Zur Problematik der Chromosomenautoradiographie

The distribution of silver grains on the chromosomes of group G was studied in 216 mitoses from five patients with Down's syndrome after incubation with tritated thymidine in order to test the replication pattern of these autosomes. The different labelling densities over the chromosomes were determined by comparative estimations of the blackened areas and subdivided into four degrees: very strongly labelled, strongly labelled, weakly labelled and unlabelled. The 56 combinations for five G chromosomes and four labelling densitives were divided into three groups: group A, with three strong and two weak labelling types, group B, with two strong and three weak labelling types, and group C, with the remaining combinations. Thereby 51 (23.6%) mitoses were counted in six combinations of group A, 31 (14.4%) in six combinations of group B, and 134 (62.0%) in 44 combinations of group C. In order to test the possibility of identifying the G chromosomes based on a different DNA replication pattern the findings were subjected to a statistical analysis. The expected values were calculated for the different combinations of labelling degrees and were compared with the observed values. This method being used, the question whether the extra chromosome is replicating late or early compared with the remaining G chromosomes could not be answered with sufficient certainty, because P_A=1, P_B=0 could not be assumed on our figures. We conclude from these findings that the termination phases for the chromosomes 21 as well as 22 lie close together and that apparently the autoradiographic representation of the replication pattern can be influenced by various factors. The influencing factors can only be understood in connection with the problems of quantitative autoradiography. They are subdivided into three groups and discussed in this way: A. Factors due to the physiology of the genetic material: 1. Duration of the DNA-synthesis and the G₂-period. 2. Chromosomal replication pattern. 3. The relation of ³H-Thymidin and unlabelled thymidine in the newly synthesized DNA. B. Factors due to the autoradiographic and cytologic method: 1. Statistics of the radioactive disintegrations. 2. -self-absorption. 3. Coincidence. 4. Effectivity. 5. Back-ground. 6. Fading. 7. Condensation of the chromosomes. 8. Cytologic preparation. 9. Thickness of the emulsion layer. 10. Duration of exposition and developping. C. Factors due to the method of evaluation: 1. Accuracy of counting. 2. Deficient analysis of the results. After considering these factors it seems clear that the autoradiographic technique is not capable to demonstrate subtle differencies of the DNA replication. Thus the autoradiographic identification of chromosomes remains questionable if the termination phases of DNA replication lie close together as this seems the case for the chromosomes 21 and 22.

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Studie im Rahmen der Assoziation Hämatologie EURATOM — GSF.     

Epinephrine potentiates calcium mobilization and activation of protein kinases in platelets stimulated by ADP through a mechanism unrelated to phospholipase C

ADP, added to suspensions of aspirinized 32P-prelabelled washed platelets, induced reversible platelet aggregation, the rapid elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ (maximum at 2 s), 20 kDa myosin light chain phosphorylation (maximum faster than 3 s), 40 kDa protein phosphorylation (maximum at 3-10 s) and phosphatidic acid formation (maximum at 30 s). Prior addition of epinephrine potentiated platelet aggregation, cytosolic Ca2(+)-elevation, 20 and 40 kDa protein phosphorylation evoked by ADP, but it did not enhance phosphatidic acid formation induced by ADP. The potentiating effect of epinephrine on aggregation, cytosolic Ca2(+)-increase and 20 and 40 kDa protein phosphorylation induced by ADP was also observed in the presence of EGTA. Ethylisopropylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H(+)-exchange, did not affect the potentiation of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by epinephrine. We conclude that epinephrine primes platelets to increase Ca2(+)-influx and Ca2(+)-mobilization in response to ADP. The potentiation of cytosolic Ca2(+)-elevation by epinephrine leads to further stimulation of myosin light chain phosphorylation and protein kinase C activation and ultimately to enhanced platelet aggregation. These effects of epinephrine do not seem to take place at the level of phospholipase C.     

Analytical treatment of pattern formation in the Gierer-Meinhardt model of morphogenesis

Summary We first perform a linear stability analysis of the Gierer-Meinhardt model to determine the critical parameters where the homogeneous distribution of activator and inhibitor concentrations becomes unstable. There are two kinds of instabilities, namely, one leading to spatial patterns and another one leading to temporal oscillations. Focussing our attention on spatial pattern formation we solve the corresponding nonlinear equations by means of our previously introduced method of generalized Ginzburg-Landau equations. We explicitly consider the two-dimensional case and find both rolls and hexagon-like structures. The impact of different boundary conditions on the resulting patterns is also discussed. The occurrence of the new patterns has all the features of nonequilibrium phase transitions.     

