Identification of 130 kDa cell surface LDL-binding protein from smooth muscle cells as a partially processed T-cadherin precursor

Atypical cell surface lipoprotein-binding proteins of 105 kDa and 130 kDa are present in membranes of vascular smooth muscle cells. We recently identified the 105 kDa protein from human aortic media as T-cadherin, an unusual glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored member of the cadherin family of cell adhesion proteins. The goal of the present study was to determine the identity of 130 kDa lipoprotein-binding protein of smooth muscle cells. We applied different approaches that included protein sequencing of purified protein from human aortic media, the use of human T-cadherin peptide-specific antisera, and enzymatic treatment of cultured cells with trypsin and GPI-specific phospholipase C. Our results indicate that the 130 kDa protein is a partially processed form of T-cadherin which is attached to the membrane surface of smooth muscle cells via a GPI anchor and contains uncleaved N-terminal propeptide sequence. Our data disclose that, in contrast to classical cadherins, T-cadherin is expressed on the cell surface in both its precursor (130 kDa) and mature (105 kDa) forms.     

The influence of Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster on the erythropoietic cells in the microenvironment of the liver

Erythropoesis activation, realizing by microenvironmental cells, was noted in hepar of the tailless amphibians R. Lessonae and R. Ridibunda, living in the Chernobyl AES alienation zone. Destructive changes, and the ribosome-protein complexes, fibrillar structures synthesis intensification was revealed in hepatocytes. Ribosome-protein complexes and fibrillar-granular material of hepatocytes enter the blood stream, where they incorporate into the erythroblasts cytoplasm. Focal hyperplasia and macrophages hypertrophy were revealed. Macrophages, transporting the hepatocytes cytoplasm components into erythroblasts and supplementing them with their cytoplasm synthesis products, take an active part in supply of differentiating red blood cells with different materials.     

The utilization of amino acids and urea by human oral fluid

Incubation of mixed human saliva with arginine, ornithine, and proline for 30 min to 2 h at 40 degrees C leads to an appreciable consumption of the above amino acids. The rate of utilization is 0.2 to 0.5 ncat/ml of saliva. The rate of urea loss is higher by an order of magnitude: up to 11 ncat/ml. Putrescin, urea (after incubation with arginine), and ammonium are identified as the products of these reactions. The biological significance of such reactions is believed to consist in neutralization of carbohydrate fermentation products. The detected consumption of amino acids and urea indicates that mixed human saliva contains urease, arginase, ornithine decarboxylase, and, probably, proline reductase. Since the origin of these enzymes is probably bacterial, changes in their activity in the saliva can be regarded as an indicator of dysbacteriosis and a diagnostically important parameter.     

Parameters affecting the efficiency of affinity-based reversed micellar extraction and separation (ARMES) in glycoprotein purification

The Bladder Neck Support Prosthesis (BNSP) was used in 21 women with combined genuine stress incontinence (GSI) and detrusor instability (DI). Outcomes included frequency volume charts, pad tests, voiding cystometry and quality of life scores, up to the sixth month. Of the 21 recruits, 5 never wore the BNSP home, leaving 16 participants. A further 2 did not reach week 4 because of poor efficacy or inability to fit the device. In the 14 who reached week 4, the median number of leaks/day declined from 4.3 to 1.0 (p = 0.002). Median pad test loss fell from 53 to 7 mL (p = 0.012). Cystometry showed an increase in maximum bladder capacity (p < 0.05) and a modest reduction in severity of detrusor instability, with no evidence of outflow obstruction. Three further women discontinued because of poor efficacy (2) or a poorly fitting device (1), leaving 11 of 16 participants (69%) at week 8, when median pad test loss fell to 2 mL. The BNSP is a useful option in patients with the unfortunate combination of an unstable bladder and an incompetent urethra, but requires careful fitting and attention to detail.     

Melting of magnesia refractory materials in an OKB-955N ore melting furnace

Conclusions The experinece in service of the IKB-955N furnace at Magnesite Plant in melting of different magnesia materials was summarized. The influence of a number of factors, including magnesium oxide content in the charge, on the indices of the melting process, was established.The optimum diameter of decomposition of the electrodes, diameter of reaction zone, and specific surface power in the molten material were determined for the different materials.On the basis of approximation equations of the experimental data a method of approximate evaluation of the basic production parameters of the melting process was proposed.Means of increasing the productivity of ore melting furnaces by selection of the optimum diameter of decomposition of the electrodes, adjustment of the automatic system, reduction of melting time, and increasing the average input power were shown.Translated from Ogneupory, No. 1, pp. 34–38, January, 1990.     

New Generalization of Data on the Heat of Combustion of High-Purity Methane

All publications on precise of combustion measurements for high-purity methane are analyzed and generalized. The results of several generalizations presented have led to recommended values of the higher heat of combustion of methane as standard reference data for computations. We make a new generalization of experimental work performed from 1987 to 2001, a distinguishing feature of the work being direct measurement of the quantity of gas being burned.     

Iron catalyzes both decomposition and synthesis of S-nitrosothiols: optical and electron paramagnetic resonance studies

This paper discusses the issues of providing an empirically validated, manual-based-treatment when viewed from the perspective of a practicing clinical psychologist. The trend for empirically proven treatment is reviewed briefly, and initial data are provided illustrating a manual-based-treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a motor vehicle accident. The relatively brief (9-12 session) psychological treatment was effective in reducing PTSD symptoms as measured on the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale, for all 10 subjects. The results are discussed form the practicing clinician's perspective: generalization to a clinical population, ethical concerns of limited treatment goals, individually tailored vs standardized treatments in clinical practice, concerns for co-morbid conditions, and how this type of study might impact on practice in an era of managed health care. Issues of incorporating manual based treatments into clinical practice are discussed, with consideration of gains, the limits and the constraints this would bring to the practice of psychology.