Native state of high mobility group chromosomal proteins 1 and 2 is rapidly lost by oxidation of sulfhydryl groups during storage

Oxidized forms of non-histone chromosomal proteins high mobility group 1 (HMG1) and HMG2 were detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography of preparations stored at 4 degrees C for 1 day. The oxidized form of each was found to have two free sulfhydryl groups, while the freshly prepared native form of each contained four. The native, reduced state could be maintained during storage by the addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or reducing agents.

Effects of eight weeks of bicycle ergometer sprint training on human muscle buffer capacity

This investigation was undertaken to determine whether human skeletal muscle buffer capacity (BCm) is affected by training. Eight untrained males participated in 8 weeks of sprint training on bicycle ergometers. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis before and at several times following an incremental bicycle ergometer test (0 min, 5 min, 15 min). These subjects were tested before (PRE) and following (POST) the training period. Seven endurance-trained cyclists (ET) were also tested for the purpose of comparing the BCm of ET to that of PRE and POST. Biopsy samples were quick-frozen in liquid nitrogen and later analyzed for lactate concentration (HLam), homogenate pH (pHm), and creatine phosphate concentration. BCm was calculated from the change in HLam and pHm observed from rest to exhaustion and was expressed as mmol X kg-1 X pH-1 (Slykes). There was no significant difference in resting HLam or resting pHm among the groups. There was a significant difference in HLam at exhaustion between PRE (21.41 +/- 1.65 mmol X kg-1), POST (25.61 +/- 2.38 mmol X kg-1), and ET (11.16 +/- 0.31 mmol X kg-1) but no significant difference in pHm at exhaustion between PRE (6.65 +/- 0.03 pH units) and POST (6.69 +/- 0.06 pH units). pHm at exhaustion for the ET group was significantly higher than the others at 6.91 +/- 0.02 pH units. A significant difference between PRE and POST BCm was found (PRE: 44.68 +/- 3.03 S1; POST: 61.04 +/- 4.11 S1) while ET BCm (47.21 +/- 7.26 S1) was not significantly different from PRE. These data indicate that muscle buffer capacity is increased with highly intense sprint training but provide no evidence to suggest that muscle buffer capacity is affected by endurance training.

Muscle metabolism during exercise in the heat in unacclimatized and acclimatized humans

The effect of heat acclimatization on aerobic exercise tolerance in the heat and on subsequent sprint exercise performance was investigated. Before (UN) and after (ACC) 8 days of heat acclimatization, 10 male subjects performed a heat-exercise test (HET) consisting of 6 h of intermittent submaximal [50% of the maximal O2 uptake] exercise in the heat (39.7 degrees C dB, 31.0% relative humidity). A 45-s maximal cycle ride was performed before (sprint 1) and after (sprint 2) each HET. Mean muscle glycogen use during the HET was lower following acclimatization [ACC = 28.6 +/- 6.4 (SE) and UN = 57.4 +/- 5.1 mmol/kg; P less than 0.05]. No differences were noted between the UN and ACC trials with respect to blood glucose, lactate (LA), or respiratory exchange ratio. During the UN trial only, total work output during sprint 2 was reduced compared with sprint 1 (24.01 +/- 0.80 vs. 21.56 +/- 1.18 kJ; P less than 0.05). This reduction in sprint performance was associated with an attenuated fall in muscle pH following sprint 2 (6.86 vs. 6.67, P less than 0.05) and a reduced accumulation of LA in the blood. These data indicate that heat acclimatization produced a shift in fuel selection during submaximal exercise in the heat. The observed sparing of muscle glycogen may be associated with the enhanced ability to perform highly intense exercise following prolonged exertion in the heat.

Isolation and partial characterization of a pair of prolactins released in vitro by the pituitary of a cichlid fish, Oreochromis mossambicus

The pituitary of the cichlid fish tilapia secretes two prolactins (PRLs) of molecular masses 20 kDa and 24 kDa. The 20-kDa PRL has an isoelectric point in the range of those of mammalian PRLs (pI 6.7), but the 24-kDa PRL is unusually basic (pI 8.7). Partial sequence information indicates that the PRLs are homologous but distinct proteins, differing by five amino acids within the first 29 NH2-terminal residues. Homology in the known region is higher with chum salmon PRL than with known mammalian PRLs. Reversed-phase HPLC permits isolation of these two PRLs and a single tilapia growth hormone from culture medium or from the pituitary in a single step. HPLC and radio-HPLC analysis of [3H]leucine pulse-chase experiments reveal that each PRL is secreted in vitro at remarkably high rates (21 pmol per gland per hr) and that the two PRLs are released in approximately equimolar amounts, suggesting the coordinate regulation of the secretion. Both PRLs exert characteristic PRL activity in that they prevent the loss of Na+ from the plasma of hypophysectomized tilapia in fresh water.

