Auranofin affects early events in human polymorphonuclear neutrophil activation by receptor-mediated stimuli

Auranofin, a new oral antirheumatic gold compound, in concentrations achieved therapeutically, inhibits neutrophil phagocytosis, chemotaxis, chemiluminescence, reduction of cytochrome c, and release of lysosomal enzymes. To further characterize the mechanism by which auranofin affects neutrophils, we studied the effects of auranofin on unstimulated properties and functions of neutrophils as well as on rapidly stimulated functions. When examined by electron microscopy, 4 micrograms/ml of auranofin significantly decreased the number of visualized centriole-associated microtubules in resting cells. Furthermore, auranofin inhibited neutrophil spreading on glass and caused a decrease in negative surface charge (electrophoretic mobility). In addition, auranofin inhibited several fmet-leu-phe-stimulated responses such as shape change, increases in centriole-associated microtubules, decreases in surface charge, and elicited membrane potential changes (di-O-C5(3) dye response). Auranofin (1 micrograms/ml) inhibited fmet-leu-phe-stimulated superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production by 80% (p less than 0.05), and also increased the affinity of receptors for fmet-leu-phe (from Ka 0.035 to Ka 0.48, p less than 0.001). Auranofin also affected neutrophil responses to phorbol myristic acetate (PMA). The total amount of PMA-stimulated superoxide production was suppressed by as little as 0.4 micrograms/ml of auranofin, but the lag time for activation was shortened by low concentrations of auranofin (0.5 to 1 microgram/ml). Four micrograms per milliliter of auranofin suppressed the decrease in surface charge induced by PMA. However, auranofin did not influence superoxide production elicited by the ionophore A23187. The results indicate that auranofin affects the earliest detected responses in neutrophil activation by certain receptor-mediated stimuli.     

5-Hydroxytryptamine stimulates Rb efflux from pancreatic β-cells

The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux from prelabelled ob/ob-mouse islets were studied to better understand the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptophan on insulin release. 5-Hydroxytryptophan (4 mM) had no effect on ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux either at a low (3 mM) or at a high (20 mM) d-glucose concentration, whereas 5-hydroxytryptamine (4 mM) stimulated ⁸⁶Rb⁺ efflux at both glucose concentrations. These results indicate that 5-hydroxytryptamine may reduce glucose-induced insulin release by inhibiting early steps in the β-cell stimulus-secretion coupling.     

Some dasyclad algae of the sinemurian from the north-western iberian chains (Spain)

In a section of the Liassic southwest of the village of Préjano (Prov. Logroño) Sinemurian Dasyclad algae were found for the first time in the “Bankkalk-Series” of the “Carniolas-Formation” which is not dated up to that time. Six species,Dissocladella lucasi (Cros & Lemoine),Dissocladella iberica nov. sp.,Dissocladella ebroensis nov. sp.,Sestrosphaera liasina Pia,Gyroporella retica (Zanin) andMacroporella nov. sp. aff. sturi Bystricky are described.     

On the mechanism by which dopamine inhibits prolactin release in the anterior pituitary

An $\text{in}$$\text{vitro}$ perfusion system was used to assess the effects of chloride channel blockers, dopamine (DA) receptor agonists and antagonists, and GABA receptor agonists and antagonists on prolactin release from the mouse anterior pituitary. Dopamine and muscimol inhibited prolactin release ($\text{IC}{}_{50}{}^1\text{= 6 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?8}}\text{M and}\text{10}{}^{\mathrm{?5}}\text{M}$ respectively). The GABA receptor antagonist bicuculline blocked the inhibition of prolactin release by muscimol but not dopamine. The dopamine receptor antagonist chlorpromazine blocked the dopamine- but not muscimol-induced inhibition of prolactin release. Haloperidol, however, reversed both the muscimol and dopamine induced inhibition of prolactin release. Furthermore, the chloride channel blocker picrotoxinin blocked the inhibition of prolactin release elicited by both dopamine and muscimol. These later results suggest that the anterior pituitary dopamine receptor which mediates the inhibition of prolactin release may be coupled to a picrotoxinin sensitive chloride ionophore and that haloperidol may affect the function of both DA and GABA receptors in the anterior pituitary.     

The mongolian game Norobo or Cindi

Current debates over the concept of culture are examined, especially with regard to the relationship of culture to bounded collectivities, human nature, and individuality; present‐day views are seen against the background of back‐and‐forth swings in the history of anthropological thought. Recent theorizing about cultural acquisition is also considered.