Action of cloxacillin and Nafcillin onEscherichia coli

Résumé Divers aspects de l'action de la cloxacilline et de la nafcilline surEscherichia coli ont été étudiés. La cloxacilline s'est montrée plus efficace que la nafcilline quand il s'agissait d'arrêter la croissance et d'amener la lyse et la formation de sphéroplastes; par contre, elle s'est montrée moins efficace que plusieurs autres pénicillines (y compris l'acide 6-aminopénicillanique) à ces égards. Ces résultats tendent à démontrer que la cloxacilline et la nafcilline possèdent un mode d'action qui est typique des pénicillines sur cet organisme.     

Interaction between uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation andStaphylococcus aureus infected liver mitochondria

Résumé Des microphotographies électroniques de mitochondries du foie de souris infectées par des staphilocoques montrent une décroissance de la population énergisée, ce qui suggère un découplement. Les mitochondries du foie des animaux infectés avaient un taux élevé d'absorption d'oxygène et indiquent une action de découplement de laS. aureus plus effective que celle du dinitrophenol employée in vitro dans une concentration optimale. Le découplement semble avoir lieu au stage de phosphorylation de l'oxydation.     

Some stereochemical aspects of polyenes

Zusammenfassung Polyene, die ein konjugiertes Doppelbindungssystem in offener Kette enthalten, können zahlreiche raumisomere Formen annehmen. In den meisten zu dieser Klasse gehörenden Naturstoffen sowie in Produkten der Synthese wiegt das geradlinige «all-trans-Isomer vor, das aber durch thermische oder photochemische Eingriffe oder durch Jodkatalyse in ein kompliziertes Gemisch voncis-trans-Formen umgelagert werden kann. Derartige Gemische lassen sich chromatographisch in ihre Bestandteile zerlegen. Diese Beobachtungen gelten sowohl für isoprenoide Verbindungstypen (carotinoide Farbstoffe, Phytofluen, Vitamin A, Retinen) als auch für Systeme mit unverzweigtem Kohlenstoffgerüst (Diphenylpolyene, Azine).Dietrans cis-Umlagerung hat in vielen Fällen eine räumliche Hinderung zu überwinden, deren Grundtypen besprochen werden.Durch Änderung der stereochemischen Konfiguration eines Polyens werden seine spektroskopischen Merkmale tiefgehend beeinflusst, und zwar im sichtbaren, im ultravioletten und im infraroten Wellenlängengebiet. Der «cis-peak-Effekt» dient als ein Mass der Biegung der Moleküle.Auch in gewissen biologischen Vorgängen spieltcis-trans-Isomerie eine wichtige Rolle; so ist zum Beispiel für den Sehakt ein bestimmter stereo-spezifischer Teilvorgang eine Voraussetzung. Ferner büssen Provitamine A einen grossen Teil ihrer Aktivität im Organismus ein, wenn ihretrans-Moleküle morphologische Variationen erleiden. Auch hier zeigt sich ein enger Zusammenhang zwischen Biopotenz und Molekularform.     

Some philosophical aspects of particle physics

The paper is concerned with explaining some of the principal theoretical developments in elementary particle physics and discussing the associated methodological problems both in respect of heuristics and appraisal. Particular reference is made to relativistic quantum field theory, renormalization, Feynman diagram techniques, the analytic S-matrix and the Chew — Frautschi bootstrap.     

Some aspects of biochemistry of myocardial infarction

This review deals with biochemical changes in infarcted heart muscle. Two main topics are emphasized: changes in substrate metabolism and in myocardial nitric oxide (NO), and prostacyclin and thromboxane formation. Alterations in glucose metabolism in infarcted heart are discussed with special reference to its myocardial utilization in ischemia. The biochemical basis of the increase in NO and prostanoids and the relationship between the enzyme producing nitric oxide (NOS) and cyclooxygenases (COX) responsible for formation of prostanoids are described. The relevance of these findings to clinical conditions and to angiogenesis in heart muscle are stressed.     

