Perinatal changes in amylase and serum corticosterone levels in rats. In rats amylase activity in the pancreas increased greatly from day 15 of gestation to a maximum on day 21. Then it decreased to less than one-tenth of this maximum value on about day 5 after birth. It increased again about 15 days after birth and reached the adult level about 30 days after birth. No amylase activity was in the parotid gland before birth: it appeared about 12 days after birth and reached the adult level, which was higher than that in the pancreas, about 30 days after birth. The serum corticosterone level was as high as the adult level before birth. Then it decreased to less than one-tenth of the adult level 5 days after birth and increased again from 15 to 25 days after birth to the adult level. The developmental change in the serum corticosterone level seemed to influence amylase activity in the pancreas both before and after birth, and that in the parotid gland only after birth. The serum contained both pancreatic and parotid type isozymes of amylase until 1 day after birth but only the parotid type from 3 days after birth.


Identification and characterization of intrinsic factor and cobalophilin from pig ileal and pyloric mucosa. Pig ileal mucosa was found to bind about 240 ng vitamin B12/g and to contain two vitamin B12-binding proteins. One was highly active in the Schilling test, behaved immunologically as intrinsic factor and was responsible for about half of the total vitamin B12-binding capacity. The other binder was identified as cobalophilin (R-protein). Immunochemical purification of these proteins from pig ileum and pylorus was performed and the molecular characteristics (sedimentation and diffusion coefficients, Stokes radii, frictional ratios and molecular weights) of their vitamin B12 complexes were estimated. Isoelectric focusing revealed differences between the ileal and pyloric intrinsic factors but not between the cobalophilins. The mean isoelectric points of the pyloric and ileal intrinsic factors were pH 5979 and 5.30, respectively, whereas the corresponding figures for the cobalophilins were 4.13 and 4.10.


Two microsomal-associated iron-binding proteins observed in rat small intestinal cells during iron absorption. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis of microsomal protein obtained from rat small intestinal mucosal cells, after an injection of [3H]leucine, demonstrated increased quantities of two soluble iron-binding proteins during iron absorption, one with a high molecular weight (about 400 000) and the other of intermediate molecular weight (80 000). Both proteins were present in a ribosomal-enriched sub-fraction obtained during purification of the microsomal membrane but were not identified among the purified membrane proteins.


1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D stimulation of specific membrane proteins in chick intestine. Vitamin D-deficient chicks were injected intracardially with physiological doses of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) and the formation of intestinal brush-border proteins was followed in vitro. Within 4 h of receiving the hormone the incorporation of radioactive leucine into at least two proteins in the brush-borders was increased. The apparent molecular weights of these proteins were 45 000 and 84 000. The change in the synthesis of these proteins was followed with time and compared with the concomitant changes in intestinal calcium transport. The relationship of these changes is such that there is a strong possibility that the proteins are involved in calcium absorption.


Glycosyltransferases with endogenous acceptor activity in plasma membranes isolated from rat liver. Plasma membrane fractions from rat liver exhibited glycosyltransferase activity with endogenous membrane-associated acceptors and either UDP-galactose, UDPglucose, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine, or GDPmannose donors. Of these, incorporation into non-lipid acceptors was most active with UDP-galactose and only with UDPgalactose and UDPmannose was there incorporation into endogenous lipid acceptors. CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid was inactive as a donor with the isolated plasma membranes. In order to demonstrate transferase activity, low concentrations of substrate sugar nucleotides and short incubation times were used as well as sulfhydryl protectants and a phosphatase inhibitor (NaF) in the reaction mixtures. The findings support the concept of surface localization of at least a galactosyl transferase in cells of rat liver.


Properties of microsomal delta4-3-ketosteroid 5alpha-reductase in immature rat ovary. Inhibition by estradiol-17beta. The subcellular distribution of immature rat ovarian 5alpha-reductase has been studied by utilizing 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one as substrate. The main enzyme activity was found to be associated with the microsomal fraction, with lower activities in the 1000 X g and 10 000 X g fractions. The enzyme activity associated with the microsomes exhibited an apparent Km of 3.0 +/- 1.1 micrometer for 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one and 36.3 +/- 6.7 micrometer for testosterone as substrate. Progesterone and testosterone competitively inhibited the 5alpha-reduction of 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one; estradiol-17beta was found to be a noncompetitive inhibitor of this reaction. A concentration of estradiol-17beta as low as 1 micrometer when added to 25 micrometer concentration of 20alpha-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one exerted a significant inhibition of 5alpha-reductase activity.


The photodecomposition of tryptophan peptides. Aqueous solutions of the four tryptophan peptides, Ala-Trp-Val, Val-Trp-Ala, Ala-Ala-Trp-Val and Ala-Gly-Trp-Leu, have been irradiated with the light of wavelength greater than 295 nm. The major changes were destruction of the tryptophan residue, liberation of ammonia and the formation of photoproducts of increased molecular weight. Up to 40% of Ala-Ala-Trp-Val and Ala-Gly-Trp-Leu were converted to products with molecular weights ranging from two to four times those of the original tetrapeptides. Most of the yellow material formed during irradiation in air was present in the high molecular weight fractions. Irradiation of Ala-Gly-[14C]Trp-Leu gave the following identifiable photoproducts: Ala-Gly-Asp-Leu, Ala-Gly-(N'formyl)Kyn-Leu, Ala-Gly-Oia-Leu, and ammonia, where Kyn means kynurenine and Oia, beta-(3-oxindolyl)alanine.


The pathways of oxalate formation from phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan and ascorbic acid in the rat. The metabolic pathway by which L-[14C1]phenylalanine, L-[14C1]tyrosine, L-[14C1]tryptophan, and L-[14C1]ascorbic acid are converted to [14C]oxalate have been investigated in the male rate. Only [14C]oxalate was detected in the urine of rats injected with L-[14C1]ascorbic acid, but [14C]-labeled oxalate, glycolate, glyoxylate, glycolaldehyde, glycine, and serine were recovered from the [14C1]-labeled aromatic amino acids. DL-Phenyllactate, an inhibitor of glycolic acid oxidase and glycolic acid dehydrogenase, reduced the amount of [14C]oxalate recovered in the urine of rats given the [14C1]-labeled aromatic amino acids, but increased the amount of [14C]glycolate formed from L-[14C1]phenylalanine and L-[14C1]tyrosine and the amount of [14C]glycolate produced from [14C1]tryptophan. Based on the [14C]labeled intermediates identified and the relative distribution of the radioactivity, it is postulated that phenylalanine and tyrosine are converted to oxalate via glycolate which is oxidized directly to oxalate by glycolic acid dehydrogenase. Tryptophan is metabolized via glyoxylate which is oxidized directly to oxalate by glycolic acid oxidase. Neither glycolate, glyoxylate, glycolic acid oxidase or glycolic acid dehydrogenase are involved in the formation of oxalate from ascorbic acid.


Sex differences in the pattern of esterase-active antigens in microsomes from various rat strains. Esterase-active antigens present in male and female liver microsomes isolated from three different rat strains-(Sprague-Dawley, Wistar and Dark Agouti) were characterized in crossed immunoelectrophoresis in combination with a zymogram method for esterase activity. No qualitative but some quantitative differencies were encountered between the sexes. Thus, two out of ten antigens were present in significantly lower and one in significantly higher concentrations in male than in female microsomes, demonstrating that although the overall esterase activity in liver may be similar for males and females, the concentration of the individual antigens does vary between the sexes. No qualitative or quantitative differences in the pattern of esterase-active antigens were found between the different strains.


[Action of the microbial flora of the digestive tract on the biosynthesis of cholic acid in the rat (author's transl)]. Axenic and holoxenic (conventional) rats were fed a diet containing trace amounts of [2,4-3H]cholic and [24-14C]chemodeoxycholic acids. In the feces of both groups of rats, the percentage of labelled bile acids which were 3H-labelled was slightly different. In the experimental conditions used, the intestinal microflora only slightly modified the synthesis of 12alpha-hydroxylated bile acids.


[Photochenical and photoelectronic properties of components of the photosynthetic apparatus. II. Stationary photoconductivity in chlorophyll-acceptor and chlorophyll+protein-acceptor lamellar systems]. It has been shown that the treatment of chlorophyll a amorphous layer surface with the electron acceptor n-chloranyl leads to an increase of photocurrent by 10(1)--10(3) times. The photoinduced polarization in the lamellar system chlorophyll a--n-chloranyll is studied. It has been shown that under the effect of the red light the n-chloranyl layer is negatively charged in relation to the pigment layer. Photoconductivity was discovered in the rigid layers of chlorophyll a+human serum albumin. When a thin film of n-chloranyl is sprayed on the surface of the chlorophyll-protein layer, the photocurrent increases approximately 6--7 times. The experimental results are discussed within the scheme according to which the formation of free radical carriers in chlorophyll layers is carried out by the destruction of excited states, possibly excitons on the electron-acceptor centres of dissociation.


[Kinetic characteristics of the action of tocopherols as antioxidants]. Ability of tocoferols to react with free radicals (constant K7) is determined by means of chemoluminescent method. A succession of activities is obtained for tocoferol homologues; this succession coincides with that of their biological activity. The products of oxidative transformations of tocoferols are shown to posess an inhibiting activity. Formation of sufficiently active free radicals is a characteristic feature of the antioxidative action of tocoferols. The extremal dependence of the antioxidative activity of tocoferols on their concentration is explained by the participation of these radicals in the reactions of the continuation of the oxidation chain. According to their kinetic characteristics tocoferols fall into the category of weak antioxidants. Peculiarities of the antioxidative effect of tocoferols help to explain their high biological activity. Since tocoferols have high enough values of the constants K7, even slight changes in their concentration in lipids will essentially affect the rate of oxidative processes. This peculiarity makes them rather unique, since they are first spent in the oxidation reactions proceeding in lipids, and they can be substituted only by the substances which have the constants K7 of the same order. The specificity of antioxidative properties of tocoferols enables their efficient control over peroxide oxidation of lipids.


