Structural studies on lamellated osmiophilic bodies isolated from pig lung. 31P NMR results and water content

1. Lamellated osmiophilic bodies are intracellular organelles in which pulmonary surfactant is stored prior to secretion. They contain about 85% phospholipid (per dry weight) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine is a major constituent, and although their ultrastructure is uncertain it is generally supposed that they resemble liposomes. However, liposomes are stable because layers of water are interposed between the lipid bilayers whereas an essential aspect of the function of lamellated bodies is that, subsequent to their secretion, they are rapidly disrupted to form a surface-active film which covers the respiratory epithelium of the lung. 2. A new method for isolating lamellated bodies from pig lung is described which has the advantage of speed and simplicity and which results in increased yields. The homogeneity of the preparation is similar to that obtained by other methods. 3. 31P NMR spectra of lamellated bodies showed that at 40 degrees C about 95% of the phospholipid was present as extended bilayers and that about 5% was present in a phase exhibiting isotropic head group mobility (tau R less than 10(-5) s). It is suggested that this phase may be due to apolar proteins which are present both in lamellated bodies and in liposomes prepared from lipids extracted from them. 4. The internal water content of lamellated bodies has been measured gravimetrically and the hydration of the phospholipid head groups has been examined by 31P NMR. The two methods gave results in good agreement and show that there are about seven molecules of water/molecule of phospholipid. It is concluded that although the phospholipid head groups in lamellated bodies are fully hydrated, there is no zone of free water. 5. Lamellated bodies are osmotically insensitive to NaCl whereas liposomes prepared from lipids extracted from them behave like perfect osmometers. It is suggested that the osmotic insensitivity and restricted water content of lamellated bodies are important to their function and dependent upon polar proteins in the outer limiting membrane.     

A radioimmunoassay method for the rapid detection of Candida antibodies in experimental systemic candidiasis

Rabbits were employed as experimental models to evaluate a solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) method for the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. Ten rabbits were inoculated subcutaneously to mimic superficial candidiasis and were found to produce no antibodies to Candida as determined by both immunodiffusion and RIA procedures. However, 94 per cent of 18 rabbits systemically infected by intravenous injection of Candida cells were observed to produce antibody as assessed by the RIA technique. These data encourage further tests with human sera and the continued development of this RIA procedure as a useful tool in the early serodiagnosis of systemic candidiasis.     

Dissociation of absorptions of calcium and phosphate after successful cadaveric renal transplantation.

Calcium and phosphate absorptions were studied by radiotracer techniques in 30 patients after successful cadaveric renal transplantation, and results were compared with those in a group of normal subjects and in groups of patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Both calcium and phosphate absorptions were impared in patients with CRF, including those receiving haemodialysis. Abnormalities of calcium absorption, however, seemed to occur earlier in the course of advanced renal failure than abnormalities in phosphate absorption. Calcium absorption improved dramatically after successful renal transplantation, while phosphate absorption remained the same. A dissociation between calcium and phosphate absorptions is not often seen clinically, and the mechanisms for it are unknown. Phosphate malabsorption may be a further contributing factor in the development of persistent hypophosphataemia after transplantation.     

Species clustering and New Zealand quaternary climate

This paper uses the relative frequencies of occurrence of various types of pollen and spores to indicate the comparative temperatures under which Quaternary sediments accumulated in several locations in New Zealand. The application of association measures, and cluster and discriminant function analysis to such information is described and discussed.The analyses show that the types may be divided into groups whose members vary little with locality or with the statistical methods used to establish them. This stability suggests that anomalous dispersion effects are not a major influence. For some of these groups there is a similarity between the present-day climate of known pollen or spore sources and those of the corresponding groups at the time of deposition. The significant groups are used to summarise the results in pollen diagrams which are compared with similar diagrams for the discriminant function. It is also shown that the methods described assist in locating zone boundaries in a series of samples taken from a bore hole.The results obtained are relevant to the interpretation of samples in which southern beech (Nothofagus fusca type) is the most abundant tree pollen.     

Fluorosis in black-tailed deer.

Marked dental disfigurement and abnormal tooth wear patterns were observed in black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) taken from an area near an industrial fluoride source in northwestern Washington. Fluoride levels in the bones of these deer were from 10 to 35 times higher than levels in the bones of normal animals. These levels are similar to those associated with fluorosis of cattle.     

Purification and properties of the extracellular metallo-proteinases of Chromobacterium lividum (NCIB 10926).

Four extracellular proteolytic enzymes (I-IV) (EC 3.4.22.-) were identified in static cultures of Chromobacterium lividum (NCIB 10926) by agar gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Proteinases I-III were freed of non-enzymic protein by chromatography on TEAE-cellulose and CM-cellulose. The enzyme mixture was then fractionated in a pH gradient by isoelectric focusing. All three enzymes were shown to be heat-labile metallo-enzymes. Optimal activity occurred at pH 5.6 for enzyme I and at pH 6.2 for enzymes II and III. Remazolbrilliant Blue-hide powder was a sensitive substrate for these enzymes. Proteinase I was also shown to degrade haemoglobin and casein effectively, but not myoglobin, ovalbumin or bovine serum albumin. Proteinases I-III exhibited molecular weight values of 75 000, 72 000 and 67 000 by exclusion chromatography and 71 000 and 66 000 by sodium dodecyl sulphate-poly-acrylamide-gel electrophoresis for enzyme I and II, respectively. The amino acid compositions of enzymes I and II were somewhat similar. Proteinase I was inhibited by EDTA, 1,2-di(2-aminoethoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic activity. Mg2+ could substitute for Ca2+ or Mn2+ for Co2+. The interrelationship of proteinases I-III is discussed.     

Comparison of propranolol,metoprolol, and acebutolol on insulin-induced hypoglycaemia.

Metoprolol and acebutolol, two supposedly cardio-selective beta-adrenergic recptor blocking agents, were tested in healthy volunteers against propranolol, a non-selective drug, for their effect on blood glucose levels during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. There was not significant difference between propranolol and metoprolol, which both potentiated the initial hypoglycaemic action of the insulin and delayed the return to normoglycaemia. Acebutolol, even though potentiating the initial hypoglycaemia, did not possess a significant delaying effect. A similar trial should be undertaken in diabetics to determine with certainty the safety of such drugs in diabetes mellitus.