Binding of lectins to “young” and “old” human erythrocytes

Summary Old human erythrocytes showed a 21.2% decrease in cell surface area and a 2% decrease in the number of WGA receptor sites, but a 27% increase in the distribution density of the WGA (lectin) receptor site, when compared with young human erythrocytes. For a list of lectin abbreviations, see Materials and methods). Both young and old erythrocytes exhibited very weak binding activity for ¹²⁵I-labeled PNA, but there was no difference in binding activity for PNA between young erythrocytes and old ones. Compared with young erythrocytes, decreases in the number and distribution density of receptor sites for five lectins including LPA, Con A, RCA-II, SBA and BPA on the cell surface were observed in aged erythrocytes. Old erythrocytes also showed a decrease in the number of PHA-E receptor sites, while the distribution density of the same receptor site remained unchanged. In view of these and other observations, it is thought that human erythrocyte aging is accompanied by elimination of some glycoconjugates which have affinity for six lectins, LPA, Con A, RCA-II, PHA-E, SBA and BPA, whereas no WGA receptor-containing glycoconjugates are released from erythrocyte membranes. Elimination of the glycoconjugates results in shrinkage of erythrocytes to reduce their cell surface areas.     

Gene expression of cytokines suppressing hematopoietic progenitor cells in lymphoid malignancies

Summary The expression of cytokine genes for tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin and transforming growth factor (TGF), all of which are known to suppress normal hematopoiesis, was investigated in 32 patients with lymphoid malignancies using Northern blot analysis. Messenger RNA (mRNA) for TNF, lymphotoxin and TGF was detected in 9 cases, 2 cases and 7 cases, respectively. When the relationship between cytokine gene expression and surface phenotype was analyzed, the expression of CD19 correlated significantly with expression of the TNF gene (P<0.05). This suggests that B cell malignancies are likely to produce TNF. When the hematological parameters of patients expressing and not expressing the gene were compared, the expression of TNF mRNA was found to correlate with more profound anemia in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (P<0.05). Both granulocyte and platelet counts were lower in patients expressing TNF mRNA; however, the decreases were not significant. Neither lymphotoxin nor TGF gene expression correlated significantly with any hematological parameter.Abbreviations TNF tumor necrosis factor - TGF transforming growth factor - IL interleukin - ALL acute lymphoblastic leukemia - CLL chronic lymphocytic leukemia - ATLL adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma - NHL non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - MM multiple myeloma Partly supported by grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan (60770949, 63015063, 02256102, 03670325) and from the Fukuoka Anti-Cancer-Society.     

The ability of heat stress and metabolic preconditioning to protect primary rat cardiac myocytes

Primary rat cardiocytes were subjected to either thermal preconditioning for 30 min at 43°C or 20 min metabolic preconditioning (10 mM deoxyglucose, 20 mM lactate, pH 6.5). Eighteen hours later cells were analysed either for hsp 70i expression or subjected to a subsequent lethal heat stress or simulated ischaemia (10 mM deoxyglucose, 20 mM lactate, 0.75 mM sodium dithionite, 12 mM potassium chloride, pH 6.5) for 2 hours and assessed for survival by trypan blue exclusion.Hsp 70i was induced over 100 fold by thermal preconditioning and 30 fold by metabolic preconditioning (p<0.001, p<0.05), hsp 90 was induced 2.71 fold and 2.24 fold (p<0.001, p<0.001) by thermal and metabolic preconditioning respectively, while hsp 60 was not induced by either treatment. Preconditioned cultures had improved survival against subsequent lethal heat stress or simulated ischaemia: Thermal preconditioning reduced death from 69.22% to 52.46% upon subsequent lethal heat stress and from 49.13% to 36.66% upon subsequent lethal simulated ischaemia. Metabolic preconditioning reduced cell death from 51.29% to 33.8% against subsequent lethal heat stress, and from 69.09% to 55.61% upon subsequent lethal simulated ischaemia. A second marker of cell death, the release of lactate dehydrogenase activity into the culture media, was reduced to 65% and 60% of control values for thermally preconditioned cells subjected to lethal heat or lethal simulated ischaemia respectively. Metabolically preconditioned cells demonstrated lactate dehydrogenase activity of 59% and 51% that of control values, when subjected to lethal heat or lethal simulated ischaemia respectively.Abbreviations hsp heat stress protein - hsp 70i inducible 70 kDa heat stress protein - LDH lactate dehydrogenase - PBS phosphate buffered saline     

