Der qualitative und quantitative Nachweis der «fixen Luft» (1756), ein Wendepunkt in der Geschichte der Chemie und Biologie

Summary Reference is made to a treatise published in 1756 byJoseph Black (1728–1799), which was the first work to contain conclusive evidence of a gas bound to solid bodies; and in this connection the historical significance of the earliest studies on carbon dioxide is emphasised. Attention is drawn in particular to a subject about which little has hitherto been known,i.e., the use whichBlack and his contemporaries (notablyDavid Macbride) made of this discovery by applying it to animal and human physiology.

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Eine ausführlichere Würdigung dieses geschichtlichen Sachverhalts erscheint in Gesnerus (Schweiz)1956, Heft 3/4.     

Effect of (+)-catechin on renal and intestinal transport

Summary The ability of dog renal cortex slices to accumulate -methyl-glucoside or glycine is enhanced by the flavonoid (+)-catechin at a concentration of 3.5 mM. This stimulatory effect is apparently due to a decreased rate of efflux of either substrate. On the other hand, the uptake of p-amino-hippuric acid and N¹-methyl-nicotinamide is inhibited by (+)-catechin. The drug at the same concentration is without action on amino-acid transport by guineapig intestine in vitro.This study was supported by grants from Zyma S.A., Nyon. We are grateful to MmesH. Capt andP. Ganguillet and MlleD. Mettraux for their skilful technical assistance.     

High and low affinity transport ofL-arginine in rat brain synaptosomes

The uptake ofL-arginine into purified rat brain synaptosomes was investigated with respect to time and various concentrations ofL-[³H] arginine. Specific uptake was found to be linear with time for up to 5 min of incubation at 37°C. Electrolytes, including sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, inhibited uptake of 3 ML-arginine, and the inhibitory effect increased with increased electrolyte concentration under constant osmolarity. It was found thatL-arginine was transported into synaptosomes by two uptake components — a high affinity component (3.5 M) and a low affinity component (100 M). These two components were similar to the Ly⁺ system because of their extreme sensitivity to inhibition byL-lysine andL-ornithine but were distinguishable from each other by kinetic analysis of the uptake data and by their relative sensitivity to inhibition by several amino acids.     

Bildung eines ascorbigenähnlichen Produktes ausp-Hydroxybenzylalkohol und L-Ascorbinsäure

Summary l-Ascorbic acid reacts withp-hydroxybenzyl alcohol in a similar way as with 3-hydroxymethyl indole in the formation of ascorbigen (bound ascorbic acid). The crystalline reaction product was identified as a 2-C-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-3-keto-hexulosonic acid lactone.

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Bildung eines ascorbigenähnlichen Produktes ausp-Hydroxybenzylalkohol und L-Ascorbinsäure

     

Affinity chromatography of soluble galactosyltransferases using an easily synthesized N-acetylglucosamine-agarose bead

Summary Agarose derivatized withp-nitrophenyl-N-acetyl--d-glucosamine was used for affinity chromatography for soluble galactosyltransferase from various sources. Moreover, this adsorbant acts as an acceptor for galactose when incubated with prepurified galactosyltransferase.This work was supported by a grant from the USPHS (grant No. 1 PO1 CA 14294-2).     

Über das Cu2+-Bindungsvermögen einiger Aminosäuren und Peptide Metallionen und biologische Wirkung

Summary The capacity of binding copper ions of several aminoacids and peptides has been investigated. A direct colorimetric method measuring comparable values of bound Cu²⁺ has been developed.

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37. Mitteilung; 36. Mitteilung:R. Gall undH. Erlenmeyer, Helv. chim. Acta38, 1421 (1955).     

Agglutininbildung durch verschiedene Proteinfraktionen vonSalmonella ballerup

Summary The author has examined the agglutinogenic property of nucleoprotein and its components, the nucleic acid and proteins fromS. ballerup. The nucleoprotein was obtained by the extraction of fresh bacteria desintegrated by means of glass powder at pH 8.4 and precipitated with acetic acid at pH 4.6, and its components by splitting the nucleoprotein with 0.5% sodium carbonate at pH 5.5. The protein component was separated from the nucleic acid by forming a chloroform-proteingel. The protein component was submitted to a further purification by dissolving at pH 7 and precipitating at pH 5.5. Rabbits to whom 4–8 mg of the substance were given in 10–12 doses were used for the immunization. The agglutinins were determined byHeidelberger andKabat's quantitative method with aS. ballerup suspension. The maximum quantity of agglutinin is shown in mg nitrogen per 1 cm³ of serum. In comparison with the results obtained by the immunization with whole germs, it follows that, by means of nitrogen compounds, the nucleoprotein has the most substantial agglutinogenic effect, and the nucleic acid the poorest one.     

