Contribution of human-related sources to indoor volatile organic compounds in a university classroom

Although significant progress has been made in understanding the sources and chemistry of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the past decades, much is unknown about the role of humans in indoor air chemistry. In the spring of 2014, we conducted continuous measurements of VOCs using a proton transfer reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) in a university classroom. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) of the measured VOCs revealed a 'human influence' component, which likely represented VOCs produced from human breath and ozonolysis of human skin lipids. The concentration of the human influence component increased with the number of occupants and decreased with ventilation rate in a similar way to CO₂ , with an average contribution of 40% to the measured daytime VOC concentration. In addition, the human skin lipid ozonolysis products were observed to correlate with CO₂ and anticorrelate with O₃ , suggesting that reactions on human surfaces may be important sources of indoor VOCs and sinks for indoor O₃ . Our study suggests that humans can substantially affect VOC composition and oxidative capacity in indoor environments.

Instrumentation and Measurement Strategy for the NOAA SENEX Aircraft Campaign as Part of the Southeast Atmosphere Study 2013

Natural emissions of ozone-and-aerosol-precursor gases such as isoprene and monoterpenes are high in the southeast of the US. In addition, anthropogenic emissions are significant in the Southeast US and summertime photochemistry is rapid. The NOAA-led SENEX (Southeast Nexus) aircraft campaign was one of the major components of the Southeast Atmosphere Study (SAS) and was focused on studying the interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic emissions to form secondary pollutants. During SENEX, the NOAA WP-3D aircraft conducted 20 research flights between 27 May and 10 July 2013 based out of Smyrna, TN. Here we describe the experimental approach, the science goals and early results of the NOAA SENEX campaign. The aircraft, its capabilities and standard measurements are described. The instrument payload is summarized including detection limits, accuracy, precision and time resolutions for all gas-and-aerosol phase instruments. The inter-comparisons of compounds measured with multiple instruments on the NOAA WP-3D are presented and were all within the stated uncertainties, except two of the three NO₂ measurements. The SENEX flights included day- and nighttime flights in the Southeast as well as flights over areas with intense shale gas extraction (Marcellus, Fayetteville and Haynesville shale). We present one example flight on 16 June 2013, which was a daytime flight over the Atlanta region, where several crosswind transects of plumes from the city and nearby point sources, such as power plants, paper mills and landfills, were flown. The area around Atlanta has large biogenic isoprene emissions, which provided an excellent case for studying the interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic emissions. In this example flight, chemistry in and outside the Atlanta plumes was observed for several hours after emission. The analysis of this flight showcases the strategies implemented to answer some of the main SENEX science questions.

Instrumentation and Measurement Strategy for the NOAA SENEX Aircraft Campaign as Part of the Southeast Atmosphere Study 2013

Natural emissions of ozone-and-aerosol-precursor gases such as isoprene and monoterpenes are high in the southeast of the US. In addition, anthropogenic emissions are significant in the Southeast US and summertime photochemistry is rapid. The NOAA-led SENEX (Southeast Nexus) aircraft campaign was one of the major components of the Southeast Atmosphere Study (SAS) and was focused on studying the interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic emissions to form secondary pollutants. During SENEX, the NOAA WP-3D aircraft conducted 20 research flights between 27 May and 10 July 2013 based out of Smyrna, TN. Here we describe the experimental approach, the science goals and early results of the NOAA SENEX campaign. The aircraft, its capabilities and standard measurements are described. The instrument payload is summarized including detection limits, accuracy, precision and time resolutions for all gas-and-aerosol phase instruments. The inter-comparisons of compounds measured with multiple instruments on the NOAA WP-3D are presented and were all within the stated uncertainties, except two of the three NO₂ measurements. The SENEX flights included day- and nighttime flights in the Southeast as well as flights over areas with intense shale gas extraction (Marcellus, Fayetteville and Haynesville shale). We present one example flight on 16 June 2013, which was a daytime flight over the Atlanta region, where several crosswind transects of plumes from the city and nearby point sources, such as power plants, paper mills and landfills, were flown. The area around Atlanta has large biogenic isoprene emissions, which provided an excellent case for studying the interactions between biogenic and anthropogenic emissions. In this example flight, chemistry in and outside the Atlanta plumes was observed for several hours after emission. The analysis of this flight showcases the strategies implemented to answer some of the main SENEX science questions.

