Differential distribution of calpain in human lymphoid cells

Calpain, a calcium-activated neutral proteinase, is ubiquitously present in human tissues. To determine if lymphoid cells implicated in pathogenesis of demyelination may harbor calpain in a functionally active form, we determined both Calpain and mCalpain activities in human lymphoid cell lines. DEAE-cellulose and phenylsepharose column chromatography were used to isolate the enzyme from the natural inhibitor, calpastatin. Lymphocytic lines (CCRF-CEM, MOLT-3, MOLT-4, M.R.) showed predominance of Calpain (55–80%) whereas the monocytic line (U-937) showed prodominance of mCalpain (77%). Proportion and subcellular distribution of both isoforms varied among cell lines. Calpains isolated from U-937 cells degraded myelin basic protein. These results indicate that human lymphoid cells harbor functionally active calpain that can degrade myelin components in vitro. The study suggests a degradative role for calpain in demyelinating diseases.     

Mammalian myristoyl CoA: protein N-myristoyltransferase

Myristoyl CoA:Protein N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) is the enzyme which catalyses the covalent transfer of myristate from myristoyl CoA to the amino-terminal glycine residue of protein substrates. Although NMT is ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells, the enzyme levels and cellular distribution vary among tissues. In this article, we describe the properties of mammalian NMT(s) with reference to subcellular distribution, molecular weights, substrate specificity and the possible involvement of NMT in pathological processes. The cytosolic fraction of bovine brain contains multiple forms of NMT activity whereas bovine spleen contains only a single form. In bovine brain and spleen, the cytosol contained majority of NMT activity. In contrast, rabbit colon and rat liver NMT activity was predominantly particulate. Regional differences in NMT activity have been observed in both rabbit intestine and bovine brain. Results from our laboratory along with the existing knowledge, provide evidence for the existence of tissue specific isozymes of NMT.     

A low frequency mosaicism for monosomy 21 in a live born female

Summary Monosomy 21, whether homogeneous or as a mosaicism, is very uncommon. We report here a 3-month-old white female with a low degree of monosomy 21 in the blood karyotype (6.5%, 110 cells counted) but not in the skin fibroblasts, which contained only the normal chromosome complement.The patient's physical features included microcephaly with frontal slanting; prominent occiput; ridge-shaped sutures; agenesis of the corpus callosum; large, prominent ears; high and narrow palate; micrognathia; tetralogy of Fallot; crowded toes; and dry, thick skin with very little subcutaneous tissue. The case is discussed in light of the suggested clinical features of the monosomy 21 syndrome and the possible implications of such a low-grade mosaicism in prenatal diagnosis.     

Preparation of (aryl α-l-idopyranosid)uronic acids

The earlier preparation of cyclohexylammonium (phenyl α-l-idopyranosid)-uronate has been improved, and (4-methylumbelliferyl α-l-idopyranosid)uronic acid (14), a more sensitive substrate for α-l-iduronidase, has been synthesized by an analogous route. Zinc chloride-catalyzed condensation of 4-methylumbelliferone with 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-α-l-idopyranose (4) in 1,2-ethanediol diacetate gave crystalline 4-methylumbelliferyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-l-idopyranoside (7). O-Deacetylation and catalytic oxidation gave 14, characterized as a cyclohexylammonium salt. The starting material 4 was prepared, in 21 % yield from l-glucose, by conversion of the intermediate 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-β-l-glucopyranose to 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-l-glucopyranosyl chloride and acetoxonium ion rearrangement, as described for the D-series.     

Preparation of (aryl α-l-idopyranosid)uronic acids

The earlier preparation of cyclohexylammonium (phenyl α-l-idopyranosid)-uronate has been improved, and (4-methylumbelliferyl α-l-idopyranosid)uronic acid (14), a more sensitive substrate for α-l-iduronidase, has been synthesized by an analogous route. Zinc chloride-catalyzed condensation of 4-methylumbelliferone with 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-α-l-idopyranose (4) in 1,2-ethanediol diacetate gave crystalline 4-methylumbelliferyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-l-idopyranoside (7). O-Deacetylation and catalytic oxidation gave 14, characterized as a cyclohexylammonium salt. The starting material 4 was prepared, in 21 % yield from l-glucose, by conversion of the intermediate 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-acetyl-β-l-glucopyranose to 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-l-glucopyranosyl chloride and acetoxonium ion rearrangement, as described for the D-series.     

Relative efficiency of rock phosphate and superphosphate for cowpea (Vigna sinensis Savi) fodder

Summary Cowpea responded well to phosphorus and P application increased green-fodder production and P uptake. With respect to green-fodder production, the rock phosphate was found to be 50–55% as effective as superphosphate. Phosphorus when applied at 50 kg P₂O₅/ha as superphosphate or rock phosphate almost doubled the P uptake by the summer-season crop of cowpea as compared to no phosphorus control. The residual effect did not differ significantly on succeeding rainy-season crop of cowpea. Application of starter N increased the total green-fodder yield of two crops by 38 q/ha. re]19750710     

Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activities of Wine Yeasts in Relation to Higher Alcohol Formation

Alcohol dehydrogenase activities were examined in cell-free extracts of 10 representative wine yeast strains having various productivities of higher alcohols (fusel oil). The amount of fusel alcohols (n-propanol, isobutanol, active pentanol, and isopentanol) produced by the different yeasts and the specific alcohol dehydrogenase activities with the corresponding alcohols as substrates were found to be significantly related. No such relationship was found for ethanol. The amounts of higher alcohols formed during vinification could be predicted from the specific activities of the alcohol dehydrogenases with high accuracy. The results suggest a close relationship between the control of the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and the formation of fusel oil alcohols. Also, new procedures for the prediction of higher alcohol formation during alcoholic beverage fermentation are suggested.     

Modeling of dynamical systems through deep learning

This review presents a modern perspective on dynamical systems in the context of current goals and open challenges. In particular, our review focuses on the key challenges of discovering dynamics from data and finding data-driven representations that make nonlinear systems amenable to linear analysis. We explore various challenges in modern dynamical systems, along with emerging techniques in data science and machine learning to tackle them. The two chief challenges are (1) nonlinear dynamics and (2) unknown or partially known dynamics. Machine learning is providing new and powerful techniques for both challenges. Dimensionality reduction methods are used for projecting dynamical methods in reduced form, and these methods perform computational efficiency on real-world data. Data-driven models drive to discover the governing equations and give laws of physics. The identification of dynamical systems through deep learning techniques succeeds in inferring physical systems. Machine learning provides advanced new and powerful algorithms for nonlinear dynamics. Advanced deep learning methods like autoencoders, recurrent neural networks, convolutional neural networks, and reinforcement learning are used in modeling of dynamical systems.     

Elucidation of underlying molecular mechanism of 5-Fluorouracil chemoresistance and its restoration using fish oil in experimental colon carcinoma

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Latest strategies for cancer treatment primarily focus on the use of chemosensitizers to enhance therapeutic outcome. N-3 PUFAs have emerged as the strongest...