α 1- and β-adrenergic interactions on L-type calcium current in cardiac myocytes

We investigated the mechanism by which ₁-adrenergic activation regulates basal and stimulated whole cell L-type Ca current (I_Ca) in rat ventricular myocytes using the physiological neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (NE, 10M). Stimulation of ₁-adrenoceptors, achieved by NE+10M esmolol (a -receptor antagonist), had no significant effect on basal I_Ca. ₁-adrenergic activation had a marked inhibitory effect on I_Ca elevated by activation (NE+1M) prazosin, an ₁-receptor antagonist) or activation of adenylyl cyclase by forskolin (25M); the inhibitory effect was reversible upon washout. However, ₁-adrenergic stimulation had no significant effect on I_Ca previously increased by intracellular application of cAMP (25M). The inhibitory effect seen on I_Ca elevated by NE showed no significant shift of either I–V or inactivation curves. It is unlikely that the inhibitory effect of ₁-adrenergic stimulation on NE or forskolin-elevated I_Ca is mediated through activation of Ca-dependent protein kinase C or changes in intracellular free Ca (pCa=8.5, EGTA 5 mM) or cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase. We conclude that ₁-adrenergic inhibition of -adrenergic stimulated-I_Ca is probably mediated through an as yet unknown G-protein. This inhibitory effect could serve as a regulatory feedback mechanism in physiological and pathophysiological settings.     

Gating current experiments on frog nodes of Ranvier treated withCentruroides sculpturatus toxins or aconitine

(1) Gating currents were recorded from frog nodes of Ranvier treated either with toxins III or IV from the venom of the scorpionCentruroides sculpturatus or with the alkaloid toxin aconitine. (2) Toxins III or IV fromCentruroides sculpturatus (which drastically reduce the sodium permeabilityP _Na and slightly shift its voltage dependence in the depolarizing direction) caused a small depolarizing shift of the relation between charge (Q _on) and membrane potential (E) without affecting the maximum chargeQ _{on max}. (3) On nodes treated with toxins III or IV fromCentruroides sculpturatus, a depolarizing conditioning pulse (which transiently shifts the descending branch of theI _Na(E) curve by up to 60 mV in the hyperpolarizing direction) shifted the midpoint potential (E_mid) of theQ _on(E) curve by –17 mV and slightly increased the slope of the curve; it also decreasedQ _{on max} markedly but had little effect onQ _on measured with small depolarizing pulses. By contrast, massive treatment with aconitine (which irreversibly shifts sodium activation in the hyperpolarizing direction) irreversibly shifted the midpoint potential of theQ _on(E) curve from –28.5 to –69 mV and significantly increasedQ _on andQ _off measured with small depolarizing pulses; concomitantly, the voltage dependence of the on time constant of the charge movement [_on(E)] was shifted by –44 mV. (4) The sodium currentI _Na was exponential both in nodes treated with toxins III or IV ofCentruroides sculpturatus and subjected to a depolarizing conditioning pulse and in aconitine-treated nodes; in the latter,I _Na started after a delay of 30–40 s. The time constant of the sodium current, _{on Na}, was larger than the time constant of the charge movement, _{on Q}; the ratio _{on Q}/_{on Na} was 0.61 and 0.73 in the experiments withCentruroides sculpturatus toxins and aconitine, respectively. (5) The off time constant of the sodium current (_{off Na}) was slightly increased in nodes treated withCentruroides sculpturatus toxins and subjected to a depolarizing conditioning pulse, whereas it was markedly increased in aconitine-treated nodes. With the former treatment, the off time constant of the charge movement (_{off Q}) was unaffected but with aconitine treatment it was considerably increased although it remained smaller than _{off Na}. Consequently, the ratio _{off Q}/_{off Na} (which is 1 in untreated nodes) became smaller than one, reaching values as low as 0.58 and 0.44 in the experiments withCentruroides sculpturatus toxins and aconitine, respectively. The small _{off Q}/_{off Na} ratio suggests that the channels remain open for an appreciable time after most of the gating charges have returned to their resting position. (6) The results obtained with aconitine resemble the findings on batrachotoxin-treated nodes (Dubois and Schneider 1985), except that in the latter the time constants _{on Na} and _{off Na} of the sodium current are smaller than the corresponding time constants _{on Q} and _{off Q} of the charge movement.     

