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The D variant of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV-D) produces a disease syndrome that mimics insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in certain mouse strains. Benign EMCV-B interferes with the ability of EMCV-D to produce IDDM. Because EMCV-B induces the production of relatively large amounts of interferon (IFN), it has been hypothesized that the interference by EMCV-B with the pathogenesis of EMCV-D is due to IFN. However, we have previously reported that in outbred ICR Swiss and inbred BALB/cByJ mice, interference by EMCV-B with the development of IDDM in response to infection with EMCV-D does not appear to involve IFN. We have isolated a subvariant of EMCV-B (EMCV-B1) which, preliminary experiments indicate, does not induce the production of detectable levels of IFN in cell culture. Studies were initiated using this subvariant to determine more conclusively if IFN is involved in interference by EMCV-B with the pathogenesis of EMCV-D. The data in the present study show that EMCV-B1 does not induce the production of detectable levels of IFN either in cell culture or in mice, but retains other reported characteristics of the parent EMCV-B, including the ability to interfere with the production of IDDM by EMCV-D in ICR Swiss male mice. These observations strengthen the hypothesis that protection of pancreatic beta cells in ICR Swiss mice by EMCV-B occurs by a mechanism other than IFN.

A prospective and comparative tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study on 110 patients with endoscopically examined and histologically proven laryngeal malignancy is presented. Post-operative pathological and intraradiological (CT vs. MRI) correlation are established. We conclude that MRI is the method of choice for staging laryngeal malignancies. MRI can also be used for follow-up (recurrence after surgery, evolution under radiation therapy).

Variants of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) are immunologically indistinguishable by hyperimmune serum, but, with the exception of EMCV-B, each produces a different disease syndrome and infects the central nervous system in mice infected via the intraperitoneal route of inoculation. The B variant is benign in that it does not produce any overt signs of infection at doses as high as 106 pfu per animal. The present study was carried out to determine if EMCV-B was pathogenic when administered via the intracranial route and, if so, to delineate the area(s) of the brain infected. The results show that, when given i.c., EMCV-B is similar to other variants of EMCV in that it infects and replicates in the brain, causing encephalitis, neuronal necrosis in Ammon's horn of the hippocampus, and clinical signs of infection. The data indicate that receptor sites for EMCV-B are present on brain cells and suggest that its benign nature when given by the intraperitoneal route reflects an inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

A peritoneal mesothelioma is described. The diagnosis was established by histological study. The clinical and radiological presentation are nonspecific. Contact with asbestos fibers is rarely reported and not obtained in this case. The clinical, radiological, histological presentations and therapeutic aspects are discussed.

One case of transmural thoracic lipoma is reported. Thoracic lipomas are rare tumors. This report illustrates the usefulness of CT and MRI in the preoperative diagnosis and subsequent evaluation of transmural thoracic lipoma.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) already has a number of indications in exploration of the mediastinum, the most frequent of which being exploration of vascular pathologies facilitated by visualization of vascular lumina without need for a contrast medium, MRI can provide detailed information concerning the size, relations and wall thickness of these vessels ans sometimes of aneurysmal thrombosis. It also makes it possible to study aortic dissections and venous diseases of the mediastinum. As regards mediastinal masses, MRI complements computerized tomography (CT): it is better than the latter to distinguish vascular relations and it provides aetiological arguments based on the intensity of T1 and T2-weighted signals.

In the study of the proximal airways, MRI is mainly appropriate for the trachea and the mainstem bronchi, in case of tracheal stenosis or tumors. CT remains the reference examination for the distal airways. In alveolar condensation, MRI may help differentiating some of the involved materials (blood, lipids). Lastly, the role of MRI is limited in interstitial pathology, even though some indications may be appearing: fibrosis following radiation therapy, determination of the inflammatory component.

A prospective and comparative computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study on 90 patients with endoscopically examined and histologically proven laryngeal malignancy is presented. Post-operative pathological and intra-radiological (CT vs. MRI) correlations are established. We conclude that MRI is the method of choice for staging laryngeal malignancies.

Pulmonary metastasis of non small cell lung carcinomas are commonly nodular. The isolated nodular form must be diagnosed from double location carcinomas. The lymphangitic carcinomatosis semiology is best demonstrated with HR-CT-Technic. Endobronchic, alveolar and multi-micro angiopathy with emboli are less common.

Anterior cervico-mediastinal tumors in children, especially if they are cystic, often correspond to the diagnosis of cystic hemolymphangioma. CT and Chest US are contributive for the diagnosis and the pre-operative staging.

The association of a blind ureter with dysplastic kidney and ureterocele is known in children but are in adults. This paper presents one case, and provides simple diagnostic clues which help to recognize the malformation.

