Monoclonal antibodies directed to human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I). Use for radioimmunoassay and immunopurification of IGF

Mouse hybridomas secreting antibodies to human insulin-like growth factor I (IGF I) were produced by fusion of spleen cells of hyperimmunised mice with FO mouse-myeloma cells. Eight clones producing antibodies against human IGF I have been isolated, two of which have been characterised. One was used in a radioimmunoassay, the other for immunopurification of IGF.     

Uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli B.: kinetic studies on the mechanism of catalysis

Using a highly purified enzyme preparation of uridine phosphorylase from Escherichia coli B, we have performed detailed kinetic studies which include initial-velocity and product-inhibition experiments in the forward and reverse directions of the reaction. These studies indicate a rapid-equilibrium random mechanism for this enzyme with the formation of an enzyme . uracil phosphate abortive complex. Lack of formation of the enzyme . uridine . ribose-1-phosphate abortive complex suggests that the ribosyl moiety of the two ligands compete for the same binding site. The random mechanism is different from the ordered addition of substrates found for uridine phosphorylase from other sources. All the kinetic constants in the forward and reverse directions and the Keq of reaction for E. coli uridine phosphorylase are reported herein.     

In vitro inhibition of lymphoproliferative responses to tumor associated antigens and of lymphoma cell proliferation by rat splenic macrophages.

Spleens from W/Fu rats bearing a syngeneic progressively growing (C58NT)D tumor contain cells which can inhibit lymphoproliferative responses in a mixed lymphocyte-tumor interaction designed to demonstrate suppressor activity. Spleens from rats having rejected (C58NT)D tumors also contained suppressor cells but to a lesser degree. The growth inhibition assay, which measures inhibition of proliferation of tumor cells, was evaluated as a simple assay system to screen for suppressor cell activity. The effector cells in both assays had the same characteristics, indicating a predominant role of macrophages. Normal rat spleens were found to contain growth inhibition activity which led to the demonstration of suppressor cell activity in spleens of normal animals. Removal of suppressor cells from the spleens of immunne rats results in consistently higher lymphoproliferative responses to tumor associated antigens on the tumor cells.     

Building Stone Treasure Troves

Cities large and small have a treasure trove of building stones both local as well as imported from various regions of the country as well as foreign sources. Many of them contain fossils which are easily available for teachers to utilize for class field trips. For some areas guidebooks exist which are listed in the attached appendix. Even for localities where no guidebook exists these published guides can be helpful especially if they are illustrated. Field trips are a useful learning tool and teachers are encouraged to create various lesson plans utilizing this generally unrecognized resource.     

Precision materials: Computational design methods of accurate protein materials

Nature has evolved a vast repertoire of structures and functions based on an ordered, orchestrated, protein building-blocks assembly. For decades these sophisticated materials have been studied, mimicked, and repurposed, yet recently, computational protein engineering methods provided an alternative route: creating protein materials de-novo, surpassing evolutionary constraints and optimized for specific tasks. We highlight two areas of research that fundamentally accelerate design of structurally well-defined programmable protein materials. First, implementations of hierarchical assembly and geometric sampling (docking) strategies to create designable backbones under pre-specified symmetry constraints. Second, progress in protein–protein interfaces and sequence design methods, using Rosetta, that drive programmable supramolecular assemblies. These approaches have proven effective in generating diverse protein assemblies in 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional architectures (constituting single or multiple components), and as part of a synthetic or a biological system. We expect these methods shall transform the toolbox of protein designers developing next generation synthetic and biological materials.     

