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Genetic mapping in Xenopus laevis: eight linkage groups established.

Inheritance of alleles at 29 electrophoretically detected protein loci and one pigment locus (albinism) was analyzed in Xenopus laevis by backcrossing multiply heterozygous individuals generated by intersubspecies hybridization. Pairwise linkage tests revealed eight classical linkage groups. These groups have been provisionally numbered from 1 to 8 in an arbitrarily chosen order. Linkage group 1 includes ALB-2 (albumin), ADH-1 (alcohol dehydrogenase), NP (nucleoside phosphorylase), and ap (periodic albinism). Linkage group 2 contains ALB-1 and ADH-2, and probably is homeologous to group 1. Linkage group 3 comprises PEP-B (peptidase B), MPI-1 (mannosephosphate isomerase), SORD (sorbitol dehydrogenase), and mIDH-2 (mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase). Linkage group 4 contains GPI-1 (glucosephosphate isomerase) and EST-4 (esterase 4). Linkage group 5 contains GPI-2 and PEP-D (peptidase D). Linkage group 6 comprises ACP-3 (acid phosphatase), sME (cytosolic malic enzyme), and GLO-2 (glyoxalase). Linkage group 7 consists of sSOD-1 (cytosolic superoxide dismutase), GPD-2 (glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), mME (mitochondrial malic enzyme), and the sex determining locus. Linkage group 8 includes FH (fumarate hydratase) and TRF (transferrin). Recombination frequencies between linked loci showed differences related to the genomic constitution (parental subspecies) and to the sex of the heterozygous parent. Independent assortment was observed between the duplicate ALB loci. This is true for the duplicate ADH, GLO, and MPI loci as well, supporting the view that these genes have been duplicated as part of a genome duplication that occurred in the evolutionary history of X. laevis. Comparative analysis of genetic maps reveals a possible conservation of several linkages from the Xenopus genome to the human genome.

Albinism↗

Nephrotic urine prevents increased rat glomerular albumin permeability induced by serum from the same patient with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The putative humoral mediator thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome has not yet been identified. However, components exist in normal serum that block the permeability activity of FSGS serum in vitro. The potential of FSGS serum to increase glomerular albumin permeability may result from an imbalance between permeability factors and naturally occurring inhibitors. We hypothesized that this imbalance may be favoured by loss of inhibitory factors in nephrotic urine. METHODS: The study population consisted of seven patients with biopsy-proven FSGS, one with IgM nephropathy, and three with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome without biopsy, from whom frozen serum and dialysed and lyophilized urine samples were available. Glomerular albumin permeability (P(alb)) was determined from the change in glomerular volume induced by applying oncotic gradients across the basement membrane of normal isolated rat glomeruli pre-incubated with patient serum, normal control serum, patient serum mixed with an equal volume of urine from the same patient, or patient serum mixed with normal urine. Serum and urine apolipoproteins J and E were measured by dot-blot, utilizing peroxidase-labelled antibodies. The urinary capacity to scavenge oxygen radicals was determined after exposure of isolated glomeruli to superoxide generated by xanthine and xanthine oxidase. RESULTS: The mean P(alb) of the patients was markedly elevated at 0.74+/-0.08. The addition of urine from the same patient significantly reduced P(alb) (mean 0.15+/-0.23) in all but one of the patients with FSGS. Normal urine had no inhibitory effect in the 10 patients in which it was tested (mean 0.71+/-0.09). Serum apo J was slightly decreased and serum apo E was slightly increased compared with controls. Urine levels of both lipoproteins were significantly decreased compared with controls. Urine from FSGS patients effectively neutralized superoxide, whereas normal urine did not. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrotic urine but not normal urine contains components that block increased albumin permeability in isolated rat glomeruli induced by serum from patients with the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. The inhibitory function of these components, which appear not to include apolipoproteins J and E, may involve scavenging of superoxide as a final common pathway. Loss in the urine from the serum of naturally occurring inhibitors in the initial stages of the disease may propagate proteinuria and glomerular injury.

Adolescent↗

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in neonatal septicemia.

Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of neonatal septicemia. The present study was planned to estimate the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in neonatal septicemia. The study was done to evaluate the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status, both enzymatic and non-enzymatic in neonates with septicemia. This prospective study included 44 septicemic babies as cases and a group of 84 matched healthy babies formed the control. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GTPx), Catalase, Uric acid (UA) and Albumin (Alb) were estimated in the serum and compared between the groups. The statistical analysis was done by using SPSS-10 software. Neonates with septicemia had significantly higher levels of MDA, SOD, GTPx, and Catalase, while the levels of UA and Alb were significantly lower as compared to controls (p<0.001). Significantly elevated levels of MDA (p<0.05) and depressed levels of UA (p<0.001) were found in babies with late onset sepsis. Neonates who ultimately succumbed had significantly elevated levels of MDA, SOD, GTPx and Catalase, whereas levels of UA and Alb were significantly depressed (p<0.001). Neonates with sepsis are handicapped in terms of their defense mechanism against free radicals. The utility of supplementation of antioxidant enzymes in neonates with septicemia needs further evaluation.

Antioxidants↗

Oxygen consumption and central hemodynamics in septic shock treated with antibiotics, fluid infusions, and corticosteroids.

The multidimensional pathophysiology of septic shock is poorly understood and treatment modalities are controversial. The present study evaluates the relative importance of three therapeutic measures: antibiotics (trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole [TS]); fluid infusions (lactated Ringer's solution [RL] and 3% albumin [Alb]), and pharmacologic doses of corticosteroids (CS) (dexamethasone [DM]), using central hemodynamics (plasma volume [PV], cardiac output, oxygen consumption [VO2]), and survival as end-points. Septic shock was induced by intraperitoneal injection of live Escherichia coli bacteria. At 5 h in untreated septic rats, PV had dropped to 76%, cardiac output to 69%, and VO2 to 71% of preshock levels. Untreated septic animals had a mean survival time of 9.7 +/- 1.7 (SD) h, with none surviving 24 h. Regardless of therapy, cardiac output and VO2 at 10 h were predictors of survival time (p less than .01). Treatment was initiated at 5.5 h after bacterial injection, at a time when TS therapy alone had not improved the 24-h survival rate. Animals treated with DM, RL, and Alb, in this order, exhibited progressively improved central hemodynamics, and 24-h survival rate increased to 60% compared with 0 in untreated animals (p less than .001). The combination of DM and RL produced no further improvement. However, DM combined with 3% Alb restored VO2, cardiac output, and PV to 81%, 100%, and 125%, respectively, increasing the 24-h survival rate to 97% (29/30), significantly greater than that achieved by any other treatment modality (p less than .05).

Animals↗

Subarachnoid molecular hemoglobin after subarachnoid hemorrhage in rats: effect on the area of hypoperfusion.

A previous study indicated that diaspirin-crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb) decreases cerebral ischemia after subarachnoid hemorrhage. However, the study was limited in that DCLHb was given to animals with an intact vasculature. As extravasated hemoglobin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm, DCLHb in the subarachnoid space might in theory have a detrimental effect on cerebral perfusion after subarachnoid hemorrhage. In the current study, autologous blood was administered into the cistema magna of isoflurane-anesthetized rats. After 30 minutes, the animals received one of the following in the cistema magna (n=8 for each group): The control group received mock cerebral spinal fluid, the "blood" group received autologous blood, the "DCLHb" group received DCLHb, and the "Alb" group received human serum albumin. After 20 minutes, areas of reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF, 0-20 and 21-40 ml/100 g/min) were assessed in five coronal brain sections with 14C-iodoantipyrine. The data were evaluated by analysis of variance. The areas of 0-20 ml/100 g/min CBF were greater in all five brain sections in the Blood group than in the other three groups; were greater in four brain sections in the DCLHb group than in the Control group; and were greater in three brain sections in the Alb group than in the Control group (p < 0.05). The areas of 21-40 ml/100 g/min CBF were greater in three sections in the Blood group than in the other three groups; and were greater in two brain sections in the DCLHb group than in the Alb group (p < 0.05). These data support a hypothesis that subarachnoid blood induces cerebral hypoperfusion, and that although molecular hemoglobin decreases CBF, the potential adverse effects are less than those produced by blood.

Analysis of Variance↗

Hypertonic/hyperoncotic fluids reverse prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced T-cell suppression.

