Destruction of the platelet aggregating activity of ristocetin A

Summary Hydrolysis of ristocetin A in 0.1 N HCl at 37°C for 2 h resulted in the loss of its ability to induce platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma derived from guinea-pigs and humans. However its antibiotic activity againstStaph. aureus was not lost.This work was supported, in part, by a contract from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (USPHS).     

Properties of vascular permeability factor in human sera for guinea-pig skin.

Properties of vascular permeability factor in native human sera (PF/Nat) showed close similarities with those of necrotizing factor. Time course studies revealed that skin necrosis could be initiated by enhanced vascular permeability.     

Fluorometric study of interaction between ACTH fragments and bovine adrenocortical membranes

Summary Corticotropin_1–24 and [Gly¹]corticotropin_1–18 amide increased the fluorescence of 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate which bound to the bovine adrenocortical membranes. The two ACTH fragments interacted with the protein of the membranes and increased the net positive charge of the membranes.We thank Prof. Dr.M. Kikuno for his stimulating criticism. This work was partly supported by a grant from Keio University School of Medicine.     

Meclofenamate does not reduce chronic hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction

Summary There was no reduction in the pulmonary pressor response to hypoxia following inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia. A fall in left ventricular weight suggested that systemic pressure may have been reduced after inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis in normoxic rats.This work was supported by NIH grant No. HL14985.     

Membrane interiorization by phagocytosing macrophages — an ultrastructural morphometric approach

Summary Stereological methods have been used to quantify selected membrane compartments of normal and activated rat peritoneal macrophages, before and after phagocytosis of latex beads. Despite being rounder, activated cells are more efficient phagocytes: 30 min after latex challenge they suffer a greater nett depletion of plasma membrane and sequester more and larger phagocytic vacuoles. However, phagocytosis of latex is not the major route of membrane interiorization.We wish to thank Professor R. Barer for his advice and criticism. The work was undertaken by L.O. as a research project in partial fulfilment of requirements for a B.Sc. degree in Human Biology and Anatomy, University of Sheffield.