Allantoinase in the marine polychaeteEudistylia vancouveri

Summary Allantoinase, an enzyme in the purine-urea cycle, was found inEudistylia vancouveri (Polychaeta). The enzyme had a pH optimum at 7.6 TheK _m was 0.012M allantoin, and the Arrhenius energy of activation was 12.6 to 14.6 kcal/mol.Supported by the U. S. National Science Foundation (Institutional Grant) and by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant No. T-900204 (WP-175). Publication No. 10 of the Laboratory of Biochemical Ecology; College of Fisheries Contribution No. 458. We thank Dr.Robert L. Fernald for generously making available to us the facilities of the Friday Harbor Laboratories, Friday Harbor, Washington.     

Caffeine removal from growth media by microorganisms

Zusammenfassung Bacillus coagulans sowie 2 Pilze,Penicillium roqueforti und eineStemphylium-Spezies wurden auf Nährböden isoliert, welche Kaffein als einzige Quelle für Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff enthalten. Diese Mikroorganismen vermehren sich mit derselben Geschwindigkeit auf Kaffein- wie auf Nitratmedien. Dieser Kaffein-Katabolismus wäre möglicherweise der Weg, um die Giftigkeit und mutagenen Wirkungen von Kaffein zu verhindern.     

Functional consequences of treating turkey liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with penicillin G

Summary Treatment of turkey liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase with penicillin G progressively inactivated the enzyme and desensitized the enzyme toward high substrate inhibition. The treatment also led to reduced sensitivity to AMP inhibition and the loss of cooperative interaction among AMP-binding sites. These altered properties were not reversed by dialysis, but were prevented when treatment with penicillin G was performed in the presence of substrate.This work was in part supported by grant RR-8006 from the General Research Branch, Division of Research Resources, NIH (USA) and in part by Faculty Research Grant from Southern School of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta (Georgia, USA).     

Preparation of lymphocytes from small volumes of peripheral mouse blood

Summary A method was developed which allowed for the isolation of lymphocytes (95% of leukocytes in the final suspensions) from small volumes of peripheral mouse blood (38% recovery). The method proved of value for studies of murine lymphocytes which required biochemical analysis of samples from individual animals on a serial basis.This work was supported in part by a University College Faculty Research Grant.     

Radioimmunoassay of some hormones simultaneously measured in serum and breast cyst fluid

Summary Blood and breast cyst fluid were drawn simultaneously for hormonal determination. There was no difference between serum and cyst fluid values of PRL and TSH. A significant difference was noted for LH (p<0.01) and FSH (p<0.05), serum concentrations being higher than cyst fluid concentrations.The authors are indebted to Miss J. Meister, E. Dullaert and J. Beck for their skillful technical help. We are also indebted to the National Institutes of Health, NIAMDD and the World Health Organization, International Laboratory for Biological Standards.     

Effect of suppression of endocrine or exocrine pancreatic function in hemorrhagic shock

Summary Somatostatin did not influence the pathologic consequences of hemorrhagic shock, but pancreatic duct ligation prevented the post-oligemic decline of arterial pressure and formation of toxic factors. These results indicate that pancreatic acinar cells release myocardial depressant factor and are important in the pathophysiology of shock.Supported in part by research grant No. HL-17745 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the NIH.Acknowledgments. We gratefully acknowledge the expert technical assistance of Mary Ann Gaffney, Richard Levin and Kathleen Shupe during the course of these investigations. We also thank Dr William D. Cash of Ciba-Geigy Co., Ardsley, New York, for the supply of somatostatin.     

Effect of metabolic versus respiratory acid-base changes on isolated coronary artery and saphenous vein

Summary Experiments were performed on helically cut strips from coronary artery and saphenous vein to determine the relative influence of metabolic versus respiratory acid-base changes. Tensions were measured over a range of various HCO₃ ^– concentrations and pCO₂'s. The results suggest that tension is influenced by extracellular pH and is independent of pCO₂.Supported by USPHS grant No. HL24232.     

Hormonal manipulation of carrageenin-induced pyresis in rats

Summary The intensity of the hyperthermic response in rats promoted by subplantar injection of 1 mg of carrageenin is directly related to the irritant properties of the type of carrageenin. The overall pyretic response is more dramatic in female rats than in male rats. Subtle changes in the time-course hyperthermic profiles are seen after hormonal modifications.This work was supported by NIH, MBS research grant No. RR08111.