Multiple structural elements define the specificity of recombinant human inhibitor-1 as a protein phosphatase-1 inhibitor

The cDNA encoding human brain protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 (I-1) was expressed in Escherichia coli. Following PKA phosphorylation at a threonine, recombinant human I-1 was indistinguishable from rabbit skeletal muscle I-1 as a potent and specific inhibitor of the type-1 protein serine/threonine phosphatase (PP1). N-Terminal phosphopeptides of I-1 that retained the selectivity of intact human I-1 highlighted a functional domain that mediates PP1 inhibition. Substituting alanine in place of threonine-36 eliminated I-1 phosphorylation by PKA and its phosphatase inhibitor activity. An acidic residue was substituted in place of the phosphoacceptor to produce I-1(T35D), a constitutive phosphate inhibitor. I-1(T35D) was an equally effective inhibitor of PP1 and the type-2 phosphatase, PP2A. However, CNbr digestion of I-1(T35D) yielded an N-terminal peptide that showed 100-fold increased specificity as a PP1 inhibitor. This provided new insight into a unique conformation of the phosphorylated I-1 that accounts for selective inhibition of PP1 activity. Truncation of an active I-1 phosphopeptide identified an N-terminal sequence that was reduced in addition to threonine-35 phosphorylation to inhibit PP1 activity. Biosensor studies demonstrated that PP1 bound to both Phosphorylated and dephosphorylated I-1 and suggested that distinct elements of I-1 structure accounted for PP1 binding and inhibition. Our data point to multiple interactions between the I-1 functional domain. and the PP1 catalytic subunit that define this phosphoprotein as a physiological regulator of the type-1 protein phosphatase.     

High temperature annealing effects on carbon spheres and their applications as anode materials in Li-ion secondary battery

Carbon spheres (CSs) have been subjected to a high temperature annealing process at 2800 °C under an Ar atmosphere. These high temperature annealed carbon spheres (HTACSs) have been characterised by SEM, HRTEM, BET surface area, XRD, Raman, SQUID and TGA techniques. The study indicates that the original spheroidal morphology of CSs have been converted to polyhedral. The graphitic flakes possessing relatively short range order of which the original are composed of appear to have coalesced into more extended graphitic layers possessing long range order. Furthermore three dimensional interplanar graphitic ordering occurs. Charge-discharge capacity measurements have been performed on both carbon materials to access the potential of these materials in Li-ion secondary battery applications. The measurements indicate that HTACSs exhibit better performance than CSs in terms of greater reversible capacity and their longer plateau in voltage profiles.     

The trajectory of the point of application of the resultant force of body mass at different walking speeds. Statistical analysis of human walking

Parameters of walking at ordinary, fast and slow speeds in 30 male and 30 female young adults were investigated. More than 10 trials were made for each speed by each subject. The number of subjects and trials was large enough to permit a statistical analysis. The focus of the study was the movement of the point where the resultant foot-ground force intersects the ground. Its pathway, or trajectory, begins at touch-down from the middle part of the heel, then runs quickly on a straight line to the heads of the first or second metatarsal bones, turns medially and moves slowly towards the base of the first toe, ending at the tip of the first or second toe, or between them. This result confirms that the ankle joint works like a hinge during the stance phase, and that the human foot structure is relatively robust. Remarkably high positive correlations between stride length and stature, as well as iliospinal height were found in male subjects. However in females these clear correlations were not found, except at fast walking speeds, although were not so notable as in males. Correlations calculated from the data from all female subjects indicated significantly quite high values, as in males, but it is almost impossible to estimate exact stature or iliospinal height reliably from stride length because of its relative high variation. The sexual difference in walking speed is not due to stride duration, but to stride length.     

Glomerular deposition of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) indicates a novel mechanism of complement activation in IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND: IgA nephropathy (IgA-N) is considered the most common glomerular disease in the world and leads to renal failure in a substantial number of patients. Although many studies have looked at the pathogenesis of the disease, many points need to be clarified, including the mechanism of complement activation. Recent studies have shown that mannose-binding lectin (MBL or mannose binding protein, MBP) initiates activation of the complement cascade (lectin pathway) utilizing two types of MBP-associated serine protease, namely MASP-1 and MASP-2. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the lectin pathway was involved in the pathogenic mechanism of IgA-N. METHODS: Forty-five renal biopsy cases with IgA-N, 35 cases with other forms of glomerulonephritis (GN), and normal kidney tissues were collected and an immunohistochemical study was performed using monoclonal antibodies against MBL and MASP-1. Furthermore, clinicopathological and serological features were also analysed in the patients with IgA-N. RESULTS: Glomerular deposition of MBL, which was accompanied by MASP-1, was detected in 11 of 45 (24.4%) cases with IgA-N, while it was detected in only one case with other forms of GN. The deposited MBL/MASP-1 was observed to associate with C3b/C3c and C5b-9 but not with IgG, IgM, C1q, C4c, or properdin. Compared with MBL/MASP-1 negative cases with IgA-N, the positive cases with IgA-N were young and the renal biopsies had been performed at an early stage of the disease. No significant correlation was found between glomerular deposition of MBL/MASP-1 and proteinuria, haematuria, creatinine clearance, and serum levels of IgA, C3, or C4 at the time of renal biopsy. There were also no significant differences between MBL/MASP-1 positive cases and negative cases in the plasma levels of circulating immune complexes or soluble C5b-9. CONCLUSION: The lectin pathway of complement activation, which is initiated by the MBL/MASPs complex, evidently contributes to the development of glomerular injury in a significant number of cases with IgA-N. In addition, these findings will add insight to the pathogenesis of IgA-N, including its relation to infection, since MBL plays a crucial role in the host defense against various pathogens.     