Household composition of the elderly in two rural villages in the People's Republic of China

This paper reports on the household composition of a sample of elderly residing in two villages in Zhejiang Province, China, one that is prospering under the post 1978 economic reforms and another that is not. It reveals that while a large proportion of the elderly in both the study villages are part of single generation households, the two villages differ with respect to the composition of the single generation household category. In the prosperous village, 50% of the elderly are living alone or with a spouse and 6% are living by turns (rotating between son's residences). In the less prosperous village, 26% are living alone or with a spouse while 22% participate in by turns arrangements. The paper suggests that a failure to separate analytically the by turns arrangements obscures the extent to which China's rural elderly now live in economic units separate from their offspring and masks important aspects of the differential impact of the new economic reforms on the household situation of the elderly in different villages.     

CEA (carcinoembryonic antigen): Its role as a marker in the management of cancer

Summary A Consensus Development Conference was held at the National Institutes of Health from September 29-October 1, 1980, to address issues concerning the role of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a marker in the management of cancer. The panel met following formal presentations and discussions to assess the issues based on the evidence presented. These issues included: Should CEA be used in cancer screening? Is CEA helpful in cancer diagnosis? What does CEA tell about the extent and outcome of cancer? Is CEA helpful in monitoring cancer treatment? This paper constitutes the panel's findings.The Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology publishes in loose succession Editorials and Guest Editorials on current and/or controversial problems in experimental and clinical oncology. These contributions represent exclusively the personal opinion of the author. The EditorsThis paper is the official report of the panel members, listed above, resulting from the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen): Its Role as a Marker in the Management of Cancer. This consensus conference was sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, assisted by the Office for Medical Applications of Research, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. The conference was organized by Dr. K. R. McIntire and Mr. L. P. Greenberg, Diagnosis Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD     

Insulin and growth hormone responses to glucose loading in treated acromegalics

Summary The insulin and growth hormone responses to oral glucose load (100 g) in 23 acronaegalic patients, previously treated by external irradiation, are described. Based on current clinical findings, sixteen acromegalics were considered inactive and seven patients active. Two of the latter were treated diabetics. Thirteen healthy, non-obese subjects formed the control group. Five inactive acromegalics had blood glucose values exceeding the upper limits of normal after the glucose load. Both the inactive and active acromegalics had hyperinsulinemia in the fasting state and after glucose load. The observation of an exaggerated serum insulin response to glucose load in clinically inactive acromegalics suggested that chronically elevated levels of circulating growth hormone may have led to permanent changes in the responsiveness of the pancreatic islets to glucose stimulation. The mean fasting value of serum growth hormone was about the same in the controls and the inactive acromegalics; the latter did not show suppression in serum growth hormone levels after glucose load.Research Fellow, Medical Research Council of Canada     

Serum cytokines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Serum cytokines such as interleukin 1 (IL-1), interferon (IFN-), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were measured in 40 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the 40 patients studied, serum IL-1 was detected in 5 patients, IFN- in 10 patients, and TNF in 20 patients. The IL-1-positive group showed increased values of activity indices compared to the IL-1-negative group. Values of serum IFN- correlated well with the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD3⁺ cells and with the percentage of CD3⁺ CD26⁺ cells. Values of serum TNF correlated positively with the number of peripheral blood monocytes and the percentage of CD3⁺ HLA-DR⁺ and CD3⁺ CD25⁺ cells. These results indicated that serum IL-1 in RA patients reflects the activity of RA, while the serum IFN- and TNF in RA patients may be related to circulating activated lymphocytes and monocytes, respectively.     

Changes in expression levels of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism: upregulation of all three members of the PPAR family (α, γ, δ) and the newly described adiponectin receptor 2, but not adiponectin receptor 1 during neonatal cardiac development of the rat

