[Isolation of messenger RNA for rabbit globin].

Methods are described of isolation of individual globin messenger RNA from rabbit reticulocytes using zonal centrifugation in sucrose density gradient and specific sorption of polyribosome RNAs on poly U-cellulose column. The addition of globin RNA into cell-free system from Krebs-2 ascites mouse cells resulted in the globin synthesis.


[Destiny of 5-methylcystosine of newly synthesized DNA fraction in bone marrow cells].

Methylation kinetics of newly formed DNA in bone marrow cell culture of animals and healthy humans was studied in order to investigate the role of DNA methylation in proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. Synthesis of a DNA fraction with extremely high cytosine methylation level was observed under the incubation of cells with 14C-orotic acid for 0.5-1 hour. Long-term incubation (3 and more hours) with 14C-orotic acid resulted in a rapid decrease of 5-methylcytosine radioactivity and in an increase of thymine radioactivity. Elimination of 14C-orotate from the medium and inhibition of DNA synthesis with hydroxyurea did not change kinetics of the radioactivity content in 5-methylcytosine and thymine in newly synthesized DNA. No synthesis of hypermethylated DNA fraction was observed under incubation of cells with preformed pyrimidine precursors.


[Guanidinoacetate-N-methyltransferase: location in mammalian retina and rat Harderian gland].

Homogenates of retinal external segments of rat, rabbit, beef and hen and of rat Harderian gland were found to possess a considerable activity of guanidineacetate-N-methyltransferase (GAMT, E.C. 2.1.1.2), comparable with the enzyme activity in liver, pancreas and testis. Permanent UV-illumination of rats (from 1 day to 1 week) resulted in the decrease of GAMT activity in retina and especially in Harderian gland. Caffeine (10(-4) M) and papaverine (10(-7) M) activated GAMT in retina and rat Harderian gland, while cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor (0.5-2 mkg/ml), eliminated caffeine-stimulated GAMT activity. Histamine (0.3 mkg/ml) inhibited GAMT activity both in retina and Harderian gland. A decrease of GAMT activity in retina, liver and testis of rat and an increase of the enzyme activity in rat pancreas and Harderian gland were observed in the presence of Mg2+ (5 mM). Physiological importance of GAMT and creatine in mammalian retina and rat Harderian gland is discussed.


[Study of oxygen photoreduction in chloroplasts by the method of luminol and chlorophyll chemiluminescence].

The reduction of oxygen by irradiated chloroplasts was studied for elucidation of oxygen action site in the electron transport chain of photosynthesis. Chemiluminescence system, consisted of luminol and peroxidase, was used for registration of oxygen reduction products. In the first case chemiluminescence system was added to supernatant fraction after centrifugation of suspension of irradiated chloroplasts in order to determine H2O2 which was found to be the final product of oxygen photoreduction. In the second case when chloroplasts were illuminated in the presence of chemiluminescence system and oxygen the fact delayed luminescence of luminol was observed. This photoluminescence related also with the oxygen reduction in chloroplasts caused a possible formation of radicals HO2 (or -O2). The formation of this radicals and H2O2 was inhibited by DCMU, heating of chloroplasts at 45 degrees C for 5 min and by washing with EDTA and NH2OH. The rate of HO2 dissappearance was increased by methylviologen. The kinetics of photoluminescence of luminol and afterglow of chlorophyll in chloroplasts was identical in the interval from 20 msec to several seconds. It is suggested that oxygen reaction site is located near the reaction centre of chloroplasts.


[Fluorinated analogues of tryptophan showing substrate and inhibitor activity in the ATP-32ppi exchange reaction catalysed by tryptophanyl tRNA synthetase].

L-6-Flurotryptophan and D,L-5-fluorotryptophan stimulate ATP-32PPi exchange reaction catalysed by tryptophanyl tRNA synthetase from beef pancreas. Exchange reactions proceeding in the presence of these analogues of the substrate amino acid show distinct values of maximum rate and similar Km values. D,L-5,7-Difluorotryptophan and D,L-4,5,6,7-tetrafluorotryptophan competetively inhibit the exchange reaction stimulated by L-tryptophan. Introduction of a single fluorine atom into the tryptophan indole ring results in a decrease of the affinity for the enzyme by one order. The affinity of difluorotryptophan is two orders less than that of L-tryptophan. D,L-5,7-Difluorotryptophan has been synthesized by cyclization of acetamide dicarboetoxy butyric aldehyde upon boiling in 8% H2SO4 solution. Optically pure L-6-fluorotryptophan was isolated from the racemic mixture by using oxidase of D-amino acids.


[Nature of active sites during complex formation of DNA and Pt (II) compounds].

Quantitative estimation of the binding of Pt (II) with DNA and its derivatives is carried out and the selectivity of this reaction is studied. Absorption spectra and binding curves of Pt (II) with GC- and AT-enriched DNA fractions, apurinic and apyrimidinic acids, poly A and deoxyribonucleotides are studied. The strongest Pt (II) binding was observed in cytosine-containing nucleic acid components. The reduction of Pt (II) to Pt (O) took place only in the presence of cytosine. Adenine component was found to form 1 : 1 complex with chloroplatinit. A model of Pt (II) : DNA complex is proposed, in which a metal ion is bound with cytosine cycle through N3 atom. A complex is formed due to a high electron-acceptor capacity of cytosine cycle, the charge being transferred between platinum and DNA base. Thus, complex-bound platinum is capable of oxidating platinum ions in the solution.


[Ribonucleases of rat liver nuclear membranes].

A comparative study of ribonuclease activity of isolated rat liver nuclei, nuclear membranes with buoyant density rho 1,19 and rho 1,22 and pH 8 nuclear membrane extract showed high nuclear membranes activity with different affinity to RNA and synthetic polyribonucleotides. Chromatographic analysis of poly-U degradation products demonstrates that the nuclear membrane extract contains at least two ribonucleases: a 3'-endonuclease and a 5'-endonuclease.


[Isolation and some properties of mitochondria from yeast Candida lipolytica 695].

Mitochondria is obtained from yeast Candida lipolytica 695 grown in the presence of glucose, lactate or citrate. Yeast mitochondria were shown to be practically indistinguishable from animal tissue mitochondria in [ADP]/[O] values and in their sensitivity to electron transport inhibitors, to inhibitors and uncoupling agents of oxidative phosphorylation. The only exception was more low value of the respiration control under succinate oxidation. Mitochondria from yeast, grown in the presence of lactate or citrate were capable of the reduction of endogenous pyridine nucleotides under succinate oxidation for the expense of the reverse electron transport. No reverse electron transport from succinate to NAD(P) was observed in mitochondria from yeast grown in the presence of glucose, but it was found under oxidation of alpha-glycerophosphate. All three types of yeast mitochondria were not capable of the reverse electron transport coupled with the pyridine nucleotides reduction under lactate oxidation.


[The nature of differences in amidase and esterase activities of some acyltrypsins].

Specific trypsin substrates (esters, anilides, amides, peptides) were shown to accelerate deacetylation of monoacetylated trypsin. The amidase activity of monoacetyl-, monopropyonyl-, and tetraformyl-trypsin was not manifested if the amidase activity of native enzyme was suppressed in these preparations by the ester substrates (benzoylarginine ethyl ester or p-nitrophenyl acetate). Therefore the differences in the residual amidase and esterase activities of these acylated trypsin preparations found earlier did not contradict the universality of the acylenzyme mechanism. These differences are due to the strong deacylating effect of specific substrate in its complex with the enzyme modified with nonspecific acyl residue. The latter fact is suggested to be an experimental confirmation of the "induced fit" hypothesis.


[Distribution of pyrimidine sequences of different length and base composition in bacteriophage T5 DNA].

Distribution of pyrimidine tracts of different length (isopliths) with general formula PynPn+1 in bacteriophage T5 DNA was studied. The first seven isoplith fractions were subfractionated by the chain length and the quantity of the resulting non-isomeric oligonucleotides was determined. The pattern of distribution of pyrimidine tracts of various length and base composition in bacteriophage T5 DNA is different from that previously observed in the DNAs of bacteriophages T3 and T7. The observed differences in distribution of pyrimidine nucleotides are in accordance with the other peculiarities of bacteriophage T5 genome.


[Functional groups of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase].

Functional groups of mitochondrial monoamine oxidase critical for monoamine oxidase activity were investigated by chemical modification of highly purified monoamine oxidase preparations from pig liver by specific inhibitors. The substrate and inhibitory properties of synthesized derivatives of beta-phenylethylamine, containing various acylating and alkylating groups in the p-position of the benzene ring, were studied. It was shown that 4-carbmethoxy-beta-phenylethylamine (I) is readily deaminated by monoamine oxidase, whereas 4-O-acetyl-beta-phenylethylamine (II) is not affected by the enzyme. 4-O-acetyl-beta-phenylethylamine (II) and 4-ethyl-O-chloroacethyl phenol (III) inhibit deamination of tyramine, 4-amino-beta-phenylethylamine, beta-phenylethylamine, 4-chloro-beta-phenylethylamine and serotonin in different degrees. The kinetic studies demonstrated that this inhibition is probably due to the acylating properties of the compounds obtained. Selectivity in inhibition may be accounted for by acylation of the group of monoamine oxidase which is located in the nearest proximity to the nucleophynoamine oxidase which is located in the nearest proximity to the nucleophylic site of monoamine oxidase active centre important for binding of tyramine. This group is neither the imidazole group of histidyl, nor the SH-group of cysteinyl residues of monoamine oxidase protein molecule. Its nature is discussed in the light of the data obtained.


[The effect of mRNA on the stability of the ribosome--aminoacyl-tRNA complex].

The effect of some olygo- and polynucleotides on the dissociation rate of the 14C-aminoacyl-tRNA - ribosome complex was investigated. Polyuridylic and polycytidylic acids were shown to accelerate significantly dissociation of the complex of lysyl- and phenylalanyl-tRNA with native ribosomes, but not to affect the complexes of these aminoacyl-tRNA's with 50S subunits. It is proposed that the template polynucleotides decrease the affinity of ribosomes to tRNA by association with the mRNA-binding site on 30S subunits.


