Characterisation of stroma-dependent blast colony-forming cells in human marrow

Human bone marrow contains a population of haemopoietic progenitor cells that can be distinguished by their ability to adhere to preformed stromal layers (cultured in the presence of methylprednisolone [MP+] and form blast cell colonies. The stromal layers function in the colony assay after they have been heavily irradiated but not after they have been passaged. The binding of the progenitor cells to the stromal cells is complete after 2 hours of coincubation, and stromal layers of 9.6 cm2 can provide adhesion sites for at least 2,000 blast colony-forming cells. The blast colony-forming cells were shown by micromanipulation to self-renew as well as to give rise to multipotential and lineage-committed colony-forming progenitor cells.     

Polymorphisms of DQ β genes in HLA-DR4 haplotypes from healthy and diabetic individuals

The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of DQ was assessed in a panel of control and insulin-dependent diabetes (IDD) patients who were serologically typed as HLA-DR4 homozygotes or HLA-DR3, DR4 heterozygotes. Digestions of genomic DNA with Barn HI, Bg1 II, Pst I, Xba I, and Hind III revealed a total of 15 RFLPs in the panel of 71 HLA-DR4 chromosomes. These RFLPs were organized into six allelic groups on the basis of segregation analysis in families. Complete RFLP haplotypes for the 5 restriction enzymes could be constructed for 42 of the HLA-DR4 chromosomes. This analysis revealed 18 RFLP haplotypes of DQ associated with the DR4 chromosomes tested. Two of these haplotypes, designated DQ3.DR4.a and DQ3.DR4.b, accounted for over 50 % of the DR4 chromosomes analyzed. These two haplotypes were antithetical for the RFLPs detected by all five enzymes, indicating that they represent very distinct forms of DQ . The remaining 16 haplotypes were infrequent or unique and were closely related to either a DQ3.DR4.a or DQ3.DR4.b. Two of the RFLPs detected, a 5.8 kb Bg1 II fragment and a 10.5 kb Barn HI fragment, had increased frequencies in disease-associated chromosomes. However, none of the RFLPs we detected exhibited a statistically significant increase in IDD or control populations. In contrast, the DQ3.DR4.b DQ haplotype was significantly decreased in IDD-associated DR4 chromosomes. (P=0.04). These results suggest that the DQ3.DR4.b DQ allele may be protective for the development of IDD.     

Age at maturity in landlocked and anadromous Atlantic salmon parr from two Québec rivers

Synopsis Age at maturity in male Atlantic salmon parr from landlocked populations in the Watshishou and Musquaro Rivers is significantly greater than in anadromous populations from the same rivers. We conclude that high post-smolt mortality in anadromous stocks is conducive to male parr maturity at an early age. We also suggest that the lower proportion of maturing male parr in landlocked stocks may be related to competition among males for mates and the smaller ultimate size of spawning adult landlocked salmon.     

A miniaturised parallel-plate shearing apparatus for the measurement of cell adhesion

The design and construction of a miniaturised shearing apparatus is described. Cultures (24 h) of an established epithelial cell line (BEB) were exposed to flow conditions in the shearing chamber at 37 degrees C, and subsequently glass coverslip cultures were prepared for photography. The critical shear radius (CSR) was determined by densitometry from a negative film and the minimum distraction force (MDF) at the CSR calculated using predetermined viscosity values of the flow medium. The mean calculated MDF of BEB cells ranged from 1.04-1.36 Nm-2, and was independent of the culture inoculation density (9 to 37 X 10(4) cells cm-2) and the time (5-20 min) of exposure to shearing conditions. The MDF was increased to 3.3 Nm-2 by a 30 min exposure of cultures to concanavalin A (50 micrograms ml-1), and this effect was abolished by treating with mannose (0.05 M). The results demonstrated that the radial flow chamber principle is applicable to the measurement of cell to substratum adhesion of cultured mammalian cells.     

Recovery of murine lens epithelial cells from single and fractionated doses of X rays and neutrons

Subpopulations of mouse lens epithelial cells, differing in proliferative status, were irradiated with either X rays or fission spectrum neutrons given singly or in four weekly fractions. After various times, epithelia were mitogenically stimulated by wounding and DNA synthesis responses were determined by incorporation of [3H]thymidine. At 1 h following both X and neutron irradiations, significant suppression of the wound response after single doses and a sparing effect of fractionation were evident in both the mitotically quiescent and the slowly proliferating subpopulations. At 1 week following single or fractionated doses of both radiations, recovery was evident in both subpopulations. By 4 weeks, the quiescent subpopulation showed significant recovery after both single and fractionated doses of X rays or neutrons. In contrast, a marked decreased ability to respond after neutron irradiation and, in addition, a significant enhancement effect of neutron fractionation were observed for the slowly proliferating subpopulation. Per gray, neutrons were about 7.5 times more effective than X rays as a single dose and 25 times more effective in four equal fractions. The shift from an initial sparing to a final enhancing effect of neutron fractionation for the slowly proliferating subpopulation has importance for understanding divergent early and late radiation responses following dose fractionation.     

Fine structural aspects of secretory processes in a pentastomid arthropod parasite in its mouse and rattlesnake hosts

The histology and development of three extensive glands in the porocephalid pentastomid Porocephalus crotali is described by light and electron microscopy, during growth of the parasite to an infective stage in the tissues of mouse; the infective stage in rattlesnake definitive hosts is also included. These glands elaborate excretory/secretory components which are channelled, via chitin-lined efferent ductules, on to the parasite cuticle. Hook and frontal glands are relatively compact, and within each gland ductules serving individual secretory lobules collect into common ducts which discharge over each of the four hooks, or at the anterior margin of the cephalothorax respectively. Subparietal gland cell lobules, composed of two large and two small secretory cells, are distributed under the cuticle and each is served by a single efferent ductule; these erupt over the entire cuticle. The large cells in subparietal glands secrete lamellate droplets which coat the cuticle with thin layers. Identical cells are found in hook and frontal glands, in addition to to three morphologically distinct types of protein secretory cell. Preliminary data on the composition and immunological properties of the various secretory products are presented.     

Recruiting physicians to rural practice. Suggestions for success.

Medical school graduates from 1986 to 1988 and current residents in 12 family practice residency programs in the Northwest (N = 302) were surveyed to identify important factors in the recruitment process for their first postresidency placement. The study sought to compare the recruitment practices of rural communities and urban sites. Specific questions addressed in the study concerned sources of information about practice opportunities, stage in training when job search was initiated, factors related to unsuccessful site visits, and activities scheduled in the visit. Results indicated that referrals from faculty were the most valued source of information. Most job searches were initiated in the first 6 months of the third year in training. An unreceptive physician community and a reluctant spouse or partner were substantial problems for residents making site visits to rural communities. Rural sites tended to provide a broader mix of professional and personal activities during the visit.     

The immune recognition of malaria antigens

Owing to the demonstration that the immune response of inbred mice to some defined malaria antigens is influenced by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), and the finding that only a minority of individuals living in malaria-endemic areas appear to recognize such antigens, there are fears that synthetic subunit malaria vaccines will be poorly immunogenic in a substantial proportion of the target population. Such fears have been reinforced by the results of the first two human malaria vaccine trials. In this review Eleanor Riley, Olle Olerup and Marita Troye-Blomberg summarize the experimental evidence for MHC-related genetic restriction of malaria immunity and discuss some alternative explanations for nonresponsiveness in populations living in malaria-endemic areas.