Showing papers in "The Journal of General Physiology in 1943"
TL;DR: A theoretical picture has been presented based on the use of the general kinetic equations for ion motion under the influence of diffusion and electrical forces and on a consideration of possible membrane structures that shows qualitative agreement with the rectification properties and very good agreementwith the membrane potential data.
Abstract: Impedance and potential measurements have been made on a number of artificial membranes. Impedance changes were determined as functions of current and of the composition of the environmental solutions. It was shown that rectification is present in asymmetrical systems and that it increases with the membrane potential. The behavior in pairs of solutions of the same salt at different concentrations has formed the basis for the studies although a few experiments with different salts at the same concentrations gave results consistent with the conclusions drawn. A theoretical picture has been presented based on the use of the general kinetic equations for ion motion under the influence of diffusion and electrical forces and on a consideration of possible membrane structures. The equations have been solved for two very simple cases; one based on the assumption of microscopic electroneutrality, and the other on the assumption of a constant electric field. The latter was found to give better results than the former in interpreting the data on potentials and rectification, showing agreement, however, of the right order of magnitude only. Although the indications are that a careful treatment of boundary conditions may result in better agreement with experiment, no attempt has been made to carry this through since the data now available are not sufficiently complete or reproducible. Applications of the second theoretical case to the squid giant axon have been made showing qualitative agreement with the rectification properties and very good agreement with the membrane potential data.
2,685 citations
TL;DR: Calculations on the quantitative determination of the rate of turnover of a substance and their application to experiments involving the use of labeling agents are given, taking into account loss of the isotopic substance by way of breakdown or transport.
Abstract: 1. A new method for the determination of an immediate precursor of a substance occurring in the animal body is presented. 2. Calculations on the quantitative determination of the rate of turnover of a substance and their application to experiments involving the use of labeling agents are given. These calculations take into account loss of the isotopic substance by way of breakdown or transport.
531 citations
TL;DR: The kinetics of the reversible combination of one enzyme center with one molecule of a substrate or inhibitor is treated as a true bimolecular instead of a pseudomonomolecular reaction, and a new term, "specific concentration," is introduced to denote the concentration of reactants in units equal to the dissociation constant.
Abstract: 1. The kinetics of the reversible combination of one enzyme center with one molecule of a substrate or inhibitor is treated as a true bimolecular instead of a pseudomonomolecular reaction. The general equations describing such a reaction are presented and analyzed algebraically and graphically. 2. A new term, "specific concentration," is introduced to denote the concentration of reactants in units equal to the dissociation constant. Its use makes the kinetic equations universally applicable to all reversible systems of the given type. 3. It is shown that such a system exhibits three "zones" of behavior. Each zone is characterized and shown to exhibit significant differences in the function relating the concentrations of the components of the system at equilibrium. The zone boundaries are rigorously defined in terms of the specific enzyme concentration, for the mathematical error tolerable with a given experimental accuracy; and approximate boundaries for practical use are proposed. 4. The classical treatment of enzyme kinetics is shown to be a limiting case valid only for low specific enzyme concentrations (zone A) and to be inapplicable in a number of systems whose dissociation constants are very small or whose molar enzyme concentrations are very great, and in which, therefore, the specific enzyme concentrations are large. See Table I for a summary of zone differences. 5. In an enzyme system containing substrate or inhibitor, dilution before determination of reaction velocities is shown to be a crucial operation, entailing large changes in the fraction of enzyme in the form of a complex. The changes in fractional activity or inhibition with dilution are shown to be a function of specific enzyme concentration, the dilution factor, and the fraction of enzyme initially in the form of complex. Equations are given permitting the calculation of the state of the system at any concentration. The errors introduced into physiological work by failure to take the dilution effect into account are pointed out. 6. Experimental data are presented showing that the system composed of serum cholinesterase and physostigmine behaves as predicted by the dilution effect equations. 7. Two other conclusions of practical pharmacological importance are drawn from the theory of zone behavior: (a) The finding that a biological response is a linear function of the dose of a drug does not necessarily mean that the reaction is irreversible, but only that if reversible, the reactant with which the drug combines has a high specific concentration. (b) If a tissue enzyme has a high specific concentration, all reversible inhibitors will be equally potent in combining with it, regardless of their relative potency in dilute systems; provided only that their dissociation constants are within certain broad limits. 8. It is shown how the type of analysis here applied to bimolecular reactions can be applied in toto to systems of the type E + nX left harpoon over right harpoon EX(n), where n molecules of substrate or inhibitor unite with one enzyme center. The zone boundaries and the magnitude of the dilution effect change with n, but the general characteristics of the zones are the same for all values of n. 9. Since the analysis is based only on mass law assumptions, it is applicable to any system that is formally analogous to the one here treated.
