Primary structure of a cytotoxin-like basic protein from Naja naja naja (Indian Cobra) venom

The complete amino acid sequence of a cytotoxin-like basic protein (CLBP) from the venom of Naja naja naja (Indian Cobra) was determined by manual degradation using a 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene-4′-isothiocyanate double-coupling method. Peptide fragments obtained by chemical cleavage with cyanogen bromide and enzymic cleavages with trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus proteases for sequence analysis were purified by reversed-phase chromatography. The total number of amino acid residues was 61, with leucine as the C-terminal residue.     

Waste Minimization in Electroplating Industries: A Review

Wastewater, spent solvent, spent process solutions, and sludge are the major waste streams generated in large volumes daily in electroplating industries. These waste streams can be significantly minimized through process modification and operational improvement. Waste minimization methods have been implemented in some of the electroplating industries. Suggestions such as practicing source reduction approaches, reduction in drag out and waste, process modification and environmental benefits, have also been adopted. In this endeavor, extensive knowledge covering various disciplines has been studied, which makes problem solving extremely easy. Moreover, available process data pertaining to waste minimization (WM) is usually imprecise, incomplete, and uncertain due to the lack of sensors, the difficulty of measurement, and process variations. In this article waste minimization techniques and its advantages on the improvement of working atmosphere and reduction in operating cost have been discussed.     

Tuberculous endometritis: a clinicopathological study of 1000 cases

Summary. A histopathological diagnosis of tuberculous endometritis was made in 2.3% of 42 770 specimens of non-pregnant endometrial curet-tings and biopsies examined in Delhi. A retrospective analysis of the women with tuberculous endometriosis showed that 62% were in their third decade and the commonest presenting symptoms were infertility (47%) and amenorrhoea (26%). Discrete granulomas were seen in 60%. In the absence of a typical granuloma dilatation of glands, active destruction of epithelium and inflammatory exudate in the lumen suggested tubercular aetiology.     

Immune status of anaemic pregnant women

Summary. Immune status during the third trimester of pregnancy was investigated in relation to maternal haemoglobin levels. The proportion of T and B lymphocytes showed a tendency to fall in anaemic women which was significant when haemoglobin levels were <8 g/dl. Immunoglobin G showed the opposite trend. There were no alterations in phytohaemag-glutinin-induced lymphocyte transformation in relation to haemoglobin concentration.     

Bursin Localization in Mammalian Bone Marrow and Epithelial Cells of Intrahepatic Bile Ducts

Bursin is a tripeptide (lysyl-histidyl-glycyl-amide) found in follicular and dendritic reticular epithelial cells of the avian bursa of Fabricius that selectively induces the differentiation of committed B-lymphocyte precursor cells but not of committed T-lymphocyte precursor cells. We now show, in immunoassays with tissue extracts, that bursin is also present in avian and bovine bone marrow. There was, however, a categorical difference between avian liver (bursin-negative) and bovine liver (bursin-positive). Bursin was therefore isolated from bovine liver and bone marrow and the structure of mammalian bursin was determined; it was identical to avian bursin. Immunohistochemical examination of bovine liver showed the presence of bursin within epithelial cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts. These cells have previously been suspected of having an endocrine function because of the rich periductal capillary plexus, which coalesces to form a portal system draining into the liver sinusoids. These findings suggest that bone marrow is a site of bursin production and associated B-cell differentiation in both birds and mammals. The bursin-containing cells of the intrahepatic bile ducts are not associated with developing B cells and it would appear that mammals have evolved a local hepatic function for bursin.     

Punch Grafting versus Suction Blister Epidermal Grafting in the Treatment of Stable Lip Vitiligo

BACKGROUND Among surgical methods, punch skin grafting (PSG) and suction blister epidermal grafting (SBEG) are simple, inexpensive, and effective treatment methods for resistant lip vitiligo cases, but there is a lack of comparison between these procedures for lip vitiligo.
OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the outcome following PSG and SBEG in stable lip vitiligo.
METHODS Eighteen patients with stable lip vitiligo were randomly selected. Eight patients were included in PSG group and 10 patients in SBEG. All patients were kept on PUVA-SOL (psoralen+ultraviolet A therapy of solar origin) treatment after grafting. The results were evaluated after a follow-up period of 6 months.
RESULTS At the end of 6 months of grafting in PSG group, two patients had a repigmentation of 50% to 75%, one had 75% to 90%, and three had 90% to 100% in the recipient site in lip. In SBEG group, one patient had repigmentation of 50% to 75%, three had 75% to 90%, and two had 90% to 100%. The color match was statistically significant in PSG when compared to SBEG. In the recipient site, cobblestone appearance was the predominant complication in PSG whereas hyperpigmentation and thickening of grafts were common in SBEG. In the donor site, superficial scarring and hypopigmentation were the common findings in PSG group whereas hyperpigmentation was the main problem in SBEG group.
CONCLUSIONS Although both the procedures are effective in lip vitiligo, PSG gives a better color match than SBEG.     

Fmoc-amino acid chlorides in solid phase synthesis of opioid peptides

Fmoc-amino acid chlorides were employed in the solid phase synthesis of the opioid peptides [Leu]enkephalin, [Leu]enkephalin amide, and dermorphin. The conventional polystyrene-based Merrifield resin or Wang's resin served as solid support. A binary salt of either triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine in the presence of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole or pivalic acid was used for acylation. The coupling rates were quite fast, being comparatively faster when 1-hydroxybenzotriazole was used along with triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine. The peptides obtained in good yields showed, after purification, biological and spectral properties identical with those of the natural peptides.