No evidence of HIV and SIV sequences in two separate lots of polio vaccines used in the first U.S. polio vaccine campaign.

We obtained sealed vials of two different polio vaccine lots, expiration date 1955, which were used in the first U.S. polio vaccine campaign. These early lots were pulled from the market because they contained live infectious poliovirus which caused polio in some of the vaccines. Theoretically, these vaccines could have contained other infectious retroviruses, including HIV. No viral sequences were detected using RT-PCR analyses with primers capable of amplifying chimpanzee SIV and HIV-1-related viruses nor with primers for macaque SIV, sooty mangabey SIV, and HIV-2-related viruses. Poliovirus sequences were readily amplified by RT-PCR, suggesting that the technique used would have detected SIV or HIV sequences, if present.

SV40 sequences in human osteosarcoma of German origin.

Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a dsDNA polyomavirus that induces osteosarcomas and mesotheliomas in hamsters and transforms many types of cells in tissue culture, including human cells. Osteosarcoma is a bone malignancy with multiple molecular lesions underlining progression from normal bone to osteosarcoma. Recent investigations have identified SV40 DNA sequences in osteosarcomas, suggesting that SV40 may contribute to tumor development. However, these studies also demonstrated that geographical differences exist between SV40 and tumor association. Our study analyzed 46 frozen German tumor specimens (42 osteosarcomas and 4 sarcomas initially suspected to be osteosarcomas) for the presence of SV40 DNA sequences by using PCR. Two different primer sets amplifying a 573 bp region of SV40 Tag gene with the complete intron sequence (SV.for 2/SV.rev) and a 172 bp region with no intron sequence (SV.5/SV.6) were used. DNA sequencing analysis verified the results. No SV40 sequences could be detected using the primer set SV.for 2/SV.rev, while 2 out of 42 osteosarcoma specimens and 1 out of 4 poorly-differentiated tumor specimens contained SV40 sequences, using the primer set SV.5/SV.6. From one of these two positive osteosarcomas, multiple tumor biopsies taken at different times during the dissection, including metastasis, tested positive for SV40. These results indicated that in Germany, only rare osteosarcomas can be linked to SV40. These results support previous findings involving geographical differences in the presence of SV40. Finally, the specific detection of SV40 sequences with multiple specimens from one of the two patients and the absence of SV40 sequences in all other samples underscores the specificity and reproducibility of this investigation and ruled out PCR contamination.

[Transcutaneous and intracutaneous pO2 measurements in the assessment of peripheral arterial occlusive diseases]. / Transkutane und intrakutane pO2-Messungen zur Objektivierung peripherer arterieller Durchblutungsstörungen.

The purpose of the study was to compare the results of intra- and transcutaneous pO2-measurements of patients suffering from an arterial occlusive disease of the lower extremities (Fontaine I-IV) with that of 20 healthy volunteers. The measurements were performed by one transcutaneous and two intracutaneous pO2-electrodes on the dorsum of the foot. As reference we used the ratio pf/pft of the venous occlusion plethysmography of the calf. Already at rest the transcutaneous pO2 allows a significant separation of healthy persons and patients of Fontaine II. After a 3-minute ischemic period the greatly changed time parameters 'delay-time', 'half-time of the pO2 increase' as well as the 'pO2 recovery time' permit a significant separation of Fontaine III from healthy persons and Fontaine II. The findings show that both methods complete one another. The value of a local pO2 measurement for an individual therapy control is emphasized.