Hyperbaric pressure effects measured by growth of a transplantable tumor in the C3H/HeN mouse.

Both hypobaric exposure at 0.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) and hyperbaric pressure exposure at 3.5-8 ATA slowed transplantable tumor growth. These experiments detailed the hyperbaric pressure exposure. C3H/HeN-MTV+ mice, bearing the 16/C transplantable murine mammary adenocarcinoma and exposed to 18 days' treatment by a hyperbaric chamber at 3.5-8 ATA, had tumor weights that averaged 50-75% less than the tumor weights in mice caged at ambient ("sea level") pressure. A series of experiments was run to investigate this response to hyperbaric pressure exposure. After mice underwent continuous exposure to 3.5-8 ATA normoxic (normal oxygen) hyperbaric pressure with use of either argon or nitrogen inert gas, which began 3 days after tumor inoculation, tumors were removed at about 3 weeks' growth from these pressure-exposed mice and measured for growth by weighing. Final tumor weight in pressure-exposed experimental mice was significantly less than tumor weight in paired groups of tumor-bearing controls that received no hyperbaric pressure. Tumor weight was inversely related to pressure "dose," although the small pressure range produced an effect at all pressures used. The number of compression-decompression cycles to which the animals were subjected, however, was related positively to tumor weight at necropsy. Continued tumor growth in mice subjected to frequent pressure change (in conjunction with pressure exposure that otherwise limited tumor size) was unexplained by these experiments. The greatest difference between tumor weights in controls and pressure-exposed animals was seen with 2 weeks' continuous pressure exposure. A limited profile of blood tests was performed, and these reflected only minor, expected change in the pressure-exposed experimental animals. The data at hand did not suggest a mechanism by which chronic normoxic hyperbaric pressure limited tumor size.

Atmospheric pressure effects on tumor growth: hypobaric anoxia and growth of a murine transplantable tumor.

Inasmuch as solid tumor growth and some intervention methods for tumor control have often been related to the low oxygen levels in tumor tissue, and a special role for hypoxia, perhaps even in oncogenesis, has been suggested by observations of unexpectedly low tumor incidence in mice caged a lifetime in the environment of a simulated altitude, inbred C3H/HeN mammary tumor virus-positive mice bearing transplanted tumors (16/C murine mammary adenocarcinoma) were exposed to atmospheric pressure variants ranging from 0.33 to 2.0 in different sequences 24 hours/day. Breathing gases included air, 100% oxygen, and other nitrogen--oxygen combinations. Exposure to the pressure sequences was continuous, beginning on the third day after tumor inoculation and continuing until planned necropsy at 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Actual tumor weight was used as a measure of effect. Mice caged at simulated altitude had tumors that averaged 45% of the weight of control tumors. The maximum effect occurred with continuous 2-week exposure to 0.43 atm. beginning on day 3 of tumor growth. At necropsy, these experimental tumors weighed an average of 15% of the control tumor weight. Life-span studies showed a maximum of 36% increase in longevity in the hypobaric pressure-exposed mice when compared to that of unexposed controls.

Simplified hiatus herniorrhaphy.

A brief synopsis of problems with hiatus herniorrhaphy surgery over its 25-year history includes extensive surgery, recurrences, and postoperative swallowing difficulties. A review of the simple central tendon hiatal herniorrhaphy technic and seven-year results include the adoption of a mersilene strip rather than external rectus fascia in anchoring the esophagogastric junction to the central tendon. The same excellent exposure and visibility allowing the lower esophageal segment to be well secured definitely within the abdomen is completely illustrated. Seven-year results in 138 patients operated upon are reviewed including mortality, recurrence rates, postoperative dysphagia, gas-bloat, and loss of regurgitating ability.