Characterization of lipolytic responses of isolated white adipocytes from hamsters. 1. Lipolysis by isolated white adipocytes from hamsters, as measured by glycerol production, was stimulated by corticotropin, isopropylnorepinephrine (INE), norepinephrine, or epinephrine (EPI), in a dose-dependent fashion. 2. Lipolysis was stimulated by five inhibitors of cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase: caffeine, theophylline, 1-methyl-3-isobutyl xanthine, 1-ethyl-4-(isopropylidenehydrazine)-1H-pyrazolo-(3,4,-b)-pyridine-5-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (SQ 20009), and 4-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-imidazolidinone (Ro 7-2956). Caffeine-stimulated lipolysis consistently attained higher rates than did hormone-stimulated lipolysis. However, when cells were stimulated by both caffeine and a hormone, lipolytic rates were consistently lower than those attained under the influence of caffeine alone. 3. Isolated white adipocytes from hamsters were sensitive to both alpha- and beta-adrenergic antagonists. The beta-adrenergic antagonist propranolol could completely inhibit norepinephrine-stimulated glycerol production. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist phentolamine, on the other hand, had a biphasic effect on the cells. At 5-10(-7) M or 5-10(-6) M, phentolamine enhanced norepinephrine-stimulated lipolysis, while concentrations higher than 5-10(-5) M caused inhibition. 4. The effects of two different concentrations of six antilipolytic agents, prostaglandin E1, nicotinic acid, phenylisopropyladenosine, 5-methylpyrazole-3-carboxylic acid, adenosine and insulin, were measured. With the exception of insulin, all of these agents showed much more potent inhibition of caffeine-stimulated lipolysis than of hormone-stimulated lipolysis. Insulin, in contrast, showed only modest inhibition of hormone-stimulated lipolysis and virtually no inhibition of caffeine-stimulated lipolysis.


Rat pancreas adenylate cyclase V. Its presence in isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells. (1) In order to determine the cellular localization of the secretin- and pancreozymin-sensitive adenylate cyclase in rat pancreas, the occurence of this enzyme system has been investigated in isolated pancreatic cells. (2) Digestion of rat pancreatic lobules with collagenase yields a preparation of isolated cells which upon differential morphological analysis appears to consist for 97% of acinar cells and to contain for fewer centro-acinar and ductal cells than undissociated lobules. (3) Expressed per mg protein, the isolated cells contain the same amount of DNA, chymotrypsin and lactic dehydrogenase as the undissociated tissue. The stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is nearly entirely recovered in the isolated acinar cells, as is also the case for the low Km adenosine 3',5-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity and the adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content. Marked losses are noted for the basal adenylate cyclase and the high Km cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activities. (4) Washing the isolated acinar cells in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium containing 10 mM 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine causes a cyclic AMP level 2.6 times that in cells washed in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate alone. The cyclic AMP level is further increased by subsequently incubating the cells for 10 min in the presence of 3-10(-7) M pancreozymin-C-octapeptide or secretin to values 1.7 or 4.7 times the control level in cells incubated for 10 min with 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine alone. (5) It is suggested that the adenylate cyclase of the acinar cells may be involved, with another factor, in the stimulation of enzyme secretion, whereas a ductular cyclase would function in the regulation of the bicarbonate-dependent fluid secretion.


On the requirement for protein synthesis during corticotropin-induced stimulation of cholesterol side chain cleavage in rat adrenal mitochondrial and solubilized desmolase preparations. Following simple homogenization, significant amounts of mitochondrial-derived, cholesterol side chain cleaving enzyme (desmolase) activity are recovered in rat adrenal 105 000 X g-supernatant fraction. Corticotropin administration enhances soluble desmolase activity, and cycloheximide potentiates this effect. The lipid droplet fraction which has no desmolase activity markedly enhances pregnenolone synthesis in the soluble desmolase preparations, presumably by supplying free cholesterol substrate. Corticotropin particularly with cycloheximide pretreatment, enhances lipid fraction activity. Thus increased cholesterol availability may largely explain the corticotropin effect on the soluble desmolase system. Since protein synthesis is required for corticotropin activity in intact mitochondria, but not in calcium-swollen mitochondria or the soluble enzyme system, the labile protein apparently required during corticotropin action may function to overcome a "barrier" which exists only in the intact mitochondria and restrains cholesterol side chain cleavage.


Detection of immediate early, early and late antigens in herpes simplex virus type 1 infected cells. Immediate early, early and late antigens synthesized in herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 infected cells can be efficiently demonstrated using the sensitive anti-complement immunofluorescence (ACIF) test and highly specific antisera prepared against early or late HSV-1 determined proteins in a syngeneic rat system.


The thermal polymerization of amino acids in the presence of sand. Sand was tested as a model of a common "impurity" that could have influenced the formation of thermal prebiotic protein. Increasing proportions of sand (0-16 g) in admixture with one set of reactant amino acids (1g), when heated at 175 degrees C for 1.5 h, resulted in increasing yields of polyamino acids of increasing size and color intensity; amino acid composition was not greatly affected. Similar results were noted for three of five other sets of reactant amino acids (8 g sand per g amino acids). In no case did sand prevent the amino acids from polymerizing. The results are interpreted to indicate a broader range of conditions conducive to the formation of prebiotic protein and to further emphasize that environmental parameters should be considerided in the experimental modeling of prebiotic processes.


Biophysics with nitroxyl radicals.

Biophysics with nitroxyl radicals. The present status of the spin labeling method as applied to Biophysics is examined. After an outline of the chemical and physical properties of NO radicals, the analysis of linear and non-linear ESR spectra of spin labels and the information it yields is described. The possibilities of the method are critically discussed in the light of recent experiments.


[Changes in the electrical activity of the cerebral cortex under the combined influence of Cl. perfringens type A toxin and products of Cl. butyricum activity]. A study of the changes of the electrocorticogram (ECoG) and the electrocardiogram (ECG) in combined action of Cl. perfringens, type A, and of the Cl. butyricum broth culture filtrate showed that desynchronization of the cortical electrical activity and its subsequent depression occurred at earlier periods than in the case of isolated administration of Cl. perfringens toxin. The general character of the changes in the cortical rhythmic activity remained the same as in intoxication caused by Cl. butyricum toxin alone. The ECoG and ECG changes occurred at shorter intervals. Cl. butyricum filtrates induced no ECoG and ECG changes. It is supposed that the effect of the products of the Cl. butyricum vital activity consisted in increase in the tissue barrier permeability and, in this connection, in a greater penetration of Cl. perfringens toxin into the tissues, including the central nervous system.


[Fractional composition of cytoplasmic RNP-particles in the cells of Zajdela ascitic hepatoma and the liver of a tumor-bearing animal]. The relative content of poly(A)-RNA in the cytoplasm was greater in the cells of Zajdela hepatoma and the liver of tumour-bearing rats than in the normal hepatocytes of rats. Besides, the tumour cells (and to a lesser extent the hepatocytes of the tumour-bearing animal) were characterized by the changes in the ratio of the polyribosomes and monoribosomes usual for normal hepatocytes (and correspondingly between the m-RNP-particles and the informosomes) in favour of the latter, this pointing to definite changes in their protein-synthesizing apparatus. As judged by some of the parameters, the cells of the tumour-bearing by some of the parameters, the cells of the tumour-bearing animal occupied an intermediate position between the normal and tumour cells.


[Effect of adrenoreceptor blockaders on the mitotic activity of regenerating liver]. One hour before resection of the liver and repeatedly 24 hours after the operation male rats were given phentholamine--a blocker of alpha-adrenoceptors; this preparation inhibited the mitotic activity of the regenerating liver. A double administration at the same periods of propanol--a blocker of beta-adrenoceptors--caused an elevation of the mitotic activity. A conclusion was drawn that by stimulation of beta-adrenoceptors it was possible to inhibit the regenerative process. Adrenaline stimulated this process by acting through beta-adrenoceptors.


Hydrogen peroxide production and killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The effects of bacterial neuraminidase on production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were studied. The concentration of H2O2 was measured by the disappearance of scopoletin fluorescence in the presence of horseradish peroxidase. The results indicated that desialylation of human PMN inhibited the stimulation of H2O2 production during phagocytosis. It also markedly impaired the killing of S. aureus. Impaired killing of S. aureus by desialylated PMN was due to impaired intracellular killing rather than defective phagocytosis.


Cyclic AMP and protein kinase in the spontaneously hypertensive rat aorta and tissue-cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Cyclic AMP levels and protein kinase activity were determined in the aortas of rats with normotension, moderate and severe spontaneous hypertension. While the cyclic AMP levels were reduced in the aortas from rats with moderate and sever hypertension the protein kinase levels were found to be elevated only in the aortas from rats with severe hypertension. We have grown in tissue culture, aortic smooth muscle cells from the normotensive and severely hypertensive rat. Cultured cells from both strains have similar growth patterns and morphology. The differences seen in cyclic AMP  and protein kinase levels in the intact aortas are also seen in the aortic smooth muscle cells in cluture.


Vascular adenylate cyclase: role of age and guanine nucleotide activation. Particulate adenylate cyclase activity was examined in broken cell preparations of rat aorta and mesenteric artery from 3- to 5- and 9- to 13-week-old rats. While basal adenylate cyclase activity of the mesenteric artery was 4-fold greater than aortic enzyme activity, there was no difference in enzyme activity with age. GTP and the GTP analogue, 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p] stimulated adenylate cyclase activity. Stimulation by Gpp(NH)p did not differ with age for either tissue and occurred without a detectable lag. The vasodilators, isoproterenol, 2-chloroadenosine and prostaglandin E1, were ineffective in increasing adenylate cyclase activity, although marked stimulation was demonstrated with both sodium fluoride and Gpp(NH)p. Even in combination with Gpp(NH)p, isoproterenol did not increase particulate adenylate cyclase activity of these blood vessels; however, with intact arteries, isoproterenol (10(-7)M) did increase aortic and mesenteric cyclic AMP levels. Isoproterenol increased cyclic AMP levels in rats of both ages, at a time when isoproterenol was less effective in maximally relaxing aortic strips from 9- to 13-week-old rats. These data indicate that diminished aortic relaxation with age is not associated with a reduced ability of vascular relaxants to increase aortic cyclic AMP levels. Furthermore, as a first step in establishing that guanine nucleotides are regulators of vascular adenylate cyclase, both GTP and Gpp(NH)p were found to be potent activators of adenylate cyclase from blood vessels.


