Ocular involvement in hamsters transplanted with a human leukemic T-cell line

Summary A leukemic T-cell line (TALL-1) was serially transplanted for 5 passages into newborn hamsters treated with antilymphocyte serum. This cell line was derived from a leukemic patient with clinical evidence of ocular involvement. I.p. implantation of 1–3×10⁷ cells resulted in disseminated growth of tumors in all 15 recipients after 23–41 days and 8 of them showed leukemic infiltration of the uveal tract of one or both eyes.Supported by a Cancer Research Grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan.     

Nephrocompensatory growth following thymectomy

Summary Thymectomy performed 28 days before unilateral nephrectomy produced significant inhibition in compensatory renal growth (CRG) in 3–6-month-old rats. Sera from thymectomized animals are not deprived of their renotrophic activity, but thymectomy of serum recipients almost abolished the capability of renotrophic serum to produce CRG.Supported by the Research Fund of Croatia, Yugoslavia.     

Fatty acid modulation of antiestrogen action and antiestrogen-binding protein in cultured lymphoid cells

Summary Nonsteroidal antiestrogens reversibly and specifically inhibited the proliferation of two estrogen receptornegative lymphoid cell lines (EL4 and Raji) in a dose-dependent manner. [³H]Thymidine incorporation of concanavalin A-stimulated primary splenocytes was also inhibited by 10^–6 M clomiphene (1-[4-(2-diethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]-1,2-diphenyl-2-chloroethylene). The antiproliferative effect could be prevented by the simultaneous presence in the growth medium of 10^–5 M linoleic acid or 10^–5 M arachidonic acid but not by 10^–6 M estradiol. Both lymphoid cell lines had high affinity antiestrogen-binding sites whose affinity could be altered by conditions of growth. Growth of EL4 cells in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with charcoal-pretreated 5% fetal calf serum (charcoal-stripped medium) resulted in significantly higher affinity (K_d 0.54 nM±0.11 nM; n=6) than growth in medium supplemented with untreated serum (complete medium) (K_d=1.68 nM±0.48 nM; n=6) (p<0.001). This change in affinity was partly due to removal of fatty acids from the growth medium by charcoal pretreatment, since addition of 10^–5 M linoleic acid or 10^–5 M gamma-linolenic to charcoal-stripped medium decreased the affinity of the antiestrogen-binding protein. In contrast, growth in 10^–5 M stearic acid or 10^–5 M oleic acid did not significantly alter the affinity of the antiestrogen-binding protein, whereas 10^–5 M palmitic acid significantly increased its affinity. The same fatty acids were also tested for their intrinsic effects on EL4 cell proliferation. Oleic, linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids were growth stimulatory while stearic and palmitic acids were not. Thus linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids whose presence in the growth medium was associated with decreased affinity of [³H]tamoxifen (1-[4-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]-1,2-diphenylbut-1(Z)-ene) binding to the intracellular antiestrogen-binding protein were also growth stimulatory. Unsaturated fatty acids have previously been shown to inhibit binding of [³H]tamoxifen to the antiestrogen-binding protein in a cell-free system. The present observations demonstrate that unsaturated fatty acids also modify the affinity of the antiestrogen-binding protein in intact cells.     

Über einen körpereigenen Leukozytose bewirkenden Faktor

Summary In 1943 the author isolated from urine a thermostabile factor which causes a high leucocytosis both in man and animals. The factor is not destroyed by trypsin. The increase concerns only the granulocytes and lasts from 4 to 7 days. There is a shift to the left. In a dosis of 10 /kg body weight the purified preparations cause in the human organism, which is more susceptible than the animal, after a short initial leucopenia, a leucocytic increase up to 30,000–40,000 leucocytes.     

Effects of Freund's complete adjuvant on the dirunal rhythms of neuroendocrine processes and ornithine decarboxylase activity in various tissues of male rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) on the diurnal rhythms of hormonal parameters in serum and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in various tissues of male rats. On days 1–2 after FCA, increase of ODC activity (used to evaluate the level of activation) was observed in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, adrenal medulla, adrenal cortex, liver and lymphoid tissues, while the ODC activity in the kidney was reduced. This was accompanied by an increase in serum corticosterone. On days 3–4 after FCA, ODC activity remained elevated in the pituitary gland, liver and lymphoid tissues, while the ODC activity in the testes and panceas was reduced; kidney ODC activity returned to baseline. This was associated with increased serum levels of prolactin (Prl) and luteinizing hormone, but decreased growth hormone, testosterone and insulin. The increase in ODC activity in the thymus, as well as the reduced ODC activity in the testes and kidney, can be obtained with paraffin. Furthermore, bromocryptine microcapsules (CBLA) reduced the FCA-induced increase of ODC activity in the pituitary gland, liver and lymphoid tissues (days 3–4) but did not affect the changes in other tissues. The increase in ODC activity in the pituitary gland, liver and lymphoid tissues is specific for FCA. A role for Prl in the induction of ODC in liver and lymphoid tissues is suggested by the fact that CBLA suppresses this enhancement.     

