Two-dimensional gel analysis of swine histocompatibility antigens

Miniature swine MHC antigens from three inbred herds were examined by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. These antigens were found to constitute a series of complex glycoproteins displaying haplotype-specific patterns that allowed the distinction of both class I and class II molecules among the three haplotypes. Selected outbred pig antisera reacted with a subset of class I antigens, suggesting the presence of at least two distinct molecular species among these antigens. Similarly, alloantisera reacting with mouse Ia antigens and a monoclonal anti-human DR were shown to immunoprecipitate a subset of class II molecules. Examination of the cells from two recombinant haplotypes demonstrated that both independent recombinational events took place between the class I and class II genes.     

Influence of Methanogenic Populations in Holocene Lacustrine Sediments Revealed by Clone Libraries and Fatty Acid Biogeochemistry

Methanogenic populations were investigated in subsaline Laguna Potrok Aike sediments, southern Argentina. Microbial density and activity were assessed via cell count and in situ ATP detection for the last ～11K years. Methanogen phylogenetics highlighted species stratification throughout depth, whereas CO₂ reduction was the major pathway leading to methane production. Organic substrates, characterized using pore water analysis, bulk organic fractions and saturated fatty acids, showed a clear link between sediment colonization and initial organic sources. Concentrations and δ¹³C compositions of methane and fatty acids provided final evidence of a microbial imprint on Holocene organic proxies in the most colonized intervals.     

Interaction between the Effects of Inside and Outside Na and K on Bullfrog Skin Potential

The composition of the solution bathing one border of the isolated frog skin affects the response of the potential across the skin to changes in the composition of the solution bathing the opposite border. Increasing the K concentration of the inside (corium) bathing solution decreased the sensitivity of the potential to a change in outside Na concentration. Decreasing the outside Na concentration decreased the sensitivity of the potential to a change in inside K concentration. Increasing the total ionic strength of the outside bathing solution or of both bathing solutions decreased the sensitivity of the potential to a change in outside Na concentration.     

Free-flap reconstruction of large defects of the scalp and calvarium

Beyond a certain size, full-thickness defects of scalp are not amenable to local flap repair. Staged distant flaps have now been virtually eliminated by free-flap reconstruction. The authors present 12 patients in whom full-thickness scalp defects with an average area of 275 cm2 were reconstructed utilizing free flaps. Nine patients had corresponding large calvarial defects. Ten patients had reconstruction with free latissimus dorsi muscle flaps and overlying skin grafts, and one patient had reconstruction with a scapular free flap. Of the 12 patients, 8 had extirpative surgery for tumor with immediate reconstruction and the remaining 4 had reconstruction for chronic radionecrosis of the scalp, usually associated with infected osteoradionecrosis of the calvarium. Of this latter group, 2 patients underwent simultaneous acrylic cranioplasty. The technique and results are discussed.     

Isolation of heparin-binding growth factors from bovine, porcine and canine hearts

Fresh bovine, porcine and canine hearts were homogenized and mitogens for mesoderm-derived cells were purified in three different steps. Extraction by two different ammonium sulfate precipitations was followed by cation-exchange chromatography and by heparin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. A heparin-Sepharose fraction from heart (eluted at 1.1 M NaCl) increased mitotic activity in serum-deprived cultures of porcine aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and in human fibroblasts. This mitogenic activity is potentiated by heparin and inhibited by gamma-interferon. The heart mitogenic fraction showed one double peak on HPLC at A215 and one polypeptide band on SDS/PAGE. These peaks and bands were identical to those obtained from bovine brain. The heart acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) showed a positive signal in Western blots using antibodies raised against brain aFGF. Gas-phase amino acid sequencing established that the mitogens were identical to aFGF and the N-terminally truncated aFGF. Extraction in the presence of a protease inhibitor (pepstatin A) produced a higher-molecular mass form of aFGF with a blocked amino terminus. Another mitogen, eluted at 1.6 M NaCl from heparin-Sepharose, reacted with polyclonal antiserum against human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and showed a 66% (12 from 18 amino acids determined by gas-phase sequencing) similarity with bFGF. This polypeptide increased the mitotic activity of the same cell lines but was more potent than aFGF.