Leukozytenemigrationsfördernde Wirkung von Crotonöl

Summary Various croton oil fractions were studied with regard to theirin vitro effect on leucocytes and their irritative action. It was discovered that there exist fractions exerting a stimulating effect on leucytic migration and an irritative action and other fractions having a leucocytic stimulating effect without pronounced irritative action. The co-carcinogenic fractions ofDanneel have no promotory effect on the migration of leucocytes.     

Untersuchung antileukämischer Substanzen an der Hühnerleukose

Summary In leukosis of chickens caused by administration of 1-m-Tolylsemicarbazide (Maretin-Bayer) Butzolidin caused a reduction of the number of leucocytes to normal values. This action might be attributed to a cytostatic effect of Butazolidin.     

Sul significato dell'affinità dei granuli neutrofili dei leucociti per i coloranti tipo Sudan

Summary On the grounds of cytochemical findings and of critical arguments, the author reaffirms that the sudanophilia of neutrophile leucocytes depends on their lipidic content and not on some chemical combination of the dyes with cytoplasmic constituents, as yet unexplained, as suggested byLillie andBurtner, and byGomori.     

Necrosin und die Leukozytenphagozytose

Summary The euglobulin fraction necrosin, prepared according toMenkin from pleural exudates of dogs, strongly inhibitsin vitro bacterium phagocytosis by leucocytes obtained from the abdominal cavity of rats. Depending on the concentration, the average effect amounts to 18–35%. Necrosin has a similar effect (21–38%) on the circulating leucocytes of the dog. The euglobulin fraction prepared by the same method from the serum of untreated dogs has but a slight inhibitory effect on leucocyte activity.     

Ein chemisch und pharmakologisch neuartiger Antagonist von pathophysiologisch bedeutsamen Aminen,Kininen und kininbildenden Faktoren

Summary CIBA 21 401-Ba, a glucofuranoside derivative (ethyl-3,5,6-O-benzyl-d-glucofuranoside), antagonizes in vitro the smooth-muscle action of a large number of biogenic amines and polypeptides, the accelerated migration of leucocytes induced by endotoxin, and the Schultz-Dale phenomenon. In vivo, the compound shows anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects and improves the survival rate of infected mice treated with suboptimal doses of a sulphonamide.     

Synthesis of a pregnancy-associatedα-macroglobulin by human leucocytes

Résumé Le sang des femmes enceintes peut contenir plusierus protéines sériques uniques en leur genre. Celle qui se présente le plus souvent est une -globuline de grand poids moléculaire. Un test in vitro utilisant l'incorporation de¹⁴C-glutamine ou³H-leucine dans la glycoprotéine a montré que celle-ci peut être synthétisée par des leucocytes.

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We thank Dr.J. E. O'Grady and Dr.A. Shephard for obtaining the blood samples. This work was supported by a grant from the Scottish Home and Health Department.     

Heterochromatization in opossum,Didelphys virginiana

Conclusion Somatic heterochromatization of the opossum,D. virginiana, was studied from prophase and tritiated thymidine-labeled metaphase chromosome preparations. In both sexes of this mammal, a number of prophase autosomes and the sex chromosomes were observed displaying deeply stained condensed areas. These chromosomal areas were interpreted as evidence for heterochromatization. The extent of heterochromatization in the opossum was found much greater in certain autosomes than either theX orY chromosome alone. This assertion that some opossum autosomes possess more heterochromatin than the sex chromosomes was supported by data collected on the terminal labeling patterns of the chromosomes. Metaphase autoradiographs prepared from cultured leucocytes of the animals unequivocally suggested that certain opossum autosomes completed replication later than the sex chromosomes. If one assumes that there is heterochromatin in the autosomes, as the evidence suggests, then it merely becomes a question as to what block of heterochromatin replicates last — a phenomenon that is probably size dependent.

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Résumé L'héterochromatisation somatique de l'opossum (Didelphys virginiana) a été étudiée sur des préparations de chromosomes aux stades de la prophase et de la métaphase, la thymidine ayant été utilisée comme marqueur. Dans les 2 sexes de ce mammifère de nombreux autosomes et les chromosomes sexuels montrent, à la prophase, des plages denses fortement colorées. Ces plages chromosomiales ont été interprétées comme un signe évident d'héterochromatisation. L'héterochromatisation est beaucoup plus accentuée dans certains autosomes que dans les chromosomesX ouY. Les autoradiographies de stades métaphasiques dans des préparations effectuées de leucocytes en cultures suggèrent d'une façon non équivoque que certains autosomes de l'opossum achèvent leur réplication plus tardivement que les chromosomes sexuels. Si l'on assume que l'héterochromatine est présente dans les autosomes, comme le démontrent nos observations, il semble évident que l'héterochromatine autosomale a un rôle significatif dans le développement.

