The gene for human erythrocyte protein 4.2 maps to chromosome 15q15.

Protein 4.2 (P4.2), one of the major components of the red-blood-cell membrane, is located on the interior surface, where it binds with high affinity to the cytoplasmic domain of band 3.

Volume flow across the alveolar epithelium of adult rat lung.

We separated the solute and water flow across the alveolar epithelium from flow across airway epithelia of the adult rat. Small volumes (0.5-1.

Alveolar transepithelial potential difference and ion transport in adult rat lung.

The complex morphology of the mammalian lung complicates characterization of solute transport across the intact alveolar epithelium. We impaled the subpleural alveolar epithelium with microelectrodes and measured the transepithelial potential difference (PD) of the liquid-filled vascular-perfused left lobe of the rat lung. When the air space was filled entirely with Krebs-Ringer-bicarbonate, the PD was 4.

Effect of vasodilation and vasoconstriction on microvascular pressures in skeletal muscle.

The effect of topically applied papaverine (PAP) and norepinephrine (NE), on the microvascular pressure distribution was studied in the cremaster muscle of anesthetized rats. The cremaster muscle was exteriorized into a tissue bath containing Krebs bicarbonate buffer, and microvessel diameters and pressures were measured using a video caliper and the resistance servo-null method, respectively. Pressures were measured in the 1st through 4th branch order arterioles (1A to 4A) and 1st through 4th branch order venules (1V to 4V).

Differential distribution of long and short interspersed element sequences in the mouse genome: chromosome karyotyping by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization has been used to demonstrate the differential distribution of interspersed repetitive elements in the genome of Mus musculus domesticus. Hybridization with a mouse long interspersed element sequence results in a sharp, highly reproducible banding pattern on metaphase chromosomes, which is quite similar to Giemsa banding for all chromosomes except 7 and X. The families of short interspersed elements, B1 and B2, preferentially cluster in the R, or reverse, bands.

Purification and characterization of a protein antigen from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo, common to a wide range of bacteria.

A protein with a molecular mass of 64 kDa (P64) from Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo was partially purified by using successively, phase partitioning with Triton X-114, ion-exchange chromatography and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Purification to homogeneity was obtained by electroelution of P64 from SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Monospecific rabbit antiserum (R alpha P64) was prepared using the purified protein preparation.

A novel method for studying ergosterol biosynthesis by a cell-free preparation of Aspergillus fumigatus and its inhibition by azole antifungal agents.

A novel procedure has been developed for measuring ergosterol biosynthesis from [14C]mevalonate in a cell-free extract prepared from Aspergillus fumigatus. Ergosterol accounted for approximately 60% of the 4, 14-desmethylated sterol fraction which in turn totalled 13.2% of the non-saponifiable lipid produced.

Interaction of microsomal cytochrome P-450 isolated from Aspergillus fumigatus with fluconazole and itraconazole.

A simple procedure has been developed for isolating a microsomal fraction from Aspergillus fumigatus which contains cytochrome P-450. Maximum absorbance of the carbon monoxide/ferrous cytochrome P-450 difference spectrum was at a wavelength of 451 nm. The triazole antifungal agents, fluconazole and itraconazole, produced type II binding difference spectra with ferric cytochrome P-450 in A.

Volume and ion transport by fetal rat alveolar and tracheal epithelia in submersion culture.

The complex architecture of the mammalian lung has hindered measurements of permeability of and transport by the intact alveolar epithelium. We compared properties of fetal rat alveolar buds and tracheas in submersion culture by microelectrode and micropuncture techniques. Both alveolar buds and tracheas form cysts that accumulate liquid for up to 3 wk in culture.

Monoclonal antibodies reacting with serogroup and serovar specific epitopes on different lipopolysaccharide subunits of Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona.

Monoclonal antibodies with two kinds of specificities, produced against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona, were studied by agglutination and immunoblotting. Antibodies reacted either exclusively with serovar pomona or with all members of the Pomona serogroup, but none of the antibodies reacted with representative serovars of other serogroups. Both antibodies recognized epitopes on purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from serovar pomona.

A comparative study of 1-substituted imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole antifungal compounds as inhibitors of testosterone hydroxylations catalysed by mouse hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450.

Three imidazole antifungal agents, ketoconazole, miconazole and tioconazole, and a group of structurally related 1-substituted imidazole and 1,2,4-triazole compounds were evaluated as inhibitors of the oxidative metabolism of testosterone catalysed by mouse hepatic microsomal cytochromes P-450. Spectroscopic studies showed that both imidazoles and triazoles interacted with ferric cytochrome P-450 in hepatic microsomes to produce type II difference spectra which could be distinguished by their different absorbance maxima; 429-430 nm and 425-426 nm respectively. Compound 4, which possesses both types of functional group, produced a spectrum which resembled that of imidazole compounds, indicating that the imidazole moiety had a higher affinity than the triazole for the haem of cytochromes P-450 present in microsomes.

