The in vitro biosynthesis of dhurrin, the cyanogenic glycoside of Sorghum bicolor.

A microsomal fraction from seedlings of Sorghum bicolor (Linn) Moench has been shown to catalyze the conversion of L-tyrosine to p-hydroxymandelonitrile via p-hydroxyphenylacetaldoxime. This transformation is consistent with the general pathway for cyanogenic glycoside biosynthesis proposed on the basis of in vivo experiments. When the microsomal fraction was combined with a protein fraction from the soluble portion of the cell and uridine diphosphate glucose, it was possible to demonstrate the synthesis of the cyanogenic glycoside dhurrin from L-tyrosine.     

Effect of ion removal on the solubility of rat brain proteins in chloroform-methanol mixtures

—The amount of chloroform-methanol-soluble protein obtained from rat brain tissue homogenates which have been subjected to washing by repeated contrifugation or dialysis is a several-fold greater than that obtained from untreated homogenates. The increase consequence of the removal of loosely bound electrolytes during the process of centrifugation or dialysis: little or no increase is observed upon (a) the addition of the supernatant, the ashed supernatant, or the diffusate to the washed homogenate; (b) the addition of inorganic salts to the washed homogenate; or (c) washing of the homogenate with a salt solution. The previously observed effect of sucrose in increasing the amount of chloroform–methanol-soluble protein obtained from subcellular fractions is apparently superimposed upon the effect of the removal of salts.     

Effects of ambulance transport in critically ill patients.

Two groups of critically ill patients were transferred by ambulance from other hospitals to a central intensive therapy unit. The effect of transport was reviewed retrospectively in 46 patients and prospectively in 20 patients. Of the 46 patients reviewed retrospectively six became hypotensive, six became hypertensive, and seven developed delayed hypotension. One patient developed fits and six out of 13 patients had a rise in arterial PCO-2 of 1-6-4-1 kPa (12-31 mm Hg). Of the 20 patients reviewed prospectively, one patient became hypertensive due to overtransfusion, one had a fit, but none became hypotensive. Three out of four cases of delayed hypotension were related to starting intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Arterial PCO-2 fell in one patient and arterial PCO-2 rose in two, each change being related to changed oxygen therapy or narcotics. There were no changes in other cardiovascular or respiratory indices, body temperature, or urine production. Earlier transfer, resuscitation before transfer, continuing medical care during the journey, and hence a slower smoother journey seemed to be important factors in the management of these patients. Our findings, may have important implications in the future regional organization of the care of critically ill patients.