Measurement of atmospheric ozone by cavity ring-down spectroscopy

Ozone plays a key role in both the Earth's radiative budget and photochemistry. Accurate, robust analytical techniques for measuring its atmospheric abundance are of critical importance. Cavity ring-down spectroscopy has been successfully used for sensitive and accurate measurements of many atmospheric species. However, this technique has not been used for atmospheric measurements of ozone, because the strongest ozone absorption bands occur in the ultraviolet spectral region, where Rayleigh and Mie scattering cause significant cavity losses and dielectric mirror reflectivities are limited. Here, we describe a compact instrument that measures O3 by chemical conversion to NO2 in excess NO, with subsequent detection by cavity ring-down spectroscopy. This method provides a simple, accurate, and high-precision measurement of atmospheric ozone. The instrument consists of two channels. The sum of NO2 and converted O3 (defined as Ox) is measured in the first channel, while NO2 alone is measured in the second channel. NO2 is directly detected in each channel by cavity ring-down spectroscopy with a laser diode light source at 404 nm. The limit of detection for O3 is 26 pptv (2 sigma precision) at 1 s time resolution. The accuracy of the measurement is ±2.2%, with the largest uncertainty being the effective NO2 absorption cross-section. The linear dynamic range of the instrument has been verified from the detection limit to above 200 ppbv (r2>99.99%). The observed precision on signal (2 sigma) with 41 ppbv O3 is 130 pptv in 1 s. Comparison of this instrument to UV absorbance instruments for ambient O3 concentrations shows linear agreement (r2=99.1%) with slope of 1.012±0.002.

Determination of lovastatin hydroxy acid in female B6C3F1 mouse serum

A liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometricmethod for the determination of lovastatin hydroxy acid in female B6C3F(1) mouse serum was developed for use in supporting toxicokinetic studies of animals dosed with the cholesterol lowering agent lovastatin. The method does not require an extensive sample cleanup and shows good correlation between serum matrix standards and solvent standards. The method was validated and used to analyze serum samples from a preliminary dose level range-finding study. The method was validated for a concentration range of approximatel 1.0 to 100 ng/mL in serum, and linearity was verified to ~2000 ng/mL. The stability of sample extracts was determined under various storage conditions and the stability of serum samples stored frozen was determined over a period of seven weeks. During the course of analyzing the animal samples, the serum was monitored for the presence of lovastatin not hydrolyzed to the hydroxy acid, but no attempt was made to quantify lovastatin. No unhydrolyzed lovastatin was noted in any of the serum samples from animals dosed with lovastatin.

A furanocoumarin-free grapefruit juice establishes furanocoumarins as the mediators of the grapefruit juice-felodipine interaction

BACKGROUND

Grapefruit juice (GFJ) enhances the systemic exposure of numerous CYP3A4 drug substrates, including felodipine, by inhibiting intestinal (but not hepatic) first-pass metabolism. Furanocoumarins have been identified as major CYP3A4 inhibitors contained in the juice, but their contribution to the GFJ effect in vivo remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain whether furanocoumarins mediate the GFJ-felodipine interaction, a furanocoumarin-free GFJ was created and tested against orange juice and the original GFJ with respect to the oral pharmacokinetics of felodipine.

DESIGN

With the use of food-grade solvents and absorption resins, furanocoumarins were removed (approximately 99%) from whole GFJ, whereas other major ingredients (flavonoids) were retained. In an open, 3-way, randomized crossover design, 18 healthy volunteers ingested felodipine (10 mg) with 1 of the 3 juices (240 mL). Blood was collected over 24 h. At least 1 wk elapsed between juice treatments.

RESULTS

The median and range of the area under the curve and the maximum concentration of felodipine were significantly (P < 0.001) greater with consumption of GFJ [110 (range: 58-270) nmol . h/L and 21 (7.6-50) nmol/L, respectively] than with that of orange juice [54 (29-150) nmol . h/L and 7.6 (3.4-13.9) nmol/L, respectively] or furanocoumarin-free GFJ [48 (23-120) nmol . h/L and 8.3 (3.0-16.6) nmol/L, respectively]. GFJ, orange juice, and furanocoumarin-free GFJ did not differ significantly (P > 0.09) in median time to reach maximum plasma concentration [2.5 (1.5-6), 2.8 (1.5-4), and 2.5 (2-6) h, respectively] or terminal half-life [6.6 (4.2-13.6), 7.8 (4.4-13.2), and 6.8 (2.6-14.4) h, respectively].

CONCLUSION

Furanocoumarins are the active ingredients in GFJ responsible for enhancing the systemic exposure of felodipine and probably other CYP3A4 substrates that undergo extensive intestinal first-pass metabolism.

Variability in Nocturnal Nitrogen Oxide Processing and Its Role in Regional Air Quality

Nitrogen oxides in the lower troposphere catalyze the photochemical production of ozone (O3) pollution during the day but react to form nitric acid, oxidize hydrocarbons, and remove O3 at night. A key nocturnal reaction is the heterogeneous hydrolysis of dinitrogen pentoxide, N2O5. We report aircraft measurements of NO3 and N2O5, which show that the N2O5 uptake coefficient, g(N2O5), on aerosol particles is highly variable and depends strongly on aerosol composition, particularly sulfate content. The results have implications for the quantification of regional-scale O3 production and suggest a stronger interaction between anthropogenic sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions than previously recognized.

