Volatile metabolites of aspergilli in relation to spore germination of some keratinophilic fungi

Summary The effect of volatile metabolites produced by 8 Aspergilli (i.e.,Aspergillus candidus, A. chevalieri, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger, A. ochraceous andA. tamarii) on spore germination were tested againstAuxarthron conjugatum, Chrysosporium pannicola, Keratinomyces ajelloi andMicrosporum gypseum. The volatile metabolites inhibited the spore germination of all the test fungi.Acknowledgment. The authors thank Professor G.P. Mishra for the use of the facilities and S.K.D. acknowledges the fellowship award by I.C.M.R. New Delhi.     

α-d-glucosidase in normal and leukemic lymphocytes

Zusammenfassung Der einfache Nachweis von -d-Glukosidase in leukämischen Lymphozyten gelang spektrophotometrisch. Dies lässt darauf schliessen, dass ein Enzymmangel nicht Ursache für die Glykogenspeicherung dieser Zellen sein kann. Es scheint sich um eine Ansammlung von glykolytischen Zwischenprodukten und nicht um einen Defekt der Glykogenolyse zu handeln.

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Supported by U.S.P.H.S. Research Grant No. CA 07000 and U.S.P.H.S. Training Grant No. 5 T1 CA5159.

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Work done as a U.S.P.H.S. Postdoctoral Research Fellow in hematology.

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Recipient of U.S.P.H.S. Career Development Award 1-K3-CA-8371.     

Growth promotion by extracts from Wilms' tumor in vitro

Zusammenfassung Anomale Komponenten, die aus Blutserum und Tumoren von Patienten mit Wilmschen Tumoren isoliert wurden, fördern das Wachstum der Nieren- und Lungenzellen-Kulturen.

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Supported by an institutional grant No. IN-21-I and IN-21-J from the American Cancer Society, N.I.H. training grant No. DE 00094-09 to L.A.B. from N.I.D.R., and N.I.H. Program Grant No. 5 POI DE 02848-02. We thank Mr.D. Beugelmans, MissP. Couture, and Mrs.Y. Takahashi for their excellent technical assistance, and Dr.Darleen Powars for the tumor samples.     

Zur Pathogenese des Urämiesyndroms1. Über den Einfluss von Tyramin auf die Acetoinsynthese aus Brenztraubensäure in Rattenleberhomogenat2

Summary Tyramine enhanced the production of acetoin from pyruvate in rat liver homogenates. A stimulation of acetoin synthesis was only observed, when tyramine was oxidized during the incubation. Tyrosol (p-hydroxyphenylethanol) stimulated acetoin synthesis whereasp-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and ammonia were ineffective.

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Mit Unterstützung des »Schweizerischen Nationalfonds» und der Firma F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. AG, Basel.

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8. Mitteilung. 1. Mitt.:H. Thölen, F. Bigler undH. Staub, Path. Microbiol. (Basel)24, 262 (1961). — 2. Mitt.:F. Bigler, H. Thölen undH. Staub, Helv. physiol. Acta19, C 11 (1961). — 3. Mitt.:H. Thölen, F. Bigler undH. Staub, Exper.17, 359 (1961). — 4. Mitt.:F. Bigler, H. Thölen undH. Staub, Schweiz. med. Wschr.91, 1259 (1961). — 5. Mitt.:H. Thölen, F. Bigler, A. Heusler, W. Stauffacher undH. Staub, Exper.18, 454 (1962). — 6. Mitt.:F. Bigler, H. Thölen undH. Staub, Schweiz. med. Wschr.92, 746 (1962). — 7. Mitt.:F. Bigler, H. Thölen undH. Staub, in Vorbereitung.     

Isoenzymes of creatine phosphokinase in white blood cells

Summary Creatine phosphokinase activity was found in human lymphocytes. Only MM type of the enzyme was detected in lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes.Supported by U.S.P.H.S. MH 16 127. H.Y.M. is recipient of RCSA MH 47 808.     

Electrical response of bat retina to spectral stimulation: comparison of four microchiropteran species

Summary Electrical responses of the retinas of 4 species of microchiropteran bats stimulated by spectrally restricted light flashes were found to diverge systematically from the rhodopsin absorption spectrum. The divergence was progressively greater across the 4 species. The results appeared explainable by assuming a second photoreceptor class and photopigment which was present in progressively greater numbers in the retinas ofEptesicus fuscus, Desmodus rotundus, Artibeus jamaicensis andCarollia perspicillata.This work was made possible by equipment provided by grant No. EY 01228 from the U.S.P.H.S., Bob Hope Fight for Sight award No. G 522 and a grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. Portions of this work were presented at the Fifth International Bat Research Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, August 11, 1978.The authors would like to express appreciation to Drs A.M. Potts, J. B. Longley, R. S. Crockett and T. G. Wheeler for helpful suggestions and to Drs J. H. Richardson, J. G. Cooper, L. Kundrotas, Mr B. Spoonamore and Mr W. Lopez-Forment for facilitating collection and importation of the Mexican bats.     

