Ferns of Rajasthan-behaviour of chlorophyll and carotenoids in drought resistance

Summary The relationship of chlorophylls and carotenoids with drought resistance has been studied in some of the ferns found in Rajasthan, without heating as well as after heating the fronds at 60°C. The xerophytic species showed lesser degradation of chlorophyll and exhibited higher carotenoid contents.     

Inhibition of an early stage of erythropoiesis in cultures of young chick blastodisc cells byRicinus communis agglutinin 120

Summary An early pre-erythroid phase of erythropoiesis in cultures of dispersed cell suspensions prepared from primitive streak and head-fold chick blastodiscs was very sensitive to inhibition byRicinus communis agglutinin 120.This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council and National Research Council of Canada. We thank Mrs S. Dorey and N.N. McGrath for technical assistance. S.D.W. is an Associate of the Medical Research Council.     

Antihypertensive and other cardiovascular effects of 2-(3-pyridyl)- and 2-(4-pyridyl)-4-trifluoromethylimidazoles

Summary 2 new 4-trifluoromethylimidazole derivatives were found which lowered mean arterial pressure in renal and spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats by the oral route. In SH rats, compounds A and B were 0.1 and 0.3 times, respectively, as potent as hydralazine. No tolerance development was observed in SH rats with either compound over a 1-week period. In anesthetized dogs, both compounds lowered arterial pressure and peripheral vascular resistance but increased cardiac output. By intraarterial administration, both compounds increased femoral arterial blood flow. These findings represent discovery of a new class of vasodilator drugs.Deceased, May 31, 1978.     

The effect of chloroquine upon the developing lens

Summary Applied to the developing lens of the 14-day-old chick embryo, in organ culture conditions, chloquine prevented the elongation of the primary lens fibres, destroyed the equatorial ones and provoked vacuolisation and/or destruction in the epithelial cells.This work was supported by a grant from the office of the Chief Scientist, Ministry of Health, Israel     

Opposite effects of one and three injections of cortisone or thyroxine on intestinal lactase activity in suckling mice

Summary A single injection of cortisone or thyroxine to 8-day-old suckling mice initiates a temporary decrease of lactase activity. On the contrary, 3 injections of cortisone or thyroxine provoke a significant increase of lactase activity. It appears that the mechanism which controls the postnatal development of lactase in suckling animals is more complex than expected.Supported by grant MA-5969 from the Medical Research Council of Canada to D. M. C. M. is a recipient of a studentship from MRC of Canada.     

Galactose induced Balbiani-ring-like structures in chromosomes I and II ofChironomus thummi

Summary In one strain ofChironomus thummi, galactose feeding of the larvae induced the appearance of 2 Balbiani-ring-like structures on salivary gland chromosomes I and II. This phenomenon may be related to the galactose induction of BR6 inC. pallidivittatus.     

Biomimetic synthesis of cannabispiran

Summary Total synthesis of cannabispiran (1) was accomplished by a biomimetic-type cyclization of the bibenzyl2, using K₃Fe(CN)₆ or MoOCl₄.Acknowledgment. Supported in part by the Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi.     

Effect of solubilization ofSalmonella minnesota Re glycolipid on its interferon-inducing activity

Summary Electrodialysis ofSalmonella minnesota Re glycolipid, or exposure to 0.2 M EDTA, pH 7.0, yields products capable of eliciting interferon production at concentrations 10-fold lower than that of the original glycolipid.     

A crystalline,toxic, peptide metabolite ofTrichoderma spp. isolated from soil

Summary Isolates ofTrichoderma spp. from pasture soils of Nova Scotia produce at least 7 toxic peptides, probably related to alamethicin, some of which inhibit the growth of cellulase producing rumen bacteria. One of the peptides has been obtained in crystalline form and crystal data on this material is reported.     

Effects of lithium chloride on peripheral acetylcholine release and brain acetylcholine levels in the guinea-pig

Summary Lithium chloride administered acutely or chronically to guinea-pigs had no effect on brain level of acetylcholine or on peripheral release of acetylcholine from longitudinal muscle of the ileum. The results suggest differences between in vitro and in vivo action of lithium.To whom correspondence should be addressed.