Anxiety and depression in the workplace: effects on the individual and organisation (a focus group investigation)

BACKGROUND

While the prevalence of anxiety and depression has increased, little is known of the impact on working life. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of anxiety and depression and the treatment for these conditions on performance and safety in the workplace.

METHOD

Nine focus groups were conducted with employees who had suffered anxiety and depression. A further 3 groups comprised staff from human resources and occupational health. The sample comprised 74 individuals aged 18-60 years, from a range of occupations. Results were presented to a panel of experts to consider the clinical implications.

RESULTS

Workers reported that the symptoms and medication impaired work performance, describing accidents which they attributed to their condition/medication. Respondents were largely unprepared for the fact that the medication might make them feel worse initially. Employees were reluctant to disclose their condition to colleagues due to the stigma attached to mental illness.

LIMITATIONS

People who had experienced problems with managing their symptoms and medication at work are more likely to volunteer to participate in such a study than those who had a satisfactory experience. Also, the researchers had no background information on severity of mental health problems of participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety and depression were associated with impaired work performance and safety. The authors consider the implications for health care and the management of mental health problems at work.

Discerning alumina ball wear from confounding metal transfer artifact

On dismounting a ceramic femoral ball from its metal trunnion, there is usually a range of gray metallic bands transferred to the trunnion bore inside the ball. This creates an artifact that may compromise detection by weight of the exceedingly low wear rates of ceramic balls. The objective of this study was to compare the weight trending of the metal trunnions and their ceramic balls during conditioning studies. Our hypothesis was that a pretest conditioning protocol would eliminate or greatly reduce the metal transfer artifact. The balls and tapers were placed on a hip simulator under 300-600 load cycles but with no articulation. The balls were then dismounted from the trunnions, and both were cleaned and weighed. This was repeated 6-23 times. We developed a novel hydraulic method for dismounting balls from trunnions that proved to be safe and efficient. There was significant weight loss in the trunnions after the ball removal, but there was no corresponding weight gain in the alumina balls. The weight effect of the metal transfer appeared to have been removed from the balls with our standard cleaning procedures. Therefore, wear rates for alumina balls may be gravimetrically determined without compensating for the metal transfer from trunnion to ball.

Quantitative analysis of the principle soy isoflavones genistein, daidzein and glycitein, and their primary conjugated metabolites in human plasma and urine using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection

Soy isoflavones are becoming of increasing interest as nutritional agents which can be used to combat osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia, and are also being considered as potential cancer chemopreventive compounds. However, prior to their formulation and distribution as therapeutic agents, thorough pharmacokinetic and toxicological assessment needs to be completed in men and women in a variety of health conditions in order to ensure their therapeutic efficacy and safety. At this time, studies of purified soy isoflavones are possible, and are being designed to fully evaluate the pharmacological utility of these preparations. In support of these studies, quantitative analysis of soy isoflavones in biological fluids can be accomplished with a wide variety of methods and analytical instrumentation. However, the relatively ubiquitous presence of high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV) in most analytical laboratories, the relative ease of its operation, and the lesser expense of this instrumentation as compared to more sophisticated techniques such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, offers some distinct advantages for its use in pharmacokinetic studies. In this manuscript, the development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for the quantitation of the principal soy isoflavones, genistein, daidzein, and glycitein, and their primary metabolites, in human plasma and urine is described. This analytical approach allows for pharmacologically relevant concentrations of the analytes and their principle metabolites to be detected, and has been validated in close agreement with the US Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for the validation of methods to be used in support of pharmacokinetic studies.

Factors affecting the efficiency of embryo cryopreservation and rederivation of rat and mouse models

The efficiency of embryo banking for rat and mouse models of human disease and normal biological processes depends on the ease of obtaining embryos. Authors report on the effect of genotype on embryo production and rederivation. In an effort to establish banks of cryopreserved embryos, they provide two databases for comparing banking efficiency: one that contains the embryo collection results from approximately 11,000 rat embryo donors (111 models) and another that contains the embryo collection results from 4,023 mouse embryo donors (57 induced mutant models). The genotype of donor females affected the efficiency of embryo collection in two ways. First, the proportion of females yielding embryos varied markedly among genotypes (rats: 16-100 %, mean =71 %; mice: 24-95 %, mean =65 %). Second, the mean number of embryos recovered from females yielding embryos varied considerably (rats: 4-10.6, mean =7.8; mice 5.3-32.2, mean =13.7). Genotype also affected the efficiency of rederivation of banked rat and mouse embryos models by embryo transfer. For rats, thawed embryos (n =684) from 33 genotypes were transferred into 66 recipient females (pregnancy rate, 78 %). The average rate of developing live newborns for individual rat genotypes was 30 % with a range of 10 to 58 %. For mice, thawed embryos (n =2,064) from 59 genotypes were transferred into 119 pseudopregnant females (pregnancy rate: 76 %). The average rate of development of individual mouse genotypes was 33 % with a range of 11 to 53 %. This analysis demonstrates that genotype is an important consideration when planning embryo banking programs.

