Beta-adrenergic mechanism of the radio-protective effect of isoproterenol in a mammalian cell culture

A specific beta-agonist, isoproterenol, increased the intracellular content of cyclic AMP and decreased the radiosensitivity of Chinese hamster fibroblasts. Beta-antagonist, propranolol, blocked the manifestation of the effect of isoproterenol. Isoproterenol did not affect either the intracellular level of cyclic AMP or the radiosensitivity of B-82 cells which had no beta-adrenoreceptors.     

Factors controlling stem cell recirculation. 5. Modification of the effects of endogenous glucocorticoids on CFUs migration in T-deficient mice

It was shown that at a continuously increased level of endogenous glucocorticoids (injection of ACTH) in thymectomized and B mice the degree of inhibition of CFUs migration, that was observed in T-deficient mice without ACTH injection, did not increase. With T-deficiency the stimulatory effect of the hypocorticoid state (adrenalectomy) on the CFUs migration persisted but was less pronounced than in animals with intact thymus.     

THE EFFECTS OF SOLUBILIZATION PROCEDURES ON THE RELEASE AND MOLECULAR STATE OF ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE FROM ELECTRIC ORGAN TISSUE

Abstract— A study was made of the effect of various solubilization procedures on the release of AChE from electric organ tissue of the electric eel and on the molecular state of the enzyme. The procedures employed included homogenization in different ionic media or in the presence of detergents, etuymic treatment and chemical modification. Studies were performed on intact electroplax, tissue homogenates and membrane fractions. The apparent AChE activity of intact cells, homogenates and membrane fractions was shown to be governed by diffusion-controlled substrate and hydrogen ion gradients, generated by AChE-catalyscd hydrolysis, leading to a lower substrate concentration and a lower pH in the vicinity of the particulate enzyme.
Treatment of homogenates with NaCl solutions or with NaCl solutions containing the nonionic detergent Triton X-100 causes release of the native'molecular forms of the enzyme (primarily the 18 S species) which aggregate at low ionic strength. For optimal extraction both high ionic strength (e.g. 1 M-NaCl) and the detergent are needed AChE is also solubilized by treatment of tissue homogenates with trypsin, bacterial protease or collagenase. The first two enzymes caused its release as an 11 S non-aggregating form, while collagenase also produces a minor non-aggregating - 16 S component. Treatment of tissue homogenates with maleic anhydride causes release of AChE as a non-aggregating 18 S species. On the basis of the solubilization experiments it is concluded that the interaction of AChE with the excitable membrane is primarily electrostatic. The possible orientation of the enzyme within the synaptic gap is discussed.     

Acrylonitrile inhalation in rats: II. Excretion of thioethers and thiocyanate in urine

In male Wistar rats, the inhalation exposure to acrylonitrile (AN), 271 mg X m-3, 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, did not affect protein sulfhydryl concentration in liver and blood and decreased glutathione concentration in the liver, but not in the brain at the end of the fifth exposure. The urinary excretion of the main AN metabolites, thioethers (AN-mercapturic acids) and thiocyanate was proportional to the inhaled AN concentration (57, 125, 271 mg X m-3, respectively) in a single exposure for 12 hours, and their mutual ratio was greatly different from that after injection of AN. The results revealed that the urinary excretion of thioethers is a very sensitive and dose-related indicator of exposure to AN and extrapolation of the results indicates that the exposure to AN concentration below 10 mg X m-3 could thus be demonstrated.     

Antagonism by an LHRH agonist of the steroidogenic effects of exogenous human chorionic genadotrophin in the rhesus monkey

Fourteen regularly cycling female rhesus monkeys were observed daily for menstruation and bled from the saphenous vein at regular intervals throughout the study. Plasma samples were assayed by RIA for progesterone levels. The animals were divided into 3 subgroups. The first (n=5) received daily subcutaneous injections of 1000 IU hCG from the 18th to 36th day following onset of menstruation. The second (n=7) received the same hCG treatment and was also implanted subcutaneously from the 18th to 40th days with 1.2 mg [Des-gly¹⁰, DTrp⁶, ProNHEt⁹] LHRH contained in cholesterol matrix pellets. The third (n=2) was untreated. Intermenstrual interval was significantly extended by hCG treatment. The extension was partially overcome by the LHRH agonist. The hCG-induced elevation in plasma progesterone to peak values over 17ng/ml was blocked by the LHRH agonist to give mean values not significantly different from control luteal phase levels. Plasma estradiol levels were unaffected by hCG or LHRH agonist.     

Growth-induced mass flows in fungal networks

Cord-forming fungi form extensive networks that continuously adapt to maintain an efficient transport system. As osmotically driven water uptake is often distal from the tips, and aqueous fluids are incompressible, we propose that growth induces mass flows across the mycelium, whether or not there are intrahyphal concentration gradients. We imaged the temporal evolution of networks formed by Phanerochaete velutina, and at each stage calculated the unique set of currents that account for the observed changes in cord volume, while minimizing the work required to overcome viscous drag. Predicted speeds were in reasonable agreement with experimental data, and the pressure gradients needed to produce these flows are small. Furthermore, cords that were predicted to carry fast-moving or large currents were significantly more likely to increase in size than cords with slow-moving or small currents. The incompressibility of the fluids within fungi means there is a rapid global response to local fluid movements. Hence velocity of fluid flow is a local signal that conveys quasi-global information about the role of a cord within the mycelium. We suggest that fluid incompressibility and the coupling of growth and mass flow are critical physical features that enable the development of efficient, adaptive biological transport networks.     

Changes in the size of the myocardial damaged area in postischemic reperfusion

The changes in the size of the myocardial injury area during reperfusion after the coronary occlusion-induced ischemia lasting 30 minutes are phasic in nature. Until 3.5 h the injured area increases and after 23.5 h relatively diminishes. After a more prolonged ischemia such manifestations are either unmarked or absent. Ischemia lasting from 30 min to 4 hours followed by reperfusion, as compared with ischemia of the same duration without reperfusion, normally gives rise to the formation of an area of injury, which is less or occasionally equal in size. The data obtained and reported indicate that in the area of coronary occlusion there are groups of cardiomyocytes that differ as regards the resistance to ischemia.