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The effectiveness of dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) to control root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) and weeds was tested for the first time in Hungary in two consecutive protected cucumber crops with application made only before the first crop. The treatments were Accolade EC (DMDS 94.1%) at 400 l/ha applied by driplines, Nemathorin 10 G (fosthiazate) at 30 kg/ha, and an untreated control. During the first cucumber cycle vigour-index, yield, root-gall index, Meloidogyne juveniles in the soil and germination of weeds were evaluated. All considered parameters were significantly improved by using DMDS compared respectively to the chemical standard and untreated control: (i) vigour-index of 7.0, 4.3 and 3.6; (ii) cumulative yield/sample of 45.1 kg, 30.9 kg, and 16.6 kg; root-gall index (RGI) of 1.2, 4.9, and 5.9; (iii) M. incognita J2/25 g soil of 0.25, 48.5 and 78.0, and (iv) number of weed seedlings/sample in the 20–30 cm soil profile of 1.1, 2.6, and 4.2. During the second cucumber crop, only root-gall index was evaluated. Results showed that a single DMDS treatment applied before the first crop had a prolonged beneficial effect on the following crop. In the second crop cycle, root gall indices were 5.58, 9.18, and 8.44 for DMDS treated plots, chemical control and untreated control, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few researches address the compatibility of organic mulching and entomopathogenic (EPN) and slug-parasitic (SPN) nematodes, although organic mulching may provide favourable conditions for these beneficial organisms. Our aim was to examine the effect of different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1 and 5%) of aqueous extracts of green waste compost, the dry leaf litters of the common walnut (Juglans regia) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) on EPN (Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema kraussei) and SPN (Phasmarhabditis hermaphrodita) species. Experiments were set up in 96-well, flat-bottom microplates. After a 24-hour exposure time, the number of dead animals was counted under a transmission microscope. Green waste compost extracts caused quite low or no mortality in case of all examined species. Mortality caused by the 5% Norway maple leaf litter extract was moderate (34.6%) in the case of S. carpocapsae juveniles, while 100% of juveniles of other species died. The highest (5%) concentration of the common walnut leaf litter extract caused 100% mortality in all species. As a conclusion, green waste compost mulch seems to be more compatible with EPN and SPN species than common walnut or Norway maple leaf litter mulch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of organ transplantation has been facing the problem of organ shortage for several years. It is even more crucial since the number of patients on the waiting list is growing steadily. There have been numerous approaches to resolve the issue: on the one hand, extending the donation criteria and, on the other hand, improving organ preservation using machine perfusion. Experimental and clinical studies have already proven that machine perfusion decreases the incidence of delayed graft function and improves graft survival, which is particularly significant in extended criteria donation. Machine perfusion is used widely in kidney transplantation. The most frequently used method is hypothermic machine perfusion but the normothermic method is gaining more attention as well. Depending on the temperature set, machine perfusion may not only be used for organ preservation but also for organ conditioning. There is still ongoing research in the field of therapeutic approaches during machine perfusion, which may play an important role in decreasing ischaemia-reperfusion injury and immunogenicity in grafts. After a brief description of extended criteria donation, our review aims to summarize the methods and the latest results of machine perfusion, including diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the field of kidney transplantation. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(9): 339-347.

Currently kynurenines are considered a hot topic, because of their involvement in numerous physiological and pathological processes. The essential amino acid, tryptophan's main metabolism is through the kynurenine pathway. During the degradation of tryptophan, kynurenic acid is formed with the help of kynurenine aminotransferases. Kynurenic acid is an excitatory receptor ligand and it possesses neuroprotective properties. Abnormal decrease or increase in the kynurenic acid level can cause an imbalance in the neurotransmitter systems and it is associated with several neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Kynurenic acid has a poor penetration through the blood-brain barrier, so it is unfit for therapeutic purposes. For this reason, the aim of our research was the synthesis and pharmacological testing of kynurenic acid analogues with a better blood-brain barrier penetration. The newly synthetized kynurenic acid analogues proved to be effective in models of some nervous system disorders (migraine, Huntington's disease). According to our results with the novel kynurenic acid analogues, these molecules may represent a new therapeutic target in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Several patent applications were filed based on our results. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(12): 443-451.

