Preparation of specific antiserum against Rana esculenta pre-alpha lens crystallin.

Specific antiserum against Rana esculenta lens pre-alpha crystallin was prepared in a rabbit by injecting antigen-antibody precipitate of this crystallin obtained from immunoelectrophoresis of esculenta total soluble lens proteins against homologous antiserum.     

Dense particles in subcutaneous collagen fibrils.

Electron microscopy of unstained, fresh air-dried spreads of the subcutaneous connective tissue disclosed dense particles (6-20 nm in diameter) at the dark bands of collagen fibrils with 67 nm periodicity. The particles appear to consist of chlorides from the X-ray microanalysis of collagen fibres.     

A method to collect cervical smears from small breeds of monkeys.

A simple method is described to collect cervical smears and to have a clear view of cervix for small breed of monkeys. This method was found useful to collect adequate cytology smears with good preservation of cellular morphology.     

Light stimulated 'shunt-metabolism' succinate-alpha-ketoglutarate-isocitrate cycle and accumulation of citric acid in Aspergillus niger.

Studies with light of the visible range had shown that light plays significant role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of citric acid in Aspergillus niger. Accumulation of 14C-labelled carbon atoms in alpha-ketoglutaric, isocitric, succinic and glycolic acids in the cultures grown under illumination suggest a probable 'shunt-metabolism' leading to the succinate-alpha-ketoglutarate-isocitrate (SKI) cycle. This shunt metabolism minimizes the accumulation of citric acid in cultures due to depletion of intermediates.     

Chromosome 17-linked dementias

Chromosome 17-linked dementias have been defined by linkage analysis. The most common of these syndromes has been estimated to be the cause of between 2 and 20% of all dementia and has alternately been called frontotemporal dementia, Pick's disease (without Pick bodies) and dementia lacking distinctive features [1 – 3]. The identification of the mutation responsible for these conditions in a group of clinically and pathologically heterogeneous disorders may allow us to gain broad insight into the processes of neurodegeneration.     

A comparative study of the differentiation of dissociated nerve cells under different culture conditions.

In vitro differentiation of chick embryo brain cells was compared under several culture conditions. Morphological observations and acetylcholinesterase histochemical staining revealed that the development was similar in all conditions tested if cells have been derived from 7 days embryos. Considering the cultures from 11 days embryos, the cell dissociation by trypsin and the plastic surface proved to be the most favourable conditions in contrast to mechanical dissection and collagen surface.     

Integrins and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases involve abnormal cell-cell interactions leading to the development of atherosclerotic plaque, which when ruptured causes massive platelet activation and thrombus formation. Parts of a loose thrombus may detach to form an embolus, blocking circulation at a more distant point. The integrins are a family of adhesive cell receptors interacting with adhesive proteins or with counterreceptors on other cells. There is now solid evidence that the major integrin on platelets, the fibrinogen receptor α _IIb  β ₃ , has an important role in several aspects of cardiovascular diseases and that its regulated inhibition leads to a reduction in incidence and mortality due to these disorders. The development of α _IIb  β ₃ inhibitors is an important strategy of many pharmaceutical companies which foresee a large market for the treatment of acute conditions in surgery, the symptoms of chronic conditions and, it is hoped, maybe even the successful prophylaxis of these conditions. Although all the associated problems have not been solved, the undoubted improvements in patient care resulting from the first of these treatments in the clinic have stimulated further research on the role of integrins on other vascular cells in these processes and in the search for new inhibitors. Both the development of specific inhibitors and of mice with specific integrin subunit genes ablated have contributed to a better understanding of the function of integrins in development of the cardiovascular system.