Separation and purification of glucoamylase in aqueous two-phase systems by a two-step extraction

Extraction in two steps of glucoamylase was studied in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and potassium phosphate systems at pH values of 6, 7 and 9. Ten different conditions using PEG 300, 600, 1500, 4000 and 6000 were studied. The bottom phase of the first extraction step, with the enzyme, was reused in an appropriate concentration of PEG to form the second extraction step. The optimal partitioning conditions for glucoamylase separation were obtained in PEG 4000 (first step), PEG 1500 (second step) at pH 7 and resulted in a three-fold increase in glucoamylase purification.     

Relations of left ventricular mass to fat-free and adipose body mass: the strong heart study. The Strong Heart Study Investigators

STUDY DESIGN: The effects of nucleus pulposus and various treatments to block tumor necrosis factor alpha activity were evaluated in an experimental set-up using immunohistochemistry and nerve conduction velocity recordings. OBJECTIVES: To assess the presence of tumor necrosis factor alpha in pig nucleus pulposus cells, and to see if block of tumor necrosis factor alpha also blocks the nucleus-pulposus-induced reduction of nerve root conduction velocity. SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND DATA: A meta-analysis of observed effects induced by nucleus pulposus revealed that these effects might relate to one specific cytokine-tumor necrosis factor alpha. METHODS: Series-1: Cultured nucleus pulposus cells were stained immunohistologically with a monoclonal antibody for tumor necrosis factor alpha. Series-2: Nucleus pulposus was harvested from lumbar discs and applied to the sacrococcygeal cauda equina in 13 pigs autologously. Four pigs received 100 mg of doxycycline intravenously; five pigs had a blocking monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor alpha applied locally in the nucleus pulposus, and four pigs remained nontreated, forming a control group. Three days after the application, the nerve root conduction velocity was determined over the application zone by local electrical stimulation. RESULTS: Series-1: Tumor necrosis factor alpha was found to be present in the nucleus pulposus cells. Series-2: The selective antibody to tumor necrosis factor alpha limited the reduction of nerve conduction velocity, although in comparison with the control group this was not statistically significant. However, treatment with doxycycline significantly blocked the nucleus-pulposus-induced reduction of conduction velocity. CONCLUSION: For the first time, a specific substance, tumor necrosis factor alpha, has been linked to the nucleus-pulposus-induced effects of nerve roots after local application. Although the effects of this substance may be synergistic with those of other similar substances, the data of the current study may be of significant importance for the continued understanding of nucleus pulposus' biologic activity, and of possible potential use for future strategies in managing sciatica.     

Preface

A national random sample of 855 Australian general practitioners was surveyed about their belief in the effectiveness of cancer screening tests in reducing premature mortality. Responses were then compared with scientific evidence of effectiveness for each test. 92% of respondents believed mammography to be effective compared with only 38% for faecal occult blood testing, despite comparable evidence of effectiveness from randomised controlled trials. Seven tests outranked their belief in faecal occult blood testing, despite weaker evidence. Further efforts are required to align general practitioners' beliefs better with the evidence.     

Effects of a community intervention to change smoking behavior among Hispanics

The American Psychiatric Association published the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) in May 1994. Referred to by some in the popular media as the mental health profession's diagnostic bible, the decisions reflected in this fourth edition are likely to shape diagnostic practice and education and may impact on treatment approaches as well. This article describes the goals and process involved in preparing this document, examines the major changes from DSM-III-R to DSM-IV and comments on the relevance of DSM-IV to psychiatric/mental health nursing.     

Changes in alkaline phosphatase activity and blood phosphorus levels in healthy persons and patients with peptic ulcer

Venous blood total phosphatase activity, its thermostable fraction, and inorganic phosphorus levels were measured thrice within 20-64 min in the course of registration of regular motor activity of the gastrointestinal tract in 38 men aged 18 to 57 (9 healthy and 29 with peptic ulcer). These parameters changed within a wide range over the mentioned period; besides, they depended on the individual features of the organism. Using the chi 2 test at the 5% significance level the authors have demonstrated that total blood alkaline phosphatase activity is increased by the end of a regular cycle in the gastroduodenal system. For more accurate assessment of venous blood total alkaline phosphatase and its thermostable fraction activities and inorganic phosphorus level repeated measurements should be carried out within an hour.     

Comprehensive study of the geometry, surface area, membrane reserve potential, and osmoregulation of blood leukocytes

Comprehensive method for examining the morphology and function of leukocytes is based on the comparison of the size and count of cells before and after incubation of different duration in media with low osmolarity. The method helps assess the leukocyte geometry, the reserve potential of the cytoplasmatic and nuclear membranes, the regulatory features and osmotic stability of cells.     

Relationships between insulin resistance and lipoproteins in nondiabetic African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites: the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study

The study purpose was to explore the association between dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in three ethnic groups. The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) is a multicenter epidemiologic study conducted at four clinical centers in California, Texas, and Colorado. The study population for this analysis consisted of 931 non-Hispanic white, African American, and Hispanic men and women (aged 45 to 64 years) without diabetes. The IRAS clinical examinations included lipoprotein measures, a 75-g glucose tolerance test, and the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance (FSIGT) test. The results show a consistent relationship between insulin-mediated glucose disposal and dyslipidemia in African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white men and women. Further, LDL size was inversely associated with insulin resistance in all three ethnic groups. These findings indicate that dyslipidemia is a fundamental part of the insulin resistance syndrome in all of the ethnic groups studied.