The reaction of the 4,5-oxazoline derivative of sialic acid with various alcohols was effectively promoted by a catalytic amount of montmorillonite K-10 clay supported Bi(OTf) 3 to produce a variety of 3,4-unsaturated sialic acids via the Ferrier glycosylation reaction in moderate yields.

Background. It is known that abnormal lipid depositions are shown in some renal glomerular diseases. Electron microscopic findings have shown materials with varying degrees of intracytoplasmic electron density, but it has been difficult to prove that they are truly lipids. Methods. Routinely processed Epon-embedded specimens from seven patients with known renal diseases were utilized in this study. Ultrathin sections were cut, and examined by electron microscopy. Then serial 1-µm-thick sections were made stained with Sudan IV. Results. Several patterns of lipid deposition with varying electron densities within the glomeruli were observed by electron microscopy. These lipid depositions were positive for Sudan IV, but showed different colors according to their electron density. Conclusions. The procedure used in the study enables us to recognize light-and electron-microscopic findings of abnormal lipid depositions in serial sections, and may be useful in helping us to simultaneously evaluate the site and nature of these histopathological phenomena.

A new mast cell degranulating peptide in wasp (Polfstes jadwigae) venom was purified and characterized chemically. The peptide was a tetradecapeptideamide with the following sequence: Val-Asp-Trp-Lys-Lys-Ile-Gly-Gln-His-Ile-LeuSer-Val-Leu-NH2. The peptide was named 'polistes mastoparan'. The lowest concentration of polistes mastoparan which degranulated mast cells was approximately 0.5 nmole/ml.

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