Effects of dietary sodium on body and muscle potassium content during heat acclimation

It has been suggested that renal conversion of sodium (Na+) during training in hot environments results in potassium (K+) deficiencies. This investigation examined the influence of two levels of dietary Na+ intake (399 vs 98 mmol X d-1) on intramuscular, urinary, sweat, and whole body K+ homeostasis. Nine unacclimated, untrained males underwent heat acclimation during two 8 day dietary-exercise regimens (40.1 +/- 0.1 degrees C, 23.5 +/- 0.4% RH). Both diets resulted in depressed urinary K+ excretion. Sweat K+ and muscle K+ concentrations were not altered by diets or acclimation. The whole body stores of Na+ increased 31.1% (+916.8 mmol) during the high Na+ diet and decreased 7.8% (-230.4 mmol) during the low Na+ diet; whole body stores of K+ increased 4.1% (+137.6 mmol) during the high Na+ diet and increased 3.4% (+113.6 mmol) during the low Na+ diet. This dietary-acclimation protocol did not result in whole-body or intramuscular K+ deficits and offers no evidence to support previous claims that dietary sodium levels affect K+ balance.

Effect of carbohydrate feeding frequencies and dosage on muscle glycogen use during exercise

Nine men were studied during three 4-h cycling bouts to determine the effect of frequency and dosage of solid carbohydrate (CHO) feedings (86 g) on muscle glycogen utilization and exercise performance. In the frequency trial (F), the subjects ingested 10.75 g of CHO along with 200 ml of water at 30-min intervals; in the dosage trial (D), the subjects ingested 21.5 g of CHO with 400 ml of water at 60-min intervals. During the control trial (C), the subjects ingested 400 ml of an artificially sweetened placebo at 60-min intervals. Respiratory exchange ratios were significantly elevated in both trials D and F (P less than 0.05). Blood glucose was significantly elevated in trial D 20 min post-feeding but had returned to control levels by 50 min. In trial F, blood glucose was maintained at a constant level throughout the entire 4 h. In trial C, blood glucose declined steadily during the entire 4 h. Despite the differences in blood glucose levels between the three trials, there were no significant differences in the rate of muscle glycogen utilization in any of the trials (D = 82.9 +/- 6.6 [SE] mmol X kg-1 vs C = 80.9 +/- 6.9 mmol X kg-1 vs F = 74.4 +/- 12.2 mmol X kg-1). In a sprint ride (100% VO2max) to exhaustion at the end of each trial, the subjects performed significantly longer in trial F compared to C (120.97 +/- 9.6 vs 81.0 +/- 7.1 s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Metabolic characteristics of skeletal muscle during detraining from competitive swimming

After 5 months of intense training, eight male swimmers were studied during 4 wk of inactivity. Biopsy specimens from the deltoid muscle revealed that its respiratory capacity (QO2) decreased by 50% (5174 to 2559 microliter X h-1 X g-1) after 1 wk of inactivity. Subsequent weeks of detraining did not change the QO2. Although the trained swimmers' muscle phosphofructokinase and phosphorylase activities were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than those from a group (N = 8) of untrained men, 4 wk of detraining had no effect on these enzyme activities. Mean (+/-SE) resting muscle glycogen concentrations were significantly higher (P less than 0.05) for the trained swimmers (153 +/- 3 mmol X kg-1) than for the untrained men (85 +/- 7.5 mmol X kg-1). Over the 4 wk of inactivity, the swimmers' muscle glycogen progressively decreased from 153 (+/- 3) to 93 (+/-7) mmol X kg-1. After a standard 183-m swim at 90% of the swimmer's best time for that distance, blood lactate rose from a mean of 4.2 (+/-0.8) at week 0 to 9.7 (+/-0.8) mmol X 1(-1) at week 4. These observations demonstrate dramatic changes in the metabolic characteristics of the swimmer's muscle with a 1-4-wk interruption in training.

Effects of Reduced Training on Muscular Power in Swimmers

In brief: Seventeen male collegiate swimmers were studied before, during, and after 14 days of reduced training (tapering). Maximal arm power was measured using a bio- kinetic swim bench and during a tethered (power) swim test, and each swimmer also swam 200 yards (182.9 meters) at an evenly paced velocity corresponding to 90% of his best performance of the season. Tapering had no influence on postexercise acid-base balance, but there was a significant increase (p <.05) in power output on both the biokinetic swim bench and the power swim test. Performance times improved an average of 3.1%. The improvements are in part due to significant gains in muscular power.

