Different effects of D-glucose anomers for respiration of bacterial germinated spores

Summary Effects of - or -D-glucose on the respiration of germinated spores (only germinated spores not including swollen spores and elongated spores) ofBacillus subtilis andB. megaterium were studied. In our conditions, net amount of oxygen consumed by 10¹⁰ germinated spores ofB. subtilis per min after addition of - or -D-glucose was 1.6 g or 6.6 g (/=4.13), while that byB. megaterium was 4.5 g or 6.8 g (/=1.51), respectively. However, the net amounts of oxygen consumed by 10¹⁰ vegetative cells per min after addition of - or -D-glucose were identical, forB. subtilis in both cases 443.0 g and forB. megaterium in both cases 604.4 g.     

Phenytoin-induced DNA synthesis and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate formation in L-929 fibroblasts

Summary Culture of L-929 fibroblasts in the presence of phenytoin (2.5–5.0 g/ml) increased DNA synthesis, as indicated by increased [³H]thymidine uptake, while a higher dose (20 g/ml) inhibited DNA synthesis. In like manner, a low dose of phenytoin (5.0 g/ml) was effective in increasing inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate formation while a higher dose (10 g/ml) tended to inhibit this activity. These data suggest that the formation of inositol phosphate second messengers may play a role in phenytoin-induced fibroblast proliferation and connective tissue growth.     

Effects ofα-amanition of nucleolar structure and metabolism inDrosophila hydei

Zusammenfassung Fünf Stunden nach Injektion von 0.5 g -Amanitin in Larven des III. Stadiums vonDrosophila hydei zeigen viele Nukleolen der Speicheldrüsenzellen eine Fragmentierung und die meisten eine erhöhte Markierung mit³H-Uridin. In Tieren, die mit -Amanitin behandelt wurden ist der Grad des³H-Uridin-Einbaus in 28 S- und 18 S-RNS geringer, während der Einbau in niedermolekulare RNS (3–7 S) im Vergleich mit Kontroltieren stark zugenommen hat.     

Unusual antimicrobial compounds fromAeollanthus buchnerianus

Using bioassay guided isolation, three novel 12 carbon polyoxygenated fatty acids and a novel abietane diterpene have been isolated from the the chloroform extract of aerial parts ofAeollanthus buchnerianus (Lamiaceae). Rigorous spectroscopic methods were used for compound identification. (Z,Z)-8-acetoxy-5-hydroxydodeca-2,6-dienoic acid and (Z,Z)-5,8-dihydroxydodeca-2,6-dienoic acid inhibited the spore germination ofCladosporium cucumerinum (both with Minimum Inhibitory Dose (MID) values of 1 g) andAspergillus niger (MID 5 and 25 g respectively). Further, they also reduced the hyphal growth ofPythium ultimum. (Z)-5-hydroxy-6,7,8-triacetoxydodeca-2-dienoic acid exhibited short term inhibition of the growth ofCladosporium cucumerinum. The novel abietane diterpenoid, (rel)-14-acetoxyabiet-7-en-18-oic acid inhibited the growth of the gram positive bacteriaBacillus subtilis, staphylococcus aureus andStreptomyces scabies (MIC values 80, 20 and 20 g ml^–1 respectively).     

The use of 5-fluorocytosine and ketoconazole in the culture of the erythrocytic stages ofPlasmodium falciparum and some tumor cell lines

Summary In vitro culture systems are often contaminated by bacteria and fungi. It is therefore often necessary to supplement culture media with agents such as penicillin/streptomycin, gentamycin or amphotericin B. The latter cannot be used in the in vitro culture of erythrocytic stages ofP. falciparum, and thus anti-fungal agents have not been regularly used in this system. We describe the prophylactic use of 5-fluorocytosine (5-FC) and ketoconazole (KTZ) in tissue cultures at concentrations up to 300 and 10 g/ml respectively which have no effect on the growth ofP. falciparum (FCR-3 strain). A melanoma cell line (C32) and a line of uterine carcinoma (C41) were also unaffected by similar concentrations of 5-FC and KTZ. When dissolved in complete culture medium (RPMI 1640) with 10% human plasma, the minimum inhibitory concentration of 5-FC for a susceptible strain ofCandida remained below 2 g/ml. These experiments suggest that 5-FC (at 50 g/ml) alone or in combination with KTZ (at 1 g/ml) is a useful addition to the armamentarium of antimicrobials available to the tissue culture biologist for a variety of cell culture systems.     