Determination and characterization of long-chain fatty acyl-CoA thioesters from yeast and mammalian liver

The long-chain fatty acyl-CoA content of various biological materials, i.e., baker's yeast and mammalian liver, has been determined under standard and several other metabolic conditions, using optimized methods for cell disruption, separating acid-soluble and acid-insoluble CoA from each other, and assaying. After studying the optimization of the extraction of long-chain acyl-CoA compounds and the purification of the extracts, acyl-CoA fractions from several biological sources have been isolated and characterized on behalf of their fatty acid residues by gas-liquid chromatography of the methyl ester derivatives.     

Exploring Beneficial/Virulence Properties of Two Dairy-Related Strains of Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius

The genus Streptococcus includes various species, remarkably different in their behavior, applications, virulence, and safety. Taxonomically Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius belonging to the Streptococcus bovis group, which includes several pathogen species, however, has been found as predominant species in some African dairy products that are widely consumed and considered to be safe. Streptococcus infantarius subsp. infantarius’ safety may be questioned due to the association of this species with clinical cases. In this study, isolates from dairy origin were selected based on their bacteriocinogenic potential and differentiated by their RAPD-PCR profiles. Two strains were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as St. infantarius subsp. infantarius and investigated regarding their potential beneficial properties and factors related to virulence and safety. A series of in vitro tests included properties related to survival in the gastrointestinal tract and beneficial intestinal activities. Production of bacteriocin/s, detection of related genes, and partial characterization of expressed antimicrobial protein were evaluated. Genes related to folate biosynthesis were detected in both studied strains. Evaluation of physiological tests related to strains virulence, adhesion, and resistance to antibiotics and detections of virulence and biogenic amines production-related genes were also investigated. Taking in consideration all the aspects of the specific nature of St. infantarius subsp. infantarius K1–4 and K5–1 (beneficial properties and virulence characteristics), both strains cannot be considered safe for human or other animals application, even though they have been isolated from dairy products. This study is highlighting the importance of evaluation for presence of potential virulence factors in newly characterized strains in order to be confident in their safety.

     

Highly Stable Plasmonic Nanostructures on a Nickel-Sputtered Glass and Polymeric Optical Fiber Sensors

Plasmonics - This study shows development of highly sensitive and stable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR)-active U-bent glass and polymeric optical fiber (GOF and POF) sensor probes by a...     

Water permeability and mechanical strength of polyunsaturated lipid bilayers

Micropipette aspiration was used to test mechanical strength and water permeability of giant-fluid bilayer vesicles composed of polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine PC lipids. Eight synthetic-diacyl PCs were chosen with 18 carbon chains and degrees of unsaturation that ranged from one double bond (C18:0/1, C18:1/0) to six double bonds per PC molecule (diC18:3). Produced by increasing pipette pressurization, membrane tensions for lysis of single vesicles at 21 degrees C ranged from approximately 9 to 10 mN/m for mono- and dimono-unsaturated PCs (18:0/1, 18:1/0, and diC18:1) but dropped abruptly to approximately 5 mN/m when one or both PC chains contained two cis-double bonds (C18:0/2 and diC18:2) and even lower approximately 3 mN/m for diC18:3. Driven by osmotic filtration following transfer of individual vesicles to a hypertonic environment, the apparent coefficient for water permeability at 21 degrees C varied modestly in a range from approximately 30 to 40 microm/s for mono- and dimono-unsaturated PCs. However, with two or more cis-double bonds in a chain, the apparent permeability rose to approximately 50 microm/s for C18:0/2, then strikingly to approximately 90 microm/s for diC18:2 and approximately 150 microm/s for diC18:3. The measurements of water permeability were found to scale exponentially with the reduced temperatures reported for these lipids in the literature. The correlation supports the concept that increase in free volume acquired in thermal expansion above the main gel-liquid crystal transition of a bilayer is a major factor in water transport. Taken together, the prominent changes in lysis tension and water permeability indicate that major changes occur in chain packing and cohesive interactions when two or more cis-double bonds alternate with saturated bonds along a chain.     

