Multi-element analysis of the rat hippocampus by proton induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (phosphorus,sulphur, chlorine,potassium, calcium,iron, zinc,copper, lead,bromine, and rubidium)

Summary A technique for multi-element analysis of brain tissue by proton induced X-ray emission spectroscopy (PIXE) is described and data from analysis of fixed and unfixed samples from rat hippocampus, neocortex, amygdala, and spinal cord is presented and commented on. The atoms present in the tissue are bombarded with protons which causes the ejection of electrons from the inner shells. When the holes are refilled with electrons from outer shells, X-ray quanta characteristic for each element are emitted. Using a high resolution energy dispersive detector a complete X-ray spectrum of the specimen can be recorded in a single measurement. Detection limits 5 p.p.m. of dry matter are obtained for most elements with atomic number >14 (silicon). Around 13 elements were found in concentrations above the detection limits. The grand means for non-fixed hippocampi were e.g. for Zn–120 p.p.m.; Rb–20 p.p.m.; Fe–150 p.p.m.; Pb–3 p.p.m.; Ni–5 p.p.m.     

Synthesis,resolution, and determination of the absolute configuration of the enantiomers of cis-4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dithiane 1,1-dioxide,an HIV-1NCp7 inhibitor

The anti-HIV activity of (+/-)-cis-4,5-dihydroxy-1,2-dithiane 1,1-dioxide [(+/-)-cis-1,1-dioxo-[1,2]-dithiane-4,5-diol, NSC-624151] and its attack on the zinc finger domain of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid p7 (NCp7) protein has been established [Rice, W. G.; Baker, D. C.; Schaeffer, C. A.; Graham, L.; Bu, M.; Terpening, S.; Clanton, D.; Schultz, R.; Bader, J. P.; Buckheit, R. W.; Field, L.; Singh, P. K. Turpin, J. A. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1997, 41, 419]. In order to determine which enantiomer of NSC-624151 is the more active component, the compound was resolved via its bis-'Mosher ester', which was prepared via its reaction with two equiv of (-)-(R)-alpha-methoxy-alpha-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl chloride. The diastereoisomeric esters were separated, and each ester was hydrolyzed to yield enantiomers with (D)(21) +151 degrees (c 0.5, MeOH) and (D)(21) -146 degrees (c 0.5, MeOH). Single-crystal X-ray analysis of the (-)-bis-'Mosher ester' showed that the (-)-enantiomer is the (4S, 5R)-compound. The (-)-enantiomer (NSC 693195) was ca. twice as active (EC(50) 8.8+/-0.2 microM) as its (+)-counterpart (NSC 693194) (EC(50) 16.2+/-2.4 microM) in the XTT assay against HIV-1. All three compounds were found to be approximately equally effective in promoting Zn ejection from the NCp7 zinc finger. As the more anti-HIV active enantiomer is only slightly more active than the racemic form, it appears to offer no advantages over the racemic form.     

Current scaling for the radiative characteristics of a micropinch discharge

The absolute VUV and soft X-ray (hν > 100 eV) yield from a micropinch discharge is measured for a fixed current of 150 kA. The current scaling in the range of 30–250 kA is found for a number of the discharge parameters: the VUV and soft X-ray yield, the electron temperature, the effective temperature of suprathermal electrons, and the energy of bremsstrahlung emission from thermal electrons. The experimental data are in good agreement with the simulations performed by using the model of radiative collapse in fast Z-pinches in plasmas of high-Zelements.     

Examination of metal mobilization from a gunshot by scanning acoustic microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy: a case report

Background

Projectile foreign bodies are known to cause chronic heavy metal toxicity due to the release of metal into the bloodstream. However, the local effect around the metallic object has not been investigated and the main goal of our study is to examine the influence of the object in close proximity of the object.

Case presentation

A 36-year-old Caucasian woman with one metallic pellet close to her sciatic nerve due to a previous shotgun injury at the gluteal area presented with a diagnosis of recurrent lumbar disk herniation at L4–5 level. A physical examination confirmed chronic neuropathy and she underwent a two-stage surgery. The surgery included removal of the foreign body, followed by discectomy and fusion at the involved level. During the removal of the metallic foreign body, a tissue sample around the pellet and another tissue sample from a remote area were obtained. The samples were analyzed by scanning acoustic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Lead, chromium, copper, cadmium, iron, manganese, selenium, and zinc elements in tissue, blood, and serum specimens were detected by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.

