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The DNA content of isolated cells of Triturus vulgaris embryos (morula through early tail-bud) was measured cytophotometrically. In various regions (entoderm, chordamesoderm, neuroectoderm, presumptive epidermis) considerable differences occur. In particular, some phase-specific DNA increases (approximately 11%) of short duration were detected, which are correlated with the onset of cyto- and organodifferentiation, respectively, and which are caused independent of the interphase DNA reduplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Evaluation of the effectiveness of radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) in osteoarthritis and other disorders with concomitant synovitis versus rheumatoid arthritis by means of a standardized questionnaire., Patients, Methods: 803 RSO treatments were monitored in 691 patients by standardized questionnaires of 7 centers in 3 countries. Patients were assigned to 3 groups according to their age (20-40, 41-60, 61-80 years). Additionally, the data were analyzed separately for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (group A) and those with osteoarthritis, psoriasis arthritis, pigmental villonodular synovitis or persistent effusions after joint replacement (group B)., Results: Ameliorations of joint pain, swelling/effusion or flexibility were found in 80% of group A and 56% of group B (p >0.01). Quality of life improved in 78% of group A and 59% of group B (p >0.01). The response rate was similar for small- and large-sized joints in group A, but significantly higher for large-sized joints in group B (p >0.01). The positive effects on joint pain, swelling/effusion or flexibility lasted longer in group A (p >0.01). Repeated RSOs were as effective as initial ones. The clinical outcome was neither influenced by age, nor gender, nor transient immobilisation for 48 hours after RSO., Conclusion: Although slightly more efficient in rheumatoid arthritis, RSO represents an effective treatment option also in osteoarthritis and other disorders with concomitant synovitis.

The data of 466 subjects suffering from neurologic disorders which are suggested to be caused by neurotoxic agents in their environment retrospectively was evaluated and documented. Among these cases there were 151 subjects with symptoms of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder (MCSD). The relationship between the neurological health impairments and neurotoxic agents in the environment of these patients was characterised using five different categories (probable = A, possible = B, uncertain = C, unclarified = D, not probable = E). From the 466 patients 320 subjects (69%) could be assigned to the categories A and B, respectively. Within theses 320 cases with chronic neurotoxic health impairments 136 subjects (79 females and 57 males) showed signs of MCSD. Age and gender of cases as well as duration and character of exposure to neurotoxic substances retrospectively were assessed from the explicit files of the patients, which had been made anonymous for this purpose. Frequency of characteristic symptoms of neurotoxicity were analysed. Results are given for patients with neurotoxic health impairments with MCSD (n = 136) and without MCSD (n = 184). Neurotoxic substances which were used as indoor wood preservatives (mainly Pentachlorophenol and/or Lindane) were found to be the causative agents in 63% of the cases with neurotoxic health impairments and MCSD. Other important neurotoxic substances to which the patients were mainly exposed were organic solvents (25%), formaldehyde (15%), dental materials (15%), pyrethroides (13%), and other biocides (19%) (multiple exposures were possible). The time of exposure was calculated as being > or = 10 years for 55% of the patients with MCSD and for 50% of the group with neurotoxic health impairments but without MCSD. Out of the 184 cases with neurotoxic health impairments but without MCSD there were 22%, and out of the 136 cases with MCSD there were 39% who showed all symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. 53% of the cases with MCSD had an allergic disposition compared to only 20% of the cases without MCSD. This work is not a controlled epidemiological study but a retrospective documentation and evaluation of data related to environmental medicine. With the present documentation in this purely descriptive manner the proof of a causal relationship was not possible or intended. But because corresponding epidemiological studies are lacking, this documentation can give important information on characteristic features of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Disorder and chronic neurotoxic health impairments. Such information is essential for planning and carrying out epidemiological studies urgently needed in this field.

1. During early embryogenesis (from blastula to late tailbud) ofTriturus vulgaris the DNA content of isolated nuclei from various regions was measured cytophotometrically. It became evident that the distribution of measurement data varies specifically with stage and region. 2. The nuclei were classified on the basis of their DNA content into the appropriate phases of the cell cycle (G 1 S I , S II , S III , S IV , and G 2 ). The relative lengths of the cell cycle phases were calculated from the frequencies of nuclei in the six classes. In all cases the S phase occupies the greatest part of the generation time. 3. In the neuroectoderm the proportionality of the cell cycle phases remains the same throughout the period studied. The relative lengths of S and G 1 + G 2 are 80 and 20%, respectively, of the interphase. The rate of DNA synthesis is approximately constant during S period. 4. In the presumptive epidermis there is a small increase in the length of the G 1 phase. The duration of the S period is 72.5% of that of interphase. 5. In the chordomesoderm a disproportionate increase of the cell cycle phases becomes visible during development. The G 1 phase increases from 7.9 to 25.8% of the length of the interphase. The G 2 period remains unchanged at approximately 12%. In early stages DNA replication rate is constant. With increasing age of the embryos, there is a slowing of the synthetic rate at the beginning of the S phase and an increase at the end. The proportion of late replicating DNA increases as development proceeds. 6. In the endoderm there is also a disproportionate change in the cell cycle phases. Up to the early tailbud stage the duration of G 2 and S IV increases significantly. In these stages the rate of DNA synthesis is greatest at the beginning of the S period and slows down to the end. In late stages there is a lengthening of the G 1 and S I phase and a decrease of the G 2 . The DNA replication in these late stages is similar to that in the mesoderm. The proportion of late replicating DNA increases in the late stages.

To evaluate the interdependence between pathological changes and the level of infection the behaviour of Toxocara canis larvae in the host, the course of the disease as well as quality and quantity of histological changes were investigated after experimental infection with 1,000, 500, 250, and 125 larvae respectively. The main places where the larvae of Toxocara canis were found at any time after infection were musculature and brain. Regardless of the level of infection the absolute and relative number of larvae in the brain increased linearly, and parallel decreased in musculature. After the 60th day post infection the mice infected with 1,000 larvae showed compulsive movements, disturbance of equilibrium and paralysis of the hindlegs. The mice infected with 500 larvae showed similar symptoms 30 to 40 days later. Mice with weaker infections only showed slight disturbances of the general condition at the end of the trials. In the brain of all animals infected with larvae of Toxocara canis inflammatory reactions were found. Severe destructive changes in the nervous substance together with clinical symptoms were seen only in higher infected mice.

Feulgen hydrolysis curves were plotted for isolated nuclei from various regions (ecto-, meso- and endoderm) and developmental stages [mid to late gastrula (Harrison-St. 12b) and tailbud stage (Harr. St. 25, 35)] ofTriturus vulgaris embryos. Hydrolysis was carried out for 10 to 70 min with 5N HCl at 20° C. Single-peaked hydrolysis curves with a maximum between 30 and 40 min were obtained in all cases. The ascending limbs of all the hydrolysis curves are similar in shape up to the maximum. Differences in DNA content of nuclei from different embryonic regions become visible not only at the optimum time but also after short hydrolysis times (10 min). After reaching the maximum there are significant differences in the descending parts of the curves. In the endoderm and mesoderm a drastic loss of apurinic acid occurs after 40 and 50 min of hydrolysis, respectively, whereas in the nuclei of the mesencephalon and the neurectoderm no measurable extraction of depolymerized DNA can be detected after 60 min. These differences in chromatin stability make lead to a levelling out of the Feulgen values over longer hydrolysis periods, so that differences in the DNA content of nuclei from different parts of the embryo can no longer be detected after 60 min. Nuclear volume and histone content have no influence on the results obtained from the Feulgen reaction when optimum hydrolysis times are used.