Optimal Aminco-Bowman spectrophotofluorometer slit sizes and arrangements for the analysis of serotonin-O.P.T.

Résumé Une sélection des dimensions et des arrangements optimaux des fentes a été étudiée pour l'évaluation du complexe sérotonine-O.P.T. (o-phthaldialdéhyde) au moyen du spectrophotofluorimètre Aminco-Bowman. Les meilleures conditions ont été réalisées avec les dimensions de 5.0, 4.0, 5.0, 5.0, 4.0, 5.0 et 5.0 mm dans les positions 1–7 respectivement.     

Corticosteroidogenesis by isolated human adrenal cells: effect of serotonin and serotonin antagonists.

The direct effect of serotonin and antiserotonin agents on adrenal steroid biosynthesis was studied in isolated adrenal cells derived from patients with Cushing's syndrome. The results indicate that serotonin increases corticosterone production, while the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine and methysergide depress adrenal steroid - particularly cortisol and aldosterone - biosynthesis.     

Pathways for oxidative fuel provision to working muscles: ecological consequences of maximal supply limitations.

The study of metabolic fuel provision and its regulation has reached an exciting stage where specific molecular events can be correlated with parameters of the organism's ecology. This paper examines substrate supply pathways from storage sites to locomotory muscle mitochondria and discusses ecological implications of the limits for maximal flux through these pathways. The relative importance of the different oxidative fuels is shown to depend on aerobic capacity. Very aerobic, endurance-adapted animals such as long distance migrants favor the use of lipids and intramuscular fuels over carbohydrates and circulatory fuels. The hypothesis of functional co-adaptation between oxygen and metabolic fuel supply systems allows us to predict that the capacity of several biochemical processes should be scaled with maximal oxygen consumption. Key enzymes, transmembrane transporter proteins, glucose precursor supply and soluble fatty acid transport proteins must all be geared to support higher maximal glucose and fatty acid fluxes in aerobic than in sedentary species.     

Effect of air ionization of blood serotonin in vitro.

The effect of negative and positive air ionisation on siliconized blood serotonin was studied in vitro. The experiments showed that within 10 min positive ionisation increased serotonin levels in total blood (+40%), plasma (+90%), erythrocytes (+50%) and thrombocytes (+240%). On the other hand, negative ionization (10 min) lowered the serotonin content of total blood (-30%), plasma (-42.5%), erythrocytes (-41.7%) and thrombocytes (-72.3%), thus confirming the 'Krueger Effect' in vitro.     

Corticosteroidogenesis by isolated human adrenal cells: Effect of serotonin and serotonin antagonists

Summary The direct effect of serotonin and antiserotonin agents on adrenal steroid biosynthesis was studied in isolated adrenal cells derived from patients with Cushing's syndrome. The results indicate that serotonin increases corticosterone production, while the serotonin antagonists cyproheptadine and methysergide depress adrenal steroid-particularly cortisol and aldosterone-biosynthesis.The authors are indebted to Dr. M. Kárteszi, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, for the determination of plasma ACTH by radioimmunoassay in our patients, and to Prof. P. Vecsei, Department of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, providing us with highly specific antisera for corticosteroids RIA-s.     

Meccanismo dell'azione attivatrice esplicata dal Guanosintrifosfato (G.T.P.) sui sistemi enzimatici ossidasici dei grassi. Nota IV

Résumé Dans le foie de cobaye l'arseniate ne modifie pas l'activation provoquée par le G. T. P. sur le système enzymatique des acides gras. De ces résultats on peut conclure que le G. T. P. donne directement l'énergie pour la synth`ese des acyl-CoA.      

Intrinsic fluorescence of mitochondrial F1-ATPase.

The emission maximum of the fluorescence spectrum of mitochondrial F1-ATPase is shifted from 305 to 334 nm when the excitation wavelength is altered from 270 to 300 nm. This indicates that both tyrosine and tryptophan contribute to the intrinsic fluorescence of the F1-ATPase.     

A method for determining the maximal stimulus strength for massive stimulation of skeletal muscle

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode zur Bestimmung des zur maximalen, anhaltenden Reizung von Froschmuskeln benötigten Reizstroms wird beschrieben.

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This study was supported in part by USPHS Training Grant No. GM 00439-08. The experimental part of this study was done at the University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA.     

The involvement of serotonin in induced ovulation in the immature rat.

In pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMS) treated immature rats the cortex, cerebellum, caudate nucleus and hypothalamus were isolated and analyzed for their serotonin (5-HT) content at 6-h intervals for 72 h. Results showed a general trend of significant variation occurring in days 1 and 3 after PMS injection with no major variations observed on the second day. The results obtained suggest a possible involvement of 5-HT in the control of ovulation.     

Inhibition of fading in fluorescence microscopy of fixed cells.

Following Hirschfeld et al., dithionite was added to mounting media to inhibit fluorescence fading. Excellent response is reported for fluorescein, acridine orange, 33258 Hoechst, acriflavine, berberine (and ethidium bromide), but not for quinacrine.