Clinical Evaluation of a New Sequential Oral Contraceptive Agent

One hundred and seventy-eight patients were placed on a new sequential oral contraceptive preparation (Ortho-Novum SQ) and observed through a total of 1785 months in an effort to determine the effectiveness of the agent and its acceptability to patients. Patients with varicose veins and/or previous thrombophlebitis were not excluded from the study. The most frequent side effect was “breakthrough bleeding” which occurred in 19 patients. One patient became pregnant while apparently taking the tablets as directed, and another was already pregnant when started on the drug. However, in spite of at least four weeks'' continued ingestion after conception, both gave birth to normal female infants. Chloasma, noted in four patients while on combination oral contraceptives, cleared on this medication. There was no aggravation of thrombophlebitis or varicose veins. The acceptance of this sequential preparation by patients was excellent.     

Complexes of bivalent cations with neryl and geranyl pyrophosphate: Their role in terpene biosynthesis

Kinetic analysis of the nonenzymic solvolysis of neryl and geranyl pyrophosphate (NPP and GPP, respectively) showed that the dissociation constants of the bis-metallic complexes with Mg²⁺ and Mn²⁺ were larger for NPP than for GPP by approximately one order of magnitude. Rate constants for reaction of the bis-metallic complexes were larger for NPP than for GPP. Qualitatively similar behavior was observed with complexes of Co²⁺. Extents of elimination and cyclization were increased by metal ions. Carbocyclase-catalyzed formation of cyclic monoterpene hydrocarbons in the presence of Mg²⁺ involved bis-metallic complexes as the “true” substrates.     

Chemolithotrophic ATP synthesis and NAD(P) reduction in Thiobacillus tepidarius and T. versutus

Thiosulphate-dependent reduction of NAD and NADP in intact cells of Thiobacillus tepidarius and T. versutus was severely inhibited or abolished by FCCP at concentrations that did not affect ATP synthesis over the same time scale. Thiosulphate-dependent ATP synthesis in T. tepidarius was abolished by the ATPase inhibitor DCCD, which did not affect NAD or NADP reduction at the concentrations tested. These results indicate that energy-dependent NAD(P) reduction using reversal of electron transfer from cytochrome b or c in thiobacilli is directly driven by the p generated by thiosulphate oxidation, and does not require the participation of ATP. While NAD(P) reduction and ATP synthesis are thus both effected by sulphur compound oxidation, there is no obligatory link between them.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone - DCCD dicyclohexylcarbodiimide - DNP 2,4-dinitrophenol - G-6-P glucose 6-phosphate - FCCP carbonylcyanide p-fluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone     

Taxonomic status of the extinct Banff longnose dace,Rhinichthys cataractae smithi,of Banff National Park,Alberta

Synopsis Study of 314 specimens of Rhinichthys cataractae from British Columbia, Alberta, and Wyoming, lead to the following conclusions: (1) Rhinichthys cataractae smithi Nichols,1916, is a valid subspecies, endemic to Cave and Basin Hotsprings and distinguished by 48–58 as opposed to 58–74 lateral line scales; (2) between 1925 and 1971, R. c. smithi hybridized with the eastern subspecies R. c. cataractae (Valenciennes,1842) from the Bow River and by 1981 the former had undergone almost complete introgression and was virtually extinct; (3) probable factors leading to this are introduction of tropical fishes into the hotsprings and periodic reduction of inflow from the hotsprings; (4) the closest relative of R. c. smithi is R. c. cataractae, rather than the westslope longnose dace (without a scientific name) inhabiting the Pacific basin; (5) the low number of lateral line scales of R. c. smithi may be a pleomeristic response to dwarfing; (6) R. c. smithi develops breeding tubercles at sizes as small as 21.1 mm SL, whereas R. c. cataractae develop them at 36.3 mm SL in Alberta; (7) introductions should not be made into a body of water prior to the study of its native fishes and consultation with experts in taxonomy and distribution of rare fishes. R. c. smithi is illustrated for the first time.     

Effects of reproductive state on concentrations of thyroxine, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine and cortisol in serum of dogs

Reproductive state of animals frequently is overlooked when examining endocrine functions of the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex. This experiment was done to determine effects of reproductive state on basal and stimulated concentrations of thyroxine (total T4), 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (total T3) and cortisol in serum of adult Beagle dogs. Five male, 5 anestrous, 5 proestrous, 5 diestrous, 5 pregnant and 5 lactating dogs were fasted for 18 h before each dog received 5 IU of thyrotropic hormone (TSH) i.v. and 2.2 IU/kg of body weight of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) i.m. Blood samples were collected via jugular cannulas or by jugular venipuncture at 60, 45, 30, 15 and 1 min before and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12 and 24 h after injection. Concentrations of T4 were similar in serum from diestrous and pregnant bitches but were greater (P less than 0.025) than those in dogs of other reproductive states before and after treatment with TSH. Concentrations of T3 were greater (P less than 0.005) in serum from diestrous bitches before and after TSH injection than in serum from dogs of all other reproductive states. Concentrations of T3 in males, anestrus, proestrus, pregnancy and lactation did not differ. Basal concentrations of cortisol did not differ consistently among reproductive states. However, concentrations post-ACTH were different (P less than 0.05) with anestrus = diestrus greater than lactation = pregnancy = male greater than proestrus. These results indicate that reproductive state of experimental animals must be considered when studying thyroidal and adrenal functions.