Délimiation des voies ascendantes responsables de l'activités ponto-géniculo-occipitale chez le chat

Summary A ponto-geniculate system responsible for the PGO activity induced by Reserpine follows closely the topography of the intermediate catecholaminergic pathway which crosses the midlinie in the supra-optic decussation.

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Ce travail a bénéficié de l'aide de la D.R.M.E (No. 71.009), de l'I.N.S.E.R.M. (No. U52) et du C.N.R.S. (No. LA 162)     

Gilia in human fetal Schwann cells

Summary Cilia are present in Schwann cells during myelinogenesis which suggest that these cells could migrate by ciliary movement.Supported by U. S. PHS Grant No. 8-3360.Acknowledgment. I thank Drs.R. Allen, R. P. Bunge andR. A. Chambers for their advice and criticisms, and Mr.Alan Sandler for technical assistance.     

Synthesis of juvenile hormones in vitro by the corpora allata of 5th stage larva of Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R and F) (Insecta, Orthopteroida)]

Corpora allata of Locusta migratoria 5th stage larvae synthesize J.H.1, J.H.2 and J.H.3 in vitro. The C.A. of insects of different ages exbit different rates of J.H. synthesis. J.H.1 and J.H.2 synthesis is less than 1 ng/48 h/gland. During the same time the J.H.3 production may be as much as 25.6 ng/gland. J.H. synthetic activity is the same between right and left C.A. The release of J.H. from the C.A. occurs immediately following synthesis. These results are compared with in vivo haemolymphatic J.H. levels.     

Distribution and number of fluorescent granular perithelial cells in coronal sections of rats cerebrum

The fluorescent granular perithelial cells (F.G.P.) of rats aged 1 week to 2 years were observed under a light microscope to investigate intracellular granules and localization. This study showed that a marked proliferation of F.G.P. occurs within 3 weeks after birth and the total number remains constant for 2 years. The F.G.P. are mainly distributed in the gray matter, and are scarce in the white matter. The number and distribution of F.G.P. seems to reflect a difference of vascularization and function in different cerebral regions.     

Transport synaptosomal du Tryptophane et de la Tyrosine cérébrale. Existence de systèmes de capture d'affinité différente

Summary The existence of low and high affinity systems for tryptophan and tyrosine uptake by synaptosomes were demonstrated in vitro in the rat mesencephalon.

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Ce travail réalisé dans le laboratoire du ProfesseurM. Jouvet a bénéficié de l'aide de l'I.N.S.E.R.M. (No. U-52), de la D.R.M.E. (contrat No. 72-108) et du C.N.R.S. (Laboratoire associé No. 162).

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Nous remercions tout particulièrement MmeG. Veuillet et MmeR. Juruguen pour leur précieuse aide technique.     

Quinone tanning in Agnatha

Summary The buccal teeth and notochordal sheath of the marine hagfish,Petromyzon marinus (L.) are phenolically tanned like the cuticle of insects and other arthropods.Acknowledgments. We are grateful to Dr Bill Lovejoy for generously supplyingP. marinus L. A.R.V. is thankful to Prof. R.G. Michael for encouragement.Previously called A. Sannasi.     

C-band positive W chromosome in the female Indian frog

Summary In the female Indian frog,Rana tigrina (2n=26; NF=52), the female is heterogametic. The heterochromosomes (ZW) are morphologically indistinguishable, but the W chromosome proves by C-banding analysis to be entierly heterochromatic.Acknowledgment. S.C. is grateful to Prof. G.K. Manna, Zoology Department, Kalyani University, Prof. Archana Sharma, Botany Department, Calcutta University and to Prof. T. Sharma, Zoology Department, Banarus Hindu University for encouragements. He is also thankful to Prof. D.K. Choudhuri, Burdwan University for support.     