Radical copolymerization of ethylene and 2-phenyl-3-vinyloxirane

The radical copolymerization of ethylene and 2-phenyl-3-vinyloxirane was carried out under high pressure to obtain the corresponding copolymers. The structure of the obtained copolymers was discussed by the data of infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance.     

Fractional clearances of low molecular weight proteins in lead workers

The phenomenon of wanting to help another is a universal human experience. Individuals reach out to others in order to fulfill personal commitments, to assist loved ones, or to meet professional obligations. The purpose of this research using Parse's method was to generate the structure of this experience as lived by nurses. Findings indicate that the lived experience of wanting to help another is directing nurturing intentions amidst uplifting affirmations with others while dissonant constraints unfold new possibilities. Findings are discussed in light of Parse's theory in order to expand the knowledge base of nursing. Similarities and differences with research findings on the experiences of nurturance and caring are presented. Implications for practice and further research are specified for nurses encountering persons who express their desire to help another.     

Chemiluminescence detection of mono-, bis-, and tris-hydroperoxy triacylglycerols present in vegetable oils

A reliable method was needed to analyze molecular species of oxidized vegetable oils. In order to accomplish this goal, mono-, bis-, and tris-hydroperoxides (Mono-OOH, Bis-OOH, and Tris-OOH, respectively) of triacylglycerols formed during autoxidation and photosensitized oxidation of oils were determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with chemiluminescence detection (CL-HPLC). Mono-OOH was the major species (96% of total hydroperoxides) in trioleoylglycerol [peroxide value (PV) 0.16 meg/kg], and Bis-OOH and Tris-OOH showed prolonged accumulation with photooxidation. This profile was confirmed in photooxidation of trilinoleoylglycerol and trilinoleoylglycerol. Soybean oil (PV 6 meq/kg) contained Mono-OOH oleoyl-linoleoylglycerol as the main peroxidic molecular species (50% of total hydroperoxides). Mono-OOH trilinoleoylglycerol was the principal species (61% of total hydroperoxides) in safflower oil (PV 5 meq/kg), and Mono-OOH oleoyl-oleoyl-linoleoylglycerol was the representative species (66% of total hydroperoxides) in olive oil (PV 3 meq/kg). The CL-HPLC method, which is specific for the detection of hydroperoxides, should prove useful in studies of triacylglycerol oxidation in foods and vegetable oils.     

Novel positive deep UV resist for KrF excimer laser lithography

A novel positive deep UV resist for KrF excimer laser lithography has been developed. The resist is composed of 1,7-bis(4-chlorosulfonyl phenyl)-4-diazo-3,5-heptanedione as the alkaline dissolution inhibitor and an alkali-soluble sytrene polymer as the main-polymer. 1,7-bis(4-chlorosulfonyl phenyl)-4-diazo-3,5-heptanedione has great capability of alkaline dissolution inhibition. High thermal stability and excellent photobleachability at 248 nm of the compound are also characterized. The alkali-soluble styrene polymer has a high transmittance of 70% in 1.0 μm thickness at 248 nm. The novel positive resist had an excellent property for dissolution kinetics and photobleaching. We achieved high aspect ratio half-micron pattern fabrication in 1.0 μm thickness using the new resist.     

Minimally invasive cardiac surgery in the adult: surgical instruments, equipment, and techniques

To clarify the special instruments and equipment used for minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS), we examined the initial experiences with MICS operations with ministernotomy or minithoracotomy at our institution. Fifty adult patients with congenital, valvular, and/or ischemic heart diseases underwent MICS operations, and all surgical procedures were completed without conversion to full sternotomy. The length of the skin incision was about 10 cm or less in all patients. Postoperative recovery was favorable, and the majority of the patients were discharged from the hospital around the end of the second postoperative week. In this series of patients, an oscillating bone saw, lifting type retractor, 2 blade spreader, cannula with a balloon, and right-angled aortic clamp among other items, were very useful for successfully performing various operations with MICS approaches and techniques. The associated results suggest that MICS with ministernotomy or minithoracotomy was feasible using special instruments and equipment and could be encouraged for adult patients with various cardiovascular diseases.     

Luminescent Properties of Sintered Spherical Silica With Alkali Metal Oxide Additives

The correlation of luminescent properties to the polymorphism in sintered amorphous spherical silica with alkali metal additives has been investigated. The luminescent properties and the crystalline phases changed with the different kinds of alkali metal additives, and the firing temperature. The blue luminescence at 470 nm was observed for all amorphous sintered silica containing Na₂O, K₂O, Rb₂O or Cs₂O, while the yellowish green luminscence at 545 nm was for some crystalline sintered silica. The blue luminescence was assumed to be related to defects produced by dehydration of silanol groups and the yellowish green ones in crystalline and liquid phases.