bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is there a gender effect in bladder cancer? A population-based study of practice and outcomes
Authors: Patafio Francis Michael , Siemens D. Robert , Wei Xuejiao , Booth Christopher M.
Published: August 2015

Introduction: The incidence of bladder cancer varies by gender. Whether differences exist between women and men in extent of disease, treatment, and outcome is not well-described. We evaluate gender differences in bladder cancer using a population-based cohort.Methods: Electronic records of treatment were linked to the population- based Ontario Cancer Registry to identify all patients with bladder cancer treated with cystectomy or radical radiotherapy (RT) in Ontario between 1994 and 2008. We compare extent of disease at time of cystectomy, treatment, and outcomes between women and men.Results: In total, 5259 patients with bladder cancer were treated with cystectomy or radical RT; of these, 25% (n = 1296) were women. There was no gender difference in the proportion of patients treated with cystectomy (75% of women [974/1296], 73% of men [2905/3963], p = 0.189). At the time of cystectomy, women were more likely to have muscle-invasive disease (86% [836/974] vs. 80% [2335/2905], p < 0.001), but less likely to have lymph nodes dissected (68% [664/974] vs. 76% [2210/2905], p < 0.001]. Among the 2944 patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma treated with cystectomy, use of neoadjuvant (5% vs. 4%, p = 0.419) and adjuvant chemotherapy (18% vs. 20%, p = 0.190) did not differ significantly between genders. Five-year cancer-specific survival and overall survival of the full cohort did not differ between women and men (38% vs. 39%, p = 0.522; 33% vs. 33%, p = 0.795).Conclusions: This population-based cohort did not demonstrate any substantial differences in extent of disease, treatment, or outcome between women and men treated with cystectomy or radical RT for bladder cancer.
Editorial
Authors: Qureshi Muhammad Imran , Rasiah Rajah
Published: August 2015

Editorial
Differentiation of Ganglioside Isomers by MALDI Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Alkali Earth Metal Additives
Authors: Park Woojin , Lee Dongkun , Cha Sangwon
Published: August 2015

Gangliosides, acidic glycosphingolipids with one or more sialic acid residues, are challenging to analyze with matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) because loss of sialic acid residues is significant during ionization process, especially in the positive‐ion mode. Recently, we showed that 5‐methoxysalicylic acid (MSA) could be a matrix of choice for ganglioside analysis in the positive‐ion mode. In this study, we investigated whether GD1a and GD1b, structural isomers with two sialic acid residues, are distinguishable by MALDI MS or tandem MS (MS/MS) with MSA and a proper salt additive. Our results showed that characteristic fragment ions of GD1a and GD1b were successfully observed by the positive‐ion mode MALDI MS/MS and these diagnostic ions were more reliably detected with increased intensities when an alkali earth metal additive such as CaCl2 was employed instead of an alkali metal additive such as NaCl.
A meta‐analytic review of religious or spiritual involvement and social health among cancer patients
Authors: Sherman Allen C. , Merluzzi Thomas V. , Pustejovsky James E. , Park Crystal L. , George Login , Fitchett George , Jim Heather S. L. , Munoz Alexis R. , Danhauer Suzanne C. , Snyder Mallory A. , Salsman John M.
Published: August 2015

Religion and spirituality (R/S) play an important role in the daily lives of many cancer patients. There has been great interest in determining whether R/S factors are related to clinically relevant health outcomes. In this meta‐analytic review, the authors examined associations between dimensions of R/S and social health (eg, social roles and relationships). A systematic search of the PubMed, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases was conducted, and data were extracted by 4 pairs of investigators. Bivariate associations between specific R/S dimensions and social health outcomes were examined in a meta‐analysis using a generalized estimating equation approach. In total, 78 independent samples encompassing 14,277 patients were included in the meta‐analysis. Social health was significantly associated with overall R/S (Fisher z effect size = .20; P < .001) and with each of the R/S dimensions (affective R/S effect size = 0.31 [P < .001]; cognitive R/S effect size = .10 [P < .01]; behavioral R/S effect size = .08 [P < .05]; and ‘other’ R/S effect size = .13 [P < .001]). Within these dimensions, specific variables tied to social health included spiritual well being, spiritual struggle, images of God, R/S beliefs, and composite R/S measures (all P values < .05). None of the demographic or clinical moderating variables examined were significant. Results suggest that several R/S dimensions are modestly associated with patients' capacity to maintain satisfying social roles and relationships in the context of cancer. Further research is needed to examine the temporal nature of these associations and the mechanisms that underlie them. Cancer 2015;121:3779–3788. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Sialylation of neurites inhibits complement‐mediated macrophage removal in a human macrophage‐neuron Co‐Culture System
Authors: Linnartz‐Gerlach Bettina , Schuy Christine , Shahraz Anahita , Tenner Andrea J. , Neumann Harald
Published: August 2015

