls. The IL-8 -251 gene polymorphism was analyzed by amplification-refractory mutation system; the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) of TLR4 were investigated by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction method with melting point analysis.

RESULTS

The IL-8 A/T heterozygote mutant variants were detected with a significantly higher frequency among the patients with severe pancreatitis than among the healthy blood donors (60 vs. 42%; p = 0.0264, odds ratio = 2.071, 95% confidence interval = 1.101-3.896), while the frequency of the normal allelic genotype (TT) was higher among the patients with mild pancreatitis than in the group with severe pancreatitis (35 vs. 16%; p = 0.051, odds ratio = 2.917, 95% confidence interval = 1.089-7.811). There was no significant correlation between TLR4 polymorphisms and the acute pancreatitis itself, but nonsignificantly increased frequencies of Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile heterozygotes among patients with severe infected pancreatic necrosis could be observed relative to the patients with mild pancreatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Determination of the frequency of IL-8 polymorphism in acute pancreatitis may be informative and may provide further evidence concerning the role of IL-8 in the severe form of this disease. The possible role of TLR4 polymorphism in the outcome of severe acute pancreatitis requires further investigations in a larger series of patients.

Genetic polymorphisms in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a family of clonal disorders characterized by dyshematopoiesis and susceptibility to acute myelogenous leukemia. Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-alpha) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are cytokines that play key roles in the pathogenesis of MDS. There have been several reports on the presence of genetic polymorphisms in the DNA sequence encoding the leader sequence of the TGF-beta protein, and in the -308 promoter region of TNF-alpha. The association between TNF-alpha and TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism and the susceptibility to MDS and the progression of the disease was investigated. As compared with healthy control subjects (n = 74), patients with MDS (n = 55) showed no significant deviations in genotype or allele frequencies of TNF-alpha. Similarly, there were no differences in the distribution of TNF-alpha genotypes between the MDS patients with only anemia (mild group) and those with bi- or pancytopenia (severe group). On the other hand the TT homozygosity at codon 10 in exon 1 of TGF-beta1 gene was associated with a severe degree of cytopenia [95% CI OR = 4.889, p = 0.0071]. These findings suggest that the investigated genetic polymorphisms do not predispose to the development of MDS, but that TGF-beta1 gene polymorphism may affect the disease progression.

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha and heat-shock protein 70-2 gene polymorphisms in a family with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to investigate the prevalence of TNF-alpha-308 polymorphism among the 29 members of a family with RA and the association between the MHC-linked biallelic HSP70-2 gene and the TNF-alpha polymorphism. Five of the members with RA were diagnosed by using the revised 1987 ACR criteria, and 1 member suffered from SLE.

METHODS

The variations in the TNF-alpha and the HSP70-2 genotypes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP, using NcoI and PstI restriction enzymes.

RESULTS

Two of the 29 members were homozygotes for allele A, 18 were heterozygotes (TNF A/G) and 9 of them were homozygotes for allele G. Nineteen of the 29 were heterozygotes for HSP70-2 (A/G), 10 of them were homozygotes for the G allele, and none were homozygotes for allele A. Four of the 5 the RA patients carried the A allele for TNF-alpha all 5 were heterozygotes for HSP70-2 genotypes.

CONCLUSION

The carriage of the A allele for TNF-alpha of -308 SNP in 4 of the 5 RA patients, and the high prevalence (68.0%) of TNF A allele carriers in this family confirms the important role of this candidate gene in the pathomechanism of RA, and might be of prognostic value for future clinical observations. Further, to test for association a much larger set of genetically independent patients and controls is needed.

[Herpes simplex virus and malignancies of female genital organs]