[Conformation aspects of peptide interaction with proteolytic enzymes. Alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of the cyclopeptides containing leucyltyrosyl fragments].

The studies were made on the interaction of alpha-chymotrypsin with a series of cyclopeptides cyclo(-L-leucyl-L-tyrosyl-glycyln-), n=4, 6 and 8 (I, II and III respectively), and cyclo(-L-leucyl-L-tryosyl-beta-aminovalero-yl2-) (IV). Compounds I and IV are resistant to enzyme action whereas cyclopeptides II and III proved to be the substrates, their kinetic constants being Km=15.4 and 13.2 mM and kcat=0.54 and 9.53 sec-1 respectively. The binding capacity of cyclopeptides I-IV is evaluated by their competitive inhibition of alpha-chymotrypsin catalyzed hydrolysis of N-acetyl-L-tyrosine methyl ester.


[Inhibition of respiration and phosphorylation by some maleimide derivatives].

The inhibitory effect of maleimide and ten its N-substituted mono- and bifunctional derivatives was studied in isolated rat liver mitochondria. It was found that all these compounds blocked protein and non-protein SH-groups and were the potent inhibitors of the respiratory chain. In the inhibitory activity of unsubstituted maleimide its alkylating properties play the dominant role. The introduction of some substitutors in the maleimide molecule lends the properties of hydrophobic inhibitors to these derivatives. A high toxicity of all compound studied was shown in in vivo experiments.


[Metabolism of different histone fractions under induction of rat liver regeneration].

Histone metabolism in liver studied within 72-hour period of liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in 24 hours after the injection of 14C-amino acids in rats. The increase in radioactivity of f2a, f3 and f2b histones and the simultaneous decrease in f1 histone radioactivity was observed in regenerating rat liver as compared with the level of radioactivity estimated for the respective histones in ectomized liver lobes. These changes, which are characteristic for regenerating liver, were not observed after the shame operation and they did not eliminate after the injection of respective unlabelled amino acid. Possible correlation between the increase in specific radioactivity of most nuclear histones under regeneration process and a migration of pre-synthesized labelled histone molecules into nucleus, and also a transformation into histones of other nuclear proteins is discussed.


[Determination of the time of polypeptide chain synthesis in animal experiments].

A method is worked out for the estimation of the time of polypeptide chain synthesis in animals in vivo. The time of the synthesis of "middle" polypeptide was found to be 1.45 min. in mouse liver cells under normal conditions, while in the presence of translation inhibitors, cycloheximide (20 mg/kg) and aurintricarboxilic acid (1 g/mg) the time of the synthesis increased in 2.7 and 2.5 times respectively. The time of polypeptide synthesis linearly increased with the increase of aurintricarboxilic acid dose.


[Molecular weight hetergeneity of proteins of the ribosomes and ribosomal subunits from dry pea seeds].

The molecular weight distribution of the total protein of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits isolated from dry pea seeds was studied by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel, containing sodium dodecyl sulfate. It was demonstrated that overall protein of 80 S ribosomes is separated into a number of fractions with molecular weights of 10000-64000. Treatment of ribosomes with 0.5 per cent tritone, 0.5 per cent and 1 per cent deoxycholate does not change the general pattern of the molecular weight distribution of ribosomal proteins. The large subunit reveals 19 protein zones (14 major and 5 minor zones), their molecular weights are varying from 10000 to 54000. The majority of proteins of the large subunit have molecular weights of 14000--32000. The molecular weights of 17 protein zones of the small subunit (7 major and 10 minor zones) vary from 10000 to 64000. The majority of proteins of both large and small subunits have molecular weights of 14000--32000. Electrophoretic separation of proteins in the split gel confirmed the fact that the proteins of large subunit differ in molecular weights from those of the small subunit. Thus, ribosomal proteins of pea seeds are shown to produce a typical (for 80S ribosomes) pattern of molecular weight distribution under polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecul sulphate.


[Estimation of the irreversible inhibition reaction rate constants and of the concentration of cholinesterase active sites under commensurable concentrations of enzyme and inhibitors].

Kinetic analysis of the interaction of butyrylcholinesterase and the phosphoorganic inhibitor GT-161 [(C2H2O)2P(O)SC2H4+N(CH3)2C6H5-1-] is carried out. Short time incubations of an enzyme and an inhibitor (1-3 sec), even under commensurable concentrations, were shown to enable the rate constants of irreversible enzyme inhibition to be calcualted by the formula for pseudomonomoleuclar reactions. A simple analytical method for the estimation of the enzyme active sites concentrations is proposed.


[Chromatographic separation of ribonucleic acids from bacterial and animal cells on MAB columns].

Practicable and efficient method of the chromatographic separation of ribonucleic acids from animal and bacterial cells on columns with MAB-methylated albumin adsorbed on bentonite basis is developed. Distinct separation of transport and ribosomal RNAs was obtained on MAB columns. Ribosomal RNA from bacterial cells was, in its turn, separated in two fractions. Effect of pH, elution rate and temperature on the efficiency of the fractionation is studied. The method proposed is shown to have a number of advantages as compared with well-known method of RNA fractionation on MAK columns. The essence of the method described is irreversible inactivation of RNAse by AMB, which is confirmed in the series of special experiments.


[Determination of lysosome membrane stability].

Effect of different concentration of non-ionic detergents (Triton X-100, Triton X-305, BRIJ-35 and Triton WR-1339) on total and non-sedimentable activity of 8 rat liver lysosome enzymes (acid phosphatase, acid DNase, acid RNase, arylsulphatases A and B, beta-glucuronidase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase and beta-acetylglucosaminidase) was studied. Only Triton X-100 at the concentration of 0.1% (and higher) was found to release completely lysosome enzymes. Low concentrations of Triton X-100 (0.025-0.05%) were used to characterize the strength of enzyme binding: the level of releasing acid DNase, beta-galactosidase, beta-glucuronidase and acid phsophatase being considerably higher than that of other lysosome enzymes studied. On the basis of the data obtained a method is worked out, which is suitable for series studies of the stability of lysosome membranes under different physiological and pathological conditions. The essence of the method is the treatment of membrane particles with increasing concentrations of Triton X-100 (0.025; 0.05 AND 0.1%) AND THE SUCCESSIVE ESTIMATION OF NON-Sedimentable activity of marker enzymes. The method detected troubles in the stability of rat liver lysosome membranes under starvation, protein deficiency and aging.


[Some arylamidases from vetch seeds].

Hydrolysis of L-phenylalanyl-p-nitroanilide (PPA) and glycyl-p-nitroanilide by extracts from resting vetch seeds was shown to be the effect of two different arylamidases. One of them, PPAase, was 2000-fold purified on hydroxylapatide, DEAE-cellulose and by gel filtration through Sephadex G-100. The preparation obtained was nearly homogenous chromatographycally. Molecular weight of PPAase, as shown by means of gel filtration, was 66000, K(m) was calculated to be 1.64-10-4 M. PPAase was inhibited by SH-reagents and partially by o-oxyquinoline. Some increase in the enzyme activity was observed in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+ and Mn2+ in low concentrations. The enzyme hydrolysed amino acid arylamides with hydrophobic side groups and some dipeptides, which had at least one hydrophobic amino acid and did not contain amino acids with polar group.


[Role of monovalent cations in reactions catalyzed by glycerol dehydrase from Aerobacter aerogenes].

Cobamide-dependent glyceroldehydrase (GDH) is shown to have an absolute requirement in monovalent cations: K+, NH4+, Tl+, Rb+ and Cs+. Dependencies of initial dehydratation rates of three substrates: glycerol, ethyleneglycol and 1,2-propandiol on the concentration of K+ are studied. Km values for K+, NH4+ and Tl+ are calculated to be 7-10-3, 4-10-3 and 1-10-3 M respectively. Effect of K+ on Km values for glycerol and coenzyme and on maximal reaction rate is investigated. It is shown that the apparent affinity of the substrate to the enzyme does not depend on monovalent cation; the apparent affinity of the coenzyme somewhat changes with the change of K+ concentration. Maximal reaction rate increases with the increase of K+ content. On the basis of kinetic data obtained possible mechanism of the activating effect of monovalent cations in reactions, catalyzed by GDH, is discussed.


[Application of DNA sonication in the study of reassociation kinetics].

Single-stranded breaks arising is DNA under sonication divide the molecule in short double-stranded regions of lengths depending on sonication conditions. The reassociation rate of DNA with single-stranded breaks is considerably lowered as compared with intact DNA of the same length. For sonicated DNA the slowing of reassociation and the deflection to higher orders of C(o)t of the reaction is observed at the late stages. Further process of sonication occurs likely on single-stranded breaks and DNA fragments obtained as a result of infinite sonication are practically intact. Reassociation of DNA, degraded to a "saturation", proceeds as a second order reaction in precise accordance with the obtained fragment length.


[Kinetic manifestations of slow isomerization of allosteric enzyme for the model of Monod, Wyman and Changeux].

A shape of the curves of a product accumulation in time (t) is analysed for the variant of Monod, Wyman and Changeux model which is characterized by comparable rates of equilibration between R and T enzyme forms on the one hand and the enzymatic process on the other hand. It is assumed that the complex of R and T forms with substrate are in rapid equilibrium with the free components. The character of the dependences of effective constant of R denoting T isomerization and the value of tau on substrate concentration are analysed (tau is the intercept of t-axis for linear asymptota of the curve of product concentration versus time at t leads to infinity). It is also shown that the low rate of R denoting T isomerization may be manifested by the shape of the plot of initial reaction rate versus substrate concentration unusual for the model of Monod et al. (the plots with intermediate plateau and ones with Hill's coefficient of cooperativity less than unity).


[Photophosphorylation sensitized by chlorophyll in the adsorbed state].

Products of phosphate oxidation in a weak alkaline medium in the electrolysis and in the reaction, photosensitized by chlorophyll, are studied. It is shown that besides perphosphates, pyrophosphate can be formed under electrochemical phosphate oxidation. Phosphate was used as an electron donor and the air oxygen was an electron acceptor in the red-ox reaction, photosensitized by chlorophyll. The reaction was accompanied by the decrease of inorganic phosphate content in the reaction medium and by the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP. The mechanism of photophosphorylation is discussed on the basis of the data obtained.