Separate determination of the pulsatile elastic and viscous forces developed in the arterial wall in vivo

The viscoelastic behaviour of arteries in vivo is analyzed by separate representation of the purely elastic and the purely viscous properties, using natural pressure and diameter pulses of various dog arteries recorded under steady-state conditions. The circumferential wall stress () and the radius (r) of the mean wall layer are calculated as functions of time and the hysteresis of the -r diagram is represented. The stress is regarded as the sum of an elastic stress (_el) which is a function ofr, and a viscous stress (_vis) which is a function ofdr/dt. Thus _el=–_vis. Since the _el-r diagram must be free from hysteresis, the disappearance of the loop is the criterion that indicates that _el has been found._vis is formulated as a second degree polynomial ofdr/dt whose coefficients are determined using that criterion.The _el-r curve is always nonlinear and the elastic modulus increases with increasing radius. The _vis-dr/dt curve, too, is nonlinear. Its slope decreases with increasingdr/dt. The same applies to the wall viscosity (pseudoplastic behaviour). The nonlinear properties can be represented adequately by processing the experimental data in the time domain. Problems inherent in investigations based on the frequency domain, as reported in the literature, are pointed out.     

Die Differenzierung menschlicher Blutlymphocyten mit serologischen und autoradiographischen Methoden

Zusammenfassung Unter Verwendung¹²⁵I markierter monospezifischer Antiseren gegen menschliche-,-,-,-und-Ketten bestimmten wir den Prozentsatz Ig-tragender Blutlymphocyten bei Patienten mit primären und symptomatischen Hypogammaglobulinämien. Zwei Patienten mit geschlechtsgebundenen Hypogammaglobulinämien, 2 mit IgA-Defekten, 4 mit transitorischen Hypogammaglobulinämien und 13 mit symptomatischer. Hypogammaglobulinämien (7 multiple Myelome, 2 M. Waldenström und 4 chronische Lymphadenosen) wurden untersucht.Bei erwachsenen Kontrollen fanden wir im Mittel-Ketten an 18,5%,-Ketten an 2,8%,-Ketten an 12,1%,-Ketten an 10,5% und-Ketten an 3,9% der Blutlymphocyten. Prinzipiell ähnliche Ergebnisse wurden bei gesunden Kindern, bei Patienten mit transitorischen Hypogammaglobulinämien und solchen mit IgA-Defekten erhalten. Im Gegensatz dazu fehlten Ig-tragende Lymphocyten in beiden Fällen mit geschlechtsgebundener Hypogammaglobulinämie weitgehend. Normale Werte wurden bei ihren Eltern und bei den untersuchten Geschwistern erhalten.Trotz einer deutlichen Verminderung zumindest eines der Serum-Ig fanden sich bei Patienten mit multiplen Myelomen normale oder lediglich leicht herabgesetzte Zahlen Ig-tragender Lymphocyten. Bei Kranken mit M. Waldenström waren IgM-tragende Lymphocyten stark vermehrt. Trotz verminderter Serum-Ig Spiegel waren die anderen Ig-Klassen an der Zelloberfläche in etwa normaler Häufigkeit nachzuweisen. Diese Diskrepanz war bei Patienten mit chronischer Lymphadenose besonders ausgeprägt, bei denen eine extreme Vermehrung Ig-tragender Lymphocyten mit normalen oder verminderten Serum-Ig-Spiegeln einherging. Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf eine Störung der B-Zellreifung diskutiert.Diese Untersuchung wurde aus Mitteln des Fonds Kampf dem Krebs und des Fonds zur Unterstützung der wissenschaftl. Forschung finanziert.     