Ca++-binding properties of cznine aortic microsomes: lack of effect of c-AMP. Ca++-binding to a microsomal fraction canine aorta has been studied and compared to Ca++-binding to canine cardiac microsomes. The aortic microsomes bound up to 60 nmoles Ca++/mg protein with a first-order binding rate constant of 0.025 sec-1. The binding rate of 5 sec was about half that of cardiac microsomes, 8 versus 15 nmoles/mg. The Ca++-binding to the aortic microsomes had a pH optimum of 7.4, was inhibited by monovalent cations and showed ATP preference when compared to other nucleotides. The binding was not stimulated by the presence of oxalate. c-AMP stimulated incorporation of 32P into the preparation, but had no effect on Ca++-binding.


[Importance of acidophilic fine granulation cells in the corticotropic activity of the adenohypophysis]. The cyto-immunological tests prove that anti-ACTH (17-39) immunserums do not become localized only on beta cells of anterior lobe of Man's pituitary. They can also react upon cells with slender erythrosinophilic granules. Normally, these cells are very scattered. However, we have established that they were particulary numerous in the pituitary of six infants suddendly deceased. Conspicuously, these cells with acidophilic granulations correspond to a stage of corticotropic cells maturation.


[Modification of the number and structure of certain cytoplasmic components of the renal tubules during compensatory hypertrophy]. In the remaining kidney of unilaterally nephrectomised three to six months old Wistar rats, the measurement of the external and internal diameters indicated an increase in size of both proximal and distal convoluted tubules, although less distinct in the latter. Stereomorphometric measurements of the chondriome and the cytoplasmic inclusions (lysosomes, phagosomes, peroxisomes, etc.) have shown, as compared with similar tests in shamoperated animals, changes in the volumes of these components which can be related to the increase of enzymatic activities reported earlier. However, no obvious changes of the general ultrastructure of the kidneys undergoing hypertrophy could be observed.


Pulmonary metabolism of bradykinin analogues and the contribution of angiotensin converting enzyme to bradykinin inactivation in isolated lungs. 1 The activity and pulmonary metabolism of two peptides, 7-homo Pro-bradykinin and 8-homo Phe-bradykinin were studied in isolated systems. 2 Both analogues were about 50-70 times less active than bradykinin on the guinea-pig ileum and 70-160 times less active on isolated strips of cat terminal ileum. 3 The action of both analogues on guinea-pig ileum was potentiated (2.5-3.0 fold) by a bradykinin potentiating peptide (BPP9a) but less so than the action of bradykinin (4-5 fold). 4 Like bradykinin, the 8-homo Phe analogue was extensively inactivated (greater than 90%) in a single passage through the pulmonary circulation of guinea-pig or rat isolated lungs and this inactivation was prevented by pre-treatment of the lungs with BPP9a. 5 The 7-homo Pro analogue was inactivated to a lesser degree in guinea-pig lungs (58%) and in rat lungs (89%) and its inactivation was not affected by BPP9a. 6 It is concluded that the 8-homo Phe analogue is a substrate for the dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase (angiotensin I converting enzyme) of lung, whereas the 7-homo Pro analogue is not a substrate. 7 There is about four times as much dipeptidylcarboxypeptidase activity in guinea-pig isolated lungs as there is in rat isolated lungs.


[Plasma lipids in respiratory insufficiency: relation with hypercapnia and hypoxaemia (author's transl)]. A study of plasma lipids in a group of 111 patients with chronic lung disease has been carried out and compared with a reference group of 37 normal subjects. In decompensated patients, a decrease in beta-lipoproteins, cholesterol, triglycerids, total lipids, and in the beta-lipoproteins cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio (Cb-Ct) was observed. These changes were not in correlation with PaCO2 values, neither with the presence or absence of cor pulmonale, but seemed to be related with the degree of hypoxaemia. The distribution of patients in two groups according to PaO2 (below or above 50 mmHg) revealed statistically significant difference. The follow-up of 23 of these patients showed a good correlation of clinical evolution with dyslipemia.


Structure-activity relationship of various corticosteroids on the feedback control of corticotrophin secretion. Several steroids occurring in the pathway of corticosteroid biosynthesis were investigated for their ability to exert a fast or delayed feedback inhibition of stress-induced release of corticotrophin. Rats were injected subcutaneously with vehicle or a steroid either 10 min (fast feedback) or 4 h (delayed feedback) before they were subjected to stress which consisted of a 2 min exposure to ether vapour. 2 Changes in plasma corticosterone concentration and in vitro corticosterone production by excised adrenal glands were used as indices of corticotrophin release. 3 Among the steroids tested only 11beta, 21-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (corticosterone) and 11beta, 17alpha, 21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (cortisol) inhibited the stress response 10 min after their administration. Therefore, it appears that the fast feedback mechanism is limited to steroids with a 21-hydroxyl and a 11beta-hydroxyl group. 4 In contrast, many steroids caused inhibition of the stress response 4 h after their administration. These steroids were corticosterone, cortisol, 21-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (11-deoxycorticosterone), 17alpha, 21-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (11-deoxycortisol), 11beta-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (11beta-hydroxyprogesterone) and 11beta, 17alpha-dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (11beta, 17alpha-dihydroxyprogesterone). Thus, either the 21-hydroxyl group (e.g. 11-deoxycorticosterone) or the 11beta-hydroxyl group (e.g. 11beta-hydroxyprogesterone) is sufficient for delayed feedback activity. The 11alpha-hydroxyl group, e.g. 11alpha, 17alpha, 21-trihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (11-epicortisol) renders the steroid inactive on both feedback mechanisms. 5 18,21-Dihydroxypregn-4-ene-3, 20-dione (18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone) was found to be the only steroid that is secreted by the adrenal gland of the rat in quantities sufficient to cause exaggeration of the stress-induced release of corticotrophin. This steroid has been implicated as a possible hypertensive agent, and its role in the control of corticotrophin secretion is discussed here.


In vitro effect of insulin and adrenaline on lung triglyceride-lipase activity in rats. The in vitro effect of insulin and adrenaline on the activity of lung triglyceride-lipases (alkaline and acid) has been investigated. Insulin inhibited strongly both triglyceride-lipases. Only caffein almost eliminated the inhibitory action of insulin, while adrenaline and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate did not exhibit such an effect. It was assumed that the inhibition of lung triglyceride-lipases by insulin was effected through the activation of phosphodiesterases. On the other hand since adrenaline markedly activated lung triglyceride-lipases, this action was assumed to be carried out via the activation of lung adenylate cyclase and the increase of cyclic adenosine monophosphate.


Dopamine-induced neurogenic vaso-dilatation in the intact hindleg of the dog. 1 The dopamine-induced neurogenic vasodilation, previously described in the isolated perfused hindleg of the dog, has been studied in anaesthetized dogs with intact circulation in the hindleg. Dopamine was administered intravenously and/or intra-aortically, either as a bolus injection of 4 or 1l mug/kg, or as a continuous infusion of 4, 8, 16 or 32 mug kg-1 min-1. 2 Dopamine, given as a bolus injection or by infusion reversibly inhibited synaptic transmission in the paravertebral lumbar ganglia, studied with preganglionic stimulation at 1Hz. The inhibitory effect decreased gradually when the frequency of stimulation was increased to 16 Hz. The inhibition by dopamine was also present when spontaneous postganglionic activity was recorded. These effects were more pronounced on intra-aortic than on intravenous administration of dopamine. 3 In about half of the animals studied, injection or infusion of dopamine elicited a decrease of vascular resistance in the innervated femoral artery, whereas systemic blood pressure either did not change or decreased. In the denervated femoral artery, an increase in vascular resistance was alway observed. 4 The decrease in femoral vascular resistance was considered to correspond with neurogenic vasodilation caused by paravertebral ganglionic inhibition since (i) it only occurred in the innervated hindleg, (ii) blood pressure did not rise, (iii) this decrease was insensitive to atropine or propranolol and (iv) it was blocked by small doses of haloperidol. When hypovolemic shock was produced, the incidence of the neurogenic decrease of vascular resistance was smaller. 5 Dopamine also increased renal blood flow. This increase was not reduced by the occurrence of the neurogenic vasodilation in the inervated femoral artery. 6 These results are consistent with the idea that the dopamine-induced neurogenic vasodilation, originally described in the isolated perfused hindleg of the dog, also occurs when the circulation to the hindleg is intact. This suggests that, in the dog, also occurs when the circulation to the hindleg is intact. This suggests that, in the dog. the inhibitory effect of dopamine on sympathetic ganglia modulates its peripheral vasoconstrictor effects. In hypovolemic shock, where sympathetic nervous activity is high, the inhibitory effect of dopamine on sympathetic ganglia disappears and its direct vasoconstrictor effect on the vessels dominates.


A possible role for cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate in the regulation of acid secretion in the isolated stomach of guinea-pig. 1 The rate of acid secretion and mucosal cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content have been measured on the same guinea-pig isolated stomach preparation in response to histamine, theophylline and ICI 63197, a potent phosphodiesterase inhibitor. 2 Unstimulated control tissues had a spontaneous rate of acid secretion of 74.41 +/- 9.06 mumol H+/g wet wt. of mucosa per hour (s.e. mean, n = 20) and a cyclic AMP content of 0.517 +/- 0.058 mnol/g wet weight. 3 Each of the three drugs caused an increase in both the mucosal cyclic AMP content and the rate of acid secretion. These increases were inearly related to the logarithm of drug concentration for each drug. 4 There were no statistically significant differences between the three regression coefficients obtained for acid on drug and for cyclic AMP on drug. 5 There was a significant correlation between the rate of acid secretion and mucosal cyclic AMP content in stimulated preparations (P less than 0.001) and also in control preparations which received no drug (P less than 0.05). 6 These results are discussed in relation to the possible role of cyclic AMP in the mediation of acid secretory responses in the mammalian stomach.


Influence of neuroglial transport on the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid on mammalian ganglion cells. 1 The effect of inhibiting the transport of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) by neuroglial cells on the depolarizing action of exogenous amino acids on isolated superior cervical ganglia of the rat was studied. 1 Transport (measured by uptake of [3H]-GABA) was inhibited by (a) reducing external [na+] from 143 to 2mM and (b) administering alternative carrier-sbustrates, 3-amino-n-butyric acid (beta-amino-butyric acid, BABA) and (+/-)-nipecotic acid at a concentration of 1 mM. 3 All three procedures enhanced the depolarization produced by low concentrations of GABA (less than or equal to 10 muM) but did not alter the maximum response, nor the response to 3-aminopropanesulphonic acid (a gabamimetic with low affinity for the neuroglial carrier). 4 It is concluded that the neuroglial uptake process can limit the action of exogenous GABA upon neurones, by reducing the interstitial GABA concentration.


