A human hematopoietic cell line (U-937) with exceptional characteristics was derived from a patient with generalized histiocytic lymphoma. The morphology of the cell line was identical to that of the tumor cells in the pleural effusion from which the line was derived. Since Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) carrying diploid lymphoblastoid cell lines unrelated to the tumor population often become established in vitro from non-Burkitt lymphoma explants, several parameters were studied to discriminate the U-937 from such lines: morphology in vitro, growth characteristics, cytochemistry, surface receptor pattern, Ig production, lysozyme production, beta2-microglobulin production, presence of EBV genome and karyotype. In all these respects U-937 differed from prototype lymphoblastoid cell lines. The histiocytic origin of the cell line was shown by its capacity for lysozyme production and the strong esterase activity (naphtol AS-D acetate esterase inhibited by NaF) of the cells. It is therefore concluded that the U-937 is a neoplastic, histiocytic cell line.

Establishment and characterization of a human histiocytic lymphoma cell line (U‐937)

Some routine haematological methods for examining fish blood are described including haemoglobin estimation, haematocrit, erythrocyte counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total and differential leukocyte counts, and cytochemical staining. Descriptions of stained blood cells are given as are the ranges and mean values for the above tests on brown trout Salmo trutta (L.). These methods are suggested as a possible means of assessing fish health but there is a need for establishing values in health, disease and various stress conditions before their value in diagnosis can be evaluated.

Routine haematological methods for use with fish blood

The properties of the inorganic dye ruthenium red are presented with emphasis upon its use for electron microscopy of cells and tissues. Although commercial ruthenium red often can be used directly, it always contains various impurities and by-products. One of these, termed ruthenium violet, can be isolated and is useful by itself. Absorption spectra of the ruthenium dyes and common impurities are given so that an assay is possible for any sample. Convenient fixative recipes containing ruthenium red or violet are provided together with constraints necessary for a reliable reaction to label extracellular acidic mucosubstances. Perfusion was not successful. The specificity of the ruthenium red reaction was evaluated by spot testing with 57 substances, and by titration with chemically defined pectins. The results indicate that ruthenium red, as a hexavalent cation, precipitates a large variety of polyanions by ionic interaction, and that its classical reaction with pectin is typical rather than specific. New data are presented regarding its reaction with phospholipids. For electron microscopy, a further reaction with OsO4 amplifies the feeble electron density, which is the counterpart of its intense optical labeling, to a practical level resulting in strong contrast. An hypothesis is presented for the mechanism underlying this intensification.

Ruthenium red and violet. I. Chemistry, purification, methods of use for electron microscopy and mechanism of action

Periodic acid acts upon the 1,2 glycol linkage (-CHOH -CHOH-) of carbohydrates in tissue sections to produce aldehyde (RCHO+RCHO) which can be colored with Schiff s reagent The method can be used 

Histological and Histochemical Uses of Periodic Acid

Characterization of the continuous, differentiating myeloid cell line (HL-60) from a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia

THIS note describes the histological demonstration of mucin by Schiff's reagent following the action of periodic acid. Zenker-formol sections were passed to water, after iodine and hypo, and placed for two minutes in a 0.5 per cent solution of periodic acid in distilled water. The sections were then washed in tap and distilled water and placed in Schiff's reagent for fifteen minutes at room temperature. The customary rinsings in sulphurous acid, as for the Feulgen's test, followed, and the sections were dehydrated in alcohols and mounted in balsam after xylene.

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J F A McMANUS

Papers

Histological demonstration of mucin after periodic acid.