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At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Different exon-intron organizations of the genes for two astacin-like proteases, high choriolytic enzyme (choriolysin H) and low choriolytic enzyme (choriolysin L), the constituents of the fish hatching enzyme.

The hatching enzyme of the teleost, Oryzias latipes, is composed of two proteases, high choriolytic enzyme (choriolysin H, HCE) and low choriolytic enzyme (choriolysin L, LCE), which are similar in some enzymological characteristics and protein structure (55% identity in amino acid sequence) and belong to the astacin family. Two isoforms of HCE are detected. In the present study, the genes for HCE and LCE were isolated from the genomic library constructed from DNA of the inbred drR strain fish. In contrast to the close similarity of the enzymes, there was a marked difference in their gene organization. The LCE gene was a single copy gene and composed of eight exons interrupted by seven introns. The HCE genes were multicopy genes and lacked introns. In the haploid genome of the drR strain fish, there are eight HCE genes, seven of which were cloned. Each HCE gene was identified as that for either of the two isoforms of HCE. 5' flanking regions of the LCE gene and the HCE genes had consensus TATA box sequences, but not CAT box nor GC box sequences. The big difference in the exon-intron organization between the HCE genes and the LCE gene is discussed from an evolutionary viewpoint.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2000

[Distribution pattern and its dynamics of Taxus chinensis var. mairei population on Yunbaoshan Mountain].

Field data were sampled by the method of contiguous grid quadrate, and t-test of v/m ratio, negative binomial parameter, Green's index, Cassie's index, dispersion index, clumping index, mean crowding index and patchiness index were used to analyse the distribution pattern and its dynamics of Taxus chinensis var. mairei population. The result shows that the distribution pattern was clustering. From sapling to grown-up tree, the clustering degree was decreasing, while the big trees had a random distribution.

China↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The discharge form: advantages and limits legionellosis cases individuation].

Despite legionellosis surveillance is active in Italy since many years, the disease notification appears still undervalued. A multicentric survey was carried out among 5 big Italian hospitals. It examined 11,435 discharge forms (1999-2001), reporting pneumonia diagnosis. Legionellosis (II class of notify system for infectious disease) was studied among pneumonia diagnosis by discharge forms. According to the ICD9-CM, there's no specific code for legionellosis (this disease is included among "others gram-negative pneumonia"). So the presumed pneumonia imputable to Legionella spp were the 2.7% of the whole number of analyzed discharge forms. Besides, the data regarding the other pneumonia showed that the etiological agent was specified only in the 11.2% of the case. This situation could be rectified both introducing adequate discharge forms codes and promoting the etiological diagnosis during the hospital stay.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Experimental feeding of DDE and PCB to female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus).

Twenty-two female big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) were collected in a house attic in Montgomery County, Maryland. Seventeen were fed mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae) that contained 166 ppm DDE; the other five were fed uncontaminated mealworms. After 54 days of feeding, six dosed bats were frozen and the remaining 16 were starved to death. In a second experiment, 21 female big brown bats were collected in a house attic in Prince Georges County, Maryland. Sixteen were fed mealworms that contained 9.4 ppm Aroclor 1254 (PCB). After 37 days, two bats had died, four dosed bats were frozen, ant the remaining 15 were starved to death. Starvation caused mobilization of stored residues. After the feeding periods, average weights of all four groups (DDE-dosed, DDE control, PCB-dosed, PCB control) had increased. However, weights of DDE-dosed bats had increased significantly more than those of their contols, whereas weights of PCB-dosed bats had increased significantly less than those of their controls. During starvation, PCB-dosed bats lost weight significantly more slowly than controls. Because PCB levels in dosed bats resembled levels found in some free-living big brown bats, PCBs may be slowing metabolic rates of some free-living bats. It is not known how various common organochlorine residues may affect metabolism in hibernating bats. DDE and PCB increased in brains of starving bats as carcass fat was metabolized. Because the tremors and/or convulsions characteristic of neurotoxicity were not observed, we think even the maximum brain levels attained (132 ppm DDE, 20 ppm PCB) were sublethal. However, extrapolation of our DDE data predicted lethal brain levels when fat reserves declined sufficiently. PCB-dosed bats were probably in no danger of neurotoxic poisoning. However, PCB can kill by a nonneurotoxic mode, and this could explain the deaths of two bats on PCB dosage.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Design of hydropathically complementary peptides for Big Endothelin affinity purification.

