Assessment of glycinebetaine and proline compartmentation by analysis of isolated beet vacuoles

Vacuoles isolated from storage root tissue of red beet (Beta vulgaris L.) do not leak significant quantities of betanin, sucrose, Na(+) or K(+) during isolation. This indicates that analysis of vacuoles in vitro gives meanigful information about the compartmentation of solutes in vivo. Preparations of vacouoles were used to determine the distribution of glycinebetaine and proline between vacuole and cytoplasm in beet cells. Both compounds were detected in preparations of isolated beet vacuoles. In the case of glycinebetaine it was shown that this solute was associated with the vacuoles, not with the small number of other organelles which contaminated the preparations. The vacuolar pool accounted for 26 to 84% of the total tissue glycinebetaine and 17 to 57% of the proline. Concentrations of these compounds in vacuole and cytoplasm were calculated and were always higher in the cytoplasm than in the vacuole. The concentration gradient across the tonoplast varied considerably. The significance of these results is discussed in relation to the hypothesis that glycinebetaine and proline function as benign cytoplasmic osmotica.

Blood fibrinolytic system in rana tigrina

Fibrinolytic activity as well demonstrable in the blood of Rana tigrina. There occurs prompt lysis of diluted plasma; and the plasma euglobulin fraction shows lysis on both unheated and heated fibrin (human or bovine) plates, implying the presence of plasmin-like enzyme in this fraction. The fibrinolytic activity is remarkably inhibited by the erythrocyte-lysate and is moderately enhanced by leucocytes-thrombocytes. EACA suppresses the lysis of dilute cell-free plasma clots at concentrations of 10(-4) M or more, possibly indicating the presence of plasminogen activator in the plasma. Activation of fibrinolysis by human urokinase and not by streptokinase, shows the probable presence of plasminogen and absence of proactivator.

A clinical trial of Neo Sampoon vaginal contraceptive tablets

Results are reported of a clinical trial of Neo Sampoon vaginal contraceptive tablets, conducted by the International Fertility Research Program (IFRP) in collaboration with the Dacca Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. Of the 150 women enrolled, 115 remained in the study at the end of 12 months. The 12-month cumulative gross life-table rates per 100 women were 6.5 for pregnancy and 24.8 for discontinuation due to other reasons. Discomfort associated with the heart generated by the tablets' effervescence was the primary side effect of Neo Sampoon use, and was one of the major causes of discontinuation. Regularity of use and acceptability of this foaming tablet appeared to be high compared to other barrier methods. Further research is needed on Neo Sampoon and other vaginal contraceptives to develop and promote methods that can help meet the worldwide demand for fertility control.

In vitro conversion of proinsulin to insulin by cathepsin B in isolated islets and its inhibition by cathepsin B antibodies

Purified bovine cathepsin B, when incubated with isolated rat islets of Langerhans, completely converts proinsulin to insulin as demonstrated by the incorporation of 14C-leucine into islet proteins, releasing lysine as the only basic amino acid. Cathepsin B antibodies raised in rabbit inhibited the above conversion.

Alloxan-glucose interaction: effect on incorporation of 14C-leucine into pancreatic islets of rat

The acute effect of alloxan on the incorporation of 14C-leucine into isolated rat islets of Langerhans was studied. I.v. administration of alloxan (40 mg/kg body weight) in rats inhibited the subsequent in vitro incorporation of 14C-leucine into (pro-)insulin in the isolated islets. Glucose (750 mg/kg body weight), when administered 5 min prior to alloxan, completely protected the islets against alloxan toxicity. The protective effect of glucose was partly reversed when the concentration of alloxan was raised to 80 mg/kg body weight. Similar results of inhibition of (pro-)insulin biosynthesis by alloxan and its protection by glucose were obtained when isolated rat islets were exposed to alloxan and/or glucose in vitro. Islets exposed to glucose in vitro immediately after alloxan exposure showed a slower rate of inhibition of (pro-)insulin biosynthesis, as compared to islets washed before exposure to D-glucose. In view of these findings, it is suggested that there is a common recognition site on B-cell for alloxan and glucose.

