Inactivation of factor Va by plasmin

The inactivation of Factor Va by plasmin was studied in the presence and absence of phospholipid vesicles and calcium ions. The cleavage patterns of bovine Factor Va and its isolated subunits were analyzed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and the progress of inactivation was monitored by clotting assays and measurements of prothrombin activation using 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonylarginine-N-(3-ethyl-1,5-penta nediyl)amide. In addition, the ability of prothrombin and Factor Xa to protect Factor Va from inactivation by human plasmin was examined. The data presented indicate that the cofactor Factor Va is inactivated rapidly upon its interaction with human plasmin. The rate of inactivation is significantly enhanced in the presence of phospholipid vesicles, suggesting that the inactivation process is a membrane-bound phenomenon. The isolated D component (heavy chain of factor Va) was found to be slowly degraded by human plasmin, giving rise to cleavage products different from those obtained with activated protein C and Factor Xa. However, the 48- and 30-kDa fragments obtained from human plasmin degradation of component E (light chain of Factor Va) appear to be similar to those obtained following the proteolysis of the same subunit by activated protein C and Factor Xa.     

EXTERNAL MORPHOLOGY AND PIGMENTATION OF THE VAQUITA, PHOCOENA SINUS (CETACEA: MAMMALIA)

The vaquita, Phocoena sinus , is a porpoise in the family Phocoenidae that lives only in the Gulf of California. The external appearance of P. sinus was unknown until 13 fresh specimens were recently examined. The most obvious morphological feature distinguishing P. sinus from its two congeners is the proportionately higher dorsal fin. The most striking features of the pigmentation pattern are the large black eye patches and the black upper and lower lip patches. In both areas, the pigmentation contrasts sharply with the surrounding light gray coloration. The total lengths of the specimens ranged from 70.3 cm (a neonate) to 143.5 cm (an adult female).     

Synthesis of acetone glycerol acyl esters by immobilized lipase ofMucor miehei

Summary The applications of immobilized lipase ofMucor miehei for the synthesis of acetone glycerol acyl ester from acetone glycerol and fatty acid, which is the first step for monoglyceride production was investigated. With a high oleic acid to acetone glycerol ratio (O/A, mol/mol), a high catalytic activity was observed under low water content in the reaction mixture. By the combination of high O/A ratio (>3) and removal of water which was produced during the reaction, the conversion degree was increased to almost 100%. With the O/A ratio of 3, the approximate half-life of the immobilized lipase and productivity of ester was estimated to be 20 days and 869 g product/g immobilized enzyme per 2 half-lives, respectively.     

Damage to protein synthesis concurrent with lipid peroxidation in rat liver slices: effect of halogenated compounds, peroxides, and vitamin E1

Protein synthesis and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in rat liver slices incubated in the presence of oxidants and protein synthesis inhibitors. Protein synthesis by rat liver slices was evaluated by [3H]leucine incorporation into the trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-insoluble material, and lipid peroxidation was evaluated by thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) released into the incubation medium. Protein synthesis inhibition by bromotrichloromethane (BrCCl3) or t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH) depended on the incubation time and oxidant concentration. [3H]Leucine incorporation was decreased to 20 and 47% of control values and TBARS were enhanced from the control value of 16.9 to 45.3 and 62.5 nmol/g of liver by incubation for 1 h with 1 mM BrCCl3 and t-BOOH, respectively. Following incubation, both protein synthesis damage and lipid peroxidation were decreased in control and oxidant-treated slices prepared from rats injected with 200 mg of DL-alpha-tocopherol/kg of body wt. Release of lactate dehydrogenase was not enhanced by oxidant treatment. Protein synthesis inhibitors reversibly decreased [3H]leucine incorporation, but the effect of oxidants on protein synthesis was irreversible. Cumene hydroperoxide and methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, but not hydrogen peroxide, damaged protein synthesis and induced lipid peroxidation. The ability of carbon tetrabromide, benzyl chloride, bromoform, bromobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, dichloromethane, and bromochloromethane to inhibit protein synthesis was correlated with their ability to induce lipid peroxidation, and with their LD50. The results suggest that oxidant-induced lipid peroxidation and protein synthesis damage occurred concurrently, and that protein synthesis inhibition may be involved in cell injury or death mediated by free radicals.     

