Genetic Variation in VP7 Gene of Human Rotavirus Serotype 2 (G2 Type) Isolated in Japan,China, and Pakistan

Sequence analysis of the gene encoding the major neutralization glycoprotein (VP7) was performed on sixteen human isolates of serotype 2 of rotavirus in Japan, China, and Pakistan and their genetic variations were examined. Comparative studies of their nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences between the sixteen isolates and the HU5 strain revealed an overall homology of more than 94%. A higher degree of homology in nucleotides was observed among the sixteen isolates than between HU5 and the isolates. A total of thirteen amino acid residues frequently converted to another amino acid. Out of the thirteen, five amino acid residues belonging to the major neutralizing epitope regions (C, E, and F in this communication) converted frequently. From the amino acid sequences three subtypes, subtype 1, subtype 2, and intermediate, were suggested to be classified as previously reported for serotype 1 (Xin et al, Virology, 1993, 197: 813-816).     

The processing of macronuclear-destined DNA sequences microinjected into the macronuclear anlagen of the hypotrichous ciliate Stylonchia lemnae.

We describe the construction of a vector carrying the micronuclear versions of two macronuclear DNA molecules, one of which was modified by the insertion of a polylinker sequence. This vector was injected into the polytene chromosomes of the developing macronucleus of Stylonychia and its processing during further macronuclear development and its fate in the mature macronucleus were analyzed. In up to 30% of injected cells the modified macronuclear DNA sequence could be detected. While the internal eliminated sequences (IES) present in the macronuclear precursor DNA sequence are still retained in the mature macronucleus, the modified macronuclear DNA sequence is correctly cut out from the vector, telomeres are added de novo and it is stably retained in the macronucleus during vegetative growth of the cells. This vector system represents an experimental system that allows the identification of DNA sequences involved in the processing of macronuclear DNA sequences during macronuclear development.     

In situ filtration of Anchusa officinalis culture in a cell-retention stirred tank bioreactor

Summary The effect of agitation and aeration on filtration of Anchusa officinalis culture in a stirred tank bioreactor integrated with an internal filter unit was investigated. Increases in suction head of the pump that drove the filtration process were measured at impeller speeds of 100 and 200 rpm. Surprisingly, suction head attained at 200 rpm was about 40% higher than at 100 rpm. Direct observation of the cake deposition process in the reactor using a dilute cell suspension revealed that the filter cake formed at 100 rpm was thicker, but less compact. Aeration at 0.4 vvm was shown to have little effect on the filtration rate, since the bulk fluid flow was dominated by the impeller hydrodynamics. The initial flux can be recovered by filter backwashing with compressed air at a flow rate of 0.6 vvm for a duration of 5 minutes.     

Screening and characterization of glutaryl-7-aminocephalosporanic acid acylase from Pseudomonas sp.

Summary Three screening methods were used to isolate GL-7-ACA acylase-producing strains. Three positive isolates were identified with Pseudomonas nitroreducens CCRC 11041 possessing the highest activity, against GL-7-ACA and GL-7-ADCA. No activity was detected when Ceph C or succinyl-7-ACA was used as substrate; glutaric acid was found to be inhibitory. CCRC 11041 could produce maximal GL-7-ACA acylase activity when cultivated on meat extract medium II. The enzyme had a pH optimum of 5.0 and a temperature optimum of 42°C.     

A simple and modified manometric method for measuring oxygen uptake rate of plant cells in flask cultures

Summary A simple and convenient technique was developed based on the principle of Warburg manometric method to measure O₂ uptake rate (OUR) and CO₂ evolution rate (CER) of suspended cells in a shake flask culture. It was successfully applied to suspension cultures of rice (Oryza sativa) and Panax notoginseng cells, and some important bioprocess parameters, such as OUR, CER, respiratory quotient (RQ), specific OUR (SOUR) and specific CER (SCER), were quantitatively obtained. The measuring system is easy to operate, able to treat many samples simultaneously and is economical.     

榆绿毛萤叶甲寄生微粒子虫新种记述：微孢子门：微粒子科

本文记述寄生于榆绿毛萤叶甲的一种微粒子虫新种的光匀和电镜形态特征及寄生习性。并讨论了新种鉴别特性。     

采用薄层层析─紫外分光光度法测定广西不同产地黄花蒿中青蒿素含量

采用薄层层析─紫外分光光度法测定不同地区黄花蒿中的青蒿素含量,并对照测定野生与人工栽培样品,结果人工栽培的黄花蒿中青蒿素含量较野生高。     

Ca~（2＋）对叶绿素a／b钙结合蛋白波谱学特性的影响（Ⅱ）

用钙螯合亲和层析分离纯化得到的叶绿素ａ／ｂ钙结合蛋白,其荧光发射峰在６８０±１ｎｍ,钙结合后导致荧光发射峰强度降低。当再加入ＥＧＴＡ,螯合钙后,其荧光发射峰强度得以部分恢复。该蛋白在结合钙后,其圆二色谱也发生变化。这些结果表明该蛋白质的构象在结合钙后发生了变化。该蛋白质的荧光激发光谱在４４０ｎｍ和４７０ｎｍ处的激发峰表明此蛋白结合有叶绿素ａ和叶绿索ｂ。本文对叶绿素ａ／ｂ钙结合蛋白在光系统Ⅱ中的可能功能进行了讨论。     

In vitro labeling of the sialic acid moiety of glycoconjugates with carbon-14

Labeling of sialoglycoproteins with carbon-14 in vitro was performed by reacting the aldehyde groups, generated by mild periodate oxidation of the terminal sialyl groups, with 14C-labeled sodium cyanide to produce the labeled cyanohydrin derivatives (Kiliani reaction). Labeling with tritium was carried out by reduction of the aldehyde groups generated on the sialyl residues with 3H-labeled sodium borohydride following standard procedures. The behavior of both types of labeled specimens of fetuin and ovine submaxillary mucin, individually and in mixtures, was investigated by gel-filtration chromatography, gel electrophoresis, and cesium bromide gradient ultracentrifugation. The labeled sialyl residues were subjected to partial characterization: color yield with the resorcinol and thiobarbituric acid reagents, behavior on ion-exchange chromatography, and susceptibility to mild acid and enzymatic hydrolyses. In addition to these model glycoproteins, this procedure was also utilized to label the sialoglycoproteins present in human tracheobronchial secretions collected from normal subjects and patients with chronic bronchitis. The potential uses of this approach for comparative studies of normal and pathological sialoglycoconjugates available in minute amounts is described. The extension of this approach to the labeling of the galactosyl and N-acetylgalactosaminyl moieties of glycoconjugates following treatment with galactose oxidase is outlined.     

Ca2+-dependent K+ permeability of heart sarcolemmal vesicles. Modulation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity and by calmodulin

The Ca2+-dependent K+ permeability of heart sarcolemma vesicles was measured by following the transmembrane movement of the charge compensating tetraphenylborate anion. The increase in vesicles permeability induced by Ca2+ is lost when membrane proteins are dephosphorylated by an endogenous protein phosphatase and is restored by a phosphorylation process catalysed by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The calmodulin antagonist R 24571 lowers the Ca2+-dependent K+ permeability by decreasing the Ca2+ affinity of the K+ transporting system.