Intrapleural and intravenous Corynebacterium parvum in patients with resected stage I and II non-small cell carcinoma of the lung

Summary A prospective randomized trial compared the administration of intrapleural plus intravenous Corynebacterium parvum (C. parvum) versus placebo in patients with resected Stage I and Stage II non-small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. Treatment consisted of 7 mg C. parvum injected into the pleural space and 7 mg C. parvum intravenously once between days 6 and 12 postoperatively and 7 mg intravenously every 3rd month during the 1st year. Intrapleural administration of 35 cc of saline served as the placebo and the flush after intrapleural C. parvum.Of the 303 patients entered into this study, 286 were evaluable, with an average follow-up time of 3.5 years. More complications, especially fever, were observed in patients receiving C. parvum. A fever greater than 38 °C was observed in 9% of the patients assigned to placebo and 76% of the patients assigned to C. parvum. There was no significant difference between the treatments with respect to disease-free interval or survival.M. Kaufmann, J. Stjernswärd**, A. Zimmermann (Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Bern Branch); K. Stanley**, M. Isley, M. Zelen (Frontier Science & Tech. Research Foundation, Brookline, MA, USA); C. Mouritzen, P. Paulsen, U. Henriques (Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery and Institute of Pathology, Kommunehospital, Aarhus, Denmark); N. Konietzko, W. Maassen, W. Hartung, W. Wierich (Ruhrland Clinic, Essen-Heidhausen, and Pathology Institute, Ruhr-University, Bochum, FRG); P. Oehl (Innere Klinik und Poliklinik Tumorforschung, Essen, FRG); J. Vogt-Moykopf, H. Toomes, W. Hofmann (Rohrbach Hospital, Clinic for Thoracic Medicine and Pathology Institute, Heidelberg, FRG); F. Krause, R. Rios, R. Spanel (Klinik Löwenstein, Löwenstein, and Pathology Institute, Ulm, FRG); J. Orel, B. Hrabar, D. Ferluga, T. Rott (University Medical Center, Thoracic Surgery and Pathology, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia); H. A. Rostad, J. R. Vale, P. Lexow (Rikshospital, Oslo, Norway); S. Hagen, S. Birkeland (Ulleval Hospital, Oslo, Norway); T. Harbitz, R. Nissen-Meyer (Aker Hospital, Oslo, Norway); E. Aspevik, H. Engedal, A. Mykin (Haukeland Hospital, Bergen, Norway); V. O. Björk, L. Rodriguez, K. Böök, J. Willems (Karolinska Sjukhuset, Thoracic Surgical Clinic and Pathology Department, Stockholm, Sweden); E. Grädel, J. Hasse, P. Dalquen (Kantonsspital, Dept of Surgery, Div. of Cardiac & Thoracic Surgery & Pathology Institute, Basel, Switzerland); L. Eckmann, K. Hänni, K. Zimmermann (Tiefenauspital Surg. Clinic, Univ. of Bern, Switzerland); B. Nachbur, H. U. Würsten, H. Cottier, A. Zimmermann (Inselspital Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surg. and Pathology Institute, Bern, Switzerland); W. Maurer, M. Kaufmann (Bürgerspital, Surgical Department, Solothurn, Switzerland); H. Denck, E. Zwintz, St. Wuketich (Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien-Lainz, I. Chir. Dept., and Path. Inst., Vienna, Austria); N. Pridun, H. Hackl (Pulmonologisches Zentrum der Stadt Wien, and Path. Inst., Vienna, Austria); E. Moritz, W. Schlick, H. Holzner (II. Chir. University Clinic and Path. Inst., Vienna, Austria); K. Karrer (Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria); R. G. Crispen (ITR-Biomedical Research, University of Illinois, Chicago, USA); D. S. Freestone, R. Bomford, M. T. Scott, T. Priestman, L. Toy (The Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, England)** Present address: Cancer Unit, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland Offprint requests to: K. Stanley, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, SwitzerlandLudwig Lung Cancer Study Group:     

BOOK REVIEWS

Book Reviws in this Article Medicine, Medical Ethics and the Value of Life, edited by Peter Byrne. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 1990 Life, Death, Genes and Ethics, by Max Charlesworth. Sydney: ABC Books, 1989 Euthanasia: the Moral Issues, edited by Robert M. Baird and Stuart E. Rosenbaum. New York: Prometheus Books, 1989 Aids: testing and privacy by Martin Gunderson, David J. Mayo and Frank S. Rhame. Salt Lake City, University of Utah Press, 1989 Birth Power: the Case for Surrogacy, by Carmel Shalev. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 1989 AIDS and Professional Secrecy, International Centre of Study and Research on the Ethical, Juridical and Medical-Legal Problems relative to AIDS, Scientific Institute of the Hospital S. Raffaele of Milan, edited by Paolo Cattorini. Padova: Liviana Edit rice, 1989 Clinical Ethics: Theory and Practice, edited by Barry Hoffmaster, Benjamin Freedman and Gwen Fraser. Humana Press, Clifton, New Jersey, 1989 WHO AM I? Identity, adoption and human fertilisation, by Christine Walby and Barbara Symons. London: British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering, 1990     