Effects of Β blockade and atropinisation on plasma catecholamine concentration during exercise

The changes in plasma catecholamine concentration (C) following -blockade (practolol, 15 mg) and atropinisation (Atropine, 1.8 mg) have been studied on 5 healthy male subjects during exercise on a motor driven treadmill.The results showed that for a given VO₂ and % VO_{2 max}, blockade was without effect on C (except in one athletic subject), but atropine produced a rise in C. In relation to Q, both drugs produced an increase in C, but for a given cardiac frequency (f _H ) C was higher with blockade, and lower with atropinisation than found in control experiments. The intra- and inter-subject variability of C in relation to f _H was resolved by considering the change in cardiac frequency calculated from baseline value obtained during walking at 6.44 km/h on the level, and expressed as a percentage of the maximal f _H attainable for given individuals under the different drug and control conditions (% f _H ).It was concluded that during short term exercise, the rise of C in relation to % f _H reflects both the myocardial sensitivity to vagal and blockade, and the circulatory vasoconstrictor control of blood vessels which is required to sustain increases in systemic and muscle blood flow.     

Length-dependent effects of osmotic compression on skinned rabbit psoas muscle fibers

The goal of this study was to characterize the interrelationship between sarcomere length and interfilament spacing in the control of Ca²⁺ sensitivity in skinned rabbit psoas muscle fibers. Measurements were made at sarcomere lengths 2.0, 2.7 and 3.4 m. At 2.7 m the fiber width was reduced by 17% relative to that at 2.0 m and the pCa₅₀ for force development was increased by 0.3 pCa units. In the presence of 5% Dextran T-500 the fiber width at sarcomere length 2.0 m was also decreased by 17% and the Ca²⁺ sensitivity was increased to the same value as at 2.7 m. In contrast, at sarcomere length 2.7 m the addition of as much as 10% Dextran T-500 had no effect on Ca²⁺ sensitivity. At sarcomere length 3.4 m there was an additional 7% compression and the Ca²⁺ sensitivity was increased slightly (0.1 pCa units) relative to that at 2.7 m. However at 3.4 m the addition of 5% Dextran T-500 caused the Ca²⁺ sensitivity to decrease to the level seen at 2.0 m. Given that the skinning process causes a swelling of the filament lattice it is evident that the relationship between sarcomere length and Ca²⁺ sensitivity observed in skinned fibers may not always be applicable to intact fibers. These data are consistent with measurements of Ca²⁺ in intact fibers which indicate that there might be a decline in Ca²⁺ sensitivity at long sarcomere lengths.     

Regulation of resting ionic conductances in frog skeletal muscle

The membrane electrical properties and resting ionic conductances of frog semitendinosus muscle fibres were studied in vitro at 25° C with the two-microelectrode cable technique, in the presence of an activator or inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC) or in the presence of an activator of adenylate cyclase. The PKC activator, 4-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (4-PDB), reduced chloride conductance (G _Cl) at concentrations greater than 1 M and did not affect potassium conductance (G _K). At 150 M, the maximum concentration of 4-PDB tested, G _Cl was reduced by 42%. The inactive phorbol ester 4-phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate did not affect G _Cl or G _K. The inhibitory effect of 4-PDB on G _Cl was prevented by pretreatment of the muscle preparation with the PKC inhibitor staurosporine. The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (1.5–8 M) significantly increased the G _K of the fibres, without affecting G _Cl. Thus, we conclude that frog skeletal muscle G _Cl, unlike rat muscle G _Cl, is relatively insensitive to activators of PKC. Moreover, in frog muscle, protein kinase A is a likely modulator of G _K, but not G _Cl.     

Pseudogenes and short repeated sequences in the rice chloroplast genome

Summary The rice chloroplast genome has been derived from a tobacco-like ancestral form by three major inversions. In the rice genome we have found six pseudogenes, trnG, trnI, 3-rps 12a, trnT, trnE and trnfM/G, all located near inversion endpoints, as well as four short repeated sequences. A comparison of rice, wheat and tobacco sequences indicated that similar pseudogenes are present in wheat but not in tobacco, suggesting that the creation of these pseudogenes occurred before the divergence of rice and wheat. The region downstream of rbcL is a variable region and contains rpl23 in rice and wheat and another 3-rps 12b further downstream in rice. This 3-rps 12b shows a higher homology to the functional rps 12 than 3-rps 12a, which suggests that it appeared more recently. The involvement of these pseudogenes in genome inversions and the creation of the pseudogenes and short repeated sequences are discussed.     

