Acylation of carcinogenic hydroxamic acids by carbamoyl phosphate to form reactive esters

Two methylated derivatives of arginine were isolated from the encephalitogenic protein of myelin from the central nervous system. Evidence is presented for the proposed structures, omega-NN'-dimethylarginine and omega-N-monomethylarginine. In the encephalitogenic protein from human brain the proportion 1:6:10 for arginine:monomethylarginine:dimethylarginine residues was found to occur at position 107. Possible roles for the methylated arginine in conformational changes and altered ion-exchange behaviour are discussed.     

Involvement of virulence properties and antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli strains causing pyelonephritis in children

A total of 145 Escherichia coli strains causing pyelonephritis in children were investigated for the prevalence of genes encoding the following virulence factors (VFs): P fimbria (67.6?%), S fimbria (53.8?%), AFA adhesins (2.8?%), cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1 (37.9?%), ??-hemolysin (41.4?%), and aerobactin (71.7?%). One hundred and thirty-six (93.8?%) isolates harbored at least one of the virulence genes detected in the present study. Statistically significant co-occurrent presence of two VF genes was found for ??-hly?Ccnf1, ??-hly?Csfa, cnf1?Csfa (p?<?0.001), and ??-hly?Cpap (p?=?0.001). Twenty-six profiles of VF genes were detected in this study. The combinations of aer?Cpap and aer?Cpap?Csfa?C??-hly?Ccnf1 were presented with the highest frequency??both of them in 28 isolates (19.3?%). All E. coli strains included in the study were susceptible to meropenem, amikacin, and tobramycin; the highest frequency resistance was found toward ampicillin (43.4?%), piperacillin (31.7?%), tetracycline (15.9?%), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (11.7?%). The resistance to the other tested antimicrobial drugs did not exceed 3?% incidence. Overall, 55.9?% strains were susceptible to all tested anti-infective agents. Antimicrobial resistance of E. coli strains toward trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole statistically significantly correlated with the presence of ??-hly (p?<?0.001), sfa (p?<?0.01), and cnf1 (p?<?0.05).     

Role of mixed-function amine oxidase in N-hydroxylation of 2-acetamidofluorene by hamster liver microsomal preparations (Short Communication)

Pretreatment of hamsters with 3-methylcholanthrene (100mg/kg body wt.) 24h before death did not appreciably change the extent of N-oxide formation when hepatic microsomal preparations were incubated with NN-dimethylaniline as substrate. In contrast, the N-hydroxylation of 2-acetamidofluorene was increased severalfold in hepatic microsomal preparations from pretreated animals. Under these conditions there were no appreciable changes in cytochrome P-450 content and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity. On the basis of these comparative data, it is suggested that amine oxidase is not involved in N-hydroxylation of 2-acetamidofluorene.     

Angiotensin-(1-7) Mas-receptor deficiency decreases peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression in adipocytes

The renin-angiotensin system is an important link between metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Besides angiotensin II, other angiotensin peptides such as angiotensin-(1-7), have important biological activities. It has been demonstrated that angiotensin-(1-7), acting through the G protein-coupled receptor encoded by the Mas protooncogene have important actions on the cardiovascular system. However, the role of angiotensin-(1-7)-Mas axis in lipidic profile is not well established. In the present study, the adipocyte metabolism was investigated in wild type and FVB/N Mas-deficient male mice. The gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, acetyl-CoA carboxylase and the amount of fatty acid synthase protein were reduced in the Mas-knockout mice. Serum nonesterified fatty acids of Mas-knockout showed a 50% increase in relation to wild type group. Basal and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis was similar between the groups, however, a significant decrease of the glycerol release (lipolytic index) in response to insulin was observed in wild type animals, while no effect of the insulin action was observed in a Mas-knockout group. The data suggest that the lack of angiotensin-(1-7) action through Mas receptor alters the response of adipocytes to insulin action. These effects might be related to decreased expression of PPARγ.     

The Spanish Translation and Cultural Adaptation of Five Mental Health Outcome Measures

In this paper we report on the process of translating five mental health outcome measures into Spanish and adapting them to Latino culture. The instruments considered are the World Health Organization-Disability Assessment Scale, the Burden Assessment Scale, the Family Burden Scale, Lehman's Quality of Life Interview and the Continuity of Care in Mental Health Services Interview. A systematic process of translation and adaptation of the instruments was followed with the goal of achieving cultural equivalence between the English and Spanish versions of the instruments in five dimensions: semantic, content, technical, construct, and criterion equivalence. In this paper we present data about the semantic, content, and technical equivalence. Various steps were taken to achieve equivalence in these dimensions, including the use of a bilingual committee, a multi-national bilingual committee, back-translation, and focus groups with mental health patients and their relatives.     

ZFC/FC of oriented magnetic material in the Solenopsis interrupta head with antennae: Characterization by FMR and SQUID

Ferromagnetic resonance and SQUID magnetometry have been used to study magnetic material in the head with antennae, thorax, and abdomen of Solenopsis interrupta ants. The temperature dependence of the head with antennae using both techniques was measured. Room-temperature spectra and saturation magnetization were used to compare the magnetic material amount in the ant body parts. Both techniques show that the highest magnetic material fraction is in the head with antennae. The ordering temperature is observed at 100 ± 20 K for the ferromagnetic resonance spectra HF component. The estimated magnetic anisotropy constant K and g-values at room temperature are in good agreement with magnetite, supporting this material as the main magnetic particle constituent in the Solenopsis interrupta head with antenna. Particle diameters of 26 ± 2 nm and smaller than 14 nm were estimated. This work suggests that the head with antenna of the Solenopsis interrupta ant contains organized magnetic material and points to it as a good candidate as a magnetic sensor.