自身抗体检测对 自身免疫性肝炎的临床诊断价值

目的通过对肝炎患者多种自身抗体检出率的比较,探讨其在自身免疫性肝炎中的临床诊断价值。方法对75例自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)患者,64例非AIH肝炎患者和78例健康体检者进行自身抗体检测。采用免疫印迹法检测抗线粒体抗体-M2(AMA-M2)、抗肝肾微粒体-1抗体(LKM-1)、抗肝细胞胞质抗原-1抗体(LC-1)、抗可溶性肝抗原/肝-胰抗原抗体(SLA/LP);采用间接免疫荧光法检测抗核抗体(ANA),并对各检测指标进行比对分析。结果AIH组患者ANA、AMA-M2、LKM-1、LC-1、SLA/LP检测阳性率分别为100.0%、28.0%、9.3%、1.3%、10.7%均高于非AIH组患者的56.2%、3.1%、0.0%、0.0%、0.0%,且除LC-1外其余差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论联合检测ANA、AMA-M2、LKM-1、LC-1及SLA/LP对诊断自身免疫性肝炎具有重要的临床意义。     

腔内三维超声与宫腔镜检查对残角子宫畸形的诊断价值

目的:探讨腔内三维超声与宫腔镜检查对残角子宫畸形的诊断价值。方法:收集2009年3月~2013年3月我院收治的疑似残角子宫畸形的患者,分别行腔内三维超声和宫腔镜检查,以病理诊断结果为"金标准",比较两组检查结果的差异。结果:三维超声的灵敏度与宫腔镜比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),两组的特异度、准确性、阳性预测值、阴性预测值差异无统计学意义(P0.05);三维超声检查阳性检出率80.65%,阴性检出率19.35%,宫腔镜检查阳性检出率59.68%,阴性检出率40.32%,两组检出率差异无统计学意义(X2=0.498,P0.05)。结论:腔内三维超声诊断残角子宫畸形具有无创、操作简便的特点,但是漏诊率高于宫腔镜结果。     

血清PCT、CRP及IL-6联合检测诊断细菌性血流感染的临床价值分析

目的:探讨血清降钙素原(PCT)、C反应蛋白(CRP)及白介素-6(IL-6)联合检测诊断细菌性血流感染(BSI)的临床价值。方法:选取我院2015年8月到2016年10月收治的疑似细菌性BSI患者216例,入院后均送检血培养,根据培养结果将其分为阳性组(102例)和阴性组(114例)。统计细菌性BSI阳性率、革兰阳性菌感染率和革兰阴性菌感染率;检测血清PCT、CRP、IL-6水平,并比较两组患者的差异,同时绘制ROC曲线并计算出各指标及联合检测的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及约登指数值。结果:所有疑似BSI患者的细菌阳性检出率为47.22%,革兰阳性菌感染率与革兰阴性菌感染率对比无差异(P0.05);阳性组的血清PCT、CRP、IL-6水平均明显高于阴性组(P0.05);血清IL-6的AUC明显大于PCT和CRP(P0.05);PCT、CRP及IL-6联合检测的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值及约登指数均明显高于单项检测(P0.05)。结论:血清PCT、CRP及IL-6对于BSI均有着一定诊断价值,而各指标联合检测诊断BSI的临床价值更高。     

唇腺活检、自身抗体在干燥综合征诊断中的意义

目的:探讨干燥综合征(ss)患者的唇腺活检病理表现、自身抗体及其在诊断中的意义。方法:收集85例干燥综合征患者的临床体征、唇腺活检以及其他相关辅助检查,对其唇腺活检病理标本及相关检查进行分析。结果:根据唇腺病理结果,单纯唇腺活检的阳性率为68.2%;单纯血清抗SSA/SSB抗体检出阳性率为78.8%;联合唇腺活检、抗SSA/SSB抗体疾病检出率达94.1%,与单纯唇腺活检或抗SSA/SSB抗体单项阳性的疾病检出率有统计学意义(P0.05);并且唇腺活检阳性患者较阴性患者口干或眼干持续时间长(P0.05);但腮腺ECT异常、关节肿痛、肺脏损害均较唇腺活检阴性组患者累及率高,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:唇腺活检、自身抗体是诊断干燥综合征的必要检查,而其联合应用更具有举足轻重的意义。     