Conclusions

An acoustic impedance map of the tissue closer to the metallic body showed higher values indicating further accumulation of elements. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results confirmed scanning acoustic microscopy results by measuring a higher concentration of elements closer to the metallic body. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that original structure was not disturbed far away; however, deformation of the structure existed in the tissue closer to the foreign body. Element analysis showed that element levels within blood and serum were more or less within acceptable ranges; on the other hand, element levels within the tissues showed pronounced differences indicating primarily lead intoxication in the proximity of the metallic body. We can state that residues of metallic foreign bodies of gunshot injuries cause chronic metal infiltration to the surrounding tissue and induce significant damage to nearby neural elements; this is supported by the results of scanning acoustic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.

     

Antidepressant-like effect of 17beta-estradiol: involvement of dopaminergic, serotonergic, and (or) sigma-1 receptor systems

17beta-estradiol has been reported to possess antidepressant-like activity in animal models of depression, although the mechanism for its effect is not well understood. The present study is an effort in this direction to explore the mechanism of the antidepressant-like effect of 17beta-estradiol in a mouse model(s) of behavioral depression (despair behavior). Despair behavior, expressed as helplessness to escape from a situation (immobility period), as in a forced swim test in which the animals are forced to swim for a total of 6 min, was recorded. The antiimmobility effects (antidepressant-like) of 17beta-estradiol were compared with those of standard drugs like venlafaxine (16 mg/kg, i.p.). 17beta-estradiol produced a U-shaped effect in decreasing the immobility period. It had no effect on locomotor activity of the animal. The antidepressant-like effect was comparable to that of venlafaxine (16 mg/kg, i.p.). 17beta-estradiol also exhibited a similar profile of antidepressant action in the tail suspension test. When coadministered with other antidepressant drugs, 17beta-estradiol (5 microg/kg, i.p.) potentiated the antiimmobility effect of subeffective doses of fluoxetine (5 mg/kg, i.p.), venlafaxine (2 mg/kg, i.p.), or bupropion (10 mg/kg, i.p.), but not of desipramine (5 mg/kg, i.p.) or tranylcypromine (2 mg/kg, i.p.), in the forced swim test. The reduction in the immobility period elicited by 17beta-estradiol (20 microg/kg, i.p.) was reversed by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.; a D(2) dopamine receptor antagonist), SCH 23390 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.; a D(1) dopamine receptor antagonist), and sulpiride (5 mg/kg, i.p.; a specific dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist). In mice pretreated with (+)-pentazocine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.; a high-affinity sigma-1 receptor agonist), 17beta-estradiol (5 microg/kg, i.p.) produced a synergistic effect. In contrast, pretreatment with progesterone (10 mg/kg, s.c.; a sigma-1 receptor antagonist neurosteroid), rimcazole (5 mg/kg, i.p.; another sigma-1 receptor antagonist), or BD 1047 (1 mg/kg, i.p.; a novel sigma-1 receptor antagonist) reversed the antiimmobility effects of 17beta-estradiol (20 microg/kg, i.p.). Similarly, in mice pretreated with a subthreshold dose of 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1A serotonin receptor agonist), 17beta-estradiol (5 microg/kg, i.p.) produced an antidepressant-like effect. These findings demonstrate that 17beta-estradiol exerted an antidepressant-like effect preferentially through the modulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors. This action may also involve the participation of sigma-1 receptors.     

Involvement of precursor-specific segments in the in vitro maturation of Bacillus subtilis precursor 5S ribosomal RNA.

