Isolation and1H-NMR spectroscopic identification of the glucose-containing lipid-linked precursor oligosaccharide ofN-linked carbohydrate chains

The lipid-linked precursor ofN-type glycoprotein oligosaccharides was isolated from porcine thyroid microsomes after in cubation with UDP[³H] Glucose. The carbohydrate was released from dolichol pyrophosphate by mild acid hydrolysis, purified by gel filtration and characterized by 500-MHz¹H-NMR spectroscopy in combination with enzymatic degradation. The parent oligosaccharide was found to be Glc₃Man₉Glc-NAc₂. The three glucose residues are present in the linear sequence Glcα1-2Glα1-3 Glc, the latter being α(1-3)-linked to one of the mannose residues. In order to establish the branch location of the triglucosyl unit, the parent compound was digested with jack-bean α-mannosidase. The oligosaccharide product was purified by gel filtration, and identified by¹H-NMR as Glc₃Man₅GlcNAc₂ lacking the mannose residues A, D₂, B and D₃. Therefore, the structure of the precursor oligosaccharide is as follows: $$\begin{gathered} c b a D_1 C 4 \hfill \\ Glc\alpha 1 - 2Glc\alpha 1 - 3Glc\alpha 1 - 3Man\alpha 1 - 2Man\alpha 1 - 2Man\alpha 1 \hfill \\ 3 \swarrow 3 2 1 \hfill \\ Man\alpha 1 - 2Man\alpha 1 Man\beta 1 - 4GlcNAc\beta 1 - 4GlcNAc \hfill \\ D_{2 } A 3 6 \hfill \\ Man\alpha 1 \hfill \\ 6 \hfill \\ Man\alpha 1 - 2Man\alpha 1 \nwarrow 4 \hfill \\ D_3 B \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$      

Kinetics of microbial growth on mixtures of pentachlorophenol and chlorinated aromatic compounds

Batch experiments were conducted to examine the effects of several substrate analogs on the degradation of pentachlorophenol by an enrichment culture of pentachlorophenol-utilizing bacteria. The presence of substrate analogs which were unable to serve as a carbon source for growth of the culture (e.g., 3,5,6,-trichloro-2-pyridinol, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) decreased the rate of pentachlorophenol degradation. The presence of a utilizable substrate analog (e.g., phenol, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol) also inhibited the initial rate of pentachlorophenol degradation; however, the overall removal rate was accelerated due to an increase in cell mass concentration as a result of simultaneous growth on both substrates. These effects were shown to be predicted by a mathematical model based on a modified Monod equation. Kinetic parameters obtained from the results of laboratory studies can be used for further process analysis to define the optimal conditions for the biological treatment of complex mixtures of phenolic compounds.     

Kinetics of microbial growth on pentachlorophenol

Batch and fed-batch experiments were conducted to examine the kinetics of pentachlorophenol utilization by an enrichment culture of pentachlorophenol-degrading bacteria. The Haldane modification of the Monod equation was found to describe the relationship between the specific growth rate and substrate concentration. Analysis of the kinetic parameters indicated that the maximum specific growth rate and yield coefficients are low, with values of 0.074 h-1 and 0.136 g/g, respectively. The Monod constant (Ks) was estimated to be 60 micrograms/liter, indicating a high affinity of the microorganisms for the substrate. However, high concentrations (KI = 1,375 micrograms/liter) were shown to be inhibitory for metabolism and growth. These kinetic parameters can be used to define the optimal conditions for the removal of pentachlorophenol in biological treatment systems.     

Effects of dissolved oxygen concentration on biodegradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid

Batch experiments were conducted to examine the effects of dissolved oxygen concentration on the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) by an enrichment culture of 2,4-D-utilizing bacteria. A modified Monod equation was found to describe the relationship between the specific growth rate and the concentrations of both the organic substrate and dissolved oxygen. Values for the maximum specific growth rate, yield, and Monod coefficient for growth on 2,4-D were 0.09 h-1, 0.14 g/g, and 0.6 mg/liter, respectively. The half-saturation constant for dissolved oxygen was estimated to be 1.2 mg/liter. These results suggest that dissolved oxygen concentrations below 1 mg/liter may be rate limiting for the biodegradation of chlorinated aromatic compounds such as 2,4-D, which have a requirement for molecular oxygen as a cosubstrate for metabolism.     

Increased expression of costimulatory markers CD134 and CD80 on interleukin-17 producing T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Introduction  

There is growing evidence that interleukin 17 (IL-17) producing T cells are involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Previous studies showed that increased percentages of T-cell subsets expressing the costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD134 are associated with disease activity and renal involvement in SLE. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and phenotypical characteristics of IL-17 producing T-cells in SLE, in particular in patients with lupus nephritis, with emphasis on the expression of CD80 and CD134.     

Diurnal Behavior and Habitat Preferences of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Erebia aethiops</Emphasis>, an Aberrant Lowland Species of a Mountain Butterfly Clade

Erebia aethiops is an aberrant lowland representative of a predominately arctic and alpine butterfly genus. We used behavioral records obtained during a mark-recapture study (MR) to extract information about its adult diurnal and within-season activity, and to compare its activity with previously studied mountain Erebia species. Similarly to them, maintenance activities (nectaring, basking) increased with season. Contrary to mountain relatives, E. aethiops nectars in morning hours and spends the hottest parts of the day in the shade. Therefore, high rather than low temperatures seem to be limiting E. aethiops activity. We also compared microhabitat preferences of sexes, finding that females preferred grassy patches, whereas males often entered scrub and sparse canopy forest. The study illustrates the utility of auxiliary MR data to analyze butterfly activity, and points to the necessity of finely structured habitat mosaics for E. aethiops, an open woodland species that retracted to abandoned grasslands and has become vulnerable in Central Europe.     

Baseline predictors of response and discontinuation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocking therapy in ankylosing spondylitis: a prospective longitudinal observational cohort study

Introduction  

Identifying ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients who are likely to benefit from tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) blocking therapy is important, especially in view of the costs and potential side effects of these agents. Recently, the AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) has been developed to assess both subjective and objective aspects of AS disease activity. However, data about the predictive value of the ASDAS with respect to clinical response to TNF-α blocking therapy are lacking. The aim of the present study was to identify baseline predictors of response and discontinuation of TNF-α blocking therapy in AS patients in daily clinical practice.     

Advanced glycation endproducts are increased in rheumatoid arthritis patients with controlled disease

Introduction  

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are produced and can accumulate during chronic inflammation, as might be present in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AGEs are involved in the development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether AGEs are increased in patients with long-standing RA and whether AGE accumulation is related to disease activity, disease severity and measures of (premature) atherosclerosis, such as endothelial activation, endothelial dysfunction and intima media thickness (IMT).