Transcorneal peripheral iridectomy

A surgical technique to perform transcorneal iridectomy is described. Its advantages over peripheral iridectomy with conjunctival flap and laser methods are discussed.

Comparative studies of blood coagulation in hibernating and non-hibernating frogs (Rana tigrina)

1. During hibernation in frogs (Rana tigrina) there occurs prolongation of several clotting tests, viz, whole blood clotting time, plasma recalcification time, cephalin time and prothrombin time. 2. The ambient body temperature of the frog during winter hibernation is low and the retarded blood clotting at lower temperature may play an important protective role against intravascular thrombosis. 3. Shorter plasma recalcification time in low-spun plasma as compared to high-spun plasma indicated the presence of procoagulant activity in platelets/leucocytes of frogs.

Fibrinolysis in the pigeon (Columba livia)

The presence of plasminogen activator in the euglobulin fraction of pigeon plasma, was demonstrated by conspicuous lysis on unheated fibrin plates; human as well as bovine fibrin were susceptible to lysis. The presence of free plasmin in euglobulin fraction was indicated by lysis on heated fibrin plates.

Isolation of di-N-2-propylpentyl phthalate from human urine

A higher percentage of di-N-2 propylpentyl phthalate isolated from the urine of the normals and a lower quantity in the patients suffering from Eales' disease accompanied with the occurrence in patients of another compound which is also most likely a phthalate ester has been correlated with the Eales' disease.

Ventricular function and the native coronary circulation five years after myocardial revascularization

Of 531 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting during 1970 to 1973, 181 were restudied by ventriculography and by graft and coronary angiography at least 5 years following operation. Five patterns of postoperative ventricular function were identified: improved ventricular function resulting in normal left ventricular (LV) function; normal ventricular function that was unchanged; abnormal ventricular function that improved but did not reach normal; abnormal ventricular function that remained unchanged; and deterioration of LV function. Patients who regained (40) and those who retained normal ventricular function (49) comprise 49% of the series and patients with deterioration of ventricular function, only 20%. Graft patency and angina relief were significantly better in those with normal LV function than in those with LV deterioration. Progression of disease in grafted coronary arteries was similar in all groups, but was significantly higher in ungrafted coronary arteries (61.3%) in the patients showing deterioration than in either the improved patients or those with an unchanged normal LV (33.3% each) (p less than 0.05). The high incidence of progression of disease in ungrafted coronary arteries in the group with deterioration suggests that low graft patency and deterioration of ventricular function in this group might both be related to intrinsic acceleration of coronary atherosclerosis unrelated to operative intervention.

Sec-butylamine residues in citrus, pome fruits and bananas from post-harvest treatments

Sec-butylamine residues were determined for post-harvest treatments for control of citrus green and blue mould (Penicillium digitatum Sacc. and P. italicum Wehmer), blue mould of pome fruits (P. expansum Thom.) and black-end (Colletotrichum musae (Berk and Curt.) Arx) and squirter (Nigrospora sphaerica Sacc.) of banana fruits. The treatments were as follows: 0.5% bulk bin dip of citrus and pome fruit. 1.0% dip of bananas packaged in wooden boxes. 1.0% flood of citrus and bananas on packing line. A combined 0.5% dip and 1.0% flaod of citrus. Residues in citrus fruit (orange, tangor, mandarin, grapefruit, lemon) ranged from 0.88-7.65 �g g-1 and were well within the 30 �g g-1 recommended limit of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting of Experts on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council. The single bulk dip gave two to three times higher residues than the combined dip and flood treatment. Pome fruit residues ranged from 2.75-1 1.6 �g g-1, with pears (1 1.2-1 1.6 �g g-1) having 3-4 times higher residues than apples (2.75-3.61 �g g-1). Whole green or ripened Cavendish bananas contained residues ranging from 15.1-27.6 �g g-1, with 2% or less of the residue being found in the pulp. The dipped, boxed single fruits had almost double the residues of flooded hands.