Effect of perftoran on macroglobulin content in the plasma and peritoneal exudate of rats with acute exudative inflammation (peritonitis)

The effect of blood substitute perftoran on the content of ₁- and ₂-macroglobulins in the plasma and exudate was studied in rats with acute exudative inflammation. After intravenous injection of perftoran macroglobulin content increased in the plasma, but remained unchanged in the peritoneal fluid.Translated from Byulleten Eksperimentalnoi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 138, No. 10, pp. 397–399, October, 2004     

Fine structure of the XY body in the XY1Y2 trivalent of the batArtibeus lituratus

Electron microscopy of spread spermatocytes and thin sections has been used to study the sex trivalent (XY₁Y₂) of the batArtibeus lituratus. Pachytene spermatocytes in thin sections show an XY body with typical chromatin condensation that is connected to autosomal chromatin through a synaptonemal complex (SC). Microspread spermatocytes show three axes and two SC segments (a short SC and a long one) in the sex trivalent. The short paired region corresponds to synapsis between the original X and Y pieces, while the long paired region corresponds to synapsis between the Y₂ element and the homologous, autosomal piece of the compound X-chromosome. The length ratios of the three axes correspond to those of the three mitotic chromosomes, X, Y₁ and Y₂. The high packing of chromatin corresponds exclusively to the original pieces of the X and Y elements, while the autosomal regions of the X and the Y₂ axes are surrounded by autosomal-like chromatin. Thus, in this trivalent the formation of an XY body in the original sex chromosomes is not inhibited by the presence of the autosomal pieces, and typical partial synapsis between the original X and Y elements is conserved. C-banding heterochromatin seems not to be the barrier preventing the spreading of heterochromatinization towards the autosomal piece in this trivalent.     

Renal proximal and distal tubular function is attenuated in diabetes mellitus type 1 as determined by the renal excretion of α1-microglobulin and Tamm-Horsfall protein

Summary Diabetic nephropathy is usually characterized by glomerular dysfunction; the view that tubular damage occurs as a consequence, however, has been disputed. To verify this hypothesis we compared glomerular with proximal and distal tubular parameters in 62 patients with diabetes mellitus type I. The duration of disease ranged between 0 and 39 years and the glomerular, proximal tubular, and distal tubular parameters were investigated in 24-h urine samples. Excretion of albumin as a marker of the glomerulum, ₁-microglobulin and N-acetyl--s-glucosaminidase as parameters of proximal tubule, and Tamm-Horsfall protein as parameter of distal tubule were determined by sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Patients were divided into five groups (D1–D5) according to the duration of diabetes as follows: D1, less than 1 year; D2, 1–4 years; D3, 5–9 years; D4, 10–14 years; D5, longer than 14 years. Healthy individuals (n = 61) aged 3–42 years served as controls. Significantly increased excretion of proximal tubular parameters were found in early course while albumin excretion was still in the normal range. In addition, proximal tubular ₁-microglobulin showed an increase during the course of diabetes duration, probably indicating an early proximal tubular impairment. Distal tubular Tamm-Horsfall protein showed increasing excretion in D1–D4, which may reflect disturbance of the thick ascending loop of Henle. Our results therefore stress the importance of tubular parameters such as ₁-microglobulin during early diabetes mellitus type I since they may serve as early markers of renal dysfunction and may precede albumin excretion. The thick ascending loop of Henle may play a decisive role in the course of diabetes mellitus and can be monitored by urinary THP-excretion of Tamm-Horsfall protein.Abbreviations ₁-MG ₁-microglobulin - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus - NAG N-acetyl--d-glucosaminidase - TALH thick ascending loop of Henle - THP Tamm-Horsfall protein     

