Effects of D-glucose anomers on afferent discharge in the hepatic vagus nerve

Summary Intraportal injections of -D-glucose, optically equilibrated D-glucose and -D-glucose reduced afferent discharges in the hepatic vagus nerve of anaesthesized rats. -D-Glucose was most potent in decreasing the discharge.     

Paul Ehrenfest on the Necessity of Quanta (1911): Discontinuity,Quantization, Corpuscularity,and Adiabatic Invariance

Our object in this paper is to study the antecedents, contents, implications, and impact of a not well-known or appreciated paper by EHRENFEST in 1911 on the essential nature of the different quantum hypotheses in radiation theory. After a careful analysis of EHRENFESTs notebooks, correspondence, and publications, we conclude that the essential points of EHRENFESTs paper were not perceived to a large extent, and hence that its implications were not considered thoroughly. Specifically, we show that EHRENFEST contributed significantly to the clarifications of the differences between PLANCKs and EINSTEINs respective quantum hypotheses, as well as to those of the concepts discontinuity, quantization, and corpuscularity.     

Effect of urochordamines on larval metamorphosis of ascidians

Two pteridine-containing bromophysostigmine alkaloids, urochordamine A and B, which were isolated from ascidians as larval metamorphosis promoters, were converted to more polar compounds, urochordamine A and B, respectively, when left standing in protic solvents. These four compounds promoted larval metamorphosis of the ascidianHalocynthia roretzi in the order A>A>B>B, and induced metamorphosis of the pediveliger larvae of the musselMytilus edulis galloprovincialis.     

Thiamin turnover rate in some areas of rat brain and liver: A preliminary note

Summary Thiamin turnover rates in some nervous structures and liver of rats were evaluated in a steady state condition, using thiamin-¹⁴C as a tracer. The radioactivity contents were analyzed by means of a mamillary type compartmental model. Excluding the liver, turnover rate values of the nervous structures were ordered in the following sequence: sciatic nerve (0.58 g/g·h)>cerebellum>hypothalamus>midbrain>corpus striatum>cerebral cortex (0.16 g/g·h).The mathematical section of this work, developed by V.C. and C.R., was supported by C.N.R., Rome, through the Laboratorio di Analisi numerica, Pavia, Italy. We express our thanks to Prodotti Roche, Milan, for the generous gift of labelled and unlabelled thiamin.     

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.     

Occurrence of 3-epi-22-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone and its phosphoric ester in diapause eggs of the silkworm,Bombyx mori

Ecdysteroids in diapause eggs of the silkworm,Bombyx mori, were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with radioimmunoassay (RIA). A relatively large amount of an unidentified free ecdysteroid and its phosphoric ester (conjugated form) were detected. These two compounds were isolated by a combination of column chromatography on silicic acid, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and HPLC using a reverse-phase (RP) column. The purified compounds were identified as 3-epi-22-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone (22d20E) and 3-epi-22-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone 2-phosphate (22d20E2P) by means of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. to our knowledge, this is the first report of 22d20E and 22d20E2P.     

Inhibition of the growth of cariogenic bacteria in vitro by plant falvanones

Phytoalexins, defensive compounds produced by plants against microbial infections, were purified fromSophora exigua (Leguminosae) and their growth inhibitory effects on oral cariogenic bacteria were determined in vitro. Among three isolated compounds, 5,7,2,4-tetrahydroxy-8-lavandulylflavanone completely inhibited the growth of oral bacteria including primary cariogenic mutans streptococci, other oral streptococci, actinomycetes, and lactobacilli, at concentrations of 1.56 to 6.25 g/ml.     

Affinity chromatography of human serum proteins using matrix bound lectin fromViscum album L.

Summary The D-galactose specific lectin fromViscum album L. reacts with serum proteins that contain the corresponding D-galactopyranosyl residues. By affinity chromatography of human serum on lectin-sepharose IgM, ₂-macroglobulin, haptoglobin and -lipoprotein were quantitatively retained. Only parts of IgA, IgG and transferrin were retarded. The other serum proteins are unbounded as albumin, ₁A– and ₁C.     

The trail and alarm pheromones of the ant,Pristomyrmex pungens Mayr

Summary The trail and alarm pheromones of P. pungens were investigated. The nine fatty acids (C₁₄₀, C₁₆₀, C₁₆₁, C₁₈₀, C₁₈₁, C₁₈₂, C₁₈₃, C₂₀₄, C₂₀₅) were the components of the trail pheromone, while the alarm pheromone was found to be the mixture of 4 monoterpene hydrocarbons (-pinene, camphene, -pinene, limonene).The authors are indebted to Dr Masao Kubota for identification of the ant.     

Effects of carmine and carminic acid on embryonic tissue cell cultures

Summary The biological reaction to carmine and carminic acid at cellular level on in vitro cultures was tested and significant variables were controlled. Results suggested that proliferation and metabolism of these cultures were not affected by the 2 stains.     

Evidence for the extranuclear localization of thymosins in thymus

A new radioimmunoassay has been developed for thymosin ₄ by generating rabbit polyclonal antibodies against the synthetic N-terminal peptide fragment 1–15 coupled to KLH. The synthetic analogue [Tyr¹²]-thymosin ₄ (1–15) was used as tracer. This radioimmunoassay, with a useful range of 10–1000 pmoles, showed cross-reactivity with the second homologous -thymosin of man and rat (thymosin ₁₀) but not of calf (thymosin ₉). This radioimmunoassay, together with an improved radioimmunoassay for the N-terminus of parathymosin , was employed for the measurement of the levels of thymosin ₄ and parathymosin in nuclear and extranuclear extracts of calf thymus. The bulk of these polypeptides was found in the extranuclear material whereas only traces were observed in the nuclear environment, which indicates the extranuclear localisation of - and -thymosins.     

