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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

The isoproterenol-induced chloride current and cardiac resting potential.

Isoproterenol can induce potentially arrhymthogenic depolarizations of the resting membrane of single guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. This effect on resting potential of single guinea-pig ventricular myocytes differs qualitatively from results obtained by others from intact cardiac muscle preparations and also differs from our experience with single dog ventricular myocytes. We performed experiments on dog and guinea-pig ventricular myocytes in an attempt to clarify the effects of isoproterenol on the resting potential of mammalian ventricular myocytes. Voltage recordings with 40-60 M omega 3 M potassium chloride filled microelectrodes revealed an isoproterenol-induced depolarization of 4.3 +/- 1.0 mV in guinea-pig but no depolarization in dog myocytes. Activation of an outwardly rectifying chloride current is responsible for the isoproterenol-induced depolarization of guinea-pig ventricular myocytes. Our whole cell patch clamp recordings consistently revealed such a current in guinea-pig cells but always failed to demonstrate an isoproterenol-induced chloride current in dog myocytes under identical conditions. In contrast to single cells, isoproterenol did not depolarize intact guinea-pig papillary muscle when potential was recorded with 40-60 M omega 3 M KCl filled electrodes. Furthermore, we saw no depolarization in single guinea-pig myocytes when recording electrodes did not contain chloride. We conclude that: (1) despite activation of a chloride current, isoproterenol does not significantly depolarize guinea-pig ventricular muscle unless the driving force for the current at the resting potential is increased by elevating [Cl]i above physiological levels, and (2) an isoproterenol-induced chloride current, although demonstrable in guinea-pig ventricular cells, is not present in healthy dog ventricular cells.

Animals↗

Physical methods for the detection of carcinogen-DNA adducts in humans.

This report has attempted to summarize the principles, advantages, limitations and the source of data derived in the use of physical detection techniques for DNA-adduct measurement in human biomonitoring. Each method, although inherently chemically-specific, has advantages and limitations depending on the adduct type under study. These methods have a niche that is at least consistent with corroborative technology, and are being applied to dosimetry problems in the field.

Carcinogens↗

Characterization and solution properties of a new exopolysaccharide excreted by the bacterium Alteromonas sp. strain 1644.

This paper concerns the study of a new bacterial exopolysaccharide. The ionic properties of the polymer are considered in relation to the first structural results. This polysaccharide is a carboxylic polyelectrolyte with a charge parameter of 1.33, and exhibits usual polyelectrolyte properties with monovalent and Mg2+ ions. In contrast, its affinity for the divalent ions Ca2+, Sr2+ and Ba2+ is greater than predicted from electrostatic theory. In solution, the polysaccharide undergoes a local conformational transition related to the number of divalent ions bound per carboxylic group. This interaction is mainly an intramolecular process. The dimensions of the polymeric chain were also considered using light-scattering and viscometric measurements. The intrinsic persistence length Lp is equal to 80 +/- 5 A and allows this polymer to be classified as a semi-rigid chain.

Calcium↗

Syntheses, characterization, and microbial activity of some transition metal complexes involving potentially active O and N donor heterocyclic ligands.

The formation of binary as well as ternary metal complexes of type MLL' (where M(II) = Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), and Zn(II); L = 8-hydroxyquinoline, and L' = 2-furoic acid) has been studied. The complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determination, the IR and electronic spectra, conductivity, and magnetic measurements. The presence of coordinated water molecules was demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis. The microbial activity of these ligands and their metal complexes was determined on gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, the antifungal activity on some common fungi, viz. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulense, and Penicillium citrinum.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Test and calibration processes for microcalorimeters, with special reference to heat conduction instruments used with aqueous systems.

Calorimeters are normally calibrated by use of electrical heaters, but the calibration values derived may not always be representative for the chemical or biological process investigated. It is therefore important to have available chemical test processes by which the electrical calibration values can be controlled. In some cases, electrical calibration should be replaced by chemical calibrations. With particular reference to needs in work with thermophile heat conduction microcalorimeters, a number of test and calibration processes are presented. Some calibration problems for various types of reaction vessel are discussed.

1-Propanol↗

A conductance medium to distinguish between Salmonella and Citrobacter spp.

Published methods for detecting Salmonella by conductance methods yield some Citrobacter spp. as false positives. A medium is described which, when used in conjunction with selenite-cystine/trimethylamine oxide/mannitol (SC/T/M) resolves this difficulty. It is based on the ability of Salmonella to decarboxylate lysine in the presence of selenite (4 g/l), after pre-enrichment in buffered peptone water supplemented with glucose and lysine for 7-17 h. Salmonella produced a conductance change of 250-400 microS in 24 h with a maximum rate of conductance change of 10-15 microS/10 min. 299 samples were tested and the only false positives were due to Hafnia alvei which gave no conductance response in the SC/T/M medium. Using both media in a two tube system would lead to a rapid clearance of Salmonella negative samples.

Animals↗

A medium for the detection of yeasts using a conductimetric method.