Purification of the cytosol oestradiol-receptor complex from foetal guinea-pig uterus using electrofocusing on polyacrylamide plates

Summary The³H-oestradiol receptor complex obtained from the cytosol fraction of foetal guinea-pig uterus was purified by the following steps: column chromatography in Sephadex G-15 and Ultrogel, and by electrofocusing on polyacrylamide plates. In the final step a concentration of 15–17% of the foetal uterine oestradiol receptor protein was obtained. The isoelectric point (pl) of this receptor was determined to be 6.1–6.2.The expenses of the investigation were partially defrayed by a grant from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France (Equipe de Recherche CNRS No. 187).     

Biological effects of trilostane in vitro on oocyte maturation and fertilization in the hamster

Summary The effects of the inhibition of steroidogenesis by trilostane on oocyte maturation were examined by studying spontaneous maturation and fertilization in vitro. 10^–6 M trilostane had no influence on the meiotic process, whether the oocytes were naked or not. At a concentration of 10^–6 M and 10^–7 M trilostane, low normal pronuclear formation and high polyspermy were found during in vitro fertilization. However, no retarded male pronuclear development could be detected in the trilostane-treated group. Thus, steroid producing activity within ova is apparently necessary to prevent multiple sperm penetration, but it has no effect on meiosis or the action of the so-called male pronucleus growth factor (MPGF).     

Mineral composition of pigeon milk

Summary Mineral analysis of pigeon milk indicates its major elements to be P>Ca>K>Na>Mg (in that order) and trace elements Fe>Zn>Mn>Cu. Whereas the levels of Ca, K, Mg, Na and Mn remain fairly constant in the first week, those of P, Fe, Zn and Cu fall significantly during this period. Compared to cow's and human milk, pigeon milk has definitely higher levels of trace elements. Similarly, the trace mineral content of pigeon milk exceeds that of pigeon egg albumen or yolk. Except for Fe, Mn and Cu, pigeon milk is richer than adult pigeon feed in its mineral content. The Ca:P ratio of pigeon milk increases from 0.3 to 1.1 in the first five days. It appears that the high trace mineral content of pigeon milk is one of the factors contributing to the phenomenal postnatal growth of squabs.     

Solubilization of prolactin receptor by a Zwitterionic detergent

Summary About 60% of the prolactin receptors were solubilized from rabbit mammary gland membranes by Zwittergent 3–12. The use of Zwittergent 3–12 resulted in increased sensitivity of the receptor assay and permitted use of ovine prolactin instead of human growth hormone in the receptor assay.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grant AM 17476 from the National Institutes of Health.     

Perorale Behandlung parasitärer Hautkrankheiten

Summary Scabies and demodicosis of dogs as well as phthiriasis of pigs, dogs, and cattle may be cured by peroral application of contact poisons (di-trichlorphenyl-dichlorpropanon and bis-parachlorphenyl-trichlorbutan). Dose 0,1–0,2 g/kg body-weight during 2–4 days. In case of demodicosis the cure must be repeated 1–2 times in short intervalls. On peroral application the drugs may be detected within a few hours in the milk, fæces, and urine. The milk of the cow contains the drug during 7 to 8 days after peroral medication.     

A new quaternary ammonium compound with plant growth regulatory activity

Summary Of several quaternary ammonium derivatives tested, 1-allyl-1-(3,7-dimethyloctyl)piperidinium bromide showed the best growth-retarding activity. OnChrysanthemum morifolium the growth retardation obtained with a single application of 100–200 ppm compared favourably with that obtained from 2–3 applications of 3400 ppm of N-dimethylaminosuccinamic acid (daminozide).     

Fourier analysis of vertebral shape change due to growth and selection for large and small body size

Summary Fourier analysis of videodigitised outlines of mouse vertebrae from two stocks, a pseudo-longitudinal series of mice aged 25–60 days and one selected for large or small body size over many generations shows that the shape changes due to normal growth are not similar to those produced by selection for body size.     