227 citations
TL;DR: The effect of ribonuclease on various enzyme systems was studied and it was suggested that the enzymes inhibited may be contained in a ribonucleoprotein of macromolecular dimensions but that the enzyme not inhibited are not necessarily excluded from such a complex by the data presented.
Abstract: 1. The mechanism of succinic dehydrogenase action was studied by means of inhibitors. 2. The enzyme is inhibited by a large number of diverse compounds whose only common denominator appears to be their ability to react with SH groups. These compounds include quinonoid structures, sulfhydryl reagents, sulfhydryl compounds, copper, zinc, selenite, and arsenite. 3. In contrast to the above inhibitors, the action of malonate does not appear to involve sulfhydryl groups and is explained on the basis of its affinity for the enzyme groups which react with the carboxyl groups of succinate. 4. The action of malonate and the sulfhydryl reactants is mutually exclusive, and this fact suggests the conclusion that the sulfhydryl group of the enzyme is located between the carboxyl affinity points. 5. On the basis of the deduced structure of the succinate-activating center of the enzyme, it is suggested that the enzyme may function by oscillating between the EnSH and EnS. forms, rather than by a thiol-disulfide equilibrium.
146 citations
TL;DR: The method for the determination of turnover time and turnover rate of plasma phospholipid is presented and the amount of phospholIPid in an organ that is supplied by plasma phosphlipid per hour is calculated.
Abstract: 1. A method for the determination of turnover time and turnover rate of plasma phospholipid is presented. 2. During the postabsorptive state 5.2 to 8.0 mg. of phospholipid phosphorus are turned over per hour in the plasma of dogs weighing 6–9 kilos. 3. The amount of phospholipid in an organ that is supplied by plasma phospholipid per hour is calculated.
66 citations
TL;DR: It has been shown that under proper conditions the angle centrifuge may be used for approximate determinations of particle size, andRecommendations, based mostly on experimental evidence, have been made for improving sedimentation and interpreting results.
Abstract: 1. Using hemocyanin from Limulus polyphemus as a test material, the process of sedimentation in the angle centrifuge, operating both in vacuum and in the open air, has been investigated. 2. Sedimentation in a given field of force was found less efficient when centrifugation was conducted in the open air, because of thermal convection. 3. Correlations have been made with results obtained in the analytical ultracentrifuge, and a theory of sedimentation in inclined tubes has been presented to explain the experimental results. 4. It has been shown that under proper conditions the angle centrifuge may be used for approximate determinations of particle size. 5. Recommendations, based mostly on experimental evidence, have been made for improving sedimentation and interpreting results. 6. To counteract convective disturbances of either thermal or inertial origin, a satisfactory method has been developed which consists of furnishing the fluid under study with a synthetic density gradient, formed with sucrose or some other non-sedimentable material.
62 citations
TL;DR: The experimental results indicate that the products of protein hydrolysis in the intestine and parenterally are an important factor in the antiproteolytic activity of the serum and that antibodies to trypsin are not an importantfactor.
Abstract: 1. An equation is derived for the calculation of a constant which, experimental results indicate, may be a more reliable index of the antiproteolytic activity of serum than those equations hitherto used. 2. (a) Intramuscular administration of trypsin resulted in a slow rise in the antiproteolytic activity of the serum, followed by a lesser decline. (b) Intravenous administration resulted in no appreciable variation. (c) Oral administration resulted in a rapid rise, which was sustained during the period of administration. (d) Intramuscular, intravenous, or oral administration of denatured trypsin resulted in no appreciable variation. (e) The extent of the local necrosis following subcutaneous injection of trypsin varied inversely with the antiproteolytic activity of the serum. 3. The experimental results indicate that the products of protein hydrolysis in the intestine and parenterally are an important factor in the antiproteolytic activity of the serum. They also indicate that antibodies to trypsin are not an important factor in the antiproteolytic activity of the serum.