The complement system has been implicated in the removal of dysfunctional synapses and neurites during development and in disease processes in the mouse, but it is unclear how far the mouse data can be transferred to humans. Here, we co‐cultured macrophages derived from human THP1 monocytes and neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells, to study the role of the complement system in a human model. Components of the complement system were expressed by the human macrophages and human neuronal culture, while receptors of the complement cascade were expressed by human macrophages as shown via gene transcript analysis and flow cytometry. We mimicked pathological conditions leading to an altered glycocalyx by treatment of human neurons with sialidases. Desialylated human neurites were opsonized by the complement component C1q. Furthermore, human neurites with an intact sialic acid cap remained untouched, while desialylated human neurites were removed and ingested by human macrophages. While blockage of the complement receptor 1 (CD35) had no effect, blockage of CD11b as part of the complement receptor 3 (CR3) reversed the effect on macrophage phagocytosis of desialylated human neurites. Data demonstrate that in the human system sialylation of the neuronal glycocalyx serves as an inhibitory flag for complement binding and CR3‐mediated phagocytosis by macrophages. GLIA 2016;64:35–47
Transglutaminase is a tumor cell and cancer stem cell survival factor
Authors: Eckert Richard L. , Fisher Matthew L. , Grun Dan , Adhikary Gautam , Xu Wen , Kerr Candace
Published: August 2015

Recent studies indicate that cancer cells express elevated levels of type II transglutaminase (TG2), and that expression is further highly enriched in cancer stem cells derived from these cancers. Moreover, elevated TG2 expression is associated with enhanced cancer stem cell marker expression, survival signaling, proliferation, migration, invasion, integrin‐mediated adhesion, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. TG2 expression is also associated with formation of aggressive and metastatic tumors that are resistant to conventional therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes the role of TG2 as a cancer cell survival factor in a range of tumor types, and as a target for preventive and therapeutic intervention. The literature supports the idea that TG2, in the closed/GTP‐binding/signaling conformation, drives cancer cell and cancer stem cell survival, and that TG2, in the open/crosslinking conformation, is associated with cell death. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Large‐scale identification of membrane proteins with properties favorable for crystallization
Authors: Kim Jared , Kagawa Allison , Kurasaki Kellie , Ataie Niloufar , Cho Il Kyu , Li Qing X. , Ng Ho Leung
Published: August 2015

Membrane protein crystallography is notoriously difficult due to challenges in protein expression and issues of degradation and structural stability. We have developed a novel method for large‐scale screening of native sources for integral membrane proteins that have intrinsic biochemical properties favorable for crystallization. Highly expressed membrane proteins that are thermally stable and nonaggregating in detergent solutions were identified by mass spectrometry from Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Sus scrofa cerebrum. Many of the membrane proteins identified had been crystallized previously, supporting the promise of the approach. Most identified proteins have known functions and include high‐value targets such as transporters and ATPases. To validate the method, we recombinantly expressed and purified the yeast protein, Yop1, which is responsible for endoplasmic reticulum curvature. We demonstrate that Yop1 can be purified with the detergent dodecylmaltoside without aggregating.
The double‐edged effect of knowledge acquisition: How contracts safeguard pre‐existing resources
Authors: Zanarone Giorgio , Lo Desmond (Ho‐Fu) , Madsen Tammy L.
Published: August 2015

Research summary: Acquiring knowledge on a partner's pre‐existing resources plays an important yet ambiguous role in collaborative relationships. We formally model how contracts trade off productive and destructive uses of knowledge in a buyer‐supplier relationship. We show that, when the buyer's pre‐existing resources are vulnerable to the revelation of sensitive knowledge, the supplier overinvests in knowledge acquisition as it expects to use the knowledge as a threat in price negotiations. A non‐renegotiable closed‐price contract prevents such overinvestment and reduces the supplier's ability to expropriate the buyer ex post. Our results extend to the cases of renegotiable closed‐price contracts, repeated interactions between a buyer and a supplier, and the use of nondisclosure policies. We draw theoretical, empirical, and managerial implications from our model.

Managerial summary: This study yields new insights regarding the use of contract design in protecting pre‐existing, nonrelationship specific assets in buyer‐supplier arrangements. Anecdotal examples illustrate the “dark side” of these arrangements where opportunistic suppliers exploit knowledge of buyers' pre‐existing resources to seek rent and appropriate value. When a supplier is likely to act harmfully, a closed‐price contract that specifies the price of the supplier's component upfront may reduce the supplier's incentives to overinvest in acquiring and exploiting knowledge of the buyer's pre‐existing resources. As such, when a buyer's pre‐existing resources are highly valuable, and thus more vulnerable to use by the supplier outside of the arrangement, a non‐renegotiable closed‐price contract is more efficient. Additionally, limited disclosure policies and informal agreements based on repeated interactions complement indirect governance via price contracts. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extraversion and the West African EPA Development Programme: realising the development dimension of ACP–EU trade?
Authors: Langan Mark , Price Sophia
Published: August 2015

West African elites have successfully argued for an Economic Partnership Agreement Development Programme (EPADP) as part of free trade negotiations with the European Commission. ECOWAS officials state that the EPADP is necessary to realise the ‘development dimension’ of trade. In particular, they have (re)articulated Europe's own narratives relating to Aid for Trade and private sector development – insisting that the European Commission delivers on its promises. Accordingly, European negotiators have conceded the principle of the EPADP, stating that around €6·5 billion will be delivered. This article, however, examines the likely (in)capacity of the EPADP to meaningfully marry trade and development in the context of premature liberalisation under Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Crucially, it argues that West Africanextraversionin terms of EPADP resources may entrench predatory elites while locking-in ECOWAS states into inequitable trade structures that re-embed poverty in the region.
Leviathan and the Myograph: Hermann Helmholtz's “Second Note” on the Propagation Speed of Nervous Stimulations
Authors: Schmidgen Henning
Published: August 2015

