Induction of solid tumor differentiation by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligand troglitazone in patients with liposarcoma.

Agonist ligands for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma have been shown to induce terminal differentiation of normal preadipocytes and human liposarcoma cells in vitro. Because the differentiation status of liposarcoma is predictive of clinical outcomes, modulation of the differentiation status of a tumor may favorably impact clinical behavior. We have conducted a clinical trial for treatment of patients with advanced liposarcoma by using the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ligand troglitazone, in which extensive correlative laboratory studies of tumor differentiation were performed. We report here the results of three patients with intermediate to high-grade liposarcomas in whom troglitazone administration induced histologic and biochemical differentiation in vivo. Biopsies of tumors from each of these patients while on troglitazone demonstrated histologic evidence of extensive lipid accumulation by tumor cells and substantial increases in NMR-detectable tumor triglycerides compared with pretreatment biopsies. In addition, expression of several mRNA transcripts characteristic of differentiation in the adipocyte lineage was induced. There was also a marked reduction in immunohistochemical expression of Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation. Together, these data indicate that terminal adipocytic differentiation was induced in these malignant tumors by troglitazone. These results indicate that lineage-appropriate differentiation can be induced pharmacologically in a human solid tumor.

[Morbidity and dental care in the population of the German Federal Republic]. / Morbidiät und Versorgung der Zähne in der Bevölkerung der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. 20V

Project "A" of the "Epidemiology" study group of the German Dental Association dealt with an inventory of the oral health in that portion of the German population under the care of a dentist. The most important evaluations, according to age group and sex, for the 14,491 subjects involved the median values of decayed missing, and filled teeth and/or tooth surfaces per examined individual. Data concerning the number of healthy sets of teeth, complete dentition, treatment needs, and the care of diastemas were also collected.

[Dental health status in 12-14 year olds in 2 fluoride-endemic regions in northern Bavaria]. / Zahngesundheitszustand 12-14jähriger in zwei fluorendemischen Gebieten Nordbayerns.

The effects of higher concentrations of fluoride in drinking water on the prevalence of dental caries, the appearance of dental fluorosis, and the eruption time of the teeth were studied in 12- to 14-year old children living in two fluorine-endemic areas. Group I received drinking water with a constant fluoride content of 3 ppm from the time of birth. Group II received drinking water with a fluoride content varying between 0.8 and 2.4 ppm from the third to the fifth year of life.

[Dental studies on the protective effect of breast feeding]. / Zahnärztliche Untersuchungen über die Schutzwirkung der Muttermilch.

The frequency of disease for children who were breast fed as babies is lower than that for children who were bottle fed. Breast milk contains specific and nonspecific proteins which act against pathogens. The influence of breast milk on the development of juvenile periodontitis was examined. It was shown that, out of 55 children raised on bottle milk, 9 children up to 14 years of age showed inflammatory changes in the gingiva while only 1 child out of the 17 fed with breast milk during the first few months of life had gingivitis. The lower frequency of gingivitis can probably be explained by the immunopathology of periodontitis.

[Comparative phorogrammetric studies on a periodontal index]. / Photogrammetrische Vergleichsuntersuchungen über einen Parodontalindex.

Reproducibile results are difficult to obtain with subjectively recorded periodontal indexes. The information acquired via such indexes therefore may be called into question. Inflammation of the gingiva was induced in 15 subjects. The degree of gingival swelling was determined via monophotogrammetry; the degree of inflammation, with the PMA index which emphasizes the symptom "swelling". The results were compared and discussed. It is highly probable that the PMA index is subjectively overrated.

[Comparative clinical and photogrammetric studies on the marginal periodontium after the use of dentifrices]. / Vergleichende klinische und photogrammetrische Untersuchungen am marginalen Parodont nach Anwendung von Zahnpasten.

A suggestion was made for testing the therapeutic effect of certain substances on gingival inflammation. Gingivitis was induced in 60 subjects by discontinuing of all forms of oral hygiene. Three tooth pastes, one of which was a placebo, were used for the study. Regression of the inflammation was determined with the periodontal indexes and photogrammetry. Photogrammetry appears to be well suited for objective evaluation of the therapeutic value of certain substances.

[The effect of periodontal resistance on experimental gingivitis]. / Uber den Einfluss der parodontalen Resistenz auf die experimentelle Gingivitis.

The distribution and degree of severity of periodontal diseases depends on many different factors. One of the factors, periodontal resistance, was studied in 62 subjects. The test with experimental gingivitis showed that the dividing the subjects into periodontal-resistant and periodontal-insufficient groups led to more differentiated results.

[Prevention of the caries through the application of fluoride]. / Kariesprophylaxe durch Fluoridanwendung.

About 90% of the populations of North and Central Europe and North America suffer from dental caries. A change of nutrition and intensive oral hygiene would make it possible to limit the attack of caries decisively. All measures which have been directed to this end have so far failed. It must be noted that our population will apparently not be re-educated in the foreseeable future. However, since it is entitled to the exhaustion of all possibilities for the preservation of health, the increased use of fluorides for caries prevention is to be encouraged. Until the introduction of fluoridated drinking water the administration of fluoride tablets, especially in kindergartens and schools, should be promoted to the fullest extent. Alternatively it should be considered how far fluoridation of salt would be possible. Furthermore the local use of fluorides for caries prophylaxis to the fullest extent should be recommended.

[Experimental gingivitis--a photogrammetric comparative study]. / Die experimentelle Gingivitis--eine photogrammetrische Vergleichsuntersuchung.

Inflammation of the gingiva was induced in 29 subjects ranging in age from 20 to 29 by discontinuing all forms of oral hygiene for three weeks. The course of the inflammation was followed during the developmental period and the following therapy phase with the PMA index, the plaque index, and monophotogrammetry. The results tend to indicate that gingival swelling develops more gradually and recedes more rapidly after treatment has been instituted than could be assumed from the current standard periodontal indexes.