Comparative susceptibility of starch granules of double- and triple-mutants containing amylose-extender, waxy, sugary-1, sugary-2 and dull genes of maize inbred OH43 (Zea mays L.) to amylase

Starch granules were prepared from 14 double- and 26 triple-mutants containing amylose-extender (ae), 14 double- and 18 triple-mutants containing waxy (wx), 15 double- and 20 triple-mutants containing sugary-1 (su1), 13 double- and 23 triple-mutants containing sugary-2 (su2), and 14 double- and 19 triple-mutants containing dull (du) of maize inbred Oh43 (Zea mays L.). The relative susceptibilities of these starch granules to fungal glucoamylase were determined and the starch granules were examined by scanning electron microscopy. A commercial normal maize starch was used as a control. Starch granules of the double- and triple-mutants containing su1 and su2 were digested two to eight times faster than normal. The ae gene reduced susceptibility and seems to be epistatic to su1 and su2. Starch granules of the double- and triple-mutants containing wx were digested about two times faster than normal and those containing shrunken-2 (sh2) were digested 1.2 to eight times faster than normal. Starch granules of triple-mutant combinations with opaque-2 (o2) showed digestion properties which were comparable to those of their respective monopaque double-mutant counterpart.

Measurement of endothelial fibrinolytic activity in aorta and vena cava in rabbits: a fibrin-agar plate method

The fibrin-agar plate method was used to estimate fibrinolytic activity from the luminal surfaces of aorta and vena cava with or without denudation of endothelium in rabbits. Diffuse endothelial denudation was accomplished by air-dry injury to the luminal surfaces for 24 hours prior to sacrifice. The segments individually obtained from the aorta and vena cava were immediately turned inside out in a cylindrical fashion and soaked in a vial containing plasminogen-rich solution. The vials were kept in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C for 4 hours. Five microliter of the solution was dropped on a fibrin-agar plate containing 0.08% fibrinogen (plasminogen free) and 1.4% agar in 0.01 M phosphate buffer with a pH of 7.4. A thrombin solution was then added to the plates, which were incubated for 18 hours at 37 degrees C in a moist chamber. The fibrinolytically digested areas revealed no comparative difference in fibrinolytic activity between the aorta and the vena cava either in the experimental or control group. However, a plasminogen activator was detected on the luminal surfaces of both the aorta and the vena cava with endothelial denudation as well as in normal controls. These results suggest that luminal fibrinolytic activity may be located not only in endothelial cells but possibly in other sources as well. Further examination of the interaction between the tissue activator and the inhibitor and determination of their localization are needed. Thrombogenesis may be an important factor in atherogenesis; in certain circumstances, detachment of the endothelial cells exposes underlying collagen fibrils and subsequently initiates the aggregation of platelets and cellular proliferation in the intima. There are, however, many unresolved questions concerning the precise mechanisms of development, resolution and organization of thrombi.

Comparative susceptibility to amylases of starch granules of several single endosperm mutants representative of floury-opaque, starch-deficient, and modified starch types and their double-mutant combinations with opaque-2 in four inbred lines of maize

Starch granules were prepared from kernels of eight single endosperm mutants, brittle-1, (bt1), brittle-2 (bt2), floury-1, floury-2, soft starch, opaque-1 (o1), shrunken-2 (sh2), and sugary-2 (su2), and their double-mutant combinations with opaque-2 (o2) of four inbred lines of maize (Zea mays L.), B37, C103, Oh43 and W64A. We compared the susceptibility of various starch granules to Rhizopus glucoamylase and pancreatin. Starch granules of the su2 and su2o2 mutants were digested by amylases much faster than those of the normal counterparts. Starch granules of the bt1, bt2, o1 and sh2 mutants tended to be digested by amylases faster than those of normal maize. Starch granules of double-mutant combinations with the o2 gene were, in general, digested to an extent very comparable to their respective non-opaque single mutant counterparts in each of their four inbred backgrounds. We followed the relative digestion of starch granules by using scanning electron microscopy. Starch granules of endosperm mutants susceptible to amylases showed numerous pin holes on the surface layer and the pores penetrated into the inner layers of the granules during the attack by amylases. In some of the granules the inner portion, which appeared terraced or step-shaped, could be seen. This may be indicative of layered internal structures of the granules.