超声联合钼靶X线对直径小于1 cm的乳腺癌诊断价值分析

目的:探讨超声联合钼靶X线对直径小于1 cm的乳腺癌诊断价值。方法:选择我院2012年1月至2017年12月收治的66例乳腺疾病患者,所有患者术前均经钼靶X线及彩色多普勒超声检查,分析其病理结果,分析钼靶X线、彩色多普勒超声及二者联合对乳腺肿块的检查结果(边缘毛刺征、血管、淋巴结、微小钙化),比较其对乳腺癌的灵敏度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值。结果:66例患者中,经病理检查发现恶性肿瘤34例,良性肿瘤32例。与病理检测相比,彩色多普勒超声联合钼靶X线对乳腺肿块的良恶性检出率无差异性(P0.05),而彩色多普勒超声,钼靶X线的良恶性检出率均显著降低(P0.05)。彩色多普勒超声与钼靶X线良恶性检出率对比无差异(P0.05),但均低于彩色多普勒超声联合钼靶X线的检出率(P0.05)。彩色多普勒超声与钼靶X线对乳腺癌的边缘毛刺征的检出率对比无统计学意义(P0.05);彩色多普勒超声对血管和淋巴结的检出率明显高于钼靶X线,而微小钙化的检出率明显低于钼靶X线,对比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。彩色多普勒超声联合钼靶X线的灵敏度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值及阴性预测值均明显高于彩色多普勒超声及钼靶X线(P0.05),钼靶X线及彩色多普勒超声间对比无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:彩色多普勒超声与钼靶X线对直径小于1 cm乳腺癌的诊断各有优势,二者联合应用的诊断价值优于单一诊断方法。     

血清TgAb水平在分化型甲状腺癌术后转移复发中的预测价值

目的:探讨完全切除甲状腺组织后血清甲状腺球蛋白(TG)阴性时,血清抗甲状腺球蛋白抗体(Tg Ab)对分化型甲状腺癌(DTC)术后复发/转移的预测价值。方法:选择2013年4月-2015年4月我院收治的57例完全切除甲状腺组织,TG阴性且Tg Ab阳性的DTC患者临床病历资料,并将其分为复发/转移组(20例)和无复发/转移组(37例)。采用放射免疫分析法测定并比较两组患者的血清TG、Tg Ab水平,分析Tg Ab对DTC复发/转移诊断的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值以及阴性预测值,采用Logistic回归分析DTC复发/转移的独立危险因素。结果:复发/转移组的血清Tg Ab水平为72~3850 IU/m L,高于无复发/转移组的18~3638 IU/m L,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。其中Tg Ab对DTC复发/转移诊断的灵敏度为85.71%,特异度为83.33%,阳性预测值为75.00%,阴性预测值为90.91%。经Logistic回归分析发现,Tg Ab水平为100≤Tg Ab204 IU/m L、204≤Tg Ab≤1000IU/m L、1000 IU/m L是DTC复发/转移的独立危险因素(OR=1.267,2.853,6.791,P0.05)。结论:Tg Ab可作为评估完全切除甲状腺组织、TG阴性且Tg Ab阳性的DTC患者复发/转移的重要指标,其值越高,复发/转移发生的可能性越大。     

外周血中性粒细胞CD4（nCD4）在白血病合并细菌感染患者检测中的应用价值

目的:观察外周血中性粒细胞CD4(neutrophil CD4,nCD4)在白血病合并细菌感染患者检测中的准确度和灵敏度,评价其临床应用价值。方法:筛选我院在2016年1月至2019年1月期间收治的100例白血病患者作为研究对象并纳入研究组,其中合并47例合并细菌感染者纳入研究Ⅰ组,其余53例未合并细菌感染者纳入研究Ⅱ组,另外根据血培养检查结果将研究Ⅰ组分为阳性组(n=12)和阴性组(n=35),同时,筛选同时期进行健康体检者50例纳入对照组;对比降钙素原(Procalcitonin,PCT)、C-反应蛋白(C-reactive protein,CRP)及nCD4水平,并比较阳性组和阴性组的PCT、CRP、nCD4的诊断准确度和灵敏度。结果:研究组的PCT、CRP、nCD4高于对照组(P0.05),研究Ⅰ组的PCT、CRP、nCD4高于研究Ⅱ组(P0.05);研究Ⅰ组中,阳性组的nCD4荧光强度高于阴性组(P0.05);nCD4诊断白细胞细菌感染的准确度、灵敏度、特异度优于CRP及PCT诊断。结论:nCD4在白血病合并细菌感染患者检测中具有较好的临床参考价值,联合PCT、CRP检测能够显著提高检测准确性,可以作为诊断白血病合并细菌感染的诊断指标。     

