Partial agonist properties of a new derivative of dihydrobenzofuran, S 9871, and its stereoisomers in pithed rats

In the pithed rat, (imidazolinyl-2)-2 dihydro 2,3 benzofuran or S 9871 and its stereoisomers were found to block alpha-adrenoceptors. In the present investigation the agonistic effect were studied in pithed rats. With (+/-) and (+) S 9871 this effect is compatible with a stimulation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors and the effect of (-) stereoisomer with a stimulation of alpha 1 and alpha 2 adrenoceptors.     

Study of permeation and blocker binding in TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels

We studied the effects of mutations of positively charged amino acid residues in the pore of X. tropicalis TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channels: K613E, K628E, K630E; R646E and R761E. The activation and deactivation kinetics were not affected, and only K613E showed a lower current density. K628E and R761E affect anion selectivity without affecting Na⁺ permeation, whereas K613E, R646E and the double mutant K613E + R646E affect anion selectivity and permeability to Na⁺. Furthermore, altered blockade by the chloride channel blockers anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A-9-C), 4, 4''-Diisothiocyano-2,2''-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS) and T16inh-A01 was observed. These results suggest the existence of 2 binding sites for anions within the pore at electrical distances of 0.3 and 0.5. These sites are also relevant for anion permeation and blockade.     

As Leveduras e a Antibiose

Summary This paper deals with a yeast from a dog skin infection that has shown antibiotic action against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria asEscherichia coli, Salmonella typhosa, Bacillus subtilis andStaphylococcus aureus.No action has been observed againstCandida albicans.In order to reach its taxonomic position, morphological and physiological tests were made.The results suggest that the studied yeast is a strain ofHansenula anomala.     

Generation of a functional cDNA encoding the LdH2 class-I molecule by using a single-LTR retroviral shuttle vector.

The use of a new single long-terminal-repeat retroviral shuttle vector has allowed us to obtain copies of the Ld gene with the first seven exons spliced correctly, as well as many other partially spliced or aberrantly recombined copies. Nucleotide sequencing performed on double-stranded DNA with primers specific for the vector and for the coding region of the gene, allowed rapid screening of the recovered plasmids. Synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotides were then used to link the 5 nt of the last exon, and the functionality of the cDNA copy was verified by expression in transfected L(TK-) cells. Cells that produced the Ld antigen were detected by immunofluorescence and were shown to synthesize an immunoprecipitable molecule of the expected size. In addition, Ld-producing cells were susceptible to killing by Ld-restricted cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. This material should prove useful for mutagenesis and for expression in cell types in which expression of the genes of the major histocompatibility complex appears to be highly regulated.     

The trouble with collective nouns for genome editing

Mammalian Genome - We should start as we mean to go on and try to avoid the confusion most of us experience when bombarded with acronyms with overstated significations. You will be familiar with...     

Risk factors for contamination of domestic hot water systems by legionellae.

To assess risk factors associated with the contamination of the domestic environment by legionellae, 211 houses in the Quebec City area were randomly selected and water samples were collected from the hot water tank, the shower heads, and the most frequently used faucet. After centrifugation, concentrated samples were seeded in triplicate on BCYE and GPV media. Data on the characteristics of the hot water system and plumbing in the house and on the personal habits of the occupants were collected for each house. Among these 211 houses, hot water was provided by either an oil or gas heater in 33 and by an electric heater in 178. Legionellae were isolated from none of the samples from houses with oil or gas heaters and from 39% (69 of 178) of those with electric water heaters (P less than 0.0001). This association remained highly significant after control for water temperature and other variables in a stratified analysis. In the 178 houses with an electric heater, 12% of the faucets, 15% of the shower heads, and 37% of the water heaters were contaminated. Legionella pneumophila serogroups 2 and 4 were the most frequently isolated strains. Logistic regression showed that factors associated with electric water heater contamination were (i) location of the house in older districts of the city (P less than 0.0001), (ii) old age of the water heater (P = 0.003), and (iii) low water temperature (P = 0.05). Contamination of the water heater was the only factor significantly associated with the contamination of peripheral outlets (P less than 0.0001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Precipitation reactions between secretory products in amphibian oviducts

The existence of precipitin reactions between some molecules in egg jellies (oviduct secretions) of tailed amphibians (Amphibia caudata) has been demonstrated by double diffusion on agarose plates. These reactions do not exist in frogs and toads (Amphibia salientia). One precipitin reaction was related to compounds with a common molecular site of interaction for all A. caudata: all cross-species reactions were possible; a common antigenic rate has been shown. Another precipitin reaction, positively demonstrated in Pleurodeles waltl, probably exists in other A. caudata. The putative influence of these reactions on egg jelly-spermatozoon interactions has been discussed. An homology between these intra-egg jelly reactions and cortical granule content-egg jelly reactions in A. salientia has been suggested.