Adenosine-5′-d: rotational conformation of the 5′-carbinol group

A synthesis of adenosine-5′-d (4), and its p.m.r. spectral characteristics, are described. The presence of deuterium in 4 gives rise to a 2:1 mixture of R and S configurations at C-5, thereby permitting specific assignments for the resonances of the residual 5′-protons. From the observed spin-spin coupling between the latter and H-4′, and estimate has been made of the rotamer population of the exocyclic 5′-carbinol group. It is shown that the gauche-gauche rotamer is preponderant (≈70%) and the gauche-trans one of minor importance (≈20%) in aqueous solution, which contrasts markedly with the preference for the latter rotamer exhibited by adenosine in the solid state.     

Comparative testing of disinfectant and antiseptic products using proposed European suspension testing methods

The development of standard suspension test methods for disinfectants and antiseptics for adoption in Europe is described. Evaluation of a range of disinfectant agents and products currently used in the UK under conditions as proposed for these tests indicates that the majority of products diluted in water of standard hardness showed satisfactory activity producing a 4·5–5 log reduction in viable count within 5 min against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecium, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans in the absence and presence of 1% albumin. All the products, when diluted with distilled water, produced greater than 5 log reduction in 60 min.     

Calcium at the surface of cardiac plasma membrane vesicles: Cation binding,surface charge screening,and Na−Ca exchange

Summary Calcium binding and Na–Ca exchange activity were measured in isolated cardiac plasma membrane vesicles under various ionic conditions. A model was developed to describe the Ca binding characteristics of cardiac sarcolemmal vesicles using the Gouy-Chapman theory of the diffuse double layer with specific cation binding to phospholipid carboxyl and phosphate groups. The surface association constants used for Ca, Na, K and H binding to both of these groups were 7, 0.63, 0.3 and 3800m ^–1, respectively. This model allows the estimation of surface [Ca] under any specific ionic conditions. The effects of the divalent screening cation, dimethonium, on Ca binding and Na–Ca exchange were compared. Dimethonium had no significant effect on Ca binding at high ionic strength (150mm KCl), but strongly depressed Ca binding at low ionic strength. Dimethonium had no significant effect on Na–Ca exchange (Na-inside dependent Ca influx) at either high or low ionic strength. These results suggest that the Ca sites of the Na–Ca exchanger are in a physical environment where they are either not exposed to or not sensitive to surface [Ca].     

Prevention of stress-induced gastric ulcers by dopamine agonists in the rat

Dopamine (DA) and DA agonists have been shown to exert a protective role against the formation of duodenal ulcers. The effect of stimulation of DA receptors on the development of stress-induced gastric ulcers is currently unknown. Accordingly, we evaluated the effect of several DA agonists on the development of gastric ulcers induced by 3 h of cold + restraint stress (CRS) in rats. Apomorphine, d-amphetamine, methylphenidate, and threo-dl-p-hydroxymethylphenidate (an hydroxylated analog of methylphenidate), significantly reduced both the incidence and severity of CRS-induced gastric ulcers. The gastric cytoprotection afforded by these agents was dose-related, and completely antagonized by pretreatment with the peripheally acting DA antagonist domperidone. Because domperidone blocks peripheral, but not central, DA receptors, and since the entry of threo-dl-p-hydroxymethylphenidate across the blood-brain barrier into the brain is restricted to a great extent, we conclude that stimulation of peripheral DA receptors is primarily involved in the gastric cytoprotection induced by dopamimetics.The pathogenesis of stress-induced gastric ulcers remains largely unknown, and significant efforts have been made over the last decade to functionally characterize some of the factors involved in the etiology of this disease. Considerable attention has been focused on gastric acid secretion, but its primary role in stress-induced gastric ulcer disease remains uncertain. In fact, agents which effectively inhibit or neutralize gastric acid secretion such as cimetidine or antacids do not necessarily exert protection against stress-induced gastric ulcers (1,2). Moreover, in our original studies with neurotensin, a brain and gastrointestinal peptide, we have found that central administration of this neuropeptide, which completely prevents the development of cold + restraint stress (CRS)-induced gastric ulcers, does not appreciably alter gastric acid secretion (2). These findings support the contention that gastric acid secretion may not be an important factor in the development of this type of gastric ulcer.There is, however, considerable evidence that the automatic nervous system plays an intermediary role in the development of these ulcers (3,4). In this regard, surgical or pharmacological blockade of the vagal (cholinergic) division of the autonomic nervous system prevents the appearance of stress-associated gastric ulcers (5,6). Direct stimulation of catecholamine receptors, or indirect activation via increased sympathetic outflow to the periphery (7,4,8–11) appears to produce a salutary effect of stress-induced gastric ulcers.Szabo and his associates (12, 13, 14) have extensively studied the anti ulcer effects of dopamine (DA) in duodenal ulcer formation. Whether DA also modifies the development of stress-induced gastric ulcers is currently unknown.We have therefore evaluated the effect of selected DA receptor agonists and antagonists on CRS-induced gastric ulcer formation in rats.     