Zur Umwandlung von β-Pyridylcarbinol in Nicotinsäure im tierischen Organismus

Summary By way of the perfusion technique, it is shown that the liver of the rat readily converts-pyridyl-carbinol to nicotinic acid. The turnover attains a rate of 0.5M/g/min.     

Effect of estrogens and gibberellic acid on cytokinin and abscisic acid-like compound contents in pea

Zusammenfassung Die mit Oestrogenen (0.1 g pro Pflanze) und Gibberellinsäure (GA₃, 0,001 g pro Pflanze) behandelten Erbsenkeimlinge zeigten nach 96 h ein um 40% stärkeres Längenwachstum als die Kontrollpflanzen. Die Oestrogene erhöhten in den Keimlingen den Gehalt an Cytokininen, übten jedoch keinen Einfluss auf den Abscisinsäure-Gehalt aus. Die Gibberellinsäure andererseits setzte den Gehalt an Abscisinsäure herab, ohne die Konzentration der Cytokinine zu verändern.     

Platelet aggregation is inhibited by phycolectins

Lectins from four marine algal species were examined for interaction with human platelets. The lectin designated hypnin A, from the red algaHypnea japonica, inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-or collagen-induced human platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. Complete inhibition was observed at concentrations of 100 and 5 g/ml of the lectin with, ADP (2 M) and collagen (0.2 g/ml)-induced platelet aggregation, respectively. At the inhibitory concentration of 0.5 to 100 g/ml, the lectin did not induce aggregation of resting platelets. Lectins from the other three algal species also inhibited ADP-induced human platelet aggregation. These results indicate that the algal lectins are a new group of inhibitors and may be useful to study glycoconjugates on platelet membranes and to design novel platelet aggregation inhibitors.     

Repercussions de l'hyperthyroïdie sur le contenu total en ADN du cervelet de rat âgé de 6 et 35 jours. Effets comparés de la LT3 et de la DLT4

Summary The total cerebellar proteins RNA and DNA contents from DLT4- and LT3-treated rats was studied at 6 and 35 days of age. The effect of injections of 5 g/j of DLT4 is comparable to that of 25 g of LT3 at birth, followed by 0.5 g every 2 days. On the other hand, injection of 0.5 g of LT3 every 2 days does not induce any significant modification of the total DNA contents in the cerebellum.     

Total synthesis of two cyclodecapeptides exerting polymyxin-like activity

Zusammenfassung Von den vier Cyclodekapeptiden, die als mögliche Strukturen für Polymyxin B₁ vorgeschlagen wurden, konnten nun auch die Ringstrukturen mit 7 Aminosäuren, nämlich 7 und 7 (vgl. Fig.), synthetisiert werden. Diese erwiesen sich im Gegensatz zu 8 und 8 als hochaktive antimikrobielle Wirkstoffe mit Wirkungsqualitäten der Polymyxine. Ob 7 oder 7 mit natürlichem Polymyxin B₁ identisch ist, wird durch weitere Versuche abgeklärt.     

Intracellular inclusions associated with maize mosaic virus infection

Zusammenfassung Die Epidermiszellen von mit Mais-Mosaik-Virus infizierten Maisblättern enthalten runde oder längliche Einschlusskörper, welche meist dem Kern anhaften oder nahe bei diesem liegen. Sie erscheinen nach Giemsa-Färbung rosa bis purpurn gefärbt. Die Abmessungen der länglichen Einschlüsse betragen 3,0–4,6 · 14–26, der Durchmesser der rundlichen 2,0–7,7.     

A new type of antigen induced by chemical linkage ofMycobacterium tuberculosis and γ-globulin

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe derPauly'schen Diazo-Reaktion wird humanes -Globulin an humanpathogene, virulenteMycobacterium tuberculosis-Stämme (M) gekoppelt. Das Zustandekommen der chemischen Bindung wurde mit gefärbten Präparaten, elektronenmikroskopischen und immunelektrophoretischen Untersuchungen der Bakterien bewiesen. Die mit-Globulin gekoppeltenM haben ihre Virulenz eingebüsst. In den Versuchstieren wurden Antikörper sowohl gegen -Globulin als auch gegenM gebildet. Durch ersteres wurde das Allergisierungsvermögen vonM gesteigert.     

Deciduogenic effects of mediators of the polyphosphatidylinositol pathway in pseudopregnant mice

Intraluminal injections (15 l) of either concanavalin A (125 g) or ionophore A 23187 (0.01 mol) induced a decidual cell reaction (DCR) in the uterus of day 4.5 pseudopregnant mice. However, when these agents were administered in different combinations with each other or with CaCl₂ (15 mol) and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (1.6 nmol), interacting effects occurred to either enhance or inhibit each of the others' independent deciduogenic capacities. The results suggest that the polyphosphatidylinositol pathway and Ca²⁺ are involved in the induction of the DCR in mice with complex interactions occurring between the active components of the pathway to modulate the outcome of the transformation process.     