[Structure and aggregation of histones. I. Influence of the ionic composition of the medium on the structure and effectiveness of the intermolecular relationships of histone F2a (H2A+H4)]. The investigation of fluorescence and light-scattering change of histone F2a, ribonuclease, tyrosine, N-acetyltirosinamide, methyl ether tyrosine by the concentration increasing of NaCl, MgCl2, Na2SO4 in the surrounding medium was carried out. In the case of used salts the changes of tertiary structure and histones aggregations depend on the anion type, which is presented in the environment. The tertiary structure of histones formed in the presence of salt is stabilized by weak (hydrophobic and hydrogenic) interactions.


[Theoretical analysis of forces responsible for the interaction of lipid bilayer membranes in the contact zone]. A theoretical analysis of the forces responsible for BLM interaction in the contact zone has been carried out. It is shown that these are the forces of Van-der-Vaals attraction, electrostatic repulsion and surface tension of the membranes. Values of Hammaker constant and surface potential of BLM are determined. The value and remote action of each force, as well as the possibilities of the method of measuring the distance between the contacting membrane are discussed.


[Effect of acetycholine chloride and chlorocholine chloride on the resting potential and membrane resistance of identified mollusk A and B neurons]. Chlorcholine chloride (CCC) the molecule of which has no other group, characteristic of acetylcholine (Ach), causes an effective cholinomimetic action on the surface membrane of the mollusc neurons A and B. As the concentration of Ach and CCC increases from 10(-6) to 10(-3) M the resting potential (RP) and the membrane resistance (R) of the neuron A first increases then decreases. The increase of Ach and CCC concentration causes in the neuron B only a decrease of the above mentioned parameters. The data point to the necessity of improving the ideas about the structure of cholinoreceptors and mechanism of cholinoreceptor-cholinomimetic interaction.


[Alteration of the electrophysiologic characteristics of the neurons of the great pseudo-equine leech after increasing the intracellular concentration of sodium ions]. Changes of membrane potential (MP), amplitude of action potential (AAP) and continuence of AP (CAP) of identified neurons of leech Haemopis sanguisuga have been investigated at high intracellular Na+ concentration. It has been shown that a moderate increase of intracellular Na+ concentration leads to hyperpolarization of the membrane to 15 mV and a certain increase of AAP and CAP. A further increase of [Na+]in leads to a sharp decrease of AAP and small decrease of CAP. Possible mechanisms of the phenomena described are discussed.


[Relationship between the depth of acute hypothermia and the composition and phase transitions of mitochondrial lipids of dog and white rat myocardium]. It has been found in the experiments on white rats and dogs that the increase of body temperature by 8--10 degrees in myocardium mitochondria composition of phospholipids is changed, microviscosity of lipids decreases, the phase transition is shifted to the low temperature region. Changes in white rats' mitochondria are expressed to a greater extent. When the body temperature is decreased by 18--20 degrees microviscosity of lipids in dog myocardium mitochondria increases, that of white rats is maintained on the same level. Effect of the composition of membrane lipids on the temerature of phase transitions during hypothermia is discussed, as well as possible dependence of the stability of animals towards low temperatures on the degree of reconstruction of the membrane lipids.


[Mechanism of changes in blood clotting and fibrinolysis under the influence of a constant electric current]. It has been shown in experiments on dogs that the constant electric current (tension 20 V, exposition time 30 sec) transmitted through an animal organism induces the development of hypercoagulation and hyperfibrinolysis. In the course of these changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis an important role is played by tissue hemocoagulating compounds liberated from arteria, veins, muscles and nerves. It is concluded that the ejection of blood coagulation factors from tissues results from the changes in the functional state of cellular membranes, and their permeability in particular.


[Influence of ultra-high electromagnetic irradiation on the electrophoretic mobility of erythrocytes]. Under the effect of superhigh-frequency electromagnetic irradiation within the range of 1009 MHZ shifts of electrophoretic mobility (EM) are revealed in human erythrocytes. These shifts depend on the duration and intensity of irradiation. They are accounted for by two causes, i. e. by the deformation of the double electric layer and structural reconstructions of erythrocyte membranes which result from phase transition of structurated water of the membrane into a more liquid state. The EM shifts are reversible.


[Mechanical properties of intercellular contacts of small intestinal epithelium]. It has been shown that when long-acting forces are applied, the intercellular contacts in the small intestine epithelium are destroyed at the values of these forces lower than the adhesion ones obtained at the application of short-term loads. Starting with some threshold value of the load viscose-elastic properties of intercellular contacts are shown up. Thus the threshold varies essentially for different cells of the population: 4 variations are observed. A removal of bivalent cations from the tissue significantly decreases the threshold value of the forces and decreases the viscosity while the excessive concentrations of bivalent cations increase the threshold value of forces, the membrane viscosity and contact components.


[Passive electrical properties of the atrioventricular region of the rabbit heart]. Passive electrical properties of AV node region of rabbit's heart were studied. Electrotonic anisotropism (a9) was characteristic of the entire AV node. a9 was the largest in the region of entry from the crista terminalis and in the lower node. The input resistance, RBX, of AV node was 1.3 to two-fold that measured in atrial trabeculae. Analysis of the results yielded the following specific resistance values for midnodal region: 1 Ohm--cm2 for contacts, 1200 Ohms-cm for intracellular space and 1300 Ohms-cm2 for electrogenic membrane. The nature of intercellular interaction and AV delay is discussed on the basis of the results obtained.


[Relationship between ionic membrane currents and stationary rates of stable and unstable spike propagation]. Pulse propagation in a model of excitable fibre is analyzed. Fibre membrane is described by a nonlinear system of 2 differential equations with small parameter (reduced system of the Hodgkin--Huxley type [1]). Both fast and slow ionic currents of excitable membrane are incorporated into the model. Explicit expressions for fast (stable pulse) and low (unstable pulse) velocities are obtained by using perturbation method. The growth of fast ionic current was shown to result in increase in fast and decrease of slow velocities while the growth of slow ionic current results in increase in slow velocity, fast velocity being almost constant.


[Spike transmission in statistical neuron ensembles. III. Phase transition in a model of hippocampal field CA3]. The model consists of two types of neurons i. e. excitatory pyramidal cells and inhibitory basket ones. (the problem was formulated by Drs. O. S. Vinogradova and A. G. Bragin). The analysis of neuron activity has been carried out on the basis of "point approximation" of spikes transport equations. The graphs were obtained by computer. These graphs of the postsynaptic potentials averaged over ensemble are in good agreement with experimental data. The model observed demonstrates the phase transition over parameter characterizing the conduction of excitation between pyramidal cells. For weak pyramidal cells link there takes place the spontaneous activity regime. For strong link there were observed the epileptoid firing of neurons at 3 divided by 5 hertz and 140 divided by 240 msec phases of inhibition between bursts.


[Effect of preliminary stimulation on the repetitive firing of rabbit papillary muscle fibers]. It has been shown that the preliminary stimulation inhibits the initiation of repetitive firings (RF), increases the threshold current of RF and decreases membrane depolarization, induced by the action of constant current. It has been shown, that the higher the stimulation frequency, the higher the threshold current of RF and the lower the level of depolarization. It has been established that the time necessary for the restitution of the control firings of the tissue to the constant current after the action of the high-frequency stimulation does not exceed 2 minutes. It has been shown that the behavior of membrane potential under the constant current is characterized by two particularities: a) dissociation of the first response to switching on the constant current' b) a strong decay of the membrane potential to the resting potential.


[Possible mechanism of generation of the magnetoencephalogram]. Various cases of local currents axial symmetry violations such as: 1) bent fibres, 2) fibres located on the boundary between tissues of various conductivities, or 3) spiral fibres were considered as possible sources of the magnetic field. It is supposed that the magnetic moments of the spikes in bent or spiral fibres originate magnetoencephalogram (MEG) and therefore MEG may serve as an index of the summary impulsing activity in human brain. Our explanation of MEG contradicts to Lippold's hypothesis on non-neural nature of alpha-rhythm.


[Electrical properties of solutions of human serum albumin in the 1--15 MHz range]. The specific electrical conductivity and dielectric permeability of aqueous solutions of human blood serum albumin in the 1--15 MHz range have been measured. No conductivity changes within these frequencies conspicuous of the relaxation processes have been noted. The decrease of solution  dielectrical permeability with the growth of albumin concentration and the excess of its values for denaturated albumin in comparison with native one makes it possible to assume that the anomaly low-frequency dispersion zone has been passed by the beginning of the measured range (1 MHz).


[Physico-chemical properties of intra- and extracellular milieus at low temperatures. Influence of non-electrolytes]. The living activity of cells at freezing is determined by the peculiarities of physico-chemical properties of the medium. The effect of various biologically important molecules is determined by the ratio between polar and non-polar groups, by the structure of molecules. Structuration of the media contributes to the stabilization of cells. Optimization of the media content can change the cryohydrate temperature and living activity of the cells at given freezing conditions.


Inactivation of alpha-chymotrypsin by new bifunctional reagents: halomethylated derivatives of dihydrocoumarins. alpha-Chymotrypsin is rapidly and completely inactivated by a series of halomethylated derivatives of dihydrocoumarins at pH 7 and 25 degrees. The inactivation is pH-dependent and optimal at neutral pH; it is also more or less complete depending on the excess of inhibitor with respect to the enzyme. These compounds are substrates for alpha-chymotrypsin and, during the catalytic process, a latent alkylating function of the reagent is activated at the active site of the enzyme and reacts with some vicinal nucleophilic amino acid residues. The stoichiometry of the reaction of the corresponding radioactive reagents with the enzyme is slightly superior to one, but one histidine residue of alpha-chymotropsin is mainly modified. This histidine is identified as histidine-57 by the diagonal peptide mapping method. In comparison with other reagents, the efficiency of these suicide substrates" and particularly that one of a derivative (compound 2) carrying a substrate-like side chain is found to be very high.


Inactivation of proteases and esterases by halomethylated derivatives of dihydrocoumarins. A series of halomethylated derivatives of dihydrocoumarins has been found to inhibit irreversibly proteases and esterases. alpha-Chymotrypsin, subtilish, elastase are rapidly inactivated in the presence of these compounds, while trypsin, kallicrein, papain are inhibited more slowly. Esterases like acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase also lose activity in their presence. Two structural features of these inactivators are essential for inhibition: a reactive cis-ester function and an alkylating function. Analogues of these derivatives having only one of these characteristics are inefficient. Therefore it is suggested that the efficiency of these bifunctional reagents is due to their character of potential "suicide substrates".


