Perfluoroalkyl substances in the blood samples from a male population of Sweden

Temporal trends of perfluoroalkyl substances （PFASs） have been determined in the blood samples from several countries globally including a female population in Sweden recently, yet little is known about the time trends in the blood levels of these compounds in Swedish male populations over recent years. In this study, the fourteen target PFASs consisted of four perfluorosulfonates （PFSAs） and ten perfluorocarboxylates （PFCAs） in the whole blood samples, collected from 153 Swedish elderly men during the period between 2008 and 2010, were analyzed via ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （UPLC-MS/MS）. As the dominant PFASs contaminants in the blood samples, perfluorooctane sulfo- nate （PFOS） showed the highest geometric mean （GM） at 8.5 ng/mL, ranging from 1.7 to 29 ng/mL, while blood perfluorooctanoic acid （PFOA） contained the GM of 1.8 ng/mL, ranging from 0.35 to 6.4 ng/mL. Both the levels of these two compounds were lower than those determined in the blood samples of Swedish elderly pop- ulations derived from the late 1990s. According to the temporal trend analysis, over the three years, the blood levels of PFOS in Swedish male populations declined 16 % per annum, while those of perfluoroundecanoic acid （PFUnDA） increased 6.1% per annum, which were con- sistent with those reported previously for the populations from other countries.     

Plasma free and total tryptophan during the oestrus cycle,in ovariectomized and in male rats

Summary Plasma free tryptophan was higher during prooestrus and early oestrus than at metoestrus or in ovariectomized or male rats. In contrast, total tryptophan was higher in ovariectomized and male rats than at any time in cycling females.     

A computer-based system for collection and analysis of circadian rest-activity data

Summary A computer-based system for collection and analysis of circadian rest-activity data was developed. The system has the advantage of a minimal amount of interface hardware and uses standard laboratory computer equipment permitting easy collection and automatic visualization and analysis of the data. The flexibility of the programs allows manipulation of the presentation format as needed and further refinements of the data analyses are possible.     

Quantitation of fibrinolytic agents released in tissue culture

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine neue Methode zur Bestimmung der freigesetzten Menge fibrinolytisch wirksamer Stoffe in Gewebekulturen beschrieben. Das Gewebe wird in Leightonröhrchen mit einem standardisierten Fibringerinnsel gezüchtet. Die abgebaute Fibrinmenge — als Mass der fibrinolytischen Aktivität — wird durch immunologische Bestimmung der Spaltprodukte gemessen.     

Is fresh-waterHydra vulgaris attenuata a spirochaetales' reservoir host?

Riassunto Osservazioni al M.E. di esemplari diHydra vulgaris attenuata hanno messo in evidenza la presenza di spirochetali nello strato mesogleale. Si fa l'ipotesi che le spirochete siano inquiline di questi polipi d'acqua dolce. Le idre potrebbero forse anche rappresentare un serbatoio di spirochete patogene per altri animali.     

Priorities and standards in pharmacogenetic research

The current enthusiasm for pharmacogenetics draws much of its inspiration from the relatively few examples of polymorphisms that have marked and seemingly clinically relevant effects on drug response. In this regard, pharmacogenetic research has paralleled the study of human disease, which has enjoyed success in identifying mutations underlying mendelian conditions. Progress in deciphering the genetics of complex diseases, involving the interaction of multiple genes with each other and with the environment has been considerably less successful. In most instances, drug responses will probably also prove to be complex, influenced by both the environment and multiple genetic factors. For pharmacogenetics to deliver on its potential, this complexity will need to be recognized and accommodated, both in basic research and in clinical application of pharmacogenetics. As the attention of researchers begins to shift toward more systematic pharmacogenetic investigations, we suggest some priorities and standards for pharmacogenetic research.     

The N-terminal groups of glutamic aspartic transaminase

Riassunto Su una preparazione altamente purificata di glutammico aspartico transaminasi del cuore di porco sono stati determinati i gruppi N-terminali con il metodo diSanger. È stata dimostrata la presenza di una mole di alanina N-terminale per 58 000 g di proteina, cioè per una mole di coenzima. La transaminasi risulterebbe pertanto costituita da due catene polipeptidiche.