Developmental changes in the collagens and some collagenolytic activities in bovine dental pulps

Collagen concentration was fairly low in young bovine 3rd premolar pulps, about 9 per cent by dry weight of pulp in stage I, but it increased consistently up to more than 25 per cent at stage V as the pulp matured. The ratio of type III to type I collagen similarly increased from 13 per cent at stage I to 32 per cent at stage V. Both collagenase and possibly collagenolytic neutral peptidases showed significantly high activity in the early stage of pulp development where the rate of collagen synthesis was also elevated. Higher rates of both collagen synthesis and its degradation might explain the low concentration and content in the early stage of pulp development.

Greening pigments produced reaction of ethyl caffeate with methylamine

Little is known about the greening reaction of chlorogenic acid with amino acid in alkaline conditions. The isolation and characterization of the pigment were attempted by using ethyl caffeate and methylamine instead of chlorogenic acid and amino acid. The green compounds were purified by using Sephadex G-10 and thin layer chromatography, and were analyzed by ESR and C-13 MNR. The ESR spectrum of F3 (corresponding to purified pigment) in a liquid state showed that the structure of the C-OH moiety seemed to give either the quinone type or its polymerized form. The ESR spectrum of F3 in a solid state showed that the g-value of this fraction was 2.003. On the basis of the C-13 NMR spectrum, the signals assigned to two carbons (C1" and C-2") of the alcohol moiety of ethyl caffeate were observed clearly in F3. Considering the chemical shift of C-1 in ethyl caffeate, the C-1 in F3 could exist as -C=N-CH3. F3 seemed to be a precursor of the greening compound.

Contents and compositions of the aroma in "Wasanbon" sugar

"Wasanbon" sugar is handmade sugar which has been manufactured traditionally in Japan by a unique refining procedure, and is used in the making of Japanese traditional confectionary. No reports have been published on the substances responsible for the unique aroma of "Wasabon" sugar. In this paper, the contents and compositions of the aroma in "Wasabon" sugar and refinery final molasses are reported as studied by column chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and sensory evaluation. The samples are the first press-off molasses ("Ara-mitsu" molasses) refinery final molasses, "Shiroshita" sugar (prerefined sugar) and "Wasabon" sugar. The summarized results are as follows: In the acidic fraction, the aroma of 3-phenylpropionic acid is similar to the stored aroma of "Wasabon" sugar, whereas the aroma of its methyl ester was not similar to that aroma. Although aroma contents of the weakly acidic fraction in "Wasabon" sugar and refinery final molasses are 8.5 to 8.7% of those of the acidic fraction, and their main components are cyclotene and maltol, which are formed by thermal degradation of sugar. These components show a higher preference than other weakly acidic fraction aromas, by a paired preference test. Cyclotene and maltol increased about 3.7 and 1.5 times, respectively, by the heating of "Shiroshita" sugar.

Multiple factors required for accurate initiation of transcription by purified RNA polymerase II

A soluble extract prepared from human cells (KB S-100) has been recently shown to direct accurate transcription initiation by purified RNA polymerase II at the major late promoter of adenovirus 2. We have fractionated this extract by chromatography on phosphocellulose, DEAE-cellulose, and DNA-cellulose, and have identified four components that are required for the active and selective initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II at this promoter. One of these components seems to act by suppressing random, but not selective, transcription by RNA polymerase II. All but one of these components have been shown to be chromatographically distinct from the factors involved in directing selective transcription by RNA polymerase III.

Multiple factors are required for the accurate transcription of purified genes by RNA polymerase III

Cell-free extracts (S-100) prepared from cultured mammalian KB cells have previously been shown to direct accurate and selective transcription of class III genes by RNA polymerase III. We have fractionated the KB S-100 and have found that multiple components are essential for the accurate transcription of these genes. After the S-100 has been separated into four different protein fractions by chromatography on phosphocellulose, two fractions are required, in addition to RNA polymerase III, for active and selective transcription of the virus-associated RNAI gene of adenovirus 2 and a tRNA gene; a third fraction is required, along with these components, for the reconstitution of 5 S RNA gene transcription. At least two of these components are distinct from the four factors required for accurate initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Matsui, T., Segall, J., Weil, P. A., and Roeder, R. G. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 11992-11996).

Influence of After-ripening on Phytochrome Control of Seed Germination in Two Varieties of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)

The reversible photoreaction on seed germination of two varieties of lettuce differs remarkably not only with the variety but also with the germination temperature and the physiological conditions of seeds caused by after-ripening.Grand Rapids showed reversible photoreaction at 25 C with 0 to 6 months and at 30 C with 5 to 6 months after-ripening. MSU 16 did not show any reversible photoreaction at 30 C with 0 to 6 months or at 25 C with 0 to 3 months after-ripening although they were completely reversible with 4 to 6 months after-ripening.These two varieties of lettuce seeds, however, showed reversible photoreaction at 20 C when they were sown immediately after harvest or after 1 and 2 months after-ripening. The photoreversion decreased after the 4-to 6-month stage.

Experimental chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis in rabbits following immunization with bile duct antigen

Experimental chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis induced in rabbits following immunization with bile duct antigen. Histological changes similar to chronic non-suppurative destructive cholangitis were induced in rabbits by sensitization with antigen prepared from bovine gallbladder mucous membrane. The occurrence of these pathological changes was significantly higher in female animals than in males: 11 out of 14 female rabbits and 4 among 11 male rabbits exhibited histological changes. Immunoprecipitation using gel-diffusion and histological analysis by an immunofluorescence technique showed that this antigen was localized exclusively in the bile duct but not in either hepatocytes or other tissues. It is suggested that histological changes induced following immunization with bile duct antigen are specific immunological phenomena. This interesting experimental model may be helpful in explaining the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis.

The contribution of computed tomography in the choice of an anterolateral approach, for treating cervical dumb-bell tumours

Two cases of cervical dumb-bell tumour were operated on through the eroded and enlarged intervertebral foramina after the exact position of the tumours had been revealed by CT scan. This anterolateral approach was probably the best route for minimizing any operative damage to the spinal cord in these very advanced cases.

Funicular orientation by electrical stimulation and internal neurolysis in peripheral nerve suture

Eleven peripheral nerve lacerations around the wrists of ten patients were treated with funicular suture or nerve graft. In three freshly lacerated nerves funicular orientation could be made only by electrical stimulation to both cut ends. The electrophysiological method was also utilised to obtain funicular orientation of a proximal stump in eight old nerve lacerations. However, funicular orientation of the distal stump of old lacerations, which was not responsive to electrical stimulation, was performed anatomically by internal neurolysis from a terminal branching area up to a distal stump. By six months after the operation, motor and sensory functions of the patients with funicular suture had recovered to an excellent degree with rapid reinnervation.