The yeast kinesin-related protein Smy1p exerts its effects on the class V myosin Myo2p via a physical interaction

We have discovered evidence for a physical interaction between a class V myosin, Myo2p, and a kinesin-related protein, Smy1p, in budding yeast. These proteins had previously been linked by genetic and colocalization studies, but we had been unable to determine the nature of their association. We now show by two-hybrid analysis that a 69-amino acid region of the Smy1p tail interacts with the globular portion of the Myo2p tail. Deletion of this myosin-binding region of Smy1p eliminates its ability to colocalize with Myo2p and to overcome the myo2-66 mutant defects, suggesting that the interaction is necessary for these functions. Further insights about the Smy1p-Myo2p interaction have come from studies of a new mutant allele, myo2-2, which causes a loss of Myo2p localization. We report that Smy1p localization is also lost in the myo2-2 mutant, demonstrating that Smy1p localization is dependent on Myo2p. We also found that overexpression of Smy1p partially restores myo2-2p localization in a myosin-binding region-dependent manner. Thus, overexpression of Smy1p can overcome defects in both the head and tail domains of Myo2p (caused by the myo2-66 and myo2-2 alleles, respectively). We propose that Smy1p enhances some aspect of Myo2p function, perhaps delivery or docking of vesicles at the bud tip.

Cooperation between microtubule- and actin-based motor proteins

Organelle transport has been proposed to proceed in two steps: long-range transport along microtubules and local delivery via actin filaments. This model is supported by recent studies of pigment transport in several cell types and transport in neurons, and in several cases, class V myosin has been implicated as the actin-based motor. Mutations in mice (dilute) and yeast (myo2) have also implicated this class of myosin in organelle transport, and genetic interactions in yeast have indicated that a kinesin-related protein (Smy1p) plays a supporting role. This link between members of two different motor superfamilies has now taken a surprising turn: There is evidence for a physical interaction between class V myosins and kinesin or Smy1p in both mice and yeast.

Smy1p, a kinesin-related protein that does not require microtubules

We have previously reported that a defect in Myo2p, a myosin in budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), can be partially corrected by overexpression of Smy1p, which is by sequence a kinesin-related protein (Lillie, S.H., and S.S. Brown. 1992. Nature. 356:358- 361). Such a functional link between putative actin- and microtubule-based motors is surprising, so here we have tested the prediction that Smy1p indeed acts as a microtubule-based motor. Unexpectedly, we found that abolition of microtubules by nocodazole does not interfere with the ability of Smy1p to correct the mutant Myo2p defect, nor does it interfere with the ability of Smy1p to localize properly. In addition, other perturbations of microtubules, such as treatment with benomyl or introduction of tubulin mutations, do not exacerbate the Myo2p defect. Furthermore, a mutation in SMY1 strongly predicted to destroy motor activity does not destroy Smy1p function. We have also observed a genetic interaction between SMY1 and two of the late SEC mutations, sec2 and sec4. This indicates that Smy1p can play a role even when Myo2p is wild type, and that Smy1p acts at a specific step of the late secretory pathway. We conclude that Smy1p does not act as a microtubule-based motor to localize properly or to compensate for defective Myo2p, but that it must instead act in some novel way.

Myosins in yeast

It has been a banner year for the study of yeast myosins. Thanks to the completion of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome project, it is now known that budding yeast contains a total of five myosins. Furthermore, functions have been newly ascribed to several of them: two have been implicated in endocytosis, and another has been implicated in generating asymmetry between mother and daughter cells.

SEC3 mutations are synthetically lethal with profilin mutations and cause defects in diploid-specific bud-site selection

Replacement of the wild-type yeast profilin gene (PFY1) with a mutated form (pfy1-111) that has codon 72 changed to encode glutamate rather than arginine results in defects similar to, but less severe than, those that result from complete deletion of the profilin gene. We have used a colony color-sectoring assay to identify mutations that cause pfy1-111, but not wild-type, cells to be inviable. These profilin synthetic lethal (psl) mutations result in various degrees of abnormal growth, morphology, and temperature sensitivity in PFY1 cells. We have examined psl1 strains in the most detail. Interestingly, these strains display a diploid-specific defect in bud-site selection; haploid strains bud normally, while homozygous diploid strains show a dramatic increase in random budding. We discovered that PSL1 is the late secretory gene, SEC3, and have found that mutations in several other late secretory genes are also synthetically lethal with pfy1-111. Our results are likely to reflect an interdependence between the actin cytoskeleton and secretory processes in directing cell polarity and growth. Moreover, they indicate that the secretory pathway is especially crucial for maintaining budding polarity in diploids.

Prospective study of trends in referral patterns in fundholding and non-fundholding practices in the Oxford region, 1990-4

OBJECTIVE

To compare outpatient referral patterns in fundholding and non-fundholding practices before and after the NHS reforms in April 1991.

