Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measuring serum IgE

Summary Serum IgE was measured by a sandwich method using polystyrene beads coated with anti-IgE -globulin and peroxidase labelled anti-IgE -globulin. The method was simple, and as sensitive as the radioimmunoassay.We are grateful for the skillful assistance of Mrs K. Kobayashi.     

Il punto nella terminologia matematica greca

Summary In this note we claim that the two words and , which were used in Greece to indicate the geometrical point, had both been introduced in the scientific language in the first half of the IV^th century B.C., and that they became popular independently of each other in two different cultural circles, those of philosophy and of mathematics, respectively.We propose therefore, in contrast to a conjecture by Heiberg, a new explanation for the predominance of during the golden age of Greek mathematics and for the resurgence of during the period of decadence.

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Memoria presentata da A. Seidenberg     

The in vivo expression of the globin genes of theβ cistron in γ-,δ-, andδβ-thalassemia heterozygotes

There is considerable evidence suggesting that the switch from to and chain production after birth is due, in part, to silencing of the genes by stage-specific factors which bind to their promoters and to the competition from the adult ( and ) genes for a common enhancer element located in the locus control region. As a consequence one can expect that the increased Hb F production in adults with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin or -thalassemia is directed mainly by -globin genes in cis to the deletion(s) responsible for these conditions. Here we review data on heterozygotes with -, -, or -thalassemia, who also had an^AT mutation, in cis or in trans, which was used as a marker of gene expression. The results show that a deletion affecting adult genes favors the expression of genes in cis, while the deletion of a single gene does not affect the expression of the gene in cis but leads to a faster switch postnatally.     

Der Einfluss der γ-Globuline auf die Viskosität

Summary Depending on concentration of fibrinogen, increasing concentrations of -globulines cause an exponential increase of viscosity, which is more pronounced, the higher the basic concentration of fibrinogenis. Fibrinogen that is dependent on -globulines and albumin, -globulines that is dependent on albumin, or albumin that is dependent on fibrinogen and -globulines do not show this behaviour.

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Für die zuverlässige Mitarbeit sei der biochem.-techn. Assistentin, Fräulein Ilse Stelter, gedankt.     

Bovine microvascular endothelial cells of separate morphology differ in growth and response to the action of interferon-γ

Five cell types recently isolated from the bovine corpus luteum differed in their epithelioid morphology and their cytoskeleton, but shared common criteria of microvascular endothelial cells^1,2. To give strong evidence for the separate entity, the growth rate of the 5 phenotypically different cells was studied. They were seeded at low density on day 0. Most of these cells were treated with 200 to 1000 U recombinant bovine interferon- (IFN-) for 3 days. The untreated remainder served as controls. Cell counts were made for all cultures on days 4, 7, 10 and 13. morphology: 13 d after treatment with IFN- senescent cells as well as intact cells occurred in cultures of cell types 1 to 4. Cultures of cell type 5 were apparently unchanged and resembled their untreated counterparts. Desminpositive cells in cultures of cell type 2 developed cell processes. Growth rate: In the absence of IFN-, the growth rate was high for cell types 3 and 4, moderate for cell type 1, and low for cell types 2 and 5. The presence of IFN- caused anti-proliferative effects. These were higher for cell types 3 and 4 than for cell types 1 and 2. IFN- could be cytotoxic on cell type 3. In contrast, the cytokine tended to support the cell growth of cell type 5. These findings substantiate the postulate that endothelial cells exhibiting separate morphology in culture also function differently.     

The stimulating action of gastrin pentapeptide and histamine on adenyl cyclase activity in rat stomach

, 3',5'-, in vitro . , , 3',5'- HCl .     

The mechanism of blood vessel permeability derangement under the influence of histamine,serotonin and bradykinin

, , , , 10^–2-10^–3M NaCN . (, ). .     

Sur l'interaction de la Protamine avec des protéines sériques

Summary We noticed the formation of a precipitate on adding salmine to dilute aqueous protein solution at pH 6–7. Human and bovine serum albumin, human -globulin, and the perchloro- and sulfosalicylosoluble mucoides do not precipitate in this condition. - and -lipoproteins prepared by floatation and by Sandor's technique gave S-shaped nephelometric titration curves, as did haptoglobin, a mixture of the types Hp II-Hp II and Hp II-Hp I. In sera incubated 24 h at 37°C with protamin, the dextran sulphate test and the cetavlon test show a diminished value for -lipo- and -glucoprotein. Lipoprotein degradation is probably enzymatic in nature.     

The use of benzylpenicillinacylase fromEscherichia coli in the resolution of some racemicβ-,γ-,δ- andɛ-amino-acids

Summary The enzymatic hydrolysis of N-phenylacetyl derivatives of racemic amino-acids having the chiral centre removed from the usual -position is examined. The reaction is found to have different degrees of stereoselectivity. In the case of -amino-acids and of -aminovaleric acid, both enantiomers can be obtained in good yields and high optical purity. S-directed stereochemical preference was found for all the substrates examined.     

Über den Phytoöstrogengehalt einiger Pflanzen

Summary The quantity of phyto-estrogens in red clover, hop, peas, and cabbage was estimated by titration on castrated female rats and infantile mice. The level of phytoestrogens was as follows: in hop 1050–2000/kg, in peas 4–6/kg, in cabbage 24/kg, and in red clover 6–9/kg. The author supposes that the sexual disorders described byRosenberger ¹⁴ in cows fed with cabbage, can be explained by the presence of phyto-estrogens in this plant.