Adrenergic reactions of sheep rumen in vitro

The alpha and beta-adrenergic responses of the isolated muscle of sheep rumen were analysed by pharmacodynamic methods after administration of alpha and beta-adrenergic agonists and alpha and beta-adrenergic antagonists. It was found that phenylephrine, and in a lower degree propranolol, stimulated contractions of isolated muscle of sheep rumen while adrenaline, noradrenaline, isoprenaline, phenoxybenzamine and regitine inhibited these contractions. Propranolol abolished the dilating (atonic) effect of catecholamines on the isolated muscles of sheep rumen and previous blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors with propranolol reversed the dilating effects of catecholamines. It is concluded that noradrenaline has an ambiceptor effect (similar to that of adrenaline) on the isolated muscle of the rumen.     

Chemoreceptor function and metabolism of the carotid body in the rat

Using fluorimetric and polarographic determination of cell respiration, metabolic reactions of the carotid body of rats to adequate stimulation have been revealed. Functional relationships of the dose--effect type, which were found for these reactions, may be approximated by equations which are similar to those describing the unconditioned reflexes from the carotid chemoreceptors. However, reactions of the metabolics systems of the carotid body account for the perception of not all chemical stimuli, but only of acids and some alkaloids. These data reveal the heteregeneity of the carotid chemosensory system not only in the amphibians (which was known earlier), but in mammals as well.     

FOLATE LEVELS IN DEVELOPING MOUSE BRAIN1

Abstract— The folate coenzymes of mouse brain underwent quantitative and qualitative changes during the first few weeks after birth. The total folate coenzymes per unit wet weight declined by approximately 60 per cent. In the newborn brains a relatively small proportion of the total folates were poly-γ-glutamyl derivatives, but the percentage of the total folates in these forms increased as the brain matured.     

UV resistance of E. coli K-12 deficient in cAMP/CRP regulation.

Deletion of genes for adenylate cyclase (delta cya) or cAMP receptor protein (delta crp) in E. coli K-12 confers a phenotype that includes resistance to UV radiation (254 nm). Such mutations lead to UV resistance of uvr+, uvrA, lexA and recA strains which could partly be abolished by the addition of cAMP to delta cya but not to delta crp strain culture medium. This effect was not related to either inducibility of major DNA repair genes or growth rate of the bacteria. Enhanced survival was also observed for UV-irradiated lambda bacteriophage indicating that a repair mechanism of UV lesions was involved in this phenomenon.     

Histochemical study of reverse reactions in experimental leprosy in armadillos

Morphological and histochemical characteristics of reverse reactions in M. leprae-infected armadillos are reviewed. The reverse reactions develop in generalized lepromatous disease and are characterized by a dramatic decrease in mycobacterial macrophage load and the appearance of lymphocytes, epithelioid and giant multinuclear cells with peripheral nucleus distribution. Histochemical investigation has shown a decrease in the activity of redox enzymes and alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase and an increase in beta-glucuronidase activity. The reverse reactions in the liver are accompanied by hepatic granuloma and hepatocyte destruction.