A novel galactosyl-binding lectin from the plasma of the blood clam,Anadara granosa (L) and a study of its combining site

Control Analysis has been carried out in the first steps of a rat liver glycolytic system. Attention has been focused on the effect of several glucose concentrations on the control, particularly regarding the role of glucokinase. From kinetic studies of the whole metabolic system we have obtained information on the flux variation under different glucose concentrations. This information together with the kinetics of glucokinase has allowed us to calculate Flux Control and Elasticity Coefficients for glucokinase and the Response Coefficient of the system with respect to glucose. The changes in of the value of Flux Control Coefficients demonstrates that in conditions of low glucose concentration, glucokinase is the main enzyme in controlling the flux through the pathway, but at high glucose concentration the control moves to phosphofructokinase. Next, we have compared our results with those obtained with the shortening and titration method, previously described (Torres, N.V., Mateo, F., Mélendez-Hevia, E. and Kacser, H., (1986) Biochem. J. 234, 169–174; Torres, N.V. and Meléndez-Hevia, E. 1991. Molec. Cell. Biochem. 101, 1–10). Furthermore, from knowledge of the enzyme kinetics of the system we have been able to build a model of the pathway that allows us computer similation of its behavior and calculation of the Flux Control Coefficient profile at different glucose concentrations. By the three methods the results correlate, supporting the use of the pathway substrate as external modulator of the metabolic system as a tool for practical application of Control Analysis.     

Monoclonal antibodies against beta-galactoside-binding lectin of chick embryo recognizes conformational change of the antigen

Monoclonal antibodies against chick embryonic beta-galactoside-binding lectin were obtained. One of the monoclonal antibodies was ineffective in Western blotting and seemed to be unable to bind the SDS-denatured lectin. When the native lectin was dotted on a nitrocellulose filter and subjected to denaturation by treatment with SDS, urea or heat, binding of this antibody no longer occurred, though other monoclonal antibodies bound normally. This antibody seems to have been raised against an epitope which is destroyed upon denaturation.     

Biosensors for process monitoring

Summary A short review about the biosensor research activities for bioprocess monitoring in the F.R.G. after its reunification is given. The principles of biosensor applications are presented. In situ sensors and sensors based on the principles of flow injection analysis are studied. Some applications of a four-channel enzyme thermistor, bio-field effect transistors, and immunoanalysis systems for real process monitoring are presented.     

Correlation between the parameters of contingent negative variation and characteristics of variational pulsometry in Parkinsonian patients

In patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD), we analyzed correlations between the parameters of contingent negative variation (CNV) and data of variational pulsometry (according to the measurements of R-R ECG intervals). Studies were carried out on 35 patients (group PD), 49 to 74 years old, with the stage of disease of 1.5 to 3.0 according to the Hoehn-Yahr international classification. In the course of CNV recording (i.e., in the state of a certain functional loading), we observed significant negative correlations between the integral magnitude (area) of this potential and indices of variational pulsometry (RMSSD, SDNN, C. var, and HF) that characterize the intensity of parasympathetic (respiratory) influences on the cardiovascular system. In the control group, such correlations were absent. We found significant correlations between the autonomic balance, CNV magnitude, and stage of PD reflecting the level of generalization of the pathological process. In the subgroup of patients with the PD stage 1.5 to 2.0, significant changes in the mean values of indices of parasympathetic influences during recording of the CNV were not observed, while in another subgroup (the PD stage 2.5 to 3.0), these values increased significantly (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01). If the estimates of the PD stage were low, the CNV area demonstrated greater values (P < 0.01). The disturbance of coordination of muscle-to-muscle interactions in the PD group is, probably, an important factor responsible for parasympathetic dysregulation and suppression of the CNV generation. We found positive correlation between the intensity of parasympathetic influences in the course of CNV recording and the level of postural disorders (r = 0.37, P < 0.05). On the contrary, the CNV magnitude demonstrated a negative correlation with the intensity of these disorders (r = −0.36, P < 0.05), as well as with the level of postural instability (r = −0.55, P < 0.001). We hypothesize that alterations of the autonomic balance and the activity of those cerebral structures, which are responsible for the motor readiness, result, to a significant extent, from weakening of the activity of the noradrenergic system due to degenerative processes developing in cells of the locus coeruleus. The impairment of the latter structure, together with degeneration of neurons of the substantia nigra and a decrease in the level of nigro-striatal dopamine, underlies the pathomorphological pattern of PD. Neirofiziologiya/Neurophysiology, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 242–253, May–June, 2008.     

