Transport mechanism of L-[14C]glutamate in cortical slices and synaptosomes of rabbits exposed to brain ischemia and reperfusion

Molecular and chemical neuropathology - Changes in the functioning of the glutamatergic system in rabbit brain were studied after partial brain ischemia and reperfusion. In vitro studies were...     

Mode of action of cholecystokinin octapeptide on smooth muscles of stomach, ileum and gall bladder

Mechanical activity of preparations isolated from canine and guinea-pig stomach, ileum and gall bladder was recorded. At least 2 strips were cut out from each organ and investigated simultaneously in thermostatically controlled organ baths. Responses to acetylcholine (ACH) were used for comparison. Octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-OP) at concentrations of 5 X 10(-11) M to 10(-8) M produced dose-dependent tonic concentrations in all muscle strips and showed a higher affinity but lower efficacy as compared to ACH. Atropine (10(-7) M 10(-5) M) had no effect on the CCK-OP responses in stomach and gall bladder muscle strips but it significantly decreased the CCK-OP responses in ileum muscle strips. Dibutyryl cyclic GMP (dbc GMP) at concentrations of 10(-5) M-5 X 10(-4) M did not change the ACH dose-response curves but shifted to the right in parallel to the control the dose-response curves for CCK-OP in all muscle preparations with pA2 values 5, 5.3, 7.2, and 6 for canine stomach and guinea-pig stomach, ileum and gall bladder, respectively. Michaelis-Menten's analysis suggested a competitive type of interaction of dbc GMP on CCK-OP contractile responses of guinea-pig ileum and gall bladder; at a higher concentration (5 X 10(-4) M) the antagonistic effect of dbc GMP in canine and guinea-pig stomach appeared to be a mixed or uncompetitive type. The data suggest that the contractile effects of CCK-OP in the iliac smooth muscle are caused by cholinergic and direct mechanisms whereas on the gall bladder and gastric smooth muscles by direct myogenic mechanisms only.     

Importance of the breathing manoeuvre in detecting mild air flow obstructions in a lung function screening.

Maximal expiratory flow-volume curves (MEFVC) were recorded in 610 workers using two different breathing manoeuvres. Inspiration in one was forced and maximal, while in the other, it was slow and maximal. In both manoeuvres, the ventilatory function was defined according to the diagnostic classification proposed by I. Kirin. Two groups of workers with mild obstructive changes were found. In one group, we diagnosed a condition defined as transitional state to obstructive ventilatory disorder (Tr.OVD) using both manoeuvres. In the second group, we detected normal lung functions using one of the breathing manoeuvres while the other manoeuvre disclosed Tr.OVD. In the second group, the relative share of workers scoring below the lower limits on the test of Tiffeneau was significantly lower than in the first group. Instantaneous flows also were significantly lower in the second group. Also, the FEV1, FEV1/FVC and MEF25-75% were significantly higher in the second group. The results showed that obstructions were milder in the second group than in the first. A new approach is suggested to detect obstructions milder than Tr.OVD. This approach would be practical for use in mass epidemiological screening studies because its performance does not require complicated equipment.     

New Insights into Lamellar Twisting in Transcrystalline Polyethylene

Summary: The morphology of the transcrystalline layer grown by nucleating high density polyethylene on fibers of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene was investigated by microbeam synchrotron X‐ray diffraction. Scanning with a 2 micron step size, it was possible to determine that near the fiber surface, the polymer chains of the transcrystalline layer are oriented at an angle of approx. 41° with respect to the fiber axis. This is consistent with the lamellar fold surface (the {201} plane) being close to perpendicular to the fiber axis. The X‐ray data support gradual twisting of the lamellae about the growth direction (the orthorhombic crystallite b‐axis) at a rate of ～0.85° per micron of radial distance from the fiber surface.

Polarized light micrograph of the transcrystalline layer in a PE/PE composite. The width of the fiber is approximately 20 μm.     

Optimedin: a novel olfactomedin-related protein that interacts with myocilin

Mutations in the MYOC gene may lead to juvenile open-angle glaucoma with high intraocular pressure, and are detected in about 4% of people with adult onset glaucoma. Most of these mutations are found in the third exon of the gene encoding the olfactomedin-like domain located at the C terminus of the protein. Another olfactomedin-related protein, known as noelin or pancortin, is involved in the generation of neural crest cells. Here we describe the identification of a novel olfactomedin-related gene, named optimedin, located on chromosome 1p21 in humans. Optimedin and noelin are both expressed in brain and retina. However, unlike noelin, rat optimedin is also highly expressed in the epithelial cells of the iris and the ciliary body in close proximity to the sites of Myoc expression. In the human eye, optimedin is expressed in the retina and the trabecular meshwork. Both optimedin and myocilin are localized in Golgi and are secreted proteins. The presence of mutant myocilin interferes with secretion of optimedin in transfected cells. Optimedin and myocilin interact with each other in vitro as judged by the GST pulldown, co-immunoprecipitation and far-western binding assays. The C-terminal olfactomedin domains are essential for interaction between optimedin and myocilin, while the N-terminal domains of both proteins are involved in the formation of protein homodimers. We suggest that optimedin may be a candidate gene for disorders involving the anterior segment of the eye and the retina.     

Interaction between the amino and carbonyl groups in copoly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/N-phenylmaleimide)

Interactions between the carbonyl and amino groups in copolymers of 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate with N-phenylmaleimide are reported. The existence of interactions ensues from potentiometric measurements and UV-VIS spectra. Interactions in these copolymers result in the formation of energetically very advantageous chromophores, reflected in an intense red colour of the substances obtained.