Lipid-protein interactions during dough development

Radionuclide-labelled glycerol triolein has been used to follow the fate of triglyceride lipids during the mixing of wheat flour doughs. After removal of residual free lipid by petrol extraction, initial fractionation of freeze-dried dough identified the acetic acid-soluble protein as being the only component involved significantly in work-induced lipid binding during dough development under nitrogen, and also in lipid release on admission of air. Very little labelled lipid was found in either the water-soluble proteins or the starch residue. Sub-fractionation of the acetic acid-soluble protein by ammonium sulphate precipitation from acetic acid-urea-cetyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (AUC) solvent showed bound lipid to be distributed almost entirely between high-molecular-weight glutenin and protein which remained soluble in the AUC supernatant even in the presence of 20% ammonium sulphate. Precipitated gliadins contained very little labelled lipid. However, significant levels were found in classical ethanol-extracted gliadin, and were traced predominantly to the same supernatant-protein owing to its solubility in aqueous ethanol. Examination of this AUC-supernatant fraction showed it to contain a hitherto unreported protein which had a molecular weight of about 9000, was strongly complexed with tri-glyceride lipid on a 1:1 molar basis and showed a tendency to aggregate in solution. Its amino acid frequency was found to differ significantly from both glutenin and purothionin, the latter containing in particular very much more cysteine than the supernatant-protein. Representing 10% or more of the total gluten, this small, highly interactive protein is responsible for a significant, if not the major, part of lipid binding activity in dough and may well have a fundamental role in the formation of an insoluble glutenin structure through both —SH and hydrophobic interaction. Accordingly, the name ‘Ligolin’ is proposed, from the Latin ligare: to bind, to tie.     

Direct innervation of the mantle edge gland by neurosecretory axons in Helisoma duryi (Mollusca: Pulmonata)

The mantle edge gland of Helisoma duryi is innervated by neurosecretory axons from the pallial nerves. Synaptoid contacts occur between axons and gland cells, and there is ultrastructural evidence for the release of neurosecretory material. The mantle edge gland contributes to the deposition of periostracum during shell formation, and direct neurosecretory innervation may control shell growth and regeneration.     

A pharmacological study of Renshaw cell inhibition

1. In cats anaesthetized with pentobarbitone a pharmacological investigation was made of the inhibition of Renshaw cells by dorsal root afferent volleys and ventral root antidromic volleys, and of the inhibition of motoneurones by Renshaw cells. 2. The effects of strychnine, bicuculline and tetanus toxin indicate that both glycine and GABA operate as inhibitory transmitters released on Renshaw cells by dorsal root volleys. 3. The 'mutual' inhibition of Renshaw cells, and the recurrent inhibition of motoneurones by Renshaw cells, are suppressed by strychnine: Renshaw cells are thus glycinergic inhibitory neurones, a proposal consistant with recent evidence for strychnine-sensitive inhibition of Ia interneurones by Renshaw cells. 4. The 'pause' which follows high frequency synaptic excitation of Renshaw cells is insensitive to strychnine, bicuculline and tetanus toxin, and is considered unlikely to be the consequence of synaptic inhibition.     

Calciphylaxis in man. A syndrome of tissue necrosis and vascular calcification in 11 patients with chronic renal failure

Eleven patients with chronic renal failure and presumed secondary hyperparathyroidism developed a syndrome of medial calcinosis of the arteries and painful ischemic ulcers of the fingers, legs, or thighs, or any combination of the three. Five patients required maintenance hemodialysis; six had functioning renal homografts. Severe hyperphosphatemia had existed in each; seven showed roentgenographic evidence of subperiosteal resorption. Similarities are evident between the lesions and experimentally produced calciphylaxix. The lesions demonstrated a relentless, progressive course, with serious morbidity and mortality. Hyperplastic or adenomatours parathyroid tissue was removed from ten of 11 patients unergoing surgical procedures; healing followed in seven patients. Treatment with phosphate-binding antacids to lower serum phosphorus levels may prevent this syndrome. Total or subtotal parathyroidectomy should be considered when ischemic skin lesions appear in uremic patients or in renal transplant recipients.     

Dental management of patients irradiated for oral cancer

Management of patients irradiated for oral cancer should include consideration of their oral health prior to, and after, radiation therapy. Data from 130 patients, followed for a period of 1 to 10 years, are presented and evaluated. The philosophy of retention and maintenance of as many teeth as possible is supported by this data. Extraction of teeth with severe periodontal disease after irradiation also proves to be a relatively safe operation. Osteoradionecrosis tends to be limited in extent and is generally well tolerated by the patient when treated conservatively. A treatment regimen is presented that significantly reduces the morbidity from therapeutic irradiation of the jaws. A comprehensive dental evaluation and follow-up plan coupled with patient cooperation are instrumental to the success of this program.     

Experimental electrocoagulation of dog esophageal and duodenal mucosa

The per review system for the assessment of research proposals is widely respected by working scientists. Nevertheless two problems associated with the operation of this system by the US National Institutes of Health are identified. First the scientist has no control over which committee will review an application and it may be considered by a quite inappropriate group. Second analysis of the committee composition suggests that in some of the groups several members are not active scientists and therefore not the "peers" of the applicant.     

Chloramphenicol antibody causing interference in antibody detection and identification tests

Investigation of the serum of three patients with positive antibody detection tests demonstrated the cause in each to be an antibody against chloramphenicol, a bacteriostatic agent used in commercial red blood cell reagents. Washing of these red cells prior to use prevented agglutination. All three examples of anti-chloramphenicol antibody were IgM and were in low titer when tested at room temperature and 37 C in saline. Two of the antibodies bound complement. The possibility of an antibody to an ingredient of the commercial preservative solution should be considered if problems are encountered in tests with unwashed commercial red blood cell reagents.