Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activity in tissues and hypoxanthine concentrations in plasma and CSF of the horse in comparison with other species

1. Plasma hypoxanthine and xanthine concentrations are very low in the horse and low in rat, mouse and greyhound compared to concentrations in beagles, man, sheep and rabbit. 2. Activities in erythrocytes of the main enzyme metabolizing hypoxanthine, hypoxanthine phosphori-bosyltransferase, show a similar pattern (Tax et al., 1976, Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 54B, 209-212); thus low activities have been found where plasma concentrations were low. 3. Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase activities in horse tissue other than erythrocytes are similar to those in man and rabbit with high activities in brain; this enzyme may therefore be functionally important in equine brain.     

Rare earth thiocyanate complexes with tripiperidinophosphine oxide: synthesis and characterization. Crystal structure of Pr(SCN)3(tpppO)3

The synthesis and characterization of rare-earth (La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Y) thiocyanate adducts with tripiperidinophosphine oxide (tpppO) with general formula (RE)(SCN)₃(tpppO)₃ are reported. Conductance measurements in acetonitrile indicate the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. Infrared absorption spectra evidence that the SCN⁻ ion coordinates through the nitrogen atom (isothiocyanate form) and that tpppO coordinates through the phosphoryl oxygen. X-ray powder patterns suggest the existence of three different crystal forms: (1) La; (2) an isomorphous series including Ce, Nd and Pr; and (3) another isomorphous series, including Sm, Gd, Eu, Ho, Er, Tb, Lu and Y. The visible spectra of the Nd adduct and the calculated parameters β = 0.98, b^1/2 = 0.072 and δ = 1.06 indicate that the metal-ligand bonds are essentially electrostactic. The emission spectra of the Eu compound showed ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J bands (J = 0, 1, 2), suggesting a C_3v symmetry for the coordination polyhedron. The lifetime of the ⁵D₀ state is 1.28 ms. The emission spectra of the Tb complex presented ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J bands (J = 4, 5, 6) and the Dy complex showed the ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2 band. The structure of the Pr complex showed that the coordination polyhedron is a trigonal antiprism, with the isothiocyanate anions in one base and three tpppO ligands in the other. Thermal analyses (TG-DTG) were carried out for the Ce, Nd and Gd adducts. Mass losses start between 250 and 334 °C. The final residues at 1300 °C are the corresponding phosphates.     

The Hemagglutinin of Bat-Associated Influenza Viruses Is Activated by TMPRSS2 for pH-Dependent Entry into Bat but Not Human Cells

New World bats have recently been discovered to harbor influenza A virus (FLUAV)-related viruses, termed bat-associated influenza A-like viruses (batFLUAV). The internal proteins of batFLUAV are functional in mammalian cells. In contrast, no biological functionality could be demonstrated for the surface proteins, hemagglutinin (HA)-like (HAL) and neuraminidase (NA)-like (NAL), and these proteins need to be replaced by their human counterparts to allow spread of batFLUAV in human cells. Here, we employed rhabdoviral vectors to study the role of HAL and NAL in viral entry. Vectors pseudotyped with batFLUAV-HAL and -NAL were able to enter bat cells but not cells from other mammalian species. Host cell entry was mediated by HAL and was dependent on prior proteolytic activation of HAL and endosomal low pH. In contrast, sialic acids were dispensable for HAL-driven entry. Finally, the type II transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 was able to activate HAL for cell entry indicating that batFLUAV can utilize human proteases for HAL activation. Collectively, these results identify viral and cellular factors governing host cell entry driven by batFLUAV surface proteins. They suggest that the absence of a functional receptor precludes entry of batFLUAV into human cells while other prerequisites for entry, HAL activation and protonation, are met in target cells of human origin.     

Digital dermatoglyphics in the Basque population: univariate and multivariate comparison with other Spanish populations

We have analyzed dermatoglyphic finger patterns in a Spanish Basque population (841 males and 911 females). Bimanual and sexual comparisons have been carried out by means of contingency analysis. The results in the Basque population are compared with those of other Spanish populations, based on univariate (chi 2 contingency test and Student's t-test) and multivariate (principal components analyses) statistical methods. Bilateral distribution asymmetry and sexual dimorphism were observed in the Basque sample. The results of the chi 2 test for pattern types in males and females show statistically significant differences between the Basques and other Spanish populations, with the exception of the males from El Bierzo. Comparing populations with regard to the Pattern Intensity Index, the differences observed are much lower; therefore, this confirms what other authors have suggested regarding the limited usefulness of indexes in populational comparisons. In the Caucasian variation range of pattern types, Basques are located in the high part with regard to arches, in the low part with regard to whorls and radial loops, and in an intermediate part in relation to ulnar loops and overall pattern intensity. Results of the multivariate comparisons show which populations are more or less distant from the Basque population and which variables are significant in contributing to these population relationships.     

A rapid procedure for cell colony hybridization using DNA probes

A rapid, direct method for screening single cell-derived colonies or foci is described. The method allows the screening of a large number of colonies or foci by nitrocellulose filter hybridization using DNA probes. This technique simplifies current screening procedures and is a reliable, rapid, and sensitive method for the selection of cell clones containing a desired transfected gene.     

Cell adhesion molecule in the hexactinellid Aphrocallistes vastus

Abstract. The Hexactinellida sponge Aphrocallistes vastus contains a soluble aggregation factor (AF) whose purification has been described in this communication. It is characterized by a S°_20.w value of 37 and a buoyant density of 1.45 g/cm³. The AF is a glycoporteinaceous particle composed of three major protein species; no core structure could be visualized. In the presence of Ca²⁺, the AF causes secondary aggregation of single cells. The aggregation process is temperature, pH, and ionic strength independent within a broad range. Evidence is presented indicating that two (or more) AF molecules are required for the establishment of a stable cell: cell interaction. In contrast to the AFs from demosponges, the hexactinellid AF functions species-unspecifically.