47 citations
TL;DR: Correlation of x-ray breaks with changes in the generative nucleus indicates that the important events determining the sensitivity of the chromosomes to breakage are the uptake of water at the time of germination and the movement involved in spiralization.
Abstract: 1. Through use of the pollen tube technique it has been possible to study the sensitivity of prophase stages to x-rays and ultraviolet, and to correlate the varying sensitivity with changes in the generative nucleus of Tradescantia. 2. Sensitivity to ultraviolet decreases from the 2 hour stage until at 11 hours after germination there is no further production of breaks. The 0 and 1 hour stages show a decreased sensitivity over the 2 hour stage but it has been suggested that this is not due to a decreased sensitivity but to shielding by the pollen wall. 3. Sensitivity to x-rays rises to a peak at the 4 hour stage, but then subsides until no breaks are realized (at a dose of 370.8 r) after the 10 hour stage. In this respect the effects of x-rays and ultraviolet are similar. Each type of x-ray break shows its own individual trend. 4. Correlation of x-ray breaks with changes in the generative nucleus indicates that the important events determining the sensitivity of the chromosomes to breakage are the uptake of water at the time of germination and the movement involved in spiralization. The total absence of breaks after the 11 hour stage is not understood. 5. The changing sensitivity to ultraviolet may depend on any one or all of three factors: (a) the nucleic acid cycle, (b) changes in the matrix, and (c) the number of subdivisions in the chromosome. These are discussed although their relative importance is not known.
38 citations
TL;DR: The effect of ribonuclease on various enzyme systems was studied and it was suggested that the enzymes inhibited may be contained in a ribonucleoprotein of macromolecular dimensions but that the enzyme not inhibited are not necessarily excluded from such a complex by the data presented.
Abstract: 1. The effect of ribonuclease on various enzyme systems was studied as one approach to the problem of whether or not these enzymes are contained in macromolecules of ribonucleoprotein nature in protoplasm. 2. Ribonuclease inhibited CoI-cytochrome c reductase, succinic dehydrogenase, and cytochrome oxidase, all of which require cytochrome c in order to function. Ribonuclease did not act on cytochrome c. 3. Ribonuclease did not inhibit urease, xanthine oxidase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase, or adenosine triphosphatase under the conditions employed. 4. It was suggested that ribonuclease acted sterically by preventing contact between cytochrome c and its activating centers. 5. It was suggested that the enzymes inhibited may be contained in a ribonucleoprotein of macromolecular dimensions but that the enzymes not inhibited are not necessarily excluded from such a complex by the data presented. 6. Further evidence against the Szent-Gyorgyi theory of hydrogen transport was presented and discussed.
32 citations
TL;DR: Although there was not a significant difference in the amount of food ingested by males and females, 12 hours after feeding there was more food in the females' crops, and the food progressed more rapidly through the males' crops than through the females'.
Abstract: 1. Twenty-five solutions which contained KCl (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 gm. per liter), in combination with CaCl2 (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 gm. per liter), 10.0 gm. of NaCl, and 0.2 gm. of NaHCO3 per liter of solution were tested in order to determine satisfactory KCl/CaCl2 ratios in an insect physiological salt mixture for the maintenance of muscular activity by the isolated crop of the American roach.
Satisfactory activity products (0.390 to 0.549) were obtained in seven mixtures with KCl/CaCl2 ratios of 0.2/0.2, 0.4/0.4, 0.6/0.6, 0.8/0.8, 0.2/0.4, 0.4/0.6, and 0.6/0.8, expressed as gram per liter. These ratios lie between 0.50 and 1.00.
In solutions which contained calcium, but no potassium, approximately 50 per cent of the crops exhibited an initial tone increase and were arrested in rigor. See Fig. 2.
In solutions which contained potassium, but no calcium, all crops showed an initial loss of tone and arrest in relaxation. See Fig. 2.
2. Seven KCl/CaCl2 ratios (see paragraph 1 above) were tested with eight NaCl concentrations (1.0, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, and 1.8 per cent) at a pH of 8.0. In these mixtures, the ones with KCl/CaCl2 ratios of less than 1.0 produced higher activity products than those with ratios equal to 1.00. The highest average activity product (0.849) was obtained in the solutions with 0.2 gm. of KCl and 0.4 gm. of CaCl2 per liter.
