Activation of latent human neutrophil collagenase by reactive oxygen species and serine proteases

The ability of various reactive oxygen species and serine proteases to activate latent collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase-1) purified from human neutrophils was examined. Latent 70-75 kD human neutrophil collagenase (HNC) was efficiently activated by known non-proteolytic activators phenylmercuric chloride (an organomercurial compound) and gold thioglucose (Au(I)-salt). Corresponding degree of activation was achieved by reactive oxygen species including hypochlorous acid (HOCl), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radical generated by hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase (HX/XAO). The presence of trace amounts of iron and EDTA were necessary and even enhanced H2O2 induced activation of latent HNC. This activation could be abolished by an iron chelator desferrioxamine and a hydroxyl radical scavenger mannitol. HOCl induced activation of latent HNC was not affected by desferrioxamine and mannitol. Thus, these compounds do not inhibit the active/activated form of HNC. Latent HNC could also be activated by trypsin and chymotrypsin but not by plasmin and plasma kallikrein. The ability of mannitol and desferrioxamine to inhibit the H2O2-induced activation of HNC suggests the transition metal dependent Fenton reaction to be responsible for localized and/or site-specific generation of hydroxyl radical/hydroxyl radical -like oxidants to act as the activating oxygen species. Our results support the ability of myeloperoxidase derived HOCl to act as a direct oxidative activator of HNC and further suggest the existence of a new/alternative oxidative activation pathway of HNC involving hydroxyl radical.     

The current status of NMR imaging

A brief account is given of the current status of nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) imaging for medical purposes. The procedures in present use for two- and three-dimensional NMR imaging are outlined and examples given. The quality of images approaches that of computerized tomography X-ray scans and demonstrates superior tissue discrimination and pathological discrimination. Guidelines for safe operation are discussed. Clinical trials of commercial NMR scanners at an advanced stage.     

A comparison of zooplankton communities in saline lakewater with variable anion composition

Although salinity and aquatic biodiversity are inversely related in lake water, the relationship between types of salts and zooplankton communities is poorly understood. In this study, zooplankton species were related to environmental variables from 12 lakes: three saline lakes with water where the dominant anions were SO₄ and CO₃, four saline lakes with Cl-dominated water, and five dilute, subsaline (0.5–3 gl^?1 total dissolved solids) lakes of variable anion composition. Although this study comprised only 12 lakes, distinct differences in zooplankton communities were observed among the two groups of chemically defined saline lakes. Canonical correspondence analysis identified total alkalinity, sulphate, chloride, calcium, sodium, potassium, and total phosphorus as all contributing to the first two ordination axes (λ₁ = 0.97 and λ₂ = 0.62, P<0.05). The rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and the harpactacoid copepod Cletocamptus sp. prevailed lakes with Cl-dominated water. In contrast, the calanoid copepods Leptodiaptomus sicilis and Diaptomus nevadensis were dominant in the SO₄/CO₃-dominated lake water with elevated potassium (79–128 mg l^?1) and total phosphorus concentrations (1322-2915 μg l^?1). The contrasting zooplankton species distribution among these two saline lake types is likely explained by variable selective pressure on zooplankton and their predators from differing physiological tolerances to salt stress and specific ions. While inland saline lakes with Cl as the dominant anion are relatively rare in Canada and SO₄/CO₃ are the common features, our study provided an opportunity to compare zooplankton communities across the two groups of lakes.     

Stimulation of human nitric oxide synthase by tetrahydrobiopterin and selective binding of the cofactor.

To check the stimulatory potency of the tetrahydro forms of the two major pteridines occurring in human tissues, neopterin and biopterin, NO synthase was purified 6000-fold from human cerebellum. Tetrahydrobiopterin stimulated the activity up to 4.5-fold in a concentration dependent manner with a maximum above 1 microM, whereas tetrahydroneopterin was completely inactive in concentrations up to 100 microM. Tetrahydrobiopterin, but not neopterin derivatives, were copurified with the NO synthase activity. Our results demonstrate that human cerebellum contains a tetrahydrobiopterin dependent NO synthase activity.     

Genetic-demographic structure of the Adyg population]

The results of comparative analysis of series of genetical and demographical parameters in two ethnically distinct populations coexisting in Adyg autonomous region of the Krasnodar district are presented. The parameters of population structure in Russians and Adygs were determined, such as sex and age distribution, ethnical marital assortativity, vital statistics and selection pressure. The analysis revealed that the populations only differ in the level of ethnical marital assortment: the coefficient of assortativity H is 2.54 and 1.55 for Adygs and Russians, respectively.