Inhibition of hepatic Na+, K+-adenosinetriphosphatase in taurolithocholate-induced cholestasis in the rat

Summary Na⁺, K⁺-adenosinetriphosphatase (Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase) activity was decreased in liver plasma membranes from rats in which cholestasis had been induced by i.v. administration of sodium taurolithocholate (5 moles/100 g b. wt). Incubation of liver plasma membranes with taurolithocholate (10–1300 M) caused significant and dose dependent reductions of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity at taurolithocholate concentrations above 100 M. These findings lend support to the hypothesis that cholestasis induced by monohydroxy bile acids is at least partially the result of an inhibition of hepatic Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity.This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation.The authors thank Mr H. Sägesser and Miss B. Schütz for technical assistance.     

Relevance of specific activity in experimental erythrocytocide by55Fe

Summary Iron loads between 0.20 g and 26 g, added to 5Ci⁵⁹Fe, were followed for up to 150 days in mice. Relative organ uptake increased as a function of iron load in liver and kidneys while it decreased in bone marrow and blood. Several weeks after injection, all load-related differences disappeared.Research carried out under the auspices of the US Department of Energy and by NIH GRANT HL-15685-02.     

Central nicotinic receptor blockade inhibits emotionally conditioned pressor responses in rats

A conditioned stimulus previously paired with electric footshock produced an increase in blood pressure in conscious, freely moving rats. The conditioned pressor response was reproducible. Intracerebroventricular injection of the nicotinic receptor antagonists hexamethonium (1–10 g) or pentolinium (10 g) but not the muscarinic receptor antagonist methylatropine (3 g) produced an inhibition of the conditioned pressor response, whereas intraarterial injection of hexamethonium (10 g) did not affect the response. Intraventricular injection of the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine (3–10 g) produced an enhancement of the conditioned pressor response. These results are consistent with the possibility that central nicotinic receptors play a role in the expression of the emotionally conditioned pressor response in rats.     

Physicochemical studies of indocyanine green (ICG): absorbance/concentration relationship,pH tolerance and assay precision in various solvents

Summary Indocyanine green (ICG) obeyed the Beer-Lambert law within the concentration range 1.25 g/ml–10.0g/ml in distilled water, methanol, dimethylformamide (DMF), 1.2-propanediol and aqueous buffers (pH 9.0), but only up to 7.5 g/ml in human bile and 0.5% human albumin, and only to 5.0 g/ml in human duodenal fluid. ICG was rapidly (<1 h) decomposed to a colorless derivative at pH<5 and >11, but remained relatively stable for 48 h at pH 8–10. ICG is an indicator and a weak acid with a pKa of 3.27. In bile stabilized with 25% methanol, the precision of the method (CV) is 5% and the accuracy is 106–127%.     

Antidiuretic effects of oxytocin in the Brattleboro rat

Summary The antidiuretic activity of oxytocin (OT) was measured in Brattleboro rats with congenital diabetes insipidus. A dose dependent antidiuretic response was found in animals receiving chronic infusions of 0.1 g/h, 1.0 g/h, and 5 g/h of OT. OT infused at the rate of 5 g/h over a 7-day period completely reversed the symptoms of diabetes insipidus. The results support the concept that OT serves as a weak agonist of vasopressin at the level of the kidney and at pharmacological levels exhibits antidiuretic activity.     

The length-tension diagram of single muscle fibres of the crayfish

Zusammenfassung An isolierten Muskelfasern vonAstacus fluviatilis wurde mittels Kaliumkontraktur die Spannung-Sarkomerlängenrelation untersucht. Maximale Faserspannung wird bei einer Sarkomerlänge von 10,5 entwickelt. Werden Fasern zu einer Sarkomerlänge von 16,5 gedehnt, so ist die Spannung nicht mehr messbar. Diese Sarkomerlänge ist etwas grösser als diejenige (14.45), die aus der Länge der dicken Filamente (3.95) und der optimalen Länge hervorgeht.     

In vitro induced disappearance of nucleoli in cells treated with LSD-25

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass LSD Konzentration von 100 g/ml in der Gewebekultur zur Verminderung der optischen Dichte oder zum Verschwinden der Nucleoli führen kann.