A comparison of anionic sites in the glomerular basement membranes from different classes of fishes

Summary Cationized ferritin was injected into the circulatory system of teleosts, the sea raven and Atlantic eelpout, and into elasmobranchs, the spiny dogfish and the skate, to determine if the glomerular basement membranes (GBM) from these different groups of fishes possess anionic binding sites similar to those present in the GBM of mammals. The distribution of cationized ferritin was the same in all fishes listed. Cationized ferritin was localized only in the GBM and the mesangial matrix. The regular distribution of cationized ferritin within the laminae rarae (60 nm intervals) was taken as evidence of the presence of anionic binding sites. Cationized ferritin did not bind to the glomerular capillary endothelium, nor was any of it localized at the base of the slit diaphragms of the foot processes of the podocytes. The distribution of binding sites in the GBM of these fishes is similar to that in another teleost, the winter flounder, and in a cyclostome, the hagfish.     

Filtering rate of the cladoceran,Daphnia pulex as a function of body size,light and acclimation

Daphnia pulex were raised under nine light intensities (0, 1.7, 3.5, 7, 14, 28, 55, and 110 ft-c), polarized light (6.6 ft-c), and four wavelength ranges.Light intensity significantly affected the relationship between filtering rate and body size of unacclimated animals. The b values were lowest at 7 and 14 ft-c and they increased above 7 ft-c as light intensity increased. There were significant differences among b values and adjusted means for unacclimated animals. Acclimation to their respective conditions resulted in some significant differences between b values and adjusted means. For acclimated animals there were no significant differences among b values but there were some differences among adjusted means. The filtering rates of unacclimated and acclimated animals were lower at 14 ft-c while 1.7 and 3.5 ft-c were generally stimulatory and the effect was more pronounced in larger animals. Light intensities above 28 ft-c tended to suppress the filtering rate of small unacclimated animals and stimulate filtering rate in larger unacclimated animals. After acclimation, intensities above 7 ft-c did not affect the filtering rate of either small or large animals.The effect of polarized light on filtering rate was inseparable from the effect of light intensity, however, acclimation to polarized light resulted in a significantly higher b value.There were no significant effects of wavelength among b values for unacclimated animals and the adjusted mean for blue wavelengths was significantly higher than for violet wavelengths. There were no significant differences among b values or adjusted means for acclimated animals. Acclimation to their respective wavelengths did result in some significant differences between b values and adjusted means. Except for the effects of blue wavelengths on unacclimated animals and red wavelengths on acclimated animals, the effects of wavelengths are inseparable from the effects of light intensity.This paper is part of a Ph.D. Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate School of The University of Kansas.Supported in part by a NSF Summer Traineeship and a grant from the Research Corporation to St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota 55057.