DESIGN

Prospective collection of data on general practitioners' referrals to specialist outpatient clinics between June 1990 and January 1994 and detailed comparisons of three phases--October 1990 to March 1991 (phase 1), October 1991 to March 1992 (phase 2), and October 1993 to January 1994 (phase 3).

SETTING

10 first wave fundholding practices and six non-fundholding practices in the Oxford region.

SUBJECTS

Patients referred to consultant out-patient clinics.

RESULTS

NHS referral rates increased in fundholding practices in phase 2 and phase 3 of the study by 8.1/1000 patients a year (95% confidence interval 5.7 to 10.5), an increase of 7.5% from phase 1 (107.3/1000) to phase 3 (115.4/1000). Non-fundholders' rates increased significantly, by 25.3/1000 patients (22.5-28.1), an increase of 26.6% from phase 1 (95.0/1000) to phase 3 (120.3/1000). The fundholders' referral rates to private clinics decreased by 8.8%, whereas those from non-fundholding practices increased by 12.2%. The proportion of referrals going outside district boundaries did not change significantly. Three of the four practices entering the third and fourth wave of fundholding increased their referral rates significantly in the year before becoming fundholders.

CONCLUSIONS

No evidence existed that budgetary pressures caused first wave fundholders to reduce referral rates, although the method of budget allocation may have encouraged general practitioners to inflate their referral rates in the preparatory year. Despite investment in new practice based facilities, no evidence yet exists that fundholding encourages a shift away from specialist care.

Use of molecular epidemiological techniques in a pilot study on workers exposed to chromium

OBJECTIVES

Molecular epidemiological techniques, capable of detecting damage to DNA, were used to see if such damage occurred in the lymphocytes of a group of workers exposed to chromium. The two aims of this pilot study were to see if these new techniques might make useful biological monitoring tools for workers exposed to chromium and also, to help assess whether the current occupational exposure limit for chromium (VI) was sufficiently protective in this specific working situation.

METHODS

Volunteer groups of 10 workers exposed to chromium and 10 non-exposed workers provided urine and blood samples towards the end of the working week. Chromium concentrations were measured in whole blood, plasma, lymphocytes, and urine. Lymphocytes were used to examine two forms of DNA damage in the two groups; these were the level of DNA strand breakage and, the production of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine.

RESULTS

Chromium concentration in whole blood, plasma, and urine of workers exposed to chromium was significantly raised (P < 0.01) compared with non-exposed controls, but in isolated lymphocytes, there was only a modest but significant (P < 0.05) increase in chromium in the group exposed to chromium. There was no difference in the levels of DNA strand breaks or 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine between the groups. Air monitoring for chromium was not undertaken but current levels for the group exposed to chromium were reported to be around 0.01 mg/m3, which is 20% of the current United Kingdom occupational exposure limit.

CONCLUSIONS

We were unable to detect any damage in lymphocytic DNA due to exposure to chromium. This may have been due to the low chromium exposure (< 20% of the United Kingdom occupational exposure limit), the ability of plasma to detoxify chromium (VI) to chromium (III) before it reached the lymphocytes, or perhaps the insensitivity of the molecular techniques used. It is now important to test these and other such techniques on groups exposed to levels closer to the United Kingdom occupational exposure limit.

Immunofluorescence localization of the unconventional myosin, Myo2p, and the putative kinesin-related protein, Smy1p, to the same regions of polarized growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Myo2 protein (Myo2p), an unconventional myosin in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been implicated in polarized growth and secretion by studies of the temperature-sensitive myo2-66 mutant. Overexpression of Smy1p, which by sequence is a kinesin-related protein, can partially compensate for defects in the myo2 mutant (Lillie, S. H. and S. S. Brown, 1992. Nature (Lond.). 356:358-361). We have now immunolocalized Smy1p and Myo2p. Both are concentrated in regions of active growth, as caps at incipient bud sites and on small buds, at the mother-bud neck just before cell separation, and in mating cells as caps on shmoo tips and at the fusion bridge of zygotes. Double labeling of cells with either Myo2p or Smy1p antibody plus phalloidin was used to compare the localization of Smy1p and Myo2p to actin, and by extrapolation, to each other. These studies confirmed that Myo2p and Smy1p colocalize, and are concentrated in the same general regions of the cell as actin spots. However, neither colocalizes with actin. We noted a correlation in the behavior of Myo2p, Smy1p, and actin, but not microtubules, under a number of circumstances. In cdc4 and cdc11 mutants, which produce multiple buds, Myo2p and Smy1p caps were found only in the subset of buds that had accumulations of actin. Mutations in actin or secretory genes perturb actin, Smy1p and Myo2p localization. The rearrangements of Myo2p and Smy1p correlate temporally with those of actin spots during the cell cycle, and upon temperature and osmotic shift. In contrast, microtubules are not grossly affected by these perturbations. Although wild-type Myo2p localization does not require Smy1p, Myo2p staining is brighter when SMY1 is overexpressed. The myo2 mutant, when shifted to restrictive temperature, shows a permanent loss in Myo2p localization and actin polarization, both of which can be restored by SMY1 overexpression. However, the lethality of MYO2 deletion is not overcome by SMY1 overexpression. We noted that the myo2 mutant can recover from osmotic shift (unlike actin mutants; Novick, P., and D. Botstein. 1985. Cell. 40:405-416). We have also determined that the myo2-66 allele encodes a Lys instead of a Glu at position 511, which lies at an actin-binding face in the motor domain.