3. Four KCl/CaCl2 ratios (0.2/0.2, 0.4/0.4, 0.2/0.4, and 0.4/0.6 gm. per liter) were tested with 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 per cent NaCl at a pH of 7.5. When analyzed with data from comparable solutions at a pH of 8.0, it was found that 1.4 per cent NaCl afforded an optimum environment for isolated crop activity.
4. Effects of hydrogen and hydroxyl ion concentrations were studied at pH values of 6.8, 7.5, 8.0, and 8.9. The highest average activity product, 1.011, was produced at a pH of about 8.0.
5. A satisfactory physiological salt solution for the isolated foregut of the American roach, Periplaneta americana , would contain 14.0 gm. of NaCl, 0.4 gm. of CaCl2, 0.2 gm. of KCl, and 0.2 gm. of NaHCO3 per liter of solution. This mixture should have a pH value between 7.8 and 8.2.
6. Durations of crop activity extending over periods as long as 25 hours were quite common, and several crops maintained contractions for more than 30 hours. The greatest longevity was for crop 814, from a female, which continued activity for slightly more than 47 hours.
7. A significant difference between the activity products of the crops from males and the crops from females was recorded. Although there was not a significant difference in the amount of food ingested by males and females, 12 hours after feeding there was more food in the females' crops, and the food progressed more rapidly through the males' crops than through the females'. In addition, crops from the two sexes reacted differently to the effects of day old solutions. This sex difference is apparently related to an inherently increased activity of the crop from the male roach.
31 citations
TL;DR: The metabolism of rat retina was found to be sensitive to the concentration of the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate buffer system, and the addition of succinate increased the Q OO2 from 12 to 26, without affecting glycolysis.
Abstract: The metabolism of rat retina was found to be sensitive to the concentration of the carbon dioxide-bicarbonate buffer system. Increasing the carbon dioxide from 1 per cent to 5 per cent at constant pH nearly doubled both respiration and glycolysis. Increasing the carbon dioxide at constant pH from 5 per cent to 20 per cent had no effect on glycolysis, but depressed the QOO2 from 31 to 19. In a medium containing glucose and the 1 per cent carbon dioxide-bicarbonate buffer, the addition of succinate increased the QOO2 from 12 to 26, without affecting glycolysis. In a medium containing glucose and phosphate, succinate had no significant effect.
TL;DR: The evidence presented in this paper supports the conclusion that at least 85 per cent of the oxygen uptake of the respiring tissue of potato tuber enters the chemistry of the cell by way of a tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation.
Abstract: The evidence presented in this paper supports the conclusion that at least 85 per cent of the oxygen uptake of the respiring tissue of potato tuber enters the chemistry of the cell by way of a tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation. The qualitative aspects of this conclusion are in agreement with the claim made by Boswell and Whiting. However, the evidence offered by them in support of this conclusion is shown to be inadequate.
TL;DR: The differential inhibition by hydroxylamine explains certain observations in the literature which have been erroneously interpreted as demonstrating a specific inhibition by NH2 OH of biological nitrogen fixation, and has been offered as support for the hypothesis that NH2OH is an intermediate in the fixation reaction.
Abstract: The inhibitors usually associated with the activity of the cytochrome oxidase system—cyanide and carbon monoxide—are also effective in reducing the oxidation of H2 by intact cells of Azotobacter vinelandii. The hydrogenase system is more sensitive to CO than is the respiratory system. Oxidation of a carbon source and of hydrogen by Azotobacter cells is inhibited in a quantitatively different manner by the following compounds: sodium azide, hydroxylamine, sodium iodoacetate, and sodium fluoride. In every case, a concentration range which is definitely inhibitory for respiration has little or no effect on the hydrogenase activity. The differential inhibition by hydroxylamine explains certain observations in the literature which have been erroneously interpreted as demonstrating a specific inhibition by NH2OH of biological nitrogen fixation. This supposed demonstration has been offered as support for the hypothesis that NH2OH is an intermediate in the fixation reaction. The differential inhibitors can be used for detection of hydrogenase in cultures possessing a high endogenous respiration. The method is illustrated by an experiment with root nodule bacteria from pea and cowpea nodules. No hydrogenase was found in either.
