Pyrrolizidine alkaloids inDanaus plexippus L. andDanaus chrysippus L.

Summary Danaus plexippus L. andDanaus chrysippus L. have been found to store pyrrolizidine alkaloids obtained from adult food plants and it is suggested that the alkaloids contribute to the unpalatability of the butterflies to potential predators.Acknowledgment. We thank Dr.C. C. J. Culvenor for rearing some of the butterflies andJ. M. Smith for plant collection. The plants were identified by the national Herbarium, Melbourne.     

Radiation-induced hyperdiploidy inHyoscyamus niger L

Summary A hyperdiploid plant type, approaching the triploid chromosome number, and representing possibly a high level of tetrasomy, was recorded in the progeny of a gamma ray-induced unbranched desynaptic mutant in the M₄ generation. Its meiotic behavior and its possible importance for deriving diverse hyperdiploid lines from desynaptic mutants are outlined.Acknowledgment. We are grateful to Dr Akhtar Hussian, Director, CIMAP, for his keen interest in the study and for providing the facilities.     

Cytochromeh fromAplysia depilans L.

Riassunto Nell'epatopancreas di due Gasteropodi marini:Aplysia depilans eA. limacina è presente un emocromogeno assai simile al citocromoh di Helix. Il pigmento è stato estratto e purificato e le sue proprietà fisiche, chimiche e biologiche sono state confrontate con quelle dell'emoproteina di Helix.     

Anthocyanins inDioscorea alata L.

Résumé Trois arthocyanidines acylées ont été extraits de tubercules d'une variété deDioscorea alata L. des Antilles. Tous 3 sont des glycosides de la cyanidine: le pigment principal est la cyanidine-3-gentiobioside acylée d'acide ferrulique; les 2 autres pigments secondaires sont semblables aux cyanidine-3-glycosides acylées d'acide ferrulique.     

Anthocyanins ofDioscorea alata L.

Résumé Trois anthocyanines ont été extraits de tubercules d'une variété de l'ignameD. alata à chair pourpre. Tous les 3 sont des glycosides de la cyanidine: le pigment principal est le cyanidine-3,5-diglucoside.     

The function of apolipoproteins L

The function of the proteins of the apolipoprotein L (apoL) family is largely unknown. These proteins are classically thought to be involved in lipid transport and metabolism, mainly due to the initial discovery that a secreted member of the family, apoL-I, is associated with high-density lipoprotein particles. However, the other members of the family are believed to be intracellular. The recent unravelling of the mechanism by which apoL-I kills African trypanosomes, as well as the increasing evidence for modulation of apoL expression in various pathological processes, provides new insights about the functions of these proteins. ApoLs share structural and functional similarities with proteins of the Bcl-2 family. Based on the activity of apoL-I in trypanosomes and the comparison with Bcl-2 proteins, we propose that apoLs could function as ion channels of intracellular membranes and be involved in mechanisms triggering programmed cell death. Received 28 February 2006; received after revision 18 May 2006; accepted 2 June 2006     

Neoplasms inLumbricus terrestris L.

Zusammenfassung Cancerogene Chemikalien oder Röntgenstrahlen verursachten am Regenwurm (Lumbricus terrestris) verschiedene neoplastisch aussehende Beschädigungen.     

Pilzkulturen auf Löschpapier

Summary It is possible to obtain good growth of fungi on blotting-paper-strips, if the strips are staying in beer-wort like the photo shows.     

Bergapten inDictamnus albus L.

Zusammenfassung Die Isolierung von Bergapten (5-Methoxy-Psoralen) ausDictamnus albus L. wird beschrieben. Die photosensibilisierende Wirkung der Inhaltsstoffe dieser Pflanze nach UV-Bestrahlung auf die menschliche Haut ist hauptsächlich auf dieses Furocoumarin zurückzuführen.     

Immunocytology of alpha-endorphin positive hypothalamic fibers of Carassius auratus L. and Cyprinus carpio L.]

An immunocytological study of the basal hypothalamus of Carassius auratus and Cyprinus carpio with an alpha-endorphin antiserum shows the different nerve processes belonging probably to the immunoreactive cells of the lateral part of the N.L.T. According to their pathways, two main fibre tracts have been distinguished: many fluorescent fibres converge towards the pituitary gland into which they enter, other fibres run caudally through the tuber towards the nucleus tuberis inferior (Baumgarten and Braak) where they could not be followed further.     

Untersuchungen zur Neurosekretion beiAcheta domesticus L

Summary PAF-positive material, which is found in the brain and stomatogastric system of adultAcheta domesticus, can in addition be demonstrated in the Nervus corporis allati II. In the suboesophageal ganglion and the ventral nerve cord 3 different types of neurosecretory cells are described.     

Studies on the modification ofEscherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 by succinic anhydride

Summary Lysine modification by increasing quantities of succinic anhydride in theEscherichia coli ribosomal protein L7/L12 produces loss of its ability in reconstitution of elongation-factor-G-dependent GTP hydrolysis and polyphenylalanine synthesis activities, showing lower antigenicity and loss of antigenic determinants.This study was supported in part by Fondo de investigaciones sanitarias del INSALUD.     

Intraspezifische Unterschiede der relativen Hirngrösse beim Löwen (Panthera leo L.)

Summary Different stages of brain evolution expressed by the allometric relation of³ brain capacity and basal length of the skull are shown to be existent in the speciesPanthera leo. Whereas Asiatic lions obviously have the same level of brain size as leopards (Panthera pardus), African lions have higher brain capacities. A third level seems to be represented by the upper pleistocene American lion,Panthera leo atrox. These results permit us to reject some conceptions ofHerre andRöhrs ¹³ concerning the quantitative expression of mammalian brain evolution.     

Flavonoide ausVitex agnus castus L.

Summary Leaves ofVitex agnus castus L. and of related species which are said to have hormonelike activities contain three flavonoids: casticin and luteolin-7-D-glucoside and aD-glucoside of an unknown 5-hydroxy-flavone derivative.     

Uzarigenin and desglucouzarin fromAsclepias syriaca L

Zusammenfassung InAsclepias syriaca L. wurden neun Cardenolide nachgewiesen. Zwei Substanzen konnten in kristallisiertem Zustand isoliert und eine davon mit Uzarigenin identifiziert werden. Das zweite kristallisierte Produkt war das-d-Glucosid von Uzarigenin.     

Neurosecretory cells inArtemia salina L.

Zusammenfassung Mit der Gömöri-Technik wurden beiArtemia drei Typen neurosektretorischer Zellen nachgewiesen. Im Gehirn sind grosse, ovale Zellen mit vakuolisiertem Cytoplasma vorhanden, von denen einige grosse Axone besitzen. Der 2. Typus ist kleiner und weist keine zum Augenstiel führenden Fortsätze auf. Der 3. Typus liegt als traubenförmige Gruppen von Zellen im X-Organ des Augenstiels. Wahrscheinlich ist ventral am Gehirn ein Depotorgan für das Sekret des 1. Typus vorhanden. Die Beziehung dieser Zellen zur parthenogenetischen Vermehrung der Art wird untersucht.