The influence of insulin, cAMP and the calcium ionophore X 537 A on the growth of the cartilage analagen of limb buds in vitro.

Limb buds of 11-day-old mouse embryos were cultured for 6 days with insulin, dibutyryl cAMP and X 537 A. The cartilage anlage was reduced by insulin and enlarged by dibutyryl cAMP and X 537 A. The effects are due to changes in the amount of intercellular substance.     

Influences of temperature change on the relaxation and amplitude inhibition by noradrenaline in the rabbit jejunum.

In the rabbit jejunum, the elevation of temperature within the range of 25-37 degrees C diminished the sensitivity to noradrenaline (NA) for both the relaxation and amplitude inhibition. The relaxation by NA was mainly mediated via adrenergic beta-receptors at 25, 30 or 37 degrees C. The amplitude inhibition was mediated via alpha-receptors at 37 degrees C, and both alpha- and beta-receptors at 30 or 25 degrees C.     

Absence of dopamine sensitive adenylate cyclase in the A10 region, the origin of mesolimbic dopamine neurones.

Dopamine (DA) failed to stimulate the adenylate cyclase of the mesolimbic A10 DA nerve cell body area, in contrast to tis activating effect in the nigrostriatal A9 DA cell body area. The enzyme was stimulated by GMPPNP (a GTP analog) and NaF. This indicates the absence in the A 10 cell area of DA receptors with functional coupling on adenylate cyclase, in contrast to the A9 cell area where such DA receptors are believed to be located on afferent axon terminals.     

Haemoglobin Bohr effect and lactic acid content of the blood of 2 water-snakes with different degrees of aquatic adaptation.

H. modestus, a water-snake with morphological respiratory adaptation to its habitat, presents haemoglobins with a lower Bohr effect than those of L. miliaris, an aquatic snake without such respiratory adaptations. The difference in blood lactic acid content of the 2 snakes submitted to mechanical stimuli appears to be compatible with the properties of their haemoglobins.     

The origin of the instantaneous elasticity in single frog muscle fibres.

High-speed cinematographic recordings of single tetanized muscle fibres during a quick decrease in length revealed that the shortening was mostly localized at the fibre segment nearest the released end of the fibre, indicating that the instantaneous elasticity may not originate from the elasticity of the cross-bridges.     

Effects of the antiprotease Trasylol on peripheral blood leucocytes.

Binding of the antiprotease Trasylol to human peripheral blood lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) was demonstrated at the ultrastructural level using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique. This also revealed endocytosis of membrane bound Trasylol by PMNs. Trasylol inhibited PHA- and ConA-induced lymphocyte stimulation, and was cytotoxic to unstimulated cells.     

Retinoids, a new class of compounds with prophylactic and therapeutic activities in oncology and dermatology.

A review of recent investigations in the retinoid field is presented. Retinoic acid exerts a prophylactic and a therapeutic effect on chemically induced benign and malignant epithelial tumors in mice. In clinical studies positive therapeutic results have been obtained in patients with preneoplastic and neoplastic epithelial lesions. However, treatment with retinoic acid is limited by serious side effects (hypervitaminosis A syndrome). Therefore, the synthesis of analogs of retinoic acid (retinoids) possessing a more favorable therapeutic ratio has been initiated. Among a large series of synthesized compounds, certain aromatic analogs proved to have a particularly favorable therapeutic ratio. The structure-activity relationship of the most active retinoids is discussed including some biological data concerning prophylaxis and therapy of epithelial tumors. The total synthesis of retinoids according to various building schemes is discussed in detail. Methods for the synthesis of the cyclic end group, of the polyene chain component, and of the full retinoid skeleton are described. Metabolic studies of retinoic acid and of the most active retinoid, as well as the synthesis of some isolated metabolites are outlined. Suggestions concerning the mechanism of action of retinoids are made. Some clinical results on the treatment of acne, psoriasis and precancerous conditions are reported.     

Positive after-image, PAI: early erasure by saccadic eye movement or Jendrassik manoeuvre

Positive after-images (PAIs) evoked by low intensity stroboscopic flash are erased by voluntary large amplitude saccadic eye movements. The duration of the PAI is shortened by a Jendrassik manoeuvre. The results suggest that muscle spindle afferent impulses conducted centrally are involved in the erasure phenomenon. The duration of the PAI is modifiable by drugs. The social implications of PAI are considered briefly.     

The effect of glycine on serum luteinizing hormone in adult female rats

The response of serum luteinizing hormone to glycine has been studied during the estrous cycle in adult female rats. I.p. administration of 200 mg of glycine significantly elevated serum luteinizing hormone levels at all stages of the estrous cycle.