Molecular recognition between Big Endothelin (Big ET) and a computer generated peptide hydropathically complementary to Big ET[16-29] sequence has been studied by analytical high performance liquid affinity chromatography (HPLAC), circular dichroism (CD) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Specific binding was observed between solid support immobilized complementary peptide and Big ET[1-38], [1-32], and [16-32], but not with Big ET fragments [1-21], [16-21], [22-32], and [22-38], obtained by chymotrypsin proteolytic degradation. Selectivity in the recognition process was clearly demonstrated by the ability of complementary peptide affinity column to purify the Big ET molecule from complex peptide mixtures, even when present in very low concentrations. Similar selectivity was evidenced with the Big ET fragment [16-32], [NH2-HLDIIWVNTPEHIVPYG-COOH] containing the entire hydropathically complementary sequence. Binding was followed by marked spectroscopic changes, as monitored by circular dichroism and one- and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. The NMR spectra of the complementary peptides 1:1 mixture showed variations in the chemical shifts of proton resonances in several residues, both in the main chain (amide protons) and in the side chains (aliphatic and aromatic protons). These data support the hypothesis of a multilocalized type of interaction between complementary peptides, where many residues along the peptide chains participate in co-operative stabilizing contacts in the forming complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1988

Dietary carbohydrate, a Big Mac, and insulin requirements in type I diabetes.

Using the artificial beta-cell (Biostator), we determined the insulin requirements in five nonobese type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic subjects who received isocaloric 40 and 60% mixed-carbohydrate diets in a crossover randomized fashion for 4 days, each day consisting of four equal meals. This was followed on day 5 by a "Big Mac Attack" lunch consisting of a Big Mac, french fries, and milk shake. Insulin requirements to maintain normoglycemia were calculated for each 24-h period and for the 2 h after each meal. The mean 24-h insulin requirements to maintain normoglycemia was greater for the 60% carbohydrate diet than the 40% diet. Although the four meals were of equal size, in all patients the insulin required to cover breakfast greater than lunch greater than dinner greater than or equal to snack. Expressed as milliunits per kilocalorie, the amount of insulin to cover breakfast was greater for the 60% (P less than .05) than the 40% carbohydrate diet and greater for breakfast than the other meals (P less than .01). Insulin requirements for the Big Mac (43% carbohydrate) were 58% greater than for the 40% carbohydrate diet, even after correction for caloric differences. In summary, 1) increasing dietary carbohydrate from 40 to 60% results in an increased insulin requirement for meals only; 2) insulin requirements are greater in the morning than in the evening, even when meal size is constant; and 3) very large meals with high fat and carbohydrate content result in a major increase in insulin requirement. These data indicate that diet has an important impact on insulin requirements in diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Competition and substrate colonization strategies of three polyxenically grown arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

Intra- and extraradical colonization competition and hyphal interactions among arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus intraradices, Glomus proliferum and Gigaspora margarita were investigated in two in vitro experimental systems. AMF were polyxenically cultured with a Ri T-DNA transformed carrot root organ culture (ROC) in either big Petri plates containing three culture compartments and a common hyphal compartment (i.e. an independent host root for each AMF) or two by two in the culture compartment of regular bicompartmented Petri dishes (i.e. a common host root and a common hyphal compartment). Maps of the extraradical mycelial development of the three AMF were obtained. Two distinct substrate colonization strategies (Glomus-type and Gigaspora-type) were identified, reflecting intrinsic differences among AMF genera/families. Our data reveal a general lack of antagonism between the isolates when extraradical hyphae explore and exploit the substrate outside the root influence zone; however certain growth restrictions were imposed by Gi. margarita extraradical mycelium when developing near the host root and by G. proliferum intraradical hyphae. This work highlights once more the appropriateness of AM in vitro culture systems to perform in vivo studies on the biology of this symbiosis and opens new avenues to the formulation of in vitro AMF inoculants.

Daucus carota↗
PubMed1989

[[Child-sex effects on further births]].