[The interaction of pyridoxamine-5'-thiophosphate with aspartate apo-transaminase].

Interaction of 5'-bromopyridoxamine with thiophosphate yeld 5'-phosphate thio ester of pyridoxamine (I). Apotransaminase and I reacted in equimolar amounts; a stable complex with 10--15 per cent of activity formed exhibiting a positive CD at 335 nm. Incubation of the complex with alpha-ketoglutarate led to formation of corresponding aldimine form and to partial splitting of the S--P bond. The same splitting take place during incubation of the I--apo-enzyme complex with substrate mixture.


[Effect of a "direct" hemolytic factor and phospholipse A2 from Middle-Asian cobra venom on erythrocytes].

The effect of "direct" hemolytic factor (DHF) and phospholipase A2, isolated and purifed from Middle-Asian cobra venom on human erythrocytes is studied. DHF is found to increase the hemolytic effect of phospholipase A2 Ca2+ ions inhibit the hemolytic effect of DHF, but they increase the hemolysis in the presence of DHF and phospholipse A2. Heparin re moves the increasing effect of DHF. Possible mechanisms of the hemolytic effect of DHF and phospholipase A2 are discussed.


[Various properties of ribonucleotide reductase from rat liver mitochondria].

Three fractions of mitochondria (light, heavy and intermediate) from normal and regenerating rat liver ( in 15, 24 and 48 hours after partial hepatectomy) were isolated by means of differential centrifugation. Heavy mitochondrial fraction was shown to have a higher CDP-reductase activity than light mitochondria. The activity of the procces of ribonucleotides reduction in the mitochondria was shown to depend on the tissue functional state and it was maximal in 24 hours after partial hepatectomy.


[Preparation of electrophoretically homogeneous erythrocuprein and its thermodenaturation].

The procedure for isolation of electrophoretically homogeneous preparation of erythrocuprein from 17 1 blood batch was described. The preparation had absorbtion value, A260/A680, of 25-26. The protein completely retains superoxide dismutase activity after treatment 7 min. at 75 degrees C. The heating of protein solution at 100 degrees C bring about autoreduction of protein copper as demonstrated by decreasing optical and EPR-spectral intensities. The reduced protein was oxidized in aerobic condition and oxidized preparation had optical and EPR-spectra differ from those of the native protein the activy being decreased.


[Soluble and membrane-bound neuraminidase in regenerating rat liver].

Two forms of neuraminidase (soluble and membrane-bound) are found in regenerating rat liver. Specific activity of the soluble form was found to be maximal in 18 hours after partial hepatectomy, and that of the membrane-bound form-in 24 hours after the operation. Maximal specific activities of both neurominidase forms from regenerating rat liver considerably exceeded that from intact rat liver, shem-operated liver and also from embryonic and lactating rat liver.


[On intratetrametric catalytic independency of active sites of lactate dehydrogenase isoenzymes].

Interrelations of active sites of tetrameric molecules of human lactatedehydrogenase (LDH), known as intratetrameric catalytic independency of subunits, are studied. Estimation of catalytic activity of subunits, which compose hybrid LDH isoenzymes, is carried out. Ratios of molecular activity of subunits are calculated and a conclution is drawn on the catalytic independency of LDH isoenzymes active sites with respect to substrate inhibition by L-lactate. Possible mechanisms of substrate inhibition of LDH isoenzymes and their inactivation with urea in the view of different interrelations of active sites of these isoenzymes under conditions studied are discussed.


[Isolation and characteristics of benzoyl-DL-arginl-p-nitroanilide-hydrolysing enzyme (BAPAase) from vetch seedlings].

The enzyme hydrolysing N-benzoyl-D,L-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BAPA). is isolated from vetch seedlings and 1600-fold purified by means of chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, hdroxyapatite and gel filtration through Sephadex G-100. The preparation is chromatographically homogenous, but disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel revealed an insignificant contamination by inactive proteins. The data of disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecylsulphate have shown that BAPAase has a quaternary structure containing, probably, four subunits identical in their molecular weight. BAPAase has a narrow substrate specificity: it hydrolyses BAPA, benzoyl-D,L,-argininenaphtylamide, benzoyl-L-arginyglycine CBZ-L-arginylglycine histones and protamine, but does not attack L-arginyl-p-nitroanilide benzoyl-L-arginineamide, tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester and casein.


[Effect of temperature and concentrations of initial components on synthesis of internucleotide bond catalyzed by pancreatic ribonuclease].

The synthesis of cytidylyu-(3,-5,)-cytidine (CpC) catalyzed by pancreatic ribonuclease at 23 degrees, 0 degrees, and -15 degrees C in Tris-HCl-buffer was compared with that in aqueous propan-2-0. The data obtained show that the increase in the yield of oligonucleotides in aqueous buffer at -15 degrees, observed earlier is rather a result of the concentration change in the reaction mixture caused by the freezing of water than by a temperature fall from 0 to -15 degrees. A 4-fold increase in the initial concentrations of the substrates and ribonuclease with respect to the concentrations used earlier leads to the yield of CC in a homogeneous solution at 0 degrees close to is yield found in the frozen mixture at -15 degrees.


[Effect of levomycetin (chloramphenicol) on the biosynthesis of membrane proteins, structure and some functions of Micrococcus lysodeikticus bacterial membranes].

Levomycetin (chloroamphenicol), an inhibitor of protein synthesis, caused drastic changes in the molecular organization of bacterial membranes being introduced into the cultural medium of Micrococcus lysodeikiticus (50-100 mkg/ml. Isolated membranes of levomycetin-treated cells are enriched with lipids as compared with the control, they are more labile and they lose the X protein component and a considerable part of dehydrogenases, which results in the significant inhibition of all the respiration chain. At the same time the content of cytochrome alpha was increased by 17%, and the activity of malate dehydrogenase (as estimated in cell lysates) was two-fold increased in levomycetin-treated cell as compared with the control. It means that biosynthesis of some membrane proteins can be twice more resistant to the action of the antibiotic than the biosynthesis of other proteins, the total protein biosynthesis being significantly depressed (the incorporation of labelled leucine in membrane proteins is inhibited by 78%, and in cytoplasmic proteins-by 83%). The ratio of the respiration rate of intact levomycetin-treated cells to the protein content or to the cell bulk was similar to that of the control culture, which testifies the stability of membranes in vivo even under considerable "fattening". The loss of dehydrogenases and the X protein from the membranes apparently takes place at the moment of the cell rupture during the lysis in hypotonic medium. The ratio of the respiration rate of intact levomycetin-treated cells to the content of cytochromes a, b, c was 1.15-1.55 times as low as that of control cells which is probably due to the tendency of respiration components to the independent translocation in the membrane and is the result of the decrease in the concentration of the respiration components under the less than fattening greater than of the membrane.


[Changes in the content of different nuclear proteins and DNA from diploid and polyploid hepatocytes in regenerating liver of mice].

The content of 4 fractions of nuclear proteins (histones, acid chromatin protein, globulins and chromatin-free acid protein) in diploid and polyploid hepatocytes from intact and regenerating liver of mice is studied. These types of nuclei are found to differ in the protein content and in the protein/DNA ratio. Synthesis of all classes of nuclear proteins was intensified at the G1-stage, and synthesis of DNP non-histone proteins at the end of S- and G2-stage. Possible role of different nuclear proteins in the regulation of cell multiplication is discussed.


[Deviations from hyperbolic kinetics in slowly dissociating allosteric enzyme systems].

The feautres of kinetic behavior of dissociating enzyme systems for which the rate of equilibrium between the oligomeric forms is slow in comparison with the rate of the enzymatic process are discussed. It is shown that in slowly dissociating enzyme system of the type Np in equilibrium P (P is the enzyme oligomer, and p is the subunit: N greater than or equal to2) in which P and p forms differ by the character of allosteric interaction between the active and allosteric sites the plots of the initial reaction rate (v) versus substrate (S) or effector (F) concentration may be a very complicated shape. In similar systems the v versus [S]0 plots may have intermediate plateau, maximum and minimum simultaneously, sigmoidality followed by intermediate plateau and so on, and the v versus [F]0 plots may have intermediate plateau.


[Fractionation of alpha-L-fucosidases from pig kidney by gel filtration and isoelectric focusing].

Molecular weights of alpha-L-fucosidases I and II were found to be about 200 000 and 140 000, respectively, by means of gel filtration. Unlike alpha-L-fucosidase I, alpha-L-fucosidase II were capable of binding with Sephadex for the expense of non-specific adsorption, which makes possible to purify alpha-L-fucosidase II from ballast protein under certain conditions. Some problems concerning interrelation of both fucosidases forms are discussed and data on isoelectric focusing are given, which suggest the heterogeneity of both alpha-L-fucosidases.


[Aspartate aminotransferase from chicken heart cytosol. Characterization of SH-groups].

Homogeneous aspartate aminotransferase has been prepared from chicken heart cytosol. The purification procedure includes fractionation with NH4-sulfate and with ethanol, chromatography on ion-exchange cellulose DE-32 and on hydroxylapatite. Crystallization of the enyme is described. The enzyme was shown to contain 4 SH-groups per protein subunit of molecular weight 50 000. Two of the SH-groups are fully buried, they can be blocked with thiol reagents only upon denaturation of the protein. One exposed SH-group is readily modified at alkaline pH by iodoacetamide, N-ethymaleimide or tetranitromethane, without any inhibition of enzymic activity; this group readily reacts also with 5,5,-ditthiobis (2-nitrobenzoate) and p-mercuribenzoate. One SH-group is semi-buried: it is inaccessible to the above-mentioned reagents at pH 8, but can be blocked by p-mercuribenzoate at pH about 5. Blocking with p-mercuribenzoate of two SH-groups-the exposed and the semi-buried one-lowers enzymic activity to 70% of the initial value. Syncatalytic modication of a SH-group observed in aspartate aminotransferase from pig heart cytosol does not occur in chicken enzyme.


[Isolation and properties of cathepsins A from chicken liver].

Four highly purified enzyme preparations, which belongs to the cathepsine A group in their substrate specificity, are isolated from the extract of a hen liver acetone powder. The preparations are designated as A1, A2, A3 and A4 according to their electrophoretic mobility. The A1 component is a protein with molecular weight of about 200 000, it degrades a synthetic substrate and, to a small degree, hemoglobin. This protein is suggested to be the fragment of a liver enzyme complex. The A2 component has molecular weight of about 70 000 and the highest activity. The A3 component has molecular weight 100 000 and the lowest activity. The A2 and A3 components are similar to cathepsine A from other tissues. THe A4 component is characterized by a high electrophoretic mobility, a resistance in neutral and weakly alkaline media and a low molecular weight (of about 60 000). Cu2+, Ag+ and diisopropylphosphofluoridate completely inhibited the activity of all the enzyme preparation studied. Tosyl-alpha-amino-phenylethyl-chloremethylketone inhibited the enzymes activity only by 50-70%.


[The creatine effect on RNA and protein synthesis in growing culture of chick embryo myoblasts].

4hr incubation of the growing culture of chick embrio myoblasts in the presence of 5 mM creatine resulted, regardless of a well-defined lowering of cell membrane permeability to labelled precursors, in: (1) the 1.5-fold induction of 14C-orotic acid incorporation into total cellular RNA; (2) the 1.9-fold stimulation of DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase activity and (3) the preferable, in comparison with total proteins, 14C-leucine incorporation in the myosin heavy chain. The stimulating effect of creatine on RNA-poly-merase deals with a definite enzyme fraction and it is caused by the augmentation of the transcriptional complex enzyme activity. Polyacrilamide gel electrophoresis of total 14C-RNA revealed a relative increase of radioactivity after creatine treatment in both high-molecular pike and the fraction corresponding to 26S RNA, the relative proportion of mRNA containing Poly-A in the composition of total cellular RNA being invariable. The data obtained show that, though creatine as a positive regulator manifestates its effect at different stages of the sucessive chain of reactions leading to muscular protein synthesis, the direct realization of creatine regulatory function is connected with nucleus and is fullfilled at the transcription level.


[Determination of the nature of a bond between glucose and 5'-hydrocymethylcytosine in DDVI phage DNA].

The nature of glycoside bond in extra-sugar component of 5'-hydroxymethycytidylic (5-OMS) nucleotides on DDVI phage DNA was studied. 79% of glucose in monoglucosylated 5-OMC and 50% of glucose residues in diglucosylated 5-OMC were found to be bound by beta-glucoside bond.


[Primary structure of tyrosine-containing histone Fi peptide by means of dansyl ultramicromethod].

A method of ultramicroanalysis of dansyl-aminoacids is worked out and used for studying the primary structure of tirosin-containing F1 histone peptide isolated from calf thymus nitriated unfractionated F1 histone. The peptide is shown to be common for all the histone subfractions. The analysis of amino acid composition and C-terminal sequency using carboxypeptidase Y has shown that the peptide structure is identical to the amino acid sequence of the respective peptide from the subfraction 3 of rabbit thymus F1 histone, in the latter glycine being substituted with alanine.


[Identification of the inhibition type of hexokinase and pyruvate kinase activity by Ca2+].

Ca2+ inhibitory effect on hexokinase (HK) and pyruvatkinase activities is studied. Kinetic analysis of the inhibition reaction is carried out to determine the inhibition type. Non-competitive inhibition with respect to reaction activator, Mg2+, is found for HK and PK. On the basis of graph analysis data for both reactions the values of the activatory constant (KA) and the inhibitory constant (Ki) are calculated. The experimental results are discussed with respect to possible regulatory effect of Ca2+ on glycolysis cycle.


[Method of purification of glucose oxidase by means of affinity chromatography on immunoabsorbent].

The possibility to purify glucose oxidase from Penicillium vitale on immunosorbent containing specific antibodies to the enzyme covalently bound with Sepharose 4B is studied. The method of affinity chromatography was applied, beside routine methods of fractionating blood serum proteins, to isolate specific antibodies from antiserum of rabbits immunized with glucose oxidase. Immobilized on Sepharose glucose oxidase was used as biospecific sorbent. Specific antibodies to the enzyme were isolated using chromatograpy of gamma-globulins mixture followed by protein desorption from the column with 1 M NaC1 and 3% glucose. Antibodies were immobilized by their covalent binding to activated Sepharose. The immunosorbent obtained was used to purify low active preparation of glucose oxidase by means of affinity chromatography under conditions worked out for the antibodies isolation. The enzyme was eluted from the column with 1 M NaC1 (pH 3.0) containing 3% glucose. 5-Fold purified enzyme preparation was isolated.


Electrophysiologic analysis of regional cortical maturation.

Some issues in the study of human neurobehavioral development are briefly set forth. Attention is called to the limitations of strictly structural and behavioral approaches. The value of correlative morphophysiological and psychophysiological investigations is emphasized. By averaging brain activity with respect to stimuli and motor responses, event-related cortical potentials (ERP) can be reliably detected in the scalp EEG. Longitudinal topographic studies of ERP permit the definition of a sequence of regional cortical maturation during infancy and childhood. We have found that evoked potentials in the three major sensory modalities arise from both primary and secondary projection areas by 30 weeks of conceptional age. Frontocentral responses appear shortly thereafter. Thus, cortical mechanisms show a precocious development of electrogenesis which indicates the possibility for an early environmental impact on brain maturation. In contrast to the evoked potentials, association cortex potentials (ACP) do not seem to appear until early childhood. The behavioral significance of these neuroelectric phenomena is being sought in studies employing techniques which permit the concurrent recording of brain activity and behavioral responses in the waking infant and child. Some of the problems confronting the application of these methods to studies of infants are outlined.


Psychophysiology of sociopathy: electrocortical measures.

The CNV, visual AEP and resting EEG were analyzed in sociopaths and controls matched for age and sex. Twenty-seven male sociopaths were selected by psychiatric interview and special rating scale, restricted to Shipley-Hartford IQs of 115-145 and separated into young (x = 20.5 yr) and older (x = 35.3 yr) age groups. Subjects participated in forewarned reaction-time tasks in which the imperative stimulus was either an innocuous or noxious tone that the subject escaped by pressing a response key. Sociopaths and controls did not differ in reaction time, vertex and occipital AEP amplitude or latency, and power spectral density of the EEG. Contrary to previous findings, there also were no significant differences between sociopaths and controls in overall CNV amplitude or topography. However, while most controls showed increased CNV amplitude in the noxious tone condition as compared to the innocuous tone condition, older sociopaths showed no change, or decreased amplitudes.


Spontaneous rhythms of perceptual motor performance in intact and damaged brain of man.

A simple 15-sec maximal speed tapping task was administered every minute for 20 min to 69 healthy subjects and to 53 patients with mental disorders embodying six diagnostic categories including mental retardation. Analysis of the results showed age and diagnosis, but not gender, to be significant variables. Autocorrelation analysis of the results revealed the existence of spontaneous ultradian cycles of recurrence for all subjects, the frequency and amplitude of which discriminated the healthy subjects and only non-organically sick patients from patients with organic neurological deficits. 'Scatter' scores representing deviations about the mean tapping scores showed similar cyclic characteristics. The relationship between these cycles of motor performance and neural clock controlling perception is discussed.


Developmental effects of neonatal sex hormones on spatial and activity skills in the white rat.

The purpose of this experiment is to extend these experiments by using varying neonatal hormonal differentiation processes and to examine the effects of these different methods of neonatal feminization on changes in spatial and activity skills. The experiment involved three neonatally feminized groups of male rats: 'castration alone', 'estrogen alone', and 'estrogen injected castrates' together with one female sample, 'testosterone injected castrates', while treated and untreated male and female controls were also used. The data provide partial support for the major hypotheses that neonatal gonadectomy and opposite sex hormones administered to male and female castrated rats (together and independently for males) would reverse the normal sex-associated abilities of the white rate (higher male spatial learning and higher female activity). However, the feminization effect for the male 'estrogen alone' and 'castration alone' experimental groups was much greater than for the male estrogen injected castrates. The masculinized females, testosterone injected castrates, also had higher spatial learning and lower activity levels, while the feminized male's spatial and activity skills were also reversed. This confirmed in part the extent to which neonatal gonadal sex hormones are effective at critical periods of development in programming the brain in terms of sex-associated spatial and activity skills. Adult hormonal replacement therapy was also administered at 12 months and supported the hypothesis that sex hormones in adults would be mainly activational and have less marked effects than the significant directional changes obtained by these neonatal sex hormones and castration techniques.


The effect of histological variation on the tensile strength of cortical bone.

Under controlled machining, storage and testing conditions the tensile strength of longitudinally orientated specimens of cortical bone is measured over a range of 3 rates of strain. Coefficients of correlation and associated regression curves computed between the strength measurements and the results of a comprehensive photometric analysis of the histological microstructure indicate that naturally occurring cavities in the structure constitute the most significant sites of weakness. The observed strain rate sensitivity of their weakening effect suggests a mechanism of stress concentration to be operative. Clinical significance in such conditions as osteoporosis is indicated.


Electrical interference in hospitals--practical experience in a large region.

A great deal has been written about electrical interference, yet there is a distinct lack of information for the hospital environment. There are many factors affecting this problem in the clinical context and we report on our own practical experiences based on routine investigation of electrical interference. We describe the special instrumentation developed, the method of investigation adopted and the most common interference problems encountered. We also review the manufacturer's contribution.


A photoelastic force-indicating spreader for the correction of scoliosis.

The Harrington rod procedure for the surgical correction of scoliosis may be safely applied only if the spreader is instrumented with a force indicator. A method is described here of providing the surgeon with simple and direct means of controlling the force exerted with the spreader, using a photoelastic transducer with a special device for temperature compensation which is built into the spreader.


A cardiac monitor combining flow and pressure measurement.

Continuous measurements on patients after cardiac surgery are usually limited to blood pressure and ECG. This article describes a new monitor which combines instantaneous arotic flow and arterial pressure measurements to derive stroke volume, ventricular power, stroke work, and an indication of left ventricular afterload. The methods used to obtain the new derivatives are discussed and clinical applications described.


Comparison of logistic equations for population growth.

Two different forms of the logistic equation for population growth appear in the ecological literature. In the form of the logistic equation that appears in recent ecology textbooks the parameters are the instantaneous rate of natural increase per individual and the carrying capacity of the environment. In the form of the logistic equation that appears in some older literature the parameters are the instantaneous birth rate per individual and the carrying capacity. The decision whether to use one form or the other depends on which form of the equation is biologically more realistic. In this study the form of the logistic equation in which the instantaneous birth rate per individual is a parameter is shown to be more realistic in terms of the birth and death processes of population growth. Application of the logistic equation to calculate yield from an exploited fish population also shows that the parameters must be the instantaneous birth rate per individual and the carrying capacity.


Tests for association of gene frequencies at several loci in random mating diploid populations.

Methods are outlined for analyzing data on genotype frequencies at several codominant loci in random mating diploid populations. Maximum likelihood (ML) methods are given for estimating chromosomal frequencies. Using these, a succession of models of assumed independence of gene frequency are fitted. These are based on those used in multi-dimensional contigency tables, and tests for association (linkage disequilibrium), made using likelihood ratios. The methods are illustrated with an example.


An improved life table method.

A life table estimates probabilities of surviving and of dying as well as death rates, as these would apply in a stationary population with the same underlying continuous mortality curve as the observed population. We have derived approximations to the probability of surviving that require no iteration, do not depend on graduation or interpolation, and appear to give as precise results as interpolated or iterated tables. On the side of theroy we show that methods due to T.N.E. Greville and to Reed and Merrell are special cases of our formula (3). The new approach is extended to cause-deleted tables and to multiple decrement.


The statistical analysis of density dependence.

The distrubution of the reciprocal of von Neumann's ratio is considered under the random walk model, x(t+1) rwis;d xt + et, and it is shown how this quantity can be used to test for density dependence in animal populations. Another test is described which is robust under superimposed errors of measurement. The methods are used to analyze data on Canadian fur-bearing mammals.


The use and analysis of multiple responses in multicompartment cellular systems.

Within multicompartment cellular systems in the steady state the distrubution of tracer as a function of time is described by sums of exponentials. A design for data collection and analysis is set forward to deal with the problems of lumping and ill-conditioning inherent in such a mathematical description. This design requires the provision of multiple responses and can be analyzed by a Bayesian multivariate technique. Although only one response may be capable of completely characterizing the system, there is much to be gained from additional responses in terms of precision in parameter estimation. A time series is used to account for autocorrelated error in the responses. The design is compared to other least squares approaches and is demonstrated in an investigation of the transport and storage of serotonin in blood platelets. The kinetic parameters describing serotinin movement are estimated and their joint confidnece regions plotted.


A case study in techniques of allocation.

A number of techniques for allocating an individual into one of two groups have been compared in a practical situation. On the basis of the answers to nine Yes/No questions it was necessary to allocate patients previously treated for thyrotoxicosis into those suspected to be hypothyroid and those thought to be euthyroid. Eight different methods have been applied to this problem and the main conclusion from the analysis is that seven of the techniques give broadly similar results, including the simple one of symptom counting. The other method, the multinomial, suffered from the need to estimate a large number of parameters on a relatively small set of data, and the resulting allocation rule performed badly in an independent sample.


Some interrelationships among the regression coefficient estimates arising in a class of models appropriate to response-time data.

Interrelationships among three response-time models which incorporate covariate information are explored. The most general of these models is the logistic-exponential in which the log odds of the probability of responding in a fixed interval is assumed to be a linear function of the covariates; this model includes a parameter W for the width of discrete time intervals in which responses occur. As W leads to O this model is equivalent to a continuous time exponential model in which the log hazard is linear in the covariates. As W leads to infininity it is equivalent to a continuous time exponential model in which the hazard itself is a linear function of the covariates. This second model was fitted to the data used in an earlier publication describing the logistic exponential model, and very close agreement of the estimates of the regression coefficients is demonstrated.


The analysis of binary responses from toxicological experiments involving reproduction and teratogenicity.

This paper describes a parametric method for analyzing binary response data from completely randomized experiments in which the experimental units are animal litters. Responses within a litter are assumed to form a set of Bernoulli trials whose success probability varies between litters in the same treatment group according to a two parameter beta distribution. The parameters of the beta distribution for each treatment are estimated by maximum likelihood and treatment differences are tested by asymptotic likelihood ratio tests.


Remarks on the conservatism of sigma(0 -- E)2/E in survival data.

This note presents theoretical and numerical calculations which investigate the adequacy of the sigma(0 -- E)2/E approximation (Peto and Pike [1973]) when applying the Mantel/Haenszel summary chisquare statistic to the comparison of r life tables in the manner suggested by Mantel [1966], Peto and Peto [1972], and Cox [1972]. These indicate that conservatism is mild unless there are marked differences in the withdrawal patterns in the r tables. Such differences may, however, be anticipated in the case of a generalization of the life table procedure suggested by Crowley [1973], Mantel and Byar [1974], and Turnbull, Brown, and Hu [1974], wherein individuals are moved from one life table to another according to changes in their treatment (or other) statuses.


A first mathematical approximation of cerebral cortical responses to cerebello-thalamic signals using a thermodynamic analogue.

A mathematical approximation is developed to predict cerebral cortical responses CTX(t, x, R) at a distance R (R greater than or equal to 0) from a focal point in the cerebral cortex, at a depth x (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 500 mu) from the cortical surface and at any time t, to thalamic signals THAL(t) whose amplitudes also vary with time t. The equation is derived from a thermodynamic analogue, which is the time dependent heating of a focus at the surface of a semi-infinite solid.


White noise analysis of Phycomyces light growth response system. II. Extended intensity ranges.

By means of white gaussian noise stimulation, the Wiener kernels are derived for the Phycomyces light growth response for a variety of intensity conditions. In one experiment the intensity I, rather than log I, is used as the input variable. Under the very limited dynamic range of that experiment, the response is fairly linear. To examine the dependence of the kernels on dynamic range, a series of experiments were performed in which the range of log I was halved and doubled relative to normal. The amplitude of the kernels, but not the time course, is affected strongly by the choice of dynamic range, and the dependence reveals large-scale nonlinearities not evident in the kernels themselves. In addition kernels are evaluated for experiments at a number of absolute intensity levels ranging from 10(-12) to 10(-3) W/cm2. The kernel amplitudes are maximal at about 10(-6) W/cm2. At 10(-12) W/cm2, just above the absolute threshold, the respond is very small. The falloff at high intensity, attributable to inactivation of the photoreceptor, is analyzed in the framework of a first-order pigment kinetics model, yielding estimates for the partial extinction coefficient for inactivation epsilonI455 = (1.5 +/- 0.2) X 10(4) liter/mol-cm and a regeneration time constant of tau = (2.7 +/- 0.6) min. A model is introduced which associates the processes of adaptation and photoreceptor inactivation. The model predicts that the time constants for adaptation and pigment should be identical. This prediction is consistent with values in this and the preceding paper. The effects of pigment inactivation are simulated by a linear electronic analog circuit element, which may be cascaded with the linear simulator circuit in the preceding paper.


White noise analysis of Phycomyces light growth response system. III. Photomutants.

Wiener kernels have been measured for the light growth response of a number of mutants of Phycomyces which show abnormal phototropism (mad mutants). Representative mutants were chosen from the six complementation groups (madA to madF) associated with the light response pathway. One group, madA, associated with the input part of the pathway, exhibits an essentially normal response provided it is tested above its moderate threshold. The groups madB and madC appear more defective, in that their kernel amplitudes are very small even above their thresholds. Their similarity to each other suggests a close functional connection between the respective genes. The remaining three groups (madD, madE, and madF) have all been associated with the output of the pathway. Tbe kernels for all three indicate a gain reduction, which depends gradually on intensity. These three groups appear to have the same absolute threshold as wild-type. None of the mutants studied shows special behavior at high intensity that could be evidence of alterations in the photoreceptor complex.


An equivalent circuit for small atrial trabeculae of frog.

An equivalent electrical circuit has been constructed for small atrial trabecula of frog in a double sucrose gap voltage clamp apparatus. The basic strategy in constructing the circuit was to derive the distribution of membrane capacitance and extracellular resistance from the preparation's response to small voltage displacements near the resting condition, when the membrane conductance is presumably quite low. Then standard Hodgkin-Huxley channels were placed in parallel with the capacitance and the results of voltage clamp experiments were simulated. The results suggest that the membranes of the preparation cannot in fact be clamped near the control voltage nor can the ionic currents be measured directly with reasonable accuracy by axon standards. It may or may not be a realizable goal in the future to define the preparation's electrical behavior well enough to permit the ultimate quantitative description of the membrane's specific ion conductances. The result of this paper suggest that if this goal is achieved using the double sucrose gap voltage clamp, it will be by a detailed quantitative accounting for substantial irreducible errors in voltage control, rather than by experimental achievement of good voltage control.


Spatial stability of traveling wave solutions of a nerve conduction equation.

A simplified FitzHugh-Nagumo nerve conduction equation with known traveling wave solutions is considered. The spatial stability of these solutions is analyzed to determine which solutions should occur in signal transmission along such a nerve model. It is found that the slower of the two pulse solutions is unstable while the faster one is stable, so the faster one should occur. This agrees with conjectures which have been made about the solutions of other nerve conduction equations. Furthermore for certain parameter values the equation has two periodic wave solutions, each representing a train of impulses, at each frequency less than a maximum frequency wmax. The slower one is found to be unstable and the faster one to be stable, while that at wmax is found to be neutrally stable. These spatial stability results complement the previous results of Rinzel and Keller (1973. Biophys. J. 13: 1313) on temporal stability, which are applicable to the solutions of initial value problems.


White noise analysis of Phycomyces light growth response system. I. Normal intensity range.

The Wiener-Lee-Schetzen method for the identification of a nonlinear system through white gaussian noise stimulation was applied to the transient light growth response of the sporangiophore of Phycomyces. In order to cover a moderate dynamic range of light intensity I, the imput variable was defined to be log I. The experiments were performed in the normal range of light intensity, centered about I0 = 10(-6) W/cm2. The kernels of the Wierner functionals were computed up to second order. Within the range of a few decades the system is reasonably linear with log I. The main nonlinear feature of the second-order kernel corresponds to the property of rectification. Power spectral analysis reveals that the slow dynamics of the system are of at least fifth order. The system can be represented approximately by a linear transfer function, including a first-order high-pass (adaptation) filter with a 4 min time constant and an underdamped fourth-order low-pass filter. Accordingly a linear electronic circuit was constructed to simulate the small scale response characteristics. In terms of the adaptation model of Delbrück and Reichardt (1956, in Cellular Mechanisms in Differentiation and Growth, Princeton University Press), kernels were deduced for the dynamic dependence of the growth velocity (output) on the "subjective intensity", a presumed internal variable. Finally the linear electronic simulator above was generalized to accommodate the large scale nonlinearity of the adaptation model and to serve as a tool for deeper test of the model.


Derivation of some parameters of myoelectric signals recorded during sustained constant force isometric contractions.

Mathematical expressions are derived for some parameters of the myoelectric (ME) signal recorded during a constant force isometric contraction. The expressions are developed from a stochastic model for the motor-unit action-potential trains obtained from empirical results. The following parameters: (a) the mean rectified value, (b) the mean integrated rectified value, (c) the root-mean-square value, and (d) the power density spectrum are described as functions of contraction time and constant force of an isometric muscle contraction. The calculated parameters are compared to their corresponding empirically obtained measurements which have been reported in the literature. A discussion on the behavior of the parameters during increasing contraction time is presented. Synchronization of the motor-unit action-potential trains is shown to have a pronounced effect on the parameters of the myoelectric signal. This result should be considered when analyzing long records of myoelectric signals.


The electric dipole moment of rhodopsin solubilized in Triton X-100.

The electric dipole moment of solubilized rhodopsin was determined with dielectric dispersion measurements. Rhodopsin was extracted from disc membranes of cattle rod outer segments with the nonionic detergent Triton X-100. The dipole moment of rhodopsin at its isoionic point in the detergent micelle is 720 D (150 charge-A). This value is comparable to dipole moments of nonmembrane proteins, especially those which tend to aggregate or polymerize. Flash irradiation of the rhodopsin results in an increase in the dipole moment of about 25 D (5 charge-A). The light-induced increase in dipole moment appears to be composed of two parts--a faster component related to a change in the number of protons bound by rhodopsin and a slower component apparently independent of the change in proton binding.


An analysis of lamellar x-ray diffraction from disordered membrane multilayers with application to data from retinal rod outer segments.

Oriented multilayers containing a membrane pair within the unit cell potentially possess both lattice disorder and substitution disorder. Lattice disorder occurs when there is a lack of long-range order in the lattice spacings produced by a variation in the nearest neighbor distances between unit cells. A simple form of substitution disorder can arise from a variation in the separation of the two membranes within the unit cells in the multilayer. Lattice disorder produces a monotonically increasing width for higher order lamellar "reflections" while simple substitution disorder produces an incoherent intensity underlying the coherent intensity. A generalized Patterson function analysis has been developed for treating lamellar diffraction from lattice disordered multilayers. This analysis allows the identification of the autocorrelation function of the unit cell electron density profile and its subsequent deconvolution to provide the unit cell electron density profile. A recursive procedure has been developed for separating the incoherent intensity from the coherent intensity via a Gaussian probability model of the membrane intra-pair separation. In cases studied so far both disorders can be quantitatively accounted for and eliminated from interfering with the phasing of the coherent intensity or distorting the derived electron density profile. Lamellar X-ray diffraction data from intact retinal rods, using either film or position sensitive detectors, shows severe effects of both forms of disorder which have not been taken into account in past analysis of such data. We have applied our analysis to the data on dark adapted rod outer segments in electrophysiologically intact retinas of Chabre and Cavaggioni (unpublished). An electron density profile is derived at 25 A resolution. The lattice nearest neighbor spacing has a variation of +/- 19 A out of a 295 A repeat. The intra-unit cell membrane pair center to center distance of 88 A varies +/-8 A.


Water in agarose gels studied by nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation in the rotating frame.

The dependence of the spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame (T1rho) on radio frequency (RF) field strength and temperature has been studied for agarose gels in order to investigate molecular motion. The results indicate the presence of slow motions with a correlation time of ca. 5-10(-6) s at room temperature. This interaction is responsible for the short spin-spin relaxation times (T2) for water protons in agarose gels and is ascribed to firmly bound water. The fraction of bound water is estimated to about 0.003 for a 7.3% agarose gel. The motion of the more mobile protons in agarose-water systems can not be characterized by single correlation time. This fraction is presumably composed of water in different motional states and some of the agarose hydroxyl protons. Higher mobilities are the most common.


Computation of axon gating currents from dipole moment changes in channel subunits.

The gating polarizational currents were computed on the basis of the dipole moment changes occurring in nerve membrane ionic channel subunits. Membrane thickness and surface density of channels were the only parameters used in addition to the Hodgkin-Huxley model. The gating currents computed for membrane potentials where the Hodgkin-Huxley empirical formulae are reliable were found to be in good agreement with the available experimental data. It is demonstrated that the gating currents of the n and h subunits are responsible for the late slowly decaying gating currents.


A new aspect of the RNA bacteriophages translation control mechanism.

The polarity effect of the coat protein gene of the ribonucleic acid of RNA bacteriophages on the polymerase gene translation will be taken as the basis of the polymerase translation control mechanism. A further condition for this mechanism discussed in this work is the dependence of the phage RNA replication on host cell translation factors. The ribosome binding sites of the phage RNA play a decisive role to realize the control mechanism coding for definite ribosome binding probabilities. The relation between them quantifies the reached polymerase concentration in the early phase of the development of the RNA bacteriophage system in the infected cell.


Model for the positional differentiation of the cap in Acetabularia.

A late stage during the biological cycle of the unicellular alga Acetabularia is the differentiation of a cap at the apical end of the stalk. A minimal model of the spatio-temporal regulation of this event is proposed on the basis of biological data available and current hypotheses. This involves the interaction between a diffusing inhibitor specific to the translation of cap mRNAs and a graded distribution of these messengers. The model accounts for delayed protein synthesis which occurs preferably at the apex and is likely to initiate the formation of the cap. The biological and theoretical implications are discussed.


Problems with entropy in biology.

Entropy has been widely referred to as a measure of biological order. The validity of this notion is discussed in conjunction with it's relation to the spontaneous creation of order. Information theory offers a quantitative method for characterization of order, however, it is not fundamentally connected to formalisms of irreversible thermodynamics, and it is severely limited because the meaning and value of the information is neglected. A completely general notation is proposed for including measures of order of a biological system in the entropy balance equation of irreversible thermodynamics. Problems of assigning energetic equivalents to measures of order are indicated, with a final focus on the problem of meaning and value.


Primitive mitotic mechanisms.

Unorthodox mitotic mechanisms are reviewed and their contribution to the understanding of evolution of the orthodox mitotic apparatus is considered. Dinoflagellates and hypermastigote flagellates are of particular significance because the microtubular mitotic apparatus is entirely extranuclear with the nuclear membrane persisting through mitosis. Chromosomes are attached to the nuclear membrane. In hypermastigole flagellates early kinetochore separation is on the nuclear membrane without any contribution from microtubules. In dinoflagellates the chromosomes are also attached to the nuclear membrane, but at least in some species cytoplasmic microtubules connect to the attachment site. In Syndinium the attachment site resembles a typical kinetochore, but is inserted in the nuclear membrane. A similar kinetochore is found in certain Radiolaria, but with an intranuclear spindle apparatus the association with the nuclear membrane is no longer necessary and has been lost. Mitosis in the yeast Saccharomyces is essentially orthodox, though chromosomes do not condense. No kinetochores are seen, but a single microtubule makes direct contact with the 20 nm chromatin fiber of each chromosome and shortens during anaphase. About 5-10 microtubules are continuous between the spindle pole bodies and form the elongating central spindle.


Possible formation and development of spirochaete attachment sites found on the surface of symbiotic polymastigote flagellates of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes.

We propose that spirochaete attachment sites arise from peripheral protrusions which appear on the surface of polymastigote flagellates. These protrusions develop into bracket-shaped structures which then form the mature attachment site. Next the site becomes detached from the surface of the cell; this latter process may be facilitated by the fusion of vesicles located in the region immediately beneath the spirochaete attachment site. This theory could explain the variability in the number and distribution of attachment sites on the surface of the flagellates.


The evolutionary significance of ultrastructural variations in the micronuclear spindle apparatus in the genus Paramecium.

Ultrastructural variations of micronuclear mitosis in three species of Paramecium have been reviewed for the purpose of hypothesizing possible evolutionary relationships. P. bursaria is considered to be the most primitive species because it has complex kinetochore-equivalents termed microlamellae which attach to microfilaments. P. multimicronucleatum is considered more advanced since it has typical kinetochores which intercalate between the kinetochores and polar microfilaments. P. aurelia is considered the most advanced member of the genus, and has typical diffuse or well defined kinetochores and chromosomal microtubules while it lacks obvious meshworks of microfilaments. A hypothetical model of chromosome movement in the genus involves the interaction of microtubules and microfilaments.


YATP value in Candida tropicalis grown on n-alkanes, fatty acids, and acetate.

The amount of ATP produced during n-alkane, fatty acid, or acetate metabolism in Candida tropicalis has been established from the P/O ratios measured on isolated mitochondria, yield on substrate and carbon balance. For these three kinds of substrates YATP value has been found to be close to 4, although Ysub on acetate is very different from those found with n-alkanes or fatty acids.


The effect of methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid on growth of Candida boidinii 11 Bh.

The dependence of the specific growth rate of Candida boidinii 11 Bh on methanol concentration follows Monod-type kinetics only in a narrow concentration range (0--0.8 v/v), with a saturation constant of about 19 mmol. With a further increase in methanol concentration of up to 3% v/v, the specific growth rate remains constant. Beyond this level, the growth rate gradually drops to zero, reaching the threshold value at 7.8% v/v. The specific growth rate is also strongly dependent on the size of the inoculum. The biomass yield decreases with an increase in the methanol concentration. Formaldehyde and formic acid, oxidative products of methanol, approximately 100 and ten times, respectively, more toxic to growth than the original substrate.


The yields of extracted protein and of residual fiber from potato haulm taken as a by-product.

In July the yield of protein extractable from potato haulm could be 600 kg/ha and the beginning of September it is 200 kg/ha. The yield of fiber containing 1 to 2% N is less affected by maturity. The annual waste of extractable protein, suitable for feeding nonruminants, is about 60,000 tons. The contribution that some small changes in conventional potato husbandry might make to minimizing this waste is discussed.


Application of modified Rosenbrock's method for optimization of nutrient media used in microorganism culturing.

The Rosenbrock's procedure has been modified for optimization of nutrient medium composition and has been found to be less tedious than the Box-Wilson method, especially for larger numbers of optimized parameters. Its merits are particularly obvious with multiparameter optimization where the gradient method, so far the only one employed in microbiology from a variety of optimization methods (e.g., refs, 9 and 10), becomes impractical because of the excessive number of experiments required. The method suggested is also more stable during optimization than the gradient methods which are very sensitive to the selection of steps in the direction of the gradient and may thus easily shoot out of the optimized region. It is also anticipated that other direct search methods, particularly simplex design, may be easily adapted for optimization of medium composition. It is obvious that direct search methods may find an application in process improvement in antibiotic and related industries.


Functional abnormalities of human neutrophils collected by continuous flow filtration leukopheresis.

Continuous flow filtration leukopheresis (FL) is a relatively simple, inexpensive, and efficient technique of harvesting blood neutrophils from normal donors for transfusion into neutropenic recipients. There has been concern, however, that neutrophils may be functionally altered druing this leukopheresis procedure. Human neutrophils obtained by various FL techniques were studied for in vitro chemotaxis by a 51Cr-radiolabel method and for in vitro killing and phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus. We compared their function with neutrophils obtained by the NCI-IBM cell separator and by dextran sedimentation from whole blood. FL neutrophils eluted from nylon filters after 3-hr collection periods were functionally abnormal by all parameters tested, while neutrophils obtained by cell separator after similar collection times were not significantly different from control cells. However, neutrophils from 3-hr FL collections were found to include both normal and abnormal populations of cells. Loosely adherent cells, eluted after tapping the filters, were functionally normal; more adherent cells, eluted after tapping the filters and representing the bulk of cells collected, were progressively more abnormal the less readily they were eluted. Shortened FL collection times (1-2 hr) were found to decrease the functional defects. Also, administration of dexamethasone to donors prior to filtration leukopheresis diminished the functional defects of FL neutrophils perhaps by altering adherence characteristics of the cells. These studies show that neutrophils obtained by filtration leukopheresis are functionally abnormal in relation to the time and extent of adherence to nylon filters.


Abnormal erythrocyte metabolism in hepatic disease.

Erythrocyte (RBC) metabolic studies were done on 114 patients with severe hepatic disease. Heinz body formation after incubation of RBCs with acetyl phenylhydrazine was found to be significantly higher in patients than in controls. RBC-reduced glutathione levels were lower than those of controls both before and after incubation with acetyl phenylhydrazine, and patients with the highest Heinz body counts had the lowest reduced glutathione levels. RBC methylene blue-stimulated hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt metabolism and glucose recycling through the shunt were significantly lower in patients with active hepatic disease than in controls. There was no difference in resting HMP shunt activity or in resting recycling of glucose. Despite impairment of shunt metabolism, total glucose consumption was greater in patients than in controls. The patients with the lowest stimulated HMP shunt metabolism and glucose recycling had the highest Heinz body counts, lowest reduced glutathione, and highest total glucose consumption. A continuum of abnormal shunt metabolism was seen, from a mild reduction of stimulated HMP shunt activity to a severe combined decrease in both the HMP shunt and glucose recycling. When measured, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and transketolase were normal or increased. Sequential studies were done on 11 patients who had abnormal metabolic studies. Coincident with improvement of HMP shunt metabolism, the Heinz body counts became lower, reduced glutathione higher, hematocrit higher, and liver function improved. Impaired HMP shunt metabolism appears to be a common, acquired RBC abnormality in patients with severe, active liver disease.


Contrasting splenic mechanisms in the blood clearance of red blood cells and colloidal particles.

We have studied the blood clearance and organ uptake of colloidal particles and of antibody-coated and chemically treated Na2 51Cr O4-labeled erythrocytes (RBC) in mice. Hepatic and splenic uptake of both colloidal particles and autologous RBC coated with rabbit antibody were reduced significantly following pretreatment of animals with cortisone acetate. Hepatic removal of RBC previously treated in vitro with N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM) or phenylhydrazine-HCl (PHZ) was similarly depressed by pretreatment with cortisone. In contrast, the splenic uptake of NEM- and PHZ-altered erythrocytes was unaffected by cortisone. Scanning and transmission electron microscopic examination of perfused spleens from PHZ-injected animals demonstrated extensive mechanical trapping of Heinz body-containing RBC in sinus wall apertures, whereas little erythrophagocytosis was observed. These studies suggested that, while clearance of inert particulate matter and of antibody-coated RBC from the blood occurred primarily by a cortisone-suppressible, presumably phagocytic process in the spleen, chemically altered RBC were removed primarily by a cortisone-insensitive filtration process in the splenic microvasculature.


Hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis in sickle-cell disease.

Fifty-two patients with sickle-cell (SC) disease (48 with SC-beta-thalassaemia and 4 with homozygous SC-anaemia) were studied as regards blood coagulation and fibrinolysis. It was found that the thrombin and the reptilase times of the patients' plasma were significantly shorter than normal. The mean values of platelet count, fibrinogen level and factor VIII activity of patients with SC disease were higher than normal; however, in the group of patients transfused, with less than 50% haemoglobin S (HbS), the fibrinogen level and the factor VIII activity were significantly lower compared to the other patients. Antithrombin-III (At-III) activity was normal in all. The fibrinolytic activity was normal in patients with asymptomatic SC disease, but reduced in patients on painful crises. Plasminogen and fibrinogen/fibrin degradation product (FDP) levels were normal in all patients. Two patients on painful crises with complications had additional abnormal findings, namely prolonged prothrombin time, reduced At-III level and elevated FDP.


[Computer simulation of cell renewal systems].

This paper deals with a block diagram which describes the structure of the control of erythropoiesis by negative feedback loops. The model is transformed into an adequate simulation program using a special block-oriented programming language called ASIM (Analoge SIMulation). For both normal and diseased states of the blood forming process the dynamic responses of the erythrocytes and reticulocytes are simulated by a digital computer analysis. The computer simulation includes different forms of anemia caused by parameter variations as well as by structural alterations. Rising oscillations are obtained too in multiloop control systems containing complex paths with minor loops, which for example take into account the erythrocytic chalones. The described model shows that rising oscillations, that are unstable control loops, can be produced by changing the control-loop structure as well as by parameter changes. In case of malignant disorders such failures becoming effective in oscillations are discussed as parts of disturbed homoeostasis. The results of these studies obtained by simulation should especially stimulate scientists working  in the fields of biology and medicine to new test series to verify the proposed hypothesis.


[Radio-anatomical study of the arteries of the foot].

30 Cadaveric feet were injected with minium by 3 catheters, one in each foot artery. The A. tibialis posterior is the most voluminous. It branches off in A. plantaris lateralis, main artery of the sole of the foot and A. plantaris medialis, small artery terminating on the medial edge of the big toe (in fact, in most cases (60%), it divides into 3 branches). The third branch has a double destiny, it vascularizes the shell of the calcaneus and it anastomoses with the posterior fibular artery. The A. dorsalis pedis, in 80% of the cases rejoins the lateral plantar artery in the first space. Among the 5 classical branches, the lateral tarsal artery and the dorsal metatarsal artery are constant. The other branches are more uncommun. But some anastomoses are frequent: - with the posterior fibular artery, (20%); - with the anterior fibular artery (10%). The A. fibularis is divided over the talo-tibial joint. Only the posterior branch is always injected. It gives three anastomoses: - The supra-malleolar artery with the posterior tibial artery, of great value because it is able to inject all the foot arteries. - The two others are narrower, the supracalcanean artery with the posterior tibial artery, and the medial supratarsal artery with the lateral tarsal artery. It ends in the sole of the foot after having given the vascularisation of the external face of the calcaneus. It is possible to oppose: The parts with a good vascularisation: - sole of the foot, - internal face of the calcaneus, - external face of the big toe, - internal face of the last 4 toes; The parts with a poor vascularisation: - dorsal face of the foot, - external face of the calcaneus, - internal face of the big toe, - external face of the last 4 toes.


[Influence of modified histones on the differentiation in vitro of chick embryo pulmonary rudiments].

The presence of carbamylated lysine-rich histones in the medium determines some evident changes on the development in vitro of the lung buds of chick embryo in comparison with the controls cultived in a standard medium or in a medium containing unmodified lysine rich histones. The action of these modified histones mainly affects the peribronchial mesenchyme.


[Multiplicity and dispersion of the parasympathetic ganglia of the head].

In addition to the four parasympathetic ganglia usually described in the head, many other microscopic parasympathetic ganglia have been observed in various regions of the cephalic territory. The cranial parasympathetic system is therefore diffuse as in the case of the sympathetic, although the neurones composing it are morphologically different.


[Interstitial plasma cells of the submaxillary glands].

Interstitial plasma cells are constantly present in the submaxillary gland. Their number varies greatly with species. They are normal cells, lymphocytes are never associated with them. Immuno-fluorescent studies show the presence of IgA. So, these cells are presumably the site of formation of secretory immunoglobulins which have been shown to be present in saliva. However this does not prove that they have no other secretory activity.


[Ultrastructural study of anomalies of the acrosome in spermatozoa with irregular heads].

The study of the ultrastructure of spermatozoa having an irregular head, encountered in large number in semen of men supposed to be sterile, shows that the acrosome is often modified in its shape or its texture. In several samples the spermatozoa have either no acrosome or a small one, at a certain distance from the nucleus. In other cases the ratio between the segments of the acrosome is modified and the parallelism between the edges is not conserved. These acrosomes are often covered with a cytoplasmic velum the post acrosomal cape is missing. Finally the acrosome can be deformed by local expansions of the subacrosomal space, or by large gaps. Other anomalies which are less common have been observed. The elimination of possible artefacts and the comparison between these human anomalies and similar acrosomal anomalies of mammalian semen, are discussed in this paper.