During neonatal cardiac development, the heart changes its substrate preference from glucose to fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in mRNA expression levels of genes involved in the control of cardiac fatty acid metabolism in the transition from neonatal to adult life. Methods mRNA expression levels for peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) , and , PPAR co–factor 1 and (PGC–1 and ), 9–cis retinoc–acid–activated receptor , and (RXR , , ), 5–AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) 1 and 2, adiponectin receptor 1 and 2 (AR 1 and AR 2) were measured in heart tissue of neonatal 0–day, 7–day and 21– day old rats. Results mRNA expression of all three members of the PPAR family were upregulated significantly from day 0 to day 21 ( +117%, +133%, +203%). In addition, m–RNA expression of all RXR isoforms increased from day 0 to day 7 ( +125%, +69%; +41%). AR 2 exhibited a small but significant increase in mRNA expression (+ 46%). Conclusions We were able to demonstrate for the first time that in addition to PPAR, also PPAR and , as well as all RXR isoforms and AR 2 are upregulated in the heart during neonatal development.Drs. Steinmetz and Quentin contributed equally to this publication     

Inactivation of HIV in plasma derivatives by β-propiolactone and UV irradiation

Summary The inactivation of HIV in human plasma and plasma derivatives by combined treatment with -propiolactone and UV-irradiation was investigated. -propiolactone inactivated 3.5 log₁₀ and UV 2.8 log₁₀ HIV in plasma and -propiolactone 3.5 log₁₀ in cryoprecipitate and UV irradiation 4.5 log₁₀ in factor VIII concentrate.

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Inaktivierung von HIV in Plasmaderivaten durch -Propiolacton in Kombination mit UV-Bestrahlung

Zusammenfassung Untersucht wurde die Inaktivierung von HIV in humanem Plasma und Plasmaderivaten durch die kombinierte Behandlung mit -Propiolacton und UV-Bestrahlung. HIV wurde durch -Propiolacton um 3,5 log₁₀ und UV um 2,8 log₁₀ in Plasma und durch -Propiolacton um 3,5 log₁₀ in Kryopräzipitat bzw. durch UV um 4,5 log₁₀ in Faktor VIII-Konzentrat inaktiviert.

     

Interpretation of blood cultures yielding staphylococcus aureus

Summary Forty-eight patients with blood cultures positive for Staphylococcus aureus were classified according to clinical criteria in three groups: definite, possible, and doubtful septicemia. Using traditional blood culture sets with two bottles (thioglycollate and tryptic soy broths), we found that patients with definite septicemia always showed more than one positive bottle per day if more than one set was drawn, that the mean detection time was 1.7 days, and that 95% of the first positive bottles and 92% of all positive bottles grew within two days of incubation. Patients with doubtful septicemia were more often (88%) positive in one bottle only, the mean detection time for all bottles was 3.7 days, and only 35% of the first positive bottles and 33% of all positive bottles yielded growth within two days. Possible cases took a position between these two extremes but tended more towards the doubtful cases. The implications of these findings for the interpretation of blood cultures with S. aureus are discussed.

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Interpretation von Blutkulturen mit Staphylococcus aureus

Zusammenfassung 48 Patienten, aus deren Blutkulturen Staphylococcus aureus gezüchtet worden war, wurden nach klinischen Kriterien in drei Gruppen eingeteilt: unzweifelhafte, mögliche und zweifelhafte Septikämie. Bei Verwendung eines traditionellen Blutkultursystems mit zwei Flaschen pro Kultur (Thioglykolat- und Tryptic Soy-Bouillons) ergab sich, daß Patienten mit unzweifelhafter Septikämie stets mehr als eine positive Flasche pro Tag aufwiesen — sofern mehr als eine Kultur pro Tag entnommen worden war —, daß die mittlere Bebrütungsdauer bis zur Positivität 1,7 Tage betrug, und daß 95% der ersten positiven Flaschen und 92% aller positiven Flaschen innerhalb von zwei Tagen Wachstum von S. aureus zeigten. Patienten mit zweifelhafter Septikämie zeigten häufiger (in 88%) Wachstum in nur einer Flasche, die mittlere Bebrütungsdauer betrug 3,7 Tage, und nur 35% der ersten positiven Flaschen und 33% aller positiven Flaschen ergaben Wachstum innerhalb von zwei Tagen. Mögliche Septikämien nahmen eine Zwischenstellung ein, tendierten jedoch mehr nach der zweifelhaften Kategoric. Folgerungen für die Interpretation von Blutkulturen mit S. aureus werden diskutiert.