During the rehabilitation of hearing-impaired patients, the preservation of residual acoustic hearing following cochlear implantation by minimizing the implantation trauma allows for improved hearing performance. To achieve this, minimally invasive, soft surgery methods and thinner, atraumatic electrodes were required. In our present study, we reported a case where Cochlear® Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar electrode was implanted in a patient with residual hearing. Our aim was to study the possible preservation of postoperative acoustic residual hearing by audiological monitoring. Since childhood, due to her congenital hearing loss, she has been wearing a conventional, airborne hearing correction device on both ears. Six months before cochlear implantation, we measured the progression on both sides of the hearing loss, so we decided to perform cochlear implantation. The patient had residual hearing on both ears prior to surgery thus the Cochlear® Nucleus CI532 Slim Modiolar Implant was used. The minimally invasive surgery was performed on the patient's right ear through the round window approach. Compared to the preoperative hearing threshold (average 85 dBHL) in the 4th postoperative week, an initial hearing threshold progression of 20-25 dBHL was observed between 0.25 and 1.0 kHz, while of 5-10 dBHL between 2.0-4.0 kHz. Hearing threshold measured in the 6th month showed a slight progression in the range above 1 kHz, but improved by the 12th month, to the results achieved at the 4th week. The effects of cochlear implantation on residual hearing have been studied in numerous studies, in which several key surgical and technical factors have been identified. Nucleus CI532 is a Slim Modiolar electrode profile that is close to the modiolus, so it is expected to have a lower endocochlear hydrodynamic load since it lies in the covering of the osseus spiral lamina, thus less influencing the dynamics of the basilar membrane. However, the perimodiolar location of the electrode array allows the adjacent nerve elements of the spiral ganglion to be stimulated with a lower electrical intensity and a reduced surface that may be neuroprotective. Preservation of acoustic residual hearing following cochlear implantation improves the patient's speech perception and the sound localization skills, particularly in difficult circumstances. Long-term residual hearing preservation may also be of great importance in the subsequent feasibility for regenerative procedures and drug treatments. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(41): 1680-1688.

Introduction: Baha ® Attract is a new transcutaneous bone-conduction hearing aid, which is more preferable in childhood than the conventional percutaneous systems., Aim: Our aim was to demonstrate the possibilities of application in childhood., Method: Eight children have undergone surgeries (mean age of 13.2 ± 3.2 years; "posterosuperior" incision technique, 5 mm implants). The thickness of the skull bone was determined in 72 children (1-8 years old) at the recommended implant site, based on CT scans., Results: The average duration of surgeries was 30 minutes. There were no intra- and postoperative complications observed. Sound processors were fitted at the postoperative 4th week. Hearing measurements proved 51.58±11.22SD dBHL gain in warble tone thresholds, and 43.3 ± 16.02 SD dB in speech discrimination thresholds. The skull bone thickness was measured as 3.39 ± 1.05 SD mm., Conclusion: The Baha Attract system is a new tool for hearing rehabilitation in pediatric population. Preoperative CT provides valuable knowledge about skull bone thickness. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(8), 304-310.

Introduction: Indication and timing of allograft nephrectomy is still uncertain in some cases., Aim: The aim of the authors was to summarize their experience with graftectomies., Method: Data from patients who underwent kidney transplantation between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Frequency, indications, timing, complications as well as early and late allograft nephrectomies were reviewed., Results: From 480 renal transplants, 55 graftectomies were performed (11%). Frequent indications included chronic allograft nephropathy (47%), arterial blood supply complications (13%), ureter complications (9%). 22 cases (40%) of allograft nephrectomies were urgent while 33 cases (60%) were elective. 24% of graftectomies were performed within 30 days after transplantation and 76% thereafter., Conclusions: The main indications for early graftectomies were arterial complications (31%) and chronic allograft nephropathy (62%) in cases of late graftectomies. The majority of the graftectomies were elective. Leading indication was chronic allograft nephropathy. Early and late graftectomies have different characteristics.

Introduction: Cortical auditory evoked potentials can provide objective information about the highest level of the auditory system., Aim: The purpose of the authors was to introduce a new tool, the "HEARLab" which can be routinely used in clinical practice for the measurement of the cortical auditory evoked potentials. In addition, they wanted to establish standards of the analyzed parameters in subjects with normal hearing., Method: 25 adults with normal hearing were tested with speech stimuli, and frequency specific examinations were performed utilizing pure tone stimuli., Results: The findings regarding the latency and amplitude analyses of the evoked potentials confirm previously published results of this novel method., Conclusions: The HEARLAb can be a great help when performance of the conventional audiological examinations is complicated. The examination can be performed in uncooperative subjects even in the presence of hearing aids. The test is frequency specific and does not require anesthesia.

