Phylogenetic relationships in theSideritis leucantha group (Lamiaceae)

Six closely related taxa of the sect.Eusideritis of the genusSideritis (S. leucantha, S. pusilla, S. flavovirens, S. granatensis, S. biflora andS. osteoxylla) are analysed to elucidate their phylogenetic relationships and position within the sect.Eusideritis. Meiotic behaviour, karyotype features, size and fertility of pollen grains, DNA amounts and seed protein profiles are reviewed. A polyploid origin of the group (from x = 7) and the further diversification through dysploidy and chromosome repatterning is postulated.S. osteoxylla is apparently of hybrid origin.     

Ultrastructural modifications of the cavities formed by folliculo-stellate cells in chicken adenohypophysis under septic shock conditions

Effects of septic shock by repeated inoculations with Escherichia coli on the ultrastructure of the folliculo-stellate cells and cavities of the adenohypophysis of the chicken were investigated in order to determine the function of these cavities. The principal morphological modifications were dilation of the Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum and autophagic vacuoles, and necrosis phenomena in the stellate cells. The follicular cavities showed dilation, and there was heterogeneous dense material and granular elements in the follicular lumen. Based on results reported in the literature, the observations reported here are evidence of a "cleaning-role", for the removal of cell debris, when there is endocrine disfunction.     

Induction of heavy metal binding groups by dexamethasone and Zn in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells

Cd binding capacity and pulse polarography were used to study the inducibility of sulfhydryl groups in cultured Chinese hamster ovary cells (wild type and a Cd-resistant mutant) in response to dexamethasone (dex) and Zn. Evidence is presented that both the wild type and the mutant responded to dex and Zn treatment by induction of sulfhydryl groups. In wild type for Zn and dex as well as in the mutant for dex, this induction seems to be in the form of sulfhydryls attached to particulate or membrane fractions in the cells. For Zn in the Cd-resistant mutant the induction was in the form of metallothionein.     

Immobilization of lactate dehydrogenase on polyacrylamide beads

Pig muscle lactate dehydrogenase (L-lactate:NAD oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.27) was covalently immobilized on polyacrylamide beads containing carboxylic functional groups activated by water-soluble carbodiimide. The effects of immobilization on the catalytic properties and stability of the lactate dehydrogenase were studied. There was no shift in the pH optimum of the immobilized enzyme compared to that of the soluble one. The apparent optimum temperature of the soluble enzyme was 65 degrees C, while that of the immobilized enzyme was between 50 and 65 degrees C. The apparent Km values of the immobilized enzyme with pyruvate and NADH substrates were higher than those of the soluble enzyme. As a result of immobilization, enhanced stabilities were found against heat treatment, changes in pH, and urea denaturation.     

Angina pectoris-like pain provoked by intravenous adenosine in healthy volunteers.

In a study to characterise the chest pain induced by adenosine this agent was given as a bolus into a peripheral vein to six healthy volunteers (five men) aged 30-44. On the first day the maximum tolerable dose was determined in each case. On the second day three doses of adenosine (one third, two thirds, and the full maximum tolerable dose) and three doses of saline were given single blind in randomised order. Thereafter aminophylline 5 mg/kg was given and the procedure repeated in a different randomised order. On the third day between two thirds and the full maximum tolerable dose was given followed by 10 mg dipyridamole intravenously and a second injection of the same dose of adenosine. Heart rate and atrioventricular blocks were recorded by electrocardiography. One minute after each dose of adenosine the chest pain was scored. The maximum tolerable dose of adenosine ranged from 10.6 to 37.1 mg. All subjects experienced uneasy central chest pain provoking anxiety. The pain radiated to the shoulders, ulnar aspect of the arms, epigastric area, back, and into the throat. The pain began about 20 seconds after the injection and lasted 10-15 seconds. Increasing the dose of adenosine increased the intensity of the pain. Administration of aminophylline reduced the pain significantly. Second degree heart block was recorded in five of the six subjects during the time that the pain was experienced. After aminophylline no block was observed. Dipyridamole increased the intensity of pain. The duration of second degree heart block increased in four of the subjects, and in two of these third degree heart block occurred. These findings suggest that adenosine released from the myocardium during ischaemia induces angina pectoris by stimulating theophylline sensitive receptors.     

The effect of neutral and charged micelles on the acid-base dissociation of the local anesthetic tetracaine

The influence of surfactant micelles on the acid-base dissociation of the charged tertiary amino group of the local anesthetic, tetracaine, has been investigated. From measurements of tetracaine fluorescence as a function of bulk pH, apparent $\text{p}\text{K}$ values of 6.88, 7.58 and 9.92 were found in the presence of cationic, neutral and anionic micelles, respectively, in 10 mM NaCl. These values are considerably displaced with respect to the $\text{p}\text{K}$ in aqueous solution which is 8.26. Such large shifts can be attributed to the effect of the surface polarity and electrical potential on the dissociation behavior of the anesthetic bound to micelles. It can be expected that the acid-base dissociation of a local anesthetic adsorbed to nerve fibers will also be affected by the properties of the membrane surface. Thus, it is suggested that the influence of the interfacial region on the $\text{p}\text{K}$ of surface-bound molecules should not be disregarded when estimating the proportion of charged and uncharged forms of local anesthetics interacting with axonal membranes.     

Homology and repair of UV-irradiated plasmid DNA in haemophilus influenzae

UV-irradiated plasmid pNov1 containing a cloned fragment of chromosomal DNA could be repaired by excision, but plasmid p2265 without homology to the chromosome could not. Establishment of pNov1 was more UV resistant in Rec⁻ than in Rec⁺ cells.     

Synthesis and hydrolysis of 1,3-beta-xylosidic linkages by endo-1,4-beta-xylanase of Cryptococcus albidus

Purified extracellular endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) of the yeast Cryptococcus albidus was found to catalyze not only the known 1,4-beta-transfer, but an alternative transglycosylation reaction leading to the formation of 1,3-beta-glycosidic linkages. From a mixture of products of beta-xylanase degradation of phenyl beta-D-xylopyranoside three xylooligosaccharide fractions, differing chromatographically from the 1,4-beta-linked products, were isolated by preparative paper chromatography. Their structure was elucidated by mass spectrometry, 13C-NMR spectroscopy and enzymic hydrolysis by beta-xylanase and beta-xylosidase. The isomeric xylotriose was identified as 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-D-xylose. The fraction of isomeric tetrasaccharides was found to be represented mainly by 4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-4-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl- D-xylose. The xylooligosaccharides containing one 1,3-beta-linkage were also produced on the enzyme treatment of 1,4-beta-xylotriose and 1,4-beta-xylan. When treated with the enzyme responsible for their synthesis, the isomeric xylooligosaccharides were hydrolyzed at the 1,3-beta-linkage, despite the fact the enzyme does not attack 1,3-beta-xylan. The results are interpreted in the relation to the characterized four-subsite substrate-binding site of the enzyme.     

Trypanosoma cruzi: 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine in the treatment of experimental Chagas' disease

An allopurinol metabolite, 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine, was tested on two different strains of mice (NMRI-IVIC and C57Bl/6J) that had been infected 4 days earlier with the virulent Ya strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. Low doses of 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine (0.125-0.500 mg/kg body wt/day) for 10 days induced a significant reduction in parasitemia (direct counts and subinoculation experiments) and increased survival time (without any evidence of toxicity) compared with untreated animals. When tested in vitro, 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine was sixfold more active than allopurinol as a trypanostatic drug. The low therapeutic doses of 4-aminopyrazolopyrimidine suggest that this drug may be useful in the treatment of acute Chagas' disease.