In vitro maturation of precursor 5S ribosomal RNA (p5A) from Bacillus subtilis effected by RNase M5 yields mature 5S RNA (m5, 116 nucleotides), and 3' precursor-specific segment (42 nucleotides), and a 5' precursor-specific segment (21 nucleotides) (Sogin, M.L., Pace, B., and Pace, N.R. (1977), J. Biol. Chem. 252, 1350). Limited digestion of p5A with RNase T2 introduces a single scission at position 60 of the molecule; m5 is cleaved at the corresponding nucleotide residue. The complementary "halves" of the molecules could be isolated from denaturing polyacrylamide gels. The isolated fragments of p5A are not substrates for RNase M5, suggesting that some recognition elements can be utilized by RNase M5 only when presented in double-helical form. In exploring the involvement of the precursor-specific segments in the RNase M5-p5A interaction, substrate molecules lacking the 3' or 5' precursor-specific segment were constructed by reannealing complementary "halves" from p5A and m5 RNA. The artificial substrate lacking the 5'-terminal precursor segment was cleaved very much more slowly than the lacking t' segment; the 5' precursor-specific segment therefore contains one or more components recognized by RNase M5 during its interaction with the p5A substrate.     

Optimizing dose enhancement with Ta2O5 nanoparticles for synchrotron microbeam activated radiation therapy

Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) exploits tumour selectivity and normal tissue sparing with spatially fractionated kilovoltage X-ray microbeams through the dose volume effect. Experimental measurements with Ta₂O₅ nanoparticles (NPs) in 9L gliosarcoma treated with MRT at the Australian Synchrotron, increased the treatment efficiency. Ta₂O₅ NPs were observed to form shells around cell nuclei which may be the reason for their efficiency in MRT. In this article, our experimental observation of NP shell formation is the basis of a Geant4 radiation transport study to characterise dose enhancement by Ta₂O₅ NPs in MRT. Our study showed that NP shells enhance the physical dose depending microbeam energy and their location relative to a single microbeam. For monochromatic microbeam energies below ∼70 keV, NP shells show highly localised dose enhancement due to the short range of associated secondary electrons. Low microbeam energies indicate better targeted treatment by allowing higher microbeam doses to be administered to tumours and better exploit the spatial fractionation related selectivity observed with MRT. For microbeam energies above ∼100 keV, NP shells extend the physical dose enhancement due to longer-range secondary electrons. Again, with NPs selectively internalised, the local effectiveness of MRT is expected to increase in the tumour. Dose enhancement produced by the shell aggregate varied more significantly in the cell population, depending on its location, when compared to a homogeneous NP distribution. These combined simulation and experimental data provide first evidence for optimising MRT through the incorporation of newly observed Ta₂O₅ NP distributions within 9L cancer cells.     

Control of the rate of cell enlargement: Excision,wall relaxation,and growth-induced water potentials

A new guillotine thermocouple psychrometer was used to make continuous measurements of water potential before and after the excision of elongating and mature regions of darkgrown soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) stems. Transpiration could not occur, but growth took place during the measurement if the tissue was intact. Tests showed that the instrument measured the average water potential of the sampled tissue and responded rapidly to changes in water potential. By measuring tissue osmotic potential ( _s ), turgor pressure ( _p ) could be calculated. In the intact plant, _s and _p were essentially constant for the entire 22 h measurement, but _s was lower and _p higher in the elongating region than in the mature region. This caused the water potential in the elongating region to be lower than in the mature region. The mature tissue equilibrated with the water potential of the xylem. Therefore, the difference in water potential between mature and elongating tissue represented a difference between the xylem and the elongating region, reflecting a water potential gradient from the xylem to the epidermis that was involved in supplying water for elongation. When mature tissue was excised with the guillotine, _s and _p did not change. However, when elongating tissue was excised, water was absorbed from the xylem, whose water potential decreased. This collapsed the gradient and prevented further water uptake. Tissue _p then decreased rapidly (5 min) by about 0.1 MPa in the elongating tissue. The _p decreased because the cell walls relaxed as extension, caused by _p , continued briefly without water uptake. The _p decreased until the minimum for wall extension (Y) was reached, whereupon elongation ceased. This was followed by a slow further decrease in Y but no additional elongation. In elongating tissue excised with mature tissue attached, there was almost no effect on water potential or _p for several hours. Nevertheless, growth was reduced immediately and continued at a decreasing rate. In this case, the mature tissue supplied water to the elongating tissue and the cell walls did not relax. Based on these measurements, a theory is presented for simultaneously evaluating the effects of water supply and water demand associated with growth. Because wall relaxation measured with the psychrometer provided a new method for determining Y and wall extensibility, all the factors required by the theory could be evaluated for the first time in a single sample. The analysis showed that water uptake and wall extension co-limited elongation in soybean stems under our conditions. This co-limitation explains why elongation responded immediately to a decrease in the water potential of the xylem and why excision with attached mature tissue caused an immediate decrease in growth rate without an immediate change in _p Abbreviations and symbols L tissue conductance for water - m wall extensibility - Y average yield threshold (MPa) - _o water potential of the xylem - _p turgor pressure - _s osmotic potential - _w water potential of the elon gating tissue     