[High permeability of the intercellular contact]. The mechanism of the intercellular contact (gap junction) high permeability is proposed on the following basis: 1) cell membranes are depolarized in the junction zone and 2) during depolarization a sharp increase of membrane permeability results from the formerly proposed [1--3] relationship between the trans-membrane potential and membrane surface potential (boundary jump), owing to the fact that the latter determines both the membranes conductance and conformation.


[Preparation of highly purified microbules and evidence for a novel molecular arrangement at low temperatures]. Microtubules were prepared by in vitro polymerization-depolymerization cycles, 1.0 M NaCl which totally depolymerizes was then added to the preparation. After removal of NaCl new arrangements of tubulin were observed at 4 degrees C: simple and double rings as well as fibrils. At 37 degrees these structures disappeared and tubulin polymerized into microtubules. The highly microtubules contain tubulin, tubulin associated proteins of 300,000 and 330,000 molecular weight, minor proteins of low molecular weight and proteins similar to the Tau factors. This raises a question of the role played by low molecular weight polypeptides. Are they products of proteolysis of rather factors of polymerisation?


Are monoglyceride-lipase, triglyceride-lipase and phospholipase A of rat liver microsomes distinct protein entities? 1. Different extraction and purification techniques were employed for the separation of MG-lipase, TG-lipase and phospholipase A from rat liver microsomes. 2. Up to 60 per cent of the microsomal content of TG-lipase and phospholipase could be extracted with 1 M KCl or NaCl. MG-lipase was extracted more readily by detergents (e.g. emulphogen). 3. MG-lipase is more resistant to detergent and heat inactivation than TG-lipase and phospholipase A. It is retained, using the technique of affinity chromatography, on a column of CH-Sepharose coupled to monooleoylglycerol. In addition, MG-lipase was separated from TG-lipase by electrofocusing. 4. TG-lipase and phospholipase A were partially separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 in the presence of 1 mM dithiothreitol and by chromatography on CH-Sepharose 4b. 5. On the basis of the present extraction and purification studies, it is concluded that mg-lipase is an enzyme protein distinct from TG-lipase and phospholipase A.


The combined action of insulin and phlorizin on transport and metabolism of sugars and nucleotide turnover in the isolated rat diaphragm. The combined effects of insulin and phlorizin have been analyzed on two parameters of insulin stimulation in the surviving rat diaphragm : transport and metabolism of sugars, turnover of the phosphate groups of mononucleotides. Phlorizin (c mM) inhibits glucose transport both in the presence and absence of insulin and displays a small additional inhibitory effect on glycogen biosynthesis; with the non metabolizable glucose anlogue 3-O-methyl-D-glucose transport inhibition is demonstrated solely in the presence of insulin. No correlation is demonstrated between the rates of sugar transport, which are strongly phlorizin-sensitive, and the rates of nucleotide turnover, which show no such sensitivity.


Carotenoid pigments in the coxal gland of Limulus. The coxal gland of Limulus polyphemus contains a high content of carotenoids. Values ranging from 25 to 226 microgram per gram of wet tissue were found. The corresponding average value for 21 animals was 111 microgram. Chromatographic separation reveals the presence of 7 to 8 components. Characterization and partial identification of these components has been made by the determination of RF values and absorption spectra. In some cases the alterations produced in these properties by borohydride reduction have also been presented. The brick-red color of this tissue reported by earlier investigators would appear to be largely due to its high content of carotenoids.


Dwarfism in a sabellid polychaete, a study of an interstitial species. The anatomy and behavior of a species of the sabellid polychaete subfamily Fabricinae, is described. Mature individuals are virtually microscopic and represent the extreme degree of dwarfism apparently possible for a sabellid. Eggs are matured and liberated unilaterally, one at a time, from a single thoracic segment. Dwarfism in this species is essentially a cessation of body growth at a juvenile stage, accompanied by precocious sexual maturity, as an adaptation to persistent occupation of an interstitial detrital habitat.


Biomechanics of water-pumping by Chaetopterus variopedatus Renier: Kinetics and hydrodynamics. 1. The activities of the three water-pumping segments of Chaetopterus variopedatus are correlated in detail with the fluctuations in water flow through the tube-house. 2. The qualitative performance and design features of the worm's pumping mechanism are compared to those of mechanical reciprocating pumps. 3. Quantitative data on volume flow rate, stroke rate, discharge pressure, and oxygen consumption yield estimates of power output (1.5 X 10(-5) Joules/sec) and aerobic efficiency (0.5%). 4. In its natural habitat, Chaetopterus does no lifting work, but rather functions solely as a transfer pump. 5. Calculations show that, of the work accomplished by Chaetopterus during pumping, 95% is devoted to overcoming inertial resistance.


Cockroach molting. II. The nature of regeneration-induced delay of molting hormone secretion. 1. The amount of regenerating limb tissue does not control the length of molting delay in cockroaches; rather, a programmed delay associated with each autotomy level and segment allows an appropriate delay for accomplishing the necessary regeneration. 2. Delay of molting is accomplished by inhibiting ecdysiotropin release. 3. Each regenerating limb produces a delay independent of other regenerating limbs. 4. Single and simultaneous double autotomies can be used to obtain substantially increased synchrony of the molting cycle of a wide variety of cockroach species. 5. The signal to delay molting is transmitted to the brain along the ventral nerve cord and requires the stereotyped sensory input associated with autotomy to initiate it. 6. There are two phases of ecdysone titer increase during the molting cycle of cockroaches. An early transitory or gradual increase is associated with the regeneration critical period, while a later major peak is associated with apolysis. The major ecdysone peak was shown to be delayed during leg regeneration.


Locomotion and propagated skin impulses in salps (Tunicata: Thaliacea). 1. Various observations by M. Fedele on the mechanism of forward and reverse locomotion, on the neurogenic origin of the locomotor rhythm and on the coordinated behavior of salp chains are confirmed or extended. Salpa fusiformis was the species chiefly studied. 2. The striated muscle fibers of the body wall exhibit nonpropagative, graded responsivity. The fibers are multiply-innervated. Adjacent fibers are not electrically coupled. 3. Intracellular recordings are reported from a pacemaker and presumed motor neurons in the brain. The locomotor rhythm is exhibited by deafferented and isolated brains. In the intact animal, sensory input can modify the rhythm and alter the firing sequence of the muscles. The rhythm is accelerated by reduction, and inhibited by elevation of the ambient light intensity. 4. The outer skin is a conducting epithelium. The cells conduct action potentials at ca. 17 cm/sec and are connected by gap junctions. Three other independently conducting inner epithelial territories are described. Propagated impulses in the excitable epithelia are believed to enter the nervous system via neurosensory processes in the skin, extending the effective fields of these receptors. 5. Salp chains show coordinated responses but, except in their earliest developmental stages, impulses are probably not through-conducted along the chain, but are relayed from one zooid to the next by an unknown mechanism. 6. Comparisons are drawn between salps and other pelagic tunicates where conducting epithelia have previously been reported.


Metabolic relationships between green hydra and its symbiotic algae. 1. Hydra that maintain algal symbionts evidenced three modes of metabolism depending upon the nutritional state of the host and the photoperiodic conditions under which the animals were maintained. Animals either fed or fasted but maintained in the dark exhibited an RQ of 0.725 indicating fat metabolism. When they were fed Artemia nauplii and maintained in the light green hydra exhibited a mixed metabolism of carbohydrate and fat which gave an RQ of 0.862. Fasting green hydra, when maintained in the light, showed a pronounced carbohydrate metabolism typified by an RQ of 0.970. 2. Aposymbiotic hydra, whether fed or fasted, exhibited an RQ of 0.725 indicating a high degree of fat metabolism. 3. Symbiotic hydra which were fed and maintained in the light demonstrated a respiration rate of 14.4 microliter/day per hydra, which was 2.5 times greater than animals (symbiotic or aposymbiotic) maintained under any other condition of fasting or photoperiod. It is hypothesized that the enhanced respiration observed in these animals is due to the metabolic activities of the symbiotic algae associated with reproduction and development. 4. Calculations based on respiratory measurements and indirect calorimetry suggest that hydra consume approximately 0.0320 calories per day and that symbiotic algae may supply up to 69% of the host caloric requirements via the translocation of approximately 5 microgram of carbohydrate when the host is fasting and light is provided.


[Primary structure of functions of RNA terminals]. Primary structure of tRNA, rRNA, nRNA, mRNA and viral RNA terminals has been studied. Various RNAs responsible for similar functions have been shown to possess some common features. Previously obtained data on the functional role of RNA terminal sequences, mechanisms of their biosynthesis, the stabilizing role of 5'- and 3'-sequences for the molecules of translated eukaryotic RNAs and some viral RNAs are reviewed.


[Changes in phospholipid composition in rat liver microsomes and mitochondria under chemical carcinogenesis]. Considerable change in phospholipid composition of microsomal and mitochondrial rat liver membranes under 3,4-benzpyrene-induced cancerogenesis is observed. The content of main phospholipid fractions (phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines) in rat liver microsomes increases at precancer stage and decreases during the tumour growth. On the contrary, the content of these phospholipids in mitochondrias decreases at precancer stage and increases at the period of vigerous tumour growth. The content of phosphatidylserines in rat liver microsomes sharply increases during the tumour growth, while in mitochondrias in decreases to an extremely low concentration beginning from early cancerogenesis stages. Lysophosphatides content in rat liver microsomes considerably increases under cancerogenesis. The noticeable amount of characteristic microsomal phospholipids, sphingomyelins, appears in rat liver mitochondrias under the growth of induced tumours. The peroxides of phosphatidylethanolamines and phosphatidylcholines appear in rat liver  mitochondrias at later cancerogenesis stages, as compared with microsomes.