尿微量蛋白与尿酶联合检测在早期肾脏损害诊断中的临床应用价值

目的:探讨尿微量蛋白与尿酶联合检测在早期肾脏损害诊断中的临床应用价值.方法:尿微量白蛋白( mALB)、视黄醇结合蛋白(RBP)采用免疫透射比浊法测定;尿N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)采用终点法测定,尿肌酐(Cr)采用肌氨酸氧化酶法测定.结果:①尿蛋白定性为阴性的高血压、糖尿病、系统性红斑狼疮患者(尿蛋白阴性组)尿mALB/Cr、RBP/Cr、NAG/Cr显著高于正常对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P均＜0.05).尿蛋白定性为阳性的高血压、糖尿病、系统性红斑狼疮患者(尿蛋白阳性组)尿mALB/Cr、RBP/Cr、NAG/Cr显著高于阴性组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P均＜0.05).②应用单个指标或任意两个指标联合诊断早期肾损害的灵敏度较低,应用3个指标联合诊断早期肾损害的灵敏度达到86.30％.结论:尿mALB、RBP、NAG联合检测可以早期、可靠地诊断肾脏损害.     

尿微量蛋白与尿酶联合检测在早期肾脏损害诊断中的临床应用价值

目的:探讨尿微量蛋白与尿酶联合检测在早期肾脏损害诊断中的临床应用价值。方法:尿微量白蛋白(mALB)、视黄醇结合蛋白(RBP)采用免疫透射比浊法测定;尿N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAG)采用终点法测定,尿肌酐(Cr)采用肌氨酸氧化酶法测定。结果:①尿蛋白定性为阴性的高血压、糖尿病、系统性红斑狼疮患者(尿蛋白阴性组)尿mALB/Cr、RBP/Cr、NAG/Cr显著高于正常对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。尿蛋白定性为阳性的高血压、糖尿病、系统性红斑狼疮患者(尿蛋白阳性组)尿mALB/Cr、RBP/Cr、NAG/Cr显著高于阴性组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P均<0.05)。②应用单个指标或任意两个指标联合诊断早期肾损害的灵敏度较低,应用3个指标联合诊断早期肾损害的灵敏度达到86.30%。结论:尿mALB、RBP、NAG联合检测可以早期、可靠地诊断肾脏损害。     

血清Cys-C 及RBP水平联合检测在早期糖尿病肾病诊断中的应用

目的:探讨血清胱抑素C(Cys-C)和视黄醇结合蛋白(RBP)水平联合检测在早期糖尿病肾病(DN)诊断中的应用价值。方法:选择2010年9月到2014年9月在我院诊疗的150例DN患者,依照24 h尿清蛋白排泄率(UAER)分为DM组(n=60例)、早期DN组(n=46例)和临床DN组(n=44例),同期选择82例健康体检者作为对照组。检测所有患者血清Cys-C、RBP、尿素氮(BUN)和肌酐(Cr)的浓度,比较各指标的阳性检测率和早期DN组各指标单一、联合检测的灵敏度。结果:早期DN组和临床DN组血清Cys-C、RBP浓度明显高于DM组和对照组(P0.05);临床DN组血清Cys-C、RBP浓度明显高于早期DN组(P0.05)。早期DN组血清BUN、Cr浓度与DM组和对照组相比,无显著性差异(P0.05);临床DN组血清BUN、Cr浓度明显高于DM组和对照组(P0.05)。早期DN组和临床DN组血清Cys-C、RBP、BUN及Cr阳性检出率比较无显著性差异(P0.05);早期DN组和临床DN组血清Cys-C、RBP阳性检出率明显高于血清BUN、Cr(P0.05)。早期DN组血清Cys-C+RBP联合检测灵敏度明显高于血清Cys-C、RBP、BUN、Cr的单一检测灵敏度和血清BUN+Cr联合检测灵敏度(P0.05)。结论:血清Cys-C和RBP水平联合检测较BUN、Cr检测早期DN,阳性检出率和灵敏度高,值得在临床上推广应用。     