Soil and plant tests for available sulfur in wetland rice soils

Summary Soil tests, plant performance, and plant tissue analyses were used to study the availability of sulfur to wetland rice in 30 Philippine soils. The critical concentrations of available sulfur by the calcium phosphate, lithium chloride, ammonium acetate, and hydrochloric acid extractions were 9, 25, 30, and 5 mg/kg, respectively. The critical total sulfur limits were 0.11% in the shoot at maximum tillering 0.055% in the straw at maturity, and 0.065% in the grain. The critical N:S ratio was 15 in the shoot at maximum tillering, 14 in the straw at maturity, and 26 in the grain. The critical sulfate-sulfur limit was 150 mg/kg in the shoot at maximum tillering and 100 mg/kg in the straw at maturity. The critical sulfate-sulfur/total sulfur percentage ratio was 15% in the shoot at maximum tillering and the straw at maturity. Plant performance, judged by appearance and yield of dry matter, straw, and grain, was generally poorer in the sulfur deficient soils than in the other soils. Although the calcium phosphate and ammonium acetate methods gave a better correlation between plant performance and available sulfur than the others, all four methods separated sulfur-deficient soils from non-deficient ones. The hydrochloric acid method merits further study because it is simple and versatile.     

Towards the mechanism and comparative effect of diphenyl diselenide, diphenyl ditelluride and ebselen under various pathophysiological conditions in rat's kidney preparation

As an extension of our previous work we not only evaluated the relationship between acidosis and lipid peroxidation in rat's kidney homogenate, but also determined for the first time the potential anti-oxidant activity of diphenyl diselenide, diphenyl ditelluride and ebselen at a range of pH values (7.4–5.4). Because of the pH dependency of iron redox cycling, pH and iron need to be well controlled and for the reason we tested a number of pH values (from 7.4 to 5.4) to get a closer idea about the role of iron under various pathological conditions. Acidosis increased rate of lipid peroxidation in the absence Fe (II) in kidney homogenates especially at pH 5.4. This higher extent of lipid peroxidation can be explained by; the mobilized iron which may come from reserves where it is weakly bound. Addition of iron (Fe) chelator desferoxamine (DFO) to reaction medium completely inhibited the peroxidation processes at all studied pH values including acidic values (5.8–5.4). In the presence of Fe (II) acidosis also enhanced detrimental effect of Fe (II) especially at pH (6.4–5.4). Diphenyl diselenide significantly protected lipid peroxidation at all studied pH values, while ebselen offered only a small statistically non-significant protection. The highest anti-oxidant potency was observed for diphenyl ditelluride. These differences in potencies were explained by the mode of action of these compounds using their catalytic anti-oxidant cycles. However, changing the pH of the reaction medium did not alter the anti-oxidant activity of the tested compounds. This study provides evidence for acidosis catalyzed oxidative stress in kidney homogenate and for the first time anti-oxidant potential of diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride not only at physiological pH but also at a range of acidic values.     

Impacts of a native parasitic plant on an introduced and a native host species: implications for the control of an invasive weed

Background and Aims: While invasive species may escape from natural enemies in thenew range, the establishment of novel biotic interactions withspecies native to the invaded range can determine their success.Biological control of plant populations can be achieved by manipulationof a species' enemies in the invaded range. Interactions weretherefore investigated between a native parasitic plant andan invasive legume in Mediterranean-type woodlands of SouthAustralia. Methods: The effects of the native stem parasite, Cassytha pubescens,on the introduced host, Cytisus scoparius, and a co-occurringnative host, Leptospermum myrsinoides, were compared. The hypothesisthat the parasitic plant would have a greater impact on theintroduced host than the native host was tested. In a fieldstudy, photosynthesis, growth and survival of hosts and parasitewere examined. Key Results: As predicted, Cassytha had greater impacts on the introducedhost than the native host. Dead Cytisus were associated withdense Cassytha infections but mortality of Leptospermum wasnot correlated with parasite infection. Cassytha infection reducedthe photosynthetic rates of both hosts. Infected Cytisus showedslower recovery of photosystem II efficiency, lower transpirationrates and reduced photosynthetic biomass in comparison withuninfected plants. Parasite photosynthetic rates and growthrates were higher when growing on the introduced host Cytisus,than on Leptospermum. Conclusions: Infection by a native parasitic plant had strong negative effectson the physiology and above-ground biomass allocation of anintroduced species and was correlated with increased plant mortality.The greater impact of the parasite on the introduced host maybe due to either the greater resources that this host providesor increased resistance to infection by the native host. Thisdisparity of effects between introduced host and native hostindicates the potential for Cassytha to be exploited as a controltool.