Further evidence of a positive correlation between exposure to nitrate fertilizers (NaNO3 and KNO3) and gastric cancer death rates: nitrites and nitrosamines.

Mean age-adjusted death rates for gastric cancer in Chile for 1960, 1962 and 1964 were associated with exposure to sodium nitrate and nitrates (NaNO3 and KNO3) used as fertilizers, by province. The general population exposure to NaNO3 and nitrates exhibited correlation coefficients of 0.745 and 0.718 with the death rates, respectively.     

Chemical composition of sewage-grownSpirulina platensis

Summary Spirulina platensis has been grown in an outdoor pilot production unit, with an exposed surface area of 450 m², on a medium consisting of raw domestic sewage supplemented with sodium bicarbonate and nitrate or urea fertilizer. The chemical composition and yield of the biomass grown on sewage-nitrate was comparable to that grown on synthetic medium. The protein content was much lower in the alga cultivated in sewage-urea medium.NBRI Research Publication No. 143 (NS).     

Unit dimensions and space group of Tl2Cl3

Zusammenfassung Die Struktur von Tl₂Cl₃ gehört wahrscheinlich der Raumgruppe D _3d ² an. Die hexagonale Zelle hat die Dimensionena=14·3 k X,c=25·1 k X und enthält 32 Einheiten Tl₂Cl₃.     

Overexpression of HAb18G/CD147 promotes invasion and metastasis via α3β1 integrin mediated FAK-paxillin and FAK-PI3K-Ca2+ pathways

Mechanism of HAb18G/CD147 underlying the metastasis process of human hepatoma cells has not been determined. In the present study, we found that integrin α3β1 colocalizes with HAb18G/CD147 in human 7721 hepatoma cells. The enhancing effect of HAb18G/CD147 on adhesion, invasion capacities and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion was decreased by integrin α3β1 antibodies (p<0.01). The expressions of integrin downstream molecules including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), phospho-FAK (p-FAK), paxillin, and phospho-paxillin (p-paxillin) were increased in human hepatoma cells overexpressing HAb18G/CD147. Deletion of HAb18G/CD147 reduces the quantity of focal adhesions and rearranges cytoskeleton. Wortmannin and LY294002, specific phosphatidylinositol kinase (PI3K) inhibitors, reversed the effect of HAb18G/CD147 on the regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, significantly reducing cell adhesion, invasion and MMPs secretion potential (p<0.01). Together, these results suggest that HAb18G/CD147 enhances the invasion and metastatic potentials of human hepatoma cells via integrin α3β1-mediated FAK-paxillin and FAKPI3K-Ca²⁺ signal pathways. Received 5 June 2008; received after revision 16 July 2008; accepted 23 July 2008     

Application de méthodes d'analyse biochimique à une étude taxonomique: les corégones du lac de Neuchâtel

Summary Two closely related forms ofCoregonus from Lake Neuchatel were examined cytologically and biochemically, in order to ascertain the chromosome number and the DNA content of haploid and diploid nuclei.Coregonus fera has 2N=78 ± 2 chromosomes, and a DNA content (diploid) of 5.8 × 10⁻⁹ mg;Coregonus macrophthalmus, 2N=78⁺ ± 3, DNA content of 6.1 × 10⁻⁹ mg. The difference between the two DNA constants is statistically significant. These results do not support the hypothesis which postulates that polyploidy may be a determining factor in the speciation of these fishes.      

The somatic chromosomes of 3 lizard species:Gekko gecko,Iguana iguana,andCrotaphytus collaris

Zusammenfassung Die somatischen Chromosomen der 3 EidechsenartenGekko gecko (2N=38),Iguana iguana (2N=34) undCrotophytus collaris (2N=36), werden dargestellt.G. gecko besitzt metazentrische, subteleozentrische und teleozentrische Elemente, aber keine Mikrochromosomen.I. iguana undC. collaris besitzen Makrochromosomen (6 Paare) und Mikrochromosomen. Bei den ArtenG. gecko undI. iguana waren in keinen von beiden Geschlechtern heteromorphische Chromosomenpaare nach zuweisen.

---

---

Supported by Project No. 417 from the U.S. Children's Bureau and Grant No. 08737 from the National Cancer Institute.     