     

An evaluation of gastric hypothermia

Conclusions Gastric cooling is an acceptable, sustaining procedure beneficial in the control of upper gastrointestinal bleeding of known or obscure origin. In its present mode of application, gastric freezing is not entirely satisfactory for management of intractable duodenal ulcer. This technic inconsistently alters symptoms of ulcer, causes acute gastric mucosal damage, and may so influence some factor related to ulcer diathesis as to provide adjunctive therapy. Gastric freezing is deserving of further evaluation and development under more rigidly controlled circumstances.This study was supported by grants AM-07624 and AM-07539 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, Bethesda, Md.Presented at a postgraduate course. Current Therapy in Gastroenterology. (Nov. 16–17, 1963) sponsored by Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans. La.Trainee in gastroenterology under a grant from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases.     

Role of Central Interleukin-1β in Gastrointestinal Motor Disturbances Induced by Lipopolysaccharide in Sheep

Cytokines are involved in the symptoms of theacute phase response induced by infectious diseases inhumans as well as in animals, and interleukin-1(IL-1 ) has a pivotal role in these changes. The role of central IL-1 in the gastrointestinalhypomotility and fever evoked by intravenousadministration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and themechanisms involved, were investigated in sheep as anexperimental model. LPS (0.1 g/kg, intravenously)induced gastrointestinal hypomotility and fever thatwere significantly reduced by priorintracerebroventricular administration of IL-1receptor antagonist protein (IL-1ra, 2 g/kg). The effects of LPS were mimickedby intracerebroventricular IL-1 (50 ng/kg),whereas IL-1 injected intravenously at the samedose only caused a slight and transient fever withoutmodifying the gastrointestinal motility. Priorintracerebroventricular administration of thecyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (100 g/kg) butnot the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptorantagonist -helical CRF_9-41 (5 g/kg) blocked alleffects evoked by both LPS and IL-1. These resultssuggest that in sheep, LPS induces digestive motordisturbances through a central release of IL-1 andprostaglandins.     

Impairment of monocyte “lectin-like” receptor activity in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients

Summary In order to investigate whether the ability of peripheral blood monocytes to bind bacteria is impaired in diabetes, we studied carbohydrate-binding (lectin-like) receptors and the receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin on monocytes from 25 male Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients and 10 age-matched healthy control subjects. Peripheral blood monocytes from the diabetic patients expressed lower levels of lectin-like receptors compared to the control subjects, whereas the expression of the receptor for the Fc portion of immunoglobulin was similar in both populations. There was no correlation between the degree of lectin-like binding activity and plasma glucose concentration or glycaemic control. Recognition of unopsonized bacteria by the lectin-like receptor is impaired in Type 1 diabetes; this may affect the efficient elimination of potential pathogens.     

A Three-dimensional Analysis of Blood Vessels in Bronchioloalveolar Carcinoma

The three-dimensional architecture of blood vessels within lung adenocarcinomas has not been well studied. In 19 cases with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma with central fibrosis, we three-dimensionally examined blood vessel architecture in 150 m thick sections stained with elastin staining and anti-CD34 antibody. We examined four regions: normal alveoli and three regions within the tumor including an area adjacent to the normal alveoli (external area), an area in which tumor cells were replacing epithelial cells (replacement area), and a central fibrotic area (fibrotic area). Elastin staining showed that elastic fibers formed the framework of the alveoli, and the alveolar structure shrank more strongly to the center of the tumor due to folding of alveolar walls invaded by adenocarcinoma cells. We also measured three vessel parameters in these four regions. The vessel diameters were 4.08±1.10 m, 3.95±1.02 m, 5.04±1.56 m, and 6.11±2.23 m, the circumferences of those vessels seen as complete circles were 43.11±12.78 m, 43.71±12.87 m, 95.21±39.32 m, and 126.77±54.65 m; the lengths between vessel bifurcations were 13.28±3.08 m, 13.47±4.58 m, 24.91±9.66 m, and 41.82±28.08 m in the normal alveoli, and the external, replacement, and fibrotic areas, respectively. Blood vessel architecture changed such that the vessels became larger and coarser towards the center of the tumor. Our three-dimensional analysis suggests continuous remodeling of alveolar capillaries rather than angiogenesis within bronchioloalveolar carcinoma.     