Liposarcoma is an uncommon mediastinal tumor provides limited CT histologic date. The prognosis depends on the histological grade and surgical possibilities. The authors report a case of mediastinal liposarcoma and discuss the correlation between imaging findings, outcome and histological status.

Variants of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) are indistinguishable by hyperimmune serum. In spite of their antigenic similarity, they produce different disease syndromes in susceptible strains of mice. To understand the basis for the diversity in pathogenicity, studies have been initiated to characterize each of the virus variants. In this study, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to compare the proteins produced by the benign EMCV-B with those produced by lethal EMCV-K. The data show that (i) the replication cycle of each of the virus variants is characteristic of picornaviruses, (ii) the VP1 of EMCV-K is more basic than that of EMCV-B, and (iii) three proteins, one a major component of VP1, the other two with molecular weight of about 12,000, are present in EMCV-K but not in EMCV-B. [P.S.E.B.M. 1991, Vol 198]

The authors report a case of bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP) pathologically proved. They give an analysis of the radiological semiologic findings on plain-film and high-resolution CT (HR-CT). In 1985, Epler proposed a nosologic status but the review of the literature and the findings of their own case give to the authors, the opportunity to discuss the entity on the clinical, evolutive, radiological and pathological point of view.

The authors report five cases of pleural involvement in patients with thymoma. In 3 cases these sites were not directly related to the primary and in 1 case they constituted the first event in the disease. CT and MRI allow effective assessment of these pleural lesions ... provided this phenomenon, reported in the literature, is well known by the radiologist.

The authors report a standardised comparison between MRI, CT and Tomography, in 30 cases of tracheal lesions (postintubation, tumors, external compressions and invasions). They conclude on the superiority of MRI because of its multiplanar visualisation, its soft-tissue contrast resolution and its capability to differentiate inflammatory granuloma.

The primordial role of MRI in the staging of primary or secondary bone tumors has been clearly established. The authors report a study of 16 patients with NHL with suspected bone involvement, investigated by conventional radiography, bone scan, CT, bone marrow biopsy and MRI. The authors believe that, in the future, MRI will have an important role in the staging and follow-up of treatment of bone lymphomas. Better than any other techniques, MRI provides a precise assessment of tumor extension. It also represents a valuable method for monitoring patients during treatment by visualising the course of the disease.

A case of aneurysm of the pulmonary artery diagnosed by CT scan and MRI and confirmed by angiography is reported. The discussion considers the literature review.

The authors have studied the files of 50 consecutive patients (1987-89) operated for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and examined with CT. The criteria for inclusion were surgical features. CT can be made more accurate for the study of AAA: Thus the location of the neck of the aneurysm relative to the renal arteries was defined in 94% of all cases. In addition, CT yields information about the wall of the aneurysm, whether it be thickened (3 inflammatory aneurysms were properly diagnosed) or, mor importantly, weakened (solution of continuity in the wall in the "prior-to-rupture" appearance). Owing to the quality of its performances and to its noninvasive character, the authors regard CT with contrast injection as an essential technique for the preoperative assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm in most cases. The examination must be carried out strictly, especially for the contiguous sections of the renal arteries and their extension to the crural arch. As it demonstrates weakened areas more easily, a more accurate study of the aneurysmal wall with CT might increase the surgical indications for some smaller aneurysms, the potential evolution of which does not seem to be associated with their diameter only.

A number of palladium-containing polymers were tested biologically for their ability to inhibit HF5 (normal), HeLa (human cervical carcinoma), Hep-2 (human laryngeal carcinoma) and Girardi human heart (transformed) cells. There appears to be a direct relationship between the inhibition exhibited by the monomeric diamine and the corresponding polymer. In most cases, Inhibition was superior to that observed for cis-DDP.

The authors report a case of hepatic angiosarcoma revealed by massive haemoperitoneum. They analyse the CT and MRI features of this rare tumour and recall the difficult diagnostic problems raised by cavernous angiomas. The new MRI diagnostic criteria must be recognized, but do not constitute formal proof of the diagnosis.

The authors report a prospective and comparative study of the pre-operative staging of 90 laryngeal carcinomas by CT and MRI, with blind analysis of each examination. The radio-anatomic correlations and the inter-method correlations (CT versus MRI) are reported. According to the authors MRI seems to be the method of choice because of its capabilities in soft tissues differentiation and because of its multiplanar representation. The motion artefacts are resolved by the fast imaging technique and the spatial resolution is optimized by special surface coils.

Thermal and biological properties of tin-modified cellulose derived from cotton are described. The inception temperature of degradation for tin-modified cellulosic products is inferior to that of cotton itself, but the heats of degradation in air are less than that of cotton consistent with the modified products being superior in this respect. Degradation of the modified materials in helium as monitored by coupled thermogravimetric analysis–mass spectroscopy shows that degradation occurs through a series of complex steps with the evolution of products characteristic of both the tin-containing and cellulose materials. The tin-modified cellulose was tested against five fungi using disk and protein assays. The fungi tested are typical and widespread, and these tests provide a good indication of the applicability of such products as retarders of fungi-related rot and mildew. Most of the tested samples showed good inhibition of the tested fungi.

