Interaction between Paranosema locustae and Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum, two pathogens of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria under laboratory conditions.

The interaction between two pathogens, the microsporidian Paranosema locustae Canning and the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae var. acridum Driver and Milner was studied under laboratory conditions in an attempt to develop an improved method of microbial control for the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria Forskål. Fifth-instar locust nymphs, reared in the laboratory, were treated with various concentrations of one of the two pathogens or with both pathogens. The numbers of locusts killed were recorded each day and the production of pathogen spores within the dead locusts was assessed at the end (day 21) of each experiment. Locust nymphs treated with both P. locustae and M. anisopliae died sooner than nymphs infected with only one of the pathogens. At the lower concentrations of pathogen tested, the effects of the two pathogens were additive. At the higher concentrations the combined effects were synergistic. In terms of locust mortality, there was no evidence of any antagonistic effects between the two pathogens. However, the production of spores by P. locustae was reduced considerably when the host insects were infected also with M. anisopliae. For example, nymphs treated initially with P. locustae and then treated 3 and 10 days later with M. anisopliae produced 3-20 times and 2.5-8 times fewer spores, respectively, than nymphs treated only with P. locustae. Hence, in areas where M. anisopliae is applied, the natural persistence of P. locustae in the local grasshopper and locust populations may be diminished.

Post-dive blood lactate concentrations in emperor penguins, Aptenodytes forsteri.

In order to determine an aerobic diving limit (ADL) in emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri), post-dive blood lactate concentrations were measured in penguins foraging at an isolated sea ice hole. Resting lactate concentrations were 1.2-2.7 mmol l-1. Serial samples revealed that lactate level usually peaked within 5 min after dives and that 7-12 min was required for lactate concentrations to decrease from 5-8 mmol l-1 to less than 2.5 mmol l-1. Post-dive lactate level was not elevated above 3 mmol l-1 for dives shorter than 5 min. Two-phase regression analysis revealed a transaction at 5.6 min in the post-dive lactate level versus diving duration relationship. All dives longer than 7 min were associated with lactate concentrations greater than 5 mmol l-1. We conclude that the ADL in emperor penguins ranges between 5 and 7 min. These are the first determinations of post-dive lactate concentrations in any free-diving bird and are currently the only physiological assessment of an ADL in an avian species.

CT prediction of irresectability in esophageal carcinoma: value of additional patient positions and relation to patient outcome.

BACKGROUND: To improve computed tomographic (CT) prediction of local irresectability and to correlate preoperative CT findings with patient outcome. METHODS: Eighty-five patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent CT in supine, left lateral decubitus, and prone positions. CT signs that were indicative of local irresectability included (1) an angle of contact >45 degrees with the aorta; (2) obliteration of triangular fat pad between the tumor, aorta, and spine; (3) tumor contiguous with the aorta in all three positions; and (4) indentation of the airway in all three positions. RESULTS: All CT signs indicative for local irresectability concerning the aorta had comparable percentages of false-positive scans (75%) when correlated with surgical findings. When correlated with pathologic findings, >45 degrees angle of contact with the aorta yielded the fewest false-positive cases (9%). Concerning the airway, additional positions changed the staging correctly in 1 of 18 cases. Median survival was 21 and 8 months, respectively, for tumors considered CT resectable or irresectable. CONCLUSION: Additional patient positions do not improve the CT prediction of aortic invasion. Predicted resectability correlates with a significant longer life expectancy.

A stage Ia vulvar carcinoma with an inguinal lymph node recurrence after local excision. A case report and literature review.

A patient with a stage Ia vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (< 1 mm invasion) is reported in which an inguinal recurrence one and a half years after partial radical vulvectomy and superficial inguinal lymph node sampling was noted. After the initial biopsy showing a tumor invading 0.3 mm into the stroma, residual tumor could not be shown in the vulvectomy specimen nor in the superficial lymph nodes. A review of the literature indicates that this is only the second reported case of stage Ia vulvar carcinoma with lymph node metastases.

