Continuous flow synthesis of peptides using a polyacrylamide gel resin (Expansin™)

The continuous flow syntheses of endothelin 1, proendothelin 2. ATP binding site of the CDC2 kinase 3, and fragment 18-30 of an actin 4, have been performed by using a polyacrylamide gel resin Expansin? (about 0.6 mmol NH₂/g) with the glycolamidic ester handle as labile anchorage. In addition, we report here a method of air oxidation which reduces the formation of side-products related to the formation of intermolecular disulfide bridges.     

A comparison between naturally occurring macroamylasaemia and macroamylasaemia induced by hydroxyethyl-starch

Macroamylasaemia was produced in vitro by incubation of hydroxyethylstarch with serum, and in vivo by intravenous infusion of hydroxyethylstarch. Gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 revealed distinct differences in molecular size distribution between such hydroxyethylstarch-induced macroamylase and the usual form of naturally occurring macroamylase which was observed in a few patients from our hospital. Further studies demonstrated that the gel filtration elution pattern of amylase activity in serum containing hydroxyethylstarch-induced macroamylase is significantly altered with time in vitro and in vivo, probably because of an enzymatic degradation of the hydroxyethylstarch components of the macromolecular complexes. In a healthy volunteer the serum amylase activity was elevated to a maximum of 797 u/l and the renal clearance rate of amylase was diminished to a minimum of 0.3 ml/min after infusion of 500 ml of a 6% solution of hydroxyethylstarch, as compared to 300 u/l, and 0.95 ml/min, respectively, during the pre-infusion period.     

Randomized Comparison of Multipolar,Duty‐Cycled,Bipolar‐Unipolar Radiofrequency Versus Conventional Catheter Ablation for Treatment of Common Atrial Flutter

Comparison of Radiofrequency Versus Conventional Catheter Ablation. Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation has been established as an effective and curative treatment for atrial flutter (AFL). Approved methods include a drag‐and‐drop method, as well as a point‐by‐point ablation technique. The aim of this study was to compare the acute efficacy and procedural efficiency of a multipolar linear ablation catheter with simultaneous energy delivery to multiple catheter electrodes against conventional RF for treatment of AFL. Methods: Patients presenting to our department with symptomatic, typical AFL were enrolled consecutively and randomized to conventional RF ablation with an 8‐mm tip catheter (ConvRF) or a duty‐cycled, bipolar‐unipolar RF generator delivering power to a hexapolar tip‐versatile ablation catheter (T‐VAC) group. For both groups, the procedural endpoint was bidirectional cavotricuspid isthmus block. Results: Sixty patients were enrolled, 30 patients each assigned to ConvRF and T‐VAC groups. Total procedure time (40.2 ± 15.8 min vs 60.5 ± 12.7 min), energy delivery time (8.5 ± 3.7 min vs 14.7 ± 5.2 min), radiation dose (14.5 ± 3.5 cGy/cm² vs 31.7 ± 12.1 cGy/cm²), and the minimum number of RF applications needed to achieve block (4.2 ± 2.4 vs 8.9 ± 7.2) were significantly lower in the T‐VAC group. In 7 patients treated with the T‐VAC catheter, bidirectional block was achieved with less than 3 RF applications, versus no patients with conventional RF energy delivery. Conclusion: The treatment of typical AFL using a hexapolar catheter with a multipolar, duty‐cycled, bipolar‐unipolar RF generator offers comparable effectiveness relative to conventional RF while providing improved procedural efficiency. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 1109‐1113)     

Trisomy 3 in marginal zone B-cell lymphoma: a study based on cytogenetic analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization

Trisomy 3 represents the most frequent and consistent chromosomal abnormality characterizing the recently defined entity marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (MZBCL). By cytogenetic analysis and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on interphase nuclei we found an increased copy number of chromosome 3 in 22/36 (61%) successfully analysed cases, including 8/12 cases with extranodal MZBCL, 8/13 cases with nodal MZBCL, and 6/11 patients with splenic MZBCL. Sensitivity of interphase cytogenetics was somewhat higher than that of conventional cytogenetic investigation. Structural chromosomal changes involving at least one chromosome 3 were seen in 11/20 cases with an increased copy number of chromosome 3: +del(3)(p13) was demonstrated in three cases, and was the sole chromosomal abnormality in one of them; +i(3)(q10) was seen in two other patients; and rearrangements involving various breakpoints on the long arm of chromosome 3 were found in the remaining cases. FISH on metaphase spreads confirmed these structural abnormalities and additionally showed two unexpected translocations involving chromosome 3. We conclude that: (1) trisomy 3 occurs in a high proportion of extranodal, nodal and splenic MZBCL; (2) FISH on interphase nuclei is an additional and sensitive tool in detecting an increased copy number of chromosome 3 in MZBCL; (3) additional structural abnormalities involving the long arm of chromosome 3 are frequent but non-recurrent and are perhaps secondary changes; and (4) abnormalities such as +del(3)(p13) and +i(3)(q10) suggest that genes located on the long arm of chromosome 3 are of particular importance in the pathogenesis of MZBCL.     

