In-vitro-Versuche über die Methämoglobinbildung durch Chinonderivate

Summary Heubner states that the oxidation of hæmoglobin to methæmoglobin by quinones should be due to a tension between two oxidation-reduction systems, the quinone-hydroquinone system and the hæmoglobin-methæmoglobin system. The authors tried to prove this statement by using various quinones with different oxidation-reduction potentials. An analysis of the results obtained suggests, however, that the oxidation-reduction potential is not the only factor determining the equilibrium. It seems that some other constitutionally conditioned factors also play an important role in this process.Experiments with non-hæmolyzed erythrocytes show that all quinones tested are able to pass through the cellular membrane of the erythrocytes without undergoing any chemical reaction. Thus, the experiments with hæmolyzed solutions and those with intact erythrocytes gave identical results.     

Gynergen und Penicillin als Antibiotika

Summary Herpes corneæ simplex (febrilis) is a virus disease. In 1942 the author found out that the purely epithelial forms of Herpes corneæ are cured on an average within four days, if the patients took 4–5 milligrams of «Gynergen Sandoz» (Ergotamin-tartrate Stoll) a day. According to the newest observations fresh Herpes corneæ can also be cured through rinsing with a solution of 0.5 mg of Gynergen (2 cm³ a day).The development of the Herpes disease and its cure is a chemical process of the cells, which, according to the author, is influenced by Gynergen. — Ergotamin is won out ofsecale cornutum, which owes its origin to the fungusClaviceps purpurea. This fungus together with thePenicillium notatum belongs to theAscomycetes group. Both are biologically related and their substance has chemical points of contact. — With respect to bacteria, Penicillin is antibiotic, the author presumes antibiotical properties against Herpes in Ergotamin (Gynergen Sandoz), the study of which he suggests should be gone into more thoroughly. With two different viruses Gynergen Sandoz has been known to bring about a cure in many cases: namely Herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and Herpes corneæ simplex (febrilis).     

Le potentiel morphogénétique de la zone marginale dorsale chez la jeune gastrula du Triton alpestre

Summary Grafting has been performed on very young gastrulæ ofTriton alpestris to test the potencies of areas of the dorsal marginal zone. A special device has been used to obtain accurate data concerning the presumptive fate of the implant. The results fall into the following categories: (1) depression of the potential with various modalities of assimilation; (2) unchanged potential with the classical results of an organizer implantation; (3) elevation of the morphogenetic potential; in certain cases, the higher level of organization attained by the grafted material is caused by an influence of the primary host's system, while in others it is definitely bound to an intrinsic process; chordo-somatic material from the marginal zone is capable of inducing a brain from the ventral ectoblast of the host; this result, contradicting the head organizer theory, is explained in terms of dominance and physiological competition; (4) direct transformation of marginal material into neural structures; this peculiar fate results from the lack of any activity on the part of the implant. The significance of the last result is especially emphasized.     

Milz und Häminstoffwechsel

Summary In the rat splenectomy has no influence on the level of hæmoglobin and of cytochrome c. The participation of the spleen in the metabolism of hæm pigments is either negligible or can be compensated for by extra-splenic activities.     

La biologie des hématinoprotéides oxygénables

Summary The author reviews a series of biological aspects of the study of oxygenable hematinoproteids, particularly with respect to evolution and adaptation. After a statement of some fundamental concepts of comparative biochemistry and of possible evolutionary relations between oxidation catalysts and oxygen carriers, the natural distribution of hemoglobins is reviewed and their specific characters are enumerated.A review is made of the data relating to the shape of the oxygen-dissociation curves and to the affinity of hæmoglobin for oxygen. It appears, generally speaking, that hyperbolic or almost hyperbolic curves and high affinity for oxygen are characteristic of primitive or embryonic hæmoglobins.A study of the function of hæmoglobin in the respiratory cycle of several animal species shows the vital importance of the oxygen carrier as well as the adaptation of the shape and position of the dissociation curve to the character of the respiratory function in the animal considered.The function of hæmoglobin in invertebrates, as oxygen carrier as well as providing a store of oxygen, is emphasized by a review of experimental data.The function of oxygen in the transport of carbon dioxide is reviewed from the standpoint of comparative biochemistry, and the lack of our knowledge is deplored.The characteristics of chlorocruorin show it to be a chemical mutation of an Annelid hæmoglobin.Our lack of knowledge in the field of the comparative biochemistry of hæmoglobin and chlorocruorin metabolism is pointed out.

