Application of free-flow electrophoresis for isolation and purification of proteins and peptides

Free-flow electrophoresis (FFE) has been applied to the separation and purification of a variety of proteins and polypeptides: bee venom, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1beta, interferon-gamma and superoxide dismutase. FFE at constant pH and conductivity of the carrying buffer is shown to be efficient at various separation schemes. In some cases, the method allows us to obtain proteins with a purity of more than 90% at a productivity of 20-30 mg/h. An electrophoretic apparatus with a new, multi-sectional construction of the electrophoretic chamber and a system for cross-displacement of carrying buffer in the chamber is described.     

Modern Low-Melting Borosilicate Glasses and Glazes for Majolica and Pottery (A Review)

A review of low-melting borosilicate glasses and glazes for majolica and pottery is presented. The data given on the compositions and properties of glasses make it possible to identify a particular composition with the required properties and locate its patent source.     

Thermoelectric effect in the hollow superconducting cylinder of Pb and Pb-In alloy

The technique for measuring of the thermoelectric effect in superconductors near the critical temperatureT _C has been elaborated. The measured magnetic flux was induced by temperature gradient (ΔT∼1K) between joints. The experimental study of the thermoelectric effect has been carried out in the hollow bimetallic superconducting cylinder consisting of the Pb and Pb-In alloy. The observed temperature dependence of the thermoexcited magnetic flux has been well approximated by the logarithmical function. The magnitude order of the thermopower estimated from the experimental data coincides with the known low temperature thermopowers of metals.     

The epidemiological indices of multiple myeloma and concomitant nephropathies

The authors have conducted an epidemiological study for multiple myeloma morbidity and mortality among 80,000 patients of the Medical Center examined in 1988-1995. Myeloma was diagnosed in 65 cases. Standard incidence rate was 4.09, 3.18 and 3.5 per 100,000 for myeloma in males, females and both sexes, respectively. Standard mortality was 2.76 and 1.73 per 100,000 for males and females, respectively. The above rates do not differ much from those of other countries. In terminal myeloma renal insufficiency occurred in 39 of 41 cases. In 8 cases chronic pyelonephritis was an independent course of renal failure thus indicating the importance of its persistent treatment.     

Accessibility of epitopes on UvrB protein in intermediates generated during incision of UV-irradiated DNA by the Escherichia coli Uvr(A)BC endonuclease

Structural intermediates generated during incision of damaged DNA by the Uvr(A)BC endonuclease were probed with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) raised against the Escherichia coli UvrB protein. It was found that the epitope of B2C5 mAb, mapped at amino acids (aa) 171-278 of UvrB, is not accessible in any of the preformed Uvr intermediates. Preformed B2C5-UvrB immunocomplexes, however, inhibited formation of those intermediates. B2C5 mAb seems to interfere with the formation of the UvrA-UvrB complex due to overlapping of its epitope and the UvrA binding region of UvrB. Conversely, the epitope of B3C1 mAb (aa 1-7 and/or 62-170) was accessible in all Uvr intermediates. The epitope of B*2E3 mAb (aa 171-278) was not accessible in any of the nucleoprotein intermediates preceding UvrB-DNA preincision complex. However, B*2E3 was able to immunoprecipitate this complex and to inhibit overall incision. B2A1 mAb (aa 8-61) inhibited formation of those Uvr intermediates requiring ATP binding and/or hydrolysis by UvrB. B*2B9 mAb (aa 473-630) inhibited Uvr nucleoprotein complexes involving UvrB. B*2B9 seems to prevent the binding of the UvrA-UvrB complex to DNA. The epitope of the B*3E11 mAb (aa 379-472) was not accessible in Uvr complexes formed at damaged sites. These results are discussed in terms of structure-functional mapping of UvrB protein.     

Thermodynamic properties of n-hexane

Specific volumes and isobaric heat capacity measurements are reported for n-hexane. The measurements were made in the liquid and vapor phases at temperatures from the triple point and also cover a wide region around the critical point. The thermal, caloric, and acoustic data from our own investigation as well as those of a number of other authors are fitted to a single equation of state with 32 constants. This equation yields to all thermodynamic properties of n-hexane in the temperature range 180 to 630 K and pressures up to 100 MPa. The data in the critical region have been analyzed in terms of a scaled equation of state.