In recent years, hypertonic, and hyperoncotic fluids have been examined for their potential to replace conventional isotonic fluids. This study describes the effects of commonly used intravenous fluids on immune function. The action of increased concentrations of hypertonic saline (HTS), hypertonic saline-dextran (HSD), dextran (Dx), albumin (ALB), and hydroxyethylstarch (HET) on in vitro proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated normal and prostaglandin E2-suppressed human peripheral blood mononuclear cells was tested. At clinically relevant levels, HTS, HSD (20-40 mM hypertonicity), and ALB (2.5 mg/mL) enhanced T-cell proliferation by 65, 75, and 70%, respectively. Dx and HET had little effect. HTS also reversed prostaglandin E2-suppressed (10 ng/mL) T-cell proliferation to normal levels, and HSD enhanced T-cell proliferation by 40%, in contrast to Dx, ALB, and HET which had minimal effects. The results suggest that hypertonic/hyperoncotic solutions might improve prostaglandin-mediated suppression of T-cell function in patients and may be a useful adjunct to reduce the risk of infection.

Adult↗

Hemorrhagic shock resuscitation with an artificial oxygen carrier, hemoglobin vesicle, maintains intestinal perfusion and suppresses the increase in plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

It is known that damage to the intestinal mucosa followed by systemic inflammatory response is one of the leading causes of shock related morbidity and mortality. In this study, we examined the ability of an artificial oxygen carrier hemoglobin vesicle (HbV) to sustain systemic and intestinal perfusion during hemorrhagic shock. In rabbits, hemorrhagic shock (40% of the estimated blood volume) was resuscitated with 5% albumin (alb group), HbV suspended in 5% albumin (HbValb group), or washed red blood cells suspended in 5% albumin (RBCalb group). Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha level was measured in rats under the same experimental protocol. No significant intergroup differences were seen in systemic hemodynamics. In contrast, parameters of intestinal perfusion significantly deteriorated in the alb group but were equally well sustained in the HbValb and RBCalb groups. Also, a significant increase in plasma TNF-alpha level was seen in the alb group but not in the RBCalb or HbValb groups. These results indicate the proficient oxygen transporting capability of HbV and its potential efficacy in shock resuscitation.

Animals↗

Hydroxyethyl starch 130 kd/0.4 and albumin improve CVVH biocompatibility whereas gelatin and hydroxyethyl starch 200 kd/0.5 lead to adverse side effects of CVVH in anesthetized pigs.

UNLABELLED: Both fluid management and renal replacement therapies play a fundamental role in the treatment of critically ill patients. In a recent in vitro study, we have shown specific interactions of different colloids and the hemocompatibility of hemofilters. The present study was performed to compare the five most common fluids for volume resuscitation, i.e., normal saline (SAL), hydroxyethyl starch 130 kd/0.4 (HES130), hydroxyethyl starch 200 kd/0.5 (HES200), albumin (ALB), and gelatin (GEL) with respect to their interaction with continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) in anesthetized domestic pigs. METHODS: Animals (n = 63) were allocated randomly to the fluid type and the respective subgroups, which were divided into control and CVVH groups (n = 6 ndash; 7 per group). Bolus infusion of group specific fluid was followed by a bolus of heparin and the initiation of hemofiltration in CVVH groups. Thereafter, fluids were infused at constant rates, and heparin application was adjusted to keep the activated clotting time at 200 to 250 s. Hemodynamics, airway pressures, pulmonary gas exchange, diuresis, creatinine clearance, and blood cell counts were investigated during the entire procedure (10 ndash; 12 hours). RESULTS: Basics of in vivo effects of SAL, HES130, and ALB were not altered during CVVH. HES130 and ALB enabled stable hemocompatibility, diuresis, and hemodynamics in the respective groups. In contrast, organ functions were significantly different between control and CVVH groups when animals were treated with GEL or HES200. In particular, during CVVH, HES200 led to reduced platelet counts, deteriorated hemodynamics, and increasing airway pressures during CVVH. GEL led to increasing airway pressures, a decrease in pulmonary gas exchange, deteriorated hemodynamics, altered renal histomorphology, reduced platelet counts, and reduced hemoglobin. CONCLUSIONS: Direct in vivo effects of colloids in anaesthetized and ventilated pigs are not predictable for their effects during CVVH. Interaction between CVVH and every volume substitute occur in a highly specific manner. This observation could be helpful to explain contradictory study results and should be considered for future study designs.

