Acute appendicitis complicated by destruction of the large intestine and septic shock

Access and visualization in the implant-abutment area are often compromised. Tissue impingement and lack of abutment position verification may result in inaccurate fit.     

Cdc34 and the F-box protein Met30 are required for degradation of the Cdk-inhibitory kinase Swe1

Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis controls the abundance of many cell cycle regulatory proteins. Recent work in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggests that a complex consisting of Cdc53, Skp1, and a third component known as an F-box protein (termed SCF) in combination with Cdc34 specifically targets regulatory proteins for degradation, and that substrate specificity is likely to be mediated by the F-box subunit. A screen for genetic interactions with a cdc34 mutation yielded MET30, which encodes an F-box protein. MET30 is an essential gene required for cell cycle progression and met30 mutations interact genetically with mutations in SCF components. Furthermore, physical interactions between Met30, Cdc53, Cdc34, and Skp1 in vivo provide evidence for an SCFMet30 complex. We demonstrate the involvement of Met30 in the degradation of the Cdk-inhibitory kinase Swe1. Swe1 is stabilized in met30 mutants and GST-Met30 pull-down experiments reveal that Met30 specifically binds Swe1 in vivo. Furthermore, extracts prepared from cdc34 or met30 mutants are defective in polyubiquitination of Swe1. Taken together, these data suggest that SCF-mediated proteolysis may contribute to the regulation of entry into mitosis. Our data, in combination with previously published results, also provide evidence for distinct SCF complexes in vivo and support the idea that their F-box subunits mediate SCF substrate specificity.     

The role of oncostatin M in animal and human connective tissue collagen turnover and its localization within the rheumatoid joint

OBJECTIVE: To study the interaction of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and oncostatin M (OSM) in promoting cartilage collagen destruction. METHODS: Bovine, porcine, and human cartilage and human chondrocytes were studied in culture. The levels of collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 1 [MMP-1]) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP-1) were measured by bioassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of OSM in rheumatoid synovial fluid were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: When combined with OSM, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha released proteoglycan and collagen from cartilage. OSM was the only member of the IL-6 family to have this effect. Human tendon also responded to IL-1alpha and OSM. OSM increased the production of MMP-1 and TIMP-1 but when combined with IL-1alpha, synergistically promoted MMP-1 production in human chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. High levels of OSM were found in human rheumatoid synovial fluids, and confocal microscopy showed that OSM was produced by macrophages in rheumatoid synovial tissue. CONCLUSION: These results highlight an important new mechanism by which there is irreversible loss of collagen from cartilage.     

Growth inhibitory effect of juvenile hormone analogues on epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi

Several compounds, structurally related to the insect growth regulator Fenoxycarb, exhibited interesting inhibition action to control proliferation of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas' disease. Some of these drugs were shown to be potent growth inhibitors of this parasite. All of these drugs had previously presented juvenoid activity on several non-related bug species such as Tenebrio molitor, Galleria mellonella, Dysdercus cingulatos, and Pyrrhocoris apterus.     

Isolation of feeding deterrents against argentine stem weevil from ryegrass infected with the endophyteAcremonium loliae

Infection of ryegrass (Lolium perenne) by an endophytic fungus (Acremonium loliae) confers resistance against the Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis). Extracts from ryegrass clones, infected and uninfected withA. loliae, were compared in a feeding choice bioassay, and several fractions were identified which affected stem weevil feeding behavior. One stem weevil feeding deterrent, peramine C₁₂H₁₇N₅O, has been isolated from infected ryegrass and partially characterized as a basic indole derivative. Extracts from culturedA. loliae had no effect on stem weevil feeding behavior nor was peramine detected in the fungal cultures examined. Peramine and the other active substances are hydrophilic in contrast to the lipophilic properties reported for the neurotoxic lolitrems also isolated from ryegrass infected withA. loliae and associated with causing ryegrass staggers disorder in livestock. It is suggested that ryegrass staggers and stem weevil feeding deterrency may arise by different biochemical mechanisms.     

Metallo-Supramolecular Polymerization: A Route to Easy-To-Process Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Materials

The self-assembly polymerization of ditopic macromolecules via metal–ligand binding is a facile route for the preparation of metallo-supramolecular polymers (MSPs). We herein review our recent work focused on the synthesis and investigation of metallo-supramolecular polymers based on 2,6-bis(1′-methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine endcapped poly(p-phenylene ethynylene) and poly(p-xylene) macromonomers. These materials are readily solution-processable and display appreciable mechanical properties as well as other attractive properties such as specific opto/electrical functions or high thermal stability. Our work illustrates that metallosupramolecular polymerization offers an attractive approach to assemble high-molecular-weight macromolecules from well-defined, easy to process precursors. Variation of the ditopic ligands and metal ions allows one to easily tailor the desired properties. This paper is dedicated to Professor Ian Manners and his scientific accomplishments.     

Behavioural responses to risk on remote outcomes

Computer mediation of communication allows interaction with events remote in space or time. However, the uptake and use of videotechnology requires an understanding of its effects upon willingness to take risks. To understand how responses to remote events are influenced by computer mediation, the present study compared responses to collocated outcomes with those conveyed over a videolink or as pre-recordings. Willingness to risk on an outcome was quantified using wagering behaviour during a simulated game of roulette: measuring preferred outcome format, levels of risk sought, and times required to make decisions. Participants tended to be more confident of winning and preferred the collocated version of roulette. Participants took greater risks with pre-recorded video outcomes and tended to spend more time locating bets. For videolinked outcomes, participants were more cautious, hedging their bets, and taking more time deliberating the odds. Although the amounts wagered did not change, a potential predictability in pre-recordings appears to encourage risk taking, while the reduced presence inherent in real-time videolinks engenders caution.     

Quick and easy molecular weight determination with Macintosh computers and public domain image analysis software

The program "molecular weights" allows a fast and easy estimation of molecular weights (M(r)), isoelectric point (pI) values and band intensities directly from scanned, polyacrylamide gels, two-dimensional protein patterns and DNA gel images. The image coordinates of M(r) and pI reference standards enable the program to calculate M(r) and pI values in a real time manner for any cursor position. The program requires NIH-Image for Macintosh computers and includes automatic band detection coupled with a densitometric evaluation.