A study has been initiated to determine the influence of prostaglandins on virus replication and its relationship to the interferon system. In the present study, data are presented which show that pretreatment of cells in culture with prostaglandin E1 results in (i) a reduction in the yields of Mengo, MM and polio viruses, (ii) enhanced yields of interferon, and (iii) inhibition of cell division.

Poly(cis-dihalodiamine platinum(II)) compounds are synthesized through solution condensation of solutions of tetrahaloplatinum(II) salts with diamines. Preliminary testing of five of these polymers shows that several affect virus and bacterial replication, and that all are toxic to HeLa (human) and L929 (mouse) tumor cells at concentrations above 300 μg/mL but are apparently nontoxLc to mice at doses of up to 20 μg/g Swiss-Webster mouse.

The condensation of organoantimony(V) dihalides with diamines forming antimony(V) polyamines employing the interfacial technique is described. Structural characterization was accomplished by employing elemental analysis, light-scattering photometry, infrared spectroscopy, control reactions, and mass spectroscopy. The products exhibit mild inhibition to a wide range of bacteria and to HeLa, BHK-21, and L929 cancer-related cell lines.

SummaryData are presented which show that protection of mice by endotoxin against viral infection is not mediated by interferon while that of poly(I:C) and pyran can be at least partially attributed to interferon induction. The results also suggest that circulating interferon does not protect against a virus administered intraperitoneally.

Two series of platinum-germanium over alumina catalysts were prepared. Both series were calcined at 673 K after the addition of both components, while series B was calcined prior to the addition of platinum at 873 K. Temperature-programmed reduction and hydrogen consumption under reactions conditions showed complete reduction of Pt(IV) to Pt(0) for all catalysts and partial reduction of the germanium(IV) precursor in the case of the high loading germanium catalysts of Series A. Series B showed no signs of germanium reduction. Benzene hydrogenation and n-butane hydrogenolysis were used as test reactions. For both series the specific activity decreased when the amount of germanium was increased. The selectivity ratios in the hydrogenolysis reaction remained constant for Series B while there was a variation in Series A with the percentage germanium on the catalyst. The results are discussed in terms of the current literature.

The D variant of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC-D) infects pancreatic beta cells in susceptible mouse strains producing a disease syndrome similar to insulin-dependent diabetes in humans (5,11). We have recently reported that EMC-D replicates primarily in the pancreas and spleen of ICR Swiss male mice, and to a lesser extent in the heart and lung tissues (8). Interferon (IFN) or IFN-inducers have been shown to protect some, but not all, susceptible mouse strains against the diabetogenic effects of EMC-D (2,3,11). For example, SWR/J mice respond well to the protective effects of IFN, while ICR Swiss animals are not protected (3). We have been studying the role of IFN on the development of virus-induced murine diabetes. Since IFNs have been shown to be powerful immune modulators (9,10) it was the purpose of the present study to determine if IFN given after infection by EMC-D had any effect on the frequency or severity of diabetes in susceptible ICR Swiss and resistant C57B1/6 mice. Virus replication in selected tissues was also determined. The data presented show that IFN exacerbates the severity of diabetes caused by the virus in ICR Swiss mice and induces the diabetic state in the otherwise resistant C57B1/6 animals.

Modified polyethyleneimine products are hydrophobic with products from monohalotin reactants soluble in HMPA, DMSO, CHCI3 and 2,4-pentanedione, while products from dihalotin reactants are insoluble in all solvents. Antifungal activity varies markedly with the nature of the tin moiety. For products from triphenyltin chloride, antifungal activity is widespread and suitable to about 40 ppb of the polymer, which is clearly acceptable for medical and industrial uses. Thus, such modified polymers can be used as retarders of fungi related rot and mildew. The products show moderate high-temperature stabilities.

Adult, male ICR Swiss mice are susceptible to the diabetogenic effects of the D-variant of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC-D) in contrast to adult C3H/HeJ male mice, which are relatively resistant. To date, experimental evidence suggests that the immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of this infection. We have investigated the potential involvement of the immune system in the pathogenesis of EMC-D-induced diabetes using cyclosporin-A (CyA), a potent immunosuppressive drug. The data show that treatment with CyA results in increased severity and incidence of diabetes in susceptible ICR Swiss mice and induction of diabetes in resistant C3H/HeJ mice. It is concluded that immune mediation probably is not involved in the early pathogenesis of EMC-D-induced diabetes in mice.