Polydispersity of Serratia marcescens nuclease at optimal pH values]

Treatment with dimethyl suberimidate, a cross-linking bifunctional agent, showed that Sm1 and Sm2 nucleases of Serratia marcescens B10M1 are polydisperse in solution and consist of monomers and dimers at the level of pH optimal for the enzyme activity. The data suggest that nucleases from the strain B10M1 and any other strain are polydisperse at pH optimum if their amino acid sequences are identical.     

Bilateral detection thresholds in dextrals and sinistrals reflect the more sensitive side of the nose, which is not lateralized [published erratum appears in Chem Senses 1998 Dec;23(6):761]

Several fundamental questions remain enigmatic concerning human olfactory sensitivity, including (i) whether detection threshold differences exist between the two sides of the nose (and, if so, whether such differences are influenced by handedness) and (ii) whether bilateral (i.e. binasal) stimulation leads to lower thresholds than unilateral stimulation (and, if so, whether the degree of facilitation is inversely related to general olfactory ability). In this study, and well-validated single staircase procedure was used to establish bilateral and unilateral detection thresholds for the cranial nerve I stimulant phenyl ethyl alcohol in 130 right- and 33 left-handed subjects. No differences in sensitivity between the left and right sides of the nose were observed in either group. Bilateral thresholds were lower, on average, than unilateral thresholds when the latter were categorized in terms of left and right nares. However, the bilateral thresholds did not differ significantly from those of the side of the nose with the lower threshold. Overall smell ability, as measured by the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test, did not interact with any of the test measures. These data imply that (i) the left and right sides of the nose do not systematically differ in detection threshold sensitivity for either dextrals or sinistrals and (ii) if central integration of left:right olfactory threshold sensitivity occurs, its effects do not exceed the function of the better side of the nose.      

云南瓶尔小草属一新种

Ophioglossum yongrenense Ching ex Z. R. He et W. M. Chu, sp. nov.Species nova aspectu inter O. kawamuram Tagawa et O. parvum Nishida et Kurita Japonicae, differt a priore frondibus pro parte laminis sterilibus praeditis (in illa frondibus omnino laminis sterilibus non praeditis), a posteriore frondibus pro parte laminis sterilibus non praeditis (in O. parvo Nishida et Kurita frondibus omino laminis sterilibus praeditis).……     

Serratia marcescens endonuclease. Properties of the enzyme

Some physico-chemical properties of endonuclease (EC 3.1.4.9) from Serratia marcescens were studied and the amino acid composition of the enzyme was determined. The protein molecule was shown to contain one SH-group and one S-S-bond, which renders it different from the well studied nuclease (EC 3.1.4.7) from Staph. pyogenes. The conditions for reconstitution of the S-S-bond by dithioerythritol for quantitative estimation of cysteine residues of the endonuclease molecule were selected. The N-terminal amino acid was found to be threonine. The UV spectra for the enzyme are typical for proteins; A 0,1% 1cm,280nm is 1.46, epsilon 25 degrees 280nm,pH7,4 is 47292 M-1 cm-1. The sedimentation coefficient in phosphate buffer sW, 20 degrees is 3.4 S, pI is 6.5 and 7.5.     

Polypharmacy in the management of patients with schizophrenia on risperidone in a tertiary-care hospital in Malaysia

The present study was conducted primarily to determine the occurrence of polypharmacy in patients with schizophrenia on risperidone. The secondary aim was to ascertain the incidence of inappropriate prescribing with anticholinergics. A retrospective review of the medical records of all patients who were being followed up at the out-patient clinic of a tertiary-care hospital in Malaysia was conducted. Only patients who were being prescribed risperidone between 1 June 2008 and 31 December 2008 were included in the study. Demographic data such as patient’s age, gender and race were obtained from the patient’s medical records. In total, 113 patients met the selection criteria. Polypharmacy was found to occur in 34 patients (30.09%), with the majority (76.47%) being on two antipsychotics. In total, 27 patients (34.18%) on monotherapy with risperidone were prescribed an anticholinergic on scheduled dosing, while 19 patients (24.05%) were prescribed it on an as-needed basis. Of the patients on polypharmacy, 26 (76.47%) were on scheduled dosing of anticholinergics, while three (8.82%) were taking the medication on an as-needed basis. Polypharmacy should be avoided, and the use of anticholinergics should be closely reviewed. By adopting more efficient prescribing practices, costs can be reduced and financial resources can instead be channelled towards more beneficial areas for the patients.     

Involvement of Recovery Processes in the Effects of Radioprotectors at the Cellular and Organismal Levels

Biology Bulletin - A correlation between the effectiveness of the radioprotective action of cysteamine with the radiosensitivity of cells and their ability to recover from radiation damage was...     

A morphologic analysis of digestion in Leptopsylla segnis (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae) fleas

Changes in the ultrastructure of cells of the intestinal epithelium during the digestion of one blood portion were traced in the fleas L. segnis. It is shown that alongside with the cavity digestion take place elements of intracellular digestion. Hypothetic scheme of the digestive cell functioning is given.