One-sided sexual isolation betweenDrosophila takahashii andDrosophila pseudotakahashii

Summary In order to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships betweenD. takahashii andD. pseudotakahashii, 2 closely related allopatric species, sexual isolation was studied by the male-choice method. The present data indicate that there is a one-sided mating preference between these species. On a basis of the results, their evolutionary sequence is discussed.We are indebted to Dr I. R. Bock, Australia, and Dr O. Kitagawa, Japan, for kindly providing the live cultures. Thanks are due to the Head of the Zoology Department, B.H.U. for the provision of laboratory facilities and to the C.S.I.R., New Delhi, India, for awarding a Post-doctoral fellowship to Y.N.D.     

Distribution and number of fluorescent granular perithelial cells in coronal sections of rats cerebrum

Summary The fluorescent granular perithelial cells (F.G.P.) of rats aged 1 week to 2 years were observed under a light microscope to investigate intracellular granules and localization. This study showed that a marked proliferation of F.G.P. occurs within 3 weeks after birth and the total number remains constant for 2 years. The F.G.P. are mainly distributed in the gray matter, and are scarce in the white matter. The number and distribution of F.G.P. seems to reflect a difference of vascularization and function in different cerebral regions.     

Establishment of normal diploid and malignant heteroploid cell lines from non-treated and benzo(a)pyrene treated hamster embryo cell cultures

Summary Two normal diploid control cell lines and a heteroploid malignant transformed cell line from B(a) P treated hamster embryo cell cultures were established. The 14-month-old B(a)P transformed cell line grew 8-times faster than the 20-month-old control cell line. The control cell line showed normal diploid chromosome complement in 93% cells and heteroploidy in 7% cells while B(a)P treated line showed 83% heteroploid cells and only 17% diploid cells. This is the first report on the establishment of diploid hamster cell cultures grown for extended period. Acknowledgments. This work was supported by the French Ministry of Quality of Life, by the Institut National de la Santé et Recherche Médicale, by the S.E.I.T.A. and by Contract No. 12-14-7001-297 of the Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Administered by the Athens, Georgia Area, Richard B. Russell Agricultural Research Center, Athens, Georgia 30604, USA. We thank Mr.B. R. Sharma, Mr.E. J. Radin, Dr.R. Hakim and Dr.Ved Brat for their help during this work.     

The fasciolicidal activity of a halogenated benzenesulfonanilide

Summary Halogenated benzenesulfonanilides have potent fasciolicidal activity. The efficacy of 1 such compound in mice, sheep, and cattle is reported.Appreciation is expressed to Dr M. Manowitz for chemical support and to J. Bailer, G. Fusiek and C. Indian for their assistance. Dr. R. Bellhorn and C. Impellizzeri gave valuable assistance in the eye examinations.     

Effects of tranylcypromine and pargyline on brain tryptamine

Summary Tranylcypromine produces behavioral excitation while pargyline produces depression. Tranylcypromine increased brain tryptophan which led to an accumulation of tryptamine. The levels of tryptamine after tranylcypromine were found to be 3 times those found after pargyline.This work was supported in part by U. S. Public Health Service Grants NS-12759 and AA-2696, State of Illinois Department of Mental Health, the Psychiatric Services Branch, Province of Saskatchewan, and the Medical Research Council of Canada, who have provided continuing financial support.Acknowledgments. We thank Dr B. A. Davis for synthesizing the deuterated internal standards, Dr D. A. Durden for supervising the mass spectrometric analyses, and Mr H. Miyashita, Mr N. F. Binder and Miss E. E. Johnson for skilled technical assistance.     

Pyrolysis of cannabidiol. Structure elucidation of a major pyrolytic conversion product

Summary Pyrolysis of cannabidiol, one of the major constituents of Cannabis sativa, yields a mixture of components. Next to previously identified products, a major conversion product has now been isolated and identified. The unusual and stereospecific route of formation of this compound with altered chromophore is discussed.Acknowledgments. This research was supported by the Dutch Department of Public Health and Environmental Hygienics. Thanks are due to R. D. van Ooyen who provided technical assistance, Dr M. J. A. de Bie and Dr W. Heerma for valuable discussions, Drs J. W. Marsman and Ir T. Spoormaker for performing PMR experiments.     

Vitamin C and gallstone formation: A preliminary report

Summary Gallstone formation in hypovitaminotic C guinea-pigs fed a high cholesterol diet was associated with qualitative changes in the gallbladder bile, namely, a high cholesterol concentration, a lowered bile acid content and diminished phospholipid-to-cholesterol and bile acid-to-cholesterol ratio.Acknowledgment. I am indebted to Prof. H. M. Sinclair (Oxford) and Drs K. M. L. Morris (City of London Polytechnic) and G. M. Murphy (Guys Hospital Medical School) for valuable discussion and advice, and to Mr J. A. Rawlings for technical assistance.