TL;DR: The technique is now available which permits detailed studies of the oxygen-liberating mechanisms in photosynthesis and it is possible to obtain oxygen by the reduction of certain reducible materials other than carbon dioxide.
Abstract: Using intact cells of Chlorella pyrenoidosa it is possible to obtain oxygen by the reduction of certain reducible materials other than carbon dioxide. Of these, benzaldehyde was studied in some detail. This reduction does not involve the production of carbon dioxide from the benzaldehyde. Stoichiometrical relationships as expressed by the following equation: 2C(6)H(5)CHO + 2H(2)O --> 2C(6)H(5)CH(2)OH + O(2) are somewhat difficult to obtain because the benzaldehyde can disappear from the reaction mixtures by dark reactions. The technique is now available which permits detailed studies of the oxygen-liberating mechanisms in photosynthesis.
TL;DR: The technique of Abrams and Sollner for the preparation of electropositive dried protamine collodion membranes has been improved and the resulting membranes are designated "perm selective" or "megapermselective" protamines collodions, which are quite smooth, have a regular shape, and stand considerable handling without breakage.
Abstract: 1. Strongly electropositive porous membranes were prepared by the adsorption of protamine (salmine) on porous collodion membranes. These membranes retain their electrochemical chracteristics for at least 12 months without change. 2. They are distinctly electropositive between pH 1 and 10, the range of most pronounced electropositive behavior occurring in solutions between pH 3 and pH 8. The filtration rates and ohmic resistance of these membranes do not differ significantly from similar uncoated membranes. 3. The porous protamine-collodion membranes show very pronounced positive anomalous osmosis, the observed effects with proper electrolytes being similar to those obtained with oxidized collodion membranes. They also show very conspicuous negative osmosis with strong acids. 4. Protamine-collodion membranes which correspond in their properties to the activated dried collodion membranes were prepared by the adsorption of protamine on porous collodion membranes followed by drying in air. The concentration potentials across such dried protamine-collodion membranes closely approach the thermodynamically possible maximum.
TL;DR: Examination of the blood of two hemophiliacs indicated that the prolonged coagulation time of their blood is not due to an excess of trypsin inhibitor, and heparin does not appreciably contribute to the antiproteolytic activity of the serum.
Abstract: 1. Serum antitrypsin and pancreatic trypsin inhibitor inhibited the coagulation of plasma in vitro. 2. This could be largely prevented by trypsin. 3. The anticoagulant action of the trypsin inhibitor was apparently due to its antiprothrombic action. It had no appreciable antithrombic action. 4. Examination of the blood of two hemophiliacs indicated that the prolonged coagulation time of their blood is not due to an excess of trypsin inhibitor. 5. Examination of the blood of heparinized dogs indicated that heparin does not appreciably contribute to the antiproteolytic activity of the serum.
TL;DR: The red pigment in the eyes of the squid, blue crab, and horseshoe crab becomes photosensitive when treated with formalin, and bleaches in the light, and is suggested that the light sensitivity of the normal squid photopigment may be independent of its light stability.
Abstract: The red pigment in the eyes of the squid, blue crab, and horseshoe crab becomes photosensitive when treated with formalin, and bleaches in the light. The resulting change in density is approximately symmetrical around a maximum at 480 mµ in the blue green. This difference absorption spectrum is in rough agreement with the spectral sensitivity of the cephalopod eye and differs only slightly from the difference absorption spectrum of vertebrate visual purple. The formalin-sensitized pigment is not melanoid. Its bleaching in squid retinas releases large quantities of retinene. It is suggested that the light sensitivity of the normal squid photopigment may be independent of its light stability.
TL;DR: In bicarbonate medium, when the oxygen tension was lowered from 95 per cent to 5 per cent there was no significant change in the respiration, but glycolysis was increased nearly to the anaerobic level, which agrees with the earlier experiment of Laser in bic carbonate medium and adds support to his conclusion that the rate of gly colysis is controlled by oxygen tension rather than by the rateof respiration.
