Multiple molecular forms of rat superior cervical ganglion acetylcholinesterase: Developmental aspects in primary cell culture and during postnatal maturation in vivo

Four main molecular forms of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) can be solubilized from newborn rat superior cervical ganglia (SCG), homogenized in the presence of a high-ionic-strength, detergent-containing medium. These forms, respectively referred to as 16, 10, 6.5, and 4 S, are characterized by their sedimentation coefficients. Their relative proportions in SCG are notably different in vivo during postnatal maturation, and in culture. The 16-S AChE appears to be mainly neuronal in origin, is maintained in culture independently of original presynaptic in vivo elements, and its cellular pool is not depleted in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX).     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-(aminoalkyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives: a novel series of 5-HT(2A/2C) receptor antagonists. Part 2.

Following the programme started at Janssen Research Foundation searching for 5-HT(2A/2C) antagonists, we now report on the synthesis of a series of substituted 2-(Dimethylaminomethyl)-2,3,3a,8-tetrahydrodibenzo[c,f]isoxazolo[2,3-a]azepine derivatives. The 5-HT(2A), 5-HT(2C) and H(1) receptor affinities as well as the mCPP antagonistic activity of the compounds synthesised is described.     

Decrease of calcium turnover during the onset of mineralocorticoid hypertension in the rat.

Administration of choline chloride i.p. to rats causes a dose-dependent increase in the brain concentration of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine (ACh). This increase is maximal (22% after a 60-mg/kg dose) 40 minutes after injection. These observations suggest that precursor availability may influence brain ACh synthesis, just as brain tryptophan and tyrosine levels have previously been shown to control the synthesis of brain serotonin and catecholamines.     

The effect of increasing glucose in CPD on the quality of stored blood

Changes in quality of blood units containing one and a half or double amounts of glucose, stored at +4 degrees C for three weeks were analysed. An experimental preservative containing glucose and fructose (1 : 1) was also used. No other additives (purine or purine-nucleoside) were applied. A standard CPD preservative of the National Inst. of Haematology and Blood Transfusion was used as control. The pH, plasma free haemoglobin, K+ content, red blood cell (RBC) ATP and 2,3-DPG content, and RBC fragility index were determined in each sample. Increase of glucose concentration, the addition of fructose had a beneficial effect on blood pH, and on plasma free haemoglobin and K+ concentration. 150% glucose improved the 2,3-DPG maintenance in stored blood.     

Apport de la biochimie flavonique à la systematique du genre Lycopodium

A systematic study of Lycopodium s.l. shows that only flavones occur in the four genera Huperzia, Lepidotis, Lycopodium s.s. and Diphasium. The arrangement of these taxa is discussed on the basis of the distribution of tricin, selgin, chrysoeriol, luteolin and apigenin. The evolutionary significance of these results and the uniqueness of Lycopodium phenolic metabolism are outlined.