The density and distribution of intramembrane particles in erythrocytes from persons with muscular dystrophies

Intramembrane particles in the freeze-fractured faces of erythrocyte membranes from persons with several different types of muscular dystrophy are examined. The density of particles in the protoplasmic face was lower than that of controls, although not at a statistically significant level. No altered pattern of aggregation of these particles was observed.

Raman spectroscopic studies on the interaction between counterion and polyion

The interaction between alkali metal ions and the polyacrylate ion was investigated by means of Raman spectroscopy. in comparison with the Raman spectra of propionate salts. The Raman bands due to the metal-oxygen bond were not apparent and no significant difference was observed among the Raman spectra of several univalent salts of polyacrylate. except in the case of the lithium salt. The apparent degree of dissociation of lithium polyacrylate, as determined from the relative intensity of a specific band characteristic of the carboxylate ion, was lower than those of the other alkali metal salts. It is concluded from the Raman data that the electrostatic interaction between counterions and a polyion is not specifically modified by forces of a nonionic nature. Moreover, it is pointed out that the local conformation of polyacrylate changes gradually with the degree of neutralization, but that the change is not like a conformational transition between globular and random coil forms.

Applicability of the potentiometric titration method to the analysis of the expansion process of bovine plasma albumin in acidic solutions

To study the expansion process of bovine plasma albumin in acidic solutions, observed potentiometric titration curves at three different ionic strengths were compared with theoretical curves, using the radii of the protein determined by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). From the comparison, it was concluded that the expansion is completed via two different transitions and that the conformation of the protein before the first transition is stable and common at all ionic strengths, whereas the form of the protein becomes a more swollen and unstable one after the first transition. Moreover, the charge-independent part of the standard free energy change, delta G0, in the first transition was estimated from the potentiometric titration curves. The numerical value of delta G0 is 2350 +/- 50 cal/mol, which is very small compared with the corresponding one for ordinary biopolymers.

Vasoseminal vesiculography before and after ejaculation

Vasoseminal vesiculographies before and after ejaculation were compared in 16 cases of male sterility. In 12 cases the contrast medium was excreted into the ejaculate and the contours of the seminal vesicles were contracted after ejaculation. In 4 cases, however, there was little or no contraction of the seminal vesicles. Here the seminal tracts were considered to be abnormal and this dysfunction seems to be the cause or at least one of the cofactors responsible for sterility. The degree of excretion of contrast medium into the ejaculate seems to depend on the function of the seminal tract. Therefore, a postejaculation seminal vesiculogram is useful as a parameter for estimating the function of the seminal tract.

[Subacute toxicity test of cefoperazone in beagle dogs with the intravenous administration for 3 months (author's transl)]

The subacute toxicity test of cefoperazone (CPZ) in Beagle dogs with the intravenous administration for 35 days has been reported from our laboratory. In the present experiments, the subacute toxicity test of CPZ in Beagle dogs was carried out for longer administration period than before. CPZ was given intravenously to each group (2 or 4 dogs) at dose level of 100 mg/kg/day, 200 mg/kg/day and 400 mg/kg/day respectively for 3 months. Cefazolin (CEZ) was used intravenously for positive control using 4 dogs at dose level of 200 mg/kg/day and physiological saline was given intravenously to 2 dogs for 3 months. 1) In Beagle dogs received high dose of CPZ, transient vomiting, salivation and diarrhea were observed immediately after the administration. 2) Signs of anemia, such as decrease of erythrocyte and value of hemoglobin and hematocrit, and increase of reticulocytes of the peripheral blood and in fragility of red cell associated with decrease of food intake, were observed in 2 female dogs given CPZ of 400 mg/kg/day. In only one of these dogs, a positive reaction of COOMBS' test was shown. The anemia recognized in these 2 dogs seems to be of hemolytic nature. 3) The weight of thymus was decreased in all of 4 dogs given CPZ at 400 mg/kg/day and in 2 out of 4 dogs given CPZ at 200 mg/kg/day, respectively. 4) Based on the fact that no abnormalities were found in dogs given CPZ at 200 mg/kg/day except a slight decrease of weight of thymus in some of them, the maximum safety dose of CPZ was thought to be 200 mg/kg/day.