Distribution of angiotensin II receptors in rat brain. Angiotensin II binding activity of rat brain particles was examined using [125I]-angiotensin II (0.1-0.3 nM) in the presence and absence of excess unlabelled angiotensin II. Certain features of the binding suggested that physiological receptors were involved. The binding activity was temperature dependent and was increased 3-fold by the addition of 0.5 M EDTA. The binding appeared specific as judged by inhibition with angiotensin II agonists and antagonists. The "specific" binding was saturable, two-thirds reversible and occurred with high affinity. The equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) of the "specific" binding was 0.9 nM. Subcellular fractionation studies indicated that over 90% of the binding was associated with particulate matter and was concentrated in the crude microsomal fraction. Binding was localized to the midbrain, thalamus, septum, hypothalamus and medulla; Very low levels of binding were found in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum; The lateral septum had the highest binding activity of all the tissues examined. Subdivision of the medulla showed that the highest binding activity was associated with the area postrema and medullary regions ventral to this organ.


Fractionation of human low density lipoprotein by column chromatography. We have devised a method to fractionate low density lipoprotein (LDL) into subspecies by means of column chromatography. DEAE-agarose columns, 2.6 X 60 cm, were loaded with LDL (25-45 mg LDL protein) and eluted with a 0.045-0.13 M NaCl gradient. The LDL eluted over a volume of 900 ml. Specific portions of the eluted LDL, reapplied to a column identical with the original, reelute at about the same point. Altering the NaCl concentration of the elution fluid changed the elution volume. The cholesterol-protein ratio of the LDL subfractions was progressively lower in fractions eluting at higher NaCl concentrations. These results indicate the LDL is not a homogenous lipoprotein species but consists of subfractions which differ in at least charge and cholesterol content.


In vitro effect of free bile acids on the bile canalicular membrane phospholipids in the rat. Liver cell plasma membranes of male rats were isolated and separated into two fractions, one rich in bile canalicular membranes (BCM) and the other comprising the rest of the plasma membrane (PM). Aliquots of BCM, PM, and microsomes were incubated with deoxycholic, chenodeoxycholic, or cholic acid at bile acid - membrane phospholipid mole ratios up to 100, and the phospholipid solubilization from the PM and from microsomes was linear and apparently nonselective, while that from BCM was biphasic and distinctly selective. Phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine made up 90% of the phospholipids solubilized from the BCM at a bile acid - membrane phospholipid mole ratio sufficient to solubilize about 50% of the total phospholipids of the BCM. Of particular interest was the observation that the molecular species and fatty acid composition of the phospholipids solubilized from the BCM under these experimental conditions were similar to those of bile obtained from the same animal, and were quite unlike those solubilized at higher bile acid - phospholipids mole ratios. The data are discussed in terms of the mechanism of the biliary secretion of phospholipids.


The effect of diabetes and insulin on adipose lactate dehydrogenase isozymes. Adipose lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (EC 1.1.1.27) isozyme distribution was altered in streptozotocin-diabetic and fasting rats resulting from a relative reduction of subunit A. Treatment with insulin for 2 days partially restored the relative content of isozyme 5 to control values in the diabetic rats, and the effect of insulin was not inhibited by simultaneous injection of actinomycin D or puromycin. When the epididymal adipose tissues isolated from control animals were incubated in vitro with dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate or epinephrine, a relative decrease in subunit A was observed; whereas, either compound caused an increase in subunit A in diabetic tissues. The findings suggest that the redistribution of LDH isozyme under these conditions is to prevent excessive accumulation of lactate in the tissue.


Glycosylation of apoproteins of rat very low density lipoproteins during transit through the hepatic Golgi apparatus. The glycosylation of apo very low density lipoproteins (apo-VLDL) in vivo was studied by following the incorporation of [14C]glucosamine into several groups of apoproteins of VLDL isolated from hepatic Golgi fractions and from serum of sucrose-fed, colchicine-treated rats. Simultaneous incorporation of [3H]leucine was used to quantitate the apoproteins following separation by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Experimental conditions were selected so that the 14C:3H ratio in the apoproteins permitted estimations of the extent of glycosylation by glucosamine and its metabolites. A rapidly decreasing 14C:3H ratio was noted in serum apo-VLDL for the first 30 min after administration of the isotopically labelled precursors, followed by stabilization of the ratio. These data are consistent with the glycosylation of a preformed pool of apo-VLDL, probably apo-B. Glucosamine was progressively incorporated into apo-VLDL during transition from the forming face of the Golgi apparatus to the secretory vesicles, as indicated by an increasing 14C:3H ratio. On the other hand, the ratio of the rapidly migrating apoproteins of VLDL, corresponding to the apo-C-II and apo-C-III, showed the opposite trend, as did total apo high density lipoprotein (apo-HDL) and the rapidly migrating bands of apo-HDL. Division of the rapidly migrating apoproteins of VLDL into upper bands (probably apo-C-II and apo-C-III-0) and lower bands (probably apo-C-III-3) resulted in a 14C:3H ratio near zero in the upper band apoproteins, consistent with the absence of carbohydrates. The lower band showed a rising 14C:3H ratio during transition through the Golgi apparatus, suggesting increased glycosylation, The decreasing 14C:3H ratio in the rapidly migrating proteins is therefore due to the acquisition of apo-C-II and apo-C-III-0 by VLDL during passage from the forming face to the secretory vesicles of the Golgi apparatus.


The role of metabolic energy in the lethal action of basic proteins on Candida albicans. Comparative studies were made on the destructive effects of certain basic proteins on a strain of Candida albicans and two of its respiration-impaired mutants. Both by direct plate counts of survivors and by quantitative ultraviolet spectrophotometric analyses of released cellular constituents, the respiration-impaired mutants were less vulnerable to the destructive actions of the basic proteins than were ordinary wild-type cells. The lethal incidence and the ultraviolet absorbing cellular substances released from wild-type cells by the proteins were markedly decreased in the presence of the oxidative phosphorylation uncouplers sodium azide, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and salicylanide and approximately equal to the effects produced on an oxidative phosphorylation mutant not treated with the uncouplers. The heightened resistance of a culture through mutational or chemical impairment of its respiratory system suggests a role of metabolic energy in the destructive action of various basic proteins on yeast cells.


Pigment variant of neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (Kufs' disease). A case of pigment variant of Kufs' disease is presented. The nature of the extra-neuronal pigment is discussed. Despite some of the histochemical discrepancies that existed between this pigment and the material that had accumulated in the nerve cells, they seemed to be ultrastructurally related. The hepatocytes contained numerous heterogeneous cytosomes, some of which resembled the storage material of Niemann-Pick's disease. Clinically the syndrome may present with progressive ataxia, spontaneous and reflex, coarse myoclonic jerks and eventual mental deterioration as well as epilepsy and muscle wasting. The pigment variant cannot be distinguished from Kufs' disease except pathologically.


Technetium pyrophosphate scanning in the detection of acute myocardial infarction: clinical experience. Technetium-99m-stannous pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP) accumulates in acutely infarcted myocardium and can be detected by scintiscanning. The clinical value of 99mTc-PYP scintiscanning was studied in 83 patients 6 hours to 21 days after the onset of acute chest pain. In 12 patients with normal electrocardiograms and serum enzyme values no uptake of 99mTc-PYP was detected on the scintigrams. Of 44 patients with electrocardiographic or enzyme evidence, or both, of acute myocardial infarction the scintigrams were positive in 31, "questionable" in 2 and negative in 11; no positive scan was obtained within 12 hours of the onset of pain, and the scans generally remained positive for up to 5 days. In 24 patients with evidence of prolonged myocardial ischemia the scans were positive in 2, questionable in 4 and negative in 18. The scans were negative in each of three patients with acute or constrictive pericarditis. Localization by electrocardiography and scintiscanning correlated nearly perfectly for transmural infarcts but subendocardial infarcts could not always be localized precisely by scintiscanning. The infarct area (total area of 99mTc-PYP uptake) correlated well with the peak serum value of creatine phosphokinase.


Home peritoneal dialysis: 3 years' experience in Toronto. From November 1972 to November 1975, 52 males and 39 females aged 11 to 71 years were trained for home peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis was performed through a permanent catheter 4 nights a week. The first 11 patients used the manual system, exchanging 2 / of dialysate solution every 50 to 60 minutes. Subsequently 73 patients used the automatic cycler and commercially available dialysate and 7 patients used Tenckhoff's reverse osmosis peritoneal dialysis machine. The average duration of training was 15, 11.6 and 15 dialysis days, respectively, for the three methods. For the 83 patients followed up, the average duration of home dialysis was 8.3 months (range, 0.5 to 33 months); the total number of dialyses at home was 10 571. Ten received a transplant, 20 were transferred to hospital peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, 8 died and 48 continued with home dialysis. Twenty-three patients had a total of 33 episodes of peritonitis, an incidence of 27.7% among the patients in the program for up to 3 years or 0.3% among all the dialyses. By November 1975, 46 patients had returned to their predialysis lifestyle, 18 were working part-time, 10 were able to work but were not doing  so, and 9 were unable to work or care for themselves.


Adenovirus type 3 pneumonia causing lung damage in childhood. An outbreak of adenovirus type 3 infection occurred in a hospital in 19 North American Indian infants and young children who were being treated for unrelated problems. Pneumonia occurred in 14 and was usually severe, with persistent signs of airway obstruction. Eleven of the 14 were followed periodically and complete medical reviews were conducted 8 to 10 years later. Ten had abnormal chest radiographs, and bronchography revealed bronchiectasis and minor airways changes in seven. In three cases there was clear evidence that these changes were directly related to the adenovirus type 3 infection. Pulmonary function studies showed a combination of restrictive and obstructive changes with minimal hypoxemia in most. Despite the presence of a persistent productive cough all were able to carry on a relatively normal life.


Malignant mixed tumor of salivary origin: a clinicopathologic study of 146 cases. A 30-year Memorial Hospital experience with 146 patients with malignant mixed tumor is reviewed. These comprised 5% of 2,743 patients who were treated for salivary neoplasms from 1939 through 1968. The tumors arose in the parotid gland in 108 patients, submaxillary gland in 23 patients, mucus or so-called minor salivary glands in 16 patients, and sublingual gland in one. In terms of our total experience, 11% of all submaxillary tumors proved to be of the malignant mixed variety as compared to 6% of parotid tumors and 3% of minor salivary tumors, respectively. Seventy-one patients (48%) had previously received therapy elsewhere. Results of treatment are presented and the factors which influenced the results are discussed.


