Inactivation of short-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase from pig liver by 2-pentynoyl-coenzyme A

2-Pentynoyl-CoA is a mechanism-based inactivator of the flavoprotein short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase from pig liver. Inactivation is associated with the formation of an intermediate absorbing at 800 nm and results in the incorporation of 0.86 +/- 0.13 molecules of radiolabeled inhibitor per subunit. A rapid procedure was devised to isolate the labeled peptide. A glutamate residue was identified as the target of 2-pentynoyl-CoA treatment and proved homologous to the proposed catalytic base, GLU376, in the corresponding medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase sequence. These results are discussed in terms of the lack of conservation of this glutamate residue in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase enzyme family.     

The development of the blood hyperviscosity syndrome in patients with a history of pulmonary artery thromboembolism

Examination of 64 patients with prior pulmonary artery thromboembolism revealed high blood viscosity in 88% of males and 77% of females. Polycythemia and disturbed erythrocyte deformability were the causes of increased blood viscosity. The degree of disturbed blood viscosity correlated with the degree of hemodynamic disorders. The development of the blood hyperviscosity syndrome was determined by the extent of the affected lungs rather than by the duration of the disease.     

The stress-protective effect of a new derivative of n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids

It has been established that prophylactic oral administration of the new derivative of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids--P-55 in a daily dose of 0.2 g/kg during 30 days prevents some morphological and physiological manifestations of the chronic stress-syndrome in white rats. There were normalized body and some internal organs weights, content and distribution of ascorbic acid in the adrenal tissue; decreased intensity of gastric ulcerogenesis. The behaviour of animals became more quiet. It is concluded that the preparation P-55 has a stress-protective effect during its prophylactic administration.     

Library faculty role in problem-based learning: facilitating small groups

Since 1986, the library faculty of the McGoogan Library of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) has participated in small group activities during the week-long orientation for first-year medical students. This involvement paved the way for library faculty members to act as facilitators for small groups of medical students within the new problem-based learning (PBL) curriculum introduced in 1992 by the College of Medicine. The UNMC curriculum consists of traditional PBL groups as well as Integrated Clinical Experience (ICE) small groups. The ICE groups provide opportunities for discussion of the social and behavioral issues that arise in medicine, with the majority of the sessions designed to give students interviewing practice with simulated patients. The ICE small groups meet once a week with either one or two facilitators. Several library faculty members act as facilitators for ICE groups. As a result of this involvement, librarian contacts with College of Medicine faculty have grown in number and depth, there has been a corresponding increase in related activities with the first- and second-year medical students. Participation in ICE groups has caused some difficulties with respect to library work schedules, but it has been immensely rewarding and enriching in terms of professional growth. This paper describes the UNMC curriculum, the evolution and extent of the librarians' involvement, and the future involvement, ramifications, and challenges envisioned for McGoogan faculty and their medical library colleagues.     

Study of cryoprotective properties of antifreeze glycoproteins from the white sea cod Gadus morhua on low temperature freezing of mouse embryos

The effect of antifreeze glycoproteins on morphological preservation and viability of mouse embryos cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen was studied. Cryomicroscopic observations indicated that as distinct from the cryoprotector dimethylsulfoxide antifreeze glycoproteins cause phenomena typical of vitrification (absence of visible crystallization, transparency of medium). The embryos frozen in the presence of freeze glycoproteins had after thawing a higher morphological preservation (87.5%) than those frozen with 1M and 3M dimethylsulfoxide (53.8 and 71.1%, respectively). However, they were nonviable and did not develop in culture. A high viability after cryoconservation was achieved only when antifreeze glycoproteins (20 mg/ml) were used together with dimethylsulfoxide (3M). In this case, the number of viable embryos, which developed in culture to the stage of compact morula and blastocyst, was 65.0%, i.e. two and four times higher than in the presence of 3 M and 1 M dimethylsulfoxide, respectively.     

Diagnosis of respiratory-syncytial viral disease in adults

A method developed by the authors is described that consists in a quantitative test for the evaluation of the reactivity of the microvessels judging by the degree of changes in the resorption speed of isotopes from a tissue depot. In patients with essential hypertension an increased vascular reactivity was revealed with reference to angiotensin, noradrenalin and serotonin, as well as an increased duration of the effect of angiotensin. The highest vascular reactivity was noted in patients with stage II hypertension who have retained a hyperkinetic type of circulation.