Allergy against chironomids (non biting midges) in adult atopic patients

Summary The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the prevalence of atopic sensitization to chironomids (CHI) in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis (A/R), and to study concomitant sensitization to CHI and other allergens. Skin prick tests were performed with 3 different CHI extracts as well as with common inhalant allergens in 600 consecutive patients, 495 of which had A/R. Allergen specific IgE antibodies in the sera against CHI, shell fish and cockroaches were analyzed with Magic Lite.59 (12%) of the patients with A/R had a positive skin test with CHI. Positive skin tests with house dust mites and a storage mite were more common in CHI allergic patients than in other atopic patients. Nasal or conjunctival provocation tests, performed on 23 of the patients with positive skin test with CHI, were clearly positive in 7 cases (30%), questionable in 8 (35%) and negative in 8 cases (35%).Magic Lite, performed on sera from 50 of the patients with positive skin test against CHI, was positive with CHI in 39 cases (78%), with crayfish in 33 (66%), shrimp 20 (40%), cockroach 21 (40%) and with crab in 3 cases (6%).It is concluded that sensitization against CHI is common in patients with A/R. The clinical relevance of the positive test results is, however, unknown. Concomitant sensitization with CHI, crustaceans and cockroach is common.     

Differential localization of enzymes in the stigmatic exudates ofPrimula obconica

Summary The stigmatic dimorphisms in the distylous speciesPrimula obconica, which has been dealt with in an earlier paper, has been described further. An ultrastructural localization of various enzymes in the exudates is hereby revealed, and evidence is given for intermorph differences. Esterases are confined to the lipid phase of the exudates, including the lipid globuli in the papillae walls of both morphs, but they are not found in the pellicle of the dry thrum stigma. However, this pellicle exhibits acid phosphatase activity, as does the lumen of the blisters in the viscous exudate on pin stigmas. The blisters are presumed to hold the watery phase of the pin secretion. From the present findings and from previous results with LM cytochemical methods it is suggested that the sites of peroxidase activity resemble those of acid phophatases.     

Novel cyanoguanidines with potent oral antitumour activity

4-Pyridyl cyanoguanidines with hydrophobic aromatic side chains showed potent antiproliferative activity in the human breast and lung cancer cell lines MCF-7, NYH and H460. In vivo, treatment with N-(6-chlorophenoxyhexyl)-N′-cyano-N″-4-pyridylguanidine (18, 20 mg/kg/day po.), gave a complete remission of tumours in a model of NYH inoculated nude mice.     

[3H]Propyl β-Carboline-3-Carboxylate Binds Specifically to Brain Benzodiazepine Receptors

Ethyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate has recently been isolated from human urine and it was proposed that derivatives of this compound might be related to an endogenous ligand for benzodiazepine receptors. In the present study we investigated high-affinity binding of [3H]propyl beta-carboline-3-carboxylate ([3H]PrCC) to rat brain membranes. [3H]PrCC binds specifically and with high affinity (half-maximal binding at ca. 1nM) to rat brain membranes. The regional and subcellular distributions of specific [3H]PrCC binding are similar, but not identical, to the distributions of [3H]flunitrazepam or [3H]-diazepam binding. The total numbers of binding sites labelled by [3H]PrCC and [3H]flunitrazepam in rat cerebellum are closely similar, and both ligands bind to cerebellar membranes in a mutually exclusive way. The pharmacological selectivity of [3H]PrCC and [3H]diazepam binding is almost identical. Binding of [3H]PrCC like binding of [3H]diazepam, can be increased in vitro by muscimol, GABA and SQ 20.009. Although subtle differences in binding characteristics were observed, these results indicate that [3H]PrCC and benzodiazepines bind to a common recognition site on benzodiazepine receptors.     

Express Your LOV: An Engineered Flavoprotein as a Reporter for Protein Expression and Purification

In this work, we describe the utility of Light, Oxygen, or Voltage-sensing (LOV) flavoprotein domains from plant phototropins as a reporter for protein expression and function. Specifically, we used iLOV, an enhanced and more photostable variant of LOV. A pET-based plasmid for protein expression was constructed, encoding a C terminal iLOV-octahistidine (His8)-tag and a HRV 3C protease cleavage recognition site. Ten different proteins, with various sub-cellular locations, were cloned into the plasmid, creating iLOV-His8 tag fusions. To test protein expression and how iLOV could be used as a reporter, the proteins were expressed in three different cell lines, in four different culture media, at two different temperatures. To establish whether the presence of the iLOV tag could have an impact on the functionality, one of the proteins, EspG, was over-expressed and purified. EspG is an “effector” protein normally produced by enterohemorrhagic E. coli strains and “injected” into host cells via the T3SS. We tested functionality of EspG-iLOV fusion by performing functional studies of EspG in mammalian host cells. When EspG-iLOV was microinjected into the host cell, the Golgi apparatus was completely disrupted as had previously been observed for EspG.     

Ethane and n-pentane in exhaled breath are biomarkers of exposure not effect

The relationship of exhaled ethane and n-pentane to exhaled NO, carbonylated proteins, and indoor/outdoor atmospheric pollutants were examined in order to evaluate ethane and n-pentane as potential markers of airway inflammation and/or oxidative stress. Exhaled NO and carbonylated proteins were found to have no significant associations with either ethane (p = 0.96 and p = 0.81, respectively) or n-pentane (p = 0.44 and 0.28, respectively) when outliers were included. In the case where outliers were removed n-pentane was found to be inversely associated with carbonylated proteins. Exhaled hydrocarbons adjusted for indoor hydrocarbon concentrations were instead found to be positively associated with air pollutants (NO, NO₂ and CO), suggesting pollutant exposure is driving exhaled hydrocarbon concentrations. Given these findings, ethane and n-pentane do not appear to be markers of airway inflammation or oxidative stress.