[Effect of normal saturated fatty acids on rat liver mitochondria]. Comparative study of the effect normal saturated carboxulic acids of different carbon chain length (7-16 carbon atoms) on rat liver mitochondria respiration at 3 and 4 states (according to Chance) has revealed that these compounds are protonophores. The data on the dependence of the effect on the concentration of fatty acids suggest that the protein transfer through the mitochondrial membrane is carried out by a monomeric form, and the inhibitory effect is due to a dimeric form of these compounds. Inhibitory and activating properties of fatty acids are described by a theoretically deducted equation, which demonstrates similar activity for highest homologues, in spite of differences in their distribution coefficients between aqueous and lipid phases. It is also concluded that the same effect is due to the same molar concentration of fatty acid in the mitochondrial membrane.


[Guanidinoacetate-N-methyltransferase in epiphysis of mammals: stimulating effect of norepinephrine in vitro]. The activity of the enzyme of creatine biosynthesis, S-adenosylmethionine: guanidineacetate-N-methyltransferase (E. C. 2.1.1.2) is discovered in rat and bovine epiphysis homogenates. The enzyme activity was highest in epiphysis of immature and young rats and then decreased linearly with the animal age. No reliable activity of the enzyme was found in adult rats (200-300 g). Incubation of rat and bovine epiphysis with norepinephrine (10(-5)-10(-6) M) in the presence of S-adenosylmethionine and guanidineacetic acid resulted in the increase of the creatine synthesis rate.


[Comparative characteristics of chromatin endonuclease fragments]. Soluble fragments of chromatin obtained by Ca, Mg-dependent endonuclease digest of rat liver nuclei, have been separated by gel chromatography on Sepharose 4B into three zones, containing oligomers, tetramers--dimers and monomers, respectively. The content of nonhistone proteins and particularly lysine-rich histones is decreased with a transition from theoligomers to monomers. The average protein/DNA ratio of the monomers is equal to 1.36 and that of histone/DNA ratio--to 0.82. The dependence of the degree of chromatin digest by endonuclease on its protein content and conditions of isolation and incubation of nuclei is discussed. The chromatin monomer formed appears to be made up of a nucleosome and short portions of spacer DNA bound to some part of histone HI and nonhistone proteins.


[Isolation and some properties of mink lysozyme]. Lysozyme (EC 3.2.1.17) from spleen, kidney and liver of mink was isolated by affinity chromatography on deaminated chitin. The histidine content of mink lysozyme is unusually high and comprises 7 residues per mole of the protein. The acidic and basic amino acid residues are present in the mink lysozyme in nearly equal amounts (20-22); in this respect, the degree of amidation of the side chain carboxylic groups is relatively low (8-10). The lysozyme preparations obtained are found to contain an unknown, tightly bound component, absorbing at 400-420 nm.


[ On the absence of high-molecular polyphosphates in chloroplasts of Acetabularia mediterranea]. High-molecular polyphosphates have been identified in a crude fraction of chloroplasts of Acetabularia mediterranea. However, after a short-term treatment of the fraction with a hypotonic salt solution and centrifugation in a sucrose density gradient it was found possible to completely separate high-molecular polyphosphates from intact chloroplasts. Consequently the chloroplasts themselves contain no high-molecular polyphosphates. It is assumed that the high-molecular polysphates found in a crude fraction of chloroplasts are constitutents of the "metachromatic" granules which can be revealed in the A. mediterranea cytoplasm by cytochemical methods.


[Catalytic properties and thermostability of horseradish peroxidase covalently bound with Sepharose by carbohydrate residues of the enzyme]. A procedure for isolation of stabilized preparations of peroxidase, covalently bound with AH-Sepharose 4B by the enzyme carbohydrate residues, which had been previously oxidized by iodine acid, is proposed. The catalytic properties and thermostability of soluble oxidized and immobilized peroxidase has been studied and a comparison of these properties with those of the native enzyme has been made. It has been demonstrated that the oxidation of the carbohydrate residues dose not affect eh Km value for soluble oxidized peroxidase, but leads to a decrease in the kcat approximately two times for the reaction of peroxidase exidation of o-dianizidine. In case of immobilized peroxidase the Km value for H2O2 does not change, whereas the Km value for o-dianizidine is decreased approximately 20 times. It is demostrated that the chemical structure of the matrix surface and in case of the same matrix used--the degree and type of modification of the functional groups of protein, have a strong effect on the stability of the immobilized enzyme.


[Replication of DNA associated with nuclear envelope of regenerating rat liver]. DNA associated with nuclear envelopes was isolated from rat liver nuclear lysate using centrifugation in sucrose gradient. The specific radioactivity of DNA obtained in nuclear envelope was compared with that of overall nuclear DNA at different stages of the S-period after partial hepatectomy and 1-15 min following intravenous injection of 3H-thymidine. It was found that at various steps of the cell cycle (19, 24 and 27 hrs following partial hepatectomy) the specific radioactivities of nuclear membrane-linked and overall nuclear DNAs do not show any significant differences. No noticeable selective synthesis or initiation of DNA replication on the nuelear envelope were observed either.


[Activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase in embryonic and postnatal chicken liver]. The activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1) in chicken liver embryos remains constant up to the stage of hatching, and is increased by 50-70% during the first days of postnatal development and 6-7-fold on the ninth day. The enzyme activity in adult chickens is approximately equal to that in embryonic liver. The system of pyruvate dehydrogenase activation is labile; however, it may be stabilized by an addition of serum to embryonic liver homogenates. The amount of the inactive form of pyruvate dehydrogenase in embryonic liver makes up to approximately 50% of total activity. No stabilizing effect of the serum on the pyruvate dehydrogenase from young and adult chicken liver was observed.


[Transport of amino acids and calcium in the fungus, Phytophthora infestans]. Amino acid transport in the cells of calcium-dependent fungus Phytophthora infestans has been largely studied with respect to phenylalanine. It is defined as an active process in a number of characteristics. The reasons for that are as follows: 1) accumulation of amino acids is inhibited by carbodiimide and ruthenium red, which suggests the participation of an intermediate; 2) the transport is energy-dependent, since it is inhibited by potassium cyanide, sodium azide and 2,4-dinitrophenol. Cold-osmotic shock results in the inhibition of the amino acid and glucose transport 20-80 times without inhibiting calcium transport. The data obtained suggest that the transport systems of amino acids and calcium are probably not interrelated.


[Some peculiarities of pyrimidine isoplyth methylation of newly synthesized DNA from human blood lymphocytes in normal conditions and chronic lymphoycytic leukemia]. Methylation of pyrimidine isoplythes of newly synthesized DNA from activated human blood lymphocytes was studied under normal conditions and in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The analysis of distribution of labelled 5-methylcytosine in DNA pyrimidine oligonucleotides, differing in their lengths, showed a considerable increase in the methylation of pyrimidine oligonucleotide fragments of DNA from lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes as compared to normal. The greatest differences were observed in methylation with respect to longer fragments, e.g. under chronic lymphocytic leukemia the level of methylation of the cytosine residues of DNA in isoplythes I and II, as well as in the fraction of isoplyth III and in longer fragments exceeded that of the normal DNA isoplythes, 3.7-, 2.1- and 8.3-fold respectively.


[In vitro degradation of autolyzed and nonautolyzed RNP-particles from rat skeletal muscles]. Degradation of autolyzed (72 hrs of autolysis) and non-autolyzed RNP particles from rat skeletal muscles was studied. Distribution of the RNP particles in sucrose gradient and the amount of rRNAs present in the particles were determined. It was shown that in both cases incubation of preparations for 20 min at 60 degrees C is accompanied by an almost complete degradation of RNA extracted from the RNP particles. After 24 hour storage in a buffer, containing Mg2+ at a concentration less than 0.006 M, partial degradation of polysomes and rRNAs occurs. Incubation in the presence of 0.5 mM p-chloromercurybenzoate results in a rapid degradation of polysomes down to monosomes, whereas no additional degradation of rRNAs occurs after 24 hrs of incubation at 18 degrees C. Autolyzed RNP particles when heated up to 50-55 degrees C for 20 min, reveal a much lower stability to p-chloromercurybenzoate than do the non-autolyzed ones. Possible existence of two forms of endoribonucleases in the RNP particles from rat skeletal muscles is discussed.


[Identification of CD phage proteins participating in DNA-protein interaction by means of O-methylhydroxylamine]. An early described hypothetical scheme is confirmed on transformation of non-covalent polynucleotide-protein interactions into covalent under the treatment of CD phage with O-methylhydroxylamine. 4 proteins are revealed, which have been covalently bound to cytosine of DNA during modification process. Fractionation of these proteins in polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate has revealed that three of them migrate as head structural proteins, and the rest--as internal phage CD protein. Possible mechanisms of the effect of phage protein on the reaction of DNA cytosine residues with O-methylhydroxylamine are discussed.


[18 O-exchange reactions catalyzed by myosin of calf intestine smooth muscle]. 18O-exchange reactions of smooth muscle myosin of calf intestine were studied. Smooth muscle myosin, similar to skeletal myosin, catalyses two types of 18O-exchange reactions--intermediate and direct. Only quantitative differences of the exchange intensity are observed. 18O-exchange dependence on bivalent cation and nucleotide nature is found. The comparison of 18O-exchange characteristics for myosins of smooth and skeletal muscles confirms the hypothesis on the similarity of molecular mechanisms of ATP hydrolysis by myosin from different muscle types.


[Identification of kinins releasing by pig pancreatic kallikrein from rabbit low molecular weight kininogen]. Pig pancreatic kallikrein is found to release kinins from LMrK with the rate of 800 mkg. eq. of bradykinin per min, per 1 mg of the enzyme. This kininogenase reaction is not accompanied by a ddep fragmentation of the kininogen molecule, because only a high molecular weight fragment which Mr is practically equal to that of intact LMrK (55-60 000), and a peptide identified as bradykinin, are found in hydrolysate. In the same conditions human salivary kallikrein is found to form kallidin from LMrK.


[Role of hydrophobic interactions in manifestation of catalytic activity of lipolytic enzymes]. Kinetics is studied of enzymatic hydrolysis of different substrates of soluble and immobilized cotton lipase. At least two stages of enzymatic lipolysis are found to take place, which precede the formation of Mikhaelis complex: 1) the enzyme adsorption on substrate phase surface and 2) lipase activation. The latter is accompanied by the formation of local chamber on phase contact area in which the hydrolysis occurs. It is suggested on the basis of data on the inhibition by a number of phenylcarbonic acids and fluoride ions, on the hydrolysis rate of soluble and insoluble substrates, catalysed by different immobilized lipases, that there are three regions in the active center of lipolytic enzymes: 1) a region responsible for the "recognition" of substrate phase surface; 2) a binding region, participating in hydrophobic interaction with a single substrate molecule, located in the insoluble phase; 3) catalytical region. A hypothetic scheme of lipid enzymatic hydrolysis at phase contact area is given.


