Effects of deprivation of two essential amino acids on DNA synthesis in chinese hamster cells

The effects of isoleucine deprivation on DNA synthesis were compared with leucine deprivation. Omission of either amino acid prevented entry of G1 cells into S. Cells deprived of isoleucine were able to complete S although the rate of DNA synthesis decreased steadily after deprivation. The effects of leucine deprivation were more drastic and not all cells were able to complete S. It is proposed that isoleucine deprivation results in G1 arrest because S phase cells are less sensitive to its omission than to the omission of other amino acids.     

Facteurs de limitation des populationsd'Aphis fabae Scop. dans l'Ouest de la France

Résumé Le déclenchement dépizooties au sein de populations d'Aphis fabae sur féverole de printemps est largement d? aux facteurs climatiques et dépendant de l'h?te. Trois années d'expérimentations ont permis de préciser ces facteurs en conditions naturelles. Cette note insiste surtout sur les facteurs dépendant de l'h?te qui interviennent lorsque se prépare une épizootie: en particulier l'accent est mis sur la quantité minimum de pucerons mycosés requise et sur leur répartition au sein des colonies et de la culture.

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Summary A three-year study of the mechanisms involved in initiating epizootics onAphis fabae on field beans is reported. In 1969 and 1970, two field experiments were done at two sowing dates (with a month interval in 1969 and a fortnight in 1970); in 1971, only one could be conducted. Despite the two widely separated sowing dates, epizootics occurred at only a ten-day interval in 1969, and at the same time in 1970 in the two sowings. In 1971, there was a slow but steady progression of fungus attack, resulting in good control (fig. 1). Climatic factors, such as relative humidity above 90% for more than 10 hours per day, temperatures above 20°C and rains, are thought to be largely responsible for outbreaks; nevertheless, it is essential to have sufficient inoculum well-distributed among the population. It now seems that this quantity is better expressed as a minimum of 300 dead aphids per stem than as a percentage (table 1). As for inoculum distribution, dead aphids occur in any size of colony but, at the beginning they seem proportionately more numerous in the smaller colonies (fig. 2, 3). When epizootics are about to occur, the proportion of dead aphids is the same in all sizes of colony. Clearly, a well-spread production of inoculum will result from this apparent proportionality and from the distribution of aphid colonies in the field (fig. 3, 4, 5). Emphasis is laid on the difficulties of determining in field experiments whether the above factors are causal agents. Also, the threshold figure of 300 dead aphids per stem associated with the initiation of outbreaks may well vary under different ecological conditions.

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Stagiaire Hollandais du 12 mai au 23 ao?t 1969.     

Systemic corticosteroids in alopecia totalis

Two cases of alopecia totalis are presented and some observations made on the course and treatment of the disorder. The stimulus for extensive alopecia areata appears to occur for short periods in at least some cases and may, therefore, be amenable to shorter courses of systemic corticosteroids than was formerly thought possible. Discontinuing systemic therapy does not always result in a rapid recurrence of totalis and bouts of alopecia partialis which may follow its discontinuance may be managed by more conservative means. In addition, areas resistant to 30 mg. of prednisone per day may respond to topical and intralesional therapy even while prednisone is being reduced considerably below this level.     

Combination Chemotherapy in Generalized Hodgkin's Disease

Fifty-two patients with generalized Hodgkin''s disease were treated with a combination of mustine hydrochloride, vinblastine, procarbazine, and prednisolone. Complete remissions were obtained initially in six out of seven patients (86%) who had previously received no treatment, in 15 out of 19 (79%) who had had only radiotherapy in the past, and in 9 out of 26 (35%) who had previously been given chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Of these 30 patients in whom a complete remission was obtained 22 have been free of any symptoms or signs of disease for periods ranging from 4 to 22 months. The response to treatment was rapid, and toxicity was not a major problem, except in those who had previously been treated with cytotoxic drugs used continuously and not in courses. A comparative trial of radiotherapy and combination therapy in the treatment of Stage III Hodgkin''s disease is strongly recommended.