Changes in plasma electrolytes and their regulatory hormones during an acute exposure to heat. Human studies in a Finnish sauna

Plasma Na, K, Cl, Ca, P didn't or moderately be altered by exposure to acute heat in sauna bath (20 mn, 80 degrees C, relative humidity 15-20%). However, CO2T decreased, ARP, aldosterone, ACTH, PRL increased, and PTH wasn't modified.     

The existence of glutathione and cysteine disulfide-linked to erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase from tiger shark

In this study it is shown that the higher molecular weight previously reported for tiger shark carbonic anhydrase (carbonate hydro-lyase, EC 4.2.1.1) compared to other carbonic anhydrases is decreased to a normal value around 30 000 after disulfide reduction of the enzyme. This difference in molecular weight is at least partly due to the existence of disulfide-linked glutathione and cysteine residues. Approx. 3 mol glutathione and a similar amount of cysteine are shown to be bound per mol enzyme. The presence of these factors also has effects on the enzyme activity.     

Platinum(II) binding to metallothioneins

The reaction of equine renal metallothionein (MT) with excess K2PtCl4 at pH 2 results in a polymeric adduct containing 17 +/- 2 mol Pt/mol MT. A monomeric adduct containing 7 mol Pt/mol MT is obtained at neutral pH. Rates of reaction of Pt7MT with DTNB and iodoacetic acid are consistent with Pt2+ to cysteine thiolate coordination, and the extent of reaction in both cases is 11 +/- 2 mol cys/mol MT. Adducts from the reaction of K2PtCl4 with apoMT chemically modified at the N-terminal methionine residue, Cd7MT, and native MT are also reported. A structural model of Pt7MT is proposed in which the square planar tetrathiolate Pt(II) unit is incorporated into a three-metal beta cluster. Implications for the metabolism of platinum anticancer drugs are discussed.     

Immunohistochemistry of thyroid hormones as a functional parameter in thyroid pathology

The authors study by means of immunoperoxidase method the pattern of thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine distribution in 58 cases of thyroid disorders: 15 euthyroid goiters, 10 Graves' disease, 7 Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 11 folliculo-papillary carcinomas (6 primary tumors and 5 lymph node metastases), 8 follicular carcinomas, 4 anaplastic carcinomas and 3 medullary carcinomas. Thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine were present in most of the thyroid disorders, excepting anaplastic and medullary carcinomas. Thyroglobulin and thyroxine were localized both in the follicular epithelium and in the colloid, whereas triiodothyronine was present especially in the follicular cells. The thyroid hormones distribution in benign lesions is rather similar. In carcinomas, the pattern of thyroglobulin, triiodothyronine and thyroxine is more heterogeneous, but generally the triiodothyronine distribution is similar to that of thyroglobulin. In some carcinomas, triiodothyronine and thyroxine showed a weak or negative immunostaining. The immunoperoxidase method is a valuable tool in the study of functional disturbances in the thyroid pathology and in the diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma metastases as well. Positive thyroid hormones staining clearly indicates the thyroid origin of metastases.     

Influence of orotic acid upon post-excitatory facilitation released by stimulation of the tooth pulp]

The influence of orotic acid on post-excitatory facilitation of evoked potentials released by electric stimulation of the tooth pulp in the sensomotor cortex was studied. 15-360 min following application of 100 mg/kg orotic acid, increase in amplitude of potentials released by stimulation of the tooth pulp, reinforcement of the post-excitatory facilitation observable 5 msec after stimulation occurred.     

Characterization of the pH 4.0 endonuclease from adenovirus-type-2-infected KB cells.

The properties of the pH 4.0 endonuclease from adenovirus-type-2-infected KB cells were determined. The enzyme has a molecular weight of approximately 40000. Its pH optimum is at pH 4.0, it is not inhibited by ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), and it is active at temperatures up to 60 degree C. The enzyme cleaves adenovirus DNA in a stepwise manner. The limit digestion product has a molecular weight of 120000-200000. There is evidence that the cleavage reaction proceeds via an initial single-strand nick. Under the conditions tested the endonuclease did not seem to reveal a high degree of specificity as to the recognition of cleavage sites, or else the sites recognized occurred very frequently.