Metabolic disorder of otoconia after streptomycin intoxication

Little is known about the origin or the metabolism of otoconia. Streptomycin sulfate was found to cause a decrease in their number on the otolithic membrane of the utricle and saccule in guinea pigs. The remaining otoconia on the otolithic membrane varied in shape and size and giant otoconia with multilayered arrangement were observed by means of a scanning electron microscope. These otoconia contained the normal amount of calcium in the form of standard calcium calcite crystal. The lost otoconia were found attached to the surface of some vestibular dark cells. Otoconia in this new position were irregular, shrunken or fragmented. Their calcium content, measured with an X-ray micro-analyzer, was variably diminished. The dark cells appeared to be actively engaged in absorption of calcium ions, from the attached otoconia. The dark cell is considered to be a receptacle for the disposal of otoconia.

Membranous tracheitis following endotracheal intubation

In this study, four patients with membranous tracheitis following endotracheal intubation are presented. Possible causes for the development of the condition were mostly related to subglottic epithelial trauma caused by the pressure of the cuff of the tube for a long time on the mucosa and the drying effect of atropine. The literature concerning the development of membranous tracheitis in previous studies is also presented.

Mechanism of inhibition of Chromatium D growth by L-methionine. Regulation of L-threonine biosynthesis by the intracellular level of S-adenosylmethionine

(1) An unusual accumulation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in Chromatium D was associated with a marked growth inhibition by L-methionine. The inhibition was overcome by L-isoleucine, L-leucine, L-phyenylalanine, L-threonine, L-valine and putrescien. Based on their effects, these compounds are classified into 3 types. (2) L-Isoleucine, L-leucine, L-phyenylalanine and L-valine (Type I) inhibited the L-methionine uptake and consequently prevented the bacterium from the unusual accumulation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine even in the presence of L-methionine in the medium. Putrescine (Type II) stimulated the consumption of S-adenosyl-L-methionine, but did not influence the L-methionine uptake. Hence, the effect of putrescine would be explained by the action to diminish the intracellular level of S-adenosyl-L-methionine. L-Threonine (Type III) neither inhibited the L-methionine uptake nor affected the content of S-adenoxyl-L-methionine due to the addition of L-methionine. (3) The specific activity of homoserine kinase (EC 2.7.1.39) was greatly lowered by the addition of L-methionine under conditions in which Chromatium D unusually accumulates S-adenoxyl-L-methionine. Homoserine dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.3) activity was inhbitied by S-adenosyl-L-methionine (50% inhibition index, 3.5 mM). These facts strongly suggest that the growth inhibition by L-methionine is associated with the L-threonine deficiency caused by the unusual accumulation of S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

Studies on metabolic role of 5'-Methylthioadenosine in Ochromonas malhamensis and other microorganisms

Several compound containing a thiomethyl group were found to replace vitamin B12 in a protozoan, Ochromonas malhamensis. The order of the effectiveness was as follows: 5'-methylthioadenosine is greater than S-adenosylmethionine is greater than 5-methylthioribose is greater then L-methionine. A similar order was obtained with respect to the permeability of these compounds into the protozoan cells, except for S-adenosylmethionine. 5'-Methylthioadenosine and 5-methylthioribose as well as L-methionine markedly increased the intracellular content of L-methionine. The level of S-adenosylmethionine was also increased by them, but to lesser degree. The thiomethyl group of the compounds was established to be incorporated into S-adenosylmethionine. The metabolic fate of the thiomethyl group of 5'-methylthioadenosine cannot be distinguished from that of L-methionine. A high activity of 5'-methylthioadenosine nucleosidase was detected in the cell-free extracts of the protozoan. These results strongly suggest that 5'-methylthioadenosine would be metabolized to L-methionine would be ocnverted to S-adenosylmethionine. Like L-methionine and vitamin B12, 5'-methylthioadenosine and 5-methylthioribose may play an important role in maintenance of the C-1 pool in Ochromonas malhamensis. Neither 5'-methylthioadenosine nor 5-methylthioribose replaced vitamin B12 in some vitamin B12-requiring bacteria. This result is consistent with the fact that neither compounds was significantly taken up by these bacteria.

Studies on biological functions of 5'-methylthioadenosine vitamin B12-replacing effect for Ochromonas malhamensis

An unidentified factor which can completely replace the vitamin B12 requirement of a protozoan, Ochromonas malhamensis, was found in commercial yeast extract powder. The factor showed a positive sugar test with orcinol reagent. The presence of sulfur was demonstrated with platinic iodide reagent. The molecular weight, 297, and the chemical formula, C11H15O3N5S, were determined by mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Infra-red and nuclear magnetic resonance studies indicated the presence of a thiomethyl group. The factor was hydrolyzed by treatment with acid into adenine and 5-methylthioribose, i.e., the sugar constituent of 5'-methylthioadenosine. The factor was identified as 5'-methylthioadenosine from the behavior exhibited in thin-layer chromatography and from microbiological tests for its vitamin B12-replacing effect.