Modulation of E-cadherin function and dysfunction by N-glycosylation

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the E-cadherin dysfunction in cancer, including genetic and epigenetic alterations. Nevertheless, a significant number of human carcinomas have been seen that show E-cadherin dysfunction that cannot be explained at the genetic/epigenetic level. A substantial body of evidence has appeared recently that supports the view that other mechanisms operating at the post-translational level may also affect E-cadherin function. The present review addresses molecular aspects related to E-cadherin N-glycosylation and evidence is presented showing that the modification of N-linked glycans on E-cadherin can affect the adhesive function of this adhesion molecule. The role of glycosyltransferases involved in the remodeling of N-glycans on E-cadherin, including N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GnT-III), N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V), and the α1,6 fucosyltransferase (FUT8) enzyme, is also discussed. Finally, this review discusses an alternative functional regulatory mechanism for E-cadherin operating at the post-translational level, N-glycosylation, that may underlie the E-cadherin dysfunction in some carcinomas.     

Exact test for opposite trends of probability changes in one or several 3×2 tables

Zusammenfassung Der «Likelihood»-Quotiententest wird auf einer 3×2-Kontigenztafel mit unbekannten Wahrscheinlichkeitenp _ij (i=1,2,3;j=1,2) angewandt, um die Hypothese H₀:p _i1=p _i2 (i=1,2,3) gegen die alternative Hypothese H₁:p ₁₁>p ₁₂ p ₃₁<p ₃₂ zuprüfen, und zwar wenn kleine Stichproben vorhanden sind. Ausserdem wird die Kombination solcher Tests behandelt. Als Beispiel wird diese Testtheorie beim Wahlverhalten des Kabeljaus im Dressurversuch über akustische Lokalisation in zwei Stimulussituationen verwendet.

---

---

The close cooperation with Drs.E. Meelis, Institute of Theoretical Biology Leyden, The Netherlands, in applying the likelihood ratio test to this case is gratefully acknowledged.

---

The author is greatly indebted to Dr.J. Oosterhoff, Mathematical Institute, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, for introducing the subclasses 1b and 1c in the computation of vector and for the explicit expressions in these cases which eliminated the need for a numerical optimization. Further more valuable remarks regarding the combination problem were obtained.     

Caryotypes de quelques hybrides interspécifiques dePitymys (Mammalia,Rodentia)

Summary The Robertsonian polymorphism ofPitymys subterraneus involves only 1 pair of metacentric autosomes. The crosses of forms with 52, 53 and 54 chromosomes do not show any differences in their reproductive rate. So a single autosome trivalent does not affect the fecondity. Many hybrids have been obtained betweenP. subterraneus (2N=52 or 54) andP. multiplex (2N=48) with 50 or 51 chromosomes, respectively. Even with a heterogenous karyotype they are not entirely sterile. 2 progeny were produced from back-crosses. The 2 parental species seem to result from recent speciation. Only fecondation or embryogenesis occurs in crossingP. duodecimcostatus withP. subterraneus orP. multiplex. The chromosome complement of 1 hybrid embryo ofP. duodecimcostatus (2N=62)×P. multiplex (2N=48) has been studied showing 55 chromosomes.P. duodecimcostatus appears to belong to a more distant evolutionary group.     

Les chromosomes deLeggadina hermannsburgensis hermannsburgensis Waite et le problème des Muridae australiens

Summary As contribution to the problem of the Australian endemic Muridae, the chromosome complement ofLeggadina h. hermannsburgensis is described: 2N=48 –N.F.=56 –X-chromosome big and metacentric.     

Polarographic determination of the reaction rate of the second step in an SN1 displacement

Zusammenfassung Die Zeitabhängigkeit des polarographischen Stromes, welche man bei der gemäss SN1 verlaufenden Hydrolyse vonp-Methoxy-2-phenylpropylchlorid beobachtet, ermöglicht die Bestimmung der Geschwindigkeitskonstantenk ₁ der Gesamtreaktion sowie auch der Geschwindigkeitskonstantenk ₂ des zweiten raschen Schrittes, welcher nach pseudo-erster Ordnung verläuft. Fürk ₂ ergibt sich in Aceton, das 5% Wasser enthält, bei 25°Ck ₂=2,0×10³ sec^–1.

---

---

We would like to thank the N.R.C. for provision of a grant to purchase the Electrochemical System and the University of New Brunswick for a Fellowship for one of us (D.B.).     

The chromosomes of two species of the genusOryzomys (rodentia-cricetidae)

Resumen Oryzomys es un género altamente politípico y primitivo que ocupa un área geográfica que se extiende por todo el continente Sudamericano y el sur de Norteamérica. De este género se describen los cromosomas de dos especies pertenecientes al subgéneroOryzomys. O. albigularis (posiblementeO. a. camcolus) (2N=66) yO. delicatus (2N=60) cuyos cromosomas son fundamentalmente del tipo acrocéntrico o subtelocéntrico con algunos pares matacéntricos o submetacéntricos.     