Affinity chromatographic preparation of arterial heavy meromyosin subfragment-1

Summary Heavy meromyosin subfragment-1 (HMM S-1) was prepared by papain digestion of arterial myosin or actomyosin and was purified by agarose-ATP affinity chromatography. Proteolysis of crude arterial myosin suspensions was preceded by solubilization. HMM-S-1 thus obtained consisted mainly of a 90,000 dalton polypeptide and fully retained the K⁺- and Ca²⁺-ATPase of the parent myosin. Its affinity to agarose-ATP was comparable to that of skeletal muscle HMM S-1.The support of this work by an EMBO short time fellowship (to R. L.) and by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (No. SFB 90, B 7) and the excellent technical assistance byM. Troschka andC. Köhler are gratefully acknowledged.     

Jungermanool,a new labdane diol from the liverwort,Jungermannia torticalyx steph

Summary A new diterpenoid named jungermanool was isolated fromJungermannia torticalyx and the structure was found to be labda-8 (17), 14-dien-9, 13-diol by chemical and spectroscopical methods.Chemical constituents fromHepaticae, Part XXIV: Part XXIII,A. Matsuo, H. Nozaki, M. Nakayama, Y. Kushi, S. Hayashi andN. Kamijo, Tetrahedron Lett.1975, 241.The authors wish to express their gratitude to Dr.T. Seki, Department of Botany, Hiroshima University, for the collection and identification of the liverwort.     

Effect of substrate pretreatment on renal organic ion transport in the adult rat

Summary The ability of renal cortical slices to accumulate PAH and NMN was not significantly affected by pretreatment of adult rats with large doses of PAH. Pretreatment of adult rats with THAM significantly increased PAH accumulation but had no effect on NMN. Inulin and PAH clearance and filtration fraction were significantly decreased by PAH pretreatment but unaffected by THAM pretreatment. The effects of pretreatment on transport are probably due to non-specific toxicity.Supported in part by U. S. Public Health Service Grant No. AM10913.Supported in part by a predoctoral fellowship from the Upjohn Company.Acknowledgments. The technical assistance of Mr.Grant Moore and Ms.Peggy Wagner is gratefully acknowledged.     

J. Zaragosa's centrum minimum,an early version of barycentric geometry

Summary Using the properties of the Centre of Gravity to obtain geometrical results goes back to Archimedes, but the idea of associating weights to points in calculating ratios was introduced by Giovanni Ceva in De lineis rectis se invicem secantibus: statica constructio (Milan, 1678). Four years prior to the publication of Ceva's work, however, another publication, entitled Geometria Magna in Minimis (Toledo, 1674), 2 appeared stating a method similar to Ceva's, but using isomorphic procedures of a geometric nature. The author was a Spanish Jesuit by the name of Joseph Zaragoza.Endeavouring to demonstrate an Apollonius' geometrical locus, Zaragoza conceived his idea of centrum minimum — a point strictly defined in traditional geometrical terms — the properties of which are characteristic of the Centre of Gravity. From this new concept, Zaragoza developed a theory that can be considered an early draft of the barycentric theory that F. Mobius was to establish 150 years later in Der barycentrische Calcul (Leipzig, 1827).Now then, whereas Ceva's work was rediscovered and due credit was given him, to this day Zaragoza's work has remained virtually unnoticed.     

Der Eigenartige Einfluß Witelos auf die Entwicklung der Dioptrik

Summary Witelo's Perspectiva, which was printed three times in the sixteenth century, profoundly influenced the science of dioptrics until the Age of Newton. Above all, the optical authors were interested in the so-called Vitellian tables, which Witelo must have copied from the nearly forgotten optical Sermones of Claudius Ptolemy. Research work was often based on these tables. Thus Kepler relied on the Vitellian tables when he invented his law of refraction. Several later authors adopted Kepler's law, not always because they believed it to be true, but because they did not know of any better law. Also Harriot used the Vitellian tables until his own experiments convinced him that Witelo's angles were grossly inaccurate. Unfortunately Harriot kept his results and his sine law for himself and for a few friends. The sine law was not published until 1637, by Descartes, who gave an indirect proof of it. Although this proof consisted in the first correct calculation of both rainbows, accomplished by means of the sine law, the Jesuits Kircher (Ars Magna, 1646) and Schott (Magia Optica, 1656) did not mention the sine law. Marci (Thaumantias, 1648) did not know of it, and Fabri (Synopsis Opticæ, 1667) rejected it. It is true that the sine law was accepted by authors like Maignan (Perspectiva Horaria, 1648) and Grimaldi (Physico-Mathesis, 1665), but since they used the erroneous Vitellian angles for computing the refractive index, they discredited the sine law by inaccurate and even ludicrous results.That even experimental determinations might be unduly biased by the Vitellian angles is evident from the author's graphs of seventeenth century refractive angles. These graphs also show how difficult it was to measure such angles accurately, and how the Jesuit authors of the 1640's adapted their experimental angles to the traditional Vitellian ones. Witelo's famous angles, instead of furthering the progress of dioptrics, delayed it. Their disastrous influence may be traced for nearly thirty years after Descartes had published the correct law of refraction.

