Sequence polymorphism of human complement factor H

Factor H is a major regulatory protein of the complement system. The complete cDNA coding sequence has been derived from overlapping clones, and a polymorphism at base 1277 has been characterized. In four clones there is a T at nucleotide 1277 and in two others there is a C. This T/C change represents a tyrosine/histidine polymorphism at position 384 in the derived amino acid sequence. Protein sequence studies on peptides generated by trypsin digestion of factor H, purified from pooled plasma from 12 donors, confirmed the presence of both tyrosine and histidine at this position. Tyrosine and histidine were observed in a ratio of 2 : 1, respectively, and therefore this polymorphism is likely to represent a sequence difference between the two most abundant charge variants, FH1 and FH2, of factor H.     

Social organization and ecology of proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) in mixed coastal forest in Sarawak

Data are presented from a 16-month study of proboscis monkeys in an area of mixed coastal forest in Sarawak. The population density, social organization, and feeding and ranging behavior are described in detail. Results are compared with those from other primates in an attempt to understand why females of certain species (including proboscis monkeys) transfer between social groups. The scarcity of available food and reasons for the limited habitat preferences of proboscis monkeys are also discussed.     

Callus formation and plantlet regeneration from protoplasts derived from suspension cultures of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Protoplasts were isolated from anther-derived suspension cultures of commercial wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Chris). The protoplasts were released enzymatically and isolated by centrifugation on a sucrose cushion. The isolated protoplasts were initially cultured in a liquid medium in the dark. Numerous microcalli were produced under these conditions, some of which differentiated into globular embryos. Upon transfer to a solid medium and exposure to 16h/8h light/dark cycle, the protocalli proliferated and many of the somatic embryos matured. Complete plantlets were obtained and maintained in sterile culture.Abbreviations 2,4-D 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - MES 2-[N-morpholino] ethanesulfonic acid     

Histochemical localization of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA in the rat between birth and adulthood

We describe the postnatal ontogeny and localization of insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and -II) in the rat. We have used oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes for in situ hybridization (hybridization histochemistry) and for Northern blotting. IGF-II mRNA is strongly expressed in liver, skeletal muscle, perichondrium, leptomeninges and choroid plexus of the newborn. Demonstrable levels fall dramatically in the liver at 18-20 days postnatally but persist for longer periods in muscle and remain undiminished throughout life in the pia/choroid plexus, indicating that different control mechanisms operate in these tissues. IGF-I mRNA is predominantly found in the liver. Its level in this organ rises well before levels of IGF-II fall. This suggests that distinct factors govern the expression of IGF-I and -II genes.     

Gastric exocrine “failure” in critically ill patients: incidence and associated features

Following the observation that many critically ill patients cannot maintain their gastric juice pH below 4 without treatment a study was performed to measure the gastric juice pH in such patients and relate it to other clinical data. The case notes of 64 patients who had been admitted to the intensive care unit and taken part in two trials of ranitidine treatment were reviewed. During those trials gastric juice was aspirated hourly and the pH and volume measured. In this study the values recorded during a six hour untreated control phase were used. Data on age, diagnosis, treatment, outcome, episodes of hypoxia, episodes of hypotension, and use of inotropic drugs were also reviewed. Full data were available for 61 patients: 27 had a mean baseline pH of >5 during the control phase and 34 a mean baseline pH of <5. Significantly more of those with a high pH suffered hypotension (21/27 v 13/34) and received inotropic drugs (16/27 v 8/34).These findings suggest that hypotension in critically ill patients adversely affects gastric exocrine function; prophylaxis with drugs that can improve gastric mucosal blood flow may be more effective than with antacids.     

Ecology of microalgae in a high rate pond for piggery effluent purification in Singapore

Summary An integrated system for the collection, treatment and utilisation of piggery wastewater has been developed in Singapore which uses the cultivation of microalgae in high rate ponds to achieve reduction of BOD₅ and COD₅ of the effluent as well as producing single cell protein. A wide range of algal flora occurs in the ponds;Oocystis, Micratinium, Scenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, Chlorella andOscillatoria spp were identified. Total algal counts, recorded from 1979 to 1981, ranged up to 10⁷ per ml of pond water. There were considerable variations in the algal population and in the predominating species. No discernible pattern was evident. Consequently pond operations were frequently disturbed by these fluctuations in population which in turn was attributed to the heterogeneous composition of the piggery waste, to variable weather conditions and to predation by larger organisms particularlyMoina. After passing through the ponds, the total suspended solids were removed by a novel dissolved air flotation method which gave a clear effluent showing an 87% reduction in BOD₅ value.