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Conférence principale, présentée à la Société suisse de biologie médicale lors de la 127^e Assemblée générale de la Société helvétique des sciences naturelles à Genève, le 31 août 1947.     

La pseudohémoglobine et le catabolisme des composés hémiques

Summary (1) Coupled oxidation by atmospheric oxygen of systems containing hæmoglobin and various reducing agents results in the successive formation of oxyhæm, oxohæm, and pseudohæm from the prosthetic group of hæmoglobin.(2) Of the verdoglobins, sulfhæmoglobin is analogous to oxohæm whereas choleglobin and pseudohæmoglobin are pseudohæms and apparently identical.(3) It is at present impossible to decide whether the green intermediate in the physiological formation of bilirubin is sulfhæmoglobin or pseudohæmoglobin.(4) Part of the bilirubin formed in the body is probably derived from catalase, hæmatin, myoglobin and the cytochromes.

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Conférence principale, présentée à la Société suisse de biologie médicale lors de la 127me Assemblée générale de la Société helvétique des sciences naturelles à Genève, le 31 août 1947.     

Eine Näherungsformel für die Prämie der Invalidenversicherung

Summary Formulæ for the approximate evaluation of premiums for a disability pension payable continually.     

Déviation expérimentale de l'uretère primaire par la greffe de matériel cloacal chez le Triton

Summary A transplant consisting of the rudiment of a cloaca with some somatic material implanted at a certain distance ventral from the normal route taken by the pronephric duct can be the cause of a deviation of the duct from its normal course. The pronephric duct grows towards the secondary protodæum, whereas the duct is lacking in the part of the body behind the secondary proctodæum. It seems that the proctodæum exercises an attractive effect on the growing pronephric duct.The results of the experiments, at any rate, are in favour of the conception ofO'Connor (1938) andVan Geertruyden (1942), who found that the pronephric duct develops by its own independent growth. I cannot agree withVan Deth's opinion (1946), according to which the pronephric duct developsin situ out of the dorsal parts of the lateral plate.

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Expériences faites à Bruxelles, en avril 1947, grâce à une subvention de la « Nederlandse Commissie ter uitvoering van het Nederlands-Belgisch culturele verdrag ».     

Zum Problem des Stoffwechsels der Brenztraubensäurein vivo

Summary Following intravenous injection of pyruvic acid (PA) in the form of the sodium salt in the normal rabbit the level of PA in the blood rises, falling again to the initial level after 60 minutes. In the case of the alloxandiabetic animal the elimination of PA administered in equal doses is markedly retarded. If animals are used that suffer from a progredient alloxan diabetes leading to death in coma, an increased endogenous hyperpyruviæmia can be demonstrated. Insulin plays no part in the regulation of PA metabolism; through the application of aneurin, however, one succeeds in enabling the organism to make use of PA. A separate report will deal with the complex relations holding in endogenous hyperpyruviæmia in coma.

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Der Großteil der Experimente wurde mit Unterstützung der Roche-Studienstiftung durchgeführt.     

Mittlere Trefferzahlen und geometrische Wahrscheinlichkeiten

Summary The autors discuss various applications of a general formula for a mean value, which is based on the mean number of meetings of a plane region with a plane system of regions. The formulæ obtained can be applied in the treatment of suitable scientific and technical problems where such mean values and geometrical probabilities occur.