Cytogenetic analysis of the spontaneous murine B-cell leukemia (BCL1

Cytogenetic studies were carried out on the spontaneous transplantable murine B cell leukemia (BCL₁) of BALB/c mice, a recently discovered model of chronic lympholytic leukemia. BCL₁ tumor cells appear as medium to large size mature lymphocytes located predominantly in the blood (up to 500,000/mm³) and in the x50 enlarged spleen. BCL₁ cells obtained from the spleen show a certain degree of spontaneous proliferation unlike peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), but both show a good in vitro response to the B-cell mitogen lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Out of 213 spontaneously dividing spleen cells and LPS stimulated PBL studied, the majority (75.5%) showed a rather stable and complex female karyotype consisting of 36 chromosomes. No normal representative of chromosome Nos. 6, 8, 12 and 15 was present and only one normal representative was found for chromosome Nos. 4, 5, 9, 14 and X. Two deleted chromosomes and seven characteristic marker chromosomes, originating from complex chromosomal rearrangements could be identified in each cell. Of special interest was the t(12:15) translocation, which had been found in several murine plasmacytomas. No direct correlation between the chromosomal changes and the phenotypic characteristics of BCL₁ tumor cells could be made. However, the highly specific karyotype may serve as a useful marker in identifying single BCL₁ tumor cells.     

Scanning electron microscopic studies on the cytolytic effect of phallolysin on isolated rat hepatocytes and AS-30 D hepatoma cells

Summary Rat hepatocytes and AS-30 D hepatoma cells were treated in vitro with phallolysin, the toxic haemolysin from the death cap fungus Amanita phalloides. Scanning electron microscopy revealed dosedependent formation of bulky protrusions on the cell surface, which later on burst, expelling intracellular material into the surrounding medium, while the cells became stainable with trypan blue. After 1 haemolytic unit (HU)/ml the protrusions burst within 10 min; after 3 HU/ml all cells were destroyed within 3–5 min. Susceptibility of hepatoma cells did not differ from that of hepatocytes.Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft     

Über die experimentelle inverse Hornhauttransplantation beim Kaninchen

Zusammenfassung Inverse, durchgreifende, autoplastische Transplantationen unter Belassung sämtlicher Deckschichten beim Kaninchen zeigten gegenüber normalenklinisch größere Schwierigkeiten bei ihrer technischen Durchführung, größere Komplikationsneigung, erschwertes Einheilen und geringeren Erfolg (von 20 inversen Transplantaten blieben nur 2 ganz und 2 teilweise klar, dagegen waren 7 von 10 normalen klar).Histologisch zeigten sich bei den inversen Transplantaten eine verlängerte Quellung mit Nekrosen der Substantia propria und ein Um-und Abbau des Transplantates vom Rande her, was eine linsenförmige Gestalt des Transplantates bewirkte. Die Verzögerung des beidseitigen Oberflächenabschlusses durch die nach außen verlagerte Descemetsche Membran und das nach innen verlegte Deckepithel des Transplantates wurde als hauptsächliche Ursache des Mißerfolges der inversen Transplantationen angesehen. Aber selbst unter erschwerten Bedingungen wurde vom Organismus versucht, eine neue intakte Stoffwechselschranke bei den inversen Transplantaten herzustellen. So bestand meist nach 6 Wochen ein geschlossener Epithelbezug und wurde nach 3–4 Monaten ein neues Endothel gebildet, von dem aus nach 6 Monaten die Neubildung der Descemetschen Membran einsetzte. Ein Abaau der alten Descemetschen Membran wurde interessanterweise teilweise durch Entzündungszellen begonnen.Mit 5 Textabbildungen     

Indirect choroidal tears and late onset serosanguinous maculopathies

The retinal changes are described in four patients who acquired indirect choroidal tears and later developed serosanguinous maculopathies. Two subsequently received photocoagulation therapy and two did not. An analysis of previous cases reported in the literature with this condition, combined with our own findings, show that only patients with ruptures close to fixation have been observed to develop late onset haemorrhages and oedema at the macula. Spontaneous resolution with preservation of useful levels of visual function not infrequently occurs, and the indications for photocoagulation therapy are probably limited.     

Cognitive changes after amygdalotomy

Cognitive functions were examined before and one year after unilateral amygdalotomy of 15 persons with temporal lobe epilepsy. General intelligence showed no reduction, but a pattern of changes in the attention and memory tests was interpreted as a retrieval deficit manifest in material that was not organized in a context or background. These changes were not limited to recognition and reproduction but were also involved in the registration of novel occurrence.In certain retention variables an apparent improvement was seen as a by-product of the retrieval reduction.     

Spiromustine: a new agent entering clinical trials

Investigational New Drugs - Spiromustine is a new alkylating agent, of interest since it was rationally designed as a lipophilic compound capable of penetrating the CNS. This lipophilicity may also...     

An integrative index of biological effects of lead

Biological indicators of lead effects on the central nervous system (as measured by performance tests), hematogenous bone marrow (hemoglobin levels), and kidney function (BUN levels) can be combined in an integrative index (INDEX). This integrative index can be in turn related to indicators of lead exposure and absorption. Such an index was calculated by removing age effects in measures of performance and kidney function and then transforming all the variables to Z (standard) units. Secondary lead smelter workers and a control group were studied. In secondary lead smelter workers this INDEX was found to be significantly correlated with ZPP, blood lead levels, and duration of lead exposure. In this population the magnitude of the correlation coefficients with ZPP levels was much higher than that for blood lead levels. INDEX had a higher correlation with ZPP than with each of its components: performance test scores, hemoglobin, and BUN levels. Although performance test scores, hemoglobin, and BUN levels were shown to discriminate between the control, non-lead-exposed population, and the lead-exposed group, INDEX (and particularly one pair of its components, CNS and hemoglobin levels) achieved the best discrimination between groups. The concept of an integrative index of biological effects of lead may be especially useful in defining populations at high risk for developing chronic, potentially irreversible neurologic and kidney dysfunction, and in assessing the severity of lead effects in individual cases.     

Possible Linkage between Xg and the Locus for a Gene causing Mental Retardation with or without Hydrocephalus

The Xg groups of a kindred in which an X-borne gene evidently caused mental retardation with or without hydrocephalus suggest that the locus for this gene may be linked to Xg.