Tumor inhibiting properties of stereoisomeric [1,2-bis(3-hydroxyphenyl) ethylenediamine]dichloroplatinum(II)-complexes, Part II: Biological properties

The activity of stereoisomeric [1,2-bis(3-hydroxyphenyl)ethylenediamine] dichloroplatinum(II)-complexes (1-PtCl2,R,S; 2-PtCl2, R,R/S,S; 3-PtCl2, R,R; 4-PtCl2, S,S) on several tumor models (MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line; P 388 leukemia, mouse; L 1210 leukemia, mouse; L 5222 leukemia, rat; Ehrlich ascites tumor, mouse--wildtype; cisplatin-, etoposide-, cyclophosphamide-, and daunomycin-resistant, resp.) is described. For comparison the analogous [1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylendiamine]dichloroplatinum (II)-complexes (5-PtCl2, R, S; 6-PtCl2, R,R/S,S; 7-PtCl2, R,R; 8-PtCl2, S,S) and cisplatin are used. 1-PtCl2 to 4-PtCl2 (OH in 3,3'-positions) show their maximum antitumor effect at lower doses than 5-PtCl2 to 8-PtCl2 (OH in 4,4'-positions). 2-PtCl2 and 6-PtCl2 (R,R/S,S) are more active than 1-PtCl2 and 5-PtCl2 (R,S). 4-PtCl2 and 8-PtCl2 (S,S) are superior to 3-PtCl2 and 7-PtCl2 (R,R). On the L 5222 leukemia 2-PtCl2 (R,R/S,S), 4-PtCl2 (S,S) and 8-PtCl2 (S,S) markedly surpass cisplatin. Strong effects are produced by 2-PtCl2 to 4-PtCl2 on the Ehrlich ascites tumor (wildtype, cisplatin-, etoposide-, cyclophosphamide-, and daunomycin-resistant, resp.). The combination of 4-PtCl2 with cisplatin results in a weakly synergistic effect.     

DNA repair synthesis in individuals with and without a family history of cancer

The influence of family history on DNA repair synthesis, unscheduledDNA synthesis (UDS), was assessed in volunteers with or withouta family history of cancer. UDS, following treatment of mononuclearleukocytes with N-acetoxy-2-acetylaminofluorene, was measuredas the incorporation of [³H] into DNA in the presence of hydroxyurea.The positive family history group (n=71) had an average of 2.4first-degree relatives with cancer, defined as any major cancer,excluding skin cancer: 31 participants reported that canceroccurred in both their parents. The ‘no family history’comparison group (n=29) had no family history of cancer throughthe second degree. There was a significant reduction in UDSin cells from individuals with family history, compared to thosewith no family history (P>0.002). This relationship was notexplained by factors known to influence UDS, such as age, smokingor hypertension. We conclude that reduced UDS in mononuclearleukocytes is associated with a family history of any majorcancer, and is not confined to a history of cancer of any singleorgan site. This conclusion is further supported by the observationthat individuals (n=13) with parents who had an earlier onsetof cancer (<60 years) also had a significantly lower DNArepair synthesis than those (n=18) whose parents had later diagnosisof cancer (>60 years).     

Patients seeking symmetrical recontouring for “Perceived” deformities in the width of the face and skull

This article describes plastic surgery patients who sought symmetrical recontouring of the width of the face and skull. The basic demographic and personality characteristics of these facial width deformity (FWD) patients and the surgical procedures performed on them are discussed. Details of the surgical and psychological management of three representative cases are given. Speculative conclusions regarding the general characteristics of the FWD population are offered. Suggestions are proposed for a combined surgical-medical psychotherapeutic collaboration in managing these patients.     

Prospective comparison of hip fracture treatment: 856 cases followed for 4 months in The Netherlands and Sweden

In a prospective multicenter study 1115 hip fracture patients were registered in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Sundsvall and Lund (Sweden). The patients had similar background parameters with a mean age of 78 years, about half of them living alone and just above 80 percent coming from independent living

For cervical fracture, hemiarthroplasty was the predominating treatment in Rotterdam (n 169), whereas osteosynthesis was used in Sundsvall (screws n 135) and Lund (hook-pins n 148). The mean (median) hospitalization time was 32 (20) days in Rotterdam, 16 (12) days in Sundsvall, and 17 (10) days in Lund. Discharge to independent living varied from 53 percent in Lund to 72 percent in Sundsvall. Functional outcome (walking ability and ADL capacity) was at 4 months similar in all groups, but at 2 weeks was lower in Rotterdam. Mortality at 2 weeks / 1 month 14 months was in Rotterdam 4/9/20, in Sundsvall 2/4/13, and in Lund 01311 0 percent.