Appearance of alpha-smooth muscle actin in human eye lens cells of anterior capsular cataract and in cultured bovine lens-forming cells

Using light and electron-microscopic immunolocalization techniques, and gel electrophoresis combined with immunoblotting, we have examined the expression of cytoskeletal proteins in normal human fetal, child and adult lenses, in human anterior capsular cataract and in bovine lens cells in vivo and in vitro. In this report, we focus our observations on the pattern of actin-isoform expression during normal and pathological situations in vivo and culture conditions. We have noted that cells of developing and mature human lenses as well as bovine lens cells in situ contain only beta- and gamma-actins. In contrast, alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-sm) actin, an isoform typical of smooth muscle differentiation, was demonstrated in bovine lens cells at different times of culture. Moreover, the multilayered cells observed in the subcapsular zone of human anterior capsular cataract were characterized by the presence of alpha-sm actin. Thus, extensive changes in actin-isoform expression take place in lens cells growing in culture and may also occur during cataractogenesis. The biological meaning of the appearance of a marker of myoid differentiation in the ectodermally derived lens-forming cells is discussed.     

Oxidation of n-tetradecane by Candida parapsilosis KSh 21 adsorbed on different glass rings

Summary Living cells of Candida parapsilosis KSh 21 were immobilized by adsorption on different types of glass rings. The presence of n-tetradecane enhanced the cell adsorption especially on normal glass rings. The high adhesion of cellulose-coated glass rings and of sintered glass rings induced a quick adsorption of the cells. The quantity of 1-tetradecanol produced in the cultures of immobilized cells especially on SGR was higher than that of the free cells. Low numbers of free cells released in the immobilized cultures were observed. Better contact between the immobilized cells and oil droplets was noticed.     

Lipopolysaccharides of two strains of the phototrophic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata

The lipopolysaccharides of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata strains St. Louis (ATCC 23782) and Sp 11 both contain L-acofriose, rhamnose, glucose and glucosamine as the main sugar constituents. 2-Keto-3-deoxyoctonate and neuraminic acid were tentatively identified. The fatty acid spectrum found with both strains comprises 3-OH-C10 and C12:1 (ester-linked) and 3-oxo-C14 (amide-linked). Isolated lipid A from strain Sp 11 contains glucosamine, glucosamine-phosphate and the total of the fatty acids of the lipopolysaccharide. Methylation analysis of the degraded polysaccharide of this lipopolysaccharide shows L-acofriose in both terminal and 1 leads to 2 chain-linked positions in a 1:4 molar ratio. Rhamnose is exclusively chain-linked (1 leads to 2), glucose is both terminally and chain-linked (1 leads to 6) in a 1:1 molar ratio. The serological activity of the lipopolysaccharide of both the R. capsulata strains is low in antisera against living or heat-killed cells when tested by passive hemagglutination, Ouchterlony immunoprecipitation or gel-immunoelectrophoresis. No crossreaction was observed among the lipopolysaccharides of R. capsulata strains St. Louis, Sp 11 and 37b4 in immunoprecipitation. Lipopolysaccharide of strain Sp 11 was found to lack lethal toxicity in galactosamine-sensitized mice.     

Right Internal Mammary Artery Implantation into Right Ventricular Myocardium for Revascularization of the Entire Heart: Experimental Data and Preliminary Report

The left internal mammary artery implant combined with epicardiectomy and free omental graft provides three extra-coronary sources of blood. This operation tested in dogs with 92% main-stem occlusion of three coronary arteries protected 75% of the animals. Applied clinically in over 100 patients, the operation resulted in 90% improvement. To obtain complete myocardial revascularization, the right internal mammary artery has been used as a fourth source of extra-coronary blood. In 57 animals, the right internal mammary arteries were implanted into the anterior walls of the right ventricle; in 80% this vessel formed anastomoses with the right coronary tree, and in 65% with the right and left coronary arteriolar systems. Six patients are described who underwent right internal mammary artery implantation; five of these in addition had the combined operation of left internal mammary artery implant, epicardiectomy and free omental graft. All patients had completely blocked right coronary arteries; in addition, five had advanced disease of the left coronary arterial tree.