Expression of the L-type calcium channel with two different β subunits and its modulation by Ro 40-5967

The smooth muscle 1_Cb subunit of the L-type calcium channel was expressed alone (CHO ₁ cell) or together with the skeletal 1 (CHO1 cell) subunit or smooth muscle 3 (CHO ₁ 3 cell) subunit in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The interaction of the expressed calcium channels with the non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker Ro 40-5967 was studied. Ro 40-5967 decreased isradipine binding by an apparent allosteric interaction and blocked the barium inward currents (I _Ba) in a voltage- and use-dependent manner in all cells. The steady-state inactivation curves were shifted to hyperpolarizing potentials in the presence of Ro 40-5967. The rate of channel inactivation was increased in CHO ₁ and CHO ₁ 3 cells. The shift in the steadystate inactivation curve and the increase in channel inactivation were less pronounced in CHO ₁ 1 cells than in the other cell lines. Low concentrations of Ro 40-5967 increased I _Ba by up to 198% in 33% of the CHO ₁ 1 cells. In addition, higher concentrations of Ro 40-5967 were required to inhibit I _Ba in 60% of the CHO ₁ 3 cells. These results suggest that the subunits modify the interaction of the non-dihydropyridine Ro 40-5967 with the expressed calcium channel ₁ subunit.Dedicated to the late Professor Dr. W. Osterrieder     

Four aspects of creep phenomena in striated muscle

Summary Four aspects of the slow creep of tension and sarcomere lengths observed during fixed-end tetani are studied with computer simulations, using the instantaneous steady-state (adiabatic) approximation. (1) Most aspects of fixed-end creep phenomena can be simulated in the presence of the passive forces which correctly produce initially shortened end sarcomeres. However, the very large maximum tensions observed with fibres of low resting force for sarcomere lengths > 3.0m cannot be simulated within the adiabatic approximation. (2) Random variations in the passive tension-length curve between different sarcomeres can predict the reported incidence of contracting sarcomeres in the middle of the fibre, while avoiding significant tension creep when a central segment is length-clamped. They can also reverse the velocity of these sarcomeres during creep in fibres with high resting tension, as observed by Altringham and Bottinelli (1985). At sarcomere lengths of 3.4m we find that spatial variations in passive tension strength also contribute to tension creep. (3) Crossbridge fluctuations in active tension have been estimated from the sliding-filament model, and do not contribute significantly to tension creep. (4) The need for inter-sarcomere stiffness or other mechanisms to produce an additional slow rise in tension at long times, and to smooth the sarcomere length distribution, is assessed.Mathematical symbols used for muscle variables and parameters, including standard parameter values _– slope of active tension-velocity curve in contraction per unit isometric tension - ₊ slope (as above) in extension per unit isometric tension - _i equals _± for sarcomere number i, (i = 1, ...,n) - l_i random sarcomere length shift for passive tension, sarc. no. i - l r.m.s. value of the passive length shifts - l_i random sarcomere length fluctuation from active tension - l r.m.s. value of the active length fluctuations - decay exponent per sarcomere for extra end tension strength - i sarcomere number [i = l(middle), ...,n(end)] - l_i(t) length of sarcomere i at time t - l_end average sarcomere length of a fibre segment at one end - l_* slack length per sarcomere - L total length of fibre - coefficient of viscous passive tension n number of sarcomeres in half-fibre - exponent for length dependence of extra end tension - t time - _C correlation time for active tension fluctuations - r overall rate of the contraction cycle - R₀ isometric ATP-ase rate per half-sarcomere - T(t) total tension per filament at time t - T(l, ) steady-state tension function (per filament) - T₀(l) isometric active tension for sarc. length l - T_Pp(l) homogeneous passive tension function of sarc. length l - T_{P i}(l_i) inhomogeneous passive tension for sarc. no. i, length l_i - T_P,o strength of passive tension function T_P(l) (at 3.6 m) - T_{i E}(l_i) extra end tension function for sarc. no. i - T_{E i} strength of extra end tension function for sarc. no. i (at 3.6 m) - T_E,o strength of extra end tension (T _E ⁿ ) at end of fibre (i = n) - extension velocity per sarcomer - exponent for length dependence of passive tension     