Unlabelled: Hip fractures are associated with increased mortality in the elderly. There are only a few studies based on large patient number covering a nationwide health care system., Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the mortality following primary treatment in patients over 60 with acute, monotraumatic femoral neck fracture on monthly and annual base during a 5-year follow-up period; and to evaluate the effect of different risk factors on mortality during the follow-up., Methods: Data were derived from the nationwide database of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration. The evaluation includes patients with femoral neck fracture discharged from inpatient care institutions in 2000 following a primary surgical treatment. Weekly, monthly and annual mortality rates, and its monthly and annual trends according to risk factors were calculated. Logistic and Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between risk factors and mortality., Results: 3783 patients were involved in the study with a mean age of 77,97 years (SD 8,52). The mortality rates were 1,71% (during the first week), 8,99% (30 days), 30,74% (first year) and 61,88% (in 5 years). Mortality showed a declining trend up to the 5th month, and is stagnant after the first year. Risk factor analysis showed that higher risk of mortality is associated with male sex and higher age group up to 5 years, co-morbidities up to 4 years, lateral type femoral neck fracture and 12 hours delay of primary treatment up to 2 years, early local complications up to 1 year and surgical treatment during week-end up to 1 month. Surgical treatment delivered in national health institutes and university clinics resulted in a lower mortality risk up to 1 year., Conclusions: In order to reduce mortality during the management of hip fractures, the authors emphasize the importance of delay of treatment within 12 hours, appropriate selection of methods corresponding to fracture type, providing the same conditions for primary treatment during all days of the week, to organize the treatment to special centres, appropriate acute care and follow-up corresponding to the general health status and co-morbidities of patients.

We investigated the HLA-DRB, and DQB polymorphism and haplotypes in RA subjects of Hungarian origin by PCR typing using sequence-specific primers. Molecular subtyping of HLA-DRB1*04 alleles in RA patients showed strongest association with highest relative risk with DRB1*0404. A significantly decreased frequency of DRB1*0403 was observed in patients compared to controls. A significant number of patients carried DR4 haplotypes on DQB1*0302 (54%) relative to DQB1*0301 which was present on 36% of the haplotypes. When compared to controls, the frequency was higher in the latter allele only. Few unique DRB-DQB haplotypes were observed in Hungarian RA patients. In spite of the fact, that the Hungarian population has been isolated linguistically over centuries, a considerable racial admixture has occurred following immigration and invasions, thus the present study confirms in Hungarian patients with RA, previous findings for RA and HLA in European countries.

Introduction: The Epstein-Barr virus is a member of herpesvirus family. It plays an important role in the etiopathogenesis of Burkitt lymphoma, other B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, X chromosome-linked lymphoproliferative disease, Hodgkin lymphomas and a part of T-cell lymphomas. It has been suggested that association of Epstein-Barr virus with lymphomas and its pathological significance in disease varies in different geographical areas. The aim of our study was to reveal the role of Epstein-Barr virus in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas diagnosed in Hungary. The authors asked: A) What is the frequency of the presence of virus genome in the biopsy specimen from B-cell non-Hodgkin patients? B) Which types of virus latency can be observed?, Patients and Methods: Genomic DNA and EBER-specific RNA of Epstein-Barr virus in paraffin-embedded specimens were detected by polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation, respectively., Results: Out of 36 B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases, 16 (45%) were found to be positive for Epstein-Barr virus by the above methods. Expression of latency genes, nuclear antigene-2 and latent membrane protein-1 was studied by immunohistochemical technique. The 16 virus-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases showed Epstein-Barr virus latency types II. (37%) or III. (63%)., Conclusions: The authors data suggest that Epstein-Barr virus may be associated with the development of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas in Hungarian patients.

The authors aim is to draw the readers attention to the possible occurrence of endometrial carcinoma in the young, by presenting the case of a 23 year-old woman. They highlight the risk factors (obesity, anovulatory bleeding abnormality, hypertension, positive familial history), that may have lead to the development of the endometrial carcinoma of their patient. It is assumed, that bleeding abnormality of a young woman could be the first sign of the carcinoma of the uterine corpus. They consider it obligatory in similar cases to: 1. Perform a throughout investigation of the endocrinological status 2. Measure the thickness of the endometrium with ultrasound 3. Histological examination 4. Careful follow up.

