Circadian variation of the streptozotocin-diabetogenic effect in mice.

Streptozotocin was injected in normal mice every 4 h, during the day. Greatest number of diabetic animals were obtained at 16.00 h (95%) and lowest at 08.00 h (50%). Magnitude of hyperglycemia also showed similar distribution. This effect might be considered when planning its use for both experimental and clinical purposes.     

Protection by iloprost of the myocardial contractility and rhythmicity in frog ventricular strips

Summary Incubation of frog ventricular strips with Ringer containing iloprost for 24 h at 4°C can protect the contractility and rhythmicity from heat stimulation and aconitine when compared with strips incubated in Ringer alone under the same experimental conditions.The authors are grateful to Dr E. Schillinger, Schering Research Laboratories, Berlin, W.-Germany, for kindly supplying iloprost (ZK 36 374). This work was supported by a grant from the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council (TAG-480).     

Plasma hormone levels in normal and lead-treated pregnant mice

Summary Dietary lead (0.5%) was given to mice which, after mating, exhibited a vaginal plug. Estradiol, progesterone and prostaglandins E and F 2 were determined in, the plasma by radioimmuno assay at different times thereafter. The increase in estradiol and decrease in prostaglandins prior implantation are not greatly altered by lead treatment, whereas the subsequent increase in progesterone and later in estradiol is abolished. It is concluded that the lower number of pregnancies seen in lead-treated mothers is due to a maternal hormonal imbalance caused by lead.Supported by contract 038-74-7 ENV B of the E.C. Environmental Research Program. Publication No. 1394 of the Euratom Biology Division.     

Dietary vitamin E does not protect from endotoxin-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction

Starting from the concept that lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-associated hepatotoxicity involves the action of reactive oxygen species, the present study was conducted to test whether vitamin E, a lipophilic antioxidant, prevents LPS-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction and liver injury. Fifty-two rats were divided into three groups and fed diets containing 0 (n=16), 75 (n=18) or 8000 mg (n=18) α-tocopherol acetate/kg food for four weeks. At 1 h and 6 h after intravenous LPS-exposure (10 mg/kg E. coli LPS) hepatic microvascular response and liver injury were assessed by the analysis of Kupffer cell phagocytic activity, leukocyte-endothelial cell interaction and nutritive sinusoidal perfusion (intravital fluorescence epi- illumination technique) as well as bile flow, serum liver enzyme activities and tissue histomorphology. In animals fed with 75 mg vitamin E/kg (standard diet), LPS caused hepatic Kupffer cell activation (increased phagocytic activity) and hepatic microvascular leukocyte activation, with stasis in sinusoids and adherence in postsinusoidal venules (1 h) followed by leukocytic infiltration into tissue (6 h) and progredient sinusoidal perfusion failure (6 h). Hepatic microvascular injury was accompanied by reduced bile flow and enhanced liver enzyme release. Vitamin E-enriched diet (8000 mg/kg) and even vitamin E-deficient diet did not significantly affect LPS-induced hepatic microvascular cell activation and perfusion failure. Thus, we conclude, that vitamin E is not effective to protect from endotoxin-induced hepatic microvascular dysfunction. Received 7 November 1996; received after revision 30 December 1996; accepted 20 January 1997     

Effect of colicin E3 on leukemia cells P388 in vitro.

Proliferation of murine leukemia cells P388 is stimulated by less than 1.0 mg/ml colicin E3, while being inhibited by higher concentrations. By 1.6 mg/ml colicin E3, uptake of thymidine into cold TCA-precipitable fraction is decreased by 59% during 24 h, uptake of uridine by 29%.     

Effect of colicin E3 on leukemia cells P 388 in vitro

Summary Proliferation of murine leukemia cells P388 is stimulated by less than 1.0 mg/ml colicin E3, while being inhibited by higher concentrations. By 1.6 mg/ml colicin E3, uptake of thymidine into cold TCA-precipitable fraction is decreased by 59% during 24 h, uptake of uridine by 29%.     

Induction of chromosome abnormalities by reversal of colcemid inhibition in leucocyte cultures

Zusammenfassung Menschliche Leukozyten, die vorher 2 resp. 4 h der Wirkung von Colcemid ausgesetzt worden waren, ergaben in Zellkulturen 45 resp. über 50% Zellen mit 45 oder weniger Chromosomen im Vergleich zu 10% in Kontrollkulturen ohne Colcemid.

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This work is supported financially by Schering Chemicals Ltd., Burgess Hill, Sussex. We would like to thank Dr.A. G. Pitchford for advice and MissE. Gristwood for technical assistance.     

