Intercellular space is affected by the polysialic acid content of NCAM

We have previously proposed that polysialic acid (PSA), which is attached to NCAM on the cell surface, can serve to regulate a variety of cell-cell interactions. The present study provides evidence that hydrated PSA influences a sufficiently large volume at the cell surface to exert broad steric effects, and that the removal of PSA in fact causes a detectable change in intercellular space. Using F11 neuron/neuroblastoma hybrid cells as a model system, the measured density and size of PSA suggests that a substantial fraction of the space between two apposed cell surface membranes could be sterically influenced by the presence of PSA. Specific enzymatic removal of PSA, which is similar in magnitude to changes that occur in many tissues during normal development, caused about a 25% decrease in the distance between two apposed cells. By contrast, removal of both heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate from the cells had no effect on this parameter. It is proposed that such changes in membrane-membrane distance could serve to alter selectively the efficiency of encounter between complementary receptors on apposing cells, and explain at least in part the broad biological influences of PSA.

Differential determination of chromium(VI) and total chromium in natural waters using flow injection on-line separation and preconcentration electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A rapid, sensitive and selective method for the differential determination of CrIII and CrVI in natural waters is described. Chromium(vi) can be determined directly by flow injection on-line sorbent extraction preconcentration coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate as the complexing agent and C18 bonded silica reversed-phase sorbent as the column material. Total Cr can be determined after oxidation of CrIII to CrVI by potassium peroxydisulfate. Chromium(III) can be calculated by difference. The optimum conditions for sorbent extraction of CrVI and oxidation of CrIII to CrVI are evaluated. A 12-fold enhancement in sensitivity compared with direct introduction of 40 microliters samples was achieved after preconcentration for 60 s, giving detection limits of 16 ng l-1 for CrVI and 18 ng l-1 for total Cr (based on 3 sigma). Results obtained for sea-water and river water reference materials were all within the certified range for total Cr with a precision of better than 10% relative standard deviation in the range 100-200 ng l-1. The selectivity of the determination of CrVI was evaluated by analysing spiked reference materials in the presence of CrIII, resulting in quantitative recovery of CrVI.

[Quality of tuberous root of Liriope spicata (Thunb.) Lour. var. prolifera Y.T.Ma and Ophiopogon japonicus (L.F.) Ker-Gawl.--comparison of immune function]

This paper deals with comparative study on the immune function of the tuberous root of Liriope spicata var. prolifera and Ophiopogon japonicus. The results showed that the aqueous extract of both species mentioned above could increase obviously the spleen weight (immunity organ) of mice, enhance the clearance rate of iv charcoal particles in mice and antagonize remarkably the leukopenia caused by cyclophosphamide.

Microcapsules through polymer complexation. II. By complex coacervation of polymers containing a low charge density

Relationships between ionizable group content, structure and molecular weight, solubility and solution behaviour, and the efficacy of ionic complex formation through complex coacervation, have been established for a range of sparingly soluble synthetic weak polyelectrolyte polymers with low charge content, based on hydroxyalkyl methacrylates. Selected polymers containing methacrylic acid (acidic) and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (basic) functionality show promise as capsule-forming pairs for the entrapment of mammalian cells. The solubility of basic polymers and their ability to form microcapsules with structural integrity is enhanced through quaternization of the N-methyl functionality to the quaternary ammonium group. The survival of guinea-pig erythrocytes encapsulated for 4 d in this promising system was shown by the Drabkin's test to be about 41% of the control sample.

[Antimutagenicity screening of water extracts from 102 kinds of Chinese medicinal herbs]

Our observation shows that out of 102 kinds of Chinese medicinal herbs tested, 17 have remarkable antimutagenic effect on the mutation induced by aflatoxin B1, in Ames test. Among the 17 herbs Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Bupleurm chinense, Portulaca grandiflora and Cnidium monnieri have been found in other tests to be effective against mutagenesis induced by cyclophosphamide in mice.