Neolignans from an Aniba species

The trunk wood of an Amazonian Aniba (Lauraceae) species contains, besides dillapiol and the benzodioxane-type neolignan eusiderin, four bicyclo(3.2.1)octanoid neolignans. These comprise representatives of the canellin-type: the known methoxycanellin-A and the novel compounds characterized as (1R, 3S, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7R)-1-allyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxy-7-methyl-6-(3′-methoxy-4′, 5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-8-oxo-bicyclo(3.2.1)octane; (1R, 3S, 4S, 5S, 6S, 7R)-1-allyl-4-hydroxy-3, 5-dimethoxy-7-methyl-6-(3′, 4′, 5′-trimethoxyphenyl)-8-oxobicyclo(3.2.1)octane and (1R, 4R, 5R, 6S, 7R, 8S)-1-allyl-4, 8-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-7-methyl-6-(3′-methoxy-4′,5′-methylenedioxyphenyl)-3-oxobicyclo(3.2.1)octane.     

Assay of interferon and viral antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid in clinical neurology and psychiatry

Cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) of 245 neurological and 194 psychiatric patients were tested for viral antibodies and interferon. Complement dependent neutralizing antibodies to Herpesvirus hominis 1 were found in the CSF of patients with encephalitis (50.6%), meningitis (35.4%), lesions of peripheral nerves (36.9%), sclerosis multiplex (41.2%), schizophrenia (31.9%), senile dementia (51.4%), mental retardation (11.1%), ethylism (43.5%). Neutralizing antibodies to tick-borne encephalitis virus were found in the CSF of 38% patients with encephalitis, in 14% meningitis, 11% lesions of peripheral nerves and also in 5.6--11.8% of psychiatric patients. In encephalitis, meningitis and in lesions of peripheral nerves were found in the CSF frequently plaque neutralizing antobidies to the tick-borne orbivirus Lipovník, complement-fixing antibodies to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies to measles virus. In multiple sclerosis were detected CSF antibodies to measles virus (44%), Herpesvirus hominis 1 (41.2%) and Lipovník virus (52.6%). In neurological patients were observed CSF antibodies simultaneously to two or three viruses in 16.7 to 40.6%, while in psychiatric patients in zero to 4.6%. CSF interferon was found in psychiatric patients with an equal or even higher incidence (33.7 to 57.1%) than in the neurological patients (29.6--38.6%, in multiple sclerosis only 16.7%). Non-interferon virus inhibitors were excluded. The evaluation of the ratio of serum and CSF titers of viral antibodies and of interferon indicated local synthesis of both in the central nervous system -- with the exception of antibodies to Herpesvirus hominis 1 in CSF of some patients with very high titres in serum and probable lesions of the blood brain barrier.     

Relationship of photocarotenogenesis to other behavioural and regulatory responses inPhycomyces

The effect of light on carotene accumulation was studied by analyzing the -carotene content of 4--old mycelia continuously exposed to illumination of different intensities. The wild-type, mutants defective in phototropism, mutants defective in carotene regulation, and newpic mutants specifically defective for photocarotenogenesis were examined. The results indicate that photocarotenogenesis depends on a single sensory pathway which shares its earlier steps (governed by genesmadA andmadB) with the sensory pathway for phototropism. It shares its later steps (probably governed by genescarA andpicB) with one of the pathways for carotene regulation, and includes at least one specific step (governed by genepicA) not known to be involved in other responses.     

Interaction of molybdenum with human erythrocyte membrane proteins

This study describes the interaction of molybdenum with blood components. Molybdenum-99 was added to blood, and after four washings, 3% of the total radioactivity was found in red cells. More specifically, the radioactivity was determined to be associated with the cell membrane. Molybdenum-99 in the +VI form did not interact with the human erythrocyte membrane; however, Mo(V) forms did interact. Of five different compounds, the highes uptake was observed with a brown Mo(V)-ascorbate complex generated from Mo(VI) and ascorbic acid in the molar ratio 1∶20. A membrane suspension of Mo-ascorbate-treated human erythrocytes was prepared and the solubilized proteins were separated on a polyacrylamide gel in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). Molybdenum-99 binding to spectrin was demonstrated, as well as some minor interactions with membrane hemoglobin and bands 6 and 8.     

Influence of physiologically active substances of the soil humus on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase in pea (Pisum sativum L.) roots

The influence of phenolic and humic acids on the activity of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase in the roots of pea under aseptic conditions has been investigated. It seems clear that vanillic and protocatechuic acids inhibit the enzyme activity in the excised roots of pea, but their dry weight increases in relation to the control. Gallic acid stimulates the G-6-PD activity in the roots of whole plants. The humic acids influence neither the enzyme activity nor the dry weight of pea seedlings after short-term treatment.     

Dimethyl sulfoxide: A solvent for cytokinins in theAmaranthus bioassay

Dimethyl sulfoxide present in the agar medium at concentration 0.2 % (v/v) and lower does not inhibit cytokinin-induced betacyanin synthesis in theAmaranthus caudatus seedlings. The activity of kinetin, N⁶-(Δ²-isopentenyl)adenine andtrans- zeatin is the same when these cytokinins are dissolved in either water or dimethyl sulfoxide and incorporated into the medium after autoclaving. A simple method is described which allows the cytokinin activity of slightly water-soluble and thermolabile compounds,e.g. aromatic urea and thiourea derivatives, to be determined in theAmaranthus bioassay.     

Some cellular immune reactions in infants. MIF,E-rosette formation and changes in nucleolar morphology

The cellular immune response (MIF, E-rosette formation and changes in nucleolar morphology of lymphocytes) was followed as related to age and antigenic stimulation. MIF in healthy infants increased from the 2nd to the 12th week of life as compared with the first week, probably due to BCG vaccination. The total and active E-rosette formation did not change during the whole period of investigation. Ring-shaped nucleoli increased gradually from the second week of life. Active nucleoli increased up to the 4th week,i.e. after BCG vaccination and then slowly decreased. Micronucleoli being high in the first week, decreased during 24 weeks of life. After artificial colonization of the intestine the production of MIF was slightly lower in colonized infants than in controls from the 2nd to the 12th week. The other parameters followed were not influenced by colonization.     

Some new species of Penicillium recovered from the atmosphere in Madrid and from other substrata

Six new species ofPenicillium Linkex Fries are described and illustrated. Four of them have been recovered from the atmosphere in Madrid, Spain, the other two species were isolated from must and from soil respectively. They clearly differ from all species of the genus described so far and are, therefore described and proposed as new taxa:Penicillium gerundense sp. nov.,Penicillium valentinum sp. nov.,Penicillium alicantinum sp. nov.,Penicillium malacaense sp. nov.,Penicillium tarraconense sp. nov., andPenicillium vasconiae sp. nov.