Development of thermoregulation in the newborn lesser bushbaby (Galago senegalensis moholi,Smith 1839)

Summary The temperature-regulating system in bushbabies operates from the 1st day of life. The postnatal metabolism decreases from the 5th (2.9 ml O₂/g·h) to the 140th day (0.7 ml O₂/g·h) to the level of the adults.This work was undertaken with the aid of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and Prof. Dr. E.Kulzer.     

Kinetics of division in PHA-stimulated pig lymphocytes

Summary Our results indicate that pig lymphocytes in culture complete their 1st division at 24 h. At 36 h there are 9% of cells in 2nd division. 3rd mitosis appears at 48 h; and at 72 h there are cells engaged in the 4th division.This work was supported by grants from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization of American States and the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.We wish to thank for the technical assistance of Mr J. Serraïno.     

Establishment of serum based medium essentially free of proteolytic activity for the culture of mouse pancreatic islets

Summary The present study demonstrates that a) serum based culture medium degrades¹²⁵I insulin; b) heat in-activation of serum (1 h, 56°C) inhibits its proteolytic activity leading to the recovery of more insulin secreted by islets cultured in the presence of high glucose concentration alone or with glucagon; c) aprotinin also favoured the accumulation of secreted insulin by protecting the hormone from a residual degradative capacity of the heat treated serum.This work was supported by a grant (No. 71 5 426-2) from the INSERM and by the CNRS.These results have been presented at the V International Congress of Endocrinology. Hamburg, July 18–24, 1976.Acknowledgments. We should like to thank Mrs E. Gammelgard and K. Christensen for their technical assistance.     

Presence of sodium transport inhibiting factor in dog plasma during volume expansion

Summary Plasma dialysates from volume-expanded dogs (E) were compared directly to dialysates from the same dogs when hydropenic. In a double-blind study, E caused relative inhibition of short-circuit current in toad urinary bladder. We therefore confirm the presence of a sodium transport inhibiting factor in plasma of volume-expanded dogs.Acknowledgments. This study was supported by the Philadelphia Veterans Administration Hospital (103.6M). We would like to thank the laboratory of Dr V. Buckalew at Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North-Carolina, for preparation of plasma dialysates; G. Huber and E. Fink for technical assistance and K. Conrad for secretarial assistance.     

Total atresia of the ovaries ofTilapia leucosticta (Cichlidae) after intoxication with the insecticide Lebaycid

Summary Intoxication with sublethal Lebaycid concentrations led to total atresia of the ovaries in 90% of the treated specimens ofTilapia leucosticta. The gonads were filled with atretic follicles and mature eggs were never found. In regeneration trials, intoxicated fish proved to be unable to spawn for at least 9 weeks.This work was undertaken with the aid of Prof. Dr E. Kulzer.     

Desiccation in the black dragon,Hagenius brevistylus Selys

Summary Hagenius brevistylus lost mass by evaporation in a moderately desiccating environment at the rate of 20.4 mg h^–1, and died of desiccation in less than 1 day at a body mass of 79.8% of their normally hydrated mass. It was estimated thatHagenius minimally would have to consume the equivalent of 60% of its body mass each day to meet its daily water requirements. This amount of food is equivalent to that necessary to power flight of a dragonfly for 4.6h.This research was financed in part by a grant from the American Philosophical Society to C.R.T., and was conducted at the University of Michigan Biological Station, Douglas Lake (USA).     

Enrichment in spontaneous and complement dependent rosette forming cell populations using ficoll-hypaque gradient centrifugation

Summary Peripheral blood human T (TL) and B (BL) lymphocytes were separated by continuous Ficoll-Hypaque (FH) gradients. BL were found at the 1050 density interfase (70.5% EAC rosettes) with no TL (0% EAC rosettes); while at the 1068 density interfase there was an enrichment of TL (68% E rosettes) with very few BL (8.5% EAC rosettes).     

On the binding of steroid sulfates to albumin

3H-Labeled steroid sulfates, sulfate of estrone (E1S) or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHAS), were dialyzed against delipidated human serum albumin or human plasma in the presence of increasing amounts of competing non-labeled sulfates (DHAS or E1S). The apparent equilibrium constants (K) of the tracers did not measurably change at concentrations of the non-radioactive sulfates below 10(-5) mol/l. At higher concentrations, K decreased gradually. The apparent equilibrium constant of 3H-E1S was diminished by plasma in a similar fashion. It may be concluded that albumin possesses one strong, non-specific binding site. This site, however, does not seem to be utilized for the binding of E1S in vivo, because of its preferential occupation by other ligands. This may be true for other steroid sulfates as well, depending on their relative abundance in plasma.     

