Evaluation of the hepatotoxicological effects of a drug in an in vivo/in vitro model

Both in vivo and in vitro models have certain disadvantages for the study of the chronic hepatotoxicity of drugs. The aim of this work was to evaluate a new approach based on an in vivo/in vitro model. After chronic in vivo treatment of rats with Vincamine and Vindeburnol (an eburnamenine derivative which exhibits hepatotoxic properties in man) liver cells were isolated, and functional and metabolic disorders (metabolic utilization of fructose and protein biosynthesis) were studied to determine injury. The results showed no modification of blood parameters, but a direct relationship between the dose of Vindeburnol administered in vivo and the metabolic disorders observed in vitro, evidencing the high sensitivity and reliability of this model.     

Biosynthesis of 1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid: Steric course of the reaction at the C-4 position

Summary Under the action of the appropriate synthase from ripe tomatoes a 11 mixture of (3S, 4R)-[3,4-²H₂] and (3R, 4S)-[3,4-²H₂]-(2S)-adenosylmethionine is transformed into a 11 mixture of the two meso forms of [²H₂]-1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid, a result which proves the operation of an inversion mechanism and which is consistent with direct nucleophilic displacement of the leaving group in the substrate.     

Determination of erythrocyte pyrimidine 5′-nucleotidase activity by31P nuclear magnetic resonance: Comparison of normal controls and multiple sclerosis patients

Summary A technique to assay erythrocyte pyrimidine 5-nucleotidase activity in situ using³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is presented. The assay is chemically specific, simple and applicable to untreated lysates. A comparison of enzyme levels in normal controls and in multiple sclerosis patients employing the assay yielded no significant differences between both groups. Difficulties encountered in the quantitative analysis of the assay using¹H-NMR spectroscopy are briefly discussed.     

Wine technology: Current trends

Conclusion Current enological research does not aim at developing technological wines whose organoleptic characteristics are basically determined by the methods used in the transformation of grape wine, but rather to refine methods which will highlight the original qualities of different cultivars and viticultural conditions.     

The median procedure for n-trees

Let (X,d) be a metric space The functionM:X ^k 2 ^x defined by is the minimum } is called themedian procedure and has been found useful in various applications involving the notion of consensus Here we present axioms that characterizeM whenX is a certain class of trees (hierarchical classifications), andd is the symmetric difference metricWe would like to thank the referees and Editor for helpful comments     

Molt-induced muscle atrophy decreases the zinc content of the pectoralis of the Giant Canada Goose (Branta canadensis maxima)

Summary During molt-induced atrophy of the pectoralis muscle of the Giant Canada Goose (Branta canadensis maxima), the zinc content of the muscle was significantly reduced (p0.0139), though the concentration of zinc per unit weight of muscle appeared higher (p0.0232). Zinc lost from the muscle during molt could be utilized for growth of the new flight feathers.Acknowledgments. Funds for this study were obtained from an operating grant awarded to J. C. G. by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

Evolution of the atmosphere and oceans

The residence times of most constituents of the atmosphere and oceans are small fractions of the age of the Earth and, in general, their rate of output has been nearly equal to their rate of input. We are disturbing a number of these dynamic equilibria quite severely. The mineralogy of marine evaporites rules out drastic changes in the composition of sea water during the last 900 Myr. The chemistry of soils formed more than 1,000 Myr ago suggests that the atmosphere then contained significantly more CO2 and less O2 than at present. Hydrogen peroxide may well have been the principal oxidant and formaldehyde the main reductant in rain water between 3,000 and 1,000 Myr ago. Major changes in atmospheric chemistry since that time are almost certainly related to the evolution of the biosphere.     

Suitability of urethane anesthesia for physiopharmacological investigations in various systems Part 1: General considerations

Summary The suitability of urethane anesthesia for physiopharmacological investigations is reviewed. Total dose administered and route of administration are recognized as factors having a great influence on both resting parameters and biological responses to drugs. A peculiar characteristic of urethane is represented by its ability to induce a surgical plane of anesthesia without affecting neurotransmission in various subcortical areas and the peripheral nervous system. This makes urethane a suitable general anesthetic for studying neural function in both central and peripheral nervous systems and accounts for the preservation of a number of reflex responses in urethane-anesthetized animals.     

Antidiuretic effects of oxytocin in the Brattleboro rat

Summary The antidiuretic activity of oxytocin (OT) was measured in Brattleboro rats with congenital diabetes insipidus. A dose dependent antidiuretic response was found in animals receiving chronic infusions of 0.1 g/h, 1.0 g/h, and 5 g/h of OT. OT infused at the rate of 5 g/h over a 7-day period completely reversed the symptoms of diabetes insipidus. The results support the concept that OT serves as a weak agonist of vasopressin at the level of the kidney and at pharmacological levels exhibits antidiuretic activity.     

Chemical attraction of the eastern yellowjacket,Vespula maculifrons (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Summary Workers and queens of the eastern yellowjacket,Vespula maculifrons, are attracted to the artificial long-range attractant pheromone of the predaceous pentatomid,Podisus maculiventris. A 11 mixture of linalool or -terpineol and (E)-2-hexenal is as attractive toV. maculifrons workers as the pheromone.We thank A.S. Menke of the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, USDA, for identifying the yellowjackets. Mention of a company name does not imply endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture.