Differential expression of genes participating in cardiomyocyte electrophysiological remodeling via membrane ionic mechanisms and Ca2+-handling in human heart failure

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Excitation–contraction coupling in normal cardiac function is performed with well balanced and coordinated functioning but with complex dynamic...     

In vivo and in vitro uptake and degradation of acetylated low density lipoprotein by rat liver endothelial, Kupffer, and parenchymal cells

Isolation and separation of rat liver cells into endothelial, Kupffer, and parenchymal cell fractions were performed at different times after injection of human 125I-acetyl low density lipoproteins (LDL). In order to minimize degradation and redistribution of the injected lipoprotein during cell isolation, a low temperature (8 degrees C) procedure was applied. Ten min after injection, isolated endothelial cells contained 5 times more acetyl-LDL apoprotein per mg of cell protein than the Kupffer cells and 31 times more than the hepatocytes. A similar relative importance of the different cell types in the uptake of acetyl-LDL was observed 30 min after injection. For studies on the in vitro interaction of endothelial and Kupffer cells with acetyl-LDL, the cells were isolated with a collagenase perfusion at 37 degrees C. Pure endothelial (greater than 95%) and purified Kupffer cells (greater than 70%) were obtained by a two-step elutriation method. It is demonstrated that the rat liver endothelial cell possesses a high affinity receptor specific for the acetyl-LDL because a 35-fold excess of unlabeled acetyl-LDL inhibits association of the labeled compound for 70%, whereas unlabeled native human LDL is ineffective. Binding to the acetyl-LDL receptor is coupled to rapid uptake and degradation of the apolipoprotein. Addition of the lysosomotropic agents chloroquine (50 microM) or NH4Cl (10 mM) resulted in more than 90% inhibition of the high affinity degradation, indicating that this occurs in the lysosomes. With the purified Kupffer cell fraction, the cell association and degradation of acetyl-LDL was at least 4 times less per mg of cell protein than with the pure endothelial cells. Although cells isolated with the cold pronase technique are also still able to bind and degrade acetyl-LDL, it appeared that 40-60% of the receptors are destroyed or inactivated during the isolation procedure. It is concluded that the rat liver endothelial cell is the main cell type responsible for acetyl-LDL uptake.     

Functional imaging of the motor system

Recent studies of the motor system using functional imaging have served to emphasize the complexity of the control of even relatively simple movements. The results of these studies suggest that the behavioral context of the movement is an important determinant of functional activation within cortical motor areas.     

A SURVEY OF SIZES AND WEIGHTS OF BEMISIA TABACI (HOMOPTERA:ALEYRODIDAE)B BIOTYPE LIFE STAGES FROM FIELD GROWN COTTON AND CANTALOUPES

Abstract Size and weight measurements were made for all the life stages of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) B biotype from field grown cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) and cantaloupe ( Cucumis melo L., var. cantalupensis ) in Phoenix, AZ and Fargo, ND, USA in 2000 and 2001. Nymphal volumes were derived from the measurements. The average nymphal volume increase for settled 1 st to the late 4th instar was exponential. The greatest increase in body volume occurred during development from the 3rd to early 4th instar. Nymphs on cotton leaves were wider, but not longer compared with those on cantaloupe. Ventral and dorsal depth ratios of nymphal bodies from 1 st to late 4th instars from cantaloupe leaves were significantly greater compared with those from cotton leaves. During nymphal development from 1st to 4th instar, the average (from the two host species) ventral body half volume increased by nearly 51 times compared with an increase of 28 times for the dorsal body half volume. Adult female and male average lengths, from heads to wing tips, were 1 126 μm and 953 μm, respectively. Average adult female and male weights were 39 and 17 μg, respectively. Average widths, lengths, and weights of eggs from cotton and cantaloupe were, 99 μm, 197 μm, and 0.8 μg, respectively. Average widths, lengths, and weights for exuviae of non-parasitized nymphs from both cotton and cantaloupe were 492 μm, 673 μm, and 1.20 μg, respectively; and widths, lengths, and weights of parasitized nymph exuviae were 452 μm, 665 μm, and 3.62 μg, respectively. Both exuviae from non-parasitized and parasitized nymphs from cotton leaves were wider, longer, and heavier than those from cantaloupe leaves.     

Nucleoside and deoxynucleoside phosphorylation in formamide solutions

Nucleosides or deoxynucleosides were converted to a number of phosphorylated nucleotide and deoxynucleotide derivatives by ammonium or alkali dihydrogen phosphates in formamide. Conversions were smaller and slower at room temperature and greater and faster at elevated temperatures. Nucleotides afforded product mixtures similar to those obtained for nucleosides under the same conditions, indicating the occurrence of transphosphorylation processes. Products of reaction at elevated temperatures were cyclic nucleotides, nucleoside monophosphates, nucleoside diphosphates and cyclic nucleotide phosphates. The relative amounts of products formed were quite temperature dependent. Cyclic nucleotides were found to be in greatest abudance for reactions run at 125° or above. Relative yields of 2, 3 and 5 nucleotides and 3 and 5 deoxynucleotides from several experiments are reported. 5-Monophosphates were generally found to be present in larger quantities than 2 or 3 monophosphates. 2-Deoxyadenosine showed a preference for phosphorylation at the 3 position. Conclusions reached from mechanistic studies are that the phosphorylations are a series of equilibrium reactions, with cyclic nucleotides being formed irreversibly.Presented in part at the 3rd Northwest and 5th Rocky Mountain Joint Regional ACS Meeting of the American Chemical Society, Salt Lake City, Utah, June, 1980.