Enhanced K-cell activity in the peripheral blood of patients with malignant disease

We have analysed the influence of human malignant, inflammatory and infectious disease on the capacity of peripheral lymphocytes to mediate antibody-dependent haemolysis. The application of an enzyme-like kinetic model for measurement of maximal cytotoxic function has permitted reproducible and sensitive determinations of the K-cell function. The results show that malignant disease is associated with enhancement of ADCC capacity.     

Budding and mycelium formation in the life cycle of Coccidioides immitis Rixford and Gilchrist, 1896 — in vivo. (With a review of the literature)

Summary Mycelial forms in the parasitic life cycle ofC. immitis have been reported several times. These observations are confirmed by the findings of the author. Mycelia and coremium formation of the mycelia (this latter never reported before) of C. immitis were found in the pus of a huge abscess in a patient suffering for many years from coccidioidal granuloma of the lungs. Mycelia were also present in the serum of a cantharides blister, a proof of their presence in the circulation. The development of mycelial forms in the animal tissue must be, thus, considered as an established fact.Budding in the life cycle ofC. immitis in vivo and in vitro have also been reported before. The author, from his own observation, can confirm the correctness of this finding beyond doubt. Thus, budding of the organism in the animal tissue cannot any longer be considered as a cardinal difference between B, dermatitidis and C, immitis.     

Predominant female care in the beetle Lethrus apterus with supposedly biparental care

Although intensive care for offspring by both parents is rare in arthropods, it occurs in some species including the beetle Lethrus apterus. According to previous publications, in this species the male collects leaves, which are used by the female to form balls in the underground nest burrow. These balls serve as food for the hatched offspring. Most knowledge about the behavior of this species is based on information collected more than a century ago. Therefore, we investigated above‐ground breeding behavior and the status of nest burrows of this beetle in its natural habitat in Hungary. Our results suggest that contrary to previously documented cases, above‐ground parental care, i.e. the collection of leaves, is done predominantly not by the males but the females. Further research is needed to understand the role of the sexes in parental care in this species and to explain the discrepancy between the previously documented cases and the results we report here.     

Two types of cyclic GMP binding site associated with the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase from lymphocytes

Low- and high-affinity binding sites for cyclic GMP were found to be associated with the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (ATP: protein phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.37) from human tonsillar lymphocytes, but neither of them was identical with the cyclic AMP binding site.The enzyme activated by cyclic GMP phosphorylated the same site of calf thymus H2b histone as the cyclic AMP activated enzyme; however, more complex kinetics of activation were found with cyclic GMP.Two classes of cyclic GMP binding site were demonstrated by kinetic analysis of cyclic [³H]GMP binding in the enzyme preparations eluted by 0.1 M potassium phosphate (pH 7.0) from DEAE cellulose. The high-affinity cyclic GMP binding site (K_d about 44 · 10^?8 M belonged to some complex form of the protein kinase, as evidenced by the mutual inhibition of cyclic AMP binding and high affinity cyclic GMP binding. However, the high-affinity cyclic GMP binding site disappeared on Sephadex G-100 gel chromatography of the enzyme preparation, whereas the cyclic AMP binding activity was recovered quantitively as separate fractions. The low-affinity cyclic GMP binding site (K_d 2–5 · 10^?6 M) was demonstrated by the inhibitory effect of 10^?5 M cyclic GMP on cyclic AMP binding in each cyclic AMP binding fraction obtained by gel chromatography. However, cyclic AMP did not inhibit the binding of cyclic GMP to the low-affinity binding site.