Effects of injections of ecdysterone on the molt and regeneration in the crab Carcinus maenas (L.)]

Two successives injections of 10 microng/g of ecdysterone induce precocious ecdysis in 66% of Crabs. This induction of precocious ecdysis is always accompanied by an inhibiting effect on regeneration: tiny abnormal regenerates or none are obtained. A majority of recipients of ecdysterone underwent successful ecdysis. Experimental results are discussed; a morphological and cytological study of ecdysterone effects on regeneration is announced.     

Activité protéosynthétique des glandes prothoraciques et titre d'ecdysone chez des larves permanentes deLocusta migratoria obtenues par irradiation sélective du tissu hématopoïétique

Summary The prothoracic glands of permanent fifth instar larvae ofLocusta migratoria (moulting blocked by selective X-ray treatment of the hemocytopoietic tissue) are in a state of high activity as evidenced by the rate of incorporation of a labelled amino-acid into the proteins synthesized in these glands. Such permanent larvae apparently synthesize no ecdysone nor ecdysterone.     

Permeability of fresh and stored human erthrocytes to glycerol and its acylated derivatives

The effect of copper ions on the permeation of glycerol and its mono-, di-, and triacetate derivatives was studied in fresh and stored erythrocytes. Permeability was unchanged with storage. Acylated glycerols permeate the cells mainly by non-facilitated mechanism, as their transport is almost unaffected by copper ions.     

Ecdysterone-induced mortality and inhibition of feeding in diapausingRhodnius prolixus stal

Summary Administration of ecdysterone was fatal to diapausingRhodnius prolixus; the male adults and 19-week-old male fifth instar larvae were more susceptible than the 3-week-old larvae. The hormone also inhibited the feeding activity of the bugs.     

Ecdysteroids in the adult male blowflyCalliphora vicina

Summary Male adult blowflies contain ecdysteroids. A considerable amount of ecdysteroid is concentrated in the testes and gives rise to a high local concentration. Analysis by high performance liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography indicate that ecdysterone is the most prominent ecdysteroid in male flies. The results can explain several hormone-dependant processes.     

The existance of a winter diapause revealed by the effects of hormone treatment in the spider Pisaura mirabilis Cl. (Pisauridae)]

In the same experimental conditions, injections of ecdysterone induce moulting phenomena appearing after significantly different times according to whether the nymphs of Pisaura have been captured in October or January. The variable sensibility of the spiders towards an equal amount of hormones allows us to confirm the occurrence of winter-diapause in this Arachnid.     

Geranyl acetate and 2-decen-1-ol in the cephalic secretion of the solitary waspSceliphron caementarium (Sphecidae; Hymenoptera)

Summary The cephalic secretion ofSceliphron caementarium contains a mixture of geranyl acetate and 2-decen-1-ol; the latter has not been described previously in arthropod secretions. The secretion is orally emitted when the wasps are handled, and may serve in defense or alternatively as an aid in roosting aggregation.Acknowledgment. We thank A. S. Menke and D. Vincent, Insect Identification and Beneficial Insect Introduction Institute, SEA, USDA, for taxonomic identification. We also thank Bedoukian Research, Inc., for kindly sending us samples of 2-decen-1-ol and decenyl acetate.     

Haemolymph ecdysteroids level following the injection of ecdysone or ecdysterone; its relation with tegument and midgut response inAeshna cyanea (Insecta,Odonata)

Summary The haemolymph ecdysteroid level after injection of ecdysone or ecdysterone inAeshna cyanea larvae has been determined by a radioimmunoassay method. The rate of excretion appears to be dependent on both the ecdysteroid injected and the time of injection. In case of ecdysone injection, the secretion of the epidermis cuticle and the differentiation of the imaginal midgut epithelium occur when the ecdysteroid level remains low for many days.     

Permeability of fresh and stored human erythrocytes to glycerol and its acylated derivatives

Summary The effect of copper ions on the permeation of glycerol and its mono-, di-, and triacetate derivatives was studied in fresh and stored erythrocytes. Permeability was unchanged with storage. Acylated glycerols permeate the cells mainly by non-facilitated mechanism, as their transport is almost unaffected by copper ions.Portions of this work were included in the graduate thesis of Dr. Yaeger in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M. D. degree.Acknowledgement. We thank Mrs Dalia Mazor for expert technical assistance.     

Functional subdivision within a lobster motor unit

Summary A discrete middle band of tonic fibers in the claw closer muscles of lobsters functions as a sub-unit of the slow motor unit in maintaining dactyl posture at a low frequency of firing due to its synaptic properties and strategic location.Supported by National Institute of Health Grant to Dr A. G. Humes and the late Fred Lang.Supported by National Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada.     

Synthesis of ecdyson-14C and ecdysterone-14C from cholesterol-14C in cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) without molting glands

Summary The synthesis of molting hormone of cockroaches of which the prothoracic glands had previously been extirpated was investigated after injection of cholesterol-¹⁴C. It could be proved by means of radio thin-layer chromatography of extracts that ecdysterone and in small amounts ecdysone, are synthesized in Periplaneta americana larvae without prothoracic glands. The results demonstrate that other tissues are also able to perform the molting hormone besides the molting gland itself.Supported by the Sächsische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig.     

