λ-Prophage induction by furocoumarin photosensitization

Summary Furocoumarin photosensitization induces -prophage from lysogenicEscherichia coli cells; this effect is clearly due to the photoreaction that furocoumarins give with DNA, and it appears connected with the formation of monoadducts rather than of diadducts (cross-links).Acknowledgments. The authors wish to express their thanks to Dr L. Conventi, Microbiology Institute of Padua University, for generously donating theE. coli strains used in this work.     

Female sex hormones and lysosomal stability in gingival polymorphonuclear leucocytes

Summary In a group of 5 women taking oral contraceptives, the concentration of polymorphonuclear leucocytes along the gingival margin and the activities of cathepsin D, -glucuronidase and elastase were found to increase significantly during the intermenstrual phases.Supported by grant 3.604.075 of the Swiss National Fund for scientific Research. The authors thank Dr M. Baggiolini and Prof. A. Linder for the helpful advices.     

Field bioassay of male Douglas-fir beetle compound 3-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-one

Summary Synthetic 3-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-one, or 3,3-MCH, decreased by 77% the flight aggregation ofDendroctonus pseudotsugae (Scolytidae) to sticky traps containing attractant (frontalin, -pinene, and resin). However, windthrown trees were protected by 3,3-MCH much less than is known to occur with the isomer 3,2-MCH.This research was supported in part by NSF grants BMS 72-02522 and DEB 77-11361 and the O.S.U. School of Forestry. We thank the administration of the Siuslaw National Forest for study sites, and Dr L.M. Libbey for GC/MS of 3,3-MCH. Oregon State University Ag. Exp. Sta. Tech. Paper No. 4313.     

The effect of acidic polysaccharides and prostaglandin-like substances isolated from Propionibacterium acnes on granulocyte chemotaxis.

Three acidic polysaccharide (AP) fractions and the prostaglandin-like substances (PLS) isolated from P. acnes were investigated regarding their chemotactic activities on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Both AP's and PLS induced a significant chemotatic response, which suggests their involvement in inflammatory acne vulgaris.     

Cerebral neurosecretions and regulation of moulting in a haematophagous insectPanstrongylus megistus, (Heteroptera,Reduviidae)

Summary 2 factors elaborated by distinct neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebralis control moulting inPanstrongylus megistus. The 1st, originating probably in the A cells, activates the thoracic gland. The 2nd, produced by the A cells, acts at an earlier stage in a different way.Supported by CNPq., Brésil and DGRST (aide No. 76.7.0716).     

PPD-induced blastogenesis is auto-regulated by suppressor cells generated in vitro.

Suppressor cell induction can be demonstrated during antigen specific blastogenesis by using the same methods which have shown induction of suppressor cells by Con A. Since suppressor cells are rapidly generated during antigen specific blastogenesis, they must regulate the final level of blastogenesis induced during the seven day in vitro incubation.     

A rotating bottle culture method with continuous replacement of the gas phase

Summary A rotator culture method is described which provides a continuous flow of oxygenating gas to cultures in rotating bottles. The system maintains constant O₂ and CO₂ levels in the culture medium throughout the incubation period. It also provides a more stable pH than systems with sealed culture bottles.Acknowledgments. We would like to thank Mr B. Secker, Mr C. Hellon and Mr S. J. Ellis, of the Physiological Laboratory workshop, for constructing the rotator apparatus. We also thank the Medical Research Council, London, for financial support for the project.     

Effect of dihydroergocristine infusion on tolbutamide-induced insulin secretion in man

Summary The insulinemic response to 1 g of tolbutamide i.v. is greatly enhanced (+145%) after a 60-min infusion of the -lytic dihydrogenated ergot alkaloid, dihydroergocristine (83.3 m/min, corresponding to a total dose of 5 mg) in 7 healthy subjects. No differences are observed in the glycemic responses.Acknowledgment. The authors are grateful to Mr Franco Della Sala, M.D., for his skillful technical assistance.     

0957 + 561 A, B: twin quasistellar objects or gravitational lens?

0957 + 561 A, B are two QSOs of mag 17 with 5.7 arc s separation at redshift 1.405. Their spectra leave little doubt that they are associated. Difficulties arise in describing them as two distinct objects and the possibility that they are two images of the same object formed by a gravitational lens is discussed.