Wirkung von Cytostatica auf die Ultrastruktur menschlicher Ovarialcarcinomzellen im in vivo-Test

Zusammenfassung Ein menschliches Ovarialcarinom wurde mit der Diffusionskammertechnik des in vivo-Testes auf seine Sensibilität gegenüber den Cytostatica: Trenimon, Velbe und Thio-Tepa geprüft. Die Wirkung der angewandten Cytostatica auf die Ultrastruktur der Carcinomzellen wurde morphometrisch ausgewertet. Die im in vivo-Test wirksamen Cytostatica führten im elektronenoptischen Bild zu quantitativ faßbaren Veränderungen am Kern, dem endoplasmatischen Reticulum und an den Vacuolen. Die gegen Thio-Tepa resistenten Tumorzellen wiesen morphologisch erkennbare Schädigungszeichen lediglich vereinzelt an den Mitochondrien auf. Die Befunde an der Ultrastruktur entsprachen sonst weitgehend denen der unbehandelten Kontrolle. Die Resistenzbildung maligner Tumoren gegen Cytostatica geht mit Vorgängen an der Einzelzelle einher, die Unterschiede in der Aufnahme und Verteilung der cytostatischen Substanzen in der Zelle zur Folge haben.

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The action of cytostatic drugs on the ultrastructure of human ovarian cancer cells in-vivo test

Summary The sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cytostatic drugs (Trenimon, Velbe, Thio-Tepa) was studied by means of a new diffusion — chamber — technique in-vivo. The morphometrical results of the cytostatic action on the ultrastructure revealed quantitative changes on the nucleus, endoplasmatical reticulum, and vesicles of the cytoplasma. The tumour cells resistant to Thio-Tepa showed no significant difference from the untreated controls. Only very rarely was an influence of Thio-Tepa on the mitochondria seen, however, the cells of the untreated control and the resistant cells did not differ quantitatively in their morphometrical characteristics. The resistance of cancer to chemotherapy is a qualitative problem of the single cell revealed by the difference in the uptake and distribution of the cytostatic substance in the cell compartments.

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Mit Unterstützung durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.

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Auszugsweise vorgetragen: 37. Tagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie, Lübeck-Travemünde, vom 24.–28. 9. 1968.     

The complexity of HIV vasculopathy

We present a case and discuss stroke related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and the difficulties of reaching a firm diagnosis of the cause of the aneurysmal vasculopathy. In the absence of a clear aetiology we suggest looking for varicella zoster virus (VZV) replication in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and treating with intravenous acyclovir, aiming for HIV control with appropriate antiretroviral therapy and providing suitable antiplatelet agents. If there is a high index of suspicion of VZV, therapy with acyclovir may be prudent even if the CSF PCR is negative (as may occur after the first 2 weeks of reactivation of infection). Determination of a VZV plasma:CSF IgG ratio is not readily available and would only provide surrogate support for a previous VZV infection in the central nervous system compartment.     

The Effect of Antihypertensive Treatment on the Circulating Hypertensive Factor in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

ABSTRACT

To elucidate the role of circulating hypertensive factors in the spontaneously hypertensive rat and the effects of antihypertensive treatment on the circulating hypertensive factor, cross circulation was performed in 54 couples of spontaneously hypertensive and normotensive rats. In normotensive rats cross-circulated with untreated spontaneously hypertensive rats mean arterial pressure increased by 20,9 ± 12,2 mm Hg (p<0,01). Increases in mean arterial pressure were also obtained by cross-circulation with spontaneously hypertensive rats pretreated with propranolol, furosemide, and nifedipine. Mean arterial pressure was not changed by cross circulation after pretreatment of the spontaneously hypertensive rats with alpha methyldopa. It is concluded that in this strain of spontaneously hypertensive rats a circulating hypertensive factor exists, the secretion of which can be suppressed by the centrally acting drug, alpha methyldopa. Therefore either the central nervous system may take part in the regulation of the factor or the factor may be synthetized in the central nervous system.     

Religion and psychological distress in a community sample

This paper examines the effect of religious attendance and affiliation on psychological distress in a longitudinal community study of 720 adults. Religious affiliation is unrelated to mental health status. In contrast, although religious attendance does not directly reduce psychological distress, it buffers the deleterious effects of stress on mental health. That is, in the face of stressful events and physical health problems, religious attendance reduces the adverse consequences of these stressors on psychological well-being.     

Isolated corticosteroid myopathy of the gluteal muscles.

Corticosteroid myopathy is a severe side effect of corticosteroid application. Although the risk usually increases with drug dosage, even a single dose can lead to substantial muscular damage. Usually the tissue recovers over time after discontinuation of the responsible drug. We report local corticosteroid myopathy in a patient who had been given corticosteroid injections because of chronic hip pain. In this case, the patient's myopathy in the left hip region had not improved after 6 months.     

Effects of peer‐assisted training during the neurology clerkship: a randomized controlled study

Objective: To determine the efficacy of peer‐assisted clinical skills training for students during their neurology clerkship. Methods: Students (n = 122) were randomized to get clinical skills training from either student (peer) instructors (experimental group) or from experienced clinical staff (control group). The remaining schedule during the clerkship did not differ between both groups. Primary endpoint was students’ practical skills and knowledge tested at the end of the course by a written test and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). Secondary endpoints were evaluation of the practical training and self‐estimated gain in theoretical and practical competence. Results: In the written test, the peer‐trained group (n = 66) scored 69.5 ± 10.2 (95% CI 67–72) points of 100 and the postgraduates‐trained group (n = 56) 66.7 ± 11.4 (95% CI 63.6–69.8) (P = 0.15). In the OSCE the peer‐trained group scored 93.7 ± 6.3 (95% CI 92.1 to 95.2) points of 100 and the postgraduates‐trained group 92 ± 5.1 (95% CI 90.6 to 93.4) (P = 0.11). In the evaluation and self‐assessment items, there was no significant difference between the two groups except for the postgraduates’ higher competence (P = 0.004). Conclusion: Peer‐trained students pass written exam and OSCE as efficient as postgraduates‐trained students. Self‐assessed learning success is equally rated in both groups.     

Renal mesangium is a target for calcitonin gene-related peptide

Rat calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP alpha; EC50, 1 nM) was shown to stimulate cAMP formation in cultured rat renal mesangial cells. CGRP concentration dependently (EC50, 1 nM) also inhibited contraction of mesangial cells by angiotensin II (10 nM). Angiotensin II (10 nM) caused a transient increase of the intracellular calcium concentration from 140 nM to 480 nM in the mesangial cells, but these calcium transients were not altered by CGRP. CGRP (10 nM) decreased vascular resistance in the isolated rat kidney perfused at constant pressure (100 mm Hg; P less than 0.01). The decreased vascular resistance was accompanied by a rise of the glomerular filtration fraction. CGRP, moreover, attenuated the effects of angiotensin II on renal vascular resistance and glomerular filtration (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, CGRP causes relaxation of renal mesangial cells and decreases renal vascular resistance. As a result CGRP raises glomerular filtration and the filtration fraction. The effect may be linked to cyclic AMP formation. Thus, regulation of renal vascular and glomerular function may represent a novel action of CGRP apart from its cardiovascular effects.