On the nature of protein benzoquinone complexes

Summary Proteins form monosubstituted 1,4-benzoquinone derivatives with an excess of reagent via uniformly coloured charge transfer complexes. Some properties of these compounds are reported.Dedicated to Prof. J. Kühnau in commemoration of his 75th birthday.     

Resistance of cold-exposed rats to aflatoxin

Summary Male rats kept at a temperature of 4°–5°C were refractory to a lethal dose of aflatoxin compared to animals at 20°–21°C which exhibited a high mortality and marked liver damage. It is suggested that this decreased susceptibility is mediated through a stimulated microsomal drug-metabolizing system in cold environment.     

Purification of a nuclease from human serum

Summary The purification procedure for a nuclease from human serum is described. It includes ammonium sulfate precipitation, chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex and on Sephacryl-S 200, and preparative electrophoresis. The enzyme, purified about 2000-fold, is homogeneous in a sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoretic system, where it has a mol. wt of 78,000. The pH optimum lies around pH 6.5; it is a sugar-nonspecific endonuclease.Acknowledgment. This work has been supported by a research grant from Stiftung Volkswagenwerk through the Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur, Mainz. We thank Mrs R. Nehrbass and Mrs C. Wolpert for technical assistance.     

Semen copper in normal and infertile subjects

Summary Concentration of copper in seminal plasma was found to be less than that of normal in cases of oligospermia and azoospermia. It was more in oligoasthenospermia and asthenospermia when compared with that normal. Chances of initiation of sperm motility by copper is discussed alongwith the inhibitory role it plays.Acknowledgment. Authors are thankful to Dr. A. R. N. Setalwad, Assistant Professor in Preventive and Social Medicine for the statistical analysis of the study he did.     

The effect of various diuretic agents on renal electrolyte and urea concentration gradients in rats

Zusammenfassung Die Konzentrationsgradienten von Na+und Harnstoff im Rattennierengewebe werden durch intravenöse Applikation von Merallurid, Salyrgan und Hydrochlorothiazid nicht beeinflusst. Die Änderung des Na-Gradienten nach Aminophyllin hängt von der Injektionszeit ab. Acetazolamid-, Chlorothiazid- und Furosemid-Injektion führt jedoch zur Senkung oder zum Verschwinden eines Na-Gradienten. Die Kaliumkonzentration in der Rinde und Papilla wird durch Hg- und Sulfonamid-Diuretica erniedrigt.