Isolation and characterization of the rabbit prt gene product

The product of the rabbit prt gene (PRT), a gene linked to the immunoglobulin κ-light chain gene ab, was purified from rabbit serum by precipitation with ammonium sulfate and by chromotography on DEAE-Sephadex and Sephacryl S300. Analysis of PRT indicated that it was associated rabbit hemopexin; the molecular weight of PRT (i.e., 68,000), as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, was similar to the reported molecular weight of rabbit hemopexin; the PRT phenotypes correlated with the phenotypes of a hematin binding protein; PRT itself bound hematin; and the amino acid composition of PRT was similar to the amino acid composition of rabbit hemopexin. The prt gene, however, need not be the structural gene for hemopexin; it may encode a glycosyl transferase responsible in part for the carbohydrate associated with the protein.     

31P and 195Pt NMR studies on the clusters [Pt4(μ2-CO)5L4]. L = PEt3, PMe2Ph,PMePh2, PEt2But. The molecular structure of a monoclinic modification of [Pt4(μ2-CO)5(PMe2Ph)4].

Several clusters complexes of composition [Pt₄(μ₂-CO)₅L₄] have been synthesized and characterized, using ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR. L = PEt₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PEt₂Bu^t. The molecular structure of a new monoclinic modification of the PMe₂Ph derivative has been determined: space group P2₁/n with a = 19.698(4), b = 10.9440(20), and c = 21.360(6) Å, β = 112.432(18)°, Z = 4. Using 4751 reflections measured at 290 ± 1 K on a four-circle diffractometer the structure has been refined to R = 0.0846. The molecule has no imposed symmetry, but the central Pt₄(CO)₅P₄ core has the approximate C₂v architecture established for the previously known orthorhombic modification. The Pt₄ unit is thus a highly distorted, edge-opened (3.3347 Å) tetrahedron, with five edge-bridging carbonyl and four terminal phosphine ligands. In contrast to the crystallographic results ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectra reveal equivalent ³¹P and ¹⁹⁵Pt spins, which can be interpreted in terms of a tetrahedral arrangement of platinum atoms. It is suggested that this equivalence arises from time-averaging of all possible isomeric edge-opened tetrahedra.     

Genetic variation in Antarctic populations of the moss Sarconeurum glaciale

Sixty-six isolates of the moss Sarconeurum glaciale were collected from sites in continental Antarctica at Ross Island, southern Victoria Land and the Vestfold Hills. Genetic variation within and among the populations was estimated using isozymes and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology. Isozyme results only reproducibly showed variation between the populations with one enzyme; RAPDs indicated significantly higher levels of genetic variability within and among the Vestfold Hills samples than in the Ross Sea region samples. A dendrogram produced from the RAPD bands suggested that the Ross Island and southern Victoria Land samples form one population, and those from the Vestfold Hills form a separate and more variable population, possibly resulting from separate colonisation events on the continent. Received: 15 March 1996 / Accepted: 1 May 1997     

SOCS-1 is a central mediator of steroid-increased thymocyte apoptosis and decreased survival following sepsis

Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) proteins are recently identified inhibitors/regulators of cytokine/growth factor signaling pathways. We have previously shown that SOCS-3 is upregulated in mice after sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture; however, the contribution of SOCS-1 to septic morbidity and mortality is unclear. In the present study, we characterized SOCS-1 expression in different tissues and delineated putative mechanisms effecting SOCS-1 expression in thymus from septic mice. We observed no difference in SOCS-1 expression in blood, peritoneal leukocytes, lung, and spleen taken from sham or septic animals at 24 h after surgery. In contrast, SOCS-1 expression in thymus declined significantly after sepsis and this down-regulation of SOCS-1 was associated with increased thymocyte apoptosis as well as augmented Bax recruitment to the mitochondria. Administration of RU-38486, a steroid receptor antagonist, reversed the above effects in the septic thymus. Furthermore, SOCS-1+/− mice showed a significant higher mortality when compared to SOCS-1+/+ mice after sepsis. Together, these results show that sepsis increases steroid-induced thymic lymphoid cell apoptosis, which is associated with reduced SOCS-1 expression and increased Bax translocation to mitochondria. Survival data suggests that SOCS-1 protein may play an important role in sepsis.     