The two-photon induced fluorescence of the tumor localizing photosensitizer hematoporphyrin derivative via 1064 nm photons from a 20 ns Q-switched Nd-YAG laser

We demonstrate the direct 1064 nm two-photon excitation of hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), a complex mixture of photosensitizing porphyrins which is selectively retained in tumor tissue and used in cancer photochemotherapy. Although 1064 nm is outside of the one-photon HPD absorption spectrum, two-photon induced fluorescence from HPD was observed following excitation by the 20 ns output of an amplified, Q-switched Nd-YAG laser at peak power levels of 0.1 to 3 GW/cm2. Evidence for the successful two-photon excitation to vibrational levels of the S1 state consists of the observation of the known HPD fluorescence spectrum exhibiting peaks at approximately 615 and 675 nm, with the observed two-photon induced fluorescence intensity exhibiting a quadratic dependence on the excitation laser intensity as required for a direct two-photon process. More generally, these results suggest the possibility for the achievement of photosensitized oxidations utilizing photons of lower energy than that required for single photon excitation, offering the potential for both greater selectivity and a reduction in competing photochemical processes.

Effect of high intensity interval training on 2,3-diphosphoglycerate at rest and after maximal exercise

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intense interval training on erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) levels at rest and after maximal exercise. Eight normal men, mean +/- SE = 24.2 +/- 4.3 years, trained 4 days X week-1 for a period of 8 weeks. Each training session consisted of eight maximal 30-s rides on a cycle ergometer, with 4 min active rest between rides . Prior to and after training the subjects performed a maximal 45-s ride on an isokinetic cycle ergometer at 90 rev X min-1 and a graded leg exercise test ( GLET ) to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. Blood samples were obtained from an antecubital vein before, during and after the GLET only. Training elicited significant increases in the amount of work done during the 45-s ride (P less than 0.05), and also in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max: Pre = 4.01 +/- 0.13; Post = 4.29 +/- 0.07 1 X min-1; P less than 0.05) during exercise and total recovery VO2 (Pre = 19.14 +/- 0.09; Post = 21.45 +/- 0.10 1 X 30 min-1; P less than 0.05) after the GLET . After training blood lactate was higher, base excess lower and pH lower during and following the GLET (P less than 0.05 for all variables).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Psychological and behavioral effects of food and chemical exposure in sensitive individuals

Dietary influences on behavior are of increasing scientific interest. In some cases, the effects appear limited to sensitive individuals. Thus, research on the role of wheat gluten in schizophrenia has produced conflicting results, but not all schizophrenics respond to wheat. Therefore, differences in statistical power may be a factor in these discrepant findings. Similarly, only a subset of hyperactive children seem to be affected by food colors. Another dietary influence on behavior may be sucrose consumption which was found to be directly correlated with behavior in children. In addition, the possible relationship of allergy to behavior is reviewed. Double-blind findings of the production of cognitive-emotional symptoms by sublingual provocative food and chemical challenges are described, with treatment follow-up data. Finally, a methodological note on provocative testing is included.

Maximal exercise tolerance after induced alkalosis

Eight healthy males performed two rides to exhaustion at a work load corresponding to 125 VO2 max, 1 h after ingesting either 0.2 g NaHCO3/kg body weight (E) or NaCl (C). Mean +/- SE pre-exercise blood pH, HCO-3, and base excess (BE) values were respectively 7.42 +/- 0.01, 28.2 +/- 1.5 mmol/l, and 2.02 +/- 0.10 mmol/l for the E condition, and 7.39 +/- 0.01, 24.4 +/- 0.07 mmol/l, and -0.40 +/- 0.07 mmol/l for the C condition (P less than 0.05 for all variables). Cycling time to exhaustion (E = 100.6 +/- 6.1; C = 98.6 +/- 5.7 s) and total VO2 during recovery (E = 17.7 +/- 0.9; C = 17.3 +/- 0.8 1/30 min) did not differ significantly between treatments. Blood pH, HCO-3, and BE were significantly higher while the hydrogen ion to lactate ratio (nmol/mmol) was significantly lower in E than in C during recovery. Blood LA levels were also greater in E than in C during the latter part of recovery although peak individual values were not significantly different between trials (E = 14.4 +/- 0.4; C = 13.3 +/- 0.0 mmol/l). In view of the insignificant differences in cycling time, peak individual LA, and total recovery VO2, it is not likely that LA production was greater in E than in C. Rather it appears that LA efflux was enhanced by the NaHCO3 feeding. Additionally, the return of the acid-base status in blood to resting conditions was more rapid during alkalosis. Given this protocol, alkalosis does not help to sustain an intense exercise bout. These data suggest, however, that NaHCO3 may be of benefit following repeated work bouts.