Isolation and fusion studies on protoplasts from pollen tetrads

Summary different enzymes were tested for isolation of intact protoplasts from pollen tetrads. About 80% isolation was achieved from pollen tetrads of Cajanus cajan and Zea mays and about 60% from Luffa cylindrica and Lycopersicon esculentum after 4 h of treatment with 5% cellulase. When these mononucleate protoplasts were incubated in presence of 0.05 M CaCl₂ in 0.3 M glucose at pH 10.5, 70–80% fusion was achieved. Fusion was rare in sodium nitrate solutions.This work was supported by a grant from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi (No. 1-32/73, Ed. I) in the form of a Senior Fellowship awarded to P. C. D.Work carried out at Molecular Cytogenetics Research Unit, Dept. of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.     

(Z,E)-α-farnesene,main constitutent of the hypertrophied Dufour's gland of the major workers ofPheidole pallidula (Formicidae)

Summary In the European dimorphic ant,Pheidole pallidula, the Dufour's gland of the major workers is hypertrophied and secretes nearly pure (Z, E)--farnesene. This compound is also present in the Dufour's gland of the minor workers but constitutes only around 10% of the volatiles. Chemical polymorphism inP. pallidula is different from that already reported for species ofPheidole from the New World.Aspirante au Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique.Maître de recherches du Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique.     

全长人PPAR-γ的表达、纯化与结构确证

目的建立表达、纯化结构完整的全长人PPAR-γ的方法。方法构建pReceiver-B01-PPAR-γ质粒并转化E．coliBL21（DE3）细胞,诱导表达重组蛋白,优化细胞生长条件;利用亲和色谱和尺寸排阻色谱纯化重组蛋白;胶内酶解重组蛋白,用离子阱质谱仪分析二维AgilentHPLC-Chip纯化的酶解片段;基于MS／MS搜索IPI、Swiss．Prot、NCBInr和MSDB数据库,鉴定重组蛋白。结果在优化的细胞生长条件（TB介质、37℃、0．8mMIPTG、诱导3h）,从每升TB中可获得280mg重组蛋白;两步纯化后,获得176mg、纯度为95％的均质重组PPAR-γ蛋白;经质谱分析和搜索蛋白质数据库,获得均匀地分布在整个PPAR-γ多肽链中的33个阳性肽段,覆盖率为60％,表明重组蛋白为结构完整的全长人PPAR-γ。配体结合活性位点S289、H323、H449和Y473无突变,保证全长人PPAR-γ与配体结合的生物学活性。结论本文所建立的方法能成功用于大量表达结构完整的全长人PPAR-γ,有利于进一步的结构、功能研究和活性配体的筛选。     

Biological activity of enantiomerically pure forms of insect juvenile hormone I and III inBombyx mori

Summary Biological activity of enantiomerically pure juvenile hormones was assayed by topical application on allatectomizedBombyx fourth instar larvae. JHs tested were (10R)-JH I [methyl (2E,6E,10R,11S)-10,11-epoxy-3,11-dimethyl-7-ethyl-2,6-tridecadienoate], (10S)-JH I [methyl (2E, 6E, 10S, 11R)-10,11-epoxy-3,11-dimethyl-7-ethyl-2,6-tridecadienoate], (10R)-JH III [methyl (2E,6E,10R)-10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienoate] and (10S)-JH III [methyl (2E,6E,10S)-10,11-epoxy-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienoate]. Among these compounds, natural (10R)-JH I was most active and the dose needed to induce 50% larval molting was 0.04 g/larva; it was approximately 12,000 times more active than unnatural (10S)-JH I. Though natural (10R)-JH III showed slight biological activity, it was only one three-thousandth of that of (10R)-JH I. Unnatural (10S)-JH III exhibited no biological activity at the levels assayed.     

Effects of retinoic acid on embryonic development of mice in culture

The effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) (tretinoin) on the craniofacial development of mouse embryos were examined using whole embryo culture. In day 8 embryos cultured for 48 h, embryonic growth was inhibited concentration-dependently by all-trans-RA treatment. Most of the treated embryos exhibited hypoplasia of the primary palatal processes and a reduction in the development of the first visceral arches. In day 10 embryos cultured for 48 h, although embryonic growth was not inhibited at any concentrations of all-trans-RA, median cleft lip (93%), hypoplasia of the primary palatal processes (37%) and limb reduction deformities (48%) occurred commonly. Furthermore, RA treatment greatly reduced the size of the secondary palatal processes. The incorporation of 3H-thymidine in the treated maxillary processes was decreased to 65% of the control value at 1.0 x 10(-7) M all-trans-RA. These findings indicate that all-trans-RA is teratogenic in mouse whole embryo culture.