RNA viruses and cancer: Lucy Wortham James Lecture (Basic Science). Some animal viruses that contain RNA replicate through a DNA intermediate. The molecular details of the replication of these viruses, which are called ribodenoxyviruses, are starting to be known. The ribodenoxyviruses belonging to a single species may either cause sarcomas, leukemia or no disease. The viruses belonging to a single species differ only in whether or not they contain genes for disease formation. In the case of Rous sarcoma virus, the virus causes sarcomas by adding a gene for sarcoma formation to the genome of infected cells. Ribodeoxyviruses appear to undergo different kinds of genetic changes at extraordinarily high rates. In addition, nucleotide sequences related to ribodeoxyvirus RNA are present in the DNA of many uninfected cells. These nucleotide sequences may represent a virus precursor, and ribodeoxyviruses are hypothesized to have evolved from these nucleotide sequences in uninfected cells. These data have led us to hypothesis that non-viral carcinogens act to mutate a cellular gene(s) that is involved in the same types of information transfer and genetic variation as ribodeoxyviruses and thus give rise to the formation of cancer gene(s).


A comparative study of some pathologic features of mammary carcinoma in Tokyo, Japan and New York, USA. Epidemiologic and clinical studies conducted in the past 15 years have demonstrated striking differences in the biology of mammary carcinoma among Japanese and American women living in their native countries. These variations have, in part, been related to some differences in the characteristics of the primary tumors between the two groups. As part of a collaborative study we have had an opportunity to compare the stage of disease and to examine and compare histological sections of patients with breast carcinoma treated in 1973-74 at the National Cancer Center Hospital (NCH) in Tokyo and in 1974 at the Memorial Hospital (MH) in New York. The former group consisted of 216 and the latter of 555 carcinomas. Fewer patients in each group had axillary metastases than reported in a prior study of patients treated at MSKCC and in Tokyo 20 to 30 years earlier. Negative axillary nodes were now found in 58% of the MH patients and in 63% of women treated at the NCH. The magnitude of improvement in stage relative to the prior report was similar in both groups. However, it would appear that the change occurred mainly from the mid-1950s to the 1960s in New York and approximately 10 years later in Tokyo. Results of this study confirming prior reports were: (1) higher frequency of colloid and of medullary carcinoma with lymphoid stroma and lesser frequency of lobular carcinoma in the Japanese patients; (2) more intense lymphoid infiltrate in and around primary tumors in Japanese women; (3) higher frequency of rounded or circumscribed tumors in Japanese women; and (4) the more frequent occurrence of intralymphatic tumor emboli within the breast in American women. The difference in the frequency of lobular carcinoma was less striking when comparison was limited to patients with unilateral carcinoma.


Prospective study of non-infiltrating carcinoma of the breast. A long-term prospective study of non-infiltrating breast carcinoma is being carried out in order to study the natural history and proper management of such lesions with particular interest in patients treated solely by local excision. During an 11-year period, 175 patients with lobular Ca in situ and intraductal Ca have been followed. None has developed recurrent disease including 18 undergoing wide local excision only. Histologic examination revealed that 36% of mastectomy specimens showed multifocal lesions, whereas only one of the patients treated by wide local excision had more than one microscopic focus. For these reasons total mastectomy is recommended as the treatment of non-infiltrating breast carcinoma. Subsequent development of contralateral cancer has occurred in ten patients.


Immunocompetence of cancer patients treated with Levamisole. Nineteen outpatients with malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, who had surgical resection for complete removal of the tumor and no demonstrable metastases following surgery, were administered Levamisole (p.o., 150 mg per day, two days per week) and maintained on this dose for at least six months. Of this group, drug therapy was discontinued in four patients because of severe "flu-like" syndromes leaving a group of 15 patients for detailed analysis. T-lymphocyte percentages and levels, cAMP levels in the lymphocytes and a battery of skin tests for recall antigens were evaluated following surgery and at various intervals during immunotherapy. Patients who responded well to the treatment showed increased levels of T-lymphocytes and increased cAMP levels, whereas non-responders had low T-cell levels and low cAMP levels. Also positive skin test reactions were observed in most patients who responded well to immunotherapy, although this was the least reliable indicator of patient response. Eight of the nine patients in the melanoma group have responded well clinically, whereas five of the six squamous cell carcinoma patients have developed recurrences.


A new approach in specific, active immunotherapy. A vaccinia virus-lysed autochthonous tumor cell vaccine (vaccinia oncolysate) is introduced as a new specific, active immunotherapeutic agent against human cancer. Mouse experiments showed the vaccine to be a safe and potent immune mechanism stimulator. Human experimentation was undertaken in the knowledge of relative safety of the components of the vaccine, i.e. vaccinia vaccine and lysed, autochthonous tumor cells. Vaccine-treated patients had advanced metastatic cancer but reacted to one or more common recall antigen skin tests. None of the 13 patients had untoward responses; 7/13 patients had classic delayed hypersensitivity reactions at the vaccine injection sites; and 2/7 patients with injection site reactions had significant reduction in tumor burden. These results indicate that this vaccine is a specific, active immune mechanism stimulator, and may prove to be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of human cancer.


The tumor specific immune response of experimental active-specific immunotherapy. Evidence for augmentation of antigenic recognition was investigated by measuring antigen-specific lymphocyte stimulation in animals which were minimally immunized with Con A-modified tumor cells. Comparison of lymphocyte stimulation response was made to animals immunized with unmodified tumor cells or sham immunization. Markedly heightened, tritiated Thymidine incorporation was observed in the lymph node cells from animals immunized with Concanavalin A-modified tumor cells, while minimal response was observed in control hosts. These preliminary findings imply that Con A-modified tumor cell immunotherapy may work by augmenting the host's capacity to recognized minimal differences in immunogenicity between tumor cells and the normal cells or origin. This modulation of the immune response may be a key factor in the success of active-specific immunotherapy.


The increasing importance of radiation therapy in the improved prognosis of children with Wilms' tumor. Treatment results for 32 children with Wilms' tumor seen at the JCRT, CHMC and SFCI from January 1, 1971, through December 31, 1975, are presented. Indications for and technical details of irridation are discussed. The uniform efficacy of irradiation in preventing local relapse in all patients presenting with unilateral disease despite tumor spill in nine is stressed. Actuarial survival of nearly 80% of all patients seen and followed for more than 2 years has been achieved. Eight of 14 patients with documented pulmonary relapse have been controlled with irradiation, chemotherapy and surgery. The importance of an aggressive multidisciplinary approach to this tumor is stressed.


Radiation therapy in the management of carcinoma of the lung. Carcinoma of the lung is the most common cancer in men in the United States and a major cause of death. This is due to the inadequate techniques for screening of high-risk patients and for detection of the tumor in early stages, before distant dissemination occurs. Although some progress has been made in the past, particularly in improving the knowledge of natural history and pathological characteristics of the disease, and there are better indications for surgical treatment and irradiation and the effective use of cytotoxic agents in selected groups of patients, particularly those with small cell undifferentiated carcinoma, the mortality rate is still very high. A great deal of investigation remains to be done in carcinoma of the lung concerning the basic cell kinetics of the tumor and the optimal conditions for the use of surgery, irradiation, chemotherapy or combinations of these agents in the treatment of these patients before survival rates can be substantially improved. Since the most important factor in patient mortality is distant tumor dissemination, it must be stressed that parameters other than survival should be used to evaluate the effectiveness of irradiation, surgery or combinations in the control of local and regional bronchogenic carcinoma. These efforts should be intensified through properly designed clinical trials.


Differential recovery of intestine, bone marrow, and thymus of rats with solid tumors following 5-fluorouracil administration. Time relationships for recovery of several host organs from toxic effects of 5-fluorouracil were determined in ACI rats bearing Morris hepatoma 3924A. A single injection of 150 mg/kg body weight 5-fluorouracil (the LD10) resulted in loss of 90% of the tibial bone marrow, 60% of the intestinal mucosa, and 90% of the thymus as measured by total DNA content of the organs. Organ DNA contents following 150 mg/kg of the drug were minimal on day 3 for intestine and on day 5 for marrow and thymus. A return to pretreatment or higher levels of DNA was observed by day 4 for intestine, day 11 for tibial marrow, and day 19 for thymus. Incorporation of 3H-deoxyuridine into host organ DNA after 150 mg/kg 5-fluorouracil was inhibited 36 hrs for intestine, 3 days for thymus, and 5 days for tibial bone marrow. Inhibition of 3H-deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA was similar for 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg doses both in tumor and in host organs, but recovery of 3H-deoxyuridine incorporation and DNA content of host organs began later with the higher doses of 5-fluorouracil. Maximal incorporation of 3H-deoxyuridine into DNA was observed on day 4 for intestine, day 8 for marrow, and day 9 for thymus after treatment with 150 mg/kg 5-fluorouracil. Animal lethality following the second of two 150 mg/kg injections of 5-fluorouracil was related to the extent of recovery of intestinal mucosa and bone marrow at the time of the second injection. Survival decreased to 0% for normal rats when the interval between injections was 3-4 days, improved at 5 days and was 100% when the interval was 10-11 days.


Effect of methylazoxymethanol acetate on adenylate cyclase and 5'-nucleotidase in rat liver plasma membranes. A single tumorigenic dose of methylazoxymethanol acetate increased adenylate cyclase activity in total liver homogenates 70-100% by the seventh day after treatment. The increased activity occurred in the plasma membranes rather than in the nuclei and was accompanied by a significant increase in 5'-nucleotidase activity. The data indicate that the carcinogen may alter the structure of the plasma membrane.


Cyclin nucleotide binding sites of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum from normal and neoplastic liver in the rat. The studies are presented which demonstrate that smooth endoplasmic membrane of normal liver has a single apparent binding site for cAMP with a KD of 0.6 X 10(-8) M. In contrast to this, however, cyclic AMP binding to the intracellular membrane of hepatoma 7800 exhibit two binding sites; the binding constant of one site on the tumor membrane is comparable to that of the normal liver whereas the value of the second intrinsic association constant differ by a factor of 10. It is suggested that there may be an association between abnormal cyclic nucleotide metabolism and the intracellular membrane modulation of the expression of genetic information in normal and neoplastic cells.


Expression of SV40 T antigen during inhibition of DNA synthesis. Treatment of human SV40-transformed cells with excess thymidine or cytosine arabinoside caused a rapid decrease in the expression of T antigen as determined by quantitative immunofluorimetry.