Mortality risks in patients with constitutional autosomal chromosome deletions in Britain: a cohort study

Constitutional chromosome deletions result in wide ranging morbidity and often fatality. Information about risks and causes of death in these patients is important for counselling, and may illuminate the functions of the part of the chromosome deleted. There have been no cohort studies analysing mortality risks in persons with specific deletions compared with general population rates. We therefore conducted a cohort study following cause-specific mortality in 2,561 patients with autosomal chromosome deletions diagnosed by light microscopy or fluorescence in situ hybridisation at cytogenetic laboratories across Britain, 1965–2002. The commonest deletions were of 22q (544 patients), 15q (460) and 7q (210) and the least common 19q (0) and 20q (2). The prevalence of visible deletions of different chromosome arms was significantly inversely correlated with gene density of the arm (p < 0.001). Mortality was 11-fold raised in the cohort compared with the general population (standardised mortality ratio = 11.4 (95% confidence interval 10.0–12.8)), was significantly raised for each deletion with ≥25 subjects in the study, and had a lower confidence limit >10 for deletions of 1p, 1q, 3p, 4p, 5q and 22q. Overall, 29% of deaths were due to congenital anomalies; significantly raised mortality occurred also from many other causes, varying by chromosome and arm of deletion. The data imply that viability of foetuses with visible chromosome deletions may be inversely related to gene density, and that all visible and fluorescence in situ hybridisation-detectable deletions lead to much raised mortality, but the extent and causes of mortality vary according to the specific deletion. The UK Clinical Cytogenetics Group comprises: The above, plus Paul J Batstone (Inverness Genetics Laboratory), Thomas Spencer (NE London Regional Cytogenetics Laboratory, Great Ormond Street Hospital), Teresa Davies (Bristol Genetics Laboratory), Valerie Davison (Birmingham Genetics Laboratory), Zoe Docherty (SE Thames, Guy’s Hospital Genetics Laboratory), David P. Duckett (Leicestershire Genetics Centre), Margaret Fitchett (Oxford Genetics Laboratory), Alison Fordyce (MRC Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh); Lorraine Gaunt (Manchester Genetics Laboratory), Elizabeth Grace (Edinburgh Genetics Laboratory), Peter Howard (Liverpool Genetics Laboratory), Gordon W. Lowther (Glasgow Genetics Laboratory), Christine Maliszewska (Dundee Genetics Laboratory), Edna L. Maltby (Sheffield Genetics Laboratory), Kevin P. Ocraft (Nottingham Genetics Laboratory); Selwyn Roberts (Wales Genetics Laboratory), Kim K. Smith (Cambridge Genetics Laboratory), Gordon S. Stephen (Aberdeen Genetics Laboratory), John W. Taylor (SW Thames, St George’s Hospital Genetics Laboratory), Catherine S. Waters (NW Thames, Northwick Park Hospital Genetics Laboratory), Jeffery Williams (Leeds Genetics Laboratory), John Wolstenholme (Newcastle Genetics Laboratory), Sheila Youings (Wessex Regional Genetics Laboratory).     

Reviews

Recent Advances in Cytology . By C. D. D arlington .
Recent Advances in Plant Genetics . By F. W. S ansome and J. P hilp
The Apple . By Sir A. D aniel H all and M. B. C rane . Pp. 235, 11 figs, and 12 plates. London: Martin Hopkinson, Ltd., 1933. 10 s . 6 d . net.
Elements of Agriculture . By the late R. P ream , LL.D. Ed. by Prof. Sir R owland H. B iffen
Plant Parasitic Nematodes . By T. G oodey .
Phytopathological and Botanical Research Methods . By T homas E lsworth R awlins .     

BUCHBESPRECHUNGEN

Book reviewed in this article:
reviews type of article–
M ason , J. L. (ed.): Evolution of domesticated animals . London, New York: Longman 1984.
G riffiths , G. C. D. (ed.): Flies of the Nearctic Region . Vol. VIII: Cyclorrhapha II (Schizophora: Calyptratae), Part 2 Anthomyiidae, Number 1 by G. C. D. G riffiths . Stuttgart: E. Schweitzerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung 1982.
S impson , G. G.: Penguins . Past and Present, Here and There. New Haven and London: Yale University Press 1983.
G ans , E.; P ouch , F. H. (eds.): Biology of the Reptilia . Vol. 12. New York – London: Academic Press 1982. 564 S. DM 353,–. G ans , E. (ed.):
M atsuno , K.; D ose , K.; H arada , K.; R ohlfing , D. L. (eds.): Molecular Evolution and Protobiology . New York, London
F elsenstein , J. (ed.): Numerical Taxonomy . Nato AS1 Series. Series G Ecological Sciencesxs
S meets , W. J. A. J.; N ieuwenhuys , R.; R oberts , B. L.: The Central Nervous System of Cartilaginous Fishes . Structure and Functional Correlations. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1983
H echt , M. K.; W allace , B.; P range , G. T. (eds.): Evolutionary Biology . Vol. 18. New York and London     