Argument

In the winter of 1849–1850 in Königsberg, German physiologist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821–1894) conducted pioneering measurements concerning the propagation speed of stimulations in the living nerve. While recent historians of science have paid considerable attention to Helmholtz's uses of the graphic method, in particular his construction of an instrument called “myographion,” this paper draws attention to theinscription surfacesthat he used in effective ways for capturing and transmitting his findings. Against the background of recent archival findings, I show that Helmholtz used isinglass copies of his graphical recordings in order to communicate the basic principle of previous measurements to the academic public. As the correspondence with his Berlin-based friend and colleague Emil du Bois-Reymond (1818–1896) and the subsequent development of the myographion make clear, these curves were not meant as measurements but functioned as demonstrations. In other words, Helmholtz's curves did provide “images of precision” (Olesko and Holmes 1993) – but they were not precise images.
PDZ interaction of Vangl2 links PSD-95 and Prickle2 but plays only a limited role in the synaptic localisation of Vangl2
Authors: Nagaoka Tadahiro , Tabuchi Katsuhiko , Kishi Masashi
Published: August 2015

Postsynaptic density-95/Discs large/Zonula occludens-1 (PDZ) domain-mediated protein interactions play pivotal roles in various molecular biological events, including protein localisation, assembly and signal transduction. Although the vertebrate regulator of planar cell polarity Van Gogh-like 2 (Vangl2) was recently described as a postsynaptic molecule with a PDZ-binding motif, the role of its PDZ interaction at the synapse is unknown. In this report, we demonstrate that the PDZ interaction was dispensable for the normal cluster formation of Vangl2 and not absolutely required for the synapse-associated localisation of Vangl2 in cultured hippocampal neurons. We further showed that the synaptic localisation of Vangl2 was categorised into two types: overlapping co-localisation with postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 or highly correlated but complementary pattern of association with PSD-95. Only the former was significantly sensitive to deletion of the PDZ-binding motif. In addition, the PDZ interaction enhanced the protein interactions between PSD-95 and Prickle2, which is another planar cell polarity factor that is localised at the postsynaptic density. Taken together with our recent report that the density of PSD-95 clusters was reduced in Vangl2-silenced neurons, these results suggest that Vangl2 determines the complex formation and clustering of postsynaptic molecules for synaptogenesis in mammalian brains.
Electron Tomography
Authors: Weyland Matthew , Midgley Paul A.
Published: August 2015

Electron tomography is a mature 3D nanocharacterisation technique with applications to almost all classes of materials. It offers 3D resolution at the nanometre level, or better, in volumes of a few hundred nanometres—precisely the playground of the nanoscientist. Electron tomography is especially suited for uncovering the links between structure and properties in systems that show complex 3D character. This chapter offers a comprehensive introduction to the technique, from its mathematical background to practical experimental issues and from tomographic reconstruction to quantitative analysis of 3D volumes. Being angled more towards the physical scientist, this chapter concentrates on the particular challenges of acquiring tomographic data from systems in physical, chemical and materials science using the panoply of imaging techniques available in the modern transmission electron microscope (TEM). These include scanning TEM (STEM), dark-field TEM and chemically sensitive 3D imaging via electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The chapter concludes by examining emerging areas such as atomic-resolution 3D imaging and scanning confocal electron microscopy (SCEM).
A vanadium(iv) pyrazolate metal–organic polyhedron with permanent porosity and adsorption selectivity
Authors: Augustyniak A. W. , Fandzloch M. , Domingo M. , Łakomska I. , Navarro J. A. R.
Published: August 2015

A vanadium(iv) pyrazolate-based open metal–organic polyhedron of [V3(μ3-O)O(OH)2(μ4-BPD)1.5(μ-HCOO)3] (BDP = benzene-1,4-bipyrazolate) formulation gives rise to a porous crystal structure exhibiting micro and mesoporosity which is useful for selective adsorption of gases.
Ion segregation in an ionic liquid confined within chitosan based chemical ionogels
Authors: Guyomard-Lack A. , Buchtová N. , Humbert B. , Le Bideau J.
Published: August 2015

Ionogels based on in situ crosslinking of chitosan in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (EMIm Ac) are synthesized, and studied from macroscopic properties to preferred interactions at the host matrix/EMIm Ac interface.
A cyclometallated fluorenyl Ir(iii) complex as a potential sensitiser for two-photon excited photodynamic therapy (2PE-PDT)
Authors: Boreham Elizabeth M. , Jones Lucy , Swinburne Adam N. , Blanchard-Desce Mireille , Hugues Vincent , Terryn Christine , Miomandre Fabien , Lemercier Gilles , Natrajan Louise S.
Published: August 2015

A cyclometallated fluorenyl Ir(iii) complex that exhibits enhanced triplet oxygen sensing properties for two photon photodynamic therapy is reported.
Metabolism of propionate by sheep liver. Stimulation of the mitochondrial rate by factors from the cell sap
Authors: Smith RM , Osborne-White WS , Russell GR
Published: August 2015

