Bromocriptine-induced removal of endoplasmic membranes from prolactinoma cells

Summary Adenomatous prolactin cells lose 39% of their cytoplasm volume within 7 days after the beginning of bromocriptine treatment. A simultaneous reduction of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus occurs. Their membranes are removed by rapid transport along the secretory pathway to the cell surface and to lysosomal destruction.We thank Prof. E. del Pozo, Sandoz Ltd, Basle, for the generous gift of injectable bromocriptine, Prof. E.R. Weibel, Dept. of Anatomy, University of Bern, for his technical advice, Dr U. Helfenstein, Institute of Biostatistics, University of Zürich, for his help in the statistical evaluation of the results and the EMDO-Foundation, Zürich, for financial support.     

Karyomorphology of two species ofTor (Pisces; Cyprinidae) with a high number of chromosomes

Summary The karyotypes ofTor khudree andTor tor, occurring in the Himalayan streams in India, are described. As reported earlier forT. putitora, the diploid complements in these 2 congeneric species also comprise 100 chromosomes. The modal number being 2n=50 in this family,Tor appears to be of tetraploid origin.The author is greatly indebted to Prof. G.K. Manna, and Prof. A.K. Bose, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, for encouragements and laboratory facilities. Financial aid from the University of Kalyani is gratefully acknowledged. Sincere thanks are also due to Dr M.K. Jyoti and Miss Anu Agarwal of the Department of Biosciences, Jammu University for their cordiality and help in various ways during my stay at Jammu.     

A high number of chromosomes in the hillstream cyprinid,Tor putitora (Pisces)

Summary The karyotype of a cyprinid fish occurring in India,Tor putitora is described. The diploid complement comprises 100 chromosomes. The modal number in this family being 2n=50,T. putitora appears to be another case of tetraploidy.The author is highly indebted to Prof. G.K. Manna, and Prof. A.K. Bose, Department of Zoology, University of Kalyani, for encouragement and laboratory facilities. Sincere thanks are due to Dr Raj Tilak, ZSI, Government of India, for identification of the specimens. Financial aid from the University of Kalyani is gratefully acknowledged.     

Pattern of membrane invaginations at the surface of smooth muscle cells of rabbit arteries

Zusammenfassung Mit Hilfe der Gefrierätzung wurde die Oberfläche glatter Muskelzellen von Kaninchenarterien (A. ilica) dargestellt. Die Aufsicht zeigt ein charakteristisches Muster von parallel zur Zellachse verlaufenden Streifen, welche aus einer bis mehreren Reihen einheitlich grosser Membraneinstülpungen (Caveolae intracellulares) bestehen.

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The authors wish to thank Prof.H. Moor, Department of General Botany, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich (Switzerland), for advice and freeze-etching facilities.     

Muelleromyces,a new member of the sphaeriales (ascomycetes)

Zusammenfassung Ein auf Blättern vonEugenia jambolana Lam. in Indien Blattflecken verursachender Ascomycet gehört zu einer neuen Gattung,Muelleromyces Kamat undAnahosur; Typus istMuelleromyces indicus Kamat undAnahosur. Der Pilz hat dem Blattgewebe eingesenkte, einzelstehende und von einem mächtig entwickelten Klypeus überdeckte Perithecien, verschleimende Asci und ungleich zweizellige, hyaline Ascosporen; Paraphysen fehlen.

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The fungus is named after Dr.E. Müller of The Institute of Special Botany, Zürich (Switzerland), in recognition of his outstanding contributions to Fungi in general and Ascomycetes in particular. The material of this new fungus is deposited at M.A.C.S. Herb. Poona (India), C.M.I., Kew, Surrey (England) and Herb. Orientalis, New Delhi (India).     