Temperature-dependent activity of mosquito larvicidal factor(s) present inBacillus sphaericus 1593–4 and 1691

Summary The larvicidal factor(s) ofBacillus sphaericus 1593–4 and 1691 was more active at high temperature (33–35 °C) as compared to low temperature (23–25 °C) for the larvae ofCulex fatigans andAnopheles subpictus.     

Über eine bei jungen Kaninchen während Erregung auftretende hochfrequente mesenzephale Bursttätigkeit

Summary In the mesencephalon of young rabbits (11–45 days old), a distinct pattern could be elicited by emotional activation: it consists of high-frequency bursts (48–70 c/sec, duration up to 150 msec), superimposed on phase-locked slow waves.     

Unterliegt die Heimkehrgeschwindigkeit der Brieftauben hormonalen Einflüssen?

Summary The relation between the homecoming-speed of carrier-pigeons and the influence of sexhormones and prolaktin is reported.It is further examined whether the influence of prolaktin (breeding on 10–15 days old eggs) or psychological factors (feeding of young individuals of more than 15 days) are the factors, accelerating the homecoming-speed. Best results are obtained by combining breeding 1–6 days old eggs and feeding young pigeons of 2–3 weeks.

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In memoriam Heinz Knieriem zu seinem 15. Todestage     

Lipid accumulation by a cellulolytic strain ofAspergillus niger

Lipid accumulation by a cellulolytic mold,Aspergillus niger, was studied. The amount of lipid accumulated ranged from 13.6–16.6% on various carbon sources, namely glucose, xylose, avicel (microcrystalline cellulose) and bagasse (a natural lignocellulosic substrate). Neutral lipids, phospholipids and glycolipids of the mycelia varied from 41.0–46.2%, 34.9–38.4% and 18.7–22.6% of total lipids, respectively. Unsaturated fatty acids comprised around 80% of total fatty materials with linoleic and oleic acid predominating. Of the four nitrogen sources tested, NH₄Cl was the best source for lipid synthesis from cellulose (bagasse). Optimum temperature range for growth and lipid synthesis was 25–30°C.     

Selective killing of smooth muscle cells in culture by the ricin A-chain conjugated with monoclonal antibodies to a cell surface antigen via a dextran bridge

Summary Monoclonal antibodies to a surface antigen of the modulated smooth muscle cells originally isolated from the rat aorta media were conjugated with ricin A-chain via an oxidized dextran bridge. The interaction of cultured cells with the conjugates obtained and with control substances was monitored following incorporation of¹⁴C-leucine radioactivity. It was found that¹⁴C-leucine incorporation was suppressed by 80–90% at a conjugate concentration of 10^–6–10^–7 M. Antigen-negative cells (line IAR; rat hepatocytes) were insensitive to the conjugate at any concentration used. Control use of purified ricin A-chain, native or oxidized dextran, specific and nonspecific IgG did not affect normal¹⁴C-leucine incorporation. The data obtained may be useful for designing targeted drug transport systems and for selective screening of modulated smooth cells in vascular pathology models in vivo.     

Stimulation of the incorporation of3H-leucine into proteins by oestradiol in the foetal uterus of the guinea-pig

Summary Oestradiol treatment increases the incorporation of³H-leucine into acid insoluble proteins in the foetal guineapig uterus (50–65 days of gestation) 10 times above control values by 8 h and 20 times by 24 h after administration of oestradiol to the mother.     

Transfer of isolated nuclei into protoplasts ofAspergillus nidulans

Nuclei were isolated from protoplasts of a haploid auxotrophicAspergillus nidulans strain. Transformation of protoplasts prepared from a complementary haploid auxotrophic strain with these purified nuclei resulted in both heterokaryotic and diploid colonies. The nutritionally-complementing colonies appeared at a frequency of 5×10^–7 to 10^–8.     

Selective antiproliferative effects of thymidine

A substance with antiproliferative bioactivity in an aqueous extract ofCordyline terminalis was purified and identified by mass spectrometry to be the natural nucleoside, thymidine. 10^–5M Thymidine inhibited EL4 cell replication and decreased cell viability after 12–24 h. The effect was highly specific for this nucleoside. Treated cell cultures showed a significant increase in S phase cells and a corresponding decrease in G₁ phase cells. Nitrobenzylthioinosine (which prevented facilitated entry of thymidine) protected cells from the antiproliferative action of thymidine. A human breast cancer cell line (MCF7) was also growth-inhibited by 10^–5M thymidine but a murine lymphoma cell line (K36) was not. Thus, submillimolar thymidine has effects on cell proliferation which are selective both with respect to specificity for the compound and for different tumour cell lines.