Developmental pattern of androgen-regulated proteins in seminal vesicles from the mouse

Proteins from secretions or homogenates of mice seminal vesicles were analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In homogenates about 15 bands were differentially induced with molecular weights (MW's) of 12, 13, 14, 15, 15.5, 71, 120 and 140 kD, or repressed molecular weights of 12.5, 14.3, 28, 30, 53, 73, 90-105 kD). The effects of castration were reversed by testosterone and dihydrotestosterone but not by oestradiol, progesterone or corticosterone. When the androgen-dependence of proteins was investigated using radioactive methionine the protein spectra showed that about 12 bands with molecular weights of 13, 13.7, 14, 15, 15.5, 16, 20.5, 24, 37, 38.5, 56, 68, 96 and 180 kD were differentially induced or repressed by androgens. Of the induced proteins, those with low molecular weight (12-15.5 kD) were accumulated in significant amounts between 20 days and 30 days, coincident with the pubertal increase of androgens in the seminal vesicles. Those induced proteins with high molecular weight (71, 120 and 140 kD) appeared between 40 days and 60 days. The androgen-repressed proteins were strongly evident in immature males, but disappeared after day 40.     

Charcoal surface-assisted catalysis of intramolecular disulfide bond formation in peptides

A mild and highly efficient method for intramolecular disulfide bond formation in peptides mediated by charcoal has been developed. Completion of the charcoal-assisted catalysis of disulfide bond formation took less than 6 h, testing a series of peptides with ring sizes varying from 2 to 17 amino acids. Kinetic studies revealed that the formation of small and large intramolecular disulfide cycles especially was accelerated significantly by the aid of charcoal as compared with dimethyl sulfoxide- and air-mediated cyclization. Oxygen adsorbed onto the charcoal surface is a prerequisite for disulfide bond formation. Thermodynamic studies showed that cyclization is accelerated by reduction of entropy of the peptides, most likely because of transient adsorption to the charcoal surface, thus resulting in a lower activation energy. © Munksgaard 1998.     

CORTICOTROPHIN-RELEASING FACTOR-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN HUMAN 24 H URINE

This report is the first demonstration of the presence of corticotrophin-releasing factor-like immunoreactive material (CRF-LI) in human urine. Our studies, using immunoaffinity chromatography for extraction, followed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography for further purification, and radioimmunoassay for final peptide measurement, suggest that CRF-LI from human urine is similar, if not identical, to human CRF. Urinary CRF-LI excretion in normal subjects was 1.48 +/- 0.69 ng/24 h (mean +/- SD; n = 20) with no significant differences between the sexes. During pregnancy, urinary CRF-LI excretion increased, and a significant correlation between urinary CRF-LI excretion and the gestational age was seen (r = 0.62; P less than 0.0001). We suggest that urinary 24-h CRF-LI excretion may reflect the secretion of CRF into the circulation. Measurements of CRF-LI in the urine may have several advantages over determinations of hormone levels in plasma.     

SYNTHESIS OF CARBOXYL TERMINAL SEGMENTS OF BETA-SUBUNIT OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN

The synthesis in solution of carboxyl terminal peptide segments of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin is described. The protected segments include sequences 119–131, 132–137, and 138–145. The syntheses were based on a standardized liquid-liquid extraction program for routine purification of intermediates (two-phase method). Condensation of terminally deblocked segments afforded protected peptides 132–145, 126–145, 120–145 and 119–145. Protected peptides 126–145 and 120–145 were deprotected in liquid hydrogen fluoride and used in conjugated form for immunization of rabbits. Data on the specificity of the antibody response are reported.     

MUTATION OF THE VHL GENE IS ASSOCIATED EXCLUSIVELY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-PAPILLARY RENAL CELL CARCINOMAS

To define the possible role of the VHL gene in the development of sporadic renal cell carcinomas, 91 different parenchymal tumours of the kidney have been investigated for mutation of the VHL gene by single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and/or heteroduplex (HD) techniques. Chromosome 3p deletion was detected in 98 per cent of non-papillary renal cell carcinomas and in 25 per cent of chromophobe renal cell carcinomas. In 22 of the 43 non-papillary renal cell carcinomas, abnormally migrating DNA bands were detected by SSCP and/or HD analysis. No mobility shift was seen in any of the 23 chromophobe renal cell carcinomas. In addition, 15 papillary renal cell tumours and ten renal oncocytomas, which are characterized by genetic changes other than loss of chromosome 3p sequences, were analysed for mutation of the VHL gene. None of these tumours showed abnormal migration patterns. The results indicate that mutation of the VHL gene is associated exclusively with the development of non-papillary renal cell carcinoma.     

Concurrence Between the Maxillary Midline and Bisector to the Interpupillary Line

Purpose:  Symmetry is one of the factors that contributes to facial harmony, and in oral rehabilitation it determines the success of esthetic treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the axial symmetry between the bipupillar midline and maxillary central incisors midline of 102 dental students (both genders) distributed across five Brazilian dental schools.
Materials and Methods:  Students with no teeth missing and who had never been subjected to any dental treatment were selected. Photographs were taken with a Dental Eye III camera with a 100-mm macro objective and ratio of 1 : 10 from natural size, recorded on an Ektachrome ASA/ISO 100 film. The images were developed and applied to Microsoft Office Power Point 2007 software. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance and Student's t -test (α = 0.05).
Results:  There was no significant correlation between bipupillar midline and the maxillary dental midline, irrespective of gender.
Conclusion:  No significant coincidence was observed between the interpupillary and dental midline. However, the interpupillar distance and its relationship with other anatomic structures may be used as a reference in treatment, but measurements must be assessed individually.  

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Anatomic measurements and facial proportions can be helpful during the planning of esthetic oral rehabilitation.