1. The rate of metabolism of propionate by aged sheep-liver mitochondria in the presence of oxygen + carbon dioxide (95:5) was 5.0 (+/- s.e.m. 0.8) mumoles/mg. of mitochondrial N/hr. 2. When aged in the presence of the mitochondrial supernatant the rate was increased. Mitochondria from 0.33g. of liver, when combined with the corresponding mitochondrial supernatant from 0.08g. of liver, metabolized propionate at a rate of 11.4 (+/- s.e.m. 1.2) mumoles/mg. of mitochondrial N/hr. This rate is comparable with rates previously obtained with aged nuclear-free homogenates. 3. Two factors in the mitochondrial supernatant were detected, which when combined reproduced the effect of the fresh supernatant and prevented loss of activity on aging. One of these was non-diffusible and was recovered by fractionation of the dialysed mitochondrial supernatant with ammonium sulphate. The second factor was present in an ultrafiltrate of fresh mitochondrial supernatant and in boiled mitochondrial supernatant; it was isolated and identified as l(+)-glutamate. 4. The effect of the non-diffusible factor was due to protection of the mitochondria from the aging process, whereas glutamate served both in this capacity and as a direct stimulant of propionate metabolism at low concentration.
A biologically active metabolite of retinoic acid from rat liver
Authors: Zile M , Deluca HF
Published: August 2015

1. Four major radioactive fractions have been isolated from the livers of vitamin A-deficient rats given [6,7-(14)C(2)]retinoic acid. 2. At least one of these was more potent than retinoic acid and approximately equal to retinol in the growth assay for vitamin A activity. 3. The biologically active material was chromatographically distinct from retinoic acid, retinol and retinal. 4. Alkaline hydrolysis of this material yielded an acidic compound containing all the radioactivity. 5. The methyl ester of the acidic product was unlike the methyl ester of retinoic acid in its chromatographic behaviour. 6. It is suggested that this metabolite may represent the active form of retinol in its growth-supporting role.
The chemical structure of pemptoporphyrin
Authors: Sano S , Shingu T , French JM , Thonger E
Published: August 2015

1. Pemptoporphyrin dimethyl ester was further purified on an alumina column and then crystallized from chloroform and methanol with melting point 215-218 degrees . The absorption spectra in the visible and ultraviolet with molar extinction coefficients are presented. 2. The nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectrum of pemptoporphyrin dimethyl ester in deuterochloroform solution is reported, together with those of several other porphyrins. 3. One vinyl and one hydryl group were found at positions 2 and 4 (or 4 and 2) in the molecule. The structure of pemptoporphyrin is 2(4)-hydryl-1,3,5,8-tetramethyl-4(2)-vinyldeuteroporphyrin IX. 4. Reduction of pemptoporphyrin dimethyl ester with resorcinol gave deuteroporphyrin IX dimethyl ester.
Accumulation of amino acids in muscle of perfused rat heart. Effect of insulin in the presence of puromycin
Authors: Scharff R , Wool IG
Published: August 2015

1. Rat heart was perfused with a mixture of amino acids and other ninhydrin-positive substances in the same concentrations as they are found in plasma, and with or without sufficient puromycin to suppress protein synthesis all but completely. 2. In the presence of puromycin, but not in its absence, insulin increased the concentrations of most of the individual amino acids in the intracellular water of heart. 3. The results accord with the conclusion that insulin increases the entry of most, if not all, amino acids into muscle.
The metabolism of 2,6-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxymethylphenol (Ionox 100) in the dog and rat
Authors: Wright AS , Akintonwa DAA , Crowne RS , Hathway DE
Published: August 2015

1. A single oral dose of [(14)C]Ionox 100 to rats is almost entirely eliminated in 11 days: 89.1-107.2% of the (14)C is excreted and 0.29+/-0.02% of the dose is present in the carcass plus viscera after removal of the gut. Rats exhibit an individual variation in the elimination pattern, 15.6-70.8% of (14)C being excreted in the urine and 75.2-27.0% in the faeces during 11 days. 2. After the oral administration of [(14)C]Ionox 100 to dogs, 87.1-90.3% of the (14)C is excreted in the faeces and urine during 4 days. 3. Dogs and rats do not show a species difference in this pattern of elimination. 4. The rate of elimination from dogs and rats given a single dose of Ionox 100 is not affected by the size of the dose and the presence of triglyceride fat in the diet. 5. Ionox 100 is completely metabolized in dogs and rats: unchanged Ionox 100 is absent from the urine and faeces, and from the carcass when elimination is complete. In rats, 3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid accounts for 50-85% of a dose of Ionox 100 and (3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl beta-d-glucopyranosid)uronic acid for 47-10%; in dogs, the unconjugated acid accounts for 85% and the ester glucuronide for 10-12%. 3,5-Di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxyhippuric acid is not formed. Other metabolites, which have been detected in small quantity in the faeces and urine of animals dosed with Ionox 100, have not been identified. 6. 3,5-Di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid and (3,5-di-tert.-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoyl beta-d-glucopyranosid)uronic acid are also the major metabolites of Ionol (2,6-di-tert.-butyl-p-cresol) in rats. 7. The elimination of Ionox 100 metabolites from rats is faster than that of Ionol and its metabolites. Unlike Ionol, unchanged Ionox 100 could not be detected in the bodies of these animals.
Purification of soluble arylsulphatases from ox brain
Authors: Bleszynski W , Dzialoszynski LM
Published: August 2015

1. Two soluble arylsulphatases (A and B) have been extracted from ox brain by a modified Albers autolysis method and purified by acetone and ammonium sulphate precipitation and dialysis. 2. A 1600-fold purification was achieved with arylsulphatase A and 320-fold purification with arylsulphatase B. 3. The specific activity of arylsulphatase A was 266000 4-nitrocatechol units/mg. of protein N, and that of arylsulphatase B was 64600units/mg. of protein N. 4. Arylsulphatase A seems to be electrophoretically homogeneous. 5. With 3mm-dipotassium 2-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl sulphate as substrate the optimum pH for the activity of arylsulphatase A was 4.7, and for arylsulphatase B it was 6.1 with a 60mm solution of the same substrate.
Dissociation of ϰ- and λ-chains from reduced human immunoglobulins
Authors: Cohen S , Gordon S
Published: August 2015

