Urease inhibition by hydroxamic acids

Summary Ureases from jack beans andRhodototorula pilimanae were observed to be inhibited by primary hydroxamic acids but were not inhibited by acyclic-secondary (N-alkyl) hydroxamic acids.This project was supported by a Lamar University organized research grant.     

Degradation of type I collagen fibrils synthesized by human dental pulp cells in explant culture exposed toActinomyces viscosus. Electron microscope immunotyping

Summary Actinomyces viscosus Be 66, added to pulpal cells in culture, does not cause apparent cellular damage. The extracellular matrix consists of altered collagen fibrils and thin filaments, immunochemically identified as type I collagen. They probably represent the first steps of collagen degradation.This work was supported by INSERM (ATP: 77-85) and CNRS (RCP: 533).     

What distinguishes cosmopolitan and endemicDrosophila species?

Summary CosmopolitanDrosophila species can survive wide ecological tolerances measured by resistance to desiccation/temperature extremes compared with endemic rain forest species. This, rather than any genetic features, is important in helping to explain the widespread distributions of cosmopolitan species.We thank Dr Lee Ehrman for cultures ofD. paulistorum, and the Australian Research Grants Committee for financial support.     

Cross-linked arabinogalactan: A new affinity matrix for the purification ofRicinus communis lectins

Summary Arabinogalactan has been cross-linked to give a new high capacity affinity matrix for the purification ofRicinus communis lectins. It shows a capacity which is 50 times greater than that of the conventional affinity matrices.     

Long-term depression of two primary immune responses induced by a single dose of 5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC)

Summary 2 primary immune responses (anti-SRBC antibody response and allograft rejection) have been tested in mice at various time intervals after single doses of either DTIC or cyclophosphamide. The DTIC-induced immunodepression proved to be extremely long-lasting, being still detectable after 2 months.This work was supported by Project NO1-CB 64054 of the U.S.-Italy Cooperative Science Program.     

Dissolution of gallstones in hamsters by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid

Summary Addition of 0.05–0.20% of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid to a lithogenic hamster diet resulted in a marked reduction in the incidence of gallstones in hamsters.Supported, in part, by grants HL-03299, AG-00076 and T32 CA-09171 and a Research Career Award, HL-0734 from the National Institutes of Health.