Carcinogen-induced DNA repair in primary rat liver cell cultures; a possible screen for chemical carcinogens. Primary rat liver cell cultures were exposed to a direct acting carcinogen, methyl methanesulfonate, and procarcinogens requiring metabolic activation, aflatoxin B1 and B2. DNA damage by these agents was evidenced by the induction of DNA repair, measured as unscheduled DNA synthesis. The sensitivity of these cultures to the potent porcarcinogen aflatoxin B1 indicates that this system may be adapted for screening suspected chemical procarcinogens, and for investigating the relationship between metabolic activation of procarcinogens, DNA damage, DNA repair, and carcinogenicity.


Carcinogenicity of dimethylnitramine in NZR rats in NZO mice. Lifetime tests were done in NZR inbred rats of dimethylnitramine (DMNO) by addition to the drinking water (average dose 1.83 g/kg body weight) and in NZO mice by repeated subcutaneous injection from birth to 7 months of age followed by administration in drinking water (total average dose 4.72 g/kg body weight). Rats developed hepatocellular carcinomas (85%), some of which metastasized. Mice developed hepatocellular carcinomas (81%) and renal adenocarcinomas (48%). Statistically significant increases of other tumor types also occurred in mice. The main targets for DMNO carcinogenesis appeared to be the liver cell epithelium and, at higher dose rates, renal tubular epithelium.


Enhancement of diethylnitrosamine hepatocarcinogenesis in rats by exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls or phenobarbital. Diethylnitrosamine (DENA) hepatocarcinogenesis was enhanced by sequential exposure with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and with phenobarbital. This was shown by the earlier appearance of tumors and a significant increase in the number of tumors. However, there was no evidence suggesting an acceleration of tumor growth.


Absence of horizontal transmission of herpesvirus saimiri between experimentally infected and noninfected owl monkeys. We did not detect cell-free Herpesviurs saimiri (HVS) in the oropharyngeal secretions of owl monkeys with leukemia or lymphoma induced by this virus. These animals failed to transmit either virus or disease to their uninoculated cage-mates or room-mates. Comparison of oropharyngeal secretions of HVS from owl monkeys and squirrel monkeys may provide insight as to how human herpesviruses are maintained in the oropharynx.


Comparison of the effects of 6- thio- and 6-methylthiopurine ribonucleoside cyclic monophosphates withtheir corresponding nucleosides on the growth of rat hepatoma cells. The cyclic nucleotide forms of 6-mercaptopurine and 6-methylmercaptopurine have been found to be cytotoxic to rat hepatoma cells. Studies with an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase suggest that the cytotoxicity of both cyclic nucleotides results principally from conversion to the 5'-nucleotide. A comparison of the two thiopurine cyclic nucleotides with their nucleoside counterparts has suggested that (a) the thio derivatives act by a common mechanism which is different from that exerted by the methylthio derivatives, and (b) the methylthio cyclic nucleotide acts, at least in part, by a mechanism which differs from that exerted by the methylthio nucleoside.


The effect of the phorbol ester tumor promoters on the basal and catecholamine-stimulated levels of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate in mouse skin and epidermis in vivo. To measure the in vivo levels of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) in mouse skin, precautions must be taken to avoid artifactual alterations after excision of the skin from the mouse. With such precautions, the level of cyclic AMP in mouse epidermal-dermal preparations was unchanged 1 to 18 hr after application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to mouse skin. The accumulation of cyclic AMP in response to isoproterenol or the naturally occurring catecholamine epinephrine was, however, significantly diminished 9 to 24 hr after application of TPA. No enhanced accumulation of cyclic AMP in response to alpha-adrenergic stimulation accompanied this diminished beta-adrenergic responsiveness. Experiments with pure epidermis confirmed that these observations reflected the effects of TPA on the epidermal cells in the epidermal-dermal preparations. The metabolism of isoproterenol in TPA-treated epidermis was the same as that in control epidermis. Finally, the tumor-promoting activity of various doses of TPA and of other phorbol esters correlated with their ability to diminish the beta-adrenergic responsiveness of the epidermis.


Inhibition of macrophage chemotaxis by neoplastic and other rapidly proliferating cells in vitro. Culture supernatants from rapidly proliferating cell lines inhibit macrophage chemotaxis. Of the cell lines tested, the supernatant from polyoma virus-induced tumor cells was the strongest inhibitor, although supernatants from simian virus 40-transformed 3T3, dimethylbenzanthracene-induced tumor cells, and Chinease hamster ovary fibroblasts also possessed inhibitory activity. The inhibitory substance(s) bound onto the macrophage cell surface. Although none of the culture supernatants examined were chemotactic for rat macrophages, they did possess weak attractive activity for polymorphonuclear neutrophils. This capacity of rapidly growing cells in culture to generate substances inhibitory to macrophage chemotaxis while attracting polymorphonuclear neutrophils may be relevant to the mechanism by which tumor bearing in vivo produces a cell-specific defect in chronic but not acute inflammation.


Transformation of chicken chondrocytes by Rous sarcoma virus. Chicken chondrocytes isolated from 11-day-old chicken vertebrate cartilage were transformed by Rous sarcoma virus ts LA24 of the Prague strain as well as by the wild-type Prague strain of Rous sarcoma virus. The morphology of chondrocytes transformed by Rous sarcoma virus ts LA 24 was dependent on the temperature, and the change was reversible. A similar but irreversible change in morphology was observed with chondrocytes transformed by wild-type virus. Hyaluronic acid production and deoxyglucose transport were markedly increased in the transformed chondrocytes. A marked increase of labeled acetate incorporation was observed with the transformed chondrocytes. In contrast to the normal chondrocytes, the labeled hyaluronic acid synthesized by the transformed chondrocytes was mostly released into the culture medium.


Differential neurooncogenicity of strains of JC virus, a human polyoma virus, in newborn Syrian hamsters. The neurooncogenicity recently isolated strains of the human polyoma virus, JC virus, was determined by intracerebral inoculation of newborn Syrian golden hamsters. All three strains produced malignant brain tumors in a majority of inoculated animals during a 6.5-month observation period. The results obtained with the MAD-2 strain, 19 of 20 animals with cerebellar medulloblastomas and 0 of 20 animals with pineal gland tumors, were quite similar to those observed previously with the prototypic strain of JC virus, MAD-1. Inoculation of the MAD-4 strain, however, resulted in 10 of 22 animals with pineal gland tumors and only 10 of 22 animals with tumors in the cerebellum. The MAD-3 strain was neurooncogenic, but too few animals lived to be weaned to provide significant additional information. The basis for the apparent predilection of the MAD-4 strain for the pineal gland is unknown. Two hamsters in the experiment developed extracranial neuroblastomas.


A discrepancy in XC and oncogenicity assays for murine leukemia virus in AKR mice. Studies of murine leukemia virus expression in AKR mice are presented. Material from in vivo and in vitro sources of normal tissues and lymphomas was assayed for in vitro infectivity, using the XC plaque assay, and for oncogenicity, by assessing lymphoma-accelerating capacity after inoculation into newborn animals. Normal tissues from healthy young AKR mice up to 7 months of age were found to have XC but not oncogenic activity. XC activity persisted, and weak oncogenic activity appeared in older mice. Cocultivation of normal young cells with NIH Swiss mouse embryo cells did not result in the appearance of oncogenic activity, although XC virus increased in titer. A cell-free filtrate of a virus-accelerated lymphoma was studied for host range. Virus as measured by polymerase and gs antigen was found to be propagated on NIH Swiss mouse embryo and wild mouse embryo cells, but not on human rhabdomyosarcoma, normal rat kidney, rabbit corneal, and BALB/c embryo cells. Virus as measured by the XC assay grew better on NIH Swiss mouse than on BALB/c embryo cells. Both of these cell lines propagated virus as measured by the oncogenicity assay. Supernatants from an in vitro cell line from a virus-accelerated lymphoma did not produce XC plaques but were oncogenic. Those from two cell lines of spontaneous lymphomas were negative with both assays. Cultivation of supernatants from these cultured lymphoma cells with NIH Swiss mouse embryo cells resulted in material which produced small plaques on the XC assay. These findings are interpreted as showing the presence of two viruses in AKR mice. One is XC positive and present throughout life. The other is oncogenic, appears later in life, and could be a separate virus or a variant of the first one.


Interaction of amphotericin B and 43 degrees hyperthermia. At 43 degrees (but not at 41 degrees), the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B effectively inactivates mammalian cells in vitro even at doses which are used prophylactically, routinely, and continuously in some tissue culture laboratories. The greatly enhanced killing may reflect interactions between the drug and hyperthermia at the level of the cells' plasma membrane. A similar enhancement of cell killing at 43 degrees was seen when cells were exposed to nonisotonic salt solutions. Another polyene, nystatin, shows no temperature dependence, at least over the dose range examined, while another antifungal agent, polymyxin B, does so only at very high doses. The in vitro thermosensibility of cells to amphotericin B is reflected in vivo: EMT-6 murine tumor cells were killed much more efficiently in situ at 43 than at 37 degrees. Amphotericin B may be a useful agent in multiple drug thermochemotherapy.


Kinetics of hormone-induced tumor cell resistance to killing by antibody and complement. Line 1, a chemically induced guinea pig hepatoma, is susceptible to killing by anti-Forssman immunoglobulin M antibody and guinea pig complement. When these tumor cells are pretreated with insulin, L-epinephrine, hydrocortisone, or prednisolone, the cells show a marked reduction in their susceptibility to antibody-complement-mediated killing within 15 to 60 min; this effect reverses within 4 hr in the continued presence of hormone. Maximal binding of the hormones to the line 1 cells was observed within 60 min. However, the hormones remained bound to the cells after 4 hr of incubation, suggesting that line 1 cells incubated in the continued presence of hormone revert to the susceptible state despite the persistence of cell-bound hormone. Hormone-treated tumor cells, washed free of hormone and reincubated in hormone-free medium, lost nearly all their bound hormone within 15 to 30 min of washing. These cells, however, remained resistant to antibody-complement-mediated killing for up to 2 hr after washing. Line 1 cells, reverted in the continued presence of hormone, remained susceptible to killing by antibody and guinea pig complement after reexposure to the same, but not to a different, hormone. Hormone-treated cells reverted after prolonged incubation in hormone-free media; however, they were rendered resistant to killing after reexposure to the same hormone. The temporary refractoriness of reverted cells to further hormone stimulation was not due to an inability of the cells to bind hormone.


