Endothelial lipase: a new lipase on the block

Endothelial lipase (EL) is a newly described member of the triglyceride lipase gene family. It has a considerable molecular homology with lipoprotein lipase (LPL) (44%) and hepatic lipase (HL) (41%). Unlike LPL and HL, this enzyme is synthesized by endothelial cells and functions at the site where it is synthesized. Furthermore, its tissue distribution is different from that of LPL and HL. As a lipase, EL has primarily phospholipase A1 activity. Animals that overexpress EL showed reduced HDL cholesterol levels. Conversely, animals that are deficient in EL showed a marked elevation in HDL cholesterol levels, suggesting that it plays a physiologic role in HDL metabolism. Unlike LPL and HL, EL is located in the vascular endothelial cells and its expression is highly regulated by cytokines and physical forces, suggesting that it may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. However, there is only a limited amount of information available about this enzyme. Some of our unpublished data in addition to previously published data support the possibility that the enzyme plays a role in the formation of atherosclerotic lesion.     

Double-toe transplantation following temporary insertion of a block of silicone for reconstruction of a traumatic metacarpal defect

The treatment of the mutilated hand with more than one digit missing and a metacarpal defect is challenging. We used double-toe transfer after temporary insertion of a block of silicone to fill the bony defect.     

Indirect tissue electrophoresis: a new method for analyzing solid tissue protein

1. The eye lens core (nucleus) has been a valuable source of molecular biologic information. 2. In these studies, lens nuclei are usually homogenized so that any protein information related to anatomical subdivisions, or layers, of the nucleus is lost. 3. The present report is of a new method, indirect tissue electrophoresis (ITE), which, when applied to fish lens nuclei, permitted (a) automatic correlation of protein information with anatomic layer, (b) production of large, clear electrophoretic patterns even from small tissue samples and (c) detection of more proteins than in liquid extracts of homogenized tissues. 4. ITE seems potentially applicable to a variety of solid tissues.     

Construction and use of a template block for radial immunodiffusion.

Details for design and construction of template blocks for the increased sensitivity of radial immunodiffusion (RID) assays are described. The sensitivity of the template RID was 10-fold higher for quantifying albumin and 5-fold higher for IgG than the conventional RID with wells cut into the agarose. The system described in this communication resulted from the unit which provided the most consistent results from a variety of trials with different block thicknesses, chamber sizes and depths, and chamber arrangements.     

Construction and use of a Kjeldahl digestion block

Construction and use of a simple inexpensive digestion apparatus for nitrogen determination in plant samples is described. This apparatus utilizes Folin-Wu didigestion tubes and is capable of digesting 160 samples at a time.     

Determination of the heat resistance of spores using a solid heating block system

A simple and accurate technique for the determination of the heat resistance of spores is described. The technique combines a modified capillary tube method with a solid heating block. The come-up time of spore suspensions was found to be short and simple and accurate technique is suggested for the correction of the come-up times. Experimental results are presented for the destruction of spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus at 120 degrees which indicates the accuracy and reproducibility of the new method.     

Determination of the heat resistance of spores using a solid heating block system

A simple and accurate technique for the determination of the heat resistance of spores is described. The technique combines a modified capillary tube method with a solid heating block. The come-up time of spore suspensions was found to be short and simple and accurate technique is suggested for the correction of the come-up times. Experimental results are presented for the destruction of spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus at 120 which indicates the accuracy and reproducibility of the new method.     

Non-micro-short RNAs: the new kids on the block

The advent of ultra–high-throughput sequencing has led to the discovery of a large group of small, noncoding RNAs that are not microRNAs. The functional relevance of microRNAs has been well established over the last decade. In this Perspective, we focus on the non-micro-short RNAs that comprise a variety of functional classes and range from 16–40 nucleotides in size. We will highlight how some of these non-micro-short RNAs were discovered, as well as their biogenesis, potential mechanisms of action, and role in diverse biological processes, development, and disease. Finally, we will describe what must be done to further our understanding of these enigmatic molecules.     