Albumins↗

Stable albicidin resistance in Escherichia coli involves an altered outer-membrane nucleoside uptake system.

Albicidin blocked DNA synthesis in intact cells of a PolA- EndA- Escherichia coli strain, and in permeabilized cells supplied with all necessary precursor nucleotides, indicating a direct effect on prokaryote DNA replication. Replication of phages T4 and T7 was also blocked by albicidin in albicidin-sensitive (Albs) but not in albicidin-resistant (Albr) E. coli host-cells. All stable spontaneous Albr mutants of E. coli simultaneously became resistant to phage T6. The locus determining albicidin sensitivity mapped at tsx, the structural gene for an outer-membrane protein used as a receptor by phage T6 and involved in transport through the outer membrane of nucleosides present at submicromolar extracellular concentrations. Albicidin does not closely resemble a nucleoside in structure. However, Albs E. coli strains rapidly accumulated both nucleosides and albicidin from the surrounding medium whereas the Albr mutants were defective in uptake of nucleosides and albicidin at low extracellular concentrations. An insertion mutation blocking Tsx protein production also blocked albicidin uptake and conveyed albicidin resistance. Albicidin supplied at approximately 0.1 microM blocked DNA replication within seconds in intact Albs E. coli cells, but a 100-fold higher albicidin concentration was necessary for a rapid inhibition of DNA replication in permeabilized cells. We conclude that albicidin is effective at very low concentrations against E. coli because it is rapidly concentrated within cells by illicit transport through the tsx-encoded outer-membrane channel normally involved in nucleoside uptake. Albicidin resistance results from loss of the mechanism of albicidin transport through the outer membrane.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The signal Peptide of a vacuolar protein is necessary and sufficient for the efficient secretion of a cytosolic protein.

A cytosolic pea (Pisum sativum) seed albumin (ALB) and a chimeric protein (PHALB) consisting of the signal peptide and first three amino acids of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and the amino acid sequence of ALB were expressed in parallel suspension cultures of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cells and their intracellular fates examined. PHALB was efficiently secreted by the cells whereas ALB remained intracellular. These experiments show that the information contained in the signal peptide of a vacuolar protein is both necessary and sufficient for efficient secretion, and define secretion as a default or bulk-flow pathway. Entry into the secretory pathway was accompanied by glycosylation and the efficient conversion of the high mannose glycans into complex glycans indicating that transported glycoproteins do not need specific recognition domains for the modifying enzymes in the Golgi. Tunicamycin depressed the accumulation of the unglycosylated polypeptide in the culture medium much less than the accumulation of other glycoproteins. We interpret this as evidence that glycans on proteins that are not normally glycosylated do not have the same function of stabilizing and protecting the polypeptide as on natural glycoproteins.

Journal Article↗

Transferrin and albumin polymorphisms in buffaloes from Brazil.

Starch gel electrophoresis disclosed six transferrin phenotypes, explainable by three alleles (TF A, TF D, TF E), and three albumin phenotypes, determined by two alleles (ALB A, ALB B). Their prevalences suggest that the Brazilian populations have admixed river and swamp buffalo ancestry, the frequency of ALB A being much higher than those found in other regions.

Alleles↗

Plasma volume, intravascular albumin and its transcapillary escape rate in patients with extensive skin disease.

Plasma volume and plasma concentration and transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TER alb), i.e. the fraction of intravascular mass of albumin that passes to the extravascular space per unit time, were determined using 125I-labelled human albumin in eight patients with extensive skin disease. Plasma volume and plasma albumin concentration were reduced (P less than 0-05). Thus the intravascular albumin mass was moderately decreased to an average of 0-55 +/- 0-06 (s.d.) g/cm height compared with a normal mean value of 0-77 +/- 0-07 (s.d.) g/cm. This 29% decrease is statistically significant (P less than 0-001). The transcapillary escape rate of albumin (TER alb) was significantly elevated, mean 8-6 +/- 1-1 (s.d.) % X h-1, as compared to normal subjects, mean 5-6 +/- 1-1 (s.d.) % X h-1, (+54%, P less than 0-001). The same patients were studied again after a 1-week treatment with prednisone, 25-60 mg per day. Plasma albumin concentration, plasma volume and intravascular mass of albumin were unchanged, while TER alb decreased significantly during treatment, mean 5-9 +/- 0-8 (s.d.) % X h-1, (P less than 0-01). It is suggested that displacement of albumin into the skin and loss of albumin from the skin are the dominating mechanisms of the reduction in the intravascular albumin mass in patients with extensive skin disease.

