Structural differences between somatic H2B and testis-specific TH2B histones of the rat

Summary Testis-specific histone TH2B from rat testis showed a very similar tryptic peptide map to somatic H2B from rat liver, indicating a common evolutionary origin. However, 5 peptide differences were detected between the 2 proteins, and the amino acid compositions of these distinctive peptides were determined.Supported by Grant 780-0609 from the Ford Foundation.     

Gonadotrophin-releasing activity of histones H2A and H2B

We report that histones H2A and H2B possess gonadotrophin-releasing activity in vitro and assess the signal transduction pathways involved in these effects. Perifused and incubated rat anterior pituitary (AP) cells were used, and luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by RIA. Perifusion of cells with histone H2A (30 μM) or histone H2B (30 μM), markedly stimulated LH release but failed to elicit any FSH response. Cells incubated with 6 or 30 μM histone H2A showed a dose- and time-dependent stimulatory effect on both LH and FSH release which was blocked by 1 μM peptide MB35, an 86–120 amino acid fragment of histone H2A. Incubation of pituitary cells with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and histones H2A or H2B showed a stimulatory effect on LH and FSH release which was similar to the sum of the separate effects. Trifluoperazine, as well as ethylene glycol bis(b-aminoethyl ether) N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), alone or in the presence of the calcium ionophore A23187, significantly reduced the response of AP cells to histones. Various cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) enhancers had no effect on histone-stimulated release of gonadotrophins in incubated AP cells. Our results confirm previous evidence that histones may act as hypophysiotrophic signals. Calcium- and diacylglycerol-associated pathways, but not cAMP, appear to participate in these effects. Received 11 August 1997; received after revision 20 January 1998; accepted 26 January 1998     

Stimulating effect of thromboxane B2 on isolated rat atria

Summary Thromboxane B₂ enhanced the beating frequency and the contractile tension of isolated rat atria. Both effects were inhibited by propranolol, by pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine, or after inhibition of prostaglandins synthesis with indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid.This work has been supported by grant 6638 from CONICET (Argentina).     

热压烧结ZrB2／B4C陶瓷材料的组织与性能

以B4C、C、ZrO2为主要原料,采用反应热压法制备ZrB2／B4C陶瓷材料。通过对ZrB2／B4C陶瓷材料的显微组织及力学性能的综合分析,发现第二相ZrB2含量为20wt％时,材料具有较好的综合力学性能,相对密度为99．3％,维氏硬度为36．1GPa,抗弯强度为533．3MPa,断裂韧性为6．95MPa·m^1/2,比纯B4C陶瓷材料的性能均有所提高。材料为穿晶和沿晶断裂的混合断裂模式。     

多孔Cu2O／SnO2复合薄膜的制备及其可见光催化降解罗丹明B的性能

采用浸渍-沉积方法在电沉积的多孔Cu薄膜上修饰一层纳米SnO2,经低温热氧化处理制备出多孔Cu2O／SnO2复合多层薄膜。运用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、X-射线粉末衍射仪（XRD）、紫外可见漫反射光谱（UV—vis DRS）和荧光光谱（FS）技术表征了薄膜的结构、形貌和光学性质。测试了薄膜在可见光下降解罗丹明B（RhB）的性能。结果表明,在30℃的0．2mol／LCuSO4＋1．5mol／L H2SO4镀液中,以1.5A／cm^2电流沉积20s得蓟的多孔Cu薄膜,在SnO2溶胶中浸渍10s并重复5次,再经空气气氛下100℃焙烧30min,锻得的多孔复夸薄膜显示良好的可见光催化降解RhB的性铯。     

Arylsulfatase B synthesis and clearance in inbred mouse strains

Arylsulfatase B activity levels were approximately 2-3-fold higher in adult C57BL/6J liver and kidney compared to corresponding tissues from A/J inbred mice. In vivo incorporation of tritiated leucine into C57BL/6J hepatic arylsulfatase B reached a maximum approximately 15 h after injection. The label was cleared from C57BL/6J arylsulfatase B with an apparent half-life of 36 h. The relative rates of synthesis of C57BL/6J and A/J arylsulfatase B were similar; however, the A/J enzyme was cleared more rapidly from liver tissue. C57BL/6J kidney arylsulfatase B appeared to be synthesized at a 2-3-fold higher rate than the corresponding A/J enzyme. These trends suggest genetic regulation of arylsulfatase B is effected through different means in liver and kidney from adult mice of these two inbred strains.     

COX-2与CYPlBl在人乳腺癌中的表达及意义

目的探讨人乳腺癌组织中COX-2和CYPlBl的表达规律及与临床病理特征的关系,对认识其在乳腺癌发生发展中的作用奠定初步病理学基础。方法应用免疫组织化学方法检测42例乳腺癌组织中COX-2和CYPlBl的表达情况,结合临床病理指标进行研究分析。结果在乳腺癌中COX-2和CYPIBl表达阳性率分别为78．6％和73．8％。COX-2的阳性表达与乳腺癌淋巴结转移、组织学分级显著相关（P〈0．05）;CYPlBI的阳性表达与组织学分级、ER表达显著相关（P〈0．05）。乳腺癌COX-2与CYPlBI表达呈正相关（r=0．481,P〈0．01）。结论人乳腺癌组织存在COX-2与CYPlBl的共同阳性表达,COX-2可能促进CYPlBl表达,共同作用参与乳腺癌的发生发展。     

Methoxyphenylethylamines as substrates for type A and type B monoamine oxidase

Summary 4-Methoxyphenylethylamine was found to be a specific substrate for type B monoamine oxidase (MAO) in rat brain mitochondria, whereas 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine was common for both types of MAO. These results suggest that O-methylation in the para-position increases the preference of the substrate for type B MAO, while a methoxy-group in the meta-position contributes to the substance being a type A substrate.     

