Erythrophagocytosis by cultured skin fibroblasts from patients with hereditary metabolic disorders

Phagocytosis of native allogenic red blood cells was observed in cultures of skin fibroblasts obtained from patients with neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis, Niemann-Pick disease type C and morbus Fabry. Occasional phagocytizing cells were observed in 9 other syndromes. Cells from three normal donors did not phagocytize.     

Mitogenic effect of the serum of rats exposed to cold

Summary Serum from rats exposed for 3 days to 5 °C stimulated the multiplication of mouse heteroploid and human and rat diploid cells in culture. The response of the cells to this unspecific growth stimulation was related to the growth capacities of the different cell types.     

Enzyme activities of a cold-resistant L cell variant

Summary Resistance of mouse L cells to cold increased the activity of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase and adenosine triphosphatase, but did not influence the activity of succinate dehydrogenase.     

The interaction of a gibberellin and a kinin in the control of chlorophyll synthesis

Resumé La promtion synergétique et l'inhibition de la synthèse de la chlorophylle par la gibberelline (GA₃) et par la 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BAP) de concentrations diverses, fut observée. L'augmentation de la concentration de 6-BAP réduisit la concentration de GA₃ nécessaire pour obtenir la promotion maximum.     

Internalization of triiodothyronine-bovine serum albumin-colloidal gold complexes in human peripheral leukocytes

Summary Complexes of triiodothyronine-bovine serum albumin-colloidal gold were specifically internalized in human peripheral leukocytes after 5 min of incubation. The specifity was partially lost after a longer incubation.     

Binding of (125I) triiodothyronine to human peripheral leukocytes and its internalization

Summary Ultrastructural autoradiography showed high specific binding of (¹²⁵I) triiodothyronine, as confirmed by a competition test, to plasma membranes, nuclei and mitochondria of human peripheral leukocytes. A high level of binding was also noted on the granulocytes' granules, especially in eosinophils.     

Potassium uptake by cold-resistant mouse L cells stored at low temperature

Summary Adaptation of a cultured mouse L cell population to 4°C increased the survival of the cells and induced the uptake of potassium from the medium at this temperature.     

Widespread local house-sparrow extinctions

House-sparrow populations have declined sharply in Western Europe in recent decades, but the reasons for this decline have yet to be identified, despite intense public interest in the matter. Here we use a combination of field experimentation, genetic analysis and demographic data to show that a reduction in winter food supply caused by agricultural intensification is probably the principal explanation for the widespread local extinctions of rural house-sparrow populations in southern England. We show that farmland populations exhibit fine-level genetic structuring and that some populations are unable to sustain themselves (sinks), whereas others act as sources.