Purification and characterization of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme from Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta Labrax Coruhensis) kidney and inhibition effects of some metal ions on enzyme activity

In this study, the carbonic anhydrase (CA) enzyme was purified from Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta Labrax Coruhensis) kidney with a specific activity of 603.77 EU/mg and a yield of 35.5% using Sepharose-4B-l-tyrosine- sulphanilamide affinity column chromatography. For determining the enzyme purity and subunit molecular mass, sodiumdodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was performed and single band was observed. The molecular mass of subunit was found approximately 29.71 kDa. The optimum temperature, activation energy (E_a), activation enthalpy (ΔH) and Q₁₀ values were obtained from Arrhenius plot. K_m and V_max values for p-nitrophenyl acetate of the purified enzyme were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk graphs. In addition, the inhibitory effects of different heavy metal ions (Fe²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺) on Black Sea trout kidney tissue CA enzyme activities were investigated by using esterase method under in vitro conditions. The heavy metal concentrations inhibiting 50% of enzyme activity (IC₅₀) were obtained. Finally K_i values and inhibition types were calculated from Lineweaver-Burk graphs.     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

含有黄嘌呤衍生物的N-杂环卡宾金属配合物的生物活性研究进展

N-杂环卡宾(NHC)是一类多功能的配体,能够与过渡金属形成稳定的配位化合物,在催化、药学和材料科学等领域有着广泛的应用。黄嘌呤衍生物具有抗肿瘤转移和抗血管生成等生物活性,且结构易于修饰。将黄嘌呤衍生的NHC配体与过渡金属相结合有望得到具有全新生物活性的金属配合物。综述黄嘌呤衍生物的生物活性,以及黄嘌呤衍生的NHC金属配合物的结构特点和生物活性,并对黄嘌呤NHC金属配合物的研究进行了总结和展望,以期为进一步的研究提供参考。     

Immune modulation by cadmium and lead in the acute reporter antigen-popliteal lymph node assay.

Immune modulation by heavy metals may cause serious adverse health effects in humans, although the mechanisms involved are not well understood. Both cadmium and lead are important environmental and occupational toxins. Therefore, in the current study, the costimulatory/adjuvant effects and the T-cell-activating potential of these metals (i.e., CdCl2 and PbCl2), are examined. These immune-modulating properties are critical in the development of conditions such as allergy, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity. Using the direct popliteal lymph node assay (PLNA) and reporter antigen-popliteal lymph node assay (RA-PLNA) both metals were examined individually for immunotoxicity. Mercury (i.e., HgCl2) was included for comparative purposes as its effects in the RA-PLNA are well documented. Seven days following a single footpad injection containing metal and/or RA (trinitrophenyl-ovalbumin [TNP-OVA] or TNP-Ficoll), BALB/c mice were sacrificed and the popliteal lymph nodes (PLNs) removed. PLN cellularity, TNP-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASCs), and lymphocyte subsets were assessed. All three metals strongly stimulated T- and B-cell proliferation and ASC production following coinjection with the RA TNP-OVA. In each case, ASC production was skewed towards the IgG1 isotype. In addition, all three metals induced IgG production to TNP-Ficoll (although relatively weakly in the case of Cd). These results show that each of these metals can provide adjuvant signals to promote lymphocyte proliferation and enhance adaptive immune responses to unrelated antigens. Skewing of immune responses towards T helper type 2 responses suggests that each of these metals can enhance allergic and hypersensitivity reactions to environmental antigens. Furthermore, the induction of IgG responses to TNP-Ficoll, a T-cell-independent antigen, indicates that each of these metals can activate neoantigen-specific T cells. T-cell activation by metals can lead to metal hypersensitivity and has been implicated in the development of autoimmunity. This is the first report of immune modulation by CdCl2 and PbCl2 in the RA-PLNA.     

几种常用金属对大肠埃希菌杀灭作用观察

采用悬液定量浸泡杀菌试验和电镜技术,在实验室进行了常用金属对细菌的杀灭作用及其作用机理观察。结果,将不同金属置于含菌悬液内浸泡作用不同时间,金属铜对大肠埃希菌作用 30min,平均杀灭率为 97%;金属银和金作用 30min,平均杀灭率分别为 35. 6%和 30. 3%;不锈钢,金属铝、铁和锡等对细菌作用很弱。透射电镜观察发现,经金属铜作用 30min的大肠埃希菌,其细胞壁出现凹凸不平,局部细胞膜有分离现象,细胞质明显减少甚至消失,细胞核质浓缩呈块状。结论,常用金属中以金属铜、银对细菌作用明显,作用后的细胞结构有改变,其他常用金属对细菌作用不明显。     

Development of a Device for Removing a Partial Denture in a Patient with Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a chronic disease that has been associated with immune dysfunction. One of the oral manifestations is microsomia, a result of collagen deposition in the perioral tissues. The complexity of treating these patients includes limited mouth opening ability, and difficulty inserting and removing dentures due to finger deformity. This article will describe an appliance specially designed especially for scleroderma patients, which facilitates treatment of the patient with removable partial dentures (RPD).     

Expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and carriers

The expression of MHC isoforms in the skeletal muscles of nine patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) (from 2.5 to 15 yr of age) and three DMD carriers was studied using different specific anti-MHC MAbs. We also analyzed muscle fiber size and fiber reactivity with acridine orange and/or with a surface antigen marker. One-quarter of all fibers of DMD patients, or less with age, were of normal size and contained only adult slow MHC. Half of the muscle fibers contained adult and developmental MHCs. Only half of these fibers were representative of an active regenerative process. MHC co-expression also altered the proportion of normal fast or slow fibers. Adult fast MHCs were expressed as unique MHC only in small and very small fibers in the oldest DMD patients. In DMD carrier muscles, the greatest alterations in MHC expression were observed in patients with the most reduced dystrophin expression. However, MHC changes in dystrophin-positive fibers were similar to those observed in dystrophin-free fibers. In conclusion, disruptions or delays in the switching of all genes coding for adult fast and slow MHC and developmental MHC coincided with dystrophin deletion and with perturbations in its expression.     

金属换热器传热过程的数学模型及应用

应用蒙特卡洛法仿真辐射式金属换热器内的辐射传热过程，建立了换热器综合传热的数学模型，利用概率论原理，把辐射能迁移过程仿真为一定累积概率分面下的随机过程，该模型能较好地反映换热器内传热过程的真实情况，可以计算出换热器内烟气、筒壁、空气的温度和壁面热流分布，以及研究烟气进口温度、换热器筒径和狭逢宽度对换热效果的影响。