Stimulation of T-cell activation by UV-treated, antigen-pulsed macrophages: evidence for a requirement for antigen processing and interleukin 1 secretion

The nature of the defect(s) in the ability of UV-treated guinea pig macrophages to stimulate the proliferative response of guinea pig T cells to soluble protein antigens was investigated. T cells proliferated vigorously when cultured with peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) which had been pulsed with soluble protein antigens, but failed to proliferate when cultured with soluble antigen or with antigen-pulsed, UV-treated PEC. UV-treated macrophages were unable to secrete interleukin 1 (IL-1). Addition of IL-1 partially restored the T-cell proliferative response stimulated by antigen-pulsed, UV-treated PEC. However, IL-1 was able to restore such a response only when the PEC were pulsed with antigen before being exposed to UV. Similar results were obtained when antigen-pulsed PEC were used to stimulate T cells to secrete interleukin 2 (IL-2). These results demonstrate that UV-treated macrophages are defective both in their ability to properly process and present antigen for T-cell recognition and in their ability to secrete IL-1.     

Thermal comfort of various building layouts with a proposed discomfort index range for tropical climate

Recent years have seen issues related to thermal comfort gaining more momentum in tropical countries. The thermal adaptation and thermal comfort index play a significant role in evaluating the outdoor thermal comfort. In this study, the aim is to capture the thermal sensation of respondents at outdoor environment through questionnaire survey and to determine the discomfort index (DI) to measure the thermal discomfort level. The results indicated that most respondents had thermally accepted the existing environment conditions although they felt slightly warm and hot. A strong correlation between thermal sensation and measured DI was also identified. As a result, a new discomfort index range had been proposed in association with local climate and thermal sensation of occupants to evaluate thermal comfort. The results had proved that the respondents can adapt to a wider range of thermal conditions.Validation of the questionnaire data at Putrajaya was done to prove that the thermal sensation in both Putrajaya and UTM was almost similar since they are located in the same tropical climate region. Hence, a quantitative field study on building layouts was done to facilitate the outdoor human discomfort level based on newly proposed discomfort index range. The results showed that slightly shaded building layouts of type- A and B exhibited higher temperature and discomfort index. The resultant adaptive thermal comfort theory was incorporated into the field studies as well. Finally, the study also showed that the DI values were highly dependent on ambient temperature and relative humidity but had fewer effects for solar radiation intensity.     

2-Hydroxyestradiol-17α and 4-hydroxyestradiol-17α, catechol estrogfn analogs with reduced estrogen receptor affinity

2-Hydroxyestradiol-17α and 4-hydroxyestradiol-17α, the catechol derivatives of estradiol-17α, have reduced affinity for hypothalamic, pituitary, and uterine estrogen receptors, but retain a potency for interaction with catechol-O-methyltransferase equal to that of the natural, 17β-hydroxy catechols. This dissociation of receptor binding and catecholamine interactions nay allow the use of the 17α catechols as a probe for the mechanism of action of the catechol estrogens.     

Estimating person view-factors from fish-eye lens photographs

A simple technique is described whereby view-factors can be estimated for a person at locations where the building geometry is complex. Procedures are outlined for the construction of a polar diagram whose grid cells give equal person view-factors: the diagram is designed to overlay a fish-eye lens photograph, enabling the estimation of view-factors of distinctive surfaces in the photograph image for standing and seated people.     

How ecological engineering can serve in coastal protection

Traditionally, protection of the coastal area from flooding is approached from an engineering perspective. This approach has often resulted in negative or unforeseen impacts on local ecology and is even known to impact surrounding ecosystems on larger scales. In this paper, the utilization of ecosystem engineering species for achieving civil-engineering objectives or the facilitation of multiple use of limited space in coastal protection is focused upon, either by using ecosystem engineering species that trap sediment and damp waves (oyster beds, mussel beds, willow floodplains and marram grass), or by adjusting hard substrates to enhance ecological functioning. Translating desired coastal protection functionality into designs that make use of the capability of appropriate ecosystem engineering species is, however, hampered by lack of a generic framework to decide which ecosystem engineering species or what type of hard-substrate adaptations may be used where and when. In this paper we review successful implementation of ecosystem engineering species in coastal protection for a sandy shore and propose a framework to select the appropriate measures based on the spatial and temporal scale of coastal protection, resulting in a dynamic interaction between engineering and ecology. Modeling and monitoring the bio-physical interactions is needed, as it allows to upscale successful implementations and predict otherwise unforeseen impacts.