p-Xylylenedicyanide and related compounds,weakly cytotoxic nitriles

Zusammenfassung Extrakte vonV. opulus von schwacher Zelltoxizität enthaltenp-Xylylendinitril. Die Isomeren,m- undp-Cyanohydrozimtsäurenitrile, wurden synthetisiert und auf ihre zelltoxischen Eigenschaften hin untersucht:p-Xylylendinitril erweist sich als am stärksten wirksam.

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The reported work was supported in part by grants Nos. AM 07147, FR 00354, GM 12755 and GM 33888 from the United States Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health. We are grateful to the management and staff of the Isaac Bernheim Foundation for their helpful assistance with plants.

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Inquiries on mass spectra should be directed to F.W.M.; all other inquiries should be directed to C.H.J.     

Radiation induced avoidance behavior transfer by brain extracts of mice

Zusammenfassung In «naiven» Mäusen werden Verhaltensveränderungen nach Injektion kleiner Mengen von Gehirnmaterial aus Saccharin bevorzugenden und röntgenbestrahlten Mäusen beobachtet. Es trat Vermeidung der Saccharinlösung ein, und zwar ähnlich wie sonst in «trainierten», Saccharin bevorzugenden Tieren nach der Bestrahlung.     

Unstable genetic system inDrosophila melanogaster: I. Instability at theCinnabar locus

Summary A mutant strain containing acinnabar allele (cn ^rbr ,rojo brillante) is reported, that produces wild-type revertants at thecinnabar (cn) locus. Incn ^rbr /cn heterozygotes the rate of mutation is highly increased. The presence of a mutator agent acting premeiotically is indicated.D.L. Lindsley and E.H. Grell, Genetic variations ofDrosophila melanogaster. Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, 1968; Publication No. 627.     

Ethylene production and cell wall formation in mesophyll protoplasts

Summary The regulation of ethylene synthesis, in relation to the presence of a new cell wall, has been investigated forNicotiana sylvestris leaf protoplasts. It is clear that the production of ethylene is not controlled by the new wall, which has no action on the ethylene formation. The addition of dichlorobenzonitrile to cultivated protoplasts causes the inhibition of wall formation, without any other apparent deleterious effects.     

Dehydroacetic acid in anthers ofSolandra nitida (Solanaceae)

Summary The chloroform extract of anthers ofSolandra nitida contains 3-acethyl-6-methyl-1,2-pyran-2,4(3H)dione (dehydroacetic acid) as one of the main products.