Ultrastructural localization of potassium and calcium in an insect ommatidium as demonstrated by X-ray microanalysis

Summary Ultrastructural localization of potassium and calcium in the ommatidium of the house-cricketGryllus domeslicus L. was studied by X-ray microprobe analysis using samples prepared as thin sections (2 or 5 m) of freeze-dried and embedded tissue. Real resolution was limited by the size of ice crystals (Fig. 2) and estimated as about 1 m.Average values for potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphorus in different cells of the compound eye are given in Table 1.Striking non-uniformity in distribution of these elements over the cells and their compartments was found by probe scanning (Figs. 3, 4, 5). The highest potassium and calcium concentrations were measured in the pigmented zones of photoreceptors and pigment cells. The pigment granules are thought to be the ionic depots of the eye.Potassium and sodium are fully accessible to water in sections of embedded tissue, whereas all the calcium and half of the phosphorus are not.The functional significance of the non-uniformity discovered is briefly discussed.     

C-terminal peptides of p53 molecules enhance radiation-induced apoptosis in human mutant p53 cancer cells

We propose here a novel p53-targeting radio-cancer therapy using p53 C-terminal peptides for patients having mutated p53. Hoechst 33342 staining showed that X-ray irradiation alone efficiently induced apoptotic bodies in wild-type p53 (wt p53) human head and neck cancer cells transfected with a neo control vector (SAS/neo cells), but hardly induced apoptotic bodies in mutation-type p53 (m p53) cells transfected with a vector carrying the m p53 gene (SAS/m p53). In contrast, transfection of p53 C-terminal peptides (amino acid residues 361-382 or 353-374) via liposomes caused a remarkable increase of apoptotic bodies in X-ray-irradiated SAS/m p53 cells, but did not enhance apoptotic bodies in X-ray-irradiated SAS/neo cells. In immunocytochemical analysis, positively stained cells for active type caspase-3 were observed at high frequency after X-ray irradiation in the SAS/m p53 cells pre-treated with p53 C-terminal peptides. In SAS/neo cells, positively stained cells for active type caspase-3 were observed with X-ray irradiation alone. Furthermore, protein extracts from X-ray-irradiated SAS/m p53 cells showed higher DNA-binding activity of p53 to p53 consensus sequence when supplemented in vitro with p53 C-terminal peptides than extracts from non-irradiated SAS/m p53 cells. These results suggest that radiation treatment in the presence of p53 C-terminal peptides is more effective for inducing p53 -mediated apoptosis than radiation treatment alone or p53 C-terminal peptide treatment alone, especially in m p53 cancer cells. This novel tool for enhancement of apoptosis induction in m p53 cells might be useful for p53-targeted radio-cancer therapy.     

Diurnal rhythm of cell proliferation at the late stages of precancerous changes in the liver induced by ortho-aminoazo-toluene]

Orthoaminoazotoluol was administered to mice for a period of nine months. Circadian rhythms of mitotic activity and the number of the DNA-synthesizing cells were determined by autoradiography (with the use of 3H-thymidine) at the second (adenomatous nodes) and the third (primary hepatoma) stages of carcinogenesis in the developing tumours and the surrounding liver parenchyma. The listed structures proved to have a single-peak rhythm of mitotic activity with the maximum of mitoses at 4-7 a. m.; the labeled nuclei circadian rhythm was double-peaked with the maximum at 7 p. m. and 4 a. m. The mean 24-hour values of both indices at the second and third stages of hepatocarcinogenesis were much greater than in the surrounding non-tumour tissue of the liver.     