Thalassemia intermedia: compound heterozygous β∘/β+-thalassemia and co-inherited heterozygous α+-thalassemia

Summary The relative excess of - over -globin chains in the erythroid precursors is the chief pathophysiological factor of homozygous -thalassemia. The clinical picture is usually characterized by a transfusion-dependent dyserythropoietic anemia (thalassemia major). However, some patients present with moderate anemia that does not require regular blood transfusions (thalassemia intermedia). The molecular heterogeneity of -thalassemia mutations and changes of - and -globin gene expression play an important role in modifying the clinical phenotype. We report here on a female Greek patient with homozygous -thalassemia but normal growth and development, excellent exercise tolerance, and no need of blood transfusions. She is thus mildly affected clinically, although there is marked pallor, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly. These signs correspond to her marked hypochromic, microcytic anemia with erythroid hyperplasia of the bone marrow. -Globin genotyping shows her to be compound heterozygous for the codon 39 C T -nonsense mutation and for the T C ⁺-mutation at position 6 of the splice consensus at the exon 1/intron 1 junction (CD39 C T/IVS 1–6 T C). -Globin gene mapping demonstrates the presence of a 3.7-kb ⁺-thalassemia deletion on one allele (–^3.7/). Taken together, this study identifies a complex interaction of genetic factors that do not significantly alter the clinical phenotype when present alone but ameliorate the course of homozygous -thalassemia when inherited in combination.Abbreviations Hb hemoglobin - Hct hematocrit - HPFH hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin - IVS intervening sequence - MCH mean corpuscular hemoglobin - MCV mean corpuscular volume - PCR polymerase chain reaction     

Presence of Two Signaling TGF-β Receptors in Human Pancreatic Cancer Correlates with Advanced Tumor Stage

Transforming growth factor- (TGF-)signal transduction is mediated via specific cellsurface signaling TGF- receptors, most notably thetype I ALK5 (TR-I_ALK5)and the type II(TR-II). We evaluated TR-I_ALK5 andTR-II expression in 41 human pancreatic cancertissue samples and correlated these findings withclinical data of the patients. Northern blot analysisindicated that, in comparison with the normal pancreas,pancreatic adenocarcinomas exhibited 8.0-fold and4.5-fold increases (P < 0.01), respectively, in mRNAlevels encoding TR-I_ALK5 andTR-II. In situ hybridization showed that both TR-I_ALK5 mRNAwere highly expressed in the majority of pancreaticcancer cells. Immunohistochemical analysis ofTR-I_ALK5 and TR-II revealedpositive immunostaining in 73% and 56% of the tumors, respectively. Both receptorswere concomitantly present in 54% of the pancreaticcancer samples. The presence ofTR-I_ALK5 or TR-II and theconcomitant presence of TR-I_ALK5 and TR-II in the cancer cells was associatedwith advanced tumor stage (P < 0.01). These findingsshow that in many human pancreatic cancers, increasedlevels of the two signaling TRs are present. The presence of the signaling TRs inadvanced tumor stages indicates a role in diseaseprogression.     

Age-related Variations in the Neuroendocrine Control,More Than Impaired Receptor Sensitivity,Cause The Reduction in the GH-releasing Activity of GHRPs in Human Aging

