Search

Clostridium difficile toxin A (TcdA) impairs the intestinal epithelial barrier, increasing the mucosa permeability and triggering a robust inflammatory response. Lathyrus sativus diamino oxidase (LSAO) is a nutraceutical compound successfully used in various gastrointestinal dysfunctions. Here, we evaluated the LSAO (0.004-0.4 μM) ability to counter TcdA-induced (30 ng/mL) toxicity and damage in Caco-2 cells, investigating its possible mechanism of action. LSAO has improved the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) score and increased cell viability in TcdA-treated cells, significantly rescuing the protein expression of Ras homolog family members, A-GTPase (RhoA-GTPase), occludin, and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). LSAO has also exhibited an anti-apoptotic effect by inhibiting the TcdA-induced expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), p50 nuclear factor-kappa-B (p50), p65nuclear factor-kappa-B (p65), and hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), and the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the cell milieu. Our data showed that LSAO exerts a protective effect on TcdA-induced toxicity in Caco-2 cells, placing itself as an interesting nutraceutical to supplement the current treatment of the Clostridium difficile infections.

Thermal stress limits beef cattle production and a shorter hair coat is a key thermoregulative adaptation that allows cattle to lose heat more efficiently. The objective of this study was to identify genetic variants associated with the length of the undercoat and topcoat of cattle utilizing 1456 Brangus heifers genotyped with the Bovine GGP F250 array. Seven SNPs in the PCCA gene were significantly associated with undercoat length. PCCA belongs to the biotin transport and metabolism pathway. Biotin deficiency has been reported to cause hair loss. Four SNPs in an 110 kb including a missense mutation in the PRLR gene were significantly associated with topcoat length. Whereas the association of this polymorphism with hair length is novel, the SLICK mutation in PRLR has previously been demonstrated to significantly impact hair length in cattle. These newly detected genetic variants may contribute to a shorter hair coat and more thermotolerant animals.

BACKGROUND: Current recommendations on training in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are predicated on a performance-centred approach designed to ensure that trainees achieve appropriate skills. We aimed to analyse how competence in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is defined in the literature and what proportion of trainees actually reach this threshold. METHODS: We conducted a systematic MEDLINE search for studies reporting on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography training programmes in a clinical setting. The main outcome measure was threshold for achieving competence in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; the secondary outcome measure was assessment of trainee performance. Quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria. RESULTS: Of 522 initially identified articles, 20 were included in the analysis; most studies showed a high risk of bias. Cannulation rate of the desired duct was the main marker of competence in all studies; however, only 8/20 studies reported on the performance of individual trainees, who achieved their respective standard of competence in only 25.6% of reported cases. CONCLUSIONS: Current literature identifies cannulation rate of a native papilla to be the most appropriate measure of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography competence; however, most trainees do not reach predefined competence thresholds. Furthermore, due to the limitations of available studies, the most appropriate competence measure remains subject for debate.

The effect of Ovar-DRA and Ovar-DRB1 genotypes on faecal egg count (FEC) was determined in sheep and goats infected with Haemonchus contortus. One hundred and forty-three sheep from 3 different breeds (St. Croix, Katahdin and Dorper) and 150 goats from three different breeds (Spanish, Boer and Kiko) were used. Parasitological (FEC), haematological (packed cell volume) and immunological (IgA, IgG and IgM) parameters were measured. Sheep populations showed a higher FEC and humoural response than goat breeds. Genotypes were determined by high-resolution melting assays and by conventional PCR. For Ovar-DRA, sheep and goats carrying the AA genotype showed significant lower FEC than AG and GG genotypes. The additive effect was found to be 115.35 less eggs per gram of faeces for the A allele for goats. For Ovar-DRB1, only in sheep, the GC genotype was associated with low FEC. The additive effect was 316.48 less eggs per gram of faeces for the G allele, and the dominance effect was 538.70 less eggs per gram of faeces. The results indicate that single nucleotide polymorphisms within Ovar-DRA and Ovar-DRB1 could be potential markers to be used in selection programmes for improving resistance to Haemonchus contortus infection.

