New data on the tachyphylactic properties of sodium nucleinate]

Sodium nucleinate, when injected into mice in combination with killed E. coli or prodigiozan, caused a decrease in side effects produced by the vaccine or polysaccharide. The combined injection of sodium nucleinate and prodigiozan in doses, ineffective if introduced separately, was accompanied by the potentiation of their tachyphylactic action. The use of sodium nucleinate in combination with polyvinylprrolidone (hemodez) prolonged the tachyphylactic action of sodium nucleinate and increased its effectiveness. The proposed principle is supposed to be suitable for decreasing the reactogenicity of bacterial vaccines and polysaccharides.     

Characterization of some members of the genusThermomonospora

Twenty strains ofThermomonospora, isolated from the environments of patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis or received from culture collections or other workers, were studied for their detailed morphological, physiological, and immunological characteristics. The species studied includedThermomonospora fusca, T. alba, T. curvata, T. mesophilia, andT. mesouviformis. The results indicate that several species can be differentiated by various criteria studied; however, two species,T. fusca andT. alba, could not be separated from one another by any of the tests or methods used in the study.     

Anthocyanins of some Malaysian members of the gesneriaceae

The occurrence of 'normal' 3-hydroxylated anthocyanins in 8 Malaysian species of the Gesneriaceae supports the important chemotaxonomic results for this family. New compounds found in Chirita, Didissandra and Didymocarpus are the 3-arabinosylglucoside-5-glucosides of cyanidin and malidin, pigments which may have some systematic value.     

Cadmium resistance in some members of Enterobacteriaceae

Strains of members of Enterobacteriaceae, namely Escherichia coli (18), Klebsiella aerogenes (16), and Serratia marcescens (16) were screened for Cd resistance or sensitivity. Only one strain each of these was resistant to high levels (25 n moles/0.05 ml) CdCl2. The Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of sensitive strains ranged from 0.8-5 micrograms/ml. All the resistant strains were simultaneously resistant to a number of antibiotics. Treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate eliminated resistance to Cd and to some antibiotics.     

New data on serotoninergic mechanisms in ovulation in the cyclic female rat]

Injection of parachlorophenylalanine on dioestrus II at 18:00 was shown to decrease ovulation frequency in 4-day cyclic female rats. This effect was overcome by either HTP, or oestradiol benzoate, when administered on dioestrus II, at 18:00 and 10:00 - 11:00 respectively. No antiovulatory action of PCPA was observed on prooestrus at 13:00. These results provide support to the specificity of action of serotonin in the control of ovulation in the cyclic rat. They also suggest an interaction of serotonin and oestrogens in this control.     

New data on luteotropic mechanism of action of estrogens during the rat estrus cycle]

An increase in peripheral blood progesterone concentration was observed in diestrus II, at 17:30 in 4-day cyclic female rats subcutaneously injected with 10 microgram estradiol benzoate (EB) at 10:00-11:00 on diestrus I. Pentobarbital injection (30 mg/kg) at 13:30 on diestrus II did not prevent this effect on EB. By contrast PB injected at 13:30 on diestrus II as above completely suppressed the luteinizing or ovulating effects of EB. The action of estrogen on blood progesterone level was therefore concluded to be unrelated to the mechanisms underlying estrogen-induced ovulation luteinization in the cyclic female rat.