Some practical aspects of forecasting in organizations

This paper presents the writer's experience, over a period of 25 years, in analysing organizational systems and, in particular, concentrates on the overall forecasting activity. The paper first looks at the relationship between forecasting and decision taking–with emphasis on the fact that forecasting is a means to aid decision taking and not an end in itself. It states that there are many types of forecasting problems, each requiring different methods of treatment. The paper then discusses attitudes which are emerging about the relative advantages of different forecasting techniques. It suggests a model building process which requires‘experience’and‘craftsmanship’, extensive practical application, frequent interaction between theory and practice and a methodology that eventually leads to models that contain no detectable inadequacies. Furthermore, it argues that although models which forecast a time series from its past history have a very important role to play, for effective policy making it is necessary to augment the model by introducing policy variables, again in a systematic not an ‘ad hoc’ manner. Finally, the paper discusses how forecasting systems can be introduced into the management process in the first place and how they should be monitored and updated when found wanting.     

Comparative aspects of structure and action of molluscan neuropeptides

A number of neuropeptides were isolated from the ganglia and muscles of molluscs, and their actions were examined. Diverse neuropeptides, in addition to several classical neurotransmitters, were suggested to be involved in the regulation of the anterior byssus retractor muscle ofMytilus. A wide structural variety of members of theMytilus inhibitory peptide family was observed in each of the generaMytilus, Achatina andHelix. Gly-Trp-NH₂, the C-terminal dipeptide fragment of the neuropeptide AGPWamide, showed a more potent action than the parent peptide in all of the muscles examined. Peptides related to some molluscan neuropeptides were found to be distributed interphyletically. Some neuropeptides containing ad-amino acid residue were found inAchatina andMytilus. These aspects of molluscan neuropeptides are thought not to be exceptional.     

Some new aspects in human trophoblast cultures

Résumé L'évolution morphologique des cellules trophoblastiques humaines, ainsi que leur potentiel de sécrétion hormonale, in vitro, ont été examinés pendant plus de 2 mois, à l'aide d'une technique simplifiée de culture de placenta. La signification des cellules dites «géantes» l'aspect fibroblastique des trophoblastes dans les cultures agées, et le développement des vrais fibroblastes dans ces cultures, sont discutés.

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Acknowledgments: We thank Mr.I. Ofek and MissTechila Kehati for technical assistance.     

Comparative aspects of structure and action of molluscan neuropeptides.

A number of neuropeptides were isolated from the ganglia and muscles of molluscs, and their actions were examined. Diverse neuropeptides, in addition to several classical neurotransmitters, were suggested to be involved in the regulation of the anterior byssus retractor muscle of Mytilus. A wide structural variety of members of the Mytilus inhibitory peptide family was observed in each of the genera Mytilus, Achatina and Helix. Gly-Trp-NH2, the C-terminal dipeptide fragment of the neuropeptide AGPWamide, showed a more potent action than the parent peptide in all of the muscles examined. Peptides related to some molluscan neuropeptides were found to be distributed interphyletically. Some neuropeptides containing a D-amino acid residue were found in Achatina and Mytilus. These aspects of molluscan neuropeptides are thought not to be exceptional.     

Some aspects of complementation with carotenogenical loci inNeurospora crassa

Résumé Les résultats des tests de complémentation de souches mutantes albinos deNeurospora crassa, obtenus avec des cultures mixtes et des hétérocaryons forcés porteurs de différents marqueurs, ne sont pas nécessairement en accord. L'absence de complémentation positive à la suite de plusieurs tests ne permet pas de conclure nécessairement à l'incapacité de complémentation dans ce locus, conséquence d'effets de rapports différents des types nucléaires.     

Non-host-selective fungal phytotoxins: Biochemical aspects of their mode of action

During the last decade increasing attention has been directed towards the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the biological activity of phytotoxins. Studies on the mode of action of some non-host-selective phytotoxins, some following on from previous observations, have demonstrated a very specific interaction with particular components of the cell machinery, and have suggested the possible use of these phytotoxins as tools for the investigation of important biochemical processes. This review article reports and discusses results of studies carried out in the 1980s with seven non-host-selective fungal toxins: brefeldin A, cercosporin,Cercospora beticola toxin, fusicoccin, ophiobolins, tentoxin, and zinniol. Each of these interferes with the life of the host by interacting with a different biochemical target.     

Some aspects of the NMR-spectra of aporphine and phenanthrene alkaloids

Summary The C-11 proton of an aprophine possessing a C-1,2 methylenedioxy group falls relatively upfield between 7.47 and 7.86. Additionally, the i.c.s. for the two protons of the methylenedioxy group is large (4–12 Hz). The presence of a methylenedioxy at C-3,4 in a phenanthrene alkaloid also results in an upfield shift ( 8.95–9.00) of the C-5 proton.This project was supported by NIH research grant No. HL-12971, awarded by the National Heart and Lung Institute, PHS/DHEW.