Development of an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measurement of vitellogenin concentrations in cockroaches

Summary A competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the quantification of a large lipoprotein, namely the yolk protein vitellogenin, in the haemolymph of cockroaches (Nauphoeta cinerea). This assay was found to be specific, reproducible and it has a high sensitivity (approximately 10 ng).Acknowledgments. We would like to express our thanks to Prof. H. Fey and Ms H. Pfister, Veterinary Bacteriological Institute, University of Berne, for introducing us into the ELISA methodology, to P. Beyeler for technical assistance and to M. Kaltenrieder for drawing the graphs. We also thank the Sandoz Foundation for a fellowship to M. Dumas and the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant No. 3. 188-0.77) for financial support.     

Inhibition of neurotensin (NT)-induced glucagon release by [D-Trp11]-NT1

Summary A synthetic analog of neurotensin (NT), [D-Trp¹¹]-NT, antagonized NT-induced hyperglucagonemia and hyperglycemia, and also NT-induced glucagon release from pancreatic islets in rats.This work was supported in part by a grant from the Imanaga Medical Research Foundation, Nagoya, Japan. Address for reprint requests: M.U., Department of Surgery, National Nagoya Railway Hospital, Taiko 1-chome, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 453, Japan.     

Cytotoxicity of new cytochalasans fromChaetomium globosum

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass CHCl₃-Rohextrakte aus Myzelien und Filtraten der Zuchtmedien vonChaetomium globosum Kunze ex Fries einen akuten toxischen Effect auf HeLa-Zellen in vitro, sowie auf Mäuse zeigten. Chaetoglobosine die aus Mycelium-Rohextrakt isoliert wurden und chemisch zu den Cytochalasanen gehören, induzierten in HeLa-Zellen eine Polynukleierung und multipolare Kernverteilung. Auch beim Chaetogobosin wird eine Mikrofilament-Schädigung angenommen.     

Reduction of efferent renal nerve activity by propranolol in rabbits]

During intravenous infusion of propranolol (0.3--0.8 mg/kg) in the Rabbit, systolic arterial pressure is decreased (-6.5 +/- 4.2 mmHg) and electrical activity recorded from central end of the renal nerve is reduced significantly (-8.7 +/- 14.-%) with regard to the activity obtained, at the same pressure levels, by hemorrhage (+7.9 +/- 6.4%; p less than 0.25) or by intravenous infusion of the peripheral vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (+14.1 +/- 9.9%; p less than 0.01).