Dehydroacetic acid in anthers ofSolandra nitida (Solanaceae)

Summary The chloroform extract of anthers ofSolandra nitida contains 3-acethyl-6-methyl-1,2-pyran-2,4(3H)dione (dehydroacetic acid) as one of the main products.     

Effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on motility of sea urchin spermatozoa

Summary Swimming speed of sea urchin spermatozoa, measured by a light scattering technique, did not change with 0-20 mM Ca²⁺ in the medium. The speed was maximum at the normal concentration of Mg²⁺ (49 mM) in sea water.Supported by grants-in-aid from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan, and a grant from the Ford Foundation.     

Cytotoxicity of new cytochalasans fromChaetomium globosum

Zusammenfassung Nachweis, dass CHCl₃-Rohextrakte aus Myzelien und Filtraten der Zuchtmedien vonChaetomium globosum Kunze ex Fries einen akuten toxischen Effect auf HeLa-Zellen in vitro, sowie auf Mäuse zeigten. Chaetoglobosine die aus Mycelium-Rohextrakt isoliert wurden und chemisch zu den Cytochalasanen gehören, induzierten in HeLa-Zellen eine Polynukleierung und multipolare Kernverteilung. Auch beim Chaetogobosin wird eine Mikrofilament-Schädigung angenommen.     

Does tenotomy of skeletal muscle alter Z-line width in older animals?

Summary Results of unilateral achilles tenotomy on older (350–410 g) male rats, showed that the general width of Z-lines in the tenotomized muscles was not significantly altered by this procedure. Streaming of the Z-lines and rod formations was still present, as in younger rats.This investigation was supported in part by NIH grants 1-RO1-NS-14033 and 1-T32-07224.     

Cynodontin,the tetrahydroxyanthraquinone ofCurvularia andDrechslera species

Summary The red anthraquinone derivative isolated from several Drechslera and Curvularia species has been identified as cynodontin (1,4,5,8-tetrahydroxy-2-methylanthraquinone), and not as 1,4,5,8-tetrahydroxy-2,6-dimethylanthraquinone as reported earlier. Both pigments showed similar physico-chemical properties. A good distinction could be obtained by gas-liquid chromatography.