The significance of conversion of skin reactivity to efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccinations given immediately after radical surgery in stage II melanoma patients

Summary A group of 668 stage II melanoma patients was entered into a randomized prospective study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of adjuvant BCG, 5-(dimethyltriazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC), or a combination of the two, given immediately after radical lymph node dissection. Of these, 176 patients received BCG and 164 BCG plus DTIC. These 340 patients had histologically proven metastatic nodes and 156 had a negative skin reactivity to BCG at the beginning of treatment. The distribution of known prognostic factors (sex, age, number of positive nodes, extracapsular invasion) was balanced in the groups of patients either with initially negative or with positive skin reactivity. All patients who were initially non-reactive to BCG developed skin reactivity after 6.7±9 BCG vaccinations. Disease-free and overall survival of patients receiving BCG or BCG + DTIC with an initially negative skin reactivity to BCG was significantly (P=7×10^–3) better than that observed in patients with an initial positive skin reactivity. This finding was still evident after adjustment for other known prognostic criteria (P=0.02). It seems likely that the initial BCG skin reactivity as such marks the prognosis; however, some therapeutic effect of BCG treatment in patients having initially no skin reactivity to BCG, can not be ruled out.This study has been partially funded by the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro, and by a grant (NO1-CM-43726) from the National Cancer Institute of Bethesda, USAWriting committee of the W. H. O. Melanoma Programme (Chairman: U. Veronesi). The following researchers also took part in the study and are co-authors of this paper: J. Adamus, Oncological Institute, Gliwice (Poland); C. Aubert, Institut J. Paoli Calmettes, Marseille (France); E. Bajetta, G. Beretta, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan (Italy); G. Cocconi, Centro Medico Oncologico, Ospedali Riuniti, Parma (Italy); J. Durand, Fondation Curie, Paris (France); J. De Marsillac, Instituto Nacional de Cancer, Rio de Janeiro (Brasil); R. L. Ikonopisov, Dr. T. Tsanov, Oncological Research Institute, Sofia (Bulgaria); B. Kiss, State Institute of Oncology, Budapest (Hungary); F. Lejeune, Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels (Belgium); G. Madej, Oncological Institute, Warsaw (Poland); H. Mulder, Rotterdamsch Radiotherapeutisch Instituut, Rotterdam (The Netherlands); Z. Mechl, Oncological Institute, Brno (Czechoslovakia); G. W. Milton, Sydney Hospital, Sydney (Australia); H. Peter, P. von Wussow, Abteilung für Klinische Immunologie, Medizinische Hochschule, Hannover (FRG); J. Priario, Hospital de Clinicas M. Quintela, Montevideo (Uruguay); E. Paul, Abteilung für Klinische und Experimentelle Dermatologie, Giessen (FRG); R. Sertoli, Istituto di Oncologia, Genoa (Italy); R. Tomin, Institute of Oncology, Belgrade (Yugoslavia)     

Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Davis , L. S., & J. T. Darby, eds. (1990): Penguin biology (Biologie der Pinguine). Academic Press, London. Labhardt , F. (1990): Der Rotfucns (The red fox). Verlag Paul Parey, Berlin — Hamburg. Mech , L. D. (1990): Der weiße Wolf. Mit einem Wolfsrudel unterwegs in der Arktis (Arctic wolves. The pack). Frederking & Thaler, München. Sieg , J., & W. Wägele, eds. (1990): Fauna der Antarktis (Marine invertebrates of Antarctica). Verlag Paul Parey, Berlin und Hamburg. Selkirk , P. M., R. D. Seppelt , & D. R. Selkirk (1990): Subantarctic Macquarie Island (Die subantarktische Macquarie-Insel). Studies in polar research. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Naveen , R., C. Monteath, T. de Roi , & M. Jones (1990): Wild ice — Antarctic journeys (Reisen in die Antarktis). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington—London. Krause , G. (1990): Biogenetische Interphänotypen — Wegweiser durch die Stammeslinien der Tiere (Phylogeny as seen by a comparative embryologist). Verlag Paul Parey, Berlin — Hamburg. Jeßberger , R. (1990): Kreationismus. Kritik des modernen Antievolutionismus (Creationism. A criticism of modern anti-evolutionary thinking). Verlag Paul Parey, Berlin und Hamburg.     

