High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of determining iodine value and average molecular weight of oil in individual corn kernels. The procedure is rapid and nondestructive. Depending on heritability of individual fatty acids, this technique may greatly increase selection efficiency in breeding programs to alter the fatty acid composition of corn oil.

Breeding↗

PubMed1969

Oxytocin and neurohypophyseal peptides: spectral assignment and conformational analysis by 220 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance.

Magnetic resonance peaks have been assigned to individual protons of the constituent amino acids in the neurohypophyseal hormone, oxytocin, and in related peptides. The assignments were made possible by operation at 220 MHz with the use of variable temperature studies, proton homonuclear spin-decoupling, and comparison of spectra of oxytocin analogs. Some of the observed chemical shifts, and NH-CH(alpha) coupling constants were studied in relation to the conformation of the hormone.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Antigenic cross-reactivity between media supplements for cultured keratinocyte grafts.

Patients who were grafted with cultured human keratinocytes have been shown to make antibodies to the xenogeneic proteins, which supplement the culture media. An immune response to these antigens may lead to late graft loss or accelerated rejection of subsequent cultured keratinocyte grafts. Methods to eliminate this potential problem include growing cells in a serum-free medium with bovine pituitary extract as a serum substitute. To determine whether bovine pituitary extract would be subject to an immune response similar to that which is evoked by fetal bovine serum, we investigated their antigenic cross-reactivity. When compared by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, considerable similarity was identified between the two supplements. Immunostaining with antibodies to both bovine pituitary extract and fetal bovine serum confirmed antigenic cross-reactivity. Inhibitory enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies demonstrated specific cross-reactivity that ranged from 60% to 68%. When tested for antibody cross-reactivity to bovine pituitary extract, serum samples from five patients who were receiving human-keratinocyte grafts that were grown in fetal bovine serum-supplemented media and that exhibited a positive antibody titer to fetal bovine serum showed cross-reactivity that ranged from 30% to 141%. Bovine pituitary extract contains proteins that cross-react with fetal bovine serum. Human keratinocytes that are cultured in media that is supplemented with bovine pituitary extract would therefore be subject to an immune response similar to that which is evoked by human keratinocytes that have been cultured in fetal bovine serum.

Antibodies↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Training: putting the pieces together.

What steps are needed to develop and successfully manage a comprehensive safety and health program for your institution? Don't overlook a long-term action plan and remember that safety is a shared responsibility, says the author.

Humans↗