Inactivation of poliovirus with β-propiolactone

The recovery of poliovirus D-antigen after virus inactivation was studied for two inactivating agents (β-propiolactone and formalin) using the three poliovirus types (Sabin types 1, 2 and 3). With β-propiolactone (BPL), D-antigen recoveries were high (88, 88 and 60%, respectively) but were significantly less when formalin was used (22, 15 and 25%). β-Propiolactone inactivated virus was purified, combined with Freund's adjuvant and used to hyperimmunize rabbits. High titres (50 000–200 000) of specific neutralizing antibody were obtained.     

Embryonic somatic nerve destruction with β-bungarotoxin

Summary The effects and time course of a single injection of -bungarotoxin into E14 rat embryos were examined with an electron-microscopic study of development of the internal intercostal somatic nerve. Within 24 h of injection, axons in this nerve became swollen and fused at points along their length. By 48 h after injection no component of the nerve remained in distal segments of ribcage; complete loss of axons and components of the nerve sheath from proximal regions took slightly longer. At later times, no trace of peripheral nerve axons, Schwann cells or elements of the nerve sheath remained. -Bungarotoxin applied on E17 destroyed developing axons in a similar manner, but the perineurium remained in place, and axons regenerated within the original nerve trunk. The study confirms that sensory and motor neurons are much less able to survive axon degeneration on E14 than after the major period of normal cell death (which is nearly over by E18), and that the maintenance and continued development of the perineurium during E14–E16 depends on the presence of peripheral nerve axons.Supported by the New Zealand Medical Research Council     

LEUKEMIA—Duration of Life in Children Treated with Corticotropin and Cortisone

The average duration of survival of 15 cases of childhood leukemia treated with corticotropin and cortisone was 6.8 months. This survival was the same as observed among 59 children who received no treatment, or treatment with x-ray, or blood transfusion alone.Despite the fact that objective evidence of remission was observed in 7 of 15 children treated with corticotropin and cortisone, the remissions were not reflected by a longer duration of life.Treatment of childhood leukemia with corticotropin and cortisone appears to be a palliative measure, without significant effect on the duration of life.