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Resumen En Singapur se ha desrrollado un sistema integrado para le recogida, tratamiento y utilización de aguas residuales de pocilgas. Este sistema usa el cultivo de microalgas en estanques, de caudal rápido afin de reducir las DBO₅ y DCO₅ del efluencte produciendo asimismo proteínas celulares. La flora de algas producida en estos estanques es amplia y variada, habiendose identificado:Oocystis, Micratinium, Scenesdemus, Ankistrodesmus, Chlorella y Oscillatoria. Los recuentos totales de algas tomados desde 1979 a 1981 llegaron a alcanzar 10;⁷ por ml de agua del estanque. Se observaron variaciones considerables tanto en la población total de algas como en las especies predominantes sin que se pudiese, determinar un patrón de variación característico. Estas fluctuaciones en la población, causantes de frecuentes alteraciones en el funcionamiento del estanque, se atribuyeron a la composición heterogenea de los resuduos, a las variaciones climáticas y la predación por otros organismos particularmenteMoina Después de su paso por los estanque los solidos suspendidos totales se eliminaron mediante un nuevo método de flotación con aire disuelto, obteniendose un efluente limpio con una reducción de la DBO₅ del 87%.

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Résumé Un système intégré pour la collecte, le traitement et l'utilisation d'eaux résiduaires de porcherie a été développé à Singapoure. Il utilise la culture de micro-algues tant pour la réduction accélérée en lagune de la DBO₅ et de la DCO de l'effluent que pour la production de protéines uni-cellulaires. On trouve une large gamme de flore algale dans les lagunes; des espèces d'-Oocystis, deMicratinium, deScenedesmus, Ankistrodesmus, deChlorella etd'Oscillatoria out été identifiées. Les comptages totaux d'algues, enregistrées de 1979 à 1981, ont donné jusqu' à 10⁷ cellules par ml d'eau de la lagune. On a observé des variations considérables de population algale tant quantitatives que qualitatives. On ne discernait pas de spectres évidents. En conséquence, les opérations lagunaires ont été fréquemment perturbées par ces fermentations en population, qui, à leur tour, ont été attribuées à la composition hétérogène de l'effluent de porcherie, aux conditions atmosphériques et climatiques variables et à la prédation par des organismes plus conséquents, plus particulièrement desMoina. Après passage par les lagunes, les solides totaux en suspension ont été enlevés par une méthode nouvelle de flottation à l'air dissous, qui a donné un effluent limpide, présentant une réduction de DBO₅ de 87%.

     

Inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase synthesis by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides

Oligodeoxynucleotides 18 nucleotides in length having sequences complementary to regions spanning the initiation codon regions of ornithine decarboyxlase or S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase mRNAs were tested for their ability to inhibit translation of these mRNAs. In reticulocyte lysates, a strong and dose dependent reduction of ornithine decarboyxlase synthesis in response to mRNA from D-R L1210 cells was brought about by 5-AAAGCT GCTCATGGTTCT-3 which is complementary to the sequence from - 6 to + 12 of the mRNA sequence but there was no inhibition by 5-TGCAGCTTCCATCACCGT-3. Conversely, the latter oligodeoxynucleotide which is complementary to the sequence from – 6 to + 12 of the mRNA of S-adenosyl methionine decarboxylase was a strong inhibitor of the synthesis of this enzyme in response to rat prostate mRNA and the antisense sequence from ornithine decarboxylase had no effect. The translation of ornithine decarboxylase mRNA in a wheat germ system was inhibited by the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide at much lower concentration than those needed in the reticulocyte lysate suggesting that degradation of the hybrid by ribonuclease H may be an important factor in this inhibition. These results indicate that such oligonucleotides may be useful to regulate cellular polyamine levels and as probes to study control of mRNA translation.Abbreviations ODC ornithine decarboxylase - AdoMetDC S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase - DFMO difluoromethylornithine