The binding of FITC-insulin to ANAE-positive cells in rat thymus

Summary To determine if thymic macrophages have insulin receptors, alternate sections of rat thymus were stained with FITC-insulin and examined for nonspecific esterase (ANAE) activity. Cells showing a diffuse ANAE staining pattern also bound FITC-insulin. These cells were concentrated in the cortico-medullary border and increased in number following administration of cortisol. Thymic macrophages may be insulin-dependent and therefore could be malfunctional in diabetes.     

Enzyme immunometric assay for the determination of pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) with the antigen as solid phase (conjoint IEMA)

Purified pregnancy associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) can be effectively bound to polystyrene microtitre plates. This immobilized antigen competes with the added serum PAPP-A of unknown concentration for the limited amount of peroxidase-labeled monospecific anti-PAPP-A antibody incubated simultaneously. The sensitivity is 0.1 WHO unit/ml and non-specific binding is 1.0%.     

Replication of Epstein-Barr virus in human epithelial cells infected in vitro

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of the herpes group of viruses and the aetiological agent of infectious mononucleosis, is usually thought of as a lymphotrophic virus with the ability to transform B lymphocytes. So the association of EBV with nasopharyngeal carcinoma is puzzling, especially given the lack of success of attempts to infect epithelial cells with EBV in culture and the apparent lack of EBV receptors on epithelial cells. Circumvention of the apparent requirement for membrane receptors by techniques of transfection, microinjection and receptor transplantation has clearly demonstrated that there is no inherent barrier to EBV replication in nonlymphoid cells, including epithelial cell types. Our ability routinely to detect EBV DNA by in situ hybridization in epithelial cells of the oropharynx from persons with acute infectious mononucleosis suggests that, in vivo, EBV regularly gains access to and replicates lytically in epithelial cells. We report here in vitro evidence for direct infection by EBV and replication of the virus in cultured normal human epithelial cells.     

Regression of genetically determined polycystic kidney disease in murine organ culture

Cystic kidneys from the mutant CPK strain of C57BL/6J mice were cultured in serum-free organ culture. During 120 h of incubation in chemically-defined medium, CPK cystic tubular changes underwent complete regression. Environmental factors regulate the expression of genetically determined polycystic kidney disease in this model.     

Plasmids of the same Inc groups in Enterobacteria before and after the medical use of antibiotics

Conjugative plasmids were common in enterobacteria isolated before the medical use of antibiotics. Plasmid F of Escherichia coli K-12 was one example and we identified others in over 20% of a collection of strains isolated between 1917 and 1954, the Murray collection. In the past 25 years, conjugative plasmids encoding antibiotic resistances have become common in bacteria of the same genera as those of the Murray Collection--Salmonella, Shigella, Klebsiella, Proteus, Escherichia. The present study was made to show whether the 'pre-antibiotic' plasmids belonged to the same groups, as defined by incompatibility tests (Inc groups), as modern R plasmids. Of 84 such plasmids established in E. coli K-12, none with antibiotic resistance determinants, 65 belonged to the same groups as present resistance (R) plasmids. Thus the remarkable way in which medically important bacteria have acquired antibiotic resistance in the past 25 years seems to have been by the insertion of new genes into existing plasmids rather than by the spread of previously rare plasmids.     

Influence of the enteric surface coat on the unidirectional flux of acetamide across the wall of rat small intestine

In vivo treatment of the jejunal mucosa with glycosidic enzymes seems to remove the enteric surface coat of the enterocyte. As a consequence, the mucosa-to-serosa unidirectional flux of acetamide increases remarkably. The glycocalyx probably represents a barrier to the diffusion of small hydrosoluble solutes.     

Development of adenocarcinomas after transplantation of rat glandular stomachs treated in vitro with N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG)

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences - Glandular stomachs of fetal and newborn Wistar rats were transplanted s.c. after treatment in vitro with N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) at...     

Reproductive consequences of mega vitamin E supplements in female rats

Summary Female rats fed 0, 25, 2500 and 10,000 IU vitamin E/kg diet for 3 months were examined for reproductive performance. On 10,000 IU vitamin E/kg diet, the fertility of inseminated rats was significantly reduced as compared to rats given normal or nutritional levels of vitamin E.This work was supported by research grants from the National Research Council of Canada and the Research Committee of The University of British Columbia. We thank Mrs Virginia Green for her help in statistical analysis. Reprint requests should be addressed to Dr I. D. Desai, Professor of Nutrition.