Abstract: Lactic acid production by rat retina in a medium containing phosphate was studied chemically. One half as much lactic acid was found as in a medium containing bicarbonate. In our experience the rate of respiration in a phosphate medium was sensitive to oxygen tension, for it was 38 per cent lower at 10 per cent and 51 per cent lower at 5 per cent oxygen than at 100 per cent oxygen. Previously Laser had reported no decrease in respiration at 5 per cent oxygen in phosphate medium. In phosphate medium, when the oxygen tension was varied, respiration and glycolysis bore a reciprocal relationship to each other. In bicarbonate medium, when the oxygen tension was lowered from 95 per cent to 5 per cent there was no significant change in the respiration, but glycolysis was increased nearly to the anaerobic level. This agrees with the earlier experiment of Laser in bicarbonate medium and adds support to his conclusion that the rate of glycolysis is controlled by oxygen tension rather than by the rate of respiration, under the conditions of the experiment.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used ammonium sulfate precipitation of the globulins in the cold and of the albumin at room temperature, isoelectric precipitation of euglobulins, and reprecipitation of the original bovine albumin.
Abstract: 1. Whole bovine albumin, homogeneous in diffusion and sedimentation, and essentially homogeneous in electrophoresis, has been prepared by a method involving ammonium sulfate precipitation of the globulins in the cold and of the albumin at room temperature, isoelectric precipitation of the euglobulins, and reprecipitation of the albumin. 2. The product has been characterized by chemical analysis and by viscosity, diffusion, sedimentation, and electrophoresis measurements. The carbohydrate content is 0.38 per cent, the nitrogen content, 15.2 per cent. The molecular shape approximates that of a prolate ellipsoid with an axial ratio of 3.1, assuming 33 per cent hydration; the average molecular weight is 65,000. 3. Bovine albumin is readily denatured by concentrated solutions of urea or guanidine hydrochloride, gross changes in molecular shape resulting. 4. Regeneration of bovine albumin denatured in solutions of 8 M urea or guanidine hydrochloride yields a material closely resembling the native in carbohydrate content, in molecular size and shape, and in electrophoretic properties. However, the regenerated protein differs from the native in susceptibility to tryptic digestion, and, in this respect, appears to be in a denatured state. 5. In 8 M solutions of guanidine hydrochloride a limiting yield of regenerated albumin equivalent to 95 per cent of the original protein is approached. 6. Bovine crystalbumin, a crystalline carbohydrate-free fraction of the whole albumin, appears to be more susceptible to denaturation than whole bovine albumin.
TL;DR: The µ values for the hydrolysis of all concentrations of tributyrin by pancreatic lipase, except the most dilute, were found to be constant within the experimental error, 8,500 ± 1,000.
Abstract: 1. The temperature characteristics for the hydrolysis of various concentrations of tributyrin, trivalerin, tricaproin, triheptylin, and tricaprylin have been determined. 2. The micro values for the hydrolysis of all concentrations of tributyrin by pancreatic lipase, except the most dilute, were found to be constant within the experimental error, 8,500 +/- 1,000. 3. The temperature characteristics for the hydrolysis of trivalerin, tricaproin, triheptylin, and tricaprylin varied from approximately 8,500 +/- 1,000 for the high concentrations to 12,400, 20,000, 22,400, and 23,700 respectively for the most dilute concentration of each. 4. An interpretation of these results was presented.
TL;DR: These conductance values are of importance in that they show the relation between ionized and un-ionized materials present in the two fluids.
Abstract: 1. The specific conductance of the allantoic and amniotic fluids of the developing chick has been determined over the period of incubation between the 7th and 19th days. 2. Changes in this property have been related to changes in the chemical composition of these two fluids. 3. These conductance values are of importance in that they show the relation between ionized and un-ionized materials present in the two fluids.
TL;DR: The x-ray induced reaction of ascorbic acid in simple inorganic solution, in solutions containing serum albumin, in plasma, and in muscle was relatively small in excised rat muscle.
Abstract: Data on the x-ray induced reaction of ascorbic acid in simple inorganic solution, in solutions containing serum albumin, in plasma, and in muscle have been presented. The reaction occurred in the presence of serum albumin and in human plasma but was relatively small in excised rat muscle.
TL;DR: Native, crystalline, carbohydrate-free albumin (crystalbumin) was considerably less antigenic than native whole bovine albumin, its activity being comparable to, if not less than, that observed for guanidine hydrochloride-regenerated whole albumin.