Effects of priming exercise intensity on the dynamic linearity of the pulmonary V̇O2 response during heavy exercise

Prior heavy-intensity exercise facilitates the pulmonary oxygen uptake (O₂) response during subsequent exercise, such that its kinetics returns towards first-order. To better understand this priming phenomenon, we investigated the effect of priming exercise, over a range of intensities, on the O₂ response to heavy-intensity cycle ergometry at a work rate of 50% [halfway between lactate threshold (LT) and O_2max]. Eight subjects performed two consecutive 6-min bouts separated by 6 min at 20 W. The first bout was each of: no warm-up control (CON), sub-lactate threshold (LT) at 80% of LT, and three supra-LT conditions (20%, 40%, and 60%). The O₂ response during the subsequent bout was evaluated using the effective time constant (), and the O₂ difference between minutes 3 and 6 (O_2(6–3)). The goodness-of-fit, indicative of first-order kinetics, was determined by the residual profile, and the mean square of errors (MSEr). The heart rate and blood lactate concentration ([La]r) just prior to the second bout were also measured. Compared with CON, and O_2(6–3) were significantly reduced following all supra-LT priming bouts, while the goodness-of-fit was significantly improved following 40% exercise. O_2(6–3) and [La]r were negatively correlated (P<0.05), unlike HR. In conclusion, prior exercise just above, but not below, LT facilitated the O₂ response in a threshold-like manner. Supra-LT priming exercise influenced the O₂ response allowing it to return to within as little as 12% from first-order (compared to ~50% in CON). The associated increases in circulating lactate and/or related factors seem to be centrally involved in this phenomenon.     

Distinct mechanism of human neuroblastoma cell adhesion to fibronectin

We investigated the adhesion of three morphologically distinct human neuroblastoma cell lines (NCG, GOTO and SK-N-DZ) to intact fibronectin, central cell binding domain fragment (CBF) and CS peptide-IgG conjugates in the fibronectin molecule. Each cell line was found to express different integrin fibronectin receptors ( _{3 1}, _{4 1} and ₅₁), although similarly attached on intact fibronectin. To CBF, NCG attached well, while GOTO moderately and SK-N-DZ poorly attached. Only GOTO adhered to CS1-IgG. RGDS inhibited the spreading of NCG and SK-N-DZ on intact fibronectin, but it barely inhibited that of GOTO. The analysis by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) revealed that NCG expressed abundant ₃₁ and ₅₁, but little ₄₁, while GOTO expressed a large amount of ₄₁ as well as ₅₁. SK-N-DZ was undetectable in any of these molecules, but expressed _v1, which was identified by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Polyclonal antibody to _v3 inhibited the adhesion of SK-N-DZ but not that of NCG or GOTO on intact fibronectin. These results suggest the existence of a distinct mechanism of cell adhesion to fibronectin among human neuroblastoma cell lines. It remains to be determined if such heterogeneous adhesion properties are related to the unique metastatic character of human neuroblastoma.     

Die optische Rotationsdispersion isolierter Paraproteine

Zusammenfassung Die aus dem optischen Drehungsvermögen abgeleiteten Konstanten elektrophoretisch isolierterA-Paraproteine werden mitgeteilt. Die Dispersionskonstante _c weist keine Unterschiede zwischen den 3 ParaproteingruppenG,A undM auf. Der nach dem Verfahren vonMoffitt undYang ermittelte Parameterb ₀ wurde zu Schätzung des-Helixgehaltes benutzt. Er betrug in den 7 untersuchten Paraproteinen 0. Für den Parameter —a ₀ ergab sich ein Mittelwert von 276,0±35,1. FürG-Paraprotein wurde in früheren Untersuchungen ein solcher von 312,8±20,8, fürM-Paraprotein 217,9±26,7 gefunden. Der Mittelwertsvergleich zeigte Signifikanz der Konstantea ₀ für jede der 3 Paraproteingruppen.a ₀ beschreibt demnach gruppenspezifische Eigenschaften von Paraproteinen. Die für den Wert vona ₀ maßgeblichen strukturellen Voraussetzungen sind kaum bekannt. Sie werden am ehesten die die spezifischen Antigendeterminanten tragenden H-Ketten des Paraproteinmoleküls betreffen.