The mechanisms underlying the reduction in the GH-releasing activity of GHRPs in aging are still unclear. Aim of our study was to verify in man whether age-related impairment of the neurohormonal control of GH secretion and/or receptor alterations are involved in the reduced GH response to GHRPs in aging. To this goal, in 16 normal elderly subjects (E, 66–81 yr) and 12 young controls (Y, 24–28 yr) we studied the effects of 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg iv Hexarelin (HEX), a synthetic hexapeptide, or GHRH, as well as the interaction among HEX (2.0 g/kg), GHRH (2.0 g/kg) and arginine (ARG, 0.5 gr/kg) on GH secretion. In Y the GH response to increasing doses of HEX (1.0 vs. 2.0 vs. 3.0 g/kg; AUC0;v–120 ± SEM: 1728.4 ± 406.4 vs. 2265.9 ± 298.4 vs. 2934.3 ± 482.2 g//L/h, p < 0.05 for 1.0 vs. 2.0 g/kg) and GHRH (649.6 ± 111.4 vs. 792.2 ± 117.6 vs. 1402.6 ± 363.0 g/L/h) showed a progressive increase. Two g/kg HEX and 1 g/kg GHRH were the maximal effective doses. Similarly, in E the GH response to increasing doses of HEX (336.7 ± 50.0 vs. 742.8 ± 157.9 vs. 1205.1 ± 178.1 g/L/h, p < 0.05 for 1.0 vs. 2 g/kg, p < 0.001 for 1.0 vs. 3.0 g/kg and p < 0.03 for 2.0 vs. 3.0 g/kg) and GHRH (183.8 ± 27.3 vs. 260.9 ± 17.3 vs. 356.1 ± 46.3 g/L/h, p < 0.005 for 1.0 vs. 3.0 g/kg and p < 0.05 for 2.0 vs. 3.0 g/kg) showed a progressive increase. In E the GH response to 3 g/kg HEX or GHRH were clearly higher than those to 2 g/kg. However, at each dose the GH responses to HEX or GHRH in E were lower (p < 0.05) than those in Y. In Y the GH response to HEX + GHRH was synergistical (4259.2 ± 308.0 g/L/h, p < 0.05). ARG strikingly potentiated the GHRH-induced GH rise (2640.8 ± 273.6 g/L/h, p < 0.01) but not the HEX-induced one (2371.7 ± 387.2 g/L/h) as well as the synergistical effect of HEX and GHRH (4009.1 ± 360.8 g/L/h). In E the GH response to HEX and GHRH was still synergistical (1947.7 ± 306.0 g/L/h, p < 0.05) but these responses were lower than those in young (p < 0.01). On the other hand, in E ARG restored the GH response to GHRH (1858.9 ± 172.8 g/L/h, p < 0.01) and even those to HEX (2069.5 ± 528.7 g/L/h, p < 0.01) and HEX + GHRH (4406.0 ± 1079.2 g/L/h, p < 0.05). Our present results indicate that the impairment of GHRP and GHRH receptor activity may have a role in the reduction of the somatotrope responsiveness in aging. However, the age-related reduction in the GH-releasing activity of GHRPs seems mainly dependent on age-related variations in the neural control, i.e. concomitant GHRH hypoactivity and somatostatinergic hyperactivity.     

β-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity in normal mucosa,muscle layer,adenocarcinoma, and polyp of the colon

-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity was detected in the mucosa and muscle layer of normal colon, adenocarcinomas derived from the colon mucosa, and colon polyps which were histologically confirmed to be adenoma without a focus of carcinoma or with in situ carcinoma. The contents of -endorphin-like immunoreactivity in adenocarcinomatous tissue (11.94± 1.77 pmollg wet wt) and colon polyps without focus of carcinoma (10.71 ±1.50 pmollg wet wt) were found to be significantly higher than those in the mucosal layer (6.86± 0.64 pmollg wet wt) and muscle layer (8.30 ±0.68 pmollg wet wt) of normal colon. These data suggest that the production of -endorphin-like immunoreactivity is specifically increased in some adenocarcinomas and adenomatous polyps and may be related to the alteration of bowel habits. Gel exclusion chromatography of - endorphinlike immunoreactivity revealed three peaks corresponding to -endorphin, -lipotropin, and an immunoreactive form between the two. In the mucosal layer and muscle layer of the colon, a broad major peak was eluted at the position of -endorphin, and minor peaks were eluted at the position of -lipotropin and between -endorphin and -lipotropin. In adenocarcinoma and polyp, the peak size corresponding to authentic -lipotropin was greater than that of -endorphin. This study demonstrated that -endorphin-like immunoreactivity existed at a high concentration in some colon adenocarcinomas and polyps whose elution patterns were different from those of normal colon tissue.     

Use of cultured human tissues and cells in carcinogenesis research

Summary A variety of approaches are used to study carcinogenesis. Recent advances in techniques for culture of human tissues and cells have provided additional experimental systems of study the process of carcinogenesis and the genetics of cancer.The Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology publishes in loose succession Editorials and Guest Editorials on current and/or controversial problems in experimental and clinical oncology. These contributions represent exclusively the personal opinion of the author.     

Investigation of magnesium absorption in children using<Superscript>28</Superscript>Mg

Membrane-bound acid -glucosidase of human spleen was solubilized with either sodium cholate or Cutscum. The solubilized enzyme in type 1 (adult) Gaucher disease was less heat-stable than the normal enzyme, and when precipitated by ammonium sulphate it had a higher apparent molecular weight than the corresponding normal enzyme. The normal -glucosidase was activated by taurocholate, whereas the Gaucher enzyme was inhibited. The decrease in acid -glucosidase activity in Gaucher disease was associated with a profound deficiency of that form of the enzyme which bound to Concanavalin A. The results are consistent with faulty processing of newly synthesized acid -glucosidase in type 1 Gaucher disease.