Identification of MYO4, a second class V myosin gene in yeast

We have isolated a fourth myosin gene (MYO4) in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). MYO4 encodes a approximately 170 kDa (1471 amino acid) class V myosin, using the classification devised by Cheney et al. (1993a; Cell Motil. Cytoskel. 24, 215–223); the motor domain is followed by a neck region containing six putative calmodulin-binding sites and a tail with a short potential ‘coiled-coil’ domain. A comparison with other myosins in GenBank reveals that Myo4 protein is most closely related to the yeast Myo2 protein, another class V myosin. Deletion of MYO4 produces no detectable phenotype, either alone or in conjunction with mutations in myo2 or other myosin genes, the actin gene, or secretory genes. However, overexpression of MYO4 or MYO2 results in several morphological abnormalities, including the formation of short strings of unseparated cells in diploid strains, or clusters of cells in haploid strains. Alterations of MYO4 or MYO2 indicate that neither the motor domains nor tails of these myosins are required to confer the overexpression phenotype, whereas the neck region may be required. Although this phenotype is similar to that seen upon MYO1 deletion, we provide evidence that the overexpression of Myo4p or Myo2p is not simply interfering with Myo1p function.

Mutational analysis of yeast profilin

We have mutated two regions within the yeast profilin gene in an effort to functionally dissect the roles of actin and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding in profilin function. A series of truncations was carried out at the C terminus of profilin, a region that has been implicated in actin binding. Removal of the last three amino acids nearly eliminated the ability of profilin to bind polyproline in vitro but had no dramatic in vivo effects. Thus, the extreme C terminus is implicated in polyproline binding, but the physiological relevance of this interaction is called into question. More extensive truncation, of up to eight amino acids, had in vivo effects of increasing severity and resulted in changes in conformation and expression level of the mutant profilins. However, the ability of these mutants to bind actin in vitro was not eliminated, suggesting that this region cannot be solely responsible for actin binding. We also mutagenized a region of profilin that we hypothesized might be involved in PIP2 binding. Alteration of basic amino acids in this region produced mutant profilins that functioned well in vivo. Many of these mutants, however, were unable to suppress the loss of adenylate cyclase-associated protein (Cap/Srv2p [A. Vojtek, B. Haarer, J. Field, J. Gerst, T. D. Pollard, S. S. Brown, and M. Wigler, Cell 66:497-505, 1991]), indicating that a defect could be demonstrated in vivo. In vitro assays demonstrated that the inability to suppress loss of Cap/Srv2p correlated with a defect in the interaction with actin, independently of whether PIP2 binding was reduced. Since our earlier studies of Acanthamoeba profilins suggested the importance of PIP2 binding for suppression, we conclude that both activities are implicated and that an interplay between PIP2 binding and actin binding may be important for profilin function.

Monitoring of total chromium in rat fluids and lymphocytes following intratracheal administration of soluble trivalent or hexavalent chromium compounds

1. Intratracheal instillation of sodium dichromate (CrVI) and chromium acetate hydroxide (CrIII) to male Wistar rats gave rise to increased chromium concentrations in whole blood, plasma and urine up to 72 h post exposure; peak concentrations were reached at 6 h after exposure. 2. The ratio of whole blood chromium to plasma chromium concentrations was significantly different for Cr(VI) and Cr(III) treatments. Both blood chromium and plasma chromium assays should therefore be used for the assessment of chromium exposure. 3. Chromium was also detected in peripheral lymphocytes. Cr(VI), but not Cr(III) accumulated significantly in the lymphocytes after treatment. These cells have potential to be used for biomarkers of the assessment of exposure to chromium compounds.

Phenotypes of cytoskeletal mutants

Phenotypic studies continue to contribute to an understanding of the functions of cytoskeletal proteins. Many of these studies indicate some degree of functional redundancy within a family of cytoskeletal proteins. Some surprises have emerged, such as suggestions of unexpected relationships between the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Finally, phenotypic studies have provided evidence for a function of intermediate filaments.

