Comparison of various BCG preparations in the EORTC — ICIG experimental screening for systemic immunity adjuvants applicable to cancer immunotherapy

Summary Nine lyophilized, five frozen, and one fresh BCG preparation from various sources were tested for their activity as adjuvants of systemic immunity in mice. Using three tests, the IgM response to sheep red blood cells, immunoprophylaxis of L1210 leukemia, and immunoprophylaxis of Lewis tumor, results consistent with both immunostimulation and immunodepression were observed, varying as a function of the BCG strain, its storage conditions, and the assay used. Only fresh Pasteur strain BCG was effective in all three tests; its activity was modified by lyophilization and by freezing. Possible reasons for the superiority of fresh Pasteur BCG as an adjuvant are discussed.European Organization for Research and Treatment of CancerInstitut de Cancérologie et d'Immunogénétique     

Alterations in plasma concentrations of testosterone, LH, and prolactin associated with mating in the male rat.

The hormonal response of the male rat to sexual activity was investigated in two studies. In the first, no evidence of a chronic elevation in plasma levels of testosterone (T), LH, or prolactin (PRL) was observed in sexually experienced rats compared to naive controls. Both groups showed an acute increase in plasma levels of all three hormones following mating, but the increases shown by the experienced group were more pronounced. In the second study, plasma levels of T, LH and PRL rose in sexually experienced male rats following exposure to a mating arena whether it contained an estrous female, an anestrous female, or no other animal. However, the increases were considerably larger in the group exposed to estrous females. It is suggested that plasma hormones rise in anticipation of mating, although not to the same extent as following mating, and that the anticipatory rise may function to initiate or facilitate mating behavior.     

Synthesis of β-glucanase and other extracellular proteins by cells and protoplasts of the yeast Pichia polymorpha

The synthesis of β-glucanase either by cells or by protoplasts of the yeast Pichia polymorpha has been found to occur in the presence of 2-deoxy-d-glucose in the growth medium. On the other hand, the synthesis of typical extracellular proteins such as invertase and acid phosphatase is strongly affected by the presence of the drug. The degree of inhibition is, however, directly related to the 2-deoxy-d-glucose concentration.     

Effect of triiodothyronine on blood lipids in obesity.

Different blood lipid components were evaluated in obese and normal Egyptians. In obese, plasma levels of total lipoproteins, beta-lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-esterified fatty acids were found to be significantly elevated. The plasma levels of esterified cholesterol and phospholipids were found to be significantly reduced. Tertroxine caused a drop of the plasma level of total lipoproteins, beta lipoproteins and total cholesterol and rise of plasma level of non-esterified fatty acids.     

Intrinsic innervation of the gall bladder in the dog.

The gall bladder of eight dogs 3 months old were extracted and studied by the Holme's and Gross-Bielschowsky techniques. The nerves were found to form an extensive network within the wall of the gall bladder. However, 5 plexuses were identified and their arrangement was similar to that in the wall of the intestine. Nerve cells were only found in relation with the myenteric plexus. Moreover, knob-like terminals and circular type of nerve endings were noticed on the muscularis. The findings of the intrinsic innervation of the gall bladder of the dog were compared with that of man, monkey and guinea pig and the significance of that innervation was discussed.     

Anthropological studies among Libyans. Erythrocyte genetic factors,serum haptoglobin phenotypes and anthropometry

Anthropological studies were done on 1276 Libyans from the Mediterranean cities of Tripoli and Benghazi, and from Sabha southward in The Sahara. The incidences of hemoglobin (Hb)-S and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency were low in the coastal areas and significantly high in Sabha. Hb-C occurred sporadically in Tripoli and Sabha, and was absent from Benghazi in the east. One case of Hb-J Benghazi was noted. There were no significant differences in the ABO blood group and Rh₀ (D) type distributions in the three localities. G-6-PD gene Gd^A frequency was significantly high in Sabha. The lowest value of 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6-PGD) gene PGD^A frequency and highest value of the gene PGD^C were in Sabha. Adenylate kinase (AK) gene AK² was only detectable in Tripoli. Acid phosphatase (AP) gene P^a frequency in Sabha was more than twice that in Tripoli and Benghazi, while P^c was distinctly lower in Sabha than in the northern cities. Haptoglobin gene Hp¹ frequency was almost identical in all areas. Anthropometric measurements revealed overall homogeneity of the three samples, closer similarity in the coastal region to adjacent North African populations, and Negroid influence in the Saharan Libyans. Anthropometry substantiated findings from blood markers.     

Preliminary note on anti-insulin antibody formation in diabetics treated with porcine insulin

In the present study, we have tested the sera of sixty five diabetic patients treated with insulin, researching the action of some physiologic and therapeutic factors (sex, age, insulin dose and time of treatment), to production of anti-insulin antibodies. Our results have shown that an important percentage of diabetic patients treated by porcine insulin produce antibodies: 72% of studied patients, concerning chiefly all the women and patients under-fourty years old. However our results have not pointed out any relation between the administered insulin dose versus the anti-insulin antibodies production, in spite of the early production of these antibodies in a great part of the patients.     

Parasitic effect of Opius concolor (Spzl) (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) on an intermediate host Ceratitis capitata Wied (Diptera, Trypetidae)

The parasitic incidence of Opius concolor (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) on a replacement host, Ceratitis capitata (Diptera, Trypetidae) was studied using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis methods. A noticeable modification of C. capitata proteins was observed when parasited by O. concolor. But the most important phenomenon is the finding of common antigens between the host and the parasite. These results are discussed with regard to trophic and parasitic behaviour of the parasite.     

A 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthase-based probe for the discovery of the acyltransferase-less type I polyketide synthases

Acyltransferase (AT)-less type I polyketide synthases (PKSs) produce complex natural products due to the presence of many unique tailoring enzymes. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A synthases (HCSs) are responsible for β-alkylation of the growing polyketide intermediates in AT-less type I PKSs. In this study, we discovered a large group of HCSs, closely associated with the characterized and orphan AT-less type I PKSs through in silico genome mining, sequence and genome neighbourhood network analyses. Using HCS-based probes, the survey of 1207 in-house strains and 18 soil samples from different geographic locations revealed the vast diversity of HCS-containing AT-less type I PKSs. The presence of HCSs in many AT-less type I PKSs suggests their co-evolutionary relationship. This study provides a new probe to study the abundance and diversity of AT-less type I PKSs in the environment and microbial strain collections. Our study should inspire future efforts to discover new polyketide natural products from AT-less type I PKSs.