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Biomedical subjects

G Johansson

Publications and source records attributed to G Johansson.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

An aqueous hydroxypropylstarch-poly(ethylene glycol) two-phase system for extraction of alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin from bovine whey.

The partitioning of alpha-lactalbumin and beta-lactoglobulin from bovine whey has been studied in an aqueous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-hydroxypropylstarch two-phase system. The influence of several parameters including concentrations of polymers, sodium phosphate buffer, KSCN, and of PEG palmitate, with and without the presence of Ca2+, on the partitioning of the proteins has been investigated. The separation of the two proteins was demonstrated by counter-current distribution. A purification procedure for both proteins has been developed by using PEG-hydroxypropylstarch two-phase system. This system is compared with the more costly standard system based on PEG and dextran. The possible use of the aqueous two-phase systems for batch extraction for large scale purification of these whey proteins is discussed.

Animals↗

Preparation of benzoyl dextran and its use in aqueous two-phase systems.

The graft modification of dextran with benzoyl groups has been studied. The factors that affect the degree of substitution of benzoyl dextran were investigated. Phase diagrams for aqueous two-phase systems composed of polyethylene glycol/benzoyl dextran and dextran/benzoyl dextran have been determined. Phase separation was also obtained in aqueous solution of two benzoyl dextran polymers with different degrees of substitution. A four-phase system was obtained with a mixture of polyethylene glycol, dextran and two kinds of benzoyl dextrans. The partitioning of methylene blue and a Procion yellow HE-3G dextran derivative were studied in polyethylene glycol/benzoyl dextran and dextran/benzoyl dextran two-phase systems and in systems of two benzoyl dextrans differing in degree of substitution. The proteins bovine serum albumin and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were partitioned in polyethylene glycol/benzoyl dextran aqueous two-phase systems and the effect of the degree of substitution of benzoyl dextran was studied. Chlorella pyrenoidosa, thylakoid membrane vesicles, plasma membrane vesicles and chloroplasts were partitioned in polyethylene glycol/benzoyl dextran and dextran/benzoyl dextran two-phase systems, and in a polyethylene glycol/dextran/benzoyl dextran four-phase system.

Cell Membrane↗

Ca2+ and pH dependence of hydrophobicity of alpha-lactalbumin: affinity partitioning of proteins in aqueous two-phase systems containing poly(ethylene glycol) esters of fatty acids.

Hydrophobic affinity partitioning in an aqueous two-phase system, composed of dextran and poly(ethylene glycol), has been used to study the hydrophobic binding capacity of bovine alpha-lactalbumin. The hydrophobicity of the poly(ethylene glycol)-containing phase was adjusted by including varying amounts of fatty acids bound to the polymer via an ester linkage. The change in the logarithmic partition coefficient of the protein in such systems was used as a measure of the hydrophobic binding. This value was strongly influenced by the amount of Ca2+ present as well as the pH value. The results are discussed in terms of the exposure of hydrophobic binding sites on alpha-lactalbumin and their relation to the conformational change in this protein due to Ca(2+)-binding, chelation of Ca2+ and pH dependence.

Animals↗

Partition of synaptic membranes in aqueous two-phase systems at subzero temperatures by using anti-freeze solvent.

The freezing point of aqueous two-phase (liquid-liquid) systems containing water, dextran and poly(ethylene glycol) has been lowered by including glycerol. Biological membranes, obtained by fragmentation of a crude synaptosomal preparation from calf brain cortex, have been included in the two-phase systems. The effects of temperature and the concentration of glycerol on the partition of the membranes within the systems have been investigated. Considerable stabilisation of the membranes was noticed when they were partitioned at -10 degrees C compared with 0 degrees C. The influences of glycerol, ethylene glycol, N,N-dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran on the phase-forming properties of the systems and on enzyme activities are also presented. Possible use of the above systems for studies and separation of biological membranes are discussed.

Animals↗

Dexamethasone attenuates exercise-induced dental analgesia in man.

