The in vitro effect of aprotinin upon spleen cells from normal and tumour-bearing mice exposed to PPD and tumour cells

Summary A protinin (Trasylol) is shown to enhance the response of spleen cells from normal and tumour bearing mice to PPD and tumour cells. This enhancement is greater in the tumour-bearing mice.Acknowledgments. We are grateful to Bayer (U.K.) Limited for generous supplies of aprotinin. The PPD was supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture. The work was supported by a grant from the North of England Cancer Research Campaign.     

Changes in immune reactivity during growth of an adenovirus 12-induced transplantable tumour in CBA mice

Summary Early suppression, followed by a period of enhancement and finally, suppression, was seen when the spleen cell response to T and B cell mitogens was monitored during growth of an adenovirus 12-induced tumour in CBA black mice. The macrophage content of the tumour changed with time and these fluctuations correlated with the ability of tumour tissue extracts to enhance the normal spleen cell response to mitogen.Acknowledgments. Thanks are dur to the Yorkshire Cancer Research Campaign, and the Cancer Research Committee of Sheffield University for financial support, also to Professor C.W. Potter for advice.     

Tumorigenic activity of cloned polyoma virus DNA in newborn rats

Summary The proximal portion of the polyoma virus early region as well as the complete viral genome were cloned in pBR322. Recombinant plasmids induced tumors in newborn rats but only after linearization of the DNA by various restriction endonucleases.This work was financed by grant MA-6731 from the Medical Research Council and by a grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada.     

Cytotoxic action of nucleic acids

Zusammenfassung Mit einer letalen Dosis von Dimethyl-Myleran vorbehandelte Mäuse überleben nach Transfusion isologer Knochenmarkzellen. Wirken Nukleinsäurenin vitro auf die Knochenmarkzellen ein, so ist ihre lebenserhaltende Kapazität vermindert.

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This investigation was supported by grants to the Chester Beatty Research Institute (Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital, London) from the Medical Research Council, the British Empire Cancer Campaign, the Anna Fuller Fund and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service.     

Effect of carbon particles on the recovery of bone marrow stem cells after irradiation in LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice

Summary Effect of RES-blockade on bone marrow cells was studied serially after irradiation in LPS-resistant mice. Injection of carbon particles reduced damage and accelerated recovery of marrow hemopoietic stem cells, indicating that LPS-resistant mice can react normally to RES-blockade.This work was supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan.     

Formation of 4-ketocyclophosphamide by the oxidation of cyclophosphamide with KMnO4

Zusammenfassung Oxydation des (³²P) Cyclophosphamides durch KMnO₄ in Wasser oder Aceton führt zu 4-Ketocyclophosphamid und einem N-dechloroäthylierten Derivat des Cyclophosphamides, beides bekannte Metaboliten der Droge. Die Auftrennung der Produkte gelingt durch Dünnschichtchromatographie und die Richtigkeit der Strukturen wurde durch Massenspectrometrie nachgewiesen.

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Acknowledgments. This investigation was supported by grants to the Chester Beatty Research Institute (Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital) from the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research Campaign. The A.E.I. MS-12 mass spectrometer was purchased on a special grant No. G969/189/C from the Medical Research Council. The work was carried out partly during the tenure of a Ludwig Fellowship awarded by Cancer Research Institute. The interest of ProfessorA. B. Foster and Dr.T. A. Connors in this work, and the skilled technical assistance of Mr.M. H. Baker, are gratefully acknowledged.     

Nuclear protrusions in malignant tumours with large abnormal chromosomes: Observations on C-banded preparations

Summary The appearances are described in 4 human tumours having nuclear protrusions associated with large abnormal chromosomes. In C-banded preparations, chromocentres were seen in the protrusions only where interstitial C-bands were present on the long arm of the abnormal chromosome, providing evidence that the protrusions are indeed formed by the long arms.This work was supported by a grant from the Cancer Research Campaign.     

Elimination and metabolism of dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) byXenopus laevis and other amphibians

Summary The elimination of (¹⁴C)-DMN after i.p. injection intoXenopus was measured, as was the metabolism in vitro of (¹⁴C)-DMN by liver fromXenopus and 9 other amphibian species. In view of its rapid elimination from the body and low rate of metabolism byXenopus liver in vitro, DMN is unlikely to be toxic or carcinogenic inXenopus.This work was supported by a grant from the Cancer Research Campaign. We are also grateful to Dr P. F. Swann, both for the supply of DMN and DEN and for many useful discussions.     

Large scale isoelectric focusing analysis of the non-histone proteins of the nucleus: Isolation of components with alkaline isoelectric points

Summary After large scale isoelectric focusing of rat liver non-histone protein in polyacrylamide gel, pH range 4–8.6, the only protein material found outside the gradient was present in the cathode solution (20 mM NaOH). This was low mol. wt protein material (approximately 10,000) with an acidic amino acid composition. It bound 5–6 times its own weight of basic ampholine carrier ampholytes to give a complex with a pI of 8.82. This could be dissociated by dialysis against 1 M NaCl.We are indebted to the Yorkshire Cancer Research Campaign for financial support for this project.     

Antigenic differences between a primary hamster lymphosarcoma and its liver metastases

Summary An antiserum was raised in rabbits against a primary metastasizing lymphosarcoma (ML) of the hamster. This was made tumor-specific by absorption with normal hamster tissue extracts. Immunoglobulin-G was prepared and tested for its cytotoxicity towards cells derived from the primary tumor and its liver metastases. The ML-specific IgG was found to be 2–5 times more cytotoxic for cells derived from the primary tumor compared to cells obtained from liver metastases. Acknowledgments. The authors thank the North of England Cancer Research Campaign and the Manpower Services Commission for financial support.     

