Fluorescein-concanavalin A conjugates distinguish between normal and malignant human cells: a preliminary report

A method is described for using a fluorescein isothiocyanate concanavalin A conjugate to stain human cell membranes in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue. 57 neoplastic and normal tissue sites were examined. In 54 malignant tumours, bright green fluorescence was confined to the cell membranes while in 23 benign tumours and normal tissue sites, the membranes were unstained or showed a diminished level of fluorescence. The distinction between malignant and hyperplastic or normal cells was clear cut and definite.     

Vitamin C and gallstone formation: A preliminary report

Summary Gallstone formation in hypovitaminotic C guinea-pigs fed a high cholesterol diet was associated with qualitative changes in the gallbladder bile, namely, a high cholesterol concentration, a lowered bile acid content and diminished phospholipid-to-cholesterol and bile acid-to-cholesterol ratio.Acknowledgment. I am indebted to Prof. H. M. Sinclair (Oxford) and Drs K. M. L. Morris (City of London Polytechnic) and G. M. Murphy (Guys Hospital Medical School) for valuable discussion and advice, and to Mr J. A. Rawlings for technical assistance.     

Bacteria as cell surface markers on normal and malignant mammalian cells

Zusammenfassung Bakterien haften an der Oberfläche kultivierter Säugetierzellen in charakteristischer Weise. An Krebszellen haften sie nicht nur am Vorderteil, sondern auch an der Zelloberfläche und in Kernnähe.

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I thank the Royal Society for some of the equipment used in this research, the Nuffield Foundation for the award of a fellowship, and Prof.I. M. Goodbody for facilities in the Department of Zoology, University of the West Indies, Jamaica, while on sabbatical leave of absence from the University of Glasgow. I am also indebted toJ. B. Cowey, A. S. G. Curtis andD. R. Newth, of Glasgow University for their criticisms and advice, and to Miss E. Cray for assistance in the experiments.     

A preliminary report on gamma-irradiated protein-dye complexes

In spectral studies of gamma-irradiated protein-dye complexes, influences of concentrations of the components and changes in dye character are mainly noted.     

Effect of human seminal plasma on tumour-associated immunity in prostatic cancer. A preliminary report

Summary Evidence of significant suppression of tumour-associated immunity in patients with prostatic cancer by human seminal plasma (HuSP1) has been observed. Collation of the immunosuppressive property of HuSP1 in this and previous studies, together with recent studies demonstrating experimental induction of prostatic cancer by spermatozoa and the relationship of prostatic cancer to sexual activity are suggestive of an etiologic role for SP1 in prostatic cancer.     

A dialysable glutamine hydrolysing enzyme from normal and malignant tissues

Résumé Dans les reins et dans les tissus de tumeur un facteur provoquant une glutaminase a été mis en évidance. Cette activité est plus faible dans les reins. Le dialysat du rein accuse deux pH optima de 5.0 à 8.0, tandis que celui de la tumeur n'a qu'un pH optimum de 8.0.     

Cephalothin-treated normal red cells: A new type of PNH-like cells

Riassunto Emazie umane normali trattate con cefalotina, in opportune condizioni sperimentali, si comportano in alcuni test di emolisi in vitro (test di emolisi acida, test di sensibilità agli isoanticorpi freddi) in modo simile alle emazie della emoglobinuria parossistica notturna (EPN) (emazie simil-EPN). A differenza di altri tipi di emazie simil-EPN, queste emazie danno anche un test di Coombs diretto positivo, di tipo non. Viene avanzata l'ipotesi che la lesione responsabile del comportamento simil-EPN di queste emazie sia da ricercare in una alterazione delle proteine stromali.     

Actinomycin binding and uridine incorporation by human normal bone marrow cells

Riassunto Nel midollo umano normale, parallelamente alla differenziazione cellulare delle linee mieloide ed eritroide, si osserva, per l'incorporazione dell'uridina nell'ARN, una diminuzione maggiore di quella della fissazione dell'actinomicina-D alla cromatina.     

Nucleolar localization of succinic dehydrogenase in human malignant cells with MTT

Résumé Les auteurs complètent leurs recherches sur la localisation cytochimique de l'activité de la déshydrogénase succinique dans les nucléoles en utilisant un troisième sel de tetrozolium, MTT d'une importance particulière.     

Phosphorylase activity in the normal human testis: A histochemical study

Riassunto Nel testicolo umano normale la fosforilasi (a) (attiva) é predominante nei confronti della forma (b) (inattiva), contrariamente a tutti gli altri tessuti. Tale comportamento é legato probabilmente al fatto che la fosforilasi (a), enzima del metabolismo del glicogeno, con la scissione di quest'ultimo fornisce l'energia necessaria alla sintesi degli acidi nucleici.     

Intracellular localization of glutamine-aminohydrolase in normal and malignant tissues

Résumé On a comparé l'activité de la glutamineaminohydrolase dans les fractions de divers tissus cellulaires de souris normales avec celles des tissus à partir de souris ayant des tumeurs. On a constaté cette activité surtout dans la fraction surnageante des tissus de l'hôte, tandis que dans les tissues des animaux normaux elle se manifeste en majeure partie dans la mitochondrie. Dans les tissus même de la tumeur, toute l'activité est limitée à la fraction surnageante.

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Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to Dr.A. G. Dutta for his valuable suggestions and discussions.