This paper clarifies the child-sex effects on the number of additional children in Japan. The data were retrospective birth histories of the 8th Japanese National Fertility Survey carried out by the Institute of Population Problems in 1982. 1st, the authors found that the majority of the Japanese had a balanced sex preference. There was a slight shift from boy preference to girl preference in terms of the parity progression ratio. The effect of the 1st child's sex was small, but the effect of the parity-2 sex combination was as big or bigger than that of other socioeconomic variables. Next, the authors observed some evidence suggesting strong sex preference in opinion and behavior, such as differential intentions of further childbearing due to the sex of previous children and differences in the number of abortions caused by the sex combination of living children. Finally, the authors noted further issues to be examined in the study of sex preference in Japan.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1992

Effects on testosterone, LH and cortisol concentrations, and on testicular ultrasonographic appearance of induced testicular degeneration in bulls.

It is well known that heat stress has a detrimental effect on testicular functions. In addition to the alteration of semen quality and testicular damage, reproductive hormone secretion can be altered. The objective of this study was to describe changes in plasma concentrations of testosterone, LH and cortisol, as well as in testicular ultrasonographic appearance after induced testicular degeneration. Four Swedish Red and White bulls, aged 3 years, were used. They were fed according to Swedish standards. The scrotum was covered with an insulation device during 96 h. Semen was collected weekly 3 times before and up to 4 months after insulation. Testicular ultrasonography and clinical genital examination were performed with the same intervals. Heparinized blood samples were taken from the jugular vein at 2 h interval during 24 h every 2 weeks during the study. Blood samples were tested for the content of testosterone, LH and cortisol. Data were analysed, using one way analysis of variance of seminal data, clinical examination data as well as 24 h hormonal output data as percentage of mean individual pretreatment values. The use of a 5 MHz B-mode ultrasound unit did not contribute with an objective estimation of the degree of testicular degeneration. In 3 of the bulls testosterone levels had a tendency to decrease and LH to increase during the time of severe degeneration, whereas an opposite trend was seen during the regenerative phase, changes becoming significant 15 weeks after scrotal insulation. Variation between animals was big. Cortisol levels had a decreasing trend, changes being significant only in individual bulls at 10 and 15 weeks after scrotal insulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Arsenicosis in two villages in Terai, lowland Nepal.

Although arsenic contamination of groundwater has been detected recently in the Terai region of Nepal, scarce data have been available regarding the possible health effects of the contamination. A study was carried out in two rural villages of Nawalparasi district, where the existence of arsenic contamination has been reported. Almost all tubewells in one of the two villages (Goini, G) exceeded (ranging from 0.104 mg/L to 1.702 mg/L) the maximum permissible limit for arsenic in drinking water in Nepal (0.05 mg/L), and only a few tubewells (19.5%) in the other village (Kunuwar Big, KB) were below this level (0.004 mg/L to 0.972 mg/L). Prevalence rates of arsenicosis diagnosed on the basis of the presence of dermatological manifestations were 11.3% (56 out of 495 examined) and 6.5% (34/525) in G and KB, respectively, with an overall prevalence rate of 8.9%. In terms of gender, the prevalence rate was higher in males (11.5%; 61/531) than in females (5.9%; 29/489), supporting previous observations including our own. Most (71.1%) of the identified patients were 20-49 years old, and the prevalence rate appeared to be higher among those in their 30s or 40s in the both sexes. The youngest patient was 10 years of age. All the patients were either in the mild or moderate stage of the disease and most (78.9%) were in the mild stage. Melanosis with some other manifestations was observed in 95.6% of the patients, while keratosis was found in 57.8%. Leucomelanosis without any other manifestations, which has not been reported either in Bangladesh or India, was observed in 3.3% of the identified patients. Only one patient had Bowen's disease. To our knowledge, the current study provides for the first time quantitative information regarding the arsenicosis patients in Nepal.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Malaria attack: a difficult diagnosis in a region of high Plasmodium falciparum endemicity].

The diagnosis of malaria attack in regions for highly endemic P. falciparum is difficult. It is more so since the wide use of antimalarials by the infected populations and the spread of drug resistance. A positive test is not evidence for a malarial attack since in certain schools, in both rural regions and in some districts of big towns, over 3/4 of the children attending school are carriers of Plasmodium. On the other hand, true attacks, even severe forms, can occur without evidence of parasitaemia. The parasitic load is thus an important factor but the following must be taken into consideration: age, level of immunity, the extent of transmission and whether if is continuous or not, self medication and the initial systematic treatments, the possibility of drug resistance, ... The difficulties are illustrated by data collected in the Congo.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

The effects of novel cathepsin E inhibitors on the big endothelin pressor response in conscious rats.