Oxygen tension in antecubital blood of trained and untrained males after maximal leg exercise

This study compared oxygen tension (pO2) and percent oxygen saturation (SO2) in antecubital venous blood of six untrained (UT) and six endurance trained (ET) males during and following a graded leg exercise test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. Mean (+/- SE) resting values for pO2 were 29.3 (+/- 2.3) and 30.3 (+/- 2.0) mmHg, and SO2 were 51.8 (+/- 5.2) and 54.9 (+/- 4.6)% for the ET and UT men, respectively. At exhaustion pO2 decreased to 23.0 (+/- 4.5) and 23.3 (+/- 4.7) mmHg, while SO2 decreased to 29.6 (+/- 9.7) and 31.3 (+/- 9.7)% for the ET and UT subjects, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in either pO2 or SO2 at rest or during exercise. However, there were marked increases in pO2 and SO2 during the 5 min recovery period for both groups. The ET cyclists demonstrated significantly higher pO2 and SO2 levels than the UT group at each min of recovery; e.g., at 4 min postexercise pO2 was 72 and 49 mmHg for the ET and UT men, respectively (p less than 0.05). The general rise in pO2 and SO2 for both groups was attributed to an increased arterialization of the antecubital venous blood while postexercise hyperventilation may have also elevated pO2 values. The higher values for the ET subjects during recovery were explained by a lower peripheral sympathetic tone and a presumably greater cardiac output at exhaustion for the ET group than the UT group, which may have allowed a relatively greater distribution of arterialized blood to the periphery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Streak-camera analysis of XeCl- and N(2)-pumped dye-laser outputs

The temporal and spectral content of modified Hänsch-type organic dye lasers pumped by either XeC1 or N(2) lasers has been studied. Two extreme cases of amplitude-squared detector mode beating and mode-locked laser output are examined. Experimental consequences are briefly discussed.

Can allergic exposure provoke psychological symptoms? A double-blind test

Clinical ecologists report that exposure to allergens can induce cognitive and emotional symptoms as well as somatic symptoms in susceptible individuals, but controlled tests are meager. In a test of the hypothesis that sublingual exposure to allergens would produce cognitive-emotional symptoms in allergy patients, double-blind provocative testing was conducted at an allergy clinic; 30 allergy patients complaining of at least one psychological symptom were selected. Self-report, heart-rate, and several mood and psychological performance measures were obtained. MMPI scores indicated a pathological sample. Reported cognitive-emotional symptoms were greater for allergens than for placebos (p = 0.001), while placebo symptoms were equal to base rate. Greater variability of heart rate change was found for allergens than for placebos (p = 0.008). Severe reactions occurred more frequently to allergens (p = 0.008). Severe reactions occurred more frequently to allergens (p = 0.02). Other dependent measures were not affected by the allergens or the placebos. It is concluded that allergens may contribute to psychopathology in some individuals.

Structural studies on two high-mobility-group proteins from calf thymus, HMG-14 and HMG-20 (ubiquitin), and their interaction with DNA

High mobility group (HMG) protein 14, which, like HMG-17, has been implicated in the structure of 'active chromatin' is shown by 270-MHz NMR and by circular dichroism to be in a disordered conformation in free solution. At low ionic strength protein HMG-14 binds to DNA by weak attachment of the N-terminal half of the molecule and is released by 0.3 M NaCl, the ionic strength at which the protein is extracted from chromatin. The protein HMG-20 (ubiquitin), a constituent of the conjugate protein A 24, is shown to be a highly stable compact globular protein that remains folded over a pH range of 1--13 and has a half-denaturation temperature of 85 degrees C when thermally denatured. Circular dichroism indicates 28% helix and 12% beta sheet. Despite having 15% basic residues it binds only very weakly to DNA. A detailed study of the folding of ubiquitin has been made by a combination of several NMR approaches, including decoupling, nuclear Overhauser enhancement and titration. Several line assignments have been made and it is shown that, although the tyrosine and histidine are buried residues, they are not adjacent to one another nor are they close to either of the phenylalanines, of which at least one is also a buried residue.

Ecdysteroid receptors in imaginal discs of Drosophila melanogaster

[3H]Ponasterone A (PNA) of high specific activity has been used to identify and begin characterization of ecdysteroid (formerly called ecdysone) receptors in cytoplasmic and nuclear fractions of imaginal discs of Drosophila melanogaster. The equilibrium Kd of the observed macromolecular binding, 3--4 X 10(-9) M PNA, is in good agreement with the minimal concentration required for induction of complete morphogenesis in vitro, 4.2 X 10(-9) M PNA. Binding is analog specific and has kinetics consistent with a role in hormone response. On gentle homogenization, less than 5% of the binding capacity of the cell is released as soluble receptor; the other 95% remains with the nuclear fraction. This nuclear fraction specifically binds [3H]PNA in vitro. Greater than 95% of nuclear PNA receptors are released by extraction with 0.3 M KCl. The binding properties of the nuclear receptors are indistinguishable from those of the cytosol fraction or of the whole cell.

Can We Cure Tuberculosis by Cutting Out the Necrotic Foci

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