Abstract: 1. The effects of regeneration of whole bovine albumin on antigenic activity and serological specificity were determined by precipitin measurements on rabbit antisera to (1) native whole albumin, (2) albumin regenerated from 8 M urea, and (3) albumin regenerated from 8 M guanidine hydrochloride. 2. While numerically the mean antibody response to these three antigens was found to decrease in the order named, only the difference in antigenic activity between native and guanidine hydrochloride-regenerated albumin was statistically significant. Native, crystalline, carbohydrate-free albumin (crystalbumin) was considerably less antigenic than native whole bovine albumin, its activity being comparable to, if not less than, that observed for guanidine hydrochloride-regenerated whole albumin. 3. All four antigens were immunologically equivalent. 4. The antigenic activity of these proteins is discussed in terms of protein structure and carbohydrate content.
TL;DR: In the presence of urea a urea-protein complex is formed in which the protein is denatured but cannot flocculate because of the dispersive action of the urea, which prevents flocculation of proteins exposed to radiation and subsequent heating to 40° C.
Abstract: The extent of urea denaturation depends on the concentration of protein and urea and also on the temperature of the solution. Egg albumin solutions (0.9 per cent) are not denatured by 20 per cent urea, denature slowly with 25 per cent urea, and denature rapidly with 35 per cent urea at room temperature. At a higher temperature 30 per cent urea is rapidly effective. Denaturation of the egg albumin molecule by radiation or by heat is accompanied by structural changes as evidenced by optical rotation values, but is not accompanied by association or dissociation of the molecule in the pH range outside the zone in which aggregation follows denaturation. Denaturation of the egg albumin molecule by urea produces no change in optical rotation until the concentration of urea is high enough to dissociate the molecule. In the presence of urea a urea-protein complex is formed in which the protein is denatured but cannot flocculate because of the dispersive action of the urea. This prevents flocculation of proteins exposed to radiation and subsequent heating to 40° C. as the urea-protein complex is not broken down at a temperature of 40° C. The presence of urea therefore prevents the flocculation of proteins denatured by radiation. The urea-protein complex is broken down by heating to 55–58° C. so that the molecules aggregate at a temperature below the temperature of rapid heat denaturation. This appears to be an acceleration of heat denaturation or a lowering of the heat denaturation temperature, but in reality is an effect of heat on the urea-protein complex which frees the urea-denatured protein and permits its aggregation.
TL;DR: The hydrogen ion concentration of the allantoic and amniotic fluids of the developing chick has been determined over the period of incubation between the 7th and 19th days using the glass electrode technique and excellent confirmation has been afforded the work of Yamada.
Abstract: 1. The hydrogen ion concentration of the allantoic and amniotic fluids of the developing chick has been determined over the period of incubation between the 7th and 19th days using the glass electrode technique. 2. Changes in this property have been related to changes in the chemical composition of these two fluids. 3. The results of this investigation have been compared with those obtained by other workers. Excellent confirmation has been afforded the work of Yamada, whereas the work of Aggazzotti, which has long been accepted, is shown to be in error.
TL;DR: The properties of the contours for a white light and for the spectral regions filtered from it show that, for the image within the fovea, different numbers of units are excitable in flicker recognition according to the wave-length band used, and different mean frequencies of elements of effect under fixed conditions.
Abstract: Flicker response contours (F vs. log Im) for a square image subtending 0.602° on a side, located in the fovea, are simplex probability integrals for a "white" and for four (five) spectral regions filtered from this white, and with different light-time fractions in the flash cycle. The subjective phenomena (the appearance of the field, the intensity threshold for color, and others) at the fusion points along these contours parallel in a variety of ways those obtained on duplex flicker contours resulting from the use of larger or eccentrically placed flickered images. These phenomena therefore cannot be held to indicate involvements of "rod" excitation. The scatter of the index of variation of I1 is such as to demonstrate the full participation of all the potentially excitable neural units at all levels of flash frequency, for each kind of light. The magnitude of this scatter, a measure of neural integration in visual performance, is a function of the number of these units (with Fmax. nearly constant); the two quantities vary together when wave-length composition of light is altered. The properties of the contours for a white light and for the spectral regions filtered from it show that, for the image within the fovea, different numbers of units are excitable in flicker recognition according to the wave-length band used, and different mean frequencies of elements of effect under fixed conditions. The changes in the mean intensity for activation of these units as a function of the light-time fraction in the flash cycle are correlated with the numbers of these units; when this is corrected for, it is pointed out that despite the differences in shape of F vs. log I it cannot be concluded that the mechanism of excitation differs for different wave-lengths. It is indicated that "white" must be regarded as a synthesis, not a mere summation, of effects due to different spectral regions. Certain differences are pointed to as between foveal and more peripheral regions tested, and as between observers differing in the degree of the "yellow spot effect," with regard to the relative effects of wave-length and of image area. A general consequence is the outlining of conditions required for the precise comparison of excitabilities as a function of wave-length in the multivariate visual system.