Structural features of Bacillus precursor 5S RNA involved in the interaction with RNAase M5.

Mature 5S (m5S) RNA from Bacillus licheniformis specifically and almost completely inhibits in vitro maturation of bacillus precursor 5S (p5S) RNA, showing that the maturation enzyme RNAase M5 can recognize Bacillus m5S RNA. E. coli m5S RNA is a much less efficient inhibitor, whereas S. carlsbergensis 5S RNA inhibits maturation by about 70%. The differences in inhibition can be correlated with the position of the sequence UAGG (residues 101-104 in B. licheniformis m5S RNA) relative to the double-helical region formed by the 5'- and 3'-terminal sequences (molecular stalk) of m5S RNA. Recent experiments by Meyhack and Pace (Biochemistry 17 (1980) 5804-5810) demonstrated this UAGG sequence to be indispensable for processing of p5S RNA. Other elements of secondary and/or tertiary structure are also required, however. The effect of artificially constructed "5S RNA" molecules having defined disturbances in the base-pairing within the molecular stalk on in vitro maturation shows that base-pairing in the immediate neighbourhood of the bonds to be cleaved during maturation is crucial to recognition of p5S RNA by RNAase M5. G.U pairs are tolerated in this region, however, without loss of efficiency in maturation. Base-pairing does not have to extend throughout the complete molecular stalk. The introduction of an A/C combination at the end of the molecular stalk removed from the bonds cleaved by RNAase M5 does not significantly impair the efficiency of maturation.     

Influence of deslorelin (GnRH-agonist) implant on plasma progesterone, first wave dominant follicle and pregnancy in dairy cattle

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of a synthetic GnRH-agonist (Deslorelin) implant on CL function and follicle dynamics when administered 48 h after PGF2 alpha, in a timed-insemination protocol, and to determine if the incorporation of a Deslorelin implant into a timed-insemination protocol to synchronize ovulation would be beneficial to the establishment of pregnancy. In Experiment 1, 15 non lactating cyclic Holstein cows received Buserelin (8 micrograms, i.m.) on Day-9, Lutalyse (25 mg, i.m.) on Day-2, and then on Day 0 received either a Deslorelin implant (700 micrograms, s.c.; n = 5), Buserelin (8 micrograms, i.m.; n = 5), or no treatment (control; n = 5). Blood samples were collected on Days-9, -2, 0 and thereafter daily until the next ovulation. Ovaries were scanned by ultrasound on Days-9, -2, 0, 1 (day of ovulation) and 3 times a week thereafter until a subsequent ovulation. From Days 0 to 15, the rate of increase of plasma progesterone (P4) was greater (P < 0.01) for Deslorelin than for control and Buserelin. Establishment of the first-wave dominant follicle (FWDF) as a Class 3 (> 9 mm) follicle was delayed (P < 0.01) with Deslorelin (14.2 +/- 1.3 d) compared with the control (4.6 +/- 1.3 d) and Buserelin (5.0 +/- 1.5 d) treatments. The FWDF resumed growth after Day 13 in all 5 Deslorelin-treated cows, and 2 cows ovulated spontaneously. In 1 Deslorelin-treated cow, the FWDF regressed, and a second-wave dominant follicle ovulated, while 2 other Deslorelin cows failed to ovulate until after Day 36. The cumulative numbers of Class 2 and 3 follicles was lowest in the Deslorelin group (P < 0.01), while the cumulative number of Class 1 follicles was highest (Deslorelin > Buserelin > Control; P < 0.01). The number of days to CL-regression and days to subsequent estrus did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatments. In Experiment II, 16 lactating potentially subfertile (body condition score 2.25) cows received Cystorelin (100 micrograms, i.m.; Day-9), Lutalyse (25 mg, i.m.; Day-2), and either a Cystorelin injection (100 micrograms, i.m.; n = 8) or Deslorelin implant (700 micrograms, s.c.; n = 8) on Day 0 and inseminated 16 h later. Deslorelin-treated cows had a higher plasma P4 concentration between Days 0 and 16 (P < 0.05) than the 2 other groups, and 5 of the 8 cows in this group were pregnant (Day 45, palpation) compared with 1 of 8 cows in the Cystorelin group (P < 0.05). Incorporation of a Deslorelin implant into a timed-insemination protocol enhanced the pregnancy rate in cows of poor body condition. The results support the hypothesis that enhanced CL function and delayed establishment of the first-wave dominant follicle may enhance embryo survival.     

