Theoretical conformational investigation of thrombin-fibrinogen recognition complex

Theoretical conformational investigation of the thrombin-fibrinogen recognition complex was fulfilled. At first preliminary study was carried out using space-filling molecular models. At the next stage computer simulation was conducted. For this purpose a package of programs for the theoretical conformational analysis of two interacting molecules has been developed in the framework of atom-atom potentials. The package contains an original algorithm for constructing initial approximation based on assumption that the structure of the complex is determined mainly by the ligand-ligand attraction and Van-der-Vaals repulsion. Complex structure with considerable binding energy was obtained. Molecules of that structure are bound mainly by four oppositely charged pairs of side chain groups. The beta -loop of thrombin in the complex is shown to undergo essential structural transformations. A hypothesis is suggested that this transformation may influence active sites allosterically. Some ways and mechanisms of this influence are discussed as well as an approach to its calculation.     

The influence of splinting procedures on the periodontal and peri-implant tissue damping characteristics. A longitudinal study with the Periotest device

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the capability of the Periotest device in detecting and monitoring functional changes in the periodontal as well as in the pari-implant damping characteristics. In the first part of this study, 107 teeth were splinted by means of 40 full acrylic fixed prostheses (AFP) and another 37 teeth were splinted by means of 14 ceramometallic fixed prostheses (C-MFP). The Periotest measurements of individual teeth were done the day the fixed prostheses were cemented temporary (PTV 1), and again after a mean observation period of 27.4 days (PTV 2). In the 2nd part, 78 osseointegrated two-stage implants were splinted by means of 23 full acrylic fixed prosthesis (AFP) and other 18 implants were left without it. Using the same abutment length, Periotest measurements were performed, at abutment connections and before installation of the final prosthesis. In a 3rd part, using both implants and teeth as abutments, 29 osseointegrated implants were connected with 25 abutment teeth by means of 7 AFP. The measurements were performed at the beginning of the prosthetic treatment and 2, 4 and 6 weeks later. After splinting teeth by means of AFP for the observation period, no statistically significant reduction in PTVs was found. When on the other hand, a C-MFP was used, PTV 2 showed a significant reduction. The PTVs at abutment connection went down after a period of time, during which some implants were interconnected by means of an AFP and others were not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Coatomer, but not P200/myosin II, is required for the in vitro formation of trans-Golgi network-derived vesicles containing the envelope glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus

Using a cytosol and nucleotide dependent assay that we previously developed, we have investigated the requirement for coat proteins in the in vitro production of trans-Golgi network (TGN)-derived vesicles from a Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell Golgi fraction that contains the 35S-labeled, terminally glycosylated, envelope glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-G) accumulated in the TGN. We found that the TGN-derived vesicles, like those involved in intra-Golgi transport and in retrograde transport to the endoplasmic reticulum, contain a coatomer coat and that coatomer is required for their formation. Thus, after they are produced with GTPgammaS, the coated vesicles could be captured on beads containing anticoatomer antibody. Moreover, a cytosolic protein fraction depleted of coatomer could not support vesicle formation but it did so after purified coatomer was added. We also determined that P200/myosin II does not play an essential role in the in vitro generation of TGN-derived vesicles. Thus, removal of this protein from the cytosol, by differential salt precipitation or binding to phalloidin-induced actin filaments, had no effect on vesicle generation. Nevertheless, immunodepletion of cytosol using the anti-P200/myosin II AD7 antibody abolished vesicle generation and that antibody was capable of effectively immunocapturing coated vesicles, even when these were generated in the absence of P200/myosin II. These effects, however, are explained by the unexpected finding that the AD7 antibody interacts with undenatured coatomer.     

Anti-cardiolipin and anti-beta2-glycoprotein I antibodies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently suffer from thromboembolic events. Anti-cardiolipin (aCL) antibodies have been shown to be associated with thrombosis. Recently, the antibodies against the anti-cardiolipin cofactor beta2-glycoprotein I (a(beta2)GPI) have been found with higher specificity for thrombosis. The presence of these antibodies was assessed in 128 patients with IBD [83 with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 45 with Crohn's disease (CD)] and 100 healthy controls (blood donors). Patients with UC and CD had a significantly higher prevalence of aCL (18.1% and 15.6%, respectively) than healthy controls (HC) (3%). Eleven IBD patients (8.6%) but no HC had a(beta2)GPI. None of the IBD patients with a history of thrombosis had aCL and only one of them (a UC patient with deep vein thrombosis of the right leg) had a high titer of IgG a(beta2)GPI. In conclusion, these data show that both aCL and a(beta2)GPI are significantly associated with IBD but further studies are needed to determine the significance of our findings.     

