Arginine deprivation in KB cells. II. Characterization of the DNA synthesized during starvation

DNA synthesis in cells deprived of arginine was examined. Three lines of evidence indicated that tritiated thymidine ([3H]TdR) incorporation in arginine-starved cells was due to replicative rather than repair DNA synthesis. (a) When made in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine, the [3H]TdR-labeled DNA sedimented at hybrid density in isopycnic gradients. (b) As determined by the diphenylamine reaction, there was a 15% increase in the chemical amount of DNA per culture 30 h after arginine deprivation. (c) [3H]TdR incorporation was hydroxyurea-sensitive. Alkaline velocity sedimentation of the total DNA made during starvation revealed the existence of two distinct size classes: most of the DNA sedimented at a position analogous to that of control DNA, but 40% migrated one-third the distance of the bulk. After arginine restoration, these shorter pieces appeared to be chased into DNA of normal length; thus, one lesion in deprived cultures may cause an arrest in completion of DNA stretches to mature size. These findings, together with results of morphological studies of starved cells, suggest that changes induced by arginine deficiency effect the organization of nucleoproteins. These changes are reversible upon arginine restoration.     

Analysis of pesticide residues by chemical derivatization. V. Multiresidue analysis of eight phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in natural waters

A multiresidue method is presented for the gas-liquid chromatographic determination of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in natural waters. Extraction efficiencies of different organic solvents are considered in developing a solvent extraction scheme for these herbicides from water. Reactions for derivatizing these compounds by using pentafluorobenzyl bromide, boron trichloride-2-chloroethanol, and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide-2-chloroethanol were studied in order to obtain extracts with low blanks to provide the lowest detection limits. Advantages and disadvantages of the 3 methods are discussed. Retention times are twice as long for the pentafluorobenzyl (PFB) esters as for the 2-chloroethyl (2-Cl) esters under the same conditions, although electron capture sensitivity to the former was greater. The PFB esters are easier to form, but the 2-Cl reaction is more specific for these herbicides. Solutions from the boron trichloride reaction gave the cleanest blanks.     

Non-thermal plasma for exhaust gases treatment

This article describes a study on a non-thermal plasma device to treat exhaust gases in an internal combustion engine. Several tests using a plasma device to treat exhaust gases are conducted on a Honda GX200-196 cm³ engine at different rotational speeds. A plasma reactor could be efficient in degrading nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Monoxide and carbon dioxide treatment is minimal. However, achieving 1%–3% degradation may be interesting to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.     

Effectiveness of inactivated influenza vaccine among nursing home residents during an influenza type A (H3N2) epidemic

We performed serological phenotyping of HLA antigens in 175 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with (n = 41) and without (n = 134) renal involvement (RI), and DNA typing of HLA class II alleles in 75 patients. Among the patients with RA, the frequency of serologically determined HLA-DR4 was found to be significantly increased (odds ratio: 1.8, confidence interval: 1.3-2.5, p = 2.4x10(-4)). In the patients without RI, the frequency of serological DR4 significantly increased (odds ratio: 2.2, confidence interval: 1.6-3.3, p = 2. 6x10(-5)). On the other hand, among the patients with RI, a serological determinant, DR15, did significantly increase (odds ratio: 2.7, confidence interval: 0.9-8.4, p = 1.2x10(-3)) in comparison to the controls. At the DNA level, we found that the association of Japanese RA patients with serological HLA-DR4 was based on that with a genotype of HLA-DRB1*0405 (odds ratio: 2.4, confidence interval: 1.5-4.0, p = 4.4x10(-4)) and also found an association of HLA-DRB1*1501 (odds ratio: 2.8, confidence interval: 1.2-6.6, p = 0.017) with RA patients having RI. Our results confirmed the association of HLA-DRB1*04 with RA over the ethnic barrier at the DNA level. Our results also suggested a distinct genetic effect of HLA-DRB1*1501 in the aspect of the susceptibility of RI in RA.     

Short-chain fatty acids improve clinical, pathologic, and microbiologic features of experimental shigellosis

Because of the metabolic and antibacterial actions of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), their roles in modifying the clinicopathologic features of shigellosis were evaluated in a rabbit model of shigellosis. Acute colitis was induced in adult rabbits by intracolonic administration of Shigella flexneri 2a. After 24 h, rabbits were given 6-h colonic infusions of SCFA (acetate, propionate, n-butyrate; 60:30:40 mM) or SCFA-free solution (control); groups of rabbits were killed in batches of 2 or 3 animals at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after treatment, for histologic and bacteriologic assessment. SCFA significantly reduced fecal blood and mucus and improved clinical symptoms. Histologically, SCFA significantly (P<.01) reduced mucosal congestion, cellular infiltration, and necrotic changes. SCFA also significantly (P<.05) reduced the number of shigellae in the colon. No such improvements occurred in the control group. SCFA may be useful agents in improving clinicopathologic features of shigellosis and should be clinically evaluated.     

CHARACTERIZATION OF PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITY IN OCTOPUS (Octopus vulgaris) ARM MUSCLE

A new proteolytic activity assay was devised to avoid the interference of paramyosin which causes gelling during the enzymatic assay. Extremely high autolytic activity was observed in octopus arm muscle, which was 40–500 fold higher than those of various other fish species. The proteinase was inhibited strongly by leupeptin and iodoacetic acid and, to a lesser degree, by transepoxysuccinyl-L-leucylamino (4-guanidono)butane (E-64), indicating the class as a thioi proteinase. The proteinase exhibited optimum activity at pH 2.5 and 40C, although it contained a sulfhydryl group in the active site. Myosin heavy chain was the primary myofibrillar protein which was hydrolyzed during the autolysis of octopus arm followed by paramyosin. Actin showed no signs of hydrolysis during the incubation of up to 8 h. Due to its high affinity for myosin, the enzyme activity should be controlled during processing octopus to ensure the functionality of myosin.