[Subacute toxicity test of cefoperazone in beagle dogs with the intramuscular administration for 3 months (author's transl)]

The subacute toxicity test of cefoperazone (CPZ), a new cephalosporin antibiotic, was carried out in both sexes of Beagle dogs. CPZ was injected in Beagle dogs intramuscularly at dose levels of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg/day for 3 months. The same amount of physiological saline was injected to control dogs intramuscularly for 3 months. The following results were obtained: 1) Sign of severe pain was shown immediately after injection in groups of CPZ at 500 and 250 mg/kg/day. In the same groups, the focal necrosis, hemorrhage, cell infiltration and fibrosis of muscles of injected site were noted microscopically. 2) In only one out of 6 dogs given CPZ at 500 mg/kg/day for 3 months, decrease of red blood cells and in values of hemoglobin and hematocrit an increase of reticulocytes in the peripheral blood were observed. In the same dog, splenomegaly and extramedullary hematopoiesis in the liver was found histopathologically, and in addition, the body weight and the food intake decreased during the administration period, associated with the development of anemia. 3) In dogs receiving up to 250 mg/kg/day, atrophy of the thymus was recognized at autopsy and slight decrease of cortical lymphocytes was seen histopathologically. 4) Based on these results, the maximum safety dose of CPZ was thought to be 125 mg/kg/day from the present experiment.

Light scattering from solutions of a semi-flexible polymer and a polyelectrolyte both having sharp molecular weight distributions

The particle scattering factor in light scattering is determined for poly(tert-butyl crotonate) in n-butyl chloride and also for partially neutralized poly (acrylic acid) in aqueous solution in the presence of added neutral salt (NaBr). The former is a wormlike chain which is extended due to stiffness of the polymer chain, while the latter is extended due to the electrostatic repulsive force which is a kind of excluded volume effect. A clear difference is found between P(theta) of both polymers.

Thermoosmosis through charged membranes. Theoretical analysis of concentration dependence

A theoretical equation for thermoosmosis through charged membranes in electrolyte solutions is derived from nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The theory shows that the volume flux through the membrane is proportional to the temperature difference across the membrane. The proportionality constant, i.e., the thermoosmotic coefficient is a function of electrolyte concentration. The electrolyte concentration dependence of the thermoosmotic coefficient calculated is compared with our previous experimental results. Agreement between theory and experiments is satisfactory.

Thermoosmosis through charged membranes

Thermoosmosis through oxidized collodion and collodion-sulfonated polystyrene interpolyrene interpolymer membranes has been observed in KCl solutions of various concentrations. The effective temperature difference acting for thermoosmosis was determined by measuring the thermal membrane potential appearing on both sides of membrane. It was found that the velocity of thermoosmosis is proportional to the effective temperature difference and the proprtionality constant (themoosmotic coefficient) is a function of electrolyte concentration. The dependence of the thermoosmotic coefficient of charged membranes on the electrolyte concentration is found to have a characteristic feature.

On agents favoring prostaglandin f formation during biosynthesis

The microsomal fraction of bovine vesicular gland catalyzed the conversion of eicosapolyenoic acids exclusively to prostaglandin E in the presence of reduced glutathione, while hydrox fatty acids, prostaglandins D and F, decreased to a negligible level. After solubilizing the microsomal fraction with cutscum, the prostaglandin synthetase activity was purified 11-fold by batchwise absorption and elution of the enzyme activity from DEAE-cellulose. This partially purified enzyme fraction did not respond to reduced glutathione in promoting prostaglandin E formation at the expense of other products. A number of glutathione analogs were examined, but none of these was as effective as reduced glutathione. Dithiol complexes of Cu-2+, Ni-2+, and Zn-2+ exerted pronounced effects on relative amounts of the different prostaglandins biosynthesized. Both the Cu-2+-dithiothreitol (2:1) complex and stannous chloride markedly enhanced prostaglandin F synthesis at the expense of prostaglandin D and prostaglandin E. The following reagents chemically reduced the endoperoxide in ascaridole to p-menth-2-ene-cis-1,4-diol: Cu-2+0dithiothreitol, Cu-2+-epinephrine, and stannous chloride. It is concluded that the enhancement of prostaglandin F formation caused by copper-dithiols and L-epinephrine is due to nonenzymatic reduction of prostaglandin G or prostaglandin H.