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The effect of different concentrations of nickel, copper and zinc on methanogenesis using pure cultures of Methanobacterium formicicum, Methanobrevibacter arboriphilicus, Methanosarcina thermophila and Methanospirillum hungatei over time (1, 15 and 30 d) was evaluated. methanobacterium formicicum showed the highest resistance to all the metals tested, while Methanospirillum hungatei was the most sensitive strain. All strains were sensitive to copper and zinc (10–250 mg 1‐1, but were much more resistant to nickel (200–1200 mg 1‐1). An adaptation process of the methanogenic pure culture with the toxicants was observed over time, which indicates that the inhibitory effects of heavy metals may be reverted in optimal anaerobic conditions.

The present study in 10 breast cancer patients supports the concept that newly synthetized, nascent histamine is involved in tumour growth. Histidine decarboxylase (HDC) activity is increased in mammary tumour tissue compared to healthy mammary gland-, skin- and muscle tissue in all but one patient studied. The newly formed histamine is probably not stored in the tumour tissue. Significantly decreased histamine concentrations were measured in parallel samples in the tumour tissue. Moreover, the preliminary results from urinary analysis of histamine and N tau-methylhistamine in 3 of the 10 patients studied showed a significant decline after tumour extirpation compared to preoperative values.

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