Reaction of the type III iodothyronine deiodinase with the affinity label N-bromoacetyl-triiodothyronine

The type III iodothyronine deiodinase (ID-III) catalyzes the inner ring deiodination and, thus, the inactivation of the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. ID-III activity in rat brain, rat placenta and embryonic chicken liver is inhibited by the affinity label N-bromoacetyl-T3 (BrAcT3) with an affinity similar to that of T3. Reaction of rat brain and placenta microsomes with BrAc[125I]T3 resulted in the extensive labeling of a 32 kDa protein (p32). However, p32 was also prominently labeled in fetal rat liver microsomes which have no ID-III activity. Labeling of p32 was not influenced by 100 microM substrate analogs or inhibitors of ID-III, some of which completely inhibit ID-III activity at 1 microM. BrAc[125I]T3 labeling of embryonic chicken liver microsomes did not reveal p32 or another protein possibly related to ID-III. In contrast to previous suggestions, it is unlikely that p32 represents ID-III or a subunit thereof.     

Nd:YAG laser removal of pupillary membranes developed after ECCE with PC-IOL implantation

PURPOSE: To define the frequency of development of pupillary membranes after ECCE with PC-IOL implantation, and to remove the pupillary membranes using the Nd:YAG laser. METHODS: From 400 patients who had undergone ECCE and were free from local or systemic illness affecting the blood-ocular barrier, 20 eyes developed pupillary membranes Nd:YAG laser was used to remove these pupillary membranes. RESULTS: The frequency of pupillary membranes was found to be 5% (9.8% in pex eyes and 3.3% to the non-pex eyes). Visual acuity improved in 17 eyes by 2 to 5 Snellen lines. No serious complications were observed, endothelium inclusive. CONCLUSION: Pseudoexfoliation might play a significant role in the development of postoperative pupillary membranes which could be successfully treated with the use of Nd:YAG laser. The safety of the procedure has to be evaluated in relation to the corneal endothelium damage in long-term.     

Index of suspicion. Case 2

Super-sidecut skis are wider at the tip and tail than a traditional ski, and the waist varies depending on the function of the ski. The sidecut influences the performance characteristics of the ski, making it easier to initiate a turn, carve tighter turns, and carve at slower speeds--which translates into more fun. Super-sidecut skis are more sensitive to controlling movements, so you can ski in a more balanced, centered position. There are some compromises in terms of stability and injury risk. With so much variety in super-sidecut skis, controlled population studies will be necessary to track injury trends.     

High-performance liquid chromatography of amino acids, peptides and proteins. CXXXIX. Impact of operating parameters in large-scale chromatography of proteins

Large-scale chromatography has been playing an important role in downstream treatment processing in biotechnology. In order to improve the productivity, the throughput of the chromatographic equipment was often increased by increasing the flow-rate and/or by increasing the column sample loading. This paper reports the results of a study on the impact of these and other operating parameters in affinity and ion-exchange chromatographic columns when used for protein purification. A sectional model was developed to predict protein adsorption processes in a packed column. The formulations of this mathematical model are presented in the Appendix. The present study was carried out with computer simulation based on this model and using data obtained from laboratory-scale columns. This model can simulate both the adsorption and washing stages of the protein purification process for both porous and non-porous particles. The effects of changing operating parameters were simulated and contour plots were generated for the easy identification of these effects. It was shown that both flow-rate and column loading can have a considerable impact on the processing rate and the yield of the column. As for the column capacity utilization, the impact of changing flow-rate is not significant at column loading of less than 80% in the test case. It was suggest that the present investigation provides a systematic predictive strategy which will greatly reduce the need for expensive, labour-intensive and time-consuming experimental work during process scale-up.     

Screening of hepatoprotective plant components using a HepG2 cell cytotoxicity assay

The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the influence of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) inhalation therapy on respiratory bacterial infection in patient with an asthmatic attack. We studied 267 asthmatic attack episodes of 241 patients with/without BDP inhalation therapy. There was no difference between two groups in %peak flow, body temperature, CRP, WBC count, bacterial culture of sputum on admission. BDP inhalation therapy has little influence on respiratory bacterial infection at an asthmatic attack.     

Mechanisms of acute respiratory insufficiency in patients with hyperglycemic coma

Basic parameters of pulmonary gas exchange, central and pulmonary hemodynamics, and colloid osmotic pressure were investigated in 31 patients in diabetic hyperglycemic coma over the course of intensive care. Pulmonary gas exchange disorders were observed in all patients in the presence of increased shunting of the blood in the lungs and disorders of transcapillary liquid exchange. On the other hand, we failed to obtain data indicative of an increase in the volume of extravascular water in the lungs. However, it does not rule out the possibility of iatrogenic disorders of gas exchange during noncontrolled rehydration.