Application of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to studies of aqueous protein solutions.

Modern protein Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has proven to be a versatile and sensitive technique, applicable to many aspects of protein characterization. The major practical drawback for the FT-IR spectroscopy of proteins is the large absorbance band of water, which overlaps the amide I resonances. D2O is often substituted for H2O in infrared experiments. Removal of water from protein samples can be complicated and tedious and potentially lead to denaturation, aggregation, or sample loss. Solvent removal by dialysis is difficult for suspensions and sols. A new method called the D2O dilution technique (Ddt) is described which simplifies the sample preparation step and improves the solvent subtraction. The effect of the D2O concentration on the IR spectrum of aqueous solutions of several model proteins was studied. Dilution of aqueous samples with D2O yields good quality spectra. The Ddt has been evaluated for quantitative analysis using standard proteins and its applicability to solutions and suspensions of a genetically engineered malaria antigen is demonstrated. Use of resolution-enhancement techniques with spectra in mixed solvents has also been investigated.     

Fragmenta mycologica

Summary The historical developmental stages of the hairbaiting technique are traced through the past decades.Since three investigators have substantially contributed to the development of this technique, it is proposed that this technique should in the future be known as theToma-Karling-Vanbreuseghem hairbaiting method or abbreviated as in the anagram: ToKaVa-hairbaiting method.

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Zusammenfassung Die historischen Entwicklungsstufen der Haarköder-Methode werden durch die Jahrzehnte verfolgt.Da drei Forscher zum Aufbau dieser Methode am wesentlichsten beigetragen haben, wird es vorgeschlagen, dass diese Methode in Zukunft als dieToma-Karling-Vanbreuseghem Haarköder-Methode benannt werde oder kurz, mit einem Anagramm, als die ToKaVa-Haarködermethode.

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Résumé L'auteur discute les étapes historiques du développement de la méthode en usant la kératinophilie des dermatophytes pour les cultiver.Puisqu'il y a trois investigateurs qui ont contribué, par excellence, au développement de cette méthode, on propose que cette téchnique soit dénommée au future comme d'appât de cheveux deToma-Karling-Vanbreuseghem ou, bref, la méthode d'appât de cheveux de ToKaVa.

     

A comparative dynamic study of the effectiveness of gastric cytoprotection by vitamin A, De-Nol, sucralfate and ulcer healing by pirenzepine in patients with chronic gastric ulcer (a multiclinical and randomized study)

The gastric cytoprotective effects of vitamin A, De-Nol and sucralfate were compared with the effectiveness of pirenzepine in healing ulcer in patients with chronic gastric ulcer. A total of 100 patients was randomized into different groups: the patients were treated with antacids, vitamin A (3 X 50.000 IU), De-Nol liquid (4 X 5 ml), sucralfate (4 X 1 g) or pirenzepine (3 X 50 mg). The treatment was continued for 4 weeks. At the beginning, 2 and 4 weeks after starting treatment the patients were subjected to endoscopy and the size of the ulcer was measured planimetrically. The ulcer-healing effect of De-Nol liquid was significantly better than that of the antacids (p less than 0.01). Ulcer size was reduced significantly in all groups (p less than 0.01), however, at the end of the study the gastric ulcers were smallest in the De-Nol treated group (p less than 0.001). The dynamics of ulcer healing in the second week was most favourable in the patients receiving vitamin A (p less than 0.01). The present data point to the cytoprotective effects of De-Nol liquid, vitamin A and sucralfate and to their ability of healing chronic gastric ulcers.     

Choleretic effects of yarrow (Achillea millefolium s.l.) in the isolated perfused rat liver

Different species from the Achillea millefolium aggregate are used against gastrointestinal and hepato-biliary disorders in traditional European medicine. In this work, a fraction enriched in dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCCAs) and luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide was investigated on its choleretic effect in the isolated perfused rat liver (IPRL) compared to cynarin (1,3-DCCA), the main choleretic compound of Cynara scolymus L. A fraction containing 3,4-, 3,5- and 4,5-DCCA and luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide was prepared by solid phase extraction from a 20% methanolic extract of yarrow. A total amount of 48.8% DCCAs and 3.4% luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide was determined by HPLC analysis with cynarin as internal standard. IPRL experiments revealed a dose-dependant increase in bile flow (23–44–47%) by the Achillea fraction. Choleresis was two- to three-fold higher than that of cynarin. The combined effect of DCCAs and luteolin-7-O-β-d-glucuronide stimulated bile flow more effectively than the single compound cynarin. Due to their polar structure, these compounds are quantitatively extracted into teas and tinctures; hence, they seem to be the choleretic active principles in the traditional application forms of yarrow.     

Feather degradation with a thermotolerant Streptomyces graminofaciens strain

A thermotolerant Streptomyces graminofaciens was isolated which could digest chicken feather at 40 C very efficiently. The majority of the fragments produced during feather digestion was in the range of colloid particles or even smaller. The maximum amount of feather in the medium which could be digested in 1 week in submerged culture was 10%. The procedure did not require previous mechanical disruption of the feather which makes the application fast and easy.     

Elongated mouse chromosomes suitable for enhanced molecular cytogenetics

Characterization of genetic disorders in humans and animal models requires identification of chromosomal aberrations. However, identifying fine deletions or insertion in metaphase chromosomes has been always a challenge due to limitations of resolution. In this study we developed a rapid method for chromosome elongation using two different intercalating agents: ethidium bromide and 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU), together with a short-term mitotic block using colcemid. About 70% of the chromosomes from cells that underwent this elongation procedure reached three times longer than those prepared from control cells. FISH experiments using elongated chromosomes revealed a duplicated region of chromosome 11 that was not visible in cells prepared with conventional methods.     

Characteristics of attention-related body sensations. Temporal stability and associations with measures of body focus,affect, sustained attention,and heart rate variability

Aim: This study investigated the temporal stability and correlates of attention-related body sensations that emerge without external stimulation during rest and due to focused attention on a body part.

Materials: To assess attention-related body sensations, participants were asked to focus on a freely chosen body area with closed eyes, and had to report whether the sensation of that area had changed. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess various aspects of body focus (body awareness, body responsiveness, somatosensory amplification, subjective somatic symptoms), and positive and negative affectivity. Previous experiences in body–mind therapies were also measured. PEBL Continuous Performance Test was used to assess sustained attention. Heart rate variability scores were based on a 3-minute long resting heart rate measurement.

Methods: Fifty-eight university students (22.3?±?3.95 years; 34 females) participated in the study. The stability of attention-related body sensations was measured 8?weeks later on a randomly chosen sub-group (n?=?28).

Results: Attention-related body sensations showed a mediocre temporal stability (r_ρ?=?0.47, p?=?0.012). People reporting attention-related body sensations showed significantly higher body awareness, somatosensory amplification, and resting heart rate; and marginally higher somatic symptoms. No relation was found with body–mind practice, body responsiveness, positive and negative affect, the vagal component of heart rate variability, and performance in the sustained attention task.

Conclusion: Attention-related sensations are relatively stable over time. They are connected to some, but not to all of the aspects of body focus. Further studies are needed to elaborate the influencing stable and situational factors.