Daphnia size structure,vertical migration,and phosphorus redistribution

The timing and magnitude of diel migration in two daphnid assemblages were determined from a series of vertical profiles of daphnid size distribution. Animals were collected concurrently for gut fullness determination. Only large daphnids (> 1.4 mm) migrated, but these animals could account for substantial vertical and diel differences in phosphorus excretion rate. Gut fullness measurements and time courses of diel vertical migration suggested that large Daphnia can cause a net downward flux of phosphorus during summer in thermally stratified lakes.     

Successful pregnancy in a woman with congenital factor XIII deficiency treated with substitutive therapy. Report of a second case

A syndrome of marked fetal wastage is associated with congenital factor XIII deficiency in adult women. A previously unreported case of a woman with factor XIII deficiency is described, in which substitutive treatment with normal plasma or placental factor XIII concentrate permitted two normal pregnancies. Factor XIII activity was maintained above 1-2% with intermittent infusion of 300 ml to 450 ml of plasma every 14 days or of 500 units of concentrate every 21 days. This case confirms the only other case so far reported in which factor XIII substitutive therapy was able to permit a normal pregnancy in a woman with factor XIII deficiency and seems to suggest factor XIII to be involved in the process of annidation.     

Modulation of asialoglycoprotein binding activity in livers of pregnant or estrogen-treated rats

This report deals with the modulation of activity and expression of the hepatic asialoglycoprotein receptor, in pregnant or diethylstilbestrol-treated rats.The results show a two-fold increase in the total cell associated binding activity, both in pregnant and in estrogen-treated animals, with respect to normal values. On the contrary the surface expression was shown to be strongly enhanced only in the liver of pregnant rat. Therefore the modulation shown by this receptor system in pregnancy seems to be only partially estrogen-dependent.     

Minor components in food plants--Note I. Flavonol glycosides from Ullucus tuberosus.

This work deals with the isolation and characterization in Ullucus tuberosus of flavonoids, a class of natural products influencing potentially the taste and nutritional value of the plant food. The three flavonoids, rutin, narcissin and kaempferol 3-O-(2",6"-di-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosil)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, isolated, are devoid of taste, but appear to possess health promoting effects.     

Ultrastructural analysis of asialoglycoprotein receptor mediated endocytosis in cultured newborn hepatocytes

We examined the receptor-mediated endocytosis of asialoglycoproteins in thick sections of cultured hepatocytes of newborn rats by high voltage electron microscope. The organelles involved in endocytosis are revealed ultrastructurally using colloidal gold particles coupled to lactosylated bovine serum albumin. Keeping the cells at 4 degrees C the marker binds to the cell surface showing microvilli, and is not internalized. Increasing the temperature to 37 degrees C, we observed that within 5-15 min. the marker enters the intracellular endocytic organelles close to the cell surface. After 60 min. the marker is found in the larger and deeper endocytic organelles and in large lisosome-like vesicles. We find that the process of endocytosis in newborn cultured hepatocytes is similar to that found in cultured cells of adult rats, but the process of internalization is slower.     

The Mr 17500 region of the A chain of urokinase is required for interaction with a specific receptor in A431 cells

We have found the existence of specific receptors for the plasminogen activator, urokinase, in A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells, cultures in plasminogen-free conditions. Two subsets of receptors have been recognized on the basis of 125I-labelled urokinase binding analysis: about 1 X 10(3) high-affinity (Kd = 5.0 X 10(-11) M) and 1 X 10(5) low-affinity (Kd = 9 X 10(-9) M) receptors per cell. The electron microscopic observation of a urokinase: ferritin conjugate has shown single and clustered receptors at the cell surface. Down-regulation of the receptors (T1/2 = 3.77 h) follows the binding of urokinase. The binding does not involve an intact catalytic site and is inhibited by a monoclonal antibody against the Mr 17500 proteolytic fragment of the A chain of urokinase.     

EBNA-negative polyclonal B cells derived from a long-term culture of unclassified acute lymphoblastic leukemia: IL-2-like activity of culture's supernatant

A long-term culture of bone marrow lymphoblasts in a case of unclassified acute lymphoblastic leukemia is described. Cells lacking any lymphocytic marker in the early phase of the culture were gradually substituted by B cells showing a pattern of polyclonality. The culture supernatant contained high levels of immunoglobulins also showing interleukin 2 activity. Search for antigens related to the Epstein-Barr virus was negative. A clonal expansion of B cells versus spontaneous differentiation of unclassified leukemic cells is discussed; the long-term culture technique as a tool for a better evaluation of leukemic cells is suggested and discussed.     

Assignment of the dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP4) gene to pig Chromosome 15q21

A porcine 2-kb partial dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP4, EC 3.4.14.5) cDNA clone and a porcine 16-kb genomic fragment containing parts of the DPP4 gene were isolated, characterized, and used as probes to map the DPP4 gene to pig Chr (Chr) 15q21 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. A two-allele RFLP was revealed for the DPP4 gene. This polymorphism was utilized in a linkage test against the erythrocyte antigen G (EAG), previously assigned to Chr 15, and the microsatellite S0088, which is linked to EAG. The linkage analyses revealed significant evidence for linkage confirming the assignment of DPP4 to Chr 15.     

Statistical shape modelling of the thoracic spine for the development of pedicle screw insertion guides

Spinal fixation and fusion are surgical procedures undertaken to restore stability in the spine and restrict painful or degenerative motion. Malpositioning of pedicle screws during these procedures can result in major neurological and vascular damage. Patient-specific surgical guides offer clear benefits, reducing malposition rates by up to 25%. However, they suffer from long lead times and the manufacturing process is dependent on third-party specialists. The development of a standard set of surgical guides may eliminate the issues with the manufacturing process. To evaluate the feasibility of this option, a statistical shape model (SSM) was created and used to analyse the morphological variations of the T4–T6 vertebrae in a population of 90 specimens from the Visible Korean Human dataset (50 females and 40 males). The first three principal components, representing 39.7% of the variance within the population, were analysed. The model showed high variability in the transverse process (~ 4 mm) and spinous process (~ 4 mm) and relatively low variation (< 1 mm) in the vertebral lamina. For a Korean population, a standardised set of surgical guides would likely need to align with the lamina where the variance in the population is lower. It is recommended that this standard set of surgical guides should accommodate pedicle screw diameters of 3.5–6 mm and transverse pedicle screw angles of 3.5°–12.4°.