A new medium is described for the detection of yeasts using a Malthus microbial growth analyser which measures conductivity. This medium is superior to previous media devised for use in the Malthus, and allows the detection of a wide range of yeasts including those important in food spoilage. The new medium was inferior to existing media used to detect yeasts in the Bactometer 32 instrument which measures impedance.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

Use of indirect conductimetry to predict the growth of spoilage yeasts, with special consideration of Zygosaccharomyces bailii.

In recent years, modeling for the purpose of predicting microbiological spoilage of foods has gained much interest. Predictive modeling requires a concentrated mathematical and experimental approach; to collect data of adequate quality is a technically demanding task when several experimental parameters are involved. Rapid, non-traditional, automated techniques are particularly useful in modeling. Of these, electrometric techniques appear to be most promising. Indirect conductimetry was used to study the effect of temperature, aw, pH and potassium sorbate concentration on the growth of Zygosaccharomyces bailii. The automated Malthus 2000 instrument proved to be convenient for gathering a large amount of data that were then used to develop polynomial models describing the response of the yeast to combinations of experimental factors in terms of conductimetric detection time and maximum rate of change in conductance. Results demonstrated that indirect conductimetry is suitable for monitoring the effect of environmental factors on the growth and activity of Z. bailii and perhaps other food spoilage yeasts.

Conductometry↗

Continuously active sodium channels in osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells.

Cell-attached patch clamp experiments revealed 13-20 pS Na(+)-conducting channels active at normal resting potentials (-28 +/- 1 mV; +/- SEM; 7 cells) in the rat osteosarcoma cell line, ROS 17/2.8. These channels were not blocked by tetrodotoxin, Cd2+, verapamil, or nifedipine. Replacing all cations in the patch pipette except Ca2+ with tetraethylammonium (TEA+) abolishes channel activity; but adding TEA+ to a pipette solution containing only Na+ does not. Depolarization was not necessary to activate these channels, and the open times were much longer than the millisecond open times characteristic of Na+ channels in excitable cells. Current-voltage curves reconstructed from mean single channel currents and mean channel open times resemble L-type Ca2+ current-voltage curves obtained from whole-cell experiments, with current peaks shifted to resting or more hyperpolarized potentials. The voltage sensitivity of these channels has implications on membrane potential stability and on the hyperpolarizing membrane potential spiking activity exhibited by ROS 17/2.8 cells.

Animals↗

Gramicidin A analogs: influence of the substitution of the tryptophans by naphthylalanines.

The synthesis of 4 linear gramicidins bearing both polar and non-polar aromatic side chains is described. From the single channels data, it appears that the relative positions of these residues has little or no influence on the conductance and that this conductance is governed mainly by the number of tryptophan residues. It is also shown that the effect of the bulkiness of the apolar aromatic side chain can be neglected.

Alanine↗

Single channels and surface potential of linear gramicidins.

The single channel data for 4 different linear gramicidins containing either 4 Trp, 4 Phe, 4 Tyr or TyrBzl have been analyzed on the basis of 3 barriers-2 sites model. They form 2 families which differ by their single channel behavior and thus different energy profiles of the channel. A relationship between the surface potential and the entry barrier is proposed.

Conductometry↗

Lateral order in mixed lipid bilayers and its influence on ion translocation by gramicidin: a model for the structure-function relationship in membranes.

The temperature-composition phase diagram of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine and dipentadecylphosphatidylglycerol (DiC15PG) was determined by mass densitometry. For a mixture containing 30 mol% DiC15PG, the homogeneous distribution of the 2 components is demonstrated in the fluid state at T = 35 degrees C by small-angle neutron scattering in combination with the inverse contrast variation method. By the same technique, the coexistence of fluid and condensed phases at T = 23.3 degrees C could be shown in agreement with the densitometric data. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that Ca++ induces, even at T = 35 degrees C, separation into 2 fluid phases. A corresponding phase separation is found in bimolecular lipid membranes ("black films") by analysis of the single-channel conductance fluctuations of gramicidin A incorporated into an equimolarly mixed membrane of neutral lecithin and charged phosphatidic acid. The results are discussed as primary examples on the model-membrane level for the important structure-function relationship of biomembranes.

Calcium↗

Methylation of the antifungal lipopeptide iturin A modifies its interaction with lipids.

Iturin A, extracted from the culture media of Bacillus subtilis, is an antifungal lipopeptide, the peptide cycle of which includes a D-Tyr residue in position 2. The antibiotic strength of iturin A is related to a change in the permeability of the membrane cells which leads to a leakage of K+ from the intracellular medium. Methylation of the D-Tyr residue dramatically decreases the biological activity of iturin A. Using the intrinsic fluorescence of D-Tyr we have shown that both iturin A and O-methyl-tyrosine iturin A enter the lipid membranes. When dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles contain iturin A we observe a change in the order degree of the lipid phase and an increase in the transition temperature. The methylated derivative has no effect. Two model membranes have been used to study the permeability changes induced by iturin A and O-methyltyrosine iturin A. Studying ionic permeability we have found that the conductance of a planar lipid membrane increases very much less when the lipopeptide is methylated. On the other hand, the release of carboxyfluorescein trapped in lipid vesicles is less upon addition of O-methyltyrosine-iturin A. We conclude that the Tyr residue of the peptide cycle plays a role in determining the interactions of iturin A with lipid membrane.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