Cyclophosphamide Therapy in the Nephrotic Syndrome in Childhood

Forty-six children with the nephrotic syndrome whose renal biopsy specimens showed minimal changes and whose response to corticosteroid therapy was unsatisfactory were treated with cyclophosphamide. Three patients were completely steroid-resistant from the outset and the remainder were steroid-dependent. In several patients steroids controlled the condition less effectively with time. Most patients showed signs of steroid toxicity, and growth retardation was striking.A moderate leucopenia was induced with cyclophosphamide, and treatment was maintained for three to four months in the majority of cases. Thirty-eight children (83%) have remained in complete remission off all treatment for periods of 3 to 23 months, 33 after one course of cyclophosphamide and five after a second course. Two other patients who remitted but relapsed later are still on treatment. In only six patients was full remission not obtained, and three of these were steroid-resistant from the start. Two died from pneumonia and adrenal failure and four continued to have proteinuria, though in one an impressive reduction occurred.The results indicate that cyclophosphamide therapy is an effective alternative for nephrotic children with normal glomeruli on light microscopy who develop steroid dependence or resistance, and who exhibit toxic effects of steroid therapy.     

Total-body irradiation of canine lymphoma

In the continuing search for models which are potentially useful for experimental therapeutics and other radiobiological studies, spontaneous lymphoma in canines has been virtually ignored. These neoplasms closely resemble their histologic counterpart in humans with respect to anatomic sites of involvement and other features. We have examined the responsiveness of canine lymphoma to total-body irradiation, and objective remissions of disease have been observed.     

Crossing over frequency following inbreeding inNeurospora

Crossing over frequency was determined for five marked regions covering most of a chromosome arm. The results of a 12th backcross were compared with previously published results from the noninbred f₁. Exchange frequency increased significantly following inbreeding. Chiasma interference remained positieve, but was somewhat less intense in b₁₂.Supported in part by Public Health Service Research Grants AI 01462 and GM 1882-01, by a National Science Foundation Faculty Fellowship to H. R. C., and by Public Health Service Research Career Award K6-GM-4899 to D. D. P.Technical Paper No. 2054, Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station, Corvallis.     

Simplified Aldehyde-Fuchsin Staining of Neurosecretory Cells

Gomori's original aldehyde-fuchsin method has been modified by the combination of Halmi's counter stain with Gabe's preparation, consisting of basic fuchsin, 1 gm; boiling water, 200 ml; with HC1, 2 ml and paraldehyde, 2 ml added after cooling and filtering. The solution so made was allowed to ripen 3-4 days at room temperature, and the precipitate which formed was filtered off and dried at 55-60°C. The staining solution consisted of 0.5 gm of the dry precipitate dissolved in 100 ml of 70% alcohol. The staining follows original procedures except that it is very important to bring slides from water to 70% alcohol before placing them in the aldehyde-fuchsin solution and also to remove all excess staining solution by rinsing in 95% alcohol after staining. The staining solution is stable for at least 6 mo.