Structure and function of interleukin-22 and other members of the interleukin-10 family

The IL-10 family of cytokines is comprised of IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, IL-26, and IFN-λs (IL-28A, IL-28B, and IL-29). The IL-10 family members bind to shared class II cytokine receptor chains that associate in various combinations in heterodimeric complexes. Upon interleukin/receptor complex formation, these proteins switch on the Jak/STAT pathway and elicit pleiotropic biological responses whose variety sharply contrasts with their structural similarities. IL-10 family members are involved in several human diseases and health conditions and hence their structural analyses may provide valuable information to design specific therapeutic strategies. In this review, we describe the human interleukin-10 family of cytokines, focusing on their structures and functions, with particular attention given to IL-22 and IL-10. We report on the recently published structures of IL-10 cytokine family members and their complexes with cognate transmembrane and soluble receptors as well as on interleukin physiology and physiopathology.     

The effect of uremic serum on carbohydrate metabolism in rat diaphragm

Zusammenfassung Das Serum von Uremikern inhibiert die Glukoseutilisation im Rattendiaphragma. Der Sauerstoffverbrauch ändert sich nicht trotz niedrigerer Glukoseutilisation, da dieselbe durch eine erhöhte Auswertung anderer Substrate im Diaphragma kompensiert wird. Ein erhöhter Glykogen-, Laktat- und -ketoglutarat-Verbrauch konnte bewiesen werden.     

Inherent toxicity of aggregates implies a common mechanism for protein misfolding diseases

A range of human degenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, light-chain amyloidosis and the spongiform encephalopathies, is associated with the deposition in tissue of proteinaceous aggregates known as amyloid fibrils or plaques. It has been shown previously that fibrillar aggregates that are closely similar to those associated with clinical amyloidoses can be formed in vitro from proteins not connected with these diseases, including the SH3 domain from bovine phosphatidyl-inositol-3'-kinase and the amino-terminal domain of the Escherichia coli HypF protein. Here we show that species formed early in the aggregation of these non-disease-associated proteins can be inherently highly cytotoxic. This finding provides added evidence that avoidance of protein aggregation is crucial for the preservation of biological function and suggests common features in the origins of this family of protein deposition diseases.     

Auditing as the Dissolution of Corruption

This paper develops a new discourse of control. The new discourse rejects the view that control is achieved through inspections and information alone, and supports the view that effective control means self-control and effective communications, both being necessary conditions to enable organizations to perform well. In this discourse, corruption is taken to be, among other things, the outcome of fragmentation in communications. Therefore, a movement toward a recursive organization of the State is offered as a way to countering corruption. This discourse was developed during a project for Institutional Change and Strengthening implemented at the Contraloría General de la República (CGR), in Colombia from 1995 to 1998. As part of the discourse we offer a distinction among traditional auditing practices, second-order auditing, and integrated systemic auditing practices.     

Pseudolymphoma of skin induced by oriental hornet (Vespa orientalis) venom

Summary Intradermal injection of saline suspension ofVespa orientalis venom sac to 57 black mice caused a local nodule composed o flymphocytes, few histiocytes and plasma cells 10 to 12 days following the injection. This reaction simulates the pseudolymphoma reaction observed in humans following arthropode stings.     

The effect of the carbohydrate moiety on biological activities of synthetic glycosides of medicagenic acid

Zusammenfassung Synthetische Glycoside der Medicagensäure wirken fungistatisch und hämolytisch im gleichen Ausmass wie das natürliche Luzerne-Saponin und unbeeinflusst von der Natur des Zuckers in den Glycosiden. Der hämolytische Index der Medicagensäure ist geringer, die fungistatische Wirkung derselben aber etwas höher als diejenige der Glycoside, was mit der geringeren Wasserlöslichkeit der Medicagensäure erklärt werden kann.