Radicle ofEchinocactus platyacanthus (Cactaceae)

Radicle of matureEchinocactus platyacanthus embryo is approximately 320 m long and represents less then 1/7 of the embryonal axis length. The radicle-hypocotyl boundary can be distinguished according to the striking difference in the size and shape of cells in protoderm and procambium, as well as discontinuity and different number of the cell files in the ground meristem. The root cap is small, consists of 4 layers of cells covering the apex of the radicle. The upper limit of the root cap is approximately 100 m closer towards the radicle tip than the radicle-hypocotyl boundary. Ultrastructure of radicle cells showed numerous lipid bodies as is typical for other oily seeds. Protein bodies of variable structure were also present together with other cell structures. Striking differences in protein body structure were found when protoderm and ground meristem were compared. Several small globoid crystals were present in each protein body of the protoderm, while protein bodies in the radicle ground meristem mostly contained one large globoid crystal. X-ray microanalysis revealed presence of P, K and Mg in all analyzed globoid crystals. Fe, Ca and Zn were detected in some of them.Abbreviations EDX microanalysis energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis - GC(s) globoid crystals - ICP spectroscopy ion-coupled plasma spectroscopy - LM light microscopy - PB(s) protein bodies - SEM scanning electron microscopy - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

中国叶蜂属两新种(膜翅目,叶蜂科)

记述中国叶蜂科Tenthredinidae叶蜂属Tenthredo2新种,三斑槌腹叶蜂Tenthredo trixanthomacula Wei et Yan,sp.nov.和褐跗短角叶蜂Tenthredo rubitarsalitia W ei et Xu,sp.nov.。前者隶属于槌腹种团T.formosana group,后者隶属于短角种团T.potanini group。新种模式标本保存于中南林业科技大学昆虫系统与进化生物学实验室昆虫模式标本室(CSCS)。     

Effect of repeated treatment with desipramine in the behavioral "despair" test in rats: antagonism by "atypical" but not "classical" neuroleptics or antiadrenergic drugs

A 7-day treatment with 20 mg/kg/day desipramine reduced the immobility time in the behavioral "despair" test in rats. The effect of DMI was antagonized by sulpiride (100 mg/kg i.p.), metoclopramide (20 mg/kg i.p.) and clopazine (20 mg/kg i.p.) but not by haloperidol (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) or chlorpromazine (5 mg/kg i.p.). Alpha-adrenoreceptor blockers (prazosin 3 mg/kg s.c.; aceperone 10 mg/kg i.p.; azapetine 24 mg/kg s.c.; phentolamine 20 mg/kg i.p.), dl-propranolol (5 mg/kg i.p.) and clonidine (0.1 mg/kg i.p.) failed to modify the anti-immobility effect of DMI. The data suggest that a particular subtype of dopamine receptors is involved in the anti-immobility effect of a 7-day treatment with DMI in the behavioral "despair" test in rats.     

Localization of adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase in spinach leaves

Roots of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) seedlings contained only a very low activity of adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase compared to the cotyledons. Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase activity increased about tenfold in cotyledons during greening. Preparation of organelle fractions from spinach leaves by a combination of differential and isopycnic density gradient centrifugation showed that adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase banded with NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, a marker enzyme for intact chloroplasts. In the fractions of peroxisomes, mitochondria and broken chloroplasts virtually no adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase activity was measured. Comparison with the chloroplast enzyme NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase indicates that in spinach, adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase is localized almost exclusively in the chloroplasts.Abbreviations APS Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate - APSSTase Adenosine 5-phosphosulfate sulfotransferase - BSA Bovine serum albumin - BRIJ58 Polyethylene glycolmonostearylether - DTE Dithioerythritol - DTT Dithiothreitol - EDTA Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - ME 2-Mercaptoethanol - NADP-GPD NADP-linked glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase - PAPS Adenosine 3-phosphate 5-phosphate 5-phosphosulfate - POPOP 1,4 Di [2-(5-phenyloxazolyl)]-benzene - PPO 2,5-Diphenyloxazol The results presented in this paper are taken from the Ph. D. thesis of H.F.     

