Solution-Phase, parallel synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of acylguanidine derivatives as potential sodium channel blockers

Solution-phase synthesis of various acylguanidine derivatives and the evaluation of a small library of compounds as potential sodium channel blockers are described.     

The Effect of Farmer Attitudes and Objectives on the Heterogeneity of Farm Attributes and Management in Switzerland

Identifying and interpreting the heterogeneity of farmer behaviour is becoming increasingly important in support of policy- and decision-making goals. This paper explores whether observed differences in farming practices can be interpreted from the heterogeneity of farmer behaviour. Farmer attitudes and objectives were analysed using a combination of principal components and cluster analysis applied to responses to statements in a telephone-based survey. Respondents were classified into four profiles; business-oriented, lifestylers, multifunctionalists and traditionalists. Each profile differed in terms of farm management practices, the amount of land farmers either managed or owned, the existence of successors and the importance placed on household members in providing information. The results suggest that knowledge of farmer behavioural profiles could support more targeted policy development that accounts for alternative farmer goals. However, similarities were also found between the profiles, suggesting that farmer behaviour would be better interpreted as a dynamic set of identities, rather than as static profiles.     

Über die Vaguswirkung beim Schlangenherzen

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die Vaguswirkung bei den Herzen von drei Schlangenarten, Spilotes pullatus L., Coluber longissimus Laur. und Coluber quatuorlineatus Lac. geprüft. Durch einen Schwellenreiz wird das Herz nach einer Latenz von 1–2 Sek. stillgestellt. Nur in den seltensten Fällen gelang es, den Reiz so abzustufen, daß das Herz verlangsamt und mit verminderter Kraft weiter arbeitete.Bei schwachem Vagusreiz sind während des Stillstandes die Herzabteilungen noch erregbar. Auch wird die Erregung der einen Abteilung auf die benachbarten übertragen. Bei starkem Vagusreiz ziehen sich die Vorhöfe bei künstlicher Reizung mit außerordentlich herabgesetzter Kraft zusammen.Nach Beendigung des Vagusreizes nimmt das Herz seine Tätigkeit sofort in vollem Umfange wieder auf, wenn der Vagus schwach gereizt wurde. Wurde er stark gereizt, so macht sich eine stark negativ inotrope Wirkung an den verschiedenen Herzabteilungen mit Ausnahme der Kammer, bemerkbar. Eine Tonussenkung der verschiedenen Herzabschnitte durch eine Vagusreizung wurde niemals beobachtet.     

Lipase of Pseudomonas cepacia for biotechnological purposes: purification,crystallization and characterization

Commercial lipase (triacylglycerol lipase, EC 3.1.1.3) of Pseudomonas cepacia (Amano) has been purified to homogeneity by a single chromatography on phenyl Sepharose. The eluted lipase crystallized spontaneously at 4°C in the eluent, containing 58–69% 2-propanol. The yield of the lipase was 87–100% and the specific activity during the hydrolysis of triolein 5800 U/mg protein. This protein has a molecular weight of 34.1 kDa as analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Its purity was determined by SDS-Page and capillary zone electrophoresis to be ≥ 99%. Immobilization on Sepharose increased its stability in organic solvents. This lipase of P. cepacia differs from that of other Pseudomonas strains in respect of substrate specificity and during crystallization. It exhibits a high stability in organic solvents and supercritical carbon dioxide.