Plasma catecholamines in children

Summary Plasma catecholamine concentrations in 46 children of various ages were determined by a sensitive radioenzymatic assay. Noradrenaline levels were found to be in the same range as in adults, whereas adrenaline levels in a few of the children were abnormally high.     

Molecular structure of r(GCG)d(TATACGC): a DNA--RNA hybrid helix joined to double helical DNA

The molecule r(GCG)d(TATACGC) is self-complementary and forms two DNA--RNA hybrid segments surrounding a central region of double helical DNA; its molecular structure has been solved by X-ray analysis. All three parts of the molecule adopt a conformation which is close to that seen in the 11-fold RNA double helix. The conformation of the ribonucleotides is partly determined by water molecules bridging between the ribose O2' hydroxyl group and cytosine O2. The hybrid-DNA duplex junction contains no structural discontinuities. However, the central DNA TATA sequence has some structural irregularities.     

Effect of cholinesterase inhibitors on differentiation of cultured sympathicoblasts

Summary The 2 cholinesterase inhibitors, eserine and BW 284 C 51, inhibited the nerve fibre growth and differentiation of immature sympathicoblasts at low concentrations. The effect was nerve cell-specific and appeared in the course of the in vitro development, indicating that cholinesterases might play an important role in the early differentiation of sympathicoblasts.     

Pseudotumoral uterine reaction in the rat treated with a benzofuro-benzoxepin

When orally administered, 5-(3-diméthylamino propyliden)-benzofuro [2,3-c] benzoxepin-1, which antagonizes several biogenic amines, is slightly sedative and has also endocrinological properties in the Rat, induces the appearance of localized lesions of uterine stroma in 2 to 16% of the animals. The cytological picture could suggest a tumorogenesis. In fact, these lesions represent a non-tumoral reactional hyperplasia with nuclear abnormalities due to a hormonal stimulation.     

Frequency-domain study of the mechanical response of living striated muscle

Summary Small-amplitude sinusoidal displacements, in the frequency rang 4–100 Hz, were applied to intact whole frog sartorius muscle whilst in a state of tetanus. At low frequencies the muscle, was observed to do oscillatory work, while at higher frequencies it tended towards elastic behaviour. Frequency-response plots obtained were compared with those from other muscle preparations. Results were interpreted in terms of mechano-chemical transduction properties of muscle.The authors wish to thank the Australian Research Grants Commission for provision of the laser, and L. I. Patterson for construction of the mechanical apparatus.