The relationship between urinary excretion of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids and glycosaminoglycans

Zusammenfassung Während 2 simulierten, 14 Tage dauernden Raumflügen wurde bei 2 Astronauten untersucht, ob zwischen der Ausscheidung von Glycosaminglycanen und der Ausscheidung der Nebennierenrindensteroide eine Korrelation besteht. Eine signifikante Korrelation zwischen diesen beiden Parametern wurde gefunden.     

Pendulin,a new biscoclaurine alkaloid fromCocculus pendulus diels

Zusammenfassung Ein Biscoclaurin Alkaloid, Pendulin (C₃₇H₄₀N₂O₆), mp 192–194°, []_D + 265°, wurde aus Blättern und Stamm vonCocculus pendulus Diels isoliert und seine Struktur (I) inklusive der sterischen Anordnung an beiden Asymetriezentren aufgeklärt.

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Communication No. 1414 from the Central Drug Research Institute.     

The binding of some sodium substitutes to chondroitin sulfate

Résumé Il arrive souvent que l'on doive substituer l'ion de sodium dans les solutions physiologiques. Un effet particulier en est la compétition du substitut vis-à-vis les ions de sodium liés au sulfate de chondroitine. Nous démontrons que le sucrose ne déplace pas cette portion du sodium lié, alors que les ions de lithium et de choline possèdent une grande affinité pour ces sites de liaison, affinité moindre cependant que celle de l'ion de calcium. Les conséquences physiologiques qui en ressortent sont discutées.     

New intermediates in phaeomelanogenesis in vitro

Riassunto Mediante esperimenti in vitro, è stato accertato che i primi stadi della biosintesi delle feomelanine conducono alla formazione di derivati diidrobenzotiazinici, ai quali sono state assegnate le strutture III e IV.

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This investigation was supported by a grant from the Laboratorio di Chimica e Fisica per lo Studio delle Molecole di Interesse Biologico del C.N.R., Napoli.     

On the mechanism of compensatory hypertrophy in skeletal muscles

Riassunto L'ipertrofia compensatoria dei muscoli soleo e plantare di ratto in seguito a tenotomia del sinergista gastrocnemio non appare mediata dall'innervazione, ma è verosimilmente legata a un effetto diretto della accresciuta tensione meccanica sui muscoli interessati.     

Demethylcephaeline,a new alkaloid fromAlangium lamarckii. Characterization of AL 60, the hypotensive principle from the stem-bark

Résumé A partir de l'écorce de la tige d'Alangiumlamarckii Thw., une base, C₂₇H₃₆N₂O₄ (p.f. 147–149°, []_d-53,5°) ainsi que de la céphaeline, psychotrine, desméthylpsychotrine et tubulosine ont été isolées. Cette nouvelle base est identifiée comme déméthylcéphaeline, montrant que le principe hypotendu AL 60, précédemment obtenu de la même provenance est un mélange de psychotrine, de céphaeline et de déméthylcéphaeline.     

Testosterone metabolism by homogenates of human and rat placenta

Résumé Presque toute la testosterone a été métabolisée dans les incubations avec les homogenates du placenta humain à terme que le cofactor NADPH y ait été ajouté ou non. Mais, les échantillons humains d'une grossesse moins de 24 semaines et aussi les homogenates placentaires du rat à terme et prématuré étaient tous moins actifs dans ce respect.     

Pathogenic enterococci: new developments in the 21st century

Enterococci, traditionally viewed as Gram-positive commensal bacteria inhabiting the alimentary canals of humans and animals, are now acknowledged to be organisms capable of causing life-threatening infections in humans, especially in the nosocomial environment. The existence of enterococci in such a dual role is facilitated, at least in part, by its intrinsic and acquired resistance to virtually all antibiotics currently in use. Beginning with the initial identification of a streptococci of fecal origin in the late 19th century, enterococci have been studied for over a century now. A number of comprehensive reviews during this time have addressed various aspects of enterococci, including classification, biology, virulence, antibiotic resistance and so on. This review specifically addresses the important advances in the field of enterococcal research that have occurred since the beginning of the 21st century. Most notable among these developments have been the insights into enterococcal genomes and pathogenicity.Received 10 April 2003; received after revision 31 May 2003; accepted 3 June 2003     

Changes in calpastatin localization and expression during calpain activation: a new mechanism for the regulation of intracellular Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-dependent proteolysis

The amount of calpastatin directly available in cytosol is under the control of [Ca²⁺] and [cyclic AMP]. Prolonged calpain activation also promotes degradation of calpastatin. The fluctuation of calpastatin concentration in cell soluble fraction is accompanied by an initial decrease in calpastatin gene expression, followed by a fivefold increase in its expression when the inhibitor protein is degraded. This process can be conceptualized as a mechanism to regulate calpastatin availability in the cell. This conclusion is supported by the fact that calpain, the other component of this proteolytic system, undergoes changes in its levels of expression in a much more limited manner. Furthermore, this process can be observed both in cells exposed to different natural stimuli, or in other cell lines. Modification of calpastatin gene expression might represent a new tool for the in vivo control of the regulatory machinery required for the modulation of Ca²⁺-dependent proteolysis.Received 18 July 2003; received after revision 3 September 2003; accepted 23 September 2003