[Isolation and properties of Micrococcus luteus endonucleas acting in DNA depurinization but inactive with pyrimidine dimers]. An endonuclease (AP-endonuclease II) that specifically attacks double stranded or single stranded depurinated DNA, resulting in single-strand nicks, has been purified 320-fold from Micrococcus luteus. The enzyme is not stimulated by 0.002 M MgCl2, it induces 3'OH-5'PO4 breaks on the 5' side of apurinic sites, it has no activity towards UV-irradiated DNA and has a molecular weight of about 30 000. In cooperation with DNA-polymerase from M. luteus and T4 DNA ligase, AP-endonuclease II has been shown capable of carrying out complete excision repair of depurinated DNA in vitro.


The role of attractiveness and mate selection in phylogenetic adaptation with particular reference to early man. The author hypothesizes on the roles of sexual selection and assortative mating in human evolution. Basing his argument on a theory, which views neurosis as a maladaptive vicious cycle, he argues that there is dovetailing of the actions of neurosis and mate selection in promoting the phylogenetic adaptation of early man. He sees both neurosis and assortative mating as magnifying existing differences in viability. This process would, by favoring the most viable, have accelerated human evolution. The relationship between movement patterns and neurosis is also discussed.


The efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy and antidepressants in depression. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), antidepressants, and neither treatment were compared by reviewing 609 hospitalizations for depression from 1959 to 1969. The groups receiving ECT had a significantly (p less than 0.001) greater percentage of patient who had marked improvement or a complete response (49%) than either adequate or inadequate antidepressant therapy groups (27%) or the group which received neither ECT nor antidepressants (25%). If antidepressant failures who require ECT are included in the evaluation, the percentage total improvement with ECT (90%) is significantly (p less than 0.001) greater than the adequate (74%) or inadequate (60%) antidepressant groups, or neither treatment (60%). At the end of 7 weeks of hospitalization, 74% of the ECT group had been discharged, significantly more (p less than 0.001) than the adequate antidepressant group, 54%. Delusional depressed patients responded much mor frequently to ECT.


A comparison of standard alternating current and low-energy brief-pulse electrotherapy. This study compares a low-energy brief-pulse stimulus (LEBS) with a conventional a-c sine wave stimulus in terms of electrical paramenters, efficiency in producing seizures, and clinical outcome on a variety of standard behavioral measures. The results show the LEBS to require equal voltage, less current, and only one-half the total energy to produce clinically manifest convulsions. There was no apparent difference between methods on any outcome measure. The Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery showed as many patients impaired prior to ECT as following treatment. Implications for ECT practices are discussed.


The role of committed and uncommitted hematopoietic stem cells as targets for Rauscher and Friend leukemia virus. The study of Friend and Rauscher murine leukemia viruses has produced a variety of evidence regarding the nature of the target cell(s). These viruses produce in mice leukemias with a strong erythroid component. However, they are also pancytotic in their action, with demonstrable effects on differentiating myeloid and thromboid cells, the immuno-responsive cells, and the peripheral lymphoid cells as well. In addition, it has been noted that a variety of factors can influence disease expression, including the variety of mouse strain, the hematopoietic cell line being observed, and the tissue microenvironment in which leukemogenesis is taking place, as well as the viral substrain itself. The data available indicates that the target cells are definitely to be found among the most primitive of the hematopoietic progenitor cells of both the marrow and the spleen. However, from an analysis of this data it would appear that the virus target is not exclusively limited to a single type of hematopoietic precursor cell. Rather it is suggested that there is a closely related family of targets, consisting of the uncommitted pluripotent stem cell and the committed progenitor stem cells of the erythroid, myeloid, thromboid and immune cell lines. The evidence for each of these types of hematopoietic cells is reviewed.


Lack of effect of a granulocyte proliferation inhibitor or their committed precursor cells. Using the agar culture technique, we have measured the effect of granulocyte extracts GCE (and of erythrocyte-RCE and lymph node extracts-LNE) on the growth and proliferation of the committed granulocytic precursor cells, CFU-C. In addition we have determined their effects on the proliferation of the developing colony cells and on the ultimate cell production in the colonies. The results show that GCE has no effect on the growth or proliferative activity on the CFU-C. It does, however, reduce both the autoradiographic labelling indices of the developing colony cells and the net colony cellularities, acting as a cell cycle modulator. These are effects specific to the GCE since at the dose levels used, neither RCE nor LNE affected these measurements.


Effect of the nitrosourea derivative rpcnu (ICIG 1163) on the development of Friend leukemia in mice. Friend leukemia was used as an experimental model to study the action of a ribofuranosyl derivative of nitrosourea : RPCNU. This new product was known to be active in L 1210 leukemia and immunosuppressive. RPCNU significantly decreases the splenomegaly induced in DBA2 mice by Friend virus when it is given at a time ranging from 7 days before to 14 days after virus inoculation. The survival time in leukemic treated groups is also greatly increased. However, viral content of the spleen extracts of the leukemic treated mice is not reduced. Therefore, RPCNU cannot be considered as an antiviral agent. A comparison between survival of leukemic and non leukemic mice treated with different doses show that the effectiveness of RPCNU is correlated with its toxicity. The effect of RPCNU on Friend leukemia by cytotoxicity on hematopoietic stem cells is discussed in this paper.


Granulopoiesis : studies of bone marrow culture in chronic granulocytopenia and comparison with granulocyte kinetics. Granulopoiesis was studied in 20 cases of chronic granulocytopenia (adults and children; acquired and congenital). Bone marrow colony growth in methylcellulose culture was compared with the turnover-rate of blood granulocytes labelled with 51Cr and with the bone marrow granulocyte labelling index (L.I.) after "in vitro" flash labelling with 3H-thymidine (3H-TDR). There was a positive correlation between colony forming cells (C.F.C.) content and turnover rate and between C.F.C. content and bone marrow cellularity but there was no statistically valid correlation between C.F.C. content and labelling index. In patients with acquired granulocytopenia the colony counts were increased in cases with autoimmune destruction of neutrophils and in one patient during granulocytic regeneration. The C.F.C. numbers were low in cases with neutropenia associated with granulocyte hypoplasia but the prognosis was better in those cases with the highest colony count. On the other hand, colony counts were variable and had no prognostic value in cases of neutropenia secondary to a bone marrow abnormality in maturation or mutiplication, either acquired or congenital, as revealed by turnover studies and autoradiographic data.


HPLC determination of daunorubicin and daunorubicinol in human plasma. A high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the quantitative simultaneous measurement of daunorubicin and its active metabolite, daunorubicinol, at low concentrations in human plasma was described. The advantages of this method were specificity, sensitivity, minimal pre-analysis work-up and small sample size. The method was sensitive for plasma levels of daunorubicin and daunorubicinol as low as 10 ng/ml. Preliminary dosages on plasma from leukemic patients treated with a 4 hr infusion of 75 mg/m2 daunorubicin either as free drug or complexed with DNA were reported. The results suggested a slower disposition of the daunorubicin-DNA complex.


Contribution of the study of anemia in vitamin D deficiency rickets. I. Study of red blood cell survival. The red blood cell T50 51Cr was determined in 14 infants with deficiency rickets unaccompanied by a myeloproliferative syndrome. There is a relationship between the values of T50 51Cr and the age of the patients, constant low values having been found in children under 14 months. This suggests hemolysis in the youngest rachitic children.


Dose-time pattern of the hypercalcemic response to calcium infusion in the dog. Forty-five tests were performed to study blood total [Ca] response to a 2-hours IV calcium gluconate infusion, in five conscious dogs. Calcium doses were : 2.45 ; 4.50;6.19 and 9.00 mumole kg--u min-1 ; saline was used as control. Blood samples were collected every 20 minutes and calcaemia determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry at 422.7 nm. No plateau was reached except with lowest dose. At each Ca dose, successive calcaemia levels can be fitted by a straight line and the regression calculated. With studied doses, calculated slopes were : 3.6 ; 8.3 ; 11.8 and 19.1 mumole l--1 min--1 respectively ; these slopes were found to be significantly different from each other. A linear dose-response relationship was calculated between blood [Ca] increase rate and Ca dose : Y = --3.01 + 2.44 X (mumole l--1 min-1 increase rate per mumole kg--1 min-1 Ca dose). Correspondence analysis emphazises the influence of zero time calcaemia.


Glucosyl transferase activity and diabetic microangiopathy. Thickening of the basement membrane and deposition of collagen-like substances in vascular lesions are well-known findings in diabetes mellitus, suggesting altered metabolism of glycoproteins. Glomerular glucosyltransferase activity were measured in normal and diabetic rats. Enzymic activity in diabetic animals did not differ from control. Another mechanism must be involved in the thickening of the B.M., such as increased production of hydroxylysine-rich peptides or decreased breakdown of B.M. materials.


EEG and extracelluar K+ in rat brain during pentylenetetrazol seizures and during respiratory arrest. The relationship between changes in EEG and the extracellular potassium concentration (K+e) in brain cortex was studied in rats during petylenetetrazol seizures and during respiratory arrest. During seizures an increase of K+e occurred subsequent to the electrical discharges, while during postictal depression of EEG normal levels of K+e were measured. During respiratory arrest K+e rose considerably one minute after flattering of EEG. These findings are against a concept of K+e determining the changes of the EEG pattern. It is hypothetized that during seizures the increased K+e may play an important role in the coupling of neuronal activity to cerebral blood flow and metabolism.


Reduction in severity of acute renal failure (ARF) in rats by dopamine. Dopamine was administered to rats at the time of initiation of anoxic acute renal failure. Dopamine partially reduced the severity of ARF as evidenced by a reduction in blood urea, serum creatinine as well as an increase in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). (UNaV) in dopamine treated ARF was similar to sham operated animals and both were significantly lower than control ARF.