Effect of diabetes on the vertebral column of rats and its modification by estradiol

Summary In vertebrae of genetically selected sucrose-fed diabetic rats a statistically significant bone deficit was found after diabetes had been present for about 8 months. No osteopenia was observed in diabetic rats following treatment with estrogenic hormone for 5–7 months. The development of osseous centers in the end plates of the vertebrae was retarded in diabetic rats, but was about normal in diabetic rats given estrogen.—No differences were noted in the growth zones or in the tendency to develop articular lesions in rats of the various groups. Possible differences in the amount of GAG in intervertebral discs of diabetic and non-diabetic rats respectively await further confirmation.These investigations were aided by grant No. 2 RO1 EYO 1837-03, of the Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Disease, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.We are indebted to Professor Dr J. Rüttner, Institute of Pathology, University of Zürich, for his permission to use the calculator.     

Rauwolfia alkaloids,XVI. Deserpidine,a new alkaloid fromRauwolfia canescens

Zusammenfassung AusRauwolfia canescens wurde Deserpidin, C₃₂H₃₈O₈N₂, isoliert und eine Konstitutionsformel für dieses neue Alkaloid vorgeschlagen.

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Communication XV,C. F. Huebner et al., J.A.C.S. (in press).

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From lecture given at Columbia University, New York, January 12th, 1955.     

Testicular Leydig cells and 277-1277-1277-1dehydrogenase in cadmium-treated toads (Bufo melanostictus)

Summary Injection of cadmium chloride in toad increased Leydig cell size (area) and ₅-3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in the testis.Acknowledgments. We would like to express our thanks to Dr C. Deb, Head of the Department of Physiology, Calcutta University, for his constant encouragement and Mr R. K. Bhattacharya, Microphotographer, Department of Physiology, for his kind cooperation. This work was supported by U. G. C. Teachers' Grants, New Delhi.     

Prostaglandin (15S)-PGA2 derivatives in the gorgonianPlexaura homomalla (Esper), formakükenthali Moser

Summary The lipid fraction, 17%, of air-driedPlexaura homomalla formakükenthali, collected in the Caribbean at Puerto Rico, yielded 50% of its weight as the mammalian prostaglandin (15S)-PGA₂ methyl ester. The freeze-dried gorgonian yielded (15S)-PGA₂ largely as the acetate of the methyl ester. (15S)-PGA₂ was also obtained from material collected at St. Croix and at South Caicos. Field observations indicate thatPlexaura kükenthali may be a species separate fromPlexaura homomalla and that it is abundant on some shallow water reefs in the Caribbean. Prostaglandins could not be detected in the lipid fraction of eggs isolated fromPlexaura homomalla (Esper) formahomomalla.Acknowledgments. We gratefully acknowledge support from the Office of Sea Grant, NOAA, Department of Commerce (Grant 047-158-44067), and the use of facilities at the Isla Mayagues Marine Laboratory of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, the West Indies Laboratory of Fairleigh Dickinson University at St. Croix, U.S.V.I., and the Marine-Biologisch Instituut at Curacao. Special thanks to Dr. F.M. Bayer, Curator, Department of Zoology, National Museum of Natural History-Smithsonian Institution for checking identity of gorgonians used in this study.     

Two new kaempferol 3,7-diglycosides and kaempferitrin in the fernAsplenium trichomanes

Summary The fronds of the fernAsplenium trichomanes contain kaempferol 3,7-dirhamnoside (1) and the new compounds kaempferol 3-O-a-rhamnoside-7-O-a-arabinoside (2) and kaempferol 3-O-a-arabinoside-7-O-a-rhamnoside (3). The presence of the above flavonoids has been shown by spectroscopic methods and chemical degradations.Acknowledgments. The author thanks Prof. H. Wagner (Institut für pharmazeutische Arzneimittellehre der Universität München, München) for a sample of kaempferol 3,7-dirhamnoside, Dr K. R. Markham (Chemistry Division, D.S.I.R., Petone, New Zealand) for a gift of pectinase and Mr A. D'Urso (Botanic Institute, University of Catania) for help in acquiring the plant material.     

