X-ray analysis of Co-C bond cleavage in the crystalline state

During serial structure analysis of cobaloxime derivatives, aimed at interpreting the catalytic capability of the asymmetric hydrogenation, we have found that the crystal of R-alpha-cyanoethyl (S-alpha-methylbenzylamine)-cobaloxime changes its unit cell dimensions by X-ray exposure without degradation of a single crystal form. The rate of the change was so slow that it was possible to collect the intensity data for several intermediate stages. We have proved, by calculating electron density in each stage, that the change reflects the racemisation of the cyanoethyl group.     

Influence of PGA1 on cartilage growth

Summary Using the Fell technique of organ culture of cartilage in a chemically defined medium, it has been shown that prostaglandin A₁ at a concentration of 25 g/ml caused chondrocyte death in chick embryonic limb rudiments. An equimolar concentration of PGE₂ was not toxic to the cells.Acknowledgments. We are grateful for the support of C. J. K. by the Medical Research Council and of D. L. G. by the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council for Research. Our thanks are due to Dame Honor Fell, F. R. S. for invaluable advice and guidance, to Dr J. Pike (Upjohn Co.) for supplies of prostaglandin A₁, and to Dr Sylvia Fitton-Jackson for the gift of culture medium.     

A new one-step synthesis of hexahydrocannabinoid analogs

Summary A one-step synthesis of hexahydrocannabinoid analogs (HHC) is described making use of the condensation of phenolic ketones and aldehydes with citronellal in the presence of pyridine.Grateful thanks are accorded to Drs L. Chopard and S. Selvavinayakam for spectral measurements and Dr I. Fleming for useful discussion.R. Mechoulam and Y. Gaoni, Recent advances in the chemistry of Hashish, in: Progress in the Chemistry of Organic natural products, vol. 25, p. 175. Ed. L. Zechmeister. Springer Verlag, Wien 1967; R. Mechoulam, Marijuana Chemistry and Pharmacology, metabolism and clinical effects. Academic Press, New York 1973; R. Mechoulam, N. K. McCallum and S. Burstein, Chem. Rev.76, 75 (1976).     

Dissociation of glucocorticoid effects of C-21 steroids at high concentrations in thymocytes

Summary A dissociation between inhibition of RNA synthesis and cell lysis was observed when thymocytes of adrenalectomized rats were incubated with high concentrations of pregn-4-ene-11-ol-3, 20-dione and pregna-1,4-diene-11-ol-3,20-dione. In contrast, no dissociation of these effects was found with the typical glucocorticoids cortisol and corticosterone, nor with their 1,4-diene analogs under the same conditions.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grants from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de la República Argentina to the Instituto de Biologia y Medicina Experimental and the Programa de Regulación Hormonal y Metabólica as well as by financial help from the Secretaría de Ciencia y Tecnología.     

Antioxidant effects on prostaglandin synthesis in rabbit kidney medulla slices

Summary Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol and N,N-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine inhibited the generation of medullary prostaglandin E, but 1,2-dimethoxyethane (OH scavenger) and 2,5-dimethylfuran (¹O₂ scavenger) stimulated basal prostaglandin E production 1.2–1.3-fold. These results suggest that the balance between formation and removal of cellular lipid peroxides sets a peroxide level that can regulate the rate of prostaglandin formation in cells.     

Survival and endogenous spleen colonies of irradiated mice after skin wounding and hydroxyurea treatment

Summary Wound trauma-induced survival from radiation may be related to increased mitosis in hematopoietic cells. This is supported by the cell cycle-dependent drug hydroxyurea, which 1. blocked survival of wounded mice injected 2 or 3 days after 900 rad and 2. reduced the number of endogenous CFU-s in wounded mice injected shortly before 700 rad.Supported by the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Defense Nuclear Agency, under Research Work Unit MJ00018. Views presented in this paper are those of the authors; no endorsement by the Defense Nuclear Agency has been given or should be inferred.Research was conducted according to the principles enunciated in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals prepared by the Institute of Laboratory Research, National Research Council.     

Ferredoxin reductase catalyzes styrene oxidation to styrene oxide

Summary The flavoprotein ferredoxin reductase catalyzed the oxidation of styrene to styrene oxide in the presence of NADPH. This reaction was inhibited by the addition of catalase and superoxide dismutase. The addition of the nonheme iron protein ferredoxin partially inhibited styrene oxidation. H₂O₂ was also able to catalyze this reaction when added to the enzyme in the absence of NADPH.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by C.N.R. (National Research Council), Rome, Italy contract No. 79.03197.04.     

The identification of ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone) in 3 species of molluscs (Gastropoda: Pulmonata)

Summary Ecdysterone has been identified in the schistosomiasis vectorBiomphalaria glabrata Say and inHelix aspersa Müller as well as inLymmaea stagnalis L. by chromatography, bioassay, radioimmunoassay, derivatization and by mass spectroscopy. Analysis of the food, faeces and hepatopancreas suggest that the sterol is derived from the diet. The probable function of ecdysterone in relation to calcification of the shell is discussed in this paper.We wish to thank Professor P. Karlson and Dr J. Koolman (Phillips University, Marburg-Lahn, FRG) for providing facilities for RIA. The initial study was begun at the University of Sussex and continued at the Courtauld Institute of Biochemistry, Middlesex Hospital Medical School, London, while D.L.W. was supported by the Ministry of Overseas Development. London and the Medical Research Council of Great Britain (grant G974/525/T). We thank Mr P. Mellon for the mass spectrum and Dr G.B. Russell for his interest in the earlier part of this study. We also thank Professor E. Scherer and Dr Q. Uwe (University of Essen, FRG) for their help in the irradiation ofL. stagnalis.Gauss Str. 82, D-4630 Bochum 5 (Federal Republic of Germany). Research results usingL. stagnalis were submitted for the Philips Europa Wettbewerb für junge Forscher und Erfinder (1979) in a thesis entitled Zur Frage der Existenz von Steroiden und Gonadoliberin bei der Grossen Schlammschnecke (Lymmaea stagnalis L.): ein Beitrag zur Evolution der Insekten- und Wirbeltierhormone.