[Phase I-II studies of a new antineoplastic agent, 4'-(9-acridinylamino)-methanesulfon-m-anisidide (AMSA)].

AMSA, an acridine derivative with significant antitumor activity in experimental tumors, was administered to 17 patients with advanced tumors refractory to standard chemotherapies. A phase I study was undertaken in 10 patients with solid tumors and lymphomas. Dose-limiting toxicity was myelosuppression.

[Clinical effects of human fibroblast interferon on malignant tumors].

Human fibroblast interferon(HFIF) was used in 26 patients with various malignant diseases, most of whom had previous chemotherapy. The dosages used were 3 X 10(6) IU or 6 X 10(6) IU of HFIF i. v.

Water-soluble siomycin-A derivatives. Preparation, chemical structures and biological properties of half-esters of the peptide antibiotic.

The peptide antibiotic siomycin-A was transformed into half-esters with dicarboxylic acids with the intention of making siomycin-A soluble in water. Sodium salts of the half-esters were also prepared. Some of the salts showed antibacterial activities comparable to siomycin-A against Gram-positive bacteria in vitro and exhibited better therapeutic effects in infected mice than siomycin-A.

Experimental and clinical studies on renal disturbance in obstructive jaundice.

Renal functions and the clinical courses of 14 patients with renal disturbances associated with obstructive jaundice were studied. All patients had high concentrations of serum bilirubin, long durations of jaundice and episodes of shock due to massive hemorrhage or severe inflammation. In an experimental study on jaundiced rats, effects of hypotension or bilateral renal artery occlusion on renal function and renal cortical mitochondrial respiration at 1 week, 3 or 6-weeks after biliary obstruction were investigated.

Thorium dioxide granuloma of the neck with resultant fatal hemorrhage.

A 46-year-old man had a granuloma in the neck that was caused by extravasation of thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) by an angiographic procedure performed about 30 years previously. His chief complaints were dysphagia and dyspnea with mild hoarseness. Parital resection of the tumor was performed, but his symptoms were not ameliorated.

Genetic characterization and high efficiency photosynthesis of an aurea mutant of tobacco.

A new tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) aurea mutant was isolated from the progeny of a selfed variegated tobacco plant. The new mutant is termed Su/su var. Aurea.