Release of 4-hydroxynonenal, an aldehydic mediator of inflammation, during postischaemic reperfusion of the myocardium

For the first time it was demonstrated that 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) is formed by the myocardium. 1 to 2 pmol HNE/min/mg protein were released from isolated perfused hearts of 18-month-old WKY rats during a normoxic period of perfusion. During the first minutes of reperfusion following 30 min of ischaemia, the mean value of HNE release increased in comparison to pre-ischaemic HNE release (pre-ischaemic control). However, the alterations were significant only in the second minute of reperfusion. HNE liberation significantly intensified during the early reperfusion period of hearts of 18-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR, with cardiac hypertrophy and congestive heart failure) in comparison with the pre-ischaemic control period. Furthermore, HNE liberation from those hearts was higher than from hearts of normotensive control animals (WKY rats). Maximum quantities were observed 2 min after ischaemia, with 6 to 10 pmol HNE/min/mg protein. The results suggest that the formation of chemotactic products of radical-induced lipid peroxidation, such as HNE, is markedly increased in reperfused hypertrophic and failing myocardium, and emphasize the role of HNE as a possible chemotactic agent during postischaemic reoxygenation.     

Effectiveness of documented assessment of postoperative pain

Documented assessment of pain does increase patient satisfaction in pain control and treatment but it must be carried out regularly and, more importantly, it must be acted upon. Patients who participate in documented assessment of pain postoperatively may find it easier to communicate their pain levels to the nurse, may feel more informed about their treatment and may be given analgesia more quickly than a control group. Nurses are aware of the importance of pain intensity assessment but do not always assess the effectiveness of the analgesia given. Each individual's perception of pain is unique and the desired amount of relief from pain is infinitely variable. Pain cannot be treated or controlled if it is not accurately assessed. Any information given before surgery decreases anxiety levels and therefore lessens the patient's perception of pain postoperatively, particularly when the information is related to how and where the patient may feel pain. The use of documented pain assessment combined with patient-controlled analgesia systems may be the key to effective postoperative pain control.     

Nomograms of the fetal lateral ventricles using transvaginal sonography

An HPLC-UV method for the simultaneous identification of amphetamine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in urine is described. It includes a rapid extraction procedure of the 4 analogs from urine using Extrelut 3 columns, derivatization with sodium 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulphonate (NQS) to obtain highly chromophoric UV-VIS derivatives, and a final HPLC analysis using an ion-pair reversed-phase technique with eluent monitoring at 480 nm. Structural characterization of the derivatives obtained by mass spectrometry is reported. Recoveries of the amphetamines were in the range 80-85% at concentrations of 300 ng/ml. Practical detection limits were 40-60 ng/ml (S/N ratio = 10) for all derivatives. The chromatographic peaks of the NQS derivatized amphetamines are fairly narrow and well resolved. The method is simple, rapid, quite sensitive, and specific for convenient confirmation of preliminary positive results obtained with immunoassays.     

Clinical immunological classification of tuberculous uveitis

Clinical and immunological studies carried out in 251 patients with tuberculous uveitis (TU) revealed three types of inflammatory reactions in the uveal tract in this patient population: productive, exudative, and productive-exudative (mixed), differing by the type of immune disorders. The findings helped develop a clinical immunological classification of TU, taking account of the clinical form of uveitis, type of inflammatory reaction of the uveal tract, disease pattern, involvement of one or both eyes, complications, and the immunopathological variants of TU course.     

Transneuronal labeling of CNS neurons involved in the innervation of the adrenal gland

In the light of the observation obtained with the application of the viral-tract tracing method, the CNS connection of the adrenal gland, with focusing on the central nervous connection of the adrenal cortex is reviewed.