OXIDATIVE AND HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES IN THE NEPHRON OF NECTURUS MACULOSUS : Histochemical, Biochemical, and Electron Microscopical Studies

The distribution of oxidative and hydrolytic enzyme activities along the nephron of Necturus maculosus Rafinesque was studied histochemically. The proximal tubule possessed all the demonstrable enzyme activities associated with the hexose-monophosphate shunt and glycolysis, but lacked detectable succinic dehydrogenase and cytochrome oxidase activities. Krebs cycle enzymes other than succinic dehydrogenase were easily detectable. The distal tubule, on the other hand, possessed no detectable hexose-monophosphate shunt enzyme activities, but all demonstrable glycolytic and Krebs cycle enzymes and cytochrome oxidase were present in high activity. These data indicate that the proximal tubule of Necturus probably cannot depend, as can the distal tubule, on the Krebs cycle and cytochrome system to provide energy for its transport processes, an inference supported, in general, by available physiological evidence. The question of the importance of the hexose shunt to proximal tubular function arises. Evidence is presented that the proximal tubular blood supply is primarily venous in nature, a hypothesis which would correlate well with its anaerobic metabolic pattern. In addition, the absence of cytochrome oxidase and succinic dehydrogenase from the proximal tubular cells implies either that they possess very few mitochondria, or that their mitochondria have a very unusual enzymatic pattern. Electron microscopical observations and data obtained from the measurement of the enzyme activities of homogenates of Necturus kidney are presented which indicate that the second hypothesis is more probably correct.     

IS SUICIDE PREVENTABLE?

Among 500 cases of suicide analyzed in Stockholm, fewer than a third were associated with depression. Most forms of psychiatric disease were represented. Nevertheless, most persons give some warning before attempting suicide, and these warnings should be the signal for preventive action. Centers with trained personnel could prevent many suicides, if the potential victims were recognized and referred early enough. Laymen too should be educated to recognize potential suicide and help avert it.     

SEROLOGICAL STUDIES IN BAPTISIA AND CERTAIN OTHER GENERA OF THE LEGUMINOSAE

Fourteen species of Baptisia were compared serologically, using antiserum against B. nuttalliana. By means of both immunoelectrophoretic and double-diffusion techniques, it was possible to disclose 11 distinct arcs plus some weaker arcs, with few reliable (definite and repeatable) differences detected among the species of Baptisia investigated. Since the individual species of Baptisia are often quite distinctive, as judged by other chemical and morphological criteria, the serological data are in this instance conservative and appear to be effective in circumscribing the genus. In contrast, striking interspecific differences in the serological properties of unicellular green algae have been obtained (reported elsewhere) by similar techniques in this laboratory. It is concluded that serological data should be regarded as adjuncts to other systematic knowledge only on the basis of empirical manifestations of their utility. There is no clear justification for regarding serological data as intrinsically either superior or inferior to other systematic criteria.     

Chemical Characterization of Wines Fermented with Various Malo-lactic Bacteria

Six malo-lactic strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from California wines and identified as Lactobacillus delbrueckii, L. buchneri, L. brevis, Leuconostoc citrovorum, and two strains of Pediococcus cerevisiae. Malo-lactic fermentation was induced in separate lots of wine by inoculation of each lot with one of the strains of bacteria. Malo-lactic fermentation had occurred in each inoculated wine within 2 months. The resultant wines were subjected to chemical analysis, including gas chromatographic examination of concentrated extracts of the wines. Only a few differences in composition were found when the malo-lactic wines were compared one with another. The differences that were found were in volatile acidity and in concentrations of acetoin (plus diacetyl) and probably diethyl succinate.