Transformation studies on human fibroblasts from familial polyposis coli patients and normal donors

Transformation experiments have been carried out on human diploid fibroblasts derived from normal individuals and those from 2 groups with dominantly inherited cancer predisposition, familial polyposis coli (FPC), and multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN-2). Treatment with a single or multiple doses of the carcinogen, N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), resulted in limited anchorage-independent (AI) growth in both normal and FPC cultures; no permanent cell lines were produced but FPC cells showed increased proliferation with low doses of the carcinogen. Carcinogen treatment followed by application of the tumour promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), for 38 weeks was insufficient to cause full transformation in cultures derived from normal people or MEN-2 patients although AI growth was induced in all 3 cell types. Three FPC cultures exhibited an extended life span over the solvent controls. Two of these are still actively dividing and have a clonal pseudodiploid karyotype.     

Comparison of purified bovine heart and rat liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase. Evidence for distinct isoenzymes.

Rat liver and bovine heart 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase were purified by the same procedure. Compared with the liver enzyme, the heart enzyme had a smaller apparent Mr, different kinetic properties, was not inactivated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and contained less fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase activity. These differences suggest that heart and liver 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase are distinct isoenzymes. Likewise, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase from rat heart and skeletal muscle was not inactivated on treatment with cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase.     

Synthesis and characterization of the oxygen and desthio analogues of glutathione as dead-end inhibitors of glutathione S-transferase

The oxygen analogue, gamma-L-Glu-L-SerGly (GOH) and desthio analogue, gamma-L-Glu-L-AlaGly (GH) have been synthesized by a simple three step procedure involving active ester coupling of N-t-BOC-alpha-(4-nitrophenyl)-L-glutamate to L-SerGly and L-AlaGly, respectively. The two peptides are excellent dead-end inhibitors of isozymes 3-3 and 4-4 of rat liver glutathione S-transferase. At low fixed concentrations of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) GOH and GH are linear competitive inhibitors of isozyme 3-3 vs glutathione with KI values of 13.0 and 116 microM, respectively. Both peptides are non-competitive (mixed-type) inhibitors vs CDNB when glutathione is the fixed substrate. Similar results are obtained with both peptides and isozyme 4-4. The results rule out ordered or ping-pong kinetic mechanisms where the electrophile adds first.     

Effect of music-assisted imagery on neutrophils and lymphocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cell-specific mental imagery on neutrophil and lymphocyte cell counts. Subjects (N = 30) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups that underwent a 6-week training program focusing on images of morphology, location, and movement of either neutrophils or lymphocytes. Music was used to enhance the imagery of the subjects. Peripheral white blood cell and differential counts were determined before and after the final 20-minute imagery session. Results indicated that neutrophils decreased significantly (p less than .04) in the neutrophil-change group while lymphocytes did not. The reverse occurred in the lymphocyte-change group, with only the lymphocytes decreasing significantly (p less than .03). The authors concluded that under the conditions of the present study, cell-specific imagery was associated with decreases in peripheral blood cell counts of lymphocytes and neutrophils.     

Synthesis of Modified Building Blocks Containing Amino or Thiol Moieties: Application of Modified Oligodeoxyribonucleotides

Abstract

Modified building blocks have been synthesised and used to prepare 5′- amino and 5′-mercapto-oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Subsequent labelling with fluorophores or metal cluster derivatives generates a range of very useful probes.     

Ground wētā in vines of the Awatere Valley,Marlborough: biology,density and distribution

The endemic New Zealand ground wētā (Hemiandrus sp. ‘promontorius’) has a Naturally Uncommon conservation status. This is because of the paucity of information on its density and distribution. Here, the biology, density and distribution of a population of this wētā found in and around vineyards in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough was studied. Wētā density was assessed in vineyards, paddocks and shrublands in this valley. Soil moisture, penetration resistance, pH and organic matter were recorded at locations with and without wētā. Wētā density in vineyards was significantly higher than in either paddocks or shrub habitats. In vineyards, the density of this insect was significantly higher under-vines than in the inter-rows. Higher numbers of this wētā were found in moist soils that required lower force to burrow. Females laid an average of 55 eggs between March and April, which hatched in September. These findings highlight the intersection between agriculture and conservation.     

Capitalizing on multi-element interactions through bal-anced nutrition——A pathway to improve nitrogen use efficiency in China,India and North America

A viable option for increasing nitrogen (N) use efficiency and mitigation of negative impacts of N on the environment is to capitalize on multi-element interactions through implementation of nutrient management programs that provide balanced nutrition. Numerous studies have demonstrated the immediate efficacy of this approach in the developing regions like China and India as well as developed countries in North America. Based on 241 site-years of experiments in these countries, the first-year N recovery efficiency (RE) for the conventional or check treatments averaged 21% while the balanced treatments averaged 54% RE, for an average increase of 33% in RE due to balanced nutrition. Effective policies to promote adoption are most likely those that enable site-specific approaches to nutrient management decisions rather than sweeping, nation-wide incentives supporting one nutrient over another. Local farmers, advisers and officials need to be empowered with tools and information to help them define necessary changes in practices to create more balanced nutrient management.     

Differential expression of the two distinct replication protein A subunits from Cryptosporidium parvum

Apicomplexan parasites differ from their host by possessing at least two distinct types (long and short) of replication protein A large subunits (RPA1). Different roles for the long and short types of RPA1 proteins have been implied in early biochemical studies, but certain details remained to be elucidated. In the present study, we have found that the Cryptosporidium parvum short-type RPA1 (CpRPA1A) was highly expressed at S-phase in parasites during the early stage of merogony (a cell multiplication process unique to this group of parasites), but otherwise present in the cytosol at a much lower level in other cell-cycle stages. This observation indicates that CpRPA1A is probably responsible for the general DNA replication of the parasite. On the other hand, the long-type CpRPA1B protein was present in a much lower level in the early life cycle stages, but elevated at later stages involved in sexual development, indicating that CpRPA1B may play a role in DNA recombination. Additionally, CpRPA1B could be up-regulated by UV exposure, indicating that this long-type RPA1 is probably involved in DNA repair. Collectively, our data implies that the two RPA1 proteins in C. parvum are performing different roles during DNA replication, repair and recombination in this parasite.