Block-synthesis of higher oligosaccharides: Synthesis of hexa- and nona-saccharide fragments of the o-antigenic polysaccharide of Salmonella newington

Successive condensation of derivatives of the trisaccharide, biological repeating-unit of the O-antigenic polysaccharide of Salmonella newington, followed by removal of protecting groups, has given the hexa- and nona-saccharides. The structures of these oligosaccharides were confirmed chemically and by ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Metastable ripple phase of fully hydrated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine as studied by small angle x-ray scattering

Fully hydrated dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) undergoes liquid crystalline to metastable P_β, phase transition in cooling. A small angle x-ray scattering study has been performed for obtaining further evidence about the structure of this phase. From a high-resolution observation of x-ray diffraction profiles, a distinct multipeak pattern has become obvious. Among them the (01) reflection in the secondary ripple structure is identified clearly. There are peaks assigned straightforwardly to (10) and (20) reflections in the primary ripple structure and peaks assigned to (10) and (20) reflections in the secondary ripple structure. Therefore the multipeak pattern is due to superposition of the reflections cause by the primary and secondary ripple structures. The lattice parameters are estimated as follows: for the primary ripple structure a = 7.09 nm, b = 13.64 nm, and γ = 95°, and for the secondary ripple structure a = 8.2 nm, b = 26.6 nm, and γ = 90°. The lattice parameters thus obtained for the secondary ripple structure are not conclusive, however. The hydrocarbon chains in the primary ripple structure have been reported as being tilted against the bilayer plane and, on the other hand, the hydrocarbon chains in the secondary ripple structure are likely to be perpendicular to the bilayer plane. This fact seems to be related to a sequential mechanism of phase transitions. On heating from the L_β, phase where the hydrocarbon chains are tilted the primary ripple structure having tilted hydrocarbon chains takes place and on cooling from the L_α phase where the hydrocarbon chains are not tilted the secondary ripple structure with untilted chains tends to be stabilized. It appears that the truly metastable ripple phase is expressed by the second ripple structure although in the course of the actual cooling transition both the secondary and primary ripple structures form and coexist.     

Occurrence of Cladocera (Crustacea) in subterranean waters in Yugoslavia

Contrary to some localities in France and Spain, Cladocera occur in hypogean waters in Yugoslavia very sporadically. Beside the stygobitic species, Alona hercegovinae from caves and Alona smirnovi from interstitial waters, particularly some other Chydoridae seem to be suited for hypogean life. Chydorus sphaericus, reputed as one of the most euryoecious cladocerans, occurs also the deepest in interstitial waters as well as in caves. Other species, found in hypogean waters are Simocephalus vetulus, Ilyocryptus sordidus, Eurycercus lamellatus, Chydorus ovalis, Leydigia leydigi, Acroperus harpae and Biapertura affnis.     

Stimulation of dopamine synthesis and release by morphine and D-Ala2-D-Leu5-enkephalin in the mouse striatum in vivo

The effects of opiates on dopamine (DA) release and synthesis were assessed in the mouse striatum $\text{in vivo}$ by simultaneously measuring 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels after inhibition of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase. This method was developed to assess stimulus-coupled changes in DA synthesis and release. Peripheral injections of morphine and intraventrcular injections of D-Ala²-Leu⁵-enkephalin elevated DOPAC levels, indicating that “opiates” stimulated DA release. Concomitantly, the rate of DA synthesis was increased. The effects were dose-dependent, saturable and antagonized by naloxone. When morphine and the enkephalin analog were given together in saturating doses, the effects of the two agents were not additive. Thus, the involvement of different receptors in the mediation of the effects of morphine and enkephalins could not be demonstrated.     

Possibility of analytical application of the partition in aqueous biphasic polymeric systems technique

The partition behaviour of a number of ionic and nonionic surface-active substances in the dextran-polyethylene glycol system was examined. The strictly linear dependence of the logarithm of the partition coefficient on the alkyl chain length for a homologous series of nonionic surfactants provides a measure of the difference in the relative hydrophobicity between the two phases of the system, in terms of the free energy of transfer of a CH₂ group from the bottom phase to the top phase of the system. This difference is found to be altered in the presence of NaCl or KCl depending on the salt concentration. It is concluded that the influence of the salt composition of the system on the distributed solutes' behaviour may be due to the effect of the ions on the hydrophobicity difference between the phases.The partition of ionic amphiphiles is found to be dependent on the relative hydrophobicity of the compounds as well as on their charge. It is shown that at salt concentrations up to about 0.1 M NaCl the charged solute partition is determined by its charge as well as its relative hydrophobicity, in the presence of 0.1–0.2 M NaCl the substance distribution is highly dependent on its charge and slightly on its lipophility. At the salt concentrations above 0.2 M the solute partition is determined just by its hydrophobic character and seems to be totally independent of its charge. It is concluded that the partition technique can be used for analytical purposes. The method seems to be unique in providing quantitative information on the amphiphilic surface properties of the solutes being partitioned.     

G-6-PD polymorphism and racial admixture in the Cuban population

Summary Esterase D phenotypes were determined in 1082 non-related individuals from the western region of Germany by agarose-gel electrophoresis. Gene frequencies were compared with previous data and all European populations studied so far agreed with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Mean gene frequencies for Europeans are: EsD ¹ 0.8888, EsD ² 0.1112.     

The myofibroblast: Paradigm for a mechanically active cell

Tissues lose mechanical integrity when our body is injured. To rapidly restore mechanical stability a multitude of cell types can jump into action by acquiring a reparative phenotype—the myofibroblast. Here, I review the known biomechanics of myofibroblast differentiation and action and speculate on underlying mechanisms. Hallmarks of the myofibroblast are secretion of extracellular matrix, development of adhesion structures with the substrate, and formation of contractile bundles composed of actin and myosin. These cytoskeletal features not only enable the myofibroblast to remodel and contract the extracellular matrix but to adapt its activity to changes in the mechanical microenvironment. Rapid repair comes at the cost of tissue contracture due to the inability of the myofibroblast to regenerate tissue. If contracture and ECM remodeling become progressive and manifests as organ fibrosis, the outcome of myofibroblast activity will have more severe consequences than the initial damage. Whereas the pathological consequences of myofibroblast occurrence are of great interest for physicians, their mechano-responsive features render them attractive for physicists and bioengineers. Their well developed cytoskeleton and responsiveness to a plethora of cytokines fascinate cell biologists and biochemists. Finally, the question of the myofibroblast origin intrigues stem cell biologists and developmental biologists—what else can you ask from a truly interdisciplinary cell?