Intrathecal Rubella and RNA antibody synthesis in multiple sclerosis and progressive rubella panencephalitis. The assay of serum and CSF rubella and RNA antibodies in 3 patients (2 multiple sclerosis and 1 progressive rubella panencephalitis) shows their predominant local (intrathecal) syntheses. This correlation suggests that RNA antibodies may be directed against the viral genome itself.


Liver tissue lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in patients with liver disease. Lecithin: Cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was measured in serum and liver tissue from patients with parenchymal liver disease. Serum LCAT activity was within normal limits and it was probably related to the absence of clinical and laboratory evidence of a decompensated liver function. Liver tissue LCAT activity is about tenfold lower than that in serum. The relative proportion of cholesterol esters in liver tissue was much higher that could be expected according the low tissue LCAT activity. This findings suggest that LCAT is a "plasma specific" enzyme and that cholesterol esters in parenchyma may be considered as a storage form of cholesterol esterified in plasma pool.


Specific thrombopoietic inhibition by syngeneic platelet homogenates. Injections of 1 to 2.5 X 10(8) syngeneic, uninjured platelets did not diminish the circulating platelet count nor the bone marrow megakaryocyte content in mice, and did not influence the incorporation of 75selenomethionine into circulating platelets. However, platelet homogenates, prepared by repeated freezing and thawing of identical amounts of syngeneic paltelets induced a dose-dependent thrombocytopenia along with a diminution on bone marrow megakaryocyte content, and a decrease in 75 selenomethionine incorporation. Other circulating blood cell counts were not diminished after platelet homogenates, and three intravenous doses of homogenates prepared from 0.7 to 1 X 10(5) syngeneic buffy coat cells failed to influence circulating platelet count or 75 selenomethionine incorporation.


Inhibitory action of human serum on the isoprenaline-induced chronotropic effect in cultured rat heart cells. Influence of sex and pregnancy. Cultures of beating rat myocardial cells brought into contact with various human sera during 24 hours were infused with isoprenaline. The isoprenaline-induced positive chronotropic effect (IIPCE) was not found with all sera. IIPCE was present in all the male sera, but was absent in the cases of clinically beta-blocked pindolol treated men. IIPCE was present only in about 50% of the female sera, menopaused or not. IIPCE was absent in 95% of the sera of pregnant women in the late phase of pregnancy. This suggests the presence in female sera, especially during pregnancy, of a circulating factor capable of "in vitro" inhibition of isoprenaline-induced positive chronotropic effect.


Experimental hepatic encephalopathy. Changes of the level of wakefulness in the rat with portacaval shunt. The level of wakefulness in rats with portacaval shunt has been evaluated by measurement of the reactivity of the reticulocortical system by electric stimulation of the brain stem reticular formation during slow wave sleep. The voltage level of stimulus necessary to provoke cortical awakening is significantly decreased after portacaval shunt. This modification of the level of wakefulness is in accordance with the diminution of total sleep and the decrease in threshold of reaction to painful stimuli observed in rats after portacaval shunt. The measurement of the reactivity of the reticulocortical system is a simple procedure which permits quantification of post-shunt encephalopathy in the rat.


Suppression of the exocrine function as an aid to of segmental pancreatic transplantation in dogs. The injection of neoprene into the pancreatic ducts appeared to be a simple and effective means of suppression of the pancreatic exocrine function in dogs. It was investigated in experiments performed in three groups of dogs the pancreas of which were injected with 1 to 6 ml of neoprene. In group I (injection alone), all animals  showed pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, none was diabetic. In group II, the dogs received a substitutive treatment and a special diet, they survived in a good general condition up to the time of sacrifice. There was extensive pancreatic fibrosis with disseminated Langerhans islets. In group III, a cephalic pancreatectomy was performed after the injection of neoprene into the pancreatic ducts, 8 animals were alive and well after 3 to 15 months, and showed a normal level of blood sugar, insulin, glucagon and amylase without glycosuria.


Effect of torso geometry on the magnetocardiogram. Calculations of the effect of torso geometry on the extracorporeal magnetic field produced by a simple cardiac source have been carried out. Contrary to the results at present in the literature, it is found that the field solution is stable under perturbations of geometry in the sense that small relative changes in geometry produce comparably small changes in the magnetic field. Thus, simplified torso models may have a wider range of validity and usefulness than was previously thought.


A mechanism for the entrapment of DNA at an air-water interface. Addition of the intercalating dye quinacrine to a low ionic strength solution of DNA in quantities sufficient to saturate the high affinity sites in the DNA will result in the accumulation of the DNA at the solution interface. This entrapment of DNA at the air-water interface has been assayed by the adsorption of DNA to untreated carbon-coated electron microscope grids touched to the solution surface. Other intercalating dyes can also bring about this entrapment, if they possess a side arm large enough to occupy one of the DNA grooves when the dye is intercalated into the DNA. The extension and unwinding of the DNA helix brought about by the intercalating chromophore of the dye molecules are not requirements for the entrapment process. Spermidine, a simple polyamine that will bind to the DNA minor groove but that has no intercalating chromophore, was found to bring about this entrapment. Even simple mono- and divalent cations in the absence of the above ligands were found to promote a low level of surface entrapment. A model for the entrapment of DNA at the air-water interface is proposed in which one (or both) of the hydrophobic grooves of the DNA becomes a surface-active agent as a consequence of the association of various ligands and charge neutralization.


Turbulent flow of red cells in dilute suspensions. Effect on kinetics of O2 uptake. The turbulent flow properties of dilute (0.06% by volume) suspensions of human red blood cells in 4-mm-bore glass tubing were estimated by laser anemometry. The flow properties of the dilute red cell suspension were similar to those of a dilute suspension of polystyrene spheres (0.5 micron diameter) in isotonic NaCl solution. Flow was found to be laminar when the Reynolds number was below 2,000, transitional in the range of Reynolds numbers from 2,000 to 3,000, and fully turbulent above Reynolds number 3,000. These results differ from previous studies of more concentrated red cell suspensions. The length scales of the turbulence were also estimated: at a Reynolds number near 4,000 the macroscale is about 1.25 mm, the Taylor microscale is about 0.85 mm, and the Kolmogoroff scale is near 0.075 mm. The results are discussed in relation to previous measurements of the rate of oxygen uptake by dilute red cell suspensions in the flow-type rapid reaction apparatus. Our results suggest that under the conditions of most of these oxygen uptake measurements, the turbulent flow is characterized by eddies about 1 mm across, mixing with each other on a time scale of about 45 ms. Since most of the reported oxygen uptake measurements involve a similar time scale, it is possible that an effective "unstirred layer" influenced the reported rate of oxygen uptake.


Photo-induced charge transfer. A critical test of the mechanism and range of biological electron transfer processes. The vibronic coupling theory of electron tunneling between biomolecules requires that all such tunnelings involve vibronic coupling, finds temperature dependence to tunneling at finite temperatures, and predicts relatively short tunneling distances. This theory might be expected to apply to most electron transfers involved in the membrane-bound electron transfer reactions of photosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation. This paper calculates the properties of a weak charge-transfer optical absorption band, whose predicted characteristics are a direct and simple consequence of the model that describes vibronically coupled tunneling. The new absorption band provides the basis for a critical experimental test of the constructs and parameters of the tunneling theory. If the tunneling theory is valid, the oscillator strength of such bands will be the most reliable measure of the tunneling matrix element and of the distance between the sites exchanging an electron.


Permeability, phase-boundary potential and conductance in a cholinergic channel without constant field. A potassium-selective, chemically excitable channel, whose characteristics cannot be accurately described by constant-field theory, is studied by a new approach based on diffusion theory but with no need for the classical assumptions of constant field, homogeneous membrane, and equal phase-boundary potentials at both interfaces. Permeability is defined, free of these constraints, and the Goldman coefficient is demonstrated to be a special case useful only when the constraints apply. Permeability can be evaluated directly from current-voltage data, and it is found not to be a parameter in this channel, but rather a function of both the voltage and the concentration of the permeant ion. However, it becomes concentration-independent when the membrane voltage is equal to the sum of the phase-boundary potentials. That sum can therefore be determined from these data, and it is -65 mV in this channel. The permeability at that potential is a channel parameter, and equal to 8.66 X 10(-6) cm/s for this channel. A constant field is shown not to exist in this channel and the Goldman coefficient not to be a parameter but a function of potential and concentration. Although errors introduced into this coefficient by nonconstant field and unequal surface potentials partially cancel each other, the coefficient is nevertheless not a correct measure of permeability.


Factors restricting diffusion of water-soluble spin labels. Line broadening of spin label signals is treated in terms of concentration, viscosity, charge and temperature dependencies. Line broadening of spin label signals may be caused either by spin label interactions or by the interaction between a spin label and a second paramagnetic species. Line broadening has been related to collision frequency in the literature and is treated in that way here. Collision frequency is related to diffusion processes in a way that allows information to be obtained about the diffusion environment. Several potential spin label line-broadening agents are compared as to their effectiveness. Small polymer beads with graduated pore sizes are used to show that collisional broadening has a marked dependence on the long-range structure of the diffusion environment. Application of these results to biological diffusion processes is considered.


Phase-locked responses in the Limulus lateral eye. Theoretical and experimental investigation. The 1:1 phase locking of the neural discharge to sinusoidally modulated stimuli was investigated both theoretically and experimentally. On the theoretical side, a neural encoder model, the self-inhibited leaky integrator, was considered, and the phase of the locked impulse was computed for each frequency in the locking range by imposing the condition that the "leaky integral" u(t) of the driving signal should reach the threshold for the first time one stimulus period after the preceding impulse. As u(t) can be a nonmonotonic function, this approach leads to results that sometimes differ from those reported in the literature. It turns out that the phase excursion is often much smaller than the values of about 180 degrees predicted from previous analysis. Moreover, our analysis shows a peculiar effect; the phase locking frequency range narrows when the input modulation depth increases. The theoretical predictions are then compared with phase-locked discharge patterns recorded from visual cells of the Limulus lateral eye, stimulated by sinusoidally modulated light or depolarizing current. The phases of the locked spikes at each of a number of modulation frequencies have been measured. The predictions offered by the model fit the experimental data, although there are some difficulties in determining the effective driving signal.


