Proliferative response of murine B-cell leukemia (BCL1) to poly(L-lysine)

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) isolated from BALB/c mice bearing a B-cell leukemia (BCL1) showed a marked proliferative response upon two days culturing with poly(L-lysine) (PLL) of various molecular weights. An inverse relationship was noted between the molecular weight of the PLL and the dose required for optimal proliferative response. PLL showed no proliferative activity when cultured with normal PBL or with lymphocytes isolated from the spleen or other lymphoid organs of BCL1-bearing mice. Double exposure to PLL and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) had a marked synergistic effect on BCL1 PBL stimulation but not on PBL isolated from normal mice. The data suggest that PLL, in contrast to LPS, may cause a selective proliferation of a subpopulation(s) of B-tumor cells at a particular stage(s) of differentiation.     

Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in mice treated with total lymphoid irradiation (TLI)

Fractionated total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) of adult (BALB/c × C57BL/6)F₁ mice resulted in transiently augmented natural killer (NK) and natural cytotoxic (NC) cell activities. Thus, 1 day after completion of TLI, NK and NC activities in the spleens of treated mice were lower than controls but values increased and reached a maximum level of 23- to 190-fold above control at 6 days after irradiation, returning to normal levels 9 days later. Cytotoxicity was enhanced after removal of the plastic adherent population. No cytotoxicity was observed against P 815 target cells, which are sensitive to activated macrophages but not to NK. The significance of this modulation of natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity following TLI is discussed.     

A rat mammary gland cancer cell with stem cell properties of self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation

The cancer stem cell hypothesis posits that tumors are derived from a single cancer-initiating cell with stem cell properties. The task of identifying and characterizing cancer-initiating cells with stem cell properties at the single cell level has proven technically difficult because of the scarcity of the cancer stem cells in the tissue of origin and the lack of specific markers for cancer stem cells. Here we show that a single LA7 cell, derived from rat mammary adenocarcinoma has: the ability to serially re-generate mammospheres in long-term non-adherent cultures, the differentiation potential to generate all the cell lineages of the mammary gland and branched duct-like structures that recapitulate morphologically and functionally the ductal–alveolar-like architecture of the mammary tree. The properties of self-renewal, extensive capacity for proliferation, multi-lineage differentiation and the tubular-like structure formation potential suggest that LA7 cells is a cancer stem model system to study the dynamics of tumor formation at the single cell level. Cinzia Cocola, Sveva Sanzone and Simonetta Astigiano have contributed equally to this work.     

Anesthetics fragment hippocampal network activity,alter spine dynamics,and affect memory consolidation

General anesthesia is characterized by reversible loss of consciousness accompanied by transient amnesia. Yet, long-term memory impairment is an undesirable side effect. How different types of general anesthetics (GAs) affect the hippocampus, a brain region central to memory formation and consolidation, is poorly understood. Using extracellular recordings, chronic 2-photon imaging, and behavioral analysis, we monitor the effects of isoflurane (Iso), medetomidine/midazolam/fentanyl (MMF), and ketamine/xylazine (Keta/Xyl) on network activity and structural spine dynamics in the hippocampal CA1 area of adult mice. GAs robustly reduced spiking activity, decorrelated cellular ensembles, albeit with distinct activity signatures, and altered spine dynamics. CA1 network activity under all 3 anesthetics was different to natural sleep. Iso anesthesia most closely resembled unperturbed activity during wakefulness and sleep, and network alterations recovered more readily than with Keta/Xyl and MMF. Correspondingly, memory consolidation was impaired after exposure to Keta/Xyl and MMF, but not Iso. Thus, different anesthetics distinctly alter hippocampal network dynamics, synaptic connectivity, and memory consolidation, with implications for GA strategy appraisal in animal research and clinical settings.

Amnesia is a central part of the 200 million general anesthesia that are administered worldwide every year, but it is unclear how it affects the hippocampus. This mouse study explores how three commonly used anesthetics influence cellular network activity, spine dynamics and memory consolidation, finding that each of the three anesthetics alters the local field potential, spiking activity and cellular calcium dynamics in a unique way, and they all impact long-term spine dynamics.     

Karyometric and morphological analysis of two sympatric marine species of the Gyratrix hermaphroditus complex (Platyhelminthes: Kalyptorhynchia) occurring at Roscoff (Brittany,France)

Two marine sibling species of the Gyratrix hermaphroditus complex were found to occur sympatrically at Roscoff (Brittany, France). Both share the same chromosome number 2n = 6, but differ for the values of centromeric indices, length ratio of chromosomes and absolute length of the haploid genome. Differences were also found in body size and male cuticular apparatus morphology. They are furthermore distinct for the above characters from the other two marine species of the complex already known (from the Mediterranean and the North Sea). Chromosomal evolution and phylogenetical relationships within the marine species of the G. hermaphroditus complex are discussed in detail.     

The midabdominal rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap: review of 236 flaps

The midabdominal rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is described in this review of 236 flaps in 223 patients. This flap is safe, reliable, and extremely well vascularized. It has been our flap of choice for purposes of reconstructing the moderate- or large-sized breast. In particular, the midabdominal flap permits restoration of fascial continuity over the entirety of the abdominal wall without the necessity for synthetic materials. A 2.2 percent incidence of hernias has been observed over a 4-year period. The flap is well suited to immediate reconstruction of the breast, particularly among the growing number of patients with antecedent radiation therapy.     

The effect of uremic serum on normal human and guinea pig lymphocytes.

Incubation of normal 51-Cr-labeled human and guinea pig lymphocytes with uremic serum or guanidinosuccinic acid did not cause an increase in 51-Cr release. Electron microscopic examination of these lymphocytes revealed no abnormalities. It is suggested that the lymphocytopenia of uremia is not due to increased destruction of cells but may be a result of redistribution to other body compartments.     

T-cell depleted bone marrow transplantation for plasma cell myeloma. Report of a case and review of the results of BMT for myeloma

A 37-year-old male patient with advanced refractory plasma cell myeloma underwent T-cell depleted bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after 7 years of active disease previously treated with combination chemotherapy and irradiation. After the BMT there was marked clinical improvement and the patient is currently in good clinical condition two years after the BMT was performed. However, residual myeloma cells are still seen in the marrow and stable levels of paraprotein are still present in the serum. No GVHD was encountered after BMT. The problems of BMT in myeloma are discussed with a review of the current pertinent literature.     

Ways to optimize the technological process of oleandomycin reextraction]

Dependence of the oleandomycin distribution coefficient on pH of the acqueous phase and temperature in the system of butylacetate extract-water acidified with orthophosphoric acid was studied. With a purpose of intensification of the process of oleandomycin reextraction, decreasing the antibiotic inactivation and evaporation of the organic solvent it was proposed to perfom oleandomycin extraction at pH 4.0--5.0 accompanied by simultaneous decreasing of the temperature.