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Vorgelegt von C. Truesdell     

A chromosome mutation affecting the number of nucleoli inXenopus borealis Parker

Résumé L'examen cytologique de la descendance de 2Xenopus borealis révéla 50% d'individus dotés de noyaux à 1 et 2 nucléoles (situation normale) et 50% à 1, 2 et 3 nucléoles. Le caryotype de ces derniers démontra la présence de 3 organisateurs nucléolaires, au lieu de 2, l'origine de l'élément supplémentaire relevant d'une translocation réciproque entre 4 et 7.

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Supported by a grant (No. 3.60.68) from the Fonds national suisse de la Recherche Scientifique and the George and Antoine Claraz donation.

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Unpublished research in this laboratory has shown thatXenopus laevis borealis (Parker) is a species on its own right and we propose to name itXenopus borealis (Parker).

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Material collected byFischberg andKobel, who express their gratitude to the Fisheries and Game Dept. of Kenya for permission to collect frogs of the genusXenopus.

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Acknowledgments. The authors wish to thank Mrs.J. Tymowska and MissE. Ackermann for their technical advice; they are grateful to Mr.J. Jackson, MissM. C. Payot, MissL. Ricard and Mr.P. Grutter for their assistance and useful help.     

Antiviral substances in starfish

Zusammenfassung Eine Gruppe von teilweise chemisch charakterisierten Verbindungen, welche die Vermehrung des Influenza-Virus in Huhnembryo-Test verhindern, wurde aus den SeesternenAsterias forbesi, Asterias pectinifera undAcanthaster planci isoliert.

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This research was supported by the N.S.F. Sea-Grant Program. The author thanks Dr.H. W. Younken Jr. and Dr.L. R. Worthen for their encouragement and suggestions throughout this work. Thanks are also due to Dr.Hashimoto, Tokyo University, and Dr.Yasumoto, Tohoku University, for the specimen ofAsterina pectinifera, and Dr.B. M. Branham, University of Hawaii, forAcanthaster planci sample. The antiviral test was carried out by Dr.O. Liu, Northeast Shellfish Sanitation Research Center, D. H. E. W., Narragansett, Rhode Island, to whome the author expresses his sincere gratitude.     

Gene-enzyme relationships in the tryptophan pathway ofSchizosaccharomyces pombe

Zusammenfassung Die Gen-Enzym-Beziehungen der Tryptophanbiosynthese vonSchizosaccharomyces pombe wurden untersucht. Die Trp-Synthetase und die PR-Transferase werden je von einem eigenen Gen codiert (trp2 resp.trp4). Dertrp1 Locus ist sowohl für die PRA-Isomerase als auch die InGP-Synthetase verantwortlich. Zusätzlich ist dieser Locus zusammen mit demtrp3 Locus an der Bildung einer aktiven AA-Synthetase beteiligt.

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The authors wish to thank ProfessorU. Leupold, Dr.R. Fluri, and Dr.H. Wyssling, Bern, and ProfessorR. Hütter, Zürich for their interest and help. This investigation was supported by grants of the Swiss National Foudation.     