Carbodiimide fixation for immunohistochemistry: Observations on the fixation of polypeptide hormones

Zusammenfassung Wasserlösliche Carbodiimide werden als Fixiermittel für immunohistochemische Untersuchungen vorgeschlagen, da sie die Verwendung von Carboxylgruppen bei der Fixierung erlauben.

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This work was supported by grants from the Cancer Research Campaign and the Wellcome Foundation.     

Phaeomelanic pigments from a human melanoma

Summary The pigments in melanomas from 2 patients were studied with regard to solubility and chemical composition. Melanoma pigment from a patient with red-blonde hair was alkali-soluble and contained 9 or 10% sulfur and was thus of phaeomelanic type. Melanoma pigment from a patient with red-brown hair was insoluble in 0.2N NaOH. Its sulfur content was 6%. This pigment was eumelanic with regard to solubility characteristics but the sulfur content was higher than previously observed for eumelanin.Supported by grants from the Swedish Cancer Society (No. 626-B75-04XA), the Swedish Medical Research Council (No. B76-04X-00056-12), and the Walter, Ellen, and Lennart Hesselman Foundation for Scientific Research. ProfessorProta was a visiting scientist of the Swedish Cancer Society (No. 626-B75-04U).     

The fine structure of cloned cells from normal adult rat brain

Summary A cell clone was isolated from a normal adult rat brain culture and maintained in vitro for many passages. It possessed glial characteristics; in particular ultrastructural examination revealed astrocytic features including the presence of filaments 9–11 nm in diameter.Acknowledgments. The work was partly supported by a grant from the Cancer Research Campaign to JPR. The secretarial help of Miss Hilary A. Waddington is gratefully acknowledged.     

Stimulation of cell division in ectopic liver tissue following partial removal of the lung

Summary Autografts of liver were implanted into the left lung (Xenopus laevis). Subsequent removal of the right lung stimulated increased mitotic activity in the lung and in the liver graft.We thank the Cancer Research Campaign (North of England Council) for financial assistance.     

Comparison of DMSO and glycerol as cryoprotectants for ascites tumor cells

Summary Mouse Ehrlich ascites and rat D23 ascites tumors were stored in liquid nitrogen under identical conditions for up to 3 years. Cell viability (trypan blue exclusion) and transplantability of both tumors in animals remained virtually unaffected if preserved in 10% DMSO containing medium, whereas, cells preserved in 10% glycerol failed to produce lethal tumors in rodents.This work was performed at the Cancer Research Unit, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. I thank John Geggie for expert technical assistance; to the North of England Council of the Cancer Research Campaign and the National Science Foundation (ENG-78-25432) for financial support; and to Dr John A. Dickson for advice and encouragement. Also, I am indebted to Professor Rakesh K. Jain for his support.     

A comparison of the effects of the optical isomers of isoproterenol on energy metabolism in a mouse sarcoma

Summary Disturbance to energy production in the S180 sarcoma (CB) by optical isomers of isoproterenol was assessed from altered adenine nucleotide levels at 1 h. The L-isomer almost halved the ATP level and lowered the energy charge significantly; the D-isomer was inactive. Dependence of tumor injury on cytochrome P-450 activity appears unlikely.One of us (GRNJ) thanks the Department of Surgery, Medical School, Kings's College Hospital, London, England, for the provision of experimental facilities; the Institute of Biochemistry, German Cancer Research Centre, Heidelberg, FRG, for permitting the measurement of metabolites; the Cancer Research Campaign, London, UK, for a part-time grant; and Zyma GmbH, München, FRG, and the estate of the late Dr Lucie Polak for additional financial support.     

Radioprotection of LPS-resistant C3H/HeJ mice by RES-blockade

Summary The radioprotective effect of RES-blockade was studied in LPS-resistant mice. Injection of carbon particles protected these mice from radiation lethality whereas LPS did not; thus a difference in the mechanism of radioprotection was demonstrated.This work was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan.     

The effects of follicle-stimulating hormone on the uptake of labelled glycine by the chick embryo

Résumé On a étudié par autoradiographie l'incorporation de la glycine-1-C¹⁴ par l'embryon du poussin. L'incorporation était la plus élevée dans le tissu neural et puis dans le notochorde et les somites. Après traitement avec le FSH, une incorporation plus grande s'est produite dans les mésodermes chordal et somitique. On propose qu'il peut s'agir d'un effet morphogénétique. Il est particulièrement significatif que le mésoderme axial, qui joue un rôle si important dans l'induction du système nerveux, paraît être également le point d'action de l'hormone.

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Supported by Grant No. DRG-913 from the Damon Runyon Memorial Fund for Cancer Research and also by grants from the Medical Research Council, British Empire Cancer Campaign for Research and the U.S. Public Health Service to the Chester Beatty Research Institute (Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital). The authors also wish to thank the National Institutes of Health, USA for the FSH preparations.     

Nuclear pores. can they expand and contract to regulate nucleocytoplasmic exchange?

Summary Recent evidence has revived the idea that translocation of macromolecules between nucleus and cytoplasm may be regulated via expansion and contraction of the entire diameter of the nuclear pore complex. The present investigation does not support this hypothesis.Acknowledgments. We are indebted to Dr J.H.M. Willison for discussion of his and Dr Rajaraman's results before their publication. We also wish to thank Dr C. Thurston, Dr D.H. Williamson and Dr K. Lambert for providing some of the specimens used in this investigation. N.J. Severs acknowledges the support of the Science Research Council and the Cancer Research Campaign.     

Effects of anti-EGF serum on newborn mice

Summary Administration of anti-EGF serum to newborn mice led to delay of eyelid opening and incisor tooth eruption, acceleration of hair growth and delay of weight gain. These results indicate that in the first week after birth EGF still has a physiological function, which can be abrogated by anti-EGF serum.