Volume calculation by means of SPECT: analysis of imaging acquisition and processing factors.

To assess the effect of image acquisition and processing factors on the volume calculated from single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images, the authors evaluated technical factors including image matrix size, size of the region of interest (ROI), activity concentration in the region, amount of background subtraction, type of reconstruction filter, section thickness, and number of projections. They found that the percentage of background subtraction was the single most important factor affecting volume calculation. The smaller the volume, the greater the amount of background subtraction needed before the ROI is drawn.

Interactions of virulent and avirulent leptospires with primary cultures of renal epithelial cells.

A primary culture system for the cells of mouse renal-tubular epithelium was established and used to observe the adhesion of leptospires. Virulent strains of serovars copenhageni and ballum attached themselves to epithelial cells within 3 h of infection whereas an avirulent variant of serovar copenhageni did not adhere to epithelial cells at all within the experimental period of 24 h. The saprophytic Leptospira biflexa serovar patoc became attached non-specifically to inert glass surfaces as well as to the cells.

Identification of a protein covalently linked to the 5' terminus of tobacco vein mottling virus RNA.

The nature of the 5' terminus of tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV) RNA, a member of the potyvirus group, was investigated. Digestion of viral RNA with ribonuclease led to the appearance of a new polypeptide band of apparent molecular weight 24,000 (24 kDa) after electrophoresis on denaturing polyacrylamide gels. Viral RNA was subjected to radioiodination with the protein-specific Bolton-Hunter reagent.

Enzymatic radioimmunoassay for detecting Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona in the urine of experimentally-infected pigs.

An enzymatic radioimmunoassay (ERIA) has been developed for detecting Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona in porcine urine. Four grower pigs were experimentally infected with serovar pomona. A total of 39 urine samples was collected, and ERIA was compared with dark ground microscopy (DGM) and culture for demonstrating leptospiruria.

The immunoglobulin response of swine following experimental infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona.

The antibody response of pigs following experimental infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona was examined using enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and the microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Leptospires elicited the production of both IgM and IgG classes of antibody, with IgG levels persisting for much longer than IgM. A comparison of MAT and EIA indicated that the detection of specific IgM by EIA was potentially useful in distinguishing between past and recent infection in pigs.

Absorption and elimination of a branched-chain alkylpolyethoxylate surfactant in rats.

Oral doses (100 mg/kg/day) of a 14C-labelled branched-chain alkylpolyethoxylate [( C5H11]2CH14CH2O[CH2CH2O]6H; abbreviated [14C]A12E6) were extensively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of rats. During a multiple dosing regime, a proportion of 14C equivalent to one daily dose was excreted each day. This 14C was excreted in urine and faeces in equal proportions; less than 1% of the dose was expired as 14CO2.

Quantifying nursing needs in home health care.

A study was conducted to determine what factors were most predictive of the quantity of nursing service and total agency service required by cardiac and cancer patients in home-care agencies. A retrospective record review on 397 patients in 9 randomly selected Connecticut home-care agencies collected demographic data on referral and payment source, support system, discharge status, primary care provider, and health status, as well as total number of professional and nonprofessional visits and length of stay. The Health Status Score, which measured deficits in daily activities and nursing problems, proved to be the best predictor.

The effect of intravenously administered phosphocreatine on ATP and phosphocreatine concentrations in the cardiac muscle of the rat.

Following intravenous administration of 32P-phosphocreatine (50 mg/kg) or an equimolar mixture of creatine + 32P-phosphate (equivalent to 50 mg/kg phosphocreatine) to rats, and examination of an extract of cardiac muscle by HPLC, the proportion of radiolabelled adenosine triphosphate (ATP; up to 3%) was similar in each treatment group at 120 min after dosing. Mean concentrations of ATP in the cardiac muscle were increased significantly during this time (to 3.1 mumol/g) after intravenous administration of 32P-phosphocreatine compared with those in control rats (2.

The pharmacokinetics, pharmacological responses and behavioral effects of acepromazine in the horse.

After intravenous (i.v.) injection, acepromazine was distributed widely in the horse (Vd = 6.

Atypical conditions for quantitative recovery of acepromazine and chlorpromazine from plasma.

Recoveries of acepromazine and chlorpromazine from equine plasma were examined. Recoveries of both drugs from plasma were poor under theoretically optimal conditions for basic drugs. When a wide range of extraction pH was examined, it was found that more complete recoveries of these drugs from plasma were achieved at pH 5-6.