Synthesis of a GlcNAcylated arginine building block for the solid phase synthesis of death domain glycopeptide fragments

Herein we describe the synthesis of glycopeptide fragments from the death domains of TRADD and FADD bearing the recently discovered Nω-GlcNAc-β-arginine post-translational modification. TRADD and FADD glycopeptides were accessed through the use of a suitably protected synthetic glycosylamino acid ‘cassette’ that could be directly incorporated into conventional solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) protocols.     

High-resolution electrophoresis in a new polyacrylamide-gel block

A new gel block for electrophoretic separation is offered. When viewed frontally, the block has a form of a trapezium. During electrophoresis a gradient of voltage is formed in such a block, as a result of which the mobility of macromolecules to be separated markedly decreases. The combination of the block with polyacrylamide gel gradient makes it possible to raise the resolving power of electrophoresis up to 300-400 dalton. The new gel block can be applied successfully to the performance of fine biochemical assays and molecular-biological studies of proteins, glycoproteins and nucleic acids.     

Distraction osteogenesis: a new surgical technique for use with the multiplanar mandibular distractor

If distraction osteogenesis is to reach its full potential and achieve the level of accuracy that is possible with orthognathic surgery, its outcomes need to be as predictable. To this end, the authors developed a planning process for distraction osteogenesis similar to that used in orthognathic surgery. However, the success of the planning process depends on the authors' ability to execute the plan at the time of surgery. As a result, the authors needed to develop a surgical technique that would enable them to precisely install the distractor as indicated in the presurgical plan. The surgical technique presented in this article was developed for this purpose. The authors used this technique in seven patients (four boys and three girls; age range, 4 to 10 years). Four patients presented with unilateral deformities, and three patients presented with bilateral deformities. The follow-up period in this group of patients ranged from 12 to 33 months. The purpose of the technique is to replicate the position of the distractor on the mandible as determined by the presurgical plan. To this purpose, a custom drill guide and a surgical template have been developed. Both of these are used following the principles of triangulation to establish the pin position and orientation of the distractor. In the authors' hands, the use of this surgical technique has resulted in outcomes close to those predicted by the planning process.     

Steric block high affinity oligonucleotide analogues: a new tool for mapping RNA-protein binding sites

Steric-block ON analogues are efficient inhibitors of RNA-protein interaction and therefore have potential to probe RNA sequences for putative protein binding sites and to investigate mechanisms of protein binding. The packaging process of HIV-1 is highly specific involving an interaction between the Gag protein and a conserved sequence that is only present on genomic viral RNA. Using oligonucleotide probes we have confirmed that the terminal purine loop is the major Gag binding site on SL3 and that a secondary Gag binding site exists at an internal purine bulge. We also demonstrate direct binding of oligonucleotide to their binding sites and confirm this interaction does not alter global RNA conformation, making them highly specific, nondisruptive probes of RNA protein interactions.     

The tom-tom corer: a new design of the Kajak corer for use in meiofauna sampling

A new corer, the tom-tom, is a modification of the basic Kajak design. New modifications increase the efficiency of the corer in soft muds and increase the stability of the corer during ascent and descent. A stepped release trigger mechanism allows the corer to trip easily in even the softest muds, and a Phleger “bomb’ weight adds stability to the device. The corer can be deployed in a slow, controlled descent from small as well as large boats to reduce bow-wave. Four cores (4.50 cm inner diameter) are taken simultaneously in a fixed spatial pattern. Limited comparative sampling revealed that the tom-tom collected more meiofauna than a Van Veen grab and attained numbers statistically indistinguishable from diver-collected cores (only small sample sizes were available however). The corer will be most efficient in sediments without an extremely well-developed, suspendable layer, and most practical for smaller vessels in environments where diver collected cores are precluded by depth, strong currents or poor visibility. Although used in meiofauna collection, the corer should be appropriate for any sampling needs requiring a relatively undisturbed core.