TL;DR: The bacteriostatic action of sulfathiazole in serum was reduced by heating the serum at 80 degrees C., and much more markedly (in any of the media studied) by adding trypsin, which was greater in serum and albumen than in peptone and meat infusion.
Abstract: 1. Heating diluted serum at 80 degrees C. for 10 minutes made it a better medium for bacterial growth. This is believed to have been at least partly due to destruction of the serum antiprotease. 2. Growth was accelerated, and proceeded further, in the presence of trypsin. 3. Growth was somewhat retarded in the presence of pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. 4. The bacteriostatic action of sulfathiazole in serum was reduced by heating the serum at 80 degrees C., and much more markedly (in any of the media studied) by adding trypsin. It was greater in serum and albumen than in peptone and meat infusion. 5. The significance of the experimental results was considered in relation to the possible influence of leucoprotease and of serum antiprotease on bacterial growth and sulfonamide action.
TL;DR: Data on the respiratory rates of frog liver, kidney, and striated muscle were obtained at various temperatures by the Warburg method and show that at least for some tissues the availability of oxygen at the tissue, as limited by the diffusion of gas through the skin and lungs, governs the Q OO2 of the tissue.
Abstract: Data on the respiratory rates of frog liver, kidney, and striated muscle were obtained at various temperatures by the Warburg method. Fundamental differences in the curves of Q(O(O2) )vs. T exist among the tissues and between the tissues and the whole animal. The Arrhenius plots of these curves show that at least for some tissues the availability of oxygen at the tissue, as limited by the diffusion of gas through the skin and lungs, governs the Q(O(O2) ) of the tissue. Inferences are drawn regarding the comparative metabolism of the tissues and the fallacy of using whole animal Q(O(O2) ) alone as a metabolic index.
TL;DR: When a stimulus arrives before recovery is complete there may be no response or only a partial response, and in many cases the partial responses appear to conform to the all-or-none law.
Abstract: When a stimulus arrives before recovery is complete there may be no response or only a partial response. A typical response appears to involve an immediate loss of potential at the inner protoplasmic surface but not at the outer surface. As long as recovery is incomplete only a part of the total potential is located at the inner protoplasmic surface and the loss of this part of the total potential can cause only a partial response; i.e., one of smaller magnitude than the normal. Even after the action curve has returned to the base line recovery may be incomplete and the response only a partial one. The return of the action curve to the base line means a recovery of total potential but if part of this is located at the outer protoplasmic surface and if this part is not lost when stimulation occurs the response can be only a partial one. During recovery there is a shift of potential from the outer to the inner protoplasmic surface. Not until this shift is completed can recovery be called complete. The response to stimulation then becomes normal because the loss of potential reaches the normal amount. In many cases the partial responses appear to conform to the all-or-none law. In other cases this is doubtful.
TL;DR: To test the use of guaiacol like a living cell, measuring potentials and from these estimating ionic mobilities, the method enables us to follow changes in mobilities and in partition coefficients due to applied reagents and to metabolism.
Abstract: The behavior of guaiacol resembles that of certain protoplasmic surfaces to such an extent that it can be advantageously used in models designed to imitate certain aspects of protoplasmic behavior. In these models the electrical potentials appear to consist of diffusion potentials and this may be true of certain living cells. In dealing with models we determine ionic mobilities and use these to predict potentials. In studying living cells we measure potentials and from these calculate ionic mobilities. The question arises, how far is this method justified. To test this we have treated guaiacol like a living cell, measuring potentials and from these estimating ionic mobilities. The results Justify the use of this method. This is of interest because the method is most useful in studying protoplasmic activity. In its extended form it enables us to follow changes in mobilities and in partition coefficients due to applied reagents and to metabolism.