1. The light chains of human immunoglobulin (Ig) exist in two forms, kappa (type K) and lambda (type L). The two types of chains can be partially separated by taking advantage of the fact that lambda-chains, for the most part, dissociate from reduced Ig at higher pH than do the kappa-chains. The same difference in dissociation of type K and L chains was observed with myeloma IgG and IgA proteins, but not with pathological IgM proteins. 2. When analysed in urea-glycine starch gels, pH7, both kappa- and lambda-chains show ten electrophoretic bands having the same mobilities as those of the whole light-chain subfractions. Normal kappa- and lambda-chains show similar differences in overall amino acid composition to those previously found with myeloma kappa- and lambda-chains and type K and L Bence-Jones proteins.
Enzymic hydrolysis of sphingolipids. Hydrolysis of ceramide lactoside by an enzyme from rat brain
Authors: Shimon G , Maurice MR
Published: August 2015

Ceramide lactoside [1-O-(galactosido-4-beta-glucosido)-2-N-acyl-sphingosine] was hydrolysed to ceramide glucoside and galactose by beta-galactosidase of rat brain. The reaction was not reversible, required cholate or taurocholate, had optimum pH5.0 and K(m) 2.2x10(-5)m. It was inhibited by gamma-galactonolactone and galactose as well as by ceramide, sphingosine and fatty acid. Ceramide lactoside could be degraded to ceramide, galactose and glucose by mixtures of rat-brain beta-galactosidase and ox-brain beta-glucosidase.
Enzymic hydrolysis of sphingolipids. Hydrolysis of ceramide glucoside by an enzyme from ox brain
Authors: Shimon G
Published: August 2015

Ceramide glucoside (1-O-glucosido-2-N-acyl-sphingosine) was hydrolysed to ceramide (N-acyl-sphingosine) and glucose by beta-glucosidase from ox brain. The reaction was stimulated by the non-ionic detergent, Triton X-100, or by the anionic detergents, cholate or taurocholate. It was not reversible, had optimum pH5.0 (with acetate buffer) or 5.6 (with pyridine buffer), had K(m) 1.8x10(-4)m and was inhibited by delta-gluconolactone and sphingosine, but not by ceramide or palmitic acid.
Studies on human αs- and κ-casein fractions and human caseinoglycomacropeptide
Authors: Malpress FH , Seid-Akhavan M
Published: August 2015

1. Fractions have been obtained from human whole casein closely resembling the alpha(s)- and kappa-fractions of cow casein. 2. The alpha(s)-fraction (human alpha(s)-casein) is calcium-sensitive, heterogeneous in zone analysis and inert towards rennin. 3. The kappa-fraction (human kappa-casein) is calcium-insensitive, heterogeneous in zone analysis, and forms a soluble glycopeptide when acted upon by rennin. 4. Human kappa-casein stabilizes human alpha(s)-casein in the presence of Ca(2+) ions. 5. The glycopeptides released by rennin from human casein and from cow casein have been compared. There are important differences in both the peptide and non-peptide structures of the two compounds. 6. In both human and bovine glycopeptides some of the carbohydrate residues are joined to the peptide by O-glycosidic links with threonine, and possibly with serine.
Biological breakdown of benzylpenicillin by preformed mats of penicillin-producing organisms
Authors: Shimi I.R. , Imam GM
Published: August 2015

1. Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus flavus degraded benzylpenicillin in the same way. 2. Degradation of the antibiotic was initiated by the cleavage of phenylacetic acid from 6-aminopenicillanic acid. 3. Phenylacetic acid was left unchanged whereas 6-aminopenicillanic acid was degraded into cysteine and valine. This reaction is probably complex. 4. Cysteine was not utilized but valine was cleaved into acetone and glycine. Catabolism of valine by the preformed mats of the two moulds confirms this result. This step probably involves the formation of propan-2-ol. 5. Cleavage of benzylpenicillin into phenylacetic acid and 6-aminopenicillanic acid was performed through the activity of a cellular-bound enzyme.
The determination of oestradiol and oestrone in the plasma of the domestic fowl by a method involving the use of labelled derivatives
Authors: O'Grady J. E.
Published: August 2015

1. A method involving the use of triple-labelled derivatives has been developed for the determination of total oestrone and oestradiol in the plasma of the domestic fowl. The double-labelling technique devised by Svendsen (1960) for the determination of free oestrogens in human plasma was modified to enable the total oestrogen recovery to be determined for each sample. 2. [6,7−3H2]Oestradiol-17β is added to the plasma samples (1–10ml.), which are hydrolysed with acid and the phenolic steroids then extracted and partially purified. The extract is esterified with iodobenzene-p[35S]-sulphonyl chloride of high specific activity. After addition of standard oestrogen [131I]iodobenzene-p-sulphonates the esters are finally purified by paper chromatography. 3. The oestrogens are determined by comparing the 3H/35S and 131I/35S ratios in the purified esters with similar ratios of appropriate standards. 4. With this procedure the recoveries of oestrone and oestradiol after hydrolysis were 70–85% and 72–84% respectively, and after hydrolysis and preliminary purification 38–53% and 39–51% respectively. With this procedure up to 500ng. of oestradiol can be determined. The sensitivity of the technique for oestrone is 3·0ng. and for oestradiol 2·1ng. 5. The ranges of oestradiol and oestrone concentrations found in six plasma samples were 8·3–21·4ng./ml. and 15·2–31·6ng./ml. respectively.
A new hepatic protein inactivating glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase
Authors: Bonsignore A. , De Flora A. , Mangiarotti M. A. , Lorenzoni I. , Alemà S.
Published: August 2015