Search for the possible role of ‘immunotherapy’ in operable bronchial non-small cell carcinoma (stage I and II): A phase I study with Corynebacterium parvum intrapleurally

Summary The possibility of giving C. parvum intrapleurally (i.p.) was investigated. C. parvum was given post-operatively either i.p. only or i.p. and intravenously (i.v.) simultaneously. The dose varied from 0.1–10 mg i.p. All patients had been operated for a bronchial carcinoma. Results: (1) Subjective complaints of either dyspnoea, thoracic pain, chills or nausea occured in 31 of 63 patients. No clear dose relation was found. A feeling of discomfort and fever could occur for another 3–4 days after the above more acute symptoms had disappeared. (2) Increased fever (0.5° C) occurred in 71% of the patients injected i.p. only. (3) No anaphylactic reaction was observed. (4) Increased total white blood cell counts (<20%) occurred in 38 patients. The WBC increase was mainly due to higher number of neutrocytes and granulocytes. Total lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophilic, and basophilic granulocytes values per mm³ circulating blood remained unchanged, except at the dose of 7 mg C. parvum i.p. when monocyte values were increased significantly from 576±247 to 1100±578/mm³. (5) Moderate to severe effusions were observed radiologically in three patients after C. parvum intrapleurally.The study group is: M. Kaufmann, J. Stjernswärd (Ludwig Institut for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Switzerland), M. Zelen, K. Stanley (Frontier Science and Technology Research Foundation, Inc. Amherst, New York, USA), D. S. Freestone, R. Bomford, M. T. Scott, T. Priestman (The Wellcome Research Laboratory, Beckenham, England), C. Mouritzen, G. Ahlbom (Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Aarhus, Denmark), N. Konietzko, D. Greschuchna (Ruhrland Klinic, Essen-Haidhausen, Germany), P. Hilgard (Innere Klinik und Poliklinik [Tumorforschung] Essen, Germany), J. Vogt-Moykopf, D. Zeidler, H. Toomes (Thoraxchirurgische Spezial-Klinik, Heidelberg-Rohrbach, Germany), F. Krause, R. Rios (Thoraxchirurgische Abt., Fachkrankenhaus für Lungen- und Bronchialerkrankungen, Löwenstein, Germany), J. Orel, M. Benedik, B. Hrabar (Clinical Center, Dept. of Thoracic Surgery, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia), S. Plesnicar (The Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia), H. A. Rostad, J. R. Vale (Rikshospital, Oslo, Norway), S. Hagen, S. Birkeland, (Ulleval Hospital, Oslo, Norway), T. Harbitz, R. Nissen-Meyer (Aker Hospital, Oslo, Norway), L. Rodriguez, V. O. Björk, K. Böök (Karolinska Sjukhuset, Thoracic Clinic, Stockholm, Sweden), E. Gradel, J. Hasse, P. Holbro (Kantonsspital, Thoraxchirurgische Klinik, Basel, Switzerland), L. Eckmann (Tiefenauspital, Chir. Univ.-Klinik, Bern, Switzerland), B. Nachbur, T. Liechti (Inselspital, Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Bern, Switzerland), H. Cottier (Inst. of Pathology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland), W. Maurer, M. Kaufmann, P. Froelicher (Bürgerspital, Surgical Dept., Solothurn, Switzerland), H. Denck, N. Pridun (Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien-Lainz, Chir. Abt., Vienna, Austria), K. Karrer (Institute for Cancer Research, University of Vienna, Austria) Reprint requests should be addressed to any of the members listed above, or to the Ludwig Lung Cancer Trial, Operation Office, LICR, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland. (For Current Contents, etc., please use above address)     

The distribution and effects of intrapleural Corynebacterium parvum in mice

Summary After intrapleural (IPl) injection of ¹²⁵ I or fluorescein labelled C. parvum, most was confined to the pleural and mediastinal spaces. The pleural phagocytes and mediastinal lymph nodes were heavily labelled, but very little was found in the lung. The amounts of C. parvum taken up by the liver and spleen were less than after IV injection and splenomegaly was also less after IPl than IV injection. A large proportion (>90%) of cells in pleural washouts following IPl C. parvum was activated macrophages which inhibited, nonspecifically, the growth of tumor cells in vitro. No similar activity was detected after IV C. parvum. IPl injection of C. parvum mixed with irradiated tumor cells conferred strong, specific systemic immunity against tumor challenge, and this immunity was also demonstrable using mediastinal lymph node cells in a Winn assay. The immunity resulting from IV C. parvum and IPl irradiated tumor cells was significantly lower. IPl C. parvum has been compared with IV C. parvum for its effect against tumors growing either in the lung or pleural cavity. Tumors growing in the pleural cavity were inhibited more effectively by IPl than IV C. parvum. With tumors growing in the lung (caused by tumor cells injected IV), although IV C. parvum was more effective at reducing the number of lung nodules during the first two weeks, the mice consistently survived longer after IPl C. parvum.M.T.S. is a member of the Ludwig Lung Cancer Study Group. The present work arose out of discussions with other members of the group and is presented on their behalf. The study group is: M. Kaufmann, J. Stjernswärd (Ludwig Institut for Cancer Research, Lausanne Branch, Switzerland), M. Zelen, K. Stanley (Frontier Science and Technology Research Foundation, Inc. Amherst, New York, USA), D. S. Freestone, R. Bomford, M. T. Scott, T. Priestman (The Wellcome Research Laboratories, Beckenham, England), C. Mouritzen, G. Ahlbom (Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Aarhus Kommunehospital, Aarhus, Denmark), N. Konietzko, D. Greschuchna (Ruhrland Klinik, Essen-Haidhausen, Germany), P. Hilgard (Innere Klinik und Poliklinik [Tumorforschung] Essen, Germany), J. Vogt-Moykopf, D. Zeidler, H. Toomes (Thoraxchirurgische Spezial-Klinik, Heidelberg-Rohrbach, Germany), F. Krause, R. Rios (Thoraxchirurgische Abt., Fachkrankenhaus für Lungen-und Bronchialerkrankungen, Löwenstein, Germany), J. Orel, M. Benedik, B. Hrabar (Clinical Center, Dept. of Thoracic Surgery, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia), S. Plesnicar (The Institute of Oncology, Ljubljana, Yugoslavia), H. A. Rostad, J. R. Vale (Rikshospital, Oslo, Norway), S. Hagen, S. Birkeland, (Ulleval Hospital, Oslo, Norway), T. Harbitz, R. Nissen-Meyer (Aker Hospital, Oslo, Norway), L. Rodriguez, V. O. Björk, K. Böök (Karolinska Sjukhuset, Thoracic Clinic, Stockholm, Sweden), E. Gradel, J. Hasse, P. Holbro (Kantonsspital, Thoraxchirurgische Klinik, Basel, Switzerland), L. Eckmann (Tiefenauspital, Chir. Univ.-Klinik, Bern, Switzerland), B. Nachbur, T. Liechti (Inselspital, Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Bern, Switzerland), H. Cottier (Inst. of Pathology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland), W. Maurer, M. Kaufmann, P. Froelicher (Bürgerspital, Surgical Dept., Solothurn, Switzerland), H. Denck, N. Pridun (Krankenhaus der Stadt Wien-Lainz, Chir. Abt., Vienna, Austria), K. Karrer (Institute for Cancer Research, University of Vienna, Austria)Visiting Investigator. Recipient of an American Cancer Society Fellowship     