Sensitive detection methods, such as DNA PCR and RNA PCR suggest that vertical transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) occurs at three major time periods; in utero, around the time of birth, and postpartum as a result of breastfeeding (Fig. 1). Detection of proviral DNA in infant's blood at birth suggests that transmission occurred prior to delivery. A working definition for time of infection is that HIV detection by DNA PCR in the first 48 h of life indicates in utero transmission, while peripartum transmission is considered if DNA PCR is negative the first 48 h, but then it is positive 7 or more days later [1]. Generally, in the breastfeeding population, breast milk transmission is thought to occur if virus is not detected by PCR at 3-5 months of life but is detected thereafter within the breastfeeding period [2]. Using these definitions and guidelines, studies has suggested that in developed countries the majority, or two thirds of vertical transmission occur peripartum, and one-third in utero [3-6]. The low rate of breastfeeding transmission is due to the practice of advising known HIV-positive mothers not to feed breast milk. However, since the implementation of antiretroviral treatment in prophylaxis of HIV-positive mothers, some studies have suggested that in utero infection accounts for a larger percentage of vertical transmissions [7]. In developing countries, although the majority of infections occurs also peripartum, a significant percentage, 10-17%, is thought to be due to breastfeeding [2, 8, 9].

Eosinophil leukaemia is a rare and poorly defined entity characterized by neoplastic proliferation of eosinophil cell line. This form of the hypereosinophilic state is considered to be a variant form of CML, although as a diseases entity is not generally accepted. A history of a patients is reported, whose clinical course is thought to fulfill the requirements of eosinophil leukaemia. On the basis of the initial results (pathological lymphogram, eosinophilia, Ph-negativity) lymphogranulomatosis was suspected and explorative laparotomy was performed. However, only marked eosinophilic infiltration of the spleen was detected. After splenectomy his disease was stable without treatment for six months when his leukocytosis and eosinophilia increased. Despite the administration of hydroxyurea the leukocyte count exceeded 100 x 10(9)/l (eosinophil cells 70%), and the bone marrow revealed massive (80%) eosinophilic infiltration. Neither Ph-chromosome, nor cabl and bcr gen rearrangement were demonstrated, but the expression and amplification of c-myc oncogene indicated disease progression. Interferon therapy produced long-term clinical and haematological improvement, but blastic transformation was developed in the second year of his disease. Autopsy showed multiple organ involvement characteristic of CML, but no marked eosinophilic infiltration was found. The feature of this case suggest that eosinophil leukaemia might represent an uncommon form of Ph-negative CML.

Cell and serum samples from 7 Hungarian patients with mycosis fungoides were examined for the presence of HTLV-I-related DNA sequences and antibodies recognizing HTLV-I antigens. DNA sequences distantly related to the proviral DNA of HTLV-I were shown by Southern blot hybridization in 3 patients. Serum samples from these patients contained antibodies reactive with the internal core polypeptides of HTLV-I and HTLV-II, but not with the env gene encoded type-specific HTLV antigens. Restriction enzyme analysis with EcoRI, PstI, BamHI and SacI revealed structural similarity of the provirus(es) integrated in the DNA of mycosis fungoides cells to HTLV-I but not to HTLV-II. Data suggest that these proviruses and HTLV-I are similar to each other along gag and pol regions.

The presence of virus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of asymptomatic antibody positive haemophiliacs was detected by assaying for reverse transcriptase and confirmed by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. HIV has been detected in 5 out of 7 individuals. In order to investigate strain variation, supernatant fluids of cultures were added to H9 and MT-4 cells. Virus was recovered in MT-4 cells in 3 cases, whereas the H9 cells only supported the replication of 2 strains. Viruses isolated from asymptomatic haemophiliacs have a narrower range of infectivity than HTLV-IIIB.

The serum of Balb/c mice infected with Rauscher leukaemia virus contained soluble antigens characterized by alpha2 and beta globulin electrophoretic mobility; their respective molecular weights, as determined with gel filtration, were 40 000 and 120 000. The antigens differed in specificity and their corresponding determinants were present on the surface of leukaemic cells. For Balb/c mice both antigens, for DBA/1 and C57B1/10Sn mice only the antigen showing alpha2 mobility was immunogenic.