Two NADP-cleaving enzymes, namely NADP glycohydrolase and NADP pyrophosphatase, are present in a rat liver extract that inactivates G6PD (glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase). The following results suggest that a third G6PD-inactivating protein is present in this extract. (1) Nicotinamide, which selectively inhibits NADP glycohydrolase, enhances the G6PD inactivation under conditions where G6PD activity in control experiments is rather stable. (2) DEAE-cellulose adsorbs the bulk of both NADP glycohydrolase and NADP pyrophosphatase, whereas most of the G6PD-inactivating ability is unadsorbed. (3) Out of 37 liver extracts that were prepared, two were found to lack NADP pyrophosphatase. After removal of NADP glycohydrolase from these extracts by centrifugation, they were still found to inactivate G6PD. (4) Deproteinization of DEAE-cellulose supernatants results in a complete loss of G6PD-inactivating ability; moreover, kinetic experiments performed with the extracts lacking pyrophosphatase strongly support the view that the inactivating protein is an enzyme, although its mechanism is not clear. (5) NADP protects G6PD from inactivation and also reactivates the enzyme completely, thus supporting the view of some action of the inactivating protein on the G6PD-bound NADP.
The effect of adenosine triphosphate on porphyrin excretion and on glycine metabolism in Rhodopseudomonas spheroides
Authors: Gajdos A. , Gajdos-Török M. , Gorchein A. , Neuberger A. , Tait G. H.
Published: August 2015

1. ATP, GTP, CTP and UTP at concentrations of 1mm markedly decrease the amount of coproporphyrin excreted by Rhodopseudomonas spheroides illuminated in a medium containing glycine, succinate and fumarate. 2. The effect of ATP is decreased if ethionine is also added to the medium. 3. Evidence is presented showing that ATP is taken up by the organisms from the medium. 4. ATP is shown to have a marked effect on the utilization of glycine. In the presence of ATP the incorporation of the methylene carbon atom of glycine into the fatty acid moieties of the phospholipids is greatly increased, and more of the carboxyl carbon atom is lost, probably as carbon dioxide. 5. ATP has little effect on the utilization of succinate or fumarate. 6. The possible significance of these results with regard to the control by ATP of porphyrin synthesis and excretion and glycine metabolism is discussed.
Changes in activity of some enzymes involved in glucose utilization and formation in developing rat liver
Authors: Vernon R. G. , Walker D G
Published: August 2015

1. The activities of some enzymes involved in both the utilization of glucose (pyruvate kinase, ATP citrate lyase, NADP-specific malate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and NADP-specific isocitrate dehydrogenase, all present in the supernatant fraction of liver homogenates) and the formation of glucose by gluconeogenesis (glucose 6-phosphatase in the whole homogenate and fructose 1,6-diphosphatase, phosphopyruvate carboxylase, NAD-specific malate dehydrogenase and fumarase in the supernatant fraction) have been determined in rat liver around birth and in the postnatal period until the end of weaning. 2. The activities of those enzymes involved in the conversion of glucose into lipid are low during the neonatal period and increase with weaning. NADP-specific malate dehydrogenase first appears and develops at the beginning of the weaning period. 3. The marked increase in cytoplasmic phosphopyruvate carboxylase activity at birth is probably the major factor initiating gluconeogenesis at that time. 4. The results are discussed against the known changes in dietary supplies and the known metabolic patterns during the period of development.
Adaptive behaviour of some enzymes involved in glucose utilization in rat liver during the weaning period
Authors: Vernon R. G. , Walker D G
Published: August 2015

1. The effects of premature weaning on to normal and high-glucose diets and of normal weaning on to high-protein and high-fat diets on the activities of hepatic enzymes involved in both the utilization of glucose and the formation of glucose by gluconeogenesis in rats during the weaning period were investigated. 2. The effects of weaning and high-glucose diets were, in general, to bring about increases in the activities of enzymes involved in glucose utilization and a more rapid decrease of the activities of the gluconeogenic enzymes towards normal adult values. 3. The effects of weaning on to high-fat and high-protein diets were, in general, to lower the rate of increase in activities of the enzymes involved in glucose utilization, and to prevent the decrease in activity of the gluconeogenic enzymes that occurs during normal weaning. 4. The changes in the activity of cytoplasmic phosphopyruvate carboxylase appear to be of special significance; this and other results are in keeping with current theories about the pathways and control of gluconeogenesis. 5. The activity of ATP citrate lyase appears to be particularly important in lipid formation. 6. The results are interpreted in terms of the known adaptive behaviour of these enzymes in the adult rat. The roles of enzyme development and of enzyme adaptation in the elaboration of metabolic homoeostasis in the weanling rat are discussed.
Biosynthesis of galactan by a particulate enzyme preparation from Phaseolus aureus seedlings
Authors: McNab James M. , Villemez Clarence L. , Albersheim Peter
Published: August 2015