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Supported in part by Baylor University College of Medicine General Research Grant (No. P-13) and grants from the James Picker Foundation and the Texas Heart Association. The auther wishes to thank Dr.W. Hill for his help at the vivarium and MissMarion Gay and MissShirley Powell for technical assistance. The editorial assistance of MissMarilyn Morningstar is also appreciated.     

Protein synthesis in polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the presence of diphtheria toxin

Résumé La toxine diphthérique n'inhibe pas l'incorporation de lal-leucine-1-C¹⁴ dans les protéines des leucocytes polymorphonucléaires de l'homme et de la souris; on sait que l'homme est très sensible à la toxine et que la souris est très résistante. La synthèse protéique dans le même type de cellules du cobaye a été fortement inhibée dans les mêmes conditions expérimentales.     

Influence of heparin and serotonin on basophil leucocytes of rabbit blood

Résumé Chez le lapin, l'injection intraveineuse d'héparine a été suivie d'une diminution significative du nombre des basophiles du sang au cours de 6 h. La sérotonine a produit pendant ce temps une augmentation du nombre total des leucocytes, et au bout de 24 h, une augmentation spécifique du nombre des basophiles.Les basophiles n'ont pas changé de nombre après l'injection de protamine ou de réserpine.

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This work was supported by grants from the Danish Rheumatism Association, and Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., to Dr.Asboe-Hansen.

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Author on leave from the Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University (Egypt).     

Evaluations of the beta probability integral by bayes and price

Summary The contribution of Bayes to statistical inference has been much discussed, whereas his evaluations of the beta probability integral have received little attention, and Price's improvements of these results have never been analysed in detail. It is the purpose of the present paper to redress this state of affairs and to show that the Bayes-Price approximation to the two-sided beta probability integral is considerably better than the normal approximation, which became popular under the influence of Laplace, although it had been stated by Price.The Bayes-Price results are obtained by approximating the skew beta density by a symmetric beta density times a factor tending to unity for n , the two functions having the same maximum and the same points of inflection. Since the symmetric beta density converges to the normal density, all the results of Laplace based on the normal distribution can be obtained as simple limits of the results of Bayes and Price. This fact was not observed either by Laplace or by Todhunter.     

Emerging knowledge of regulatory roles of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">d-</Emphasis>amino acids in bacteria

The d-enantiomers of amino acids have been thought to have relatively minor functions in biological processes. While l-amino acids clearly predominate in nature, d-amino acids are sometimes found in proteins that are not synthesized by ribosomes, and d-Ala and d-Glu are routinely found in the peptidoglycan cell wall of bacteria. Here, we review recent findings showing that d-amino acids have previously unappreciated regulatory roles in the bacterial kingdom. Many diverse bacterial phyla synthesize and release d-amino acids, including d-Met and d-Leu, which were not previously known to be made. These noncanonical d-amino acids regulate cell wall remodeling in stationary phase and cause biofilm dispersal in aging bacterial communities. Elucidating the mechanisms by which d-amino acids govern cell wall remodeling and biofilm disassembly will undoubtedly reveal new paradigms for understanding how extracytoplasmic processes are regulated as well as lead to development of novel therapeutics.     

Geometrical constructions equivalent to non-linear algebraic transformations of the plane in Newton's early papers

Summary The theory of constructive formation of plane algebraic curves in Newton's writings is discussed in § 1: the apparatus by which Newton forms the curves, Newton's theorems on forming unicursal curves, his theory of conics, and his theory of (m, n) correspondence. Special Cremona plane and space transformations obtained by Newton's organic method are dealt with in § 2. The article ends with § 3, which shows two different directions in the theory of the constructive formation of plane algebraic curves in the XVIII-XIXth centuries. A synopsis is appended.Abbreviations MPN The Mathematical Papers of Isaac Newton, edited by D. T. Whiteside, Vols. 1–3, Cambridge, 1967–1969 - Hudson H. Hudson, Cremona Transformations in Plane and Space, Cambridge, 1927 - PT (abridged) Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society 1665–1800 (abridged), London, 1809 - Andreev ₁ K. A. Andreev, On geometrical correspondences ... (in Russian), Moscow, 1879 - Andreev ₂ K. A. Andreev, On the Geometrical Formation of Plane Curves (in Russian), Kharkov, 1875     

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.     

