Lipoprotein(a) in android obesity and NIDDM

OBJECTIVE: To assess the level of serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in nonobese and obese NIDDM subjects with android body distribution. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum Lp(a) levels were measured in 30 long-standing NIDDM patients (duration of diabetes 12.5 +/- 3 years, mean +/- SD), with 15 of the patients being obese of android distribution (BMI > 30 kg/m2 and waist-to-hip ratio > 0.8). In addition, there were 15 android obese nondiabetic subjects and 10 healthy subjects serving as the control group. RESULTS: All groups of patients in this study (diabetic, obese, and obese diabetic) showed significantly higher levels of Lp(a) than the healthy control group. Lp(a) concentrations were significantly higher in NIDDM patients with android type of obesity than in nondiabetic androids (24.1 +/- 5.6 vs. 14.8 +/- 2.4 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Significantly greater levels of Lp(a) were found in nonobese subjects with diabetes when compared with obese subjects without diabetes (22.3 +/- 4.1 vs. 14.8 +/- 2.4 mg/dl, P < 0.001). Furthermore, Lp(a) serum concentrations were not dependent on the degree of glycemic control (controlled NIDDM 23.6 +/- 5.0 vs. uncontrolled NIDDM 21.4 +/- 2.7 mg/dl, NS), but were much greater in subjects with diabetes complicated by vascular disease (complicated 26.3 +/- 5.0 vs. uncomplicated 20.5 +/- 2.7 mg/dl, P < 0.001). No correlation was found between Lp(a) and other lipid parameters in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) levels are significantly elevated in both android-obese and nonobese NIDDM patients regardless of the degree of glycemic control. Lp(a) is an independent risk factor showing greater elevations in those subjects complicated with diabetic vascular diseases.     

Profile dependence and measurement of absolute Raman scattering cross-section in optical fibres

A simple measurement method for the absolute Raman scattering cross-section of an optical fibre is presented. This method does not require a high power pump laser and it measures the fibre directly. It is also shown that the calculation of the cross-section depends on the fibre structure, such as its refractive index profile and the differential attenuation between the pump wavelength and Raman wavelength.<>     

Liposomes containing lipid A serve as an adjuvant for induction of antibody and cytotoxic T-cell responses against RTS,S malaria antigen

Encapsulation of soluble protein antigens in liposomes was previously shown to result in processing of antigen via the major histocompatibility complex class I pathway, as evidenced by costaining of the trans-Golgi region of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMs) by fluorophore-labeled liposomal antigen and by a trans-Golgi-specific fluorescent lipid. Evidence is presented here that free or liposome-encapsulated RTS,S, a particulate malaria antigen consisting of hepatitis B particles coexpressed with epitopes from the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, also was localized in the trans-Golgi after incubation with BMs, suggesting processing by the class I pathway. An in vivo cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response was detected, however, only after immunization with RTS,S encapsulated in liposomes containing lipid A and not after immunization with free RTS,S or with RTS,S encapsulated in liposomes lacking lipid A. Therefore, intracellular delivery of antigen containing CTL epitopes to the Golgi of BMs does not necessarily result in a CTL response in vivo unless an additional adjuvant, such as liposomes containing lipid A, is utilized. Encapsulation of RTS,S in liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) resulted in a dose-dependent enhancement of the NANP-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response compared to that of free RTS,S. The IgG1 and IgG2a subclasses predominated after immunization with RTS,S encapsulated in liposomes containing MPL. These results demonstrate that encapsulation of a lipid-containing particulate antigen, such as RTS, S, in liposomes containing lipid A can enhance both humoral and cellular immune responses.     

Autoxidation of saturated fatty acids. II. The determination of the site of hydroperoxide groups in autoxidizing methyl palmitate

The monohydroperoxides of methyl palmitate oxidized at 150C were concentrated, purified, and reduced to yield a mixture of isomers of monohydroxy palmitate. No evidence of unsaturation in these molecules could be obtained, and no direct method for the resolution or identification of the individual isomers was found. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the reduced esters suggested that the hydroxy groups were not located at either end of the chain of the fatty ester. To establish the location of the initial oxidative attack on saturated esters, the reduced esters of oxidized methyl palmitate were chemically cleaved at the location of the hydroxy group by means of chromium trioxide oxidation and by the Beckmann transformation. The resulting mono- and dibasic fatty acids were methylated and analyzed by gas chromatography. This analysis indicated that the oxidation of methyl palmitate did not occur selectively at one location along the ester. Although all carbon atoms can apparently be oxidized, preferential oxidation was observed toward the center of the molecule.     

