Lack of cellular cytotoxicity by human mononuclear cells to Giardia

Cytotoxicity of mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) to Giardia lamblia was compared by using two techniques. The first method assessed the viability of surviving Giardia directly by culturing and the second method measured release of incorporated [3H] thymidine. Cytotoxicity, as measured directly by culturing and visual assessment, showed that the numbers of surviving Giardia decreased over time whether cultured with or without MNL but that Giardia survived significantly better in the presence of MNL at 18 hr (21.8 +/- 8.3% with MNL compared with 3.4 +/- 1.5% without MNL). Release of [3H]thymidine increased whether Giardia were cultured with or without MNL and although there was a tendency for increased release with MNL, there was no significant difference. Dead labeled Giardia released significantly more label in the presence of MNL than without MNL, suggesting that MNL cause release of [3H]thymidine after phagocytosis. The thymidine release assay therefore does not measure spontaneous cytotoxicity of MNL to Giardia.     

Effect of some carbamate pesticides on nodulation,plant yield and nitrogen fixation byPisum sativum andVigna sinensis in the presence of their respective rhizobia

Summary Six carbamate pesticides namely 1-naphthol, sevin, dimetilan, trematan, NaDDC and dymid were studied to see their effect on nodulation and nitrogen fixation inPisum sativum andVigna sinensis. Low concentrations of the pesticides have little effect on nodulation and nitrogen fixation, whereas higher concentrations adversely effect these processes. The results also indicate that then sensitivity depends upon the species of the Rhizobium and also the type of the pesticide. Pesticides belonging to the carbamate group differ in their capacity to affect nodulation and nitroge fixation.     

Baseline frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in newborn lymphocytes and its relationship to in vivo aging in humans

Heparinised cord blood from newborns and peripheral venous blood from three other age groups of individuals (1-75 years) have been cultured in vitro to obtain baseline frequencies of SCE and to see if the frequency of baseline SCE in vitro varies as a function of aging in vivo. The results demonstrate an age-dependent variation in the frequency of SCEs. Although the SCE frequency was lowest (5.10/cell) in 1-5-year-old infants, a significantly higher (P less than 0.001) frequency (8.97/cell) was observed in the cord blood of newborns. In old age, the level of SCE also increased. The plausible reason(s) for such observations is discussed.     

Nitrification inhibition of added nitrogenous fertilisers by potassium chloride in soil

Summary Inhibitory effect of potassium chloride on nitrification of ammonium sulfate and urea in acid, neutral and calcareous soils was observed in an incubation study. In acidic soil, NO ₃ ^– –N production in soil treated with urea was retarded by addition of KCl. NO ₃ ^– –N concentration was much less even in comparison to control where ammonium sulfate and KCl were added together which might be due to cumulative effect of Cl^– and SO ₄ ^–2 ions. In neutral and calcareous soils, nitrification inhibition was less conspicuous.     

Characterization of specific high affinity receptors for human tumor necrosis factor on mouse fibroblasts

Mouse L-929 fibroblasts, an established line of cells, are very sensitive to lysis by human lymphotoxin (hTNF-beta). Specific binding of a highly purified preparation of hTNF-beta to these cells was examined. Recombinant DNA-derived hTNF-beta was radiolabeled with [3H]propionyl succinimidate at the lysine residues of the molecule to a specific activity of 200 microCi/nmol of protein. [3H]hTNF-beta was purified by high performance gel permeation chromatography and the major fraction was found to be monomeric by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The labeled hTNF-beta was fully active in causing lysis of L-929 fibroblasts and bound specifically to high affinity binding sites on these cells. Scatchard analysis of the binding data revealed the presence of a single class of high affinity receptors with an apparent Kd of 6.7 X 10(-11) M and a capacity of 3200 binding sites/cell. Unlabeled recombinant DNA-derived hTNF-beta was found to be approximately 5-fold more effective competitive inhibitor of binding than the natural hTNF-beta. The binding of hTNF-beta to these mouse fibroblasts was also correlated with the ultimate cell lysis. Neutralizing polyclonal antibodies to hTNF-beta efficiently inhibited the binding of [3H]hTNF-beta to the cells. We conclude that the specific high affinity binding site is the receptor for hTNF-beta and may be involved in lysis of cells.     

Fine needle aspiration cytologic diagnosis of the solitary cold thyroid nodule. Comparison with ultrasonography, radionuclide perfusion study and xeroradiography

Thirty-six cases of solitary and scintigraphically "cold" thyroid nodules were studied by fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology, ultrasonography, radionuclide perfusion study (RPS) and xeroradiography with the aim of differentiating the neoplastic from the nonneoplastic nodules. Histologic study of the excised specimens provided the definitive diagnosis in all cases. Of the techniques used in this study, FNA cytology and RPS had the highest sensitivities and specificities. Ultrasonography and xeroradiography were of limited use due to their low sensitivity rates.     

Metabolic relevance of selenium in the insectCorcyra cephalonica

Requirement, uptake, and subcellular distribution of Na₂ ⁷⁵SeO₃ in the larvae of the insectC. cephalonica was investigated. That Se is well tolerated byC. cephalonica upto an added level of 2 ppm in the diet is suggested by the observed increase in body weight, total protein, and succinate dehydrogenase levels. Significant increases in the State 3 respiration ensued with Se supplementation up to 2 ppm in the mitochondrial oxidation of D-glycerol 1-phosphate, succinate and NADH, along with concomitant unaltered State 4 respiration, leading to enhanced RCR values. Maximal uptake of⁷⁵Se was registered in the larvae maintained on basal diet when subjected to short-term exposure to 0.5 ppm⁷⁵Se level. When exposure level was further increased up to 20 ppm, the observed decrease in the uptake of⁷⁵Se suggested that Se status of larvae itself controlled the tissue uptake. Subcellular distribution pattern revealed maximal incorporation of⁷⁵Se (cpm/g tissue) in the supernatant fraction, whereas, maximal specific⁷⁵Se activity (cpm/mg protein) was associated with the mitochondrial fraction. Autoradiography of the soluble fractions indicated the presence of single selenoprotein in the larval group with short term 2 ppm⁷⁵Se exposure. Inherent Se controls both the extent and the nature of distribution of mitochondrial⁷⁵Se incorporation. Uptake of⁴⁵Ca by the insect mitochondria was enhanced by dietary Se up to 2 ppm but was unaffected by addition ofin vitro ⁷⁵Se in the medium. A more fundamental role for Se in the mitochondrial energy metabolism emerges from these studies.     

Cell-bound cholinesterase inTrichoderma harzianum

Cell-bound cholinesterase enzyme activity is reported for the first time in the mycelium ofTrichoderma harzianum. This enzyme hydrolyzes both the acetylcholine and the butyryl thiocholine esters. TheK _m andV _max for choline ester are 0.69 mM and 1.0 nmol acid released min^–1 g^–1 protein. However, the thiocholine ester has aK _m value of 2.2 mM andV _max value of 3.33 nmol product formed min.^–1 g^–1 protein. The enzyme is inhibited by eserine, a true classical cholinesterase inhibitor.     

Protein sequences as random fractals

The analysis of primary sequences from a protein sequence data base suggests that the sequences can be considered as examples of constrained random fractals. Fractal dimensions of the positional distributions of the 20 residues along the chain have been calculated. These fractal dimensions can be used as indices of intrinsic preferences of various residues.