INTRODUCTION

Primary herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections of female genital tract usually end with remission, while the virus remains in the organism--almost in the sacral ganglion in a latent form, protected from humoral and cellular immunity. Stress induces the virus and the result is recurrent genital infection. Frequent exacerbations damage some parts of vital cellular structures without cytolysis, but stimulate malignant transformations.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Vulvar (portio vaginalis uteri) and endometrial tumor tissue samples were analyzed for HSV by direct and indirect fluorescent antibody technique (FAT). Pre and postoperative sera samples were analyzed for presence of anti-HSV antibodies--IgM and IgG by Elisa-Enzygnost method. Acellular filtrates obtained by ultrasonic destruction of malignant tissues were used as inoculum for rabbit corneal scarification.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Out of 63 tissue samples, 42 were positive for HSV antigen i.e. 67.3%. According to location 50% of vulvar, 76% PVU and 65% of endometrial tissues were positive. This antigen induces production of virus specific antibodies. Two types of antigens are known: the so-called T-antigen persisting in the cell nucleus and cell-surface antigen--product of the viral genome and can be evidenced by immunofluorescence method. Anti HSV antibodies were present in 63 preoperative serum samples and belonged to IgG group, but not one to IgM, implying a long and chronic course of infection excluding acute primary. Out of 38 postoperative serums the titer of antibodies decreased in 36 evidently, but in two samples remained unchanged. Two samples of endometrial and one from PVU origin contained HSV antigen type one. In the remaining 16 samples HSV 2 antigen was present. Rabbit corneal scarification was the proof of complete infectious virus in malignant tissues. Acellular filtrate of malignant tissues served as inoculum. Corneas of examined rabbits showed a mild inflammation after 24 hours which disappeared in the next 24 hours. We could not isolate the infectious virus by rabbit corneal scarification. Instead of herpetic changes, mild inflammation was evident. This abortive, incomplete symptomatology was probably caused by nonstructural early protein, which is a product of viral genome incorporated in malignant cells.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of our results, we can conclude that HSV can have, beside other factors, a very important, maybe an initial role in development of malignant changes of female genital tract, not only on vulva and PVU, but on endometrium as well. HSV I can cause genital infections and have some role in malignant changes as well as HSV 2. However, complete infective virion couldn't be isolated from malignant tissues.

The microtubule-stabilizing agents epothilones A and B and their desoxy-derivatives induce mitotic arrest and apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells

Epothilones are a new class of natural products that bind to tubulin and prevent the depolymerization of microtubules, although they have no structural similarity to paclitaxel. Taxanes are only marginally effective in the treatment of disseminated prostate cancer, although they may have useful activity when administered in combination with estramustine. Unlike paclitaxel, epothilones are not substrates for P-glycoprotein and are active in multidrug resistant cells. Epothilones A and B (EA, EB) have recently been synthesized in toto. In this report, we examine the effects of synthetic epothilones and their desoxy derivatives, as well as paclitaxel, on prostate cancer cell lines. EB was the most active of these compounds in tissue culture (IC(50): 50-75 pM), four to ten-fold more potent than paclitaxel. EA and the desoxyderivatives of EA and EB (dEA, dEB) were also active, but less potent than EB. Each of these compounds causes mitotic block followed by apoptotic cell death. The relative potencies for cell cycle arrest and cytotoxicity directly correlate with the ability of the drugs to bind microtubules, stabilize mitotic spindles and induce the formation of interphase microtubule bundles. Therefore, synthetic epothilones are potent inhibitors of prostate cancer cell lines and work in a fashion similar to paclitaxel. Recently, we showed that farnesyl transferase inhibitors sensitize tumor cells to paclitaxel-induced mitotic arrest. We now have extended these observations to show that paclitaxel and the epothilones synergize with FTI to arrest the growth of prostate cancer cells. Moreover, this occurs in DU145, a cell line that is not particularly sensitive to the FTI. The combination of FTI and epothilone represent a new potential clinical strategy for the treatment of advanced prostatic cancer.

Desoxyepothilone B is curative against human tumor xenografts that are refractory to paclitaxel

The epothilones are naturally occurring, cytotoxic macrolides that function through a paclitaxel (Taxol)-like mechanism. Although structurally dissimilar, both classes of molecules lead to the arrest of cell division and eventual cell death by stabilizing cellular microtubule assemblies. The epothilones differ in their ability to retain activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) cell lines and tumors where paclitaxel fails. In the current account, we focus on the relationship between epothilone and paclitaxel in the context of tumors with multiple drug resistance. The epothilone analogue Z-12,13-desoxyepothilone B (dEpoB) is >35,000-fold more potent than paclitaxel in inhibiting cell growth in the MDR DC-3F/ADX cell line. Various formulations, routes, and schedules of i.v. administration of dEpoB have been tested in nude mice. Slow infusion with a Cremophor-ethanol vehicle proved to be the most beneficial in increasing efficacy and decreasing toxicity. Although dEpoB performed similarly to paclitaxel in sensitive tumors xenografts (MX-1 human mammary and HT-29 colon tumor), its effects were clearly superior against MDR tumors. When dEpoB was administered to nude mice bearing our MDR human lymphoblastic T cell leukemia (CCRF-CEM/paclitaxel), dEpoB demonstrated a full curative effect. For human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7/Adr cells refractory to paclitaxel, dEpoB reduced the established tumors, markedly suppressed tumor growth, and surpassed other commonly used chemotherapy drugs such as adriamycin, vinblastine, and etoposide in beneficial effects.

