Temperature-induced production of recombinant human insulin in high-cell density cultures of recombinant Escherichia coli.

The construction of expression vectors encoding either the human insulin A- or B-chains fused to a synthetic peptide and the temperature-induced expression of the recombinant genes in Escherichia coli are reported. Using this two-chain approach we also describe the separate isolation of the insulin A- and B-chains from inclusion bodies and their subsequent assembly into native human insulin. The production of the insulin fusion proteins were carried out in high-cell density fed-batch cultures using a synthetic medium with glucose as sole carbon and energy source.

Clonidine prevents insulin resistance and hypertension in obese dogs.

The role that the central sympathetic nervous system plays in the development of obesity hypertension and insulin was evaluated by feeding dogs a high fat diet with or without clonidine treatment. Thirteen adult mongrel dogs were chronically instrumented and randomly assigned to receive either a high fat diet and no clonidine (n=6) or a high fat diet plus clonidine (n=7), 0.3 mg BID.

Alkaline unfolding and salt-induced folding of bovine liver catalase at high pH.

We have studied the alkaline unfolding of bovine liver catalase and its dependence on ionic strength by enzymic activity measurements and a combination of optical methods like circular dichroism, fluorescence and absorption spectroscopies. Under conditions of high pH (11.5) and low ionic strength, the native tetrameric enzyme dissociates into monomers with complete loss of enzymic activity and a significant loss of alpha-helical content.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma masquerading as empyema thoracis.

Non-hodgkin's lymphoma has varied presentations. Malignant lymphoma arising in chronic pyothorax is very rare and has been reported from Japan. We report a case of non-hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as empyema thoracis.

Physico-chemical characterization of grain dust in storage air of Bangalore.

An Anderson personal cascade impactor was used to study the particle mass size distribution in the storage air of two major grain storage centers in Bangalore. Dust levels in storage air as well as the personal exposures of workers were determined along with a detailed study on the particle size distribution. Protein and carbohydrate content of the dust were also determined respectively in the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and water extracts by using the standard analytical techniques.

Reliability of somatosensory evoked potentials in intraoperative localization of the central sulcus in patients with perirolandic mass lesions.

Patients with parenchymatous mass lesions in the perirolandic area as seen by CT or MRI are unique in that identification of the central sulcus (CS) intraoperatively is crucial in determining the surgical strategy. Somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) responses were used under general anaesthesia for the intraoperative identification of the central sulcus (CS). Sixty-five patients with parenchymatous mass lesions were included in the study and a phase reversal in the hand area across the central sulcus was used to identify this sulcus.

Ionic-strength-dependent transition of hen egg-white lysozyme at low pH to a compact state and its aggregation on thermal denaturation.

Equilibrium acid-induced unfolding of hen egg-white lysozyme has been investigated by a combination of optical methods, size-exclusion chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. The results showed the presence of a partially folded state of hen egg-white lysozyme at pH 1.5, characterized by a substantial secondary structure, a large solvent exposure of non-polar clusters, and significantly disrupted tertiary structure.

Surgery of perirolandic mass lesions with central sulcus mapping.

In a series of forty eight consecutive patients with parenchymatous mass lesions in the perirolandic area the central sulcus was identified intraoperatively in forty six. In patients in whom the mass lesion was seen on the surface, the relationship of the lesion to the somatosensory cortex and its underlying white matter was precisely determined. When the lesion was subcortical, the relationship of the mass lesion to the central sulcus on the MR image together with the central sulcus identified peroperatively, again, helped to determine the exact site of the tumour.

Antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic activity of natural and synthetic curcuminoids.

Five synthetic curcuminoids and three natural curcuminoids were investigated for their antimutagenic and anti-promotional activity. The natural curcuminoids, curcumin I (diferuloylmethane), curcumin II (feruloyl-p-hydroxycinnamoylmethane) and curcumin III (bis-(p-hydroxycinnamoyl)methane) isolated from Curcuma longa were found to be potent inhibitors of mutagenesis and crotean oil-induced tumour promotion. Curcumin III produced 87.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma a report of nine cases.

Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare neoplasm of B cell origin and constitute less than 1% of Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Histology is mainly of high grade and intermediate type. Although NHL is known to be highly sensitive to both irradiation and cytotoxic drugs, being a curable malignancy, the therapeutic results remain disappointing.

Value of visual evoked potential monitoring during trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery.

The visual outcome of 22 patients undergoing trans-sphenoidal excision of pituitary macroadenomas with intraoperative flash visual evoked potential (VEP) monitoring (Group A), was compared with a non-randomized group of 14 patients who had undergone similar operations without VEP monitoring (Group B). Tumour size, preoperative visual acuity, peripheral fields, and latencies and amplitudes of P1 and P2 were analysed to ascertain the best predictor of postoperative visual function. It was found that patients in Group A had a significantly greater improvement in field defects than those in Group B.

Keratins and skin disorders.

The epidermal keratinocytes express two major pairs of keratin polypeptides. One pair (K5/K14) expressed specifically in basal generative compartment and the other (K1/K10) expressed specifically in the differentiating suprabasal compartment. The switch in the expression of the keratins from proliferating to differentiating compartment indicates the changes that occur in the keratin filament organization which in turn influences the functional properties of the epidermis.

Effect of low-intensity millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation on regeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats.

The effect of low-intensity millimeter wave electromagnetic radiation (MWR) on regeneration of the rat sciatic nerve after transection and microsurgical reapproximation was examined. Rats were exposed to 54 GHz MWR at a power density of 4 mW/cm2. It was found that MWR treatment of the femoral skin in the area of suture accelerated the regeneration of nerve fibers.

Mineralization of phenol and its derivatives by Pseudomonas sp. strain CP4.

A Pseudomonas sp. strain, CP4, was isolated that used phenol up to 1.5 g/l as sole source of carbon and energy.

Anti-tumour and antioxidant activity of natural curcuminoids.

Matural curcuminoids, curcumin, I, II and III isolated from turmeric (Curcuma longa) were compared for their cytotoxic, tumour reducing and antioxidant activities. Curcumin III was found to be more active than the other two as a cytotoxic agent and in the inhibition of Ehrlich ascites tumour in mice (ILS 74.1%).