Lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase blockade by BW755C prevents endotoxin-induced hypotension but not changes in glucose metabolism

Arachidonic acid metabolites are mediators of various pathophysiologic events following endotoxin administration. However, their role in the endotoxin-induced increase in glucose metabolism has not been examined. Rats were administered either saline or BW755C (an inhibitor of both the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways) 30 min prior to injection of E. coli endotoxin and whole body glucose kinetics assessed using a constant iv infusion of [6-3H] glucose. Treatment with BW755C prevented the endotoxin-induced hypotension and tachycardia. Endotoxin produced characteristic increases in the plasma glucose (23-70%) and lactate (2- to 9-fold) concentrations, as well as elevations in the rate of glucose appearance (34-63%) and metabolic clearance (40-92%). In contrast to the amelioration in hemodynamics, pretreatment with BW755C did not prevent these alterations in glucose metabolism normally seen after endotoxin. BW755C markedly reduced the endotoxin-induced increase in plasma catecholamine concentrations, but levels were still elevated 2- to 4-fold compared to control values. The results suggest that arachidonic acid metabolites mediate the early hypotensive response following endotoxin, but are not by themselves responsible for the elevated rates of glucose production and utilization.     

cDNA cloning of the Octopus dofleini hemocyanin: sequence of the carboxyl-terminal domain

A cDNA library was constructed in pUC 19, using poly(A+) RNA purified from Octopus dofleini branchial gland, which is the site of hemocyanin biosynthesis in cephalopods. The library was screened with an oligonucleotide probe derived from a portion of the partially known sequence of the C-terminal domain of Paroctopus dofleini dofleini. The clone with the longest insert--called pHC1--was sequenced and used as a probe for Northern blotting. It hybridized to a 9.5-kb RNA species, which was also visible as a band after ethidium bromide staining. The cDNA insert (approximately 1200 bp) of pHC1 contained an open reading frame of 1071 bp coding for 357 amino acids. In this insert, a region coding for 42 amino acids from the N-terminal end of the C-terminal domain is missing. These were obtained by sequencing a cloned primer extension product. By comparing our sequence with Helix pomatia beta c-hemocyanin unit D, we found 42.9% identical and 11.5% similar residues. One putative copper binding site (site B) was identified by homology to Helix hemocyanin and arthropodan hemocyanin. The location of a second possible site was identified.     

Formation of cellobiose lipids by growing and resting cells of Ustilago maydis

Summary Utilizing coconut oilUstilago maydis ATCC 14826 synthesizes cellobiose lipids under N-limitation conditions and as resting cells, which gave the highest specific biosurfactant production (0.79 g/g substrate). C6-, C12-, C14-, and 15, 16-dihydroxy-C16-fatty acids are the main components of the lipophilic moiety of these glycolipids.     

Maximizing antibody production in a targeted integration host by optimization of subunit gene dosage and position

Historically, therapeutic protein production in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells has been accomplished by random integration (RI) of expression plasmids into the host cell genome. More recently, the development of targeted integration (TI) host cells has allowed for recombination of plasmid DNA into a predetermined genomic locus, eliminating one contributor to clone-to-clone variability. In this study, a TI host capable of simultaneously integrating two plasmids at the same genomic site was used to assess the effect of antibody heavy chain and light chain gene dosage on antibody productivity. Our results showed that increasing antibody gene copy number can increase specific productivity, but with diminishing returns as more antibody genes are added to the same TI locus. Random integration of additional antibody DNA copies in to a targeted integration cell line showed a further increase in specific productivity, suggesting that targeting additional genomic sites for gene integration may be beneficial. Additionally, the position of antibody genes in the two plasmids was observed to have a strong effect on antibody expression level. These findings shed light on vector design to maximize production of conventional antibodies or tune expression for proper assembly of complex or bispecific antibodies in a TI system.     

Functional CD169 on Macrophages Mediates Interaction with Dendritic Cells for CD8+ T Cell Cross-Priming

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Further studies of the clinical anatomy of the craniocervical region

In this publication, some special aspects of the topography in the nuchal region were examined as anatomical support for the dorsal approach to the posterior cranial fossa. The suboccipital muscles rectus capitis posterior minor and rectus capitis lateralis were measured concerning important characteristics as for instance their length and width. The proportions of some muscles arising from the atlas and the relations of the vertebral artery to defined points were evaluated.