A particulate cell-free enzyme system was prepared from Phaseolus aureus shoots. This preparation was able to incorporate [14C]galactose from UDP-[14C]galactose into a water-soluble polysaccharide, which has a probable molecular weight of at least 4600. The only labelled component detectable in the polymer was shown to be [14C]galactose; two labelled oligosaccharides containing only [14C]galactose were isolated by partial hydrolysis. The galactan-synthesizing activity of this particulate preparation is maximal at 30° and pH7·1 in the presence of 5·0mm-magnesium chloride and 0·2m-sucrose. Although 3-day-old seedlings were used as a source of enzyme, it appears that 4- or 5-day-old beans contain greater synthetase activity. The enzyme system has an apparent Michaelis constant of 5·8×10−6m, and will catalyse the polymerization of galactose residues at the rate of 7·5mμmoles/mg. of protein/min. at a substrate concentration of 9·6mm.
C-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin in two species of blue-green algae
Authors: Craig I. W. , Carr N G
Published: August 2015

1. The biliproteins C-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin were purified from the blue–green alga Anabaena variabilis by ammonium sulphate fractionation and gel filtration. 2. An assay procedure that enabled the proportion of the two pigments, present as a mixture, to be determined was devised by using the data provided by spectrophotometric analysis of the purified biliproteins. 3. The degree of association and relative proportions of the two pigments were analysed by the application of this procedure to the components separated by thin-layer gel filtration. 4. The C-phycocyanin/allophycocyanin ratio remained essentially constant in algal extracts prepared at various stages throughout the growth cycle or after growth under conditions of reduced illumination. 5. The behaviour of the C-phycocyanin aggregate species from Anacystis nidulans suggested that they were of appreciably lower molecular weight than those observed in extracts of Anabaena variabilis.
Changes of total water and sucrose space accompanying induced ion uptake or phosphate swelling of rat liver mitochondria
Authors: Harris E J , Van Dam K.
Published: August 2015

1. Total water exchangeable with tritiated water and sucrose space were measured in rat liver mitochondria during the uptake of K+ induced by valinomycin and the release caused by nigericin. The K+ content and the sucrose-inaccessible water rose and fell together. 2. Swelling resulting from phosphate addition in a medium of high K+ concentration was associated mainly with increased sucrose-accessible water, which carried dissolved K+. This change was reversed by addition of ATP. 3. The response of the sucrose-inaccessible space to changed osmolarity was qualitatively that expected if the mitochondrial K+ is assumed to be present in this space with a univalent anion. 4. It is brought out that the light-scattering method fails to distinguish between changes in sucrose space and in sucrose-inaccessible space, which in the present experiments could be altered respectively by phosphate (in high K+ solution) and by cation uptake induced by antibiotic.
The preparation of ribosomal ribonucleic acid from whole bacteria
Authors: Robinson H. K. , Wade H. E.
Published: August 2015

1. A simple method for the preparation of ribonuclease-free ribosomal RNA is described in which ribonuclease-deficient bacteria are treated with acetone and the RNA is extracted with phenol and purified by precipitating it with potassium acetate. The treatment with acetone appears to render the cell wall permeable to RNA but not to DNA during the extraction with phenol. The method thus avoids the need to disrupt the bacteria and greatly simplifies the subsequent purification. 2. The method has been used successfully with ribonuclease-deficient strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The recovered purified RNA accounts for about 70% of the total ribosomal RNA and shows the normal sedimentation pattern of the 16s and 23s components in the analytical centrifuge.
The inhibition of caeruloplasmin by cyanide
Authors: Speyer Barbara E. , Curzon G.
Published: August 2015

1. The reversible inhibition of the oxidase activity of caeruloplasmin by cyanide was investigated. 2. The kinetics are unusual, being competitive but with the inhibited complex formed only during cycling. 3. Inhibitory concentrations of cyanide are comparable with that of caeruloplasmin. 4. One azide group completely inhibits a caeruloplasmin molecule but two cyanide groups are required. 5. The results suggest that azide binds to a half-reduced or fully reduced conformational isomer of the enzyme whereas cyanide binds to completely reoxidized isomers, and that inhibited complexes contain ligand bridges between copper atoms.
The sedimentation of rat skeletal-muscle ribosomes. Effect of hydrocortisone, insulin and diet
Authors: Young V. R. , Chen S. C. , Macdonald Jane
Published: August 2015

1. The influence of hydrocortisone, insulin and diet on the size distribution of ribosomes in a post-mitochondrial supernatant prepared from rat skeletal muscle was studied by sedimentation analysis with a linear 15–40% (w/v) sucrose gradient. 2. Within 4hr. after the injection of 5mg. of hydrocortisone to well-nourished rats, a decrease in the yield per g. of muscle and proportion of total RNA due to polyribosomes was observed. Similar results were obtained in rats given a protein-free diet for 3 days before administration of the hormone. 3. Insulin injection increased the yield and proportion of polyribosomes within 2hr. and decreased the proportion of the lighter ribosomal aggregates. Similar results were noted in rats given a protein-free diet for 3 days before injection. A protein-free diet given for 3 days decreased the yield and proportion of polyribosomes. Insulin did not increase the yield of polyribosomes if rats were starved for 52hr. before injection, but decreased the yield and proportion of the lighter ribosome species. 4. A 52hr. period of starvation or 2,4-dinitrophenol (15mg./kg. body wt.) given 1hr. before the rats were killed resulted in a decreased yield and proportion of polyribosomes, and, within 6hr. of re-feeding the rats with protein-free diets, an increased concentration of polyribosomes was noted. 5. The effects of a protein-free diet, hydrocortisone and insulin on the sedimentation of muscle ribosomes were found to be in accord with their net effects on muscle protein synthesis.
A direct pathway for the conversion of propionate into pyruvate in Moraxella lwoffi
Authors: Hodgson B. , McGarry J. D.
Published: August 2015

