Application of pattern recognition and feature extraction techniques to volatile constituent metabolic profiles obtained by capillary gas chromatography

The applicability of threshold logic units, a form of nonparametric pattern recognition, to the processing of metabolic profile data obtained by high-efficiency glass capillary column gas chromatography has been investigated. The test data included profiles of the volatile constituents of urine from normal individuals and from individuals with diabetes mellitus. A feature extraction algorithm allowed for dimensionality reduction and indicated the constituents most important in the normal versus pathological distinction. With an optimum number of dimensions, a normal versus pathological prediction rate of 93.75% was achieved. Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry was utilized to identify important profile constituents.     

Ascaris suum: specific antibodies in isolated intestinal loop washings from immunized swine.

Six pigs had been immunized with multiple dose of embryonated eggs and an isolated intestinal loop was prepared in each animal. Specific antibodies to Ascaris suum were detected in the soluble protein fraction of washings from the intestinal loops using an indirect fluorescent antibody test. The specific antibodies belonged to the IgA, IgG and IgE classes of immunoglobulins. In contrast, specific antibodies were not detected in the soluble protein fraction from the accumulated fluid from the intestinal loop of one pig. Soluble proteins from the washings of intestinal loops consisted of serum albumin, a large molecular size glycoprotein, and variable amounts of several α-globulins, transferrin, and immunoglobulins. The individual soluble protein solutions were efficiently fractionated using DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-200, and Sepharose 6B Chromatographic columns.     

The enzymic conversion of hydroxycinnamic acids to p-coumarylquinic and chlorogenic acids in tomato fruits

Two enzymes thought to be involved in the biosynthesis of chlorogenic acid have been separated and purified by ion exchange chromatography and their properties studied. These two enzymes, p-coumarate CoA ligase and hydroxycinnamyl CoA: quinate hydroxycinnamyl transferase, acting together catalyse the conversion of p-coumaric acid to 5′-p-coumarylquinic acid and of caffeic acid to chlorogenic acid. The ligase has a higher affinity for p-coumaric than for caffeic acid and will in addition activate a number of other cinnamic acids such as ferulic, isoferulic and m-coumaric acids but not cinnamic acid. The transferase shows higher activity and affinity with p-coumaryl CoA than caffeyl CoA. It also acts with ferulyl CoA but only very slowly. The enzyme shows high specificity for quinic acid; shikimic acid is esterified at only 2% of the rate with quinic acid and glucose is not a substrate. The transferase activity is reversible and both chlorogenic acid and 5′-p-coumarylquinic acids are cleaved in the presence of CoA to form quinic acid and the corresponding hydroxycinnamyl CoA thioester.     

Isolation of three collagenous components of probable basement membrane origin from several tissues

Fractionation of pepsin-solubilized collagens from several human tissues has shown that substantial quantities of collagen-like protein remain in solution under conditions leading to the precipitation of Type I, II, and III collagens. Characterization of the more soluble collagens has led to the isolation of three unique collagenous components each of which exhibit compositional features indicative of their origin from basement membranes. One of these has an apparent molecular weight of 55,000 daltons and appears to originate in endothelial basement membranes. The other two components (A chain and B chain) are somewhat larger than collagen α chains and appear to be derived from the collagen of epithelial and smooth muscle basement membranes, respectively.     

Aberrant metabolism of matrix components in neonatal fibular cartilage of brachypod (bpH) mice.

Collagen and the acid mucopolysaccharides (AMPS) were studied in the fibular cartilage of brachypod ($\text{bp}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}\text{bp}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>H</mtext>}}$) and normal (+/+) newborn mice. At this age the mutant fibulae are still cartilaginous and are comprised of closely packed chondrocytes, homogenous in size and shape.Brachypod fibular chondrocytes synthesized a normal cartilage-type collagen molecule but at half the normal rate. Incorporation of tryptophan indicated this was related to a depression of general protein synthesis rather than being specific for collagen. Pulse-chase experiments showed that collagen degradation over a 3-day culture period was 15% slower than normal thus accounting for the higher collagen content in mutant fibulae.AMPS synthesis in normals and brachypods was nearly equal; however, in pulse-chase experiments radioactivity could not be chased out of the mutant tissue. The failure of AMPS degradation also accounted for greater than normal quantity of AMPS in the mutant cartilage. Characterization of the AMPS led to the discovery of a small population of unsulfated chondroitin molecules in normal, but not brachypod cartilage. The importance of a coordinated metabolism of matrix products during limb development is discussed.     

Toxicity of zinc to schistosoma Mansoni Cercariae in a Chemically Defined Water Medium

Time-until-death studies were run on cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni in 15 concentrations of zinc (from zinc sulfate) ranging from 57.6 ppm to 1 ppb. A chemically defined water medium was used for the dilution and control medium, and a partially enclosed slide chamber was perfected for the detailed observation of test cercariae. In concentrations of less than 57.6 ppm, zinc was found to have little lethal effect on cercariae during that period in which these larvae were most likely to be infective (0–6 hours) after emergence. Zinc concentration of 1 ppb killed all test cercariae within 46 hours at 21–22°C.At the highest concentration tested, 57.6 ppm zinc immobilized all test organisms within 6 hours at 21–2°C. The average time for 100 percent mortality for the control was 49 hours. The cercaricidal effects of zinc were shown to be insignificant in concentrations that would not be detrimental to other aquatic organisms.