Binding of lead to a metallothionein-like protein in human erythrocytes

We have studied the erythrocytes from 24 workers occupationally exposed to inorganic lead, one asymptomatic lead worker showing exceptionally high exposure, and eight control subjects (blood lead 300-750, 1800, and < 100 micrograms/L, respectively). High performance protein chromatography, electrophoresis, and trace metal analysis have identified a low M.Wt., copper, and zinc-containing protein in all cases. This protein (designated protein M) bound lead on in vitro incubation with buffered lead nitrate. Purified samples of protein M were found to show characteristics consistent with metallothionein (M.Wt. approximately 6500, low pI, and greater UV absorbance at 254 nm). Amino acid analysis found a composition of 33% cysteine but no aromatic amino acids. The highly exposed subject showed endogenous lead binding to protein M, which on further purification by ion exchange was found to be associated with one particular constituent (protein M5). Protein M5 was present in much lower quantities in control subjects. These findings suggest the existence of a metallothionein-like protein in erythrocytes which binds lead, sequestering it into a nonbioavailable form and hence protects against lead toxicity.

Caffeine or theophylline for neonatal apnoea?

Caffeine, in the dose usually recommended (12.5 mg/kg loading dose and 3 mg/kg daily maintenance), and a higher dose regimen (25 mg/kg loading and 6 mg/kg daily maintenance), was compared with theophylline (7.5 mg/kg loading and 3 mg/kg thrice daily maintenance). The study was a randomised controlled trial in the treatment of a group of 44 infants of less than 31 weeks' gestation (mean gestational age 28.3 weeks) who were suffering from frequent apnoeic attacks. All three regimens produced a significant reduction in apnoeic attacks within 24 hours, but only the higher dose caffeine and theophylline groups showed a significant improvement in apnoea within eight hours. The use of caffeine for the treatment of neonatal apnoea is recommended, because a once daily dose is more easily administered, and because it was found that plasma concentrations were more predictable than those of theophylline. If used in very preterm infants, however, its is suggested that a higher dose regimen than that previously recommended be used to achieve a faster response.

Suppression of a myosin defect by a kinesin-related gene

Motor proteins in cells include myosin, which is actin-based, and kinesin, dynein and dynamin, which are microtubule-based. Several proteins have recently been identified that have amino-acid sequences with similarity to the motor domains of either myosin or kinesin, but are otherwise dissimilar. This has led to the suggestion that these may all be motor proteins, but that they are specialized for moving different cargos. Genetic analysis can address the question of the different functions of these new proteins. Studies of a temperature-sensitive mutation (myo2-66) in a gene of the myosin superfamily (MYO2) have implicated the Myo2 protein (Myo2p) in the process of polarized secretion in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). To understand more about the role of Myo2p, we have looked for 'multicopy suppressors' (heterologous genes that, when overexpressed, can correct the temperature sensitivity of the myo2-66 mutant). Here we report the identification of such a suppressor (SMY1) that (surprisingly) encodes a predicted polypeptide sharing sequence similarity with the motor portion of proteins in the kinesin superfamily.

Induction of DNA strand breaks in peripheral lymphocytes by soluble chromium compounds

1. Incubation of human lymphocytes with sodium dichromate (CrVI) at 37 degrees C for 3 h resulted in a dose-dependent increase in DNA strand breaks without concurrent cytotoxicity. In contrast, chromium acetate hydroxide (CrIII) failed to induce DNA strand breaks at sub-cytotoxic concentrations. 2. DNA strand breaks were also detected in the peripheral lymphocytes of Wistar rats, 24 h after intratracheal instillation of sodium dichromate (1.3 and 2.5 mg kg-1). Instillation of chromium acetate hydroxide (up to 21.8 mg kg-1) failed to induce DNA strand breaks in peripheral lymphocytes. In accord with previous studies, hexavalent chromium was found to be more readily absorbed from the lungs into the peripheral blood than chromium in its trivalent form. 3. The results of this study indicate that fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding (FADU) in peripheral lymphocytes might be a convenient method of measuring an important biological effect of chromium in occupationally-exposed workers.

Spatial and temporal control of nonmuscle myosin localization: identification of a domain that is necessary for myosin filament disassembly in vivo

Myosin null mutants of Dictyostelium are defective for cytokinesis, multicellular development, and capping of surface proteins. We have used these cells as transformation recipients for an altered myosin heavy chain gene that encodes a protein bearing a carboxy-terminal 34-kD truncation. This truncation eliminates threonine phosphorylation sites previously shown to control filament assembly in vitro. Despite restoration of growth in suspension, development, and ability to cap cell surface proteins, these delta C34-truncated myosin transformants display severe cytoskeletal abnormalities, including excessive localization of the truncated myosin to the cortical cytoskeleton, impaired cell shaped dynamics, and a temporal defect in myosin dissociation from beneath capped surface proteins. These data demonstrate that the carboxy-terminal domain of myosin plays a critical role in regulating the disassembly of the protein from contractile structures in vivo.