Lipids ofKlebsiella pneumoniae: The presence of phosphatidyl choline in succinate-grown cells

The carbon and energy source for aerobically grown cultures ofKlebsiella penumoniae profoundly influenced the total lipid content and phosphatide composition. Glucose-grown cells contained 13% lipid, 56% of which was phospholipids. Succinate-grow cells contained 8% lipid, 66% of which was phospholipids. The predominant phosphatides of glucose-grown cells were phosphatidyl ethanolamine, 82%; phosphatidyl glycerol, 4.5%; phosphatidic acid, 5%; cardiolipin, 6.5%; phosphatidyl serine; and trace amounts of unidentified phosphatides. Phosphatides of succinate-grown cells were phosphatidyl ethanolamine, 38%; diphosphatidyl glycerol, 14%; phosphatidyl glycerol, 13%; phosphatidyl choline, 14.5%; phosphatidyl serine, 6%; phosphatidic acid, 4%; and 10% unknown lipids. No trace of phosphatidyl choline was found in glucose-grown cells. Paper 75-11-170 of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.     

Phase retarders highly insensitive to the input angle

In the few exceptional cases of total internal reflection phase retarders that are weakly sensitive to variations in the input angle of incidence i, the devices are of increasingly larger size; deviate or translate the emergent beam; are difficult to align in optical systems; or, in coated rhombs, have an impermanent stability of the retardance. Based on new compensating effects, novel devices of high retardance stability and advantageous characteristics are presented. One device is stable to within 0.09 degrees of 90 degrees for i ? 3 degrees . It is a two-reflection quarter-wave retarder that does not alter the path of the compact size light beam, is of compact size (one seventh the size occupied by the achromatic device AD-1 for equal aperture lengths), and can be easily aligned in optical systems or used as a rotating element. The path length of the beam inside the device is less than one third the corresponding length inside the achromatic device AD-1.     

Amino acid composition,foaming, emulsifying properties and surface hydrophobicity of mustard protein isolate as affected by pH and NaCl

Amino acid composition, protein hydrophobicity, foaming and emulsifying properties of mustard protein isolate at pH 3, 5, 7 and in 0.05 and 0.1 m NaCl were studied. Glutamic (19.18 ± 0.30%) and aspartic (7.49 ± 0.11%) acids were the dominants. Foaming ability was enhanced by NaCl. Time to reach 75 mL foam was 23% higher in water than in NaCl. Drained volume after 10 min was concentration dependent and was the lowest in 0.05 and 0.1 m NaCl at protein concentration of 2.5% and 5%. The emulsifying properties were pH and concentration dependent, and the best results were obtained at pH 3, corresponding to the highest positive charge density of the protein surface. The highest emulsion stability (90.22 ± 3.52%) was obtained in 0.05 m NaCl and 5% protein concentration, whereas the lowest (63.00 ± 1.06%) was in water at all protein concentrations. Protein hydrophobicity was low and depended of pH but not of NaCl.     

Problems in Polarization Metrology

Polarization metrology is gaining increased importance as polarized light is recently involved in different branches of science and technology. This paper summarizes the contributions of the optical polarization laboratory at the National Institute for standards (NIS, Egypt) during the last 25 years. These include introducing a new class of total internal reflection phase retarders, modifying the Senarmont method to allow for simultaneous calibration of two phase plates at any wavelength, birefringence measurements, applications of the Poincaré sphere, calibration and adjustment of polarization elements and measurements of the optical constants of conductors.     

The identification of high risk knee bleeds in adolescents with severe haemophilia A

One hundred and thirty-seven knee bleeds treated with an initial dose of 11-16 units of factor VIII/kg have been reviewed in an attempt to find the predictive factors for bleeds requiring retransfusion. Thirty-two bleeds (23.4%) were retransfused within 48 hours because of extension of bleeding or poor progress. Fifty-nine per cent of bleeds which were retransfused presented with pain and 72% were tender at presentation. These figures contrasted with those for bleeds which were not retransfused of 30% and 45%. The difference in each case is significant. Forty-seven per cent of retransfused bleeds presented with less than 50% of normal movement against 12% who were not retransfused. This difference was also highly significant. It is suggested that knee bleeds presenting with pain, tenderness and/or more than 50% restriction of movement should be considered for higher initial doses of factor VIII.     

Skim milk cryoconcentration as affected by the thawing mode: gravitational vs. microwave‐assisted

In the present study, skim milk was successfully cryoconcentrated up to 43.72 ± 0.69% (w/w) total dry matter after four cryoconcentration cycles. Total proteins were concentrated up to 22.49 ± 0.31% (w/w). It was found that the cryoconcentrated skim milk fraction was rich in potassium ions. The effect of the cryoconcentration cycle and thawing mode on process efficiency was studied. The obtained data showed that the cryoconcentration cycle effect was significant (P < 0.001). The thawing mode (gravitational and microwave assisted thawing) had no effect on process efficiency. However, the microwave assisted thawing mode was more efficient regarding to the time needed to obtain the desired thawed fraction. To achieve high process efficiency, three cryoconcentration cycles were sufficient since the process efficiency drastically decreased after this cycle. The concentration of the dry mater entrapped in the ice fraction was the highest at the fourth cryoconcentration cycle.