Leptomeningeal cell line from multiple sclerosis with reverse transcriptase activity and viral particles.

A leptomeningeal cell line (clonal but not immortal) was isolated from lumbar-punctured cerebrospinal fluid in a patient with definite multiple sclerosis (MS). This cell line, named LM7, was characterized by immunocytochemical and ultrastructural analyses and was found to produce specific viral reverse transcriptase activity, whereas electron microscopy revealed the presence of viral particles. This patient had no antibodies against human T-leukaemia virus type 1 (HTLV-I) or human immunodeficiency viruses types 1 and 2 (HIV-1, HIV-2).

Antineoplastic activity of two taxol derivatives on an ovarian tumor xenografted into nude mice.

In order to compare the antineoplastic activities of taxol A, taxol B, a mixture of the two (taxol A 72%) and vinblastine, a human ovarian tumor serially transplanted into 104 female athymic mice was used. In the first experiment (11th passage), the antineoplastic activities of taxol A, taxol B and the mixture taxol AB were tested. The same dose was used in each case (12.

[Multiple correlative studies of stereotaxic biopsies of brain tumors].

The opportunity of having several samples at the same site which could be spatially localized allows an intensive exploitation of stereotactic biopsies of brain tumors: the pathological data may be correlated to other measures, performed at the same site (electrical impedance X ray absorption coefficient) or on other samples (NMR relaxation times, water content, nucleic acids). These samples are available for oncology experiments in cellular biology (cell cultures, grafts on nude mice) or in molecular biology (DNA and RNA hybridization with specific nucleic acid probes). We were therefore able: 1) to study the diagnostic homologies between pathology and histology examinations; 2) to show that T1 and T2 NMR relaxation times are 2 times longer in tumor tissues than in normal brain; 3) to show that the electrical impedance is decreased by a factor 2 in brain tumors; 4) to show the absence of integrated viral genomic sequences and the existence of oncogenes association patterns in brain tumors by hybridization of specific sequences; 5) to establish permanent cell lines, the tumorigenicity of which is assayed by grafting on nude mice.

Stereotaxic cytology of brain tumors. Review of an eight-year experience.

The cytologic diagnosis of 312 stereotaxic samplings performed on 292 patients suspected of having a brain tumor over an eight-year period was reviewed. At different depths of the stereotaxic track, biopsy specimens were secured for cytologic and histologic observations. Smears for cytology were stained both by the May-Grünwald-Giemsa and the Papanicolaou methods since each of them disclosed information complementary to the other.

[Transparietal needle biopsy of pulmonary lesions with an image intensification system. Apropos of 82 biopsies].

We report the results of 82 needle biopsies of pulmonary nodules, using a fine screw needle. Owing to the very small diameter of the needle (0.8 mm), very few complications were observed (minor pneumothorax 13%, major pneumothorax 2.

[Immunocytochemical demonstration and morphometric study by image analysis of estrogen receptors in carcinoma of the breast: study of 30 cases].

The method described associates on cytological preparations, immunocytochemical reaction, counter-staining, random and morphometrical study by image analysis. It permits the quantification of estrophilin in breast carcinoma and the estimation of the heterogeneity of the tumour staining.

Therapeutic response to taxol of six human tumors xenografted into nude mice.

To test the antineoplastic activity of taxol, a natural product isolated from yew (Taxus baccata L.), six human tumors transplanted into athymic mice were used (primary tumors of breast, endometrium, ovary, brain, lung and a recurrence of tongue tumor). While the growth rates varied with the histopathological characteristics of different tumor types, all mice were treated at a mean tumor volume of 200 +/- 8 mm3.

[Healthy subjects with malignant cells in their sputum. Apropos of 60 cases].

Sixty cases of occult carcinoma of the lung are described. A distinction is made between "revealed cases" (23 cases) in which the carcinoma revealed itself within 5 months after the first cytological findings, and true occult carcinomas (37 cases) in which lesions developed within 5 months to 8 years after the first positive cytology. Mean survival in the "revealed cases" was 13 months.

[Biological study of spontaneous amyloidosis in PS mice].

A remarkably severe spontaneous amyloidosis involving multiple organs has characterized the inbred PS mouse strain since the 25th generation. The amyloid substance was extracted with H2O and purified by successive gel filtrations on Sephadex G100, Sephadex G10 and Biogel P4. It was submitted to biochemical, immunochemical and histochemical analysis in order to determine its origin.