Effect of prolactin on growth and the estrogen receptor level of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7). The intracellular specific 17beta-estradiol binding in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, was shown to be modified by prolactin. Both ovine and human prolactin doubled the estradiol receptor (E2R) level, but the latter was at least 10 times more stimulatory on a concentration basis. Most of the E2R complex (approximately 80%) was transported to the nucleus, and the prolactin stimulation was reflected in an elevated nuclear uptake of the tritiated 17beta-estradiol. Neither ovine nor human prolactin altered the growth rate of the cells when E2R stimulation was maximal. Insulin (10 mug/ml) stimulated tritiated thymidine incorporation and total DNA content but had no apparent effect on E2R concentration. At 10(-4) M, N6,O2'-dibutyrylcyclicadenosine 3':5'-monophosphate increased insulin stimulation of tritiated thymidine incorporation and brought about a prolactin stimulation of apparent DNA synthesis. Theophylline (10(-3) M) blocked both of these effects of N6,O2'-dibutyrylcyclicadenosine 3':5'-monophosphate. The possible mechanism implicating prolactin as an effector of differentiation and growth of MCF-7 cells is discussed.


Urea synthesis in Novikoff and Morris hepatomas. The rates of urea synthesis in rat liver and in a series of rat liver neoplasms with widely different growth rates and degree of differentiation were investigated using tissue slices incubated in a Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. Urea synthesis did not occur in fast-growing, poorly differentiated Novikoff and Morris 3924A hepatomas, but it did occur in slow-growing, well- and highly differentiated hepatomas; however, there was no correlation with growth rate or degree of differentiation. Urea synthesis was comparable with normal liver, at about 32 mumoles/hr/g tissue, in the slow-growing Morris hepatomas 21, 28A, 47C, and 44; but it was very low in two other slow-growing, highly differentiated hepatomas, 9618A and 20. The well-differentiated Morris hepatoma 5123C had intermediate levels of urea synthesis. This pattern of urea synthesis closely paralleled the previously reported activity of carbamyl phosphate synthetase in these tumors. The rate of urea synthesis was normal in livers of Buffalo rats bearing fast- or slow-growing hepatomas in low urea synthesis rates, but it was markedly lowered in the livers of rats bearing large, slow-growing tumors with high urea synthesis rates. Urea synthesis in liver declined as the tumors increased in size. The total rate of urea synthesis in liver and tumor, as well as the concentrations of urea in the serum and urine of tumor-bearing animals, remained remarkably constant throughout the period of tumor growth, suggesting the existence of a homeostatic mechanism that controls the urea cycle activity in accordance with the synthetic activity of the tumor. In parabiotic animals, carbamyl phosphate synthetase activity and urea synthesis were lowered in the host livers of partners bearing tumors with high carbamyl phosphate synthetase- and urea-synthetic activity, but there was no significant effect on urea cycle activity in the normal partners. This result discounts the likelihood of a circulating humoral factor that controls hepatic urea cycle activity.


The undifferentiated enzymic composition of human fetal lung and pulmonary tumors. The concentrations of 16 to 21 enzymes, representing various metabolic pathways, have been determined in human adult, fetal, and neoplastic lung. At midgestation, 12 enzymes (among them, several that metabolize amino acids) were above their adult values while 3 other enzymes were still at low concentrations. These signs of biochemical immaturity are contrasted and compared with those in fetal human liver and rat lung. The enzymic composition of the 11 human pulmonary tumors studied resembled that of the normal fetal lungs closely; the same 12 enzymes were elevated and the same 2 were decreased (compared to nonneoplastic adult lung) in both. The characteristic abnormality in the overall pattern of enzymes, in the concentrations of individual ones, and in the quality of pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase was clearly evident in both primary and metastatic tumors. The mean concentrations of 10 enzymes in the tumors were significantly different (higher or lower) from those in the control lungs (p less than 0.001 to less than 0.05). The best markers of neoplasticity were thymidine kinase, peptidyl proline hydroxylase, phosphoserine phosphatase, hexokinase, and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase. The results demonstrate that quantification of a small battery of enzymes, none of them tissue specific, can distinguish adult human lung from its neoplasms.


Uridine triphosphate deficiency, growth inhibition, and death in ascites hepatoma cells induced by a combination of pyrimidine biosynthesis inhibition with uridylate trapping. A selective deficiency of uridine triphosphate (UTP) was induced in AS-30D rat ascites hepatoma cells by the synergistic action of D-galactosamine and 6-azauridine. The resistance of these hepatoma cells to low concentrations of D-galactosamine (less than 2 mM) was due to their active de novo pyrimidine synthesis which compensated the trapping of uridylate in the form of uridine diphosphate-amino sugars derived from D-galactosamine. The additional blockage of de novo pyrimidine synthesis led to noncompensated uridylate trapping with a UTP content of less than 0.05 mmole/kg of cell wet weight as compared to the control level of 0.66 mmole/kg. The induction of UTP deficiency by incubating the cells with low concentrations of D-galactosamine and 6-azauridine (0.5 mM each) was not accompanied by significant changes in the content of adenine and guanine nucleotides, uridine diphosphate glucose, and uridine diphosphate galactose. The depletion of UTP pools could be reversed within 10 min by the addition of uridine; orotate or uracil were completely ineffective in these hepatoma cells. A UTP content in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 mmole/kg, induced by either 6-azauridine or D-galactosamine, was associated with a reversible depression of cell growth in suspension culture. A UTP content below 0.05 mmole/kg led to irreversible growth inhibition and to necrocytosis in culture, as well as to a loss of transplantability in vivo. Uridine reversal studies indicated that the percentage of cells able to resume growth in culture decreased with an increasing time period of UTP deficiency. The deficiency period required for irreparable or lethal damage in these hepatoma cells ranged from 3 to 20 hr. The principle of noncompensated uridylate trapping can be extended to other inhibitors of nucleotide synthesis combined with various nucleotide-trapping sugar analogs. Noncompensated nucleotide trapping may be useful for an induction of selective nucleotide deficiencies in tumor cells.


Inhibition of leukocyte migration by tumor-associated antigen in soluble extracts of human hepatoma. The leukocyte migration inhibition assay was used to detect cell-mediated immune reaction of hepatoma patients. Extraction of 3 pairs of human hepatoma tissue and normal liver tissue was made by 3 M KCI solution, and soluble hepatoma antigens were used to test against leukocytes of 18 hepatoma patients by the leukocyte migration inhibition assay. In all, 25 tests were performed; most of them were allogenic, and only 3 tests were autologous. Migration inhibition was observed in 13 of 25 tests, and there were only a few cases of migration inhibition in the control groups. It was concluded that tumor-associated antigen of human hepatoma was contained in the 3 M KCI extract of hepatoma tissue and that tumor-associated antigen of human hepatoma was shared by some hepatoma patients.


Cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, methotrexate, and procarbazine (CAMP)--effective four-drug combination chemotherapy for metastatic non-oat cell bronchogenic carcinoma. Twenty-three patients with metastatic non-oat cell bronchogenic carcinoma (MNOBC) were treated with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, methotrexate, and procarbazine (CAMP) after radiation therapy. Objective responses were seen in 11 of 23 patients (48%) with a projected median survival time of 12.5 months for responding patients and patients with stable disease. Lung, liver, and cutaneous sites of involvement proved to be highly responsive; bone involvement was less responsive. CAMP is an effective combination in the treatment of MNOBC and its use in patients with less advanced disease should be explored.


Phase II study of vinblastine, adriamycin, and procarbazine in small cell carcinoma of the lung. Twenty-four patients with small cell carcinoma of the lung were treated with a combination of vinblastine, 5 mg/m2 iv on Day 1; adriamycin, 40 mg/m2 iv on Day 1; and procarbazine, 100 mg/m2 orally on Days 1-7. The courses were repeated every 21 days. Tumor regression was noted in five of eight previously untreated patients, in two of six patients with previous chemotherapy, and in one of ten patients with previous chemotherapy and irradiation. The median duration of response was 130 days (range, 42-488+ days). The major toxic effects were bone marrow depression, gastrointestinal disturbances, and alopecia. This drug combination deserves consideration for inclusion into sequential combination chemotherapy regimens used in the treatment of this tumor type.


Neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in the dorsal horn and supraoptic nucleus of the squirrel monkey, Saimiri sciureus. In the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) two types of cytoplasmic inclusion bodies have been observed sporadically in neurons of both the dorsal horn (Rexed's laminae I-III in the lumbosacral region) and the supraoptic nucleus. One of these, designated here the "vesicular body", is a round inclusion which measures up to 1.4 mu in diameter. It occurs only in perikarya and is composed of vesicular-like chambers 300-400 A in diameter. We have not found previous references to this structure in the literature, but its 50 A substructural particles are similar in size to those described in nematosomes. The other inclusion, a "filamentous whorl", is found in nerve cell bodies and dendrites and it is structurally similar to the Hirano body. The structure measures up to 2.2 mu in diameter and is composed of circularly arrayed filaments which vary in configuration and size depending on the plane of section. There are no indications that the vesicular body and the filamentous whorl are in any way related to each other; and usually both are not found in the same cell profiles.


Unusual presynaptic inclusions in the CNS of the marine polychaete, Nereis virens. Unusual electron-dense inclusions occur in the nerve terminals of the Nereis CNS. These structures are closely associated with synaptic vesicles and contain what appear to be incomplete vesicles within them suggesting that they may be an organelle involved in synaptic vesicle production.


The ultrastructure of the mid-gut cells of Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae). The ultrastructure of the mid-gut cells of female Nasonia vitripennis is described. The mid-gut consists of a uniform, single-cell epithelium. The cells of different gut regions were analysed using morphometric techniques in order to determine any differences in the components. The structure of the cells is described in the unfed animal, and after varying periods of feeding on host body-fluids. Tissues were sampled after 12 h and 24 h of feeding on host body-fluids and after 24 h feeding/24 h starvation. The cells were found to be complex and contain an organelle component that allows solute-transport and extensive lipid synthesis. A limited cytochemical analysis involving the lysosomal marker enzyme-acid phosphatase--and the respiratory enzyme--cytochrome oxidase was carried out.


