Elimination of C-6-hydrogen during the formation of ecdysteroids from cholesterol in Locusta migratoria ovaries

Being administered to Locusta migratoria adult females, [6-3H, 4-14C]cholesterol was incorporated into ecdysone and 2-deoxyecdysone. The ratio of 3H/14C of the two ecdysteroids isolated from newly laid eggs revealed that C-6-hydrogen of cholesterol was eliminated during the conversion to ecdysteroids in the ovaries of the insects. Thus, a hypothetical mechanism involving migration of the C-6-hydrogen to the C-5 position in the formation of A/B cis junction turned out to be less likely.

Agenesis of the internal carotid artery with a large hemangioma of the tongue

A case of agenesis of the left internal carotid artery combined with a large cavernous hemangioma of the tongue is reported. The detailed angiographic findings are demonstrated together with the poly- or computed tomographic findings of the skull. A review of the pertinent literature is presented.

Reversal of oleic acid-induced respiratory distress by prostacyclin (PGI2)

The effects of Prostacyclin (PGI2) on gas exchange were investigated in 13 adult mongrel dogs with acute pulmonary edema induced by oleic acid (0.09 ml/kg). The time course of changes in gas exchange was measured during spontaneous ventilation with room air. In the Control group, with oleic acid induced respiratory distress, there were marked decreases in arterial PO2 and PCO2, and marked increases in respiratory frequency, expired minute volume, alveolar (end tidal)-arterial PO2 difference, arterial-alveolar (end tidal) PCO2 difference and physiological dead space to tidal volume ratio. In the Test group, respiratory distress was also induced by the oleic acid injection, however, subsequent infusion of PGI2 (200 ng/kg/min) reversed the values of these parameters, which were significantly different from those in the Control group. The results suggest that PGI2 has a protective action against impairment of gas exchange in the presence of increased pulmonary vascular permeability.