Aged↗

Employment of terbinafine against Pneumocystis carinii infection in rat models.

The anti-Pneumocystis carinii response of terbinafine together with that of three other compounds, trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), atovaquone (ATQ) and albendazole (ALB), has been investigated in immunosuppressed Sprague-Dawley rats with established pneumocystosis. Drugs were administered orally (terbinafine in dosages of 40 and 80 mg/kg per day, TMP 12.5 mg/kg per day plus SMX 62.5 mg/kg per day, ATQ 100 mg/kg per day and ALB 600 mg/kg per day) to six rat groups except one which served as a control. P. carinii pneumonia (PCP) was identified post-mortem in nine (90%) of the control rats which exhibited a marked P. carinii burden, and mean lung weights were higher with respect to the other treatment groups. During treatment, five rats in the control group died, whereas between 11 and 13 rats in all treatment groups survived. In the terbinafine groups (40 mg and 80 mg/kg per day), a mild P. carinii infection developed in three and two rats (27.2 and 18%), respectively, and almost the same infectivity score was obtained for those treated with 40 mg and 80 mg/kg per day. Histological changes in the lungs in animals receiving terbinafine treatment were minimal. Among the remaining compounds the rate of infection was seven (58.3%) for the ALB treatment group and five (45.4%) for the ATQ group (mean score 19.4 +/- 7.1 and 23 +/- 2.1, respectively). In the TMP-SMX treatment group, there were 13 surviving rats and P. carinii organisms were found in two (15.3%, mean infection score 8 +/- 1.1).

Administration, Oral↗

Interaction of two GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibodies with platelet Fc receptor (Fc gamma RII).

We have previously used the IV-3 monoclonal antibody specific for Fc gamma RII to demonstrate that platelet activation by CD9 monoclonal antibodies such as ALB-6 is mediated by the Fc gamma RII. Here, we show that platelet activation following addition of a monoclonal antibody directed against GPIIb/IIIa, P256 is completely blocked by IV-3, as monitored by serotonin release, calcium and pH modifications. However, aggregation was only partially inhibited. D3GP3 is another monoclonal antibody directed against GPIIIa which has been shown to induce platelet aggregation by exposure of the fibrinogen binding site. The present study demonstrates that this phenomenon is not accompanied by calcium flux or pH modification, nor is it blocked by pretreatment of platelet by IV-3. Despite its apparent independence from the Fc gamma RII activation pathway, D3GP3, but not its Fab fragment, was able to inhibit ALB-6 induced activation, including serotonin release, calcium flux and pH modifications. Binding studies demonstrated that D3GP3 (20 micrograms/ml, 0.13 microM) does not block ALB-6 binding to CD9 antigen but completely blocks IV-3 binding to the Fc receptor for concentrations of IV-3 ranging from 0 to 15 nM. Together, these results suggest an interaction between GPIIb/IIIa, Fc gamma RII and GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibodies which in some cases can result in activation of platelets through Fc gamma RII.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Artificial colloids impair haemostasis. An in vitro study using thromboelastometry coagulation analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions impair haemostatic mechanisms. The impact of the degree of substitution (DS) of a HES solution on thromboelastometry tracings is unclear. Therefore we tested the hypothesis of whether the DS has an effect on the haemostatic defect caused by HES, and assessed whole blood coagulation by thromboelastometry coagulation analysis (ROTEM, Pentapharm Co., Munich, Germany) in serial in vitro haemodilutions of colloids. METHODS: Whole blood was withdrawn from 12 volunteers in a crossover study. Six per cent low-molecular weight HES with a high (HES MW 120 kDa/degree of substitution 0.7) and low (HES MW 130 kDa/0.4) degree of substitution, 4% succinylated gelatin (GEL) or 4% albumin (ALB) was added to citrated venous whole blood samples to make 20, 40, 60 vol.% end-concentrations of each of the solutions. Samples were analyzed by ROTEM. RESULTS: There was a comparable decrease in maximum clot firmness (MCF) and shear elastic modulus [G = 5000 x MCF/(100-MCF)] by HES 120/0.7 and HES 130/0.4 at 20 and 40 vol.% dilutions. At 60 vol.% dilution HES 120/0.7 decreased less alpha-angle and MCF than HES 130/0.4 (P < 0.05). With moderate dilutions all colloids shortened coagulation time (CT). At 20, 40 and 60 vol.% dilutions MCF and G were more decreased in both HES groups than in the ALB and GEL groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, at 40 and 60 vol.% dilutions G deteriorated more in the GEL than in the ALB group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In vitro the impact of the degree of substitution of HES solution on thromboelastometry coagulation analysis was modest. Haemodilution with gelatin and albumin induced fewer coagulation abnormalities than HES. In addition, the haemodilution with gelatin impaired coagulation more than albumin solution.

