Studies of the blood ofAscidia ceratodes. Total blood cell counts,differential blood cell counts,hematocrit values,seasonal variations,and fluorescent characteristics of blood cells

Summary Seasonal, and animal size and weight variations of the blood cells of the vanadium-containing ascidian,Ascidia ceratodes, were determined. The fluorescent properties of various cell types were ascertained, and discussed in terms of cell development, phylogenic position of the species, and chemicals in the cells.This investigation was supported by a grant from the Research Corporation and one of us (W.R.B.) received partial support from various University of California administrated fellowships. The current address of W.R.B. is Chevron Research Products, Richmond, CA. The use of the facilities at the Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California are acknowledged.     

Studies on chemically induced tumors in rats: I. Heterogeneity of tumor cells and establishment of syngeneic, tumor-specific cytotoxic T cell clones

Sarcoma P1 was induced in DA rats by DMBA. Anti-P1 antibodies were produced in DA rats, purified via fixed tumor cells and used to induce anti-idiotypic antibodies in syngeneic rats. The anti-idiotypic antibodies were used to generate cytotoxic, P1 specific DA T cells in vitro. These cytotoxic T cells and P1 tumor cells were cloned by limiting dilution. Using the DA anti-P1 specific cytotoxic T cell clones, we were able to characterize 2 types of P1 tumor cell clones, namely those which were susceptible and those which were resistant to the P1 specific cytotoxic T cells. Cytotoxic T cell injected i.v. into syngeneic DA rats could not prevent the development of lethal P1 tumors.     

Demonstration of acidophilic neurosecretory cells in Crepidula fornicata Phil. (Mollusca, Gasteropoda, Prosobranchia) using the fluorescent dye, Geranine G]

The Fluorochrome Geranine G binds to acidophilic neurosecretory cells and produces red orange fluorescence. Chromolipids and pigments show green fluorescence. This method is easy and sensitive. Fluorescence fading during irradiation is low.     

Dial variations in the levels of blood glucose and hepatopancreatic glycogen in the slug,Laevicaulis alte (Ferussac 1821)

Summary InLaevicaulis alte maximal blood glucose level at 00.00 h alternates with minimal level at 12.00 h of the day, while hepatopancreatic glycogen showed an opposite trend. Variations in blood glucose levels are inversely proportional to the corresponding variations in hepatopancreatic glycogen content, while blood glucose level shoots up to a maximum, hepatopancreatic glycogen declines to a minimum and vice versa.Acknowledgment. The authors thank Prof. K.S. Swami for providing facilities. The financial assistance rendered by ICMR (DCR), UGC (VJ) and CSIR (KS), New Delhi, India is gratefully acknowledged.     

Lack of relationship between Langerhans cells, epidermal cell proliferation and epidermal G1 chalone.

Mouse tail interscale epidermis contains numerous Langerhans cells, whereas the adjacent scale regions are devoid of these cells. No difference in a) proliferative activity and b) inhibitory effect of the epidermal G1 chalone can be demonstrated in both regions. A direct relationship between Langerhans cells and growth control may be excluded.     

Stress and putative endogenous ligands for benzodiazepine receptors: the importance of characteristics of the aversive situation and of differential emotionality in experimental animals.

The relationships between anxiety/stress, possible endogenous ligands for benzodiazepine receptors and the behavioral modification by drugs are discussed in this short review, including the specific characteristics of elements involved in those interactions, e.g. ones concerning the aversiveness of the stressful situation and the nature of the organism under investigation. These are important factors when considering aversive tasks, insofar as they may involve stressful conditions which differ in intensity and in the degree of control afforded the subject. These characteristics may well lead to differing functional effects on GABA-gated chloride channels or, in other words, to an incongruous balance between endogenous benzodiazepine receptor agonist and inverse agonist activity. This is not surprising, as it is well known that different forms of stressors often actually produce divergent behavioral, physiological and biochemical effects. This review also illustrates the necessity of taking into account the variable effects of stressors and/or drugs on animals differing in reactivity or emotionality, even in the case of 'non-selected' stocks. The implication is made that, by genetic and/or environmental manipulation of the emotional state of the animals used, it will be possible to obtain more clearly definable results in neuropharmacological and psychopharmacological studies.     

Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in the red blood cells of GSH-normal and GSH-deficient sheep

Levels of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were measured in the red blood cells of glutathione(GSH)-normal and GSH-deficient sheep. There were no significant differences in any of the 3 enzyme activities measured in the 2 groups of sheep. Also, there was no relationship between GSH level and the enzyme activity. These results suggest that inspite of large differences in GSH levels, the red blood cells from GSH-normal and GSH-deficient Merino sheep appear to have similar response to oxidative stress against which GSH is credited to play a major role.     

The neurosecretory cells of the cerebral ganglia and the nerve chain in the isopod crustacean Asellus aquaticus L. Cyclic variations in the beta type cells as a function of reproduction]

Asellus aquaticus L. cerebral ganglions and nervous cord contain seven types of neurosecretory cells; two of these are similar to Malacostraca beta and alpha cells. Female beta cells are the seat of cyclic acidophil variations which are connected to ovocyte growing; this acidophil secretion is superimposed on the basophil constant secretion in male and female beta pericaryons.     

The effect of isoforms of the cell polarity protein, human ASIP, on the cell cycle and Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis in human hepatoma cells

Human ASIP (hASIP) is expressed as numerous alternative splicing isoforms and there is an atypical protein kinease C (aPKC) phosphorylation site in exon 17b of the encoded sequence. We have identified an important role for exon 17b in cancer cells. Our results showed that hASIP-sa and sb had different effects on cell growth and Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis in BEL-7404 human hepatoma cells. Human ASIP-sa modified the S phase of the cell cycle and might stimulate cell proliferation. Growth inhibition by hASIP-a antisense oligonucleotide-confirmed the positive action of hASIP-sa. Compared with hASIP-sa, hASIP-sb accelerated Fas/FasL-induced apoptosis, examined by sub-G1 accumulation, chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, PARP cleavage, caspase-8 degradation and mitochondria- regulated cell death. Treatment with aPKC inhibitor could enhance Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis in hASIP-sa-overexpressing cells, suggesting that hASIP-sa and its interaction with aPKC might contribute to the malignant growth and the blocking of Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis, while hASIP-sb might function as an antagonist of hASIP-sa.Received 24 March 2005; received after revision 31 May 2005; accepted 21 June 2005     

Cell proliferation and cell function of the mesenchymal cells of lathyritic rats,as revealed by the nuclear size

Zusammenfassung Es wurden biometrisch mesenchymale Zellen des Paradontiums als Parameter der Zellproliferation und-funktion untersucht. Durch Verfütterung von Lathyrogen odoratus wurde ein Lathyrismus erzeugt mit Veränderungen der Membranfunktion und des Ionenaustausches. Die Kerne der Versuchstiere waren wesentlich grösser als bei den Kontrollen (Dosisabhängigkeit).

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Acknowledgments. I wish to thank Prof.A. J. Van Amerongen and Prof.C. Jerusalem for consistent help and excellent suggestions.     

Demonstration of the structural connections of the longitudinal muscle cells and circular muscle cells,and interconnections between the two,in the alimentary canal of an oligochaete,Branchiura sowerbyi B.

Summary The longitudinal and circular muscle cells of the alimentary canal of the oligochaete wormBranchiura sowerbyi show intercell couplings. These couplings occur between adjoining cells of the same or of the other orientation.We wish to thank Dr S. Kawaguti, Prof. emeritus of Okayama University, for his kind advice.     

Rhythmic variations in the activities of aldolase and isocitrate dehydrogenase in the heart muscle of the scorpion,Heterometrus fulvipes (C. Koch)

Summary The activity levels of aldolase and isocitrate dehydrogenase were assayed in the heart muscle of scorpion,Heterometrus fulvipes. The enzyme activities showed a circadian rhythmicity with a peak value at 20.00 h in the heart muscle.