The effect of dexamethasone on exercise-induced adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion and dental analgesia was studied in healthy human subjects. Different levels of exercise (100-200 W) were produced by a cycle ergometer. Dental pain thresholds were tested with a constant current stimulator. Dental pain thresholds were elevated with increasing work loads, and the elevation was still significant 30 min after the end of the exercise. Dexamethasone produced a significant reversal of exercise-induced pain threshold elevations concomitantly with the suppression of exercise-induced ACTH release. The results suggest that the corticotropin releasing factor-ACTH axis is involved in the exercise-induced analgesia.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

Partition of macromolecules and cell particles in aqueous two-phase systems based on hydroxypropyl starch and poly(ethylene glycol).

The partition behavior of proteins, nucleic acids, cell membranes, cell organelles and whole cells has been studied in liquid-liquid two-phase systems composed of water, poly-(ethylene glycol), and an hydroxypropyl starch. The properties of the systems are in many respects comparable with the traditional poly(ethylene glycol)-dextran systems, but the cost is reduced to around one-fifth.

Cell Fractionation↗

Studies of protein-protein interaction using countercurrent distribution in aqueous two-phase systems: partition behavior of five glycolytic enzymes from crude baker's yeast extract.

The partition behavior of five glycolytic enzymes, in extracts from baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), between two aqueous phases has been studied by countercurrent distribution. All enzymes showed distribution patterns which indicated homogeneity and a similar partition behavior. In purified form, three of the enzymes (glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase, 3-phosphoglycerate kinase, and enolase) showed the same partition behavior as in the extracts. Pure 6-phosphofructokinase, on the other hand, changed its partition distinctively relative to what was found in the extracts. These results indicate interactions between this enzyme and macromolecular compounds in the extracts and support a model suggested by Kurganov et al. (1985, J. Theor. Biol. 116, 509-526) describing a "glycolytic particle."

Countercurrent Distribution↗

Magnetic aqueous two-phase separation in preparative applications.

Magnetic aqueous two-phase separation is a new technique to speed up the separation of aqueous two-phase systems (Anal. Biochem. 1987, 167, 331-339). It is based on the addition of magnetically susceptible material (e.g. 1-micron iron oxide particles) which induces rapid phase separation when a mixed system is placed in a magnetic field. The technique has been applied to a number of two-phase systems. The time for phase separation was decreased by a factor of 5-240,000, with the largest improvement for systems containing high concentrations of protein and for systems with viscous or nearly isopycnic phases. An apparatus for preparative multistage extraction with magnetic separation was constructed and tested on glycolytic enzymes present in a yeast extract using a dextran/Cibacron blue-polyethylene glycol system. The presence of iron oxide particles did not adversely affect the extracted enzymes. An electromagnet-based apparatus for continuous phase separation on a larger scale was also designed. A phase system containing crude dextran and unpurified cell homogenate was effectively processed. The apparatus also allowed effective separation when the phase containing iron oxide particles was only a small fraction (4%) of the total phase system.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Autoradiography of hypothalamic regions after acute hyperosmolarity in mice.

Many regions around the third ventricle of the brain are thought to participate in the regulation of water intake. In this study we have visualized in acutely hyperosmolar mice the hypothalamic regions by using autoradiography and [14C]deoxyglucose as marker. By applying a recently published, inexpensive, calibrated photographic method for the analysis of the autoradiographs, we can show that the medial parts of the hypothalamus near the third ventricle increased their uptake of deoxyglucose in comparison with the lateral parts. Densitometric measurements confirmed the results. The results also indicate that parts of the medial hypothalamus, even those that are more caudal than the paraventricular nuclei, react to hyperosmolarity.

Animals↗

Initially high plasma prolactin levels are depressed by prolonged psychological stress in males.

Plasma levels of prolactin were determined by radioimmunoassay in medical students before and after an academic examination and corresponding control periods. Before the academic examination, both the males' and the females' prolactin values were higher than their control values; they were statistically significant, however, only in the males. After the examination, the prolactin values were lower than the control values in the males, but not in the females. The results partly explain the diverging opinions in the literature regarding the effect of psychological stress on plasma prolactin.