A microbial metabolite of TCDD

Summary In the present study we describe the occurrence of a metabolite of TCDD, which arose in several microbial cultures after long term incubation. The polar metabolite amounted approximately 1% of the input material, and was found to be a hydroxylated derivative of TCDD.The work was supported by a grant from the Swiss Federal Government to R.H. and M.P. We thank Dr K. Grob, GC-Laboratory ETH Zürich, Dübendorf, Switzerland, for providing the highly inert column used in this work, and H.-R. Buser, Swiss Federal Research Station, Wädenswil, Switzerland, for his help in the analysis of the¹⁴C-TCDD.     

Zur Biosynthese des Plumierids

Summary It has been shown that the leaves ofPl. acutifolia incorporate acetate-1-¹⁴C and mevalonate-2-¹⁴C specifically for the formation of the aglycone moiety of plumieride.

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Wir danken dem Schweizerischen Nationalfonds sehr für die Unterstützung der Arbeit, Herrn Dr.J. Würsch (F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Cie., Basel) für markiertes Mevalonsäure-lakton und Herrn Prof.D. Arigoni (Zürich) für interessante Diskussionen.     

Pantothenic acid distribution and protein synthesis in the particulate fractions of rat liver

Zusammenfassung Ratten wurden während 10 Wochen mit durch Pantothensäure angereicherte Nahrung oder mit Pantothensäure-Mangeldiät gefüttert. Im Anschluss daran wurden die durch Differentialzentrifugation gewonnenen Fraktionen von Leberhomogenat auf ihren Protein- und Panthothensäuregehalt untersucht. Die Resultate deuten darauf hin, dass Panthothensäure die Synthese von Leberproteinen, insbesondere in der Überstands-Fraktion, stimuliert.

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Acknowledgement. Authors thank Dr. (Mrs.)A. Venkataraman and Dr.N. K. Dutta, Director of this Institute, for their encouragement and interest, and they are also grateful to Dr.M. J. Modak for his kind help.     

Quantitative analyses of sulfur in isolated pancreatic islets of mice

Zusammenfassung Schwefelmikrobestimmungen wurden an isolierten Langerhansschen Inseln fettleibiger Mäuse ausgeführt. Die Schwefelkonzentration der Inseln war nahezu zweimal so hoch wie die des exokrinen Pankreasparenchyms. Nach Nahrungsentzug wurde in den Inseln keine signifikante Veränderung des Schwefelgehaltes festgestellt.

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Supported by research grant A-5759 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, United States Public Health Service. Our sincere thanks are also due toW. J. Kirsten, M.D. Institute of Medical Chemistry, University of Uppsala, for carrying out the sulphur analyses.     

Fluoride and calcium levels in the aorta

Zusammenfassung Fluor- und Kalziumwerte in verkalktem Aortengewebe wurden mit denen von makroskopisch normal erscheinendem Aortengewebe verglichen. Der Fluorgehalt der Aorta verschiedener Personen zeigte grosse individuelle Schwankungen, die unabhängig vom Kalziumgehalt waren. Eine direkte Korrelation des Aortenfluors mit dem Lebensalter wurde festgestellt. Die statistische Auswertung der Untersuchungen vonCall et al.² ergab, dass der Fluorgehalt der Aorta unabhängig von demjenigen des Skelettes ist.

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I appreciate the cooperation of Drs. E.Booth and J. R.Mc-Donald, pathologists at Hutzel and Harper Hospitals respectively, for furnishing the aorta specimens; D. L. J.Savage and Mr. J. M.Lucas of the Department of Statistics at Yale University for their statistical interpretation of my data; Dr. R. A.Kemp Harper, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, England, and Dr. G.Nalbone, Department of Industrial Medicine, University of Palermo, Italy, for furnishing the illustrations in Figures 1 and 2.     

