Changes in the activity and isozyme patterns of glycolytic enzymes during stimulation of normal human lymphocytes with phytohaemagglutinin

A study has been made of the effects of phytohaemagglutinin on the gene expression of the glycolytic enzymes in cultured human lymphocytes. All the enzymes were found to show an average increase in activity of between 160% and 360% in stimulated cells, but the increases were greater for the enzymes comprising the second half of the pathway. The enzyme activities in stimulated cells, cultured for 72 h, were similar to the activities measured in long-term lymphoid lines. Starch-gel electrophoresis was used to examine the isozyme patterns of the enzymes before and after exposure of the lymphocytes to PHA. Six of the enzymes showed isozyme patterns unchanged by stimulation. Four of the enzymes, aldolase, triosephosphate isomerase, enolase and lactate dehydrogenase, showed different isozyme patterns in stimulated cells from those seen in uncultured or unstimulated cells. The electrophoretic results showed a good correlation in isozyme pattern between uncultured lymphocytes and cultured unstimulated lymphocytes, and between PHA-stimulated lymphocytes and long-term lymphoid lines.     

SYNTHESIS OF MODEL COMPOUNDS RELEVANT TO THE ACTIVE-SITE-DIRECTED INACTIVATION OF L-ASPARAGINASE BY 5-DIAZO-4-OXO-L-NORVALINE*

Earlier work has shown that 5-diazo-4-oxo-l -norvaline (DONV) irreversibly inactivates the l -asparaginase from E. coli by formation of a covalent bond in the region of the active site. Model compounds have been prepared to study this acid-labile covalent bond tentatively assigned to a serine or possibly a threonine residue in a decapeptide isolated from ¹⁴C-DONV-inactivated enzyme. Appropriately blocked DONV was found to alkylate methanol, and the hydroxyl function of blocked serine or threonine in the presence of boron trifluoride. The labile β-ketoethers thus formed were reduced to the more stable β-hydroxyethers. Facile lactonization of these 5-substituted-4-hydroxy-l -norvalines was observed. The diastereoisomers of both the lactonized and open forms of 5-methoxy-4-hydroxy-l -norvaline and related 4-hydroxy-l -2-amino acids of similar length were distinguishable on the amino acid analyzer. The β-hydroxyethers derived from serine and threonine were hydrolyzed with acid and yielded the expected cleavage products. When the β-ketoether was reduced by sodium borohydride prior to deblocking, in addition to the β-hydroxyether, N-blocked amino alcohols were also formed, yielding a complex mixture of products.     

Focal acral hyperkeratosis

We report fifteen cases showing focal acral hyperkeratosis. They were clinically identical to acrokeratoelastoidosis (AKE) but lacked the elastorrhexis which is a feature of AKE. The name focal acral hyperkeratosis is proposed for this condition which differs histologically from AKE.     

The effects of topically applied hexyl nicotinate lotion on the cutaneous blood flow in patients with Raynaud''s phenomenon

The effect of the epicutaneous application of 0.1% and 1.0% hexyl nicotinate lotion on upper limb skin blood flow was investigated in 25 patients with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and five healthy volunteers. Assessments were made using laser Doppler velocimetry. The 0.1% lotion induced an increase in cutaneous blood flow in both controls and patients when applied at different sites on the upper limb. Increased cutaneous blood flow occurred more often when the lotion was applied to the forearm than to the fingers. A greater increase in blood flow and an increased percentage of positive responses was elicited with the 1.0% hexyl nicotinate lotion. Hexyl nicotinate lotion may be of value in the topical treatment of RP.     

Dose-related effects of dietary iron supplementation in producing hepatic iron overload in rats

The influence of varying the level of supplemental dietary iron on the development of hepatic iron overload was examined in rats. Two days after giving birth, Porton rats were fed a diet supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1 or 2% carbonyl iron, to institute dietary iron supplementation to the young via breast milk. After weaning, the offspring continued to receive the assigned diet until 32 weeks of age. Liver biopsies were taken from some rats at 8, 16 and 24 weeks of age and from all rats at 32 weeks of age, for assessment of iron overload. For both male and female rats, hepatic iron content was increased in a dose-related manner by feeding supplemented diet. Hepatic iron content of male rats tended to reach a plateau after 8–16 weeks of supplementation, while that of female rats continued to rise throughout the experimental period, such that the hepatic iron content of female rats was 2.8-fold that of similarly treated males at 32 weeks of age. Iron supplementation was associated with only moderate retardation of growth. By choosing an appropriate level of iron supplementation, good (grade III-IV) hepatic iron loading can be achieved with minimal adverse effects on the animals’ overall health.     

