[en] The Fsub(N) method is used to solve radiative transfer problems, based on the general anisotropically scattering model, in multi-layer atmospheres. (Auth.)

[en] The human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) Tax protein trans-activates viral transcription through three imperfect tandem repeats of a 21-bp sequence called Tax-responsive element (TxRE). Tax regulates transcription via direct interaction with some members of the activating transcription factor/CRE-binding protein (ATF/CREB) family including CREM, CREB, and CREB-2. By interacting with their ZIP domain, Tax stimulates the binding of these cellular factors to the CRE-like sequence present in the TxREs. Recent observations have shown that CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ) forms stable complexes on the CRE site in the presence of CREB-2. Given that C/EBPβ has also been found to interact with Tax, we analyzed the effects of C/EBPβ on viral Tax-dependent transcription. We show here that C/EBPβ represses viral transcription and that Tax is no more able to form a stable complex with CREB-2 on the TxRE site in the presence of C/EBPβ. We also analyzed the physical interactions between Tax and C/EBPβ and found that the central region of C/EBPβ, excluding its ZIP domain, is required for direct interaction with Tax. It is the first time that Tax is described to interact with a basic leucine-zipper (bZIP) factor without recognizing its ZIP domain. Although unexpected, this result explains why C/EBPβ would be unable to form a stable complex with Tax on the TxRE site and could then down-regulate viral transcription. Lastly, we found that C/EBPβ was able to inhibit Tax expression in vivo from an infectious HTLV-I molecular clone. In conclusion, we propose that during cell activation events, which stimulate the Tax synthesis, C/EBPβ may down-regulate the level of HTLV-I expression to escape the cytotoxic-T-lymphocyte response

[en] Biochemical and immunological characteristics of renin secreted by two malignant renin-secreting tumors [pulmonary (PT) and paraovarian (POT)] were studied. They both contain inactive renin (IR), as renin activity of tumoral extracts was able to be increased after acid activation or trypsin treatment (10.1 to 20.8 Goldblatt units/g tissue for PT and 1.4 to 3.71 for POT). Renin activity after activation reached the value obtained by direct RIA of human renin (23 and 3.4, respectively), as both forms are recognized by renin antiserum. Both enzymatic activities could be completely inhibited by renin antiserum. Displacement curves for the two tumoral renins paralleled the MRC renin in the direct RIA. After chromatography on affigel blue, active renin was not bound to the gel, and inactive renin eluted only with 1 M NaCl. On pepstatin A Sepharose and CBL-pepstatin Sepharose (an N-modified-pepstatin), a separation of the two forms of pulmonary renin was obtained; inactive renin eluted with breakthrough proteins, whereas active renin was strongly bound to the gel. After this affinity chromatography, the molecular weights of inactive and active renin, determined on Ultrogel, were very close (46,000 and 42,500). We conclude that 1) ectopic renin in these cases is similar to the renal enzyme; 2) renin can be secreted in an inactive form, supporting the hypothesis of an inactive initial state of renin; and 3) molecular weight differences between the two forms are very slight

[en] The formalism required to solve by the Fsub(N) method radiative transfer problems lacking azimuthal symmetry is developed, and numerical results are given. (Auth.)

[en] The analysis of the sunlight scattered by Venus gives some insight upon its clouds. The measurements of polarized light are probably more sensitive to the nature of their constituents, and some recent studies seem to be able to give a satisfactory interpretation of this part of the scattered light. But the polarized light concerns the upper part of the clouds, and it is interesting to compare these with intensity measurements. The phase curves, for the integrated light, leave some indetermination, so we have studied if the intensity distribution on the Venus disk could give more accurate informations. This work based on some plates kindly communicated by A. Dolfus, and analysed at Meudon Observatory, is more a preliminary investigation of the sensitivity of the method than an interpretation of the partial results presented. A simple model, of homogeneous plane parallel cloud, has been used, and the influence of various parameters has been tested (single scattering albedo, refractive index of particles and size distribution, optical depth of the cloud). (Auth.)

[en] We have investigated, using serological and biochemical assays, the specificity of an A.TH anti-A.TL-derived monoclonal antibody (mAb), designated 40.B, directed at a highly conserved antigenic determinant expressed on the majority of murine and human MHC class II antigens. In the mouse, mAb 40.B defines a new specificity expressed on the Ia products of the H-2 haplotypes k, d, b, v, r, p, u, j and w3. Analysis of its reactivity with H-2 recombinant strains and the results of the competitive binding inhibition of ¹²⁵I-labeled mAb 40.B to B10.BR cells with I-Asup(k) and I-Esup(k) specific mAb suggested recognition of a shared Ia determinant expressed on both I-Asup(k) and I-Esup(k) molecules. This has been confirmed by sequential immunoprecipitation studies which demonstrated the specificity of mAb 40.B for some chosen dimers. In humans, this mAb bound to and immuniprecipitated HLA-D/DR molecules expressed on lymphoblastoid cell lines carrying the MT1 and MT2 supertypic specificities. The possible implications of these findings with regard to an evolutionary model of MHC class II antigens are discussed. (author)

[en] Complete text of publication follows: Background: There is considerable interest in approaches that could improve the therapeutic window of radiotherapy, which represents a crucial modality of treatment in oncology. We present the rationale for designing NBTXR3 nanoparticles activated by radiotherapy and validate the concept. We performed the Monte Carlo calculations for the first time based on the 'local model' simulation that showed a dose enhancement of radiation to tumour cells of approximately nine-fold. NBTXR3 was shown to deposit high energy when the ionizing radiation source is 'on' and to have chemically inert behavior in cellular and subcellular systems demonstrated by very good systemic tolerance, thus decreasing potential health hazards. Material and Methods: We used conventional methods, implemented in different ways, to explore interactions of high Z matter and ionizing radiation with biological systems. In addition, microtomography was performed to explore the nanoparticle volume occupancy inside the tumour and its persistence overtime in mouse tumour models. The antitumour activity of NBTXR3 and tolerance were evaluated in Ewing tumour (A673) and fibrosarcoma (HT1080) using high energy source. Results and Conclusion: We created and developed NBTXR3 nanoparticles with a crystalline hafnium oxide core which provide high electron density structure and inert behavior in biological media. NBTXR3 nanoparticles' characteristics, size, charge and shape, allow for efficient interaction with biological entities, cell membrane binding and cellular uptake. The nanoparticles were shown to form clusters at the subcellular level in tumour models. Of most importance, we show NBTXR3 intra-tumour bioavailability with dispersion of nanoparticles in the three dimensions and persistence within the tumour structure, supporting the use of NBTXR3 as effective antitumour therapeutic agent. Antitumour activity of NBTXR3 showed marked advantage in terms of survival, tumour specific growth delay and local control in A673 and HT1080 human tumour models. Changing radiotherapy benefit-risk ratio is challenging. These data are supportive for the first clinical development of hafnium oxide nanoparticles, with an on/off mode of action through successive fractions of radiation therapy using current equipment available in hospitals