The structures of triglycerides from atherosclerotic plaques and other human tissues

Stereospecific analysis of trigly cerides isolated from human liver showed that these were much more asymmetric than the triglycerides from human adipose tissue. Heart muscle triglycerides were similar in structure to adipose tissue triglycerides. The triglycerides from aortic plaques were intermediate in structure between triglycerides of liver and adipose tissue.     

Malignant keratoma

INTRODUCTION: Birth of an Harlequin fetus in an African maternity ward is an exceptional event. There is no question as to the diagnosis, but no treatment is available. CASE REPORT: A female infant was delivered with typical lesions of malignant keratoma. Death occurred 20 hours after birth. DISCUSSION: In countries with adequate intensive care facilities (hydration, acitretine), such infants may occasionally survive with the risk of developing major lamellar ichthyosis which remains a handicap for the rest of life. In Burkina-Faso, such therapeutic facilities are lacking as are means of antenatal diagnosis. The ethical question as to whether or not to attempt survival measures is quite different under these conditions.     

Membrane glycoprotein PC-1 and insulin resistance

The photosensitizing ability of the second generation photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetra-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-chlorin (m-TCMPC), a derivative of m-THPC, was tested on both three-dimensional multicellular spheroids of varying sizes and on monolayer cultures. These experiments were carried out on two spheroid-forming cell lines, A2780 (a human ovarian adenocarcinoma) and CHO (Chinese hamster ovarian cells). For both cell lines, photodynamic therapy (sensitizer plus visible light) treatments were carried out. The chlorin m-TCMPC was shown to have considerable promise as a photosensitizing agent. Cell kill was achieved for all situations tested, i.e. monolayer, 100, 500 and 750 microm spheroids. In addition no significant dark toxicity was observed.     

Solution structure of SpoIIAA, a phosphorylatable component of the system that regulates transcription factor sigmaF of Bacillus subtilis

The establishment of differential gene expression in sporulating Bacillus subtilis involves four protein components, one of which, SpoIIAA, undergoes phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. We have used NMR spectroscopy to determine the solution structure of the nonphosphorylated form of SpoIIAA. The structure shows a fold consisting of a four-stranded beta-sheet and four alpha-helices. Knowledge of the structure helps to account for the phenotype of several strains of B. subtilis that carry known spoIIAA mutations and should facilitate investigations of the conformational consequences of phosphorylation.     

Complications of laparoscopic pelvic surgery: recognition, management and prevention

Laparoscopic surgery has many advantages but it is not without complications. The complexity of the surgery significantly influences the complication rate. Laparoscopic surgeons ought to be aware of the possible complications and how they could be prevented, recognized without delay, and managed safely and efficiently. Important complications include injuries to the vessels, bowel and urinary tract. Incisional hernia ought to be reduced by careful closure of the fascia whenever a trocar > or =10 mm is used at the extraumbilical site. Gas embolism is a rare but potentially life threatening complication. Shoulder pain is a minor complication but is exceedingly common; it is less likely to occur if as much gas as possible is removed at the end of the operation while the patient is still in head down Trendelenburg position. Rare complications include pneumothorax, subcutaneous and pre-peritoneal emphysema, cardiac arrhythmia, nerve injury and venous thrombosis. Laparoscopic surgeons should also understand the principles of electrosurgery and how to avoid complications arising from the use of electrical energy including capacitative coupling, direct coupling and insulation failure.     

Solution structure and peptide binding of the SH3 domain from human Fyn

BACKGROUND: The Src family of tyrosine kinases is involved in the propagation of intracellular signals from many transmembrane receptors. Each member of the family contains two domains that regulate interactions with other molecules, one of which is the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. Although structures have previously been determined for SH3 domains, and ideas about peptide-binding modes have been proposed, their physiological role is still unclear. RESULTS: We have determined the solution structure of the SH3 domain from the Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn in two forms: unbound and complexed with a peptide corresponding to a putative ligand sequence from phosphatidylinositol 3' kinase. Fyn SH3 shows the typical SH3 topology of two perpendicular three-stranded beta sheets and a single turn of 3(10) helix. The interaction of SH3 with three potential ligand peptides was investigated, demonstrating that they all bind to the same site on the molecule. A previous model for ligand binding to SH3 domains predicts binding in one of two orientations (class I or II), each characterized by a consensus sequence. The ligand with the closest match to the class I consensus sequence bound with highest affinity and in the predicted orientation. CONCLUSIONS: The Fyn SH3 domain has a well-defined structure in solution. The relative binding affinities of the three ligand peptides and their orientation within the Fyn SH3 complex were consistent with recently proposed models for the binding of 'consensus' polyproline sequences. Although the affinities of consensus and non-consensus peptides are different, the degree of difference is not very large, suggesting that SH3 domains bind to polyproline peptides in a promiscuous manner.