Blood plasma samples from adult patients and children with malignant lymphoproliferative diseases were studied for presence of antibodies to primate type-C viruses by membrane immunofluorescence. Antibodies to baboon endogenous virus could be detected in various types of lymphoid leukaemias and lymphomas. Gibbon ape leukaemia virus-specific antibodies were mainly found in B- and O-cell leukaemias and lymphomas. Anti-HTLV antibodies could be detected only in a few cases of T-cell malignancy. There was no evidence of a horizontal transmission of such viruses.

Autologous lymphocyte populations from different phases of chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and preleukaemic disorders were compared for cytotoxic activity. 51Cr-release tests showed that T lymphocytes from the quiescent phase of CGL and from the remission phase of AML exerted cytotoxic activity against autologous tumour cells. Such activity was also found in patients with potentially preleukaemic haematological disorders characterized by cytopenia, but not in polycythaemia vera patients. In the majority of cases cytotoxic activity of T lymphocytes could be blocked by native gp70 antigens of gibbon ape leukaemia virus (GaLV) and baboon endogenous virus (BaEV). Blocking effect of carbohydrate-free gp70 as well as p15(E) antigens could be observed less frequently. The role of cell-mediated immune response to oncovirus antigens in the course of myeloproliferative diseases is discussed.

Blood plasma samples from patients with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML) or potential preleukaemia and from control subjects were tested for antibodies to the viruses HL-23 and BILN by membrane immunofluorescence. Of 15 patients with untreated AML, three, each having a low peripheral leucocyte count at the time of sampling, had detectable antibodies. Antibodies were present in the plasma of 5 out of 8 AML patients being in remission as a result of chemotherapy. In these cases, the antibody levels significantly exceeded those demonstrated in the untreated cases. Of 12 patients with potential preleukaemia, five proved to be positive. Of the 7 antibody-negative patients, four developed manifest leukaemia within 12-18 months after the first testing. The results are suggestive of a favourable prognostic role of the presence of the antibodies under study. In the majority of the antibody-positive AML and potential preleukameia cases antibodies were detectable to both components of the HL-23 virus. Of 30 control subjects, three had demonstrable antibodies to the BILN virus.

Peripheral leukocytes or lymph node cells and blood plasma samples from patients with lymphoid malignancies were investigated for immunological markers of BaEV, GaLV and HTLV. Antigens and antibodies were shown with radioimmunoassay. Antigen related to the p30 core protein of BaEV could be detected in each cell type of leukaemias and lymphomas. Antigen related to the GaLV p30 was found mainly in B- and O-cell forms, while that related to the p24 protein of HTLV could be detected only in two T-cell malignancies. Antibodies reactive with these antigens showed a similar distribution.

Peripheral leucocytes from 16 patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) were examined for the presence of oncornavirus p30 antigens by indirect cytoplasmic immunofluorescence. The leucocytes of 12 patients who could be kept in balance by chemotherapy proved to be negative or contained the p30 antigen of mammalian endogenous oncornaviruses as the only viral antigen. In the leucocytes of four patients being in blastoid crisis, an antigen related to the p30 antigen of mammalian leukaemia-sarcoma viruses was detected. In five of six patients decrease in sensitivity to chemotherapy, or blastoid crisis, was preceded by expression of leukaemia-sarcoma virus p30 antigen(s). Leucocytes from 15 CML patients kept in balance by chemotherapy and those from seven being in blastoid crisis, were examined by indirect membrane immunofluorescence for the presence of antigen(s) related to the gp70 antigen of the simian and murine leukaemia-sarcoma virus. All tests proved to be negative.

Tilorone hydrochloride (200 mg/kg) was administered intragastrically to inbred CBA mice. After 5, 18 and 48 hr the number of circulating leucocytes and peritoneal cells as well as the migration of unstimulated peritoneal cells, the blood corticosteroid level and interferon production were investigated. In spite of the considerable decrease of the number of mononuclear cells in the blood and polynuclear ones in the peritoneal exudate, the drug induced production of circulating interferon and stimulated its synthesis by peritoneal cells. The blood corticosteroid level and the mast cell count in the peritoneal cavity were significantly elevated, but the migration of peritoneal cells in antigen-free medium decreased.

