BACKGROUND: In previous studies we isolated a new cDNA fragment named C13 which is down-regulated in malignant prostate tissues. The corresponding gene is localized on chromosome 13q13 between the known tumour suppressor genes (TSG) BRCA-2 and RB-1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) analyses were carried out in the region of C13 in order to investigate the importance of the new putative TSG for prostate cancer development. Using semiquantitative LOH analysis, we screened 21 prostate carcinoma patients of different tumour stages (pT2-pT4) for 14 microsatellite markers in the region of C13 (13q13) and in the flanking BRCA-2 and the RB-1 loci. RESULTS: For 18 (86%) patients LOH or allelic imbalances were found. We identified three to nine alterations in affected tumours per marker. An overall genetic alteration frequency per patient of 38% (86 of 225 informative cases) could be calculated. One important finding regarding the overall frequency of determined microsatellite instability is that the LOH/AI rate of 47% for the seven C13-associated markers was higher than for the four markers of the RB-1 locus (39%) and for the three BRCA-2 markers (25%). Surprisingly, defining LOH critical regions (LCR) for the investigated marker panel, eight of the ten affected LCR cases showed chromosomal imbalances simultaneously for the RB-1 and the C13 LOH markers. CONCLUSIONS: The high LOH rate for eight different microsatellite markers in and around the putative TSG locus C13 on chromosome 13q13 further supports an involvement of C13 in prostate tumourigenesis.

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[Experimental studies on the reaction of the vas deferens to different traumata].

In animal experiments the reaction of the ductus deferens to various traumata was studied. The investigations performed on 115 rats were to clarify the following problems: 1. Can a transient trauma, as occurring during preparation or roentgenographic visualization, cause a luminal obstruction? 2. How can vasectomy be done safely in such a manner that chances for a later vasovasotomy are not reduced more than necessary? The findings permit the following conclusions: 1. The surgical exposure of the ductus deferens as well as the checking of its permeability by means of x-ray contrast medium do not lead to a luminal obliteration when performed appropriately under surgical conditions in the course of a vasovasotomy. 2. Sterilization is achieved by partial vasoresection combined with intravasal fulguration. However, the ductus deferens remains understroyed not far from the defect; therefore, after resection of the scarred area a vasovasostomy would still be successful.

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