Trichinella spiralis: acceleration and inhibition of cyst calcification in rats.

Daily administration of vitamin D3 (75,000 IU/kg b. wt) for 7 days accelerated Trichinella spiralis cyst calcification in rats with a 14-week-old infection. When disodium ethane-1-hydroxy-1, 1-diphosphonate (EHDP) was administered (50 mg/kg b. wt) from 2 days before until 2 days after vitamin D3 treatment, cyst calcification was inhibited. Thus, the ability to inhibit E. spiralis calcification has demonstrated for the first time.     

Seasonal variations in fat body metabolism of the green frog Rana esculenta (L.).

Rana esculenta (L.), kept under natural conditions, show almost constant body weights in the annual cycle. Fat body weight, however, has a distinct maximum in October decreasing continuously to a May minimum which is also evident in the fat body index. The triglyceride and protein contents show the same course. Suprisingly high amounts of glycogen are found, which reach a maximum in August.     

Type III (Arthus) allergic reactions and endotoxin toxicity in guinea-pigs.

Lipoplysaccharide (endotoxin) from E. coli cells produced lethal effects in guinea-pigs. Endotoxin caused no visible dermal change in normal animals, but produced skin reactions characterized by specific Arthus-type (Type III immune hypersensitivity) vascular inflammation in immunized animals. It is concluded that Arthus allergic reactions were evoked by endotoxin, however, endotoxin lethal toxicity appears independent of this process.     

Hypnotic effect of serotonin administered in the vago-aortic afferent pathway

A minute amount of serotonin injected in the nodose ganglion circulation area develops abrupt myosis and general electrocortical synchronization activity in "encéphale isolé" Cat preparation. This hypnogenic effect of serotonin can still be reproduced after transection of vago-aortic nerves caudally to the nodose ganglia. The same injections become ineffective after rostral transection of the same pathway. These results suggest that serotonin may trigger some signs of sleep through peripheric nervous elements in which are probably localized in the nodose ganglia.     

Conversion of mammalian cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase into modulator-dependent protein kinase (type II) in vitro

The spontaneous conversion of mammalian cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (G-PK) into modulator-dependent protein kinase (type II) (M-PKII) in the absence of cGMP or histone was observed in vitro. The findings, together with similarity in substrate protein specificity, suggest that M-PKII is the catalytic subunit of mammalian G-PK.     

Presence of natural killer cells in Peyer's patches of the mouse

Summary Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity of normal murine Peyer's patch cells against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma was found in a short-term⁵¹Cr release assay. Peyer's patch and lymph node cells showed natural cytotoxicity at approximately the same level.Acknowledgments. This work was supported by grant No. 10.5 from the Polish Academy of Sciences.     

Giant collagen fibres in the gonopodium of the mosquitofishHeteradria formosa,Agassiz, 1853 (Pisces,Poeciliidae)

Summary The gonopodium of the mosquitofishHeteradria formosa was studied by transmission electron microscopy. In cross-section the gonopodium shows the following structure from the outside inwards: mutilayered epidermis, basal lamina and central supporting tissue, in which vessels and nerves are embedded. At the top of the gonopodium giant collagen fibres are found, which measure up to 150 m in length and 6 m in diameter. These fibres reinforce the gonopodium.This research was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Address for reprints: Forschungsgruppe Dermatologie der Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, D-6900 Heidelberg.     

Down's syndrome: changes in protein fractions of blood plasma

Summary A statistically significant decrease of prealbumin and statistically significant increases of alpha₂-macroglobulin and IgA were found in blood plasma of patients with Down's syndrome using quantitative crossed immunoelectrophoresis.We are indebted to Prof. T.C. Bøg-Hansen, University of Copenhagen, for the helpful discussion of our results.     

Circadian rhythm ofβ-glucuronidase

Summary The circadian rhythm of rat liver-glucuronidase has been studied in animals kept under highly standardized laboratory condition. A clear 24 h rhythm has been observed for this enzyme with a peak activity at 01.00 h and a trough at 13.00 h.The work was carried out in Institut für Anatomie I, Medical School, Hannover (Federal Republic of Germany). Supported by grants from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Sonderforschungsbereich 146 and VW Stiftung, Hannover A2 11.2000.