[Experimental tests of a microwave sterilization system].

Data obtained in our experiments indicate that the microwave sterilization system utilized may be considered as a practical and rapid method for decontaminating steel surgical instruments. For the tested organisms (7 Gram- and 2 Gram+ genera) a 3' exposure time to microwaves provides successful sterilization. Microwave irradiation also had a killing action against Bacillus subtilis spores.

Effect of microwave radiation on Candida albicans.

Microwave exposure (90 s) provides an effective, rapid sterilization for surgical scalpel blades which have been contaminated with Candida albicans. SEM analysis showed that microwave irradiation induced a morphological modification of the cells. The longer the exposure time the greater such alterations and this micro-organism in effect fractures after 9 min.

The bactericidal effect of microwaves on Mycobacterium bovis dried on scalpel blades.

The action of microwaves on stainless steel scalpel blades contaminated with Mycobacterium bovis was investigated. The complete destruction of M. bovis was obtained with 4 min of microwave exposure.

[Effect of microwaves on the vegetative and spore forms of Bacillus stearothermophilus].

Microwave irradiation provides a rapid and effective method for sterilization of stainless steel scalpel blades or cover glasses contaminated by B. stearothermophilus. A study by SEM of vegetative forms showed that microwave irradiation induce a progressive series of alterations and finally the complete destruction of the microorganism.

Microwave sterilization of enterobacteria.

A new method is described which makes it possible to treat metal materials with microwaves. In consequence scalpel blades as well as cover glasses contaminated with four species of bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were sterilized. With this method sterilization can be achieved quite rapidly (1.

[Preliminary observation of blood cells and hematopoietic organs in Lutjanus herenbergi and Lutjanus flaviflammus].

The morphology of differentiated and differentiating cells of the red and white series in Lutjanus herenbergi and in Lutjanus flaviflammus is described. Early stages of red and white blood cells may be found only in smears of hemopoietic organs. Polychromatic erythroblasts, myelocytes and lymphoblasts may also occasionally be found in blood smears.

Effects of benzamidine derivatives on Ha-ras-1 mRNA accumulation in a Chinese hamster cell line transformed with the activated human T24 Ha-ras-1 oncogene.

Tetra benzamidine derivatives were found to inhibit proteinase activity, cell proliferation and accumulation of the Ha-ras-1 mRNA in the FHO6T1-1 Chinese Hamster cell line, transformed with the activated human T24-Ha-ras-1 oncogene. Di- and Tri-benzamidine derivatives were also found to be potent inhibitors of proliferation of FHO6T1-1 cells. These latter compounds could be proposed as useful substrates in the synthesis of drug-conjugated monoclonal antibodies or growth factors.

[The effects of vitamin A on carcinoma of portio cervicis in organ culture].

Vitamin A can transform, in vitro, keratinized, multilayered, non secretory epithelium of carcinoma of portio cervicis into a simple mucous-secreting epithelium in the 40% of explants. The different response of Vit. A action on carcinoma may be associated with a different sensibility to this substance.

Acute myelomomocytic leukemia terminating in histiocytic medullary reticulosis: cytochemical, cytogenetic and electron microscopic studies.

A case of acute myelomonocytic leukemia terminating in histiocytic medullary reticulosis is reported. The evolution of a single cellular clone presenting with progressive change of the morphological features of the leukemic cells towards more anaplastic elements endowed with prominent phagocytic properties is suggested on the basis of both cytochemical and chromosomal data. The histiocytic nature of the malignant proliferating cells and platelet phagocytosis has been confirmed by electron microscopic investigation.

Chromosomal abnormalities in angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy.

Chromosomal studies have been performed in 2 patients with angio-immunoblastic lymphadenopathy. In both the cases the presence of abnormal cell lines characterized by marker chromosomes has been detected. Application of banding techniques allowed to detect the structural composition of the marker chromosome in 1 of the cases and to show a clonal evolutive pattern of the rearranged chromosomal set; In the same patient a consistent Y loss observed in the major fraction of the investigated metaphases did not appear to be related to any defined rearrangement of the karyotype.