Antibiotic activity of organic compounds and their average quasi-valence number

Summary It is shown that the average quasi-valence numbers of antibiotics inhibiting protein synthesis are well defined and lie in the region of average quasi-valence numbers of amino acids, while the average quasi-valence numbers of antibiotics inhibiting DNA or RNA synthesis have higher values. Possible explanations of these findings and their implications on the design and selection of antibiotics are discussed.     

Biodegradation and utilization of monomethyl sulfate by specialized methylotrophs

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences -     

Influence of anaesthesia by carbon dioxide and ether on locomotor activity inDrosophila melanogaster

Summary Locomotor activity of Drosophila melanogaster was investigated in 2 recently caught unrelated wild stocks. It is strongly affected by anaesthesia with either carbon dioxide or ether. Both anaesthetics had opposite effects. Ether produces a longlasting decrease in activity. Carbondioxide causes an increase, of locomotor activity, but smaller and of shorter duration than the effect of ether.     

Anthelmintic activity of tioxidazole (Sch 21480) against gastrointestinal roundworms

Summary Methyl-6-propoxybenzothiazo-2-carbamate (tioxidazole) has broad spectrum activity against gastrointestinal nematodes.     

Sterilising activity of methoprene and hydroprene inTribolium castaneum (Herbst)

Summary The productivity ofT. castaneum adults, previously reared in flour incorporating either the IGR methoprene or hydroprene, was found to be impaired depending on the concentration of the IGR in the flour, whether or not the individual was morphologically deformed, and its sex.The authors are indebted to Mr P. B. Du Guesclin for technical assistance, and Dr J. Diekman, Zoecon Corporation, California, for supplying the IGRs. This work was financed in part by the Australian Wheat Industry Research Council.     

Rhythmic activity in frog (Rana pipiens) visual system

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass die Netzhaut-Ganglienzellen dritter Klasse beiRana pipiens auf Beleuchtungsperiodenausgleich reaktiv rhythmische potentialfolgen von bursts und firing erzeugen. Als wirksamste Beleuchtungsperioden erwiesen sich solche im mesopischen Bereich bei Mindestdauer von 15 sec. Weder skotopische noch photopische Belichtungen führten zu rhythmischer Aktivität.     

The inhibitory effects of anti-androgen (SH-714) on erythropoietic activity

Zusammenfassung Der erythropoietische stimulierende Effekt von Depo-Testosteron-Zyklopentylpropionat in plethorischen Mäusen kann durch ein neues Antiandrogenpräparat (Cyproteronazetat — SH-714) verhindert werden. Dasselbe Präparat verhindert in plethorischen Mäusen ebenfalls die nach einer Standarddosis von Erythropoietin erwartete Blutneubildung.     

Zeitgeber induced modulation of activity patterns in nocturnal mammals (Chiroptera)

Summary Changing the L:D intensity ratio of a synchronizing light-dark regime leads to characteristic modulations of the activity pattern of 5 Chiroptera species. These modulations fit the predictions ofWever's oscillator model.Supported by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (No. Er 59, 1–4).     

The structure of locomotor activity in bilobectomized cockroaches (Blaberus fuscus)

Summary The aperiodic activity patterns of bilobectomized cockroaches can largely be described by simple stochastic regularities: a) there are no correlations between the lengths of successive activity bursts and rest pauses, b) the probabilities for the transition from activity to rest and from rest to activity are time-independent. The activity sequence is strongly influenced by singular temperature steps or temperature cycles.     

Endotoxin-like activity inPseudomonas paucimobilis (group IIK biotype 1) andFlavobacterium multivorum (group IIK biotype 2)

Summary 7 strains ofPseudomonas paucimobilis and 7 strains ofFlavobacterium multivorum (formerly groups IIK biotype 1 and biotype 2, respectively) showed endotoxin-like activity in vitro by the limulus amoebocyte lysate test.     

Brain factor fromGalleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) stimulating silk gland activity

Brain extracts from day 1–4 last instar larvae ofGalleria mellonella (Lepidoptera) stimulate RNA synthesis in cultured silk glands from day 3 last instar larvae. When the fibroin-synthesizing posterior parts of silk glands were incubated for 3 h in vitro in the presence of brain extract (0.1 brain equivalent), [³H]-uridine incorporation into RNA was stimulated more than twofold. The stimulating effect of brain extract showed a dose response relationship. It is suggested that the heat-resistant and protease-sensitive brain factor is a peptide.     

Feeding activity ofMylabris pustulata Thunb. (Coleoptera: Meloidae)

Résumé L'activité nutritive deM. pustulata Thunb. est en général plus intense sur les plantes d'Hibiscus rosasciensis et sur ses fleurs particulier, à la lumière aussi bien que dans l'obscurité. La lumière ne joue donc pas de rôle important dans l'alimentation de cet insecte.

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The authors are indepted to Prof.H. S. Chaudhry for providing necessary facilities during the work.     

Phenylethanolamine-N-methyl transferase activity in the ground squirrel (Citellus citellus)

Résumé L'activité de la phényléthanolamine-N-méthyltransférase (PNMT) a été mesurée dans l'homogénat des surrénales chez le Spermophile, soit actif, exposé aux températures extérieures de 20–25 °C ou de 6–8 °C, soit réveillé pendant l'hibernation. Chez les animaux actifs, l'effet du PNMT a été le plus faible. Une augmentation significative de l'activité enzymatique a été constatée chez les animaux actifs maintenus à la température de 6–8°C (p<0.001). L'activité du PNMT diminue immédiatement chez les Spermophiles réveillés pendant leur hibernation et ceci par rapport aux animaux actifs maintenus à la même température extérieure (p<0.01).