Desoxyepothilone B: an efficacious microtubule-targeted antitumor agent with a promising in vivo profile relative to epothilone B

A new class of 16-membered macrolides, the epothilones (Epos), has been synthesized and evaluated for antitumor potential in vitro and in vivo. Recent studies in these and other laboratories showed that epothilones and paclitaxel (paclitaxel) share similar mechanisms of action in stabilizing microtubule arrays as indicated by binding-displacement studies, substitution for paclitaxel in paclitaxel-dependent cell growth, and electron microscopic examinations. The present study examined cell growth-inhibitory effects in two rodent and three human tumor cell lines and their drug-resistant sublines. Although paclitaxel showed as much as 1, 970-fold cross-resistance to the sublines resistant to paclitaxel, adriamycin, vinblastine, or actinomycin D, most epothilones exhibit little or no cross-resistance. In multidrug-resistant CCRF-CEM/VBL100 cells, IC50 values for EpoA (1), EpoB (2), desoxyEpoA (3) (dEpoA), desoxyEpoB (4) (dEpoB), and paclitaxel were 0.02, 0.002, 0.012, 0.017, and 4.14 microM, respectively. In vivo studies, using i.p. administration, indicated that the parent, EpoB, was highly toxic to mice and showed little therapeutic effect when compared with a lead compound, dEpoB. More significantly, dEpoB (25-40 mg/kg, Q2Dx5, i.p.) showed far superior therapeutic effects and lower toxicity than paclitaxel, doxorubicin, camptothecin, or vinblastine (at maximal tolerated doses) in parallel experiments. For mammary adenocarcinoma xenografts resistant to adriamycin, MCF-7/Adr, superior therapeutic effects were obtained with dEpoB compared with paclitaxel when i.p. regimens were used. For ovarian adenocarcinoma xenografts, SK-OV-3, dEpoB (i.p.), and paclitaxel (i. v.) gave similar therapeutic effects. In nude mice bearing a human mammary carcinoma xenograft (MX-1), marked tumor regression and cures were obtained with dEpoB.

Farnesyl transferase inhibitors cause enhanced mitotic sensitivity to taxol and epothilones

An important class of cellular proteins, which includes members of the p21ras family, undergoes posttranslational farnesylation, a modification required for their partition to membranes. Specific farnesyl transferase inhibitors (FTIs) have been developed that selectively inhibit the processing of these proteins. FTIs have been shown to be potent inhibitors of tumor cell growth in cell culture and in murine models and at doses that cause little toxicity to the animal. These data suggest that these drugs might be useful therapeutic agents. We now report that, when FTI is combined with some cytotoxic antineoplastic drugs, the effects on tumor cells are additive. No interference is noted. Furthermore, FTI and agents that prevent microtubule depolymerization, such as taxol or epothilones, act synergistically to inhibit cell growth. FTI causes increased sensitivity to induction of metaphase block by these agents, suggesting that a farnesylated protein may regulate the mitotic check point. The findings imply that FTI may be a useful agent for the treatment of tumors with wild-type ras that are sensitive to taxanes.

Enantiomeric resolution by HPLC of axial chiral amides using amylose tris[(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate]

The enantiomeric resolution of a series of N-arylamides was examined on amylose tris[(S)-1-phenylethylcarbamate] coated onto aminopropylated 7 microns silica with 500 A diameter pores and on naked silica 5 microns particle size with 500 A diameter pores. The enantiomeric resolution obtained for this series was excellent on both columns. The enantioselectivity of cellulose and amylose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) coated onto APS-Hypersil (120 A pore size, 5 microns particle size) was also investigated for this series of compounds.