Positive and negative influence of the matrix architecture on antitumor immune surveillance

The migration of T cells and access to tumor antigens is of utmost importance for the induction of protective anti-tumor immunity. Once having entered a malignant site, T cells encounter a complex environment composed of non-tumor cells along with the extracellular matrix (ECM). It is now well accepted that a deregulated ECM favors tumor progression and metastasis. Recent progress in imaging technologies has also highlighted the impact of the matrix architecture found in solid tumor on immune cells and especially T cells. In this review, we argue that the ability of T cells to mount an antitumor response is dependent on the matrix structure, more precisely on the balance between pro-migratory reticular fiber networks and unfavorable migration zones composed of dense and aligned ECM structures. Thus, the matrix architecture, that has long been considered to merely provide the structural framework of connective tissues, can play a key role in facilitating or suppressing the antitumor immune surveillance. A new challenge in cancer therapy will be to develop approaches aimed at altering the architecture of the tumor stroma, rendering it more permissive to antitumor T cells.     

Influence of phenylbutazone on bile flow in the rat

Summary Phenylbutazone, a well-known enzyme inducer, at a dose of 80 mg·kg^–1 once daily for 8 days increases liver weight and bile flow expressed per g of liver (p<0.01). The bile salt secretory rate is not increased.     

Chlorpyrifos (Dursban®) resistance inCulex pipiens pipiens L. from Southern France: Inheritance and linkage

Summary InCulex pipiens mosquitos from Southern France, resistance to the organophosphorus insecticide chlorpyrifos is due to the dominant allele (Chl ^R) of an autosomal gene. TheChl gene is localized between thea-Gpd andEst-2 loci at 26.8 and 5.8 units of crossing-over respectively.     

Are anticholinergic effects responsible for the heterogeneous quinidine-induced modifications of heart muscle refractoriness?

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences - Vagal tone is responsible for the heterogeneous reactivity of atrial and ventricular contractile tissues to quinidine. Acetylcholine may make atrial cells...     

Delayed metamorphosis and diapause in the sugar cane borerDiatraea saccharalis

Summary The problem of arrested or delayed development was examined in the sugar cane borer,Diatraea saccharalis. It was found that the insect can either enter diapause or exhibit a period of delayed metamorphosis according to the photoperiod conditions prevailing. We have observed the development characteristics ofD. saccharalis and conclude that a distinction should be made between a delayed metamorphosis phase and a diapause stage.This work was supported by a grant from NSERC.     

Colony hybridization method for screening in situ of eukaryotic amplified genes

A new method for autoradiographic screening of amplified genes in cellular clones is described. The main feature of the device is to keep viable cells from each clone, which can subsequently be regrown. The availability of this biochemical screening method allows screening for recombinants harboring unselectable markers as well.     

The postpharyngeal glands and the cuticle of Formicidae contain the same characteristic hydrocarbons

Summary Comparison of the contents of the postpharyngeal gland and cuticular hydrocarbons of five species of ant have shown them to contain the same compounds and to be characteristic of the species. For four species (Formica selysi, Camponotus lateralis, Camponotus vagus andManica rubida), quantitative similarity was very close, but more divergent in the fifth (Myrmica rubra). Glands and cuticle ofM. rubra queens were shown to be closely similar to those of workers, except the glands of queens are larger, but the cuticle of larvae was different from that of adult cuticle and postpharyngeal glands.     

Dog behaviour as related to spinal cord temperature.

3 dogs could behaviourally modify their own spinal cord temperature (Tspin. cord). In a hot environment, 2 dogs did not cool their spinal cord, 1 dog warmed it. The higher the environmental temperature, the higher the chosen Tspin. cord. These results seem to imply that this latter dog tended, in warm environment, to behaviourally reduce: Ts greater than Tspin. cord (Ts mean skin temperature). Data obtained previously support this explanation.     

Ultrastructural autoradiographic study of the intracellular fixation of 3H-acrolein.

The fixation of 3H acrolein in Dunaliella bioculata was followed by means of quantitative autoradiography electron microscopy. A fixation was observed mostly in the nucleus where aldehyde linkage remained stable at least for 48 hours.