Telomeres and Telomerase. Ciba Foundation Symposium 211

1999 Cancer Research Campaig

Increase in type A virus particles induced in BALB/c mouse epidermis during chemical carcinogenesis.

Electron microscopic observations of normal BALB/c mouse epidermis revealed the presence of isolated intracisternal A particles. Hyperplasia, papilloma and carcinoma formation induced by topical application of the carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons benz(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) is accompanied by an increase in the mumber of A particles. Topical application of a non-carcinogenic irritant alpha-pinene (alpha P) failed to provide comparable changes. Examination of the nuclei indicated occasional electron dense granules in the nucleoplasm which became more common throughout the progression of carcinogenesis

C-type and intracisternal A-type virus particles during epidermal carcinogenesis by tobacco smoke condensate in BALB/c mice.

Electron microscopic observations of sequential stages of skin carcinogenesis induced by tobacco smoke condensate (SC) and a cyclohexane fraction of tobacco smoke condensate (G) revealed an increase in incidence of intracisternal A particles within the epidermal cells. Tumours induced by SC also contained C-type particles, but these were not seen in G-induced tumours or after irritant or solvent treatment. There was no evidence of an increase in intracisternal A particles after irritant or solvent treatment. A direct relationship between the proliferation of A particles and neoplastic growth of BALB/c mouse epidermis appears likely. The data suggest possible activation of a latent C-type virus by SC

Under the radar? 'Soft' residential densification in England, 2001-2011

Urban compaction policies have been widely adopted in developed countries in pursuit of more sustainable cities. Compactness is achieved through a process of ‘densification’, of developing and using land and buildings more intensively. However, empirical evidence on the processes and outcomes of urban densification is lacking. The paper addresses this lacuna. It considers densification in England, a country that has long experience of applying policies of urban containment and consolidation; and one where new data sources allow the analysis of recent land use change at a level of detail not hitherto possible. In England between 2001 and 2011 the bulk of additional dwellings were accommodated within urban areas, increasing their density. Yet there were wide inter- and intra-regional variations in the pattern of densification: for example, in the contributions of large scale, formal development and of small scale, informal, gradual change – of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ densification – to the process. The significant differences in local experiences of densification that result raise major issues for policy

The relationship between tissue levels of flavone acetic acid (NSC 347512) and site dependent anti-tumour activity in murine colon tumours.

Flavone acetic acid (FAA) is extremely active against subcutaneous transplantable tumours in mice, but disappointingly there has been no demonstrable clinical activity. Previous studies have shown that lung tumour deposits are less responsive than the same cells implanted subcutaneously. The aim of this study is to examine the tissue disposition of FAA in an attempt to explain this site-dependent activity. The data show clearly that FAA clearance curves are influenced by the presence of MAC 15A tumours growing either subcutaneously or systemically. The decreased clearance of FAA from MAC 15A tumour bearing animals does not however explain the resistance of lung deposits. Neither can this be explained by differences in metabolism in these different sites. Cytotoxic metabolites have not been detected either in vitro or in vivo and their role in the mechanism of action of FAA is questionable