Number of glucocorticoid receptors in lymphocytes and their sensitivity to hormone action

The study demonstrated a decreased level of glucocorticoid receptors (GR) in peripheral blood lymphocytes from hypercholesterolemic subjects, and an elevated level in patients with acute myocardial infarction. In the lymphocytes with a high GR number, dexamethasone inhibited [3H]-thymidine and [3H]-acetate incorporation into DNA and cholesterol, respectively, in the same manner as in the control cells. On the other hand, a decreased GR number resulted in a less efficient dexamethasone inhibition of the incorporation of labeled compounds. These data showed that the sensitivity of lymphocytes to glucocorticoids changed only with a decrease of GR level.     

Pyruvate kinase inhibited by L-cysteine as a marker of tumorigenic human urothelial cell lines

Summary It was found that a decrease in electrophoretic mobility of pyruvate kinase (PK) isoenzyme, and an increase of the sensitivity of this enzyme to L-cysteine, were markers of immortalization and tumorigenic properties, respectively, in human urothelial cell lines characterized by different grades of transformation (TGr) in vitro.     

2-Phenylethanol, a presumed sexual stimulant produced by the male cabbage looper moth, Trichoplusia ni.

A sex pheromone produced by male cabbage looper moths, Trichoplusia ni (Hübner), has been isolated from the genital scent brushes and identified as 2-phenylethanol. It is shown conclusively to elicit specific behavioural responses in the female (such as wing vibration and abdominal elevation), as determined by a novel behavioural laboratory bioassay. This is taken as further evidence that the male pheromone of T. ni acts as a sexual stimulant (aphrodisiac) prior to mating. 2-Phenylethanol represents the first identification of a genital scent brush pheromone in the family Noctuidae, and of a male pheromone in the subfamily Plusiinae.     

Effect of (+)-catechin on renal and intestinal transport.

The ability of dog renal cortex slices to accumulate beta-methyl-glucoside or glycine is enhanced by the flavonoid (+)-catechin at a concentration of 3.5 mM. This stimulatory effect is apparently due to a decreased rate of efflux of either substrate. On the other hand, the uptake of p-amino-hippuric acid and N1-methyl-nicotinamide is inhibited by (+)-catechin. The drug at the same concentration is without action on amino-acid transport by guinea-pig intestine in vitro.     

Distribution of calcitonin cells in the thyroid glands of normal adult rhesus monkey Macaca mulatta.

The calcitonin cells of adult rhesus monkey Macaca mulatta are located in the central region of thyroid along the median axis. The anterior and posterior poles, the isthmus and peripheral regions of thyroid are completely devoid of C cells. The parathyroid also lacks C cells.