Effect ofSchistosoma mansoni on plasma cholinesterase activity in rhesus monkeys

Summary A significant reduction in plasma cholinesterase activity at a time when fecal egg counts indicated a patent infection has been found in a limited study with schistosome infected Rhesus monkeys.     

Biological effects of singlet delta oxygen on respiratory tract epithelium

Summary Exposure of hamster tracheal organ cultures to gas phase singlet delta oxygen,¹O₂, at atmospheric pressure produced significant alterations in the mucociliary epithelium resulting in changes in ciliary activity and cellular morphology.Acknowledgments. The authors acknowledge helpful conversations with Professor R.W. Murray of the University of Missouri (St. Louis). We would like to thank the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for supporting this work through Public Health Grant 1-RO1-ESO1-O1A1-PHTB.     

Thermodynamic aspects of development forTenebrio molitor L

Summary Predictions of the thermodynamics of irreversible processes are tested for the development and aging of an insect. Specific heat production and specific respiration rate decrease towards a steady state with deviations for the time of hatching of the imago.     

Inhibition of phorbol myristate acetate and phytohemagglutinin stimulation of human lymphocytes by 13-cis-retinoic acid and ethyl etrinoate

Summary The retinol analogues 13-cis-retinoic acid and ethyl etrinoate inhibit the mitogenic activity of phorbol myristate acetate and phytohemagglutinin on human lymphocytes. This inhibitory effect is greater against the stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate than with phytohemagglutinin.This work was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute of Canada. We would like to thank Hoffmann-La Roche, Canada, for providing the 13-cis-retinoic acid and the ethyl etrinoate.     

Acute physiological responses during blood substitution with colloidal gelatin in conscious rats

The effects of exchange-transfusion with a proprietary gelatin-based plasma volume expander, Haemaccel, have been investigated in conscious, chronically-catheterized rats. No adverse changes in basic cardiovascular or respiratory functions occurred during the procedure although an increase in intravascular fluid sodium but not potassium concentration was observed.     

In vitro esterification of plant sterols by the esterifying enzyme of the small intestine of rat

The in vitro esterification of plant sterols, beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol, by the esterifying enzyme of the small intestine of rat was studied in the presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Campesterol esterification was highest, followed by sitosterol and stigmasterol irrespective of the type of fatty acid. Both campesterol and sitosterol esterification was greater with unsaturated fatty acids than with saturated fatty acids.