ATP/ADP exchange activity of gastric (H+ + K+)-ATPase

The ATP/ADP exchange is shown to be a partial reaction of the $\text{(}\text{H}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ by the absence of measurable nucleoside diphosphokinase activity and the insensitivity of the reaction to $\text{P}{}^1$, $\text{P}{}^5$ -di(adenosine-5′) pentaphosphate, a myokinase inhibitor. The exchange demonstrates an absolute requirement for Mg²⁺ and is optimal at an ADP/ATP ratio of 2. The high ATP concentration ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}\text{= 116 μ}\text{M}$) required for maximal exchange is interpreted as evidence for the involvement of a low affinity form of nucleotide site. The ATP/ADP exchange is regarded as evidence for an ADP-sensitive form of the phosphoenzyme. In native enzyme, pre-steady state kinetics show that the formation of the phosphoenzyme is partially sensitive to ADP while modification of the enzyme by pretreatment with 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) in the absence of Mg²⁺ results in a steady-state phosphoenzyme population, a component of which is ADP sensitive. The ATP/ADP exchange reaction can be either stimulated or inhibited by the presence of K⁺ as a function of pH and Mg²⁺.     

Characterization of cytochrome P-450SCC-containing liposomes

Purified cytochrome $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ from bovine adrenocortical mitochondria was incorporated into liposomes by the cholate-dilution method utilizing either dialysis or Sephadex gel filtration. Among synthetic phospholipids tested, dioleoylglycerophosphocholine showed the best stability during the incorporation of $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ into liposomes. A maximum amount of heme was incorporated into liposomes at a molar ratio of phospholipid to the cytochrome of approx. 200. When $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was incorporated into the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes by the cholate-filtration method, the $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}\text{-}\text{containing liposomes}$ showed two major populations on the elution pattern of the Sepharose 4B gel filtration, and were seen at a diameter of 200–600 Å and its aggregated forms. When the cytochrome was incorporated into dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes or cholesterol-free adrenocortical mitochondrial liposomes, $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was less stable than $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ in aqueous solution. Cholesterol or adrenodoxin markedly stabilized the liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$. Liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ required cholesterol for its optimum reduction with adrenodoxin, adrenodoxin reductase, and NADPH in the presence of CO. About 70% of the total heme in the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine liposomes was reduced by the enzymatic reduction in the presence of cholesterol, indicating that 70% of the total molecules are exposed to the surface of the outer monolayer. In order to see the location of the heme in membrane, the dioleoylglycerophosphocholine-liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$ was subjected to $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid}$ treatment. This reagent destroyed the liposomal $\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>450</mtext><mtext>SCC</mtext>}}$. These results suggest that the heme is located in the proximity of the $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid}$ reacting sites which are exposed to the surface, or located on the vincinity of polar heads of the membrane.     

Comparison of parameters estimated from A/Ci and A/Cc curve analysis

The parameters estimated from traditional A/C _i curve analysis are dependent upon some underlying assumptions that substomatal CO₂ concentration (C _i) equals the chloroplast CO₂ concentration (C _c) and the C _i value at which the A/C _i curve switches between Rubisco- and electron transport-limited portions of the curve (C _i-t) is set to a constant. However, the assumptions reduced the accuracy of parameter estimation significantly without taking the influence of C _i-t value and mesophyll conductance (g _m) on parameters into account. Based on the analysis of Larix gmelinii’s A/C _i curves, it showed the C _i-t value varied significantly, ranging from 24 Pa to 72 Pa and averaging 38 Pa. t-test demonstrated there were significant differences in parameters respectively estimated from A/C _i and A/C _c curve analysis (p<0.01). Compared with the maximum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylation rate (V_cmax), the maximum electron transport rate (J_max) and J_max/V_cmax estimated from A/C _c curve analysis which considers the effects of g _m limit and simultaneously fits parameters with the whole A/C _c curve, mean V_cmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis (V_cmax-C _i) was underestimated by 37.49%; mean Jmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis (J_max-C _i) was overestimated by 17.8% and (J_max-C _i)/(V_cmax-C _i) was overestimated by 24.2%. However, there was a significant linear relationship between V_cmax estimated from A/C _i curve analysis and V_cmax estimated from A/C _c curve analysis, so was it J_max (p<0.05).     