A model for the variability of interspike intervals during sustained firing of a retinal neuron. The statistics of the variability of interspike intervals of ganglion cells in the retina of goldfish are modeled by assuming the noise in an integrate-and-fire mechanism is proportional to the reciprocal of a normally distributed variable. This model meets the constraint that the coefficient of variation of the interspike. This does not change when the mean firing rate of the neuron changes. Alternative sources of variability of interspike intervals are discussed.


The iron-sulfur environment in rubredoxin. The atomic environment around the iron site in the nonheme iron sulfur protein rubredoxin was studied by the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) technique. Within experimental error, the Fe-S bonds in oxidized Clostridium pasteurianum rubredoxin are the same as in the analogue anion [Fe(S2-o-xyl)2]-synthesized by Holm. The average Fe-S bond length is 2.267 +/- 0.003A and the root mean square deviation about this average due to structural disorder is 0.032 + 0.013 - 0.032.


Determination by photon correlation spectroscopy of particle size distributions in lipid vesicle suspensions. A method of determining particle size distributions in lipid vesicle preparations is outlined. A vesicle suspension is modeled as a polydisperse mixture of spherical shells. The distribution of particle sizes in this mixture is approximated by a continuous, piecewise linear function called a first-order spline. Excellent simultaneous fits to photon correlation spectroscopy data gathered at several different angles are presented. An error analysis is included to indicate the resolution of the method.


Transient polarization currents in the squid giant axon. It has been repeatedly noted that the change of conformation of the molecules that serve as the ion-selective channels for sodium and potassium conductance in the nerve membrane will be accompanied by a change in the dipole moment of the molecule. This time-dependent change of dipole moment will produce transient currents in the membrane. The canonical form for these currents is determined with conventional statistical mechanics formalism. It is pointed out that the voltage dependence of the conductance channel conductance determines the free energy of the system to within a factor that is an unknown function of the voltage. Since the dipole currents do not depend on this unknown function, they are completely determined 0y the observed properties of the conductance system. The predicted properties of these dipole currents, their time constants and strengths, are calculated. By using the observed properties of gating currents, the density of the sodium channels is computed. The predicted properties of the dipole currents are found to compare satisfactorily with the observed properties of gating currents.


Effects of bleaching and regeneration on the purple membrane structure of Halobaterium halobium. Sequential bleaching in the presence of hydroxylamine and subsequent regeneration of the purple membrane of Halobacterium halobium was studied by concomitant monitoring of its absorption and circular dichroic spectra in order to ascertain its effects on protein interaction(s) (which may result in possible excitonic interaction between the retinal chromophores), chromophore-apoprotein interaction(s), and protein conformational stability in the membrane. It was concluded that (a) although experimental results are consistent with an exciton mechanism for the interaction between retinal pi - pi* (NV(1)) transition movements in the purple membrane, no evidence for such a mechanism for interaction between retinaloxime transition moments is apparent in the case of the bleached membrane; (b) the bacteriorhodopsin molecules organized in clusters of three in the membrane appear to bleach simultaneously; (c) the retinaloxime produced on bleaching the purple membrane in the presence of hydroxylamine is strongly optically active, because of dissymmetry-inducing and/or -selecting constraints on the chromophore by a component of the membrane (most likely the apoprotein), and when the membrane is regenerated by the addition of retinal, these constraints are lost; and (d) evidence from ultraviolet absorption and circular dichroic spectra suggests that the membrane apoprotein undergoes appreciable conformational changes involving tertiary structure on bleaching with no significant secondary structure involvement. These results are compared with recently reported results from this laboratory on the effects of bleaching on the bovine rod outer segment disk membrane structure.


In situ observation of dense-body release from hydrated human platelets. Human-platelet dense bodies (secretory granules) have been visualized by electron microscopy in cells maintained in a hydrated state, and their sequential release after stimulation by thrombin has been observed in situ. The pattern of dense body release from individual platelets suggests that a a portion of the dense body complement of a single cell can be extruded without appreciable change in the position of the remaining dense bodies.


Carbon-13 and proton magnetic resonance of mouse muscle. It is shown that roughly 4 mmol carbon atoms/g mouse muscle can give rise to a "high resolution" 13C NMR spectrum. From the 13C spectrum, it is estimated that the protons from mobile organic molecules or molecular segments amount to 6-8%of total nonrigid protons (organic plus water) in muscle. Their spin-spin relaxation times (T2) are of the order of 0.4-2 ms. At 37 degrees C, the proton spin-echo decay of mouse muscle changes rapidly with time after death, while that of mouse brain does not.


Visual chromophore electronic structure. The implications that recent work on the electronic structure of polyenes have for the low lying electronic states of retinal reviewed and a very simple model for the diffusenesss of the absorption spectra of visual chromophores is presented.


Transient light-induced conformational changes in rhodopsin. Arguments are presented which support the possibility that the unfolding of the rhodopsin molecule during photolysis up to the stage of metarhodopsin II is followed by a spontaneous refolding  of the protein, once the isomerized retinaldehyde has left its original binding site. Such a transient conformational change might imply a very similar conformation for rhodopsin and opsin, apart from the presence of the chromophore.


Some considerations on the ion transport properties of the rod disc membrane. The ion transport properties of the disc membranes in rod outer segments are discussed on the basis of available data. The properties of an air-water interface film of spectroscopically intact and chemically regenerable rhodopsin are presented, and results of studies of ion binding to these films are reported.


Closure of ionic channels in turtle cones. Recent observations from turtle cones on the kinetics of the light response and the variance and power spectrum of spontaneous noise are discussed in terms of the behaviour of membrane ionic channels.


On the mechanism of conductance control of the arthropod visual cell membrane. It is assumed that "dark channels" determine a permanent dark conductance of the arthropod visual cell membrane. The light stimulus causes a transient opening of "light channels". The ion selectivity of dark channels and light channels is roughly described. Factors influencing the activation of light channels, as membrane energy metabolism, membrane potential and adjusted calcium ion concentration are specified. The mechanism of the action of calcium ions on the conductance of the visual cell membrane is discussed.


Visual adaptation.

Visual adaptation. 1) The eye may be regarded as an automatic camera that keeps the average sensitivity near the middle of the working range. 2) Nerve signals are contrast-coded, and hence are not changed by changes in general illumination. 3) Rod thresholds can be raised three-fold by a background from which only 1% of the rods have caught one quantum. 4) Adaptation is of two kinds a) to backgrounds (the Weber-Fechner relation) and b) to bleachings which is entirely different. 5) After bleaching the threshold is raised as though a bright background were present. The positive after-image following bleaching has quantitatively the properties of that bright background. 6) The visual incapacity after bleaching seems a pointless visual disaster.


Dark adaptaion processes in the amphibian rod. Rod dark adaptation in the amphibian retina appears to be due to three processes: 1. background adaptation, occurring immediately after the extinction of an adapting or bleaching light, 2. intermediate adaptation, that frequently lasts 30 min or more and 3. opsin adaptation, which in the isolated retina where regeneration of rhodopsin is insignificant, is observed a a permanent loss of sensitivity after the completion of intermediate adaptation. Intermediate adaptation is characterized by a linear relation between log threshold and the amount of "retinal" present, a similar relation is obtained between log threshold and the amount of rhodopsin bleached in opsin adaptation. These adaptation processes are discussed in terms of a model of the rod outer segment.


Photostable pigments within the membrane of photoreceptors and their possible role. In the majority of ommatidia of the fly, the membrane of the central rhabdomere contains--besides the rhodopsin--a photostable pigment. Due to its selective absorption in the blue spectral range, this pigment (possibly a carotene) could modify the spectral senstivity of the central receptor cells. It furthermore may change the fluidity of the microvillus membrane and hence affect the alignment of rhodopsin molecules. Indirect evidence for a possible role of the photostable pigment as an "antenna" -pigment for rhodopsin is discussed.


Retinal damage by light: possible implication of singlet oxygen. A new hypothesis is proposed in an attempt to explain the mechanism of the irreversible damage which can be induced in the retina by visible light. Upon illumination, retinal generates singlet oxygen and this reactive species can produce lipid peroxidation which in turn may induce membrane instability.


Isoelectric focusing of phosphorylated cattle rhodopsin. 32P-rhodopsin was partially separated by isoelectric focusing into several fractions of different phosphorylation extent. It was found that the incorporated phosphate is not uniformly distributed in a population of rhodopsin molecules. In a preparation with an average phosphorylation extent of 2.4 moles of phosphate per mole of rhodopsin, most of the 32P-phosphate was found in fractions where 4-5 phosphates are bound per rhodopsin, whereas a large fraction of the total rhodopsin was not phosphorylated at all. The maximum number os phosphate binding sites in rhodopsin appears to be at least five.


Primary photophysical and photochemical processes in visual excitation. The color of visual pigments is experimentally shown to be controlled by excited state effects. These effects which define the primary absorption of light by rhodopsin are considered together with results obtained from emission and picosecond spectroscopy. In addition, the molecular changes induced in rhodopsin when a photon is absorbed are analyzed using resonance Raman spectroscopy. The molecular changes observed are compared in bacterial and photoreceptor rhodopsins. This comparison yields a unique explanation for the biological role of the cis-trans isomerization in visual transduction.


The electron impact induced fragmentation of Aspergillus amstelodami alkaloids and derivatives. The mass spectral data of four isoprenylated indole alkaloids containing a piperazinedione group, neoechinuline, cryptoechinuline C, and A and echinuline, isolated from Aspergillus amstelodami cultures, and of two derivatives obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of neoechinuline and echinuline, are reported and discussed. Their fragmentation patterns are strongly dependent upon the presence of a single or a double bond betueen C-8 and C-9.


Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis of polyamines using deuterated analogs as internal standards. Quantitative analyses of subnanomole quantities of the polyamines putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine and spermine by the gas chromatography mass spectrometry technique of selected ion monitoring are complicated by effects of the chromatographic column. These effects include sample retention by the column and chromatographic band broadening, and are sufficiently serious that spermine (as the trifluoroacetylated derivative) was not detectable at levels below 50 picomoles. Because the chromatographic behaviors of the four polyamines vary, quantiative analysis using a single internal standard is not feasible. The deuterated polyamine analogs, putrescine-2H4, cadaverine-2H4, spermidine-2H6 and spermine-2H8, have been synthesized and used to accomplish quantiative analyses of the corresponding isotopically natural abundance polyamines to the one picomole level. This enhancement in analytical sensitivity is accomplished by use of large excesses (greater than or equal to 100 picomoles) of the deuterated analogs to improve chromatographic band profiles. The use of such large molar excesses of deuterated analogs for selected ion monitoring analyses is possible because their electron impact spectra exhibit high mass ions ([M-F3C]+, [M-F3CCO]+) which possess greater than or equal to 4 deuterium atoms and have intensity ratios (I2H(max):IH) of 500 or greater.


