Alternative complement pathway: activity levels in allogeneic pregnancy.

Classical and alternative complement pathway activities have been evaluated in sera of women in progressive stages of gestation and in pregnant mice belonging to outbred or inbred matings, as compared to suitable controls. While classical C pathway was found to be unmodified, the alternative one attained in pregnancy significantly higher activity levels. Results are discussed in the light of mother-conceptus relationships.     

Sexual steroids and monamine metabolism during gestation.

The experiments show influence of progesterone and estradiol on regulation of enzymes of monamine metabolism, MAO and COMP during pregnancy. Both the hormones inhibit enzymes MAO and COMPT in the adrenals when determined at 0 h parturition. Estradiol has stronger inhibitory effect than progesterone. The results provide evidence for important endocrine implication during pregnancy for processes of monamine regulation.     

Biochemical markers in the taxonomy of the Actinomycetales.

Useful biochemical markers for the classification of Actinomycetales are: 1. DL- or LL-diaminopimelic acid in the peptidoglycan, 2. sugar composition of polysaccharides, 3. fatty acid spectrum of cell lipids. The occurrence of various kinds of branched fatty acids and of unsaturated fatty acids is of special value.     

Age and peritoneal fluid cellular distribution in women 20-40 years of age.

Cytologic aspiration specimens of peritoneal fluid revealed that mesothelial cell proportions were significantly reduced 19.2% in women between 26 and 35 years of age. Possibly, mesothelial cell renewal was decreased in women of the older age groups.     

Direct fluorination of carcinogenic polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. 6-Fluorobenzo(a)pyrene.

Xenon difluoride reacts with benzo[a]pyrene(BaP) in dichloromethane solution in an open system to give 6-fluorobenzo[a]pyrene. This method constitutes a direct route to fluorine substituted carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.     

Neurosecretion and hydroelectrolytic regulation in Artemia salina (author's transl)]

The activity of Artemia protocerebral median neurosecretory cells is stimulated when animals are grown in media whose tonicity is lower than that of sea weater. The substance liberated by these cells could regulate the tonicity of the internal medium.