Detection and cellular localization of lead by electron probe analysis in the diagnosis of suspected lead poisoning in rhesus monkeys.

Lead poisoning of unknown source was diagnosed histologically in 2 rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) by finding acid-fast intranuclear inclusion bodies in the epithelial cells of renal cortical tubules. The presence of lead in the inclusions was determined by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive x-ray analysis using sections from paraffin embedded tissues. This observation indicates the usefulness of this technique for the detection and cellular localization of lead in tissues, even from archival material.

Lamella-particle complexes in the human placenta.

Lamella-particle complexes, similar in appearance to those found most abundantly in human hematopoietic malignancies, were seen within the cytoplasm of pericytes within the villus cores of 2 our ot 10 human placentas, 1 from a normal pregnancy and 1 from a pregnancy complicated by postpartum toxemia. Nine placentas were from term pregnancies, 6 normal and 3 complicated by toxemia, and 1 from a pregnancy complicated by premature delivery. The lamellae measured from 62-88 A in thickness and the particles from 175-220 A in diameter. The lamellae and particles were arranged in 3-6 apparently concentric layers around 0.08-0.24 micrometer diameter central cores to form complexes measuring from 0.37-0.75 micrometer in diameter. The complexes were infrequent, in pericytes and their presence did not appear to be correlated with either parity or any specific drug treatment. The reason for their presence in some human placentas is not known.

Lamella-particle complexes in nuclei of owl monkey kidney cells infected with herpesvirus saimiri.

A complex consisting of ribosome-like particles and a striated lamella occurring in stacked, tubular, and twisted ribbon-like configurations was observed in the nuclei of confluent monolayer cultures of primary owl monkey kidney cells infected with Herpesvirus saimiri. They were similar to the cytoplasmic cylindroid structures seen in some human leukemias and in the lymphoma of the northern pike.

On the activation of plasma membrane ecto-enzymes by treatment with neuraminidase.

It had been proposed that sialyl-residues on the surface of the cell control the activity of certain plasma membrane ecto-enzymes. We have tested the effects of several established (or presumptive) ecto-enzymes in tissue cultures of CNS-derived cells. Application of neuraminidases to cultured mouse neuroblastoma (N-18), neonatal Syrian hamster astrocytes (NN), human astrocytoma (Cox clone) and two lines of primary mouse astroblasts failed to change the activity of ecto-ATPase and 5'-nucleotidase. Only two of the seven neuraminidase preparations produced marked or moderate increases in inorganic pyrophosphatase, p-nitrophenylphosphatase and cholinesterase. We have concluded that the stimulation of these enzymes was not due to removal of sialyl-residues. We suggest that contaminants (haemolysins?) in neuraminidase preparations of Clostridium perfringens increased membrane permeability and facilitated substrate-product translocation.

Cylindroid lamella-particle complexes in lymphoma cells by northern pike (Esox lucius).

Cells of the malignant lymphoma of northern pike of Canada contained cylindrical structures with central cores of cytoplasmic elements and walls composed of lamellae in a spiral arrangement, separated by ribosome-like particles or by membranes. These cylindroids were similar, if not identical, to structures in the cells of certain human lymphomas and leukemias. In cross and longitudinal sections, the lamellae showed a pattern of light and dark bands resulting in an approximately 95 A-period that has not been described in the human cylindroids.

Cartilage in hemophilic arthropathy. Ultrastructural and microanalytical studies.

The presence of iron in articular cartilage was investigated in five human and two canine cases of factor VIII-deficiency hemophilic arthropathy. The lesions were mild in three cases. Advanced destruction of the cartilage was present in four cases, in one of which sufficient cartilage was preserved to permit recognition of hemosiderin in chondrocytes. The Fe was present in the form of siderosomes and ferritin granules free in the cytoplasm. Iron and phosphorus were demonstrated in the siderosomes by energy dispersion analysis of x-rays; but no Fe was identified by this means or by light or transmission electron microscopy in chondrocytes from the three subjects in an early stage of the disease or in the matrix from any of the seven subjects. The findings lend no support to the hypothesis that salt formation or chelation of Fe ions by matrix proteoglycans is responsible for destruction of cartilage in hemophilic or other chronic hemarthroses. A second, nonferruginous, bilirubin-like pigment (hematoidin) was present in the matrix at the surface of the cartilage in two specimens.

Oyster herpes-type virus.

A herpes-type virus infection, the first to be found in an invertebrate animal, is reported in the oyster Crassostrea virginica. Intranuclear herpes-type viral inclusions were more prevalent in the oyster at elevated water temperatures of 28 degrees to 30 degrees C than at normal ambient temperatures of 18 degrees to 20 degrees C. The inclusions were associated with a lethal disease at the elevated temperatures.