Protein levels of clusterin and glutathione synthetase in platelets allow for early detection of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent malignancies in the Western world. Early tumor detection and intervention are important determinants on CRC patient survival. During early tumor proliferation, dissemination and angiogenesis, platelets store and segregate proteins actively and selectively. Hence, the platelet proteome is a potential source of biomarkers denoting early malignancy. By comparing protein profiles of platelets between healthy volunteers (n = 12) and patients with early- (n = 7) and late-stage (n = 5) CRCs using multiplex fluorescence two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we aimed at identifying differentially regulated proteins within platelets. By inter-group comparisons, 94 differentially expressed protein spots were detected (p < 0.05) between healthy controls and patients with early- and late-stage CRCs and revealed distinct separations between all three groups in principal component analyses. 54 proteins of interest were identified by mass spectrometry and resulted in high-ranked Ingenuity Pathway Analysis networks associated with Cellular function and maintenance, Cellular assembly and organization, Developmental disorder and Organismal injury and abnormalities (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.0495). Target proteins were validated by multiplex fluorescence-based Western blot analyses using an additional, independent cohort of platelet protein samples [healthy controls (n = 15), early-stage CRCs (n = 15), late-stage CRCs (n = 15)]. Two proteins—clusterin and glutathione synthetase (GSH-S)—featured high impact and were subsequently validated in this independent clinical cohort distinguishing healthy controls from patients with early- and late-stage CRCs. Thus, the potential of clusterin and GSH-S as platelet biomarkers for early detection of CRC could improve existing screening modalities in clinical application and should be confirmed in a prospective multicenter trial.     

The effect of the anticoagulant EDTA on oxygen uptake by bone-marrow cells

Résumé Comparée à celle des cellules en sérum, la réponse oxydative des cellules de moelle osseuse de rat dans une solution de tyrode est réduite. L'addition de disodium éthylénédiaminététracétatedihydrate (Na₂EDTA) à la solution de tyrode abaissa davantage la consommation d'O₂ des cellules de moelle osseuse. Cette réduction atteignit un niveau plus bas (p<0,05) à 15 min d'incubation et fut bien marquée (p<0,01) à 20, 25 et 30 min d'incubation.     

Does ammonium uptake influence xylem sap composition inPhaseolus vulgaris L. andGlycine max (L.) Merill?

The question of whether ammonium uptake influences the occurrence of ureides in legumes has been addressed in this study by investigating threeP. vulgaris genotypes as well as one cultivar ofGlycine max. All plants were raised in sand culture during the dry season in northern Thailand and irrigated daily with nitrogen-free nutrient solution, or the same solution containing 12 mol m^–3 nitrogen in the form of (NH₄)₂SO₄ or KNO₃, each treatment consisting of different proportions of either compound. Regression analyses of xylem sap composition relative to ammonium vs. nitrate supply of plants harvested at V4, R1 and R6 indicated close positive correlations of xylem amino nitrogen content and negative correlations with xylem nitrate content and ammonium supply. Statistically significant correlations between relative xylem ureide content and ammonium availability could be established for theP. vulgaris cultivar Brilliant up to stage R1, but not for the other plants investigated. It was concluded that at least for some genotypes of common bean a relationship exists between ureide production and ammonium uptake by the root system. Since the extent to which ureide production is stimulated remains quite small, its relevance to the xylem solute technique for measurement of N₂ fixation may be limited. Nevertheless, due to the possibility of large genotypic differences in the impact of ammonium on ureide production, this factor must be considered in calculations if N₂ fixation is to be determined in soils containing significant amounts of ammonium, e.g. in paddy fields.     

Un nouveau système polymorphe robertsonien chez une nouvelle espèce de «Leggada» (Mus goundae Petter)

Summary A sample of 6 Leggada from N'Délé (Central African Republic) morphologically different from all these studied up to now, constitue a new species, which will be described by Dr F.Petter asMus goundae Petter. The caryological analysis reveals a new robertsonian polymorphical system. The diploïd numbers are 2N=16, 17, 18 or 19, whereas theN.F. is constant and equal to 30. The 3 first pairs of autosomes, constituted by SM or MC elements are identical in the 4 types, as well as pairs V (MC) and VI (AC) morphologically constant by all individuals. The robertsonian mechanisms, from which polymorphism originates, take place at pairs IV, VII and VIII. The fourth pair, while heterozygote by 2N=19, assembling one MC and two AC elements, is homozygote and MC by 2N=18, 17 and 16; pairs VII and VIII are both constituted by two AC in the cases of 19 and 18 chromosomes; to form caryotypes with 17 and 16 chromosomes these 2 pairs will fusion: by 2N=17 the mutation is heterozygote (1 MC and 2 AC) and it becomes homozygote by 2N=16 giving birth to 2 MC. The sexual chromosomes are from TR Type (X MC andY SM).From these observations arises the problem of low chromosome numbers (16–20) which shall be discussed in a further publication.     

1Alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 inhibits hepatic chromosomal aberrations, DNA strand breaks and specific DNA adducts during rat hepatocarcinogenesis

The possible promoting effect of streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal)-induced diabetes during 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF; 0.04% in basal diet)-initiated hepatocarcinogenesis and modulatory effect of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (VD₃; 0.3 μg/0.1 ml in propylene glycol, per os) were investigated by monitoring chromosomal aberrations (CAs), DNA strand breaks and specific DNA adducts in rat liver. VD₃ treatment (twice a week) was started 4 weeks before the 2-AAF regimen and continued throughout the study. Aberrant metaphase chromosomes were counted from the regenerating hepatocytes 15, 30 or 45 weeks after STZ injection, while DNA strand break and adduct assays were performed 45 days post-STZ treatment. Dietary exposure to 2-AAF elicited a substantial increase in CAs and elevated the extent of DNA strand breaks and formation of N-(deoxyguanosin-8-yl)-2-aminofluorene. A promoting effect of STZ was evident from CAs coupled with DNA strand break analysis. VD₃ treatment substantially reducted 2-AAF+STZ-induced CAs as well as DNA strand breaks and adducts. Thus, VD₃ appears to be effective in suppressing liver-specific early chromosomal as well as DNA damage during the process of rat hepatocarcinogenesis initiated with 2-AAF and promoted by STZ contributing to its promise as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent. Received 27 April 2001; accepted 22 May 2001     

Allometry of mammalian cellular oxygen consumption

In the 1930s, Max Kleiber and Samuel Brody established that the interspecies correlation between mammalian body mass and metabolic rate (αM^0.75) cannot be explained (solely) by whole body surface area (αM^0.66) to volume ratios. Metabolic considerations must also be taken into account. Decreases in the proportion of visceral organ mass to whole body mass can account for some of the whole body metabolic differences. However, superimposed upon these anatomical differences, the metabolism of tissues and cells has been demonstrated to decrease with increasing body mass. These decreases in oxygen consumption rates (with increasing body mass) in cells and tissues can be explained by a decrease in ATP turnover and mitochondrial density and an increase in mitochondrial functional efficiency (decrease in proton leak). The majority of the proton leak differences reflect differences in mitochondrial inner membrane surface area. Indeed, liver metabolism correlates directly with liver mitochondrial inner membrane surface area. Apart from being a significant contributor (~25 %) to basal metabolism, mitochondrial proton leak is a major factor determining the differences in basal metabolism between mammals of different body mass. Received 31 May 2000; received after revision 2 October 2000; accepted 14 November 2000     

Thiazoline carboxylic acid from formylcysteine

Riassunto La formilcisteina in HCl 12N dà un assorbimento nell'ultravioletto indicante la formazione di un anello tiazolinico. La reazione è più rapida per la formilcisteina che per il glutatione e dipende dalla concentrazione dell'acido. Trattando la formicilsteina con HCl 12N, è stato preparato un composto avente le proprietà dell'acido tiazolin carbossilico, che in soluzione di fosfati a pH 7,4 dà una curva spettrofotometrica sovrapponibile a quella ottenuta in un precedente lavoro da un metabolita dell'acido tiazolidin carbossilico. Questo risultato avvalora l'ipotesi che il fegato di ratto è capace di ossidare l'anello tiazolidinico a tiazolinico.     

Azione dell'«Epidermal Growth Factor» sulla sintesi di acidi nucleici e proteine dell'epitelio cutaneo

Summary The biological effect has been investigated of a specific protein with a growth-stimulating activity on epidermal cells.Injection of minute amounts of this factor (EGF) into newborn rats produces hyperplasia of the epidermis with a marked increase in the protein and nucleic acid content per unit of skin area. The activity of a number of epidermal enzymes per unit area is also increased by the epidermal growth factor.

---

---

Il presente lavoro è stato realizzato con fondi del NIH e della Merck Sharp-Dohme Co.