Purification of profilin from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and analysis of profilin-deficient cells

We have isolated profilin from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and have microsequenced a portion of the protein to confirm its identity; the region microsequenced agrees with the predicted amino acid sequence from a profilin gene recently isolated from S. cerevisiae (Magdolen, V., U. Oechsner, G. Müller, and W. Bandlow. 1988. Mol. Cell. Biol. 8:5108-5115). Yeast profilin resembles profilins from other organisms in molecular mass and in the ability to bind to polyproline, retard the rate of actin polymerization, and inhibit hydrolysis of ATP by monomeric actin. Using strains that carry disruptions or deletions of the profilin gene, we have found that, under appropriate conditions, cells can survive without detectable profilin. Such cells grow slowly, are temperature sensitive, lose the normal ellipsoidal shape of yeast cells, often become multinucleate, and generally grow much larger than wild-type cells. In addition, these cells exhibit delocalized deposition of cell wall chitin and have dramatically altered actin distributions.

Antenatal urinary screening for drugs of addiction: usefulness of sideroom testing?

Based on a pilot study of 400 samples at our Antenatal Clinic (which yielded 3.5% positives when assessed for amphetamines, cannabinoids and opiates) 600 consecutive patients attending Antenatal Booking Clinic had urine samples tested in the sideroom for amphetamines, barbiturates, cocaine metabolites, methadone and opiates using the Syva EMIT ETS apparatus. Positive samples were checked in the West Midlands Regional Laboratory for Toxicology, initially by EMIT-dau on a second ETS instrument and then by thin layer and gas chromatography. Two per cent produced a total of 14 positive EMIT results. Cocaine metabolites and methandone were not detected. Four specimens could not be confirmed as positive. In one sample, amphetamine-like compounds were isolated but not identified. Positive identification was made in the remaining seven specimens (two cannabinoid, two pseudoephedrine, one pseudoephedrine plus dihydrocodeine and two dihydrocodeine). There was a serious problem of false positive results observed in the initial sideroom testing. The value of sideroom testing for drugs of abuse was assessed in relation to the technical problems and to the small rate of drug positive samples.

Hygromycin resistance as a selectable marker in Dictyostelium discoideum

We have constructed an expression cartridge which has the bacterial hygromycin resistance gene (hph) fused to the Dictyostelium discoideum actin 15 promoter, with a segment of 3'-flanking DNA from the actin 15 locus placed downstream of the hph gene to serve as a transcription terminator. The plasmid pDE109, which contained this cartridge and a Dictyostelium origin of replication, transformed D. discoideum with high efficiency under hygromycin selection. The availability of this selectable marker circumvents the previous limitation of having G418 resistance as the only selectable marker for this organism; secondary transformation can now be used to introduce DNA into previously transformed cell lines.

Successful periodontal treatment for the elderly

The demographic reality of a rapidly growing elderly population segment presents the practicing dentist with certain imperatives and challenges. Familiarity with the healthy aging process and common medical conditions of the aged is becoming increasingly essential. Customized treatment plans and modifications in techniques and home care aids require flexibility and creativity. In addition, it should not be overlooked that this demographic reality also presents the practicing dentist with new opportunities for practice-building as well as personal and professional satisfaction.

Clinical and sub-clinical lead poisoning: a laboratory perspective

1. The background, scope and limitations of laboratory methods for the diagnosis of inorganic lead poisoning are outlined in the context of the work of a specialist clinical laboratory for trace element analysis. 2. Data for blood lead, haemoglobin and erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin concentrations are presented in cases of clinical and sub-clinical poisoning due to accidental or occupational exposure. 3. Data from population surveys of children and adults subject to either environmental or occupational exposure are also shown. 4. In general, analysis for lead in an appropriate specimen of blood offers the single most useful index of exposure. 5. The importance of good accuracy control in such measurements is emphasized.

Blood lead, ethnic origin, and lead exposure

A survey of blood lead concentrations is reported in a group of 199 young Walsall children (3-6 years of age). The geometric mean blood lead concentration was 0.47 mumol/l (range 0.2-1.6 mumol/l). There were no significant differences in blood lead concentrations between groups of children with different ages, sex, ethnic origin, or environment.

Artifactual immunofluorescent labelling in yeast, demonstrated by affinity purification of antibody

In the course of making antibodies against various yeast (S. cerevisiae) proteins, we have noted that it is common to observe reactivity of rabbit sera with a number of extraneous bands on Western transfers of yeast proteins. The pattern of reactive bands can change within a period of weeks, even when the rabbit has not been injected with antigen. A simple method of affinity purification, using antigen bound to nitrocellulose, is employed to remove the reactivity with these extraneous bands from immune sera. The importance of affinity purification is demonstrated by our attempts to immunolocalize a 55 kd yeast protein (p55). Immune serum stains yeast cells to give a striking pattern of spots and blotches not seen with preimmune serum. However, affinity purification of anti-p55 antibody shows that this pattern is not due to staining by anti-p55 antibody; rather the pattern is due to staining left in the serum depleted of anti-p55 antibody.