Adult↗

Survival in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms. Comparison between operative and nonoperative management.

This study evaluates the risk benefit relationship in the surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Two hundred and thirteen patients with AAA diagnosed by CT were selectively managed depending upon the size of the aneurysm, and were followed with a mean follow-up time of 5 years and 4 months. Aneurysms greater than 5 cm were generally operated on if no serious contraindication existed. Aneurysms less than 5 cm were followed by repeated examinations and operated on if an increase in size occurred. Some small aneurysms were operated on for other reasons. Elective surgical management of 134 patients resulted in a thirty day mortality of 7.5%. Later, seven additional patients died from causes related to the surgery. Survival of electively operated patients by life table analysis was 68% at 5 years. A significantly higher mortality was noted among those who had evidence of coronary heart disease at the time of operation. Forty-two patients with AAA less than 5 cm at the initial examination were not operated on and three ruptured, but all had grown to a size greater than 5 cm at the time of rupture. Patients with AAA less than 5 cm that were not operated on had a slightly but not significantly higher mortality than those who were operated on electively. This difference was mainly attributable to deaths from cardiac causes and not to ruptures. Patients with aneurysms greater than 5 cm who were not operated on had a significantly higher mortality than those that were, only 14% in the former group survived.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Vascular tumours in occlusive disease of the iliac-femoral vessels.

Two cases of intraluminal tumours of the iliac-femoral vessels are presented. One was a benign haemangioendothelioma of the common femoral vein and the other a leiomyosarcoma of the iliac artery. Their clinical features were similar to those of patients having venous thrombosis and atherosclerotic occlusive disease respectively. Consequently every physician specialized in vascular disease should be aware of intraluminal tumours as an uncommon explanation of these common clinical pictures.

Adult↗

Daily melatonin injections have only minor effects on gonadotropins of intact or castrated male rats kept under constant or periodic light.

Intact and castrated adult male Wistar rats were kept under constant or periodic (lights on 0600 and off 1800 h) light for 1 wk. During the study they received melatonin or saline injections daily either at 0900 or 1600 h. After each experiment, serum samples and the adenohypophyses were collected between 1000 and 1100 h and the gonadotropin concentrations were measured radioimmunologically. We had previously found changes in light sensitivity of the hypothalamo-pituitary axis of castrated rats and hypothesized that this axis could also involve changes in sensitivity to exogenous melatonin. However, the results of the present study do not support the hypothesis.

Analysis of Variance↗

Correlation between salivary and serum melatonin: dependence on serum melatonin levels.

Saliva and serum samples were collected from eight healthy volunteers every two hours during a 26-hour period. Melatonin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay after chloroform extraction using radioiodinated melatonin as a tracer. Five of the subjects had high serum melatonin levels at night (peak levels higher than 75 pg/ml); in three subjects the highest serum melatonin concentration was 20-40 pg/ml. All subjects had low levels (less than 10 pg/ml) during the day. The correlations between salivary and serum levels were calculated. The regression line y = 0.33x + 3.7 pg/ml, r = 0.95, P less than 0.001, was obtained for all detectable value pairs (n = 73). The regression and correlation coefficients were almost equal for the peak values of melatonin and during the rising and descending phases of the secretion patterns. However, no significant correlation was found between low daytime salivary and serum concentrations when calculated separately. In the five high-secretors the melatonin levels in saliva reflected reliably the changes in serum, but in the three low-secretors the correlation between salivary and serum melatonin was not significant. The proportion of melatonin found in saliva decreased with increasing serum melatonin levels. Circadian rhythm parameters were estimated by single cosinor analysis. The acrophases did not differ significantly within a subject in the concomitant measurements of serum and salivary melatonin. The measurements of salivary melatonin levels seem valid for studies on melatonin rhythms, but the melatonin concentrations measured in saliva do not always consistently reflect the absolute concentrations in blood.

Adult↗