Sample derivatization and structure analysis by field desorption mass spectrometry. Peptide methylation-methanolysis. Analysis by field desorption mass spectrometry of reaction product mixtures produced by treatment of peptides with methanol and hydrogen chloride augments significantly structural data derived by direct field desorption mass spectrometry analysis of the peptides. Analyses of data obtained by three peptides, beta-Ala-HisOH, p-Glu-Ser-GlyOH and Glu-Ser-Gly-AspOH are used for illustration. Data from field desorption mass spectrometry of peptide methylation-methanolysis product mixtures are used to (a) distinguish [M]+- from [M + H]+ in peptide field desorption mass spectrometry spectra, (b) ascertain the number of carboxyl groups present in a peptide, (c) identify a pyro-glutamyl N-terminus and (d) derive peptide sequence information. Definitive assignments of ion relationships are facilitated by use of methanol and deuteromethanol in paired experiments.


Location of functional groups in antipyrine metabolites by mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of antipyrine metabolites show characteristic fragmentation patterns which depend on the presence and position of functional groups. A substituent at position 4 is indicated by an intense key fragment at m/e 56 and a substituent at the methyl group in position 3 causes a significant increase in the intensity of the peak at m/e 82. The fragment at m/e 96, which is characteristic for antipyrine itself, is suppressed if there is a substituent in either position 3 or 4. Mass spectra of the glucuronides of 4-hydroxyantipyrine and 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine are also discussed.


Peptide sequencing: the utility of chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Chemical ionization mass spectrometry is used at low resolution to determine the sequences of permethylated acetyl peptides. The method has been tested with 45 peptides, between 2 and 5 residues long, including examples of all of the common amino acids except cysteine and N-terminal asparagine. The isobutane chemical ionization spectra contain three principal types of N-terminal sequence ion and one type of C-terminal sequence ion. The redundant information available from these four types of sequence ion increase the reliability of the sequence determination. In prospect, isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry seems to be a useful technique for peptide sequence determination, and may have advantages in some cases.


High performance liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric identification of dimethylxanthine metabolites of caffeine in human plasma. High performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry were used to isolate and identify theophylline, theobromine and 1,7-dimethylxanthine (paraxanthine) in plasma of human volunteers following administration of 300 mg caffeine to methylxanthine-free volunteers. Plasma from these subjects was extracted and the dimethylxanthines were separated from each other and caffeine by high performance liquid chromatography. The effluents at the chromatographic peaks corresponding to the dimethylxanthine metabolites were collected, rechromatographed in a second system and the dried residues were subjected to mass spectrometry. By comparison of their retention times and mass spectra with those of authentic compounds, theophylline, theobromine and paraxanthine were positively identified as metabolic products of caffeine.


Rapid and quantitative blood amino acid analysis by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. A quantitative analysis of amino acids in microsamples of dried blood spots by chemical ionization mass spectrometry has been developed. Isotope ratio determination was used as the quantitating technique via multiple labelled internal standards. This procedure yields excellent precision and accuracy as demonstrated by the analysis of known amino acid mixtures and of phenylalanine in the blood from newborns.


Source identification of urban airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by gas chromatographic mass spectrometry and high resolution mass spectrometry. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formed during the combustion of three common fuels (coal, wood and kerosene) were separated and identified by capillary-column gas chromatographic mass spectrometry and were compared to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from Indianapolis, a high coal consuming area, and Boston, a low coal consuming area. High resolution mass spectral data were utilized in the construction of alkyl homolog plots for the comparison of alkyl distribution within each sample.


Limitations of diazomethane for the quantification of 15-oxo-prostaglandin F2alpha. The relatively rapid formation of pyrazoline adducts is a serious side reaction in the esterification of 15-oxo-PGF2alpha with ethereal diazomethane under conditions used routinely in the chemical derivatization of prostaglandins.


Synthesis and characterization of glucuronides of Cannabinol, cannabidiol, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol. Partially purified glucuronyltransferase immobilized on beaded sepharose has been used to synthesize the glucuronide conjugates of cannabinol, cannabidol, delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol and delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol. Trimethylsilylated methyl esters and per(trimethylsilyl) derivatives of these conjugates have been characterized by their gas chromatographic retention times and their electron impact and ammonia chemical ionization mass spectra.


Emulsifying and surface active agents from Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus. A Corynebacterium hydrocarboclastus culture isolated in our laboratory (see, Zajic and Knettig, Developments in Industrial Microbiology, 1971, p. 87) has been shown to produce an extracellular biopolymer with emulsifying properties when grown on a mixture of linear hydrocarbons. This microorganism was found to grow well on a variety of carbohydrates and hydrocarbons. However, the best substrates were pure linear hydrocarbons and particularly, n-C12, n-C13, and n-C14. The substrates supporting good growth gave good polymer production. Maximum cell mass of 10-11 g/liter and a maximum amount of polymer of 5-6 g/liter were recorded. The polymers recovered from the different substrates were found to be complex molecules or mixtures with a protein, a lipid, and a carbohydrate moiety. All the polymers are surface active and have two critical micelle concentrations.


Differential speed two roll mill pretreatment of cellulosic materials for enzymatic hydrolysis. Differential speed two roll milling is an effective pretreatment for increasing the susceptibility of cellulose to enzymatic hydrolysis. Using mills with three, six, and ten in. diam rolls and processing times of 10 min or less results in the following percent increases in susceptibility over untreated controls: cotton, 1100; maple chips, 1600; white pine chips, 600; newspaper, 125. In comparison, ball milling of newspaper for 24 hr gives only a 62% increase. A further advantage of the roll mill is the increased wet density of the product permitting higher slurry concentrations during hydrolysis. Important parameters of mill effectiveness are roll clearance and processing time


Hydrocarbon uptake in hydrocarbon fermentations. Candida lipolytica (strain ATCC 8662) was grown on a simple defined medium with n-hexadecane as the main carbon source under batch fementation conditions. The relative importance of the cells growing in the aqueous phase on the overall kinetics was studied. The effect of interfacial tension, unoccupied interfacial area, and pseudosolubility on the specific growth was also studied. Results are presented and discussed here.


A distinct skeletal dysplasia in an infant from consanguineous parents. An infant with a distinct set of skeletal anomalies was studied. The patient's main phenotypic features were short-limb dwarfism, craniofacial disproportion with prominent forehead, short neck and trunk with pectus carinatum, and platyspondyly, protuberant abdomen, acromesomelic shortness of limbs, bilateral palm simian crease, short feet with brachydactyly of the 2nd toe, and prominent heels. Differential diagnosis suggests that the case described had a previously unrecognized skeletal dysplasia. The fact that the parents were first cousins suggests a genetic, probably autosomal recessive etiology.


Familial gingival fibromatosis associated with progressive deafness in five generations of a family. Gingival hyperplasia may be inherited in a variety of ways, usually in an autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive manner. Additional phenotypic abnormalities are frequently associated with the gingival hyperplasia. To our knowledge, the family described here represents the first instance of autosomal dominantly inherited gingival hyperplasia associated with progressive neural hearing loss.


Syndrome of mental retardation, cleft palate, eventration of diaphragm, congenital heart defect, glaucoma, growth failure and craniosynostosis. A patient is reported with a syndrome of mental retardation, congenital microcephaly, cleft palate, congenital heart defect, eventration of the diaphragm, optic atrophy, and glaucoma. Her facies was Crouzon-like and craniosynostosis, although not present at 10 months, was demonstrated postmortem at 29 months. It is suggested that she is an example of a true multiple congenital anomaly-mental retardation syndrome rather than an example of Crouzon syndrome with additional anomalies.


Syndrome of myopathy, short stature, seizures, retinitis pigmentosa, and cleft lip. A five-year-old boy is presented with an undifferentiated myopathy, retinitis pigmentosa, incomplete cleft lip, short stature (less than third percentile), mild delay in development, and seizures. To date, no etiology or pathogenetic mechanism has been discovered to account for these, and no similar cases have been encountered in the literature.


The WT syndrome--a "new" autosomal dominant pleiotropic trait of radial/ulnar hypoplasia with high risk of bone marrow failure and/or leukemia. We report 2 families with an autosomal dominant syndrome of limb and hematologic abnormalities. The W Family was ascertained through AW, a 13-year-old girl, who was purportedly born without congenital anomalies and who was normal until 11 1/2 years when she developed acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She died 2 years later with CNS involvement. Her chromosomes, studied in the first weeks after diagnosis of the disease, were apparently normal. Her father had clinodactyly of both 5th fingers and was found to have panmyelocytopenia refractory to all treatment at 26 years. He died within a year of the onset of his anemia. This man's oldest brother was born with congenital malformations of the elbows and the hands and was healthy until 38 years when he was also found to have an "idopathic anemia" and panmyelocytopenia which was refractory to treatment except for transfusions; he died at age 42 years. Both men were initially thought to have the Fanconi anemia syndrome. Their mother died at 71 years of leukemia. DT, the propositus of the second family, was noted to have malformations of both hands at birth. At 21 months he had anemia for which he received transfusions. Family history reveals that several people on the paternal side have severe hand anomalies and a history of childhood anemia. The paternal grandfather died at age 51 of acute monocytic leukemia. Barring genetic heterogeneity, we think that the trait in the W and T families in the same. It is a pleiotropic autosomal dominant mutant which affects radial and ulnar development of the upper limbs and is associated with a relatively high risk of transient or permanent bone marrow arrest with or without leukemia. We propose the hypothesis that apparently increased risk of leukemia to Fanconi heterozygotes actually represents admixture with the WT syndrome and that Fanconi heterozygotes may not have an increased risk of leukemia.