Pretherapeutic flow cytometric DNA investigations in radiotherapy patients with maxillo-facial carcinomas.

In order to analyze the possible meaning of cellular DNA content and cell cycle phases for the radiosensitivity and the prognosis of human malignant tumors, flow cytometric measurements have been performed in biopsies of 131 patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinomas of the maxillo-facial region. In two-thirds of the patients (88/131; 67%), aneuploid tumor cell lines have been found, only 33% (43/131) had a diploid DNA distribution pattern. The average DNA index (DI) of the aneuploid carcinomas was 3.4 +/- 0.6 (normal nonmalignant tissue DI = 2.0). The frequency of S-phase cells, which represents the "proliferative activity", was between 4.8 and 63.2%, regardless of the ploidy stages. The aneuploid carcinomas had about twice as many S-phase cells (mean 23.7 +/- 11.8%) than diploid tumors (mean 12.7 +/- 4.8%). Mean survival for patients with diploid carcinoma and aneuploid carcinoma was 12 and 9.5 months, respectively. Concerning the relationship of S-phase frequency and survival times in our material there was a high negative statistical correlation (Spearman-Rank test) in patients with diploid carcinomas. A high S-phase fraction resulted in short survival times. No correlation was found in the aneuploid carcinomas: patients with tumors in high S-phase values in their biopsies showed no difference in prognosis in comparison to tumors with lower S-phase fractions.

[1st report on indirect lymphography using iotasul in the head and neck region]. / Erste Mitteilung über die indirekte Lymphographie mit Iotasul im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

The early results in 29 patients with tumours in the head and neck are described, on whom indirect lymphography with the water-soluble contrast medium Iotasul had been carried out (experimental contrast medium, Schering AG). After careful sub-epidermal injection of about 12 ml contrast, either lateral to the eye or in the region of the chin, lymph vessels were seen in 25 patients and lymph nodes in 20. These were demonstrated by conventional radiography or by xero-radiography. There were no local or generalised reactions.

Innervation of the mucosa of rabbit maxillary sinus. II. Demonstration of catecholamine fluorescence and acetylcholinesterase activity.

The innervation of the rabbit maxillary sinus mucosa has been studied with histochemical techniques, using the glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence for the demonstration of catecholamines and the acetylcholinesterase method. A dense acetylcholinesterase-positive nerve plexus can be demonstrated around the secretory end-pieces, the efferent ducts, the blood vessels in the lamina propria, and rarely but regularly in the ciliated epithelium. A doubtless identification of these nerve fibres to be cholinergic does not seem possible. The adrenergic innervation is lacking within the epithelium, but can be seen near the muscle layers around blood vessels and in the lamina propria. An additional sympathetic control of the glandular activity is not excluded.

Innervation of the mucosa of rabbit maxillary sinus. I. Electron microscopic findings.

The terminal nerve plexus in all parts of the rabbit maxillary sinus was studied at the electron microscopic level. Intra-epithelial varicosities could be observed in close connection to all types of epithelial cells in the respiratory ciliated epithelium as well as in the glandular epithelium. Following intercellular spaces the predominantly basal varicosities may even reach layers near the epithelial surface. Nerve profiles deeply invaginated into epithelial cells are considered to represent a very intensive nervous transmission. The functional significance of the terminal nerve plexus is discussed.

[Quantitative determination of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and trofosfamide and their stable metabolites on TLC-plates with the aid of 4-pyridine-aldehyde-2-benzothiazolyl-hydrazone (PBH) (author's transl)]. / Quantitative Bestimmung von Cyclophosphamid, Ifosfamid und Trofosfamid sowie ihrer stabilen Metabolite auf der DC-Platte mit 4-Pyridinaldehyd-2-benzothiazolylhydrazon (PBH)

Cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and trofosfamide can be analysed quantitatively together with their stable alkylating urine metabolites on TL-plates by means of the PBH-reagent (4-pyridine-aldehyde-2-benzothiazolyl-hydrazone). The method requires only 0.01 ml urine, but a careful standardisation is necessary by using reference substances. The minimum measurable amounts are between 0.25 and 0.5 mug. In the urines of rat and man the carboxy derivatives and the dechloroethyl derivatives, respectively, resulting from side chain oxidation, are predominant next to cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, or trofosfamide, respectively. Side chain oxidation can be prevalent, as we have found in some patients treated with ifosfamide. The method described allows not only the calculation of time functions for the excretion of PBH-reactive substances but also in vitro investigations of the chemokinetic properties of cyclophosphamide derivatives under physiological conditions.