Antigenic correlation between rat brain synaptic vesicles and rat bone marrow B lymphocytes.

Rabbit anti-rat brain synaptic vesicle serum reacted with thymocytes and B lymphocytes in cytotoxicity and immunofluorescence assays. Quantitative absorption analysis revealed that this antiserum contained antibodies specific for antigenic determinants on the surface membrane of a subpopulation of rat bone marrow B lymphocytes.     

Identification of thromboxane B2 in guinea-pig uterine homogenates

On the basis of gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric evidence, thromboxane B2 has been identified in incubates of homogenised guinea-pig uterus.     

Antigenic correlation between rat brain synaptic vesicles and rat bone marrow B lymphocytes

Summary Rabbit anti-rat brain synaptic vesicle serum reacted with thymocytes and B lymphocytes in cytotoxicity and immunofluorescence assays. Quantitative absorption analysis revealed that this antiserum contained antibodies specific for antigenic determinants on the surface membrane of a subpopulation of rat bone marrow B lymphocytes.This work was supported by the Republic of Serbia Research Fund, Belgrade.     

Distribution of type A and B monamine oxidase activities in the central nervous system of rat and chick.

The distribution of type A and B monamine oxidase (MAO) activities in the central nervous system (CNS) of rat and chick was investigated using 5-hydroxytryptamine and beta-phenylethylamine as specific substrates. The distribution of type A MAO was similar to that of type B MAO in rat CNS, but quite different in chick CNS. This may be ascribed to the difference in animal species. The major part of MAO activity in the spinal cord was found to be type A.     

Candletoxins A and B, 2 new aromatic esters of 12-deoxy-16-hydroxy-phorbol,from the irritant latex of Euphorbia poisonii Pax

Summary 2 new aromatic esters of 12-deoxy-16-hydroxy-phorbol, known as candletoxins A and B, were isolated from the irritant latex of Euphorbia poisonii Pax. Compound A was identified as 12-deoxy-phorbol-13-O-phenylacetate-16-O--methyl-butyrate-20-acetate, and compound B was the C-20 desacetyl analogue.Acknowledgments. F. J. E. is grateful to the Central Research Fund of the University of London for a travel grant to visit West Africa, and R.J.S. is indebted to the Science Research Council for a research studentship.     

Oxidation of synephrine by type A and type B monoamine oxidase.

Synephrine (SP) was found to be a substrate for monoamine oxidase (MAO) in rat brain mitochondria, showing the Km and Vmax values of 250 microM and 32.6 nmoles/mg of protein/30 min respectively. The inhibition studies showed that the SP oxidation was carried out by both type A and type B MAO and a major part of the activity was due to type A MAO.     

Distribution of type A and B monoamine oxidase activities in the central nervous system of rat and chick

Summary The distribution of type A and B monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities in the central nervous system (CNS) of rat and chick was investigated using 5-hydroxytryptamine and -phenylethylamine as specific substrates. The distribution of type A MAO was similar to that of type B MAO in rat CNS, but quite different in chick CNS. This may be ascribed to the difference in animal species. The major part of MAO activity in the spinal cord was found to be type A.     

Ethanol reduces Ca2+ concentrations in arterial and venous smooth muscle

Summary The present results, using isolated rat aortic strips and portal vein segments, demonstrate that ethanol (170–430 mM) significantly inhibits calcium uptake in these 2 different types of vascular smooth muscle.Supported by NIH grant No. HL-18015 and NIMH grant No. MH-26236. Request for reprints should be addressed to B.M. Altura.     

Age-related differences in the urinary excretion of prostaglandin F2 alpha catabolites in the rat

Tritium-labeled PGF2 alpha was administered i.v. into rats of varying ages (2, 4, 6 weeks and adult). Urine was collected and assayed for radioactive products by thin-layer-chromatography. Results showed a distinctly different urinary profile between the 2-week-old and the adult rat. While the urinary pattern from the 2-week-old rat gave a single less polar product than PGF2 alpha, the pattern from the adult rat gave products more polar than PGF2 alpha. Urine from the 4- and 6-week-old rats gave a mixture of these types of products. These results indicate that some prostaglandin catabolic pathway (likely the omega-oxidative system) is activated in vivo within the 4-6 week postnatal period in the rat.     

Cannflavin A and B, prenylated flavones from Cannabis sativa L

Two novel prenylated flavones, termed Cannflavin A and B, were isolated from the cannabinoid free ethanolic extract of Cannabis sativa L. Both compounds inhibited prostaglandin E2 production by human rheumatoid synovial cells in culture.     

LysogenicKlebsiella pneumoniae strains of capsular serotype 2(B)

Résumé L'auteur décrit quatre souches deKlebsiella pneumoniae du type capsulaire B lysogènes pour les bactériophages actifs pour une autre souche du même type.

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I am grateful to ProfessorsD. G. Catcheside andJ. P. Duguid, Drs.B. H. Park, I. Ørskov, J. Papavassiliou andY. Hamon for encouragement, information and bacterial strains. This work was begun at the Microbiology Department, University of Birmingham, while the author held an award from the Agricultural Research Council.