The free radical oxidation of the tetrahydrocannabinols

Summary The free radical oxidation of ¹ and ⁶-tetrahydrocannabinol has been examined by spin trapping techniques and intermediates that would lead to cannabinol have been trapped. The 1st step in the oxidation of ¹-THC involves the removal of 3-H, while for ⁶-THC, either 2-H or 5-H. Intermediates were isolated which could be pyrolysed to the diene and cannabinol.     

Axillary 5α-androst-16-en-3-one in men and women: Relationships with olfactory acuity to odorous 16-androstenes

Summary Axillary 5-androst-16-en-3-one (5-androstenone) levels were found to be significantly higher in men than in women but do not vary between left and right axillae, are not related to age, handedness or degree of hirsutism (in women) nor to anosmia to this steroid. In men (but not in women), levels are related linearly to axillary cholesterol concentrations but not to squalene. Olfactory thresholds for 5-androstenone varied widely, the lowest recorded being 0.2 ppb, but there was no difference in thresholds between men and women. Women (70%) found the smell repellant but anosmia did not differ greatly between men and women (9–20%). Anosmia to the smell of 5-androst-16-en-3-ol was most marked in women (90%) rather than in men (45%). Axillary 5-androstenone values were generally consistent with the musky or strong smells of male axillary extracts, compared with the sweet smell of those from female subjects.Supported by the Herbert Dunhill Trust.     

Changes of the level of proteinase inhibitors in rat plasma during turpentine-induced inflammation

Summary The levels of rat plasma -macroglobulins, -cysteine proteinase inhibitor, haptoglobin and antipapain activity were studied during the acute-phase reaction after an injection of -pinen. An increase in concentration of all the compounds examined was observed.     

Interdependence between locomotor activity and duration of wakefulness in humans during isolation

Summary Locomotor activity was recorded in 14 subjects who lived singly in an isolation unit for 16 to 88 days. Their free-running circadian rhythms had a mean period of 25.9 h, with individual means in the duration of wakefulness () ranging from 12.1 to 22.9 h. Intraindividually, the hourly means of activity were negatively correlated with to such a degree that the total amount of activity per day remained constant irrespective of large variations in .     

Circadian periodicity in termination of photorefractoriness in the yellow-throated sparrow

Summary Photorefractory male yellow-throated sparrows (Gymnorhis xanthocollis) were subjected to six resonance light cycles, consisting of 6 h basic photophase coupled with scotophases of longer durations (in cycles of 12 (6L6D) h, 24 (6L18D) h, 36 (6L30D) h, 48 (6L42D) h, 60 (6L54D) h and 72 (6L66D) h). Termination of photorefractoriness was evident in cycles of 24, 48 and 72 h, but not in 12, 36 and 60 h. The results are consistent with the external-coincidence model (Bünning hypothesis) and suggest that endogenous circadian rhythmicity is involved in the termination of photorefractoriness.To whom reprint requests should be addressed.This investigation was supported by a UGC grant to PDT and BHU to PMT.     

Biochemical evidence for two types of noradrenaline storage particles in rabbit iris

Summary Centrifugation techniques were used to determine the subcellular distribution of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine -hydroxylase (DH) in the rabbit iris. By application of isopycnic and differential gradient centrifugation methods 2 types of NA vesicles could be demonstrated. Of the total particle bound NA about 70% is associated with light and about 30% with heavy vesicles. For both types of vesicles the distribution of DH reflected that of NA.     

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) accelerates the maturation of fetal mouse intestinal mucosa in utero

Summary Pregnant Swiss ICR mice were injected i.p. with 0.5 g of epidermal growth factor (EGF) per g b. wt at 15, 16 and 17 days of gestation and fetuses were removed at 18 days of gestation. EGF treatment had no effect on the weight of the fetuses and on the length of the small intestine. No modification of the protein and DNA contents was noted. However brush border alkaline phosphatase and trehalase activities were significantly increased as well as endoplasmic reticulum membrane-bound glucose-6-phosphatase.Supported by grant MA-6069 from the Medical Research Council of Canada. Dr D. Ménard is a chercheur boursier du Fonds de la recherche en santé du Québec     

The role of the pentose-phosphate pathway in adjustment of the heart to a high load and the development of myocardial hypertrophy

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Changes in the activities of protein kinase modulators in the cerebellum of mice due to ethanol,caffeine, or phenobarbital administration

Summary Decreased activities of both the inhibitory modulator of adenosine 35-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (A-PK) as well as the stimulatory modulator of guanosine 35-monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (G-PK) from the mouse cerebellum were noted due to the administration of excessive doses of ethanol, caffeine, and phenobarbital for up to 28 days. The dose-dependence of the inhibition of A-PK or the stimulation of G-PK was observed as a function of the amount of protein kinase modulators in the cerebellum of mice receiving different doses of ethanol.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by a grant (RR 08119-06-PK modulator project) from NIH, USA. J.L. Williams, T. Floyd-Jones, C.F. Duggans, D.L. Boone, and S.O. Smith were prebaccalaureate trainees of MBS program. Authors thank Dr J.F. Kuo of Emory University for encouragement in this project.