[Macroscopic substratum of acupuncture points].

The dissection of supra-aponeurotic macroscopic elements underlying 201 acupuncture loci showed the following proportions: cerebrospinal nerve, 29%; vascular element (mostly venous), 34%; vascular and nervous pedicle, 37%. Thus there is no specific structure related to all the acupuncture loci, but a preferential distribution has been established according to the loci and their therapeutic indications.


[Junction zones of luteal cells in the luteotrophic phase in humans].

Three different types of junctions were revealed studying human corpus luteum during luteotrophic phasis : tight-junctions, gap-junctions and septate junctions. Tight-junctions were characterized by a discontinuous central leaflet formed by osmiophilous punctiform components separated by osmiophobic spaces. Lanthanum nitrate permeability of these junctions lead us to think that they may be leaky. They were only a very few gap-junctions, they were found to be as classically described, made up of seven leaflets. Septate junctions were about 250 A long, some septa were arrayed in a discordely fashion and were separated by lanthanum nitrate permeable spaces. The location of these different junctions was determined with accuracy: tight and gap junctions were located on the lateral faces and around cellular interdigitations, septate junctions were shown to bind either the microvillosities of a same cell or the microvillosities of two bordering cells. The fonctionnal signification of these junctions is discussed. Les auteurs remercient vivement M. le Professeur SOUTOUL et M. le Docteur LANSAC du Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique (C.H.U. Bretonneau) pour leur aimable collaboration.


[Changes induced with cyclophosphamide in the lympho-reticular elements with specific enzymatic activities of the splenic white pulp in rats and guinea-pigs].

The effect of cyclophosphamide, one potent immunosupressor drug, was used to differenciate the behaviour of two types of Reticular cells, the phosphatasic acid and the 5'nucleotidasic cells. The first exhibit macrophagic and migratory properties, the second are devoid of these criteria but remain associated with the presence of T-lymphocytes. This suggests its possible role in the nutrition and the differential evolution of T-lymphocytes.


[Spatial variability of some lateral cranial points in chimpanzees].

The differential variability of cranial regions of chimpanzees has been studied, in the three dimensional space defined by the vestibular method, by means of the volume of the ellipsoid surrounding the scatter diagram of each lateral point. Thus the importance of the variation of a given point as a function of its position can be measured and the specific and sexual differences of this variation can be determined.


[Anatomical studies of Luschka's gland].

In that work, the authors determine precisely the classical outlines relating to the formation described by LUSCHKA in 1859. The morphology, the situation in relation with the medium sacral artery, the exact topography of what is wrongly called "gland of Luschka" are successively analysed. Otherwise, notions which emerge about is histological conformation are referred to.


[Arteries of the opto-peduncular region of the sheep].

The main features of the arterial plane of the base of the brain of 15 sheep are studied. Details of the topography and the importance of the manifold twigs going to the optic-peduncular formations and grey central nuclei are given also. In spite of the presence of a peculiar arterial polygon, since it has direct supply from a rete mirabile and that it depends almost exclusively on the external carotid arteries, the general diagram of the different arterial pedicles appears comparable with what was formerly pointed out in the dog (LIBERSA an coll., 1974) and even in man. It seems to be a proof of the morphological independance of the cerebral arterial system beyond the arterial polygon. The reason of the existence and appearance of the arterial plane of the base of the brain (internal carotid, external carotid, vertebral arteries) keeps an essentially functional meaning.


[Origin of the hepatic artery in the embryo and fetus].

Study of the hepatic artery in 52 human foetuses and 4 embryos. The authors compare their findings to those published on adults. They underline the higher frequency of the hepatic artery arising out of the left gastric artery (67%) in foetuses and embryos, either associated to the common hepatic artery only (55,4%) or to both the common hepatic artery and the right hepatic artery (12,5%). Graphic reconstruction of foetal hepatic arteries shows two important lines of force one coming from the coeliac trunk - the future common hepatic artery, the other arising from the left gastric artery - the future left hepatic artery. At the 19th stage according to Streeter, the definitive disposition is attained.


[Effect of pregnenolone-16 alpha-carbonitrile on the activity of the rat thyroid gland and anterior pituitary].

PCN, in daily doses of 20 mg/100 g per body weight exerted a marked stimulative effect on the rat thyroid. It was also found that the uptake of radioiodine in animals receiving PCN, was increased. Chromatographic investigations have shown that in PCN treated animals the biosynthesis of thyroid hormones was accelerated. There is evidence of histophysiological activation of the TSH cells of the adenohypophysis. It was concluded that there was no inhibition of the synthesis of thyroid hormones and that activation of the pituitary-thyroid axis under the influence of PCN, resulted from alteration of the peripheral metabolism of thyroxin.


[Formation of the skeleton. VIII. Growth of a long bone: periostealization of the metaphysial bone].

The growth of the diaphysis of a long bone is manifested in three distinct constituent parts: the bone periosteal collar and, at both ends, the two metaphyses. These grow on the epiphyseal plate side and at the other end, they are integrated into the periosteal bone collar. This integration involves changes in the periosteal bone as well as in the fibro-cellular-layer which surrounds it. All these modifications have been described as constitutuing "the periostealisation of metaphyseal bone".


[Formation of the skeleton. IX. Growth of a long bone: dynamics of diaphysial growth].

The diaphysis of a growing long bone is composed of three distinct parts: the bone periosteal collar and the two metaphyses. Each of these parts affects a separate radiographic, microradiographic and histologic appearance. By these means, it is possible to follow the growth and the increase of these parts and thus the relations which exist between them: all together they constitute the "dynamics of diaphyseal growth".


[Induced degeneration and lysosome activity in the cells of the tail bud in the early chick embryo].

In chick embryos, cells of the tail bud are induced to degenerate by autophagocytosis when treated by puromycine or sodium fluoride. Although these degenerative processes exhibit some differences, according to the nature of the inhibitor used, their initial steps, which consist in a modification of the Golgi zone, are identical. These facts are discussed in relation to the problem of morphogenetic cell degeneration.


[Ultrastructure of the prolactin cells of the pituitary gland of female rats after stimulation with norethisterone enanthate].

Prolactine cells of rat anterior pituitary gland were studied with the electron microscope in thin sections and freeze-etch replicas after treatment with norethisterone-oenanthate. A pathological secretory process is caused in this cell type in rats, when treated with this compound. Prolactine cells grow in number and volume of single cells. This is especially due to an enormous proliferation of the Golgi apparatus. In the same time, however, exocytosis of hormonal secretory granules is apparently reduced. Therefore, serum hormone level remains nearly normal.


[Nature and evolutive aptitudes of cells of the mitotic compartment of the secondary cartilages of the mandible and maxilla of the young rat. Experience with cytotypic culture and homotransplantation].

1. Two cell types are found in the mitotic compartment of a secondary cartilage of the mandible (condylar, angular and coronoid cartilages) and of the maxillary (cartilage of the sagital suture): - the "skeletoblast", which bears a spontaneous tendancy to differentiate into an osteoblast, but which differentiates in vivo into a chondroblast; - the prechondroblast, originating from the skeletoblast and differentiating only into a chondroblast. 2. After homotransplantation of the condylar cartilage the skeletoblast no longer differentiates into a prechondroblast. The preexisting prechondroblast continues to mature into chondroblasts until exhaustion of the supply. The chondroblastic zone is soon replaced by "endochondral" bone. Mitosis of prechondroblasts soon stop in the presence of chondroblasts, probably by a chalone-like mitotic inhibitor. But, if the disappearing of the cartilage is more rapid than the transformation of prechondroblasts into chondroblasts, the prechondroblasts then resume mitosis for some time. The skeletoblast differentiates into an osteoblast when prechondroblasts have transformed into chondroblasts; only then, does it lay down periosteal-like bone.


[Microglia and pericytes of the human cerebral cortex].

Biopsies of normal human cerebral cortex were fixed by aldehydes and their ultrastructure was studied. Two main types of vessels are observed, capillaries and metarterioles, and around them two types of pericytes are described: a microgliocyte-like pericyte which is either surrounded by a nervous basal membrane, or laying outside this membrane; endothelial-like pericytes which are frequently observed inside the metarterioles perivascular space and contain many lysosomes. Endothelial-like pericytes have probably a metabolic function and microgliocyte-like pericytes are more involved in a role of mechanic regulation of the microcirculation. This hypothesis is supported by the observation of a microgliocyte interposed between two endothelial processes and protuding into the vascular lumen.


Photochemically induced artifact in the analysis of soil for residues of organochlorine pesticides.

After solvent extraction of soil and clean-up of the extract there is a possibility of reactions being induced photochemically in the solvent phase. In one recent instance such reactions, proceeding relatively quickly during 6-8 days, produced unknown compound(s) whose retention time in a column of 10% DC-200 on 80/100 mesh Gas Chrom Q coincided with that of pp'-DDT. Such interference could be eliminated by later treatment of the extract with concentrated sulphuric acid.


The chronic toxicity of methiocarb to grackles, doves, and quail and reproductive effect in quail.

Methiocarb (4-methylthio-3, 5-xylyl N-methyl carbamate, Mesurol, Bay (3744), a bird repellent, was fed in concentrations of 100 to 1,000 ppm to common grackles (Quiscalus quiscula), mourning doves (Zenaida macroura), and breeding pairs of coturnix quail (Coturnix coturnix) to investigate the possibility of cumulative intoxication. Although aversion to treated diets was readily apparent in most of the tests, the 28- to 30-day median lethal concentration (LC50) was determined to be greater than 100 ppm for grackles, 630 ppm (95% confidence limits, 480-830 ppm) for doves, and greater than 1,000 ppm for coturnix quail. Methiocarb appeared to be noncumulative when measured by an index of chronicity: birds consumed several LD50 doses during a day's feeding, and when deaths occurred, they appeared to be due to acute intoxication. Egg production and live chick production were not affected in coturnix fed 100 ppm but were reduced at 316 and 1,000 ppm.