Reviews

Book Reviewed in this article:
Fluorescence Techniques in Cell Biology. Proceedings of the conference on 'Quantitative Fluorescence Techniques as Applied to Cell Biology' held at Batelle Research Centre, Seattle, in March 1972. Editors: A. A. T haer and M. S ernetz .
Genetics of Host-Parasite Interaction. By P. R. DAY. Edited by A. Kelman and L. Sequeira.
Advances in Plant Morphology (Professor V. Puri Commemoration Volume). Ed. by Y. S. M urty , B. M. J ohri , H. Y. M ohan R am and T. M. V arghese .
Biology of the Land Plants. Ed. by V. P uri , Y. S. M urty , P. K. G upta and D. B anerji .     

An Approach to the Development of Field Studies in Urban Areas

Integrated Science—The Wreake Valley Project D. TINBERGEN and P. THORBURN (Eds) Book 1, 120 pp., illustrated. £1.50. Book 2, 104 pp., illustrated. £1.75. Book 3, 136 pp., illustrated. £2.25. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. Reviewed by John May

Stirling Educational Monographs No. 1. Attitude Goals in Secondary School Science S. BROWN 77 pp. University of Stirling. 1976. £1.75. Reviewed by Clive Carré and Henry Crowther

No. 2. Innovations in Integrated Science in Scottish Secondary Schools S. BROWN, D. McINTYRE, E. DREVER and J. KERI DAVIES 89 pp. University of Stirling, 1976. £1.00. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

Outline Studies in Biology 64 pp. each, illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1976. £1.30 each. Biological Energy Conservation C. W. JONES Control of Enzyme Activity P. COHEN Metabolic Regulation R. M. DENTON and C. I. POGSON Reviewed by John H. Duffus

Population Genetics L. M. COOK Reviewed by T. J. Crawford

Cytogenetics of Man and other Animals A. McDERMOTT Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

RNA Biosynthesis R. H. BURDON Protein Biosynthesis A. E. SMITH Reviewed by C. M. Bray

Basic Biology Course Books 3, 5, 8, and 9 London: Cambridge University Press, 1976.

Book 3 Dynamic Aspects of Cells M. A. TRIBE, I. TALLAN, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 119 pp., illustrated. £6.20 boards, £2.90 paper.

Book 5 Cell Membranes M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 79 pp., illustrated. £5.00 boards, £2.50 paper. Super 8 mm film loop (Phagocytosis) £8.00.

Book 8 Metabolism and Mitochondria M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 142 pp., illustrated. £8.00 boards, £3.50 paper. Filmstrip £3.50; cassette £3.80.

