Nucleotide and Nucleotide Sugar Analysis in Cell Extracts by Capillary Electrophoresis.

In biotechnological processes the intracellular level of nucleotides and nucleotide sugars have a direct impact on the post-translational modification (glycosylation) of the therapeutic protein products and on the exopolysaccharide pattern of the cells. Thus, they are precursors and also key components in the production of glycoproteins and glycolipids. All four nucleotides (at different phosphorylation stages) and their natural sugar derivatives coexist in biological samples.

[Evaluation of hygiene practices during ophthalmologists' consultations in Burgundy, France].

Objectives: To evaluate the hygiene practices during ophthalmologists'consultations in Burgundy, France, so as to identify the difficulties they encounter in implementing new professional guidelines.

Method: The survey was based on an anonymous transversal descriptive survey conducted via a questionnaire sent in May 2006 to 102 ophthalmologists.

Results: Data from 51 questionnaires were included in the survey, showing a good response rate (50%).

[Apolipoprotein E and bleomycin hydrolase. Polymorphisms: association with neurodegenerative diseases].

Several studies indicate a possible association between different genes and chronic neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (DTA). To further investigate, we have analyzed association between the apolipoprotein E (apo E) and bleomycin hydrolase (BH) polymorphisms and three groups of elderly patients: control subjects (T) (n = 68), late-onset sporadic DTA patients (DTAst) (n = 65) and other non vascular neurodegerative diseases (MNDA) (n = 52). Apo E-epsilon4 and BH-G alleles frequencies (%) are: 8.

Interleukin-1-induced prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis in human synovial cells involves the activation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 and cyclooxygenase-2.

Treatment of human synovial cells with interleukin-1 (IL-1) results in a large increase in the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a function in which the activation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a key step. In order to identify the enzymes that are linked to IL-1-mediated arachidonate availability and subsequent PGE2 production, we have investigated the changes in gene expression of the 85-kDa cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2), the 14-kDa secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) and the two forms of cyclooxygenase in human synoviocytes after stimulation with recombinant IL-1 beta. Northern-blot analysis revealed that both cPLA2 and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA were progressively upregulated upon exposure to IL-1 for 5 hours and the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, blocked the increased expression of these two genes.