The chemical reactivity of binary and ternary ZrIV/hydroxycarboxylic acid/(N,N-aromatic chelator) systems (hydroxycarboxylic acid = citric, malic acid; N,N-aromatic chelator = 1,10-phenanthroline) has been investigated in a pH-specific manner, giving rise to the new binary and ternary crystalline materials [Zr2F6(C6H4O7)2](CH6N3)6·H2O (1), [Zr2F6(C4H3O5)2](NH4)4·3H2O (2), [Zr2(C4H3O5)2(C4H4O5)2(C4H5O5)2](CH6N3)4·4.5H2O (3), and [Zr2(C4H3O5)2(C4H4O5)2(C4H5O5)2](C12H8N2)(C12H9N2)2(CH6N3)2·6H2O (4). Compounds 1–4 were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, TGA, 13C-CPMAS, 19F-DPMAS, and 1H CRAMPS NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The structures of 1–4 reveal the influence of fluoride in the starting ZrIV reagents on the identity of the Zr2O2-containing dinuclear assemblies in the arisen 3D architectures. The uniquely defined spectroscopic data, including the NMR data, corroborate the X-ray structures of 1–4 and reflect the contribution of the intra/intermolecular interactions to the structural speciation of the investigated systems. Collectively, the work 1) depicts the factors that determine the nature and properties of the emerging synthetic materials in the investigated systems, 2) formulates structural architecture–lattice dimensionality and spectroscopic fingerprint correlations, and 3) projects the framework through which new ZrIV materials with defined physicochemical properties can arise at the binary and ternary level.

The surfaces of three chitosan samples, differing only in their degrees of deacetylation and of carboxyethyl chitosan were chemically characterized by X-ray photoelec- tron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spec- troscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared, both before and after sterilization with ethylene oxide. Unex- pected elemental ratios suggest that surface chemical modifi- cation occurred during the processing of the original chitin, with further surface modification on subsequent sterilization, despite previous reports to the contrary. Cell viability was evaluated by direct contact methyl thiazole tetrazolium and lactate dehydrogenase assays between the chitosan particles and A549 human epithelial cells, which demonstrated that the modifications incurred on sterilization are reflected in bio- compatibility changes. All the samples were found to be bio- compatible and nontoxic before sterilization and remained so subsequently. V C

The application of (17)O MRI and MRS for the evaluation of cardiac mitochondrial function has been limited because of the challenge of detecting metabolic H(2)(17)O in the vast background of naturally abundant H(2)(17)O. In this study, we have developed a direct (17)O MRS approach to examine the feasibility and sensitivity of detecting metabolically produced H(2)(17)O in isolated rat hearts perfused with (17)O(2)-enriched Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing normal (1.5 mm) and high (2.5 mm) calcium (Ca(2+)) concentrations to induce high workload. Consistent with increased workload at high Ca(2+) concentration, the measured myocardial oxygen consumption rate (MVO(2)) increased by 82%. Dynamic (17)O MRS showed an accelerated increase in the H(2)(17)O signal at high Ca(2+) concentration, suggesting increased mitochondrial production of H(2)(17)O in concordance with the increased workload. A compartment model was developed to describe the kinetics of H(2)(17)O production as a function of MVO(2). The myocardial (17)O(2) consumption rate (MV(17)O(2) was determined by least-squares fitting of the model to the NMR-measured H(2)(17)O concentration. Consistent with the measured MVO(2), the model-determined MV(17)O(2) showed a 92% increase at high Ca(2+) concentration. The increase in metabolic activity at high workload allowed the balance between ATP production and utilization to be maintained, leading to a similar phosphocreatine to ATP ratio. These results demonstrate that dynamic (17)O MRS can provide a valuable tool for the detection of an altered metabolic rate associated with a change in cardiac workload.

Summary Beef is considered to be an excellent source of dietary iron. However, little is known about the genetic control of beef iron content. We hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in transferrin receptor 2 (TFR2) and solute carrier family 40 (iron-regulated transporter), member 1 (SLC40A1) could influence skeletal muscle iron content. The objective of this study was to use Angus cattle to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the exons and flanking regions of the bovine TFR2 and SLC40A1 genes and to evaluate the extent to which genetic variation in them was associated with bovine longissimus dorsi muscle iron content. Ten novel SNPs were identified in TFR2, of which one SNP tended to be associated (P 0.99), from which two haplotypes, TGC and CAT, were defined. Beef from individuals that were homozygous for the TGC haplotype had significantly (P < 0.001) higher iron content than did beef from CAT homozygous or heterozygous individuals. The estimated size of effect of the identified haplotypes was 0.3% of the phenotypic variance. In conclusion, our study provides evidence for genetic control of beef iron concentration. Moreover, SNPs identified in SLC40A1, rs134388440, rs136347850 and rs137555693 might be useful markers for the selection of Angus cattle for altered iron content.