Die physikalische Kieme der Wasserinsekten

Summary The air stores carried by a number of aquatic insects have: a) a hydrostatic function (Brocher, Oortwijn-Botjes, Thorpe, andCrisp); b) the function of an oxygen store (Ege, de Ruiter et al.) and c) the function of a physical gill (Strauss-Durckheim, Ege, etc.). The fact that oxygen is taken up from water with the aid of an air bubble was demonstrated forNotonecta by comparing the life time of insects with and without physical gill (while replenishing the oxygen store from the air was prevented) byEge, and forCorixa byPopham, whileVlasblom determined the oxygen uptake from water with and without air bubble forNotonecta, Naucoris, Corixa, Sigara andNepa. Nepa andSigara can take up considerable quantities of oxygen by cutaneous respiration.During the summer, the gill function of the air store ofNotonecta andNaucoris is of importance only when a water current passes along the animal, caused by ventilation movements of the legs (de Ruiter et al.). At low temperatures, however, the metabolic rate is so low that in many instances the physical gill provides the oxygen required without ventilation movements.An apparatus for the simultaneous determination of oxygen uptake from air and water (Wolvekamp andVlasblom) gave results that provided a means of evaluating the importance of the physical gill function.In some cases, the air store, although in direct contact with the water, does not need to be replenished. InAphelocheirus andElmis, the negative pressure in the bubble, caused by oxygen consumption and the diffusing out of part of the nitrogen, is compensated for by the mechanical resistance of a feltwork of thin hairs and the surface tension of the boundary layer of the water (Thorpe andCrisp). In the African beetle,Potamodytes, the unprotected air bubble is permanent because the strong river currents produce a lowered pressure around the animal according toBernoulli's principle (Stride).     

The lunar and Paschal tables of De ratione paschali attributed to Anatolius of Laodicea

Summary of conclusions The seven MS lunar and Paschal tables of De ratione paschali fall into two distinct groups which we have classified as Sirmond-type and Padua-type respectively, and from these we have restored the tables of their archetype. The Sirmond-type tables preserve a unique lunar year, which we term the Anatolian lunar year, and they first emerge in the context of a larger computus which was assembled in southern Ireland c. 658, a copy of which Wilfrid had evidently obtained by the time of the Synod of Whitby. The weight of circumstantial evidence supports the hypothesis that it was he who then instigated the corruption of both the tables and the patristic authorities of De ratione paschali, a copy of which subsequently passed to Bede and thence to the Sirmond group of MSS. The Padua-type tables on the other hand are represented only by the Padua MS, and they appear to have originated from within Insular circles on the Continent. These too were crudely corrupted, first by changing their lunar year from Anatolian to Roman and moving their ferial data from January to December and changing some Paschal data, and then secondly by collation with Sirmond-type tables. In the case of both types the objective was clearly to weaken the relationship between the lunar and Paschal tables and to try and obscure the Paschal principles that they preserve and thereby undermine the position of those followers of the Insular latercus who relied on the authority of De ratione paschali for their Pasch. These conclusions naturally give a rather different colour to the events of Whitby from that given by Bede, who places them completely in a theological context. However in material terms what was really at stake at Whitby was the transfer of the patronage of the entire kingdom of Northumbria from the Celtic to the Roman church. Here then was sufficient motivation to justify the most ruthless of expedients.     

Hemagglutination of neuraminidase-treated human erythrocytes byLeishmania enriettii infected guinea-pig sera

Summary Sera from guinea-pigs infected with the protozoan parasiteLeishmania enriettii showed higher hemagglutination (HA) titres for neuraminidase treated human erythrocytes than those of normal guinea-pig sera. This HA activity was associated mostly with the 19S fraction of the immune serum and could be absorbed out with an antigenic fraction of the parasite membrane. Antigenic determinants involved in this HA reaction consisted of, at least, -d-galactosyl or lactosyl residues.     

Obtention,par la méthode des greffes de gonades embryonnaires,d'une femelle à descendance unisexuée femelle,chez le TritonPleurodeles waltlii Michah.

Summary Thanks to a method established byHumphrey ³ inAmbystoma sp. and founded on the orthotopic transplantation of the lateral mesoderm corresponding to the gonad primordium, we have produced, in the SalamanderPleurodeles waltlii Michah., 1 female which gives rise uniquely to female individuals. In this species, it is also possible to obtain, by an oestrogenic treatment during the larval stages of development, neo-females, these are genetic males feminized into phenotypic and perfectly functional females and their offsprings are uniquely composed of males². The ability to experiment at will with unisexual, male or female, offsprings allows us to attack from a new basis, before any perceptible gonadic sex differentiation, the analysis of the mechanisms of this differentiation in the SalamanderPleurodeles waltlii Michah.     

Diketopiperazines containing L-proline from Streptomyces lavendulae and their stereochemistry in solution

Summary l-Valyl-l-proline (I),l-leucyl-l-proline (II),l-phenylalanyl-l-proline (III) andl-isoleucyl-l-proline (IV) anhydrides were isolated from the cultures ofStreptomyces lavendulae No. 314 and, on the basis of¹³C-NMR and CD spectra, their stereochemistry in solution is described.Acknowledgments. The authors would like to express their sincere thanks to Prof. H. Ogura, Kitasato University, for kind supply of the authenticl-valyl-l-proline anhydride and to Mr. A. Takakuwa, JASCO, for measuring the CD curves with J-40 automatic recording spectropolarimeter.