Electron and nuclear dynamics in many-electron atoms, molecules and chlorophyll-protein complexes: a review

It has been shown [V.A. Shuvalov, Quantum dynamics of electrons in many-electron atoms of biologically important compounds, Biochemistry (Mosc.) 68 (2003) 1333-1354; V.A. Shuvalov, Quantum dynamics of electrons in atoms of biologically important molecules, Uspekhi biologicheskoi khimii, (Pushchino) 44 (2004) 79-108] that the orbit angular momentum L of each electron in many-electron atoms is L=mVr=nPlanck's and similar to L for one-electron atom suggested by N. Bohr. It has been found that for an atom with N electrons the total electron energy equation E=-(Z(eff))(2)e(4)m/(2n(2)Planck's(2)N) is more appropriate for energy calculation than standard quantum mechanical expressions. It means that the value of L of each electron is independent of the presence of other electrons in an atom and correlates well to the properties of virtual photons emitted by the nucleus and creating a trap for electrons. The energies for elements of the 1st up to the 5th rows and their ions (total amount 240) of Mendeleev' Periodical table were calculated consistent with the experimental data (deviations in average were 5 x 10(-3)). The obtained equations can be used for electron dynamics calculations in molecules. For H(2) and H(2)(+) the interference of electron-photon orbits between the atoms determines the distances between the nuclei which are in agreement with the experimental values. The formation of resonance electron-photon orbit in molecules with the conjugated bonds, including chlorophyll-like molecules, appears to form a resonance trap for an electron with E values close to experimental data. Two mechanisms were suggested for non-barrier primary charge separation in reaction centers (RCs) of photosynthetic bacteria and green plants by using the idea of electron-photon orbit interference between the two molecules. Both mechanisms are connected to formation of the exciplexes of chlorophyll-like molecules. The first one includes some nuclear motion before exciplex formation, the second one is related to the optical transition to a charge transfer state.     

Use of large particles support for fast analysis of methadone and its primary metabolite in human plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

A bioanalytical method was developed for the quantitation of methadone (MTD) and its primary metabolite, (EDDP) in plasma. The extraction step was performed within a capillary column packed with large particles (35x0.3 mm I.D.; d(p) 30 micrometer) at high flow-rate conditions (450 microliter/min). The separation was performed on a microbore analytical column (55x2 mm I.D.; d(p) 3 micrometer) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). This procedure was based on a column-switching unit. Analytes of interest were retained on the precolumn by hydrophobic interactions and backflushed from the precolumn to the analytical column. The detection was carried out with a MS single quadrupole equipped with an electrospray interface. The total analysis time was 6 min. The limits of quantification were evaluated at 10 and 25 ng/ml for MTD and EDDP, respectively. At this level, good accuracies were obtained for both analytes with repeatability values less than 18%.     

Trois nouveaux Nadejdolepis Spasskii & Sasskaya, 1954 (Cestoda: Hymenolepididae) parasites de Charadrii (Aves) de Tasmanie

Three species of Nadejdolepis from Tasmania, Australia, are described and illustrated. N. burgessi n. sp., a parasite of Charadrius ruficapillus, is 4-6 mm long, with rostellar nitiduloid hooks 63-66 m long, a short evaginated cirrus 13-16 m long with a short collar of thin spines 1 m long, a narrow and tubular sclerotinoid vagina 40-50 long and 3-4 m in diameter with a little ampulla 3-5 m in diameter at the proximal end, and a membranous atrial segment with smooth, short (1 m) and compact spines which are sometimes difficult to observe. N. smithi n. sp., a parasite of 40-50 long and 3-4 m in diameter with a little ampulla 3-5 m in diameter at the proximal end, and a membranous atrial segment with smooth, short (1 m) and compact spines which are