Fortuitous discovery of urate nephrolithiasis in rats subjected to portacaval anastomosis

Zusammenfassung Nach Anlage eines portocavalen Shunts bei 53 Sprague-Dawley-Ratten wurde in 47% aller Fälle eine Harnsäure-Urolithiasis beobachtet. Das Vorkommen war bei den Ratten am häufigsten (94%), die mehr als einen Monat überlebten und postoperativ an Gewicht verloren.

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Acknowledgments. The authors are grateful to Dr.K. Lauber of the Department of Medical Chemistry and to Prof.H. Fleisch of the Department of Pathophysiology of the University of Berne for performing the chemical analyses. The technical assistance of MissM. Kappeler and MissB. Schütz is greatly appreciated.     

Formation of 4-ketocyclophosphamide by the oxidation of cyclophosphamide with KMnO4

Zusammenfassung Oxydation des (³²P) Cyclophosphamides durch KMnO₄ in Wasser oder Aceton führt zu 4-Ketocyclophosphamid und einem N-dechloroäthylierten Derivat des Cyclophosphamides, beides bekannte Metaboliten der Droge. Die Auftrennung der Produkte gelingt durch Dünnschichtchromatographie und die Richtigkeit der Strukturen wurde durch Massenspectrometrie nachgewiesen.

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Acknowledgments. This investigation was supported by grants to the Chester Beatty Research Institute (Institute of Cancer Research: Royal Cancer Hospital) from the Medical Research Council and Cancer Research Campaign. The A.E.I. MS-12 mass spectrometer was purchased on a special grant No. G969/189/C from the Medical Research Council. The work was carried out partly during the tenure of a Ludwig Fellowship awarded by Cancer Research Institute. The interest of ProfessorA. B. Foster and Dr.T. A. Connors in this work, and the skilled technical assistance of Mr.M. H. Baker, are gratefully acknowledged.     

Effect of amygdaloid lesions on plasma corticosterone response of the albino rat to emotional stress

Zusammenfassung Im Vergleich zu Kontrolltieren mit zweiseitigen Rindenläsionen führt beidseitige Zerstörung des Nucleus centralis im Mandelkernkomplex der Ratte zu erhöhter Plasma-Corticosteron-Produktion nach kurzfristigem Stress durch entsprechende Immobilisierung.

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This study was made possible by a special research fellowship to one of us,E. W. Bovard, from the United States Public Health Service, sponsored by the National Institute of Mental Health. The writers would like to acknowledge with thanks the interest and friendly cooperation of Dr.H. Jasper, Dr.Hanna Pappius, Dr.Marion K. Birmingham, and the medical and technical staff of Montreal Neurological Institute in this work. This paper was originally presented at a meeting of the Montreal Physiological Society, March 8, 1961.     

Prianicin A and B,nor-sesterterpenoid peroxide antibiotics from red sea sponges

Summary The antibiotic properties of 2 acidic C₂₄H₄₀O₄ nor-sesterterpenoid peroxides, prianicin A (1) and B (2), against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and against fungi are herein described. They are 4–10 times more effective than tetracycline againstbeta hemolytic Streptococcus, but significantly non-effective against a variety of gram-negative bacteria.Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Prof. A. Kjaer of the Organic Chemistry Department of the Technical University of Denmark, for his help and fruitful discussions.     

Über die Sekretion saccharosespaltender Transglukosidasen im pflanzlichen Nektar

Summary The phloem sap ofRobinia Pseud-Acacia contains only sucrose and does not possess invertase activity. A sucrase is, however, present in nectar collected fromRobinia flowers: this enzyme identified as a transglucosidase, liberates greater amounts of fructose than of glucose from sucrose. Enzymic activity apparently commences 2–5 days before the flowers are fully open.

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Die vorliegenden Untersuchungen erfolgten im Rahmen der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Prof. Dr.A. Frey-Wyssling, Zürich, und Dr.A. Maurizio, Bern, mit Unterstützung der Fritz-Hoffmann-La-Roche-Stiftung zur Förderung wissenschaftlicher Arbeitsgemeinschaften in der Schweiz.