The aspartic protease, cathepsin E, has been shown to specifically cleave big endothelin (big ET-1) at the Trp21-Val22 bond to produce endothelin (ET-1) and the corresponding C-terminal fragment. To determine whether cathepsin E is a physiologically relevant endothelin converting enzyme (ECE), three novel and potent inhibitors of cathepsin E were administered to conscious rats prior to a pressor challenge with big ET-1. One of the inhibitors of cathepsin E, SQ 32,056 (3 mg/kg i.v.), blocked the big ET-1 response. However, this dose of SQ 32,056 also blocked the pressor response to ET-1. Phosphoramidon specifically inhibited the Big ET-1 pressor response. These results suggest that ECE is not cathepsin E.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Primordial emergence of the recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1): sequence of the complete shark gene indicates homology to microbial integrases.

The rearrangement of antibody and T-cell receptor gene segments is indispensable to the vertebrate immune response. All extant jawed vertebrates can rearrange these gene segments. This ability is conferred by the recombination activating genes I and II (RAG I and RAG II). To elucidate their origin and function, the cDNA encoding RAG I from a member of the most ancient class of extant gnathostomes, the Carcharhine sharks, was characterized. Homology domains identified within shark RAG I prompted sequence comparison analyses that suggested similarity of the RAG I and II genes, respectively, to the integrase family genes and integration host factor genes of the bacterial site-specific recombination system. Thus, the apparent explosive evolution (or "big bang") of the ancestral immune system may have been initiated by a transfer of microbial site-specific recombinases.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1993

Pyroglutamyl peptidase gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens: cloning, sequencing, expression, and crystallization of the expressed enzyme.

The pyroglutamyl peptidase [EC 3.4.11.8] gene from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli DH1. The transformant of E. coli DH1 harboring plasmid pBPG 1 with a 2.1 kb chromosomal DNA fragment showed 80-fold higher activity than B. amyloliquefaciens. The nucleotide sequence of a 0.9 kb fragment that contains the promoter and the mature protein coding region was determined by the dideoxy chain-termination method. An open reading frame of 648 bp starting with an ATG methionine codon was found, which encodes a protein of 215 amino acid residues with a deduced molecular weight of 23,286. The enzyme has two cysteine residues (Cys68 and Cys144) per subunit molecule. Substitution of Cys144 with Ser by site-directed mutagenesis resulted in a complete loss of the activity, while that of Cys68 with Ser did not affect the activity at all. This result and titration with DTNB suggest that Cys144 is concerned in the catalytic action and Cys68 is located inside the enzyme. The expressed enzyme was purified to homogeneity by hydrophobic chromatography on a Toyopearl HW-65C column and crystallization, with an activity recovery of 42.7%. The enzyme was most active at pH 6.5 and stable at pH 7.0-9.0. Its molecular weight was estimated to be 51,000 by gel filtration, suggesting it to be a dimer. Big crystals of the wild and PCMB-modified enzymes were obtained by the hanging drop method.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Organellar H(+)-ATPase--site directed mutagenesis and suppressor mutants.

The oligomeric state of the proteolipid subunit of V-ATPase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied using hemagglutinine (HA) epitope-tag. Like with several other highly hydrophobic proteins, the proteolipid tends to aggregate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). We observed that the oligomeric state of the proteolipid predetermined its tendency for aggregation. Recently we discovered a novel V-ATPase subunit, denoted as M16 for the mammalian enzyme and Vma10p for the yeast enzyme, that is homologous to the b subunit of the membrane sector of F-ATPases. It is assumed that the structure of Vma10p resembles that of subunit b which is basically two anti parallel helices. We mutated the VMA10 gene to change charges on the protein in helices and to introduce helix braking instead of helix forming amino acids. The functionality of the mutated VMA10 was analyzed by growing the transformed yeast cells on a YPD medium buffered at pH 7.5. Two inactive site-directed mutants we used for obtaining second-site suppressors. Mutagenesis with EMS was utilized to get an equal chance of obtaining intra and extragene second-site suppressors. To our surprise the number of colonies that grew at pH 7.5 was too large to account for mutations in V-ATPase subunits. Apparently, mutations that are situated in genes that do not encode V-ATPase subunits could reverse the phenotype of V-ATPase null mutations resulting in growth at pH 7.5. The large number of colonies that grew at pH 7.5 after EMS treatment suggest a big complex with multiple subunits as a target for mutagenesis. The observed phenomenon is very intriguing. If the responsible protein complex is identified, it may shed light on an important and novel cell biology subject.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

Genotoxic effects of bitumen fumes in Big Blue transgenic rat lung.