Lipids in the proximal convoluted tubule of the cat kidney and the reabsorption of cholesterol. Lipid deposits in the cat kidney are mainly located in the epithelium of the proximal tubuli contorti, particularly in the pars contorta. As the amount of fatty acids in the blood of renal arteries is higher than in renal veins, the lipid inclusions are likely to be formed in the proximal convoluted tubule. Whether fat occurring in the urine has been released from the nephron epithelium and the mode of this release remains obscure. The structural equivalent of lipid extrusion into the tubules has not been observed. Components of the tubular lipids include triglycerides, phosphoglycerides and cholesterol. The results of the digitonin-cholesterol reaction favour the assumption that cholesterol is eliminated in the glomeruli and pinocytotically reabsorbed by the brush border cells, this process possibly serving recycling of this compound. The dilated basal labyrinth and intercellular space contain perpendicularly oriented lipid accumulations that reach the basal lamina. The ultrastructure of the lipid storing cells of pars contorta reacting positively for phosphoglyceride and cholesterol is characterised mainly by bodies with marginal plates. As far as can be judged from their morphology, these bodies are interpreted as large peroxisomes. A special feature of the pars recta are dumbbell shaped bodies and elongated or cup-like mitochondria concentrically surrounding cytoplasmic areas, as well as a well-developed smooth ER. In what way the organelles of the brush border cells are involved in catabolic and anabolic processes as far as renal lipid metabolism is concerned remains to be answered.


Infection of cultured rat hepatoma cells by mouse mammary tumor virus. A continuous line of buffalo rat hepatoma (HTC) cells has been successfully infected with mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) produced by the GR mammary tumor cell line. Uniform infection required initial exposure of the HTC cells to greater than 10(5) MMTV particles per cell. The resultant chronically infected cell population was found to have stably acquired 20-30 copies of MMTV DNA. The infected cells contain viral RNA and express viral antigens; however, very few MMTV particles are released into the culture medium. In spite of the biochemical evidence for infection, we have not detected any alterations in the morphology or growth properties of the infected HTC cells. As is the case in mammary tumor cells, the intracellular concentration of viral RNA is strongly stimulated (50-150 fold) by the synthetic glucorcorticoid, dexamethasone. Thus it appears that the mechanisms by which glucorticoids regulate MMTV gene expression in mouse cells are maintained when this virus infects nonmurine cells.


Mouse mammary tumor virus DNA in infected rat cells: characterization of unintegrated forms. Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) DNA in chronically infected rat hepatoma cells is maintained in both the integrated and unintegrated state. Fractionation of DNA by the procedure of Hirt (1967) as well as by sedimentation through alkaline sucrose suggests that about two thirds of the viral DNA is associated with high molecular weight cell DNA. The remainder of the viral DNA is unintegrated and is present primarily as linear or open circular duplexes consisting of a genome-length strand complementary to the viral RNA ("minus" strand) and "plus" strands of subgenomic length. Approximately 20% of the unintegrated MMTV DNA is present as double-stranded, covently closed circles (form I) with a molecular weight of 6 X 10(6) daltons. Form I viral DNA is found primarily in the nucleus, whereas the open forms are both nuclear and cytoplasmic.


Decreased adherence to the substrate in Rous sarcoma virus-transformed chicken embryo fibroblasts. Cell-substrate adherence in cultures of chicken embryo fibroblasts was examined by determining the number of cells which could be detached from the culture dish by a stream of medium. Transformed cells were significantly less adherent than their normal counterparts. In cultures infected with a mutant of Rous sarcoma virus which is temperature-conditional for transformation, adherence changed promptly following a temperature shift. This change did not require progression through the cell cycle. The transformation-specific decrease in adherence required new protein synthesis, but the restoration of adherence which occurred following a shift to the restrictive temperature could occur in the absence of new protein synthesis. Inhibitor experiments suggested the importance of microfilaments and perhaps microtubules in the changes in detachability. In addition, there was a positive correlation between levels of surface LETS protein and cell substrate adherence following a temperature shift, although it seems probable that the bulk of the surface LETS is neither necessary nor sufficient for maintenance of normal cell substrate adherence.


The genome-associated, specific RNA binding proteins of avian and mammalian type C viruses. A structural protein purified from the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) can specificially bind in vitro to purified avian, but not mammalian, type C viral RNA. Following ultraviolet irradiation of viral particles under conditions which stabilize the polyploid 70S viral RNA, the same polypeptide can be directly purified from the RSV genome. Based on its electrophoretic mobility in polyacrylamide gels containing sodium dodecylsulfate, the RNA binding protein has been identified as the major phosphoprotein (p19) of avian type C viruses. Similar experiments show that the major phosphoproteins of mammalian type C viruses (p12 for murine viruses and p16 for endogenous primate viruses) are also the specific RNA binding proteins and, similarly, are found closely associated with the 70S RNA genomes in the intact viral particles.


Assembly of SV40 chromatin in a cell-free system from Xenopus eggs. A cell-free system is described which assembles chromatin from purified DNA in 1 hr under physiological incubation conditions. It consists of a 145,000 x g (maximum) supernatant fraction from eggs of Xenopus laevis. It converts SV40 DNA to a nucleoprotein which co-sediments with naturally occurring SV40 chromatin and which can be cleaved by micrococcal nuclease to a highly ordered pattern of DNA fragments resembling those from digestion of liver chromatin. It inserts superhelical turns into relaxed, covalently closed DNA. The assembly process is not cooperative. Under limiting conditions, each DNA molecule becomes partially assembled. Assembly does not require replication of the DNA or protein synthesis, but occurs from a stored histone pool of at least 40 ng per egg. Under conditions of DNA excess, assembly becomes dependent upon the amount of exogenous histones added to the incubation. Apart from histones and a nicking-closing activity, chromatin assembly requires an additonal thermolabile factor which is present in the egg supernatant.


Teratocarcinoma differentiation: plasminogen activator activity associated with embryoid body formation. Changes in plasminogen activator activity have been examined as a clonal line of mouse embryonal carcinoma cells aggregate and differentiate to form cystic embryoid bodies in vitro. Within the first 10 days of study, the pluripotent embryonal carcinoma cells aggregate; a layer of endodermal cells appears on the outside of the aggregate forming an embryoid body; a basement membrane forms between the outer layer of endodermal cells and the internal cells; a cyst forms within the embryoid body; and the internal cells assume a columnar appearance along the inner portion of the basement membrane. After the formation of the endodermal layer, there is a rise in intracellular plasminogen activator activity. This rise continues for up to 25 days in culture, providing that the three-dimensional integrity of the embryoid bodies is maintained by culturing them on bacterial petri dishes. Selective removal of the outer endodermal layer of cells reduces the plasminogen activatory activity of the resulting embryoid body cores. Intracellular and secreted plasminogen activator activity of simple embryoid bodies composed of only two cell types can be increased by culturing the embryoid bodies in dbcAMP, theophylline, or cholera toxin. These results suggest that the embryoid body endodermal cells are the source of a cAMP-inducible plasminogen activator activity.


Differential genetic susceptibility of cultured human skin fibroblasts to transformation by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus. Hereditary adenomatosis of the colon and rectum (ACR), an autosomal dominant trait, is associated with a predisposition to neoplasia. The present study describes the differential genetic susceptibility of cultured human skin fibroblasts to transformation by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus. Primary cutaneous outgrowths were derived from normal appearing subepidermal biopsies of ACR phenotypes and appropriate controls. Exponentially growing cell cultures from ACR subjects and a portion of the clinically asymptomatic ACR progeny subjected to the viral probe were 100-1000 fold more susceptible to transformation than were normal skin fibroblast cultures. The virally transformed human skin fibroblasts showed a loss of anchorage dependency in carboxymethylcellulose suspension and formed tumors in athymic mice. The results suggest that skin fibroblasts obtained from individuals gine sarcoma virus.


cAMP,-induced changes in cAMP-binding sites on D; discoideum amebae. Cell surface levels of 3H-cAMP binding to Dictyostelium discoideum amebae are dramatically reduced when cells are preincubated with cAMP. This decrease in 3H-cAMP binding is shown to reflect a loss in the number of binding sites and not in any significant change in their affinity constants(s). cAMP-mediated loss of its binding sites requires the continued presence of the cyclic nucleotide and does not depend upon protein synthesis. Reapparition of sites, which occurs when cAMP is eliminated from the media, also does not depend upon protein synthesis. Experiments using metabolic inhibitors and heat-killed cells suggest that the loss of binding sites is a direct consequence of the formation of cAMP-binding protein complexes.


Analysis of a mutant strain of human fibroblasts with a defect in the internalization of receptor-bound low density lipoprotein. A new type of mutation that affects a discrete step in the process of adsorptive endocytosis has been identified in one of 22 strains of fibroblasts derived from subjects with the clinical phenotype of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). In this unique mutant strain (derived from subject J.D.), the cell surface receptor for plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) was able to bind 125I-labeled LDL normally, but internalization of the receptor-bound lipoprotein failed to occur. Thus the defect in this strain differed from the defects found in the fibroblasts from the other 21 FH homozygote strains in which the binding of 125I-LDL to the receptor was either absent (receptor-negative) or markedly reduced (receptor-defective). The LDL receptor in the J.D. cells exhibited first, normal kinetics of high affinity binding at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C; second, normal specificity (affinity for LDL more than 200 fold greater than for HDL); third, normal susceptibility to feed-back suppression by 25-hydroxycholesterol plus cholesterol; and fourth, a normal rate of turnover when the cells were treated with cycloheximide. Despite its normal ability to bind 125I-LDL, the LDL receptor in the J.D. cells failed to transport its LDL into the cell, and degradation of the lipoprotein in cellular lysosomes therefore did not occur. As a result, the lipoprotein did not suppress 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity; nor did it activate cholesteryl ester formation. A phenocopy of the internalization defect in the J.D. cells could be created by incubation of normal fibroblasts with N-ethyl maleimide, an agent that did not affect 125I-LDL binding to the receptor but blocked its subsequent internalization by the cell. The current data indicate that at least two gene products are necessary for the adsorptive endocytosis of LDL: one that is required for the binding of the lipoprotein, and one that promotes the internalization of the receptor-bound ligand.


Transformation of cultured human vascular endothelium by SV40 DNA. Primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HEC) developed extensive cytopathic changes and necrosis after high multiplicity infection with wild-type SV40 virus. Using the calcium co-precipitation technique, stable transformation was obtained with purified preparations of intact circular SV40 DNA and restriction endonuclease-derived linear DNA fragments containing the entire early gene region. Smooth muscle cells, isolated from the same blood vessels, showed neither cytopathic effects nor transformation after similar treatment with SV40 virus or DNA. The HEC cultures transformed by SV40 (SVHEC) expressed SV40-specific T (tumor) and Tr (transplantation) antigens, but not V (viral capsid) antigen. No evidence of infectious virus production was found upon co-cultivation with the CV-1 line of monkey kidney cells. Transformation resulted in markedly increased growth potential, loss of anchorage dependence and topoinhibition of growth, and a reduced serum requirement. Prolonged subcultivation was accompanied by chromosomal abnormalities and eventual "crisis". Transformed cells did not exhibit endothelial-specific organelles (Weibel-Palade bodies) or factor VIII antigen, but angiotensin-converting enzyme occasionally was detectable in SVHEC cultures. SV40-transformed human vascular endothelium, a nonfibroblast diploid cell type, may be useful in studies of oncogenesis and control of the differentiated state.


