Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MSV) induces at the site of inoculation in newborn and adult mice and rats various types of sarcoma, including osteosarcoma. The induced tumours are fatal in newborn, whereas sarcomas developed in adult animals regress spontaneously. The regression is mediated mainly by a cellular response. We have now demonstrated that the presence of sarcomas induced by M-MSV is a powerful stimulus for periosteal osteogenesis around tumour masses. Orthotopically induced osteogenesis by M-MSV may serve as a model for local regulation of bone growth and for cell differentiation studies, and may help explain the aetiology of some human bone disorders.

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Important biological properties of Taxol i.e. 13-N-benzoyl-(2R,3S)-3-phenylisoserinate of baccatin III and also N-benzoyl-(2R,3S)-3-phenylisoserinates of several sesquiterpenoid alcohols of Lactarius origin prompted us to synthesize N-acetyl-3-phenylisoserinates of latter alcohols in order to check and compare their biological properties. Suitably protected phenylisoserine 5 when reacted with sesquiterpenoid alcohols in the presence of DCC gave appropriate esters 7. These, after catalytic hydrogenation deprotection produced aminols 8, which were acetylated and gave the required N-acetyl-3-phenylisoserinates 9a-9g.

The effect of microwave hyperthermia (41 degrees and 43 degrees C) on virus multiplication have been explored in vitro (HSV-1 infected primary rabbit kidney cultures) and in vivo (mice infected with HSV-1 or vaccinia). In vitro the cells were inoculated with HSV-1 and heated to 41 degrees or 43 degrees C either before or after infection. Virus yields were significantly decreased when the cells were exposed to hyperthemia within the first few hours after infection, while hyperthemia was without effect when applied before infection or with several hours delay after infection. In mice inoculated intranasally with HSV-1, mortality due to herpes encephalitis was significantly reduced upon daily exposure to microwave hyperthermia from the day of infection onward. In mice inoculated intravenously with vaccinia, a significant decrease in the number of specific tail lesions was observed if the animals were exposed to microwave hyperthermia within the first three days after infection, while irradiation prior to infection or delayed until several days after infection did not exhibit an appreciable effect. Our data suggest that microwave hyperthermia interferes directly with the virus multiplication cycle both in vitro and in vivo.

Inoculation of Moloney murine sarcoma virus (M-MSV) into shank muscles of adult NMRI mice resulted in localized sarcoma and periosteal membrane proliferation with subsequent periosteal bone formation. Newly formed bone arose from outer surface of shank bones. Two weeks after M-MSV inoculation the width of bone cortex increased nearly 4 times. The spaces between newly formed bone ossicles were filled with bone marrow. In the later stages these bone marrow cavities were merged with medullar cavities. No extraskeletal bone formation was observed. The regression of M-MSV-induced sarcomas coincides with cessation of the proliferation of bone therefore allowing the maturation and rebuilding of bone. Newly formed bone was not resorbed during a 6-month observation period.