Inhibition of mammalian acetylcholinesterase by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride

Resumen El fenilmentano sulfonil fluoro (FMSF) 4×10^–5 M inhibe a la acetilcolinesterasa (E. C. 3.1.1.7) de cerebro de rata en más de 50%, y 9×10^–4 M más de 90%. La constante de reacción inhibidor enzima es de 4.7×10² (1 mol^–1 min^–1). La colinesterasa (E. C. 3.1.1.8) de cerebro de rata es insensible a FMSF.

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Supported by NIMH Grant No. 1 RO3 MH 19125, by Comisión Nacional de Investigación Cientiffica Proyecto No. 80, and by Comisión de Investigación Cientiffica Universidad de Chile, Proyecto No. 95.     

p-Xylylenedicyanide and related compounds,weakly cytotoxic nitriles

Zusammenfassung Extrakte vonV. opulus von schwacher Zelltoxizität enthaltenp-Xylylendinitril. Die Isomeren,m- undp-Cyanohydrozimtsäurenitrile, wurden synthetisiert und auf ihre zelltoxischen Eigenschaften hin untersucht:p-Xylylendinitril erweist sich als am stärksten wirksam.

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The reported work was supported in part by grants Nos. AM 07147, FR 00354, GM 12755 and GM 33888 from the United States Public Health Service, National Institutes of Health. We are grateful to the management and staff of the Isaac Bernheim Foundation for their helpful assistance with plants.

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Inquiries on mass spectra should be directed to F.W.M.; all other inquiries should be directed to C.H.J.     

A comparison between the photoreactivity of some furocoumarins with native DNA and their skin-photosensitizing activity

Riassunto È stata determinata la fotoreattività con DNA nativo di un gruppo di furocumarine per irradiazione a 365 nm. I valori ottenuti sono risultati in accordo con quelli di attività fotosensibilizzatrice cutanea posseduti dalle stesse sostanze.     

A simple culture vessel for turbidimetric studies of anaerobic growth of microbes

Résumé La fiole de culture décrite permet le mesurage par voie turbidimétrique de la croissance microbienne en culture anaérobie et agitée. Du gaz, produit par la culture, peut s'échapper par une valve. Par l'application additionelle d'un bulbe latéral contenant de la potasse, la comparaison est possible entre des cultures parallèles, croissant soit en présence soit en absence de CO₂.

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The first author is indebted to Prof. Dr.T. O. Wikén for facilities offered to him in the Laboratory of Microbiology, Technological University, Delft.     

On the biosynthesis of testicular steroids in vitro and its inhibition

Zusammenfassung Der Seitenkettenabbau von C₂₁-Steroiden zu Androgenen in Rattentesteshomogenat erwies sich abhängig von der Konzentration der Vorstufen und konnte durch gewisse Pyridinderivate präferentiell blockiert werden.     

Unstable genetic system inDrosophila melanogaster: I. Instability at theCinnabar locus

Summary A mutant strain containing acinnabar allele (cn ^rbr ,rojo brillante) is reported, that produces wild-type revertants at thecinnabar (cn) locus. Incn ^rbr /cn heterozygotes the rate of mutation is highly increased. The presence of a mutator agent acting premeiotically is indicated.D.L. Lindsley and E.H. Grell, Genetic variations ofDrosophila melanogaster. Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, 1968; Publication No. 627.     

Preparation and properties of hexitol-lysyl conjugates

Summary The facile preparation of hexitol-lysyl derivatives is reported. Some of the properties of these compounds, particularly those relevant to protein structural studies, are described.Supported by grants from Medical Research Council of New Zealand, New Zealand Neurological Foundation and National Heart Foundation of New Zealand.