Collagen receptors mediate early events in the attachment of epithelial (MDCK) cells

Summary Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells kept in suspension culture for 12–15 hr displayed high-affinity binding sites for¹²⁵I-lathyritic (soluble) collagen (120,000/cell,K _D =30nm) and preferred collagens types I and IV over laminin or fibronectin as substrates during the first hour of attachment. On the other hand, after 4 hr, attachment to all four substrates was equally efficient. Upon challenge with a collagen substrate, the high-affinity sites were rapidly recruited on it (T1/2=6 min). Their occupancy by soluble collagen triggered the exocytosis of a second large population of low-affinity collagen binding sites that included laminin and seems to be involved in a second cell-attachment mechanism. These results are compatible with a twostep model of MDCK cell attachment to the substrate: first, via high-affinity collagen binding sites, and second, via laminin of cellular origin.     

Prophylactic and curative effects of Bacopa monniera in gastric ulcer models.

Bacopa monniera Wettst. (BM, syn. Herpestis monniera L; Scrophulariaceae), is an Ayurvedic drug used as a rasayana. Its fresh juice was earlier reported to have significant antiulcerogenic activity. In continuation, methanolic extract of BM (BME) standardized to bacoside-A content (percentage-38.0 ± 0.9), when given in the dose of 10–50 mg/kg, twice daily for 5 days, showed dose-dependent anti-ulcerogenic on various gastric ulcer models induced by ethanol, aspirin, 2 h cold restraint stress and 4 h pylorus ligation. BME in the dose of 20 mg/kg, given for 10 days, twice daily showed healing effects against 50% acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. Further work was done to investigate the possible mechanisms of its action by studying its effect on various mucosal offensive acid-pepsin secretion and defensive factors like mucin secretion, mucosal cell shedding, cell proliferation and antioxidant activity in rats. BME 20 mg/kg showed no effect on acid-pepsin secretion, increased mucin secretion, while it decreased cell shedding with no effect on cell proliferation. BME showed significant antioxidant effect per se and in stressed animals. Thus, the gastric prophylactic and curative effects of BME may be due to its predominant effect on mucosal defensive factors.     

The Amusic Brain: Lost in Music,but Not in Space

Congenital amusia is a neurogenetic disorder of music processing that is currently ascribed to a deficit in pitch processing. A recent study challenges this view and claims the disorder might arise as a consequence of a general spatial-processing deficit. Here, we assessed spatial processing abilities in two independent samples of individuals with congenital amusia by using line bisection tasks (Experiment 1) and a mental rotation task (Experiment 2). Both amusics and controls showed the classical spatial effects on bisection performance and on mental rotation performance, and amusics and controls did not differ from each other. These results indicate that the neurocognitive impairment of congenital amusia does not affect the processing of space.     

A Hypernychthemeral Sleep-Wake Syndrome: A Treatment Attempt

The wake and sleep-onset times of a patient with a sleep-wake cycle longer than 24 hr were recorded by the patient for 4 years. During this time, the patient found himself unable to maintain a 24-hr sleep-wake schedule. When treated with 1-2 mg clonazepam, taken nightly, he was able to become entrained to a 24-hr day. Despite entrainment of his sleep-wake cycle, the patient reported depression, lack of motivation and fatigue and chose not to continue taking the drug.     

Hypoplasia and health status: a comparison of two lifestyles

Enamel hypoplasia was recorded for the primary and permanent teeth of Natufians (terminal Pleistocene Hunter-Gatherers) and Early Arabs (Subsistence farmers). Minimal hypoplasia was found in the primary teeth of the Natufians, but in the Early Arab population, 31% of upper first primary molars showed enamel defects. In the permanent teeth, the Early Arab population again showed a significantly higher frequency of hypoplasia, with all teeth affected. In the Natufians, only later developing teeth showed enamel defects. These findings suggest that health status in the Early Arab population was poor throughout life, affecting pregnant mothers, their foetuses, young infants and children. These results confirm other studies that have shown deterioration in health status of early agriculturalists relative to hunter- gatherers. Comparisons of these findings with those of recent populations indicate that health status in the Natufians was comparable to that of modern populations with subsistence diets and mediocre health care. Health status in the Early Arab population was comparable to that of modern populations suffering from severe malnutrition and chronic disease.     

Carboxylierungsreaktionen in Agaricus bisporus III. Pyruvat und Phosphoenolpyruvat als CO2-Acceptoren

Zusammenfassung Zellfreie Extrakte aus Agaricus bisporus bilden Malat, Fumarat und Aspartat einerseits aus Pyruvat und CO₂ in Gegenwart von Mn²⁺ und andererseits aus Phosphoenolpyruvat und CO₂ in Gegenwart von Mg²⁺.Die Carboxylierung von Pyruvat wird durch ATP und NADPH₂ deutlich gefördert, ist aber unabhängig von der Anwesenheit von CoA-Estern. Die Reaktion erfährt durch pCMB, Oxalat und Avidin eine Hemmung.Die Carboxylierung von Phosphoenolpyruvat wird durch ADP, nicht aber durch GDP und IDP gefördert.Aus den Ergebnissen wird geschlossen, daß bei der Carboxylierung von Pyruvat sowohl Pyruvatcarboxylase als auch Malatenzym wirksam sind, während für die Oxalacetatsynthese aus Phosphoenolpyruvat PEP-Carboxykinase verantwortlich ist.Die Bedeutung der drei Enzyme im Zusammenhang mit der Ernährung des Kulturchampignons aus dem natürlichen Substrat, mit der Glucogenese und der Steuerung des Citronensäurecyclus wird diskutiert.

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Carboxylation reactions in Agaricus bisporus III. Pyruvate and phosphoenolpyruvate as CO₂-acceptors

Summary Cell-free extracts from Agaricus bisporus catalyze the synthesis of malate, fumarate and aspartate from pyruvate and CO₂ in the presence of Mn²⁺, and from phosphoenolpyruvate and CO₂ with Mg²⁺ (partially replaceable by Mn²⁺).The carboxylation of pyruvate is highly stimulated by ATP and NADPH₂, but is not affected by CoA-esters. The reaction is inhibited by pCMB, oxalate and avidin.The carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate is stimulated by ADP, but not by IDP and GDP.From cofactor-requirement and inhibitor studies it is concluded, that there are two enzymes, pyruvatecarboxylase and malic enzyme, which catalyze the carboxylation of pyruvate. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is responsible for the CO₂-fixation into oxaloacetate.The significance of these three enzymes is discussed in connection with the nutrition of the fungus from its natural growth substrate and with the regulation of glycogenesis and the citric acid cycle.