The effect of season and latitude on in vitro vitamin D formation by sunlight in South Africa

AIMS: To assess the effect of season and latitude on the in vitro formation of previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 from 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) by sunlight in two cities in South Africa, Cape Town and Johannesburg. METHODS: An in vitro study utilising vials containing 7-DHC, which were exposed to sunlight for a period of 1 hour between 8:00 and 17:00 on 1 day a month for a year. Previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 were separated from 7-DHC by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the amounts formed were calculated with the use of external standards. RESULTS: A marked seasonal variation in vitamin D3 production was noted in Cape Town, with very little being formed during the winter months of April through September. In Johannesburg, in vitro formation changed little throughout the year, and was similar to that found in Cape Town during the summer. During sunlit hours, vitamin D3 production was maximal at midday and small quantities were still being formed between 8:00 and 9:00, and between 16:00 and 17:00 during the summer. During winter in Cape Town, peak formation at midday was less than one-third of that in Johannesburg, and negligible amounts were formed before 10:00 and after 15:00. CONCLUSIONS: The previously documented seasonal variation in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D recorded in patients in Johannesburg is probably a consequence of the increased clothing worn and the decreased time spent out of doors during winter, rather than decreased ultraviolet radiation reaching the earth. The limited in vitro formation of vitamin D3 during winter in Cape Town may have clinical implications insofar as the management of metabolic bone diseases like rickets and osteoporosis is concerned. Breast-fed infants resident in the area are likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency rickets unless vitamin D supplements are provided, or the mothers are encouraged to take their children out of doors.     

Results of cemented metal-backed acetabular components: a 10-year-average follow-up study

We have developed a computer program for the rapid assessment of the primary structure differences between a protein of unknown sequence and a homologous known protein. Both proteins are reduced, alkylated, and digested with the same hydrolytic agent. The unfractionated peptide mixtures are submitted to automatic sequence analysis. Based on the knowledge of the reference sequence, the program utilizes the analysis data to identify all the potential peptides present in the two mixtures, determining their primary structure, homology degree, and molecular weight calculated both as integer MH+ and average mass variables. These fingerprints allow the user to easily identify the structural differences between the two proteins and clarify possible doubts by a mass spectrometric analysis of the two mixtures. In order to verify the utility of the program, we provide an application example using the already reported data of two homologous proteins.     

Human carcinoembryonic antigen and biliary glycoprotein can serve as mouse hepatitis virus receptors

Receptors for murine coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) are members of the murine carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) gene family. Since MHV can also infect primates and cause central nervous system lesions (G. F. Cabirac et al., Microb. Pathog. 16:349-357, 1994; R. S. Murray et al., Virology 188:274-284, 1992), we examined whether human CEA-related molecules can be used by MHV as potential receptors. Transfection of plasmids expressing human carcinoembryonic antigen (hCEA) and human biliary glycoprotein into COS-7 cells, which lack a functional MHV receptor, conferred susceptibility to two MHV strains, A59 and MHV-2. Domain exchange experiments between human and murine CEA-related molecules identified the immunoglobulin-like loop I of hCEA as the region conferring the virus-binding specificity. This finding expands the potential MHV receptors to primate species.     

Fine structural observations of sperm resorption in the seminal vesicle of a marine snail, Littorina scutulata (Gould, 1849)

The fine structure of the spermatogonium, spermatocyte and spermatid of a marine snail, Littorina sitkana is described. The ring centriole (annulus) is formed from the distal centriole and it migrates to the base of the mitochondrial region where it lies in a joint-like structure which is formed by an area of invaginated plasma membrane. The distal and proximal centrioles are at first perpendicular to each other but the proximal centriole rotates to a position coaxial with the distal centriole and fuses with it. The peripheral doublet fibers are continuous between the two centrioles but the central fibers originate only in the distal centriole. The acrosome differentiates from the proacrosomal granule which is derived from a Golgi body. Microtubules, present at this stage, may assist acrosomal formation. Chromatin condensation begins with the formation of fibrous strands, then to lamellar plates which become folded and later twisted around the flagellar shaft. In the final stages the lamellae appear in cross section as concentric rings which eventually fuse to form a homogeneously dense nuclear tube.     

An analysis of reaction diffusion in metal-non-metal systems

The formation of a single M _x N _y intermediate phase in a metal-non-metal system is governed by two parabolic growth regions if the metal side of the couple is finite in extent and initially unsaturated with non-metal. The first parabolic region is described by semi-infinite conditions on the metal side of the couple, while the second is according to saturated conditions. The intermediate phase reaction layer grows non-parabolically when conditions are such that the concentration profile cannot be described by either semi-infinite or saturated conditions on the metal side of the couple. Expressions have been obtained relating the growth constants to diffusion coefficients and information from an equilibrium phase diagram. The mathematical formulation of the problem was tested by application to the titanium-carbon system. The diffusion coefficient of carbon in titanium carbide was found to be in close agreement with values reported elsewhere in the literature.     

Antibiotic resistance patterns of metal-tolerant bacteria isolated from an estuary

Estuarine bacteria isolated on metal-containing media were also found to be antibiotic resistant; ampicillin and chloramphenicol were the antibiotics to which resistance was most common. Patterns of antibiotic resistance were found associated with a variety of taxa.     

10. Further developments with single structure vapour pumping groups

A pumping group with an additional liquid nitrogen cooled baffle or plate primarily to cryopump water vapour arising from the system is described. Reasons for using this variant are given and its performance compared with the simpler pumping group. The performance for air and other gases when charged with polyphenyl ether fluid is contrasted to those obtained with perfluoro polyether fluids with particular reference to their pumping stability for air, hydrogen and helium. Mass spectra of the residual atmosphere when using both polyphenyl ether and perfluoro polyether in both the watercooled and liquid nitrogen trapped versions are given. Comparative spectra of the watercooled version and a turbomolecular pump is also included. The choice of a fluid for specific applications is discussed taking into account its performance in the pump, chemical stability and other relevant factors. Applications in which this type of pumping group has been used successfully are discussed.     

Theoretical explanation of the relationship between backscattered electron and x-ray linear attenuation coefficients in calcified tissues

Adverse reactions to seafood are common and may cause many types of symptoms that are difficult to define. The nature of these reactions are variable including allergic and toxic reactions as well as infectious diseases. The differentiation between these entities is essential in choosing therapy. We describe 9 patients with IgE mediated allergic reactions due to crustaceans and fish diagnosed from case history, clinical findings, skin tests and specific IgE antibodies. Most symptoms of a IgE mediated allergic reaction appear within 30 minutes after ingestion. Characteristics clinical features may include an urticarial rash, gastrointestinal symptoms and even anaphylaxis. In this case immediate therapy with intravenous glucocorticoids, antihistamine and perhaps subcutaneous epinephrine is required.