Porcine skeletal muscle for physiological studies

Summary The common digital extensor (lateral head) is one of the few porcine muscles of convenient dimensions for in vitro studies of intact cells. Its removal and use in physiological studies are described.Acknowledgments. The pigs used in this investigation were provided by Drs D. G. Topel, L. L. Christian and G. A. Gronert whose cooperation is appreciated. Gratitude is also expressed to Dr N. G. Ghoshal for assistance with anatomical identifications.     

Kinetics of division in PHA-stimulated pig lymphocytes

Summary Our results indicate that pig lymphocytes in culture complete their 1st division at 24 h. At 36 h there are 9% of cells in 2nd division. 3rd mitosis appears at 48 h; and at 72 h there are cells engaged in the 4th division.This work was supported by grants from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization of American States and the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas.We wish to thank for the technical assistance of Mr J. Serraïno.     

The alkaloids ofAspidosperma discolor A. DC

Zusammenfassung VonAspidosperma discolor A. DC. wurden drei Alkaloide (I, II, III) der Aspidospermin-Art isoliert, deren Struktur durch massenspektroskopische und Kernresonanzmessungen bewiesen wurde.

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Recipient of a fellowship from the International Cooperation Administration under a program administered by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.     

Potentiation of the cerebral vascular action of bradykinin by the ‘bradykinin potentiating factor’ (BPF) in the dog

Zusammenfassung Die gefässerweiternde Wirkung von Bradykinin und Kallidin auf den cerebralen Kreislauf wurde durch den «BPF»-Faktor aus Schlangengift erheblich potenziert, während sie bei Eledoisin und Histamin nur wenig verändert wurde.     

Thermal ecology,activity pattern,habitat, and microhabitats used by the skink Mabuya arajara (Squamata: Scincidae) in the Araripe Plateau,northeastern Brazil

ABSTRACT

We evaluated the activity period, thermal ecology, habitats, and preference for microhabitats of the skink Mabuya arajara in a humid forest environment on the slope of the Araripe Plateau, Brazil. A total of 283 lizards were observed. The lizards were found to be diurnally active (unimodal type pattern), with peak activity during the hottest hours of the day (1100 to 1200). About habitat use, the majority of individuals (73.8% N = 209) were recorded in the narrow transitional area, in the edges of the forest; while 26.4% of individuals were observed in open areas and no observations were made in dense forest. Seven different types of microhabitats were used, with fallen palm leaves (Arecaceae) being the preferred (47.7% N = 135). Considering all lizards, microhabitat niche breadth was 3.27. Males and females presented a high overlap (0.95) in microhabitat use. The average T_c recorded for M. arajara was 32.06 ± 2.72°C. Body size (SVL) did not influence body temperature (F = 0.51, P = > 0.05). Most of the animals were observed with their bodies completely exposed (67.84%, N = 192), 18.37% (N = 52) were semi-exposed and 13.79% (N = 39) were in shelters. Among animals with some degree of sunlight exposure, 57.59% (N = 163) were in shadows, 25.10% (N = 71) were under sunlight filtered by vegetation, and 17.31% (N = 49) were under direct sunlight.A review of the ecology of Mabuya spp. shows that several features appear to be conserved among members of the genus.