Book 9 Protein Synthesis M. A. TRIBE, I. TALLAN, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 103 pp., illustrated. £6.00 boards, £2.75 paper. Reviewed by Colin Stoneman

Population Cytogenetics Studies in Biology, No. 70 B.JOHN 76 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £3.00 boards, £1.50 paper. Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

Biology Colour Units Helpful and Harmful Organisms M. Sanderson Urban Ecology D. Gilman Co-ordination C. Morgan Movement D. Gray Each 24 pp, illustrated. London: Macdonald Educational, 1977. 75p each. Reviewed by John May

The Natural World : The Mitchell Beazley Joy of Knowledge Library J. MITCHELL (Ed.) 272 pp., illustrated. London: Mitchell Beazley, 1977. £12.50. Reviewed by P. J. Kelly

Human and Social Biology G. USHER 256 pp., illustrated. Plymouth, Devon: Macdonald and Evans, 1977. £1.95. Reviewed by A. Cornwell

Safeguards in the School Laboratory 28 pp., Hatfield, Herts: Association for Science Education, 1976. 35p. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

A First Science Dictionary D. J. LUCAS, H. I. JAMES, and O. J. SIMPSON 208 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £1.95. Reviewed by John Feltwell

Introduction to Genetics Third Edition D. G. MACKEAN 42 pp., illustrated. London: John Murray, 1977. £1.40. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

The Wash water storage feasibility study: a report on the ecological studies 36 pp., illustrated. London: Natural Environment Research Council. Publication series C No. 15, 1976. Free. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Higher Education Film Library Catalogue BRITISH UNIVERSITIES FILM COUNCIL London: BUFC, 1977. £1.00. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Biology: Principles and Issues WILLIAM C. SCHEFLER 370pp., illustrated. London: Addison-Wesley, 1976. £9.10. Reviewed by H. W. Grenville

Guide to Living Mammals J. E. WEBB, J. A. WALLWORK, and J. H. ELGOOD 152 pp., illustrated. London: Macmillan, 1977. £2.95. Reviewed by H. V. Wyatt

Applied Medical Microbiology J. G. COLLEE 121 pp., illustrated. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1976. £2.80. Reviewed by G. E. Mathison

General Microbiology Fourth edition R. Y. STANIER, E. A. ADELBERG and J. L. INGRAHAM 871pp., illustrated. London: Macmillan, 1977. £15.00 boards, £7.95 paper. Reviewed by C. G. Gayford

Fundamentals of Mycology Second edition J. H. BURNETT 673 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £27.50. Reviewed by B. W. Bainbridge

Metals and Metabolism D. A. PHIPPS 134 pp., London: Oxford University Press (Clarendon), 1976. £5.00 boards, £2.50 paper. Reviewed by C. M. Bray

Biochemical Systems Analysis M. A. SAVAGEAU 379 pp., illustrated. London: Addison-Wesley, 1976. £21.20 boards, £13.20 paper. Reviewed by J. H. Parish

The Biochemistry of the Tissues Second edition P. BANKS, W. BARTLEY, and L. M. BIRT 493 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1976. £14.50 boards, £6.25 paper. Reviewed by John Feltwell

Genetics and Adaptation Studies in Biology, No. 69 E. B. FORD 58 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £2.60 boards, £1.30 paper. Reviewed by R. A. E. Tilney-Bassett

The Comparative Endocrinology of the Invertebrates Second edition K. C. HIGHNAM and L. HILL 357 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1977. £16.00 boards, £8.50 paper. Reviewed by K. Simkiss

Muscles and Movement K. M. BACKHOUSE 48 pp., illustrated. London: Hart Davis, 1976. £1.75. Reviewed by Jackie Hardie

Herbicides: Physiology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Vol. 2 Second edition L. J. AUDUS (Ed.) 564 pp., illustrated. London: Academic Press, 1976. £17.50. Reviewed by Donald S. H. Drennan

Introduction to Ecology R. DAJOZ Translated by A. SOUTH 416 pp., Sevenoaks, Kent : Hodder and Stoughton, 1977. £7.50 boards, £4.45 paper. Reviewed by D. M. Keith-Lucas

Human Sex and Sexuality E. B. STEEN and J. H. PRICE 338 pp., illustrated. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1977. £7.00. Reviewed by Donald Reid

Rabies : The Facts C. KAPLAN (Ed.) 116 pp., illustrated. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977. £1.95 (Also published in paperback by Corgi Books, London. 75p.) Reviewed by W. C. Noble

Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing E. C. BARRETT and L. F. CURTIS 336 pp., illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1976. £11.00 boards, £5.95 paper. Reviewed by Monical M. Cole

Light and Life L. O. BJÖRN 249 pp., illustrated. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1976. £3.45 boards, £1.75 paper. Reviewed by John Feltwell     

Towards a mutant map of the mouse – new models of neurological, behavioural, deafness, bone, renal and blood disorders

With the completion of the first draft of the human genome sequence, the next major challenge is assigning function to genes. One approach is genome-wide random chemical mutagenesis, followed by screening for mutant phenotypes of interest and subsequent mapping and identification of the mutated genes in question. We (a consortium made up of GlaxoSmithKline, the MRC Mammalian Genetics Unit and Mouse Genome Centre, Harwell, Imperial College, London, and the Royal London Hospital) have used ENU mutagenesis in the mouse for the rapid generation of novel mutant phenotypes for use as animal models of human disease and for gene function assignment (Nolan et al., 2000). As of 2003, 35,000 mice have been produced to date in a genome-wide screen for dominant mutations and screened using a variety of screening protocols. Nearly 200 mutants have been confirmed as heritable and added to the mouse mutant catalogue and, overall, we can extrapolate that we have recovered over 700 mutants from the screening programme. For further information on the project and details of the data, see http://www.mgu.har.mrc.ac.uk/mutabase.     