Ecdyson als Begleitsubstanz des Ecdysterons inPolypodium vulgare L.

Summary Ecdysone, one of the moulting hormones of Arthropodes, was found for the first time in the plant kingdom too. From rhizomes ofPolypodium vulgare L. we isolated 0.002% ecdysone and 0.07% ecdysterone.

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Teil der Dissertation vonG. Heinrich.     

A farnesyl arabinoside as an enhancer of glucose transport in rat adipocytes from a soft coral, Sinularia sp.

Separation of a lipophilic extract of a soft coral, Sinularia sp., assayed by enhancement of glucose transport in rat adipocytes, gave farnesyl 4-O-beta-D-arabinopyranosyl-beta-D-arabinopyranoside-2,2',3- triacetate (1a) whose structure was determined by spectroscopy. Enhancers of glucose transport may be useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetic disorders.     

Variations des taux d'ecdystéroïdes au cours du développement deBombyx mori; rapport entre ces variations et les phases de croissance et de morphogenèse

Summary During the development ofBombyx mori (monovoltin race) ecdysteroid levels were determined in oocytes, eggs, and haemolymph of larvae, and in the haemolymph of pupae. In haemolymph, the only RIA reactive materials are ecdysone and ecdysterone. In oocytes and eggs, other ecdysteroids are also detected. During larval instars, the ecdysteroid levels are low whereas they are very high during morphogenetic periods. During embryonic diapause, the ecdysone titer decreases during the cessation of morphogenesis.     

Coordinated activation of muscle fibres by different conduction velocities in branches of a crustacean motor axon

Summary Higher conduction velocities in branches of the fast excitor axon to distal muscle fibres ensure that these fibres are activated almost simultaneously with proximal fibres in the claw closer muscle of lobsters, producing a contraction of maximal force.Supported by Muscular Dystrophy Association and National Research Council of Canada.Supported by National Institute of Health and Muscular Dystrophy Association of America.     

利用糠醛废水制备醋酸钙镁融雪剂的工艺及产品性能研究

利用糠醛废水中醋酸含量较高的特点，设计了能够在处理糠醛废水的同时回收利用醋酸，生产环保型融雪剂醋酸钙镁（CMA）的工艺条件。并利用该工艺建立了日产5吨CMA的生产线，对所生产的CMA产品的品质和性能进行了评价。研究结果表明：所设计的工艺路线可以用于实际生产，能够回收利用糠醛废水中的水和醋酸，基本实现零排放。所生产的CMA有效成分含量较高，环境影响很小，融雪能力较好，可用于冬季路面的融雪。     

Oenocyte and prothoracic gland activity inManduca sexta under varying photoperiod and light conditions

Summary Manduca sexta larvae were subjected to diapause-inducing and diapause-preventing photoperiods, using two types of fluorescents (Indorsun and Blacklight-blue). The oenocytes, prothoracic glands (PTG) and ecdysone levels were examined in 3-day-old 5th instar larvae, 2-day-old and 10-day-old pupae. Our results indicate that oenocytes and PTG cells tend to be more active under long photoperiods while oenocytes only are active under short photoperiods in pupae in diapause. UV light has a definite effect on oenocytes while PTG cells seem to be unaffected. Ecdysone and ecdysterone levels vary with PTG and oenocyte activity at the pupal stage. The significance of these findings is discussed.This work was supported by a research associateship to L.M. by the People's Republic of China and a grant from NSERC to B.J.R.P.     

Presence of ecdysone and ecdysterone in the tickAmblyomma hebraeum Koch

Summary Ecdysone and ecdysterone, the moulting hormones of insects and crustaceans, are also present in nymphs of the tickAmblyomma hebraeum. They were demonstrated by means of radioimmunoassay and of gas-liquid chromatography combined with mass fragmentography or mass spectrometry of their trimethylsilyl-drivatives.Acknowledgments. We thank Proff. A. Aeschlimann and C. Noirot and Dr J. Delachambre for their help and encouragement. We are grateful to Proff. Maume and Padieu (Département de Biochimie, Université de Dijon) for the use of the LKB 9000 GLC-MS, and to Drs M. L. De Reggi, M. H. Hirn and Prof. M. A. Delaage for the gift of some RIA-antigens and antibodies. We thank Ciba-Geigy Ltd for the supply with ticks. The work was in part supported by grant Nr. 3. 734. 76 of the Swiss National Science Foundation and by a grant of the Emil Barrel Stiftung.     

Protective effect of tannic acid in mice receiving dietary lead

Summary Mice fed a diet containing both tannic acid and lead acetate showed increased weight gain and greater fecundity when compared with those on a diet containing lead acetate alone. The most significant improvement was provided by adding 2% tannic acid (wt/wt) to ground food containing 3% lead acetate. The affinity of tannic acid for heavy metals is suggested as a reason for this protective effect.     

Seasonality in human sleep

The timing of sleep and sleep EEG parameters in 10 healthy male subjects were investigated in four seasons under controlled conditions. The phase of nocturnal sleep was delayed about one and a half hours in winter as compared to that in summer. The duration of stage 4 sleep decreased and REM sleep increased significantly in winter compared with summer. The seasonality in the timing of sleep can be explained by photoperiodic time cues, but the changes in sleep EEG parameters are diffucult to explain in terms of photoperiod.