ABSTRACT We have previously reported on a system for large-scale molecular virus screening of clinical samples. As part of an effort to systematically search for unrecognized human pathogens, the technology was applied for virus screening of human respiratory tract samples. This resulted in the identification of a previously unknown polyomavirus provisionally named KI polyomavirus. The virus is phylogenetically related to other primate polyomaviruses in the early region of the genome but has very little homology (<30% amino acid identity) to known polyomaviruses in the late region. The virus was found by PCR in 6 (1%) of 637 nasopharyngeal aspirates and in 1 (0.5%) of 192 fecal samples but was not detected in sets of urine and blood samples. Since polyomaviruses have oncogenic potential and may produce severe disease in immunosuppressed individuals, continued searching for the virus in different medical contexts is important. This finding further illustrates how unbiased screening of respiratory tract samples can be used for the discovery of diverse virus types.

There are hypotheses concerning infectious mechanism in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The first genetic event often happens in utero, based on studies from Guthrie cards. The authors have summarized the results from their studies concerning infectious mechanism. Presence of human polyomaviruses, parvovirus, HHV-6, EBV, and CMV were investigated by PCR from Guthrie cards from children who later developed ALL and healthy controls. Neither of these viruses were detected from patients nor from controls. The results do not support that these viruses have contributed to the development of a substantial part of the ALL cases in Swedish children.

We will present herein data on the synthesis, structural investigation and in vitro antitumor activity of new triorganotin compounds of the general type (R3Sn)2Q, where R=Bu, Ph, Bz, Q1=1,4‐dihydroxy‐9,10‐anthracenedione (quinizarin), Q2=1,5‐dihydroxy‐9,10‐anthracenedione (anthrarufin), Q3=2,3‐dihydro‐9,10‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐anthracenedione (leucoquinizarin) and R3SnQ 4 where Q4=1,2‐dihydroxy‐9,10‐anthracenedione (alizarin). The compounds were synthesized by refluxing the organotin hydroxide with the parent quinone and were characterized by IR, 1H‐ NMR and thermal measurements. The spectroscopic analysis of the new triorganotins, provides evidence on the formation of a monodentate Sn‐O bond for quinizarin, anthrarufin and leucoquinizarin, which are coordinated to Sn(IV) central atom via the phenolic oxygen donor atoms, with the R‐substituents of the organotin moiety completing the tetrahedral coordination environment. On the contrary, organotin alizarinates form a six‐membered chelate ring, which stabilizes the Sn central atom in a five‐coordinated environment exhibiting distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The ligand is coordinated to Sn (IV) via the quinoidal oxygen and its neighbouring phenolic one. The new compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against human tumor and normal cell lines and the results are reported.

SUMMARY Kombucha is a refreshing beverage obtained by the fermentation of sweetened black tea with a "tea fungus" (symbiotic cul- ture of acetic acid bacteria and yeasts). It is consumed due to its potential beneficial effects on human health. The aim of this study was to investigate activity of Kombucha on human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro. We analyzed Kombucha made from different substrates: Camellia sinensis and Satureja montana, and effects of substrates alone. The frequencies of sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) were scored as genetic endpoints and mitomycin C was used as model mutagen. Kombucha from Camellia sinensis and Camellia sinensis substrate increased frequency of MN and SCE on mitomycin C-treated and -untreated peripheral blood lymphocytes. However, Kombucha from Satureja montana reduced incidence of MN on mitomycin C-treated and -untreated peripheral blood lymphocytes, while SCE frequency was higher than control value. In our pilot study we showed for the first time that Kombucha from different substrates induced different effects on mitomycin C-treated and -untreated peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Cell culture K562 samples were treated with fullerenol (C6o(OH)24) at a concentration of 10 nmol/mL and thereafter irradiated with X-rays (24Gy). The activity of gamma-glutamyltransfrease (γ-GT), total superoxide-dismutase (SOD) and glutathion-peroxidase (GSH-Px) was determined 1, 24 and 48 hours after irradiation. Irradiation induces an increase in the activity of all the investigated enzymes. Fullerenol in the applied dose decreased the γ-GT activity 24 and 48 h after irradiation. The total SOD activity is increased in both pretreated groups except in the irradiated group at the 48th hour. Treatment with fullerenol before irradiation increased GSH-Px activity in irradiated groups and decreased it in the control groups.

DET (dye exclusion test) cell count and cell area by computer analysis of the images were determined in cell lines of human eritroleukemia (K562), which were irradiated with X-rays in one dose of 24 Gy and pretreated with 10 nmol/mL fullerenol (Cgo(OH)24). Cell samples obtained using a citocentrifuge and May-Grunvald Giemsi (MGG) during, were analyzed. The cell colony formation ability was monitored using quantative CFU (colony forming unit) test. Irradiation decreases the number of K562 cells, but fullerenol significantly increases cell number on 24th and 48th hour of the experiment. Cell area is larger, and the number of formed cell colonies after irradiation is significantly smaller compared to pretreated groups during the whole experiment. Pretreatment with fullerenol maintains a smaller cell area, and the number of colony formed units was larger compared to the irradiated cells.

All labour which occurs at a gestation period less than 37 weeks of gestation is called premature labour. Premature labour is the most common complication in the second half of pregnancy, and delivery is fol­lowed by risks for the baby. The incidence is 7 to 10% of all deliveries. It is the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The etiology of preterm labour is unknown in 40 to 70% of cases. This study shows the etiological factors of preterm labour, patophisiology, preterm newborn deliveries and treat­ment of preterm labour. Early identification of high risk pregnant women should be the best way for effective prevention.

We report herein on the synthesis, structure and in vitro antitumor activity of new triorganotin compounds of the general type (R3Sn)nL, where R=Me, Bu, Ph, Bz; L1=5‐Hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone; L2=2‐Hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone; L3=5,8‐dihydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone; n=1 for L1 & L2 n=2 for L2 and L3. The compounds were synthesized by reacting the triorganotin hydroxide with the parent hydroxy‐quinone and were characterized by IR, 1H‐, NMR, and thermal measurements. The spectroscopic analysis provides evidence on the formation of a chelate ring that is responsible for the stabilization of the triorganotin cation with the Sn central atom in a five‐coordinated environment exhibiting distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The new compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against five human tumor cell lines and one non‐tumor human cell line and the results are reported.