New polymeric chelate structures derived from maleic anhydride–dicyclopentadiene copolymer (MA–DCPD) were synthesized by chemical modifications with triethylenetetramine (TETA), from Riedel De Haen AG Seelze, Hannover. Germany. Both amide and imide forms of these new polymers have been tested in the retention process of Cr (III) ions. Experimental results referring mainly to the retention capacity and retention efficiency, for different values of the working parameters: contact procedure, batch time, concentration of chelators, and pH, are presented. The polymer structures and their metal complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy. IR spectra proved that the metal was coordinated by nitrogen from TETA. The thermal properties of modified polymers and polychelates were also examined. Based on these experimental results and literature data, we discuss a possible binding mechanism and suggest the polychelate structures. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011

Summary A backcross pedigree using dairy East Friesian rams and non-dairy Dorset ewes wasestablished specifically to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting milk production insheep. Ninety nine microsatellite markers of an initial set of 120 were successfully geno-typed and informative on 188 animals of this backcross pedigree. Test-day milk records onindividual ewes were used to estimate several milk yield related traits, including peak milkyield and cumulative milk yield to 50 (MY50), 100 (MY100) and 250 days (MY250). Thesetraits, as well as estimated breeding value of backcross ewes extracted from the geneticevaluation file of the entire flock, were used in interval mapping. Ovine chromosomes 2, 12,18, 20 and 24 were identified to harbour putative QTL for different measures of milkproduction. The QTL on Ovis aries chromosomes (OAR) 2 and 20 mapped to locations wheresimilar trait QTL have already been mapped in other studies, whereas QTL on OAR 12, 18and 24 were unique to our backcross pedigree and have not been reported previously. Inaddition, all identified QTL regions were syntenic with bovine chromosomal segmentsrevealed to harbour QTL affecting milk production traits, providing supporting evidence forthe QTL identified here.Keywords milk production, quantitative trait loci, sheep.

The productivity and economic prosperity of sheep farming could benefit greatly from more effective methods of selection for year-round lambing. Identification of QTL for aseasonal reproduction in sheep could lead to more accurate selection and faster genetic improvement. One hundred and twenty microsatellite markers were genotyped on 159 backcross ewes from a Dorset × East Friesian crossbred pedigree. Interval mapping was undertaken to map the QTL underlying several traits describing aseasonal reproduction including the number of oestrous cycles, maximum level of progesterone prior to breeding, pregnancy status determined by progesterone level, pregnancy status determined by ultrasound, lambing status and number of lambs born. Seven chromosomes (1, 3, 12, 17, 19, 20 and 24) were identified to harbour putative QTL for one or more component traits used to describe aseasonal reproduction. Ovine chromosomes 12, 17, 19 and 24 harbour QTL significant at the 5% chromosome-wide level, chromosomes 3 and 20 harbour QTL that exceeded the threshold at the 1% chromosome-wide level, while the QTL identified on chromosome 1 exceeded the 1% experiment-wide significance level. These results are a first step towards understanding the genetic mechanism of this complex trait and show that variation in aseasonal reproduction is associated with multiple chromosomal regions.

Primary cardiac tumors are very rare tumors, and cardiac sarcomas are uncommon tumors. We report the case of a 22-year-old previously healthy woman with notable medical history who presented with 4 days of light-headedness, nausea, and vomiting, 1 day of loss of awareness in orthostatism, and severe right ventricular failure. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography revealed a hypoechoic homogeneous tumor measuring 50 mm on the long axis in the right ventricle and occupying the entire cavity of the right ventricle. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the mass, with no other visible pathologic masses. Postsurgical histopathologic results showed malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH; undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma). Six follow-up monthly cardiac and abdominal sonographic examinations revealed no tumor recidivism, mild tricuspid insufficiency, normal liver aspects, no fluid in the pericardium, pleura, or peritoneum, and no images of additional tumors. To our knowledge, a case of primary MFH of the right ventricle in Romania has not been reported previously, and this is the fourth reported case in the world. Our case was especially unusual because of the primary location in the right ventricle (the usual site for metastasis), lack of symptoms until the development of severe right cardiac failure, and the young age of the patient.