Occurrence of N-malonyl-D-alanine in pea seedlings

One of the ninhydrin-negative alanine conjugates isolated from pea seedlings was identified as $\text{N-}\text{malonyl}\text{-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{alanine}$.The identification of this conjugate was carried out by a comparison of its gas-liquid chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties, and its nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra with those of synthetic $\text{N-}\text{malonyl}\text{-}\text{D}\text{-}\text{alanine}$. The alanine in the conjugate was shown to be present as the D-isomer by enzymatic and chromatographic analyses.     

Comparative study of Bifidobacteriumanimalis, Escherichiacoli, Lactobacilluscasei and Saccharomycesboulardii probiotic properties

The present work investigates some probiotic properties of four different microorganisms (Bifidobacterium animalis var. lactis BB-12, Escherichia coli EMO, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). In vitro and in vivo tests were carried out to compare cell wall hydrophobicity, production of antagonistic substances, survival capacity in the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice without pathological consequence, and immune modulation by stimulation of Küpffer cells, intestinal sIgA and IL-10 levels. In vitro antagonism against pathogenic bacteria and yeast was only observed for the probiotic bacteria B. animalis and L. casei. The hydrophobic property of the cell wall was higher for B. animalis and E. coli EMO, and this property could be responsible for a better ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract of germ-free mice. Higher levels of sIgA were observed mainly for S. boulardii, followed by E. coli EMO and B. animalis, and only S. boulardii induced a significant higher level of IL-10. In conclusion, for a probiotic use, S. boulardii presented better characteristics in terms of immunomodulation, and B. animalis and L. casei for antagonistic substance production. The knowledge of the different probiotic properties could be used to choice the better microorganism depending on the therapeutic or prophylactic application.     

Ligand-dependent reactivity of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase with showdomycin

Showdomycin inhibited pig brain ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ with pseudo first-order kinetics. The rate of inhibition by showdomycin was examined in the presence of 16 combinations of four ligands, i.e., Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP, and was found to depend on the ligands added. Combinations of ligands were divided into five groups in terms of the magnitude of the rate constant; in the order of decreasing rate constants these were: (1)$\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, (2) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and none, (3) $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{,}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$, $\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ and $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}$, (4) $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{,}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and $\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}\text{, (5)}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$, $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{ATP}$ and ATP. The highest rate was obtained in the presence of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP. The apparent concentrations of Na⁺, Mg²⁺ and ATP for half-maximum stimulation of inhibition ($\text{K}{}_{0.5}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>s</mtext>}}$) were 3 mM, 0.13 mM and 4μM, respectively. The rate was unchanged upon further increase in Na⁺ concentration from 140 to 1000 mM. The rates of inhibition could be explained on the basis of the enzyme forms present, including E₁, E₂, ES, E₁-P and E₂-P, i.e., E₂ has higher reactivity with showdomycin than E₁, while E₂-P has almost the same reactivity as E₁-P. We conclude that the reaction of ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ proceeds via at least four kinds of enzyme form (E₁, E₂, E₁ · nucleotide and EP), which all have different conformations.     

The effects of multiple features of alternatively spliced exons on the KA/KSratio test

Background  

The evolution of alternatively spliced exons (ASEs) is of primary interest because these exons are suggested to be a major source of functional diversity of proteins. Many exon features have been suggested to affect the evolution of ASEs. However, previous studies have relied on the K _A /K _S ratio test without taking into consideration information sufficiency (i.e., exon length > 75 bp, cross-species divergence > 5%) of the studied exons, leading to potentially biased interpretations. Furthermore, which exon feature dominates the results of the K _A /K _S ratio test and whether multiple exon features have additive effects have remained unexplored.     

Characterization of partially purified (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from porcine lens