Twenty years of research on primordial germ cells.

Just twenty years ago I was preparing a research project centred on establishing methods for the isolation and culture of mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs). The project had been suggested to me by Anne McLaren and was to be developed at the Medical Research Council (MRC) "Mammalian Development Unit" in London under the direction of Anne herself. At that time I was a young postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Histology and Embryology of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and did not imagine that my decision to be involved in this project would signal a profound switch in my scientific life. From then on my research would mostly concentrate on primordial germ cell biology. I feel like saying that the modern history of mammalian primordial germ cells began twenty years ago at the MRC Mammalian Development Unit under Anne McLaren's impulse. It is not surprising that among the most active researchers in the last twenty years in studying mammalian primordial germ cells, three, namely Chris Wylie, Peter Donovan and myself, began their studies under Anne McLaren's guidance. Over the years, Anne's suggestions and encouragement were always precious for my studies and her presence marked my most important findings on PGC biology. She often invited me to present the results obtained in my laboratory to workshops and congresses. In the present article some of these results particularly influenced by Anne's teaching and suggestions will be briefly reviewed.     

BUCHBESPRECHUNGEN

J erison , H. J.; J erison , I. (eds.): Intelligence and evolutionary biology. Nato AS1 Series Ecological Sciences G 1Z Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong
L inser , H.: Dynamismus des Lebens. Aus dem Ereignis wird das Sein. Berlin und Hamburg.
F ritzsch , B.; R yan , M. J.; W ilczynski , W.; H etherington , T. E.; W alkowiak , W. (Eds.).     

Biogene Amine in Rezeptororganen von Gastropoden (Prosobranchia,Opisthobranchia)

Zusammenfassung Im Osphradium, in den Kopfanhängen und im Sipho verschiedener Prosobranchia sowie in Rhinophoren und Rückenanhängen von Opisthobranchiern wurden fluoreszenzmikroskopisch Nervenfasern und -endigungen festgestellt. Diese aminergen Strukturen liegen stets an der Basis von Sinnesepithelien. Mit Hilfe unterschiedlicher Bedampfungsmethoden konnten sowohl 5-Hydroxytryptamin als auch Catecholamine nachgewiesen werden. HCl-Behandlung der Paraffinschnitte ergab, daß die Catecholamine aus Dopamin und sehr wahrscheinlich auch aus Noradrenalin bestehen. Diese lichtmikroskopischen Befunde wurden durch mikrospektrofluorimetrische Messungen von Excitationsspektren bestätigt.

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Biogenic amines in receptor organs of gastropods (Prosobranchia, Opisthobranchia)

Summary In the osphradium, the cephalic tentacles and in the sipho of various prosobranch snails as well as in the rhinophores and dorsal appendages of opisthobranch snails, nerve-fibres and -endings have been demonstrated with the fluorescence microscope. These aminergic structures have been found constantly at the basis of sensory epithelia. By means of different types of vapour exposure 5-hydroxytryptamine and catecholamines were shown to be present. HCl treatment of the paraffin sections demonstrated that the catecholamines consist of dopamine and with a high degree of probability also of noradrenaline. These lightmicroscopical observations were confirmed by microspectrofluorimetric measurements of excitation spectra.

Herrn Prof. A. G. E. Pearse, Dept. of Histochemistry, und besonders Herrn Dr. F. W. D. Rost, Unit of Microspectrofluorimetry, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, danke ich für ihre Hilfe bei der Benutzung ihrer mikrospektrofluorimetrischen Anlage und des Computers beim Auswerten der Daten.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
By D. Michael Stoddart. Studies in Biology, edited by the Institute of Biology, no. 73. Edward Arnold
By Jonathan Kingdon, 1977. Academic Press, London and New York
Edited by D. P. Snyder. University of Pittsburg Press
Edited by S. S. Ajayi & L. B. Halstead. Taylor
By A. M. Husson. Zoölogische Monographieën van het Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie
R. J. Olds & J. R. Olds. Wolfe Medical Publications Ltd. London 1979.
Edited by D. M. Stoddart. Chapman & Hall, London
By Adrian Desmond. Blond & Briggs
By Neil Chalmers. 1979. Edward Arnold
Edited by Rodney Steel & Anthony P. Harvey.
By S. Bökönyi. B.A.R. Supplementary Series 34, 1977. 132 pp. 35 figs. E2.60 post free.     