The [1,1′-biisoquinoline]-4,4′-diol (4a), which was obtained as hydrochloride 4a⋅2 HCl in two steps starting from the methoxymethyl (MOM)-protected 1-chloroisoquinoline 8 (Scheme 3), opens access to further O-functionalized biisoquinoline derivatives. Compound 4a⋅2 HCl was esterified with 4-(hexadecyloxy)benzoyl chloride (5b) to give the corresponding diester 3b (Scheme 4), which could not be obtained by Ni-mediated homocoupling of 6b (Scheme 2). The ether derivative 2b was accessible in good yield by reaction of 4a⋅2 HCl with the respective alkyl bromide 9 under the conditions of Williamson etherification (Scheme 4). Slightly modified conditions were applied to the esterification of 4a⋅2 HCl with galloyl chlorides 10a–h as well as etherification of 4a⋅2 HCl with 6-bromohexyl tris(alkyloxy)benzoates 11b,d–h and [(6-bromohexyl)oxy]-substituted pentakis(alkyloxy)triphenylenes 14a–c (Scheme 5). Despite the bulky substituents, the respective target 1,1′-biisoquinolines 12, 13, and 15 were isolated in 14–86% yield (Table).

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer with excellent film-forming, emulsifying, and adhesive properties. The aim of this study is to design a simple process for PVA cross-linking with sodium trimetaphosphate to form membrane devices suitable for biomedical applications. This procedure requires no organic solvent, nor melting process to obtain films with high mechanical strength. Fabrication of a small diameter tube from a PVA film is easy with a single wrapping step around a Teflon rod. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated that, upon removal of the applied stress, the PVA film with a Young's modulus of 2 × 105 kPa returns to its original size and shape. The wall thickness of PVA tubes is 344 ± 13 µm (n = 12), which is close to the wall thickness of a human artery (350–710 µm). Suture retention of a PVA tube is excellent (140 ± 11 g), close to that of human vessels. The burst pressure of PVA tubes is found to be 507 ± 25 mm Hg, more than three times higher than the human healthy systolic arterial pressure. Under arterial pressure, there was no leakage even after needle puncture, contrary to clinical vascular expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prostheses. Finally, PVA tubes of 2 mm in diameter are used to replace a segment of an infrarenal aorta in rats. For at least one week, no mechanical nor thrombotic complications are noticed even in the absence of anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment. Graft patency is also evidenced with non-invasive imaging techniques. As a conclusion, this novel cross-linking method confers to poly(vinyl alcohol) particular mechanical properties such as compliance, elasticity and resistance to mechanical stress, compatible with the circulatory blood flow.

Hip laxity is one characteristic of canine hip dysplasia (CHD), an inheritable disease that leads to hip osteoarthritis. Using a genome-wide screen with 250 microsatellites in a crossbreed pedigree of 159 dysplastic Labrador retrievers and unaffected greyhounds, we previously identified putative (P < 0.01) QTL on canine chromosomes 11 and 29 (CFA11 and CFA29). To refine these QTL locations, we have genotyped 257 dogs including 105 Labrador retrievers, seven greyhounds, four generations of their crossbreed offspring and three German shepherds for 111 and 171 SNPs on CFA11 and CFA29 respectively. The distraction index (DI, a measure of maximum hip laxity) was used as an intermediate phenotype that predicts whether a hip joint will or will not develop osteoarthritis. Using a multipoint linkage analysis, significant evidence (95% posterior probability) was found for QTL contributing to hip laxity in the 16.2-21 cM region on CFA11 that explained 15-18% of the total variance in DI. Evidence for an independent QTL on CFA29 was weaker than that on CFA11. Identification of the causative mutation(s) will lead to better understanding of biochemical pathways in both dogs and humans with hip laxity and dysplasia.

The presence of cobalt in biological systems has been associated with a variety of regulatory roles as an inorganic cofactor. Its involvement in (bio)chemical processes, where it contributes to the integrity of the physiology of humans, underscores its ability to promote (bio)chemistry with molecular targets of variable mass and biological properties. Given the fact that organic phosphonates are widespread substrates/ligands in biological fluids, we sought to investigate the relevant chemistry with CoII. With the organophosphonate ligand N,N-bis(phosphonomethyl)glycine (H5NTA2P) as the main metal ion binder, aqueous reactions with CoII were examined, ultimately leading to the isolation of the complex [Co(C4H9O8NP2)(H2O)2]·2H2O (1) at pH 1.5. This complex was characterized analytically, spectroscopically (FT-IR, UV/Vis, EPR), magnetically, and by cyclic voltammetry. X-ray crystallography shows that 1 is a compound with a molecular type of lattice. The complex consists of a mononuclear, octahedral CoII center coordinated by oxygen atoms belonging to the terminal phosphonate and carboxylate groups of H3NTA2P2–, the ligand nitrogen, and two bound water molecules. It should be emphasized that similar structural features have been observed in other metal organophosphonate lattices of materials with potential catalytic and chemical reactivity. The magnetic and EPR data for 1 suggest the presence of a high-spin octahedral CoII, with a ground state of an effective spin S = 1/2. The solution UV/Vis and EPR spectra suggest retention of the integrity of 1, which is consistent with the magnetization measurements in the solid state. Collectively, the data suggest a soluble CoII–organodiphosphonate species, not unlike those expected in bio-fluids containing the specific ligand or ligands structurally akin to H3NTA2P2–.The biological relevance of 1 to species in bio-fluids and the structural association with CoII–organophosphonate materials is discussed. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)