Older poor-sleeping women display a smaller evening increase in melatonin secretion and lower values of melatonin and core body temperature than good sleepers

Melatonin concentration and core body temperature (CBT) follow endogenous circadian biological rhythms. In the evening, melatonin level increases and CBT decreases. These changes are involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Therefore, the authors hypothesized that age-related changes in these rhythms affect sleep quality in older people. In a cross-sectional study design, 11 older poor-sleeping women (aged 62-72 yrs) and 9 older good-sleeping women (60-82 yrs) were compared with 10 younger good-sleeping women (23-28 yrs). The older groups were matched by age and body mass index. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire. As an indicator of CBT, oral temperature was measured at 1-h intervals from 17:00 to 24:00?h. At the same time points, saliva samples were collected for determining melatonin levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), characterizing the onset of melatonin production, was calculated. Evening changes in melatonin and CBT levels were tested by the Friedman test. Group comparisons were performed with independent samples tests. Predictors of sleep-onset latency (SOL) were assessed by regression analysis. Results show that the mean CBT decreased in the evening from 17:00 to 24:00?h in both young women (from 36.57°C to 36.25°C, p < .001) and older women (from 36.58°C to 35.88°C, p < .001), being lowest in the older poor sleepers (p < .05). During the same time period, mean melatonin levels increased in young women (from 16.2 to 54.1 pg/mL, p < .001) and older women (from 10.0 to 23.5 pg/mL, p < .001), being lowest among the older poor sleepers (from 20:00 to 24:00?h, p < .05 vs. young women). Older poor sleepers also showed a smaller increase in melatonin level from 17:00 to 24:00?h than older good sleepers (mean?±?SD: 7.0?±?9.63 pg/mL vs. 15.6?±?24.1 pg/mL, p = .013). Accordingly, the DLMO occurred at similar times in young (20:10?h) and older (19:57?h) good-sleeping women, but was delayed ～50?min in older poor-sleeping women (20:47?h). Older poor sleepers showed a shorter phase angle between DLMO and sleep onset, but a longer phase angle between CBT peak and sleep onset than young good sleepers, whereas older good sleepers had intermediate phase angles (insignificant). Regression analysis showed that the DLMO was a significant predictor of SOL in the older women (R(2)?=?0.64, p < .001), but not in the younger women. This indicates that melatonin production started later in those older women who needed more time to fall asleep. In conclusion, changes in melatonin level and CBT were intact in older poor sleepers in that evening melatonin increased and CBT decreased. However, poor sleepers showed a weaker evening increase in melatonin level, and their DLMO was delayed compared with good sleepers, suggesting that it is not primarily the absolute level of endogenous melatonin, but rather the timing of the circadian rhythm in evening melatonin secretion that might be related to disturbances in the sleep-wake cycle in older people.     

Improving consensus structure by eliminating averaging artifacts

Background  

Common structural biology methods (i.e., NMR and molecular dynamics) often produce ensembles of molecular structures. Consequently, averaging of 3D coordinates of molecular structures (proteins and RNA) is a frequent approach to obtain a consensus structure that is representative of the ensemble. However, when the structures are averaged, artifacts can result in unrealistic local geometries, including unphysical bond lengths and angles.     

The thio-Mitsunobu reaction: a useful tool for the preparation of 2,5-anhydro-2-thio- and 3,5-anhydro-3-thiopentofuranosides

The unprotected methyl L-arabinofuranosides, D-ribofuranosides and D-xylofuranosides are transformed into the corresponding S-acetyl-5-thio derivatives by the thio-Mitsunobu reaction. Mesylation and subsequent reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate led, depending on the configuration of the intermediate, to 2,5-anhydro-2-thio- or 3,5-anhydro-3-thiopentofuranosides. Due to inversion at C-3 or C-2 during the intramolecular nucleophilic displacement the products exhibit L-lyxo-, D-arabino- or D-lyxo-configuration. Analogously, the methyl 2,3-anhydro-D-ribofuranosides yielded 5-thio-S-acetates with intact 2,3-oxirane groups, which were cyclised with sodium hydrogen carbonate by epoxide ring opening and concomitant ring closure to form exclusively 3,5-anhydro-3-thio-D-xylofuranosides. A related 3,5-anhydro-3-seleno-D-lyxofuranoside was obtained by reaction of a 3,5-di-O-mesyl-D-arabinofuranoside with sodium hydrogen selenide. Several X-ray diffraction analyses proved the structures of the products.