Central effect of 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid) on the temperature in the conscious rabbit

Hyperthermia induced by arachidonic acid in rabbit was attenuated by phenoxybenzamine, cyproheptadine and indomethacin. The reduction in arachidonic acid hyperthermia, after 6-OH-DA and the failure of PCPA to reduce this rise, indicates the involvement of noradrenaline in arachidonic acid hyperthermia.     

Diterpene esters from ‘Euphorbium’ and their irritant and cocarcinogenic activity

Zusammenfassung Aus «Euphorbium», dem luftgetrockneten Latex vonEuphorbia resinifera Berg, wurden 2 neue Ester des tri- und makrozyklischen, polyfunktionellen Diterpens Ingol, 2 neue und ein bereits bekannter Ester des tetrazyklischen polyfunktionellen Diterpens 12-Desoxy-phorbol sowie ein Gemisch von neuen Estern des tetrazyklischen polyfunktionellen Diterpens Ingenol isoliert. Das Gemisch der Ingenolester enthält langkettige, methylverzweigte Fettsäuren. Alle isolierten Ester wurden auf irritierende Wirkung am Mäuseohr und auf cocarcinogene Wirkung an der Rückenhaut der Maus geprüft.

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Dedicated to Prof.H. Hamperi, emeritus director of the Institute of Pathology, University of Bonn, Germany, on occasion of his 75 th birthday (E.H.)     

Nuclear envelope and nuclear matrix: interactions and dynamics

The peripheral nuclear lamina is located near the nuclear inner membrane and consists of lamin filaments and integral membrane proteins, including the lamin B receptor and various isoforms of lamina-associated polypeptides (LAP) 1 and 2. Several nuclear membrane proteins also interact with chromatin proteins BAF and Hp1. Lamins in the nuclear interior associate with at least one soluble (non-membrane-bound) LAP2 isoform named LAP2alpha. The internal lamins, together with Tpr-based filaments that connect to nuclear pore complexes, are proposed to be major structural elements of the internal nuclear matrix. We describe the structural links between the peripheral lamina and the internal nuclear matrix that are thought to be mediated by LAP2 family members, filament protein Tpr and nucleoporin Nup153. These findings are discussed in relation to human diseases that arise from mutations in nuclear lamina proteins.     

Use of three specific radioimmunoassays in measuring neurohypophysial hormone content and plasma concentrations of vasopressin, oxytocin and DDAVP in rats after prolonged infusion of DDAVP

Specific radioimmunoassays (RIA) were employed for measuring plasma and neurohypophysial concentrations of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) after administration of 1-deamino-8-D-Arg-vasopressin (DDAVP). DDAVP concentrations were measured by a newly-developed specific RIA. Through the use of minipumps, DDAVP was infused i.p. over a period of 3 days in normally hydrated rats. Despite decreased urine production and increased urine osmolality no changes could be observed in neurohypophysial and plasma hormone concentrations.     

Isoenzymes of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase in the larvae of silkwormsBombyx mori infected with nuclear polyhedrosis virus

Summary Nuclear polyhedrosis virus infection induced changes in the activity and isoenzyme pattern of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase in the larvae of silkworm,Bombyx mori.The author wish to thank the director of CSRTI, Mysore for providing the virus preparation and the silkworm larvae.     

Cadmium-induced inhibition of brain monoamine oxidase in the freshwater catfish

Summary The freshwater catfishClarias batrachus (L.), exposed to 50 ppm of cadmium (Cd) chloride for a period of 135 days exhibited marked inhibition of brain monoamine oxidase (MAO) (p<0.001). The retarded gonadal growth observed in the present study suggests that Cd may be capable of creating imbalance in the aminergic activity of the hypothalamus, which modulates the secretion and release of gonadotropins.Acknowledgment. Financial assistance from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research of India made this work possible.     

Glycine absorption from the small intestines of rats after secondary infections with Eimeria nieschulzi

A second (challenge) infection of Eimeria nieschulzi in clinically immune rats did not produce weight gain depression but caused a decrease in the absorption of glycine from the ileum. The malabsorption due to challenge was equivalent to that caused by the primary infection which did cause weight loss.     

Increased responsiveness of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis to steroid feedback effects in ovariectomized rats treated neonatally with monosodium L-glutamate

Summary Chronic ovariectomized rats treated neonatally with MSG showed reduced circulating concentrations of LH coupled with elevated hypothalamic LHRH stores. Despite the apparent loss of LHRH secretion, the small pituitary glands showed an increased density of LHRH receptors and normal responsiveness to the releasing hormone. The positive feedback effects of progesterone on LH release in oestrogen-primed animals was greatly exaggerated reflecting the build-up of hypothalamic LHRH stores without loss of pituitary responsiveness to LHRH.