New polymeric structures obtained by chemical transformations of maleic anhydride/dicyclopentadiene copolymer with triethylenetetraamine, p-aminobenzoic acid, and p-aminophenylacetic acid were used for the removal Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The experimental values prove the importance of the chelator nature and of the macromolecular chain geometry for the retention efficiency. The retention efficiency (ηr), the retention capacity (Qe), and the distribution coefficient of the metal ion into the polymer matrix (Kd) are realized by evaluation of residual Cu(II) ions in the effluent waters, by atomic adsorption. Also are discussed the influence of pH, the thermal stability of the polymer, and their polymer–metal complex, as well as the particular aspects regarding the contact procedure and the batch time. Based on the polymers and polymer–metal complexes characterization a potential retention mechanism is proposed. All polymer supports as well theirs metal–complexes are characterized by ATD and FTIR measurements. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 1397–1405, 2007

Accelerating the convergence rate of Krylov subspace methods with parallelizable preconditioners is essential for obtaining effective iterative solvers for very large linear systems of equations. Substructuring provides a framework for constructing robust and parallel preconditioners for linear systems arising from the discretization of boundary value problems. Although collocation is a very general and effective discretization technique for many PDE problems, there has been relatively little work on preconditioners for collocation problems. This thesis proposes two preconditioning methods for solving linear systems of equations arising from Hermite bicubic collocation discretization of elliptic partial differential equations on square domains with mixed boundary conditions. The first method, called edge preconditioning, is based on a decomposition of the domain in parallel strips, and the second, called edge-vertex preconditioning, is based on a two-dimensional decomposition. The preconditioners are derived in terms of two special rectangular grids—a coarse grid with diameter H and a hybrid coarse/fine grid—which together with the fine grid of diameter h, provide the framework for approximating the interface problem induced by substructuring. We show that the proposed methods are effective for nonsymmetric indefinite problems, both from the point of view of the cost per iteration and of the number of iterations. For an appropriate choice of H, the edge preconditioner requires O(N) arithmetic operations per iteration, while the edge-vertex preconditioner requires O(N4/3) operations, where N is the number of unknowns. For the edge-vertex preconditioner, the number of iterations is almost constant when h and H decrease such that H/h is held constant and it increases very slowly with H when h is held constant. For both the edge- and edge-vertex preconditioners the number of iterations depends only weakly on h when H is constant. The edge-vertex preconditioner outperforms the edge- preconditioner for small enough H. Numerical experiments illustrate the parallel efficiency of the preconditioners which is similar or even better than that provided by the well-known PETSc parallel software library for scientific computing.

Color analysis on apple and potato slices coated with calcium caseinate or whey protein solutions showed that the 2 coatings efficiently delayed browning by acting as oxygen barriers. The antioxidant properties of the films were realized using a model allowing the release of oxidative species by electrolysis of saline buffer. Whey proteins were a better antioxidant capacity than calcium caseinate. Furthermore, addition of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to the formulations significantly improved their antioxidative power. Best scavenging of oxygen free radicals and reactive oxygen species was found for films based on whey proteins and CMC which inhibited by 75% the formation of colored compounds produced by the reaction of the oxidative species with N,N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine.

High amylose epichlorohydrin crosslinked starch excipient was examined to gain understanding of the starch polymorph changes as the crosslinking degree (CLD) increases. When the crosslinking degree is high, the sample is mostly amorphous, and the V/B ratio decreased. For this sample, “humidification” or “water soaking”, cannot overcome crystallization restraint due to the high crosslinking degree. The water soaked 20% CLD sample show some sharp, low intensity double helix 13C resonances. This sample is paracrystalline as can be seen from the collapse of the C(1) doublet to a singlet. Relaxation studies show that increasing crosslinking degree increases the amorphous content. It is also suggested that crosslinking is not homogeneous and that it is concentrated in the non-crystalline domain. A correlation was found between the decrease in content of B-type material and drug release kinetics. With increasing CLD, the reduction in crystalline order increases mobility, however, increasing covalent bonds in the excipient matrix reduces mobility. Differences in relaxation rate of the several overlapping resonances in the 70—80 ppm range of the 13C spectrum are pronounced and allow tentative bond assignments.

