Use of E mu-PIM-1 transgenic mice short-term in vivo carcinogenicity testing: lymphoma induction by benzo[a]pyrene, but not by TPA

E mu-pim-1 transgenic mice are predisposed to develop lymphomas. Due to their low spontaneous tumour incidence and their increased sensitivity towards the lymphomagen ethylnitrosourea these mice may present an interesting model for short-term carcinogenicity testing. Here, we report on the further exploration of this transgenic mouse model with two additional carcinogens known to have, among others, the lymphohaematopoietic system as target, i.e. benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). B[a]P, given three times a week (by gavage) for 13 weeks at 4.3, 13 or 39 mg/kg body weight, resulted in a dose-related increase in lymphomas up to a 90% incidence in E(mu)-pim-1 mice during the observation period of 40 weeks. B[a]P also induced tumours of the forestomach within this observation period, though at a lower incidence and apparently equally effective in wildtype and transgenic mice. TPA, on the other hand, was unable to induce lymphomas (or tumours in any other organ) in either transgenic or wildtype animals within the observation period of 44 weeks, when applied dermally at the maximum tolerated dose of 3 microg/mouse, twice a week for 35 weeks. Molecular analysis showed that B[a]P-induced lymphomas in transgenic mice were of T-cell origin, 80% of which had elevated levels of c-myc expression. None of the lymphomas had increased N-myc expression and mutation analysis of the ras-gene family revealed a K-ras mutation in only one out of eight tumours investigated. Also, none of the lymphomas showed aberrant expression of p53 as determined by immunohistochemistry. It is concluded that the E mu-pim-1 mouse model will not be very suitable for short-term carcinogenicity testing in general: only genotoxic chemicals that have the lymphohaematopoietic system as target for carcinogenesis in wild- type mice, appear to be efficiently identified.      

The effect of Frankel II and modified twin block appliances on the 'C'-axis: the growth vector of the dentomaxillary complex

The recently determined 'C'-axis, the growth vector of the dentomaxillary complex, permits an evaluation of any meaningful growth changes thereto by the Frankel II and modified Twin Block functional appliances. Retardation of the velocity of change (mm/year) in length of the 'C'-axis did not occur. The angular relationship of the 'C'-axis to Sella-Nasion (theta) and to the palatal plane (alpha) were not altered in a clinically significant way. Favorable changes observed in the correction of Class II malocclusions are likely because of dentoalveolar alterations buttressed by favorable mandibular growth.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody reactive with a specific neoantigenic determinant (comprising B beta 54-118) in degradation products of fibrin and of fibrinogen

Balb/c mice were immunized with a mixture of fibrin degradation products (XDPs) prepared by complete lysis of a human blood clot by tissue-type plasminogen activator and purified by immunoaffinity chromatography. Spleen cells of the mice were fused with P3 X 63 Ag 8653 myeloma cells. A clone (FDP 14) was selected that produces monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) of the IgG1 kappa type that react with a neoantigenic determinant exposed in these XDPs, but not in intact fibrinogen or in fibrin monomers. Furthermore, the MoAb is reactive with some pure, individual degradation products of fibrinogen (fragments X, Y, E, and the N-terminal disulphide knot) and with the fibrinogen B beta-chain but not with A alpha- and gamma-chains or with fragments D, FCB-2 and FCB-3. Comparison of the known primary structures of these fibrinogen fragments indicates that the stretch B beta 54-118 comprises at least an important part of the epitope recognized by FDP-14. Apparently, this stretch contributes importantly to a neoantigenic determinant that is not functional in intact fibrinogen and fibrin monomer and that can be made functional by reduction of fibrinogen, or by digestion with plasmin or CNBr.     

Health-related quality of life among paediatric survivors of primary brain tumours and acute leukaemia

Purpose  

Comparative assessment of the HRQL of paediatric survivors of brain tumours (BT) and of acute leukaemia against a population of their healthy peers.