Road paving workers are exposed to bitumen fumes (CAS No. 8052-42-4), a complex mixture of volatile compounds and particles containing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. However, epidemiological and experimental animal studies failed to draw unambiguous conclusions concerning their toxicity. In order to gain better insights on their genotoxic potential, we used an experimental design able to generate bitumen fumes at road paving temperature (temperature: 170 degrees C, total particulate matter: 100mg/m3) and perform a nose-only exposure of Big Blue transgenic rodents 6h/day for five consecutive days. The mutagenic properties of bitumen fumes were determined by analyzing the mutation frequency and spectrum of the neutral reporter gene cII inserted into the rodent genome. We previously observed in mouse lung, that bitumen fumes did not induce an increase of cII mutants, a modification of the mutation spectrum, nor the formation of DNA adducts. Since DNA adducts were found in the lungs of rats exposed to asphalt fumes in similar conditions, we decided to carry out an analogous experiment with Big Blue rats. A DNA adduct was detected 3 and 30 days after the end of treatment suggesting that these genetic alterations were quite steady. Thirty days after exposure, the cII mutant frequency was similar in control and exposed rats. In addition, a slight but not significant modification of the mutation spectrum associated with an increase of G:C to T:A and A:T to C:G transversions was noticeable in the treated animals. Then, these data failed to demonstrate a pulmonary mutagenic potential for bitumen fumes generated at road paving temperature in our experimental conditions despite the presence of a DNA adduct. These results may provide information concerning the pulmonary mechanism of action of this aerosol and may contribute to the occupational health hazard assessment.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

An evaluation of critical loads of soil acidity in areas of high sea salt deposition.

The empirical and mass balance approaches to setting critical loads of acidity for mineral soils have been evaluated using field data from forest sites in Wales. Using the Simple Mass Balance Equation (SMBE) with Sitka spruce as the biological target, critical loads ranged between 2.3 and 9.8 keq H+ ha(-1) year(-1) compared to mapped empirical critical loads which ranged between 0.2 and 0.5 keq H+ ha(-1) year(-1). At all sites the empirical critical load was exceeded with respect to deposited sulfur acidity. There were no exceeded sites for the SMBE critical loads. The big differences between the two methods arise from the large ANC leaching term in the SMBE model which is determined by the relatively low (Ca + Mg + K)/Al(crit) ratio for Sitka spruce, compared to other conifers, and the influence of the large deposition of sea salt base cations. The low value of the (Ca + Mg + K)/Al(crit) ratio for Sitka spruce implies that it is tolerant of very acidic soil conditions, however, the ratio is based on the results of only one solution culture study and may thus be uncertain under field conditions. Large sea salt base cation deposition directly influences SMBE critical loads because the predicted soil water base cation concentrations permit large concentrations of hydrogen ions and aluminium (low ANC values) before the critical chemical limit is transgressed. Where weathering rates are low, critical ANC leaching (ANC(lecrit)) becomes the dominant term in the SMBE, with the counter intuitive result that the critical load becomes a linear function of sea salt base cation deposition. Thus the current formulation of the SMBE may not be appropriate for low weathering rate areas receiving large amounts of sea salt base cation deposition.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence and risks of pathological gambling in Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents results from the first national survey of problem gambling completed in Sweden. METHOD: The Swedish survey is unique in its quality and representativeness, due to the use of multiple modes of data collection, recruitment of respondents from national registers rather than from households, and high response rate. RESULTS: In spite of high rates of gambling participation in Sweden, the combined prevalence of problem and pathological gambling in Sweden is relatively low (3.9% lifetime and 2.0% current). Multivariate analysis shows that being male, under the age of 25 and born abroad are significant risk factors for lifetime gambling problems in Sweden. Additional risk factors are being single, living in big cities, and receiving social welfare payments. CONCLUSION: The groups most at risk for gambling problems in Sweden are people disadvantaged and marginalized by international economic changes as well as the dismantling of the Swedish welfare system.

Adolescent↗