Cytotoxic activities of lymphocytes and antibodies against autologous tumour cells detected by 51Cr release technique were frequent in patients with chronic granulocytic leukaemia, but infrequent in patients with blastosis of acute myeloid leukaemia. Among subjects with potentially preleukaemic haematological disorders autologous cytotoxic activity was observed only in cases of cytopenia, while samples from patients with polycythaemia vera proved to be devoid of cellular and humoral cytotoxicity. In the majority of cases the cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes and antibodies could be blocked by gp70 antigens of baboon endogenous virus (BaEV) and gibbon ape leukaemia virus (GaLV). p15(E) antigens of BaEV and GaLV showed blocking activity less frequently. Digestion by glycosidase of the carbohydrate of gp70 antigens reduced their blocking activity.

Lymphocyte and plasma samples from the quiescent and blastic phase of chronic granulocytic leukaemia (CGL) and from the blastosis and remission of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), were compared for cytotoxic activity. Target cells were collected from the blastic phases of diseases. 51Cr-release tests showed that the lymphocytes and plasma samples from blastic crisis of CGL had no cytotoxic activity for autologous blast cells. In contrast, cryopreserved lymphocytes and plasmas from the quiescent phase of CGL proved to be cytotoxic for the autologous tumor cells, and their effect could be blocked by native gp70 antigens of gibbon ape leukaemia virus (GaLV) and baboon endogenous virus (BaEV). A blocking effect was less frequently exerted by carbohydrate-free gp70 and p15(E) antigens. A similar relationship was found between the blastosis and remission stage of AML, however, out of the antigens of BaEV only the native gp70 showed a marked blocking effect.

The expression of oncoviral p30 polypeptides and onc gene-specific proteins has been examined in different human lymphoid malignancies. The distribution of antigen(s) related to the p30 of BaEV lacked any specificity. Antigen(s) related to the main core polypeptide of GaLV could be detected mainly in B- and O-cell malignancies. The myc-encoded protein was translated at higher levels in malignant than in normal lymphoid cells. An active src gene was identified in three acute lymphoid leukaemias and in one non-Hodgkin lymphoma of T-cell origin. Human DNAs coding oncoviral antigens or onc gene-specific proteins could be transfected into NIH 3T3 cells. These data suggest that the synergistic effect of the myc and src genes would operate in malignant transformation of some progenitors of T-cell lineage.

Rauscher virus causes in inbred Balb/c mice a rapidly progressing hyperacute, in C57B1/10Sn mice an incipient, spontaneously healing leukaemia. In DBA/1 and DBA/2 mice the appearance of leukaemia is followed by a partial remissions then by an exacerbation of the disease. The infection in C57B1/10Sn, DBA/1 and DBA/2 mice results in a significant tumour-specific immune response. Inhibition of the immune response is followed by an increased progression of leukaemia in DBA/1 and DBA/2 mice only. It is assumed that in C57B1/10Sn mice the remission of incipient leukaemia is associated with a resistance determined in the target cells, whereas in DBA/1 and DBA/2 mice the remission is due to a tumour-specific immune response. As in animals treated with anti-lymphocyte and anti-thymocyte serum the course of the disease runs proportionally to the degree of the inhibition of the immune response, the tumour-specific antibodies play a decisive role in the elimination of the tumour cells. In Balb/c, DBA/1 and DBA/2 mouse strains failing to exhibit a spontaneous reversion of the tumour cells, the appearance of a significant tumour-specific immune response depends on the resistance against the helper component of the Rauscher virus complex.

Blood plasma interferon (IFN) of patients with acute myeloid (AML) and chronic granulocytic (CGL) and with acute and chronic lymphoid leukaemia (ALL and CLL) was measured by bioassay and characterized by neutralization with anti-human-IFN-alpha treatment. Elevated IFN-alpha level (60-125 IU/ml) was found in the quiescent phase of CGL as compared to the control samples (15 +/- 10 IU/ml). No significant differences could be found between plasma IFN of patients suffering from the blastic crisis of CGL and control persons. Analogous results were obtained in experiments with plasmas of AML patients, regardless the stage of the disease. Elevated IFN-alpha production (60-100 IU/ml) was found in patients being in the remission phase of T-cell ALL but only in one case in the progressive phase of the disease. No significant elevation of plasma IFN level was demonstrated in patients with O-cell ALL and B-cell CLL, as compared to the control samples.