Early recurrent miscarriage: histology of conception products.

The histopathological appearance of conception products from 44 women with recurrent miscarriage was compared with those obtained from 105 women with sporadic miscarriage. Abnormal villi, suggesting fetal chromosomal abnormalities, were found in 62% of women with a recurrent miscarriage and in 58% of those with sporadic miscarriage. This difference is not statistically significant.

Familial Cushing's syndrome due to nodular adrenocortical dysplasia. A putative receptor-antibody disease?

Two sisters aged 13 and 19 years suffering from familial Cushing's syndrome due to nodular adrenocortical dysplasia are described. Pituitary adrenocortical function tests indicated the presence of adrenal autonomy. Adrenal scintigraphy showed bilateral symmetrical uptake indicating the bilateral character of the autonomous process. Complete adrenalectomy was performed in both girls. The adrenals were of about normal weight showing numerous dark brown pigmented nodules and small perivascular lymphocytic infiltrates. Serum immunoglobulin preparations obtained from both girls stimulated adrenocortical cell growth in a cytochemical bioassay system. It is proposed that circulating growth factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Randomised trial comparing two combination chemotherapy regimens (Hexa-CAF vs CHAP-5) in advanced ovarian carcinoma.

186 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma were treated with either a combination of hexamethylmelamine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil (Hexa-CAF) or cyclophosphamide and hexamethylmelamine alternating with doxorubicin and a 5-day course of cisplatin (CHAP-5). Treatment with CHAP-5 resulted in more complete remissions as determined by laparatomy or peritoneoscopy (p = 0.004), better overall response (p = 0.0001), and longer overall survival and progression-free survival (p less than 0.002). Therapy, histological grade, and Karnofsky index were reliable predictors of overall response, whereas therapy, FIGO-stage, and size of residual tumour before chemotherapy were independent predictors for complete remission and for prolonged survival. Peripheral neurotoxicity was a major problem in patients assigned to the CHAP-5-group and was likely to be due to the simultaneous administration of hexamethylmelamine and cisplatin. The CHAP-5 regimen is one of the most effective regimens for the initial treatment of ovarian cancer.

Combination chemotherapy with or without hexamethylmelamine in alkylating-agent resistant ovarian carcinoma.

The study was designed to determine the efficacy of a two-drug and three-drug combination chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma resistant to alkylating monotherapy. Patients were randomized to receive either Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (AP) repeated every 3 weeks, or AP plus hexamethylmelamine (HAP) repeated every 5 weeks. Forty-five patients were evaluable for response and 49 for survival. No significant differences were found between the treatment groups as to response rate, progression-free survival, and survival. A remission was achieved in 20% of the patients and stable disease in another 20%. Median progression-free survival of all patients was only 4 months (median survival, 6 months). All patients showed progressive disease within 13 months after the onset of chemotherapy. Patients responding to treatment and those with an interval of more than 2 years between the initial diagnosis and cancer recurrence, experienced prolonged survival. Two conclusions can be drawn from the results of this study; neither of the regimens is superior to the other, and the effect of both in alkylator-resistant patients with ovarian cancer are meager. In studies on salvage chemotherapy, to the contrary, these combinations induced remissions in more than 40% of the patients. This difference in response rate might be due to differences between the prognostic factors of the patient populations. Better results are to be expected when these drugs are used in initial drug programs for previously untreated patients.

Atrioventricular block in childhood caused by mesothelioma.

The case of a girl who was first seen at 3.5 years of age with longstanding asymptomatic heart block is reported. Electrophysiological study disclosed a block proximal to the His bundle. She grew up normally until the age of 11.5 years, when a syncopal attack occurred. Before a pacemaker could be inserted, she suffered a second fatal attack. Necropsy revealed a tumor of the atrioventricular node diagnosed as mesothelioma. Our findings are compared to the 38 cases already described in the literature.