Review Section

The New Genetics: Rights and Responsibilities Available from: Science and Mankind Inc., PO Box 729, Boulder, Colorado 80302, USA. Price $120.00 (this was introduced at a special price of $97.50). Reviewed by Heather Dziedzic, Lin-foon Fung, Andrew Palfreman, Bushra Sharif

An Introduction to Genetics Filmstrips with notes edited by J. ELLIOTT Available from Educational Productions Ltd, London Wi. Reviewed by M. Thain

Tropical Crops-Dicotyledons J. W. PURSEGLOVE Pp. xv+719+102 figs. 3rd impression. Longman Group 1968. 1974. £4,95 net. Reviewed by June R. Lawton

Plants. A Scanning Electron Microscope Survey J. H. TROUGHTON and F. B. SAMPSON Pp. ix+158+163 plates. Sydney: John Wiley & Sons, Australasia Pty Ltd. 1973. £5.60 (cloth); £3.50 (paper) Reviewed by D. J. B. White

Cell Biology. A Molecular Approach R.D.DYSON pp. xv+701+24 figs. Allyn and Bacon Inc. 1974. $15.95 (£6.75) Reviewed by Nutan P. Bishun

Companion to Biochemistry. Selected Topics for Further Study Edited by A. T. BULL, J. R. LAGNADO, J. O. THOMAS and K. F. TIPTON Pp. ix+700, profusely illustrated. London: Longman Group Ltd. 1974. £7.00. Reviewed by P. N. Campbell

Insect Diseases GEORGEE. CANTWELL Vol. 1 pp. xi+300+glossary (21 pp.)+82 figs. New York: Marcell Dekker, $24.50. Reviewed by K. G. V. Smith

Practical Genetics Edited by P. M. SHEPPARD Pp. xii+337. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications. 1974. £8.50 Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

Gene Expression BENJAMIN LEWIN Vol. I-Bacterial Genomes. Pp. xvii+642+193 figs. Vol. 2-Eucaryotic Chromosomes. Pp. xiv +467 + 115 figs. London, New York, Sydney, Toronto: Wiley Interscience. Vol. 1: £12.50 (cloth) £4.75 (paper); Vol. 2: £10.00 (cloth), £3.95 (paper) Reviewed by Michael Balls and Dennis Brown

Ecology, Evolution and Population Biology Readings from Scientific American, with an introduction by EDWARD O. WILSON Pp. viii+320+numerous figures. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman and Co. 1974. Ooth £6.30 ($12.00); Paper £2.80 ($5.95). Reviewed by Paul Rogers

Identification of British Fishes T. B. BAGENAL Pp. iv+194+89 figs. Amersham: Hulton Educational Publications Ltd. 1974. £1.20. Reviewed by Donald Casson

Human Sexuality: Sense and Nonsense H.A.KATCHADOUIDAN Pp. xvi+87 + 11 figs. San Francisco and Reading, England: W. H. Freeman & Co. £3.10 cloth; £1.40 paper. Reviewed by L. G. North

The Strategy of Life CLIFFORD GROBSTEIN 2nd edition. Pp. 174 W. H. Freeman. 1974. $4.95 cloth; $2.95 paper. Reviewed by M. J. Ricketts     

Book Reviews

Methods of Protein and Nucleic Acid Research 1. Electrophoresis, Isoelectric Focussing, Ultracentrifugation. 342pp. 1984. DM 156. 2. Immunoelectrophoresis. Application of Radioisotopes. 204pp. 1984. DM 98. 3. Chromatography, 505pp. 1986. DM 248. Lev A. Osterman, Springer-Verlag. Berlin. Heidelberg, New and Tokyo.

Fundamentals of Immunology (Completely Revised 2nd Ed) O.G. BIER. W. DIAS DA SILVA, D. GOTZE and I. MOTA Springer-Verlag — Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, London, Paris and Tokyo pp 469. 1986.

Superoxide Dismutase, VOL. III (Pathological States). L.W. OBERLEY (Editor) CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 266 pp. US$110.00/Outside US$127.00.

Topics in Aging Research in Europe. Volume II Free Radicals and Arthritic Diseases A.J.G. SWAAK and J.F. KOSTER (eds) 204p, 1986 Published by EURAGE. P.O. Box 5815, 2280HV Rijswijk, The Netherlands ISBN 80-71021-11-4     

REVIEWS

Practical Lawn Craft. By R. B. D awson . Foreword by R. G. S tapledon .
An Introduction to Industrial Mycology. By G. S mith .
Cattle Fodder and Human Nutrition: with special reference to Biological Nitrogen Fixation. By A rtturi I. V irtanen .
Coffee in Kenya. By the Staff of the Scott Agricultural Laboratories and the Agricultural Economist, Department of Agriculture, Kenya, with a contribution by the Director of the British East African Meteorological Service. Edited by J. M c D onald .
Third Conference on Cotton Growing Problems: Report and Summary of Proceedings. Pp.
Plant Injection for Diagnostic and Curative Purposes. By W. A. R oach .
Plant Physiology. By E. C. M iller .
Principles of Genetics. By E. W. S innott and L. C. D unn .
The Genetics of Garden Plants. By M. B. C rane and W. J. C. L awrence .
The Cultivation of Succulents , By H. J acobsen . Authorised translation by V era H iggins .
Research and Statistical Methodology: Books and Reviews , 1933-8. Edited by O. K. B uros .
Methods and Material for Teaching Biological Sciences. By D. F. M iller and G. W. B laydes .