Effect of heparin on the activation of the anticoagulation system by alpha-thrombin

Heparin-regulated alpha-thrombin ability to activate the response of the anticoagulation system has been studied by the perfusion of sinocarotid area of rabbits with DIP-alpha-thrombin-heparin complex. In a series of experiments the area was perfused with 1.8 micron DIP-alpha-thrombin and significant changes in anticoagulation parameters have been registered in systemic circulation. During perfusion of sinocarotid area by DIP-alpha-thrombin-heparin complex (2 microns) no activation of anticoagulation system was noted. DIP-alpha-thrombin-heparin perfusates contained no endogenic heparin, unlike DIP-alpha-thrombin perfusates. This confirms the absence of anticoagulation system response to DIP-alpha-thrombin. Control perfusion by heparin alone in equimolar concentrations revealed no changes in anticoagulation system. It is assumed that heparin, blocking cation subcentre of the recognition centre for high molecular compounds in the enzyme molecule, prevents the response of anticoagulation system, disturbing the enzyme ability to bind to specific receptors of the vascular walls.     

Synthesis and application of a new phosphorylating agent: S-(N-monomethoxytritylaminoethyl)-O-(o-chlorophenyl)phosphorothi oate

A new phosphorylating agent, S-(N-monomethoxytritylaminoethyl)-O-(O-chlorophenyl) phosphorothioate, was prepared and reacted with a 5'-hydroxyl group of an oligonucleotide using 1-mesitylene-sulfonyl-3-nitrotriazole (MSNT) as a condensing agent. After base labile protecting groups were removed, the partially deprotected oligonucleotide was separated on a reversed phase column and converted to the oligonucleotide with an aminoethyl or a phosphoryl group at the 5'-end by treatment with 80% acetic acid or iodine-water, respectively. The syntheses of ppT, pppT, A5'pp5'T and A5'ppp5'T were also performed by treatment of 5'-O-(N-monomethoxytritylaminoethylthiophosphoryl) thymidine with tri-n-octylammonium salt of phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, pA and ppA, respectively.     

The Role of Dissolved Organic Material in the Nutrition of Pelagic Larvae: Amino Acid Uptake by Bivalve Veligers

SYNOPSIS. Studies on the role of dissolved organic materialin the nutrition of marine invertebrates have largely been confinedto adults. However larval forms, with a higher surface areato volume ratio, have a greater weight specific capacity forabsorbing dissolved organic material than adults. Autoradiographic,biochemical, and kinetic experiments with bivalve larvae allindicate that amino acid uptake and translocation mechanismscan operate efficiently at naturally occurring substrate concentrations.The mechanisms operate throughout the life-span of the animal,from fertilized egg to adult. Experimental evidence is presentedto show that the kinetics of uptake by larvae allow them tocompete with bacteria for dissolved organic material in seawater. In larvae, supplementary sources of energy may be moreimportant than in adults since larvae are provided with minimalfood reserves by the parent and must pass through periods whenpaniculate feeding cannot occur.     

Effects of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate in the diet on the performance of calves

Sixty male Friesian calves were weaned from milk at 5 weeks of age. From 3 to 11 weeks of age, the calves were offered a diet of barley, meat meal, urea and 15% oat straw, supplemented with sodium chloride (NaCl) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃). The sodium (Na) contents of the diets supplemented with NaCl were 0.3, 1.1, 1.9 and 2.8%. The sodium contents of the diets supplemented with NaHCO₃ were 1.1 and 1.9%.The performance of the calves fed on the diets containing 0.3, 1.1 and 1.9% Na from NaCl was similar, but the organic matter intake and weight gains of the calves fed on the diet containing 2.8% Na were significantly lower between 5 and 11 weeks of age. The feed intake of the calves fed on the diets containing 1.1 and 1.9% Na from NaHCO₃ was 8 and 15% greater than the feed intake of the calves fed on the diet containing 0.3% Na. However, there was no significant difference in the intake of organic matter, the efficiency of feed conversion ratios or the weight gains of the calves.The sodium treatments resulted in no significant differences in the concentration of volatile fatty acids in the rumen. The addition of NaHCO₃ to the diets altered in acid—base balance in jugular blood.     

Morphological pathway of flagellar assembly in Salmonella typhimurium.

The process of flagellar assembly was investigated in Salmonella typhimurium. Seven types of flagellar precursors produced by various flagellar mutants were purified by CsCl density gradient protocol. They were characterized morphologically by electron microscopy, and biochemically by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The MS ring is formed in the absence of any other flagellar components, including the switch complex and the putative export apparatus. Four proteins previously identified as rod components, FlgB, FlgC, FlgF, FlgG, and another protein, FliE, assemble co-operatively into a stable structure. The hook is formed in two distinct steps; formation of its proximal part and elongation. Proximal part formation occurs, but elongation does not occur, in the absence of the LP ring. FlgD is necessary for hook formation, but not for LP-ring formation. A revised pathway of flagellar assembly is proposed based on these and other results.     

Lipid composition of the epidermal gel secretion from the Arabian Gulf catfish (Arius thalassinus Ruppell)

Lipids associated with a threat induced epidermal gel secretion from the catfish, Arius thalassinus, have been analyzed. Phospholipids, neutral lipids and glycolipids are all present and each of these subclasses has been analyzed by thin layer and gas chromatography with a general similarity with membrane lipids being noted. The epidermal gel lipids differed from total liver lipids of the catfish. Fatty acid analysis showed the gel lipid to be rich in the unsaturated fatty acids: oleate (omega 7, C18:1), arachidonate (omega 6, C20:4), and docosahexaenoate (omega 3, C22:6). Some prostaglandins were quantitated in lipid extracts from the epidermal gel.