Trochanteric fractures were treated by screwplate in Rotterdam (n 146) and Lund (n 78), and by Ender nails in Sundsvall (n 11 7). The mean (median) hospitalization time was in Rotterdam 39 (29) days, in Sundsvall 24 (1 5) days and in Lund 19 (11) days. Discharge to independent living varied from 41 percent in Lund to 57 percent in Sundsvall. Functional outcome was similar between the groups. Mortality at 2 weeks / 1 month 14 months was in Rotterdam 2/6/14, in Sundsvall 611 2/19 and in Lund 12/12/18 percent.

Thus, our study has shown that it is possible to perform a prospective multicenter study involving different European countries. The functional out- come after 4 months was very consistent between the centers studied, irrespective of choices made concerning operation method and rehabilitation routines. However, a difference in mortality within these first postoperative months was found, which seems attributable to the operation procedure.     

An analysis of the components in UW solution using the isolated perfused rabbit liver

The isolated perfused rabbit liver model has been used to determine the essential components of the UW solution for hepatic preservation by simple cold storage. Livers were stored on ice for 48 hr after initial flushing with the solution being tested, and then reperfused at 38 degrees C in an isolated perfusion circuit; bile flow and enzyme (SGOT, SGPT, and LDH) release during a 2-hr period were recorded. All solutions tested contained phosphate (25 mM) as a buffer and magnesium sulfate (5 mM). Sodium can be substituted for potassium without adverse effects. Lactobionate, raffinose and glutathione cannot be omitted; all other components can be eliminated without altering the effectiveness of the solution in this model.     

Sulfur amino acid metabolism in cystinuria: a biochemical and clinical study of patients

Sulfur amino acid metabolism was studied in 26 homozygotic cystinuric patients, some of whom received D-penicillamine, 2-mercaptopropionylglycine or N-acetylcysteine treatments in order to evaluate signs of cyst(e)ine deficiency. Decreased leukocyte glutathione and taurine levels, plasma cyst(e)ine and taurine concentrations and urinary inorganic sulfate, taurine, mercaptolactate and thiosulfate outputs were found in cystinuric patients, probably reflecting intracellular cyst(e)ine deficiency. An increased mercaptoacetate-cysteine mixed disulfide output was found, probably as result of a poor tubular reabsorption of this compound, as well as for cystine. Normal retinal function was recorded in all patients. During drug treatments, the excretion of most of the sulfur compounds in cystinurics was as those found in controls, probably reflecting an increased mobilization of cysteine. N-acetylcysteine treatment increased the excretion of cyst(e)ine and can thus not be recommended as stone preventive therapy in cystinuria.     

Assoziation der chronischen Urtikaria mit Helicobacter pylori-induzierter Antrum-Gastritis

Zusammenfassung Trotz der H?ufigkeit der Erkrankung liegen nur wenige gesicherte Erkenntnisse über die ?tiologie der chronischen Urtikaria vor. Bei 10 Patienten, bei denen keine anderweitige Ursache für die Erkrankung ermittelt werden konnte, führten wir eine Gastroskopie durch. Bei 8 der 10 Patienten konnte eine Besiedlung der Magenschleimhaut mit Helicobacter pylori gesichert werden. Die Urtikaria heilte innerhalb weniger Tage bei allen Patienten ab, nachdem wir eine Therapie mit Amoxicillin und Omeprazol einleiteten. Eingegangen am 6. Februar 1995 Angenommen am 12. Mai 1995     

Surface proteins of Streptococcus agalactiae and related proteins in other bacterial pathogens

Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus) is the major cause of invasive bacterial disease, including meningitis, in the neonatal period. Although prophylactic measures have contributed to a substantial reduction in the number of infections, development of a vaccine remains an important goal. While much work in this field has focused on the S. agalactiae polysaccharide capsule, which is an important virulence factor that elicits protective immunity, surface proteins have received increasing attention as potential virulence factors and vaccine components. Here, we summarize current knowledge about S. agalactiae surface proteins, with emphasis on proteins that have been characterized immunochemically and/or elicit protective immunity in animal models. These surface proteins have been implicated in interactions with human epithelial cells, binding to extracellular matrix components, and/or evasion of host immunity. Of note, several S. agalactiae surface proteins are related to surface proteins identified in other bacterial pathogens, emphasizing the general interest of the S. agalactiae proteins. Because some S. agalactiae surface proteins elicit protective immunity, they hold promise as components in a vaccine based only on proteins or as carriers in polysaccharide conjugate vaccines.