Binding of proteins,including pp60src,to activated CH-Sepharose 4B

Activated CH-Sepharose 4B and protein A Sepharose CL-4B can bind, selectively and non-specifically, polypeptides from chick embryo cells. The major polypeptides bound have apparent molecular masses of 57–60 kDa and 47–49 kDa and cannot be eluted by extensive washing with buffers containing detergents. One of the 57–60 kDa polypeptides was identified by immunoblotting as the transforming protein of Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV), pp60src. This polypeptide could be removed from the solid phase immunoabsorbant with 60% dimethylsulfoxide, but not with 2% SDS, 5% -mercaptoethanol, 1 M NaCl or 0.1% Tween 20.     

The gene encoding vasoactive intestinal peptide is located on human chromosome 6p21→6qter

Summary Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a regulatory neuropeptide involved in a wide variety of functions, among them vasodilation, smooth muscle relaxation, sweat secretion, gastrointestinal peristalsis, and pancreatic function. A deficient VIP-innervation of sweat glands was recently described as a possible pathogenic factor in sweating of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. To investigate a possible role for a defective VIP-gene in cystic fibrosis, we have used a panel of rodent-human hybrid cells, retaining defined complements of human chromosomes to localize the VIP-gene to the human chromosome region 6p216qter. As the CF gene was recently mapped to chromosome 7, we conclude that the VIP-gene is not the primary gene defect in this disease.     

An environmental investigation of a marine coastal area: Gulf of Gaeta (Tyrrhenian Sea)

Since 1980, a large program of environmental studies has been carried out along the central part of the eastern Tyrrhenian Sea, and its adjacent shoreline. The general sedimentological, biological and geochemical characteristics of this continental shelf area have been reported elsewhere (Zurlini & Damiani, 1983). In this paper, the processes responsible for the transport of terrigenous particulate matter are considered together with the influence of this particulate matter on the benthic communities of the area.Two rivers, the Garigliano to the north and the Volturno to the south, determine the extent of major environmental sub-zones in the gulf of Gaeta. The first, influenced by the Garigliano River, is restricted to the northern and inner part of the gulf, where morphological and hydrodynamical conditions favour the accumulation of suspended matter; benthic communities are stressed, mainly due to high rates of siltation. The second sub-zone is mainly influenced by the Volturno River, which affects a very large area, spreading both north and south along the coast and up to 15 km offshore.Measured levels of trace elements are considered to be close to natural concentrations. Anthropogenic contamination appears to be related to the effects of agricultural practices on the alluvial plains and to the presence of urban settlements.     

Histone complements of human tissues,carcinomas, and carcinoma-derived cell lines

Summary The pattern of subtypes of the nucleosomal histories and of historic Hl was investigated in human cells from adult and fetal lung and liver, from carcinoma tissues and from carcinoma-derived cell lines, with the object of comparing these patterns, and their relationship to cell growth rate, with those in cells of other species. The subtype pattern of the nucleosomal histories H2A and H3 shows a correlation with replication rate. In adult tissues, subtype H3-3 predominates over H3-2 and H3-1, and the subtype H2A-1 and H2A-2 are approximately equally abundant. In fetal tissues, lung carcinoma and cultured carcinoma-derived cell lines, the subtype H3-1 is predominant and H2A-1 is more abundant than H2A-2. The subtype pattern of H 1 also differs between normal and carcinoma cells, among different tissues, and in different cell lines derived from the same type of carcinoma. In particular, the relative level of H1° differs in several cell lines showing relatively high rates of replication, and in some cases represents more than 25% of the total H1, similar to the level in slowly replicating normal adult liver and lung tissues. The relative level of H1° does not therefore appear to be correlated in a simple manner with cell growth rate in these human cells.Abbreviations PhMeS0² phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride - SDS sodium dodecyl sulphate     

Experimental allergic orchitis and aspermatogenesis. VI. Transfer of allergic orchitis with immune cells.

Typical experimental allergic orchitis (EAO) and aspermatogenesis were successfully transferred to strain 13 guinea pigs with peritoneal exudate and lymph node cells from male and female donor guinea pigs (lacking detectable antibody) previously sensitized with 9 mug of highly purified GP1 glucoprotein isolated from the sperm acrosome. Attempts to transfer the disease with circulating antibody from hyperimmunized animals were not successful. These studies support a cell-mediated basis for the immunopathologic events in EAO.     

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a new series of 5,7-disubstituted-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine derivatives as adenosine receptor antagonists: A preliminary inspection of ligand–receptor recognition process

A new series of triazolotriazines variously substituted at the C5 and N7 (5–25) positions was synthesized and fully characterized at the four adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes. In particular, arylacetyl or arylcarbamoyl moieties were introduced at the N7 position, which enhanced affinity at the hA_2B and hA₃ ARs, respectively, when utilized on the pyrazolo-triazolopyrimidine nucleus as we reported in the past. In general, compounds with a free amino group at the 7 position (5, 6), showed good affinity at the rat (r) A_2A AR (range 18.3–96.5 nM), while the introduction of a phenylcarbamoyl moiety at the N7 position (12, 19, 24) slightly increased the affinity at the hA₃ AR (range 311–633 nM) with respect to the unsubstituted derivatives. The binding profiles of the synthesized analogues seemed to correlate with the substitutions at the C5 and N7 positions. At the hA_2B AR, derivative 5, which contained a free amino group at the 7 position, was the most potent (EC₅₀ 3.42 μM) and could represent a starting point for searching new non-xanthine hA_2B AR antagonists. Molecular models of the rA_2A and hA₃ ARs were constructed by homology to the recently reported crystallographic structure of the hA_2A AR. A preliminary receptor-driven structure–activity relationship (SAR) based on the analysis of antagonist docking has been provided.     

Computer-based 3-dimensional reconstruction of major organ systems of a new aeolid nudibranch subspecies, Flabellina engeli lucianae, from Brazil (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia)

Obtaining accurate and comprehensive anatomical informationfrom small opisthobranch specimens has been a major problem.Computer-based 3-dimensional reconstruction from serial histologicalslides applying AMIRA (TGS Graphics) software is shown to bean efficient and fully reproducible way to analyse tiny andcomplex organ systems in their true relative positions and proportions;this method is herein applied to nudibranchs for the first time.We used Flabellina engeli lucianae n. subsp., a small aeolid(up to 8 mm body preserved length) from subtropical southernBrazil, to illustrate all major organ systems including nervoussystems, and discuss them comparatively. Flabellina engeli lucianaediffers externally from congeners by having a translucent bodywith opaque white and iridescent blue spots, orange ceratalbands, and by the special branching of cerata forming distinctgroups on common peduncles. External and internal differencesfrom the apparently geographically and hydrographically separatedCaribbean specimens of F. engeli engeli Marcus & Marcus,1968 are discussed in detail. (Received 9 January 2006; accepted 10 July 2007)     

The patterns of ethnic settlement and violence: a local-level quantitative analysis of the Bosnian War

The debate on the link between ethnicity and violence has been raging in political science literature since the end of the Cold War. Often, cross-country quantitative studies dismissed the importance of ethnic heterogeneity as a source of violent conflict. How the patterns of ethnic settlement within a country affect the severity of violence, though, has not yet been studied through similar techniques. In this essay, we build and analyse a data set of major violence-related variables collected at the local level during the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. What emerges is that the local distribution of the population, in terms of the number and relative size of the groups, is a key factor in explaining the intensity of violence in the Bosnian municipalities.