Nature and origin of patterns of changes in cell shape in embryos

Spatial patterns of the future elongation of cells exist in the early embryo. In the newt, such a pattern of changes of cell shape contributes to the formation of the neural plate. Regardless of where neural plate cells are transplanted, they change shape as prescribed by the pattern. Embryonic induction has a role in establishing this pattern.

Goblet cells in the developing human nose

In a material of 56 foetuses and prematures, in the 9th to the 30th week, the nasal mucosa was removed in toto and stained with PAS-alcian blue, PAS, and the osmium whole-amount methods. The development, spread, distribution, and density of goblet cells were studied. Goblet cells start forming anteriorly in the nasal vestibule in the 13th week, spreading backwards according to a given, constant pattern in the course of the subsequent week. By the 30th week the goblet cells are present throughout the respiratory region, but there are marked differences in density between the various areas. The highest density was found anteriorly and inferiorly on the septum and lateral wall, and also in the inferior and middle meatuses. On the conchae the density is less, at the junction to the olfactory region least. As a whole, the density is still very low in foetuses and prematures, and it must increase very considerably around the time of birth. The differences in density found in the present study are probably present also, to some extent in children and adults. Formation of goblet cells is the final link in the process of differentiation into respiratory epithelium, instituted 4 weeks earlier with the formation of ciliated cells.

The isolation of enteroviruses from cases of acute conjunctivitis

In two epidemics of acute enterovirus conjunctivitis the diagnosis could only be established by the use of human embryonic organ cultures. In one instance cultures of ciliated respiratory epithelium proved sensitive to the virus but similar culture failed to support growth of the virus from the second outbreak which was isolated in organ cultures of conjunctiva. The virus associated with a third outbreak had previously been isolated from the original material by culture in human embryo kidney cells, but it required passage in organ culture for its detection after the specimens had been diluted.

The possible value of certain cells for the propagation of respiratory viruses

A strain of HeLa cells, L 132 cells and roller tube cultures of human embryo respiratory epithelium were compared with standard laboratory systems for the propagation of certain rhinoviruses, parainfluenza viruses and some others.