Matrix degrading proteinases from human granulocytes: type I, II, III collagenase, gelatinase and type IV, V-collagenase. A survey of recent findings and inhibition by gamma-anticollagenase.

Three human matrix degrading leukocyte proteinases, type I collagenase, gelatinase and a new type IV collagenase were isolated in latent and active form. Activation of all three latent enzymes could be achieved by treatment with either organomercurials or with trypsin. In addition the 90 kDa latent type I-collagenase could be activated by disulfides, while a newly discovered 70 kDa latent form could be activated with organomercurials or with trypsin.

[The Cooperative Ewing Sarcoma Study CESS 81 of the German Pediatric Oncology Society--analysis after 4 years].

In 1981 the cooperative Ewing's sarcoma study CESS 81 was initiated with initial 18-weeks-chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and adriamycin (VACA) followed by local therapy consisting of either radical surgery with complete resection of the involved bone or incomplete resection followed by radiation with 36 gy or radiotherapy only. Patients with radiation only for local therapy and extremity tumor sites are randomised for 46 gy vs 60 gy tumor dose. Following local therapy chemotherapy is continued for an additional 18 weeks.

Compliance with salt restriction as a limiting factor in the primary prevention of hypertension.

It is an important but still unresolved question whether reduction of salt intake in the offspring of hypertensives (a high risk group) prevents the development of the disease. Therefore, 178 offspring (14-26 years old) of hypertensives were enrolled in a 2-year pilot trial aimed mainly at a reduction in salt consumption. For the intervention group (n = 99) a behavioural approach was chosen with extensive counselling by experienced dietitians.

Prospective study of suspected associations between certain drugs administered during early pregnancy and congenital malformations.

From 1964 to 1976, a cohort study was performed in West Germany to study the possible influence of various factors on pregnancy and child development. Results of the evaluation of 13,643 pregnancies are given with respect to possible teratogenetic effects of antiemetic drugs and sex hormones administered in early pregnancy. There was no evidence of an increased risk of major malformations following the intake of certain antiemetic drugs and progesterone.

[Cooperative documentation of childhood malignancies (author's transl)].

Since January 1980 a nationwide documentation of childhood malignancies is performed in the FRG. The cooperative documentation system is supported by the Stiftung Volkswagen-werk and centralized at the Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Dokumentation (IMSD) of the university of Mainz. During the first year of the project the incidence of 1002 malignancies has been reported from a total of 62 hospitals with a still increasing number of cooperating centers.

[Is hormonal therapy still justified in imminent abortion? (author's transl)].

In a prospective study, 300 women were treated during 1976 to 1978 alternatingly with hormones or placebo, the comparability of both groups being established in respect of certain influencing factors. No statistically confirmed difference was found in the total success rates of both types of treatment. The age of the pregnant women, and any previous abortions, did not represent any risk factor for imminent abortion.

[Study of a selection procedure designed for students of schools for medical technicians. (Completory note on the experiences with an enlarged sample using the same statistical methods) (author's transl)].

In a pilot-study aiming at an applicable procedure to select students for schools of medical technicians, 84 students were examined by psychological methods. The problem in question was, whether it is possible to estimate examination-marks on the basis of psychometric variables. The application of different statistical procedures (correlation, mutiple regression) showed, that the most exact estimation was obtained with a multiple regression employing six psychometric variables.