La question des hétérochromosomes chez les Sauropsidés. Oiseaux

Summary The chromosomes of the fowl were studied with the aid ofMakino's andNishimura's water pretreatment squash technique, modified byMatthey, in embryonic spleen and gonads of both sexes. The number of chromosomes was found to be about 78; the numerical variations are to be ascribed to technical difficulties, caused by the extremely small size of the microchromosomes, rather than to an unchromosomelike behaviour of the latter, as was supposed byNewcomer andBrant. As to the exact number of chromosomes, we consider its determination beyond the possibilities of cytology. The 5^th largest pair of the male, represented by a single element in the female, could be identified as the sex chromosome pair, in accordance with the findings ofYamashina. The digamety might be of theZ-O orZ-W type.     

Phagocytes,phagocytose et défense de l'organisme contre les infections

Summary After the evocation of classic notions about morphology and physiology of free and fixed phagocytes, and their role in the defense of organism against infections, writers give new observations on two principal points.1. They show that polysaccharids, to which the grampositive bacteria owe their specificity, are the most important agents responsable of the migration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in inflamed connective tissue.2. They show that bacterial endotoxins, nature of which is glucido-lipido-polypeptidic, and which are also antigens O complets of gram-negative micro-organisms, appear able to stop the coming of polymorphonuclears in inflamed connective tissues. The endotoxins kill not leukocytes; they are not leucocidins, but they prevent diapedesis through a mechanism still obscure. For this reason, they favour the development of infections.Ultimately, writers tell how the two great theories of immunity, cellular theory ofMetchnikoff and humoral theory of german authors, can mary together: in vivo, phagocytes have the first and also the last word to kill bacteria, but their work is very much easier after opsonization with antibodies.     

Die Wirkung des Hydrocortisons auf die infektionsbedingte lokale Leukozytenansammlung

Summary The aggregation of leucocytes provoked in the peritoneal cavity of the white mouse by intraperitoneal injection of livingE. coli is inhibited by large doses of hydrocortisone. At the same time, the animal's susceptibility to infection is enhanced. The aggregation of leucocytes induced by injection of a bacterial extract containing lipopolysaccharides is inhibited in a similar manner. The effect of hydrocortisone sets in rapidly and subsides within 24 h. The inhibitory effect of hydrocortisone on the lipopolysaccharid effect on leucocytes seems to be an important factor in the influence of hydrocortisone on the infectious process.     

Über den Einbau von Dipeptiden in Ergotoxin-Alkaloide

Summary l-Valyl-l-leucine-U-¹⁴C,l-valyl-l-proline-U-¹⁴C-lactam andl-leucyl-l-proline-U-¹⁴C-lactam were administered to submerged cultures of an ergotoxine-mixture-producing strain ofClaviceps purpurea. The added dipeptides were split by the fungus into the corresponding amino acids prior to incorporation. Apparently dipeptides are no immediate precursors for the peptide side-chain of ergotoxinealkaloids.     

Kompensation der teratogenen Wirkung eines Thalidomid-Metaboliten durchl-Glutaminsäure

Summary Skeletal defects were observed in the off-spring of SWS-mice following i.p. administration of phthaloyl-l-glutamic acid, a metabolite of thalidomide. The fetuses of animals which receivedl-glutamic acid in addition to the teratogenic drug, did not show any malformations, whereas concurrent i.p. administration of thed-isomer of glutamic acid failed to reverse teratogenicity induced by phthaloyl-l-glutamic acid.     

Metabolism of the neuromodulator d-serine

Over the past years, accumulating evidence has indicated that d-serine is the endogenous ligand for the glycine-modulatory binding site on the NR1 subunit of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in various brain areas. d-Serine is synthesized in glial cells and neurons by the pyridoxal-5′ phosphate-dependent enzyme serine racemase, and it is released upon activation of glutamate receptors. The cellular concentration of this novel messenger is regulated by both serine racemase isomerization and elimination reactions, as well as by its selective degradation catalyzed by the flavin adenine dinucleotide-containing flavoenzyme d-amino acid oxidase. Here, we present an overview of the current knowledge of the metabolism of d-serine in human brain at the molecular and cellular levels, with a specific emphasis on the brain localization and regulatory pathways of d-serine, serine racemase, and d-amino acid oxidase. Furthermore, we discuss how d-serine is involved with specific pathological conditions related to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors over- or down-regulation.     

Bromothricin

Summary Streptomyces antibioticus (Waksman andWoodruff)Waksman andHenrici 1948, strain Tü 99, produced Bromothricin instead of Chlorothricin, when it was grown in a nutrient medium containing 0.5% potassium bromide. The properties of bromothricin are very close to those of chlorothricin. Its nature was elucidated by degradation to methyl 5-bromo-2-methoxy-6-methylbenzoate.