Pharmacological study of para-aminoclonidine, an alpha sympathomimetic]

Para-aminoclonidine is a more potent alpha-adrenergic agent than clonidine; in vitro on Rat aorta it is 150 times more active than NE, in vivo on pithed Rat it is still twice as active. The hypotensive action of paraaminoclondine is only manifested when given intraventricularly. In the conscious Rat, it has a diuretic action when given per os. Following IV injection in the anaesthetized Dog, the para-aminoclonidine induces an essentially hydric diuresis which is independet of its hypertensive action.     

Specific inhibition of mast cell disruption in vitro

Résumé Les «mast cells» péritonéales de Rats hypersensibles à la -globuline humaine, subissent une «dégranulation» in vitro en présence de l'antigène. Cette «dégranulation» est inhibée par les antisérums spécifiques. Les sérums de Rats hypersensibles ont la propriété de sensibiliser au même antigène les «mast cells» de Rats normaux.     

Lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid as second messengers for presynaptic inhibition of Aplysia sensory cells

Biochemical and biophysical studies on Aplysia sensory neurons indicate that inhibitory responses to the molluscan peptide FMRFamide are mediated by lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. These compounds are a new class of second messengers in neurons.     

A single origin of phenylketonuria in Yemenite Jews

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disease caused by recessive mutations of the gene encoding the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). The incidence of PKU varies widely across different geographic areas, and is highest (about 1 in 5,000 live births) in Ireland and western Scotland, and among Yemenite Jews. A limited number of point mutations account for most of the PKU cases in the European population. Here we report that a single molecular defect--a deletion spanning the third exon of the PAH gene--is responsible for all the PKU cases among the Yemenite Jews. Examination of a random sample of Yemenite Jews using a molecular probe that detects the carriers of this deletion indicated a high frequency of the defective gene in this community. Although the deleted PAH gene was traced to 25 different locations throughout Yemen, family histories and official documents of the Yemenite Jewish community showed that the common ancestor of all the carriers of this genetic defect lived in San'a, the capital of Yemen, before the eighteenth century.     

The absence of normal serum proteins in lymphoma patients revealed by disc electrophoresis

Résumé La méthode d'électrophorèse en gel avec coloration spéciale est utilisée ici pour la comparaison des protéines sériques de 97 malades porteurs de néoplasme avec celles de 33 contrÔles normaux. Deux bandes, présentes dans tous les contrÔles représentant aux moins deux différentes protéines avec une mobilité d'-2-globuline, sont absentes dans 60 sérums de malades.