The partial purification of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from pig lens has been achieved by treatment with deoxycholate followed by density gradient centrifugation. The specific activity of the final preparation, ranging from 300 to 500 nmol/h per mg protein, is increased approx. 100-fold compared to the homogenate. A parallel increase in $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity is also observed. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis reveals six major protein bands, one of which is the 93 kDa α subunit of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ which can be phosphorylated by reaction with [γ-³²P]ATP. A second band contains a glycoprotein which displays an apparent molecular weight of 51 000 and thus appears to be the β subunit of the enzyme. The enzyme is sensitive to ouabain with the $\text{I}{}_{50}$ for $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ inhibition being 1.2 and 1.3 μM, respectively. Several agents which inhibit $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ from other tissues such as oligomycin, Ca²⁺, vanadate, $\text{N-}\text{ethylmaleimide}$, $\text{p-}\text{chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid}$ (PCMBS) and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) also inhibit the lens enzyme. Monovalent cations other than K⁺ are partially effective in activating the ($\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$)-ATPase and $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activities. The K⁺ congeners were relatively more effective in supporting $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ compared to $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity. Other kinetic properties of the lens enzyme are also comparable to those of the enzyme from other tissues. Utilizing the partially purified membrane bound enzyme, discontinuities in Arrhenius plots of $\text{(}\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{+}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ activity, $\text{p-}\text{nitrophenylphosphatase}$ activity and fluoresence polarization of the fluidity probe, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), are observed near the physiological temperature of lens. The possible significance of these observations for the mechanism of cataract formation are discussed.     

Decrease of apparent calmodulin affinity of erythrocyte (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase at low Ca2+ concentrations

The calmodulin activation of the ($\text{Ca}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{+}\text{Mg}{}^{\mathrm{2+}}\text{)-}\text{ATPase}$ (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) in human erythrocyte membranes was studied in the range of 1 nM to 40 μM of purified calmodulin. The apparent calmodulin-affinity of the ATPase was strongly dependent on Ca²⁺ and decreased approx. 1000-times when the Ca²⁺ concentration was reduced from 112 to 0.5 μM. The data of calmodulin (Z) activation were analyzed by the aid of a kinetic enzyme model which suggests that 1 molecule of calmodulin binds per ATPase unit and that the affinities of the calcium-calmodulin complexes (Ca_iZ) decreases in the order of $\text{Ca}{}_3\text{Z}\text{>}\text{Ca}{}_4\text{Z}\text{>}\text{Ca}{}_2\text{Z}\text{?}\text{CaZ}$. Furthermore, calmodulin dissociates from the calmodulin-saturated Ca²⁺-ATPase in the range of 10^?7–10^?6 M Ca²⁺, even at a calmodulin concentration of 5 μM. The apparent concentration of calmodulin in the erythrocyte cytosol was determined to be 3 to 5 μM, corresponding to 50–80-times the cellular concentration of Ca²⁺-ATPase, estimated to be approx. 10 nmol/g membrane protein. We therefore conclude that most of the calmodulin id dissociated from the Ca²⁺-transport ATPase in erythrocytes at the prevailing Ca²⁺ concentration (probably 10^?7 – 10^?8 M) in vivo, and that the calmodulin-binding and subsequent activation of the Ca²⁺-ATPase requires that the Ca²⁺ concentration rises to 10^?6 – 10^?5 M.     

Two-Electron Reactions S2QB → S0QB and S3QB → S1QB are Involved in Deactivation of Higher S States of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex of Photosystem II

The oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II cycles through five oxidation states (S₀-S₄), and dark incubation leads to 25% S₀ and 75% S₁. This distribution cannot be reached with charge recombination reactions between the higher S states and the electron acceptor Q_B⁻. We measured flash-induced oxygen evolution to understand how S₃ and S₂ are converted to lower S states when the electron required to reduce the manganese cluster does not come from Q_B⁻. Thylakoid samples preconditioned to make the concentration of the S₁ state 100% and to oxidize tyrosine Y_D were illuminated by one or two laser preflashes, and flash-induced oxygen evolution sequences were recorded at various time intervals after the preflashes. The distribution of the S states was calculated from the flash-induced oxygen evolution pattern using an extended Kok model. The results suggest that S₂ and S₃ are converted to lower S states via recombination from S₂Q_B⁻ and S₃Q_B⁻ and by a slow change of the state of oxygen-evolving complex from S₃ and S₂ to S₁ and S₀ in reactions with unspecified electron donors. The slow pathway appears to contain two-electron routes, S₂Q_B → S₀Q_B, and S₃Q_B → S₁Q_B. The two-electron reactions dominate in intact thylakoid preparations in the absence of chemical additives. The two-electron reaction was replaced by a one-electron-per-step pathway, S₃Q_B → S₂Q_B → S₁Q_B in PS II-enriched membrane fragments and in thylakoids measured in the presence of artificial electron acceptors. A catalase effect suggested that H₂O₂ acts as an electron donor for the reaction S₂Q_B → S₀Q_B but added H₂O₂ did not enhance this reaction.