Gas chromatographic analysis of the metabolic products of anaerobic bacteria. 2. Clostridia]

Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of clostridial metabolites (short-chain carbonic acids and alcohols) were analyzed in associations of these bacteria with facultative anaerobes. Various bacterial groups were found to vary as regarded the composition and quantitative ratio of the major bacterial metabolites. These data may become the criteria for the indication of pathogenic clostridia in mixed cultures after anaerobic passages for 24-48 h at 37 degrees in a medium with 1% glucose.     

A preliminary study of radioimmunoimaging by 131I-COC183B2 monoclonal antibody in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

Monoclonal antibody 131I-COC183B2, developed in our laboratory and proved to fit for human treatment was injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously in 13 patients. In 8 cases with i.p. injection the disease corresponded with the image, i.e. 3 primary ovarian epithelial cancers showed positive images, 1 ovarian Krukenberg tumor was negative and the other 4 negative images included 1 uterine myoma and 3 ovarian teratomas. In the subcutaneous injection group, 4 cases had ovarian carcinoma, surgery and chemotherapy. Two negative images corresponded with the clinical status-in good health, another negative case had metastatic left supraclavicular lymph node due to ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma. The last negative image in this group was a case of benign ovarian teratoma which was proved after surgery. The 1 positive case was waiting to be proved by a scheduled third operation. The computer scintigram calculation of T/NT was 5.35 to 13.7. The results suggest that this monoclonal antibody can be used for radioimmunoimaging for the localization of ovarian carcinoma, which is not only helpful for clinical staging and differential diagnosis but is also a good follow-up method.

     

A phase I-II trial of 4'-deoxydoxorubicin (esorubicin) in refractory or relapsed acute leukemia

In a phase I-II study, 21 patients with relapsed or refractory acute leukemia were treated with 4'-deoxydoxorubicin (esorubicin), the 4'-deoxy derivative of doxorubicin. Four of 14 evaluable patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) in relapse or refractory to other anthracyclines achieved partial response (28.5%). Pharmacokinetics were similar to those of the parent compound, doxorubicin. Esorubicin has activity in ANLL and has pharmacologic properties comparable to those of other anthracyclines. Dose-limiting toxicity occurs in the form of mucositis, which may limit its use in combination with other antileukemic drugs.     

Diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma of the thoracic spine--differential diagnostic difficulties

Spinal Ewing's sarcomas are rare and cause problems in differential diagnosis. The radiologic, nuclear medicine and CT findings in two children with histologically proven Ewing's sarcoma are presented and problems in differential diagnosis discussed. Biopsy should be done early.     

Pancreatic carcinoma. An unusual presentation--inferior vena cava thrombosis

The case reported here demonstrates the importance of considering the possibility of occult malignancy in young patients presenting with extensive or migratory thromboses in atypical locations that appear resistant to standard therapy. Suspicion for malignancy-related thrombosis is heightened by the absence of known precipitating causes and by a negative family history of thrombosis. The search for the responsible underlying neoplasm can be frustrating, but diagnosis and successful treatment of the tumor remain the keys to controlling the abnormal thrombotic state.