Thermostability of the rhodopsins of several fish in the Sea of Japan

Studies have been made on thermal denaturation of rhodopsin in hotoreceptive membranes of retinal rods of some Japan Sea fishes--Podthecus sp., Enophrys diceraus, Myoxocephalus stelleri, Pleurogrammus monopterygius, Sebastichthys trivittatus, Pheumatophorus japonicus, Gadus morhua, Theragia chaloogramma, Eleginus gracilis and Lepidopsetta herzensteini. It was shown that visual pigments of the species studied significantly differ in their thermostability, whereas with respect to their spectral properties they are rather similar (absorbtion maxima lie near 500 nm). Positive correlation between the thermostability level of rhodopsins and the environmental temperature of the species was found.     

Tuning of an electrospray ionization source for maximum peptide-ion transmission into a mass spectrometer

We describe assembly and optimization of a continuous flow nanoelectrospray source for high-performance analysis on a routine basis. It is derived from an inJection adaptable Fine Ionization Source ("JaFIS"), previously shown to be durable and easy to use (Geromanos, S.; et al. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 1998, 12, 551-556) and now modified for maximum sensitivity. Proper design, manufacturing, and quality control of spray needles with specific orifice diameters, in combination with precisely controlled helium backpressure and applied voltage, enable stable flows at 1-2 nL/min. Needle positioning and ion spray potential are hereby exceedingly important, as shifts by 0.5 mm or 25 V, respectively, cause significant reduction in signal strength. In addition to prolonged analysis times, ultralow flows also yield higher sensitivity, the result of an improved "overall ion transfer efficiency" measured to be approximately 5% at 1.6 nL/min. Used in combination with a "microtip" (Erdjument-Bromage, H.; et al. J. Chromatogr. A 1998, 826, 167-181), the optimized JaFIS implements infusion-style ESI-MS at sensitivities approaching capillary LC-MS. Spraying times in excess of 20 h allow for any number of tandem mass spectrometric analysis routines to be performed, and to average thousands of scans in every experiment, thereby further improving sensitivity. This was fully illustrated by extensive analysis of a 2-fmol peptide mixture, in a 2-microL volume, using a multimode MS approach.     

Vitamin B12-binding substances elaborated by the mucous membrane of the stomach]

Accurate electrocardiographic diagnosis of myocardial ischemia or infarction is difficult in patients with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome; however, myocardial ischemia may also have profound effects on the electrophysiologic characteristics of the bypass tract in these patients. Comparison of studies performed during and two months following an episode of significant myocardial ischemia demonstrated substantial prolongation of the refractoriness of the bypass tract during the period of ischemia. Bypass refractoriness was prolonged by 196 msec, yet atrioventricular nodal refractoriness was not significantly different from normal. These studies, therefore, suggest that, on occasion, the presence of acute myocardial ischemia may, in fact, obscure the electrocardiographic diagnosis of the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.     

Method of natural periodization of processes

The method of natural periodization of processes based on objective quantitative account of the dynamics of changing of certain parameters is described. The natural periodization has been established by analysis of the data dynamic series, the distribution of observation terms being made with regard for the a priori taken rate of changes of the parameters under study. The possibility to compare different parameters has been achieved by using centrated approximated data. The discovering of natural periods can be performed by analysis of the group of centrated data. The variation of the variation coefficient of centrated ordinates in each temporal point can be calculated for objectivization of the evaluation. The investigation of developmental changes of the thyroid of A/H mice with employment of methods of morphometry and quantitative histochemistry is taken as an example.     

Neurophysiologic study of sleep in infants with cerebral palsy

With the aid of a polygraphical study of day sleep in infants with cerebral palsy it was possible to demonstrate in many cases changes of qualitative characteristics of the stages of sleep with disorders of normal dynamics in the EEG, motor and vegetative signs. The authors detected a certain correlation between the degree of such changes and the severity of the clinical symptomatology, as well as a possibility of changes in expression of the pathology of sleep at different stages of the disease, sometimes with an increase of this pathology.     

Effect of liquid diet on serum protein binding and prednisolone concentrations after oral prednisone

After prednisone (two 5 mg tablets) was given to each of six normal volunteers with water or with a liquid meal, standard pharmacokinetic parameters of prednisolone metabolism were similar, except that peak serum prednisolone concentrations occurred later after the meal. We conclude that prednisone can be given with a meal without significantly affecting the metabolism of prednisone or prednisolone.     

Steroid hormones in erysipelas

Deep neck infection has ominous implications if not detected and treated in an early stage. The anatomic relationships of head and neck spaces encourage spread of infection. Immediate hospitalization and constant monitoring of the patient after diagnosis are mandatory.