Initial Experience with a Co-Radial Bipolar Pacing Lead

A new type of endocardial bipolar pacing lead has been designed to overcome the potential drawbacks of the conventional coaxial bipolar pacing had. We prospectively evaluated the new co-radial bipolar pacing leads (Intermedics Thin Line), which are thinner (5 Fr vs 6—8 Fr) than standard coaxial bipolar leads. X-ray visibility and lead handling were subjectively assessed (excellent, good, adequate, or poor) at implant; lead impedance, sensitivity threshold, and pacing threshold were measured at implant, then at 1, 3. 6, 12, and 18 months. The results were as follows: 103 patients (51 M; age 63.8 ± 17.4 years) received 71 atrial (A) and 89 ventricular (V) leads. X-ray visibility was excellent in 59/103; good in 23/103; adequate in 11/103; and poor in 10/103. Overall handling was excellent in 56/71 A and 69/89 V; good in 11/71 A and 18/89 V; adequate in 3/71 A and 1/89 V; poor in 1/71 A and 1/89 V. There were two perioperative complications. At implant: impedance in A and V were 370.1 ± 74.7 and 501.5 ± 124.4 Ω, sensing thresholds in A and V were 3.0 ± 1.5 and 9.9 ± 5.0 mV, pacing thresholds at 0.45 ms in A and V were 0.59 ± 0.21 and 0.41 ± 0.15 volt, respectively. At 1, 3, 6. 12, and 18 months of follow-up: no pacing lead related complications were reported; pacing lead characteristics remained outstanding and stable. This new lead appears to have significant clinical advantages over the conventional coaxial bipolar pacing lead. Long-term follow-up is required to confirm its reliability and chronic performance characteristics.     

REDUCTION OF SKIN COLLAGEN WITH INCREASED SKIN THICKNESS IN POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Thirty postmenopausal women with rheumatoid disease were investigatedwith skin biopsies and radiological measurements of skin thickness.When compared with menopausal-age-matched controls, the rheumatoidpatients had significantly reduced skin collagen content andincreased skin thickness. KEY WORDS: Skin, Rheumatoid arthritis, Postmenopausal     

Leading and leadership: reflections on a case study

joyce p . (2010) Journal of Nursing Management 18, 418–424
Leading and leadership: reflections on a case study Aim The aim of this case study was to explore if observing leaders in the context of their day-to-day work can provide an insight into how they lead in particular circumstances. Background The study was carried out in a small organization which was set up 5 years ago. Methods A case study methodology was used. Data were collected by field notes of non-participant and participant observations. Follow-up interviews were transcribed and analysed to contextualize the observations. A reflective diary was used by the researcher to add to the richness of the data. Results The data demonstrates how the leader responded in key circumstances during scheduled meetings with staff, interactions in the office and during coffee time. These responses are linked to literature on leadership in the areas of power, personal development, coaching and delegation. Conclusions The findings suggest that observing a leader in the context of their day-to-day work can provide evidence to validate what leaders do in particular circumstances. Implications for nursing management The implications of the findings for nursing management are the opportunities to use observation as a tool to understand what managers/leaders do, how they manage or lead and why others respond as they do, and with what outcomes.     

A partnership approach to leadership development for Directors of Nursing in Older People's services in Ireland – articulating the impact

This paper outlines the approach undertaken by the Royal College of Nursing to design, deliver and evaluate a programme of leadership development for Directors of Nursing in Older People's services commissioned by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning Development Unit Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. The programme was developed to support Nurse Directors of these services to enhance their leadership capabilities at a time of significant health service reform and investment. The programme was underpinned by the Office of Health Management's Nursing Competency Framework ( Rush et al. 2000 ). The key influences for the programme were the significant contemporary policy and organizational developments directly experienced by Directors of Nursing. This paper will focus on the benefits for participants, commissioners and service users alike in adopting this kind of partnership approach to the design, delivery and evaluation of a bespoke RCN leadership development programme which combined the experience of RCN Gerontology alongside Leadership. Specifically, the paper focuses on the context of the commissioned work and the ways of working between the members of the delivery team and the commissioners, their roles and responsibilities and the importance of these interrelationships in the delivery of a development programme which would meet the specific needs of this key group of nurse leaders. The key learning and experiences of the Directors of Nursing are highlighted.