1. The identity of the organism previously known as Vibrio O1 (N.C.I.B. 8250) with a species of Moraxella is established. 2. The ability of cells to oxidize propionate is present only in cells with an endogenous respiration and this ability is increased 80-fold when the organism is grown with propionate. 3. Isocitrate lyase activity in extracts from propionate-grown cells is the same as that in extracts from lactate-grown cells, about tenfold greater than that in extracts from succinate-grown cells and slightly greater than half the activity in extracts from acetate-grown cells. 4. With arsenite as an inhibitor conditions were found in which the organism would catalyse the quantitative oxidation of propionate to pyruvate. When propionate was completely utilized pyruvate was metabolized further to 2-oxoglutarate. 5. The oxidation of propionate by cells was incomplete both in a ‘closed system’ with alkali to trap respiratory carbon dioxide and in an ‘open system’ with an atmosphere of oxygen+carbon dioxide (95:5). Acetate accumulated. Under these conditions [2−14C]- and [3−14C]-propionate gave rise to [14C]acetate. The rate of conversion of [2−14C]propionate into 14CO2, although much less than the rate of conversion of [1−14C]propionate into 14CO2, was slightly greater than the rate of conversion of [3−14C]propionate into 14CO2. 6. The oxidation of propionate by cells was complete in an ‘open system’ with an atmosphere of either oxygen or air. Under these conditions very little [1−14C]propionate was converted into 14C-labelled cell material. The conversion of [2−14C]- and [3−14C]-propionate into 14C-labelled cell material occurred at an appreciable rate, the rate for the incorporation of [3−14C]propionate being slightly more rapid. In the absence of a utilizable nitrogen source part of the [14C]propionate was incorporated into some reserve material, which was oxidized when added substrate had been completely utilized. 7. [14C]-Pyruvate produced from [14C]propionate was chemically degraded. The C(1) of propionate was found only in C(1) of pyruvate. At least 86% of C(2) of pyruvate was derived from C(2) of propionate and at least 92% of C(3) of pyruvate from C(3) of propionate. 8. These results are incompatible with the operation of any of the previously described pathways for propionate metabolism except the direct one, perhaps via an activated acrylate.
Common peptides from the N-terminal half of heavy chain of immunoglobulin G from normal rabbit serum and a specific antibody
Authors: Cebra J. J. , Givol D. , Porter R R
Published: August 2015

Fragment C-1, the N-terminal half of the heavy chain of rabbit immunoglobulin G, was prepared by cyanogen bromide cleavage from the heavy chain of immunoglobulin G obtained both from the pooled serum of normal rabbits and from specific anti-dinitrophenyl antibody. Tryptic digestion of fragment C-1 after the lysine residues had been allowed to react with S-ethyl trifluorothioacetate led to the isolation of six peptides from inert immunoglobulin G and specific antibody that appear to account for most of this section of the heavy chain. This approach should make possible comparative sequence studies of the Fd section of the heavy chain from different allotypes and from specific antibodies.
The behaviour of trypsin towards α-N-methyl-α-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-lysine β-naphthyl ester. A new method for determining the absolute molarity of solutions of trypsin
Authors: Elmore D. T. , Smyth J. J.
Published: August 2015

1. α-N-Methyl-α-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-lysine β-naphthyl ester (MTLNE) was synthesized as its hydrobromide and shown to be slowly hydrolysed by bovine pancreatic trypsin. The acylation step, however, is so much faster than deacylation of the acyl-enzyme that spectrophotometric measurement of the ‘burst’ of β-naphthol provides a convenient method for determining the absolute molarity of trypsin solutions. 2. By using the same stock solution of trypsin, application of this method at pH4·0 and pH7·0 as well as that of Bender et al. (1966) at pH3·7 gave concordant results. 3. Provided that [S]0>[E]0, the size of the ‘burst’ is independent of substrate concentration. 4. In the trypsin-catalysed hydrolysis of α-N-toluene-p-sulphonyl-l-arginine methyl ester, MTLNE functions as a powerful non-competitive inhibitor. 5. There is no detectable reaction between MTLNE and either bovine pancreatic α-chymotrypsin at pH4·0 or bovine thrombin at pH6·0.
Sterol-like compound from sensory ganglia. Effect of a nerve growth factor and insulin on its biosynthesis
Authors: Liuzzi Antonia , Foppen Fredrik H.
Published: August 2015

1. Sensory ganglia from 8-day-old chick embryos were incubated with a specific nerve growth factor and with insulin. 2. From the total lipid extract of the ganglia a compound with steroid characteristics was isolated. 3. The synthesis of this compound, measured spectrophotometrically, diminished after addition of the nerve growth factor and insulin to the incubation medium. 4. The incorporation of sodium [2−14C]acetate and dl-[2−14C]mevalonic acid into total lipids of the sensory ganglia was stimulated by the nerve growth factor and insulin, but the radioactivity of the sterol-like compound was slightly lower. The incorporation of labelled mevalonic acid either into total lipids or into the sterol-like compound was about 25% lower. 5. About 20% of the acetate incorporated into total lipids and about 87% of the mevalonic acid were recovered in the sterol-like compound.