Reduced bactericidal capacity of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in nephrotic syndrome and effect of steroid therapy

Zusammenfassung Es wird der Nachweis erbracht, dass die bakterizide Wirkung der polymorph-kernigen Leukozyten bei Patienten mit nephrotischem Syndrom vermindert ist und dass Prednisolon einen günstigen Einfluss auf die Bakterizidie polymorph-kerniger Leukozyten beim nephrotischen Syndrom hat.     

Effect of menadione on the phagocytic activity of guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Riassunto Menadione in vitro inibisce l'attività fagocitaria di leucociti polinucleati in aerobiosi e in anaerobiosi. Vengono riportate prove sperimentali dalle quali risulta che l'effetto del menadione non è in rapporto con l'inibizione della glicolisi o con l'attività di trasporto di elettroni nella ossidazione dei piridinnucleotidi ridotti tramite una DT diaforasi.     

Ribonuclease activity in leucocytes of hyperimmunized rabbits

Résumé Les leucocytes du sang périphérique de lapins hyper-immunisés contreCoxiella burneti ont été comparé avec des leucocytes de lapins normaux. Par la méthode cytochimique on a pu constater chez les animaux hyper-immunisés un accroissement du taux des leucocytes polynucléaires, l'enzyme ayant une activité accrue ce qui s'accorde avec un titre élevé d'anticorps dans le plasma. L'auteur cherche à déterminer la signification de cette augmentation de l'enzyme chez les animaux hyper-immunisés et de son rapport avec la réaction immunogène.     

Colicin E3 enhances the oxidoreductive activity of guinea-pig leucocytes

Summary Colicin E3 increased the capacity of peritoneal exudate leucocytes to reduce iodo-nitro-tetrazolium-chloride to formazane. This effect was directly dependent on its concentration within the range 10³–10⁵ lethal units per cell. In control experiments, dectran C exerted no influence on the rate of this activity and colicin E3 did not convert INT to formazane.     

The effect of levamisole on phosphodiesterase activity

Summary Phosphodiesterase activity of mouse liver homogenates was estimated in presence and absence of levamisole. The enzyme activity was 1394 and 1399 nmoles/mg protein/30 min respectively. Our data show that levamisole does not affect the phosphodiesterase activity.     

Characterization of the chemotactic activity of casein for neutrophil leucocytes and macrophages

Résumé L'activité chimiotactique de la caséine envers les neutrophiles et les macrophages se manifeste dans ses fractions soluble de poids moléculaire bas. Cette activité est détruite par l'action des enzymes protéolytiques et après la formation des micelles. Les - et -caséines sont les plus actives. Le manque de structure tertiaire dans la molécule de caséine peut jouer un rôle dans son activité chimiotactique.

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I thank Mrs.Kathryn Reed for her excellent technical assistance.     

The effect ofp-benzoquinone and quinol on the IAA-oxidase activity

Zusammenfassung Bei Prüfung des Einflusses vonp-Benzochinon auf die Aktivität der partiell gereinigten IES-Oxidase aus Wurzeln von Maiskeimlingen wurde bei Konzentrationen von 5×10^–6 bis 5×10^–4 M eine 50-bzw. 100%ige Hemmung beobachtet.     

Suppressed collagenolytic activity in polymorphonuclear leucocytes from diabetic humans

Summary Extracts of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL) from diabetic human exhibited less collagenolytic activity than extracts from normoglycemic control subjects. Partially purified control extracts produced ^A and ^B collagen breakdown products of the type generated by mammalian collagenase; the diabetic preparation produced decreased amounts of the same products. The diabetic PMNLs may synthesize abnormally low levels of collagenase or contain inactive forms of this enzyme.Supported by a grant (No. DE-03987) from the National Institute of Dental Research (N.I.H.), USA. This study forms part of the Ph.D. thesis of G.A. Nicoll.Acknowledgments. The authors wish to thank Ms Salema Karim and Mr F.R. Singh for excellent technical assistance.     

Collagenolytic activity from circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes of patients with asbestosis

Summary Levels of collagenolytic activity produced by circulating polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) of patients exposed to asbestos and patients with asbestosis were found to be similar to those of normal controls.Supported by MRC term grant MT-7310 and IRSSTQ. Reprint requests should be addressed to I.L.     

The effect of levamisole on phosphodiesterase activity.

Phosphodiesterase activity of mouse liver homogenates was estimated in presence and absence of levamisole. The enzyme activity was 1394 and 1399 nmoles/mg protein/30 min respectively. Our data show that levamisole does not affect the phosphodiesterase activity.     

The effect of bradykinin on the electrical activity of rat jejunum

Summary Bradykinin increased the potential difference across both the jejunum and colon of the rat. This effect was significantly reduced by indomethacin, suggesting that it was mediated by prostaglandins. The possibility that bradykinin may contribute to the diarrhoea of the carcinoid syndrome by inducing a net secretory state in the intestine is discussed.     

The effect of flavin coenzymes on the activity of erythrocyte enzymes

Zusammenfassung Aktivitätsmessung von 14 Erythrozytenenzymen normaler Personen mit und ohne Hinzufügung der Flavinenzyme Flavinmononukleotid (FMN) und Flavinadenindinukleotid (FAD). Keines der untersuchten Enzyme wurde durch FMN aktiviert, während jedoch FAD die Glutathione Reduktase und die NADH Methämoglobin Reduktase stimulierte.     

The effect of bradykinin on the electrical activity of rat jejunum

Bradykinin increased the potential difference across both the jejunum and colon of the rat. This effect was significantly reduced by indomethacin, suggesting that it was mediated by prostaglandins. The possibility that bradykinin may contribute to the diarrhoea of the carcinoid syndrome by inducing a net secretory state in the intestine is discussed.     

The effect of head heating on the flight activity of the cockroach

Summary Internal head heating restricted the flight activity in the cockroachPeriplaneta americana. Heating the metathoracic ganglion did not have any pronounced effect on the flight. It is concluded that in the cockroach the head nervous centers are very heat-susceptible and might be the coordinating center for temperature responses.     

The effect of salicylates on plasma fibrinolytic activity in the rat

Zusammenfassung Zufuhr von Kalium-Salicylat und Acetylsalicylsäure führte bei der Ratte zu einer Verminderung der Plasma-Antiplasmin-Aktivität (100 mg und 150 mg/kg). Somit erhöhen Salicylate in höheren Dosen die fibrinolytische Tätigkeit.

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Acknowledgement. This study was carried out during the tenure (by J. C. R.) of a British Council-Sierra Leone Government Scholarship.