Construction of hybrid viruses containing SV40 and lambda phage DNA segments and their propagation in cultured monkey cells. This paper describes the successful construction and propagation of a transducing animal virus. A segment of DNA approximately 2 kilobases (kb) in length was removed from the late region of the SV40 genome by sequential cleavages with Hpa II and Bam HI endonucleases (at 0.735 and 0.13, respectively, on the SV40 DNA map). A segment of about 1.5 kb of lambda phage containing ORI (the origin of lambda DNA replication), the two structural genes CII and cro, and four transcriptional promoters, was inserted into the late region of SV40 by the poly(dA:dT) joining procedure. The resulting hybrid DNAs were cloned and propagated as virions in CV-1 monkey kidney cells by mixed infections at 41 degrees C with tsA58, an early mutant of SV40. The location, size, and orientation of the inserted lambda DNA segment was verified by restriction endonuclease digestions and by heteroduplex analysis. Clones with each of the two possible orientations of the lambda DNA segment were isolated. CV-1 cells infected with lambda-SV40 hybrid virus contain little or no lambda-specific RNA or proteins, even though the hybrid virus replicates nearly as well as the helper virus.


Nucleotide sequences at the 5'termini of rabbit alpha and beta globin mRNA. The nucleotide sequences at the 5' termini of rabbit alpha and beta globin mRNAs have been determined. Periodate oxidation of globin mRNA followed by reduction with 3H-sodium borohydride and subsequent analysis of the 3H-labeled mRNA reveals the presence of the "cap" structure m7G5'ppp- blocking the 5' terminus. After periodate oxidation, beta elimination, and phosphomonoesterase treatment to remove the m7G5'ppp- "cap," the 5' end of globin mRNA was labeled with 32P using gamma-32P-ATP and T4 polynucleotide kinase. The 5'-32P-labeled alpha and beta globin mRNAs were then resolved from each other by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions and sequenced separately. The 5' terminal nucleotide sequences determined are: alpha--m7G5'ppp5m6AmC(m)ACUUCUGG- BETA--M7G5'ppp5m6AmC(m) ACUUGCUUUUGACACAA Besides the m7G "cap" structure, the two sequences are identical for the first six nucleotides and then diverge. No initiator codon is present within the first ten nucleotides from the 5' end of the alpha globin mRNA, and the first nineteen nucleotides from the 5' end of beta globin mRNA.


Interaction of Pt(II) complexes with DNAs from various sources. A circular dichroism study. The interaction of cis- and trans-Pt(NH3)2Cl2 with DNAs of different base composition was studied by means of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. The spectra obtained indicated a partial transformation of the secondary structure of DNA (B- less than C transition) with an increased helix winding. Subtle differences were noted between the two isomers, possibly related to changes in base orientation due to the different molecular geometries of the P+(II) complexes.


[Lipase activity of anaerobic bacteria on glycerol-tributyrate determined by gas-liquid chromatography]. Anaerobic bacteria are classified among other criteria by the presence or absence of phospholipase and lipase. The liquid gas chromatographic method detects with great sensibility the lipasic activity of the anaerobic bacteria. A liidolytic action has been demonstrated in Cl. perfringens.


[Development of the Bandama Valley. Sanitary and social problems]. As with all water resources development projects in countries with hot climate, the man-made lake of Kossou in Ivory Coast presents social and sanitary problems. Although the resettlement and the economic recuperation of the inhabitants are well on the way, the health hazards and especially that of the generalization of schistosomiasis calls for an urgent solution. Though well planed in advance, the creation of this man-made lake, illustrates the necessity at the very beginning of a project that will distrub all the ecology of a region, to establish the total disadvantages and health hazards incurved by the people who live there. To the cost of a project should be added that of measures that would contribute to the reduction of these risks before it is too late.


Comparative effects of physical training and diet in normalizing serum lipids in men with Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia. The effect of milk physical training (PT) (group A), Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (HLP) diet (group B), and PT plus Type IV HLP diet on serum lipids (group C) in 46 men with Type IV HLP was studied. Significant reductions in mean triglyceride (TG) levels from 163, 229, 196, to 136, 145, 116 mg/100 ml serum were found for groups A, B, and C, respectively. Following six weeks of intervention, cholesterol levels also dropped for all groups with the greatest reductions occurring in groups B and C. Minimal weight losses were found for all groups while groups A and C displayed significant reductions in body fatness, but both of these changes appeared independent of lipid reductions. It was concluded that either mild PT or HLP diet or both are effective means of lowering TG levels in Type IV HLP individuals. Furthermore, it appears that patients need to participate regularly in formal programs in order to maintain adherence to these interventions.


Hydrolysis of steroid glucuronides with beta-glucuronidase preparations from bovine liver, Helix pomatia, and E. coli. We determined the enzymic activity of beta-glucuronidase preparations from bovine liver, Helix pomatia, and Escherischia coli with steroid glucuronides and nonsteroid glucuronides as substrates. We also studied the effect of Na2SO4 on the enzymic hydrolysis of several substrates with the three preparations of beta-glucuronidase. Na2SO4 increases the rate of hydrolysis of all substrates with beta-glucuronidase from bovine liver. Hydrolysis of a steroid glucoronide with beta-glucuronidase from Helix pomatia and E. coli is inhibited by Na2SO4. None of the three enzyme preparations gives complete hydrolysis of urinary steroid conjugates, because urine contains inhibitors, which can be removed by absorption chromatography of the urine on a column of neutral polystyrene resin Amberlite XAD-2. But when Amberlite XAD-2 is not used, hydrolysis of urinary glucuronides of androsterone, etiocholanolone, pregnanediol, estriol, and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids proves that, given an incubation time of 24 h, the beta-glucuronidase preparation from bovine liver, in the presence of Na2SO4, is suited for determining all of the above steroids except esriol; the preparation from Helix pomatia is good for determining estriol and 17-hydroxycorticosteroids; the preparation from E. coli is good for determining androsterone, 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, and especially estriol, the glucuronide, of which is maximally hydrolyzed in 2 h.


Beta-lipoprotein cholesterol quantitation with polycations. We compared direct determination of beta-lipoprotein cholesterol after selective extraction of very-low-density and high-density lipoproteins from serum with poly(ethyleneimine) and a cation-exchange resin with the classical quantitation after lipoprotein fractionation with the ultracentrifuge. At beta-lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations between 1.50 and 5.00 g/liter the correlation is linear (r = 0.95). The precision for the extraction procedure is as good (CV 2.4-2.8%) as for the quantitation by ultracentrifugation (CV 3.2-6.0%). From solutions of isolated lipoproteins, very-low-density lipoproteins are 93% extracted and high-density lipoproteins 60%, but low-density-lipoproteins only 5%. The molecular mechanism of the extraction is supposed to be due to both hydrophobic interaction of long-chain fatty acid residues and ionic interaction of phospholipids located at the surface of very low-density and high-density lipoproteins and the lipophilic polycation.


Radioimmunoassay for adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate in human blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid. I describe a highly sensitive and very specific assay for cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in body fluids. An adaptation of the method of Harper and Brooker [j. cyclic Nucleotide Res. 1,207 (1975)], its advantage lies in the fact that the simple acetylation of the samples--a procedure developed by these workers--greatly increases specificity and sensitivity beyond those of previous methods and permits the measurement of femtomole quantities of both cyclic nucleotides without prepurification. Because the range of the cyclic AMP assay is 20-200 fmol, and that of cyclic GMP 10-15 fmol, experiments can be performed with use of only microliters of fluid. The method requires no extraction and thus no complicated corrections are necessary for analytical recovery.


Disorders of fructose metabolism.

Disorders of fructose metabolism. There are fundamental differences between the metabolic fate of fructose and of glucose. Whereas the metabolism of glucose is controlled by hormones such as insulin, fructose uptake and phosphorylation in the liver occurs independently of hormones and its ultimate metabolic fate is unpredictable. Essential fructosuria, a harmless inherited anomaly of fructose metabolism, is the least harmful of the disorders of fructose metabolism. Hereditary fructose intolerance and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency are discussed in greater detail with regard to biochemical abnormalities and clinical aspects. HFI is most serious in bottle-fed infants who cannot reject their sucrose-containing diet. Patients with HFI will have no clinical symptoms if kept on a fructose-free diet. In contrast, patients with fructose-1,6-diphosphatase deficiency can tolerate frucose. However, severe infections precipitate attacks of hypoglycaemia and lactic acidosis.


Menkes kinky hair syndrome: Is it a treatable disorder? A male infant with Menkes Kinky Hair Syndrome was treated with a 3-week course of cupric acetate infusions, which was terminated when he developed aminoaciduria. The lack of improvement seen in this infant is representative of the reported experience with parenteral copper therapy in this condition, and may be attributable to the presence of a clinically significant abnormality in copper metabolism in utero.


Neurocirculatory disorders of the foot.

Neurocirculatory disorders of the foot. There is a simple rationale for care of the dysvascular neuropathic foot. Either prevention or correction of deformities, or both, is of primary importance in the insensitive or poorly healing foot. Control of edema is necessary to achieve maximum healing potential. There are tools at hand to allow the orthopedic surgeon to judge arterial supply in addition to his clinical judgment. Interest in defensive footwear, appreciation of interface forces, and the application of standard operative techniques to this ever-present population can result in significant improvement in patient care.


Cutaneous lymphangiosarcoma of Stewart-Treves. Lymphangiosarcoma of an edematous extremity is a highly malignant cutaneous neoplasm seen most often ten years after a successful radical mastectomy. The sarcoma presents with an ecchymosis and/or purplish cutaneous nodules on the edematous arm; it spreads through the bloodstream and is fatal in most cases. A case is presented which shows some typical and some unusual features of this disease.


Bullous pemphigoid and rheumatoid arthritis with herpes simplex in the vesicular fluid. Six cases of bullous perphigoid in association with rheumatoid arthritis have previously been reported in the literature. In the case reported in this paper, herpes simplex virus was found in the vesicular fluid. It is the first time this has been reported to this author's knowledge; this finding may contribute to the knowledge of the ultimate etiology of pemphigoid.