Adult↗

Effects of three anthelmintic regimes on milk yield of ewes and growth of lambs.

Forty ewes were allocated into one of four groups (n = 10) and were treated with albendazole (ALB) (3.8 mg kg(-1)) before lambing (group A), with ALB before and after lambing (group B), with moxidectin (MXD) (0.2 mg kg(-1)) before lambing (group C) or were untreated controls (group D). Counts of nematode eggs in faeces and coprocultures were carried out during the study, as well as ewes' milk yield measurements and lamb weighings. Pre-treatment mean eggs per gram (epg) counts were 640, 715, 625 and 630 for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P > 0.05); respective counts 21 days after treatment were 5, 0, 0 and 690 epg, whilst 70 days after treatment they were 380, 145, 40 and 1120 epg. Mean lactation milk yield was 3527.5, 3893.5, 3786.4 and 3285.9 ml for groups A, B, C and D, respectively; no significant difference was evident among the four groups in milk yield collected during the suckling period, although subsequently, group B or C ewes yielded significantly more milk than controls (P < 0.05). Mean birthweight of lambs were 3.56, 3.45, 3.59 and 3.26 kg for groups A, B, C and D, respectively (P = 0.045); subsequently, lambs from treated ewes were significantly heavier than lambs from control animals (P < 0.001). We conclude that anti-parasitic treatment during the last month of pregnancy contributed to an increased birthweight of lambs of treated ewes, whilst the cumulative effect of two doses of ALB or the long persistent efficacy of MXD provided a longer protection of animals against new parasitic infections and contributed to a lactation persistence.

Albendazole↗

Microalbuminuria in diabetes: relationships between urinary albumin excretion and diabetes-related variables.

A single observer reviewed 842 of the 917 known diabetic patients registered with 40 GPs in the Poole area. Fifty-nine per cent (493) of those reviewed submitted a timed overnight urine collection to measure albumin excretion rate (AER) and overnight albumin/creatinine ratio (ON-Alb/Creat); 43 samples were excluded because of urinary tract infection and/or proteinuria. A random urine sample was obtained in 607 diabetic patients to measure the random albumin/creatinine ratio (R-Alb/Creat); 68 specimens were excluded because of infection and/or proteinuria, and in a further 10 samples urinary creatinine was not measured. Stepwise multiple regression analyses found significant associations with the following variables: for AER, blood glucose (p = 0.001), smoking category (p = 0.002), sex (p = 0.034), and systolic blood pressure (p = 0.035); for R-Alb/Creat, blood glucose (p = 0.001), retinopathy (p = 0.004), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.004), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.015), coronary artery disease (p = 0.02), sex (p = 0.034), and vibration sense (p = 0.038). Interestingly, glycosylated haemoglobin was not a significant determinant of albuminuria in either analysis.

Albuminuria↗

Laccase activity from the fungus Trametes hirsuta using an air-lift bioreactor.

AIM: To produce high laccase activities from the white-rot fungus Trametes hirsuta in an in-house air-lift bioreactor (ALB). METHODS AND RESULTS: Trametes hirsuta was grown in a 6-l ALB. A fed-batch strategy with glycerol as an addition resulted in maximum laccase activity of 19,400 U l(-1), which was the highest reported from the fungus. CONCLUSION: The ALB configuration with additional glycerol resulted in high laccase activities. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides useful information on how to produce high concentrations of laccase.

Basidiomycota↗