1. This study was carried out to investigate novel cardioprotective effects of urea and the underlying mechanisms. The cardiac functions under oxidative stress were evaluated using Langendorff perfused isolated heart. 2. Isolated dogfish shark hearts tolerated the oxidative stress generated by electrolysis (10 mA, 1 min) of the perfusion solution (n=4), and also showed normal cardiac functions during post-ischaemia reperfusion (n=4). The high concentration of urea (350 mM) in the heart perfusate was indispensable for maintaining the normal cardiac functions of the shark heart. 3. Urea at 3 - 300 mM (n=4 for each group) protected the isolated rat heart against both electrolysis-induced heart damage and post-ischaemia reperfusion-induced cardiac injury. 4. A concentration-dependent scavenging effect of urea (3 - 300 mM, n=4 for each group) against electrolysis-induced reactive oxygen species was also demonstrated in vitro. 5. Urea derivatives as hydroxyurea, dimethylurea, and thiourea had antioxidant cardioprotective effect against the electrolysis-induced cardiac dysfunction of rat heart, but were not as effective as urea in suppressing the post-ischaemia reperfusion injury. 6. Our results suggest that urea and its derivatives are potential antioxidant cardioprotective agents against oxidative stress-induced myocardium damage including the post-ischaemia reperfusion-induced injury.

It was shown that ceruloplasmin, apart from the known oxidative conversion of dopamine into melanin, can also produce (DHI)-melanin from 5,6-dihydroxyindole and THP-melanin from tetrahydropapaveroline. Ceruloplasmin acts as an oxidase and the kinetic parameters for these oxidative reactions are reported. Since these ceruloplasmin-catalyzed reactions occur also at pH 7.4, they could have a significant physiological impact. This ceruloplasmin-oxidasic activity is enhanced by copper ions and inhibited by chelators, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and desferoxamine (DEF). Some possible implication of melanin production in blood are discussed.

Hemoglobin (Hb) is not a glycoprotein but can easily be glycosylated by a non-enzymatic mechanism. Based on some kinetic particularities, consisting in a faster glycosylation of the amine terminal group of the beta-chain located on the allosteric site, a hypothesis of a recognition center for specific sugars has been advanced. Affinity chromatography materials based on epichlorohydrin crosslinked amylose, agarose and dextran (Sephadex), were used. A specific interaction with the CL-amylose (alpha-1,4-glycosidic links) was found, while for Sephadex (alpha-1,6-glycosidic links), no Hb retention was observed. An affinity retention of hemoglobins (human and bovine) on agarose (a galactose containing carbohydrate) has also been established. Chromatographic studies of Hb competitive elution with several monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) and disaccharides (saccharose, cellobiose, maltose, lactose) indicated that Hb retained by affinity onto CL-amylose columns, can be eluted only with galactose and lactose; with the other tested saccharides, very poor or no desorption at all, has been observed. These new data suggest: (1) a selective recognition of a limited number of (poly)saccharidic materials; and (2) a different behavior towards various sugars, the best interaction being observed with galactose-containing sugars (lactose). These aspects fit well with the hypothesis of a hemoglobin recognition center for sugars.

Among the priorities of the Romanian strategy in the statistics field, the introduction of the National Accounts System is known as an important instrument for the experience of Romanian specialists in calculating some aggregated indicators of the National Accounts System since 1975 created the conditions to elaborate the national accounts. The 1990 Romanian Yearbook contains for the first time figures concerning Gross Domestic Product between 1980 and 1989, detailed by branches, incomes and expenses and also by aggregated input-output figures. By taking advantage of the technical assistance and support of French specialists in the National Accounts field, Romania made the first steps in elaborating the National Accounts System. Thus, methodological studies about the institutional sectors in the Romanian economy, the description of the operations in accounts adapted to our particularities, and specific aspects in the elaboration of input-output tables are now underway. The recorded progress, as well as the programs for the coming years and the technical assistance granted by EEC and by other countries assure us that by assiduous efforts we shall be able to build a statistics system which will satisfy the domestic requirements, concepts and methods used at the international level. MOTTO: “Transition to the market economy may be imagined as a vehicle which requires a powerful engine for functioning. For statistics this means the national accounts.”