The effects of 5alpha-reduced androgens on maintenance and regeneration of prostate glands and seminal vesicles in castrated and hypophysectomized rats

The effects of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol (3alpha-diol) and 5alpha-androstane-3beta, 17beta-diol (3beta-diol) were studied in rats hypophysectomized and treated daily for 30 days with the steroids, starting on the day of surgery (hypophysectomized, H) or 30 days following the removal of pituitary (hypophysectomized regressed, HR). The ability of 3beta-diol to maintain and restimulate the prostate glands and seminal vesicles of castrated (C) and castrated regressed (CR) rats, respectively, was also studied. This androgen (3beta-diol) was able to maintain as well as rejuvenate to some degree the sexual accessory glands of all treatment groups. The prostate glands and seminal vesicles in both castrated experimental groups showed increased stimulation with progressively higher dosages of 3beta-diol. At all dose levels, stimulation of seminal vesicles of CR rats was comparable to that of non-regressed castrates. The prostate glands, on the other hand, showed better maintenance in the higher dosage group. In H rats, the stimulation of sexual accessory glands by both androgens was not significantly different than normal controls. The seminal vesicles and prostate glands of HR rats treated with 3alpha-diol were well stimulated and comparable to those of H rats treated with 3alpha-diol. The seminal vesicles of HR rats treated with 3beta-diol were also well stimulated, though not to the extent as those with 3alpha-diol treatment. The prostate glands of the 3beta-diol treated HR rats were significantly smaller than those of the 3alpha-diol treatment group. However, these miniature glands were morphologically stimulated as evidenced by mitosis of parenchymal cells and accumulation of secretory products in the alveoli. This study clearly indicates that 3beta-diol is biologically active and the degree of stimulation varies with the animal preparation in which the androgens were tested.

Severe cyanosis due to atrial septal defect and an anomalous inferior vena caval valve

Uncomplicated atrial septal defect is often associated with mild arterial desaturation. A case is reported with severe cyanosis and life-threatening hypoxemia due to an atrial septal defect. Cardiac catheterization revealed normal right heart pressures and an atrial septal defect with shunting of inferior vena caval blood into the left atrium. At surgery an anomalous inferior vena caval valve was found directing inferior vena caval blood into the left atrium. The embryologic basis for this association is discussed. The delayed onset of severe cyanosis may have been contributed to by the thoracic scoliosis.

The hepatic microsomal mixed-function oxidase system in man: cofactor effects and the influence of cholestasis

Microsomal preparations from 22 surgical specimens of normal, cholestatic or severely diseased human liver were analyzed with respect to the amounts of cytochromes P-450 and b5 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase present. Normal human liver contained slightly less NADPH-cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome P-450 (mean 102.6 +/- 14.6 nmol/mg of protein per min. and 0.60 +/- 0.10 nmol/mg of protein, respectively) than is found in the adult rat, but wide variations were observed. Cytochrome b5 was present in comparable amounts to that in rat liver, and cytochrome b5/P --450 ratios were slightly increased in human liver as compared with rat liver. Cholestatic liver did not show significant alterations in the specific contents of any of these three components of the microsomal mixed-function oxidase system, but the two livers with severe parenchymal disease showed substantial reductions in all three. In vitro investigations of cofacter interrelationships in the N-demethylation of ethylmorphine by human liver microsomes suggested that NADPH was the favored electron donor, but NADH had a substantial (ca. 20%) synergistic effect (which was not enhanced by cyanide addition). These observations are in keeping with cytochrome b5 having a possible role in cytochrome P-450-mediated drug hydroxylation in man in both the normal state and after onset of cholestasis.