Serological Studies of the T and Tumor Antigens of the Oncogenic Simian Adenoviruses

Tumor-specific antigens and antisera were prepared for eight of the oncogenic simian adenoviruses. Complement-fixation tests revealed three distinct serological subgroups. This grouping was maintained in studies of virus-infected cells (T antigens) although high titered preparations were obtained for only the major subgroup I. The current grouping is as follows: (I) SV1, SV11, SV25, SV33, SV34, SV38; (II) SV20, SV23; (III) SA 7. Antigens from each subgroup were rapidly inactivated at 56 C, and group II and III antigens were also markedly inactivated at 37 C. One of the tumors (SV1) also contained SV40 T antigen, suggesting origin from a simian adenovirus-SV40 "hybrid."     

Comparative Evaluation of Rheumatic Activity—A Study of Relationship Between Histologic Changes and Serologic Test Results in Cardiac Surgical Patients

Atrial or ventricular myocardium from patients with surgically corrected rheumatic valvular disease was studied for rheumatic lesions in 86 cases. Histologically active Aschoff bodies were found in 20 per cent of the cases. A slight, but statistically not significant relationship was demonstrated in comparison of elevated serologic tests for rheumatic activity with the presence of Aschoff bodies.     

HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN DEVELOPING AND RIPENING PEACHES. I. THE CATECHOL TANNINS

Reeve , R. M. (U.S.D.A., Albany, California.) Histological and histochemical changes in developing and ripening peaches. I. The catechol tannins. Amer. Jour. Bot. 46(3) : 210-217. Illus. 1959.—Selective histochemical tests for catechol derivatives revealed marked changes in tannin contents during the development and ripening of peaches. The principal test used was a nitroso reaction found to be colorimetrically selective for catechol and derivatives such as chlorogenic acid. Intensities of color produced by this test were photometrically measured. Increases in catechol derivatives, so indicated in situ, were associated with early maturation and lignification of the endocarp sclereids and particularly with cessation of cell divisions and early cell enlargement of the mesocarp parenchyma. Characteristic progressive localizations of tannins in patches of enlarging mesocarp parenchyma cells, as revealed by staining with iron salts as well as by the nitroso reaction, were observed in green fruits approaching maturity. The insoluble tannin color complexes produced by these tests remained coarsely granular and intense in green fruit. Upon ripening of the fruit color intensity produced by the nitroso reaction decreased and the insoluble tannin complexes were more finely divided. The association of phenols with cellular differentiation, lignification and suberization are briefly discussed.     

The Catabolism of Plasma Albumin in the Rabbit : Its rate and regulation

From I¹³¹-albumin studies and previously defined mathematical formulations, rates of breakdown were estimated for native plasma albumin in rabbits. These rates of catabolism per unit weight of animal were remarkably constant and were independent of variations in the steady state values of albumin concentration in the plasma. These results imply that, at least between animals, the breakdown of plasma albumin follows a kinetic process of approximately zero order. It seems plausible that the process operates similarly in individual animals, and hence that albumin is maintained at normal steady state levels in the healthy animal primarily by means of a regulated rate of synthesis.