A computer-based system for collection and analysis of circadian rest-activity data

Summary A computer-based system for collection and analysis of circadian rest-activity data was developed. The system has the advantage of a minimal amount of interface hardware and uses standard laboratory computer equipment permitting easy collection and automatic visualization and analysis of the data. The flexibility of the programs allows manipulation of the presentation format as needed and further refinements of the data analyses are possible.     

Dopamine and octopamine in whole body extracts of the bulb mite

Summary Using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, whole body extracts of the bulb mite,Rhizoglyphus echinopus (Fumouze and Robin), were found to contain the biogenic amines dopamine and octopamine at concentrations of 4.3±0.6 and 2.3±1.4 ng g^–1 wet weight, respectively. Adrenaline, noradrenaline, tyramine,N-methyldopamine,N-acetyldopamine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine, if present, were below the limits of detectability. This is the initial demonstration of the presence of octopamine in a mite species.     

Glutamic acid dehydrogenase activity in muscles of dystrophic mice

Résumé L'activité de la déshydrogénase glutamique a été étudié dans le tissu musculaire de la souris atteinte de dystrophie musculaire héréditaire. La déhydrogénase glutamique est peu active dans le muscle dystrophique de la souris jeune, alors que l'activité de cet enzyme est fortement augmentée dans le muscle de la souris plus âgée (12–18 semaines). D'autre part, l'activité de l'enzyme est diminuée dans le muscle de la souris lorsque la maladie évolue.     

Glutaminase I activity in guinea pig and rabbit liver and kidney tissues

Zusammenfassung Aktive Glutaminase I wurde in Meerschweinchen- und Kaninchenleber, in Nierengewebsextrakten und in Mitochondrienpräparaten der erwähnten Organe bei pH 7,2 nachgewiesen.dl-Glutaminsäure bewirkte eine ausgesprochene Hemmung des Enzyms nach Zusatz von Phosphat. In hypertonischer Sukrosenährlösung lässt sich eine Aktivierung durch Phosphatzusatz gewöhnlich nicht nachweisen, selbst nicht beim pH-Optimum 7,2, es sei denn bei sehr hohen Phosphatkonzentrationen.     

Removal of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine incorporated in liver DNA of newborn and young adult rats

Summary 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BUdR) removal from liver DNA in newborn and young adult rats has been demonstrated: it forms the basis of a reliable method to measure DNA repair in tissues provided with detectable DNA synthetic activity.This work was supported by a grant from Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome, and Donazione Teston, Bologna, Italy.