Frauch's micro-slide method was improved to facilitate the endpoint-determination of the Limulus test. Two precise observations, by inverted phase contrast microscopy and with a staining procedure, were newly performed as additions to the slide test. The staining procedure was proposed as an improved method for the Limulus test since it is simple and convenient. In the staining method, bromophenol blue (BPB) solution was used as the staining solution. A negative (-), a strong positive (++) and a weak positive reaction (+) were characterized by a “ring” formation, a “cloud-like” spread of gel and a “spot” in the “cloud, ” respectively. Since the distinction between (-) and (+) reactions was obvious in the proposed method, determination of the endpoint was easier than in the ordinary tube and Frauch's method. The sensitivity of the present method was equal to or higher than that of other methods. Inverted phase contrast microscopy was utilized to confirm the findings obtained by the staining method. The volume of the lysate used in this method was as little as 1/10 of that used in the tube method.

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Studies were carried out on the inhibitory effect of NH₄⁺ on germination of spores of Bacillus cereus T induced by L-alanine and e. Kinetic analysis showed that NH₄⁺ inhibited the germination competitively. Its inhibitory effect was greater when the unactivated spores had been preincubated with L-alanine. NH₄⁺ did not inhibit the response of unactivated spores to L-alanine during preincubation. These results suggest that L-alanine sensitizes the spores to the inhibitory effect of NH₄⁺.

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Inhibition of thymidine incorporation into DNA in cells treated with DNA-suppressing factor (DSF) has been studied. After 16 hr treatment with DSF, transport of labeled thymidine across the cell membrane was not inhibited, since equilibrium of labeled thymidine with the acid-soluble pool occurred at the same rate and the radioactivity was at the same level as in untreated cells. The values of V_max and K_m in the kinetics of transport of exogenous thymidine were not changed by DSF. Phosphorylation of labeled thymidine to deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) was not inhibited by DSF. After a chase of labeled thymidine, radio-activity of the acid-soluble fraction in DSF-treated cells decreased more rapidly but that of the acid-insoluble fraction remained at a lower level than in untreated cells. It was assumed that DSF might block the entry of dTTP into DNA.

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Human lymphoid cells (NC-37) persistently infected with either measles virus (Schwarz and TYCSA strains) or subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus (Halle and Mantooth strains) were destroyed in the presence of complement by anti-measles sera as well as by sera from SSPE patients. The cytotoxic activity was demonstrated in both IgG and IgM fractions of measles convalescent sera, but only in IgG fraction of SSPE sera. Measles convalescent sera completely lost the cytotoxic activity to all the cell lines, when absorbed with any one of the cell lines, indicating that the viral surface antigens of these cell lines infected with measles or SSPE virus are identical. On the other hand, the cytotoxic activity of SSPE sera could not be readily absorbed with these cells. Thus, the affinity of SSPE sera for the viral surface antigens might be lower than that of measles convalescent sera.

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Kinetics and mechanisms of macrophage activation by heat-killed Corynebacterium anaerobium (CA) in mice were investigated. The carbon clearance test revealed that the function of the reticuloendothelial system rose markedly on the 4th day after a single intravenous injection of CA and continued in a highly enhanced state until the 14th day. This activity declined gradually and dropped to a normal level around the21st day. On the other hand, both lysosomal enzymes, β-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, of peritoneal macrophages decreased after the CA injection and then recovered, taking an almost inverse course to the function of the reticuloendothelial system. These results might be attributable to possible extracellular secretion of the lysosomal enzymes in accordance with macrophage activation by CA. A remarkable cytotoxicity of peritoneal macrophages, examined in vitro against L 929 cells, was detected on the 4th day following intraperitoneal administration of CA. It was maintained up to the 14th day and then declined rapidly. The mechanisms of macrophage activation by CA were also examined in vitro. CA-homogenate, heat-killed CA disrupted with an ultrasonicator, directly activated thioglycollate-induced macrophages. The macrophages were also activated by simultaneous treatment with both CA-homogenate and CA-sensitized spleen cells. Furthermore, the supernatant obtained from the culture of CA-sensitized spleen cells with CA-homogenate was capable of inducing activation of the macrophages. Conversely, the culture supernatant of spleen cells from CA-immunized athymic nude mice with CA-homogenate was unable to activate them. It was ascertained from the above-mentioned results that macrophages are activated initially by direct action of CA in a nonspecific way and subsequently by a soluble factor elaborated by CA-sensitized lymphocytes in an immunological way.

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