An ethopharmacological analysis of morphine effects in fish (Macropodus Opercularis)

The behavioural effects of morphine on fish (Macropodus opercularis) were studied by an ethopharmacological analysis. For this purpose active and passive behavioural units were observed.The results show that morphine treatment had a stimulating effect. However, the treatment resulted not in a general enhancement of active behavioural units, but in a selective increase of some of them, such as swimming and erratic behaviour, or in stereotyped behaviours, such as circling. By contrast, high dosages of morphine resulted in a decrease of escape and of standing under the surface behaviours.     

Simultaneous assay for aspartate aminotransferase and guanase in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography

A simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay for the simultaneous determination of guanase and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in a single serum sample is described. The method is based on direct detection of enzymatically formed products xanthine and glutamate, respectively. The procedure is sensitive, precise (C.V. below 2% for guanase and 3% for AST), suitable for routine purposes and requires only 100 μl of sample. Kinetic measurements have shown the guanase activity to have an apparent Michaelis constant of 24.5 μM and the AST activity of 11.1 and 0.18 mM for aspartate and oxoglutarate, respectively, at 37°C in Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5).     

A structurally unique Fusobacterium nucleatum tannase provides detoxicant activity against gallotannins and pathogen resistance

Colorectal cancer pathogenesis and progression is associated with the presence of Fusobacterium nucleatum and the reduction of acetylated derivatives of spermidine, as well as dietary components such as tannin-rich foods. We show that a new tannase orthologue of F. nucleatum (TanBF_nn) has significant structural differences with its Lactobacillus plantarum counterpart affecting the flap covering the active site and the accessibility of substrates. Crystallographic and molecular dynamics analysis revealed binding of polyamines to a small cavity that connects the active site with the bulk solvent which interact with catalytically indispensable residues. As a result, spermidine and its derivatives, particularly N⁸-acetylated spermidine, inhibit the hydrolytic activity of TanBF_nn and increase the toxicity of gallotannins to F. nucleatum. Our results support a model in which the balance between the detoxicant activity of TanBF_nn and the presence of metabolic inhibitors can dictate either conducive or unfavourable conditions for the survival of F. nucleatum.     

Effect of HDL1 infusion on biliary secretion in perfused rat liver

The effects of HDL1 lipoprotein infusion on biliary lipid secretion were studied in thein vitro model of rat perfused liver. A strong increase in bile flow was observed during and after lipoprotein infusion. This caused a significant rise in cholesterol, phospholipid and bile salt secretions. However, only the percentage of cholesterol increased with respect to the other bile lipids. The changes observed in the cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio values of liver membrane subfractions (i.e., liver plasma membrane, mitochondria plus lysosomes and microsomes) isolated from the perfused rat liver after HDL1 administration were not significant.     

Distribution of Gc subtypes in Aragon (north-east Spain)

Group-specific component (Gc) polymorphism was investigated in 559 individuals from Aragon. The gene frequencies were compared to those reported for other European populations.     

Pyridoxal thiosemicarbazonate monohydrate of dimethylthallium(III): X-ray structure and spectroscopic properties

The title compoud, [TlMe₂(HL)(H₂O)] (HL = monoanion of pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone), crystallizers in the triclinic space group , No. 2). The HL⁻anion coordinates to the thallium atom, in an unusual mode through the S atom (Tl-S = 2.832(1) Å), and also forms a weak bond with the metal atom of a neighbouring molecule to make an asymmetric bridge (Tl′…S = 3.190(1) Å). The acidic proton retained in the thiosemicarbazonato anion is located on the oxygen of the phenolic hydroxyl group. The water molecule is only 2.630(4) Å from the metal, suggesting a rather strong bond that contrasts with the long distance between the thallium and the phenolic oxygen (Tl…O(1)′ = 3.124(4) Å). If both strong and weak intermolecular interactions are taken in account, the metal has distorted octahedral coordination with the methyl groups in apical positions. The solid state IR spectrum and ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁰⁵Tl NMR spectra in DMSO solution are also discussed.