Tamoxifen-induced fluorescence as a marker of human breast tumor cell responsiveness to hormonal manipulations: correlation with progesterone receptor content and ultrastructural alterations.

The fluorescent binding of tamoxifen to eosin is used on Papanicolaou-stained smears as a marker of cell responsiveness to the antiestrogen molecule. Forty-two cases of human breast carcinomas were submitted to tamoxifen treatment between first diagnosis and surgery (4 to 30 days). Tamoxifen-induced fluorescence is observed in 17 of 42 cases (40%).

[Action of taxol on human tumors transplanted in athymic mice].

In order to study the antitumour activity of taxol (a diterpene of the taxane type) isolated from Yew: Taxus baccata L. (Taxacae), human tumours implanted as xenografts in athymic Mice were used. Swiss nude mice were treated subcutaneously (12.

[Cytologic grade, a prognostic factor in breast cancer].

Fine needle aspirations of breast carcinomas, submitted to a hypochromic Papanicolaou staining procedure, provides useful prognostic data. Three grades of increasing severity were used as a classification. An homogeneous group of 189 patients submitted to similar therapeutic management has been analyzed: 15.

[Tamoxifen induced fluorescence as a marker of hormone receptors: cytological study of fine needle biopsy of malignant breast tumors in treated women].

Tamoxifen-induced fluorescence was used as a marker of hormone receptors in breast tumor cytology. Patients receiving Tamoxifen were compared to patients without such a therapy. Only those receiving this treatment showed fluorescence in their malignant cells.

Differential nucleolar staining affinity with a modified Papanicolaou staining procedure.

A modified Papanicolaou staining procedure using diluted Harris' hematoxylin with potassium alum is described. Nucleolar staining varies from blue to bright red. This technique has been applied to mammary tumor cell lines in vitro under several conditions of hormonal stimulation known to induce protein synthesis and cell differentiation.

[An evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid cytology in childhood leukaemias and lymphomas (author's transl)].

A cytological study of the cerebrospinal fluid was carried out on 72 children with leukaemia or lymphoma either at the onset or during the course of the disease. It proved extremely useful in revealing the presence of malignant cells in CSF's with normal cell count and in distinguishing with absolute certainty meningeal leukaemias from meningeal reactions of other origins, in particular the frequent histiocytic reactions to radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. These "irritative" reactions are a reminder that iatrogenic damage to the central nervous system is a distinct possibility, and the modalities of treatment should perhaps be reconsidered when they attain a certain magnitude.

Mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague--Dawley rats following 3 repeated exposures to 14.8 MeV neutrons and steroid receptor content of these tumor types.

166 Sprague-Dawley Rats (148 males and 118 females) submitted to different hormonal conditions were exposed to 3 repeated whole-body irradiations of 14.8 MeV neutrons or sham-irradiated between 50 and 65 days of age (total absorbed doses: 3 x 2 rad and 3 x 8 rad). They were observed for 11 months.

Long-term tissue cultures of human pleural effusions: a cytological follow-up.

A cytological follow-up was performed on long-term cultures of 53 metastatic pleural effusions and 34 cases of mesothelial hyperplasia. Cells were grown in Leighton tubes with up to 11 changes of cover slip in the same tube. Cell morphology and arrangement was followed for up to 1 year.

Distribution of human chromosomes on the metaphase plate using banding techniques.

This study deals with the problem of distribution of the 46 centromeres on the human metaphase plate after treatment with colchicine and hypotonic shock. The location of the centromeres was recorded for 400 metaphases in which the chromosomes were identified by bands. A quantitative analysis of chromosome distribution ascertains the absence of proximities between homologous chromosomes.

[Short and long term behaviour of pleural effusion cultures. (Report of 200 cases) (author's transl)].

Pleural effusions from 200 patients with benign or malignant pleural involvement have been cultured in vitro and observed from 48 hours to 9 months. The morphology and "social behavior" of the different types of cells are described. Mesothelial cells settle down quickly and come into contact with each other by long cytoplasmic processes.

[Action of colchicine and of spreading on the width of the chromatid fiber].

Chromatid fibers obtained from cells previously treated with colchicine were found more condensed, with a 22% greater fiber diameter than those from untreated cells. Chromatid fibers obtained by the Langmir trough technique showed a greater degree of elongation than fibers obtained by simple sedimentation.