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Summary The constants of the optical rotatory dispersion of electrophoretically isolatedA-paraproteins are communicated. There is no difference between theG,A andM-paraprotein group with respect to the dispersion constant _c . The parameterb ₀ was measured according toMoffitt andYang. The-Helix-content calculated fromb ₀ of 7A-paraproteins was sero (0).The mean value of the parameter —a ₀ was 276±35,1. In earlier experiments it was found that —a ₀ forG-paraproteins is 312,8±20,8 and forM-paraproteins 217,9±26,7. The parametera ₀ of each group differs significantly from the others; in other words,a ₀ is group specific. The structural implications of these findings are discussed.

     

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

We have investigated the role of recombinant human interleukin-1 (rIL-1) and recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rTNF-) on PLA₂ activity, protein synthesis and eicosanoid production in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Cellular PLA₂ activity increased 4-fold and production of PGE₂ increased 3-fold at 1–2 hrs in the presence of 10 units/ml rIL-1. PLA₂ activity increased 3-fold at 30 min and PGE₂ production increased 2-fold with 5×10^–9 M rTNF-. The data show that endothelial cells respond more rapidly to rIL-1 (2–6 hr) and rTNF- (30 min) than do chondrocytes and synovial cells (6–16 hrs), suggesting endothelial cells may play a primary role in initiating the inflammatory response.     

Zur Bedeutung der pathologischen Proteinkomponenten im Liquor cerebrospinalis und im Serum von Patienten mit der subakuten Encephalitis nach Dawson-Pette-D?ring-van Bogaert

Zusammenfassung Die subakute Encephalitis vonDawson, Pette-Döring undvan Bogaert wird durch das Vorkommen von pathologischen Eiweißkomponenten im Bereich der 7-S- _SS-Globuline begleitet. Wo im Serum die Paraproteine immunoelektrophoretisch im kathodischen Gebiet dieser Globulinfraktion festzustellen sind, muß im Liquor cerebrospinalis auch die Aufmerksamkeit dem anodischen Teil der 7-S- _SS-Globuline gewidmet werden.

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Summary Subacute encephalitis described byDowson, Pette, Döring andvan Bogaert is associated with presence of pathological protein components in the region of 7 S _SS-globulins. In the blood serum of the patients it is possible to determine paraproteins in the cathodic segment of this globulin fraction. In the cerebrospinal fluid it is necessary to pay attention also to the anodic segment of 7 S _SS-globulins.

     

Über den Effekt von γ-Aluminiumhydroxyd und γ-Aluminiumoxyd auf die antigene Wirksamkeit von Tetanus- und Diphtherietoxoid im Schutzversuch am Meerschweinchen

Zusammenfassung In zwei Versuchen mit je 600 Meerschweinchen wurde die Wirkung von-Al(OH)₃ und-Al₂O₃ auf Tetanus- bzw. Diphtherietoxoid untersucht. Die für beide Adjuvantien erzielten Werte sind vergleichbar. Der Schutzversuch wurde nach den zur Zeit gültigen deutschen staatlichen Prüfungsvorschriften durchgeführt. Für je eine Toxoidkonzentration der beiden Antigenarten wurden die wirksamkeitssteigernden Einflüsse der genannten Adjuvantien gemessen und dabei festgestellt, daß-Al₂O₃ gegenüber-Al(OH)₃ unterlegen ist. Vergleichende Versuche sprechen dafür, daß zwischen den verschiedenen-Al(OH)₃-Herstellungen keine Unterschiede hinsichtlich des adjuvierenden Effektes bestehen.