Cultured subventricular zone progenitor cells transduced with neurogenin-2 become mature glutamatergic neurons and integrate into the dentate gyrus

We have previously shown that transplantation of immature DCX+/NeuN+/Prox1+ neurons (found in the neonatal DG), but not undifferentiated neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) from ventral subventricular zone (SVZ), results in neuronal maturation in vivo within the dentate niche. Here we investigated whether we could enhance the integration of SVZ NPCs by forced expression of the proneural gene Neurogenin 2 (NEUROG2). NPCs cultured from neonatal GFP-transgenic rat SVZ for 7 days in a non-differentiating medium were transduced with a retrovirus encoding NEUROG2 and DsRed or the DsRed reporter gene alone (control). By 3 days post-transduction, the NEUROG2-transduced cells maintained in culture contained mostly immature neurons (91% DCX+; 76% NeuN+), whereas the control virus-transduced cells remained largely undifferentiated (30% DCX+; <1% NeuN+). At 6 weeks following transplantation into the DG of adult male rats, there were no neurons among the transplanted cells treated with the control virus but the majority of the NEUROG2-transduced DsRed+ SVZ cells became mature neurons (92% NeuN+; DCX-negative). Although the NEUROG2-transduced SVZ cells did not express the dentate granule neuron marker Prox1, most of the NEUROG2-transduced SVZ cells (78%) expressed the glutamatergic marker Tbr1, suggesting the acquisition of a glutamatergic phenotype. Moreover, some neurons extended dendrites into the molecular layer, grew axons containing Ankyrin G+ axonal initial segments, and projected into the CA3 region, thus resembling mature DG granule neurons. A proportion of NEUROG2 transduced cells also expressed c-Fos and P-CREB, two markers of neuronal activation. We conclude that NEUROG2-transduction is sufficient to promote neuronal maturation and integration of transplanted NPCs from SVZ into the DG.     

Analysis of lambda receptor and beta-lactamase synthesis and export using cloned genes in a minicell system

Summary We have cloned lamB, the gene for receptor (an outer membrane protein), on a small plasmid which also carries the gene for -lactamase (a periplasmic protein). We have identified a promoter in the region of malK, the gene immediately preceding lamB, which is active in minicells but relatively inactive in vitro. Using a minicell system, we have found that both receptor and -lactamase are made as full length precursors which are subsequently processed. We also show that the receptor precursor can be exported to the outer membrane before it is processed. Mature -lactamase is found only in the periplasm, suggesting that processing may be a requirement for export to the periplasm.     

Mesenteric microvascular inflammatory responses to systemic hypoxia are mediated by PAF and LTB4.

Systemic hypoxia produces a rapid microvascular inflammatory response characterized by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, leukocyte-endothelial adherence and emigration, and increased vascular permeability. The lipid inflammatory mediator leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) is involved in the early hypoxia-induced responses (ROS generation and leukocyte adherence). Whether other lipid inflammatory mediators participate in this phenomenon is not known. The objective of these experiments was to study the role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the microvascular inflammatory response to hypoxia and its potential interactions with LTB(4) in this response. Intravital microscopy was used to examine mesenteric venules of anesthetized rats. We found that WEB-2086, a PAF receptor antagonist, completely prevented the increase in ROS levels and leukocyte adherence during a brief reduction in inspired Po(2) to anesthetized rats; administration of either WEB-2086 or the LTB(4) antagonist LTB(4)-DMA attenuated leukocyte emigration and the increase in vascular permeability to the same extent during prolonged systemic hypoxia in conscious rats. Furthermore, no additive effect was observed in either response when both antagonists were administered simultaneously. This study demonstrates a role for PAF in the rapid microvascular inflammatory response to hypoxia, as well as contributions of PAF and LTB(4) to the slowly developing responses observed during sustained hypoxia. The incomplete blockade of the hypoxia-induced increases in vascular permeability and leukocyte emigration by combined administration of both antagonists indicates that factors in addition to LTB(4) and PAF participate in these phenomena.     

Effects of Intra-Operative Total Intravenous Anaesthesia with Propofol versus Inhalational Anaesthesia with Sevoflurane on Post-Operative Pain in Liver Surgery: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

Background

Patients receiving total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol have been shown to experience less postoperative pain. We evaluated the post-operative analgesic effects of propofol compared with sevoflurane maintenance of anesthesia in liver surgery. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02179437","term_id":"NCT02179437"}}NCT02179437).

Methods

In this retrospective study, records of patients who underwent liver surgery between 2010 and 2013 were reviewed. Ninety-five patients anesthetized with propofol TIVA were matched with 95 patients anesthetized with sevoflurane. Numeric pain rating scale (NRS) pain scores, postoperative morphine consumption, side effects and patients’ satisfaction with pain relief were evaluated.

Results

The TIVA group reported lower NRS pain scores during coughing on postoperative days 1 and 2 but not 3 (p = 0.0127, p = 0.0472, p = 0.4556 respectively). They also consumed significantly less daily (p = 0.001 on day 1, p = 0.0231 on day 2, p = 0.0004 on day 3), accumulative (p = 0.001 on day 1, p<0.0001 on day 2 and p = 0.0064 on day 3) and total morphine (p = 0.03) when compared with the sevoflurane group. There were no differences in total duration of intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine use and patient satisfaction. No difference was found in reported side effects.

Conclusion

Patients anesthetized with propofol TIVA reported less pain during coughing and consumed less daily, accumulative and total morphine after liver surgery.