UBL1, a human ubiquitin-like protein associating with human RAD51/RAD52 proteins

When nasoseptal dislocation or deviation contributes to nasal obstruction or external deformity, successful nasal surgery should include septal restructuring, maintenance or restoration of adequate nasal support, and stabilization of the reconstructed elements.     

Participation of mercuric conjugates of cysteine, homocysteine, and N-acetylcysteine in mechanisms involved in the renal tubular uptake of inorganic mercury

Mechanisms involved in the renal uptake of inorganic mercury were studied in rats administered a nontoxic 0.5 mumol/kg intravenous dose of inorganic mercury with or without 2.0 mumol/kg cysteine, homocysteine, or N-acetylcysteine. The renal disposition of mercury was studied 1 h after treatment in normal rats and rats that had undergone bilateral ureteral ligation. In addition, the disposition of mercury (including the urinary and fecal excretion of mercury) was evaluated 24 h after treatment. In normal rats, coadministering inorganic mercury plus cysteine or homocysteine caused a significant increase in the renal uptake of mercury 1 h after treatment. The enhanced renal uptake of mercury was due to increased uptake of mercury in the renal outer stripe of the outer medulla and/or renal cortex. Ureteral ligation caused reductions in the renal uptake of mercury in all groups except for the one treated with inorganic mercury plus N-acetylcysteine. Thus, it appears that virtually all of the mercury taken up by the kidneys of the normal rats treated with inorganic mercury plus N-acetylcysteine occurred at the basolateral membrane. Urinary excretory data also support this notion, in that the rate of excretion of inorganic mercury was greatest in the rats treated with inorganic mercury plus N-acetylcysteine. Our data also indicate that uptake of inorganic mercury in the kidneys of rats treated with inorganic mercury plus cysteine occurred equally at both luminal and basolateral membranes. In addition, the renal uptake of mercury in rats treated with inorganic mercury plus homocysteine occurred predominantly at the basolateral membrane with some component of luminal uptake. The findings of the present study confirm that there are at least two distinct mechanisms involved in the renal uptake of inorganic mercury, with one mechanism located on the luminal membrane and the other located on the basolateral membrane. Our findings also show that cysteine and homologs of cysteine, when coadministered with inorganic mercury, greatly influence the magnitude and/or site of uptake of mercuric ions in the kidney.     

Chemokine receptor CCR2 expression and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-mediated chemotaxis in human monocytes. A regulatory role for plasma LDL

The subendothelial accumulation of macrophage-derived foam cells is one of the hallmarks of atherosclerosis. The recruitment of monocytes to the intima requires the interaction of locally produced chemokines with specific cell surface receptors, including the receptor (CCR2) for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). We have previously reported that monocyte CCR2 gene expression and function are effectively downregulated by proinflammatory cytokines. In this study we identified low density lipoprotein (LDL) as a positive regulator of CCR2 expression. Monocyte CCR2 expression was dramatically increased in hypercholesterolemic patients compared with normocholesterolemic controls. Similarly, incubation of human THP-1 monocytes with LDL induced a rapid increase in CCR2 mRNA and protein. By 24 hours the number of cell surface receptors was doubled, causing a 3-fold increase in the chemotactic response to MCP-1. The increase in CCR2 expression and chemotaxis was promoted by native LDL but not by oxidized LDL. Oxidized LDL rapidly downregulated CCR2 expression, whereas reductively methylated LDL, which does not bind to the LDL receptor, had only modest effects on CCR2 expression. A neutralizing anti-LDL receptor antibody prevented the effect of LDL, suggesting that binding and internalization of LDL were essential for CCR2 upregulation. The induction of CCR2 expression appeared to be mediated by LDL-derived cholesterol, because cells treated with free cholesterol also showed increased CCR2 expression. These data suggest that elevated plasma LDL levels in conditions such as hypercholesterolemia enhance monocyte CCR2 expression and chemotactic response and potentially contribute to increased monocyte recruitment to the vessel wall in chronic inflammation and atherogenesis.     

Byssotoxin A, a secondary metabolite of Byssochlamys fulva

Byssochlamys fulva, isolated from corn, was grown on nutrient-amended shredded wheat medium for 14 days at 25 C. Crude solvent extract from these cultures was toxic to brine shrimp, chicken embryos, and rats. The extract was slightly inhibitory to the germination of of pea seeds, but was nontoxic to ten species of bacteria and one of yeast. One metabolite was isolated, given the trivial name byssotoxin A, and partially characterized chemically and physically.     

Histochemical observations on the seasonal fluctuations in the follicular atresia and interstitial gland tissue in the house sparrow ovary

A histochemical study has been made of seasonal fluctuations in the follicular atresia and interstitial gland tissue with the ovarian cycles of the house sparrow (Passer domesticus). The atresia of primordial oocytes forms the predominant feature of the quiescent-winter ovary. The building up of interstitial gland tissue of thecal origin. which precedes the breeding activity, is closely related to the atresia of previtellogenic follicles of variable sizes. Interstitial gland cells which accumulate lipid droplets consisting of cholesterol, and/or its esters, triglycerides and some phospholipids, are the steroid secretors. The possible functional significance of different-sized follicular atresia in relation to follicular growth and breeding activity is discussed.     

Evaluation of transbronchial biopsy of the lung

The histo-autoradiographic study of the subfornical organ by incorporation of 3H-Leucine in normal and dehydrated rats shows the existence of a protein synthesis; this synthesis is more important in dehydrated rats. Other studies are necessary to determine the nature and role of the substance synthetized.     

Effect of dopamine on the esophageal smooth muscle in vivo

Using the method 133Xe clearance we investigated blood flow and calculated vascular resistances simultaneously in the muscles of the upper and lower extremities in 58 patients following successful surgical correction of aortic coarctation carried out at age 11.5 (+/- 2.9) years. The interval from operation to investigation was 11.5 (+/- 4.5) years. Resting and maximal ischemic exercise blood flows in the upper extremity were decreased and the duration of maximal blood flow was shortened. Values recorded from the lower extremities did not differ from normal controls. The difference between upper and lower extremities was statistically significant. Vascular resistance during maximal blood flow was higher in the upper extremities than in the lower. Differences between upper and lower extremities did not change after vasodilation elicited by amyl nitrite. The degree of differences was not dependent upon the age at operation, the age of the patients at investigation, or on the time interval between operation and investigation.